Research Interests

Dr. Neill is a Professor and is also on the Executive, Safety and Seminar Committees of the Fisheries Centre. He is a member of several societies including the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography and was on the governing council of the Ecological Society of America.

As an aquatic ecologist and fisheries biologist his main area of interest is in tropic webs, particularly plankton. "I have a fair number of students working on stream and lake systems, mainly on the algal and invertebrate components of those systems". In particular he and his students examine the mechanisms and consequences of resource exploitation, biotic interactions, colonization and the physical disturbance of lakes and streams.

His other main area of interest is his work on an endangered species of salamander, and he has been successful in winning a grant from the Provincial Government to further his studies. "I have been doing a lot of academic work that was more curiosity driven, rather than having strong practical connotations. I feel this is pay back time". The study of this species involves looking at forestry practices and fisheries: "It ties the disciplines together".

Dr. Neill is on the editorial board of both Ecology and Ecological Monographs.