OUR LAB · THROUGH THE YEARS
News Archive
Explore the history of the Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation Laboratory through media coverage, research discoveries, student achievements, collaborations, and milestones. These collections are updated automatically as stories are added.
New Award – Editor’s Choice 2026: Theis, S.*, Shirton, J.*, Barbeau, M.*, Ruppert, J. W. L.* and M.S. Poesch (2025) Growth and diet of Northern Pike (Esox lucius) in Boreal lakes: Implications for Ecosystem Management. Hydrobiologia 4(1): 1.
Abstract: An important top-down predator, the northern pike (Esox lucius), faces harsh environmental conditions in the northern boreal …
Boat owner’s react (Global News; July 29, 2025)
Alberta considering new watercraft pass (City TV; July 28, 2025)
Research by Megan Edgar was highlighted in the news (CTV News)
Megan Edgar’s research published in BioInvasions Records and highlighted in multiple media outposts (CBC, CBC Radio, Folio, Nature Alberta)
Research by Megan Edgar was recently highlighted in the media, including: CBC, Folio, Nature Alberta (link) and Chits …
Dr. Poesch involved in $24 million federally funded biodiversity and Indigenous health project
University of Alberta academics are part of a project that received $24 million in federal funding to examine …
Research by Chloe Christenson highlighted in the news!
Great job Chloe! Link to article
Research on Prussian Carp eradication highlighted in media (Magazine: Ontario Nature)
Research from a team in the Poesch lab was highlighted in Ontario Nature magazine. The story about eradication …
Research in the lab was highlighted in “This self cloning crayfish is scuttling into rivers and streams throughout Alberta (News: CBC)”
It’s not unusual to spot a trout species in a Calgary river but you might not expect to …
UofA rises in ranks! UofA ranked 8th in the world in Environmental Research, 4th in Canada overall!
University of Alberta ranked eighth-place (tie with Princeton) in the category of environmental science and engineering—ahead of MIT …
Dr. Poesch adds his voice to world scientist’s warning of a climate emergency (News: Toronto Star)
Dr. Poesch added his voice to the many thousands out there warning of impeding climate emergency. Toronto Star …CBC interviews Dr. Poesch about new article on offsetting in freshwater ecosystems (CBC News; CBC Radio)
A recent review article on compliance and ecosystem function (Theis et al. 2019) in freshwater offsets was highlighted …
Prussian Carp research in southern Alberta (Magazine: New Trail)
Here’s what you need to know about Prussian carp. They’re an invasive species of clones. Hundreds of thousands of …
Fish DNA in lake sediment can help determine native species, study shows (Magazine: Folio)
New research by members of the lab could aid fish conservation efforts in provincial parks in Alberta and …
Brazil Trip with tracking change (Blog posts from Dr. Mark Poesch)
Blog Post 1: What is Effective Science (Effective Scientist)? I have such gratitude to be able to share …Researchers tracking Prussian carp activity (Magazine: Prairie Post)
PoeschLab research on eDNA on Prussian Carp highlighted in the ‘Prairie Post’. Also Read: Ruppert, J.L.W.*, Docherty,C.*, Rudolfsen, …
Measuring Prussian Carp with a cup of water (Magazine: Renew)
PoeschLab research on eDNA on Prussian Carp highlighted in Renew Magazine.
How to deal with this self-cloning invasive carp (Magazine: Cottage Life)
PoeschLab member Jesse Shirton interviewed on our research on Prussian Carp. Link to article: ‘Cottage Life’ Also Read: …
Attack of the clones: Sperm-stealing Prussian Carp threaten to overwhelm Alberta waterways (CBC News, CBC Radio)
Link to article and radio interview: Attack of the clones: Sperm-stealing Prussian Carp threaten to overwhelm Alberta waterways (CBC)Invasive Prussian Carp damaging Alberta Rivers (UofA website)
Link to article: 2017_11_04_Invasive Prussian carp damaging Alberta rivers – Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences
Research on climate change impacts to freshwater fishes highlighted in recent magazine (Renew Magazine)
Dr. Poesch’s paper on climate change impacts to freshwater fishes was featured in the Spring 2017 issue of …
Fish Friendly: Applying science to preserve native fish populations in the oilsands region (Magazine)
Link to pdf: Oilweek June 2016 — Mitacs Also Read: Theis, S.*, Ruppert, J.W.R*, Roberts, K.*, Koops, M., Minns, …
Lakes created ‘from scratch’ try to replace fish habitat in Alberta’s oilsands region (Edmonton Journal)
Link to article: Edmonton Journal
Oil companies create lakes ‘from scratch’ to try to replace destroyed fish habitat in northern Alberta (National Post)
Alberta researchers find stranded hunter lost deep in B.C. wilderness (CTV)
Link to article: CTV News
Alberta researchers stumble across stranded hunter in B.C. wilderness (CBC)
Link to article: CBC News
‘Citizen Science’ pushes research projects forward (Globe and Mail Magazine)
Link to pdf: 2013_10_21_Globe and Mail_Magazine
Dr. Poesch article on the “Worst Disaster Nobody Has Heard Of” in regards to the Obed Mine Spill (Magazine: Alberta Outdoorsman)
Link to pdf: 2014_Alberta Outdoorsman Article
Coal slurry cut 20-meter swath (Edmonton Journal)
Link to pdf: Obed Mine
Citizen Science on Angler Research (Edmonton Sun)
Link to article: 2013_06_29_Sun Media_Anglers asked to help in research
Research in the Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation Lab highlighted in Renew Magazine
PoeschLab research on the impacts of floods on freshwater fishes was highlighted in the Fall 2013 issue of …
Citizen’s asked for their advice on local fisheries issues (CBC News, video)
Citizen Science: Fish expert looks to hook anglers (Edmonton Journal)
Link to news article: 2013_06_29_Edmonton Journal _Fish expert looks to hook anglers online Link to PDF: 2013_06_29_Edmonton Journal _Fish expert …
UAlberta ecologist luring citizen scientists into fish research (Magazine: Folio)
Link to pdf: 2013_06_28_Folio_UofA article
Citizen Science: Angler Research (Global TV, video)
Dr. Mark Poesch Redside Dace research (Roger’s News, video)
Archived Content.
Dr. Poesch attends meetings at Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations headquarters in Rome, Italy
Seeds 2 Food meetings at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations at FAO …
Congratulations to Jessica Serbu, Vince St. Louis and team for being named ‘Most Viewed’ on our article on climate change (see info)!
Jessica’s paper develops a comprehensive overview of glaciers by the Rocky Mountains. Citation: Serbu, J. A., St. Louis, V. …
Congratulations to Sam Fischer for being one of ten articles listed for the Southwood Prize by the Journal of Applied Ecology!
Sam’s paper looks at how mobile phone apps can be used to improve models of angler movement.
Congratulations to Macs MacLeod and Megan Edgar on successfully defending their MSc theses!
Macs MacLeod and Megan Edgar successfully defended their MSc theses in the past few weeks! So proud of …
Three new articles on habitat banking and offsetting accepted! Check them out!
Citation: Theis, S. and M.S. Poesch. (2022) Assessing conservation and mitigation banking practices and associated gains and losses …
Congratulations to Jacquie Pallard on successfully defending her MSc!
Jacquie Pallard successfully defended her MSc today! Not only was it a unanimous pass, the thesis was nominated …
Congratulations to Karling Roberts on successfully defending her PhD!
Karling Roberts successfully defended her PhD today!
New article on niche overlap of Athabasca Rainbow Trout from tailings spill available now!
Citation: Medinski, N.A., Maitland, B.M., Jardine, T.D., Drake, D.A.R. and M.S. Poesch (2022) A catastrophic coal mine spill in …Congratulations to Karling Roberts and Taylor Lund for their paper which was “Highly Commended” for the FSBI Huntingford Medal!
Congratulations to Karling Roberts and Taylor Lund, whose paper (citation below) was listed as one of two papers …Congratulations to Chloe Christenson and Jacqueline Pallard for winning Women in STEM Research awards!
Congratulations to Jacqueline Pallard and Chloe Christenson for winning Women in STEM Research Awards!
New article on habitat banking by Sebastian Theis available now!
Citation: Theis S., and M.S. Poesch (2022) Current capacity, bottlenecks, and future projections for offsetting habitat loss using mitigation …
Congratulations to Victoria van Mierlo for winning a Faculty of ALES Thesis Award!
Great job Vic.
New research on mercury, selenium and arsenic concentrations in Canadian freshwater fish now Online!
Check out new research on human consumption risks of fish from mercury, selenium and arsenic. Link to Online …
Congratulations to Sebastian Theis for winning the Marten K Paetz Memorial Award in Fisheries Management
Sebastian Theis was awarded the Marten K. Paetz Memorial Award in Fisheries Management. This is a competitive award …Welcome Sergio, Tiana, Conor and Hudson!
Four new students will be conducting research with the lab for their study programs. Welcome to Sergio, Tiana, …Two new papers on aquatic invasive species accepted and In Press!
Congratulations to Jamie Card and Brittney Firth for having their papers accepted for publication (link1, link2). Both papers …
Research by Kaegan Finn highlighted by Alberta Wildlife Society Chapter
Due to the covid-19 pandemic, undergraduate student Kaegan Finn was unable to present his research at the Alberta …
Congratulations to Kyle Hamilton passing his MSc defense!
Congratulations to Kyle Hamilton, who passed his MSc defense. Great job Kyle, and special thanks to everyone involved …
Congratulations to Morag McPherson for passing her MSc defense!
Congratulations to Morag McPherson, who not only passed her MSc defense, but had no revisions! Great job Mo, …
Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation Lab lead a workshop on offsetting strategies in the oil sands region
Sebastian Theis, Jonathan Ruppert, Karling Roberts, Michael Terry and Mark Poesch led a workshop with around 60 participants …
Paper “Reintroduction of fishes in Canada: a review of research progress for SARA-listed species. Environmental Reviews” named as Editor’s Choice!
The paper “Reintroduction of fishes in Canada: a review of research progress for SARA-listed species” lead by Karl …
Dr. Poesch wins Stevenson Award and gives plenary address at the Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research
Dr. Poesch gave the Stevenson Memorial award plenary address at the Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research in Halifax …
Congratulations to Caitlyn Donadt for passing her MSc defense!
Congratulations to Cait Donadt, who not only passed her MSc defense with no revisions, but was put forward …
Dr. Mark Poesch attends SAR NET meeting
Dr. Mark Poesch and Master student Taylor Mac Leod attended and presented at the Canadian Freshwater Species at …
Angela Ten wins NSERC USRA for undergraduate research
Angela Ten won a NSERC Undergraduate Research Award. These are highly competitive national awards promoting undergraduate research. Great …
Taylor Lund wins 2nd place for best poster at Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society meeting
Taylor Lund won second place for Best Poster at Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society meeting in Canmore, …
The Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation Lab attend the Canadian Section of The Wildlife Society meeting in Canmore AB
Four members of the Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation Lab attended the Canadian Section of The Wildlife Society meeting …Dr. Poesch gives presentation on impacts of Prussian Carp to freshwater fishes at the Alberta Invasive Species Council meeting in LaCombe, AB.
Thanks to the Alberta Invasive Species Council for the invitation to present some of our research and to …
Congratulations to Karling Roberts, Sebastian Theis and Morag McPherson for their awards at Northern Research Day.
Karling Roberts won first place and Sebastian Theis won second place for Best Poster at Northern Research Day …
Congratulations to Sebastian Theis for winning Best Poster at the Bentley Lecture Series poster session.
Sebastian Theis won Best Poster at the Bentley Lecture Series poster session. This is a competitive award given to …
The Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation Lab attends the Canadian Science Advisory Meeting on Offsetting in Ottawa
Dr. Poesch, Karling Roberts and Sebatian Theis joined the Canadian Science Advisory Meeting on Offsetting in Ottawa. Thanks …
Join the Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation Lab for a synchronized viewing of Blue Planet 2
Please join us for a synced viewing of Blue Planet 2. During the viewing we will be live …Congratulations to Michael Terry and Caitlyn Donadt for winning “Profiling Alberta Graduate Students” Travel Award
Michael Terry (not shown) and Caitlyn Donadt (shown) were awarded “Profiling Alberta Graduate Students” Travel Award. This is a …
The Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation Lab attends the Canadian Freshwater Species at Risk Research Network Workshop in Burlington, Ontario
Dr. Poesch and Taylor MacLeod joined the Canadian Freshwater Species at Risk Network Workshop in Burlington, Ontario. Thanks …
Dr. Poesch attends Canadian Science Advisory Meeting on Allowable Harm for Species at Risk
Dr. Poesch provided science advice on determining allowable harm for species at risk in Ottawa, Ontario.Congratulations to Karling Roberts for winning the Bill Shostak Wildlife Award
Karling Roberts was awarded the Bill Shostak Wildlife Award. This is a competitive award given to a student at …
Congratulations to Cait Donadt for winning the Marten K Paetz Memorial Award in Fisheries Management
Caitlyn Donadt was awarded the Marten K. Paetz Memorial Award in Fisheries Management. This is a competitive award given …
Congratulations to Cait Donadt and Michael Terry on QE II scholarships
Two members of the PoeschLab, Caitlyn Donadt and Michael Terry, were awarded Queen Elizabeth II graduate awards from …
Ph.D. student Sebastian Theis wins best poster at international conference
Sebastian Theis‘ research on habitat offsetting was recently awarded with Best Poster at the international conference the North …
Welcome to new MSc student Taylor MacLeod
We welcome a new MSc student Taylor MacLeod. Taylor will be working on SARA species, Mountain Sucker, and …
Congratulations to Alli Banting for successfully defending her M.Sc. thesis
Allison Banting successfully defended her M.Sc. thesis today. Great job Alli!
Undergraduate student Jesse Shirton wins NSERC undergraduate award
Jesse Shirton won a prestigious NSERC Undergraduate Research Award (USRA). Great job Jesse!Welcome to the Tracking Change Youth Knowledge Fair
Dr. Poesch is a member of Tracking Change, a program aimed at connecting local and traditional knowledge in …
The Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation Lab joins the Canadian Freshwater Species at Risk Research Network
The PoeschLab is excited to join the Canadian Freshwater Species at Risk Network (link). Thanks to Fisheries and …
Congratulations to Nate Medinski for successfully defending his M.Sc. thesis
Nathan Medinski successfully defended her M.Sc. thesis today. Great job Nate!
Undergraduate student Jamie Card wins best poster at FRUCA
Jamie Card won best Interdisciplinary poster at Festival of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (FRUCA) held at the …
Dr. Poesch gives plenary talk and participates on expert panel on invasive species
It was a great honour to give a plenary talk on freshwater invasive species and participate in a …
The Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation Lab helps host the Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research (CCFFR)
For the first time in almost 25 years, the Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research returns to Edmonton, AB. …
Two students win Northern Research Awards
Karling Roberts (PhD. candidate, not shown) and Michael Terry (MSc candidate, shown above) won University of Alberta Northern Research Awards! …
Undergraduate student Jamie Card wins NSERC undergraduate award
Jamie Card won a prestigious NSERC Undergraduate Research Student Award (URSA). Great job Jamie!
MSc student Michael Terry wins Alberta Conservation Association Biodiversity Grant
Michael Terry won an Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) Grant in Biodiversity for his research on hydroacoustics. Great job …MSc student Caitlyn Donadt wins NSERC Alexander Graham Bell Award
Cait Donadt won the prestigious NSERC Alexander Graham Bell Award for her MSc. research. Great job Cait!
The Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation Lab wins big at Northern Research Day
M.Sc. student Morag McPherson brought home the award for Best Talk at this year’s Northern Research Day held …
Dr. Poesch gives plenary at Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research (CCFFR) in Montreal
Dr. Poesch described the role of fish species at risk in the Anthropocene.Ph.D. candidate Karling Roberts wins NSERC Alexander Graham Bell Award
Karling Roberts won the prestigious NSERC Alexander Graham Bell Award for her Ph.D. research. Great job Karling!
MSc student Tyana Rudolfsen wins QEII scholarship
MSc. student Tyana Rudolfsen won a prestigious Queen Elizabeth II scholarship.Alberta Conservation Association funds alpine fisheries research
The Alberta Conservation Association provided a grant to help research the impact of stocking of non-native trout on …MSc student Morag McPherson wins Best Poster at Forest Industry Lecture
Morag McPherson (shown above) won Best Poster at Forest Industry Lecture.
MSc student Nathan Medinski wins Best Poster at Forest Industry Lecture
MSc student Nathan Medinski (shown above) won Best Poster at the Forest Industry Lecture. Great job Nate!
MSc student Marie Veillard wins Best Poster at Forest Industry Lecture
Marie Veillard won Best Poster at this year’s Forest Industry Lecture. Great job Marie!
Dr. Poesch and Dr. Boyce write “Research needs for fisheries and wildlife in Alberta” report
Drs. Mark Poesch (fisheries) and Mark Boyce (wildlife) at the University of Alberta teamed up and wrote a …Alberta Conservation Association funds research on Western Silvery Minnow
The PoeschLab is thankful to the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) for helping fund research on the Western Silvery …