Positions
Education
Current University Committees & Engagement
- Arts & Science Academic Regulations & Curriculum Committee (ARCC)
- Interim Chair, Department of Biology, Chemistry, & Geography
Teaching Areas
Undergraduate Programs
- Biology and Chemistry
Graduate Studies
- Adjunct Professor, Laurentian University
Graduate Supervision
Accepting Students for Supervision
School year
- 2026/27
- 2027/28
- 2028/29
Guidelines or Expectations for Prospective Students
I typically supervise undergraduate students in Independent Studies, including BIOL4995 (Senior Undergraduate Research Thesis), BIOL4986 (Directed Studies), and BIOL4886 (Professional Internship). For all inquiries, please email to arrange a meeting to discuss. For more information on BIOL4886 (Professional Internship), please see the Professional Internship Application Process .
Supervised Theses / Projects
2025-26
- BIOL4995 (Senior Undergraduate Research Thesis)
- Daniel Alderson - Nutritional Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) Extract Protects Against Oxidative Stress During Development in Drosophila melanogaster
- BIOL4986 (Directed Studies)
- Alexandra Dech - Genetic Investigation of the Proposed Oxidative Stress Mechanism of ‘Forever Chemical’ (PFAS) Toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster
- Phillipe Coutu - Genetic Investigation of the Proposed Oxidative Stress Mechanism of ‘Forever Chemical’ (PFAS) Toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster
- BIOL4886 (Professional Internship)
- Megan Mahoney - Occupational Therapy - One Kids Place
- Alexandra Dech - Veterinary Medicine - Bay City Animal Hospital
- Pascale Lessard - Midwifery - K'Tigaaning Midwives
2024-25
- BIOL4995 (Senior Undergraduate Research Thesis)
- Rayna Landis - Is Metabolic Acidosis the Cause of Neuromuscular Symptoms in Human Glutathione Synthetase Deficiency? Insights from a Drosophila Model
- BIOL4986 (Directed Studies)
- Sierra Wilson - Longevity and Metabolic Resilience of Drosophila Melanogaster Affected with 5-Oxoprolinuria
- BIOL4886 (Professional Internship)
- Courtney Normand - Veterinary Medicine - Bay City Animal Hospital
- Sierra Russell - Occupational Therapy - One Kids Place
- Micah MacLeod - Dentistry, Northern Lakes Dental
- Karan Bassi - Human Medicine, North Bay General Surgery
Research
Research Interests
- Our laboratory at Nipissing utilizes the genetic model organism Drosophila melanogaster to investigate the biological consequences of perturbations in reactive oxygen metabolism. We employ molecular genetic & biochemical techniques coupled with a variety of standardized bio-assays to assess the impact of such perturbations on organismal development, stress resistance, & longevity.
- We are currently focusing our studies on genetically-induced functional deficits in the enzyme Superoxide Dismutase (SOD1) and the non-enzymatic antioxidant Glutathione (GSH), which we utilize to model the human disease conditions Lou Gehrig's Disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - ALS) and Human Glutathione Synthetase Deficiency (HGSD). Core elements of these investigations include elaborating the biological roles of SOD1 & GSH, and assessing the potential therapeutic benefits of pharmaceutical & nutraceutical interventions in ameliorating deleterious phenotypes associated with impairment of these critical systems.
Open to Media Inquiries
Publications
Selected Publications
Doran, M.L., Knee, J.M., Wang, N., Rzezniczak, T.Z., Parkes, T.L., Li, L., & Merritt, T.J.S. (2017). Metabolomic analysis of oxidative stress: Superoxide dismutase mutation and paraquat-induced stress in Drosophila melanogaster. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 113, 323-334.
Bernard, K.E., Parkes, T.L., & Merritt, T.J.S. (2011). A model of oxidative stress management: Moderation of carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes in SOD1-null Drosophila melanogaster. PLoS ONE, 6(9), e24518. Read More
Shaver, S.A., Riedl, C.A., Parkes, T.L., Sokolowski, M.B., & Hilliker, A.J. (2000). Isolation of larval behavioral mutants in Drosophila melanogaster. Journal of Neurogenetics, 14(4), 193-205.
Parkes, T.L., Hilliker, A.J., & Phillips, J.P. (1999). Motorneurons, reactive oxygen, and life span in Drosophila. Neurobiology of Aging, 20(5), 531-535. (Review)
Parkes, T.L., Elia, A.J., Dickinson, D., Hilliker, A.J., Phillips, J.P., & Boulianne, G.L. (1998). Extension of Drosophila lifespan by overexpression of human SOD1 in motorneurons. Nature Genetics, 19(2), 171-174.
Parkes, T.L., Hilliker, A.J., & Phillips, J.P. (1993). Genetic and biochemical analysis of glutathione-S-transferase in the oxygen defense system of Drosophila melanogaster. Genome, 36(6), 1007-1014.
Selected Technical Reports
Parkes, T.L. Biological and Engineering Services Support for ISS Insect Habitat: Final Report. Prepared for the Canadian Space Agency and Public Works & Government Services Canada.
Parkes, T.L. Fruit Flies in Space. Prepared for Routes AstroEngineering and the Canadian Space Agency.
Parkes, T.L., & Pyle, G. Getting to Know the Lake Trout of Lake Temagami: Mitochondrial DNA Haplotypes and Lake Trout Conservation. Research report prepared for the Lake Temagami Stewardship Council, Living Legacy Trust, and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources