Dominique Caron
Postdoctoral researcher
A quantitative ecologist. I use large datasets to better understand how biodiversity is distributed in space and time, and predict the consequences for ecosystem functioning.
About Me
I am currently working for Canadian Forest Service at the Pacific Forestry Center. As a member of the Predictive Ecology team, I am implement ecological models based on the PERFICT principles. The objective is to integrate vegetation, disturbance, and carbon budget models to better understand how future conditions will influence the Canadian boreal forest.
I recently completed my PhD at McGill University under the supervision of Dr. Laura Pollock. My research focused on trait-based modeling of species interactions and food webs (see here and here) and the seasonal movements of birds (in revision).
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with Éco-corridors laurentiens and the federal government to design and implement tools that support data-driven decision-making. To know more about my research and previous experiences, please feel free to explore my CV and publications.
Experience
I am part of the carbon modelling team in the Predictive Ecology group.
I worked as a term employee and as a independent contractor with the Environmental emergency team. I developped, updated, and enhanced a R shiny app used to quickly retrieve, summarize, and visualize ecological data. This tool is used to help decision-making during environmental emergencies in Eastern Canada.
In my role with Éco-corridors Laurentiens, I conducted landscape ecological connectivity and spatial prioritization analyses. These analyses are central to the ecological connectivity plan for the Laurentides region, a plan I co-authored.
In collaboration with Ouranos, Health Canada, and the National Institute of Public Health, I aimed quantify the consequences of climate change for the health of outdoor workers in Canada. I provided predictions on the evolution of heat-stress estimates in 2050 from climate models. Many tools I developped during this work were also added to the package ClimateTools.jl for Julia.
Education
2020 - 2024
PhD in Biolody
McGill University, Montréal (Canada)
Thesis: Sky’s the limit: Trait-based modelling of food webs and migratory bird movements
Supervisor: Dr. Laura Pollock
2017 - 2018
MSc in Quantitative and computational biology
Université de Montréal, Montréal (Canada)
I was part of the first cohort of this course-based specialization in the biology department.
- Skills in modern approaches to acquisition, managing, modelling, analysing, and archiving of biological data.
- Research internships with Dr. Patrick James, Dr. Timothée Poisot, and Dr. Philippe Roy.
2014 - 2017
BSc in Biological sciences
Université de Montréal, Montréal (Canada)
I worked as a undergraduate research intern with Dr. Nicolas Bélanger, working on the effect of soil warming on decideous forests and the revegetation of chrysotile tailings.