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Toxicology

Delve into the dynamic field of toxicology, innovating the study of chemical impacts on health and the environment.

Undergraduate Studies - Biomedical Toxicology (BTOX)

The Biomedical Toxicology (BTOX) program at the University of Guelph developed from society’s increasing need to understand and study the adverse effects of chemicals on human and animal health as well as the health of the environment. Toxicology encompasses a broad range of fields of study including ecosystem health, including water, air and soil quality, plant health, microbes, and insects, sustainable agriculture and human and animal health. Because all these areas of science are well represented at the University of Guelph, the BTOX program presents a unique opportunity to students in Canada. In addition, the University of Guelph is held in high regard throughout Canada and many other regions of the world as evidenced by high rankings in external surveys regarding faculty, library resources, medical and science grants, alumni support, and its consistent high place ranking in the Maclean’s Reputational Survey for Canada. The Biomedical Toxicology major also fulfills the course prerequisites for all Ontario medical schools. 

 Hands-on Learning

Students will develop valuable skills in the analytical toxicology, molecular biology, medical toxicology and physiology laboratories (with instruments used in modern analytical, forensic and toxicology labs).

 Personal Approach

Small laboratory and seminar classes provide a unique learning experience, enhanced by pioneering web-based teaching and evaluation.

 Flexibility

This program also allows students to choose from biomedical or environmental course electives depending on their area of interest within toxicology.


Graduate Studies

Why pursue a Collaborative Specialization in Toxicology?

The Collaborative Specialization in Toxicology (MBS, MSc & PhD) is an interdepartmental collaborative specialization that focuses on research and teaching in toxicology. Students often seek to enhance their graduate studies through collaborative specializations. By completing such programs, students not only deepen their knowledge in their research area but also understand how their work aligns with the collaborative program. 

Program Information

In addition to the program requirements of the participating department in which the student is enrolled, the following courses are required:

  • TOX*6000 Advanced Topics in Toxicology (0.5 credit)
  • TOX*6200 Advanced Principles in Toxicology (0.5 credit)

View the Graduate Calendar for additional information.

Within the collaborating departments, the program emphasis is toxicology with the field of study being dependent on the research program of the faculty member.  Fields of study in the program include:

Environmental Toxicology

Studies the impact of anthropogenic substances and practices on the biological components of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.  This field encompasses several research programs and areas for graduate education including ecotoxicology, non-target species toxicity, environmental monitoring, pesticide chemistry and toxicology, and risk assessment. Participating departments include School of Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, Statistics and Integrative Biology.

Molecular Toxicology

Studies the molecular and cellular basis of expression of diverse toxic mechanisms.  Research areas include molecular toxic mechanisms, toxicogenomics, proteinomics, complex matrix chemical identification and enzymes involved in bioactivation/detoxification of endogenous and exogenous chemicals.  Participating departments include Animal and Poultry Science, Biomedical Science, Chemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Human Health & Nutritional Science, Pathology, Integrative Biology and Psychology.

Biomedical Toxicology

Studies the movement of toxic compounds in the body, and the pathogenic mechanisms of natural and anthropogenic chemicals or particles in humans and animals.  Biomedical Toxicology encompasses several research areas such as toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics, systems toxicology, drug addiction, biomarker & biomonitoring approaches to toxic exposure and risk assessment.  Participating departments include Animal and Poultry Science, Biomedical Sciences, Human Health & Nutritional Science, Mathematics and Statistics, Pathology, Integrative Biology and Psychology.

Guelph graduates have the knowledge and skills needed to carry out high quality scientific research. MSc graduates are prepared for employment in positions with some responsibility in the research and teaching enterprises of academic institutions (as instructors and technical staff), in science-related positions in the broad biotechnology sector (e.g. pharmaceuticals, biomedical, and agriculture-related industries, food and beverage industries), or in government sector institutes and laboratories. They are well prepared to continue their graduate education at the PhD level. Alternatively they may opt to complete a professional degree (such as law, medicine, or business) or a teaching certificate. There has been an ever increasing demand for masters’ degrees from both government and industry to provide upgrading of their career skills and opportunities.

PhD graduates are suitable candidates for university faculty positions or for research appointments in government or industry. While many of the PhD graduates of the toxicology specialization have engaged in academic careers, the independence, initiative, innovation and responsibility of toxicology graduates has resulted in highly successful careers in government and private sectors, as consultants and industry leaders. 

Participating Home Programs

Students wishing to undertake graduate studies at the M.Sc. or Ph.D. level with emphasis on toxicology will be admitted by a participating department and will register in both the participating department and in the collaborative specialization as listed below:

Moira in a ball cap and waders kneels in riverside meadow
I decided to pursue graduate studies at the University of Guelph because of the fantastic environmental toxicology program and I wanted to do research under my two advisors (Dr. Ryan Prosser and Dr. Paul Sibley). I study aquatic toxicology, which is a big focus for my two research advisors so I was very excited to work with them. It also helps that Guelph is a great city to live in, and the campus has a lot of resources available to support students.

Moira Ijzerman, Graduate Student
PhD Environmental Sciences + Toxicology
Hear more from Moira


Faculty

The Toxicology Program is taught within many departments at the U of G. Our faculty includes Associate Dean’s of Research, Canadian Research Chairs, and Department Chairs who together conduct toxicology research on a diverse range of topics that include: role of oxidative stress in Alzheimer’s disease, DNA damage by chemical carcinogens, regulation of drug metabolizing enzymes, biodegradation of environmental pollutants, risk assessment of pesticides and pesticide screening by antibody development, insect resistance to insecticides, metal contamination of soils and toxicity to plants, and more.

This list contains the profiles of each faculty member with their departmental affiliation.
View their faculty profile to learn more about their research.

NameDepartment
Dr. Niel A. KarrowAnimal Biosciences
Dr. E.J. SquiresAnimal Biosciences
Dr. Craig BaileyBiomedical Sciences
Dr. Nuria Daviu AbantBiomedical Sciences
Dr. Giannina DescalziBiomedical Sciences 
Dr. Bettina KalischBiomedical Sciences
Dr. Alicia Viloria-PetitBiomedical Sciences
Dr. Wojciech GabryelskiChemistry
Dr. Rui HuangChemistry
Dr. Mario. A. MonteiroChemistry
Dr. Derek O'FlahertyChemistry
Dr. Richard. MandervilleChemistry
Dr. Clara ChoHuman Health & Nutritional Sciences
Dr. Jennifer MonkHuman Health & Nutritional Sciences
Dr. Andreas HeylandIntegrative Biology
Dr. Glen Van Der KraakIntegrative Biology
Dr. P. MartosLab Services - Regulatory
Dr. Jennifer Geddes-McAlisterMolecular & Cellular Biology
Dr. Sarah Wootton Pathobiology
Dr. Elena CholerisPsychology
Dr. James LongstaffeSchool of Environmental Sciences
Dr. Ryan ProsserSchool of Environmental Sciences
Dr. Paul SibleySchool of Environmental Sciences

Contact Information

Toxicology Director
Dr. Richard Manderville
SSC 3243
Ext. 53963

 rmanderv@uoguelph.ca 

Toxicology Graduate Program Assistant 
Tracy Burns
SSC 2513
Ext. 53044

 chemgrad@uoguelph.ca