Ontario Tech University researcher Denina Simmons, PhD, Canada Research Chair in Aquatic Toxicology and assistant professor in the Faculty of Science.
In recognition of her outstanding track record of research achievement and discovery, the Government of Canada has appointed Dr. Denina Simmons, a researcher in the Faculty of Science at Ontario Tech University, to a new five-year Canada Research Chair (CRC).
As a CRC in Aquatic Toxicology at Ontario Tech University, Dr. Simmons conducts research to improve the ethical use of animals in scientific research and protect Canada's precious freshwater resources. By identifying new molecular expression patterns in biofluids in the Aquatic Omics Lab, her team is uncovering links between chemical exposure and higher levels of adverse outcomes in fish and aquatic organisms.
Did you know? “Omics” is a term coined to describe the large-scale, data-rich field of biology and the various scientific disciplines whose names end with the suffix -omics, such as genomics (genes), proteomics (proteins) and metabolomics (small molecules). “Omics” refers to the totality of molecular processes within an organism. Results of CRC Phase 1
Dr. Simmons has developed multidisciplinary research expertise in new areas beyond existing environmental omics science programs. These areas include wastewater monitoring and the application of saliva omics to human health. Since arriving at Ontario Tech in 2019, she has received over $2.9 million in research funding through government grants, collaborative partnerships and service agreements. She has published 20 peer-reviewed publications as a CRC, with six more scheduled for publication next year.
In 2022, Dr. Simmons was awarded an Ontario Early Researcher Award to develop a biological monitoring pilot program and support further research collaborations with Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario.
CRC Goals for 2024-2029
In addition to plasma, Dr. Simmons' second term of the Tier-2 CRC in Aquatic Toxicology will focus on studying epidermal mucus (a key determinant of fish health and represents the organism's first line of defense against waterborne microorganisms such as bacteria) and other novel non-invasive, non-lethal sample types. All research data collected over the past five years, and all new data collected during the second CRC term, will become part of an online web tool and database to monitor cumulative environmental impacts on fish health in aquatic ecosystems.
Dr. Simmons will identify molecular expression patterns (MEPs) in fish epidermal mucus that are specific to individual environmental stressors in polluted waters. He will also aim to identify plasma MEPs and link these molecular findings to higher level adverse outcomes. This research will increase our knowledge and understanding of epidermal mucus function in vertebrate fish.
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“At Ontario Tech, we are proud of the record of research discovery and innovation held by our Canada Research Chairs. Their national and international leadership in their fields of expertise demonstrates the University's commitment to excellence in evidence-based scholarship and the application of new knowledge. Professor Simmons is an example of this leadership, and I look forward to comprehensive research excellence over the next five years.”
-Dr. Les Jacobs, Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Ontario Tech University
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About Ontario Tech University: Celebrating 20 years
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