Dr. Caren Helbing
Position
Contact
Credentials
BSc (Hons)(Windsor), PhD (Western)
Area of expertise
Thyroid hormone signaling, amphibian metamorphosis, environmental pollutant effects on hormone action, environmental DNA, antimicrobial peptides, host defense peptides.
Research interests
Dr. Helbing directs a large productive research group that investigates biomolecules to understand and promote animal (including humans!), environmental, and ecosystem health using a “One Health” approach. Her internationally recognized research activities apply a broad range of cutting edge techniques including transcriptomics, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and bioinformatics within three themes: 1) investigation into the molecular basis of thyroid hormone (TH) action and its disruption by environmental contaminants, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products, 2) development and application of an antimicrobial/host defense peptide (AMP/HDP) discovery platform as antibiotic alternatives to combat antimicrobial resistant pathogens, and 3) development and application of innovative minimally invasive methods including environmental DNA (eDNA) for obtaining wildlife health information as sentinels of environmental and human health.