View a complete list of our faculty below:
Dean
Koper, Dr. Nicola
PhD (University of Alberta), MSc (University of Guelph), BSc (University of Guelph)
Research and Expertise
Department Chairs and Coordinators
Clapp, Dr. Tara Lynne
PhD (University of Southern California), MEDes (University of Calgary), BES (University of Manitoba)
Research and Expertise
Huber, Dr. Dezene
PhD (Simon Fraser University), BSc (University of Calgary)
Research and Expertise
Nolin, Dr. Catherine
BA Geography (University of Calgary), MA, PhD (Queen's University at Kingston, 2000)
Research and Expertise
Otter, Dr. Ken
PhD, MSc (Queen's University), BSc (University of British Columbia)
Research and Expertise
Wheate, Dr. Roger
BSc Hons. (University of St. Andrews), MA (Queen's University at Kingston), PhD (University of St. Andrews)
Faculty
Baerwald, Dr. Erin
MSc and PhD University of Calgary
Bartels, Dr. Samuel
PhD Forest Sciences (Lakehead University), MSc Forestry (Lakehead University)
Blair, Jenia
Biography
I received my BSc in Biology from the University of Victoria and my MSc in Biology from UNBC. Over the years I have taught labs in first year introductory biology, second year microbiology and third year limnology.
Booth, Dr. Annie
PhD, MES, BA
Biography
I hold a PhD in Land Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1992), where I studied environmental ethics, Native American Studies, eco-feminism and bio-regionalism, among other things.
Bryan, Heather
PhD (University of Calgary)
Cale, Dr. Jonathan
PhD, Forest Pathology and Mycology (State University of New York ESF)
Biography
Dr. Cale is a fungal ecologist and forest pathologist broadly exploring how fungus-tree interactions affect our forests.
Connell, Dr. David
Associate Professor, RPP MCIP
Coxson, Dr. Darwyn
PhD McMaster University
Biography
Darwyn Coxson is a Professor in the Ecosystem Science and Management Program and a founding faculty member of the University of Northern British Columbia. Dr. Coxson has previously been a member of the UNBC Board and Senate and has represented B.C.
Dawson, Dr. Russ
PhD (University of Saskatchewan)
Biography
Russ is an avian ecologist whose interests include determining the important proximate and ultimate factors influencing reproductive effort and success in birds.
Earley, Dr. Sinead
PhD (Queens University), MA (National University of Ireland - Galway), BA (University of British Columbia)
Biography
I work at the intersection of environment and policy, primarily in the Canadian context. My research interests integrate the social and physical sciences, taking a critical approach to resource management, climate change, environmental policy, and (neo)colonial systems of governance.
Elkin, Dr. Ché
Biography
Dr. Elkin is a forest ecologist whose research focuses on how climate and landscape disturbances interact to influence forest dynamics, landscape connectivity, and the spatial distribution of forest ecosystem services.
Green, Scott
Biography
Dr. Green is a forest ecologist with interests in marginal environments and forest responses to climate change. He is also an active and founding member of the UNBC Farmers' Market.
Jackson, Dr. Peter
PhD, BSc (honours) (University of British Columbia), FCMOS
Biography
Dr. Jackson is a mesoscale meteorologist whose research mostly concerns the interaction between the atmosphere and complex terrain and how this affects wind, precipitation, climate, and air quality.
Johnson, Dr. Chris
BSc University of Victoria, PhD University of Northern BC
Biography
Chris started at UNBC in 2004 and currently teaches courses in conservation biology, population-community ecology, natural resources planning and science communication.
Martins, Dr. Eduardo
PhD and MSc Universidade Estadual de Campinas
Biography
Dr. Eduardo Martins' research focuses on the ecology and conservation of freshwater fishes in temperate and tropical rivers.
Mullins, Philip
PhD, MA, BA, HBOR
Biography
Phil is a committed husband and father of two boys; they love to play and adventure outdoors together. He completed his MA and PhD at the University of Alberta in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation.
Preston, Dr. Michael
PhD (University of Toronto), MSc (Trent University), BSc (Hons) (Liverpool John Moores University)
Biography
I am a microbial ecologist with a diverse academic and professional background. In England, I studied community and population ecology before moving to Canada to research the biogeochemistry of wetland soils.
Rea, Dr. Roy
PhD, Ecology (Norwegian University of Life Sciences - 2014), Doctor Philosophiae Thesis, MSc, Biology (UNBC - 1999), BSc (California State University, Stanislaus - 1992)
Biography
Roy is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management in the Faculty of Environment and is a Registered Professional Biologist.
Venter, Oscar
PhD University of Queensland, Australia
Biography
I am an applied conservation scientist, which means I do science with direct application to the ongoing biodiversity crises. The Earth is under immense pressure from human enterprise, just 23% of land and 13% of the oceans can be considered intact.
Wigglesworth, Jennifer
PhD (Queen's University), MA (University of Ottawa), BSc (University of Ottawa)
Biography
I completed a BSc and a MA in Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa, and a PhD in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen’s University. My academic training has taken place in the fields of sociology of sport, recreation and leisure studies, and outdoor education.
Wood, Dr. Lisa
PhD, Geography (University of Victoria), MSc, Forestry (UNBC), RPF
Biography
Dr. Wood is an applied plant biologist and dendroclimatologist exploring influences of human induced stress on forested plant communities. She specializes in forest silvicultural disturbance types, and studying the impacts of climate change on plants.
Adjunct Faculty
Bogdanski, Dr. Bryan
PhD, MA, BAH
Biography
Dr. Bogdanski is a federal government research economist with the Canadian Forest Service.
Burton, Phil
PhD (Universty of Illinois), MS (University of Hawaii), BSc Honours (University of Saskatchewan), RPBio
Biography
Philip J. Burton is a botanist and plant ecologist who has been studying ecosystem dynamics for more than 35 years.
Cade-Menun, Barbara
Biography
Areas of Expertise: Phosphorus cycling in soil, manure and water; Phosphorus-31 NMR spectroscopy.
Fondahl, Dr. Gail
PhD, MA (University of California - Berkeley), BA (Dartmouth College)
Biography
Dr. Gail Fondahl is a recently retired Professor of Geography at UNBC and is now an Adjunct Professor of Geography. Her PhD is from the University of California-Berkeley.
Fredeen, Dr. Art
PhD (UC Berkeley, 1988), BScA (University of Saskatchewan, 1983)
Biography
Dr. Fredeen began his post-secondary education at the University of Saskatchewan (Soil Science - 1983), followed by a Ph.D.
Geertsema, Dr. Marten
Grainger, Susan
Registered Professional Forester (RPF), Bachelors of Forest Management, Oregon State University
Biography
Sue Grainger, RPF has been the General Manager of the JPRF since 1997. She is a Registered Professional Forester and has bachelor’s degree in Forest Management from Oregon State University.
Heard, Doug
Maher, Dr. Pat
PhD (Lincoln University)
Biography
Dr. Pat Maher is an Associate Professor of Community Studies (COMS) and Sport and Physical Activity Leadership (SPAL). He received his BA (Geography) and Honours Bachelor of Outdoor Recreation (HBOR) from Lakehead University and PhD from Lincoln University (New Zealand).
McGill, Dr. William
PhD (University of Saskatchewan), MSc (University of Manitoba), BSA, Honours (University of Manitoba)
Biography
Dr. McGill came to UNBC in January 2001, having been a professor at the University of Alberta for 30 years. He served two terms as Dean of the College of Science and Management at UNBC, and since 2012 has held a tenured half-time appointment as Professor in Ecosystem Science & Management.
Opio, Dr. Christopher
BScF (University of New Brunswick), MEDes (University of Calgary), PhD (University of Alberta)
Biography
Dr. Christopher Opio is a Adjunct Professor in Ecosystem Science and Management Program at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). He continues to have a full teaching load, do research, publish and supervise both graduate and undergraduate students. Dr.
Sanborn, Paul
Biography
After 11 years as a regional soil scientist in the BC Ministry of Forests, Dr. Sanborn joined UNBC in 2002.
Shultis, John
PhD
Biography
Dr. Shultis' research interests focus on the historical and contemporary socio-cultural forces affecting protected areas and wilderness, parks planning and management, outdoor recreation, conservation science, resource-based tourism, and the psychological dimensions of recreation and tourism.
Strong, Dr. Ward
PhD, PAg
Thompson, Mark
MSc (2003), MEd, RPBio, BSc Wildlife Biology (UNBC, 1998)
Biography
Mark Thompson is a herpetologist. He works as a senior research ecologist with a consulting firm in Prince George.
Instructors
England, Katherine Jane (KJ)
BSc Hons, Ecology and Evolution (Western University and UNBC) MSc, Conservation Biology (University of Cape Town)
Biography
A 4th generation Irish immigrant born in downtown Toronto, KJ was also raised in the bush of Saugeen Treaty 45 ½ and is a passionate outdoors person happy to return to a school where conservation and recreation meet!
Senior Lab Instructors
Blair, Jenia
Biography
I received my BSc in Biology from the University of Victoria and my MSc in Biology from UNBC. Over the years I have taught labs in first year introductory biology, second year microbiology and third year limnology.
Professors Emeriti
Fondahl, Dr. Gail
PhD, MA (University of California - Berkeley), BA (Dartmouth College)
Research and Expertise
Lindgren, Dr. Staffan
FK Uppsala University, MPM Simon Fraser University, PhD Simon Fraser University