Biography

Ruth is the biostatistician with the Marine Mammal Research Unit. She began her career as a field biologist working on birds and terrestrial mammals (with a particular soft spot for bats). She returned to university in 1999 to develop her quantitative skills by pursuing a Masters of Science in Statistics. Here she developed spatial and time-dependent imputation methods for missing data in order to estimate returns of the critically endangered Thompson River coho salmon population.

Since joining the Marine Mammal Research Unit in 2002, Ruth's research interests have focussed on evaluating methods and estimating errors associated with reconstructing diets from bone remains found in Steller Sea Lion scats. Evaluation includes comparing scats collected from wild populations with those from feeding experiments on captive animals at the Vancouver Aquarium. Ruth has also investigated sample size issues in comparing diets of wild populations through computer simulations and standard power analyses.

Publications
note-Van den Driessche is maiden name

REFEREED JOURNALS:

Joy R., E. Druyts, E.K. Brandson, V.D. Lima, C.A. Rustad, W. Zhang, E. Wood, J.S.G. Montaner, R.S. Hogg. 2008. Impact of neighbourhood-level socioeconomic status on HIV Disease Progression in a Universal Health Care setting. Journal of AIDS. 47(4):500-505.

Harris M, R. Joy, G. Larsen, M. Valyi, E. Walker, LW Frick, R.M. Palmatier, S.A. Wring, J.S. Montaner. 2006. Enfuvirtide plasma levels and injection site reactions using a needle-free gas-powered injection system (Biojector). AIDS. 20(5):719-723.

Palepu, A., M.W. Tyndall, R. Joy, T. Kerr, E. Wood, N. Press, R.S. Hogg, J.S. Montaner.2006. Antiretroviral adherence and HIV treatment outcomes among HIV/HCV co-infected injection drug users: the role of methadone maintenance therapy. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 84(2):188-194.

D. Moore, R. Copes, R. Fisk, R. Joy, K.Chan, and M. Brauer. 2005. Population health effects of air quality changes due to forest fires in British Columbia in 2003: Estimates from physician-visit billing data. Canadian Journal of Public Health,  97(2):105-8.

A.W. Trites, and R. Joy. 2005. Dietary analysis from fecal samples: How many scats are enough? Journal of Mammology 86(44), 704-712.

Tollit, D.J., S.G. Heaslip, T.K. Zeppelin, R. Joy, K.A. Call, and A.W. Trites. 2004. A method to improve size estimates of walleye pollock and Atka mackerel consumed by pinnipeds using digestion correction factors applied to bones and otoliths recovered in scats. Fishery Bulletin, 102(3) 498-508

P. von Dadelszen, S. Kives, M.F. Delisle, R.D. Wilson, R. Joy, L. Ainsworth, L.A. Kharusi, M. Oskamp, J.F.R. Barrett, G. Ryan, D. Farine, P.G.R. Seaward. 2003. Evaluation of predictors of latency, clinical chorioamnionitis, postpartum fever and neonatal infection in twin pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabor rupture of membranes. Twin Research 6(4): 257-262.

Buchanan, S., J. Fraser, T. Farrell, P. Gallaugher, R. Joy, and R. Routledge. 2002. Reducing gillnet mortality of incidentally caught coho salmon. North American Journal of Fisheries Management, 22: 1270-1275.

van den Driessche, R., S.D. McConnell and T.D. Hooper. 1994. First confirmed breeding record for Upland Sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda, in British Columbia. Canadian Field Naturalist 108: 89-91.

McConnell, S.D., R. van den Driessche, T.D. Hooper, A. Roberts and G. Roberts. 1993. First sight and breeding record of Sprague’s Pipit, Anthus spragueii, in British Columbia. Canadian Field Naturalist. 107: 222-223. 

OTHER REFEREED CONTRIBUTIONS

Joy, R., D. Tollit, J. Laake and A.W. Trites. Using Feeding Trials and Computer Simulations to assess error and bias in scat analysis. Proceedings of the 14^th Wakefield Fisheries Conference, Anchorage, Alaska.

Hay, D.E., P.B. McCarter, R. Joy, M. Thompson, and K. West. 2001. Fraser River Eulachon Biomass Assessments and Spawning Distribution: 1995-2002. Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Research Document – 2002/117. 58pp.

van den Driessche, R., M. Mather, and T.A. Chatwin. 2001. Habitat Selection by bats in temperate old-growth forests, Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia. Proceeding of the Species and Habitats at Risk Conference. February 15-18, 1999. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks.

van den Driessche, R., M. Mather, L. Crampton and T. Chatwin. 1998. An inventory of bats in Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver, BC. Ministry of Environment Working Report.

van den Driessche, R., M. Mather, L. Crampton, T. Chatwin. 1997. An inventory of bats in Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Ministry of Environment Working Report #PA-96-488-

IN.Chatwin, T.A. and R. van den Driessche. 1996. Long-term effects of prescribed fire in a grassland ecosystem of central British Columbia. Proceedings of the 61^st North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

EDITOR OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS

van den Driessche, R. and T. Ethier. (eds.) 1997. Standardized inventory manual for components of British Columbia’s Biodiversity (Vs 1.1): Small Mammals. Resources Inventory Committee, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Victoria, BC.

van den Driessche, R. and T. Ethier. (eds.) 1997. Standardized inventory manual for components of British Columbia’s Biodiversity (Vs 1.1): Macrofungi including the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Resources Inventory Committee, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Victoria, BC.

Ethier, T. and R. van den Driessche. (eds.) 1997. Standardized inventory manual for components of British Columbia’s Biodiversity (Vs 1.1): Terrestrial Arthropods. Resources Inventory Committee, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Victoria, BC.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

S. Guillemi, R. Harrigan, B. Yip, R. Joy, D. Dixon, M. Bath, L. Nicol, J. Montaner. Exploring the impact of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in patients receiving atazanavir-ritonavir (ATV/r) boosted regimens. 4th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention 22-25 July 2007, Sydney, Australia.

Hull, M., M. Harris, R. Joy , R. Harrigan, J. Montaner. Effect on plasma levels of lopinavir of switching from high dose lopinavir/ritonavir soft gel capsules (SGC) to tablet formulation.  4th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention, July 22-25, 2007, Sydney, Australia.

Harris, M., M. Hull, R. Joy, R. Harrigan, J. Montaner. Effect on plasma levels of lopinavir of switching from high dose lopinavir/ritonavir soft gel capsules (SGC) to tablet formulation.8th International Workshop on Clinical Pharmacology of HIV Therapy, April 16-18, 2007, Budapest, Hungary.

Harris, M., R. Joy, N. Zalunardo, R. Werb, B. Yip, R. Hogg, and J. Montaner. Predictors of creatinine (Cr) increase and drug discontinuation in patients receiving Tenofovir DF (TDF). 8th International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection Glasgow, UK, November 12-16, 2006

Harris, M., R. Joy, N. Zalunardo, R. Werb, B. Yip, R. Hogg, and J. Montaner. Predictors of creatinine (Cr) increase and drug discontinuation in a province-wide cohort of patients receiving Tenofovir DF (TDF). 8th International Workshop on Adverse Drug Reactions and Lipodystrophy in HIV, September 24-26, 2006, San Francisco, California.

Levin, A., R. Joy, O. Djurdjev, N. Zalunardo, R. Hogg, M. Harris, B. Yip, R. Werb, and J. Montaner. Baseline GFR<60 ml/min is associated with increased mortality among HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy. American Society of Nephrology 39th Annual Renal Week Meeting November 14-19, 2006, San Diego, California.

Joy, R., B. Yip, J. Montaner, and R. Hogg. Alternative sources of surveillance data. Insights from a population based drug treatment program in British Columbia, Canada. XVI International AIDS Conference, August 13-18, 2006, Toronto, Canada.Phillips,

P., B. Walker, R. Joy, and J. Montaner, Comparison of histopathological findings in non-tuberculous mycobacterial immune reconstitution syndrome (NTM-IRS), disseminated MAC (DMAC), and tuberculosis (MTb). XVI International AIDS Conference, August 13-18, 2006, Toronto, Canada.Guillemi, S., A. Toulson ,

R. Joy, J. Toy, M. Harris, G. Bondy, L. Norman, B. Yip, B. Hogg, and J. Montaner. Changes in lipid profile upon switching from a Lopinavir/rtv (LOP/r) to Atazanavir/rtv (ATZ/r) based HAART. XVI International AIDS Conference, August 13-18, 2006, Toronto, Canada.

Guillemi, S.,  F. Ng,R. Joy, C. Rocha, M. Harris, G. Bondy, A. Belzberg, and J. Montaner. High prevalence of reduced bone mineral density in hiv positive individuals. XVI International AIDS Conference, August 13-18, 2006, Toronto, Canada.

Hull, M., R. Joy, R. Hogg, and J.S.G. Montaner. Declines in CD4 cell counts during Treatment Interruption differ according to CD4 nadir. XVI International AIDS Conference, August 13-18, 2006, Toronto, Canada..

Fielden, S.J., M.L. Rusch, A. Kaida, R. Joy, and R.S. Hogg. Fertility and associated characteristics in a Canadian cohort of HIV+ women accessing antiretroviral therapy. XVI International AIDS Conference, August 13-18, 2006, Toronto, Canada.

Harris, M., S. Ramirez, R. Joy, E. Phillips, F. Harris, J.P. Sabo, M. Kraft, and J. Montaner. Effect of Lopinavir (LPV) and Ritonavir (RTV) dose adjustments on the pharmacokinetic (PK) interaction between LPV/rtv andTipranavir (TPV). Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, February 5-8, 2006, Denver, Colorado.

Villar del Saz, S., S. Guillemi, V. Montessori, R. Joy, S. Ramirez, M. Harris, and J. Montaner. Assessing the impact of Tenofovir plus Lamivudine based highly active antiretroviral therapy ( HAART) on Hepatitis B plasma DNA in HIV/HBV co-infected individuals. HIV and Hepatitis Co-infection Workshop, January 12-14, 2006, Amsterdam, Holland.

Montaner J., Joy R., G. Larsen, M. Valyi, E. Walker, M. Harris. Enfuvirtide (T20) plasma levels and injection site reactions (ISRs) using a novel needle-free gas-powered injection system (Biojector) for subcutaneous administration of T20 in treatment-experienced HIV+ patients 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, July 24 - 27, 2005, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Palepu, A.,  M. Tyndall, R. Joy, T. Kerr, N. Press, E. Wood, J. Montaner, and R.S. Hogg. Improved Antiretroviral Adherence and HIV treatment outcomes among HIV/HCV co-infected injection drug users. 14^th Annual Canadian Conference on HIV/AIDS Research, Vancouver, May 12-15, 2005, Vancouver, BC.  

Palepu, A., M.W. Tyndall, R. Joy, T. Kerr, N. Press, E. Wood, J.S.G. Montaner, and R. Hogg. Improved antiretroviral adherence and HIV treatment outcomes among HIV-infected drug users enrolled in methadone maintenance therapy. Society of General Internal Medicine 28th Annual Meeting, May 11-14, 2005, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Harris, M., C. Alexander, R. Joy, S. Guillemi, E. Phillips, S. Langridge, R. Harrigan, and J. Montaner. Effect on Atazanavir (ATV) and Ritonavir (rtv) Plasma Levels of Increasing ATV/rtv Daily Dosing from 300/100 mg to 300/200 mg and 400/200 mg. 6th International Workshop on Clinical Pharmacology of HIV Therapy, April 28 - 30, 2005, Quebec City, Quebec.

Phillips, E., H. Cote, V. Montessori, R. Joy, and J. Montaner. Predictors of Inter and Intraindividual Variability in Atazanavir Drug Levels in an Atazanavir Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Program. 6th International Workshop on Clinical Pharmacology of HIV Therapy, April 28 - 30, 2005, Quebec City, Quebec.

Joy, R., D. Tollit, J. Laake, and A.W. Trites. Examining the decline of Steller’s sea lions in south-east Alaska: using simulations to evaluate reconstructions of diet from scat. 14^th  Wakefield Fisheries Conference, September 30-October 2, 2004, Anchorage, Alaska.

Joy, R., and A.W. Trites. Marine Mammal Research Consortium Annual Meeting. September 2003, Vancouver, B.C.

Joy, R., D. Tollit, J. Laake, and A.W. Trites. Using Feeding Trials and Computer Simulations to assess error and bias in scat analysis. Alaska Sea Lion Conference, January 14-18, 2003, Anchorage, Alaska.

van den Driessche, R., and T.A. Chatwin. Habitat selection by bats in temperate old-growth forests, Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia. 28^th Annual Symposium on Bat Research, October 28-31, 1998, Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Luszcz, T., and R. van den Driessche. Roost site selection of bats in a temperate old-growth forest, Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia, Canada. 28^th Annual Symposium on Bat Research, October 28-31, 1998, Hot Springs, Arkansas.

van den Driessche, R., T.A. Chatwin, and  M. Mather. 1997. Inventory of bats in Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, 1996, 1997. 27^th Annual Symposium on Bat Research, October 8-11, 1997, Tuscon, Arizona.

GOVERNMENT REPORTS

Joy, J.B., R. van den Driessche, and S.D. McConnell. 1995. Population and habitat inventory of White-headed Woodpeckers in South Okanagan, BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. Technical Report. 26 pp. Plus appendices.

Joy,. J.B., and R. van den Driessche. 1996. Donna Creek Forestry Biodiversity Project: Habitat use of cavity nesting birds in the Donna Creek study area. Peace/Williston Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program Report. Working Report #54.