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Carole-Anne Gillis

Carole-Anne Gillis

Biography

Dr. Carole-Anne Gillis is a biologist with 12 years’ experience working on aquatic ecology in rivers and lakes in three different countries (Canada, United States and New Zealand). She has a PhD in freshwater ecology, studying the impact of Didymosphenia geminata – didymo, a nuisance diatom or single-celled alga – on juvenile Atlantic salmon. In 2014, Dr. Gillis took on the role of science director at the Restigouche River Watershed Management Council. The position was that of a cost-shared fisheries biologist between local and indigenous groups. Constantly adapting and learning, Dr. Gillis works to strengthen the connection between Mi'kmaq traditional knowledge and modern science. She recently accepted the position of research director at the Gespe'gewaq Mi'gmaq Resource Council, in Quebec, where she continues to develop community-based research, monitoring and restoration efforts at the watershed scale.

A biologist's career path

During her February 2019 conference at the Gulf Fisheries Centre, in Moncton, N.B., Dr. Gillis told us how she became interested in fisheries biology, and discussed the various ways in which her interests and values have helped to define her career path as a woman of science. She presented the collaborative work she has done worldwide, including her research on didymo and Atlantic salmon, and described her work as a community-based researcher who leads innovative projects outside academia.

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