Curriculum Vitae
Sebastian Kvist
- BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Name Sebastian Kvist
Current appointment ROM Curator of Invertebrates
Date of Birth March 20, 1982
Place of Birth Helsingborg, Sweden
Citizenship Swedish
ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3200-6207
Web site https://kvistlab.com/
- DEGREES AND DIPLOMAS
2012 Ph.D. Comparative Biology, Richard Gilder Graduate School at the American Museum of Natural History. Dissertation Title: A phylogenomic perspective on annelid evolution with emphasis on the evolution of bloodfeeding in leeches (Clitellata: Hirudinida). Dissertation adviser: Mark E. Siddall.
2008 M.Sc. Department of Zoology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Major: Biology, Minor (specialization): Evolution and Systematics. Thesis title: Genetic variation, invasiveness and phylogeny of the cosmopolitan, marine clitellate genus Tubificoides (Annelida: Clitellata: Naididae). Thesis adviser: Christer Erséus.
2006 B.Sc. Department of Zoology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Major: Marine Biology, Minor (specialization): Evolution and Systematics. Thesis title: Barcoding Tubificoides (Annelida; Clitellata; Tubificidae) – Assessment of the genetic variation of the COI-region in three different species. Thesis adviser: Christer Erséus.
- EMPLOYMENT
3.1 CURRENT APPOINTMENTS
2021 – Present. Associate Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
2019 – Present. Curator of Invertebrates, Department of Natural History, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada.
2017 – Present Research Associate, American Museum of Natural History, Division of Invertebrate Zoology, New York, USA.
3.2 COMPLETED APPOINTMENTS
2015 – 2021 Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
2015 – 2019. Associate Curator of Invertebrates, Department of Natural History, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada.
2012 – 2015 Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University. Postdoctoral adviser: Gonzalo Giribet.
2008 – 2009 Research Assistant, Department of Zoology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
- STRATEGIC PLANNING
2022 – Present Member of the Strategic Planning Committee for Climate Change research.
2022 – Present Board member Alliance of Natural History Museums of Canada.
2022 – Present Member of the Collection Access Taskforce.
2021 – Present Member of the ROM Wellness Committee.
2021 – 2021 President ROM Curatorial Association Executive Committee.
2020 – 2020 Vice President ROM Curatorial Association Executive Committee.
2019 – 2019 Councilor at large, ROM Curatorial Association Executive Committee.
2018 – Present Member of the ROM Animal Care Committee.
2017 – Present Chair of the ROM Casual Salaries Committee.
2017 – Present ROM representative for joint NSERC CREATE grant application together with University of Montreal, McGill University, University of British Columbia, University of Ottawa, University of Guelph, Agriculture Canada, and Royal British Columbia Museum.
2016 – 2016 Member of the ROM Merit Review Proposal Committee.
2016 – Present Member of ROM Research Committee.
2015 – Present Member of the TMS Working Group.
2015 – 2018 Member of Committee for North American Forum for Research Infrastructures (ROM representative).
2015 – 2018 Member of Social Committee, ROM Curatorial Association.
2015 – Present Member of Peer-Review Committee, ROM Foundation research and acquisitions fund.
2015 – 2017 Member of ROM Curatorial Promotions Committee.
- RESEARCH GRANTS
5.1 RESEARCH GRANTS FROM EXTERNAL SOURCES
2021 Can the blood inside leeches accurately predict mammal diversity? Helge Ax:son Johnson’s Foundation (S. Kvist, P.I.) (SEK 60,000).
2018-2020 Underwater rainforests: the perils of the decline of coral reefs. Environmental Damages Fund, Government of Canada (S. Kvist, P. I., Sarah Steele, Mary Burridge, Mark Peck, Nicole Richards, Dave Ireland) (CAD $25,000).
2017 Phylogeny and the evolution of bloodfeeding in leeches with emphasis on anticoagulation factors and bacterial symbionts. Olle Engkvist Byggmästare Foundation (S. Kvist, P.I.) (SEK 100,000).
2016-2020 Unraveling the evolutionary history of leeches: phylogenomics and the evolution of bloodfeeding. Discovery Grant, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (S. Kvist, P.I.) (CAD $28,000/year for 5 years).
2014 Shark leeches (Hirudinida: Piscicolidae): evolution, anticoagulant diversity and prey choice. Olle Engkvist Byggmästare Foundation (S. Kvist, P.I.) (SEK 100,000).
2013 Shark leeches (Hirudinida: Piscicolidae): evolution, anticoagulant diversity and prey choice. Harvard Putnam Expedition Grant (S. Kvist, P.I.) (USD $8,131).
2012 Bloodfeeding in leeches: evolution, diversity and selection pressures. Helge Ax:son Johnson’s Foundation (S. Kvist, P.I.) (SEK 50,000).
2012 Bloodfeeding in leeches: evolution, diversity and selection pressures. Sixten Gemzéus Foundation (S. Kvist, P.I.) (SEK 200,000).
2012-2015 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. Wenner-Gren Foundations (S. Kvist, P.I.) (USD $141,000).
2012 Leech anticoagulants: evolution, diversity, selection pressures and their utility in human medicine. Olle Engkvist Byggmästare Foundation (S. Kvist, P.I.) (SEK 150,000)
2010 Phylogenomics of Reichenowia parasitica, an alphaproteobacterial endosymbiont of the freshwater leech Placobdella parasitica. Helge Ax:son Johnson’s Foundation (S. Kvist, P.I.) (SEK 32,000).
2009 Phylogenomics of Reichenowia parasitica, an alphaproteobacterial endosymbiont of the freshwater leech Placobdella parasitica. Swedish-American Foundation (S. Kvist, P.I.) (SEK 200,000).
5.2 RESEARCH GRANTS FROM INTERNAL SOURCES
2019 Comparative transcriptomics of leeches and the genesis of anticoagulants. ROM Peer Review Grant (S. Kvist, P.I.) (CAD $20,000).
2019 The genome of Lumbriculus variegatus (Clitellata: Lumbriculidae) provides insights into the direction of evolution in leeches. ROM Peer Review Grant (S. Kvist, P.I.) (CAD $9,000).
2018 Comparative genomics of hirudinid and haemopid leeches. ROM Peer Review Grant (S. Kvist, P.I.) (CAD $11,860).
2018 The leeches of Quebec. ROM DNH Fieldwork Grant (S. Kvist, P. I.) (CAD $5,000).
2018 DNH Travel Grant for participation in the annual American Society of Parasitologists Conference, Cancun, Mexico (S. Kvist, P.I.) (CAD $1,000).
2018 Exploring the anticoagulation factors of leeches, ROM Peer Review Grant (S. Kvist, P.I) (CAD $17,000).
2017 Phylogeny of Gnathostomulida, ROM Casual Salaries Grant (S. Kvist, P.I.) (CAD $2,500).
2017 The function and natural history of bacterial symbionts of leeches, ROM Peer Review Grant (S. Kvist, P.I.) (CAD $15,000).
2017 DNH Travel Grant for participation in the annual Willi Hennig Conference, St. Petersburg, FL, USA. (S. Kvist, P.I.) (CAD $1,000).
2017 Phylogenomic analysis of the subclass Hirudinea. ROM DNH Fieldwork Grant (S. Kvist, P.I.) (CAD $5,000).
2016 Phylogenomic analysis of the subclass Hirudinea. ROM Peer Review Grant (S. Kvist, P. I.) (CAD $22,000).
2016 Taxonomy, diversity and phylogeny of Croatian leeches. ROM DNH Fieldwork Grant (S. Kvist, P.I.) (CAD $5,000).
2015 Using evolutionary genomics and phylogeographic analyses to guide potential conservation efforts of the North American medicinal leech, Macrobdella decora. Schad Conservation Grant. ROM Governors (S. Kvist, P.I.) (CAD $30,000).
2015 Geographic boundaries, species delimitation and conservation of the North American medicinal leech, Macrobdella decora. ROM DNH Fieldwork Grant (S. Kvist, P.I.) (CAD $5,000).
2015 DNH Travel Grant for participation in the annual Willi Hennig Conference, New York, NY, USA. (S. Kvist, P.I.) (CAD $1,000).
- PRESENTATIONS
6.1 INVITED PRESENTATIONS
2021 Kvist, S. Pandemic research. ROM Colloquium, 7 April, 2021.
2021 Kvist, S. Contraband leeches: how iDNA can inform on the origin of leech populations. International Webinar on Medicinal Leech Sector, 24 February, 2021.
2019 Kvist S. Blood, bait and bacteria: the evolution of feeding in leeches. Toronto Field Naturalists presentation, Emmanuel College, 1 December, 2019.
2019 Kvist S., & Currie, D. C. The making of Bloodsuckers. ROM Daytime presentation, 28 November, 2019.
2019 Kvist, S. & Currie, D.C. Bloodsuckers: legends to leeches. Department of Museum Volunteers presentation, 28 October, 2019.
2019 Kvist, S. & Currie, D.C. Bloodsuckers: legends to leeches. Front of House briefing, 24 October, 2019.
2019 Kvist, S. & Currie, D.C. Bloodsuckers: legends to leeches. Young Patrons Circle Lecture, 22 October, 2019.
2019 Kvist, S. Bloodsuckers: legends to leeches…and the research that inspired it. Currelly Legacy Society Lecture, 17 September, 2019.
2019 Kvist, S. Love sucks: how leeches became the world’s most formidable blood feeders. NerdNite, Toronto, Canada, 28 February, 2019.
2019 Kvist, S. What is your gut telling you?: leveraging bloodmeal DNA to estimate the dietary choices of leeches. ROM Colloquium, 26 February, 2019.
2018 Kvist, S. Bloodlust: the evolution, ecology and behavior of leeches. Senior College Lecture, 28 November, 2018.
2018 Kvist, S. Anticoagulants and bacterial symbionts as a means to studying the evolution of bloodfeeding in leeches. Presented at the 111th Annual Meeting of the German Zoological Society, Greifswald, Germany, September 10, 2018.
2018 Kvist, S. Sangsues du Québec. ROM Town hall Lecture, 28 June, 2018.
2018 Kvist, S. There will be blood: evolution, behavior and medicinal utility of leeches. Currelly Legacy Society Lecture, 28 May, 2018.
2018 Kvist, S. As far as you can leech: Understanding the evolution of leeches through anatomy, DNA and natural history collections. Vaughan Lecture, ROM Colloquium, 27 February, 2018.
2018 Kvist, S. The Natural History of leeches: evolution, blood, and collections. Brodie Club annual meeting (University of Toronto), 16 January, 2018.
2017 Kvist, S. From the worm in the bottle of mezcal: iDNA confirmation of a leech parasitizing the Antillean Manatee. ROM Colloquium, 28 February, 2017.
2016 Kvist, S. Bloodlust: collecting leeches in your backyard and beyond. ROM Staff Breakfast meeting, 13 October, 2016.
2016 Kvist, S. Bloodlust: collecting leeches in your backyard and beyond. ROM Science Family Fundays, 17 September, 2016.
2016 Kvist, S. The evolution of bloodfeeding in leeches: from taxa to genomes. The Field Museum Seminar Series, Chicago, IL. April 2016.
2014 Kvist, S. A modern look on leeches: diversity, phylogeny and anticoagulants. Carnegie Museum of Natural History Seminar Series, May 2014.
2014 Kvist, S. On the evolution of bloodfeeding in leeches: anticoagulant diversity and the utility of bacterial symbionts. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM) Seminar Series, February 2014.
2013 Kvist S. & Siddall, M.E. Phylogenomics of Annelida revisited: a cladistics approach using genome-wide EST data mining. Willi Hennig XXXII, Rostock, Germany, August 2013.
2012 Kvist, S. & Siddall, M.E. Phylogenomic correlates to the evolution of bloodfeeding in leeches (Hirudinida). Willi Hennig XXXI, Riverside, California, July 2012.
2011 Kvist, S., Oceguera-Figueroa, A., Narechania, A., Fuks, B. & Siddall, M.E. Leeches and bacteria: Using next generation sequencing to investigate a unique symbiosis. NE-1 District Convention, Chi Theta Chapter, Manhattan College, New York, New York. April 2011.
2011 Kvist, S. AMNH Board of Trustees annual meeting. Presentation on dissertation research. December 2011.
6.2 CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
2018 de Carle, D., Salas, R., Oceguera-Figueroa, A., Phillips, A.J., Siddall, M.E. & Kvist, S. GUTS, populations and natural history of the North American medicinal leech. Presented at the annual conference for the American Society of Parasitologists, Cancun, Mexico. June, 2018.
2017 Phillips, A.J., Salas, R., Kvist, S. & Oceguera-Figueroa, A. New species of medicinal leech from North America, with description and phylogenetic position. Presented by A. Oceguera-Figueroa at Mexican Society for Parasitology annual meeting. September, 2017.
2016 Kvist, S. The evolution of bloodfeeding in leeches: from taxa to genomes. Presented at the Atwood Colloquium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON. April 2016.
2015 Kvist, S. On the evolution of bloodfeeding in leeches. Presented at Willi Hennig XXXIV, New York, NY. June 2015.
2015 Lenihan, J.W., Baldinger, A.J., Lazo-Wasem, E.A. & Kvist, S. Platorchestia from Bermuda – results from morphological and molecular studies. Poster presented at 16th International Colloquium on Amphipoda, Aveiro, Portugal. September 2015.
2011 Kvist, S., Siddall, M.E., Phillips, A.J. & Oceguera-Figueroa, A. DNA barcoding of parasitic nematodes: Is it kosher? Presented at New England Association of Parasitologists annual meeting, Newport, Rhode Island. November 2011.
2011 Kvist, S., Narechania, A., Oceguera-Figueroa, A., Fuks, B. & Siddall, M.E. Gene discovery and phylogeny of the endosymbiotic bacterium Reichenowia parasitica. Poster presented at American Genetics Association Annual Symposium, Guanajuato, Mexico. July 2011.
2010 Kvist, S., Narechania, A., Oceguera-Figueroa, A. & Siddall, M.E. Combing the fragments: finding phylogenetically informative loci among 454 sequence of an intriguing alphaproteobacteria. Presented at Willi Hennig XXIX, Honolulu, Hawai’i. May 2010.
2009 Kvist, S. & Siddall, M.E. Barcoding bamboozled by bacteria: convergence to metazoan mitochondrial primer targets by marine microbes. Poster presented at Third International Barcoding Meeting, Mexico City, Mexico. November 2009.
2007 De Wit, P. & Kvist, S. Genetic variation in Swedish marine clitellates. Poster presented at the Annual Systematics Conference, Uppsala, Sweden. November 2008.
- GALLERIES AND EXHIBITIONS
2019 “Bloodsuckers: legends to leeches” – I curated this ROM original exhibit that saw over 100,000 visitors, November 2019-March 2020.
2018 “Indian Ocean” – I am part of a large team working on a grade A exhibit on the culture and nature of the Indian Ocean. Workshops have commenced and the exhibit is moving forward, given its approval by ROM management.
2018 “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” – I curated the 2018 edition of Wildlife Photographer of the Year, together with Mark Peck (Director, Schad Gallery of Biodiversity on Crisis). In addition, together with a large team, I created and designed the ROM pop-up exhibit on coral reefs, which was included in this exhibit.
2016 “Ant case” – I participated in a working group to develop a micro gallery in the Schad Gallery of Life in Crisis area, team leaders are Dave Ireland and Nicole Richards.
- PUBLIC COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH
2021 ROM Kids Show, the Deep Sea, May 11th, 2021.
2021 Ask ROM Anything, March 18th, 2021.
2021 Ask ROM Anything, February 18th, 2021.
2021 Curator Conversations, Darwin Day Lecture, February 10th, 2021.
2020 Young Patrons Circle, Cookie Making Magic, December 16th, 2020.
2020 ROM Kids Show, Coral Reefs, October 6th, 2020.
2020 Senior College, Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, January 23rd, 2020.
2020 PC Caucus Show and Tell, ROM, January 13th, 2020.
2020 G12 Bloodsuckers Tour and Reception, ROM, January 9th, 2020.
2019 Friday Night Live, Bloodsuckers themes, ROM, November 29th, 2019.
2019 Oriole Park JPS Raffle Winner, Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, ROM, July 8th, 2019.
2019 Royal Patrons Circle Committee members, Bloodsuckers-themed tour, May 29th, 2019.
2019 ROM Ball, March 6th, 2019.
2019 AMNH trustee member L. Whitman, behind the scenes tour, February 8th, 2019.
2018 EEB266 Students, Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, November 26, 2018.
2018 Royal Patrons Circle, Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, November 20, 2018.
2018 Fact or Fiction? Young Patrons Circle. York Club, August 16, 2018.
2018 Oriole Park JPS Raffle Winner, Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, ROM, August 21, 2018.
2018 SWEA Swedish Network in Toronto, Invertebrate Zoology Collections Tour, ROM, May 30, 2018.
2018 March Break ROM Kids, Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, ROM, March 15, 2018.
2018 March Break ROM Kids, Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, ROM, March 14, 2018.
2018 March Break, Conserving Corals, March 12, 2018.
2018 Leech research and museum studies, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, March 8, 2018.
2018 Young Patrons Circle, Vault Tour, January 22, 2018.
2017 Cottingham Junior Public School, Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, December 7, 2017.
2017 EEB266 Students, behind the scenes tour, December 6, 2017.
2017 The work of a curator, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, November 29, 2017.
2017 Bloodlust II: collecting leeches in Panama, ROM Staff Breakfast, Royal Ontario Museum, September 14, 2017.
2017 ROM Reporters (Kiron Mukherjee), Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, August 23, 2017.
2017 ROM Kids (Kiron Mukherjee), Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, July 7, 2017.
2017 Inspirational meet and greet and to discuss leech research, ArtsMarketing Office, March 7, 2017.
2017 UTSC Conservation and Biodiversity students (Nick Mandrak), Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, March 2, 2017.
2017 The wondrous world of leeches, ROM Docent meeting, Royal Ontario Musuem, January 16, 2017.
2016 Rom For The Holidays, Fire and Ice exhibit, December 30, 2016.
2016 Royal Patrons Circle, Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, November 28, 2016.
2016 Curating Science, Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, November 14, 2016.
2016 Royal Patron Circle Member Michael Cumberland, Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, November 3, 2016.
2016 Fact or Fiction?, Royal Ontario Museum, October 20, 2016.
2016 Bloodlust: collecting leeches in your backyard and beyond, ROM Staff Breakfast, Royal Ontario Museum, October 13, 2016.
2016 University of Toronto (Mike Folinas), Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, July 21, 2016.
2016 On the identity of Macrobdella decora, EVC program, invited lecture, Schad Gallery of Life in Crisis, Royal Ontario Museum, May 25, 2016.
2016 March Break, The curiosities of leeches, March 19, 2016.
2016 March Break, The curiosities of leeches, March 16, 2016.
2016 EEB raffle winner, Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, February 18, 2016.
2016 Young Patrons Circle, Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, January 20, 2016.
2015 ROM For the Holidays (specimen acquisition), December-January, 2015/2016.
2015 ROM Trustees, Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, November 27, 2015.
2015 EEB Graduate students, Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, November 17 and 18, 2015.
2015 Curating Science, Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, November 4, 2015.
2015 Fact or Fiction?, Royal Ontario Museum, November 2, 2015.
2015 Leech collections in Ontario. Friday Night Live, Royal Ontario Museum. October 30, 2015.
2015 Showcasing leeches. Friday Night Live, Royal Ontario Museum. August, 2015.
2015 Showcasing leeches. Curator’s Corner, Royal Ontario Museum. August, 2015.
2015 Managing Directors, Invertebrate Zoology collections tour, July 21, 2015.
2011 Hirudinology. Saltz Internship Program. American Museum of Natural History, August, 2011.
2009 Future prospects for young scientists. University of Gothenburg, March 2009.
2008-2011 Mollusc collections. Family Day, American Museum of Natural History, 2008-2011.
- MEDIA INTERVIEWS
9.1 PRESS COVERAGE FOR PUBLICATIONS
2020 Researchers sequence third leech species’ genome, finding over 30 blood thinners. National Association of Science Writers’ coverage of Kvist et al. (2020). https://www.nasw.org/article/researchers-sequence-third-leech-species-genome-finding-over-30-blood-thinners
2020 Blood-sucking genome. GenomeWeb coverage of Kvist et al. (2020). https://www.genomeweb.com/scan/blood-sucking-genome#.XvXqpfJ7lZ0
2020 What we can learn from the genome of doctors’ favorite leech. Forbes coverage of Kvist et al. (2020). https://www.forbes.com/sites/kionasmith/2020/06/19/what-we-can-learn-from-the-genome-of-doctors-favorite-medicinal-leech/#3bba414b3fa5
2019 ROM curator ‘very happy’ to help identify new species of medicinal leech. Canadian Broadcasting Company (August 15, 2019) coverage of Phillips et al. (2019). https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/rom-curator-helps-discover-new-species-of-medicinal-leech-1.5249053
2019 First new species of North American medicinal leech in 40 years discovered. Newsweek (August 15, 2019) coverage of Phillips et al. (2019). https://www.newsweek.com/first-new-species-north-american-medicinal-leech-1454325
2019 New leech found in D.C.-area swamps. Inside Science (August 15, 2019) coverage of Phillips et al. (2019). https://www.insidescience.org/news/new-leech-found-dc-area-swamps
2019 A new species of leech is discovered near Washington, D.C. Smithsonian.com (August 15, 2019) coverage of Phillips et al. (2019). https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/new-species-leech-discovered-near-washington-dc-180972915/
2018 The stuff that helps leeches get their fill of blood. New York Times (July 19, 2018) coverage of Tessler et al. (2018). https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/19/science/leeches-blood-anticoagulants.html
2017 Animal species named from photos. Scientific American (Feb. 3, 2017) coverage of Ceríaco et al. (2016). https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/tetrapod-zoology/animal-species-named-from-photos/
2016 A different kind of mescal worm: the story of a leech, a manatee and biodiversity conservation. ROM (August 29, 2016) coverage of Oceguera et al. (2016). https://www.rom.on.ca/en/blog/a-different-kind-of-mezcal-worm-the-story-of-a-leech-a-manatee-and-biodiversity-conservation
2014 The early earthworm catches on to full data release. EurekAlert (May 16, 2014) coverage of Fernández et al. (2014). https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-05/g-tee051414.php
2012 When it comes to food, it’s kosher for science and religion to mix. ScienceNews (April 2, 2012) coverage of Siddall et al. (2012). https://www.sciencenews.org/article/when-it-comes-food-its-kosher-science-and-religion-mix
2012 DNA tests prove worms in sardine cans are kosher. VOA News (March 5, 2012) coverage of Siddall et al. (2012). https://www.voanews.com/a/dna-tests-prove-worms-in-sardines-are-kosher-141575033/180756.html
2012 DNA results are in: canned sardines are kosher. New York Times (Feb. 13, 2012) coverage of Siddall et al. (2012). https://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/13/dna-results-are-in-canned-sardines-are-kosher/
2011 Leech eggs need love, too. LiveSceince (May 4, 2011) coverage of Ocegguera-Figueroa et al. (2010). https://www.livescience.com/14019-leech-eggs-parents-species-ria.html
2011 Marine Biology 101. Marine Biology Blogspot (April 15, 2011) coverage of Kvist et al. (2011).
9.2 RADIO INTERVIEWS
2019 Metro in the Morning. Canadian Broadcasting Company (November 15, 2019) on the Bloodsuckers exhibit.
2019 Outdoor Journal Radio Show. Sportsnet the FAN 590 (September 28, 2019) on the Bloodsuckers exhibit. https://fishncanada.com/radio/dr-sebastian-kvist-september-28-2019/
2019 Tai Asks Why. Canadian Broadcasting Company (September 11, 2019) on the survival strategies of tardigrades. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcasts/tai-asks-why/index.html
2019 Constant Wonder. BYU Radio (September 6, 2019) coverage of Phillips et al., 2019 and Bloodsuckers: legends to leeches. http://www.byuradio.org/episode/360e89d6-3d9c-4006-9208-bcefabdab251/constant-wonder-map-of-wonders-slime-hope-diamond-leeches?playhead=4837&autoplay=true
2019 Here and Now. Canadian Broadcasting Company (August 16, 2019) coverage of Phillips et al., 2019. http://mms.tveyes.com/MediaView/?c3RhdGlvbj0xNDkwNSZTdGFydERhdGVUaW1lPTA4JTJmMTYlMmYyMDE5KzE1JTNhNTElM2EyNCZFbmREYXRlVGltZT0wOCUyZjE2JTJmMjAxOSsxNSUzYTU5JTNhMTcmJiZkdXJhdGlvbj0yOTk2NjkmcGFydG5lcmlkPTczMTMmJmhpZ2hsaWdodHJlZ2V4PSZtb2RlZGl0b3JlbmFibGU9dHJ1ZSZtb2RlZGl0b3JkZXN0aW5hdGlvbnM9NCYmZXhwaXJhdGlvbj0wOSUyZjE1JTJmMjAxOSsxNSUzYTUxJTNhMjQuMDAwJmluc3RhbnRQbGF5PVRydWUmc2lnbmF0dXJlPTY3ZTczNGY3ODVhM2EwNjEyMGQ4YTllMjc4YWM4NDkw
2018 Cross Country Checkup. Canadian Broadcasting Company (July 1, 2018) interview on wildlife encounters. http://www.cbc.ca/radio/checkup/moose-and-beavers-and-gators-oh-my-tell-us-about-your-most-memorable-wildlife-encounter-1.4726511
2018 Healing leeches is making a comeback. Canadian Broadcasting Company (Feb. 23, 2018) interview regarding the medical utility of leeches. http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1168870467609
9.3 INTERVIEWS FOR NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE ARTICLES
2020 Thirsty for blood. Scholastic Super Science coverage of bloodsuckers in the world (Oct. 2, 2020). https://superscience.scholastic.com/issues/2020-21/100120/thirsty-for-blood.html#910L
2019 Why the world needs bloodsucking creatures. Smithsonian Magazine coverage of the Bloodsuckers exhibit (Dec. 2, 2019). https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-world-needs-bloodsucking-creatures-180973670/
2019 Meet the bloodsuckers. New York Times coverage of the Bloodsuckers exhibit (Oct. 28, 2019). https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/28/science/vampires-blood-leeches.html
2019 Ontario man fined for smuggling medicinal leeches into Canada in carry-on luggage. CBC News, BBC News, El Universal, Canada.ca (May 27, 2019). https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/news/2019/05/ontario-man-fined-for-smuggling-medicinal-leeches-into-canada-in-carry-on-luggage.html?fbclid=IwAR1x7RtQoIpBQ4TP4NCFTWi4AePxMErgwJEYVnq9ijMxvwvw84nkdu9W0js
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/leeches-smuggling-1.5151370
2017 So you’ve been bitten by a leech. What’s the worst that could happen? Popular Science (Dec. 13, 2017) coverage about the effects of leech bites. https://www.popsci.com/so-youve-been-bitten-by-leech-whats-worst-that-could-happen
2017 The sad facts behind that ‘multiplying’ ribbon worm video. Earth Touch News Network (June 6, 2017) coverage of viral video of branched proboscis of ribbon worm. https://www.earthtouchnews.com/oceans/oceans/the-sad-facts-behind-that-multiplying-ribbon-worm-video/
2017 New species of gigantic, toothy worm identified in Canadian fossil collection. Canadian Broadcasting Company (Feb. 24, 2017) coverage of Websteroprion armstrongi. http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/400-million-year-old-gigantic-worm-1.3996315
2016 Ontario professor searches for leeches in Turtle Mountains. Boissevain Reporter (June 14, 2016) coverage of our fieldtrip across Canada. https://www.discoverwestman.com/local/ontario-professor-searches-for-leeches-in-turtle-mountains
2016 Scientists discover perplexing purple orb at the bottom of the sea. Forbes (July 30, 2016) coverage of new discoveries in the ocean. https://www.forbes.com/sites/shaenamontanari/2016/07/30/scientists-discover-perplexing-purple-orb-at-the-bottom-of-the-sea/#e9b223428d27
2015 Meet this bizarre and mysterious ribbon worm. Mental Floss (May 20, 2015) coverage on Gorgonorhynchus. http://mentalfloss.com/article/64186/meet-bizarre-and-mysterious-ribbon-worm
2011 The critter people. New York Times (July 22, 2011) coverage of the Richard Gilder Graduate School. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/education/edlife/edl-24naturalhistory-t.html
9.4 TV INTERVIEWS
2019 CP24 coverage of the Bloodsuckers exhibit.
2019 Breakfast Television coverage of the Bloodsuckers exhibit. https://www.bttoronto.ca/videos/nicole-live-at-the-rom-1-of-5/
9.5 OTHER SOURCES OF EXPOSURE
2021 The Leech Podcast. Discussing the natural history of leeches and their role in entertainment media. (December 10, 2021). Available on Spotify.
2021 So you got a LifeSci degree Podcast (July 11, 2021). Discussing the roles and responsibilities of museum curators in the 21st century. https://anchor.fm/soyougotalifescidegree/episodes/21-Museum-Curation-with-Dr–Sebastian-Kvist-e14a2hp/a-a645jnd
2021 Animalogic YouTube series. Predatory leeches exist, and are horrific. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zArJwKnGE4Q
2020 Globe and Mail article on climate change. Contributed text on Hirase’s cone snail. https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/imce/pdf/globe_climate-change_sept2020.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1x8_J2g3BR4XSnf6GCaf8mBKisZbRTKYQCsjD_IBo5KyEqM3M0uH8NqGk
2019 TVOKids FishHeads. Leech gathering. https://www.tvokids.com/school-age/leos-fishheads-gr-1-4-science/videos/leech-gathering
2019 Why was this man’s luggage stuffed with 5,000 leeches? Coverage of confiscation of leeches in Canadian customs with reference to ROM’s involvement. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/01/airport-luggage-stuffed-with-leeches/
2016 Website with all information about my lab. https://kvistlab.com/
2016 Sebastian Kvist: Leech Hunter. ROM blog covering my work at the ROM. https://www.rom.on.ca/en/blog/sebastian-kvist-leech-hunter
2008 An AMNH PhD? Science in the City (Feb. 13, 2009) podcast on the Richard Gilder Graduate School. https://www.nyas.org/podcasts/media/podcast/an-amnh-phd/
9.6 SOCIAL MEDIA
2018 Wildlife Photographer of the Year. ROM Facebook Live (January 9, 2019) covering the content of the exhibit.
2017 Trout Bay Bioblitz. ROM Facebook Live (July 18, 2017) event covering our fieldwork in Trout Bay, ON.
2017 Leeches with Sebastian Kvist. ROM Facebook Live (Aug. 15, 2017) event covering my work at the ROM.
2017 ROM Reporters: leeches with Sebastian Kvist. ROM Reporters (Aug. 30, 2017) video of the ROM invertebrate zoology department.
2015 – Present Twitter @sebastian_kvist manage accounts, post and respond to public.
2015 I am a scientist. Youtube (Oct. 2, 2015) video on scientists at the ROM.
2015 – Present Instagram account.
2008 – Present Facebook account.
- UNIVERSITY SERVICE
14.1 COURSE TEACHING
2019 – Present Phylogenetic Systematics (EEB462) – Undergraduate/Graduate, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Co-taught with Santiago Claramunt.
2016 – Present Animal Diversity: Invertebrates (EEB266H) – Undergraduate, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto.
2015 – Present Introduction to Invertebrates (EEB466, taught by Doug Currie) – Undergraduate, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Invited lecturer for a module on “Introduction to invertebrates”.
2012 – 2012 Systematics and Biogeography – Graduate, American Museum of Natural History.
2009 – 2009 Phylogenetic methods and inferences – Undergraduate, American Museum of Natural History.
14.2 WORKSHOPS TEACHING
2019 Foundations in Phylogenetic Systematics. Workshop organized by Transmitting Science and the Willi Hennig Society at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Two modules taught: taxonomy and phylogenomics. August, 2019.
14.3 COURSE DEVELOPMENT
2020 EEB462: Phylogenetic Systematics, Undergraduate/Graduate course, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Funding for one summer TA-ship to move to an online format for course content. TA: Danielle de Carle
2018 EEB462: Phylogenetic Systematics, Undergraduate/Graduate course, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Funding for two summer TA-ships to improve course content for EEB462. TAs: Danielle de Carle, Viviana Astudillo-Clavijo.
2017 EEB266: Invertebrate Diversity, Undergraduate course, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Funding for summer TA-ship to improve course material for EEB266. TA: Karma Nanglu.
2016 EEB266: Invertebrate Diversity, Undergraduate course, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Funding for summer TA-ship to improve course material for EEB266. TA: Karma Nanglu.
14.4 UNIVERSITY COMMITTEES
2019 – Present Member of the Graduate Admissions Committee, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto.
2018 – 2019 Member of Undergraduate Affairs Committee, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto.
2016 – 2017 Member of SGS NSERC PGSD Awards Committee – Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Graduate Studies, University of Toronto.
2016 – 2017 Member of Graduate Award Competition (GAC) Committee, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto.
2016 – 2016 Member of SGS NSERC PGSD Awards Committee – Engineering, School of Graduate Studies, University of Toronto.
2015 – 2016 Member of Graduate Admissions Committee, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University or Toronto.
- STUDENT SUPERVISION
15.1 GRADUATE STUDENTS
2019 – 2021 – Kevin Anderson. M.Sc. student, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Research topic: the genomic underpinnings of B vitamin production in Reichenowia. Graduated April 15, 2021.
2018 – 2019 – Diana Foote. M.Sc. student, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Research topic: Evolutionary relationships, species boundaries and DNA barcoding of Theromyzon. Graduated August 9, 2019.
2018 – 2018 – Diego Jossue Jiménez-Armenta. M.Sc. student, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico. Research Topic: the evolution of a mitochondrial trnD duplication in leeches. Spent two months in the lab sequencing DNA from leech material.
2018 – Present – Rafael Eiji Iwama. Ph. D. student, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Research topic: Evolution of anticoagulation factors in leeches.
2017 – 2019 – Claire Manglicmot. M.Sc. student, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Research topic: Bacterial symbionts in leeches. Graduated January 10, 2019.
2017 – 2017 – Ricardo Koroiva. Ph. D. student, Universitário Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Ph.D. Sandwich program. Spent 4 months training in the lab.
2016 – 2016 – Sally McIntyre, Postgraduate Student, Environmental Visual Communication (EVC) program, Royal Ontario Museum. Topic: videography, webdesign.
2015 – Present – Danielle de Carle, Ph. D. student, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Research topic: Genomics and phylogenomics of leeches and their close relatives.
15.2 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
2020 Ismay Earl. EEB 498. Research topic: Phylogenetic analysis of Haemopis.
2020 Sophia Fan. EEB 498. Research topic: The description of a new species of Placobdella.
2018 Kevin Anderson. EEB 498. Research topic: Morphological analyses of Canadian species of Erpobdella. Recipient of NSERC USRA.
2018 Sophia Samuelsson. EEB 498. Research topic: Checklist of the leeches of Canada.
2018 Joseph Mack. EEB 398. Research topic: Cryptic speciation in Placobdella rugosa. Recipient of NSERC USRA.
2018 Diana Foote. EEB 397. Research topic: The diet of Macrobdella decora. Graduated April, 2018.
2017 Kevin Anderson. EEB 398. Research topic: Population structure in Canadian species of Erpobdella. Recipient of NSERC USRA. Graduated April, 2018.
15.3 VOLUNTEERS AND INTERNS
2019 Ester Kink, Research intern, sequencing and analyzing Haemopis DNA data.
2018 Jasmine Sihra, Research intern, Classification in science vs. archival work for artworks.
2017 Diana Foote, Volunteer at the ROM invertebrate lab, identifying and cataloguing of invertebrate samples.
2016 Emily Xie, Volunteer at the LMS, sequencing and analyzing Theromyzon DNA data.
2016 Claire Manglicmot, Volunteer at the ROM LMS, sequencing and analyzing gnathostomulid DNA data.
2016 Georgina Braoudakis, Volunteer at the ROM LMS, sequencing and analyzing leech DNA data.
2015 Christian Legare-Rivera, Volunteer at the ROM invertebrate lab, identifying and cataloguing of invertebrate samples.
2012 Amalie Barrio, Research intern, DNA extraction and sequencing at the American Museum of Natural History.
2011 Joanna Cichoka, Visiting scientist, Laboratory training, DNA extraction, purification and sequencing at the American Museum of Natural History.
2011 Zaneta Adamiak-Brud, Visiting scientist, Laboratory training, DNA extraction, purification and sequencing at the American Museum of Natural History.
2010 Laboratory adviser, High School interns, introduction and dissection of leeches and oligochaetes at the American Museum of Natural History.
2009 Bella Fuks, Undergraduate mentoring in Research Experience for Undergraduates Program, National Science Foundation. Project: Phylogenomics of Reichenowia parasitica, an alphaproteobacterial endosymbiont of the freshwater leech Placobdella parasitica.
- GRADUATE STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEES
2021 – Present Farhan Majunder, Ph. D. Student, appraisal committee chair, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Adviser: Sasa Stefanovic.
2021 – Present Jeong Yoo, M.Sc. Student, committee member, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Adviser: Chris Darling.
2020 – Present Hatena Osawa, Ph.D. Student, committee member, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Adviser: Jean-Bernard Caron.
2020 – 2020 Viviana Astudillo-Clavijo, Ph.D. Student, dissertation defense committee member, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Adviser: Hernán López-Fernández.
2019 – 2019 Livia Louriero, Ph.D. Student, dissertation defense committee member, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Adviser: Mark Engstrom.
2018 – Present Joseph Moysiuk, Ph.D. Student, committee member and appraisal committee member, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Adviser: Jean-Bernard Caron.
2018 – 2018 Christopher Boccia, M.Sc. Student, thesis defense committee member, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Adviser: Luke Mahler.
2018 – 2018 Pedro Bernardo, Ph.D. Student, dissertation defense committee member, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Adviser: Robert Murphy.
2017 – 2017 Sarah Steele, Ph.D. Student, dissertation defense committee member, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Adviser: Hernán López-Fernández.
2016 – 2017 Santiago Sanchez-Pacheco, Ph.D. Student, dissertation defense committee member, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Adviser: Robert Murphy.
2016 – 2016 Viviana Astudillo, Ph. D. Student, appraisal committee member, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Adviser: Hernán López-Fernández.
2016 – 2018 Karma Nanglu, Ph. D. Student, appraisal committee member, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Adviser: Jean-Bernard Caron.
2016 – 2016 Cédric Aria, Ph. D. Student, dissertation defense committee member, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Adviser: Jean-Bernard Caron.
2015 – 2016 Yan Wang, Ph. D. Student, dissertation defense committee member, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Adviser: Jean-Marc Moncalvo.
2015 – 2015 Santiago Sánchez-Ramírez, Ph.D. Student, dissertation defense committee member, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Adviser: Jean-Marc Moncalvo.
2015 – 2015 Eduardo Gutierrez, Ph.D. Student, appraisal committee member, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto. Adviser: Belinda Chang.
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