Our Research
we are interested in how ancient fishes regulate physiological and behavioural responses to a changing environment. WE integrate ecosystem to gene expression level approaches to address the research questions associated with conservation of Lake Sturgeon and evolution of nitrogen and energy balance in elasmobranchs.  

Sturgeon Research
Our work with Lake Sturgeon centres on conservation physiology and in particular the impact of early rearing environment on the development of physiological, morphological and behavioural traits later in life. We examine these questions at the individual and population level with the ultimate goal of developing rearing strategies that result in a fish most similar to its wild counterpart and most likely to contribute to subsequent generations when released into the natural environment. Further, our research is developing tools that will better allow us to assess the effectiveness of stock enhancement strategies. Using elemental signatures in Lake Sturgeon fin rays we can identify hatchery or wild origin and are further developing these tools to asses habitat use in wild populations. Continual development of eDNA assays will lead to successful application of these assays to conservation of this culturally iconic species.

Elasmobranch Research
Nitrogen is an essential element and no more so than in elasmobranch fish that need it for growth and osmoregulation. Research in the lab has begun to reveal an essential role for the intestine in balancing nitrogen and how the microbiome may be involved in this process. Maintaining and balancing energy is a cornerstone to evolutionary success. In vertebrates this is normally achieved through coordinated actions of the liver, gastrointestinal tract and other tissues. That coordination is achieved by a suite of hormones that regulate nutrient uptake from the diet and direct energy allocation depending on the demands of the whole organism. Research in the lab is currently examining the role of presumptive energy regulating hormones in gastrointestinal and liver function using the spiny dogfish as our model elasmobranch. The majority of this research is conducted at Bamfield Marine Science Centre on Vancouver Island.

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​Bamfield Marine Science Centre

Photos from the field