Yakuta Bhagat

Toronto, Ontario
Ph.D. Environmental & Life Sciences

Portugal and Spain are just two of the places Yakuta Bhagat was able to explore and work in as part of her doctoral research in the Environmental & Life Sciences graduate program at Trent.

Her research, studying an invasive fish species from Europe, allowed her the opportunity to work in Lisbon, Portugal and Girona, Spain conducting field work, exploring the local adaptation of a specific species of fish to newer environments with respect to changes in its body form and variation in its genetic structure.

“I’ve always had a great affinity towards all things aquatic,” Yakuta says. “At a very early age, one of my biggest passions was studying and surveying aquatic life. I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to turn what I used to consider a hobby into a fruitful and rewarding career choice.”

As a recipient of a research grant from the Fisheries Society of British Isles, Yakuta also attended two international conferences, one in Barcelona and one in Aberdeen, Scotland, during her time at Trent. Funds from this grant also took her to a research lab in Bratislava, Slovakia.

“The experience of visiting research labs and attending conferences was invaluable in my growth as a scientist,” she says. “I was able to share and discuss ideas and in doing so, learn about my own project in a broader capacity.”

After completing her undergraduate degree in Marine and Freshwater Biology at the University of Guelph and a master’s degree in Fish Ecology at University of Windsor, Yakuta came to Trent in 2005 to study alongside Dr. Michael Fox for her doctorate. “It was a unique opportunity to expand my knowledge base and gain further experience in ecological research,” she says about her decision to come to Trent.

In addition to her research, while at Trent, Yakuta also acted as co-chair for the Symons Seminar Series, coordinating monthly seminars showcasing research taken on by graduate students across diverse faculties and departments. “It was a great experience because I learnt a lot about what my fellow graduate colleagues were working on,” she says. “It was a great opportunity to help bring together Trent students and Peterborough community members in an atmosphere of mutual respect and learning.”

Yakuta cites the challenging graduate courses, interactions with caring and highly knowledgeable faculty and graduate colleagues, and a rewarding experience as a teaching assistant as the most influential aspects of her Trent experience. She adds that some of her most cherished memories are also of canoeing to campus in summer and cross-country skiing on nearby trails in the winter.

With her Ph.D. complete, Yakuta next sees herself taking on a research oriented position in either the public sector or academia. “I hope to continue growing as a scientist and to gain further experience in conducting and carrying on research projects independently and collaboratively,” she says. “I want to use my knowledge of fisheries ecology to help influence and shape decisions made regarding the protection and preservation of fish communities in lakes and systems, and I look forward to working closely with fellow scientists and policy makers to do this.”