UBC experts on COP16
Nearly 200 countries are meeting in Colombia this week for the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference, which runs until Nov. 1. UBC experts are available to comment on a range of topics.

Professor William Cheung
(He/Him/His)
Canada Research Chair (Tier II, Ocean Sustainability and Global Change), Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries
Tel: 604-827-3756
Email: w.cheung@oceans.ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- Marine biodiversity
- Marine protected area
- Climate change
- Fisheries
* Unavailable Oct. 25 – 30
Dr. Jessica Dempsey
(She/Her/Hers)
Professor, Dept. of Geography
Email: jessica.dempsey@geog.ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- Financial resources, resource mobilization and biodiversity
Melanie Dickie
(She/Her/Hers)
PhD student, UBC Okanagan Dept. of Biology
Cel: 780-887-1799
Email: melanie.dickie@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- Impact of climate change and habitat alteration on woodland caribou and their predators and competitors
Garry Merkel (nadi’ denezā)
Member of the Tahltan Nation
Director, Centre of Indigenous Land Stewardship, Faculty of Forestry
Cel: 250-427-0460
Email: garry.merkel@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- Indigenous stewardship and impacts on conservation and biodiversity

Dr. Tara Moreau, PhD
Associate Director, UBC Botanical Garden
Tel: 604-690-5375
Email: tara.moreau@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- Biodiversity conservation
- Global strategy for plant conservation
- Food plant diversity and sustainable agriculture
- Climate-ready gardens and climate adaptation planning
- Nature-based education and engagement in botanic gardens
* Attending COP16 Oct. 24 – 28.

Dr. John Richardson, PhD
(He/Him/His)
Professor, Dept. of Forest and Conservation Sciences
Tel: 604-822-6586
Email: john.richardson@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- Freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity

Dr. U. Rashid Sumaila, FRSC
Professor, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries
Tel: 604-822-0224
Email: r.sumaila@oceans.ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- Marine biodiversity
- Ocean conservation
- Biological diversity

Prof. Terry Sunderland, Dip. Hort. Kew, MSc, PhD
(He/Him/His)
Professor, Dept. of Forest and Conservation Sciences
Tel: 778-871-6483
Email: terry.sunderland@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- Biodiversity, livelihoods, landscapes, food security, 30 x 30 initiative