Our Research Associates

Devin M. Bartley, Ph.D.

Devin was appointed Aquaculture Coordinator for the California State Department of Fish and Game in 2008. Until this posting he was a senior fishery resources officer in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Rome. His main areas of responsibility included genetic resource management in fisheries and aquaculture and inland fisheries; he is the Secretary of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission.

Dr. Bartley’s association with WFT began in the early 1990’s and concerned issues associated with gene banking as an aid to conservation and improved broodstock management. Since then, FAO and WFT have co-organized and participated in several joint activities on developing policies for the responsible use and conservation of genetic resources. Dr Bartley was a visiting scientist at World Fisheries Trust in Victoria, British Columbia in 2007.

Cathy Carolsfeld, M.Sc.

Cathy obtained an Honours degree in Marine Biology from Memorial University in Newfoundland and a Masters in marine invertebrate physiology from the University of Victoria. She currently operates a scientific supply company as well as pioneering environmental education initiatives in Victoria schools – including a novel use of local cold-water marine aquaria. She collaborates with World Fisheries Trust on environmental education projects, locally and internationally, as well as contributing to local environmental restoration initiatives. Her dedication to the Seaquaria Ocean Education project on Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland BC has inspired dynamic marine education programming in 20 public and private schools.

Jack Littlepage, Ph.D.

Dr. Littlepage is a retired University of Victoria Professor of Oceanography. Dr. Littlepage collaborates with WFT in developing small-scale aquaculture in South America and Africa where he has decades of experience. 

John Nelson, Ph.D.

John obtained a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin, Madison before moving to Canada in the early 1990’s to apply molecular population genetic techniques to salmon conservation and management for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Shortly after this post-doctoral work, he formed a DNA-services company (SeaAtar Biotech) and continues with SeaStar Biotech as and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Victoria and a Research Scientist for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. 

His current research focus is biological oceanography of the North Pacific and Arctic oceans, but also has a strong interest in conservation genetics of aquatic species. 

Steve Gormican

Steve has always had a close relationship with the ocean, spending his youth in Vancouver where he sailed, SCUBA’d and windsurfed. Upon moving to Sidney in 1989, he has explored most of the Gulf Islands by boat, including those under-utilized marine parks (shhhh). His professional career and training as an oceanographer (B.Sc. and M.Sc. from University of British Columbia) has allowed him to see most of the BC Coast from Sidney to Haida Gwaii by boat and be paid for the privilege. As a consultant, Steve has specialized in water quality, environmental impact assessment and shell fish aquaculture. He was the Chair of the Environmental Technology Program at Camosun College for 7 years and is still an instructor passing his knowledge along to the next generation of environmentally concerned youth. 

Nikki Wright

Coming soon!

Sarah Stallard

Coming soon!