Jessica Lukawiecki, postdoctoral fellow

Re-Establishing Healthy Relationships to Wild Species

Jessica is a Postdoctoral Fellow of settler descent co-supervised by Dr. Jesse Popp and Dr. Susan Kutz. Jessica is a community engaged social scientist with a PhD in Geography at the University of Guelph. Her research explores the cultural significance of wild species to Indigenous Peoples, looking at options for reconciling endangered species laws with Indigenous rights and priorities, while amplifying Indigenous-led stewardship of wild species through Guardians Programs and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs). 

Alice Dabrowski (she/her), PhD Student

Flower Fly Larvae Taxonomy, Outreach, and Aphid Control

Alice is a non-Indigenous Ph.D. student at the University of Guelph co-supervised by Dr. Jesse Popp and Dr. Andrew Young. Her research documents flower fly larval diversity and ecology in the eastern regions of Turtle Island. Her work aims to produce field guides for community science projects and develop low cost flower fly larvae options for aphid control in remote greenhouses. Beyond flower flies, Alice has a background in restoration ecology and environmental science. She hopes to support community environmental programs and facilitate capacity building. 

Michelle Beltran, MSc student

Weaving knowledge systems for bat ecology in the Georgian Bay Island area

Michelle is a MSc candidate at the University of Guelph, studying bats in First Nation communities around the Georgian Bay Island area. Her project hopes to further the understanding of bat ecology while weaving knowledge systems. Previous to starting her master's, Michelle worked in nature interpretation. In her free time Michelle is an avid birder, herper and all-around nature enthusiasts!

Christopher Lim, MSc Student

 Weaving knowledge systems in Ma’iingan (wolf) ecology on Mnidoo Gamii (Georgian Bay)

Christopher is a non-Indigenous person of diaspora, born and raised on Anishinaabe Aki. As an MSc candidate at the University of Guelph, he will be working with Anishinaabek communities of the Mnidoo Gamii (Georgian Bay) region on better understanding the spatial ecology of our Ma'iingan (wolf) relations on their territory. In engaging with this interdisciplinary project that entwines ecology and culture, Chris hopes to root his work in ideals of reciprocity, responsibility and kinship in supporting the resurgence of community, land, and all of Creation.

Natasha Hirt (she/They), MSc student

Prioritizing Indigenous Values and Community Outreach in Species-At-Risk Plant-Pollinator Surveying

Natasha is a non-Indigenous M.Sc. candidate at the University of Guelph, co-supervised by Dr. Jesse Popp and Dr. Andrew Young. Her research is conducted in partnership with Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory of Manitoulin Island, Ontario. Natasha is working alongside the community Species-At-Risk Program to develop a community-based pollinator monitoring protocol that prioritizes Indigenous ways of knowing and aims to reconnect youth with the Land. Working with community Elders and knowledge holders, Natasha is exploring pollinator relationships with medicinal and species-at-risk plants within culturally significant ecosystems in the territory.

Finn Pawlick-Potts (they/them), Undergraduate Honours Student

Blanding’s Turtle Railway Monitoring
Previously acting as an undergraduate research assistant for the WISE lab, Finn is now working on their undergraduate thesis at the University of Guelph. They are working in partnership with Shawanaga First Nation to monitor Blanding’s turtle behaviour in relation to railways. Finn is a member of Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation raised outside of the culture. In undergoing this project, Finn hopes to learn more about Indigenous ways of knowing, apply their knowledge, and gain insight into the impact railways have on Blanding’s turtle populations.