Research Round Up: Highlighting Innovative Student-Led Research
From diet trends of Arctic Fox populations to connections between relationship satisfaction and emotional intelligence, student research at Trent is innovative, interesting and timely. Read on to learn more about recent research projects led by Trent students.
Trent Graduate Research Predicts Extinction of a Population of At-Risk Turtles
Research by Dr. Anne-Christine Auge, Trent University Environmental & Life Sciences Ph.D. graduate, predicts that, despite current conservation measures, a population of Blanding’s turtles in Kanata, Ontario could be extinct within the next ten years if conditions don’t improve. Dr. Auge studied the at-risk population of turtles during her degree, tracking them over four summers to determine population size, survival, movements, and juvenile recruitment in an area of intensive development. Comparing her research with findings from a research team studying in the early 2010s, Dr. Auge found that the turtle population had declined significantly in the last decade. The study, a collaboration between Dr. Auge, Dr. Dennis Murray, Canada Research Chair in Integrative Wildlife Conservation at Trent, as well as University of Ottawa and University of Winnipeg researchers, was recently published in Animal Conservation and is expected to add a significant contribution to the field of conservation biology.
Filling Demographic Gaps in Mental Health Research
Colin Henning is working to build knowledge about adults through ADHD and emotional intelligence research. Studying in Trent’s Psychology Ph.D. program and working with supervisor Dr. James Parker in the Emotion and Health Research Laboratory, Henning’s research is supported through funding by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). Identifying that most research on emotional intelligence has been focused on people between the ages of 18 to 25, his work investigates whether emotional intelligence predicts relationship satisfaction for the lesser studied cohort of older adults.
Trent Master’s Students Research the Effects of AI in the Workplace
Trent University Master of Management published their paper on the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on employees in the Human Resources and Service Management journal. “Generative AI has both negative and positive effects on employee morale and productivity if not properly managed. Our findings revealed there was a positive impact of AI on work, particularly in terms of managing workload more efficiently and allowing more focus on significant tasks,” said Trent Durham Master’s student Robina Omosa.
Major Research Project Leads to Award-Winning Success
After a career in the arts, media, and travel, David Newland engaged in a different kind of exploration of Canada, completing an M.A. in English (Public Texts) and achieving award-winning success in his academic journey at Trent University. While earning his graduate degree, his major research paper titled “Paper Nation: Conceiving Canada in the Confederation Day Globe” was honoured with the Canadian Studies Network award for best M.A. paper. Now a Ph.D. student in Trent’s Canadian Studies program, studying alongside supervisors Professor David Newhouse in the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies, and Dr. Heather Nicol, director of the School for the Study of Canada, his research will explore the important topic of settler place- making in Indigenous territory.
Ph.D. Student Among 100 Global Women in Polar Science
Trent Ph.D. student Alexandra Derian has been featured as one of 100 Women in Polar Science by Women in Polar Science (WiPS), a global initiative that aims to elevate the profile of female scientists working in polar research. As a student in the Environmental & Life Sciences Ph.D. program at Trent, working alongside with Dr. Paul Szpak, Canada Research Chair in Environmental Archaeology, Derian’s research examines Arctic fox diet and ecology in response to Inuit and Paleo-Inuit hunting practices over the past 2,000 years. Integrating historical perspectives, ecological considerations, and the impacts of climate change on Arctic fox populations, her research analyzes stable isotopes in animal bones to reconstruct the diets of ancient communities – providing insights into the subsistence strategies and resource utilization of past populations by understanding what types of food were consumed by the animals.
Posted on March 26, 2024