Adam J. Houben

Image Adam James Houben
Science Officer
  • Strategic planning, S&T 

Current research and/or projects

  • Strategic planning and reporting for S&T program on Arctic science, policy, data management, and grants & contributions
  • Earth Observations (EO) in the Arctic
  • Arctic knowledge facilitation

Professional activities / interests

  • Management Committee for Northern Contaminants Program
  • Journal and grant reviewer

Education and awards

  • PhD Biology, University of Ottawa, 2016
  • MSc Biology, University of Waterloo, 2007
  • BSc Biology, University of Waterloo, 2005

International experience and/or work

Contributing to Earth Observations (EO) in the Arctic

  • Coordinating Canadian ecosystem and remote sensing research in the NASA Arctic-Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE); acquisition of RADARSAT Constellation Mission imagery for partners
  • Partner with the International Network of Terrestrial Research and Monitoring in the Arctic (INTERACT) to enhance transnational access to research infrastructures and data
  • Canadian point of contact with the Arctic Council initiative for Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON)
  • Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Canadian federal working group support

Key publications

  • Chetalat, J., P.A. Cott, M. Rosabal, A.J. Houben, C. McClelland, E. Belle Rose, M. Amyot. 2019. Arsenic bioaccumulation in Subarctic fishes of mine-impacted bay on Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada. PLoS ONE.14(8): e0221361. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0221361
  • Houben, A., D. McLennan, S. Goetz, C.E. Miller, P. Griffith, E. Hoy, E. Larson. 2018. Pushing Remote Sensing Capacity for Climate Change Research in Canada's North: POLAR’s contributions to NASA’s Arctic-Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE). Polar Knowledge: Aqhaliat 2018, Polar Knowledge Canada, p. 53-62. DOI: 10.35298/pkc.2018.07
  • Houben, A.J., T.D. French, S.V. Kokelj, X. Wang, J.P. Smol, J.M. Blais. 2016. The impacts of permafrost thaw slump events on limnological variables in upland tundra lakes, Mackenzie Delta Region. Fundamental and Applied Limnology. doi: 10.1127/fal/2016/0921
  • Houben, A.J., R. D'Onofrio, S.V. Kokelj, J.M. Blais. 2016. Factors affecting elevated arsenic and methyl mercury concentrations in small shield lakes surrounding gold mines near the Yellowknife, NT, (Canada) region. PLoS ONE. 11(4):e015096. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0150960. 
  • National Media Coverage: e.g. The Globe and Mail, “Lakes near Yellowknife contaminated with arsenic, mercury years after mine closing,” April 6, 2016
  • French, T.D., A.J. Houben, J-P.W. Desforges, L.E. Kimpe, S.V. Kokelj, A.J. Poulain, J.P. Smol, X. Wang, J.M. Blais. 2014. Dissolved organic carbon thresholds affect mercury bioavailability in Arctic lakes. Environ Sci Technol 48(6): 3162-8. doi: 101021/es403849d.
  • Depew, D., A.J. Houben, S.J. Guildford, R.E. Hecky. 2011. Distribution of nuisance Cladophora in the lower Great Lakes: Patterns with land use, near shore water quality and dreissenid abundance. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 37:4 p.656-671.
  • Depew, D., A.J. Houben, T. Ozersky, R.E. Hecky, S.J. Guildford. 2011. Submerged Aquatic Vegetation in Cook’s Bay, Lake Simcoe: Assessment of changes in response to increased water transparency. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 37:SI-3 p.72-82.
  • Depew, D., A.J. Houben, T. Ozersky, R.E. Hecky, S.J. Guildford. 2011. Why does Cladophora fail to reach nuisance proportions in Lake Simcoe? Journal of Great Lakes Research. 37:SI-3 p.90-102.