Your 2022-23 BSGSA Executive
Elections for the BSGSA Executive are held annually at the end of the Winter term. The Executive is in charge of organizing the events, lectures, and all activities of the BSGSA, but feel free to contact us (bsgsa@umanitoba.ca or emails below) if you have ideas, or would like to help out with any of the BSGSA events!
President - Linh Miller (she/her)
Email: millerl1@myumanitoba.ca
I am a PhD student in Biological Sciences, working in Ken Jeffries’ lab. I study the truncate softshell clam that is important to the Northern community as food source as well as its important role in the Arctic ecosystem.
As BSGSA President, I lead the executive team in the planning of departmental social events, fundraisers, and guest lectures throughout the year. I also represent biological graduate students at departmental council meetings. Past President - Mikala Epp (she/her)
Email: eppm34@myumanitoba.ca
I am a PhD student co-supervised by Dr. Gail Davoren from the University of Manitoba and Dr. Cory Matthews at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. I study the behavioural context of calls and predator-prey interactions of humpback whales off the coast of Newfoundland and killer whales in the Eastern Canadian Arctic.
As Past President my role is to help advise the current executive in planning BSGSA events, assist the President as needed, and plan the annual Darwin Day Symposium for the department with the position elect. Crackerjack Coordinator - Stephanie Thompson (she/her)
Email: thomps29@myumanitoba.ca
I am an M.Sc student supervised by Dr. Kevin Fraser in the ABC (Avian Behaviour and Conservation) lab. I study the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on the behaviour of the Eastern Whip-poor-will, an endangered nocturnal bird species. This research could inform forest management practices to better protect this species and aid in its long-term recovery.
As the Crackerjack Coordinator, I will be organizing the student led presentations as part of our Biological Sciences lectures. It is a great opportunity to discuss your research and develop your public speaking skills. UMGSA Representative - Krista Shofstall (she/her)
Email: shoftak@myumanitoba.ca
I am a PhD student in the Waterman Lab. My research is going to take an integrative approach using behavior, ecology, and genetics to study the reproductive skew of female Cape ground squirrels (Xerus inauris). The objective of my research is look at potential reasons why female squirrels fail to wean offspring. This research will allow a greater understanding of the factors influencing reproductive success in this ecologically important and valuable species.
As Graduate Student Association (GSA) Representative, it is my role to act as liaison between the GSA and BSGSA. My responsibilities include applying for funding grants, communicating relevant information and representing the interests of Biological Sciences grad students. Freshwater Institute Representative - Jesse Shirton (he/him)
Email: shirtonj@myumanitoba.ca
I’m a MSc student co-supervised with Dr. Kim Howland at the Freshwater Institute and Dr. Darren Gillis at the University of Manitoba. My Research is focused on developing a population assessment of Lake trout from Great Bear Lake by combining DFO survey data with records from recreational and community fisheries within an integrated analysis framework. This work will help to understand how the fish population is responding to harvest in a pristine, northern lake.
As the FWI Representative, it is my role to act as a liaison between the Freshwater Institute (Fisheries and Oceans building on campus) and the BSGSA. |
Vice President / Treasurer - Cameron Hodinka (he/him)
Email: hodinkac@myumanitoba.ca
I am a MSc student in the Detwiler Lab. My research focuses on whether trematode parasites change the behaviour of their snail hosts to promote transmission. I am also investigating if parasitism affects the chemical profiles of hosts and whether these changes are of host or parasite origin. My research will improve our understanding of the role that chemical ecology has in parasite-modified behaviour.
As the VP and Treasurer of the BSGSA, I handle the finances and maintain BSGSA documents. I also help other members of the executive team when necessary and fill in for the president when they are not available. Director of Communications/Outreach - Laura Alsip (she/her)
Email: alsipl@myumanitoba.ca
I am a MSc student co-supervised by Dr. Xinhua Zhu from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Dr. Darren Gillis from the University of Manitoba. My research is standardizing the catch per unit effort, CPUE, of Lake Whitefish in Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories which means I use mathematical models to tease out how environmental variables can affect abundance. This will contribute to the management of the fishery.
As BSGSA's Director of Communications/Outreach, my role is to inform the students and faculty in our department about events such as lectures, social gatherings, and volunteer opportunities. I am the face behind most of the BSGSA emails you will receive throughout the year as well as the BSGSA Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages, including this very website! If you have any questions about events or volunteer opportunities please feel free to reach out. Lecture Coordinator - Sean Robertson (he/him)
Email: rober136@myumanitoba.ca
I am a PhD student, supervised by Dr. Olivia Wilkins. My research is focused on how plant cells perceive and respond to environmental stress. I work with rice, barley, and public genomic data to understand the regulation of stress responses, so that we can engineer climate-change resilient crops.
As the Lecture Coordinator, I am responsible for the organization of the departmental memorial seminars and arranging gatherings with the invited speakers. BSGSA is hosting the usual three memorial lectures this year (Lubinsky, Barrett-Hamiliton, and Hanna), descriptions of which can be found here: http://bsgsa.weebly.com/memorial-lecture-series.html. Stayed tuned for presentation dates, and sign up to meet the speakers! Position Elect - Kaitlynn Weisgerber (she/her)
Email: weisgerk@myumanitoba.ca
I am a MSc student supervised by Dr. Gary Anderson here at the University of Manitoba. My research focuses on understanding polyploidy in Lake Sturgeon, using hematology and cell morphometry. This research arose from a need to quantify the incidence of spontaneous autopolyploids in hatchery Lake Sturgeon. A need which was especially great in Manitoba, where conservation efforts to regain historic abundances of the species have been extensive. As part of this lab I also get to raise and care for juvenile Lake Sturgeon.
As the Position Elect my role is to aid in the planning and execution of all yearly BSGSA events. It is my responsibility to be available to support the team in any way they need and act as an additional representative to the graduate community. Social Coordinator - Jenna Drummond (she/her)Email: drummon4@myumanitoba.ca
I am a MSc student in the Anderson Lab. My research explores nutrient uptake in the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) of phylogenetically ancient fishes. Determining the regionality of glucose uptake in these ancient organisms will help fill in the phylogenetic gaps for the evolution of the GIT.
As the Social Coordinator, I organize social events and activities for Biological Sciences grad students. |
