Samantha Brijbassi Position/Title: M.Sc. by Coursework email: sbrijbas@uoguelph.ca Phone: 4168788170 Office: N/A Google Scholar Research Gate LinkedIn

Education

BSc in Agriculture with a major in animal science (University of Guelph-2021)

Relevant Work/Research Experiences

1. Hagen Aqualab (Volunteer)                                                                 January 2018-April 2019

• Performed fish husbandry and lab maintenance tasks 

• Cleaned fish tanks and collected research data from fish and embryos

2. Toronto Zoo (Seasonal Wildlife Care Keeper)                                      July 2020-Present

• Provided animal care to various exotic animal species

• Performed husbandry duties, handling, and feeding

• Performed handling and provided education to the general public

3. Reptilia (Educator)                                                                        September 2021-Present

• Responsible for hosting events, setting up, and tearing down

• Performed husbandry duties, handling, and feeding

• Performed handling and provided education to the general public

Current Education and Research

I am currently pursuing an MSc by coursework in animal nutrition under the supervision of Dr. Dominique Bureau. My interest in animal nutrition and research was sparked during the Winter 2020 semester when I took Wildlife Nutrition with Dr. Finegan and Fish Nutrition with Dr. Bureau.  The following semester, I decided to take Research in Animal Biology One and I reached out to Dr. Bureau to be my advisor and was thrilled when he said yes! I completed both undergraduate research courses and worked on a project with deep water cisco, or bloaters, and analyzed the impact that their diet has on their nutrition. These fish were nearly extirpated in the 1930s and in recent years there has been an increased motivation to research the specific nutritional needs of bloaters in order to maximize reproductive efficacy and the number of fish being restocked.

My research is specifically focused on looking at the contents of minerals, micronutrients, fatty acids, and carotenoids in eggs and muscle tissue samples of the broodstock after dietary supplementation. Different feeds are being formulated by the OMNRF to include different levels of mysis shrimp as a protein source for the deep water cisco.  The objective of the project is to develop a highly effective feed for this unique, zooplanktivorous, freshwater species and maximize egg production to increase restocking.

In the future, I hope to work in conservation, either doing fieldwork or in a zoological environment.  Aside from research, I enjoy dance, biking, skateboarding, and spending time with my pets.