Notes
Research notes & career updates.
Occasional notes on my work, career milestones and research papers worth thinking about—plus life beyond the lab.
CareerFieldworkReading notesMentoringBeyond the Lab
2026
When Isolation Does Not Lead to Genetic PurgingMy commentary on a beluga whale study showing how long-term isolation and genetic drift can raise mutation load without leaving a clear signature of genetic purging.Elected Vice-President Operations of PDACBeginning a new role focused on practical systems, continuity and stronger support for the PDAC Executive.Company, Kinship and the Sable Island Horse MicrobiomeAn exciting new preprint from our lab examining how host genetics and social relationships jointly shape gut microbiome traits associated with survival and reproduction in Sable Island horses.Congratulations to Natalia Pietrzyk on her successful defense!Natalia Pietrzyk successfully defended her Master’s thesis on July 8, 2026.Sable Island Fieldwork 2026Another productive field season brought almost twice as many samples as last year, five new bird species and memorable days in the dunes.Badlands by BikeFour bikepacking rides, one gran fondo and an encounter with deep time in Drumheller.Joining PDAC as a Member-at-LargeBeginning a new service role with the organization representing postdoctoral scholars at the University of Calgary.