Ruth is beginning a Master of Science in the Environmental and Life Sciences program at Trent University after completing her undergraduate degree in Indigenous Environmental Science. Her undergraduate work in TRACE Lab included projects on contaminant analysis, community-based research, and environmental monitoring. Her Master’s research focuses on assessing contamination and risk perception in Mi’gmaq communities in the Gaspé region of Quebec, with an emphasis on both metals and emerging organic pollutants such as PFAS, pesticides, and microplastics.

Jess Pauze is a Masters Candidate in the Environmental and Life Sciences (ENLS) program. She is researching fish contamination in Garden River First Nation (GRFN) Territory, looking at heavy metals, PFAS, and microplastics, with the goal of developing a community-led fish consumption guide that supports GRFN values and practices. 

Ashley is a Masters Candidate in the Environmental and Life Sciences (ENLS) program at Trent University. She is currently writing a thesis on community perceived risk of environmental contaminants in Peterborough with a focus on residential gardening habits. This research will be accompanied by a GIS of known environmental contaminants in Peterborough.  

Auma is a PhD student in Environmental and Life Sciences at Trent University, under the mentorship of Prof. Mary-Claire Buell. Before commencing her PhD studies, she worked as a Research Assistant at Egerton University under the mentorship of Prof. Nzula Kitaka. Her PhD research is focused on investigating contaminants in tissues of Dreissenid mussels in the Canadian part of Lake Huron. 

Nathalie Kuria is pursuing a PhD in Environmental & Life Sciences at Trent University, following the completion of her Honours Bachelor of Science degree in biology and diploma in Ecosystem Management. With over a decade in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough, Nathalie has worked in diverse roles, from Terrestrial Monitoring Technician to Environmental Educator, following a passion for ecosystem assessment and community engagement. Her current research interests explore environmental toxicology and the intersection of diverse knowledge systems to develop sustainable ecological practices and promote environmental advocacy. 

Ella is a Master of Science Candidate in Environmental and Life Sciences at Trent University after earning an undergraduate degree in Environmental Chemistry. Her graduate research expands on her undergraduate thesis, which examined PFAS in fish from lakes in the Michipicoten First Nation Territory. Her current work focuses on the fate of chemical contaminants in the environment, with a broader interest in environmental toxicology and food sovereignty.

Spencer is a Master of Science candidate in the Environmental and Life Sciences program at Trent University after graduating with a Bachelor of Environmental Science/Studies (Hons.). His work as a research technician in TRACE Lab included projects on contamination analysis, fish age assessments, and method development. Spencer’s graduate research works in partnership with Alderville First Nation to assess contamination across environmental media and fish species, with an emphasis on PCBs, heavy metals, and methylmercury.  

Mya is a Master’s candidate in the Sustainability Studies program at Trent University, where she recently completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Environmental Studies. In partnership with Alderville First Nation, her research supports the development of a community-led environmental health monitoring program for Rice Lake. The project brings contaminant testing into conversation with community-defined understandings of lake health to inform discussions about legal personhood and the lake’s future governance. 

Jamal Holaman is beginning a Master of Science in the Environmental and Life Sciences program at Trent University after completing his undergraduate degree in Forensic Science and Chemistry. His undergraduate thesis work in TRACE Lab focused on PFAS contamination in deployed mussels downstream of wastewater treatment plants in Windsor, Ontario, contributing to ongoing research on emerging contaminants in aquatic environments. His Master’s research will explore the occurrence and environmental implications of pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs, with a focus on their presence in aquatic systems.

Liz recently graduated from the Environmental and Resource Science program at Trent University and is now a Master of Science candidate in the Environmental and Life Sciences program. Her undergraduate research in the TRACE Lab focused on developing a new method for sampling benthic macroinvertebrates that allows for multiple contaminant analyses to better understand the presence of contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. Her master's research will focus on glyphosate and its potential effects on aquatic ecosystems within Michipicoten First Nation Territory.

James is a Masters of Science candidate in the Environmental and Life Sciences program at Trent University. His current research involves developing a custom dashboard to help track water quality through TRACE Lab, proponent, and First Nation monitoring data.