Andrea Kirkwood completed a joint-honours degree in Environment and Resource Studies & Biology (Co-op) at the University of Waterloo, a Master's degree in Aquatic Ecology at McMaster University, and a doctoral degree in Environmental Microbiology at the University of Toronto-Scarborough. Andrea conducted postdoctoral studies at Oklahoma State University and the University of Calgary prior to joining the Faculty of Science at Ontario Tech University. Andrea currently holds a Research Excellence Chair in Urban Water and is a Professor in the Biological Science (undergraduate) and Applied Bioscience (graduate) programs at Ontario Tech. In addition to research and teaching, Andrea is actively involved in community-based environmental stewardship initiatives.