Ramón Filgueira
Assistant Professor - Marine Affairs Program
Professor II (20%) - Institute of Marine Research (Norway)
ramon.filgueira@dal.ca | ResearchGate | Google Scholar
Ramón's current research is focused on ecosystem functioning of marine environments with emphasis on the potential effects of different stressors on ecosystem resilience. The primary tool in Ramón's research is ecosystem modelling, which allows the integration of time and space, critical aspects for understanding ecological dynamics and therefore how natural systems provide ecosystem services. Scenario building and optimization processes deliver a detailed description of flows of matter and energy that I use to apply the concept of ecosystem-based management to aquaculture sites. Ramón's main goal is to promote sustainable aquaculture and provide objective scientific knowledge for marine spatial planning in order to guarantee the sustainability of coastal zones.
Assistant Professor - Marine Affairs Program
Professor II (20%) - Institute of Marine Research (Norway)
ramon.filgueira@dal.ca | ResearchGate | Google Scholar
Ramón's current research is focused on ecosystem functioning of marine environments with emphasis on the potential effects of different stressors on ecosystem resilience. The primary tool in Ramón's research is ecosystem modelling, which allows the integration of time and space, critical aspects for understanding ecological dynamics and therefore how natural systems provide ecosystem services. Scenario building and optimization processes deliver a detailed description of flows of matter and energy that I use to apply the concept of ecosystem-based management to aquaculture sites. Ramón's main goal is to promote sustainable aquaculture and provide objective scientific knowledge for marine spatial planning in order to guarantee the sustainability of coastal zones.
Anne McKee
Lab coordinator and research assistant in Grant-Filgueira research group
anne.mckee@dal.ca
Funding: NSERC-CRD
Anne earned her BSc(Env) in Ecology from the University of Guelph, and her MSc in Oceanography from Dalhousie. Her graduate research focused on bay-scale habitat mapping of the American lobster for the purposes of marine spatial planning, particularly with regard to the spatial intersection of the lobster fishery and the salmon aquaculture industry. As the lab coordinator and research assistant for the Grant-Filgueira lab group, she uses her experience in spatial statistics, data analysis, and coastal fieldwork to help with the research being conducted in the lab.
Lab coordinator and research assistant in Grant-Filgueira research group
anne.mckee@dal.ca
Funding: NSERC-CRD
Anne earned her BSc(Env) in Ecology from the University of Guelph, and her MSc in Oceanography from Dalhousie. Her graduate research focused on bay-scale habitat mapping of the American lobster for the purposes of marine spatial planning, particularly with regard to the spatial intersection of the lobster fishery and the salmon aquaculture industry. As the lab coordinator and research assistant for the Grant-Filgueira lab group, she uses her experience in spatial statistics, data analysis, and coastal fieldwork to help with the research being conducted in the lab.
Leigh Howarth
PDF (co-adviced with Jon Grant)
leigh.howarth@dal.ca | ResearchGate | Google Scholar
Funding: NSERC-CRD
Leigh is marine scientist with interests in fisheries, benthic ecology, aquaculture and resource management. He is currently focused on applying an ecosystem approach to aquaculture; using macroalgae and benthic bivalves as bioindicators to help map the effluent footprint of salmon farms and other pollution sources. Leigh’s main goal is to help to inform resource management through carrying out large field-based studies.
PDF (co-adviced with Jon Grant)
leigh.howarth@dal.ca | ResearchGate | Google Scholar
Funding: NSERC-CRD
Leigh is marine scientist with interests in fisheries, benthic ecology, aquaculture and resource management. He is currently focused on applying an ecosystem approach to aquaculture; using macroalgae and benthic bivalves as bioindicators to help map the effluent footprint of salmon farms and other pollution sources. Leigh’s main goal is to help to inform resource management through carrying out large field-based studies.
Donghui Jiang
PDF (co-adviced with Jon Grant and Crawford Revie)
pomsediment@gmail.com
Funding: NSERC-CRD
Dr. Jiang is developing ocean circulation models using FVCOM to simulate the spread and outcome of pathogens in the coastal embayments of Atlantic Canada. The models will be used as a tool to evaluate disease transmission and optimize strategies to reduce that risk.
PDF (co-adviced with Jon Grant and Crawford Revie)
pomsediment@gmail.com
Funding: NSERC-CRD
Dr. Jiang is developing ocean circulation models using FVCOM to simulate the spread and outcome of pathogens in the coastal embayments of Atlantic Canada. The models will be used as a tool to evaluate disease transmission and optimize strategies to reduce that risk.
Romain Lavaud
PDF
romain.lavaud@hotmail.fr
Funding: Environment and Climate Change Canada
Romain's research focuses on the physiological response of marine organisms to environmental variability. He uses the Dynamic Energy Budget theory, a bioenergetic modeling approach to simulate and predict how fish, shellfish or algae react to environmental pressures like temperature, food availability, oxygen, salinity. His current project aims at quantifying the impact of the harmful microalgae Alexandrium tamarense on the physiological rates (filtration, respiration, growth) of mussels and scallops and the potential effects on aquaculture production in Eastern Canada.
romain.lavaud@hotmail.fr
Funding: Environment and Climate Change Canada
Romain's research focuses on the physiological response of marine organisms to environmental variability. He uses the Dynamic Energy Budget theory, a bioenergetic modeling approach to simulate and predict how fish, shellfish or algae react to environmental pressures like temperature, food availability, oxygen, salinity. His current project aims at quantifying the impact of the harmful microalgae Alexandrium tamarense on the physiological rates (filtration, respiration, growth) of mussels and scallops and the potential effects on aquaculture production in Eastern Canada.
Jenny Weitzman
IDPhD Candidate (co-adviced with Jon Grant)
jenny.weitzman@dal.ca
Funding: Killam, NSERC, NSGS, Ocean Frontier Institute
Jenny received her BSc in Marine Biology and Oceanography from Dalhousie University. Jenny continued her studies in Halifax, where she recently graduated with a Masters of Marine Management (MMM) from Dalhousie University. Her Masters research revealed stakeholder perceptions of aquaculture ecolabelling in Nova Scotia to explore the role of ecolabels within social licensing of finfish aquaculture. With a passion for seafood sustainability and a love for Canada’s east coast, Jenny is excited to continue her graduate studies in the IDPhD program at Dalhousie University. Jenny’s PhD research will work towards developing an integrated quantitative framework for evaluating the carrying capacity of finfish aquaculture within Canada’s Atlantic provinces. This work will help managers and regulators support sustainable aquaculture development and is a pathway to an ecosystem approach to aquaculture.
IDPhD Candidate (co-adviced with Jon Grant)
jenny.weitzman@dal.ca
Funding: Killam, NSERC, NSGS, Ocean Frontier Institute
Jenny received her BSc in Marine Biology and Oceanography from Dalhousie University. Jenny continued her studies in Halifax, where she recently graduated with a Masters of Marine Management (MMM) from Dalhousie University. Her Masters research revealed stakeholder perceptions of aquaculture ecolabelling in Nova Scotia to explore the role of ecolabels within social licensing of finfish aquaculture. With a passion for seafood sustainability and a love for Canada’s east coast, Jenny is excited to continue her graduate studies in the IDPhD program at Dalhousie University. Jenny’s PhD research will work towards developing an integrated quantitative framework for evaluating the carrying capacity of finfish aquaculture within Canada’s Atlantic provinces. This work will help managers and regulators support sustainable aquaculture development and is a pathway to an ecosystem approach to aquaculture.
Laura Steeves
PhD Candidate
laura.steeves@dal.ca
Funding: Killam, NSERC, NSGS, IMR-Norway
Laura completed her Master of Marine Management in 2017, and since then has been pursing her PhD in biology at Dalhousie University. Laura’s research focuses on ecological interactions between bivalve species and marine environments. Working with species commonly used in aquaculture, (mussels, oysters, and scallops) she is exploring inter- and intraspecific differences between feeding and digestive processes. These processes are key mechanisms through which bivalves interact with their biotic and abiotic environments. Her research involves a combination of laboratory, field, and modelling experiments to explore these ecological interactions from a variety of perspectives.
PhD Candidate
laura.steeves@dal.ca
Funding: Killam, NSERC, NSGS, IMR-Norway
Laura completed her Master of Marine Management in 2017, and since then has been pursing her PhD in biology at Dalhousie University. Laura’s research focuses on ecological interactions between bivalve species and marine environments. Working with species commonly used in aquaculture, (mussels, oysters, and scallops) she is exploring inter- and intraspecific differences between feeding and digestive processes. These processes are key mechanisms through which bivalves interact with their biotic and abiotic environments. Her research involves a combination of laboratory, field, and modelling experiments to explore these ecological interactions from a variety of perspectives.
Meredith Burke
PhD Candidate (co-adviced with Jon Grant)
meredith.burke@dal.ca
Funding: Ocean Frontier Institute
Meredith completed her B.Sc. (Hons.) in marine biology at Dalhousie University before moving to Boston where she received an M.Sc. in marine biology at Northeastern University. Her master’s research was on the use of sediment organic matter as a proxy for salt marsh ecosystem health, where she developed a passion for the use of data analysis to improve the study of ecosystems. Her Ph.D. research will use novel sensors to monitor temperature and oxygen variation within aquaculture cages, to enhance management techniques.
PhD Candidate (co-adviced with Jon Grant)
meredith.burke@dal.ca
Funding: Ocean Frontier Institute
Meredith completed her B.Sc. (Hons.) in marine biology at Dalhousie University before moving to Boston where she received an M.Sc. in marine biology at Northeastern University. Her master’s research was on the use of sediment organic matter as a proxy for salt marsh ecosystem health, where she developed a passion for the use of data analysis to improve the study of ecosystems. Her Ph.D. research will use novel sensors to monitor temperature and oxygen variation within aquaculture cages, to enhance management techniques.
Megan Rector
IDPhD Candidate (co-adviced with Jon Grant)
Megan.Rector@dal.ca
Funding: Killam, NSERC, NSGS, NSERC-CRD
Megan’s current research focuses on ecocertification standards for Atlantic salmon and operationalizing an ecosystem approach to aquaculture through ecocertification. With interests in sustainable seafood and coastal ocean science, Megan has previously worked with environmental NGOs on Canada’s west coast. She received her BSc from Mount Saint Vincent University and MSc from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Her previous research on seabird ecology incorporated physiology and behavioural ecology in an analysis of the interactions between Atlantic puffins and their changing environment.
IDPhD Candidate (co-adviced with Jon Grant)
Megan.Rector@dal.ca
Funding: Killam, NSERC, NSGS, NSERC-CRD
Megan’s current research focuses on ecocertification standards for Atlantic salmon and operationalizing an ecosystem approach to aquaculture through ecocertification. With interests in sustainable seafood and coastal ocean science, Megan has previously worked with environmental NGOs on Canada’s west coast. She received her BSc from Mount Saint Vincent University and MSc from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Her previous research on seabird ecology incorporated physiology and behavioural ecology in an analysis of the interactions between Atlantic puffins and their changing environment.
Caitlin Stockwell
MSc Candidate (co-adviced with Jon Grant)
cstockwell@dal.ca | ResearchGate
Funding: Ocean Frontier Institute
Caitlin earned her BSc in Marine Science with a minor in Environmental Humanities from the University of Delaware. While at UD she started working with Dr. Doug Miller on using UAVs to map habitats along the southern Delaware coast focusing on Sabellaria vulgaris reefs and presented her research. After she graduated, she stayed for a gap year working on miscellaneous projects in the Trembanis/Miller lab ranging from coastal dune and coastal salt marsh mapping with UAVs to helping deploy AUVs to map potential off-shore windfarm sites. Currently, Caitlin’s MSc research is focusing on the effects of oxygen supplementation on cultured salmon using real time acoustic telemetry. This work will allow for an early warning indicator of fish health and can help to improve farm management.
MSc Candidate (co-adviced with Jon Grant)
cstockwell@dal.ca | ResearchGate
Funding: Ocean Frontier Institute
Caitlin earned her BSc in Marine Science with a minor in Environmental Humanities from the University of Delaware. While at UD she started working with Dr. Doug Miller on using UAVs to map habitats along the southern Delaware coast focusing on Sabellaria vulgaris reefs and presented her research. After she graduated, she stayed for a gap year working on miscellaneous projects in the Trembanis/Miller lab ranging from coastal dune and coastal salt marsh mapping with UAVs to helping deploy AUVs to map potential off-shore windfarm sites. Currently, Caitlin’s MSc research is focusing on the effects of oxygen supplementation on cultured salmon using real time acoustic telemetry. This work will allow for an early warning indicator of fish health and can help to improve farm management.
Paul Kraly
MMM Candidate (co-adviced with Jenny Weitzman)
Paul.Kraly@dal.ca
Funding: Ocean Frontier Institute
Paul completed a Master of Marine Science degree at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, in 2018 where he focused on aquaculture and fisheries management looking at sustainable alternatives to pesticide use to help rid farmed salmon of the sea lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis. Paul has since become interested in the interdisciplinary aspect of aquaculture and is now a Master of Marine Management candidate. He will be investigating how historical factors have influenced the development and social acceptability of finfish aquaculture across Atlantic Canada. This work can help inform decision-makers towards a sustainable and socially accepted aquaculture industry in Atlantic Canada
MMM Candidate (co-adviced with Jenny Weitzman)
Paul.Kraly@dal.ca
Funding: Ocean Frontier Institute
Paul completed a Master of Marine Science degree at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, in 2018 where he focused on aquaculture and fisheries management looking at sustainable alternatives to pesticide use to help rid farmed salmon of the sea lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis. Paul has since become interested in the interdisciplinary aspect of aquaculture and is now a Master of Marine Management candidate. He will be investigating how historical factors have influenced the development and social acceptability of finfish aquaculture across Atlantic Canada. This work can help inform decision-makers towards a sustainable and socially accepted aquaculture industry in Atlantic Canada
Justin Trueman
MMM Candidate (co-adviced with Lucia Fanning)
jdtrueman@dal.ca
Funding: Ocean Frontier Institute
Justin completed his honours degree in Biology at Mount Allison University working on fish behaviour and physiology. After completing this work, as well as wild Atlantic salmon monitoring efforts with a first nations organization, an interdisciplinary approach to research became appealing. Justin is a current Master of Marine Management candidate investigating the role that transparency has on the social licensing of the aquaculture industry in Norway and in Atlantic Canada. By drawing from the Norwegian perspectives of transparency and their successful and continued expansion of the industry, managers in Atlantic Canada could have a better understanding of how to progress towards an aquaculture industry that achieves social license.
MMM Candidate (co-adviced with Lucia Fanning)
jdtrueman@dal.ca
Funding: Ocean Frontier Institute
Justin completed his honours degree in Biology at Mount Allison University working on fish behaviour and physiology. After completing this work, as well as wild Atlantic salmon monitoring efforts with a first nations organization, an interdisciplinary approach to research became appealing. Justin is a current Master of Marine Management candidate investigating the role that transparency has on the social licensing of the aquaculture industry in Norway and in Atlantic Canada. By drawing from the Norwegian perspectives of transparency and their successful and continued expansion of the industry, managers in Atlantic Canada could have a better understanding of how to progress towards an aquaculture industry that achieves social license.
Keryn Winterburn
Honours Student
keryn.winterburn@dal.ca
Funding: DFO-ACRDP
Keryn is in her final year of a BSc in Marine Biology at Dalhousie University. Keryn’s honours research is focused on observing the effect that sediment type and temperature have on the lethal threshold for oysters under anoxic conditions. This research will help better inform oyster farmers on the effects of anoxic waters.
Honours Student
keryn.winterburn@dal.ca
Funding: DFO-ACRDP
Keryn is in her final year of a BSc in Marine Biology at Dalhousie University. Keryn’s honours research is focused on observing the effect that sediment type and temperature have on the lethal threshold for oysters under anoxic conditions. This research will help better inform oyster farmers on the effects of anoxic waters.
