People in the Mercier Lab
Lab
Team Members
Since 2005, when I started working at Memorial University, I have welcomed and trained numerous undergraduate and graduate students, research assistants and postdoctoral researchers. See the complete list of lab members and projects below.
Postdoctoral fellows
Kevin Ma (2022-) -- Assessing the feasibility of a sea cucumber fishery in Nunavut.
Heather Penney (2019-22) -- Toward optimal handling and processing of sea cucumber in Atlantic Canada.
Jiamin Sun (2020-21) -- Composition and nutritional properties of commercial echinoderms from the Arctic.
Guillaume Caulier (2018-19) -- Exploring the sea cucumber C. frondosa as an emerging aquaculture candidate.
Emaline Montgomery (2017-18) -- Towards optimal handling and processing of sea cucumber in eastern Canada.
Ekaterina Bocharova (2017) -- Visiting from Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO).
Libin Zhang (2011 and 2012) -- Visiting from Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS), China.
Jiamin Sun (2015-19) -- Biology of the sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa relative to its potential use in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA).
Ekaterina Bocharova (2017) -- Visiting from Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO).
Libin Zhang (2011 and 2012) -- Visiting from Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS), China.
PhD students
Sara Jobson (2021- ) -- Behavioral,
Robert Trenholm (2019- ) -- Establishing a quality-centred approach to sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa) harvesting and handling. Co-superv D. Dave.
Bruno Gianasi (2015-18) -- Exploring the potential of the commercial sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa as an aquaculture species.
Camilla Parzanini (2014-18) -- An integrated approach to studying the trophic ecology of a deep-sea faunal assemblage from the NW Atlantic. Co-superv. C. Parrish.
Emaline Montgomery (2013-17) -- An exploration of the morphology, swimming capacity and behaviour of marine invertebrate propagules.
Sandrine Baillon (2010-14) -- Characterization and role of major deep-sea pennatulacean corals in the bathyal zone of eastern Canada.
Zhao Sun (2009-12) -- Occurrence and significance of offspring size variations: insights from brooding marine invertebrates.
MSc students
Sophie Wolvin (2021- ) -- Recruitment patterns on hard substrates in the deep sea.
Kathryn Murray (2021- ) -- Impacts of wastes from anthropogenic activities on cold-water corals. Co-superv B. Neves.
Guillaume Corbisier (2021) -- Study of stone canal and related systems in the sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa (visiting MSc from University of Mons).
Noé Wambreuse (2020) -- Ecology and role of deep-sea pycnogonids (visiting MSc from University of Mons).
Rachel Morrison (2020- ) -- A preliminary analysis of commercially and ecologically valuable echinoderms along Arctic coasts. Co-superv S. Grant.
Kaitlin Casey (2019- ) -- Prevalence and ecological role of deep-sea echinoderms in the Arctic and NW Atlantic.
Sara Jobson (2019-21) -- Markers of health and environmental stress in sea cucumber.
Fanny Volage (2019) -- MSc internship from University of Western Brittany. Brittle stars from subtidal and deep-sea regions of the Northwest Atlantic.
Brittney Stuckless (2017-20) -- Behavioural adaptations and species interactions in the deep sea.
Janet Ferguson-Roberts (2017-21) -- Characterization of lecithotrophic propagules in echinoderms.
Janet Ferguson-Roberts (2017-21) -- Characterization of lecithotrophic propagules in echinoderms.
Justine Ammendolia (2014-17) -- Life under pressure: responses of echinoderms to hydrostatic pressure and other stressors.
Matt Osse (2013-16) -- Indicators of petroleum product exposure in benthic cold-water marine invertebrates.
Katie Verkaik (2013-15) -- Impact of CO2-driven ocean acidification on reproduction in marine invertebrates.
Bruno Gianasi (2013-15) -- Fisheries and aquaculture related biometrics of the sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa.
Katie Gale (2011-13) -- Deep-sea Asteroidea of eastern Canada: trophic ecology and species interactions.
Sandrine Baillon (2008) -- MSc internship from University of Western Brittany. Gametogenic synchronicity in deep-sea echinoderms.
Gina Doyle (2008-11) -- Influence of environmental factors and spatial distribution on the reproduction of brittle stars.
Justin So (2006-09) -- Determination of growth, habitat utilisation, predation and geneflow in Newfoundland populations of sea cucumbers.
Zhao Sun (2006-09) -- Reproductive biology of deep-sea soft corals in the Newfoundland & Labrador region. Co-superv. E. Edinger.
Honours students
Sydney Sullivan (2022-) -- An investigation of the efficavy and stress effects of narcotizing agents in echinoderms
Sydney Sullivan (2021-22) -- Burrowing and feeding behaviour of the deposit-feeding sea cucumber Chiridota laevis
Kate Tobin (2020-21) -- Does time of collection impact the quality of the sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa)?
Taylor Hughes (2019-20) -- Stress and immune response to air exposure in sea cucumbers.
Tiffany Small (2017-18) -- Exploring colour morphotypes in the commercial sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa.
Brittney Stuckless (2016-17) -- Components and drivers of locomotory behaviour in suspension-feeding sea cucumbers.
Leah Robertson (2014-15) -- Feeding ecology of deep-sea sponges.
Jessica Melvin (2013-14) -- A comparison of the cnidoms of four coastal species of sea anemone (Cnidaria: Actiniaria).
Matthew English (2011-12) -- Comparative study of sclerites in deep-water pennatulacean corals.
David Ross (2010-11) -- Egg size and reproductive strategy in shallow-water vs. deep-sea echinoderms.
Sandy Hamilton (2010-11) -- Competitive aspects of shell selection by hermit crabs.
Emily Doncaster (2009) -- Predation on lecithotrophic larvae.
Meredith Schofield (2008-09) -- Feeding ecology of deep-sea symbiotic species.
Meghan Goobie (2008-09) -- The ecology of brittle stars in rhodoliths.
Interns, undergraduate research assistants and NSERC USRA students
Amy Schneider (Research Assistant, Summer 2022)
Alexandra Hahn (2021 - visiting MSc student from GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Germany)
Jillian Carter (MUCEP 2021)
Ajatshatry Balaji (MUCEP 2021)
Sydney Sullivan (MUCEP 2021)
Andrew Tucker (MUCEP 2019-20)
Devon Bath (Volunteer Summer 2019)
Taylor Hughes (Volunteer Summer 2019)
Sarik Shaikh-Upadhye (MUCEP 2018-19)
Kaitlyn Curran (MUCEP 2018)
Jennifer Wilkins (Volunteer Summer 2018)
Kirsten Costello (Volunteer Summer 2018)
MacGregor Parent (MUCEP 2017-18)
Amelia Crabtree (Fall Vounteer 2017; Fulbright program)
Tiffany Small (Volunteer Summer 2017)
Natasha Baker (MUCEP 2016)
William Balsom (Research Assistant 2016)
Michelle Valliant (MUCEP 2015-16)
Chelsea Bloom (MUCEP 2015)
Leah Robertson (MUCEP 2014-15)
Tyler Engert (MUCEP 2014-15)
Jessica Melvin (MUCEP 2013-14)
Violaine Pemberton-Renaud (NSERC USRA 2013)
Edison Santos (Science Without Borders 2013)
Hannah Anderson (Research Assistant 2013)
David Forsey (MUCEP 2013)
Philip Sargent (Research Assistant 2007-12)
Christa Lee Spurrell (MUCEP 2011-12)
Karalee McAskill (MUCEP 2010-11)
Clare Lewis (MUCEP 2010)
Chris Negrijn (MUCEP 2006-07)
Nikita Laite (MUCEP 2008-10)
Gina Doyle (MUCEP 2006-07)
Founding Partnership
Over the past 25 years, I have carried the best part of my work in collaboration with my husband and primary colleague, Jean-François Hamel. We have conducted research in Canada, Solomon Islands, Micronesia, Ecuador and many other countries. Together we have founded the Society for the Exploration & Valuing of the Environment(SEVE), which is dedicated to research and outreach. It goes without saying that J-F is an honorary member and close collaborator of the Mercier Lab.
Annie & J-F
Annie & J-F