Our Team

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.

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.

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.

Julia is a data scientist with a background in applied mathematics, machine learning, and environmental systems science. She has worked at the interface of ecology, modeling, and citizen science, applying both statistical and mechanistic modeling approaches to understand and forecast complex ecological patterns. Julia completed her PhD at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ in Germany, where she focused on vegetation dynamics and large-scale ecosystem processes. As a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Alberta, she developed spatio-temporal models to predict recreational angling activity across Canada. She is especially interested in using data science to support environmental research and sustainability initiatives. Outside of work, Julia enjoys hiking with her dog, playing badminton and pickleball, and traveling to explore new places

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.

Shaye is a Research Officer with BECI and a co-op student at the University of Victoria, where she is majoring in marine biology with a minor in ocean sciences. Shaye has a strong background in bioacoustics and completed her honours degree researching the effects of boat noise on fish vocalizations, contributing to the growing understanding of how human activities impact marine ecosystems. In addition to her academic work, Shaye has experience as a Project Manager on an Arctic cod acoustics project, where she oversaw the development of an automatic detector for Arctic cod grunts—a key step in improving our ability to monitor Arctic marine life. Her research interests lie at the intersection of fisheries management, climate change, and ecosystem-based management, aiming to develop strategies that support both sustainable fisheries and healthy ocean ecosystems. Beyond research, Shaye is a varsity rugby player for the University of Victoria. She also enjoys outdoor adventures, both on land or at sea, and is an avid backpacker.

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.