°µÍø51

Tyson MacCormack

Professor
Office
Barclay 119
Office hours
By Appointment

Publications

Book Chapters

1.    Dieni CA, MacCormack TJ. 2022. Cardiorespiratory toxicity of nanoparticles in aquatic environments. In: Toxicology of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials in Human, Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments. Edited by MA Williams. John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken. 

2.    MacCormack TJ, Goss GG, Handy RD. 2014. Emerging threats: Engineered organic nanomaterials. In: Organic Chemical Toxicology of Fishes, Fish Physiology Vol 33. Edited by K Tierney, AP Farrell, and CJ Brauner. Elsevier, London. 

Journal Articles

3.    Haché CM, McGaw SP, El N, Pabody CM, MacCormack, TJ. 2026. Diet affects the cardiorespiratory response to hypoxia and autonomic control of the heart in brook char (Salvelinus fontinalis). Journal of Comparative Physiology B 196: 301-313. 

4.    Sevcik R, LaHay ME, Pabody CM, MacCormack TJ. 2026. Diet-induced impairments in taurine flux affect the osmoregulatory and cardiac response to hypoxia in seawater acclimated brook char (Salvelinus fontinalis). Can J Zool 104: 1-12.

5.    Peter OO, Scott B, Schwartz LC, MacCormack TJ, Hankir M, Rourke JL. 2026. Beyond exercise and appetite: the expanding biology and therapeutic potential of Lac-Phe. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 393: 103798. 

6.    El N, Christjansen MH, Smallwood EC, LaHay ME, McGaw SP, Pabody CM, MacCormack TJ. 2025. Taurine efflux counters the hydrodynamic impact of anaerobic metabolism to protect cardiac function under acute thermal stress in brook char (Salvelinus fontinalis). J Exp Biol 228: jeb.249418.

7.    Braz-Mota S, Ollerhead KM, Lamarre SG, Almeida-Val VMF, Val AL, MacCormack TJ. 2024. Acclimation to constant and fluctuating temperatures promote distinct metabolic responses in Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus). J Exp Biol 227: jeb249475

8.    Parker KS, El N, Buldo EC, MacCormack TJ. 2024. Mechanisms of PVP-functionalized silver nanoparticle toxicity in fish: Intravascular exposure disrupts cardiac pacemaker function and inhibits Na+/K+-ATPase activity in heart, but not gill. Comp Biochem Physiol C 277: 109837.

9.    Callaghan NI, Ducros L, Bennett JC, Capaz JC, Andrade JP, Sykes AV, Driedzic WR, Lamarre SG, MacCormack TJ. 2024. Excitation-contraction coupling reflects the metabolic profile of mantle muscle in young cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis L.). Invert Biol 143: e12439.

10.    Cahill HF, Scott BS, Peter OO, Stapleton GVL, MacCormack TJ, Meli M-V, Rourke JL. 2023. Multiparametric cytotoxicity profiling reveals cell-line and ligand-dependent toxicity for pegylated gold nanoparticles (AuNP-PEG). Can J Chem 102: 134-143.

11.    Dixon T-A, Rhyno E-L, El N, McGaw SP, Otley NA, Parker KS, Buldo EC, Pabody CM, Savoie M, Cockshutt A, Morash AJ, Lamarre SG, MacCormack TJ. 2023. Taurine depletion impairs cardiac function and affects tolerance to hypoxia and high temperatures in brook char (Salelinus fontinalis). J Exp Biol: jeb.245092

12.    McDougal RM, Cahill HF, Power ME, MacCormack TJ, Meli M-V, Rourke JL. 2022. Multiparametric cytotoxicity assessment: The effect of gold nanoparticle ligand functionalization on SKOV3 ovarian carcinoma cell death. Nanotoxicology 16: 355-374. 

13.    Gates MA, Morash AJ, Lamarre SG, MacCormack TJ. 2022. Intracellular taurine deficiency impairs cardiac contractility in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) without affecting aerobic performance. J Comp Physiol B 192: 49-60. 
 

Education

Postdoctoral Fellowship, Toxicology and proteomics, °µÍø51 of Alberta

Ph.D. Comparative physiology and biochemistry, Ocean Sciences Centre, Memorial °µÍø51 of Newfoundland

M.Sc. Comparative physiology, Ocean Sciences Centre, Memorial °µÍø51 of Newfoundland

B.Sc. Biology / Interdisciplinary Studies in Aquatic Resources, St. Francis Xavier °µÍø51

Research

We are interested in how changes in an animal's diet and/or environment influence cardiorespiratory function.  Aquatic and marine environments are subject to daily and seasonal changes in temperature, oxygen, pH, salinity, etc. and these can influence cardiorespiratory function in animals.   We use a variety of methods like electrocardiography and surgically implanted blood pressure and ultrasonic flow probes to measure cardiovascular performance in fish, cephalopods, and other invertebrate models. Understanding how environmental factors affect these animals will allow us to predict how future changes will impact important ecosystems.
 

Grants, awards & honours

Awards:
Carnegie Chair in Chemistry (2025-2030)
Paul Paré Medal of Excellence (2024)
NB Innovation Foundation R13 Top 25 Star Mentor (2020)
J.E.A. Crake Teaching Award  (2013)

Grants:
NSERC Discovery Grant (2012-current)
Heart & Stroke New Brunswick operating grant (2022)