Vonda Wareham Hayes

Biologist
Current research and/or projects
My academic training began with conservation of natural resources in terrestrial environments but evolved to marine ecosystems in the deep-sea. I have been a marine biologist at DFO since 2005 focusing on deep-sea megafauna (e.g. corals and sponges) off eastern Canada.
Research and/or project statements
I am interested in: coral and sponge identification (taxonomy), distribution (faunistics) and associations (symbiosis). I am also interested in investigating the functional roles benthic megafauna play in the deep-sea, and educating Canadian's of all ages on the importance and intrinsic value of our Oceans and the fascinating creatures that live within it.
Current projects include:
- development of the Eastern Canadian Coral and Sponge Conservation Strategy;
- growth rates of corals (i.e. sea pens);
- taxonomy and species distribution of corals and sponges;
- predictive modeling of coral and sponge habitat; and
- associations with corals and sponges.
Education and awards
MSc, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2009
BSc, University of British Columbia, 2004
Contact
Research facility
80 East White Hills Road
St. John's, NL A1C 5X1
CanadaExpertise
Language
English