Carlin Johnston

Title: Graduate Student
Email: johnston-c49@webmail.uwinnipeg.ca

Degree: Master of Science
Thesis: Variability in the in vitro toxicity responses of emerging contaminants across a sample population of polar bear cells
Supervisor: Dr. Jean-Pierre Desforges
Entry: Fall 2025

Research Interests:
I am interested in how anthropogenic contamination impacts ecosystems and wildlife, and exploring potential mitigation strategies. My thesis will look at how chemicals of emerging Arctic concern impact polar bear skin cells, and how exposure responses vary between individual animals. This will be one of few large-sample exposure studies, and will give insight into the toxic effects of human pollutants on polar bear health as well as the effectiveness of technical vs. biological replicates. 

Biography:
A few sentences for a Brief Bio: I graduated from the University of Winnipeg in Spring 2025 with a 4-year Bachelor of science honours degree in neuroscience. For my honours thesis, I had the opportunity to combine my background in neuroscience with my interests in climate change and toxicology. I chose the MESC program because I enjoyed the multidisciplinary aspect of my research and this program gives me the chance to explore it further. Specifically, it allows me to consider scientific research from a humanities-based perspective which I believe is necessary.