Academic Members
FishCAST’s principal investigators are from renowned institutions across Canada.
FishCAST research themes:
(I) Ecosystem / Habitat Assessment
(II) Fisheries Ecology / Exploitation
(III) Fish Health & Fitness
(IV) Fish Culture
Dr. Céline Audet (she/her)
Dr. Audet is a prominent researcher in the ecophysiology and genetics of freshwater and anadromous fishes at risk. She is the Director of the “Resources Aquatiques Québec” in support of development of the aquaculture and fisheries sector.
{Research Themes II, III, IV}
Université du Québec à Rimouski
Dr. Steve Cooke (he/him)
Dr. Cooke is renowned for his prolific and creative work on the physiological ecology and conservation of freshwater fish. Cooke co-authored UN FAO technical guidelines for recreational fisheries and his research in this area has influenced fisheries policy in North America.
{Research Themes I, II, III}
Carleton Univeristy
Dr. Brian Dixon (he/him)
Dr. Dixon is a globally recognized specialist in the effects of environmental stress on fish immunity using evolution, immunoassays, molecular biology, and immuno-toxicological methods. He has worked extensively with both fisheries and aquaculture in government and industry.
{Research Themes III, IV}
University of Waterloo
Dr. Margaret Docker (she/her)
Dr. Docker is a world expert on conservation genetics of fish, particularly salmonids and lampreys. Her work on eDNA markers for monitoring invasive organisms has resulted in her advising the provincial government on the zebra mussel invasion in Manitoba.
{Research Themes II, III}
University of Manitoba
Dr. Daniel Heath (he/him)
Dr. Heath has extensive experience in large collaborative projects in fish conservation, aquaculture and ecology using molecular and ecological genetics. His genomics research in fisheries, aquaculture, SAR and AIS has impacted policy and research across Canada and globally.
{Research Themes I, II, III}
University of Windsor
Dr. Nicholas Mandrak (he/him)
Dr. Mandrak is one of Canada’s leading experts on freshwater fish conservation. He brings his policy experience (DFO) and biological expertise at multiple taxonomic and geographic scales to conserve, protect and recover freshwater fish biodiversity.
{Research Themes I, II, III}
University of Toronto - Scarborough
Dr. Bryan Neff (he/him)
Dr. Neff employs a novel interdisciplinary combination of behaviour, genetics and ecology to address fundamental questions in fish conservation and management.
{Research Themes III, IV}
Western University
Dr. Trevor Pitcher (he/him)
Dr. Pitcher studies freshwater fish reproductive systems including sport fish stocking, hatchery practices and reintroduction of extirpated species. He also takes an advisory role for the reproductive assessment of fish culture and commercial aquaculture.
{Research Themes II, IV}
University of Windsor
Dr. Barbara Zielinski (she/her)
Dr. Zielinski addresses conservation and management issues at the cellular and molecular level— a novel and effective approach. Her lab focuses on chemosensory research, including pheromone communication of invasive and at-risk species (e.g. sea lamprey, round goby, salmonids).
{Research Themes III, IV}
University of Windsor
Current and past collaborations among academic team members showing areas of research expertise by FishCAST theme:
(I) Ecosystem / Habitat Assessment
(II) Fisheries Ecology / Exploitation
(III) Fish Health & Fitness
(IV) Fish Culture
