Honours & Independent Studies Students

Emily Burbidge, 2018-2019: Biology Honours student working on zebrafish embryo micro-manipulation. Her goal is to determine the optimal time period at which to perform yolk swapping in zebrafish embryos and the viability of swapping yolk from a different phylogenetic species (chickens). 

Samantha Feener (Dr. Robert Thompson Endowment), 2018-2019: Biochemistry Honours student focusing on optimizing shortnose sturgeon sperm cryopreservation protocols by looking at biomarkers such as motility, curvilinear velocity, lactate dehydrogenase and ATP levels in sperm pre- and post-freeze. The goal is to improve existing protocols by altering equilibration time and potassium chloride concentration of the cryoprotectant.

Brent Walker, 2018-2019: Biology Honours student working on spatial distribution and habitat bathymetry of shortnose sturgeon in the lower Saint John River basin. Brent is using SONAR in conjunction with passive tracking to determine possible predictors of suitable shortnose sturgeon habitat.

Sarah McGeachy, 2017-2018: Biology Honours student who worked on shortnose sturgeon stress response to angling events. Specifically, she was investigating ways we can reduce the amount of stress a fish experiences when it is caught using rod and reel fishing methods. Sarah enrolled in the education program at the University of New Brunswick in 2018.

Nicole Duff, 2017-2018: Biology Honours student who looked at the effects of yolk lipid quality on visual development, larval growth, and survival in zebrafish. Nicole enrolled in Dalhousie's Medical School in 2018.

Geraint Berger, 2017-2018: Biology Honours student who used infrared videography to examine swimming kinematics of larval zebrafish. Geraint enrolled in a Masters of Pharmacology at Dalhousie university in 2018.

Bella Stein (NSERC USRA), 2016-2017: Biochemistry Honours student who worked on hormone levels throughout development in wild and hatchery- raised shortnose sturgeon.

Robin Sommerfeld (NSERC USRA), 2015-2016: Biology Honours student who worked on the effect of egg size on growth, development and reproduction with zebrafish. Thesis entitled "The impact of egg size on the growth, development, and reproductive performance of zebrafish (Danio rerio) following yolk sac manipulation". Robin enrolled in University of Toronto's Occupational Therapy program in 2017.

Adele Doucet, 2014-2015: Biology Honours student who worked on larval fish microinjection. 

Brendan Phillips (NSERC USRA), 2014-2015: Biology Honours student who worked on sexing sturgeon using geometric morphometrics and ultrasonography. 

Jeff Bell, 2013-2014: Biology Honours student who worked on tracking juvenile shortnose sturgeon in the Saint John River.

Maggie MacKinnon, 2013-2014: Biology Honours student. Thesis entitled "Zebrafish and chicken yolk injection in early embryonic development and its effects in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae"

Ainslie Oland (NSERC USRA), 2012-2013: Biology Honours student who worked on larval fish microinjection.

Alicia Cassidy, 2012-2013: Environmental Science Honours student who worked on overwintering behaviour of shortnose sturgeon. Thesis entitled "Examining the effects of bottom current velocity on ventilation frequency of overwintering adult shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) in the Saint John River, New Brunswick"

Allie Byrne (NSERC USRA), 2011-2012: Biochemistry Honours student who worked on larval fish energetics. Thesis entitled "Energetics and yolk protein utilization of endogenously feeding zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae"

Kaitlin Fitzpatrick (NSERC USRA), 2011-2012: Biology Honours student who worked on larval fish microinjection.  Thesis entitled "The effects of direct yolk sac volume manipulation and rearing temperature on zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae. Kaitlin enrolled in UPEI's School of Veterinary Medicine in 2012.

Andrew Taylor, 2010-2011: Biology Honours student who worked on tracking Atlantic sturgeon. Thesis entitled "Movement patterns and habitat use of Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus, in the Saint John River, New Brunswick, Canada". He continued his research on Atlantic sturgeon ecology in our lab and completed his Masters in 2015.

Alanna Khattar (NSERC USRA), 2010-2011: Biochemistry Honours Student co-supervised with Dr. Amanda Cockshutt. Thesis entitled "Determination of the fate of fatty acids during embryonic and larval development of zebrafish (Danio rerio)". Alanna enrolled in optometry school in Memphis Tennessee in 2011.

Laura Symiest, 2010-2011: Biology Honours Student. Thesis entitled "Developing microinjection techniques for manipulation of yolk and lipid reserves in zebrafish embryos, Danio rerio. Laura enrolled in medical school and studied at the Dalhousie St. John, NB campus.

Samantha Feener, 2017-2018: Independent Studies Student examining cryopreservation of sturgeon sperm.

Sarah Wilson, 2017-2018: Independent Studies Student.

Claire Whittaker, 2015-2016: Independent Studies Student.

Cindy Ochieng, 2010-2011: Independent Studies Student, Larval Fish Biology-microinjection research. Cindy completed  a Master's program in medical anthropology and enrolled in Dalhousie's Medical School in 2012.