Learn More

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.
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.
Professor Cooke
1 Lab Manager/Biologist
7 Post Doctoral Researchers
19 Graduate Students
And 9 Undergraduate Research Students
July 3
Dr. Steven Cooke and Dr. John Smol (Queen’s University) have published an article in the United Nations Today magazine highlighting... Read more →
Cooke lab members attend the American Fisheries Society annual meeting in Honolulu!
November 22
Several past and present Cooke lab members presented and enjoyed their time at the latest American Fisheries Society meeting in... Read more →
Reid, C.H., J.A. Crossman, M.M. Marello, L. LaRochelle and S.J. Cooke. In Press. Quantifying behavioural impairment as a proxy for physiological stress to improve welfare of imperilled white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) during routine sampling efforts. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 00:000-000.
Xu, B., S.J. Cooke, F. Wen, Y. Ma, C. Liao, J. Liu and C. Guo. In Press. Spatiotemporal dynamics and interrelationships of fish assemblages and environment under stocking-based ecological fisheries Practices: Insights from Qiandao Lake. Water Biology and Security. 00:000-000.
Piczak, M.L., A.J.A. Sergio, R.J. Lennox, T. Theysmeyer, J.E. Bowman, J.D. Midwood, and S.J. Cooke. In Press. Climate change impacts on the phenology of Laurentian Great Lakes fishes. Global Change Biology. 00:000-000.