Curriculum Vitae
Education
September 2018 - August 2022
Ph. D. in Biology, Dalhousie University
I am broadly interested in how temperatures influence organisms, and especially in how temperatures experienced in early life-history stages can have effects that cascade into the later life of an organism, and in thermal fluctuations. I am currently conducting research under the supervision of Dr. Jeffrey Hutchings.
September 2016 - August 2018
M. Sc. in Ecology and Evolution, University of Toronto
During my M. Sc., I studied the effects of temperature on sex determination and growth in embryonic Snapping Turtles under Njal Rollinson.
September 2010 - December 2014
B. Sc. in Biology, Minor Natural History, McGill University
I completed my B. Sc. at McGill with a focus on development and paleontology. I did undergraduate research with Hans Larsson on chick development.
Grants, Awards & Recognitions
2020 - 2021
MEOPAR Fathom Fund (for Diversity of Nature Program)
We were awarded a grant of $37,500 on top of $12,500 in crowdfunding for our Diversity of Nature BIPOC-focused educational outreach program from the Marine Environmental, Observation, Prediction, and Response Network (MEOPAR).
2019 - 2020
Dalhousie President's Award
Awarded to outstanding Ph. D. students in their first two years; covers tuition (Appx. $11,000 per year)
2019-2022
Killam Doctoral Scholarship
Awarded to Ph. D. students on the basis of academic excellence, research potential, and leadership. ($30,000 per yr)
2019-2021
Alexander Graham Bell CGS Doctoral Award.
National scholarship awarded by NSERC. ($105,000)
2018-2022
Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Scholarship
Provincial scholarship from the Nova Scotia Government. ($60,000).
2017
Alexander Graham Bell CGS-M Scholarship
National scholarship awarded by NSERC. ($17,500)
2018
William J. “Jack” Christie Graduate Scholarship In Ecology And Evolutionary Biology
Awarded to an outstanding graduate student in the EEB department. ($2000)
2018
A. Murray Fallis Graduate Award In Zoology
Awarded to an outstanding graduate student studying zoology at the University of Toronto. ($1300)
2018
Imar Talvila Graduate Scholarship in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Awarded to an outstanding graduate student in EEB. ($830)
2017
Margaret and Nicholas Fodor Fellowship
Awarded to a graduate student on the basis of leadership and academic performance. ($500)
2017
Harold H. Harvey Travel Award, University of Toronto
Awarded to attend a graduate conference. ($400)
2016
EEB Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
Awarded to two outstanding teaching assistants based on student and teaching supervisor reviews.
2016
Frederick P. Ide Graduate Scholarship in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Awarded to an incoming graduate student on the basis of academic merit by the University of Toronto. ($1,550)
2016
Friends & Alumni Entrance Scholarship
Awarded to an incoming graduate student based on academic merit by the University of Toronto. ($4000)
2015
Redpath Museum Excellence Award
Awarded to a student who has shown outstanding leadership, academic excellence, and outstanding contributions to the Redpath Museum by McGill University ($300)
2014
Biodiversity Science Discovery Award
A research grant awarded to an undergraduate researcher based on academic excellence and project potential by the Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science ($3000)
2011
Women Associates of McGill Scholarship
Awarded to new students of McGill University based on academic merit and leadership ($3000)
2010
Women Associates of McGill Scholarship
Awarded to new students of McGill University based on academic merit and leadership ($3000)
2010
Governor General’s Academic Medal
Awarded to the top student entering post-secondary studies from a Canadian secondary school by the Federal Government of Canada
2010
Awarded to an outstanding scholar entering post-secondary by the University of Toronto
Teaching Experience
January 2019 - Current
Biology Teacher, King's View Academy
I currently teach Biology part-time to students from Grades 7-12 in accordance with the Nova Scotia curriculum guidelines. King's View Academy is a private school whose focus is on self-directed learning.
February 2019 - January 2020
Tutor, Oxford Learning
I currently tutor Grades 1-12 in math, literacy, and the sciences at Oxford Learning. Oxford's learning model is based on self-motivation, inquiry, and building on foundational knowledge.
September - December 2018
Lab Instructor, Mount Saint Vincent University
I taught two lab sections of Introductory Biology and managed two teaching assistants as a part-time faculty member of Mount Saint Vincent University.
Winter 2018
Senior Teaching Assistant, Diversity of Birds, University of Toronto
I was responsible for giving lab lectures, grading, and assisting students in the Diversity of Birds course (300 level).
Fall 2017
Teaching Assistant, Organisms in the Environment, University of Toronto
I was responsible for managing the population ecology software labs and marking. I also gave a guest lecture on turtle ecology.
Winter 2017
Teaching Assistant, Diversity of Birds, University of Toronto
I was responsible for assisting students in lab and in the field.
Fall 2016
Teaching Assistant, Evolution and Adaptation, University of Toronto
I gave lab lectures, marked students' work, and supervised labs. I won the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award for this position.
2015 - 2016
Mad Scientist, Mad Science
I taught after-school and lunchtime elementary classes on general science, by using fun experiments and hands-on activities.
Conference Presentations
2019
Departmental Talk
Massey, M. and Hutchings, J. A. "Lessons from an Inconstant World: Studying Thermal Variability". FISH Seminar Talk, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS. Nov. 8. 2019. [Talk]
2019
Conference Presentation
Massey, M. and Hutchings, J. A. "A review of thermal fluctuations in the laboratory." Canadian Society of Zoologists Meeting, Windsor, ON, May 18 2019.
2019
Poster Presentation
Massey, M., and Hutchings, J. A. “An empirical test of the scale transition theory of thermal performance in the Banded Killifish (Fundulus diaphanus)”. Lett Symposium, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS. Apr 5, 2019. [Poster]
2018
Public Talk
Massey, M, Rollinson, N. “Climate Change and Snapping Turtles.” Sigma Xi Society Lecture Series, Toronto Public Library, Toronto, ON. Oct 11 2017. (Invited speaker).
2017
Conference Talk
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.
2017
Conference Talk
Massey, M., Brooks, R.J., Rollinson, N*. “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.
2017
Symposium Talk
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. (Invited speaker)
2017
Public Talk
Massey, M., Rollinson, N., Brooks, R. J. “Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination in a Northern Population of Snapping Turtles.” Learning Unlimited Oxford, Woodstock, ON, Canada. 29 Mar. 2017. (Invited speaker).
2016
Conference Talk
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. 2015.
Presentations and Workshops
I develop presentations, workshops, and other educational media for the public and students.
Presentation
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. (Invited speaker.)
Guest Lecture
Massey, M. “The Embryonic Thermal Environment in Oviparous Reptiles.” Organisms in the Environment (BIO375) Guest Lecture, University of Toronto. Nov 22 2017. (Invited speaker.)
Workshop
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.)
Public Talk
Massey, M. “Science Literacy Week: Climate Change and Snapping Turtles.” Toronto Public Library. 19 Sept 2017. (Invited speaker.)
Workshop
Massey, M., and Astudillo-Clavijo, V. “Scientific Illustration”. Canadian Association for Girls in Science, Royal Ontario Museum. 27 May 2017. (Invited speaker.)
Workshop
Massey, M. “Snapping Turtles: Conservation and Nesting”. Beacon Elementary School, St. Catharine. 23 Nov. 2016. (Invited speaker.)
Public Talk
Massey, M. “Climate Change and Sex Ratios in Snapping Turtles”. Ingersoll District Nature Club, Ingersoll. 13 Sept 2016. (Invited speaker.)
Featured in the Woodstock Sentinel Review on Sept. 12, 2016. Available at: http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2016/09/12/climate-change-could-spell-doom-for-turtle-population-thanks-to-temperature-controlled-sex-determination
School Presentation
Massey, M. “Dinosaurs and the Earliest Birds”. Beverely Central Elementary School, Troy. 1 Apr. 2015. (Invited speaker.)
Non-Scientific Article
Massey, M. 2016. Consolidating grief and criticism after Bowie’s Passing. In The Newspaper, University of Toronto.
Available at: http://www.thenewspaper.ca/the-arts/consolidating-grief-and-criticism-after-bowies-passing
School and Community Involvement
2020-2021
Vice President, Biology Organization of Graduate Students
I assist other BOGS reps in achieving their goals (social events, annual conference, financial, etc.) and act as a liasion to the Committee of the Whole in Biology with President Loay Jabre. Major accomplishments this year include (1) successfully creating graduate pay reform, to minimize errors in graduate stipend pay, and (2) pushing to increase minimum stipends by $3500, with a minimum yearly annual increase of 3% (pending). Going forward we also aim to create a transparency policy regarding graduate stipends.
January 2020 - May 2020
Team Captain, Seadogs Inner Tube Water Polo
I was the captain of the Seadogs (Dalhousie Biology and Oceanography) intramural inner tube water polo team for the Winter semester.
2019 - 2020
Lett Symposium Coordinator, Biology Organization of Graduate Students, Dalhousie University
I am responsible for coordinating the annual Biology Lett Symposium, a celebration of graduate student work. I am co-organizing the symposium with Chad Simmons.
2017 - 2018
Undergraduate Mentor, University of Toronto
I was a panelist for talks assisting undergraduates with applying to graduate school, applying to NSERC, and navigating a career in science. I also mentored and co-authored a paper with undergraduate student (now M. Sc. student) Carter Rouleau on turtle hatching.
2017 - 2018
Social Coordinator, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Students Association, University of Toronto
I was the social coordinator for our department, and created events such as the yearly Halloween party, trivia nights, yoga, and other social events.
2017
Volunteer, Ontario Turtle Trauma Centre
I worked with the Ontario Turtle Trauma center to help feed and maintain recovering turtle housing.
2013 - 2014
Redpath Museum Club Illustrator and Event Planner
I illustrated media such as the Redpath Museum Club logo, lab manual illustrations, and the Natural History Minor T-Shirt design. I also organized movie nights for the club.