Nicole McLellan
Education
UoG Program: PhD Environmental Science +Toxicology
Advisor: Marc Habash and Hung Lee
B.Sc., Honours Biology, University of Waterloo
M.A.Sc., Dept. Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo
Research
General areas of interest include: Aquatic Microbiology; Virology; Molecular Biology; Biotechnology; Environmental & Human Health Risk Assessment; Water Treatment Process Optimization. The long-term objectives of my research include developing standardized molecular methods to detect infectious waterborne pathogens to inform quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) and water management. My research involves evaluating modifications to conventional qPCR methods to allow for differentiation between infectious and inactivated viruses. Additionally, these methods are being used to validating disinfection efficacy of technologies such as ultraviolet light (UV).
Funding
NSERC Industrial Postgraduate Scholarship
NSERC - Engage Grant
Queen Elizabeth II Science & Technology
Robb Graduate Travel Grant
Dean's Entrance Scholarship
Awards
- First Place in Water Science and Research Poster | AWWA ACE, Chicago, IL | 2010
- Special Graduate Scholarship | University of Waterloo | 2010
- Larson Aquatic Research Support Masters Scholarship | AWWA | 2011
- First Place Poster Presenter | Canadian Water Network International Conference, Banff, AB | 2012
- MITACS Accelerate Scholarship | University of Waterloo & City of Ottawa | 2012
- Academic Achievement Award for Best Masters Thesis | AWWA| 2014