is by definition a multidisciplinary field, which integrates ecology and toxicology.  My lab focuses on integrating many important aspects of organism and community ecology, to better interpret exposure and understand effects of various environmental pollutants such as insecticides (eg. neonicotinoids), PCBs, PBDEs, PAHs and Hg.  Birds are visible, well studied and often highly sensitive to environmental change and are therefore regarded as excellent indicator species. As such, our work tackles applied questions about how birds respond- physiologically and behaviourally – to pollutant exposure during key stages in the annual life cycle such as reproduction and migration. Since environmental pollution can also lead to changes in food availability, we also study the indirect effects of pollutants on invertebrate communities.  A holistic understanding of chemical threats remains an essential conservation need to preserve biodiversity.