Dr. Nicholas Bernier

Biography

Nicholas Bernier is a professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Guelph. He developed a keen interest in aquatic life from a young age, pursuing an undergraduate degree in marine biology at McGill University and completing graduate studies at the University of British Columbia and the University of Ottawa. His graduate research focused on understanding physiological and endocrine mechanisms that help fish cope with hypoxia and hypotension. His post-doctoral work further explored neuroendocrine pathways regulating appetite and stress responses in fish. Bernier's current research centers on identifying and understanding the pathways through which environmental, social, and physical stressors are perceived and processed by fish, with a specific interest in the physiological functions of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system. His long-term goal is to develop a comprehensive model of the neuroendocrine pathways that mediate the physiological effects of stress. His lab utilizes a variety of molecular, endocrine, and physiological tools to study the interactions between stress responses, appetite regulation, and growth in vertebrates.

Research Interests

Courses