Cassidy D'Aloia
Assistant Professor | she/her | cdaloia 'at' unb.ca
CV / Google Scholar
Cassidy is a marine molecular ecologist and field biologist. For her PhD, she studied larval dispersal in the Caribbean with Pete Buston at Boston University. During a brief hiatus from the field, she spent her postdoc years learning more about spatial ecology with Marie-Josee Fortin at the University of Toronto and theoretical ecology with Michael Neubert at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Outside of work, you can find Cassidy in the yoga studio, hiking around beautiful New Brunswick, or underwater exploring the Bay of Fundy.
Assistant Professor | she/her | cdaloia 'at' unb.ca
CV / Google Scholar
Cassidy is a marine molecular ecologist and field biologist. For her PhD, she studied larval dispersal in the Caribbean with Pete Buston at Boston University. During a brief hiatus from the field, she spent her postdoc years learning more about spatial ecology with Marie-Josee Fortin at the University of Toronto and theoretical ecology with Michael Neubert at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Outside of work, you can find Cassidy in the yoga studio, hiking around beautiful New Brunswick, or underwater exploring the Bay of Fundy.
Taylor Naaykens
MSc Student | she/her
Taylor is interested in the dispersal of coral reef fishes and the various genetic methods used to investigate those dispersal patterns. She has a background in trophic ecology, with special interest in wolf diet in eastern Manitoba. She has also cultivated broad experience as a field researcher in both wetland and boreal ecology projects and has developed expertise in ungulate hair identification through study of wolf diet. In the lab, she has worked on arctic marine mammal tissues, with experience in fatty acid, hormone, and stable isotope analyses. Taylor is a burgeoning SCUBA enthusiast, and is looking forward to future diving opportunities, both for research and leisure. In her spare time, Taylor enjoys salsa dancing, camping/hiking, and playing board games.
MSc Student | she/her
Taylor is interested in the dispersal of coral reef fishes and the various genetic methods used to investigate those dispersal patterns. She has a background in trophic ecology, with special interest in wolf diet in eastern Manitoba. She has also cultivated broad experience as a field researcher in both wetland and boreal ecology projects and has developed expertise in ungulate hair identification through study of wolf diet. In the lab, she has worked on arctic marine mammal tissues, with experience in fatty acid, hormone, and stable isotope analyses. Taylor is a burgeoning SCUBA enthusiast, and is looking forward to future diving opportunities, both for research and leisure. In her spare time, Taylor enjoys salsa dancing, camping/hiking, and playing board games.
William Sturch
MSc Student | he/him
Will is a field biologist interested in the variables influencing spatial genetic structure and population connectivity of waved whelk (Buccinum undatum). Prior to joining the lab, he studied nocturnal plant-pollinator interactions in the Galápagos with Monika Havelka while completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto. Whether it be hiking, biking, climbing, or kayaking, outside of the office you’ll likely find him enjoying the outdoors or trying new routes at a climbing gym!
MSc Student | he/him
Will is a field biologist interested in the variables influencing spatial genetic structure and population connectivity of waved whelk (Buccinum undatum). Prior to joining the lab, he studied nocturnal plant-pollinator interactions in the Galápagos with Monika Havelka while completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto. Whether it be hiking, biking, climbing, or kayaking, outside of the office you’ll likely find him enjoying the outdoors or trying new routes at a climbing gym!
Emilie Diesbourg
Undergraduate Researcher (NSERC USRA) | she/her
Co-supervised with Kurt Samways
Emilie is a fourth year undergraduate student studying marine biology. For her honours project she is exploring small-scale phenotypic and genetic variation in Atlantic salmon. Emilie also has interests in marine protected areas, animal behaviour, and climate change. Emilie hopes to continue down the path of research in the future. In her spare time, she likes to play volleyball and enjoys nature by exploring different hiking trails.
Undergraduate Researcher (NSERC USRA) | she/her
Co-supervised with Kurt Samways
Emilie is a fourth year undergraduate student studying marine biology. For her honours project she is exploring small-scale phenotypic and genetic variation in Atlantic salmon. Emilie also has interests in marine protected areas, animal behaviour, and climate change. Emilie hopes to continue down the path of research in the future. In her spare time, she likes to play volleyball and enjoys nature by exploring different hiking trails.
Sam Vieira
Undergraduate Researcher | she/her
Sam is a fourth year undergraduate student studying marine biology. She is leading a morphological study of Buccinum undatum throughout the NW Atlantic. Sam is also interested in tropical marine ecology, specifically larval dispersal and conservation of marine fishes and invertebrates. When not analyzing whelk shells, Sam can be found hiking with her camera in attempts to find wildlife and exquisite scenery.
Undergraduate Researcher | she/her
Sam is a fourth year undergraduate student studying marine biology. She is leading a morphological study of Buccinum undatum throughout the NW Atlantic. Sam is also interested in tropical marine ecology, specifically larval dispersal and conservation of marine fishes and invertebrates. When not analyzing whelk shells, Sam can be found hiking with her camera in attempts to find wildlife and exquisite scenery.
Naysa Francis
Undergraduate Researcher | she/her
Naysa is a fourth-year marine biology student from Antigua and Barbuda. Naysa is helping us launch a new dogwhelk population genetic project this summer. In the future, Naysa is interested in studying the effects of climate change on the distribution of seaweed, as well as the sustainable practices to preserve coral reefs under the stress of climate change. She wishes to continue a career in research. During her spare time, Naysa enjoys baking, dancing, singing, playing the piano, and visiting the beach.
Undergraduate Researcher | she/her
Naysa is a fourth-year marine biology student from Antigua and Barbuda. Naysa is helping us launch a new dogwhelk population genetic project this summer. In the future, Naysa is interested in studying the effects of climate change on the distribution of seaweed, as well as the sustainable practices to preserve coral reefs under the stress of climate change. She wishes to continue a career in research. During her spare time, Naysa enjoys baking, dancing, singing, playing the piano, and visiting the beach.
Mj Tiamzon
Undergraduate Researcher | she/her
Mj is a third-year marine biology student from the Philippines. She is co-leading our dogwhelk research this summer with Naysa. Mj's interest lies mainly in coral spawning through assisted reproduction and marine ecosystem restoration. Like her childhood hero–Sylvia Earle, she aspires to contribute to protecting the oceans. If not playing with her adopted cats, she’s sure to be kayaking or windsurfing. And whenever she visits her home country of more than 7,100 islands, you can find her underwater diving, sailing, or surfing.
Undergraduate Researcher | she/her
Mj is a third-year marine biology student from the Philippines. She is co-leading our dogwhelk research this summer with Naysa. Mj's interest lies mainly in coral spawning through assisted reproduction and marine ecosystem restoration. Like her childhood hero–Sylvia Earle, she aspires to contribute to protecting the oceans. If not playing with her adopted cats, she’s sure to be kayaking or windsurfing. And whenever she visits her home country of more than 7,100 islands, you can find her underwater diving, sailing, or surfing.
Alumni:
Jillian Beals - Jill was our first summer research student and did impressive work using genetic assignment tests to study larval dispersal patterns. She is currently pursuing a masters in Environmental Engineering at UNBF.
Jillian Beals - Jill was our first summer research student and did impressive work using genetic assignment tests to study larval dispersal patterns. She is currently pursuing a masters in Environmental Engineering at UNBF.
If you're interested in working in the lab, check out the Join Us page.