On either side of Panama, pairs of “sister" species have been separated by land for about three million years, allowing each to evolve in distinct ecosystems. Today, human-driven climate change threatens both ecosystems, but we still lack a full understanding of which are most at risk and why. My study will explore how these sister species have adapted to their distinct environments, helping us predict which species may be more resilient to climate change based on their genetics. 

Fish are vital players in the intricate food webs of coral reefs, yet we still don’t fully understand how they might adapt to the rapid changes brought by climate change. As resources become scarce, many fish may need to alter their diets to survive, relying on their plasticity—the ability to adjust to new environments. My research in Panama, where unique seasonal upwelling causes natural temperature shifts, provides an ideal setting to study how fish populations respond to these changes. This work will help us understand if plasticity supports adaptation or delays necessary evolution under changing conditions.

Supervised by Brian Hunt, I investigated the effects of salinity on the diversity of the coast of the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. I coordinated field sampling with a CTD and plankton tows at three sites. In the lab, I identified samples of zooplankton in nine classes. I presented data using Matlab and R. While my research focused on zooplankton species distribution, I collaborated with team members studying chemistry, physical data, and phytoplankton samples of the same sites. Together, we were able to construct a well-rounded analysis of the oceanography of the Trevor Channel.

In Mary O'Connor's lab, I worked on the Blue Carbon Project with M.Sc. student Matt Christensen. This project aimed to estimate the carbon sequestered by Canadian seagrass beds. I worked with Christensen to develop a workflow and procedure for stable isotope analysis and quantifying organic and inorganic carbon in sediments. I also prepared sediment samples for stable isotope analysis by sectioning, homogenizing, drying, and encapsulating samples. During the summer field season, I assisted Ph.D. student Keila Stark with the field collection and lab cultures of several amphipod species from eelgrass beds along the BC coast.

In Mary O’Connor’s lab, I worked alongside Kaleigh Davis, a Ph.D. candidate studying the asymmetry of thermal sensitivity in populations of marine phytoplankton species. I maintained healthy cultures of Cyanothece and Tetraselmis under a range of temperatures individually and in competition with one another. I performed flow imaging microscopy, hemocytometry, and nutrient and chlorophyll sampling to assess population growth rates.