Dean Fitzgerald

Biography

Dean completed M.Sc. studies regarding the management of small streams of the Grand River watershed and a Ph.D. with a focus on fish in 16 lakes across the Great Lakes basin. His postdoctoral studies involved wetlands, creeks, and lakes while at Cornell University. Additional industrial postdoctoral studies were completed on ecosystems in northern Saskatchewan subjected to milling and mining of uranium, with an emphasis on understanding the environmental consequences for food webs following exposure to elevated concentrations of selenium and molybdenum. During the last 18 + years, he has acted as the senior ecologist on a large number of studies that involved wetland, aquatic, and terrestrial habitats. Notable examples include acting as the senior ecologist for rehabilitation of the Burtch Corrections facility lands. This project concerned the clean-up of a 200-hectare site south of Brantford, where extensive soil contamination resulted in a clean-up of terrestrial habitats as well as 2500 m of creek channel and the removal of a pond. Dean designed the plan for wildlife rescue of species, including SAR turtles from the pond, and a tree replanting plan. Dean is skilled at consultations with stakeholders, including First Nations. Other studies with IO involved projects where buildings were demolished and screenings were completed for SAR.  In the past, he has taught courses in ecology and mentored B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. students at five universities.  Dean has written more than 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters since 1995.  He completed the Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol training under OMNR and is considered an expert regarding aquatic and terrestrial ecology, SAR plants and wildlife. He holds Adjunct Professor Status at the University of Waterloo and is an Associate of Cornell University.

Research Interest

 Ecology, Envieronmental Science