Maia Siedlikowski
M.Sc. Thesis Candidate School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences McGill University [email protected] |
A) EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
M.Sc. School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition; Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
McGill University, Montreal, Canada
(2013-Present)
Exchange Program Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics; Faculty of Science
Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
(2012)
B.Sc. Honours in Biomedical Science
Department of Biology; Faculty of Science
University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
(2009-2013)
McGill University, Montreal, Canada
(2013-Present)
Exchange Program Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics; Faculty of Science
Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
(2012)
B.Sc. Honours in Biomedical Science
Department of Biology; Faculty of Science
University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
(2009-2013)
B) RESEARCH INTERESTS AND CURRENT PROJECTS
Eating is one of the primary ways living beings interact with their environment. Not only is food a source of energy and essential nutrients, it is also a source of toxicants. Of these, mercury (Hg) is one of the most widespread. Hg acts as a neurotoxin and also harms the kidneys and liver. However, once Hg enters the body, its actions can differ between individuals. I am interested in the factors that might contribute to this variability. My project involves the use of an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model coupled with cell uptake experiments. The goal is to evaluate Hg’s bioaccessibility and bioavailability once digested. Both of these measures will stand as ways to assess mercury’s harm. More global concepts I wish to explore are: What happens to Hg in human digestion? What happens to Hg in microbial digestion? How do digestive processes affect Hg mobility and toxicity within the human body? How will these findings affect current risk assessment procedures?
C) HONOURS AND AWARDS
2015 McGill University, School of Dietetics & Human Nutrition, GREAT Award
2014 McGill Institute for Global Food Security, Sponsored Student
2014 McGill University, Graduate Excellence Fellowship
2013 McGill University, Graduate Excellence Fellowship
2013 University of Ottawa, Dean’s Honour List
2012 Aarhus University, Travel Grant
2011 University of Ottawa, Ontario International Education Opportunity Scholarship
2009 University of Ottawa, Bourse de Mobilité Etudiante
2009 University of Ottawa, Bourse de la Francophonie
2009 University of Ottawa, Admission Scholarship
2014 McGill Institute for Global Food Security, Sponsored Student
2014 McGill University, Graduate Excellence Fellowship
2013 McGill University, Graduate Excellence Fellowship
2013 University of Ottawa, Dean’s Honour List
2012 Aarhus University, Travel Grant
2011 University of Ottawa, Ontario International Education Opportunity Scholarship
2009 University of Ottawa, Bourse de Mobilité Etudiante
2009 University of Ottawa, Bourse de la Francophonie
2009 University of Ottawa, Admission Scholarship
D) RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2013-present M.Sc. Thesis Research Project, McGill University, Centre for Indigenous Peoples' Nutrition & Environment (CINE), Basu Lab
2012-2013 Honours Research Project, University of Ottawa, Center for Advanced Research in Environmental Genomics (CAREG), Poulain Lab
2012-2013 Honours Research Project, University of Ottawa, Center for Advanced Research in Environmental Genomics (CAREG), Poulain Lab
E) TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2013 Human Nutrition: Research Methods; Teaching Assistant
2013 Human Nutrition; Teaching Assistant
2013 Nutrition & Health; Teaching Assistant
2013 Human Nutrition; Teaching Assistant
2013 Nutrition & Health; Teaching Assistant
F) PRESENTATIONS
Siedlikowski M., Bradley, M., Basu, N. “Investigating bioaccessibility and bioavailability of methylmercury from commonly consumed seafood in North America”. Experimental Biology, EB. Boston, U.S.A. Mar 28 – Apr 01, 2015. [Poster]
Bradley, M., Siedlikowski, M., Basu, N. “In vitro studies to characterize the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of methylmercury from seafood”. 54th Annual Society of Toxicology Meeting & ToxExpo. San Diego, U.S.A. Mar 22 – 26, 2015. [Poster]
Bradley, M., Siedlikowski, M., Park, S.K., Basu, N. “Does pharmaceutical exposure mediate risks associated with exposure to heavy metals? An epidemiological investigation of NHANES”. 54th Annual Society of Toxicology Meeting & ToxExpo. San Diego, U.S.A. Mar 22 – 26, 2015. [Poster]
Siedlikowski M. "To eat, or not to eat? The risks and benefits of fish consumption". "Human Nutrition NUTR 307", McGill. Montreal, Canada. Oct 14, 2014. [Invited Speaker]
Siedlikowski M., Bradley, M., Basu, N. “Investigating bioaccessibility and bioavailability of methylmercury from commonly consumed fish and seafood in North America”. 41st Annual Aquatic Toxicity Workshop, ATW. Ottawa, Canada. Sep 28 – Oct 01, 2014. [Platform]
Bradley, M., Siedlikowski, M., Park, S.K., Basu, N. 2014. Does pharmaceutical exposure mediate risks associated with exposure to heavy metals? An epidemiological investigation. 41st Annual Aquatic Toxicity Workshop, ATW. Ottawa, Canada. Sept 28 – Oct 1, 2014. [Platform]
Siedlikowski M., Bradley, M., Basu, N. “Investigating bioaccessibility and bioavailability of methylmercury from commonly consumed fish and seafood in North America”. 5th Biennial Conference of the International Association for Ecology and Health, EcoHealth. Montreal, Canada. Aug 11 – 15, 2014. [Platform]
Bradley, M., Siedlikowski, M., Park, S.K., Basu, N. EcoHealth implications of mixing prescription drugs with toxic heavy metals – an epidemiological analysis of NHANES. 5th Biennial Conference of the International Association for Ecology and Health, Ecohealth. Montreal, Canada. Aug 11 – 15, 2014. [Platform]
Siedlikowski M., Poulain A. J. “Distribution and diversity of the organomercury lyase gene (merB) in the environment”. University of Ottawa Biomedical Sciences Annual Poster Day. Apr 30, 2013. [Platform]
Bradley, M., Siedlikowski, M., Basu, N. “In vitro studies to characterize the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of methylmercury from seafood”. 54th Annual Society of Toxicology Meeting & ToxExpo. San Diego, U.S.A. Mar 22 – 26, 2015. [Poster]
Bradley, M., Siedlikowski, M., Park, S.K., Basu, N. “Does pharmaceutical exposure mediate risks associated with exposure to heavy metals? An epidemiological investigation of NHANES”. 54th Annual Society of Toxicology Meeting & ToxExpo. San Diego, U.S.A. Mar 22 – 26, 2015. [Poster]
Siedlikowski M. "To eat, or not to eat? The risks and benefits of fish consumption". "Human Nutrition NUTR 307", McGill. Montreal, Canada. Oct 14, 2014. [Invited Speaker]
Siedlikowski M., Bradley, M., Basu, N. “Investigating bioaccessibility and bioavailability of methylmercury from commonly consumed fish and seafood in North America”. 41st Annual Aquatic Toxicity Workshop, ATW. Ottawa, Canada. Sep 28 – Oct 01, 2014. [Platform]
Bradley, M., Siedlikowski, M., Park, S.K., Basu, N. 2014. Does pharmaceutical exposure mediate risks associated with exposure to heavy metals? An epidemiological investigation. 41st Annual Aquatic Toxicity Workshop, ATW. Ottawa, Canada. Sept 28 – Oct 1, 2014. [Platform]
Siedlikowski M., Bradley, M., Basu, N. “Investigating bioaccessibility and bioavailability of methylmercury from commonly consumed fish and seafood in North America”. 5th Biennial Conference of the International Association for Ecology and Health, EcoHealth. Montreal, Canada. Aug 11 – 15, 2014. [Platform]
Bradley, M., Siedlikowski, M., Park, S.K., Basu, N. EcoHealth implications of mixing prescription drugs with toxic heavy metals – an epidemiological analysis of NHANES. 5th Biennial Conference of the International Association for Ecology and Health, Ecohealth. Montreal, Canada. Aug 11 – 15, 2014. [Platform]
Siedlikowski M., Poulain A. J. “Distribution and diversity of the organomercury lyase gene (merB) in the environment”. University of Ottawa Biomedical Sciences Annual Poster Day. Apr 30, 2013. [Platform]