Research

My long term research goals stem from the main question: how do fishes respond to environmental change? As our climate rapidly changes, we are in need of research that helps us predict how aquatic organisms will respond to climate warming. I use basic science techniques in applied science research by focusing  on how threatened and endangered fishes cope with climate change stressors. I measure changes in physiology and genes to determine how well fishes can manage exposure to rapid environmental change, which will help us better understand the impacts of climate warming on imperilled species.

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Unfortunately, over the last few years there have been mass mortalities in white sturgeon populations across British Columbia and my post-doctoral research is focused on investigating the drivers of these events. Using minimally invasive techniques, I am able to assess what stressors these wild sturgeon face in different areas of BC that may be leading to mortality. My goal is to create bio-marker panels that will enable us to assess population stressors as our climate warms to assist with conservation management plans.

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In addition to working with endangered species, I also research the impacts of environmental change on developing fishes. Development is the most sensitive time in an animals life and stressors during this period can have long-lasting impacts on an individual. Because of this, researching how climate change variables impact development and subsequent stages later in life is key to predicting how fish will cope in our changing world.