MSc Student

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I am a MSc student in the Natural Resources and Environmental Studies program, studying under the co-supervision of Dr. Eduardo Martins and Dr. Nikolaus Gantner. I’m broadly interested in how freshwater fish respond to the combined effects of climate change and local disturbances. My research focuses on burbot (Lota lota) in the Omineca Region (7A) of BC, a benthic coldwater species important for both First Nations and recreational angling communities. Using mark-recapture, acoustic telemetry, and shuttlebox system approaches, I am comparing rates of angling exploitation among three lakes, and quantifying burbot oxythermal preferences and habitat use. This study will inform regional fisheries management and provide insights on current and future habitat availability for the species. The Omineca Burbot project is funded by the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD) Omineca Fish & Wildlife Section via Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC’s Technical Committee Funding and is made possible through collaboration with the FLNRORD, Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CSTC), and BC Parks staff/biologists. We engage with Nadleh Whut’en and Stellat’en First Nations, McLeod Lake Indian Band, and local recreational anglers in our study.