Current lab members
PhD Students
Lauren Jarvis
I am fascinated by ecological systems and the roles that climate and other stressors play in shaping food web structure and function. My current research explores how empirical data and ecological theory can aid our understanding of the mechanisms that govern aquatic food web dynamics and predict future change. I am currently studying how fisheries' health is affected by climate change and human development across Ontario, particularly focusing on key predatory fish species with different temperature preferences (e.g. lake trout, walleye and smallmouth bass). It excites me to work on the cusp of environmental research and policy; bridging gaps between science and public knowledge in order to drive more successful conservation initiatives.
I am fascinated by ecological systems and the roles that climate and other stressors play in shaping food web structure and function. My current research explores how empirical data and ecological theory can aid our understanding of the mechanisms that govern aquatic food web dynamics and predict future change. I am currently studying how fisheries' health is affected by climate change and human development across Ontario, particularly focusing on key predatory fish species with different temperature preferences (e.g. lake trout, walleye and smallmouth bass). It excites me to work on the cusp of environmental research and policy; bridging gaps between science and public knowledge in order to drive more successful conservation initiatives.
Timothy Fernandes
My doctoral work focuses on bridging the gaps between fish ecology and physiology across biological and temporal scales. My project aims to identify and compare seasonal patterns in physiology and ecology across cold- and warm-water fish species, while also disentangling how changes to these patterns (as expected under a changing climate) may translate to divergent life history and productivity outcomes. Outside of research, I enjoy casting a line, swimming in cold lakes, and sleeping in small tents.
Twitter: @a_fishy_fern, Website: https://timothyfernandes.wordpress.com/
My doctoral work focuses on bridging the gaps between fish ecology and physiology across biological and temporal scales. My project aims to identify and compare seasonal patterns in physiology and ecology across cold- and warm-water fish species, while also disentangling how changes to these patterns (as expected under a changing climate) may translate to divergent life history and productivity outcomes. Outside of research, I enjoy casting a line, swimming in cold lakes, and sleeping in small tents.
Twitter: @a_fishy_fern, Website: https://timothyfernandes.wordpress.com/
MSc students
Amy Dao
I started my M.Sc. in the McMeans lab in September 2019. I’m interested in how seasonal changes (like temperature and light) influence the gut size of freshwater fish. In addition, I will also look at how these seasonal changes affect lipid and protein cycling in fish muscle and liver tissues. My work looks at two fish species (Lake Trout and Small Mouth Bass) in two different Lakes (Lake Of Two Rivers and Lake Opeongo).
I started my M.Sc. in the McMeans lab in September 2019. I’m interested in how seasonal changes (like temperature and light) influence the gut size of freshwater fish. In addition, I will also look at how these seasonal changes affect lipid and protein cycling in fish muscle and liver tissues. My work looks at two fish species (Lake Trout and Small Mouth Bass) in two different Lakes (Lake Of Two Rivers and Lake Opeongo).
Evan Versteeg
I am enamoured with all things related to the fields of ecology and evolution. As a master’s student I am trying to glimpse into the complex relationships between habitat, behaviour, and physiology. One of my main goals is to understand how the shifting behaviour of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) throughout the seasons might influence the shape and structure of their brains. This stems from a broader question of mine related to energy allocations within an individual organism: If the life of an organism consists of a balance of energy inputs and outputs, then how might individuals that experience drastic seasonal changes in their environment adapt their energy pathways in order to be optimally suited for a particular season. I hope that by understanding the internal flexibility of individuals as they are exposed different environmental scenarios, we can better understand and predict how well they will manage changes at the population, community, and ecosystem level.
I am enamoured with all things related to the fields of ecology and evolution. As a master’s student I am trying to glimpse into the complex relationships between habitat, behaviour, and physiology. One of my main goals is to understand how the shifting behaviour of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) throughout the seasons might influence the shape and structure of their brains. This stems from a broader question of mine related to energy allocations within an individual organism: If the life of an organism consists of a balance of energy inputs and outputs, then how might individuals that experience drastic seasonal changes in their environment adapt their energy pathways in order to be optimally suited for a particular season. I hope that by understanding the internal flexibility of individuals as they are exposed different environmental scenarios, we can better understand and predict how well they will manage changes at the population, community, and ecosystem level.
Emma Bloomfield
I am currently investigating the effects of seasonality on ecological interactions between lake trout and smallmouth bass. The main tools I use to uncover seasonal interactions are stable isotopes as biological tracers. Understanding current seasonal interactions will aid in predicting the impacts of shorter winters due to climate change. This research is in collaboration with Harkness Laboratory of Fisheries Research in Algonquin Park, where I worked as a Student Aquatic Biologist for two summers. Broadly, I am interested in mitigating the impacts of anthropogenic stressors on aquatic ecosystems.
I am currently investigating the effects of seasonality on ecological interactions between lake trout and smallmouth bass. The main tools I use to uncover seasonal interactions are stable isotopes as biological tracers. Understanding current seasonal interactions will aid in predicting the impacts of shorter winters due to climate change. This research is in collaboration with Harkness Laboratory of Fisheries Research in Algonquin Park, where I worked as a Student Aquatic Biologist for two summers. Broadly, I am interested in mitigating the impacts of anthropogenic stressors on aquatic ecosystems.
Past lab members
Sydney Wilkinson
Sydney was an MSc student in the McMeans lab from 2018-2020. Sydney’s thesis was titled “Investigating pathways of energy transfer in freshwater food webs” and her project focused on using lipid biomarkers (i.e. highly branched isoprenoids and fatty acids) to detect changes in carbon flow through seasons in freshwater systems. Sydney is now a PhD student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks under the supervision of Dr. Katrin Iken.
Sydney was an MSc student in the McMeans lab from 2018-2020. Sydney’s thesis was titled “Investigating pathways of energy transfer in freshwater food webs” and her project focused on using lipid biomarkers (i.e. highly branched isoprenoids and fatty acids) to detect changes in carbon flow through seasons in freshwater systems. Sydney is now a PhD student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks under the supervision of Dr. Katrin Iken.