Christopher Wood (biologist)

Christopher Wood is a Canadian physiologist and toxicologist known for his research on the physiological effects of pollutants, particularly metals, on aquatic organisms, primarily fish. He has made significant contributions to understanding the mechanisms of metal toxicity and tolerance in fish, including the roles of the gills and gastrointestinal tract in metal uptake and excretion.

Wood earned his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of British Columbia in 1974. He held faculty positions at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, before joining the University of British Columbia in 2006. He is now an Emeritus Professor.

His research has focused on a variety of areas within aquatic toxicology and physiology, including:

• Metal Toxicity: Investigating the physiological and biochemical mechanisms by which metals such as copper, zinc, and cadmium exert toxic effects on fish.
• Acidification: Studying the effects of acid rain and low pH on fish physiology and metal toxicity.
• Waterborne Metals: Examining the interplay between water chemistry and metal bioavailability to fish.
• Ammonia Toxicity: Understanding the physiological and toxicological effects of ammonia on fish.
• Stress Physiology: Analyzing the physiological stress responses of fish to environmental stressors.

Wood has published extensively in leading scientific journals and has been recognized for his contributions to the field with numerous awards and honors. His work has significantly advanced the understanding of how environmental contaminants impact aquatic organisms and has informed environmental management and policy decisions.