Steering Committee

Dr. Shabtai Bittman is a Research Specialist at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Aggasiz Research and Development Centre. His climate change research is primarily focused on improving cropping systems while reducing environmental impacts.

Dr. Andrew Black is a Professor in the Applied Biology and Soil Science program at UBC (Vancouver). He is the principal investigator of the Biometeorology & Soil Science Group and his climate change research is primarily focused on agroclimatology, crop water use, water use efficiency, mulch and greenhouse climate, soil temperature, soil water availability, frost protection, and carbon sequestration.

Dr. Lauchlan Fraser is a professor at Thompson Rivers University. He is an ecosystem ecologist and his climate change research is primarily focused on drought experiments, carbon sequestration, biosolids research, and management intensive grazing.

Kirsten is a Systems Agro-Ecologist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Summerland Research and Development Centre. She focuses on examining water, carbon and nutrient dynamics within agro-ecosystems at a range of spatial scales.

Dr. Miranda Hart is a Professor in the Faculty of Biology at UBC (Okanagan). Her research is focused on microbial ecology of soil microbes and the role and applications of microbes in sustainable agriculture, viticulture, and ecological restoration.

Dr. John Janmaat is an Associate Professor of Economics at UBC (Okanagan). His climate change research is focused on incentive-based policies for water management, water resource governance and management approaches for climate change.

Dr. Bing Lu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at Simon Fraser University. His research is focused on remote sensing (e.g., drone- and satellite-based imaging) and its applications in ecosystem monitoring. He has been trying to use remote sensing for evaluating crop health and soil health and support the adoption of precision agriculture techniques to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change.

Jason Lussier is the Climate Change Extension Team Lead for the Resource Management Unit with the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Before joining the Ministry, he was the coordinator of the BC Agricultural Climate Adaptation Research Network from 2017-2019.

Ian McLachlan is Manager, Climate Action with the Corporate Policy and Priorities Branch of the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Since 2007, his work with the Ministry has included administering climate adaptation programming and coordinating the ministry’s input into B.C. government processes and strategies for adaptation and greenhouse gas reduction. His team is focused on mainstreaming climate action and building an outcomes-based approach to performance measurement.

Abbie Morris is the Director of Business Development & Programs at the Investment Agriculture Foundation where she provides leadership and direction on programs developed and delivered by the Foundation.

Dr. Kent Mullinix is the Director of the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems and adjunct faculty in the Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems program at KPU. His climate change research is primarily focused on food policy, extension, and planning.

Rob Newell is a Canada Research Chair (tier 2) in Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainability at Royal Roads University, and a Research Associate at the Food and Agriculture Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley. Newell's research and teaching focuses on integrated planning and policy, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable community development. His work includes studies on challenges and opportunities around different approaches and strategies for transitioning to sustainable and resilient food systems.

Lenore Newman holds a Canada Research Chair in Food Security and Environment at the University of the Fraser Valley, where she is currently an Associate Professor of Geography and the Environment. She also serves as Director of the Food and Agriculture Institute at UFV.

Wallapak is a senior research associate at the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems at KPU. Her research interests focus on economic impacts on regional food systems, sustainable economic development and consumer education.

Dr. Michael Preston is an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Ecosystem Science and Management at UNBC (Prince George). He is a microbial ecologist and his research is focused on the microbial response to human-induced environmental change and the consequences for soil biogeochemical (nutrient) cycles important for ecosystem health. Specifically, investigating the microbial control on soil organic carbon accumulation and decomposition to greenhouse gases.

Dr. Tom Pypker is an Associate Professor at Thompson Rivers University. His research is focused on the effects of management and climate change on biophysical processes in a variety of ecosystems.

Chris Reed is the Chief Operating Officer at the Investment Agriculture Foundation. Chris provides leadership and support into IAFs business operations and strategic direction and also works closely with the programming and finance teams to ensure IAF is meeting its mandate of excellent service delivery and program administration. Chris has been with IAF for 15 years, prior to that he was a virologist specializing in tree fruit and grapevine diseases.

Dr. Sean Smukler is an Associate Professor in the Applied Biology & Soil Science program at UBC (Vancouver) and the Chair in Agriculture and the Environment. He is the principal investigator of the Sustainable Agricultural Landscape Lab and his climate change research is primarily based on adaptation approaches for agriculture and soils management.

Gary Telford is a Knowledge Transfer Officer with the Science and Technology Branch at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada- Agassiz Research and Development Centre. He works with industry and stakeholders to share AAFC science and promote new management practices with decision makers.