Meet our team by clicking on the icons or photos below:
Climate Change & Global Health Research Group Leader
Sherilee L. Harper, Msc, PhD
Sherilee L. Harper is a Canada Research Chair in Climate Change and Health and Professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. Her research investigates associations between weather, environment, and public health in the context of climate change, and she collaborates with partners across sectors to prioritise climate-related health actions, planning, interventions, and research.
She is a Lead Author on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC); Lead Author on the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6-WG2); served on the Gender Task Group for the IPCC; and serves on the Editorial Board of Epidemiology and Infection, PLOS Climate, and Frontiers in Climate.
Research Staff
Ellen Sykes, PhD
Project Coordinator
Amy Caughey, RD, PhD
Research Associate
Natalie Darrah, BA
ART Intern
Graduate Students
Breanne Aylward, MSc
PhD Candidate
Marina Banuet Martínez, MSc
PhD Candidate
Stephanie Olsen
MACE Student
Stephanie Gerend
MSc Student
Hannah Bayne
PhD Student
Rebekka Schnitter, MCC
PhD Candidate
Shondra Stadnyk
MSc Student
Jonathan Hope
MACE Student
Tajrin Faurschou
MSc Student
Undergraduate Students
Team Member Biographies
Ellen Sykes, Phd
Project coordinator
2024 - Present
Ellen Sykes completed her BSc with a specialization in microbiology from the U of A and a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Manitoba. She studied the opportunistic bacterial pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii from a One Health perspective. She is highly skilled in many wet-lab techniques, from generation of gene deletion mutants to whole-genome sequencing library preparation and sequening as well as dry lab techniques such as de novo genome assembly and resistome determination. She also loves to teach and has mentored many undergraduate students during her time as a PhD student. When she is not working, she is planning trips abroad, watching movies with friends and her partner, and cuddling with her cat, Tux.
Amy Caughey, RD
Research Associate, Public Health
2017 - present
Amy is a registered dietitian who has spent over 15 years living and working in Nunavut. Amy’s work has centered on public health and clinical nutrition with Inuit communities, where she has been involved with a range of initiatives related to food security, Inuit traditional food, diabetes education, pediatric nutrition, and zoonotic disease & food safety in the Arctic. She has worked with – and learned from - community health representatives (CHRs), Elders, hunters, families, communities, researchers, health workers, governments and Inuit organizations across Nunavut. Amy completed undergraduate studies the University of Guelph, and holds a Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Metabolism from the University of Aberdeen (Scotland) and a PhD in Public Health from the University of Alberta. Amy lives in Iqaluit with her family.
Natalie Darrah, BA
Adaptation Resilience Training (ART) Intern
2024 - Present
Natalie Darrah is an intern project assistant at the Climate Change and Global Health research group, where she supports events, outreach, and advocacy, and works to expand the newly launched Climate Change and Health Hub. She completed her undergraduate degree in environmental studies at the University of Alberta in 2024 and plans to extend her future studies into public health and policy. In her free time, she is an academic visitor in the Climate Adaptation and Resilience Lab as well as a Local Projects volunteer for the Students Invested in Health Association. Outside of the university, she enjoys running in the river valley and hanging out with her cat, Tetley.
Breanne Aylward, MSc
PhD Candidate, Public Health
2020 - Present
Breanne completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Alberta in 2015, majoring in biological sciences. She completed a Master of Science in Health Promotion and Socio-behavioural Sciences at the University of Alberta’s School of Public Health in 2020. Working under the supervision of Dr. Kim Raine, her MSc thesis research explored how communities in Alberta were engaged in creating and acting on recommendations for health-promoting food environments. This project reinforced Breanne’s interest in the social and environmental determinants of human health, as well as community-based participatory approaches to research. As a PhD candidate with Drs. Sherilee Harper and Ashlee Cunsolo, Breanne will explore the mental health impacts of climate change.
Marina Banuet Martínez, MSc
PhD Candidate, Epidimiology
2020 - present
Marina is a PhD candidate in Public Health - Epidemiology at the University of Alberta. She completed a BSc in microbiology and a MSc in molecular biology in Mexico. Her research focuses on the impacts of environmental variations on the health status of different populations. She is particularly interested in exploring the health-disease dynamics in populations inequitably impacted by climate change from a One Health perspective. Marina is also interested in knowledge mobilization, particularly using photography to connect science and local knowledge. She currently works in partnership with fishing communities in Mexico to understand the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on the fisher’s health and well-being. She is a yoga, sports and outdoors enthusiast, constantly seeking to expand her knowledge and experience.
Hannah Bayne
PhD student, epidemiology
2023 - Present
Hannah is an MSc Epidemiology student with the Climate Change and Global Health Research Group at the University of Alberta. She completed her Bachelor of Science in 2023 with a Psychology major, a Music minor, and a Research Certificate in Psychology. The daughter of an ecologist and a psychologist, Hannah has always been passionate about climate change and mental health. She is now combining these passions with her interests in public health and music for her MSc research under the supervision of Drs. Sherilee Harper and Ashlee Cunsolo. Her research focuses on using music as a climate adaptation strategy, specifically focusing on the link between collective music-making and psychosocial well-being. Hannah is a passionate advocate for knowledge mobilization and has worked in science and climate change communication throughout her undergraduate and graduate studies. She is currently working with the lab’s outreach team on delivering climate change and health lessons to elementary and high school students. Outside of her studies, Hannah enjoys volunteering with Girl Guides of Canada, WISEST, and Climate Justice Edmonton, spending time outdoors, playing the flute, and reading.
Shondra Stadnyk
MSc Student, Environmental Health Sciences
2023 - present
Shondra is a MSc Environmental Health Sciences student in the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. As a remote student, she continues to work as a registered dietitian in Pangnirtung, Nunavut where she lives. Her interest in food sovereignty and One Health grew tremendously since working alongside and learning from Nunavummiut. Her experiences in Pangnirtung and other communities in the Qikiqtaaluk region piqued her interest for pursing grad school. Under the supervision of Dr. Sherilee Harper and Dr. Amy Caughey, her research will involve Inuit health and food sovereignty.
Stephanie Gerend
MSc Student, Epidemiology
2022 - Present
Steph is an MSc Epidemiology student in the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. She completed her Bachelor of Science Honours in 2022 at the University of Guelph with a major in Biomedical Science. During her undergraduate degree, Steph developed a special interest in One Health, and the relationship between environmental and human health, specifically in the context of climate change. Under the supervision of Drs. Sherilee Harper and Amy Caughey, Steph’s research focuses on the intersection of human health, food sovereignty, climate change, and Inuit health and well-being in Nunavut. Outside of her studies, Steph enjoys volunteering with Canadian Ski Patrol, anything winter sport-related, and exploring sights with her film camera.
Stephanie Olsen
Master of arts in community engagement (MACE) Student
2022 - Present
Stephanie Olsen (she/her) is a Masters student in the Master of Arts in Community Engagement program at the University of Alberta. Under the supervision of Dr. Sherilee Harper and Dr. Ashlee Cunsolso, Stephanie’s research investigates the mental health impacts of climate change in Alberta, and the power of collective spaces for honouring ecological grief and other difficult climate emotions. Stephanie is also a facilitator with Refugia, an Alberta organization that provides workshops and retreats on ecological grief, eco-anxiety, and the emotional impacts of living during times of planetary crisis.
Stephanie is grateful to live, love, work and play in amiskwaciwâskahikan, Treaty 6 territory (Edmonton, AB).
Jonathan Hope
Master of arts in community engagement (MACE) Student
2024 - Present
Jonathan Hope is a dedicated professional with over seven years of experience in rural and regional community development, specializing in disaster risk reduction. Currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Community Engagement in University of Alberta, Canada, Jonathan is passionate about empowering communities and creating sustainable solutions for vulnerable populations. With a background at the Red Cross Society, he has led numerous disaster recovery initiatives and collaborated with various stakeholders to improve community resilience. Jonathan holds a master’s degree in Disaster Management and is committed to advancing humanitarian efforts through education and practical leadership.
Tajrin Faurshou
Master’s of Science in Health Promotion Socio-behavioural sciences Student
2024 - Present
Tajrin is an MSc Health Promotion Socio-behavioural Sciences student with the Climate Change and Global Health Research Group at the University of Alberta. She completed her Bachelor of Science in 2023 with a Double major in Psychology and Biology and a Sustainability Certificate. She is interested in climate anxiety, what promotes pro environmental behaviours, and what causes paralysation. She is also interested in how that may connect to food insecurity and food sovereignty. She currently works as an Engagement and Policy Assistant within the Environment and Climate department of the Otipemisiwak Metis Government. Outside of her studies, Tajrin enjoys volunteering with the Campus Food Bank, spending time outdoors and travelling!
Rebekka Schnitter, MCC
Phd Candidate, Public Health
2021 - Present
Upon completing her Bachelor of Science in geography at the University of Victoria, Rebekka completed the Masters of Climate Change (MCC) program at the University of Waterloo. As a PhD candidate in Public Health, her research explores and assesses the climate change and health literacy of climate change professionals with particular emphasis on health co-benefits of climate action. Rebekka also works as a climate change and health specialist in the Climate Resilience Unit of BC's Ministry of Health. She is also an editor and lead author of Health Canada's national climate change and health assessment.