Sam is a Masters student at Dalhousie University, co-supervised by Dr. Ian Bradbury and Dr. Paul Bentzen. Her thesis research focuses on increasing the ability to detect low-abundance species with environmental (e)DNA tools by targeting a novel high copy nuclear marker, using the endangered Atlantic Whitefish (Coregonus huntsmani) as a test case. Additionally, she has been investigating the ability to detect genetic diversity using this marker from eDNA samples. Along with providing an additional tool to be used in on-going Atlantic Whitefish conservation efforts, the results of this research may be applied to other species, including aquatic invasives and those at-risk