Lab Director
Kirsten Zickfeld
Professor, Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University
Education
- Ph.D., Physics, Potsdam University, Potsdam, Germany (2004)
- M.Sc., Physics, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany (1998)
Research Interests
My research focuses on the effects of anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases and aerosols on climate on multi-centennial timescales. The goal is to better understand the response of the climate system to forcing and the interactions between climate system components (the atmosphere, ocean, land surface, biosphere and cryosphere) in order to improve predictions for the future. To achieve this objective, I use climate models of different complexity, from simple conceptual models to complex Earth System models.
Current Post-Doc
Sabine Mathesius
Post-doctoral Researcher
Education
- Dr. rer. nat., Biological Oceanography, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel and GEOMAR, Kiel, Germany (2019)
- M.Sc., Geoecology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany (2013)
- B.Sc., Geoecology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany (2010)
Research Interests
My main research interests lie in climate change and ocean acidification as well as in the related changes in the biosphere. In particular, I am interested in the question how the Earth system responds to different future scenarios of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions that eventually reach the same cumulative emissions but differ in the emissions trajectories, including overshoot scenarios with negative carbon dioxide emissions.
Current Graduate Students
Alexander MacIsaac
Ph.D. Candidate
Education
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M.Sc., Geography, Urban and Environmental Studies, Concordia University, QC, Canada (2019)
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B.Sc., Specialization in Environmental Science, Concordia University, QC, Canada (2017)
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B.A., English, St. Francis Xavier University, ON, Canada (2012)
Research Project
Rachel Chimuka
Ph.D. Candidate
Education
- M.Sc., Geography, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada (2021)
- B.Sc., Environmental Science, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada (2019)
Research Project
Land and ocean carbon sinks play a major role in regulating atmospheric CO2 concentration and climate. However, their future efficiency depends on carbon cycle feedbacks in response to changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration and climate. Through my research, I hope to gain insight into the approach best suited to quantify carbon cycle feedbacks under negative CO2 emissions, and into the role of these feedbacks in determining the effectiveness of negative emissions technologies in reducing CO2 levels.
Christine Leclerc
M.Sc. Candidate
Education
- B.Sc., Physical Geography, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada (2021)
- MFA, Creative Writing, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada (2010)
- BFA, Creative Writing, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada (2008)
Research Project
Afforestation/reforestation carried out on a globally significant scale can increase or decrease streamflow, soil moisture, water table level, evapotranspiration, and water recycling depending on the season and location. This carbon dioxide removal method also increases the quantity of secondary organic aerosols released to the atmosphere compared to grasslands of equal extent. Furthermore, some of these aerosols play a major role in cloud droplet formation, with consequences for cloud formation and albedo. My research aims to quantify the impact of afforestation/reforestation on the water cycle and planetary albedo to the end of the 21st century for high carbon dioxide emissions scenarios.
Takuma Mihara
M.Sc. Candidate
Education
- B.Sc., Physical Geography (Honors), University of Victoria, BC, Canada (2018)
Research Project
Anthropogenic climate change is driven by greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. We see consistent increases in atmospheric CO2 concentrations and global temperatures. However, the northern latitudes are disproportionately affected by climate change extremes. As temperatures reach unprecedented highs, we risk crossing thresholds in the earth system. In my research, I aim to explore the effects of passing these thresholds such as permafrost melt or ice sheet disintegration.
Previous Graduate Students and Post-docs
Chloe Papalazarou
M.Sc. (2019-2021)
Education
- M.Sc. Geography, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada (2021)
- B.Sc. Biological and Medical Physics (Honors), University of Guelph, ON, Canada (2019)
Thesis
Investigating the Dependence of the Effectiveness of Carbon Dioxide Removal on the Amount and Rate of Removal
Current Position
Geospatial Analyst, Sparkgeo Consulting Inc.
Claude-Michel Nzotungicimpaye
Ph.D. (2015-2021)
Education
- Ph.D., Geography, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada (2021)
- M.Sc., Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town, South Africa (2014)
- B.Sc., Applied Mathematics, University of Rwanda, Rwanda (2009)
Thesis
Investigating the Importance of Methane for Future Climate Change: Wetland Methane Emissions, the Permafrost Carbon Feedback, and Methane Mitigation
Current Position
Post-doctoral Fellow, Concordia University - Climate Scenarios, Impacts and Modelling (CSIM) Lab
Nesha Wright
M.Sc. (2017-2020)
Education
- M.Sc., Geography, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada (2020)
- B.Sc., Environmental Science, St. Francis Xavier University, NS, Canada (2017)
Thesis
Projected Changes in Northern Hemisphere Permafrost in Temperature Stabilization and Overshoot Scenarios
Current Position
Field Contractor, Simcoe Geoscience Limited
Adrien Damseaux
Ph.D. Candidate (2019-2020)
Education
- M.Sc., Geographical Science, Université de Liège, Belgium (2018)
- B.Sc., Geographical Science, Université de Liège, Belgium (2016)
Research Project
Cumulative CO2 Emissions Required to Completely Melt the Greenland Ice Sheet, Reversibility and the Resulting Implications on Global Sea Level Rise
Current Position
Ph.D. Candidate, Alfred Wegener Institute - Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research
Nadine Mengis
Post-Doctoral Researcher (2019)
Education
- Dr. rer. Nat., Climate Physics, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Germany (2016)
- M.Sc. (GEOMAR Centre for Ocean Research, Meteorology and Statistic Department), Christian Albrechts University, Germany (2013)
- B.Sc. (GEOMAR Centre for Ocean Research, Physical Oceanography Department), Christian Albrechts University, Germany (2010)
Research Project
Investigating Temperature Overshoot Scenarios and the Impact of the Associated Negative Emissions on the Earth System; Testing and Tuning of version 2.10 of the University of Victoria Earth System Climate Model (UVic ESCM)
Current Position
Post-doctoral Fellow, GEOMAR - Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
Link to current website: https://nadinemengis.wixsite.com/home
Margaret Valerio
M.Sc. (2015-2019)
Education
- M.Sc., Geography, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada (2019)
- B.A., Geology, Brown University, RI, USA (2015)
Thesis
Exploring the Relationship between Vertical Mixing, Overturning Circulation, AABW Volume, and Ventilation Age during the Last Glacial Maximum.
Current Position
Communications and Research Associate, Hot or Cool Institute
Mehdi Aminipouri
Ph.D. (2013-2019)
Education
- Ph.D., Geography, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada (2019)
- M.Sc., Environmental Modelling and Management, University of Southampton, UK (2009)
- B.Sc., Statistics, Tabriz University, Iran (2005)
Thesis
Evaluating Heat Vulnerability and the Impact of Urban Street Tree Planting on Radiant Heat Exposure: Examples from Vancouver’s Neighborhoods.
Current Position
Business Development Manager, Hiromi Enterprise Corporation
Xinru Li
M.Sc. (2015-2017)
Education
- Ph.D., Climate Science and Oceanography, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada (2021)
- M.Sc., Geography, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada (2017)
- B.Sc., Geography, Qingdao University, China (2015)
Thesis
Exploring the Reversibility of Marine Climate Change Impacts under CO2 removal.
Current Position
Dana Ehlert
Ph.D. (2012-2017)
Education
- Ph.D., Geography, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada (2017)
- M.Sc., Geophysics, University of Potsdam, Germany (2012)
- Vordiplom in Earth Sciences (B.Sc. equivalent), University of Potsdam, Germany (2008)
Thesis
Modeling the Climate Response to Anthropogenic CO2 Emissions: Time-dependent Processes, Commitment, and Reversibility.
Current Position
Post-doctoral Fellow, GEOMAR - Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
Link to current website: https://www.geomar.de/~dehlert-e
Katarzyna (Kasia) Tokarska
M.Sc. (2012-2014)
Education
- Ph.D., Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Victoria, BC, Canada (2017)
- M.Sc., Geography, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada (2014)
- B.Sc., Physics, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada (2012)
Thesis
The Role of Negative CO2 Emissions in Climate System Reversibility.
Current Position
Research Science Specialist, McKinsey & Company
Personal website link: https://kasiatokarska.weebly.com/
Tyler Herrington
M.Sc. (2011-2013)
Education
- M.Sc., Geography, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada, (2014)
- B.Sc., Physical Geography Co-op, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada, (2011)
Thesis
Dependence of Regional Climate Change on Greenhouse Emission Pathway.
Current Position
Ph.D. Candidate, University of Waterloo
Research Assistants
- Jesse Kemp, B.Sc., Environmental and Biological Sciences, SFU, 2020
- Rachel Chimuka, B.Sc., Environmental Science, SFU, 2018-2019
- Alireza Mogharrab, B.Sc., Interactive Arts and Technology, SFU, 2018
- Jessie Girling, B.Sc., Environmental Science, SFU, 2016
- Kate Bujnowicz, B.Sc., Environmental Science, SFU, 2016
- Deven Azevedo, B.A., Economics, SFU, 2015-2017
- William Morgenstern, B.Sc., Geographic Information, SFU, 2015
- Xiaofeng (Charles) Wang, B.Sc., Environmental Science, SFU, 2014
- Michael Wong, B.Sc., Environmental Science, SFU, 2014
- Wei Tao (Nick) Rong, B.Sc., Environmental Science, SFU, 2013