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Karen is the 2021 recipient of the Society’s Frank Rigler Award. Sponsored by NRC Research Press, the annual award recognizes major achievements in the field of limnology by Canadians or those working in Canada. Limnology is the study of inland waters as ecological systems interacting with their drainage basins and the atmosphere.

The Frank Rigler Award is presented to established aquatic scientists who have a  proven record of contributions to the field of aquatic sciences and whose work is widely recognized for its influence and importance. The award, first presented in 1984, is named in memory of Frank Rigler, a Professor of Biology and Chair of the Department of Biology at McGill University.

“I have had the pleasure of working with many fantastic researchers and students over my career”, says Karen, who’ll make the plenary presentation at the Society’s annual conference in January. “It is a deep honour to be recognized with this award as I am following in the wake of many famous aquatic scientists.”

An internationally-renowned researcher in water pollution and its effects on fish and other aquatic life, Karen is the Jarislowsky Chair of Environment and Health at McMaster with joint appointments in the Department of Biology and the School of Earth, Environment and Society. As an ecotoxicologist, Karen studies how the health of aquatic organisms and food webs are affected by human activities and the fate of pollutants in freshwater ecosystems. Karen also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the United Nations University – Institute for Water, Environment and Health.