Elliott A. Schmidt
Welcome!
About me...
I am currently working towards obtaining my PhD under the supervision of Dr. Jennifer Donelson and Dr. Gergly Torda at James Cook University, examining how evolutionary perspectives can be incorporated into wildlife conservation. My research focuses on examining local adaptation, phenotypic plasticity, heritability, and population genetics within a coral reef fish (Acanthochromis polyacanthus). Interpopulation differences explored in my research will provide an understanding of variation within the adaptive landscape of a coral reef fish.
My initial steps into wildlife research began in 2012 where I worked as a field technician on a small mammal research project run at the Alognquin Park Wildlife Research Station (AWRS). After returning to the AWRS in the summers of 2013, 2015, and 2016 and completing my Bachelors at the University of Guelph (2014), and Masters at Laurentian University (2017), I began working at the Canadian Museum of Nature (CMN) as a Data entry and Georeferencing Technician in the Zoology department. During the summer of 2019 I took a four-month leave from the Museum of Nature to work with Operation Wallacea. Working with Operation Wallacea allowed me to take a break from working behind a desk and get back out into the field once again. After the summer of 2019, when my work with Operation Wallacea concluded, I returned to CMN until March 2020. Soon after I finished my contract with CMN I started my Ph.D at James Cook University. |