(she/her)

Cohort 2

Katrina started with FishCAST as an undergraduate student and graduated after earning her Master’s degree. She was part of Dr. Margaret Docker’s lab at the University of Manitoba. Her research focused on using environmental DNA (eDNA) to monitor and map the distribution of fish stocks in Lake Winnipeg, in comparison to the traditional method of gillnet index surveys.

University of Manitoba Alum

(he/him)

Cohort 2

Peter is a graduate from the MSc Biology program at Western University, supervised by Dr. Bryan Neff. Peter studied the effects of invasive species on lake trout physiology and how this has hindered their restoration efforts in Lake Ontario. His research interests include aquatic ecology, restoration biology, and fisheries science.

Western University Alum

Cohort 1

Roland investigated conservation and restoration freshwater mussel species in the Lower Great Lakes as part of the Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk work being undertaken by the Healthy Headwaters Lab, based at the Great Lakes Institute of Environmental Research (University of Windsor). His MSc research investigated changes in community assembly both across and within sub-watershed of the Sydenham River. Originally from New Zealand, Roland’s research interests are focused around using community ecology knowledge to better inform successful freshwater management and restoration.

University of Windsor Alum

(he/him)

Cohort 1

Ryan’s research focused on agricultural drainage, the vegetational communities within them, and implications of phragmites management. He graduated from the MSc program in Environmental Science at the University of Windsor (GLIER) and was supervised by Dr. Catherine Febria.

University of Windsor Alum

(she/her)

Cohort 2

Brooklynne participated in the FishCAST program at both the undergraduate level and then at the Master's level at the University of Manitoba where she was supervised by Dr. Margaret Docker. Brooklynne's research focused on the use of environmental DNA to map the distribution of native lampreys in Manitoba. She started this research with her B.S.c. (Hons) and expanded it during her research as a MSc candidate in Biological Science. Her research interests include fisheries research, species at risk, environmental DNA, and applied biology.

University of Manitoba Alum

(he/him)

Cohort 2

Nolan was an undergraduate Thesis student in Interdisciplinary Arts & Science at the University of Windsor and is supervised by Dr. Catherine Febria as a member of the Healthy Headwaters Lab. He is studying benthic communities in the Sydenham River in correlation to mussels' habitats. Nolan's research will compare diversity metrics across small tributaries to those found in large rivers, looking at various environmental factors and conditions that influence biodiversity in such communities.

University of Windsor

(she/her)

Cohort 2

Christine was a postdoctoral research fellow co-supervised by Dr. Trevor Pitcher (University of Windsor) and Dr. Steven Cooke (Carleton University). She studied the physiological consequences of transport in at-risk fishes and determining methodologies that promote recovery from transport stress. Her research aimed to make contributions to conservation programs focused on reintroduction, translocation, and the establishment of captive breeding populations. Christine's broad research interests include conservation physiology, species at risk, and aquatic ecology, and she is enthusiastic about creating inclusive teaching, research, and mentorship environments for students.

University of Windsor Alum

(she/they)

Cohort 3

Em was a MSc candidate at the University of Waterloo under the supervision of Dr. Brian Dixon. Their research focused on antibody production in salmonoids in response to pathogenic microorganisms, as well as investigating the resulting secretion of mucus into freshwater environments.

University of Waterloo

(she/her)

Cohort 1

Simone's research focused on the use of environmental DNA as a population monitoring tool. She completed her MSc degree in Biology at Western University under the supervision of Dr. Bryan Neff.

University of Western Ontario Alum

(she/her)

Cohort 1

Alexia participated in FishCAST during her final semester as an undergraduate student while studying Behavior, Cognition and Neuroscience at the University of Windsor. She previously conducted her undergraduate thesis under the supervision of Dr. Barbara Zielinski and is now continuing her research, investigating the effects of cyanotoxins on the olfactory system in sea lamprey.

University of Windsor

(he/him)

Cohort 1

Hasan was a Master’s student at University of Windsor where he studied neuroscience. He researched the gustatory system of sea lamprey using tract tracing and electrophysiology. He was supervised by Dr. Barbara Zielinski.

University of Windsor Alum

(he/him)

Cohort 2

Connor was a Ph.D. student at Carleton University, co-supervised by Dr. Steven Cooke and Dr. Jonathan Midwood. His research was concerned with the welfare implications of using electrical immobilization as a potential alternative to chemical anesthesia when handling fish in field research and other settings. He is also interested in how museums can play a key role in disseminating scientific knowledge and fostering public interest in science through engaging exhibition content and creative design.

Carleton University

(she/her/hers)

Cohort 2

Jessica completed her MSc degree at Carleton University, supervised by Dr. Steven Cooke and Dr. Jon Midwood (DFO). Jessica studied the spatial ecology of muskellunge in urban rivers to determine key habitat usage areas, especially within restored reaches. Her research interests include aquatic ecology, restoration biology, and fostering diversity in conservation sciences.

Carleton University Alum

(he/him)

Cohort 1

Christian is a graduate of the Ph.D. program at University of Waterloo co-supervised by Drs. Heidi Swanson and Bryan Neff (at Western University). He studied the effects of invasive species on native species reintroduction with a focus on lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in the Laurentian Great Lakes and the Sudbury Basin. His research interests include applied ecology, fisheries management, and restoration biology.

University of Waterloo

(he/him)

Cohort 2

Nicolas’s thesis topic tested for the effects of osmoregulatory stress on marine salmonids reared in fresh water: effects on survival, growth and production. Nicolas developed and applied gene transcription profiling techniques to assess the physiological effects of rearing salmonids in freshwater tanks.

University of Windsor Alum

(she/her)

Cohort 3

Ashley was a doctoral candidate supervised by Trevor Pitcher at the University of Windsor. Her research investigated the use of wild mating behavior and gamete biology for improving captive breeding of imperiled freshwater fish for reintroduction. Her research aimed to make contributions to conservation programs focused on captive breeding and reintroduction.

University of Windsor Alum

(she/her/hers)

Cohort 2

Julia investigated how freshwater mussel assemblages are influenced by spatial and community interactions over time in the Northern and Eastern branches of the Sydenham River. She graduated from the MSc program in Environmental Science at the University of Windsor (GLIER) and was supervised by Dr. Catherine Febria.

University of Windsor Alum