Lab

The team of students and researchers in my group study an array of interdisciplinary climate change research problems, including climate extremes, climate change adaptation, and pathways to net-zero emissions. To support numerical modelling and field surveys, we maintain access to a multi-node computer cluster, SCUBA equipment, and field instruments for collecting climate and environmental data in coastal and marine settings.

My group and I aim to create a diverse, interactive, engaging, and interdisciplinary working environment. Each of us strives to keep the group a safe and welcoming place to work, which includes challenging our own biases with an open mind.

Current Group Members

Virginie Bornarel, Postdoctoral Associate (she/her/hers)

Virginie is an expert in ecological modeling, fisheries science, and climate data analysis. Her previous work focused on developing modeling tools to better understand and predict the effects of climate variability on fish stocks and coastal ecosystems. She currently studies the drivers of mass coral bleaching events and ways to improve predictive tools, linked to extreme weather events. She is driven by a deep commitment to supporting the resilience of marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

Salome Buglass, PhD student (she/her/hers)

Salome Buglass is a marine scientist and National Geographic Explorer with a strong interest in deep-water ecosystems, marine conservation, marine management, and the intersection between people and the ocean. Her PhD research is exploring novel mesophotic kelp forests in the Galápagos Marine Reserve together with the Charles Darwin Foundation.

Víctor Cárdenas, PhD student (he/his/him/dad)

Victor is motivated by a deep desire to foster a society that is resilient to natural hazards, including climate-related ones, and is aware of its responsibility and capability regarding the environment and climate. His approach identifies and assesses economic losses in less developed countries resulting from the interaction of societies with nature and provides scientifically and methodologically rigorous risk-financing alternatives. He has 20 years of experience in global projects, involving roughly 30 countries.

Yunfei Li, PhD student (she/her/hers)

Yunfei endeavors to better understand how individuals and communities perceive and react to the impacts of climate change. She is particularly interested in exploring how personal experiences with climate-related events shape individuals’ attitudes and behaviors towards environment and sustainability. By investigating these dynamics she aims to contribute to effectively engaging diverse audiences in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Victoria Lucas, MSc student (she/her/hers)

Vicky Lucas has been a meteorologist and air quality scientist, and most recently working in the development and delivery of sustainability training.  For the last few years she has been increasingly interested in the use of climate information to increase preparedness and adaptation for a warmer world.  Analysis of climate services and bridging the gap into decision making is the basis of her thesis.

Zana Mody, PhD student (she/her/hers)

Zana has a decade of experience as a professional in journalism at CBC Radio in Toronto and as a project manager developing a national youth ocean and climate literacy program at OceanWise. Her academic background is in biology, ecology, and anthropology, and she has worked with Indigenous communities in Canada and internationally. Zana is researching the socio-ecological roles of blue carbon ecosystems in climate change mitigation and adaptation for coastal communities for her PhD.

Ted Scott, PhD student (he/him/his)

Ted joined in 2024 after a prior PhD in Geophysics, over a decade at Microsoft, and several years teaching high school science and math. He seeks to understand the evolution of seasonal heat and changing seasonal patterns in a warming climate, with an emphasis on coastal urban areas. Ted uses climate modelling and data science tools (python, R) to understand these changes and how they are experienced by humanity and ecosystems. He also communicates with policymakers through his role on the Whatcom County Climate Impact Advisory Committee.

Group Alumni

Margaryta Pustova, MSc, 2023

Thesis: Extreme weather and public attitudes about mitigation and adaptation

Currently: Senior Policy and Planning Analyst, Metro Vancouver’s Air Quality and Climate Services 

Julia Mayer, MSc, 2023

Thesis: Impact of the El Niño / Southern Oscillation on Wave Variability in Tarawa, Republic of Kiribati

Currently: PhD student, UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries

Harmony A. Martell née Hancock, Postdoctoral fellow (she/her/mom)

Research: Coral reef physiology and predicting the future of coral reefs

Currently: Principal, Ocean Harmony Consulting

Xinru Li, PhD, 2023

Thesis: Dynamics of Warm-Season Marine Heat Waves

Currently: Postdoctoral Associate, NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory

Liam Lachs, PhD (Newcastle University), 2024

Thesis: Thermal impacts of corals across multiple spatial and temporal scales

Currently: Postdoctoral Associate, CORAL ASSIST, Newscastle University

Balsher S. Sidhu, Postdoctoral fellow (he/him/his)

Research: Reconciling biofuel demand and natural climate solutions in a net-zero future

Currently: Senior Climate Researcher, riskthinking.AI

Sara Cannon, PhD, 2022

Thesis: Coral reefs, climate change, and resilience in the Central Pacific

Currently: Postdoctoral Associate, Centre for Indigenous Fisheries, UBC

Pedro Cuautémoc González Espinosa, PhD, 2021

Thesis: Integration of sea surface temperature and light for prediction of coral bleaching

Currently: Postdoctoral Associate, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, UBC

Alejandra Urcelay, MSc, 2021

Thesis: Assessing the extent of global mass coral bleaching with an updated database

Currently: Data Manager, UBC Sustainability Hub

Kieran Findlater, Postdoctoral Associate, 2021

Research: Climate services and climate-adaptive decision making

Currently: Senior Policy Advisor, Privy Council Office, Government of Canada

Seth Wynes, PhD, 2020

Research: The role of individuals and institutions in climate change mitigation

Currently: Postdoctoral Associate, Concordia University

Hugo Tello

Research Technician

Currently: Software Developer, Ubisoft Montréal

Heather Summers, MSc, 2019

Research: Investigating the ability of coral reefs to protect shorelines in the Republic of Kiribati

Currently: Data Science, University of Waterloo

Sophie Webber, PhD, 2015

Thesis: Circuits of climate change finance, policy, and science in the Pacific Islands

Currently: Lecturer, University of Sydney

Justin Lau, MSc, 2016

Thesis: Caribbean sea surface temperatures and El Niño, a new outlook

Currently: Freelance photographer

Sandra Banholzer, MSc, 2012

Thesis: Central Pacific El Niño and its impact on weather and forest fire patterns in N America

Currently: Physical Sciences Specialist, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Doris Leong, PhD, 2015

Thesis: Water resource availability in response to climate change and oil sands operations

Currently: Head, Water Allocation, BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations