Picture: male Sockeye salmon
on the Weaver Creek Spawning Channel; Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada
I am a Ph.D. student in the Department of
Pathology and Microbiology at Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward
Island, Canada. My professor is
part of NSERC's (the Canadian equivalent to NSF) Canadian Integrated
Multitrophic Aquaculture Network that was formed to investigate the feasibility
of implementing multitrophic aquaculture. My research
investigates a specific disease that effect cultured Pacific salmon that may be
complicated by the addition of different trophic components (e.g., mussels). I
look at the ecological interaction of Loma salmonae (my study parasite)
among salmonids, mussels and the benthic environment. I am also looking into
some specifics of the parasite itself in terms of pathogenesis.
2. What sparked your interest in aquatic animal health?
I spent a lot of my
childhood in the Catskill region of NY State. My interest in fisheries began quite early, as
I would spend my time exploring the Beaverkill River and its prized inhabitants.
But, I didn’t realize I could have a
career in fisheries until completing my undergraduate degree at Cornell
University. I was involved with some
research at a field station on Oneida Lake and was lucky to run into Dr. Paul
Bowser at the vet college. I ended up
working as a research assistant in his lab just as Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia
became an issue in the Great Lakes. I
have always had an interest in animal health, but didn’t realize I could marry
that interest with fisheries until my experience with Dr. Bowser - so I really
must give him a lot of credit. Thanks
Dr. B!
3. What has been your favorite fisheries-related job?
I’ve been lucky to
have a few so far. During my MSc I worked
with aboriginal groups and the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans in
British Columbia. I spent a summer and
fall following salmon as they migrated to spawning grounds up the Fraser River.
It was neat to see all aspects of the
migration and how different fisheries groups interacted with the fish and each
other. However, my favorite experience
has to be my honor’s and technician work at the Cornell Biological Field
Station on Oneida Lake, NY. The field
station is beautiful and I was lucky to work with some great people and be
involved with some really interesting research projects. I collected data for both long- and
short-term ecological and fisheries projects.
4. What do you like most about graduate/professional school?
I enjoy being able to
work freely on the scientific process. I
have always had an inquisitive mind and am happy to be doing something that
allows me to ask, and answer, a million different questions. I also enjoy the opportunities for travel and
collaboration.
5. When and why did you first become involved with AFS and the FHS?
I first joined AFS in
2006 in order to attend the Lake Placid meeting, and have been a member ever
since. I have attended several main
meetings to present work from my undergrad and my MSc. I have been involved with the best paper
committee, the NY and Ontario subsections, and the Canadian Aquatic Resources
Section (CARS). I joined the FHS in
early 2012, when I renewed my membership and realized that my interests aligned
most with this section.
6. What are your long-term professional goals (FHS or otherwise)?
I hope
to stay involved with the FHS throughout my PhD and beyond. In terms of career, the clinical aspect of
fish health interests me so I am still contemplating attending veterinary
school following my PhD. I enjoy
research so I do see myself in academia, but would also be happy with a
research career in government. For now I
will keep pursuing my interests and see where the chips fall.
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