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Liber Ero Chair in Biodiversity Conservation - Liber Ero: to be free

Meet the Gonzalez Lab at McGill University.

A collective of collaborative, interdisciplinary, and nature-inspired scientists.

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Prof. Dr. Andrew Gonzalez
Prof. Dr. Andrew Gonzalez

Professor, Liber Ero Chair in Conservation Biology, co-Chair (elect) GEO BON , Founding director of the QCBS

Hey, I’m Andrew Gonzalez. I oversee the research conducted here in the lab and work to keep our team driven by science that matters. I have spoken at the World Economic Forum and co-lead the Adapting Urban Environments for the Future theme of McGill's Sustainability Systems Initiative. In 2018, I co-founded an urban resilience consulting company, called Habitat.

Dr. Md Saifuzzman (Saif)
Dr. Md Saifuzzman (Saif)

Post-doc

Saif's research focuses on developing and applying advanced tools for monitoring and modeling ecosystem services. He integrates biological and ecological data across scales to predict ecosystem and biodiversity changes. His work advances machine learning, geostatistical, and geospatial methods for monitoring biodiversity networks, contributing to the Canadian Biodiversity Observation Network (CAN BON) and aligning with the GEO BON framework to support evidence-based reporting, policy-making, and conservation efforts.

Dr. Sebastian Theis
Dr. Sebastian Theis

Postdoc

Sebastian's research as part of the Gonzalez lab focuses on advancing the understanding of Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP) within global ecosystem service assessments. By applying synthesis, natural language processing (NLP), and machine learning techniques, he is developing the first global knowledge graph of NCP resources, encompassing tools, data, policies, and models. This work will provide an open access, interactive user interface that evaluates resources across spatial and temporal scales while assessing data quality, knowledge gaps, and FAIR data adherence. Ultimately, these efforts directly support current IPBES assessments. Additionally, his interdisciplinary research extends into nature finance and corporate sustainability, aiming to drive broader resource sustainability and effective global biodiversity conservation practices.

General Research Interest

The twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss require innovative solutions to abate ongoing environmental decline. The need to conserve freshwater species and resources requires extensive conservation and restoration efforts. How can we improve restoration and monitoring practices, and how effective have practices and policies been so far? My goal is to strive to advance conservation and restoration practices, building on existing knowledge and exploring new approaches in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment along social, ecological and economic dimensions.

LinkedIn • ResearchGate • Scholar

@sebtheis.bsky.social

Michelle Gros
Michelle Gros

Lab Manager

Michelle studied freshwater food webs and species interactions during her MSc. She has since worked on projects with the Canadian LakePulse Network, the Large Experimental Array of Ponds (LEAP), Environmental & Climate Change Canada (ECCC), and the International Society of Limnology (SIL). She is passionate about applying broad field and lab techniques in creative ways to investigate freshwater systems. Michelle supports research activities and splits her time as a research assistant in a paleolimnology lab and lab manager in the Gonzalez Labs at McGill.

Life in the lab

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We are focused on many aspects of biodiversity science.

We do empirical research on biodiversity from microbes to mammals, whilst our theoretical interests range from nonequilibrium eco-evolutionary dynamics to food webs in metacommunties.

The overarching theme of our research is the development of a rich theory of biodiversity, that can be applied to support decisions for conservation and sustainability. We develop theory, test it with experiments in the lab and field and use meta-analysis to evaluate its validity beyond controlled conditions.

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We are committed to the academic development of all students.

My group has always maintained strong gender balance, and I encourage ethnic diversity and LGBT researchers. I will invest a lot of time and energy in helping you through the trials of paper writing, conference presentations, and statistical analyses.

My lab offers state of the art equipment, access to a global network of partners, and a collaborative working environment. I have high expectations of my students. I expect you to be committed to your research, to be prepared to work through the difficult times (they will come), and to ask for help when needed.

Join the Lab

If you are interested in joining the Gonzalez lab, please send me an email introducing your research interests, research experience and academic background. A copy of your CV, grades (where appropriate), and a list of referees should also be attached to your email.

I look for students with a passion for research, who have succeeded in publishing their work and want to apply their knowledge to improving society’s relationship with our natural environment. I encourage applicants to apply for research fellowships (e.g., NSERC), but I will fund applicants if the fit to our research program is good.

Note: Unfortunately, I turn down excellent applicants to keep the lab to a manageable size.

Contact me about joining the lab →
 
 

Deadlines for admittance to the graduate program

International students:

  • January 15th for September registration

  • August 15th for January registration

Canadian residents and citizens:

  • March 15th for September registration

  • October 15th for January registration


Click HERE for complete information for the Graduate Studies program.