Dr. Julia Riley, assistant professor of biology at Mount Allison University, has been awarded $125,000 in funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). This funding will advance her research on animal energetics in ecology. Riley has also received matching funds of $125,000 from ResearchNB, bringing the total funding to $250,000.
Riley's project, Expanding Taxonomic Understanding of Animal Energetics in Ecology, aims to fill critical knowledge gaps in wildlife biology, particularly concerning ectothermic vertebrates, like amphibians and reptiles, which are under-studied in organismal research. These animals play pivotal roles in maintaining ecosystem health, and rapid environmental changes, like climate change and habitat loss, increasingly threaten their survival.
"We are proud of Dr. Riley's groundbreaking research and its potential to enhance our understanding of animal energetics," says Provost and Vice-President, Academic and Research Dr. Richard Isnor. "The funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation and ResearchNB highlights the importance of her work and its potential impact on wildlife conservation and ecosystem health. Mount Allison University remains committed to supporting research that addresses critical environmental issues and Dr. Riley's project exemplifies the innovative spirit of our faculty."
To understand the natural world, biologists, like Riley, often need to measure an animal's tissue composition. Features like how much muscle mass or fat reserves an animal has can provide insights into their health and energetic state. For example, biologists ask questions like how many energy reserves are needed for an animal to reproduce? Or how many energy reserves must be stored during the summer when food is plentiful to survive over the harsh winter months? Questions like these help researchers understand the relationship between survival and the environment, as well as how human activities may affect this delicate balance.
"I am grateful to the Canada Foundation for Innovation and ResearchNB for their generous support my research group, the Riley Integrative Ecology Lab's, work on animal ecology," says Riley. "This funding will allow us to push the boundaries of what we know about the energy needs of under-studied and ecologically important species, like amphibians and reptiles. Understanding how rapid environmental change may impact on these animals is critical for their conservation. I'm excited to use these resources to help advance wildlife research that will be applied to the protection of biodiversity in the face of ongoing challenges."
This funding is part of the Government of Canada's initiative to support the next generation of scientific talent and enhance research excellence. The CFI's John R. Evans Leaders Fund awarded $86 million to support 316 research infrastructure projects at 47 institutions across Canada.
To learn more about Dr. Riley's groundbreaking work, visit www.rileyecology.com or follow on Instagram at @rileylab_mta.
