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. 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
Assistant 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.
Christina Bao
MSc student (co-supervised with Dr. Maria Strack, University of Waterloo)
Plant responses to anthropogenic disturbances, working on intraspecific trait variation in boreal peatlands in collaboration with the Boreal Ecosystem Recovery & Assessment Project (beraproject.org)
Ben Dow
MSc student
Plant physiological responses to metal and acid contaminants in peatland ecosystems.
Allison MacNeil
BSc Honours research student
Plant ecology & phylogenetics
Sam McDormand
BSc Honours research student
Ecophysiology of wild blueberries, plant responses to pollution
Mythri Vallabhaneni
BSc Honours research student
Plant responses to acidity
Lab Alumni
- Lauren Schofield. BSc Honours, 2023
- Haley Ehler. Plant Ecology Research Technician, 2022-2023
The Goud Lab 