I am a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Biological Sciences at University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada and Weston Family Northern Scientist. I am passionate about, conservation, Arctic ecology, and parasite community ecology. My research is supported by the Weston Family Awards in Northern Research Postdoctoral Fellowship.
My research focuses on examining host-parasites relationships and their impact on ecosystems, particularly in the Arctic where so many of these relationship connections are poorly understood. I am currently studying the diversity of molluscs and their parasites throughout Northern Canada. The results of this work will provide critical information on the biogeography of snail species and their parasites in the Arctic and insights into ecosystem health. This research is especially relevant since molluscs are a key component to food security and an integral part of ecosystems and many species are of conservation concern. My research will highlight the diversity of key species in the Arctic, and it will increase our ability to predict and mitigate the impact of climate change on aquatic communities.
Previously I completed my PhD at the University of Otago and examined the relationships between invertebrate species and their parasites in freshwater communities. My graduate research included study of the relationships between the diet of wolves, Arctic and red foxes, and their parasite communities in the Canadian Arctic.
If you would like to learn more about me and my work, or would like to contact me:
Twitter: @olwynfriesen
Email: olwynfriesen@gmail.com
Website: www.olwynfriesen.com
Publications:
Friesen, O. C., and Detwiler, J. T. (2021). Parasite-modified chemical communication: implications for aquatic community dynamics. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. doi:10.3389/fevo.2021.634754.
Friesen, O. C., Goellner, S., Poulin, R., and Lagrue, C. (2020). Parasites shape community structure and dynamics in freshwater crustaceans. Parasitology, 147(2): 182–193. doi:10.1017/S0031182019001483.
Friesen, O. C., and Roth, J. D. (2016). Alternative prey use affects helminth parasite infections in grey wolves. Journal of Animal Ecology, 85(5): 1265–1274. doi:10.1111/1365-2656.12544.
Media coverage of Friesen and Roth 2016:
Blog: Paper listed as one of the “14 great papers”
Friesen, O. C., Roth, J. D., & Graham, L. C. (2015). Sex-biased parasitism in monogamous Arctic foxes is driven by diet. Journal of Mammalogy, 96(2), 417–424. doi:10.1093/jmammal/gyv043 (https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/article/96/2/417/902825)
Women in the Arctic and Antarctic 