Independent Research Student
CURRENT RESEARCH
The deep-sea is a dynamic and complex ecosystem influenced by environment and biology that is found there. Larval ecology, which refers to understanding the life-histories of larvae as well as studying what factors influence larval processes such as dispersal and recruitment, is a growing area of research in deep-sea ecology, and lends itself well to looking at how marine communities change with time and space – and underscores that the deep-sea is anything but static. Larval supply, which is the abundance of available larvae in an area, is directly related to the benthic species assemblage which eventually colonizes the area and settles. However, this relationship can be broken down by environmental influences, such as currents, substrate type, and energy availability (the later which is limiting in the deep-sea), and biological interactions, such as predation. For example, substrates which are more complex can provide refugia from predation, capture particles from the water column which in turn supplies more nutrients for colonizing species, as well as provide space and area for organisms to live.
My independent research project looks at trends in larval supply and colonization over space and time at deep-sea environments in Barkley Canyon, a submarine canyon on the western coast of Canada. Specifically, we are trying to characterize shifts in community composition as well as determine how colonizer and supply communities are influenced by different substrate types and environmental gradients.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology (Honours) with minors in Ocean Science and Environmental Science and certificates in Geographic Information Science, Environmental Impact Assessment and Aquaculture and the Environment
Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
September 2018 – Present
PRESENTATIONS
Judah AB. The Fishers and the Sea Suite. 2022. MARI4880 Science Communication Showcase. Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada (Oral: An original musical performance involving vocals, spoken word and harp for science communication).
Judah AB & Solway H (co-lead). 2022. Equity and Diversity in Science Communication. Science Communication for Societal Impact (MARI4880), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada. Guest Lecturer.
Judah AB. Uniting Wisdom: Incorporating faith groups in EDI and science communication. 2022. Eco Sci Comm Conference, Halifax, Canada (Oral; Virtual). Invited Speaker.
Judah AB, Blanco-Bercial L & Sawall Y. 2021. Zooplankton community composition and structure on the world’s northernmost coral reefs. Fall Semester Symposium, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, St. George’s, Bermuda (Oral)
Judah AB. 2020. Wood-falls in the deep-sea. The Blue Planet (OCEA2002), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada. Guest Speaker.
Judah AB. 2019. Ecology and vulnerability of the endemic pyjama catshark (Poroderma africanum), with implications for conservation management. Weekly Symposium, South African Shark Conservancy, Hermanus, South Africa (Oral).
Judah AB. 2019. Marine life and ecotourism in the Philippines. Filipino Canadian Medical Association Gala, Toronto, Canada (Booth/Poster).
Judah AB & MacNeil MA. 2019. Quantifying anthropogenic effects on elasmobranchs in Bahamian reef systems. Integrated Science Symposium, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada (Oral & Poster).
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
The Alex Graham Memorial Prize (2022)
NSERC Student Ambassador Grant (2022)
Dalhousie-Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) Experiential Learning Fund Scholarship (2021)
Rob Stewart Undergraduate Summer Research Award in Marine Conservation (2021)
Dean’s List (2019 – 2021)
Sigma Chi Leadership Award (2018)
Dalhousie University Renewable Entrance Scholarship (2018)
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
GIS Research Project student
Seascape Ecology & Mapping Lab, Dalhousie University
January 2022 – Present
Research Assistant & Benthic Quadrat Analyst
Reef Life Survey & Reef Futures Project, Arizona State University/Dalhousie University
June 2020 – Present
Research Assistant & Honours Student
Integrated Fisheries Lab, Dalhousie University
October 2018 – Present
Research Project Student
Zooplankton Ecology Laboratory & Marine Benthic Ecology and Ecophysiology Laboratory, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
October 2021 – December 2021
Science Crew & Research Technician
McClain Deep-Sea Lab, Oceanographic Cruise (R/V Atlantis, Gulf of Mexico)
February 2020
Research & Conservation Intern
South African Shark Conservancy, Hermanus, South Africa
June 2019 – August 2019
Research Assistant
McClain Deep-Sea Lab, Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, Louisiana
July 2018
OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Oceans Team Lead
Diversity of Nature, Halifax, Nova Scotia
January 2022 – Present
Undergraduate Representative
Department of Biology Respect, Equity & Diversity Committee, Dalhousie University
January 2022 – Present
President
Dalhousie Association of Marine Biology Students, Dalhousie University
September 2021 – April 2022
Founder & Coordinator
Marine Biology Mentoring Program, Dalhousie University
October 2018 – April 2022
Teaching Assistant (BIOL 2060)
Department of Biology, Dalhousie University
January 2021 – April 2021
Vice President
Dalhousie Association of Marine Biology Students, Dalhousie University
September 2020 – April 2021
Chairperson
Dalhousie Association of Marine Biology Students, Dalhousie University
September 2019 – April 2020
First-Year Representative
Dalhousie Association of Marine Biology Students, Dalhousie University
September 2018 – April 2019
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: aaron.judah@dal.ca
Twitter: @SeaPrinceAaron
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Aaron-Judah-2
Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/aaron-judah-355110179
Marine Benthic Ecology and conservation 