Ella Middleton

2022 Weston Family Awards in Northern Research recipient

Master’s student
University of New Brunswick

Ella developed a passion for fieldwork while working with Fisheries and Oceans Canada during her undergraduate studies. The University of New Brunswick master’s student is studying the overwintering physiology of northern fish and how increasing environmental variability may impact their health.

One of the species her research is focused on is the Arctic char, a culturally, ecologically and economically relevant species in the Canadian Artic. Specifically, she is interested in how char’s 10-month period of starvation impacts their energy storage and how they fuel their annual migrations to and from the sea.

Her current work is based out of Ikaluktutiak, Nunavut. One of her favourite aspects of the project is collaborating with the local community, which advises on char spawning sites and helps navigate the tundra.

Learn more about the Weston Family Awards in Northern Research.