Russell Easy
Vice Chair, Board of Directors
Russell is an Associate Professor in the biology department at Acadia University. His research focusses on changes in molecular signatures (DNA & proteins) in animals in response to environmental stressors. Russell began his scientific career as a biologist with Health Canada in Ontario where he worked with bacterial pathogens in the molecular characterization of toxins and antibiotic resistance genes. He then moved to Winnipeg where he helped establish the molecular diagnostics lab at the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health. His passion, however, is marine science so he accepted a position with the National Research Council – Institute for Marine Biosciences (NRC-IMB) in Halifax, where he was involved in research exploring fish pathogens. When the department’s focus changed he left his Government position to continue research in marine animals and to teach. He has post-secondary degrees from CÉGEP, Algonquin college, The Canadian College of Microbiology, a bachelor’s degree from Carleton University, Master’s degree from St. Mary’s University and a Ph.D. from Dalhousie University. As an Associate Professor at Acadia University for five years, he has been very successful in acquiring funding for the numerous research projects he has established. He has a dynamic lab that includes collaborations with national, international, industrial and academic partners. Russell has a passion for science education and has presented public lectures to students of all ages for more than 20 years. In the past he served as Program Director for a major music festival for several years and presently is an avid kayaker and musician.