Board of Directors
Have a question about CEW? Interested in volunteering?
Contact the board at the link!
CEW Officers
The Board of Directors appoints Officers to take on the administration of CEW. The following individuals have been appointed as Officers:
Officer | Position | Term |
|---|---|---|
Paul Craig | CEW 2024 Co-Chair | September 2023 - October 2025 |
Jennie Christensen | CEW 2025 Co-Chair | September 2024 - October 2026 |
Caren Helbing | CEW 2025 Co-Chair | September 2024 - October 2026 |
Guy Gilron | CEW 2025 Co-Chair | September 2024 - October 2026 |
James Elphick | CEW 2025 Co-Chair | September 2024 - October 2026 |
Graduate Student Advisors
The purpose of the GSA positions is to introduce student members of CEW at the start of their careers to the function and goals of the Board of Directors in hopes that, once established, they will develop an interest in chairing a CEW and/or serving on the Board of Directors.
​
In addition to advising the Board of Directors, the role of the GSA is to assist the Organizing Committee (OC) with the Student Program subcommittee. GSAs have a varied role and duties include evaluating and reporting on the student program to the Board of Directors, providing a level of core consistency for the student program from year to year, orient each new OC of past student events, and providing information of value to the new OC.
Interested in being a GSA for the 2026 and 2027 workshops? Apply today!
Applications due December 31st, 2025. Submit applications to Bonnie Lo.
Want to provide feedback or suggestions on the CEW Student Program?
Contact the GSAs below.
Derin is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Guelph, co-supervised by Drs. Sarah Alderman and Todd Gillis, and collaborating with Dr. Chris Kennedy at the Simon Fraser University. Their research investigates the physiological and developmental effects of diluted bitumen exposure in Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.), assessing toxicity from early embryonic stages through juvenile development. This work integrates molecular biomarkers, functional fitness assessments, and whole-animal physiological response to understand the impact of petroleum contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. Derin previously completed their MSc in the same research group, where they examined the combined effects of diluted bitumen exposure and elevated water temperatures on the development and cardiorespiratory function of coho salmon (O. kisutch). Derin’s research is part of a multi-institutional collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Simon Fraser University, aiming to improve environmental risk assessments and inform conservation strategies for Pacific salmon populations impacted by oil spills.
Jenelle is a Ph.D. student at the University of Alberta in Dr. Tamzin Blewett’s lab. Her research aims to understand the impact of Canadian wildfire ash toxicity on freshwater aquatic species including invertebrates (Daphnia) and vertebrates (salmonids), using a comparative species approach. Jenelle’s research focuses on physiological responses to wildfire ash, from molecular to whole-body effects at various life-stages, with the goal of understanding how aquatic biota may be threatened post-fire and the potential need for conservation efforts. Jenelle completed her MSc, also under the supervision of Dr. Tamzin Blewett, investigating the multi-generational toxicity of naphthenic acids isolated from oil sands process-affected water on Daphnia magna. This project was completed in collaboration with Dr. Richard Frank at Environment and Climate Change Canada. Throughout her undergraduate and graduate research, Jenelle has also been involved in research projects on metal toxicity (primarily copper and nickel) and the toxicity of different ultraviolet filters used in sunscreens.
