UBC experts on wildfires
Manitoba and Saskatchewan have declared states of emergency as wildfires spread. UBC experts are available for comment.
Dr. Jen Baron
(She/Her/Hers)
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science
Member, Centre for Wildfire Coexistence
Email: jen.baron@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- wildfire ecology, forest fire behaviour and risk management
- ecosystem resilience, restoration, and conservation in a changing climate
- landscape ecology and remote sensing applications
Prof. Nadine Borduas-Dedekind, PhD
(She/Her/Hers)
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Chemistry
Tel: 604-822-4435
Email: borduas@chem.ubc.ca
Interview languages: English, French
Expertise:
- chemistry of wildfire smoke, effects of wildfire smoke on cloud formation, wildfire smoke indoors
* Available June 2, 4, 5 and 6 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Dr. Mathieu Bourbonnais
Assistant Professor and Co-director, Centre for Wildfire Coexistence
Email: mathieu.bourbonnais@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English, French
Expertise:
- fire risk monitoring, fire behaviour, sensors for wildfire detection, and prescribed fire
Michael Brauer, ScD
Professor, School of Population and Public Health
phone: 604-822-9585
Email: michael.brauer@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- air pollution, environmental health and the links between transportation, air quality and public health
- healthy cities, sustainable development, and climate change impacts including greenhouse gases and global warming
* Available only on May 30
Christopher Carlsten, MD, MPH
Professor and Head, UBC Respiratory Medicine, Respiratory Division, Department of Medicine, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute
Tel: 604-875-4122
Email: carlsten@mail.ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- air pollution, environmental health, gene–environment interactions, and public health
- lead investigator of the Lungs on Fire project, studying long-term health effects of wildfire smoke across diverse populations
Dr. Kelsey Copes-Gerbitz, PhD
(She/Her/Hers)
Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences
Member, Centre for Wildfire Coexistence
phone: 604-363-9863
Email: kelsey.copes-gerbitz@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- B.C. wildfires and fire history
- proactive wildfire management strategies
- community resilience and cooperative response in B.C.
* Available June 4 and 5 only
Dr. Lori Daniels
Co-director, Centre for Wildfire Coexistence
Professor, Dept. of Forest and Conservation Sciences
Email: lori.daniels@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English, Spanish
Expertise:
- wildfire, climate change, forest management, wildland-urban interface
- coexisting with fire: homeowner and community FireSmart practices and resources, proactive management and being prepared for wildfire season
Dr. Sarah Henderson, BASc, PhD
(She/Her/Hers)
Scientific Director, Environmental Health Services, School of Population and Public Health
phone: 604-910-9144
Email: sarah.henderson@bccdc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- wildfire smoke, air pollution and extreme heat as environmental health threats
- public health, epidemiology and the health impacts of climate-related exposures
Dr. Karen Hodges, PhD
(She/Her/Hers)
Professor, Dept. of Biology
Email: karen.hodges@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- effects on fire on wildlife
- climate change and fire
- fire regimes (how/why typical fire size and severity vary across ecosystems)
- endangered species and fire
- smoke
Prof. Jose Marti
Professor, Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Phone: 604-822-2364
Email: jrms@ece.ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- computer modelling of response to disasters
- electric power
Dr. Babak Mohamadpour Tosarkani, PhD
(He/Him/His)
Assistant Professor, School of Engineering
Phone: 236-865-7531
Email: babak.tosarkani@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English
Expertise:
- emergency supply chain preparedness
- disaster relief operations
Dr. Felix Wiesner, MEng, PhD
(He/Him/His)
Assistant Professor, Department of Wood Science
phone: 604-822-9852
Email: felix.wiesner@ubc.ca
Interview languages: English, German
Expertise:
- fire safety, fire impact on structures
- wildland-urban interface
- fire safety building codes and standards
* Unavailable June 5
