Trainees
2025 Cohort
Graduate Students
Chantal Bilodeau
English (PhD)
Advisor: TBA
Research: Developing storytelling strategies to address the climate crisis
Seamus Beairsto
Earth & Ocean Science (PhD)
Advisor: Prof. Adam Monahan
Research: Using machine learning to turn coarse climate data into detailed maps of local weather patterns across Canada
Spencer Funk
Mechanical Engineering (PhD)
Advisor: Prof. Brad Buckham
Research: Improving energy production in offshore wave energy converters through geometry control and simulation
Joe Marshall
Earth & Ocean Sciences (MSc)
Advisor: Prof. Colin Goldblatt
Research: Analyzing how Earth’s atmospheric composition impacts long-term climate stability
Brighid Odenthal
Environmental Studies (MSc)
Advisor: Prof. Natalie Ban
Research: Developing techniques to monitor climate change impacts on glass sponge reefs
Mareike de Breuyn
Biology (PhD)
Advisor: Prof. Julia Baum
Research: Investigating coral reef resilience to climate change on the world’s largest atoll, Kirimati
Katie Jamson
Earth & Ocean Science (PhD)
Advisor: Prof. Andrew Fraass
Research: Mapping microfossil-driven sedimentation and ocean-climate interactions over the Cenozoic
Gabriel Mingorance
Earth & Ocean Sciences (PhD)
Advisors: Profs. Adam Monahan & Mercé Casas-Prat
Research: Deep learning modelling of Canadian coastal waves and storm surges
Ivana Medina
Public Administration (MPA)
Advisor: Prof. Heather Castleden
Research: Community readiness and policymaking for climate-related displacement impacts.
Matthew Peck
Environmental Studies (MSc)
Advisor: Prof. Gerald Singh
Research: Assessing the effects of climate solutions on a culturally important salmon stream
Caitlin Quist
Public Administration (MPA)
Advisor: Prof. Sarah Marie Wiebe
Research: Stewarding water in a changing climate: farmers, drought policy, and ecosystem stewardship in British Columbia
Kun Peng
Environmental Studies (PhD)
Advisor: Prof. Gerald Singh
Research: Creating gamified interactive simulations for climate change planning scenarios
Luke Stern
Public Administration (MPA)
Advisor: Prof. Katya Rhodes
Research: Advancing evidence-driven climate policies that optimize trade-offs between effectiveness and acceptability.
Latina Penkova
Biology (MSc)
Advisor: Profs. Drs. Barbara Hawkins & Marty Kranabetter
Research: Exploring the role of ectomycorrhizal decomposition in soil carbon sequestration and release
Gary Xie
Mechanical Engineering (MEng)
Advisor: Prof. Bosco Yu
Research: Optimizing clean hydrogen technologies through finite element modelling
Bryce O’Brien
Biology (PhD)
Advisor: Prof. Julia Baum
Research: Evaluating blue carbon ecosystems in the Bay of Fundy
Post-Doctoral Fellows
Dr. Luiz Da Silva Correa
Civil Engineering
PI: Dr. Heather Buckley
Research: Solutions for biofouling prevention: enhancing desalination technology to strengthen healthcare access and promote climate resilience
Elvia Willyono
Public Administration (PhD)
Advisor: Profs. Tamara Krawchenko & Rob Newell
Research: Visualizing land-use scenarios through immersive, collaborative geographic visualization tools
2024 Trainee Cohort
Graduate Students
Saeid Dolatabadi
Mechanical Engineering (PhD)
Advisor: Prof. Curran Crawford
Research: Green shipping corridors: Low/Zero emissions marine transportation
Internship: Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS)
Leif Douglass
Public Administration (MPA)
Advisors: Profs. Tamara Krawchenko & Chris Kennedy
Research: Impacts of decarbonization on provincial government revenue and expenditures
Internship: Ministry of Forests
Pavel Soriano Hernandez
Geography (PhD)
Basma Majerbi & David Atkinson
Research: Analyzing community-level financial and societal implications of the energy transition
Matthew Hetherington
Public Administration (MPA)
Advisor: Prof. Katya Rhodes
Research: Climate policy effectiveness and acceptance in the public sector
Internship: Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions
Rekha Marcus
Environmental Studies (MSc)
Drs.Gerald Singh & Nancy Shackelford
Research: Conservation of coastal wetlands for climate change futures
Internship: Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture
Donovan Faraoni
Public Administration (MPA)
Advisor: Prof. Tamara Krawchenko
Research: Integrating wetland climate policy with local governments in urban biospheres
Internship: Canada's Privy Council Office
Ridhee Gupta
Environmental Studies (MSc)
Advisor: Prof. Gerald Singh
Research: Machine learning to analyze effective stakeholder participation in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
Zoë Leech
Environmental Studies (MSc)
Advisor: Prof. Natalie Ban
Research: Monitoring MPAs with a holistic approach inclusive of Indigenous knowledge.
Internship: Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation Stewardship Authority
Liam Janke
Civil Engineering (PhD)
Advisor: Prof. David Bristow
Research: Serving rural and remote communities: co-developing place-based climate resilient solutions
Sofie Ohrling
Earth & Ocean Sciences (MSc)
Advisor: Prof. Jay Cullen
Research: Trace element mobilization from climate warming in the Arctic Ocean
Fateme Salehi
Earth & Ocean Sciences (MSc)
Advisor: Prof. Adam Monahan
Research: Regime dynamics for wind energy generation
Internship: Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
Rachel Orr
Biology (MSc)
Advisor: Prof. Rana El-Sabaawi
Research: Interactions of climate change and urbanization in lake communities on Vancouver Island
Nadiya Shore
Earth & Ocean Sciences (MSc)
Advisor: Prof. Adam Monahan
Research: Modelling extreme climate events with machine learning techniques
Matthew Wilson
Earth & Ocean Sciences (PhD)
Advisor: Prof. Adam Monahan
Research: Investigating the atmospheric processes responsible for heatwaves in the Pacific Northwest
Post-Doctoral Fellows
Dr. Rachid Ouache
Civil Engineering
PI: Prof. David Bristow
Research: Multi-hazard Risk & Resilience assessment for real asset decision-support
Dr. Emily Wordley
Institute for Integrated Energy Systems (IESVic)
PIs: Profs. Brad Buckham & Curran Crawford
Research: Engagement of island communities in Marine Renewable Energy decision making
Dr. Jake Eager-Nash
School of Earth and Ocean Sciences
PI: Prof. Colin Goldblatt
Research: Millennial scale climate change in the Canadian Earth System Model
2023 Trainee Cohort
Forood Azargoshasbi
Civil Engineering (PhD)
Advisor: Prof. Laura Minet
Research: Interactions between Urban Heat Islands and Air Pollution
Internship: Pacific Consortium of Climate Impacts
Eliza Batchelder
Environmental Studies (MSc)
Advisor: Prof. Loren McClenachan
Research: Comparative analysis of offshore wind development
Internship: Oceans North
Patrick Connolly
Mechanical Engineering (PhD)
Advisor: Prof. Curran Crawford
Research: Computational modelling of unmoored floating offshore wind turbines
Internship: Pembina Institute
Brendan Danaher
Civil Engineering (MASc)
Advisor: Prof. Madeleine McPherson
Research: Energy systems modelling investigating decarbonization of Canada’s electrical system
Internship: Clean Prosperity Foundation
Luke Friedl
Mechanical Engineering (MSc)
Advisor: Prof. Brad Buckham
Research: Wave energy modelling for renewable ocean energy capture and conversion
Internship: Ocean Networks Canada
Mohaddese Ghadiri
Public Administration (PhD)
Advisor: Tamara Krawchenko
Research: Fostering sustainable food systems using Climate-Biodiversity-Health nexus
Internship: BC Environmental Assessment Office Co-op
Vahid Gholamzadeh
Gustavson School of Business (PhD)
Advisor: Prof. Adel Guitouni
Research: Exploring dynamic collaboration in a sustainable agri-food supply chain
Internship: Accelerating Community Energy Transformations (ACET)
Rowan Hargreaves
Public Administration (MPA)
Advisor: Prof. Katya Rhodes
Research: Assessing effective industrial just transitions policy for coastal communities
Internship: BC Provincial Government, Ministry of Emergency Management & Climate Readiness
Lauren Man
Geography (MSc)
Advisor: Prof. Maycira Costa
Research: Spatio-temporal resilience of kelp beds in the Broughton Archipelago
Internship: Hakai Institute
Sophie Janke
Mechanical Engineering (MASc)
Advisor: Prof. Curran Crawford
Research: Seasonal green hydrogen storage modelling tool for a northern microgrid
Internship: Dark Matter Materials/AtCo Alberta
Shahrzad Monshet
Civil Engineering (PhD)
Advisor: Prof. Thomas Froese
Research: Decision-making for sustainable building design, investigating drivers & barriers
Internship: Just BioFiber Structural Solutions
Luke Seybold
Mechanical Engineering (MASc)
Advisor: Prof. Brad Buckham
Research: Performance optimization of offshore renewable energy systems
Internship: Ocean Networks Canada
Niloofar Larimi Gilani
Gustavson School of Business (PhD)
Profs. Adel Guitouni & Basma Majerbi
Research: Addressing sustainable and resilient healthcare supply chains
Tessa Rehill
Biology (MSc)
Advisor: Prof. Julia K. Baum
Research: Exploring climate change-driven urchin dynamics & their impacts on kelp forests
Internship: Tula Foundation
Brian Timmer
Biology (PhD)
Advisor: Prof. Julia K. Baum
Research: Researching the effects of climate change on temperate nearshore habitats
Internship: Kelp Rescue Initiative
Siyang Liu
Mechanical Engineering (PhD)
Advisor: Prof. Zuomin Dong
Research: Clean Marine Propulsion systems modelling, design & control optimization
Internship: Oceans North
Bryan Woodward
Environmental Studies (MSc)
Profs. Gerald Singh & Matthew Little
Research: Exploring indicators of food security in Canada’s Arctic
Internship: Nunavik Contaminants Program
2023 Post-Doctoral Fellows
Dr. Julia Jeworrek
School of Earth and Ocean Sciences
PI: Prof. Hansi Singh
Research: Investigating climate impacts of halocarbon emissions from expanding seaweed aquaculture
Dr. Jenn McHenry
Department of Biology
PI: Prof. Julia K. Baum
Research: Evaluating how blue carbon ecosystems can contribute to ocean climate solutions in Canada
Dr. Dipti Hingmire
School of Earth and Ocean Sciences
PI: Prof. Hansi Singh
Research: Developing high resolution coastal climate projections for assessment of blue carbon potential of Canada