People

Philippe Fernandez-Fournier

I'm a postdoctoral researcher working with Dr. Andrew Cameron and Dr. Bruno Soares. My work at the University of Regina focuses on translating eDNA data for ecological interpretation across a range of systems. Current projects include using eDNA to monitor marine protected areas, using geomicrobial data to identify critical mineral deposits, applying eDNA methods to assess vertebrate diversity in the Northwest Territories, evaluating pollinator diversity and effectiveness in agricultural lands, and studying freshwater fish community ecology in the tropics.

 I'm also involved in projects related to coral reef ecology, biodiversity change and applied conservation. 

Bella Santos

I am a PhD student at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, working on freshwater ecology with a focus on fish trophic food webs in Atlantic Forest streams. My research explores how trophic interactions vary across space and environmental gradients. I am particularly interested in how these changes affect energy flow and the structure of ecological networks.

Outside of research, I enjoy hiking, watching movies and spending time with my dog, who is a big part of my daily life.

Iuri Amaral

My general research focus in my PhD is using SDM tools to understand how climatic change might disrupt freshwater food webs. I am particularly interested in developing and applying data-driven and reproducible frameworks to approach macroecological, climate change and conservation questions. In my past research, I assessed how the distributions of Atlantic Forest rodents might be affected by different climatic change scenarios.

Outside of work, I enjoy listening to a wild variety of music, playing the bass, playing board games and RPG, reading, good coffee and better beer, cats, biking around and having quality time with my wife and friends. Currently, I'm mildly excited for my first Canadian winter. 

Mariana Novello Rocha

I am a PhD student in Biology at the University of Regina, where I am part of the Global Drivers of Freshwater Food Webs project. My research focuses on predator–prey interactions in freshwater fish, with the goal of better understanding and predicting macroecological patterns. I have a background in aquatic ecology and biological invasions, and I am particularly interested in how human impacts shape freshwater ecosystems.

Outside of research, I enjoy reading, doing ceramics, and playing video games. I have also always been interested in fish, which is probably one of the reasons I ended up working with them! I am still much better at studying than catching them, though (I have no idea how to use a fishing rod). 

James Stone

I am a Masters student of Biology at the University of Regina working on the Artificial Intelligence for Amazon Environmental Recognition (IARAA) project. My specific focus is on developing and implementing a computer vision model to process underwater video data, in hopes to provide a more accessible way to monitor fish assemblages in the Brazilian Amazon. 

Overall, I am interested in how land-use change and extractive practices impact riverine fishes, but my previous work has spanned topics such as immunology in aquaculture, freshwater biodiversity, and habitat use of coastal fishes. This work has occurred in three different countries, and I am excited to add Brazil and Canada to that list. Most recently, I was working on projects related to the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) invasion of the Hudson River in upstate New York, USA.

Outside of the lab I enjoy just about any outdoor recreation activity there is. 

Nicole Cristine Iliuk

I’m a Master’s student in Biology at the University of Regina. My current research explores the use of bioacoustics and machine learning for biodiversity monitoring in the Amazon, with a focus on developing tools for automated detection and identification of Neotropical bats. I hold a Teaching Degree in Biological Sciences and my undergrad research focused primarily on bat community assemblages in urban and fragmented areas.

Outside the lab, I enjoy crocheting, working out and listening to music. I also love learning new languages and collecting fun facts about all sorts of topics!

Rodrigo Martin de Oliveira

In the lab, I work on automating data-analysis workflows and exploring computer vision tools that can help identify and quantify food items. These methods save time, improve consistency, and address tasks that can otherwise become bottlenecks in laboratory procedures.

Outside of the lab, I enjoy staying active and spending time outdoors, biking across the city, exploring nature, I also like hands-on projects like recycling old laptops, bringing life to old technology, and putting it to use.