I completed my BSc in Marine and Freshwater Biology at the University of Guelph, followed by an MSc in Alderman and Gillis Labs examining how elevated temperatures influence the physiological responses of fish to environmental contamination by diluted bitumen. As a PhD candidate co-supervised by the Alderman and Gillis Labs, my research focuses on how diluted bitumen exposure affects Pacific salmon embryos across developmental and early life stages. I investigate a combination of organismal and molecular responses to identify which stages are most vulnerable to contaminant exposure, with a focus on cardiorespiratory physiology and critical survival metrics.
In addition to this developmental work, I am investigating non-lethal biomonitoring approaches for detecting PAH-driven toxicity in salmon, including tissue-specific CYP1A induction assays and exploratory eDNA-based detection methods. The overarching goal of my research is to support conservation scientists and policymakers by improving our understanding of contaminant risks to Pacific salmon populations and, more broadly, to other species at risk of crude-oil exposure worldwide.