Susan Marsh-Rollo, Lead Research Assistant
905.525.9140 ext. 27920
905.526.9225 (fax)
marshse@mcmaster.ca

Research Interests: Evolution of social behaviour and it's genetic underpinnings and physiological mechanisms in social cichlid fishes.

I oversee and assist with thesis projects and with some aspects of graduate students' research. I also coordinate the maintenance and daily care of the various species of fish in our wonderful fish laboratory. Volunteers are always needed and readily welcomed! Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in a volunteer opportunity.

Marian Wong, Post-Doctoral Fellow

wongma@univmail.cis.mcmaster.ca

Research Interests: Evolution and maintenance of social and reproductive behaviours in animal societies, using social fishes as model systems to provide empirical tests of key theoretical concepts.

Karen Cogliati, Ph.D. Student
Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour


Research Interests: Sexual selection and the evolution and maintenance of alternative mating systems in fishes

My research broadly investigates the mating system of the plainfin midshipman (Porichtys notatus). This species has alternative reproductive tactics, where some males defend nests and court females, while others sneak into multiple nests and steal fertilizations. The three main objectives of my research are to investigate: 1) the reproductive success and relative abundance of these alternative reproductive tactics throughout their distribution, 2) how the presence of alternative reproductive tactics influences female choice, and 3) how wastewater and pulp and paper mill contamination influences relative tactic abundance, paternity, and female choice in the plainfin midshipman.

Julie Marentette, Ph.D. Student
Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour
905.525.9140 ext. 26042
marentjr@univmail.cis.mcmaster.ca

Research Interests: Mating systems and consequences of contaminant exposure in the round goby, Apollonia melanostoma, formerlyNeogobius melanostomus

I examine the behavioural and physiological characteristics of local round goby populations, in an effort to understand how in situ exposure to aquatic pollutants in Hamilton Harbour modifies goby biology. My research covers three areas: 1) the specific biomarkers of contaminant exposure in fish as they relate to known or predicted contaminant distributions in Hamilton Harbour, 2) contaminant-associated changes in goby behaviour that can affect activity or movement patterns and susceptibility to predation, and 3) field evidence for changes in fish dispersal and mortality that correlate with behaviours observed in the laboratory. I am also interested in round goby reproduction and mating systems, primarily male alternative reproductive tactics, and how these tactics differ in their responses to toxicants.

Adam Reddon, Ph.D. Student
Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour

Sophie St-Cyr, M. Sc. student
Co-supervised by Dr Nadia Aubin-Horth, Department of Biology, Universite de Montreal


Research Interests: Behavioural, physiological and genetic impacts of social status change in cichlid fishes.

Natalie Sopinka
Undergraduate Thesis Student
Department of PNB

sopinkn@mcmaster.ca

Research Area: Effects of aquatic contaminants on resource competitions and aggressive behaviours in the invasive Round Goby