People in the Lab
Suncica Avlijas (PhD candidate)
Thesis title: Spatio-temporal variation in the
colonization success and impacts of globally invasive
freshwater fishes. Co-supervised with Dr. Nicholas
Mandrak, University of Toronto.
Geneviève D'Avignon (PhD candidate)
Thesis title: Microplastics in freshwater food webs.
Co-supervised with Dr. Irene Gregory-Eaves, McGill.
Kennedy Zwarych (MSc candidate)
Thesis title: Longterm changes to native freshwater
mussel populations in the St Lawrence River.
Megan Hutchings (MSc candidate)
Thesis title: Comparative functional responses of
native and non-native benthic fishes under elevated
temperatures.
Noémie Sheppard (MSc candidate)
Thesis title: Temperature-mediated impacts of
invasive crayfishes.
Ty Colvin (PhD candidate)
Thesis title: Temporal changes in biodiversity of
St. Lawrence River benthic invertebrate communities.
Catalina Claus (MSc candidate)
Thesis title: Feeding behaviour of invasive
goldfish.
Brielle Comartin (MSc candidate)
Thesis title: Impacts of zebra mussel invasion on
native freshwater mussels in a Quebec lake.
Angelina Nikolaeva (Work Study Research
Assistant)
Former students and research assistants
Christophe Benjamin (MSc Biology 2022)
Thesis title: Impact of European Tench (Tinca tinca)
on native benthivorous fishes.
Jennifer Pham (BSc Honours student)
Thesis title: Behavioural ecology of crayfish.
Libby Rothberg (Research Assistant, Science
Undergraduate Research Award)
Jessie Ye (Research Assistant, Science
Undergraduate Research Award)
Heather Reid (MSc Biology 2021)
Thesis title: Interpopulation variation in thermal
responses by an invasive freshwater fish.
[Current position: Harbour Monitoring Coordinator, ACAP
Saint John]
Jessamine Trueman (MSc Biology 2021)
Thesis title: Experimental studies on the impacts of
invasive goldfishes (Carassius spp.).
[Current position: Field Biologist, Merlin Arborist
Group]
Victoria Chicatun (MSc Biology 2021)
Thesis title: Temperature mediation of the
ecological impacts of invasive crayfishes.
[Current position: Project Biologist, Lake Babine
Nation]
Hélène Pfister (BSc Independent Study 2020,
Biology; Work Study Research Assistant 2019-21)
[Current position: Research Assistant, Latin American
Sea Turtles Association]
Duncan Wang (BSc. Hons., Environment, 2020;
NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award, 2020)
[Current position: Data Analyst, Mistplay; Formerly:
Master of Management in Analytics, McGill]
Eve-Line Bérubé Beaulieu (BSc. Hons.,
Environment, 2020)
[Current position: MSc candidate, Université de Québec à
Montréal]
Philippe Hénault (NSERC Undergraduate Student
Research Award, 2020)
[Current position: MSc candidate, Université Laval]
Yael Lewis (Science Undergraduate Research
Award, 2020)
Alex Crew (MSc Biology 2019)
Thesis title: Microplastics in the St. Lawrence
River. Co-supervised with Dr. Irene Gregory-Eaves,
McGill. [Current position: Science Evaluator, Health
Canada]
Giulio Navarroli (Work Study Research Assistant
2017-19; Science Undergraduate Research Award, 2019;
Research Technician, 2019-20)
[Current position: MSc candidate, University of
Winnipeg; NSERC scholar]
Nicole Moore (Science Undergraduate Research
Award, 2019)
Shu Han (Sophia) Hsu (BSc. Hons., Biology,
2018-19)
[Current position: Master of Environmental Toxicology
candidate, Simon Fraser University]
Julia Briand (BSc. Hons., Environment, 2018-19)
[Current position: MSc candidate, McGill University]
Catherine Choquette (NSERC Undergraduate Student
Research Award, 2018)
Jaime Grimm (MSc Biology 2018)
Thesis title: Comparative functional responses of
crayfishes: variation across species and populations.[Current
position: PhD student, University of Toronto; Formerly:
Conservation Researcher, Wildlife Conservation Society
Canada]
Meng Yu (Aimy) Wang (BSc Hons., Environment,
2018; Work Study Research Assistant, 2016-17)
[Current position: MSc candidate, University of Toronto]
Dustin Raab (PhD candidate, 2013-discontinued),
Canada Graduate Scholar)
Thesis title: Factors affecting the success and
impact of fish invasions in tributaries.
Co-supervised with Dr. Nicholas Mandrak, University of
Toronto. [Current position: Aquatic Science Biologist,
Fisheries & Oceans Canada]
Anna Potapova (Research Assistant 2017-18;
McGill Work Study Research Assistant, 2016) [Current
position: MSc student, Simon Fraser University]
Andrea Morden (MSc Biology 2016; Research
Associate, Microplastics project, 2016-17)
Thesis title: The northern range expansion of the
invasive subtropical bivalve Corbicula fluminea
(the Asian clam). [Current position: Senior
Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Officer, Fisheries
& Oceans Canada]
Antonina Scheer (BSc Honours, Environment,
2016-17; Lab Manager, 2018) [Current position: Research
Assistant, Grantham Research Institute, London School of
Economics]
Laura Molina Gonzalez (NSERC Undergraduate
Student Research Award, 2017)
Raina Fan (Work Study Research Assistant, 2016;
NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award, 2016)
Jelena Grbic (McGill Work Study & QCBS
Research Assistant, 2016) [Current position:
Environmental Scientist, Tetra Tech]
Katie Pagnucco (PhD Biology 2016, Canada
Graduate Scholar)
Thesis title: Direct and indirect impacts of
non-native freshwater consumers on recipient
communities. [Current position: Biology
Instructor, John Abbott College]
Josie Iacarella (PhD Biology 2015, Tomlinson
Doctoral Fellow)
Thesis title: Variation in the impacts of invasive
alien species. [Current position: Research
Scientist, Fisheries & Oceans Canada]
Rachael Ryan (BSc Honours, Biology, 2016;
Ricciardi Lab manager, 2017) [Current position: Graduate
student, University of Berkeley]
Valeriya Sokolenko (BSc Honours 2016,
Environment) [Current position: Planning Associate
(Urban Planning), R.E. Millward & Associates]
Jonathan Fischer-Rush (BSc Independent Study
2016, Biology) [Current position: Technician, University
of New Brunswick]
Bianca Brusco (BSc Independent Study 2016,
Biology) [Current position: Data Scientist, Bloomberg
LP]
Tara Hartzell (McGill Work Study Research
Assistant, 2015)
Emilija Cvetanovska (MSc, Biology, 2015)
Thesis title: Cold tolerance of the subtropical
Asian clam Corbicula fluminea.
[Current position: Senior Sales Consultant, Medtronic]
Lowine Hill (McGill Work Study Student, 2015)
[Current position: PhD student, University for Waterloo]
Liam Jasperse-Sjolander (McGill Work Study
Research Assistant, 2014)
[Current position: Research Associate, Duke University]
Jean-Michel Matte (NSERC Undergraduate Student
Research Award, 2014)
[Current position: Postdoctoral researcher, Concordia
University]
Sandrine Vigneron (NSERC Undergraduate Student
Research Award, 2014)
Kayla Hamelin (MSc, Biology, 2014; Julie Payette
NSERC scholar)
Thesis title: Effects of thermal effluent on the
diversity and distribution of benthic invertebrates in
the St. Lawrence River. [Current position: PhD
candidate, Dalhousie University]
Jordan Ouellette-Plante (MSc, Biology, 2014)
Thesis title: Spatial and temporal variation in the
internal morphology of dreissenid mussels in relation
to turbidity. Co-supervised with Dr. Ladd
Johnson, Univ. Laval. [Subsequent position: Aquatic
Wildlife Biologist, le Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune
et des Parcs du Québec]
Ahdia Hassan (MSc, Biology, 2014)
Thesis title: Influence of biogeographic origin and
phylogenetic relatedness on the impacts of introduced
aquatic species.[Current position: Species at Risk
Recovery Planner, Fisheries & Oceans Canada;
formerly Species Coordinator, Saskatchewan Ministry of
Environment]
Emma Hudgins (BSc Independent Study, Biology,
2014)
Project title: Predatory behavior of an invasive
amphipod in the presence of fish chemical cues and
conspecifics.
[Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Carleton
University]
Phoebe Mankiewicz (BSc Independent Study,
Biology, 2014)
Project title: Impacts of invasive species along
gradients of invasion history.
[Current position: PhD candidate, Yale University]
Malcolm Lord (McGill Work Study Research
Assistant, 2014)
Justin Chisholm (McGill Work Study Research
Assistant, 2014)
[Current position: Silviculture Crew Leader, Spectrum
Resource Group Inc.]
Rowshyra Castaneda (MSc, Biology, 2013)
Thesis title: Factors affecting the distribution,
abundance and condition of an invasive freshwater
bivalve in a thermal plume [Current position:
Postdoctoral Fellow, Great Lakes Laboratory for
Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences].
Lisa A. Jones (PhD, Biology, 2013)
Thesis title: Predicting aquatic invasion success
and impact from species traits.
[Current position: Species Recovery Planner, Fisheries
and Oceans Canada]
Andrea J. Reid (MSc, Biology, 2013)
Thesis title: Optimal refugia for native fish
species from the introduced Nile perch (Lates
niloticus) in the Lake Victoria basin.
Co-supervised with Dr. Lauren Chapman.
[Current position: Assistant Professor, University of
British Columbia]
Yasmina Remmal (BSc Independent Study, Biology,
2012-13)
Project title: Impacts of the round goby on benthic
and planktonic microcrustaceans.
Yinci Yan (McGill Work Study Research Assistant,
2012-13)
[Current position: Data Analyst, ERIS]
Cécile Tang (BSc, Independent Study, Biology,
2012)
Project title: Impact of invasive species on
ecosystem services. [Co-supervised with Dr. Elena
Bennett] [Subsequent position: Masters student, Erasmus
Mundus program in Environmental Sciences, Policy and
Management]
Marie-Claire Chiasson (McGill Work Study
Research Assistant, 2012)
Charlotte Lapeyre (BSc, NSERC Undergraduate
Student Research Award, 2011 & Independent Study,
2011-12)
Project title: Diversity of benthic
macroinvertebrate communities within a thermal plume.
Marion Carrier (BSc, Independent Study, 2011-12)
Project title: Characterizing populations of Hemimysis
anomala at two St. Lawrence River ports. [Current
position: Planning coordinator, AGIR Maskinongé;
Previously: MSc student, Université de Montréal]
Karen Wang (NSERC Undergraduate Student Research
Award, 2012)
[Current position: Graduate Studies, University of
Waterloo]
Laura McDonnell (Research Assistant, 2012)
[Current position: MSc student, McGill]
Katherine Shaw (McGill Work Study & QCBS
Research Assistant, 2012)
[Project title: Benthic invertebrate communities
along a temperature gradient in the St. Lawrence River.
[Current position: MSc student, McGill]
Isabel Tom (NSERC Undergraduate Student Research
Award, 2011)
Max Farrell (BSc Honours, Biology, 2010-11)
Project title: Role of anthropogenic disturbance in
the relative dominance of exotic benthic invertebrates
in the St. Lawrence River. [Current position: PhD
student, McGill]
Justin Trumpickas (MSc, Biology, 2010)
Thesis title: Impacts of introduced piscivores on
lake fish assemblages.
[Current position: Aquatic Research Biologist, Ontario
Ministry of Natural Resources]
Rebekah Kipp (MSc, Biology, 2010)
Thesis title: Impacts of an invasive benthic
predator on macroinvertebrate communities in the St.
Lawrence River.
[Subsequent position: Project Manager (Stream
Biomonitoring), Gault Nature Reserve]
Emma Weisbord (BSc Honours, Environment, 2010;
co-supervised with Dr. Andy Gonzalez)
Project title: Relationship between economic
inequality and biological invasions among countries.
[Current position: Digital Water Consultant, Royal
HaskoningDHV; Previously: MSc student, University of
Oxford]
Ekaterina Yakushina (BSc Independent Study,
Biology, 2010)
Project title: Characteristics of Hemimysis anomala
populations in the St. Lawrence River.
[Current position: Aquatic Biologist, WorleyParsons Ltd]
Jessica M. Ward (PhD, Biology, 2010)
Thesis title: Community-level effects of
non-indigenous aquatic ecosystem engineers.
[Current position: Senior Ecologist/ Project Director
for Shared Value Solutions Ltd]
Åsa Kestrup (PhD, Biology, 2010)
Thesis title: The effects of interspecific
interactions and environmental heterogeneity on the
dominance of an invasive freshwater crustacean.
[Current position: Biologist, Sweco Environment AB,
Sweden]
Kathleen Church (MSc, Biology, 2010)
Thesis title: Agonistic interactions between
invasive aquatic species.
[Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of
Windsor]
Stefanie Kulhanek (MSc, Biology, 2010;
co-supervised with Dr. Brian Leung)
Thesis title: Investigating the use of invasion
history, meta-analysis and niche-based models as tools
for predicting the ecological impacts of introduced
aquatic species.
[Current position: Science Educator, City of Montreal]
Issac Hebert (BSc, Independent Study & NSERC
Undergraduate Student Research Award, 2009-10)
Project title: Diet of the round goby in the St.
Lawrence River.
[Subsequently: MSc, Concordia University; Current
position: Wildlife Research technician, OMNR]
Robby Marrotte (McGill Work Study Research
Assistant, 2008-10)
[Current position: Research Associate, Concordia
University]
Karen Cholmondeley (McGill Work Study Research
Assistant, 2009-10)
[Current position: MSc student, Université de Montréal]
Sabriya Syed (McGill Work Study Research
Assistant, 2008-09)
[Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of
Massachusetts]
Katie O'Sullivan (McGill Work Study Research
Assistant, 2008-09)
[Subsequent position: Researcher, Americorps VISTA]
Myriam Lacharité (BSc, Independent Study &
NSERC Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2009)
Project title: Impacts of the round goby on molluscs
in the St. Lawrence River.
[Current position: PhD student, Dalhousie University]
Natalie Summers (Independent Study, 2009)
Project title: Mechanisms of exotic species
replacement.
[Subsequently: MSc, University of Hawaii]
Niloufar Bayani (NSERC Undergraduate Student
Research Award, 2009). [Subsequently: MSc, Columbia;
Current position: Researcher at UNEP]
Jessica Murray (BSc, Independent Study, 2009)
Project title: Ecological impacts of the Emerald Ash
Borer beetle in Ontario.
[Current position: Forest Specialist, Industrial
Economics Inc.]
Kanako Hasegawa (BSc, Env., Honours, 2008,
co-supervised with Dr. Brian Leung)
Project title: Is invasion history useful in
predicting the impacts of introduced species?
[Current position: Consultant, London Research
International]
Deborah Lightman (BSc, Independent Study, 2008)
Project title: Conspecific attraction in the
settlement of invasive mussel larvae.
[Subsequently: MSc McGill & Fulbright Scholar (MIT);
Current position: Consultant, MMM Group]
Anneli Jokela (MSc, Biology, 2007)
Thesis title: Factors affecting the impact of
invasive mussels on native freshwater mussels.
[Subsequently: PhD, Queen's University; Current
position: Regulatory Manager, Wek'eezhii Land and Water
Board, N.W.T]
Kathryn Harper (MSc, Biology, 2007)
Thesis title: Yellow perch consumption of invasive
mussels in the St. Lawrence River.
[Current position: Director, Project Neutral]
Sarah J. Wilson (MSc, Biology, 2007)
Thesis title: Aquatic invertebrate communities on
native and exotic plants.
[Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of
Michigan; co-founder of Cities4Forests]
Suzanne Ellwood (BSc, Env., Independent Study,
2007)
Project title: Introduced aquatic ecosystem
engineers.
[Subsequently: Masters of Environmental Studies, Queen's
University; Current position: Policy Analyst, NRCan]
Sandra Warren (NSERC Undergraduate Student
Research Award, 2007).
[Current position: Environmental Scientist, Stantec]
Hanie Seo (Research Assistant, McGill Work Study
Program, 2007-08).
Arthi Sowmithran (Research Assistant, McGill
Work Study Program, 2007). [Current position: Research
Scientist, Parmalat Canada]
Robin Tiller (Research Assistant, McGill Work
Study Program, 2006-07)
Project: Invertebrate identification in fish diets
and benthic samples. [Current position: Teacher,
Biddeford Middle School STEM Academy]
Christopher Elvidge (BSc, Env., Independent
Study, 2007)
Project title: Shifts in species traits among North
American freshwater fish assemblages: Ecological
homogenization?
[Current position: Postdoctoral Researcher, University
of Eastern Finland]
Frederik Pegna (Research Assistant, McGill Work
Study Program, 2006). [Current position: Deputy Chief of
Contingency Planning, U.S. Coast Guard]
Jill Cohen (BSc, Env., Honours, 2006)
Project title: Is there a correlation between impact
and invasiveness in exotic species?
[Subsequently: PhD, Cornell 2013; Current position:
Conservation Program Analyst, U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service]
Sylvie Trottier (BSc, Independent Study, 2005)
Project title: Diversity of snail communities
associated with native and invasive aquatic plants.
[Current position: GHG analyst, Ecometrica]
Michelle E. Palmer (MSc, Biology, 2004)
Thesis title: Environmental factors affecting the
relative abundance of native and invasive freshwater
amphipods in the St. Lawrence River.
[Current position: Scientist, Environmental Monitoring
& Reporting Branch, Ontario Ministry of Environment
and Climate Change; obtained PhD from York University]
Colette Ward (BSc Honours, 2004)
Project title: Diet shifts in yellow perch (Perca
flavescens) following multiple invasions to the
zoobenthos of the St. Lawrence River.
[Current position: Postdoctoral Researcher, NCEAS]
Miriam Mottiar (BSc Honours, 2004)
Project title: Occurrence and abundance of exotic
snails in the St. Lawrence River.
[Subsequently: M.D., Queen's University; Current
position: Anesthesiologist, The Ottawa Hospital]
Susanna K. Atkinson (BSc Honours, 2003)
Project title: Patterns of establishment and impact
among introduced aquatic animals.
[Subsequently: MSc, University of Ottawa; Current
position: Senior Compliance Officer, Health Canada]
Jennifer Kovecses (Research Technician,
2002-03).
[Current position: Executive Director, Coalition for the
Poudre River Watershed, Colorado]
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