Team

Members of the Docker Lab, past and present. Click on each team member to learn more.

Lab Alumni

Graduate Student Theses

• Nisha Ajmani (MSc 2017) Transcriptomic analysis of ovarian development in parasitic Ichthyomyzon castaneus (chestnut lamprey) and non-parasitic Ichthyomyzon fossor (northern brook lamprey). (co-supervised by Sara V. Good)
• Morgan Anderson (MSc 2025) Detection of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the Winnipeg River using environmental DNA (eDNA). (co-supervised by Gary Anderson)
• Katrina Audet (MSc 2024) Monitoring fish stocks of Lake Winnipeg using environmental DNA techniques and gillnet index surveys. (co-supervised by Caleb Hasler)
• Stephanie M. Backhouse (MSc 2010) Using microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA variation to investigate population structure of walleye (Sander vitreus) in Lake Winnipeg.
• David A. Boguski (MSc 2009) The genetic diversity of brook lampreys, genus Lampetra (Petromyzontidae), along the Pacific coast of North America.
• Darcy Childs (MSc 2013) Genomic and phylogenetic assessment of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) Hox genes and analysis of Hox genes in association with myomeres across multiple lamprey genera. (co-supervised by Steven Whyard)
• Karen M. Dunmall (PhD 2018) Pacific salmon in the Canadian Arctic: indicators of change. (co-supervised by James D. Reist)
• Timothy D. Gingera (MSc 2017) Environmental DNA monitoring of invasive zebra mussels: method design, monitoring tool comparisons, refinement of methods, and considerations for management. (co-supervised by James D. Reist)
• George Heath (MSc 2013) New opportunities in pest control: Sea lamprey and small RNA technologies. (co-supervised by Steven Whyard)
• Eleana Karachaliou (PhD 2025) Past & contemporary patterns of marine biodiversity: making inferences from anadromous sea lamprey population genomics & publicly archived genetic data. (co-supervised by Colin Garroway)
• Brooklynne (Litke) Keber (MSc 2024) Tracking freshwater fishes of conservation concern in Manitoba using environmental DNA.
• Arfa A. Khan (MSc 2017) Investigation of candidate sex determination and sex differentiation genes in sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, and Pacific lamprey, Entosphenus tridentatus.
• Youyang Li (MSc 2014) Phylogeny of the lamprey genus Lethenteron Creaser and Hubbs 1922 and closely related genera using the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and nuclear gene introns.
• Meghan Mahoney (MSc 2021) Lampreys adjust, mammals non-plussed, birds robust: how ecological and environmental features influence genetic diversity. (co-supervised by Colin J. Garroway)
• Neil Mochnacz (PhD 2021) Thermal ecology of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and potential consequences of climate warming in montane watersheds. (co-supervised by Daniel J. Isaak)
• Jessie Odgen (MSc 2021) Genetic and phenotypic population structure of invasive sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, in the Laurentian Great Lakes and Finger Lakes. (co-supervised by Colin J. Garroway)
• Lianne D. Postma (PhD 2017) Genetic diversity, population structure and phylogeography among belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) in Canadian waters: broad to fine-scale approaches to inform conservation and management strategies.
• Erin K. Spice (MSc 2013) Ovarian differentiation in an ancient vertebrate: timing, candidate gene expression, and global gene expression in parasitic and non-parasitic lampreys.

Honour Student Theses

• Stacey Collerone (2013–2014) Habitat and distribution of larval and spawning silver, chestnut, and northern brook lampreys in Manitoba (co-supervised with Dr. Gail Davoren)
• Alicia Fox (2015–2016) Molecular phylogeny of the lamprey genus Lethenteron
• Timothy Gingera (2012–2013) The use of environmental DNA (eDNA) for detecting larval lampreys within stream systems as a tool for conservation and control
• Christopher Hart (2012–2013) Developing species-specific DNA markers for gadoids in the Beaufort Sea (co-supervised with Dr. James Reist)
• Brooklynne Litke (2020–2021) Investigating the use of environmental DNA to map the distribution of Chestnut Lamprey Ichthyomyzon castaneus in Manitoba
• Jenna Martens (2020–2021) Reproductive potential of adult sea lamprey in relation to proximate body composition and the environment in the Great Lakes (co-supervised with Dr. Jay Treberg)
• Craig McFarlane (2008–2009) Testing the phylogenetic and biological species concepts in the paired lamprey species, Ichthyomyzon unicuspis and I. fossor
• Erin Spice (2009–2010) Population structure of the Pacific lamprey, Entosphenus tridentatus, along the west coast of North America: evidence against natal homing
• Milene Wiebe (2021–2022) Body condition and reproductive potential of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) in the Great Lakes (co-supervised with Dr. Jay Treberg)
• Lilian Wiens (2012–2013) Characterization of the globin genes of cyclostomes (co-supervised with Dr. Kevin Campbell)
• Isabelle Yakmission (2025–2026) The use of environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques for conservation of the Mapleleaf Mussel (Quadrula quadrula) in southern Manitoba

Other Recent Docker Lab Alumni

• Phil Grayson – Postdoctoral Fellow
• Lauren Verhaeghe – Co-op Student