ELLA BOWLES
ebowles@ucalgary.ca
EDUCATION
2010COURSES
2011
2011
2010
2010
2006
PhD candidate, Ecological Evolutionary Genomics, University of Calgary
Stickleback Genomics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Bioinformatics, University of Calgary, AB
Advanced statistics, University of Calgary, AB
MSc, Zoology, University of British Columbia
Thesis: Ella Bowles, 2009 Determining the relative amounts of prey in Steller sea lion
(Eumetopias jubatus) diet using real-time PCR
BSc, General Biology, completed Dec 2005, University of British Columbia
AWARDS
2014
2012, 2013
Dennis Parkinson Graduate Scholarship, $2500
National Education Association for Disabled Students, equity through education award,
$3000.00 each year
2012, 2013/2014Queen Elizabeth II graduate scholarship (Doctoral), University of Calgary, $5000.00 and
$10 000.00 respectively
2011, 2012
University of Calgary, $3000.00 each year
2011
Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies, Garfield Weston award for
northern research, Doctoral, $40 000.00 over two years
2010
University of Calgary Dean’s graduate entrance scholarship, $3000
2009
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) post graduate scholarship
Doctoral (started January 2010), $42 000.00 over two years
2009
Zoology travel award, UBC, $500
2008
Dean Fisher Memorial Scholarship in Zoology, UBC
2008
Patricia Ann Macdonald Scholarship, UBC
2007
UBC Graduate entrance scholarship, $2000
2007
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) post graduate scholarship
Masters, $34 600.00 over two years
2006
John and Doris Corrigan Fund Scholarship, $1000
2005
Carl G. Frink Scholarship
2005
First Place, Summer Student Poster Day, Medical Biophysics
2004-2005
Summer student research fellowships, Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto,
University Health Network
2004
Runner-up, Summer Student Poster Day, Medical Biophysics
2004
Summer student research fellowship, Canadian Genetic Diseases Network
2001
Judith T. Thiele Memorial Scholarship, UBC
GRANTS
2011, 2012, 2013 (deferred for subsequent years)
Ella Bowles
2009
2
Arctic Institute, Northern Scientific Training Program award for research costs,
$2390.00, $3000.00 and $2112.50 respectively
Research grant. Ella Bowles and Andrew W. Trites, Determining walrus diet using DNA
analysis of fecal samples, US Geological survey, $10 000.00
PUBLICATIONS
WORKS IN PROGRESS
Papers, submitted
1. Pistore AE, Barry TN, Bowles E, Sharma R, Vanderzwan SL, Rogers SM, Jamniczky HA
Characterizing adaptive phenotypic divergence using three-dimenstional geometric morphometrics in
four populations of threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus (Pisces: Gasterosteidae) in Katmai
National Park and Preserve, Alaska. Submitted to Evolutionary Ecology, submission number EVEC-S14-00237.
REFEREED
Papers
1. Bowles E, Johnston RA, Vanderzwan SL and Rogers, SM (2015) Genetic basis for body size
differences between an anadromous and two derived lacustrine populations of threespine stickleback
(Gasterosteus aculeatus) in southwest Alaska. Submitted to Current Zoology. Accepted
2. Bowles E and Trites AW (2013) Faecal DNA amplification in Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus
divergens). Polar Biology, 36:755-759. DOI 10.1007/s00300-013-1296-6
3. Rogers SM, Mee JA, Bowles E (2013) The consequences of genomic architecture on ecological
speciation in postglacial fishes. Current Zoology, 59:57-71. Invited submission
4. Bowles E, Schulte PM, Tollit DJ, Deagle BE and Trites AW (2011) Proportion of prey consumed can
be determined from faecal DNA using real-time PCR. Molecular Ecology Resources, 11:530-540.
5. The National Retinoblastoma Strategy Group* (2009) Canadian guidelines for retinoblastoma care.
Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology, 44:639-42. (*member of the Expert Committee within the
NRBS)
6. Bowles E*, Corson TW*, Bayani J, Squire JA, Wong N, Lai P B-S and Gallie BL (2007) Profiling
Genomic Copy Number Changes in Retinoblastoma Beyond Loss of RB1. Genes Chromosomes and
Cancer, 46:118-129. *contributed equally
7. Marchong MN, Chen D, Corson TW, Lee C, Harmandayan M, Bowles E, Chen N, and Gallie BL
(2004) Minimal 16q Genomic Loss Implicates Cadherin-11 in Retinoblastoma. Molecular Cancer
Research, 2:495-503.
Abstracts
1. Marchong MN, Chen D, Corson TW, Lee C, Harmandayan M, Bowles E, Chen N and Gallie BL
(2004) Minimal 16q genomic loss implicates cadherin 11 in retinoblastoma. Proceedings of the
American Society for Human Genetics, 54:505. Poster presentation at the American Society for
Human Genetics 54th Annual Meeting, Toronto, ON
THESES
Bowles E (2009) Determining the relative amounts of prey in Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) diet
using real-time PCR, MSc, University of British Columbia, 54 pages.
NON-REFEREED
1. Bowles E and Watson N (2005) Light levels, mirror images and lateralization in shiner surfperch:
Cymatogaster aggregata. Bound Journals, Fish, Bamfield Marine Science Center.
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2. Bowles E (2003) Counsellor-in-training manual, Bowen Island Summer programs for the visually
impaired. *Manual contains contributions from many people, but was primarily written and compiled
by Ella Bowles.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
1. Bowles E and Rogers SM. Evolutionary genetics of adaptive divergence to new freshwater
environments using the threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Poster presentation at the
Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution (CSEE). Banff, AB, 2011
2. Bowles E, Schulte PM, Tollit DJ, Trites AW. Poo – useless waste or treasure trove: is it possible to
determine the relative amounts of prey in Steller sea lion diet using DNA? Poster presentation at
Society of Marine Mammals 18th Biennial conference, Quebec QU, 2009
3. Bowles E, Schulte PM, Tollit DJ, Trites AW. Poo – useless waste or treasure trove: is it possible to
determine the relative amounts of prey in Steller sea lion diet using DNA? Oral presentation at CSEE,
Dalhousie University, Halifax NS, 2009
4. Bowles E, Schulte PM, Tollit DJ, Trites AW. Poo – useless waste or treasure trove: is it possible to
determine the relative amounts of prey in Steller sea lion diet using DNA? Oral presentation at the
North West Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammals, Western Washington University,
Bellingham Washington, USA, 2009
5. Bowles E, Schulte PM, Tollit DJ, Trites AW. Is it possible to determine the relative amounts of prey
in Steller sea lion diets using DNA? Oral presentation at the BC Marine Mammal Symposium,
University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, 2008, 2009
6. Bowles E, Tollit DJ, Schulte PM, Trites AW. Using DNA to determine what and how much Steller
sea lions eat. Oral presentation at the BC Marine Mammal Symposium, University of British
Columbia, Vancouver BC 2007
7. Bowles E, Corson TW, Gallie BL. QM-PCR identifies patterns of association of common genomic
changes in retinoblastoma. Oral presentation at the International Society of Genetic Eye
Diseases/International Retinoblastoma Symposium, Whistler BC, 2005
8. Bowles E, Corson TW, Gallie BL. QM-PCR identifies associations between common genomic
changes and a novel amplification in retinoblastoma. Poster presentation at annual summer student
poster day, Medical Biophysics, Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, University of
Toronto, Toronto ON, 2005
9. Bowles E* and Watson N* (2005) Light levels, mirror images and lateralization in shiner surfperch:
Cymatogaster aggregata. Oral presentation at the student symposium *equal contributors
10. Bowles E, Corson TW, Gallie BL. Profiling Hot Spot Gain and Loss in Retinoblastoma Tumors.
Poster presentation at British Columbia Cancer Association annual meeting, Vancouver BC, 2004
11. Bowles E, Corson TW, Gallie BL. Profiling Hot Spot Gain and Loss in Retinoblastoma Tumors.
Poster presentation at annual summer student poster day, Medical Biophysics, Ontario Cancer
Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, 2004
SEMINAR PRESENTATIONS
1. Bowles E, Schulte PM, Tollit DJ, Trites AW. Poo – useless waste or treasure trove: is it possible to
determine the relative amounts of prey in Steller sea lion diet using DNA? Seminar, Biodiversity
Internal Seminar Series (BLISS), University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, 2009
2. Bowles E, Corson TW, Gallie BL. Genomic copy number profiles suggest order of genomic changes
in retinoblastoma and identify amplification. Applied Molecular Oncology Divisional Seminar,
University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, 2005
OTHER ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS
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1. Bowles E. Evolution in action: stickleback, along the speciation continuum. Guest lecture,
Evolutionary Biology 401, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, 2015
2. Bowles E and Rogers SM. Evolutionary genetics of adaptive divergence to new freshwater
environments using the threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Public presentation to the
National Park Service pre-field season. King Salmon, Alaska, 2011
RESEARCH PERMITS APPLIED FOR AND HELD
 Scientific research and collection permits: #KATM-2011-SCI-0013, good through 28 May 20111 Oct 2014; #KATM -2012-SCI-0014, good through 1 June 2012 – 1 Oct 2014; ANIA-2012-sci0002, good through 1 June 2012 – 1 Oct 2014. National Park Service, DOI, USA
 Fish resource permits: #SF2011-163, 2011, #SF2012-149, 2012. Alaska Department of Fish and
Game, Ak, USA
 Export permits: separate permits for 2011 and 2012 (multiple in 2012). US Fish and Wildlife
Service, DOI, USA
 Import licenses: #2011-42, summer 2011; FIL2012-0029 and #FIL2012-0068, summer 2012.
Government of Albera, AB, Canada
SELECTED EMPLOYMENT AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2014, 2015
2014
2012, 2013
2011
2009-2011
2009
2007
2006
2006
2004-2005
2001-2003
1999-2000
Teaching Assistant, Evolution 401, University of Calgary
Ran workshop on bioinformatics analysis using the stacks pipeline
Teaching Assistant (1/4 TA), Organization and diversity of life 205, University of
Calgary
Teaching Assistant (1/2 TA), Marine Biology 321, University of Calgary
Researcher, DNA-based diet analysis in Pacific walrus, Marine Mammal Research Unit,
University of British Columbia, US Geological Survey, Alaska
Teaching assistant, Evolutionary Genetics 336, University of British Columbia
Interpreter/naturalist at the Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver BC
Research Intern with salmon enhancement project at the Alaska SeaLife center, Seward
AK, USA.
Undergraduate research assistant at Access and Diversity, University of British
Columbia, Vancouver BC
Summer student (summers 2004 and 2005), directed studies student (summer 2005) and
researcher (2005) in molecular cancer research through the Department of Medical
Biophysics at Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, University of
Toronto, Toronto ON
Assistant recreation coordinator (2003 only). Developed a comprehensive Counselor In
Training (CIT) program and two training manuals; hired and managed 6 CITs; and was a
camp counselor (2001-2003) at summer programs run through the Canadian National
Institute for the Blind, Bowen Island, BC
Violin teacher: 2 private students and co-taught a beginners class of 15, Fruitvale and
Nelson, BC
BIOINFORMATICS AND DATA ANALYSIS
BIOINFORMATICS
UNIX, stacks, samtools, VCT tools
STATISTICS
R, SAS
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PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND OUTREACH
REVIEWER FOR
Aquatic Nutrition, 1 article
Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, I article
Molecular Ecology Resources, 2 articles
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution
MEETING AND EVENT ORGANIZATION
2013
Coordinated and hosted the 2013/2014 student elected speaker, Dr. Geerat Vermeij, for
the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology lecture series, Biological Sciences, U of Calgary
2011
Volunteered as a session chair for the Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution
conference, Banff, AB
2010
One of the organizers for annual U of Calgary Ecology and Evolution retreat, Adams
River, BC
2004
Organized the annual Retinoblastoma retreat, Gull lake, ON
ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH
2011/2012
Initiated the need for and was a part of developing equity guidelines for persons who
have disabilities in the Dept. of Biological Sciences at the U. of Calgary, to address
barriers to education that were not fulfilled by the university-wide disability resource
center (DRC).
2002-presernt Mentor for visually impaired students and for families who have kids with
retinoblastoma. I have mentored many individuals over the years, but had consistent
contact and meetings with two families in particular between 2002 and 2006.
2001-present Speak about issues surrounding visual impairment
SELECTED TALKS, ALL INVITED:
2007 Bowles E. Developed and led a vocational transition workshop for minimally sighted
youth between the ages of 16 and 21 for the CNIB, Bowen Island BC. Program
focused on the benefits of using senses other than vision for learning, on the power of
using goals to overcome boundaries and about how to cope with some of the stresses
of not having vision in society today.
2007 Bowles E. While employed at the Vancouver Aquarium as a naturalist I developed a
program to introduce blind and visually impaired teenaged youth to marine
biodiversity world-wide. For this program I employed and trained four of the
Vancouver Aquarium volunteers.
2005 Bowles E, Bowles A. Challenging the norm: systemic barriers to education for people
with visual impairments. Oral presentation. International Society for Genetic Eye
Diseases/International Retinoblastoma Symposium, Whistler BC
2003 Bowles E. Anything is possible. keynote speaker, second National
Retinoblastoma Symposium, Toronto, ON. Spoke about the attitudes and
boundaries affecting people with retinoblastoma, in particular those who are
visually impaired. Talk subsequently made part of the Society’s educational
DVD.
2002 Bowles E. Talk about implications of vision loss to international student group,
UBC, Vancouver, BC
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2002
2004-2008
2006-2007
2004-2006
Bowles E. Talk on the implications of vision loss in life and education. Point
Grey High School, Vancouver BC
Steering committee, National Retinoblastoma strategy
Mission: to develop and maintain best practice guidelines for care of people affected by
retinoblastoma across Canada.
2008 Chair, National Retinoblastoma Strategy meeting, Whistler BC
2006 National Retinoblastoma Strategy meeting: chair, subcommittee on
retinoblastoma diagnosis, classification, consultation, referral and travel
Vancouver Aquarium volunteer in interpretation, Vancouver BC
Member, Access and Diversity Advisory Council, University of British Columbia,
Vancouver BC
ACADEMIC SUPERVISION, TRAINED AND SUPERVISED
 Laura Leon, fish lab assistant, 2014
 Bilal Ahmed, fish lab assistant, 2014
 Faizan Malik, fish lab assistant 2013-2014 and research assistant in the molecular lab, 2014
 Becky Johnston, fish lab assistant 2012-2014 and research assistant, size experiment data
collection, analysis and literature review 2013-2014
 Nick d’Aleo-Sotas, fish lab assistant, 2014
 James Liu, fish lab assistant, 2013-2014
 Liliya Yudina, fish lab assistant, 2013-2014
 Atefeh Nasiry, fish lab assistant, 2013-2014
 Amanda Martin, fish lab assistant, 2013-2014
 (Andy) Sung Jung Moon, fish lab assistant, 2013-2014
 Shemanti Barua, fish lab assistant, 2013
 Supratim Barua, fish lab assistant, 2013
 (Abdallah) Nafis Abdallah Anam, fish lab assistant, 2012-2014
 National Park Service staff (Robert Peterson, John Campbell, Katja P., Kyle Shedd), field
assistants, Alaska, summers of 2010 – 2012
 Nellie Yee, field assistant, Alaska, 2012
 Stevi Vanderzwan, field assistant, Alaska, 2011
 Tasha Hansen, fish lab assistant, 2011/2012
 Matthew Morris, field assistant, Alaska, 2010