People

I am an integrative biologist interested in how host-microbe interactions shape insect resilience in our changing world. I focus on both host-pathogen encounters as well as insect relationships with their microbiomes. Our lab has a particular interest in the winter biology and temperature-dependence of these interactions. Currently we are focused on mosquitoes and ticks, working towards understanding how their ability to resist and transmit disease will shift with climate change.

You can contact me at laura.ferguson@acadiau.ca

You can find me in the Biology Building (33 Westwood Avenue) room 335

Dr. Villeneuve is a Postdoctoral Fellow working with Dr. Loki Snyman of the Royal Alberta Museum and Dr. Ferguson to update the records of mosquito species in the Northwest Territories. You can contact her at carol-anne.villeneuve@acadiau.ca

I joined Dr. Ferguson’s lab in 2023 to complete my Master’s thesis after graduating from Acadia university with a BSc in Environmental Science. Currently, I am collecting mosquito samples all around New Brunswick as part of our mosquito species monitoring project. I am interested in the overwintering habits of mosquitoes, specifically species overwintering in storm drain catchments. When I am not collecting mosquitoes, I am usually getting bit by them while hiking, flyfishing, or kayaking.

I am a graduate student in Dr. Ferguson’s lab. The mosquito team and I are currently monitoring mosquito species throughout New Brunswick, P.E.I., and Nova Scotia. I’m specifically interested in analyzing what arboviruses are present throughout our mosquito species in the Maritimes and their proximity to humans. I’m also passionate about entomology. In my free time you can often find me stopping randomly on sidewalks and hiking trails checking out our lovely insect friends.

Hi everyone! I am a Master’s student in Dr. Ferguson’s lab. My research focuses on how the causative agent of Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) affects the winter physiology of the black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis. This work will help determine why B. burgdorferi infection may enhance overwintering survival, and improve our ability to predict the prevalence and infection risk associated with ticks in Canada. Outside the lab, I enjoy staying active and reading!

I am a Master's student joining the Ferguson lab after graduating from Acadia with a BSc in Biology.  My research focuses on the impact of climate change on the overwintering success of mosquitoes in Nova Scotia.  I am looking at their overwintering survival after exposure to climate change conditions to see how warming winters will impact their interactions with pathogens and modify their energy use.   When I'm not searching for mosquitoes, you may find me out on a run in Wolfville!

Sammy is an MSc student in the Hillier and Ferguson labs investigating the cold tolerance and overwintering behaviour of introduced predators of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. Sammy's work will allow us to predict the success of these introduced insects, and folds into the larger efforts of the Hillier lab to establish a rearing and release program to protect hemlock forests in Nova Scotia.

April is a part-time research assistant in our lab until she heads out to start her MSc! April is also working in the Hillier lab this summer.

Maddy is an Honours student in the Smith and Ferguson labs investigating the physiological impacts of the blood parasite Hepatozoon clamatae on the function of the Malpighian tubules of its mosquito host, Culex territans.

Hi! I am a 4th year honours student in Dr. Ferguson’s lab. I am investigating how varying temperatures and humidities affect the depth Ixodes scapularis burrows into leaf litter. This research will improve the scientific knowledge surrounding tick behaviour and enhance current acaricide techniques for controlling tick populations.  

Hi everyone! I am a fourth-year honours student in Dr. Ferguson’s lab. My research focuses on West Nile virus and its vector, Culex pipiens mosquitoes. Although West Nile virus is not common in the Maritime provinces, it is important to understand what is limiting the number of cases of West Nile virus here in order to understand how its distribution and abundance will be affected by climate change.