about us
Our project is committed to developing and implementing a suite of cutting-edge decision support tools designed to empower researchers, policymakers, and resource managers with data-driven insights for effective decision-making.
our team
Dr. Kathryn Berry;
Science Director
Kathryn has over 10 years of international professional experience, spanning marine research, environmental management, science leadership and program management. Her research contributed to the understanding of pressures facing the Great Barrier Reef and other urban and remote coastal environments, especially related to climate change and deteriorating water quality linked with human activities, such as agriculture, shipping, and emerging contaminants (e.g., microplastics and persistent organic pollutants). She completed her PhD in 2017 at James Cook University, and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in Australia. Kathryn has worked in research, environmental consulting, and for Canadian provincial (BC) and federal (DFO) governments. Kathryn’s overarching professional interest is the interface between science and policy, with a focus on connecting research and knowledge of marine ecosystems with decision makers. Outside of work, Kathryn enjoys travelling on backroads by motorcycle, which is currently hibernating in a Bulgarian village.
Dr. Viv Tulloch;
Project Scientist – Modeling Specialist
Viv is a conservation decision scientist and ecological modeller, interested in the intersection of multiple stressors including climate change within and between complex dynamic systems, species and humans. Over the last 13 years she has worked in research, environmental consulting, and collaborated with government and non-government agencies worldwide including most recently Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, to solve conservation and resource management problems. Viv was granted the prestigious Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship in 2019 to work on ecosystem models of salmon and killer whales with the Conservation Decisions Lab at the University of British Columbia, Canada. She completed her PhD in 2016 at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions at the University of Queensland, and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia. She has expertise in both applied and theoretical ecology and resource management, specializing in ecosystem modelling, cumulative impact and risk assessment, protected area design and spatial prioritization (marine and terrestrial), using decision theory ideas and economics to solve conservation problems, fisheries bycatch and climate change. Outside of work, Viv enjoys spending time with her two small kids out in nature and visiting Australia for family time and sunshine.
Kathryn Sheps;
Engagement Lead
A marine scientist by training and facilitator by heart, Kathryn is thrilled to join the BECI team as Engagement Lead. After completing a master’s degree in marine science at the University of South Florida, Kathryn split her time between the field and the laboratory, working for a small research and development company. Developing novel climate-related marine technologies and spending a lot of time on the waters in and around Tampa Bay instilled both a sense of urgency to address climate change and a passion for developing climate solutions. Returning to Vancouver, Kathryn followed her passion to the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue at Simon Fraser University where she worked as a convener, facilitator and program manager in the climate solutions program, bringing people with diverse backgrounds and experiences together in transformative, solutions-focussed dialogue. After a stop as Research Coordinator at OceanWise Conservation Association, Kathryn joined the Ocean Decade Collaborative Center for the NE Pacific, convening workshops, launching a monthly webinar series and collaborating with and engaging diverse partners and ocean actors across the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development ecosystem. When not working, Kathryn walks her rescue pup, follows her favorite baseball team and volunteers in her community.
Dr. Isobel Pearsall;
Salmon Specialist
Dr. Isobel Pearsall has been working for the past 30 years as an ecologist focussed on salmon conservation, risk assessments, strategic planning, and the development and management of large-scale interdisciplinary and ecosystem-based salmon programs. She was formerly the Director of the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s (PSF) Marine Science Program, co-ordinated the international transboundary Salish Sea Marine Survival Project (marinesurvivalproject.com), and was the Manager of the PSF/UBC Marine Data Centre (marinedata.psf.ca). She holds a First Class degree in Pure and Applied Biology from Oxford University, an M.Sc. in Ecology from the Department of Biology at Dalhousie University, and a PhD. in Ecology from the Department of Plant Science, UBC. After her PhD studies, she was a post-doctoral fellow in Ecosystem Management at the Pacific Biological Station, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Nanaimo. Since 1995, she has worked as a scientist on numerous programs for government, non-profit organizations, and private industry and she is an adjunct professor at UBC. Outside of work, Isobel plays fiddle and classical violin in a number of bands and ensembles, enjoys sailing around the Salish Sea with her husband in their 47’ Catalina, Tumblehome, and camping with their two friendly poodles.
Jaid Conn;
Project Coordinator
Jaid is a Project Coordinator for BECI. She has her B.Sc. in Natural Resources Conservation with a major in Science and Management from the University of British Columbia. Her studies focused heavily on applied ecology, as well as the planning and management of renewable natural resources. Jaid started her career working for the federal (DFO) government as part of the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative working has a part of the Executive Office before transitioning to a role with the Salmon Stewardship Directorate. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature with her partner and their dog.
Camille Jasinski;
Communications Specialist
Camille is a communications contractor for BECI. She is an environmental communications specialist with a focus on ocean science, and a media and communication scholar. Camille has her BA and MA in communication from Simon Fraser University. Her MA thesis explored the media landscape in the Canadian context with a focus on the ideological dimensions of oppression, and the intersection between capitalism, racism, and resource colonialism. Over the last few years Camille has worked in climate change and science communication, particularly in the field of salmon and ocean science research. She was the communications manager for the International Year of the Salmon Initiative and the communications lead for the 2022 Pan-Pacific Winter High Seas Expedition. Camille has developed a passion for making complex issues around our rapidly changing climate accessible to a wider audience. Camille has been involved with the Ocean Decade endorsed project BECI (Basin-Scale Events to Coastal Impacts) since 2021. She also teaches yoga and fitness outside of work.