Senior Members of the NPEL

Alix Conway (Ph.D. 2012-2017)
Alix is a Saskatoon native and completed her undergraduate degree in Biology at Queen's University. She then moved to the Geography department at Queen's where she completed her M.Sc. degree under the supervision of Dr. Ryan Danby. Alix joined the NPEL in September 2012 and her research focuses on the impact of herbivores on boreal forest succession after fire. Alix defended her PhD thesis in September 2017. Since then she has been working as a research associate and project manager in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources at the U of S.
Alix is a Saskatoon native and completed her undergraduate degree in Biology at Queen's University. She then moved to the Geography department at Queen's where she completed her M.Sc. degree under the supervision of Dr. Ryan Danby. Alix joined the NPEL in September 2012 and her research focuses on the impact of herbivores on boreal forest succession after fire. Alix defended her PhD thesis in September 2017. Since then she has been working as a research associate and project manager in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources at the U of S.

Mélanie Jean (Ph.D. 2012-2017)
Mélanie joined the NPEL lab in 2012. She is originally from Québec, and did her undergraduate degree in biology at Université de Montréal. Mélanie developed an interest in northern ecology while working as a field assistant for Dr. Esther Lévesque studying snow patches. She completed her MSc at Université Laval with Dr. Serge Payette, where she studied vegetation and permafrost dynamics at the Boniface River Research Station near treeline in northern Quéebec. For her PhD in the NPEL, Mélanie examined the functional role of mosses in driving successional dynamics of boreal forests in Alaska. Mélanie defended her PhD thesis in September 2017. She completed a FQRNT post-doctoral fellowship in Quebec after her PhD and joined the faculty at the Université de Moncton (N.B.) in 2021.
Mélanie joined the NPEL lab in 2012. She is originally from Québec, and did her undergraduate degree in biology at Université de Montréal. Mélanie developed an interest in northern ecology while working as a field assistant for Dr. Esther Lévesque studying snow patches. She completed her MSc at Université Laval with Dr. Serge Payette, where she studied vegetation and permafrost dynamics at the Boniface River Research Station near treeline in northern Quéebec. For her PhD in the NPEL, Mélanie examined the functional role of mosses in driving successional dynamics of boreal forests in Alaska. Mélanie defended her PhD thesis in September 2017. She completed a FQRNT post-doctoral fellowship in Quebec after her PhD and joined the faculty at the Université de Moncton (N.B.) in 2021.

Xanthe Walker (Ph.D. 2011-2015)
Xanthe is originally from Saskatchewan and became interested in northern ecosystems while doing an undergraduate research project in the NPEL. After completing her B.Sc. degree at the UofS, Xanthe completed a M.Sc. degree at UBC under the supervision of Dr. Greg Henry. Xanthe returned to the NPEL in January 2011. Her PhD research focused on using dendrochronology techniques to assess climate change impacts on ecosystem resilience and succession in the boreal forest. After defending her PhD in spring 2015, she joined the lab of Dr. Michelle Mack (Northern Arizona University), where she has led further research on boreal ecosystem ecology in the NWT and Alaska.
Xanthe is originally from Saskatchewan and became interested in northern ecosystems while doing an undergraduate research project in the NPEL. After completing her B.Sc. degree at the UofS, Xanthe completed a M.Sc. degree at UBC under the supervision of Dr. Greg Henry. Xanthe returned to the NPEL in January 2011. Her PhD research focused on using dendrochronology techniques to assess climate change impacts on ecosystem resilience and succession in the boreal forest. After defending her PhD in spring 2015, she joined the lab of Dr. Michelle Mack (Northern Arizona University), where she has led further research on boreal ecosystem ecology in the NWT and Alaska.

Carissa Brown (Ph.D. 2007-2011)
Carissa originally hails from Thunder Bay, Ontario and Lakehead University, and has a M.Sc. degree from Carleton University. Carissa's Ph.D. research focused on fire history and climate change impacts on the structure and composition of treeline black spruce in the north Yukon. Carissa moved from the NPEL to a post- doctoral position at the University of Sherbrooke, Quebec (Velland lab). She is now a faculty member in biogeography at the Department of Geography, Memorial University, Newfoundland.
Carissa's website.
Carissa originally hails from Thunder Bay, Ontario and Lakehead University, and has a M.Sc. degree from Carleton University. Carissa's Ph.D. research focused on fire history and climate change impacts on the structure and composition of treeline black spruce in the north Yukon. Carissa moved from the NPEL to a post- doctoral position at the University of Sherbrooke, Quebec (Velland lab). She is now a faculty member in biogeography at the Department of Geography, Memorial University, Newfoundland.
Carissa's website.
Other Associates of the NPEL

Ruth Greuel (M.Sc., 2015-2018)
Ruth joined the NPEL in 2015 as part of the woodland caribou project. Ruth finished her bilingual BSc in Environmental Science/Conservation Biology at the University of Alberta in 2012. Her MSc research focus was on forage lichen availability and succession after fire in the Boreal Shield ecoregion of northern Saskatchewan. She was co-supervised by Dr. Phil McLoughlin at the U of S, and went on to conduct a PhD in his lab in plant-animal ecology of Sable Island, N.S.
Ruth joined the NPEL in 2015 as part of the woodland caribou project. Ruth finished her bilingual BSc in Environmental Science/Conservation Biology at the University of Alberta in 2012. Her MSc research focus was on forage lichen availability and succession after fire in the Boreal Shield ecoregion of northern Saskatchewan. She was co-supervised by Dr. Phil McLoughlin at the U of S, and went on to conduct a PhD in his lab in plant-animal ecology of Sable Island, N.S.

Megan Horachek (M.Sc. 2014-2016)
Megan is an Ontario-born-BC-dweller who graduated from the University of Guelph in Guelph, ON with a B.Sc. in Biological Science. She also completed a graduate certificate from Sir Sandford Fleming College in Lindsay, ON, as a GIS-Cartographic Specialist. Megan joined the NPEL in January 2014 to complete a masters focusing on the growth responses of jack pine across regional and local moisture gradients in Saskatchewan. She completed her MSc in 2016 and then worked as a research technician another lab at the U of S.
Megan is an Ontario-born-BC-dweller who graduated from the University of Guelph in Guelph, ON with a B.Sc. in Biological Science. She also completed a graduate certificate from Sir Sandford Fleming College in Lindsay, ON, as a GIS-Cartographic Specialist. Megan joined the NPEL in January 2014 to complete a masters focusing on the growth responses of jack pine across regional and local moisture gradients in Saskatchewan. She completed her MSc in 2016 and then worked as a research technician another lab at the U of S.

Sara Kuleza (M.Sc. 2011-2015)
Sara is originally from Winnipeg and developed a love for northern ecosystems when working in Churchill, Manitoba. Sara has an undergraduate degree in Biology and Geography from the University of Winnipeg. Sara joined the NPEL lab in 2011, where she worked on plant reproductive processes in alpine tundra at Wolf Creek, southern Yukon. Since completing her degree, she has been working and adventuring in southern B.C.
Sara is originally from Winnipeg and developed a love for northern ecosystems when working in Churchill, Manitoba. Sara has an undergraduate degree in Biology and Geography from the University of Winnipeg. Sara joined the NPEL lab in 2011, where she worked on plant reproductive processes in alpine tundra at Wolf Creek, southern Yukon. Since completing her degree, she has been working and adventuring in southern B.C.

Emily Charry Tissier (M.Sc. 2009-2011)
Emily is originally from Minnesota, and also has French citizenship. She completed her undergraduate at the University of Minnesota, and then worked for several years as a research technician at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She is interested in the conservation of coastal ecosystems, and conducted her thesis research on the vegetation dynamics of dune ecosystems of Sable Island, Nova Scotia. Emily was co-supervised by Dr. Phil McLoughlin at U of S, who conducts research on the horses of Sable Island. Emily defended her thesis in the fall of 2011. Since then, she has been working as a research technician in various Biology labs (including NPEL!). Follow Emily on her website.
Emily is originally from Minnesota, and also has French citizenship. She completed her undergraduate at the University of Minnesota, and then worked for several years as a research technician at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She is interested in the conservation of coastal ecosystems, and conducted her thesis research on the vegetation dynamics of dune ecosystems of Sable Island, Nova Scotia. Emily was co-supervised by Dr. Phil McLoughlin at U of S, who conducts research on the horses of Sable Island. Emily defended her thesis in the fall of 2011. Since then, she has been working as a research technician in various Biology labs (including NPEL!). Follow Emily on her website.

Matt Frey (M.Sc. 2011-2013)
Matt is from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a B.Sc. in biology. Aside from his interest in northern ecology, Matt loves birdwatching and is an avid classical guitar player. His thesis focused on the impacts of disturbance on invasive plant colonization in black spruce forests of interior Alaska. Following completion of his degree, he has worked on conservation and restoration projects for Bird Studies Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Service.
Matt is from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a B.Sc. in biology. Aside from his interest in northern ecology, Matt loves birdwatching and is an avid classical guitar player. His thesis focused on the impacts of disturbance on invasive plant colonization in black spruce forests of interior Alaska. Following completion of his degree, he has worked on conservation and restoration projects for Bird Studies Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Service.

Kirsten Allen (M.Sc. 2010-2012)
Kirsten is another Saskatchewan native and past graduate of U of S. Kirsten's research focused on plant-soil interactions with respect to temperature and nutrient dynamics in the alpine tundra of southern Yukon. Kirsten successfully defended her thesis in fall 2012 and currently works as a consultant in Saskatoon.
Kirsten is another Saskatchewan native and past graduate of U of S. Kirsten's research focused on plant-soil interactions with respect to temperature and nutrient dynamics in the alpine tundra of southern Yukon. Kirsten successfully defended her thesis in fall 2012 and currently works as a consultant in Saskatoon.

Jayme Viglas (M.Sc. 2008-2011)
Jayme is a native of Saskatchewan and completed her undergraduate at U of S. Jayme got interested in northern treeline systems while working as an undergraduate research assistant in the NPEL, and returned to study the effects of stand age (and fire frequency) on seed production of black spruce in the north Yukon. Her research identified age thresholds in the time required for black spruce stands to start producing seed (~30 years), versus the time requirements for reliable seed production (~80-100 years). The results of her thesis provide a basis for estimating how increases in disturbance frequencies could affect the regeneration potential of black spruce forests in northern Canada and Alaska.
Jayme is a native of Saskatchewan and completed her undergraduate at U of S. Jayme got interested in northern treeline systems while working as an undergraduate research assistant in the NPEL, and returned to study the effects of stand age (and fire frequency) on seed production of black spruce in the north Yukon. Her research identified age thresholds in the time required for black spruce stands to start producing seed (~30 years), versus the time requirements for reliable seed production (~80-100 years). The results of her thesis provide a basis for estimating how increases in disturbance frequencies could affect the regeneration potential of black spruce forests in northern Canada and Alaska.

Nicole (Wunderlich) Kearns (2007-2010)
Nicole is a native of Saskatchewan and completed her undergraduate at U of S. Nicole has a strong interest in teaching and environmental conservation. Her thesis research focused on revegetation of industrial disturbances in the low arctic tundra of the Mackenzie Delta, NWT. Nicole successfully defended her thesis in the winter of 2010, and worked as a departmental teaching assistant. Since then, she has been working as a plant biologist with consulting firms in Saskatoon, and has also worked at the UofS teaching in the Department of Biology
Nicole is a native of Saskatchewan and completed her undergraduate at U of S. Nicole has a strong interest in teaching and environmental conservation. Her thesis research focused on revegetation of industrial disturbances in the low arctic tundra of the Mackenzie Delta, NWT. Nicole successfully defended her thesis in the winter of 2010, and worked as a departmental teaching assistant. Since then, she has been working as a plant biologist with consulting firms in Saskatoon, and has also worked at the UofS teaching in the Department of Biology

Sara Pieper (M.Sc. 2007-2009)
Sara is orginially from Ontario and completed her undergraduate degree at Trent University. Sara is an accomplished sportwoman as well as a bright young scientist. Her thesis research (now complete) examined the responses of alpine tundra vegetation to variations in climate in the mountains of south-central Yukon. Sara has been completing a Ph.D. at Trent University.
Sara is orginially from Ontario and completed her undergraduate degree at Trent University. Sara is an accomplished sportwoman as well as a bright young scientist. Her thesis research (now complete) examined the responses of alpine tundra vegetation to variations in climate in the mountains of south-central Yukon. Sara has been completing a Ph.D. at Trent University.

Alexandre Truchon-Savard (Project manager, 2015-2017)
Alexandre's passion for northern environments comes from many years of Scout Movement and from working as a field assistant for the Centre d'Études Nordiques. He completed his masters degree under Dr. Serge Payette in Université Laval focusing on black spruce ecology near the treeline. Alexandre worked for the NPEL as a research assistant and subsequent project manager for the woodland caribou project in northern Saskatchewan,
Alexandre's passion for northern environments comes from many years of Scout Movement and from working as a field assistant for the Centre d'Études Nordiques. He completed his masters degree under Dr. Serge Payette in Université Laval focusing on black spruce ecology near the treeline. Alexandre worked for the NPEL as a research assistant and subsequent project manager for the woodland caribou project in northern Saskatchewan,

Steven Mamet (Postdoctoral fellow, 2012-2015)
Steve joined the NPEL in August 2012, where he has been leading research on dendroclimatology at the southern and northern margins of the boreal forest. Steve is originally from Edmonton, Alberta, and completed his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Alberta under Dr. Peter Kershaw. The focus of Steve's graduate research was on range limits of tree species at arctic and alpine treelines, and how treeline pattern and process are shaped by climate and environmental change. His work at the NPEL focuses on: i) determining controls on forest range expansion at treeline near Wolf Creek, Yukon Territory; and ii) assessing the sensitivity of tree species to climate variation along moisture gradients in the southern boreal forest of central Saskatchewan.
Steve joined the NPEL in August 2012, where he has been leading research on dendroclimatology at the southern and northern margins of the boreal forest. Steve is originally from Edmonton, Alberta, and completed his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Alberta under Dr. Peter Kershaw. The focus of Steve's graduate research was on range limits of tree species at arctic and alpine treelines, and how treeline pattern and process are shaped by climate and environmental change. His work at the NPEL focuses on: i) determining controls on forest range expansion at treeline near Wolf Creek, Yukon Territory; and ii) assessing the sensitivity of tree species to climate variation along moisture gradients in the southern boreal forest of central Saskatchewan.

Kunwar Singh (Postdoctoral fellow, 2016-2017)
Kunwar worked in the NPEL as a postdoctoral researcher studying habitat of threatened woodland caribou in northern Saskatchewan. Kunwar received his doctoral degree in Forestry and Environmental Resources from North Carolina State University where he combined multispectral and LiDAR data to address challenges associated with the spatial heterogeneity of urbanizing landscapes. He also holds and master’s degrees in Remote Sensing, Environmental Sciences, and Geography, and a B.S. in biology from the University of Lucknow.
Kunwar worked in the NPEL as a postdoctoral researcher studying habitat of threatened woodland caribou in northern Saskatchewan. Kunwar received his doctoral degree in Forestry and Environmental Resources from North Carolina State University where he combined multispectral and LiDAR data to address challenges associated with the spatial heterogeneity of urbanizing landscapes. He also holds and master’s degrees in Remote Sensing, Environmental Sciences, and Geography, and a B.S. in biology from the University of Lucknow.