Articles by author: Brock University

• Niagara Brain Bee creating buzz around science

  Wednesday, March 05, 2025 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE – March 5, 2025 – R0032

  Local teens interested in testing their knowledge about the brain can make a beeline for Brock University.

  Science enthusiasts and newcomers alike are invited to explore the mind’s inner workings at the inaugural Niagara Brain Bee Competition on Monday, April 7.

  Hosted by Brock’s Centre for Neuroscience, the competition is part of a larger network of events happening across the country and around the world. Niagara’s winner will be invited to the annual Canadian National Brain Bee, sponsored by the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR), and the winner of the national event will have the opportunity to take part in an international contest.

  Assistant Professor of Psychology Paula Duarte Guterman, Canada Research Chair in Behavioural Neuroscience, likens the Brain Bee to a traditional spelling bee but with questions about the brain and how it works. However, she emphasizes that students do not need expertise or even a background in neuroscience to sign up.

  “The Brain Bee is for everyone who is interested,” she says. “We provide the study materials, so the only thing you need is the motivation to learn.”

  Links to all open-source study materials are available on the event website under the heading “Study Materials.” In the run-up to April 7, participants can also join online study sessions with undergraduate Neuroscience students to help them prepare.

  Assistant Professor Stephen Glasgow in the Department of Biological Sciences says the event, which will also include activities and information on Brock’s Neuroscience program, is a great opportunity for participants to learn about a field that may be less familiar to teens.

  “When I was a high school student, we had biology and chemistry and physics, but neuroscience wasn’t a path I would have known about,” he says. “Sub-specializations like neuroscience are interdisciplinary and can be combined, so we want students to learn about this viable path they may not even know about yet.”

  Glasgow also notes that Niagara competitors have had to travel out of the region to take part in previous years, so he is excited to bring the Brain Bee tradition to Brock.

  “This inaugural event will highlight the growing neuroscience community at Brock,” he says. “It’s a great opportunity for students to get exposure to real research and build their neuroscience understanding.”

  Duarte Guterman is also eager to welcome the community.

  “This is such a fun part — sharing the amazement people experience when they learn new things,” she says. “So, I’m really looking forward to meeting high school students, family members and teachers and getting to know the community, as well.”

  All Niagara high school students from Grades 9 to 12 are welcome to take part but must register online by Friday, March 28.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  *Sarah Ackles, Communications Specialist, Brock University [email protected] or 289-241-5483

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  Categories: Media releases

• Wildlife research takes flight in St. Catharines neighbourhood 

  Tuesday, March 04, 2025 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE – March 4, 2025 – R0031

  How do animals adapt to survive in cities? Brock University researchers are hoping a little birdie will tell them.

  A research project led by Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Kiyoko Gotanda and Biological Sciences PhD student Michelle Ross is examining the effects of urbanization on black-capped chickadees to gain broader insight into wildlife in urban environments.

  The team is monitoring the birds by installing Brock-branded nest boxes between 282 and 285 Ontario St. in St. Catharines, a busy stretch of road once home to an automotive manufacturing plant.

  “We’ve chosen the black-capped chickadee because it’s abundant in both urban and rural areas, making it an excellent candidate for studying how animals adapt to city life,” Gotanda says. “By installing nest boxes and monitoring the birds that use them, we’re able to track their reproductive success and observe their behaviours in urban settings, where they face different challenges than their rural counterparts.”

  Ross says urban birds tend to be bolder, more curious and more stressed than their rural counterparts. The researchers are exploring whether these traits are connected to physiological changes, such as altered hormone levels, and if they are harmful or beneficial in the long run.

  “What we’re really interested in is how urbanization is influencing these birds over time,” she says. “It’s not just about seeing if they can survive in cities, it’s about understanding how these urban environments are changing them, both physically and behaviourally.”

  The research is focused on understanding the role of stress hormones such as corticosterone, which can affect behaviours such as aggression and neophobia, the fear of new things. These traits may help birds adapt in the short term but could have serious long-term health consequences.

  The team’s findings will contribute to a growing body of knowledge in urban ecology. Their goal is to establish a long-term monitoring project, providing critical data on how urbanization affects wildlife.

  Fourteen nest boxes built by Brock’s Machine Shop have already been installed, with plans to expand their study in the coming months by adding more boxes to the University’s research farm on Merrittville Highway once the ground thaws.

  “Urban environments are complex, and we don’t fully understand how they affect wildlife yet,” Gotanda says. “But this project is a step toward filling that gap. By understanding how chickadees are adapting, we can better inform urban planning to make our cities more wildlife-friendly.”

  As Niagara and St. Catharines become more urbanized, Gotanda and Ross are committed to understanding how these changes impact local wildlife. Their research aims to expand knowledge in urban ecology and guide future conservation efforts that will help make cities more sustainable for both people and animals.

  “What we’re doing is part of a larger effort to help wildlife thrive in cities,” Ross says. “It’s not just about creating spaces for birds; it’s about creating environments where urban ecosystems can flourish.”

  The research includes support from the City of St. Catharines, which has granted permission for the installation of the bird boxes on city property. The City is also working closely with local arts collective Willow Arts Community to integrate the boxes into vibrant murals painted along Ontario Street. These murals will emphasize both the research project and the broader conversation about wildlife in urban spaces.

  The project is supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, which is funded by the Government of Canada, and Brock University.

  Residents and visitors can learn more about the project by visiting the Gotanda Lab website.

  
  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:   

  *Sarah Ackles, Communications Specialist, Brock University [email protected] or 289-241-5483  

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  Categories: Media releases