Trevor Lantz is a terrestrial ecologist who works at a variety of scales to understand environmental change in northern ecosystems. He and his students combine detailed field investigations, broad-scale change detection, spatial pattern analysis, and investigations focused on the traditional knowledge of local land users. By combining field investigations, regional mapping, and traditional knowledge, his research program seeks to link knowledge of key processes with data on landscape-level variation in critical drivers, and constraints. Current research projects in the western Arctic focus on permafrost degradation, storm surges, shrub encroachment, catastrophic lake drainage, anthropogenic disturbance, and community-based environmental monitoring.
Sydney Goward, RPF, MSc student. Partnered with the ACME Lab and the Gwich’in Renewable Resources Board, Sydney is studying Divii (Dall’s Sheep) in the Northern Richardson Mountains, NT. Her research focuses on the use of camera traps and engagement with Gwich’in communities to investigate Divii population changes. In 2018, she graduated from Thompson Rivers University with an Honours degree in Natural Resource Science, where she conducted research studying spatial and temporal characteristics of raptor nesting habitat in a managed forest in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Sydney is a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) and has a working background in wildlife and habitat management in both BC and AB. Outside her studies, she is an overall backcountry enthusiast, dedicated fly fisher, and amateur wildlife photographer. Check out Sydneys website for more info here.
Emma Street is a PhD student whose research explores traditional knowledge of permafrost in the Gwich’in and Inuvialuit Settlement Regions. Emma seeks to better understand thawing permafrost and the implications of the thaw in this region and contribute to observer-driver permafrost monitoring programs. Emma has a (Hons.) Bachelor of Social Science from the University of Ottawa in Anthropology and Environmental Studies and a Master of Environmental Studies from York University (Toronto) where her research focused on the social, cultural, and economic consequences of thawing permafrost in Churchill, Manitoba. Between degrees, Emma worked in federal politics and as an outdoor educator and high school English teacher. Outside of the lab, Emma can be found covered in craft supplies, flour, or dirt.
Nicola Shipman was born in Basel, Switzerland to two West-Coast-grown Canadians. Growing up in the concrete jungle of southern Ontario, she lived for summer vacations in BC, which offered access to mountain hiking and perpetual ocean swimming. At the first opportunity, she fled west to Kelowna, BC where she completed a BSc with Honours in Zoology from the University of British Columbia – Okanagan. After graduating, Nicola dabbled in marine endeavours, working as an At-Sea Fisheries Observer and a Field Naturalist and a Deckhand/Dive Tender/Cook for the Pacific Wild film crew in the Great Bear Rainforest. After testing the waters – literally - she made the change permanent and settled in Victoria. Nicola is fascinated by changes in ecological processes resulting from climate change and their impacts on wildlife populations and habitats. Her MSc research explores how marine storm surges in the Beaufort Delta region are the affecting habitat for Arctic shorebirds.
Grant is a PhD student with a background in physics and a passion for the natural world. His research is examining the biophysical factors that contribute to terrain sensitivity in the Western Arctic. By developing new algorithms and implementing machine learning techniques to classify satellite imagery, Grant’s research will advance the capability of semi-automated methods to detect disturbances caused by permafrost thaw. Originally from California, Grant completed his MSc in Climate Physics from Utrecht University with a research emphasis on the detection and identification of organics and nanoplastic pollution in the cryosphere. Now at the University of Victoria, he looks forward to continuing field work and pushing the boundaries of scientific computing for climate research.
Jackie grew up in Toronto dreaming of the ocean. She is a lover of sharks, rays, whales and anything aquatic. She has an interdisciplinary background in marine and freshwater biology and geography with a focus on the human dimensions of natural resource use, management, and conservation. As an applied environmental social scientist, Jackie is particularly interested in how social science methods and approaches can be used to improve the management and stewardship of aquatic resources. She’s done work in Brazil, Madagascar, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, and Thailand, mainly focused on improving the sustainability and conservation outcomes of marine wildlife tourism. As a postdoctoral researcher, she is looking forward to working in partnership with the Gwich’in Renewable Resources Board to understand the impacts of environmental change on fishing livelihoods in the Gwich’in Settlement Area in the Canadian western Arctic.
Emily is a student-in-recovery who has recently finished a degree in Environmental Studies. She is currently working on various projects in association with the Arctic Landscape Ecology lab and the Northwest Territories Geoscience Office. She has enjoyed several years of work in Fort McPherson, the Mackenzie Delta, and Nahanni National Park Reserve.
Ardis Mellor-Laing (she/her) was born in Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Territories, also known as Vancouver, BC, spending her childhood exploring the West Coast and fostering a love for the outdoors. She graduated in May, 2022 with a B.Sc. from the University of Victoria double majoring in Environmental Studies and Geography. Ardis has worked primarily as an Environmental Field Technician in Jasper AB, Squamish, Whistler, and the Sunshine Coast working for different levels of Government and Non-Profit organizations. She is hoping this four month work term as one of the research assistants in the ALE lab will help further her mapping and data skills to help pursue a career in Conservation Ecology and Ecosystem Restoration in the future. When not in the office, Ardis can be found mountain biking, rock climbing, trail running, surfing, or skiing, keeping in shape for the summer field season.
Mike grew up in the foothills of Alberta, where he first developed his love for the outdoors and ecology. Transitioning from Alberta to the West Coast after high school, he got the opportunity to combine his passion for ecology with his newfound interest in GIS halfway through his degree, receiving a BSc in Biology with a minor in Geographic Information Technology. Throughout university, Mike worked field summers in Haida Gwaii at a remote fishing lodge and in Banff National Park as an aquatic field technician for Parks Canada. Currently, Mike is using his GIS skills in the ALE Lab as a Research Assistant, where he is focused on modelling tundra ecosystems using UAVs and mapping permafrost landscape change in the Arctic.
Emma is a fourth year undergraduate student at UVic, majoring in Geography and Environmental Studies. She joins the ALE lab as a Research Assistant for her second co-op work term. Prior to her co-op term in the lab, Emma worked in both Jasper and Waterton Lakes National Parks. Emma is excited to contribute to a variety of projects in the lab, including assessing the impact of tundra fire on vegetation recovery. Outside of work, Emma enjoys hiking and downhill skiing.