Dr. Rob Nicol
Plants and Microbes as a Source of Bioproducts and Bioenergy, Assistant Professor
Degrees:
B.E.S. Environment/Resource Studies and Biology - University of Waterloo
M.Sc. Biology - University of Ottawa
Ph.D. Plant Science - University of Western Ontario
Research Interests:
My research is broadly based in the realm of chemical ecology (i.e. how natural chemicals mediate interactions between organisms). In addition to doing basic chemical ecology research, I apply knowledge gained in this area to aid in the discovery of new biofuels as well as novel agricultural, industrial and therapeutic chemicals. I am also investigating the potential of plant-microbe interactions to remediate contaminated soil in the Alberta oil sands.
Recent or current projects include:
- Microbes as a resource for new biofuels and bioproducts
- Environmentally sound processes for creating biodesel, ethanol and butanol
- Remediation of soil contaminated with polyaromatic hydrocarbons
- Chemical ecology of ginseng and pythiaceous fungi and implications for plant disease
Research Associates:
| Dr. Bruce Applegate Dept. of Food Science Purdue University West Lafayette, IN Phone: 765-496-7920 applegate@purdue.edu  |
Dr. Ken Wilson Biology Department University of Saskatchewan Sasktoon, SK Phone: 306-966-4418 ken.wilson@usask.ca |
Teaching:
I teach in the Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management (Environmental Management, BBRM) of the degree at Ridgetown Campus. Courses include:
- CHEM*1040 General Chemistry I
- ENVM*2500 Integrated Environmental Project
- ENVM*1100 & DENM*2100 Ecology
- BIOL*1040 Biology II
For potential graduate students:
Opportunities are available for undergraduate or graduate students interested in working in the areas of biofuel development and soil remediation. For more information, please email me.
Dr. Rob Nicol
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