Ramón Filgueira
Associate 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.
Associate 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.
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 (Biology)
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 (Biology)
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 (Oceanography) (co-adviced with Jon Grant)
Meredith.Burke@dal.ca
Funding: NSERC, 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 (Oceanography) (co-adviced with Jon Grant)
Meredith.Burke@dal.ca
Funding: NSERC, 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.
Shelby Clarke
PhD Candidate (Biology)
Shelby.Clarke@dal.ca
Funding: NSERC
Shelby completed her B.Sc.H in Biology at Queen’s University, and then pursued a M.Sc in Biology at McGill University. Shelby’s Master research focused on the impacts of hypoxia and the Nile perch introduction on the ecophysiology and community dynamics of rare fishes in the Lake Victoria Basin, Uganda, with a special emphasis on mormyrid weakly electric fishes. Upon completion of her M.Sc. she became a research assistant at McGill where she investigated the micronutrient content of various fish stocks in Uganda to help develop enriched food products that will tackle nutritional deficiencies and food security issues throughout East Africa. With a deeply rooted passion for food security and aquatic conservation, Shelby is excited to start her PhD in Biology studying marine bivalves.
PhD Candidate (Biology)
Shelby.Clarke@dal.ca
Funding: NSERC
Shelby completed her B.Sc.H in Biology at Queen’s University, and then pursued a M.Sc in Biology at McGill University. Shelby’s Master research focused on the impacts of hypoxia and the Nile perch introduction on the ecophysiology and community dynamics of rare fishes in the Lake Victoria Basin, Uganda, with a special emphasis on mormyrid weakly electric fishes. Upon completion of her M.Sc. she became a research assistant at McGill where she investigated the micronutrient content of various fish stocks in Uganda to help develop enriched food products that will tackle nutritional deficiencies and food security issues throughout East Africa. With a deeply rooted passion for food security and aquatic conservation, Shelby is excited to start her PhD in Biology studying marine bivalves.
Keryn Winterburn
MSc Candidate (Biology)
Keryn.Winterburn@dal.ca
Funding: Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada
Keryn is continuing her Honours Research on the effects of hypoxia and anoxia on bivalve physiology.. This research will help better inform bivalve farmers on the effects of hypoxia and anoxia as well as managers on the effects of nutrient loading on estuarine conditions.
MSc Candidate (Biology)
Keryn.Winterburn@dal.ca
Funding: Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada
Keryn is continuing her Honours Research on the effects of hypoxia and anoxia on bivalve physiology.. This research will help better inform bivalve farmers on the effects of hypoxia and anoxia as well as managers on the effects of nutrient loading on estuarine conditions.
Jasmine Talevi
MSc Candidate (Biology)
Jasmine.Talevi@dal.ca
Funding: Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada
Jasmine earned her BScH in Marine and Freshwater Biology from the University of Guelph. During her time at Guelph, Jasmine completed an honours research project with Dr. Patricia A. Wright studying the changes in behaviour and physiology of amphibious fish across ontogeny. For her Masters, she will be studying how anthropogenic eutrophication impacts marine bivalves.
MSc Candidate (Biology)
Jasmine.Talevi@dal.ca
Funding: Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada
Jasmine earned her BScH in Marine and Freshwater Biology from the University of Guelph. During her time at Guelph, Jasmine completed an honours research project with Dr. Patricia A. Wright studying the changes in behaviour and physiology of amphibious fish across ontogeny. For her Masters, she will be studying how anthropogenic eutrophication impacts marine bivalves.
James Cunningham
MSc Candidate (Oceanography)
JamesCunninham@dal.ca
Funding: Mitacs
James has earned his BSc in Oceanography from Dalhousie University. During his undergraduate studies, James has worked for the Centre for Marine Applied Research (CMAR) on a number of projects in the aquaculture and fisheries sectors. His Master's research will focus on the temporal and spatial patterns of oyster spat settlement along Nova Scotia's 'North shore.' The patterns of temperature, food availability, and other environmental conditions will be analyzed and compared to the patterns of spat settlement.
MSc Candidate (Oceanography)
JamesCunninham@dal.ca
Funding: Mitacs
James has earned his BSc in Oceanography from Dalhousie University. During his undergraduate studies, James has worked for the Centre for Marine Applied Research (CMAR) on a number of projects in the aquaculture and fisheries sectors. His Master's research will focus on the temporal and spatial patterns of oyster spat settlement along Nova Scotia's 'North shore.' The patterns of temperature, food availability, and other environmental conditions will be analyzed and compared to the patterns of spat settlement.
Calum Blackwood
Honours student 2021 (Biology) (co-adviced with Laura Steeves)
cl944944@dal.ca
I am in my final year of my undergraduate studies at Dalhousie University where I am majoring in Marine Biology and Biomolecular Chemistry. I began work in aquaculture research after receiving a summer research scholarship and am now continuing this work for my honour’s thesis. My research is focused on bivalve physiology. Currently, we are comparing the physiology of blue mussels taken from different locations in PEI.
Honours student 2021 (Biology) (co-adviced with Laura Steeves)
cl944944@dal.ca
I am in my final year of my undergraduate studies at Dalhousie University where I am majoring in Marine Biology and Biomolecular Chemistry. I began work in aquaculture research after receiving a summer research scholarship and am now continuing this work for my honour’s thesis. My research is focused on bivalve physiology. Currently, we are comparing the physiology of blue mussels taken from different locations in PEI.
