Professor, Department Head, Environmental Science and Studies Program Chair

Environment and Geography

252 Wallace Building
125 Dysart Road
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3T 2N2
204-474-9897
mark.hanson@umanitoba.ca
Google Scholar Page

Academic Background

Ph.D., University of Guelph (2002) - Toxicology
B.Sc. (Hons), University of Toronto (1997) Zoology

Teaching

ENVR2810 - Environmental Critical Thinking and Scientific Research
ENVR3180 - Methods in Ecotoxicology
ENVR4180/GEOG7010 - Ecotoxicological Risk Characterization
ENVR4000/GEOG7010 - Environmental Effects Monitoring

Research Interests

Dr. Hanson is an aquatic ecotoxicologist and ecological risk assessor who focuses on fate and effects of pesticides, wastewater contaminants (e.g., nutrients, pharmaceuticals, microplastics), and unconventional oil. The impacts of these contaminants on non-target species and the ways in which these can influence responses (direct and indirect) observed at the population, community, and ecosystem-level are studied at the laboratory to field-level. The use of mesocosms, model freshwater ecosystems, along with developing new toxicity bioassays in a rapid and effective manner are a core feature of his research program. Dr. Hanson and his team also develop methods to critically evaluate data quality and reporting in the peer reviewed literature for inclusion in risk assessment, including weight of evidence approaches to assign causality.

Recent and Significant Publications


Gasque-Belz, L., Raes, K., Park, B., Colville, C., Siciliano, S.D., Hogan, N., Weber, L., Campbell, P., Peters, R., Hanson, M., and Hecker, M. 2024. Hazard assessment of complex legacy-contaminated groundwater mixtures using a novel approach method in adult fathead minnows. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 465: 133299.

Starks, M., Schaefer, C., Jeffries, K., Deslauriers, D., Luong, K.H., Wong, C.S., Hanson, M., and Knapp C. 2023. Discharges of antibiotic resistance genes and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) from Iqaluit’s wastewater treatment plant into Frobisher Bay, Nunavut. Arctic Science. 9(4): 19–927.

Stoyanovich, S.S., Saunders, L.J., Yang, Z., Hanson, M.L., Hollebone, B.P., Orihel, D.M., Palace, V., Rodriguez-Gil, J.R., Mirnaghi, F.S., Shah, K., and Blais, J.M. 2023. Chemical weathering patterns of diluted bitumen spilled into freshwater limnocorrals. 2023. Environmental Science & Technology. 57(25):9266–9276.

Eldridge, R., Hanson, M., and de Jourdan, B. 2023. Toward the development of a new toxicity test with the Arctic alga Nitzschia frigida. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 188:114572.

Black, T.A., Paterson, M.J., Timlick, L., Cederwall, J., Blais, J.M., Hollebone, B., Orihel, D.M., Palace, V.P., Rodriguez-Gil, J.L., and Hanson, M.L.  2023. The challenges of characterizing the zooplankton community response following simulated spills of diluted bitumen into boreal lake limnocorrals. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 110(2):46.

Bejarano, A.C., Adams, J.E., McDowell, J., Parkerton, T.F., and Hanson, M.L. 2023. Recommendations for improving the reporting and communication of aquatic toxicity studies for oil spill planning, response, and environmental assessment. Aquatic Toxicology. 255:106391.