Located in the Biology Department at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the Goud Lab is centered on fundamental and applied questions in plant ecology and evolutionary biology. Our research addresses how variation in plant form, function, and evolutionary history influence patterns of biodiversity and ecosystem function, and how we can use this information to solve environmental problems. Currently, we have two major research themes: Plant Functional Ecology and Ecological Restoration. We draw upon interdisciplinary methods to answer our research questions, including measurements of plant morphological, biochemical, and physiological traits, stable isotope analysis, trace gas exchange, and environmental measurements. When appropriate or possible these types of data are placed into a phylogenetic context. We use laboratory, greenhouse, and field experiments as well as natural observations and large-scale collaborative datasets. Many of our current research projects are related to plant responses to environmental stress, especially soil salt, acid, and metals.
Current Research Group Members
Ellie M. Goud
Associate Professor, Saint Mary’s University
Adjunct Professor, University of Waterloo
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Waterloo (2022)
PhD Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University (2020)
MSc Geography, McGill University (2015)
BSc Botany, McGill University (2011)
Looking for Ellie Goud, the fiddle player from Celtic trio Arise & Go? Yup, that’s me!
James Seward
Postdoctoral Researcher (co-supervised with Dr. Tim Moore, McGill University
PhD Boreal Ecology, Conservation & Restoration, Laurentian University (2023)
Plant and microbial adaptations to environmental stressors in disturbed and undisturbed peatland ecosystems
Rachel Kendall
PhD student
Plant community responses to environmental change in disturbed and restored ecosystems
Ravishani Ranathunga
MSc student
Woody plant ecophysiology, salt tolerance, coastal ecology and responses to climate change.
Ben Dow
MSc student
Plant physiological responses to metal and acid contaminants in peatland ecosystems
Alyssa Babb
MSc student
Bryophyte physiological ecology and peatland restoration
Summer Carroll
MSc student
Plant community ecology and ecological restoration of acid-impacted habitats
Kiersten Grant
BSc Honours student
Grace Tadema
Research assistant
Succulent plants and leaf functional traits
Lab Alumni
- Catherine Majury. BSc Honours 2025
- Merle Stoltenberg. Mitacs Globalink Intern 2025
- Christina Bao. MSc 2024.
- Mythri Vallabhaneni. Research Assistant 2022-2023 & BSc Honours 2024
- Allison MacNeil. BSc Honours 2024
- Sam McDormand. BSc Honours 2024
- Lauren Schofield. BSc Honours 2023
- Haley Ehler. Research Assistant 2022-2023
The Goud Lab 