““There [has been] a big conversation and dialogue about the river, how important it is, and how many peoples’ lives were affected when they became afraid of something they always took for granted to be safe”, says Dr. Janice Lawrence, Professor and Associate Dean of Science at the University of New Brunswick. Janice has found herself explaining her research on toxin-producing cyanobacteria distribution to lake associations and cottage owners alike, due to the growing concern that the bodies of water near them could be potentially hazardous. However, it was not Janice’s initial plan to be studying cyanobacteria, a prominent type of photosynthetic bacteria. Janice did her PhD at Dalhousie University studying toxic phytoplankton, a type of marine algae, and became interested in why toxic blooms, or the rapid increase of toxin-producing organisms, occur in some places in the ocean but not others.”

“Dr. Tony Noble began his journey at the University of New Brunswick. A long time resident of Fredericton and a track and field athlete, he attended UNB largely for its cross country program. Enrolling in general sciences, Dr. Noble believed he would pursue a path in medicine. Like many, he switched his focus and realized he enjoyed physics more, especially during an era of so many unanswered questions within the world of physics. He remembers having a professor who was very passionate about the new discoveries in physics and would bring excitement to the classroom, which fuelled Dr. Noble’s scientific desire to learn more. After completing a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Math from UNB, he went on to complete a Master of Science and PhD in particle physics from the University of British Columbia in 1990.”