My research program began with a focus on factors (largely internally-driven) that control biomass, production and species assemblages of planktonic and benthic biota in eutrophic lakes and rivers in westernCanada. Identification of these factors allowed me to consider and model processes across broad salinity and nutrient gradients. I was then able to apply this understanding of internal nutrient cycling processes and food chain effects to whole-lake experiments designed to improve water quality, conducted with the cooperation and collaboration of various user groups. The strong link between nutrient conditions and cyanobacterial bloom occurrence and toxin production led me to begin a research program that focused on this emerging issue. Though early work concentrated on within-lake factors, it dovetailed into my more recent focus on the linkage between watershed disturbance and surface water quality, including drinking water supplies. With the recent expansion of industrial activity (forest harvest, primary resource extraction) in the Canadian boreal forest, and the threat of increased fire incidence associated with climate change in western Canada, my focus has broadened to quantifying and modeling processes that link watershed disturbance and climate factors to surface water quality and biota. This has necessitated widening my collaborations and expertise into the areas of riparian vegetation, soils, hydrology, forestry, and modelling. Although my approach continues to be multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral, I am moving beyond research and experimentation into technology transfer, by developing decision support tools for resource-related industries. Further, whereas my earlier focus was on surface waters in western Canada, I am now pursuing an approach that can be applied to watershed management across the Canadian Boreal Forest.