Bioinformatics in Life Science Biology
Our theme for June 2026 is Bioinformatics in Life Science Biology: RNA-seq, Crustacean Immune Response and Shell Microbiomes. We will explore techniques to study crustacean health through data.
This seminar will be presented in a Hybrid format: in-person at Dalhousie University’s Agricultural Campus in Truro, Nova Scotia and online via Microsoft Teams. The seminar will be followed by an in-person social event at the Agricultural Campus. We hope you’ll join us to network with our speakers and peers!
If you would like to attend in person, we kindly ask that you complete this form so we can estimate food quantities (to minimize food waste) and support dietary restrictions. Completion of this form is anonymous. You are still welcome to attend if you do not complete the form ahead of the networking event.
We are offering bursaries of up to $100 CAD for caregivers who are interested in attending BAtl seminars in person to offset costs of caregiving responsibilities. One person can be eligible for multiple bursaries.
The deadline to apply for this bursary is Monday, June 15 at 3:00pm Atlantic Time.
Schedule
| Time (ADT) | Event | Format | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17:00 | Seminar | Hybrid | In-person: MacRae Library/Student Learning Commons: Program Rooms A & B, Dalhousie University Agricultural Campus, Truro NS Virtual: MS Teams |
| 18:00 | Social Event | In-person | Room TBD, Dalhousie University Agricultural Campus, Truro NS |
Meet our Speakers:
Fraser Clark,
Associate Professor at
Dalhousie University
Dr. Fraser Clark is an Associate Professor at Dalhousie University whose research focuses on molecular immunology in lobsters, crabs, and shrimp, with additional projects examining healthy and pathogenic microbiome communities associated with crustaceans. He received a BSc (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) from Dalhousie University in 2002, an MSc (Pathology and Molecular Medicine) from Queen’s University in 2005, and a PhD (Pathology and Microbiology) from the University of Prince Edward Island in 2014.
Before completing his PhD, Dr. Clark worked as a research technician at the AVC Lobster Science Centre from 2005 to 2014. He later served as an Assistant Professor at Mount Allison University from 2016 to 2018 before joining Dalhousie University in 2018, where he is now an Associate Professor. He has taught courses in biotechnology, immunology, and bioinformatics at the University of Prince Edward Island, Mount Allison University, and Dalhousie University.
Zahra Ghiasvand,
PhD Candidate at
Dalhousie University
Zahra Ghiasvand is a PhD candidate in Aquatic Animal Health at Dalhousie University under the supervision of Dr. Fraser Clark. Her research focuses on host–pathogen interactions in marine crustaceans, including green crabs, rock crabs, and lobsters, using histology, haemology, and transcriptomic approaches. She investigates immune responses to bacterial, parasitic, and co-infections to better understand disease resistance and health in aquatic species. Zahra has over 12 years of university teaching experience and has presented her research at national and international scientific conferences.
Meet our Host:
Natalie Diether,
Assistant Professor at
Dalhousie University
Dr. Diether is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture at Dalhousie University. Her research program is focused on the function of the gut microbiota and microbial metabolism in the health of production animals. Her work places emphasis on mechanistically-informed dietary strategies and interventions that address challenges in health, productivity, and sustainability, thereby reducing reliance on antimicrobials. Dr. Diether received her PhD in Animal Science from the University of Alberta in 2023, following an MSc and BSc in Agriculture (Animal Science). Her doctoral research used multi-omics techniques to investigate how dietary components shape gut microbial metabolism and host physiological responses in weaned pigs. Following her PhD, she worked as a Research Program Officer for Results Driven Agriculture Research before joining Dalhousie in 2024.
