Welcome to the Fraser Lab!

Our lab integrates eco-evo-gen’ (ecology, evolution and genetics/genomics) towards more effective conservation and management of natural populations, species and ecosystems, with an emphasis on fishes. By bridging these disciplines, we investigate how eco-evo-gen mediates population diversification, productivity, persistence and responses to environmental change, including climate change, fishing and habitat fragmentation.

Our lab strives to create an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and supportive community in academia. We also put a strong emphasis on generating transparent, reproducible science.

The land on which we conduct research at Concordia University is unceded Indigenous land. The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is recognized as the custodians of the lands and waters around Montreal, which today is home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples. We respect the continued connections with the past, present and future in our ongoing relationships with Indigenous and other peoples within the Montreal community. Our lab supports Indigenous self-governance and management of natural resources as part of reconciliation in Canada.

In addition to pursuing academic research, our lab provides professional contracting/consulting services and independent reviews for governmental agencies, non-governmental agencies and Indigenous communities (scroll down for a list of past projects). Please contact Dylan Fraser with any inquiries.

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Contact Information for the Principal Investigator

Dr. Dylan J. Fraser
Professor, Department of Biology
Concordia University
Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4B 1R6
Tel: (514) 848-2424, ex. 8729
Email: dylan.fraser ‘at’ concordia.ca

Academic Positions

  • 2020-present Professor (Biology), Concordia U.
  • 2019-present Co-PI of the FISHES Genome Canada largescale research project                       (https://fishes-project.ibis.ulaval.ca/)
  • 2018-2023 Concordia U. Research Chair in Population Biodiversity and Conservation
  • 2014-2020 Associate Professor (Biology), Concordia U.
  • 2009-present Adjunct Professor (Biology), Dalhousie U.
  • 2009-2014 Assistant Professor (Biology), Concordia U.

Scientific Committees, Editorships

  • 2012-present Member, Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science
  • 2012-present Member, Loyola Sustainability Research Centre
  • 2011-present Member, Groupe Interuniversitaire de Recherche en Limnologie (GRIL)
  • 2012-2023 Advisory Board for Evolutionary Applications
  • 2008-2018 Member, Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) Freshwater Fishes Specialist Committee
  • 2014-2016 Associate Editor for Evolutionary Applications
  • 2009-2013 Associate Editor, Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

Education

  • 2005-09 Post-doc, Dalhousie University (Conservation biology)
  • 2000-05 PhD, Université Laval (Evolutionary biology)
  • 1996-00 BSc, University of Guelph (Fisheries biology)

Past projects or reviews for government agencies, NGOs or Indigenous organizations

Population genomic structure of whitefish and walleye in the Peace-Athabasca River Delta (Parks Canada, local First Nations)

Risks, benefits and management implications of harvesting small and large size salmon in wild Atlantic salmon populations, with an emphasis on Quebec (Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs, Quebec)

Life history and genetic monitoring of walleye populations (Cree Nation of Mistissini)

Traditional ecological knowledge of walleye populations (Cree Nation of Mistissini)

DNA parentage assignment of Atlantic salmon, Fundy National Park (Parks Canada)

Population genetic differentiation of lake trout, NY (The Nature Conservancy, U.S.A.)

Risks/benefits of new approaches to captive rearing and supplementation in wild salmon (Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada)

Effectiveness of genetic monitoring programs for endangered desert fishes (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, NM, U.S.A.)

Risk assessment of genetically modified Atlantic salmon production (Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada)

Pathway of effects of escaped aquaculture organisms or their reproductive material on natural ecosystems in Canada (Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada)

Efficacy of captive breeding programs for preserving endangered aquatic species (Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada)

Conservation units for Pacific salmon under the wild salmon policy (Pacific salmon Advice Review Committee)