Adam Vanderpont
M.Sc. 

Adam was a graduate student at the University of Manitoba in the Department of Environment and Geography. He was advised by Dr. Mark Hanson (University of Manitoba) through both his Masters and Honours Degrees.

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His Masters Research focused on the use of otoliths as biomonitors for trace metal exposure over time. Walleye (sander vitreus) and lake whitefish (coregonus clupeaformis) otoliths from both impounded and non-impounded water bodies associated with Manitoba Hydro’s Coordinated Aquatic Monitoring Program. Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry was implemented for otolith trace element concentration measurements. Results were then analyzed and compared between waterbodies, fish species and corresponding water quality data.

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Additionally, his Honours research focused on the fate and effect of a neonicotinoid pesticide (thiamethoxam) on emergent insects and water quality within outdoor wetland mesocosms. The Prairie Wetland Research Facility on U of M campus was used as a means to represent flooded wetlands found within the Canadian prairies in proximity to agricultural lands. In total, Adam enumerated and identified over 56,000 emergent insects and conducted a repeated measures statistical analysis.

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Since then, Adam has been enjoying his time working in a variety of science-driven private and public sector positions.