AFS-OC Student Subunit

Samantha Wilson is entering her second year as a Master’s student in the Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology lab at Carleton University, under the supervision of Dr. Steven Cooke. Over the past 4 years, Sam has been involved in various fisheries research projects as both an undergraduate and graduate student. Sam completed her Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biochemistry with a Coop option at Carleton University. During her undergraduate degree she completed two field seasons in southern Ontario, working on her own research as well as assisting other graduate students on projects studying stress physiology of smallmouth and largemouth bass, and understanding freshwater fisheries bycatch. She also assisted in projects surrounding physiology and survival of freshwater Pacific salmon bycatch for three field seasons in British Columbia. Currently, Sam is writing a Master’s thesis that will elucidate swimming activity patterns of adult migrating Fraser River sockeye salmon across a variety of environments, and show how energy use changes based on environmental and physiological variables.
 

Sam has been involved with AFS since 2008 when she volunteered at the parent society AGM in Ottawa. At the 2011 AFS AGM, Sam received the Skinner Memorial Award in recognition of her work and involvement as an undergraduate student member of AFS. Beginning in 2011, Sam served as the Canadian student representative for the student subunit of the AFS student education section and has given multiple presentations and judged student papers.
 

Born just outside Belleville, Ontario, Samantha has always been interested in conservation and enjoys the outdoors. She enjoys fishing, hiking and camping and has spent most of her childhood summers fishing and camping at Weslemkoon Lake in Ontario. As the Vice President of the Ontario Chapter of AFS, Sam hopes to increase community outreach efforts and facilitate communication within and outside AFS.