December 4, 2023
This Women’s History Month we are featuring one of DFO’s scientists whose work has brought to surface the magical things that are happening on our ocean floor: Dr. Ellen Kenchington.
Research Relevant to Canadians
An international authority in benthic ecology and genomics, Dr. Kenchington has devoted her career to studying and listening to organisms that live on or in the seafloor to help understand how they interact within the ocean ecosystem. Dr. Kenchington works primarily in the deep waters, down to depths of 3,000 metres or more, where we rarely have opportunities to directly sample the organisms that live there. She also devotes great time and focus to studying conservation areas because, as biodiversity hotspots, working there helps the science advice generated to be immediately relevant and important to protecting our oceans.
Case in point, Dr. Kenchington’s work has led to the successful legislation of conserving and protecting marine areas for deep-sea corals and sponges. In fact, her name is so well-respected in her field that it’s shared with a new species of carnivorous sponge that was discovered during Dr. Kenchington’s research excursion in 2010 on the now retired CCGS Hudson. Dr. Kenchington’s work in studying these sensitive, unique and diverse parts of our oceans is important to our generation and future generations.
The carnivorous sponge, Cladorhiza kenchingtonae, feeds on zooplankton and is approximately two metres in length. The surface of the sponge is covered in microscopic hook-like glass spicules (sponge bones) so the whole sponge has a Velcro like surface.
Recipient of the 2023 ICES Outstanding Achievement Award
This September, surrounded by her peers in a sea of accolades, Dr. Ellen Kenchington received the 2023 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Outstanding Achievement Award, which was presented during the ICES annual science conference in Bilbao, Spain.
The ICES Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes outstanding performance in science, research and leadership, while advancing marine science and inspiring colleagues as a researcher and a leader. Dr. Kenchington was nominated for the award by her colleague, Dr. Sarah Bailey, Research Scientist, Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences at Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Not only did the nomination highlight the important research led by Dr. Kenchington in benthic ecology and genomics, but it also turned the spotlight to innate qualities about Ellen, like her passion for conservation management, respect for knowledge-sharing and collaboration with colleagues, and mentoring through kindness.
Leading with kindness
“Ellen is not only a scientific force at the top of her field, she is also a kind and supportive colleague/mentor who makes time for others. To have a kind leader makes working on a team a joy rather than a job,” said Dr. Bailey in her nomination letter.
Dr. Kenchington’s ongoing work will continue to help us understand conservations areas, species health, and the effects of human pressures affecting marine life. Please check out this video and join us in celebrating Dr. Kenchington for Women’s History Month!