Responsible for the strategic direction and integration of NAIT’s boreal applied research, consortium engagement, human resources, program development, and financial management.
Dr. Amanda Schoonmaker, NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Boreal Reclamation and Reforestation
Was named NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Boreal Reclamation and Reforestation in 2015. She received a PhD in Forest Biology and Management (University of Alberta) and a BScF in Forest Sciences (University of British Columbia). Amanda and her team develop practical techniques to help oil and gas companies reclaim well sites that have reached the end of their lifespan, encouraging the growth of trees and shrubs compatible with the landscape. Since joining the institute, she has mentored over 30 students in applied research field operations.
Dr. Bin Xu, NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Peatland Restoration
Joined the institute as the NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Peatland Restoration in 2013 leading research focused on the restoration of sensitive peatland ecosystems. Bin received a PhD in Plant Biology from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He has been involved in restoration projects of peatlands disturbed by oil and gas mining and peat harvesting in Alberta and in eastern Canada. Bin hopes to increase awareness of the importance of peatlands and find cost-effective ways to balance economic needs with those of the environment.
Dr. Jean-Marie Sobze, Research Lead in Plant & Seed Technologies
Dr. Jean-Marie Sobze is the Applied Research Chair in Plant and Seed Technologies. Jean-Marie joint NAIT in 2010 as the Technology Transfer Coordinator. He received a PhD in Forestry at the University of Gottingen, Germany, specializing in community-based forest management, and has over 15 years of experience in forest management and oil and gas industry-related reclamation research. He is registered as a Professional Forester with the College of Alberta Professional Foresters (CAPF). Jean-Marie focuses on developing practical technologies for plant propagation and seed delivery.
Jeannine Goehing, Program Lead Research Extension & Education
Received a MSc in Forest Biology and Management from the University of Alberta, and a BSc in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning (Leibniz University Hannover, Germany). Her MSc work focused on the effects of different vegetation control practices on tree-weed interactions in hybrid poplar plantations. Jeannine joined the institute in 2015 and is leading research extension for the benefit of industry partners, SMEs, and the general public. She further coordinates forestry-related education and helps students explore career opportunities in natural resources.
Bhupesh Khadka, Research Officer
Graduated with a MSc from the University of Calgary, and joined the institute in 2015 as a research officer in the Boreal Reclamation and Reforestation Program. Bhupesh is actively involved in well pad, tailings and oil spilled site reclamation projects and contributes to research designing, monitoring, data compiling and analysis, and publishing of research findings. Bhupesh specializes in biogeochemistry dynamics of reclaimed ecosystems, and is familiar with spatial analysis and cartography (using ArcGIS).
Gordon Olberg, Research Technician
Gordon graduated from NAIT, Forest Technology program in 1976. He worked in the forest industry for over 6 years completing regeneration surveys, timber cruising, cut block layout and fire suppression in private industry and provincial government. Gordon also earned a diploma in Watershed Management from Lethbridge Community College in 1983 and was employed with Environment Canada, Water Survey of Canada from 1984 to 2014 in Peace River. Gordon joined BRI in October 2016, assisting our teams in Forest Reclamation, Peatland Restoration and Plant & Seed Technologies and enjoys working in the forestry field once again where his career started years ago.
John Marcelo, Administrative Specialist Research
Earned a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) with a major in Accounting from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, and is currently a candidate for the CPA Professional Education Program. John joined NAIT as the Administrative Specialist Research in 2015, overseeing portfolios for three schools, including School of Applied Sciences & Technology, School of Skilled Trades & Construction, and School of Health & Life Sciences. John has five years of experience as a financial analyst and is owner of Marcelo Tax Services in Edmonton.
Julie Willoughan, Program Assistant
Julie joined the Boreal Research Institute as the Program Assistant in February 2017 bringing with her an extensive background in administration and accounting. She supports BRI’s program teams in day-to-day operations including a variety of administrative, coordination and logistical services. Julie further provides planning support for our workshops and advisory board meetings.
Kera Yucel, Research Officer
Received two MSc degrees in biology from Laurentian University (Sudbury, Ontario) and Ege University (Turkey), and a BSc (Hons) in biology (Ege University). Her MSc work focused on characterizing microbial communities associated to wetland plant rhizospheres. Kera joined the institute as a research officer in the Plant & Seed Technologies program in 2015 specializing in data analysis using 'R' statistical software and QIIME, and laboratory techniques including gas flux measurements, spectrophotometry, PCR, and measuring plant and soil traits.
Kimberley Murray, Research Technician
Received a MSc from the University of Waterloo and a BSc (Hons) from the University of Calgary in Environmental Science. Kim joined the BRI team in the spring of 2017 as a research assistant following four years of student research for the Wetland Soils & Greenhouse Gas Exchange Lab. She is originally from Drumheller, where the dinosaurs once roamed.
Melanie Bird, Research Technician
Earned a BSc (Hons) in geography from the University of Calgary with a focus on soils and ecohydrology, and was a member of the Wetland Soil and Ecohydrology Lab conducting peatland-related research. Since joining the institute as a research officer in the Peatland Restoration Program in 2014, Melanie has managed field operations, site set up, training and coordination of field staff, data collection, site monitoring, as well as executing lab and greenhouse experiments. Melanie's prior work experience involves data management for a petrochemical company.
Ryan O'Neill, Research Technician
Is a graduate of NAIT's Forest Technology Diploma (2013) and Biological Sciences Diploma program (2010), and a Registered Forest Technologist (RFT) with the College of Alberta Professional Forest Technologists (CAPFT). Ryan joined the institute in 2012 as a summer assistant before moving into a permanent role as a field research technician in 2014. Ryan specializes in identification, collection, extraction, and propagation of boreal plant species within the Plant & Seed Technologies Program.
Dr. Stefan Schreiber, Research Associate
Received his PhD in Forest Ecology and Management from the University of Alberta in 2012 and was a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Alberta until joining NAIT in April 2017 as a Research Associate. Stefan has over nine years of experience in plant ecophysiology with a focus on tree water relations and ecological genetics. During his postdoctoral work, he also gained substantial experience in forestry, particularly tree improvement. Stefan’s current work at BRI includes applied research project support ranging from data analysis and scientific paper writing to exploring further avenues for collaboration with industry.
Trevor Floreani, Research Technician
Earned a BSc (Hons) in geography from the University of Calgary with interest in biogeography, soils, and remote sensing, and is a registered Agrologist-in-training (AIT) with the Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA). Trevor grew up in Grande Prairie and joined the institute as a summer student before moving into a full time field research technician position in the Forest Reclamation Program in 2014. Trevor's work involves site setup, scouting, planting, GPS/GIS, vegetation surveys, soil sampling, and getting as many nature walks in as he can while still calling it work.
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