Our Team
Dr. Ian A. Fleming
I am a Professor of Evolutionary Ecology in the Department of Ocean Sciences. Prior to joining Memorial University in 2004 as Director of the Ocean Sciences Centre, I was an Associate Professor at Oregon State University stationed at the Hatfield Marine Science Centre from 2001-2004. Before that I was a Research Scientist at the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research in Trondheim from 1991-2001, initially serving as a Postdoctoral Fellow for the first two years. I did my PhD at the University of Toronto on selection during breeding in Pacific salmon and ramifications for artificial propagation. My MSc at Simon Fraser University examined the evolution of breeding life history and morphology in coho salmon, and my BSc was at Queen’s University. It is my passion for the outdoors and nature that drew me into the biological sciences.
Current Members
PhD Candidate
Victoria Heath
I am a Ph.D. candidate co-supervised by Dr. Sarah Lehnert from DFO. I started in September of 2022, and my work examines the mechanisms of rapid adaption to predict responses to climate change in Atlantic Salmon parr. Specifically, I am looking at Atlantic Salmon parr's structural and functional genetics (DNA and RNA) associated with elevated thermal stress. I also use CTmax experiments to examine the genotype-phenotype association of Atlantic Salmon parr. My field research occurs in multiple rivers and streams around Newfoundland and Labrador.
PhD Candidate
Caroline Ofosu
I am a Ph.D. candidate who is co-supervised by Dr. Susan Ziegler. My research assesses the marine thermal habitat use, diet, growing patterns, and energetic status of anadromous Arctic char populations along the coast of Labrador. I am particularly interested in understanding how these remarkable creatures are likely to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing climate. My research is part of the Sustainable Nunatsiavut Futures (SNF) project, and I partner with a dynamic team of experts and community members, including the Nunatsiavut Government (NG), Inuit research coordinators (IRCs), the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the Torngat Secretariat, and local fishers within the Nunatsiavut communities to undertake this study. Together, we hope to gain valuable insights into these char populations and contribute towards building a sustainable future for the communities that rely on them.
MSc Candidate
Coral San Roman
I am an MSc student co-supervised by Dr. Ian Bradbury. My research focuses on ecological and genetic interactions between wild and farm Atlantic salmon. I am studying the differences in survival between farm, wild, and hybrid parr, using data from a field experiment in Garnish River, Newfoundland. I am also currently investigating hybridization between wild and escaped aquaculture salmon in southern Newfoundland and the genetic implications of introgression on wild populations. Using both field and genomic tools, my research aims to inform the conservation and management of wild salmon populations throughout North America.
MSc Candidate
Mark Young
My name is Mark Young, an Msc. ENVS student co-supervised by Drs. Travis Van Leeuwen and Harry Murray. My thesis work involves testing the long-term impacts of sea lice on marine survival of wild Atlantic salmon. The examination of this work holds potential for aquaculture management and wild fisheries protection through effective treatment measures. This research is based within the southern and northern regions of central Newfoundland.
MSc Candidate
Hallie Arno
I am an MSc student co-supervised by Drs. Ian Bradbury and Sarah Lehnert examining the impacts of hybridization between wild and farmed salmon on their tolerance to warming temperatures. This work includes field collection of fish, quantifying maximum thermal tolerance through lab experiments, and identifying genes associated with the ability to adapt to climate change. I am also studying the genes associated with introgression from aquaculture salmon to wild populations to better understand how hybridization affects wild populations.
MSc Candidate
Cameron MacPhail
I am an MSc student co-supervised by Drs. Ian Bradbury (DFO). ). My current work aims to better understand the genetic and ecological relationship of coexisting anadromous Atlantic salmon and ouananiche (AKA landlocked salmon) in the Rocky River, NL. Despite being the same species (Salmo salar), these groups are substantially physiologically and behaviourally different, but it's not clear what mechanisms support the coexistence of such divergent life histories in the same environment. Unlike in much of the Atlantic salmon's range, ouananiche and anadromous salmon commonly co-occur in the same river systems here in Newfoundland, providing an excellent opportunity to further explore this question. I will be using genetic, dietary and spatial analyses to understand life history heritability and differences in watershed use and ecology between these two groups. The outcome of my project will provide relevant insight for Atlantic salmon conservation and management where anadromous salmon and ouananiche coexist and shed light on a little studied aspect of Atlantic salmon biology.
Alumni
Postdoctoral Researchers
Blair Adams Director, Wildlife Division, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Sigurd Einum Professor, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim
Mohamed Emam Postdoctoral Fellow, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s
Melissa Evans Senior Research Biologist, Coldstream Nature-Based Solutions, BC
Erik Heibo Senior Environmental Advisor, Sweco Consulting, Oslo
Yusuke Koseki Associate Professor, Otsuma Women’s University, Tokyo
José Beirão Santos Research Scientist, Nord University, Bodø, Norway
Xi Xue Research Scientist, Funglyn Inc., Toronto
PhD Students
Kristin Bøe Research Scientist, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Trondheim
Heather Bowlby Research Lead, Canadian Atlantic Shark Research Laboratory, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Halifax
Sigurd Einum Professor, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim
Shahinur Islam Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California Davis
Darek Moreau Section Head, Salmon, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Halifax
Kathryn Morton President & CEO, Pisces Research Project Management, Halifax
Ingeborg Mulder Chief Ecologist, Rivierenland Water Board, Netherlands
Åslaug Viken Senior Adviser, Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre, Trondheim
Peter Westley Associate Professor, Lowell A. Wakefield Chair in Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Brendan Wringe Research Scientist, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Halifax
MSc Students
Michelle Bachan Biology Instructional Assistant, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s
Jaclyn Bennett
Lance Campbell Fish Biologist, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Olympia, WA
Michelle Caputo Postdoctoral Fellow, Florida Internal University & Rhodes University, South Africa
Sigurd Einum Professor, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim
Samantha Crowley PhD student, Dalhousie University, Halifax
Sindy Dove Oyster Hatchery Manager, Verschuren Centre for Sustainability, Sydney, NS
Sean Gillard
Ian Hamilton Fisheries Biology & Department Head, Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance, Abbotsford, BC
Lisa Krentz
Christopher Lewis Fisheries Management Biologist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Iqaluit
Marion Mann Faculty, Oregon Coast Community College, Newport, OR
Gwyn Mason Halibut Coordinator, Groundfish Management, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Vancouver
Megan Petrie
Michelle Simms Wildlife Technician, Salmonier Nature Park, Newfoundland
John Winkowski PhD student, University of Washington, Seattle
Emily Zimmermann Marine Biologist, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Augusta, ME
Honours Students
Tristan Hennig
Krista Oke Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Emily Palmer
Isaiah Power Smith