Current Students | Past Students

Current students

Stephanie Barr (PhD, in progress)

Initially I completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Queen’s University (2009) then I went on to complete an Advanced Diploma in Ecosystem Management Technology at Sir Sandford Fleming College (2010). With the aim of working at the science-policy interface, and using my science background to inform environmental policy, I pursued a Masters of Public Administration at the University of Regina (2011). Later, I completed a Masters of Climate Change at the University of Waterloo (2014). Since completing my studies I have worked for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Natural Resources Canada in climate change related positions. Through these experiences I developed an interest the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and how assisted migration can be used as a tool to help species adapt to changes that are occurring. In particular I am interested in how human perspectives and values influence management plan decisions and determine which species should be focused on.

Fun fact: I love to travel to new places every chance I get to experience different ecosystems and cultures. I’m also unrealistically terrified of snakes…. No office pranks please!

Ester Jun-Yu Suen (MES, in progress)

I was born in Toronto, but grew up in Singapore for most of my childhood and teenage years. I completed my undergraduate degree in Wildlife Biology and Conservation at the University of Guelph in 2015. I have since worked in various research positions in Singapore in projects related to plant functional traits in secondary and urban forests and in urban green architecture. Due to my upbringing in large and densely populated cities like Singapore, I am interested in understanding urban ecological processes, and addressing conservation and sustainability issues within urban contexts. I am also interested in studying peoples’ interactions with nature in these places.

Fun Fact: During a high school trip to Cambodia, I had the opportunity to try a famous local delicacy – fried spiders! I only managed to eat a couple of legs though as the body of the spider was a little too off-putting.

Misty Matthews-Roper (PhD, in progress)

In 2009, I graduated from Trent University with a BA in German. I then moved to Germany and taught English for a few years.  Returning to Canada, I did some freelance teaching before deciding to pursue my MA in Intercultural German Studies at Waterloo. As part of my MA I travelled to Mannheim, Germany and studied courses in ethics, animal studies and climate change novels. My MA thesis dealt with German climate change novels and ethics. I hope to continue and expand on my MA work looking at climate change novels in German and other languages.

Fun Fact: I really like mushrooms. If you see a cool one out in the forest, take a picture for me!

Rachael Edwards (PhD, in progress)

Rachael joined the University of Waterloo’s School of Planning as a PhD student in January 2017. Prior to entering the doctoral stream, she completed a B.Sc. in Biology at the University of Saskatchewan and an M.Sc. in Conservation and Biodiversity at the University of Exeter, UK. Rachael’s interests lie at the intersection of the social and environmental dimensions of conservation. In particular, her research is focused on the evaluation of conservation interventions for their impact on psychological dimensions of wellbeing, information that can be used to promote adaptive management and greater equity in conservation planning decisions. Due to this interdisciplinary focus, Rachael incorporates a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods in her research design. Through this work, Rachael aims to contribute to improving the integration of environmental and social priorities in policy and practice.

Fun Fact: Rachael used to compete for the National Team in the sport of triathlon and still loves training and coaching all three sports (swimming, cycling, and running).

Past students

Heather Andrachuk (MES, 2014). Heather was a delightful person and a passionate nature-lover and educator; it was my honour to be her Master’s advisor. She has left the world too soon.

Hadley Boehm (Fulbright Scholar, 2009), Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin

Jacqueline Corr (MES, 2016)

Heather Crochetiere (MES, 2012), World Wildlife Canada

Kyle Creelman (MES, 2011), Hamilton Wentworth District School Board

Elaine Ferrier (MES, 2011), Ontario Ministry of Natural Resource

Lysiane Chagnon Fontaine (MES, 2014)

Carolyn Glass (MES, 2010), Beacon Environmental

Andrea Legere (MES, 2016), Envision-Tatham

Cristóbal Pizarro (PhD, 2015), Department of Forest Management and Environment, Universidad de Concepción, Chile

Ashley Young (Fulbright Scholar, 2008)