Steven Cooke

Biography

Steven Cooke Professor, Canada Research Chair Degrees: B.ES. (Waterloo), M.Sc. (Waterloo), Ph.D. (Illinois)

Research Interest

Our laboratory maintains broad interests in all aspects of aquatic ecology, conservation biology, physiological ecology, animal behaviour and environmental science. Freshwater and marine fishes are used as research models for experiments conducted in laboratory tanks, experimental ponds, and most commonly, field sites. Specific interests are (1) determining the energetic, fitness, and potential evolutionary consequences of a variety of natural (e.g., winter, reproduction) and anthropogenic (e.g., angling, environmental pollution) stressors and, (2) understanding the diversity of energetic, physiological, and behavioural responses of fish to stress at the individual, population, and species level. We then apply the fundamental knowledge derived from these basic research activities to aid in the conservation and management of aquatic resources. Of late, we have been involved with defining the new discipline of “conservation physiology” – a field dedicated to understanding the mechanisms underlying conservation problems. Because our work is heavily based in the field, we rely on technologies including underwater videography and telemetry to monitor free-swimming fish in the wild.