Description

Work Experience
May 2017 – Current Position Postdoctoral Fellow in Marine Biology

Current research focus is on the movement ecology of marine fishes in the Canadian High Arctic.

Nov 2016 – Jan 2017 Post-Doctoral Research Assistant in Fish Ecology

Prof. Douglas Haffner, Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, ON, Canada.

Statistical analysis and interpretation of ecological data sets on fishes in Lake Huron including C and N stable isotope data and demographics, applying ecological niche metrics and synthesising findings for publication.

May 2016 – July 2016 Post-Doctoral Research Assistant in Invasion Biology

Prof. Aaron Fisk, Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, ON, Canada.

Multivariate statistical analysis of natural data sets, supervising undergraduate students in sample processing and synthesis of findings for publication.

Sep 2011 – Dec 2015 Graduate Teaching Assistant in Ecology and Evolution (6 semesters)

University of Windsor, ON, Canada.

Assisted in teaching and grading assignments for Professors Aaron Fisk (Ecosystem Health), Daniel Heath (Evolution, Genetics) and Trevor Pitcher (Ecology) for a total of 6 semesters.

Sept 2008 – April 2011 Enabler for Students with Disabilities in Higher Education

CLARO learning Ltd, Crelake Industrial Estate, Tavistock, Devon. PL19 9AZ

Provided disability specific professional notes and support to university students during lectures and labs for the entirety of MSc Sustainable Aquaculture, BSc Marine Biology, BSc Geography and sections of BSc Biology, BSc Chemistry, BSc Mathematics and Statistics and MSc Environmental Science.

Aug 2010 – Oct 2010 Research Assistant in Fish Biology

Prof. Richard Handy, School of Biomedical & Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, UK.

Determined glutathione, total protein, oxidative stress (TBARS) and NaKATPase of gill, liver and intestine of the catfish Clarias gariepinus and analyzed the data for a Leverhume Grant funded project.

Aug 2007 – Oct 2007 Fish Husbandry and Aquaculture Technician

Blue Water Flat Fish Farm, Anglesey, Wales. LL58 8SN

Maintained fish hatchery, graded fish (bass, turbot, grouper), conducted routine water quality and systems checks.

Academia
May 2011 – May 2016 Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) Environmental Science

Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada.

Supervisor: Prof. Aaron Fisk. Defended: 18th April 2016.

Dissertation focused on the importance of ecological niche breadth and plasticity for widespread distribution of aquatic invasive species. Collected and analyzed international data sets for marine and freshwater invasive species across broad spatial and temporal scales, including ecological tracers of trophic and habitat niche for ~6000 samples. Funding: Ontario Trillium Award and NSERC Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network (CAISN).

Sep 2007 – Oct 2008 Masters of Research (MRes) Applied Fish Biology (Distinction)

University of Plymouth, UK. Supervisors: Prof. Richard D. Handy and Prof. Simon Davies

Applied towards advances in aquaculture. Thesis focused on the nutritional requirements of juvenile lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris). Analyzed bulk nutrition, energy and 12 elements in fishes and invertebrates from the Bahamas in pristine and impacted environments and in wet and dry seasons. Funding: Fish Mongers Guild Award.

Sep 2004 – June 2007 Bachelor of Science (BSc) Marine Biology (Second Class Honours: Upper division)

University of Plymouth, UK. Supervisor: Prof. Geoff Wigham

Thesis focused on the predator-prey interaction between dog whelks Nucella lapillus and limpets Patella vulgata in the marine inter-tidal. Collected and analyzed predation scars on >1000 mollusk shells using digital grid mapping. Other field projects included ‘Feeding preferences of isopods in the strand line’ (Roscoff, France), and ‘The feeding rate of barnacles’ (Algarve, Portugal). See LinkedIN for full list of courses.

Scholarships, Grants, Awards and Funding
·     2015: CDN $100, Graduate Colloquium Best Presentation, GLIER, University of Windsor

·     2014: NSERC Strategic Network Enhancement Initiative (SNEI) workshop funding for conference in Muskat, Oman

·     2013: CDN $350, Graduate Student Travel Grant, University of Windsor

·     2012: CDN$10,000, NSERC CAISN funding extension to include native region collections

·     2011 – 2015: CDN$160,000 ($40,000 p/a), Ontario Trillium Award

·     2011 – 2015: NSERC Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network (CAISN) PhD research funding via Prof. A Fisk

·     2010: Leverhume Grant funded Research Assistantship via Prof. R Handy

·     2007 – 2008: GBP £3950, Fish Mongers Guild Award, for MRes tuition at Plymouth University

Volunteer Experience
June 2008 to Sep 2008 Research Assistant in Coral Reef Ecology Operation Wallacea: Honduras

Supervised and assisted graduate students on thesis sample collection and analysis. Led SCUBA dive teams in monitoring large coral reef systems at depth using the globally standardized ‘Reef Check’ system. Conducted a pilot study on the feeding preferences of parrotfishes (Scaridae sp.) using SCUBA and linear transects.

Peer-Reviewed Publications

5.   Pettitt-Wade, H., K. W. Wellband and A. T. Fisk. 1. 2018. Inconsistency for the niche breadth invasion success hypothesis in aquatic invertebrates. Limnol Oceanogr 63 (1), 144-159

4.   Wellband, K. W., H. Pettitt-Wade, A. T. Fisk and D. D. Heath. 2017 Differential invasion success in aquatic invasive species: the role of within- and among-population genetic diversity. Biol Invasions 19 (9), 2609-2621

3.   McCallum E. S., J. R. Marantette, C. Schiller, S. Jindal, K. Empringham, S. Marsh-Rollo, H. Pettitt-Wade, M. A. Koops, A. T. Fisk and S. Balshine. 2017. Diet and foraging of Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in a contaminated Harbour. Aquat Ecosyst Health Manag. 20 (3), 252-264

2.   Pettitt-Wade, H., K. W. Wellband, D. D. Heath and A. T. Fisk. 2015. Niche plasticity in invasive fishes in the Great Lakes. Biol Invasions 17 (9), 2565-2580

1.   Pettitt-Wade, H., S. P. Newman, K. T. Parsons, S. H. Gruber and R. D. Handy. 2011. Dietary metal and macro-nutrient intakes of juvenile lemon sharks determined from the nutritional composition of prey items. Mar Ecol-Prog Ser 433, 245-260.

Submitted and In Review

2.   Wellband, K. W., H. Pettitt-Wade, A. T. Fisk and D. D. Heath. Selection and standing genetic diversity at functional gene loci are drivers of differential performance of two invasive fish species. Mol Ecol. In Review

1.   Pettitt-Wade, H., K. W. Wellband, A. M. McLeod, D. D. Heath and A. T. Fisk. Niche breadth changes with time established, habitat complexity and genetic diversity for a widespread invasive fish. Ecology In Review

Dissertations and Theses

3.   Pettitt-Wade, H. Niche breadth and invasion success. PhD dissertation defended 18th April 2016. GLIER, University of Windsor, ON. Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 5759. 196 pg.

2.   Pettitt-Wade, H. The nutritional requirements of juvenile lemon sharks Negaprion brevirostris from direct analysis of prey. MRes dissertation, defended Sept 2008, University of Plymouth, UK. 78 pg.

1.   Pettitt-Wade, H. The predator prey interaction between Nucella lapillus and Patella vulgata: Are older dog whelks wiser in their feeding habits? BSc Hons thesis, defended Sept 2007, University of Plymouth, UK. 16 pg

Reports, Technical Documents and Online Articles (non-peer review)

4.   Pettitt-Wade, H., K. W. Wellband, S. Colborne, D. D. Heath and A. T. Fisk. 2016. Reducing uncertainty for risk-based management through assessment of phenotypic plasticity and genetic diversity In MacIsaac, H., M. Daley and P. Kollar [eds] NSERC Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network (CAISN II) Final Report. Page 33. Windsor, ON. https://www.caisn.ca

3.   Halfyard, E., H. Pettitt-Wade and A. T. Fisk. 2015. Summary of acoustic telemetry studies conducted in 2012 on the fine scale movements of Yellow Perch and Largemouth Bass in semi-naturalized ponds using a High Residency VEMCO Positioning System (HR-VPS) and standard VPS (180khz). VEMCO White paper.

2.   Pettitt-Wade, H., and A. T. Fisk. 2014. Reducing uncertainty for risk-based management through assessment of phenotypic plasticity in aquatic invasive species In MacIsaac, H., M. Daley, P. Kollar and G. Robichon [eds] NSERC Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network (CAISN II) Midterm Report. Page 26. https://caisn.ca/flip-books/midtermreport2014

1.   Mychek-Londer, J. G., H. Pettitt-Wade, F. A. Vincelli, K. W. Wellband, D. D. Heath and A. T. Fisk. 2014. Ecological impacts of invasive Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in the Laurentian Great Lakes and beyond: summary of presentations at IAGLR 2014. Lake Scientist. Published online Nov 12th 2014. https://www.lakescientist.com/ecological-impacts-invasive-round-goby-neogobius-melanostomus-laurentian-great-lakes-beyond-summary-presentations-iaglr-2014

Conference presentations
18.  Pettitt-Wade, H., K. W. Wellband, D. D. Heath and A. T. Fisk. Contrasting niches of invasive fishes in native and non-native regions. Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network Annual General Meeting (CAISN). May 25th – 26th 2016. Windsor, ON.

17.  Wellband, K. W., H. Pettitt-Wade, D. D. Heath and A. T. Fisk. Genetic diversity and invasion failure: Are less- successful invasions characterized by reduced genetic diversity? Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network Annual General Meeting (CAISN). May 25th – 26th 2016. Windsor, ON.

16.  Pettitt-Wade, H. and A. T. Fisk. The Ecological niche of aquatic invasive species from carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis. Ecological Society of America (ESA). Aug 9th – 14th 2015. Baltimore, MD.

15.  Pettitt-Wade, H., K. W. Wellband, D. D. Heath and A. T. Fisk. The importance of ecological niche breadth and plasticity for post-established success of aquatic invasive species
. Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network Annual General Meeting (CAISN). April 27th – 29th 2015. Halifax, NS.

17.  Pettitt-Wade, H., K. W. Wellband, D. D. Heath and A. T. Fisk. Does ecological niche broaden with time since establishment for invasive species? Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research (CCFFR). Jan 8th – 11th 2015. Ottawa, ON.

13.  Pettitt-Wade, H., K. W. Wellband, D. D. Heath and A. T. Fisk. Isotopic niches and potential for dietary plasticity in Round Goby and Tubenose Goby in the Great Lakes. 57th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR). May 26th – 30th 2014. Hamilton, ON.

12.  Wellband, K. W., H. Pettitt-Wade, A. T. Fisk and D. D. Heath. Is genetic diversity a predictor of invasion success? A case study of gobies in the Great Lakes. 57th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR). May 26th – 30th 2014. Hamilton, ON and at CAISN. April 28th – 30th 2014. Gatineau, QC.

11.  Pettitt-Wade, H., K. W. Wellband, D. D. Heath and A. T. Fisk. Isotopic niches and potential for dietary plasticity in Round Goby and Tubenose Goby in the Great Lakes.  Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network Annual General Meeting (CAISN) April 28th – 30th 2014. Gatineau, QC; and at Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER) Graduate Student Symposium. April 3rd – 4th 2014. University of Windsor, Windsor, ON.

10.  Pettitt-Wade, H., K. W. Welland, D. D. Heath and A. T. Fisk. The varying success of invaders as determined by their ecological niche and potential for niche flexibility. Marine Invasive Species (MIS): Management of Ballast Water and Other Vectors. Feb 17th – 19th 2014. Muscat, Oman.

9.   Pettitt-Wade, H. History of invasion theory in The Capacity Building Workshop at the international conference Marine Invasive Species (MIS): Management of ballast water and other vectors. Muscat, Oman. Feb 17th 2014. Featured in ‘Bailey, S. and M. Munawar. 2015. A synthesis of marine invasive species research and management in the ROPME Sea Area. Aquat Ecosyst Health 18 (3), 347-354.’

8.   Pettitt-Wade, H. and A. T. Fisk. The isotopic niches of invasive Gobiidae in the lake Erie-lake Huron corridor. 29th – 31st Oct 2013. Lake Erie Millenium Network Meetings (LEMN). University of Windsor, Windsor, ON.

7.   Pettitt-Wade, H., A. T. Fisk, A. Tanner, S. Kessel, D. Webber, T. Stone, B. Doiron, J. Kuehner and F. Smith. 2013. Fine scale movements of Yellow Perch and Largemouth Bass in semi-naturalized ponds using a High Residency Acoustic Telemetry Positioning System. 56th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR). June 2nd – 6th 2013. Lafayette, IN.

6.   Pettitt-Wade, H., K. W. Wellband, D. D. Heath and A. T. Fisk. The isotopic niches of invasive Gobiidae in the Laurentian Great Lakes. 56th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR). June 2nd – 6th 2013. Lafayette, IN.

5.   Pettitt-Wade, H., K. W. Wellband, D. D. Heath and A. T. Fisk. The isotopic niche of Gobiidae in the Great Lakes. CAISN AGM. 1st – 4th May 2013. Kananaskis, Banff.

4.   Pettitt-Wade, H., K. McLean, D. D. Heath and A. T. Fisk. An ecological and evolutionary approach to the study of two non-indigenous goby in the Great Lakes. Ecological and Evolutionary Ethology of Fishes (EEEF). June 17th – 27th 2012. Windsor, ON.

3.   Pettitt-Wade, H. and A. T. Fisk. Investigating for prevalent ecological traits in species that are successful in novel environments. Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER) Graduate Student Symposium. April 18th – 19th 2012. University of Windsor, Windsor, ON.

2.   Pettitt-Wade, H., K. McLean, D. D. Heath and A. T. Fisk. Investigating the link between diet, ecological niche and environmental fitness in aquatic invasive species. 55th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR). May 13th – 17th 2012. Cornwall, ON.

1.   Pettitt-Wade, H., K. McLean, D. D. Heath and A. T. Fisk. Investigating the relationship between ecological niche and post established success in aquatic invasive species. CAISN AGM. May 2nd – 3rd 2012. Montreal, QC.

Other Outreach
3.   University of Plymouth Alumni career path public questionnaire https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/alumni-friends/alumni/meet-our-alumni/marine-earth-geography-environment/harri-pettitt-wade Published online 1st August 2016

2.   IAGLR 2013 Photo Contest entry “As The Giant Sleeps Busy Hands Look For Things That Don’t Belong” https://iaglr.org/index.php/photos/details/as-the-giant-sleeps-busy-hands-look-for-things-that-dont-belong

1.   CAISN II 2014 Midterm Report feature ‘CAISN Students Benefit From SNEI Funds’. Page 38 and 46 https://caisn.ca/flip-books/midtermreport2014

Teaching and Mentoring
Extensive field and laboratory supervision and training for numerous undergraduate and masters students at the University of Windsor, including Matthew Renaud, Andrea Lespeance, Erin Donnelly, Kylie Dean, Amy Tanner, Brittany Charron, Stephanie Isaac, Jake Nix, Erin Mailloux, Jordan Maillooux, Tanya Fendler and Amanda Peters.

·     Alumni Mentor for students at Plymouth University with ‘Plymouth Connect’ since Nov 2015

Guest Lectures

6.   Ecology (2nd year students). The ecological niche of aquatic invasive species. Nov 9th 2015. Invited by Professor Trevor Pitcher. University of Windsor

5.   Ecosystem Health (4th year students). Invasive species and ecosystem health. Oct 18th 2015. Invited by Professor Aaron T Fisk. University of Windsor

4.   Evolution (3rd year students). Ecological niche and niche plasticity in sympatric invasive species. 6th March 2015. Invited by Professor Daniel D Heath. University of Windsor

2.   Ecology (2nd year students). The ecological niche of aquatic invasive species. Oct 31st 2014. Invited by Professor Trevor Pitcher. University of Windsor

2.   Evolution (3rd year students). Ecological niche and niche plasticity in sympatric invasive species. 31st March 2014. Invited by Professor Daniel D Heath. University of Windsor

1.   Evolution (3rd year students). Ecological niche and niche plasticity in sympatric invasive species. 13th Feb 2013. Invited by Professor Daniel D Heath. University of Windsor

Graduate Teaching Assistantships

6.   Ecosystem Health (4th year students) with Professor Trevor Pitcher. University of Windsor. Fall 2015

Assisted teaching fourth year undergraduates. Gave a lecture on Invasive Species, helped structure the course, graded student assignments and exams, proctored exams.

5.   Evolution (3rd year students) with Professor Daniel D Heath. University of Windsor. Winter 2015

Assisted teaching third year undergraduates. Gave a lecture on my research in relation to evolution, assisted workshops where students reviewed an article of my choice, marked assignments and exams, proctored exams, provided feedback and support to students.

4.   Ecology (2nd year students) with Professor Trevor Pitcher. University of Windsor. Fall 2014

Assisted teaching second year undergraduates. Gave a lecture on my research, supervised weekly laboratory sessions and the field course, marked assignments and exams, proctored exams.

3.   Evolution (3rd year students) with Professor Daniel D Heath. University of Windsor. Winter 2014

2.   Evolution (3rd year students) with Professor Daniel D Heath. University of Windsor. Winter 2013

1.   Genetics (3rd/4th year students) with Professor Daniel D Heath. University of Windsor. Fall 2011

Assisted teaching third and fourth year undergraduates. Taught weekly laboratory sessions, provided guidance to students, marked assignments and exams.

Laboratory/Field Experience and Analysis Techniques
·     Sampling and live handling of fishes, aquatic invertebrates and cetaceans including taxonomic ID, using nets (seine, fyke, gill, plankton tows), boat electro-fishing, benthic grabs and trawls, as a HSE Professional SCUBA diver using transects, lift bags and suction devises and while operating small research vessels.

·     Extensive aquatic field experience including the Canadian High Arctic in an isolated field camp and offshore commercial fishing vessels. Organized and conducted multi-year sampling using small vessels throughout the Laurentian Great Lakes basin and the Black Sea basin-Ukraine. Coastal field projects also conducted in Gdansk-Poland, South West England, Algarve-Poland, Roscoff-France and Bay Islands-Honduras.

·     Acoustic Telemetry application and analysis for tracking aquatic animal movements including the use of VEMCO Positioning Systems, Hi-Residence Positioning Systems, designing receiver arrays and surgical implantation of tags for numerous marine and freshwater fish species

·     Aseptic dissection and chemical analysis of fishes and aquatic invertebrates including eosin wax histology, blood haematology, enzymology including cyclic reduction plate read glutathione, Na+K+ATPase specific activity, Bradford assay (protein) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS: oxidative stress).

·     Element analyses of aquatic invertebrate and fish tissues including Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometry and Mass Spectrometry (As, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mn, Mg, Na, Ni, Pb Se, U, Zn) and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (N and C).

·     Nutritional analyses for a range of tropical marine fish and crustacean species: ash incineration, Kjeldahl (protein), Soxtec (lipid) and Bomb Calorimetry (energy)

·     Multivariate analysis of extensive natural data sets with multiple cross-comparable variables from PhD, MRes and BSc theses including use of R, Minitab, SPSS, Sigmaplot, Statgraph and GIS.

Certifications
·     Professional SCUBA Diver Health and Safety Executive (HSE) License SC/100302/06 2006

Þ UOP SCUBA Techniques: Marine Life ID, Search&Survey Methods, 50kg lift bag operations, Benthic survey methods, Knots&splicing, Basic use of hand tools, Inspection/survey, Temporary eye-splice in wire

Þ Pre-requisites: National Powerboat Level 2 – Royal Yachting Association (RYA) License 037899 2005, Marine Radio Short Range Certificate (VHF) – RYA License 597021 2005, Small Craft Sea Survival – RYA 2004, Boat Handling – BSAC 2005, O2 Administration – BSAC 2005, First Aid at Work – HSE 2006-2009

·     Rescue Diver PADI License 0806069129 2008

·     Emergency First Responder Emergency First Response (EFR) License 0806068552 2008

·     Speciality Wreck Diver PADI License 0806073354 2008

·     Small Non-Pleasure Vessel Basic Safety (MED A3) Survival Systems License 5937/13 2013

·     Emergency First Aid and CPR EMP Canada April 2014 to April 2015

·     Blood Borne Pathogens EMP Canada March 2012 to March 2015

·     Note-taking for Students with Disabilities in Higher Education NOCN License 4365005 2008

Professional Activity and Memberships
·   Faculty of Science Council Graduate Student Representative for the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER), University of Windsor. Sept 2014 – May 2016

·   Conference session co-chair and organizer ‘Invasive Round Goby as drivers of ecological change in the Laurentian Great Lakes’ at the 57th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR). May 28th 2014. Hamilton, ON.

·   Referee for Biol Invasions (2), PLoS ONE (2), J Fish Biol (1) and Am Fish Soc (2)

·   Member of Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution, British Ecological Society, Ecological Society of America, Golden Key International Honours Society (9200381), American Fisheries Society, International Association for Great Lakes Research. Past member of Fisheries Society of the British Isles, Shark Trust and Marine Biological Association of the UK.

Interests and Activities
Aquatic exploration, conservation and sustainable living. Nature photography, hiking, SCUBA diving, jazz.