Curriculum Vitae

Education

Liber Ero & NSERC Post-Doctoral Fellow (2023-Current)
University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus
Dr. Nicholas E. Mandrak, The Invasive Species Centre, and the Royal Botanical Gardens

Invasive Goldfish in Canada under climate change

Ph. D. Biology (2018-2023)

Dalhousie University, Department of Biology
Dr. Jeffrey Hutchings (2019-2022); Dr. Anne Dalziel and Dr. Aaron MacNeil (2022 – 2023)
Phenotypic plasticity in response to thermal variability within and across generations

M. Sc. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (2016-2018)
University of Toronto, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Dr. Njal Rollinson

Measurement and modelling of primary sex ratios for species with temperature-dependent sex determination

B. Sc. in Biology, Minor in Natural History (2010-2014)
McGill University; Distinction Honor, Redpath Museum Award

Grants, Awards, & Recognitions

2023 - 2026 Liber Ero Postdoctoral Fellowship ($250,000 over 3 years; $30,000 research grant)

2023 - 2025 NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship ($135,000 over 2 years)

2023 UTSC Postdoctoral Fellowship ($45,000 over two years; Declined)

2022 Seed Fund, Ocean Frontiers Institute ($20,000)

In support of the Diversity of Nature program.

2022 Ubuntu Giving Fund, Nova Scotia Career Development Association ($15,000)

In support of the Diversity of Nature program.

2022 Fibrin Award, Department of Biology, Dalhousie University

To be awarded to a student who has made exceptional contributions to the community within Dalhousie, and specifically to the Biology Department.

2022 Outstanding Graduate Student IMPACT Award, Dalhousie University

2022 Inclusiveness, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Award

The ASN/SSE/SSB Inclusiveness, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Award was created in 2019 by the American Society of Naturalists (ASN), the Society for the Study of Evolution (SSE), and the Society of Systematic Biologists (SSB). The IDEA Award is given to a person at any career stage who has strengthened the ecology and evolutionary biology community by promoting inclusiveness and diversity in our fields.

2022 Faculty of Science Grant for the Diversity of Nature Program, Dalhousie University ($10,000)

2021 – 2022 MEOPAR Training Fund ($20,000)

Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction, and Response Network; in support of the Diversity of Nature program.

2020 – 2022 MEOPAR Fathom Fund ($37,500)

Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction, and Response Network; in support of the Diversity of Nature program.

2019 – 2020 Dalhousie President’s Award, Dalhousie University ($22,000)

2019 – 2022 Killam Doctoral Laureate, Killam Trust ($90,000)

2019 – 2021 Alexander Graham Bell CGS-D Doctoral Award,

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada ($105,000)

2018 – 2022 Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Graduate Scholarship

Provincial Government of Nova Scotia ($60,000)

2017 Alexander Graham Bell CGS-M Master’s Scholarship,

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada ($17,500)

2018 William J. “Jack” Christie Graduate Scholarship in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology,

University of Toronto

2018 A. Murray Fallis Graduate Award in Zoology, University of Toronto

2017 Margaret and Nicholas Fodor Fellowship, University of Toronto

2016 BIO120 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, University of Toronto

2016 Frederick P. Ide Graduate Scholarship in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto

2016 Friends & Alumni Scholarship, University of Toronto ($4000)

2014 Redpath Museum Excellence Award, McGill University

2013 Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Sciences Summer Research Award ($3000)

2010 – 2012 Women Associates of McGill Award, McGill University ($6000)

2010 Governor General's Academic Medal

Teaching Contributions

BSc Thesis Cosupervisor (2025-Current)

Shangzhi Hu, University of Toronto Scarborough

Teaching Assistant/Course Development (2025-2026)

Biology Academic Success Series Program (BASS), University of Toronto Scarborough

Supervised and assisted undergraduate peer mentors with leading class discussions in Winter/Fall semesters. Created and delivered a module entitled “Values-Based Career & Degree Navigation”. Coauthored poster featuring the course at UTSC Teaching & Learning Showcase (2025). Contributed to ongoing course development based on pedagogy best-practices and student feedback.

BSc Thesis Cosupervisor (2025)

Nazeefa Nashrah, University of Toronto Scarborough

Cosupervised Nazeefa Nashrah’s BSc thesis, “Comparative analysis of the aerobic scope of urban

pond Goldfish under current and future temperatures” with Dr. Nicholas Mandrak. Nazeefa won a BioBURP Presentation award and successfully published her study in Biology Open.

Instructor, Philosophy and Methods (EEB1310). University of Toronto, St. George (2023)

Supervised discussions and assessed student materials in a graduate seminar course focusing on foundational scientific skills and philosophies co-instructing alongside Dr. Helen Rodd.

BSc Thesis Supervisor (2023)

Annie Grigg, Dalhousie University

Supervised Annie Grigg’s BSc Thesis, “Thermal variability induces sex‐specific morphometric changes in zebrafish (Danio rerio)”. Annie’s work resulted in a Science Atlantic Best Poster Award, international conference talk at the Fisheries Society of the British Isle’s Symposium (UK, 2023) and a publication in Journal of Fish Biology.

Director, Diversity of Nature Scientific Outreach for BIPOC Youth (2020 - Current)

I organize and implement scientific workshops for youth and families, write funding grants, manage and train early career scientist workshop leaders, and collaborate with local community groups to ensure the needs of diverse communities are met.

Instructor, Ocean Frontiers Institute ‘Marine Outreach’ Workshop Series (2023)

Developed and delivered a 4-part workshop series to early career researchers across Canada on inclusive Marine Outreach, including pedagogical theory, knowledge translation, logistics, safety, EDI, budgeting, supervision, and assessment of final outreach projects.

Curriculum Developer, Dalhousie Scholars and Leaders Program (2022-2023)

Co-developed the curriculum for the First Year Interest Group ‘Toolkit for Diverse Scholars’ course offered at Dalhousie for undergraduate students with Dr. Joseph Bielawski. This program seeks to teach historically excluded students the ‘hidden curriculum’ of science.

Biology Content Expert, King’s View Academy (2019-2023)

Specialized in student-centered learning with neurodivergent children (Grades 7-12); created educational content and assessing student mastery of Nova Scotia’s biology curriculum.

Instructor, Graduate Module: Science Outreach and Communication (2022, 2023)

Developed and taught an interactive course for graduate students seeking involvement with science communication and outreach. Trained students in pedagogy, logistics and event planning, and grant writing. Oversaw and assessed outreach event final projects.

Teaching Assistant, Dalhousie University (2022, 2023)

Animal Diversity (BIOL 2003)
Principles of Biology (BIOL 1010)

Instructor, Mount Saint Vincent University (2018)

Introductory Biology I (BIOL152LE/LF)

Teaching Assistant, University of Toronto (2016-2018)

Diversity of Birds (EEB386; 2017, 2018)
Organisms in the Environment (EEB375, 2017)
Evolution and Adaptation (BIO120, 2016)

Conference Presentations, Public Talks, & Science Dissemination

Peer-reviewed contributions are highlighted in green.

If you are interested in a public talk please reach out to me at melanie [dot] massey [at] utoronto.ca

Massey, M. D. "Goldfish Gone Wild". 2026. Doc Talks Fishing Podcast #52, with Gord Pyzer and Liam Whetter. [Listen on Spotify!]

Massey, M. D. "The Rise of Goldfish". 2026. Series of public talks for the Canadian Aquarium Club.

“First Person – Nazeefa Nashrah”. Biology Open, 14 (9): bio062208. Interview featuring undergraduate mentee for her Goldfish research project, available at: https://doi.org/10.1242/bio.062208

Massey, M.D., Fredericks, M. K., Powell, J., Morphet, M., & Smith, B. “Attack of the Aquatic Invaders!/Attaque des Espèces Aquatiques Envahissantes!” Children’s Water Festival. May 13 - 16. Oxford County, ON, Canada. Bilingual public education workshop (3500 K-6 Students, 500 teachers, and 1350 all-ages family participants.)

Tuccitto, J., Hu, S., Hassan, S. Y., Iskandarani, K., Mirzaei, A., Habib, T., Massey, M. D., Fitzpatrick, M., Bell, E. “Biology Academic Success Series (BASS): A student-partnered approach to ensuring all biology students have access to tools and strategies for success”. April 8 2025. UTSC Centre for Teaching and Learning Showcase. Scarborough, ON, Canada. Co-authored poster (not presented); mentorship of undergraduates.

Nashrah, N. A.*1, Massey, M. D., & Mandrak, N. E. “Comparative analysis of the aerobic scope of urban pond Goldfish under current and future temperatures”. April 7 2025. UTSC Biology Conference. *Presented by mentee. 1Won best talk (BioBURP) Award

Massey, M. D. “Feral goldfish are upending entire ecosystems”. CBC Radio Fresh Air with Ismaila Alfa. Interview. April 6 2025. National radio interview, available at: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-193-fresh-air/clip/16138399-feral-goldfish-upending-entire-ecosystems

Hubbard, J. & Massey, M. D. “Invaders in a Dangerous Time”. Society for Canadian Aquatic Sciences Conference. Hamilton, ON. February 22, 2025. Session co-organizer.

Massey, M. D. “The Goldfish Problem: Past, present, and future of a global invader.” February 19, 2025. Oxford Women’s Probus Club. Invited public science talk (audience: 60 adult women.)

Massey, M. D. “The rise and thrall of invasive Goldfish in North America.” Ingersoll District Nature Club. January 17 2025. Invited public science talk (audience: 40 adults).

Massey, M. D., Hutchings, J. A., & Dalziel, A. C. “Phenotypic plasticity and thermal variability in fishes.” Université de Montréal. December 2 2024. Montréal, Québec. Invited seminar presentation.

Massey, M. D. “Plasticity to thermal variability within and across generations.” Society for Experimental Biology Conference. Prague, Czechia. July 2 2024. Invited plenary oral presentation.

Massey. M. D., Claus, C., Hubbard, J., Illyes, E., Marques, P., Schubert E., Storey, K., Ricciardi, A., & Mandrak. N. E. The rise and thrall of Goldfish in North America. International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species. Halifax, Canada. May 13 2024. Oral presentation.

Illyes, E., & Massey, M. D*. Goldfish: An Urban Invader. Ontario Stream Monitoring and Research Meeting, Canada. *Copresented. Oral presentation.

Massey, M. D., Arif, S. “Joy and meaning through inclusive science communication.” Evolution Meeting, Albuquerque, NM, USA. June 25 2023. Invited IDEA Award plenary presentation.

Massey, M. D., Judah, A., Arif, S. “Meaningful connections in inclusive science communication”. Society for Canadian Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Montreal, QC. February 26 2023. Invited presentation.

Massey, M. D., Fredericks, K. M., Malloy, D., Arif, S., & Hutchings, J. A. “Differential reproductive plasticity under

thermal variability”. Fisheries Society of the British Isles Symposium, Nottingham Trent University, UK. July 26 2022. Oral presentation.

Grigg, A.1, Hutchings, J. A., Lowi-Merri, T., and Massey, M. D. “Plastic responses in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) due to thermal variability impact body shape and size”. Fisheries Society of the British Isles Symposium, Nottingham Trent University, UK. July 26 2022. 1Talk presented by Annie Grigg, Supervision of undergraduate student.

Massey, M. D. and Arif, S. “Inclusion Insights for Diverse Scholars”. Fisheries Society of the British Isles Meeting, Inclusion Workshop, Nottingham-Trent University, UK. July 25 2022. Invited workshop.

Grigg, A., Hutchings, J. A., Lowi-Merri, T., and Massey, M. D. “Plastic Effects of Thermal Variability on Body Shape in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)”. Science Atlantic, Charlottetown, PEI. March 12, 2022. Poster. 1 Presented by Annie Grigg, 2Awarded Best Poster Award, Supervision of Undergraduate Student

Arif, S*, Massey, M. D.* "Translating marine science into effective scientific outreach." Marine Environmental Observation Prediction and Response Network Annual Training Meeting. Nov 2, 2021. [Invited 1.5hr workshop presentation]. *Co-presented

Grigg, A.1, Hutchings, J. A., Lowi-Merri, T., and Massey, M. D2 “Plastic Effects of Thermal Variability on Body Shape in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)”. Cameron Conference, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS. Feb 12, 2022. Poster talk. 1 Presented by Annie Grigg, Supervision of Undergraduate Student

Massey, M. D. Invited panelist in "Scholarships Workshop", organized by Dr. Julia Riley. Canadian Herpetological Society. August 18th, 2021.

Massey, M. D., Arif, S., Albury, C., Cluney, T. "Making Room for BIPOC Scholars in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology". Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research. Feb. 18, 2021. Invited plenary presentation.

Massey, M. D. and Hutchings, J. A. "Lessons from an Inconstant World: Studying Thermal Variability". FISH Seminar Talk, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS. Nov. 8. 2019. Institutional oral presentation.

Massey, M. D. Lloyd, A. W., and Hutchings, J. A. "A review of thermal fluctuations in the laboratory." Canadian Society of Zoologists Meeting, Windsor, ON, May 18 2019. National oral presentation.

Massey, M. D., Rollinson, N. “Climate Change and Snapping Turtles.” Sigma Xi Society Lecture Series, Toronto, ON. Oct 11 2017. Invited public lecture.

Massey, M., Brooks, R.J., Rollinson, N. “The Effects of Climate Change on Sex Determination and Growing Time in a Northern Population of Snapping Turtles”. Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Meeting, Victoria, BC. 9 May 2017. Oral presentation.

Massey, M., Brooks, R.J., Rollinson, N1 “Long-term monitoring of hatchling sex ratios in a species with temperature-dependent sex determination during a period of rapid climate change.” Wildlife 70 Symposium, Trent University, Peterborough, ON. 3 May 2017. Presented by Njal Rollinson. Oral presentation.

Massey, M., Brooks, R.J., Rollinson, N. “The Effects of Climate Change on Sex Determination and Timing of Developmental Events in a Northern Population of Snapping Turtles”. Atwood Colloquium, University of Toronto. Toronto, ON, Canada. 9 Apr. 2017. Institutional oral presentation.

Massey, M., Brooks, R. J., Rollinson, N. “Modeling the effects of climate change on temperature-dependent sex determination in the Common Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina.” Canadian Herpetological Society Conference. Toronto Zoo, Toronto. 15 Sept. 2016. Oral presentation.

Guest Lectures and other invited talks for youth and trainees:

Massey, M. "Introduction to Experimental Design". University of New Brunswick. 2026. Guest lecture for Dr. Suchinta Arif's coastal ecology course.
Massey, M. "The Secret Underground Lives of Turtles". Dalhousie University. Guest lecture for Herpetology (BIOL3639.03) - 2022, 2023, 2024.
Massey, M. "Dinosaurs, Turtles, Fishes, and a Roadmap in STEM". Dalhousie University, SuperNOVA ITS for Girls Program. September 25 2021.
Massey, M. "Career Paths in Biology". Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute, Toronto, ON, June 10 2021.
Massey, M. "Thermal development of oviparous reptiles". 2018. Mount Saint Vincent University. Guest lecture for BIOL3322 (Animal Developmental Biology).
Massey, M. “The Story of How I Tried Out a Bunch of Stuff and Found Out What Worked.” Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Undergraduate Panel Presentation, University of Toronto. Nov 28 2017.
Massey, M. “The Embryonic Thermal Environment in Oviparous Reptiles.” Organisms in the Environment (BIO375) Guest Lecture, University of Toronto. Nov 22 2017. (Invited speaker.)
Massey, M. “Fix and Release.” Canadian Association for Girls in Science. Oct 28 2017. (A pre-screening of the nature documentary Fix and Release, with a talk by the director and CBC filmmaker Scott Dobson, and Ontario Turtle Trauma Centre Manager Donnell Gasbarrini.)
Massey, M. “Science Literacy Week: Climate Change and Snapping Turtles.” Toronto Public Library. 19 Sept 2017.
Massey, M., and Astudillo-Clavijo, V. “Scientific Illustration”. Canadian Association for Girls in Science, Royal Ontario Museum. 27 May 2017.
Massey, M. “Snapping Turtles: Conservation and Nesting”. Beacon Elementary School, St. Catharine. 23 Nov. 2016. (Invited speaker.)
Massey, M. “Climate Change and Sex Ratios in Snapping Turtles”. Ingersoll District Nature Club, Ingersoll. 13 Sept 2016. Featured in the Woodstock Sentinel Review on Sept. 12, 2016. [Available here!]
Massey, M. “Dinosaurs and the Earliest Birds”. Beverely Central Elementary School, Troy. 1 Apr. 2015.

Community & Institutional Service

Oxford Coalition for Social Justice (2024-Current)

Coordinated successful competitive application for Children’s Water Festival Community event for an ECR-led educational invasive species workshop in French and English; over 5000 all-ages community participants, in collaboration with Diversity of Nature.

Social Media Committee, CUPE3912 Teaching Assistant’s Union (2023)

Collected data and created graphics for advertisement of CUPE3912’s strike action. Graphic designs feature on Halifax busses and in major print publications.

Director, EcoSciCommCon (2022)

Planned, opened, and closed the Ecology Science Communication Conference (2022), funded by MEOPAR. Advertised and promoted event, created schedule, invited and paid honoraria to speakers, organized celebration dinner, managed online logistics (500 participants).

Biology Organization of Graduate Students, Dalhousie University, President (2021-2022)

Writing departmental newsletter, supporting executives with social events, managing website, developing NSERC and NSGS scholarship repository for student use, negotiating minimum stipend raise of $1800.

Vice-President, Biology Organization of Graduate Students, Dalhousie University (2020-2021)

Acted as a student representative in faculty meetings, developed program to minimize errors in graduate stipend pay, increased minimum stipends by $4000.

Lett Symposium Coordinator, Biology Organization of Graduate Students (2019-2020)

Logistics planning, programme design, and budgeting for the annual Departmental conference and gala.

Social Coordinator and Mental Health Representative (2017-2018)
University of Toronto. Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology