Stephanie Avery-Gomm

For my M.Sc. research I studied the ecology and conservation of an endangered species of freshwater fish Nooksack Dace (Rhinichthys sp). Using a combination of experimental manipulations and field surveys I examined how extremely low summer flow, caused in part by water withdrawals for residential and agricultural use, effects Nooksack dace habitat use, growth rate and survival. I also built a hydraulic model that predicted the relationship between low flow and habitat suitability for Nooksack dace. This information was provided to resource managers at the provincial and federal level as a scientific basis for establishing minimum instream flow guidelines.

After earning my M.Sc. from UBC in 2013 I worked as a seabird research biologist with Environment Canada. In March 2020 I completed my PhD at the University of Queensland Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, advised by Professors Hugh Possingham and Richard Fuller. For more details about my current research please visit my academic website (www.stephanieaverygomm.weebly.com).