Research

Together with her colleague Dr. Caren Helbing (U of Victoria), Dr. Langlois’ creativity and expertise in molecular biology was recently rewarded by a highly competitive Genome Canada 2020 Large-Scale Applied Research Project (LSARP) Competition $12-million research program over the next four years for developing molecular tools to screen the impact of environmental stressors on biodiversity changes across Canada. The project entitled iTrackDNA (https://itrackdna.ca/) aims to decrease uncertainty in environmental monitoring and assessments through the following objectives: 1) promote standardization of eDNA methods; 2) reduce ecological survey time and costs; 3) create widely available software for modeling regional biodiversity; 4) raise End-User proficiency regarding the use of eDNA methods; and 5) promote mainstream eDNA best practices in management, policy, and regulations. Indeed, Langlois and Helbing have put together an impressive research team of over 80+ scientists from over 40+ different institutions, including provincial (Ministries of the Environment, Wildlife and Parks of Québec and British Colombia) and federal governments (Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada, Natural Resources Canada); Indigenous Peoples (Eeyou Ischee, Abitibiwinni, Blueberry River First Nation, Gitanyow First Nation, Blackfoot Confederacy); environmental consultancies (e.g., Bureau Veritas), industry (e.g., Hydro-Québec, DroneXpert), international institutions (e.g., USGS), and non-governmental organizations (e.g., Living Lakes Canada, Groupe d'éducation et d'écosurveillance de l'eau). In addition, Dr. Langlois uses comparative approaches to study both ecotoxicogenomics and endocrine disruption research questions in aquatic species. For example, she is interested in studying hormonal crosstalks (thyroid hormones, androgens, and stress crosstalk). She also studies the importance of steroid 5-reductases in aquatic species along with their disruption by environmental contaminants (e.g., pesticides, pharmaceuticals, plasticizers, etc.).