Fish, Oil, and 392 Samples Later – Lenny Debuck’s Internship Adventure
We are excited to welcome Lenny Debuck, a master’s student from the University of Bordeaux, who has joined us at UiT The Arctic University of Norway for his internship as part of the ToxiGen project. Lenny is embarking on an ambitious and challenging study investigating the impact of crude oil exposure on the late reproductive stages of polar cod (Boreogadus saida), a key species in Arctic marine ecosystems.
Polar cod are particularly vulnerable to environmental pollutants, and a recent study has suggested that crude oil exposure can disrupt their reproductive processes. Lenny’s work will focus on understanding how oil exposure affects the reproductive axis and contributes to an advance in spawning time – a phenomenon that could have serious ecological consequences.
To unravel the molecular mechanisms behind these effects, Lenny will be applying a transcriptome approach, analyzing gene expression across different tissues of the reproductive axis. By identifying the pathways altered by crude oil exposure, his research will shed light on the biological disruptions leading to changes in reproductive timing.
But that’s not all! Lenny is also taking on the enormous task of analyzing CYP1A induction, a well-established biomarker of oil exposure. From the exposure period all the way to spawning, he will process and analyze samples from a staggering 392 fish – a feat that demands exceptional dedication!
We are thrilled to have Lenny as part of our team and look forward to the exciting findings that his hard work will bring. Stay tuned for updates on his progress!
Welcome to UiT, Lenny!