PhD Candidate, Renewable Resources, McGill University
Bonjour, Hi (as they say in Montréal). I am a French PhD candidate at McGill University. I am submitting my thesis in July, and will defend my doctorate in the fall (2023). I work on the feeding ecology and its role in contaminant accumulations in North Atlantic killer whales.
Research Highlights:
I am particularly interested in dietary chemical tracers like fatty acids or stable isotopes in apex marine predators. As the ultimate marine predators, killer whales accumulate high concentrations of biomagnifying contaminants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, or brominated flame retardants. These contaminants may threaten the whales' health and their long-term population stability. Hence, by measuring various feeding tracers in the whales' blubber, we can use models to reveal their diets. Understanding killer whales' feeding ecology is key to assessing the risks caused by the accumulation of toxic contaminants.
Science Communication:
I am a bilingual science communicator (??/??) and a huge whale nerd. I am the founder and chief editor of Whale Scientists, a platform I created to share early career researchers' passion for marine mammals with the public.
Toxic diets: Canadian orcas face high risks of pollution-related health effects
Oct 27, 2023 15:06 pm UTC| Nature
Killer whales, also called orcas, are known for their intelligence and striking presence. They are also enduring a silent but persistent threat beneath the surface of our oceans. My research investigates killer whales...