Education and Certifications
I have a B.Sc.(Hon.) in Biology and a B.A.(Min.) in Geography from Queen’s University and a M.Sc. in Plant Ecology and a Ph.D. in Environmental Biology & Ecology from the University of Alberta.
I was certified as a Professional Biologist by the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists (AB) in 2008, and I am a Professional Wetland Scientist, certified by the Society of Wetland Scientists (USA) in 2010.
Under the current Alberta Environment and Parks policies, I am a wetland Authenticating Professional (AP), who meets the educational and professional requirements outlined in Professional Responsibilities in Completion and Assurance of Wetland Science, Design and Engineering Work in Alberta (AEP 2017).
Areas of Expertise
My areas of expertise include wetland plant community monitoring and assessments, nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, plant and microbial biodiversity, and impacts of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on terrestrial, wetland, and aquatic ecosystem distribution, function, and water quality and quantity. In addition, I have extensive experience in wetland classification, delineation, identification, and monitoring, design of treatment wetlands, and ecosystem health assessments
In addition, I have supported clients with the acquisition of regulatory approvals (Water Act, Wetland Permanence Assessments, Public Lands Act, and Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act) and contributed to oil/bitumen/produced water release assessments, reclamation projects (including oil sand tailings deposit reclamation), pre‑site and pre‑development assessments, sensitive receptor inventories, wetland compensation, treatment wetland design, and wetland and water body monitoring program development and implementation projects. These projects have been for oil/gas, municipal, private landowner, mining, and landfill clients across Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
I have a very strong scientific foundation and have extensively published and presented my work in national and international scientific journals and books and workshops, symposia, and conferences, respectively. I was an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta from 2004 to 2013.
I have contributed to the Professional Practice Standard for Wetland Science, Design and Engineering document, released by Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) in May 2017, and the Reclamation Practices and Criteria for Powerpoles, released by AEP in May 2020. I am an Authenticating Professional and have the specific level of expertise and accountability required (formerly captured under the Qualified Wetland Science Practitioner [QWSP] “designation”) to stamp and sign off on regulatory submissions under the Alberta Wetland Policy and Water Act.
Professional Memberships and Affiliations
I am a member of the:
- Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS)
- Registered Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS; 2010-2023)
- Alberta Society of Professional Biologists (ASPB)
- Director on Board of Directors (2010-2012, 2020-2022)
- Wetland Practice Area Steering Committee member (2012-2014)
- Chair of the Microbiology Practice Area Steering Committee (2015-2017)
- Member of the Registration Committee (2015-2019)