(1) Species Interactions (genetic and ecological) & Coexistence

 

Using field and controlled laboratory studies, involving ecological, phenotypic and molecular genomic analyses, I investigate intra- and interspecific interactions and examine potential fitness consequences, at different life stages (from developmental to adult stage). My research emphasizes on breeding system evolution, life history diversity, phenotypic plasticity, maternal effects on fitness traits between domesticated and wild species in the context of fisheries management and conservation.

 

(2) Genomic Basis of Physiological Adaptation

 

Accelerated climate change is profoundly altering biodiversity at local, regional, and global scales. Despite huge biodiversity losses, an understanding of how most taxa will respond to future climate change is lacking. Developing advanced genomic tools provide a novel opportunity to predict how populations will respond to climate change, identify genomic trajectories underlying these changes, and evaluate the adaptive potential and vulnerability of populations in the future. I develop different genomic tools and conduct multi-scale validations (both controlled laboratory and field settings) across different fish species in North America across stressors (both single and multiple stressors). I develop and calibrate genomic/transcriptional profiling tool to quantify the ability of fish to adapt and acclimate to stressors, such as climate change, aquatic invasive species, pollution, and altered environments. Under controlled laboratory conditions, I investigate species-specific organismal responses to various environmental stressors such as increased water temperature, acidification, anoxia, heavy metal toxicity, food deprivation etc. I also conduct field trials to quantify genomic/transcriptional responses under longer-term chronic stress, and more real-world environmental conditions (i.e., where fish live under natural selection). 

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(3) Genomics for fish biodiversity monitoring, assessment and conservation

 

Lastly, my research focuses on developing genomic methods to monitor fish population of conservation concern, with an emphasis on using eDNA and eDNA metabarcoding to infer abundance and eRNA to monitor the physiological status of organisms. In this theme, my research encompasses both conceptual and applied research – by designing novel theoretical approaches in molecular ecology, my research foster the effectiveness of evidence-based approaches to the conservation and management of freshwater fish biodiversity. 

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