My name is Payton Plesh, and I’m from Barrie, Ontario. I’m heading into my fourth year at St. Francis Xavier University, where I’m working toward an Honours degree in Biology. I’ve always had a strong love for nature and wildlife, and that passion has guided me throughout my studies. Being part of the biofouling project is an exciting opportunity for me to gain hands-on experience and build research skills that will help me in the future as I work toward a career as an animal biologist.
My name is Liam Kirkham. I am from Ottawa, Ontario, and I am entering my third year at StFX, working towards an honours degree in Biology. I love being outside and especially being out on the water, fishing, and kayaking. This is my first year doing research and I am very excited to be working in the Wyeth lab researching juvenile lobsters. I look forward to getting in the water, exploring juvenile lobster habitats, and seeing some of the fascinating marine life that Nova Scotia has to offer.
My name is Victoria Tweedie-Pitre, and I am a recent graduate from StFX with a Joint Honours in Biology and Chemistry. I am so excited to be working for a second summer in the Wyeth Lab where I focuses on exploring the intricate neuroanatomy of the great pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis. Using cutting-edge techniques such as in situ Hybridization Chain Reaction, I categorize and map different neuron types based on their association with neurotransmitter synthesis. I have always had a passion for exploration and love for marine biology, and I am excited to continue channeling this enthusiasm into my research. After completing my work here, I am returning home to the Northwest Territories to engage in a low arctic terrestrial ecology project before pursuing a master’s degree. I am incredibly grateful to be a part of the Wyeth Lab, and I am eager to continue developing skills that will be invaluable throughout my career and life.
I am Dr. Yulia Reunova and I have been working as a research associate in the laboratory of Dr. Russell Wyeth for the past two years, studying the neuroanatomy of the great pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis, using Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization chain reaction, and combining the two to label target RNAs and proteins in the central and peripheral nervous system. My previous experience lies in the field of reproductive biology, using molecular biology methods and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. My passion is mastering new and challenging methods.
I am an international master’s student joining the Wyeth Lab from sunny South Florida. My research involves the use of underwater videography to study juvenile lobster abundance and behavioral patterns along protected waters on Nova Scotia’s northern coastline. Earning my bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, I studied disease ecology and physiology in a variety of marine invertebrates through research experiences. After graduating in 2023, I followed the field of crustacean biology to the University of Maine, where I first interacted with the American lobster industry and researched settlement through an internship with The Lobster Institute. I am excited to research lobsters in their early life stages here in Nova Scotia and contribute to the dynamic team at the Wyeth Lab at StFX.
In the Wyeth Lab, my research focuses on the field behavior and navigation of the captivating sea slug, Hermissenda crassicornis. I earned my undergraduate degree in Marine Biology from the University of British Columbia in 2023, where I gained fieldwork skills at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. Throughout my undergraduate journey, I collaborated with various organizations and labs, including Project Seahorse, iSeahorse, the O’Connor Lab, the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, the UBC Aqua Society, the UBC Women in Science Club, Women in Ocean Science, the Research Experience Program, X-Oceans Outreach, and the Sustainability Committee. As an enthusiastic diver since 2011, I have since gained my scientific diving certification, which complements my current project of capturing underwater videos of sea slugs in their natural habitats near Bamfield, British Columbia. Beyond my research, I have a deep passion for the arts, often dedicating my weekends to underwater photography and pottery.
My name is Lauren Pictou, and I am going into my fourth-year at StFX. I am from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and at StFX I am pursuing an honours degree in biology. Last year I began my research journey in the Wyeth lab, using Immunohistochemistry and in situ Hybridization Chain Reaction I mapped several types of neurons in the brain of Lymnaea stagnalis. After acquiring some unexpected results, I decided to focus my honours research on exploring the neurons which express choline acetyltransferase, the enzyme that synthesizes the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. I am very excited to continue to develop my hands-on skills and learn more biology!
My name is Tia Landry, and I’m from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. I’m going into my fourth year at StFX taking an Advanced Major in Biology and am also a co-president of the biology society on campus. This summer I’ll be returning for my second year in the Wyeth Biofouling Lab, where previously I contributed to research on marine biofouling settlement patterns and sustainable antifouling solutions. Our lab looked at environmentally friendly preventative measures including UVC exposure, graphene-based foul-release coatings, and non-toxic antifouling treatments, conducting fieldwork at various marine sites to document settlement behaviors. I am very excited to return to the lab this summer and soak in all that this experience has to offer.
I am an international master’s degree student, originally from Long Beach, California, although most of my professional studies involving Marine Biology were accomplished in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. My main interests in Biology have always been evolution, macro-invertebrate taxonomy and ecology of biofouling assemblages. I have worked as an independent biofouling consultant for marine fish farms in Mexico, and now I am excited to start a new project focused on antifouling effectiveness of UV radiation. This antifouling technology may be the next big step towards cleaner and more efficient maritime transportation, but until then I will put it to the test and analyze its effectiveness in depth through my work in the Wyeth Lab at StFX.
My Name is Aidan McGowan, and I am from Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. I am a recent graduate from StFX in Biology. This is my fourth summer working with Russell, where I will continue working in the juvenile lobsters group into the fall. Here, we will conduct baited behaviour surveys in shallow waters in the Scallop Buffer Zone (SBZ) of Northern Nova Scotia. I am excited to continue working here and to see what this summer has in store for us!
Wyeth Lab 