Dr. Nicholas Bernier

Biography

Nicholas Bernier is a Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Guelph. He has developed a keen interest in aquatic life since a young age, pursuing this interest through an undergraduate degree in Marine Biology at McGill University and further studies at the University of British Columbia and the University of Ottawa. His graduate work focused on understanding the physiological and endocrine mechanisms that help fish cope with hypoxia and hypotension. Bernier's post-doctoral research at the University of Alberta explored the neuroendocrine pathways regulating appetite and stress response in fish. As a faculty member, his research aims to understand how environmental stressors affect food intake, growth, and embryonic development in fish. His laboratory investigates the interactions between stress response and appetite regulation, employing a variety of molecular, endocrine, and physiological tools. Bernier holds degrees in Marine Biology (B.Sc.), a Master's from British Columbia, and a Ph.D. from Ottawa. He is particularly focused on neuroendocrine regulation and the role of corticotropin-releasing factor relative to appetite and stress. His research has significant implications for understanding the physiological effects of stress in aquatic environments.

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