Shawna Corcoran
Demonstrator-Technician
BSc (Cape Breton University), MSc (Trent)
Research and Teaching Interests
Investigating environmental contaminants in water and wastewater and evaluating overall water quality. Experienced in using a range of different analytical instruments and developing new analytical methods to quantify a variety of environmental contaminants. Aspires to help students succeed academically and professionally in the laboratory and field by encouraging hands on learning experiences.
Office: ESC C201 Phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 7598 Email: scorcoran@trentu.ca
Robert Loney
Demonstrator-Technician
BSc (Toronto)
Research and Teaching Interests
Practical applications of environmental techniques, especially in energy consumption: what can the typical person do to reduce their negative impacts on the environment? Involved in supporting several TSE courses, particularly ERS year 1, GIS/Remote Sensing, and the ERS field courses. Also provides technical & computer support, timetables TSE courses, and serves on various committees.
Office: ESC A204.1 Phone: 705-748-1011 x7870 Email: rloney@trentu.ca
Craig Murray
Demonstrator-Technician
BSc (Ryerson), MSc (Trent)
Research and Teaching Interests
Focused on quantifying the impacts of forest harvesting on the hydrological cycle. Investigated the impacts of clearcut harvesting on snow accumulation, melt and infiltration, and the impact of buffer strip widths on the hydrology of the near shore zone. Recent projects with the Institute for Watershed Science at Trent included monitoring of neonicotinoid insecticides in Milkweed to determine potential impacts to Monarch Butterfly populations; monitoring of municipal sewage lagoons to determine loadings to Great Lakes Basins; a hydrological study of a natural wetland used to treat sewage in Ulukhaktok, NWT; the measurement of pharmaceutical drugs in the effluent of wastewater treatment plants; and a field scale validation of methods for identifying high volume recharge areas in Ontario to support source water protection.
Office: ESC A201.1 Phone: 705-748-1011 x7689 Email: craigmurray@trentu.ca
Patrick O'Brien
Demonstrator-Technician
BSc, MSc, PhD (Trent)
Research and Teaching Interests
The dynamics of particle/fluid interactions in natural and laboratory settings. Specific research focused on the wind-driven erosion of sand, dust, and microplastics using wind tunnel experimentation under varying climate conditions. Currently investigating how the shape of microplastics influences specification through transport, as well as the role that surface moisture plays on sand cloud dynamics. Teaching focuses include hands-on skills-based learning, experimental design, big data analysis, effects of climate change on wind erosion, undergraduate mentoring, and grad school recruitment.
Matthew Porter
Farm Operations Coordinator
BSc (Trent)
Research and Teaching Interests
GIS in agriculture, inter-seeding and cover cropping; teaches courses with Fleming College Sustainable Agriculture program.
Office: ESC C201 Phone: 705-748-1011 x7230 Email: mporter@trentu.ca