Elsa MC Goerig

I am a field geographer and fish biologist with a deep interest in diadromous and freshwater fish movement dynamics and behavior. My work focuses on how fish navigate estuaries and rivers throughout their life cycle, particularly how they respond to natural and human-made barriers such as waterfalls, dams, and culverts.

I am especially motivated by understanding the biomechanical and behavioral drivers that shape locomotion and performance during fish migrations. These insights are essential for designing more effective fish passage systems and targeted exclusion structures for invasive species.
Working at the intersection of biology and engineering, I integrate organismal performance with the physical environments in which fish evolve. I am a strong advocate for collaborative, interdisciplinary research and believe that basic and applied science can work together to advance fish conservation.

Effect of turbulence on swimming ability and performance of sea lamprey, brook trout and white sucker:

This collaborative study with Université de Sherbrooke and the US Geological Survey examines how sea lamprey and other species respond to turbulence generated by baffles, and whether these conditions influence their locomotor performance. Using a combination of in-situ swimming experiments and computational fluid dynamics, the project evaluates how fish interact with complex hydraulic environments. The findings will support the development of selective fish passage systems in the Great Lakes—where sea lamprey are invasive—and help promote the species’ conservation in its native range. Graduate students in charge of project: Mahmoud Abdelbaky & Dencil Mathew (Université de Sherbrooke)

Effect of novel fish-friendly turbines on American eel survival and sublethal injuries:

In partnership with Natel Energy Inc., the US Department of Energy, and Aberystwyth University, this project evaluates the performance of Natel’s Restorative Hydro Turbines by quantifying survival and sublethal injuries in American eel. We also examine how turbine-induced spinal injuries may influence eel locomotion and overall movement performance. The results will inform the development of safer, more sustainable hydropower technologies that align energy production with fish conservation.

Volitional swimming ability of native freshwater fish:

In collaboration with the US Geological Survey, I study the swimming ability and behavior of native freshwater species—from small minnows to large Northern pike. Our work aims to strengthen fundamental knowledge of fish locomotion and establish biological criteria that improve fishway design and dispersal models. Grad student involved at UMass: Annaliese Seibel- U.S. Geological Survey; Annaliese Seibel- Department of Environmental Conservation: UMass Amherst

High speed locomotion of anadromous species:

With the US Geological Survey, Harvard, UCSD-Scripps and Salem State University, I investigate the high-speed swimming ability and kinematics of several diadromous species—including Atlantic salmon, sea lamprey, American eel, sturgeon, and shad. I examine how environmental conditions shape fish’s willingness to swim and influence

performance across a range of hydraulic environments. I also study how sensory systems—such as vision and the lateral line—affect behavior and locomotor performance in fast, turbulent flows.

BA Geography with minor in biology. Université Laval. 2006

PhD Earth and Water sciences. Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS). 2017

Postdoctoral fellow & Research fellow. Museum of Comparative Zoology. Harvard University (2017-2025)

Affiliated Research Fellow at US Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center
(2017-current)

International Fish Passage Conference – Chair of the Steering Committee (2024-…)
Groupe de Recherche Interuniversitaire en limnologie (GRIL) – member (2026-…)
American Fisheries Society- Bioengineering Section (2024-…)
Great Lakes Fishery Commission – Sea lamprey research program (2022-2024)
American Fisheries Society – Nomination Committee (2020-2023)

Sterling, R., Goerig, E., Buzdalow, M., Castro Santos, T. & Akanyeti, O. (2026) Fish body midline segmentation using binary search. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture.

Abdelbaky, M., Matthew, D., Chénard, G., Goerig, E., Heisey, A., Lacey, J. & Castro Santos, T. (2026) Effects of turbulence inducing baffles on passage performance of brook trout, white sucker, and sea lamprey: implications for conservation and control. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. In press.

White, C., Goerig, E., Castro Santos, T. & Lauder, G. (2026) Fish locomotor dynamics quantified using multiple inertial measurement units. Royal Society Open Science. In press.

Di Santo, V. & Goerig, E. (2025) Swimming smarter, not harder: fishes exploit habitat heterogeneity to increase locomotor performance. Journal of Experimental Biology (Commentary).

Matte, J M., Guindon, A., Tremblay, V., Hatin, D., Bonnaire, F. & Goerig, E. (2025)Finding a way upstream: influence of environmental factors on juvenile American eel below a hydropower dam. Journal of Ecohydraulics.

Castro Santos, T.*, Kieffer, M. & Goerig, E.* (2024) Swimming performance and behavior of short nose sturgeon. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.

Ke, S., Goerig, E., Pang, K., Ji, H., Li, D., Xu, J., Tan, J., Qi, H. & Shi, X. (2024)Evaluation of pool weir fishway efficiency for the upstream spawning migration of Qinghai Lake’s naked carp. Ecological Engineering, 208, p. 107373.
Akanyeti, O., Goerig, E., Di Santo, V., Wainwright, D., Liao, J., Castro Santos, T. &Lauder, G. (2022) Fish inspired segment models for undulatory swimming. Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, 17(4). DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/ac6bd6

Castro Santos, T., Goerig, E., Lauder, G. & He, P. (2022) Applied aspects of locomotion and biomechanics. In: Cooke, S. & Fangue, N. (eds.) Conservation Physiology for the Anthropocene – A Systems Approach. Fish Physiology, 39A, pp. 91–140.

Alcott, D., Goerig, E. & Castro Santos, T. (2021) Culverts delay upstream and downstream migrations of river herring (Alosa spp.). River Research and Applications.

Alcott, D.J., Goerig, E., Rillahan, C., He, P. & Castro Santos, T. (2021) Tide gates form physical and ecological obstacles to river herring (Alosa spp.) spawning migrations.Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. DOI: 10.1139/cjfas-2020-0347

Tan, J., Tan, H., Goerig, E., Ke, S., Huang, H., Liu, Z. and Shi, X., 2021. Optimization of fishway attraction flow based on endemic fish swimming performance and hydraulics. Ecological Engineering, 170, p.106332.

Ke, S., Tu, Z., Goerig, E., Tan, J., Cheng, B., Li, Z. & Shi, X. (2021) Swimming behavior of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) in response to turbulent flow.
Journal of Fish Biology, 100(2), pp. 486–497.

Di Santo, V*., Goerig, E.*, Akanyeti, O., Liao, J., Wainwright, D., Castro Santos, T. &Lauder, G.V. (2021) Convergence of undulatory swimming kinematics across a diversity of fishes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Frechette, D., Goerig, E. & Bergeron, N. (2019) Factors influencing fallback by adult Atlantic salmon following transport to a novel habitat. Fisheries Management and Ecology. DOI: 10.1111/fme.12378

Goerig, E., Wasserman, B., Castro Santos, T. & Palkovacs, E. (2019) Body shape matters for brook trout passage through in stream barriers. Journal of Applied Ecology.DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13497

Ke, S., Li, Z., Jin, Z., Lin, C., Goerig, E., Kynard, B., Liu, G., Liu, D. & Shi, X. (2019)Effect of a vertical one half cylinder on swimming of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix): implications for microhabitat restoration and fishway design. River Research and Applications. DOI: 10.1002/rra.3416

Goerig, E., Castro Santos, T. & Bergeron, N.E. (2017) Swimming behavior and ascent path of brook trout in a corrugated culvert. River Research and Applications, 33(9).

Goerig, E. & Castro Santos, T. (2016) Is motivation important for brook trout passage through culverts? Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. DOI:
10.1139/cjfas-2016-0237

Goerig, E., Castro Santos, T. & Bergeron, N.E. (2016) Brook trout passage performance through culverts. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. DOI:
10.1139/cjfas-2015-0089

Nyqvist, D., Greenberg, L.A., Goerig, E., Calles, O., Bergman, E., Ardren, W.R. &Castro Santos, T. (2016) Migratory delay leads to reduced passage success of Atlantic salmon smolts at a hydroelectric dam. Ecology of Freshwater Fish. DOI:10.1111/eff.12318

* equal contribution statement