Comparative physiology at uOttawa comprises an energetic group of 9 researchers who focus on aspects of environmental, evolutionary, and neural physiology in animals ranging from insects to mammals, but with an emphasis on fish.  The research is highly integrative, applying molecular, biochemical, physiological and behavioural approaches to ask questions that are both fundamental and applied – from the evolution of biochemical pathways in orchid bees, through resource allocation in migrating birds or the control of breathing in an air-breathing fish, to the impact of environmental pollutants on gene expression and metabolism in aquatic animals.  The individual research programs are collectively supported by >$500k in funding and the state-of-the-art infrastructure of the Department of Biology (including the Aquatics facility and the Carson Microscopy Facility) as well as the Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Genomics.  With approximately 30 graduate students currently pursuing a diversity of projects that are nevertheless united by a common interest in a comparative and integrative approach to physiology, the atmosphere is always lively!