Department of Forest & Conservation Sciences · Vancouver, BC

Conservation science for aquatic ecosystems in the face of anthropogenic stressors

Produced in close partnership with Indigenous communities, governments, and the people who depend on healthy waters.

Our Approach

How we work

Our lab is grounded in three core principles that guide everything from fieldwork design to knowledge translation and policy engagement.

Knowledge Co-production

We engage partners — First Nations, government agencies, watershed groups — as collaborators from project conception through to final outputs, ensuring research is grounded in local context and genuinely useful for those who need it most.

Integrative Science

We combine field ecology, movement ecology, physiology, and evidence synthesis to develop comprehensive understanding of aquatic systems across spatial and temporal scales.

Solution Oriented

Every project is designed with conservation outcomes in mind. We translate ecological findings into policies, stewardship plans, and recovery strategies that make a measurable difference for biodiversity — not just in BC, but globally.

From the lab

Atlantic mackerel tagging fieldwork on the west coast of Newfoundland

July 2026

Update from the field: nearly 1,000 Atlantic mackerel tagged this summer

We have tagged almost 1,000 Atlantic mackerel this summer, most recently on the west coast of Newfoundland, using temperature and acceleration tags to study thermal habitat use and activity — work led by PhD student Ava Sergio.

Read the latest news

Research Programs

What we study

Our research spans aquatic ecosystem types and species, from coastal BC to Atlantic Canada, reflecting our commitment to applied conservation science at multiple scales.

01

White Sturgeon Habitat Use

Using acoustic telemetry to characterize habitat use and movement patterns of white sturgeon in the Fraser River, informing recovery planning for this at-risk species.

In collaboration with the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance

TelemetryFraser RiverSpecies at Risk

02

Eulachon Migration & Predation

Investigating the migration timing and predation dynamics of eulachon in the Fraser River using acoustic telemetry, supporting management of this culturally and ecologically important forage fish.

In collaboration with the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance

TelemetryForage FishMigration

03

Atlantic Mackerel & Fisheries Management

Integrating movement ecology with sustainable fisheries management by tracking Atlantic mackerel, helping bridge the gap between fish behaviour and harvest policy for this commercially important species.

In collaboration with DFO and the Ocean Tracking Network

Movement EcologyFisheriesAtlantic Canada

04

Burbot Recovery — Upper Kootenay

Tracking burbot movement and identifying critical habitat in the Upper Kootenay River system to support recovery of this species at risk across its range.

In collaboration with the Ktunaxa Nation and the BC Ministry of Water, Lands and Resource Stewardship

Recovery PlanningCritical HabitatIndigenous Partnership

05

Wildfire Impacts on Aquatic Ecosystems

Examining how wildfire affects aquatic systems across multiple dimensions — fish physiology, community composition, and physical habitat — as fire disturbance intensifies with climate change across BC.

WildfireFish PhysiologyCommunity EcologyDisturbance

06

Evidence Synthesis for Biodiversity Conservation

Conducting systematic reviews and evidence syntheses to bridge the knowledge–action gap in biodiversity conservation, synthesizing the best available science for decision-makers worldwide.

Evidence SynthesisGlobalKnowledge–Action Gap

With Gratitude

Funders & partners

Our research is made possible by the support of funders, government agencies, Indigenous Nations, and partner organizations who share our commitment to aquatic conservation.

Publications

Peer-reviewed work

Full citation metrics and PDFs are available on Google Scholar ↗. Lab members are underlined.

2026

Cooke, S.J., Lynch, A.J., Tickner, D., Abell, R., Piczak, M.L., Arthington, A.H., et al. (2026). A roadmap for implementing the emergency recovery plan for freshwater biodiversity. Environmental Reviews 34, 1-7.

Hlina, B.L., Rous, A.M., Piczak, M.L., Midwood, J.D., Brownscombe, J.W., et al. (2026). Seasonal effects on the acceleration of largemouth bass and Northern Pike in Toronto harbour. Animal Biotelemetry.

Hanssen, E.M., Lennox, R.J., Vollset, K.W., Velle, G., van Dijk, J., Sortland, L.K., et al. (2026). Navigating challenges and opportunities in predator rewilding: perspectives from the recolonization of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) in Norway. Global Ecology and Conservation, e04066.

Bergman, J.N., Robichaud, J.A., McCutcheon, J., Booth, M.T., Campbell, B., et al. (2026). A Conceptual Framework and Methods for Studying the Connectivity of Fishes. Fish and Fisheries.

Kessel, S.T., Auger‐Méthé, M., Barbosa Martins, A.P., Cooke, S.J., Fisk, A.T., et al. (2026). Global distribution of aquatic animal telemetry effort reveals geographic biases and opportunities for more inclusive tracking studies. Conservation Science and Practice, e70314.

Algera, D.A., Piczak, M.L., Currie, W.J.S., Fahrig, L., Ricciardi, A., Rytwinski, T., et al. (2026). Consequences of roads and traffic-related stressors on freshwater biodiversity. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 83, 1-28.

Piczak, M.L., Sergio, A.J.A., Brown, C.R., Birch, W.S., Flitcroft, R.L., Krawchuk, M.A., et al. (2026). The Integration of Fire Ecology and Freshwater Ecosystems in North America: Knowledge Gaps and Research Needs. Global Change Biology 32 (6), e70945.

Lennox, R.J., Sergio, A.J.A., Roland, J.B., Mastrodimitropoulos, P.M.B., et al. (2026). Do invasive Brown Trout threaten Atlantic Salmon in North America?. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 46 (2), 287-299.

Currie, H.A.L., Kirkwood, A.E., Imhof, J.G., Piczak, M.L., Creed, I.F., Lapointe, N.W.R., et al. (2026). Urban planning to support the conservation of freshwater biodiversity. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 1-41.

Thompson, P.R., Bjordal, M., Piczak, M.L., Otto, S.P. (2026). The changing status of imperilled species in British Columbia. FACETS 11, 1-14.

Brown, C.R., Piczak, M.L., Van Beveren, E., Batt, J., Lennox, R.J. (2026). Surgical tagging of Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus): electroanaesthesia and survival in captivity and the field. Journal of Fish Biology.

Notman‐Grobler, O.D.P., Roland, J., Oakes, K., Piczak, M.L., Lennox, R.J. (2026). Biogeography of Atlantic Salmon in the Cape Breton Highlands, Canada. Fisheries Management and Ecology.

2025

Lennox, R.J., Mastrodimitropoulos, P.M.B., Flávio, H., Cyr, K., Deng, Z.D., et al. (2025). How small can they go? Microelectronic tags for movement ecology of small aquatic organisms. Fisheries 50 (5), 209-218.

Lennox, R.J., Birnie‐Gauvin, K., Bate, C., Cooke, S.J., Haraldstad, T., Berhe, S., et al. (2025). Marine Fish Passage—Underappreciated Threats to Connectivity Within the Marine Environment. Marine Ecology 46 (1), e12859.

Griffin, L.P., Danylchuk, A.J., Casselberry, G.A., Brownscombe, J.W., et al. (2025). Habitat management and restoration as missing pieces in flats ecosystems conservation and the fishes and fisheries that they support. Fisheries 50 (7), 287-300.

Brown, C.R., Sergio, A.J.A., Bate, C.S., Koopman, N., Roland, J.B., et al. (2025). A review of migratory Alosidae marine ecology in the northwest Atlantic. Journal of Fish Biology 106 (3), 677-695.

Lynch, A.J., Bartley, D., Beard Jr, T.D., Borba, G., Cooke, S.J., Cowx, I.G., Elliott, V., et al. (2025). Opportunities to better integrate inland fish and fisheries in multilateral environmental agreements. Environmental Science & Policy 171, 104089.

Arseneault-Deraps, C., Davis, R., MacLeod, M.E.C., Wilson, E., Aubrey, B., et al. (2025). Best practices for producing actionable knowledge to inform fisheries management and conservation. Environmental Biology of Fishes 108 (12), 2143-2159.

Piczak, M.L., Rudstam, L.G., Collingsworth, P.D., Currie, W.J.S., Hoffman, J.C., et al. (2025). Harmful algal bloom effects on fish habitat use and community structure in western Lake Erie. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 28 (1), 34-50.

Piczak, M.L., Lennox, R.J., Vollset, K.W., Preiszner, B., Erős, T., Bulté, G., et al. (2025). On the underappreciated role of scavengers in freshwater ecosystems. Bioscience 75 (6), 436-447.

Jac, R., Piczak, M.L., Van Beveren, E., Boldt, J.L., Brosset, P., Burbank, J., et al. (2025). Tracking the schools: a review of approaches to address knowledge gaps in the migratory ecology and habitat use of Canadian forage fishes. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 35 (3), 1751-1780.

Robichaud, J.A., Haley, A.L., LaRochelle, L., Russo, J.D., Zhang, J., et al. (2025). Global trends in aquatic animal satellite telemetry studies. Environmental Reviews 33, 1-19.

Piczak, M.L., Sergio, A.J.A., Lennox, R.J., Theysmeyer, T., Bowman, J.E., et al. (2025). Climate Change Impacts on the Phenology of Laurentian Great Lakes Fishes. Global Change Biology 31 (8), e70436.

Ludsin, S.A., Collingsworth, P.D., Currie, W.J.S., Hoffman, J.C., Munawar, M., et al. (2025). Harmful algal bloom impacts on foodweb structure in western Lake Erie. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 28 (1), 5-33.

Cooke, S.J., Silva, L.G.M., Harby, A., Bao, J., Enders, E.C., Boavida, I., Duan, M., et al. (2025). The role of ecohydraulics in addressing the freshwater biodiversity crisis. Water Biology and Security, 100475.

Midwood, J.D., Blair, S.G., Boston, C.M., van der Lee, A.S., Piczak, M.L. (2025). Comparison of fish community metrics between natural and modified open coast shorelines in Lake Ontario. Journal of Great Lakes Research 51 (2), 102513.

Piczak, M.L., Arseneault-Deraps, C., Shakoor, A., Stratton, G., Marty, J., et al. (2025). Making aquatic sciences more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible: Perspectives on how individuals can take action in their professional practice. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 102666.

Piczak, M.L., Wilson, B.M., Bergeron, H., Black, M., Hawkes, J.P., Hardie, D.C., et al. (2025). Movement ecology of postspawning Alewife. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 154 (5), 572-584.

2024

Cooke, S.J., Piczak, M.L., Singh, N.J., Åkesson, S., Ford, A.T., Chowdhury, S., et al. (2024). Animal migration in the Anthropocene: threats and mitigation options. Biological Reviews 99 (4), 1242-1260.

Robichaud, J.A., Piczak, M.L., LaRochelle, L., Reid, J.L., Chhor, A.D., Holder, P.E., et al. (2024). Interactive effects of fish handling and water temperature on reflex impairment of angled rainbow trout. Fisheries Research 274, 106993.

Piczak, M.L., Berhe, S., Knag, A.C., Lennox, R.J., Vollset, K.W., Portiss, R., et al. (2024). Evaluating ecological restoration in urban ecosystems with acoustic telemetry: marine and freshwater case studies. Urban Ecosystems 27 (6), 2135-2150.

Piczak, M.L., Robichaud, J.A., Morrison, P., Rous, A.M., Mulder, I.M., Hill, C.J., et al. (2024). Structured decision making remains underused in ecological restoration despite opportunities. Environment Systems and Decisions 44 (1), 1-15.

Piczak, M., Theis, S., Portiss, R., Ruppert, L.W., Midwood, J., Cooke, S. (2024). Evaluating the efficacy of ecological restoration of fish habitat in coastal waters of Lake Ontario. Science of the Total Environment, 176088.

Piczak, M.L., Binder, T.R., Cooke, S.J. (2024). The biology of fish migration. Encyclopedia of Fish Physiology (Second Edition), 654-663.

Bower, S.D., Jeanson, A., Robichaud, J.A., Piczak, M.L., Young, N., Clarke, A., et al. (2024). Predicting differences in angler beliefs, threat perceptions, and actions in British Columbia's rainbow trout and steelhead fisheries. Environmental Challenges 15, 100868.

Piczak, M.L. (2024). Advancing restoration ecology for freshwater fish habitat of the Laurentian Great Lakes. Carleton University.

2023

Piczak, M.L., Perry, D., Cooke, S.J., Harrison, I., Benitez, S., Koning, A., Peng, L., et al. (2023). Protecting and restoring habitats to benefit freshwater biodiversity. Environmental Reviews 32 (3), 438-456.

Haley, A.L., Lemieux, T.A., Piczak, M.L., Karau, S., D'Addario, A., Irvine, R.L., et al. (2023). On the effectiveness of public awareness campaigns for the management of invasive species. Environmental Conservation 50 (4), 202-211.

Cooke, S.J., Auld, H.L., Birnie-Gauvin, K., Elvidge, C.K., Piczak, M.L., et al. (2023). On the relevance of animal behavior to the management and conservation of fishes and fisheries. Environmental Biology of Fishes 106 (5), 785-810.

Cooke, S.J., Piczak, M.L., Nyboer, E.A., Michalski, F., Bennett, A., Koning, A.A., et al. (2023). Managing exploitation of freshwater species and aggregates to protect and restore freshwater biodiversity. Environmental Reviews 32 (3), 414-437.

Piczak, M.L., Bzonek, P.A., Pratt, T.C., Sorensen, P.W., Stuart, I.G., Theÿsmeÿer, T., et al. (2023). Controlling common carp (Cyprinus carpio): barriers, biological traits, and selective fragmentation. Biological Invasions 25 (5), 1317-1338.

Ednie, G., Kapoor, T., Koppel, O., Piczak, M.L., Reid, J.L., Murdoch, A.D., Cook, C.N., et al. (2023). Foresight science in conservation: Tools, barriers, and mainstreaming opportunities. Ambio 52 (2), 411-424.

Cooke, S.J., Piczak, M.L., Vermaire, J.C., Kirkwood, A.E. (2023). On the troubling use of plastic 'habitat' structures for fish in freshwater ecosystems – or – when restoration is just littering. Facets 8 (1), 1-19.

Piczak, M.L., Brooks, J.L., Boston, C., Doka, S.E., Portiss, R., Lapointe, N.W.R., et al. (2023). Spatial ecology of non-native common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Lake Ontario with implications for management. Aquatic Sciences 85 (1), 20.

Etherington, B.S., Piczak, M.L., LaRochelle, L., Gallagher, A.J., Cooke, S.J. (2023). Effects of anthropogenic activities on scavenger communities in freshwater riparian zones of eastern Ontario, Canada. Aquatic Ecology 57 (1), 115-125.

Piczak, M.L., Theÿsmeÿer, T., Doka, S.E., Midwood, J.D., Cooke, S.J. (2023). Knowledge of spawning phenology may enhance selective barrier passage for wetland fishes. Wetlands 43 (6), 72.

Larocque, S.M., Piczak, M.L., Turner, N.A., Boston, C.M., Midwood, J.D. (2023). Mark-recapture Population Estimates of Piscivores in Hamilton Harbour, Area of Concern. Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Piczak, M., Cooke, S., Adams, A., Griffin, L., Danylchuk, A., Brownscombe, J. (2023). Permit (Trachinotus falcatus) fishing quality and conservation threats in the Florida Keys: A recreational angler and fishing guide survey. Gulf and Caribbean Research 34, 1-12.

Fitzpatrick, M.A.J., Bowen, K.L., Niblock, H.A., Piczak, M., Munawar, M., et al. (2023). Assessment of Beneficial Use Impairment #13, degradation of phytoplankton and zooplankton populations, in the Canadian Waters of the Detroit River Area of Concern. Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.

Piczak, M.L., Cooke, S., Midwood, J.D. (2023). Towards effective ecological restoration: Knowledge co-production with Aquatic Habitat Toronto. IAGLR's 66th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research.

2022

Cooke, S.J., Bergman, J.N., Twardek, W.M., Piczak, M.L., Casselberry, G.A., et al. (2022). The movement ecology of fishes. Journal of Fish Biology 101 (4), 756-779.

Cooke, S.J., Frempong‐Manso, A., Piczak, M.L., Karathanou, E., Clavijo, C., et al. (2022). A freshwater perspective on the United Nations decade for ecosystem restoration. Conservation Science and Practice 4 (11), e12787.

Piczak, M.L., Anderton, R., Cartwright, L.A., Little, D., MacPherson, G., Matos, L., et al. (2022). Towards effective ecological restoration: Investigating knowledge co‐production on fish–habitat relationships with Aquatic Habitat Toronto. Ecological Solutions and Evidence 3 (4), e12187.

Piczak, M.L., Kadykalo, A.N., Cooke, S.J., Young, N. (2022). Natural resource managers use and value western-based science, but barriers to access persist. Environmental Management 69 (1), 17-30.

Piczak, M.L., Brooks, J.L., Bard, B., Bihun, C.J., Howarth, A., Jeanson, A.L., et al. (2022). Revisiting the challenge: perspectives on Canada's freshwater fisheries policies three decades after the Pearse Report. Facets.

2021

Cooke, S.J., Soroye, P., Brooks, J.L., Clarke, J., Jeanson, A.L., Berberi, A., et al. (2021). Ten considerations for conservation policy makers for the post-COVID-19 transition. Environmental Reviews 29 (2), 111-118.

2019

Piczak, M.L., Markle, C.E., Chow-Fraser, P. (2019). Decades of Road Mortality Cause Severe Decline in a Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) Population from an Urbanized Wetland. Chelonian Conservation and Biology.

McKenzie, C.M., Piczak, M.L., Snyman, H.N., Joseph, T., Theijin, C., et al. (2019). First report of ranavirus mortality in a common snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 132, 221-227.

Piczak, M.L., Chow-Fraser, P. (2019). Assessment of critical habitat for common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) in an urbanized coastal wetland. Urban Ecosystems 22 (3), 525-537.

2018

Piczak, M. (2018). Using Spatial Approaches to Examine Threats Facing Common Snapping Turtles (Chelydra Serpentina) in the Urbanized Cootes Paradise Marsh, Lake Ontario.

Principal Investigator

Dr. Morgan Piczak

Assistant Professor, Department of Forest & Conservation Sciences
Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, University of British Columbia

Room 3601, Forestry Sciences Centre · 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver BC · morgan.piczak [at] ubc.ca

Google Scholar UBC Profile LinkedIn

Morgan holding a snapping turtle in the field

2016–2018

MSc Biology · McMaster University

Morgan's master's research focused on the ecology and conservation of snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) in the wetlands of southern Ontario. Using radio telemetry and mark-recapture, she tracked movement, habitat use, and population dynamics in Cootes Paradise — a recovering urban wetland adjacent to Hamilton Harbour. This work involved close collaboration with the Royal Botanical Gardens and led to the first confirmed detection of ranavirus in a Canadian turtle population, generating early media attention and Morgan's first experience translating research for public audiences.

Morgan with DFO Great Lakes Lab colleagues

2018–2020

Research Technician · Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

After her MSc, Morgan worked as a Research Technician at DFO's Great Lakes Lab in Burlington, Ontario. She contributed to studies of fish habitat use in Lake Ontario and the ecological impacts of harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie. This role deepened her expertise in acoustic telemetry, large-scale field ecology, and applied fisheries science — and cemented her interest in using movement ecology to address conservation challenges at the interface of science and management.

Morgan during PhD fieldwork holding a smallmouth bass

2020–2024

PhD Biology · Carleton University & Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Morgan's doctoral research examined the movement ecology of freshwater fishes in relation to invasive species and ecological restoration in urban aquatic systems, jointly affiliated with Carleton University and DFO's Great Lakes Lab. Her PhD included a research visit to NORCE Research in Bergen, Norway, where she worked alongside Norwegian scientists on acoustic telemetry studies of Atlantic salmon and Atlantic cod — broadening her perspective to marine and anadromous species and sharpening her integrative approach to aquatic conservation. Her PhD was supported by an NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship — Doctoral (PGS-D).

Morgan tagging a mackerel at a waterfront dock with an Ocean Tracking Network hat

2024–2025

Postdoctoral Fellow · Dalhousie University
Liber Ero Fellow & NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow
In collaboration with DFO and the Ocean Tracking Network

As a Liber Ero Fellow and NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow at Dalhousie University, Morgan led research on the movement ecology and fisheries management of Atlantic mackerel — a commercially important species facing steep population declines. Working with DFO and the Ocean Tracking Network, she helped develop acoustic telemetry-based approaches to understand mackerel migration and inform sustainable harvest strategies, while deepening her commitment to co-producing knowledge with fisheries managers and coastal communities.

Current Position

2026–Current

Assistant Professor · UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship
Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences

Morgan joined UBC in 2026, where she established the Aquatic Conservation Lab. Her research program focuses on conservation science for aquatic ecosystems in the face of anthropogenic stressors — including habitat degradation, invasive species, climate change, and wildfire. She works across aquatic ecosystem types and species, from coastal BC to Atlantic Canada, always in close partnership with Indigenous communities, government agencies, and other knowledge holders.

Opportunities in the lab →

Morgan Piczak in the field, wearing an OTN bucket hat

Our Team

Lab Members

Current Members

Madison Earhart

Postdoctoral Fellow

A Liber Ero fellow assessing white sturgeon population stressors across BC using novel molecular tools and community science to inform conservation management.

View profile →

Ava Sergio

PhD Student

Focused on the movement ecology and management of the collapsed Northwest Atlantic mackerel stock. Ava's research bridges acoustic telemetry and fisheries science to support sustainable harvest decisions.

View profile →

Oscar Notman-Grobler

MSc Student

Assessing juvenile White Sturgeon movements, habitat use, and early-life feeding in the lower Fraser River using acoustic telemetry.

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Anders Hoffman

MSc Student

Bio coming soon. Anders joined the Aquatic Conservation Lab in 2026.

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Kasper Giesbrecht

Undergraduate Thesis Student

Examining the physiological performance and thermal tolerance of coho and Chinook salmon parr in wildfire-affected streams.

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Rebecca McCracken

Undergraduate Thesis Student

Investigating the frequency, duration, and environmental drivers of ocean entry by White Sturgeon along the Pacific coast.

Bio coming soon. Sage joined the Aquatic Conservation Lab in 2026.

Bio coming soon. Catherine joined the Aquatic Conservation Lab in 2026.

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Previous Members

Isabelle Roth

Alumna

Bio coming soon. Isabelle is a former member of the Aquatic Conservation Lab.

View profile →

Interested in joining?

We are actively recruiting MSc and PhD students and welcome enquiries from prospective postdoctoral fellows and undergraduate researchers.

Media & Outreach

Media contributions

UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship

Feature 2026

In the Spotlight: Morgan Piczak

UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship

Interview 2026

BC Going Backwards on Ecosystem Protections

The Tyee

CBC News · Coverage of Thompson, Bjordal, Piczak & Otto (2026) in <em>FACETS</em>

Interview 2026

Few improvements for BC's endangered wildlife over 15 years

CBC News · Coverage of Thompson, Bjordal, Piczak & Otto (2026) in FACETS

Op-ed 2026

New research finds few improvements for British Columbia's endangered wildlife

The Conversation

Op-ed 2025

Ontario's Environment Is Not For Sale

The Hamilton Spectator

Op-ed 2024

Environmental impact reviews should take a more regional perspective

Policy Options · IRPP

Podcast 2023

Snapping turtles, freshwater conservation, and salmon in Norway

The Fisheries Podcast

Feature 2018

Understanding and preserving some of Canada's most delicate aquatic ecosystems

McMaster University · Brighter World

Interview 2018

Virus contributing to 'mass mortality' in reptiles confirmed in Canadian turtle for first time

CBC News

Interview 2018

New virus in Cootes Paradise marsh could be trouble for turtles

The Hamilton Spectator

Interview 2017

Mac researchers keep up with local snapping turtles

The Hamilton Spectator

Lab News

Latest updates

July 2026

Update from the field: nearly 1,000 Atlantic mackerel tagged this summer

Exciting update from the field! This summer we have tagged almost 1,000 Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), with our most recent trip taking us to the west coast of Newfoundland. Each fish carries a tag that records both temperature and acceleration, letting us understand how mackerel use their thermal habitat and how active they are as they move through it.

This work is led by PhD student Ava Sergio, who has been on the water leading the tagging effort. Huge thanks to Ava and the whole field crew for the long days that made this milestone possible!

White sturgeon tracking fieldwork on the Lower Fraser River

July 2026

White sturgeon (skwo:wech) tracking project underway on the Fraser River

Exciting update from the Fraser River — our white sturgeon (skwo:wech) tracking project is officially underway! Over the past weeks we have deployed an array of acoustic receivers throughout the Lower Fraser and tagged 13 fish so far. Each tagged sturgeon helps us understand how these ancient, imperilled animals move through the river, where they go, and which habitats matter most to them across seasons.

This is a collaboration with the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance (LFFA) and its member First Nations, led on the ground by MSc student Oscar Notman-Grobler, who has put in serious hours getting receivers in the water and fish safely tagged. Huge thanks to LFFA, our field crew, and everyone making this work possible!

June 2026

The lab is now on Instagram

We're officially on Instagram! Follow along for field updates, fish photos, and behind-the-scenes looks at life in the lab and out on the water. Come say hello and follow our research in real time.

Follow @piczaklab_ubc

Graphical abstract: integration of fire ecology and freshwater ecosystems

June 2026

New paper in Global Change Biology (open access)

"The Integration of Fire Ecology and Freshwater Ecosystems in North America: Knowledge Gaps and Research Needs." Wildfires are getting more frequent, longer, and more severe across North America. We know far more about how fire reshapes terrestrial systems than freshwater ones — streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and peatlands remain surprisingly understudied and fragmented, even as freshwater biodiversity declines faster than in marine or terrestrial systems.

Our review synthesizes the empirical literature and lays out seven priority knowledge gaps: species and community responses, physical and habitat structure change, physicochemical change, fire-informed restoration, building ecosystem resilience, cumulative and cross-scale impacts, and climate change interactions.

We also point to ways forward — long-term and standardized monitoring, recognizing the role of cultural and prescribed burns, meaningful knowledge co-production with Indigenous Nations and Peoples, and bridging the long-standing divide between fire ecology and freshwater science.

Read the paper (open access)

Join the Lab

Opportunities

We are a growing lab and welcome motivated students and collaborators who are passionate about aquatic conservation. We value curiosity, rigour, and a commitment to research that matters beyond the lab.

Graduate Students (MSc & PhD)

We are actively recruiting. Ideal candidates have a background in ecology or a related field and a strong interest in movement ecology, aquatic conservation, or wildfire–aquatic ecosystem interactions. Experience with fieldwork or quantitative methods is an asset. We work together to craft competitive NSERC applications. Students apply through the UBC Faculty of Forestry graduate program ↗.

Postdoctoral Fellows

We welcome enquiries from prospective postdocs interested in aquatic conservation and movement ecology. We actively support fellows in applying for independent funding including NSERC PDF, Killam Postdoctoral, and Liber Ero fellowships.

Undergraduate Researchers

Enthusiastic undergraduates are welcome to get involved through volunteer positions, directed studies, or UBC Work Learn ↗ and NSERC USRA ↗ opportunities. If you are interested, reach out with a brief note about your background and what draws you to aquatic conservation.

Collaborators & Partners

We welcome partnerships with Indigenous communities, government agencies, NGOs, and other researchers. Our work is built on co-production and we are always interested in applied projects that benefit aquatic biodiversity and the people who depend on it.

How to apply

Send an email with your CV, a statement of interest describing why you want to join the lab and how your goals align with our research, a summary of your relevant experience, and unofficial transcripts.

Email: morgan.piczak [at] ubc.ca

Room 3601, Forestry Sciences Centre · 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver BC

UBC Faculty Profile ↗

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← Back to Lab Members

Postdoctoral Fellow

Madison Earhart

A Liber Ero fellow assessing White Sturgeon population stressors across British Columbia using novel molecular tools and community science to inform conservation management.

Current research

Madison is a postdoctoral fellow whose research is bridging the gap between First Nations, government, anglers, and industry to protect declining White Sturgeon populations. Using a novel molecular biomarker panel she created, we are able to assess individual health and population stressors to identify drivers of mortality. We are pairing this with a telemetry project across the Lower Fraser River to identify areas of critical habitat that may serve as thermal refuge, spawning grounds, or juvenile rearing areas.

There are two main goals of Madison's current postdoctoral fellowship: (1) assessing physiological impacts of environmental change in order to identify causes of the mass mortality events and inform policy decisions to conserve endangered sturgeon populations, and (2) working towards a co-management conservation plan driven by community and weaving together Indigenous knowledge and western science.

Past research

Madison completed her PhD at UBC in 2023, receiving the best Canadian PhD thesis award in Zoology from the Canadian Society of Zoology for her thesis work. Madison's thesis, "The roles of plasticity and adaptation in response to environmental change across temporal scales in fishes," used innovative techniques to assess the impacts of climate change to inform conservation initiatives for fish species. Specifically, she explored (1) how combinations of climate-change stressors during critical early-life stages affect the physiology and performance of larval and juvenile endangered White Sturgeon, (2) the role latitudinal variation plays in the stress response in two subspecies of Atlantic killifish, (3) the persistent and interactive effects of developmental temperature and salinity in Atlantic killifish, and (4) the genomic effects of hatchery-domestication on rainbow trout performance and fitness in indoor and wild environments.

Madison completed her MSc degree from the University of Manitoba in 2018, investigating the development of the stress response in larval Lake Sturgeon with implications for hatchery and conservation management of this important species.

Scholarships and awards

Liber Ero Postdoctoral Fellowship
Best Canadian PhD Thesis in Zoology, Canadian Society of Zoology

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Publications

Pottier, P., Wu, N.C., Earhart, M.L., Lagisz, M., Alter, K., Angelakopoulos, R., et al. (2026). Embryos are largely understudied in a representative sample of journals in conservation physiology. Conservation Physiology, 14(1), coag006.

Rost-Komiya, B., Metzger, D.C.H., Penman, R.J., Blanchard, T.S., Earhart, M.L., Schulte, P.M. (2026). Thermal acclimation affects the repeatability of upper thermal tolerance in Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus). Journal of Thermal Biology.

Blanchard, T.S., Earhart, M.L., Campbell, L., Harman, A., Staples, B., Bugg, W., & Schulte, P.M. (2025). Diel thermal fluctuations during embryonic development affect molecular and physiological phenotypes in later life stages of Fundulus heteroclitus. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B, 111190.

Bugg, W.S., Earhart, M.L., Thorstensen, M.J., Schulte, P.M., Anderson, W.G., & Jeffries, K.M. (2025). Transcriptomic signatures associated with developmental transitions in the gill of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part D, 55, 101505.

Oyinlola, M.A., Khorsandi, M., Penman, R., Earhart, M.L., Arsenault, R., McAdam, S., Brauner, C.J. and St-Hilaire, A. (2025). Assessing the impact of climate change and a water management programme on white sturgeon physiology in the Nechako River, British Columbia. Conservation Physiology, 13(1), coaf014.

Earhart, M.L., Blanchard, T.S., Strowbridge, N., Sheena, R., McMaster, C., Staples, B., Brauner, C.J., Baker, D.W., & Schulte, P.M. (2023). Heatwave resilience of juvenile white sturgeon is associated with epigenetic and transcriptional alterations. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 15451.

Earhart, M.L., Blanchard, T.S., Morrison, P.R., Strowbridge, N., Penman, R.J., Brauner, C.J., Schulte, P.M., & Baker, D.W. (2023). Identification of upper thermal thresholds during development in the endangered Nechako white sturgeon with management implications for a regulated river. Conservation Physiology, 11(1), coad032.

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PhD Student

Ava Sergio

Focused on the movement ecology and management of the collapsed Northwest Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) stock. Ava's research bridges acoustic telemetry and fisheries science to support sustainable harvest decisions.

PhD research

Focused on the movement ecology and management of the collapsed Northwest Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) stock. Ava's research bridges acoustic telemetry and fisheries science to support sustainable harvest decisions.

Previous research experience

Ava completed her BSc and MSc in Marine Biology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. During her BSc, Ava held research positions as a field technician in the Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP) at the University of Hawaii and as a molecular biology research assistant in the Aquatic Biotechnology Lab at Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

Ava completed her master's thesis under the supervision of Dr. Robert Lennox, the Scientific Director of the Ocean Tracking Network (OTN). Her research focused on the use of acoustic telemetry to study the movement ecology of one of Canada's most endangered fishes, Atlantic whitefish (Coregonus huntsmani), and invasive predators in Nova Scotia. Throughout her MSc, Ava also led two pilot studies and provided field and analytical support for five other telemetry studies on species such as Atlantic salmon, brook trout, snapping turtles, and brown trout across Atlantic Canada.

Ava has also travelled to Svalbard, Norway to contribute to an ongoing acoustic telemetry study of Atlantic salmon distribution in the Arctic Ocean and stomach content analysis with the Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE) and the University of Bergen, Norway.

Research interests

Ava is interested in research that improves the conservation of marine fishes and other megafauna through the use of telemetry to study their movement ecology. She is particularly interested in determining how changes in resource availability and environmental conditions impact the seasonal distribution and movement pathways of migratory species.

Scholarships supporting this work

Ava's PhD research is supported by the University of British Columbia Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Canada Graduate Scholarship – Doctoral Program (CGS D).

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Publications

Piczak, M.L., Sergio, A.J.A., Brown, C.R., Birch, W.S., Flitcroft, R.L., Krawchuk, M.A., et al. (2026). The Integration of Fire Ecology and Freshwater Ecosystems in North America: Knowledge Gaps and Research Needs. Global Change Biology 32 (6), e70945.

Lennox, R.J., Sergio, A.J.A., Roland, J.B., Mastrodimitropoulos, P.M.B., et al. (2026). Do invasive Brown Trout threaten Atlantic Salmon in North America?. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 46 (2), 287-299.

Sergio, A. (2026). Movement ecology of Critically Endangered Atlantic whitefish (Coregonus huntsmani) and invasive predators in Nova Scotia. MSc Thesis, Dalhousie University.

Brown, C.R., Sergio, A.J.A., Bate, C.S., Koopman, N., Roland, J.B., et al. (2025). A review of migratory Alosidae marine ecology in the northwest Atlantic. Journal of Fish Biology 106 (3), 677-695.

Piczak, M.L., Sergio, A.J.A., Lennox, R.J., Theysmeyer, T., Bowman, J.E., et al. (2025). Climate Change Impacts on the Phenology of Laurentian Great Lakes Fishes. Global Change Biology 31 (8), e70436.

Lennox, R.J., Davidsen, J.G., Eldøy, S.H., Gillanders, B.M., Pulg, U., Thiemer, K., et al. (2025). Hydropower Effluent as a Marine Pollutant; Impacts of River Regulation on Estuarine and Coastal Ecology. River Research and Applications 41 (9), 1789-1802.

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MSc Student

Oscar Notman-Grobler

Assessing juvenile White Sturgeon movements, habitat use, and early-life feeding in the lower Fraser River using acoustic telemetry.

Thesis project

Oscar is assessing juvenile White Sturgeon movements in the lower Fraser River using acoustic telemetry. These data will determine the habitat use and early-life feeding habits of these reclusive young fish, which have been reported in decreasing numbers for more than a decade.

Research experience & interests

Oscar completed his undergraduate degree at Dalhousie University, where he had the opportunity to conduct two separate research projects — one field-based and one in-lab. He assessed the abundance and distribution of juvenile Atlantic salmon in the remote highlands of Cape Breton, an area where data on at-risk salmon populations are particularly scarce. Separately, he collaborated on an experiment investigating the short-term recovery of juvenile brook trout after implantation of a novel microacoustic tag. The former project is currently under review for publication; the latter has been published in the Journal of Fish Biology.

Over the next couple of years, Oscar is looking forward to using field methods and analytical tools that are new to him and exploring an ecosystem entirely different from the small streams in which he was trained in Nova Scotia.

Scholarships supporting this work

NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master's (CGS M)

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Publications

Notman-Grobler, O.D.P., Mastrodimitropoulos, P.M.B., Bevilacqua, A., et al. (2025). Assessing metabolic rate and post-tagging recovery in juvenile fish. Journal of Fish Biology.

Brown, C.R., Sergio, A.J.A., Bate, C.S., Koopman, N., Roland, J.B., et al. (2025). A review of migratory Alosidae marine ecology in the northwest Atlantic. Journal of Fish Biology 106 (3), 677-695.

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MSc Student

Anders Hoffman

Bio coming soon. Anders joined the Aquatic Conservation Lab in 2026.

Full bio coming soon. Morgan will share more about Anders's research, education, and interests here.

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Undergraduate Thesis Student

Kasper Giesbrecht

Examining the physiological performance and thermal tolerance of coho and Chinook salmon parr in wildfire-affected streams.

Thesis project

Kasper's project focuses on the physiological performance and thermal tolerance of coho and Chinook salmon in the parr stage, following exposure to wildfire. Parr oxygen consumption will be measured using respirometry in low-order streams impacted by wildfire and compared to similar streams that are unaffected. Observing the response of fish during this stage will highlight the effects of fire on freshwater fish physiology and advance understanding of how wildfire affects a critical freshwater life stage.

Research experience & interests

Kasper is passionate about disturbance ecology. He previously worked on a research project observing the impact of proximity to public trails on fungal and bacterial abundance in the soils of Pacific Spirit Park (Vancouver, BC). That project was completed through UBC's FRST 399 — Introduction to Research Methods course and used lab equipment from the Hamelin Lab to culture and identify bacterial and fungal colonies extracted from soil samples.

Understanding freshwater disturbance to inform conservation is particularly important to him, leading him to volunteer with the Bowker Creek Initiative — aiding in riparian restoration efforts and documenting the recovery of native plant and aquatic invertebrate communities in Bowker Creek, Victoria BC.

Scholarships supporting this work

Don McCubbing Scholarship, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation

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Publications

Publications will appear here as Kasper's research moves toward publication.

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Undergraduate Thesis Student

Rebecca McCracken

Investigating the frequency, duration, and environmental drivers of ocean entry by White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) along the Pacific coast.

Thesis project

Rebecca's thesis project investigates the frequency, duration, and environmental drivers of ocean entry for White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus). While often viewed as a freshwater species, some individuals appear to enter the marine environment for unknown reasons. Her research asks: how often do White Sturgeon enter the ocean, how far into marine habitats do they go, and what environmental factors could trigger these transitions?

The project draws on detections from researchers across the Pacific coast and the Ocean Tracking Network (OTN) database to synthesize broad-scale telemetry data. Using detections from marine receivers, Rebecca will quantify time spent in saltwater and analyze depth-sensor data to understand sturgeon behaviour in the Pacific. This research is important for identifying sturgeon habitat and understanding how this species uses the coast.

Research experience & interests

Rebecca's research interests include movement ecology, habitat resilience, and integrating citizen science into conservation management. She is particularly interested in projects that use data synthesis to address missing-link questions in a species' life history.

While her formal research experience is growing, Rebecca has built a strong technical and field-based foundation through outreach and data analysis roles. As a Data Recoverer with the Living Data Project (CIEE), she works on reconstructing legacy ecological datasets and engaging with scientific archives. Through long-term volunteer work with the Vancouver Avian Research Centre (VARC) and Let's Talk Science, she has gained extensive experience in ecological monitoring and in translating complex data for public audiences, from young children to adults. She works extensively with youth and leads expeditions teaching outdoor skills and natural history. Her background as a Cadet Instructors Cadre Officer has provided a strong foundation in field logistics, risk management, and environmental stewardship.

Scholarships supporting this work

Don McCubbing Scholarship, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation
K.J. Roller Sopron Scholarship in Forestry, UBC (2025–2026)
Dean of Forestry Award, UBC (2025–2026)
Charles and Jane Banks Award, UBC (2025–2026)
Cooperative Housing Federation of BC Student Award (2024–2028)
Rogers Future Leader Award (2023–2027)

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Publications

Publications will appear here as Rebecca's research moves toward publication.

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SW

USRA Student

Sage Wingerchuk

Bio coming soon. Sage joined the Aquatic Conservation Lab in 2026.

Full bio coming soon. Morgan will share more about Sage's research, education, and interests here.

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CY

USRA Student

Catherine Yap

Bio coming soon. Catherine joined the Aquatic Conservation Lab in 2026.

Full bio coming soon. Morgan will share more about Catherine's research, education, and interests here.

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Alumna

Isabelle Roth

Bio coming soon. Isabelle is a former member of the Aquatic Conservation Lab.

Full bio coming soon. Morgan will share more about Isabelle's research, education, and interests here.

Our Team

Four-Legged Members

The lab's resident dogs — keeping morale high and reminding us to take walks.

Goose

Lab Dog

Morgan's Springer-Border mix and one of the lab's resident pets — you can often spot him around UBC campus. He may try to take your lunch, but he loves pets.

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Lab Dog

Goose

Morgan's Springer-Border mix and one of the lab's resident pets.

Goose is a Springer Spaniel × Border Collie mix and one of the lab's resident pets. He keeps morale high, reminds us to take walks, and is a regular fixture around UBC campus — say hello if you spot him! He may try to take your lunch, but he loves pets in return.