Our Team.

DIRECTOR

Dr. Jackie Dawson

ESPG Lead, Full Professor and Canada Research Chair in Environmental Change and Arctic Shipping

Dr. Jackie Dawson is a Canada Research Chair Full Professor in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Geomatics at the University of Ottawa and is the Scientific Director of the Canadian Network of Centers of Excellence, ArcticNet. She is an applied scientist working on the human and policy dimensions of environmental change in ocean and coastal regions and is considered an expert in Arctic shipping, Arctic tourism, and Arctic oceans governance. She has served on two Canadian Council of Academies’ Expert Panels, is an elected member of the College of the Royal Society of Canada and is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society. She led the drafting of the 2018 G7 science statement focused on Arctic oceans and resilient communities, is a lead author on the IPCC AR6 and recently won the prestigious 2020 SSHRC Impact Connection award and 2021 Governor Generals Innovation award.

AN INTERVIEW WITH
DR. JACKIE DAWSON

Climate
Modeling

Arctic
Shipping

Recreation
Ecology

Resource
Management

Tourism

Our Staff

Dr. Jean Holloway

Senior Research Associate

Jean is a lover of all things cold. Her current research interests focus on how arctic shipping is changing, and what impacts that has on the environment and the people living in the north. Formerly, she studied the impacts of climate change on permafrost in the Canadian Arctic and Subarctic. Jean currently sits as the Early Career Representative on the ArcticNet Board of Directors, and is a former Chair of the Canadian National Committee for the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists. She is passionate about science communication, and an advocate for addressing mental health issues in academia and beyond.

Bonnie Hamilton

Research Scientist

Dr. Bonnie Hamilton is an ecotoxicologist, integrating principles from aquatic ecology and toxicology, environmental risk, and conservation biology to ask questions about the transport, fate, and effects of emerging contaminants under a changing climate. In ESPG, she is investigating the impacts of ship-based pollution in Arctic environments with Northern Inuit partners. Together, they are aiming to better understand the relationship between ship-based pollution and increased vessel traffic to help address local community concerns and inform environmental risk assessments from a multi-disciplinary perspective. In addition to her research, she serves as a technical expert on the Arctic Council’s Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program’s expert groups on Litter and Microplastics and is a current appointee to the Canadian Committee on Antarctic Research. You will often find her near the closest body of water with her husband and their sweet pup, Tallie.

Dr. Alison Cook

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Alison is a Postdoctoral Research Associate and member of both the Environment, Society and Policy Group, and the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS). She is based at SAMS in Oban, Scotland, and works closely with ESPG on the joint Inuit Qaujisarnirmut Pilirijjutit on Arctic Shipping Risks funded by CINUK2021. Previously she worked at the University of Ottawa as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the ESPG team, and has also been a Research Fellow at Durham University, UK. Her research has centred on polar regions, using mapping, GIS and Remote Sensing to analyse spatial and temporal patterns of ice and shipping.

Sierra Beacher

Data Scientist

Specializing in computational science, Sierra supports projects related to climate-related risk, sustainable adaptation, and arctic shipping. Sierra completed a Master of Environmental Studies in Geography and Geomatics at Wilfrid Laurier University – where she researched habitat selection and movement behaviour. She also holds a Bachelor of Science from Wilfrid Laurier University in Geography, minoring in Environmental Science and Geomatics.

Nicole Loeb

Research Associate

Nicole’s research focuses on Arctic shipping risks related to changing sea ice, climate, and meteorological conditions. She completed her Ph.D. at the University of Manitoba in 2025, where her dissertation focused on projecting extreme precipitation in the Arctic and its impacts on land ice. With a background in climate modelling, she is particularly interested in how Arctic climate change both influences and is influenced by the broader climate system.

Jennifer Pladzyk

Life Coach

Jennifer is a certified Body-Mind Vibrance and Relationship Coach with the Hendricks Institute. She has had a long and varied career working with high-intensity people (which is why she’s a perfect compliment for the ESPG team). She uses simple, empowering tools and humour to help guide others to have healthy, satisfying relationships. She is a Mom, wife and avid outdoorswoman.

Megan Ihrig

Lab Manager

Megan has been with the ESPG lab since 2017. She supports Dr. Dawson’s research projects through their finance and administration. Megan’s background is in ecological restoration, and she worked as a Conservation Biologist for several non-profit environmental organizations before joining ESPG. She loves to be outdoors with her family.

Students

Jonathan Higby

PhD Candidate

Jonathan (Jon) is a doctoral candidate in the Environment, Society, and Policy Group. He is interested in Arctic security and international relations and how they are affected by the disproportionate impact of climate change on the region. His research is primarily focused on understanding the evolving role of the Canadian Coast Guard, the Royal Canadian Navy, and Inuit communities to promote and protect Inuit and Canadian sovereignty. Jon has a BA in History from Hamilton College in Clinton, NY, and a BA in Political Science from Carleton University. He also received an MA in Northern Studies from Carleton. During his MA, he worked with the First Nation of Na Cho Nyak Dun researching and analyzing food security issues and the international governance and future of the Porcupine Caribou Herd. He consulted the Inuit Circumpolar Council on the current international interests and policies of Arctic Council member states and emerging non-Arctic nations. Jon is also a fellow with the Canadian Maritime Security Network.

Nathaniel Holloway

PhD Candidate

Nathaniel is currently pursuing a PhD in Geography with uOttawa. He completed his master's degree with the ESPG in 2025 focused on social, cultural and cultural implications of the range shift of aarluk (Orcinus orca; killer whale) near Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet), Nunavut through Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. Nathaniel hopes to address pressing research needs which emerged from this work throughout his PhD. When not working or studying, Nathaniel enjoys exercising, spending time outdoors swimming, hiking, paddling, and skiing, and playing video games.

Julia MacPherson

PhD Candidate

Juila (she/her) joined the ESPG lab in 2024 as a Research Associate before starting her PhD in 2025. She completed her BSc at the University of Guelph (2020) in marine and freshwater biology, and her MSc at the University of New Brunswick (2023) investigating the effects of winter cold on acute copper toxicity and bioaccumulation in brook char (Salvelinus fontinalis). Julia previously worked as Knowledge Mobilization Coordinator at ArcticNet and has an interest in knowledge mobilization, science communication and increasing research impact. Her PhD work is centered around a community-based approach to understanding changes in freshwater ecosystems under a warming climate in Mittimatalik, Nunavut. Outside of work, she is a Pilates instructor, reader and enjoys spending time with her family, friends and dog, Iroh.

Mojtaba Niazalizadeh Moghada

PhD Candidate

Mojtaba Alizadeh is a PhD researcher focusing on Arctic shipping and microplastic pollution from vessels to enhance sustainable maritime practices. With nearly two decades of experience in engineering and project management, he combines technical expertise with leadership. He began his journey in metallurgy, gaining knowledge of materials, and then completed a master's in Quality Systems Engineering and a mini MBA from McGill University, transitioning into management and project leadership.

His awareness of industrial environmental impacts and expertise in quality systems engineering prompted his shift to Arctic shipping research, where he studies the effects of ship pollutants on marine ecosystems and proposes sustainable solutions. Mojtaba is dedicated to promoting sustainable shipping through rigorous research, analysis, and partnerships with industry and academia.

Connor Rettinger

PhD Candidate

Connor Rettinger is currently pursuing a PhD in Geography within the faculty of Geography, Environment, and Geomatics at the University of Ottawa. He also is a practicing Environmental Professional In-training (EPt) since August 2022, specializing in Environment, Health, and Safety, as well as Fisheries/Wildlife. Before joining the EPSG, Connor completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Waterloo, majoring in urban planning. He also specialized in Environmental Planning and Management while obtaining an Environmental Assessment diploma. Connor's research interests include environmental policy, environmental change in cold regions, and wildlife conservation.

Louis Frank

M.A. Student

Louis (he/him) is a master’s student in geography at the University of Ottawa. His research at ESPG is focussed on the laws, regulations, institutions and practices that make up the governance of increasing shipping in the Northwest Passage/Inuit Nunangat. After completing his undergraduate degree in International Relations and Ethics, Society & Law at the University of Toronto in 2022, Louis has continued to learn and communicate about the complex relationships between political, economic, and planetary systems from interdisciplinary perspectives. He enjoys cooking, travelling to new places, spending time outdoors and being with family.

Breana Rachel Sanders

M.Sc. Student

Thesis: Examining the Impact of Shipping-Induced Noise on Arctic Marine Mammals

Breana is pursuing an M.Sc. in Environmental Sustainability at the University of Ottawa, where she also completed her B.Sc. in 2024. With an interdisciplinary background spanning conservation biology and environmental policy, her research examines how shipping-induced underwater noise in the Northwest Passage affects Arctic marine mammals. A summer internship in Thailand studying elephant association deepened her passion for fieldwork and conservation, shaping her commitment to community-engaged, evidence-based environmental stewardship.

Louise Gilleard

M.A. Student

Louise is pursuing an MA in Geography at the University of Ottawa. She completed her undergraduate studies in Economics and Development at the University of Calgary in 2023. Prior to joining the ESPG, Louise spent time out on the west coast immersed in the nautical industry. Her research focuses on supply chain resiliency and community resupply operations in the Arctic. Outside of her studies, she enjoys climbing, surfing, and hiking.

Vanessa Young McGee

M.Sc. Student

Vanessa is pursuing an M.Sc in Environmental Sustainability at the University of Ottawa. She completed a B.Sc in Biotechnology in 2020. Vanessa’s experience as a scuba diver sparked a lasting curiosity about how human activities such as shipping and climate change impact marine environments and the communities that depend on them. She is excited to explore research that connects scientific tools with community knowledge, supporting evidence-based solutions to environmental risks in northern and coastal regions. Outside of her studies, Vanessa enjoys being active, scuba diving, and spending time with her dog. 

Graduates

Dr. Alison Cook (Postdoctoral Fellow), Arctic shipping and climate change, 2018 – 2020

Dr. Nathan Debortoli (Postdoctoral Fellow), Climate change and transportation, 2019 – 2020

Zuzanna Kochanowicz (M.Sc), Evaluating ecological risks from shipping in Lancaster Sounds, Canada, 2017 – 2020

Dr. Julia Olsen (Ph.D), Arctic maritime activities in changing conditions: Community perspectives, 2015 – 2020

Dr. Marta Bystrowska (Ph.D.), Cruise tourism and climate change in Svalbard, Greenland, and Canada, 2015 – 2019

Holly Gordon (M.Sc), Arctic shipping risks for local communities in the Northwest Passage, 2018 – 2019

Jamie D’Souza (M.A.), The Implications of Climate Change for Polar Bear Viewing Tourism in Churchill Canada, 2017 –2019

Manuelyn Perelta (M.A.), Climate justice in international climate change negotiations, 2016 –2019

Annika Ogilvie (M.Sc.), Improving Understanding of Factors Contributing to Pressured Ice in the Hudson Strait, Canada: an interdisciplinary analysis of resource ship besetments, 2015 –2019

Larissa Pizzolato (M.Sc.), Spatial vulnerability of sea ice and Arctic shipping activities in Canadian Arctic Waters, 1990-2012, 2013 - 2015

Dr. Marta Bystrowska (Ph.D.), 2015- 2019, Cruise tourism and climate change in Svalbard, Greenland, and Canada

Jenna Joyce (M.Sc), 2015 – 2018, Local marine use patterns in Arctic Canada: Infusing local knowledge into the northern marine transportation corridors. http://dx.doi.org/10.20381/ruor-22039

Flavia Craciun (M.Sc), 2016- 2018, Isolation, popularity and climate change: How planning policies affect the resilience of Arctic communities.

Catherine Caldwell (M.A.), 2015- 2017, Consideration of climate change and the social impacts of resource development in decision-making.

Olivia Mussells (M.Sc.), 2013- 2015, Ice conditions in the Canadian Arctic during winter: A shipping and operational assessment. http://dx.doi.org/10.20381/ruor-2686

Alexandra Abram (M.Sc.), 2014- 2015, Impact of Arctic shipping on marine mammal migration.

Jessica Jaja (M.A.), 2012- 2014. Beyond climate change theory: What contributes to adaptive capacity in Caribbean small island developing states? http://dx.doi.org/10.20381/ruor-2853

Roger Ritsema (M.A.), 2012- 2014, Adapting to rapid environmental and economic change in Nunavut: How do local communities leverage opportunities to create economic self-sufficiency? http://dx.doi.org/10.20381/ruor-6510

Alumni

Dr Nicolien Van Luijk,

Dr. Natalie Carter (Postdoctoral Fellow/Research Associate), 2016 - 2021, Community Research Lead.

Dr. Pierre-Louis Têtu (Postdoctoral fellow), 2016- 2019,  Arctic shipping risks and spatial trends.

Dr. Magalie Quintal-Marineau (Postdoctoral Fellow), 2016- 2018, Inuit women and the socioeconomic development of northern communities, Quebec and Nunavut