Research Associates
Kara Loos, PhD
Genomics Specialist
Kara works with environmental DNA (eDNA) and targeted metagenomics to detect biodiversity changes, pathogens, and antimicrobial resistance in water, soil, and wastewater. These projects aim to strengthen Canada’s ability to monitor and respond to health threats across human, animal, and environmental interfaces – particularly in northern, rural, remote, and Indigenous communities – while addressing technical challenges in sampling, sequencing, and data analysis
David McIver, PhD
Epidemiologist
David holds a PhD in Epidemiology from the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island and completed postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital in digital disease surveillance. David has more than a decade of experience in infectious-disease research and surveillance across Canada, Africa, and Asia. At IMSS, his work focuses on integrating epidemiology with environmental DNA and genomic approaches to study emerging pathogens, antimicrobial resistance, and other One Health threats. He also contributes to the development and evaluation of field-ready diagnostic tools and multidisciplinary surveillance systems spanning human, animal, and environmental health.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Philippe Fernandez-Fournier, PhD
Ecologist
Philippe is a postdoctoral researcher at IMSS working with Dr. Andrew Cameron and Dr. Bruno Soares. His work focuses on translating eDNA data for ecological interpretation across a range of systems. Current projects include using eDNA to monitor marine protected areas, using geomicrobial data to identify critical mineral deposits, applying eDNA methods to assess vertebrate diversity in the Northwest Territories, evaluating pollinator diversity and effectiveness in agricultural lands, and studying freshwater fish community ecology in the tropics. His broader research interests include biodiversity informatics, applied conservation, and community ecology. Alongside his research, Philippe has a strong passion for teaching and mentorship.
Camala Leal, PhD
Research Scientists
Tayah Farquhar, BSc
Research Scientist
Tayah is involved in a myriad of projects but is currently working on microbial genetic systems (such as antimicrobial genes) and microbial ecology. She graduated in 2024 with a BSc in Biochemistry.
Ashlyn Kirk, MSc (She/Her)
Research Scientist & Lab Manager
Ashlyn earned her MSc in Biology from the University of Regina, where her thesis focused on investigating the antimicrobial properties of Pantoea using functional genomics and bioinformatics techniques. Her current research centers on utilizing and developing hybridization probe capture techniques to monitor for antimicrobial resistance and emerging bacterial and viral pathogens in humans, animals, and the environment.
Daniel Kos, MSc
Bioinformatician
Daniel is a research scientist in the IMSS lab under the supervision of Dr. Andrew Cameron. He earned his Master of Science in Large Animal Clinical Sciences in 2023 from USask, writing his thesis on antimicrobial resistance surveillance within beef production facilities. His research focuses on bioinformatic analysis of the bacterial community directly and indirectly interacting with animals.
Jessie Lerminiaux, MSc (She/Her)
Research Scientist
Jess earned her MSc in Biology in 2025, where her research examined the environmental drivers, habitat-specific patterns, and natural removal pathways of a cyanobacterial toxin. Her current work uses eDNA across a variety of projects, including reconstructing 100 years of methanogenesis, nitrogen fixation, and microcystin production within prairie lake sediments; assessing salmon distribution in a watershed to investigate the potential effects of logging; and analyzing the microbiome of prairie bats
Edgar Mandwende, PhD
Research Scientist
Edgar joined IMSS in July 2024, with a focus on addressing emerging plant diseases that impact quinoa production in Canada. Leveraging whole-genome sequencing, he aims to identify key virulence factors associated with these pathogens and develop pathogen-specific molecular detection tools for use in agricultural systems. His research also uses transcriptomics to uncover quinoa’s genetic responses to infection, and metagenomics to study shifts in the crop’s microbiome. These insights will support breeding resistant cultivars and inform sustainable disease management strategies for Canadian agriculture.
Marina Taskovic, BSc Hons.
Research Data Analyst
Marina is a PhD Candidate at the University of Alberta (Edmonton, AB). Her research focuses on the aquatic ecology and biogeochemistry of rivers and streams affected by permafrost thaw in the western Canadian Arctic. She joined IMSS in 2025 as a research data analyst, primarily working with metabarcoding datasets.