Courtney Stuart

I'm a member of the Oxford Seascape Ecology Lab studying ecological connectivity in heterogeneous, nearshore seascapes, with a current focus on nutrient connectivity across the land-sea interface. I received my MSc in Ecology from the University of Alberta in January 2022. As an MSc student advised by Dr. Stephanie Green, I constructed species- and life-stage-specific spatial models of habitat suitability and functional connectivity for reef fishes with complex life histories, particularly those that involve ontogenetic habitat shifts. Prior to my MSc, I obtained a BSc in Marine Vertebrate Biology from the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University. My senior honors thesis examined the patterns, rates, and socio-ecological consequences of tooth replacement in fishes of the Peruvian Amazon. Through invited lectures, supervisory roles, and teaching practicums, I have provided training in biology, ecology, and geographic information science (GISc) and systems (GIS) to undergraduate and graduate students across a number of institutions in the UK, USA, and Canada. In recognition of my research and teaching efforts, I have received several highly competitive awards, including two Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarships, the University of Alberta Graduate Fellowship, the University of Alberta Department of Biological Sciences Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, and the University of Alberta Interdepartmental Science Students’ Society Excellence of Teaching Award. I am passionate about diversity in the scientific community, science communication and mentorship, and #WomenInGIS.

Stuart, C.E., Wedding, L.M., Pittman, S.J., Serafy, J.E., Moura, A., Bruckner, A.W., Green, S.J. (In Revision). Seascape connectivity modeling predicts potential hotspots of fish-derived nutrient provisioning to restored coral reefs. Marine Ecology Progress Series. Theme Section “Marine Functional Connectivity.” --- Yuen, B., Stuart, C.E., Pittman, S.J., Green, S.J., Henderson, L.M., Wedding, L.M. (In Revision). Habitat suitability models of elkhorn coral provide ecological insight to support coral reef restoration. Restoration Ecology. Special Feature “Young voices and visions for the UN Decade of Restoration”. --- Stuart, C.E., Wedding, L.M., Pittman, S.J., Green, S.J. (2021). Habitat suitability modeling to inform seascape connectivity conservation and management. Diversity. Special Issue “Ecological Connectivity among Tropical Coastal Ecosystems.” --- Stuart, C.E., Green, S.J., Vernygora, O., LeBlanc, A.R.H., Bertschi, M.H., Brown, M. (2021). New insights into patterns and rates of tooth replacement in serrasalmid and characid fishes, with implications for the subsistence fishery of Peru’s remote ribereños villages. Journal of Fish Biology.