Edward Le

Research Assistant & Lab Manager

I have completed a Environmental and Computer Sciences degree (BSc) at UBC. My work in the lab spans administrative support and data analytics duties. I chose UBC because of its diverse academic programs and beautiful campus! Administratively, I work to provide technical assistance and help coordinate work in the lab. On an analytical level, I am working on watershed analyses across the continental United States and Canada through estimating watershed flow signatures and processing geospatial data. My research interests include understanding the role that climate change will have on watersheds, and on how societies can adapt to our changing world.

Emily Leung

Undergraduate Research Assistant

I am a fifth-year Geography student at UBC who is interested in climate change science and environmental justice. I decided to specialize in Geographic Information Science (GIS) to better understand and address the complex spatial dimensions of climate change in a holistic and scientific manner. My goal was to utilize GIS as a tool to inform effective climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. I worked on flow path analyses within the Liard River watershed across the Yukon Territory and in British Columbia. This work modeled the flow of water across the Liard watershed and links different types of watershed physical properties (e.g. soil permeability and porosity) to each given flow path to facilitate hydrological analyses. The purpose of my work was to support the identification of vulnerable watersheds to climate and land-use changes in Canada that require immediate attention. In my free time, I love to cook, hike, and enjoy the natural beauty of Vancouver! 
As of Fall 2020, Emily has moved on to work as a Impact Assessment Officer at the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. We wish her the best of luck in her new role!

Blaise Matlock

Undergraduate Research Assistant (NSERC USRA)

I am a 4th-year Environmental Science student specializing in Land, Air, and Water systems. In my time with the HydroGeoScience for Watershed Management Laboratory, I want to learn more about the effects of climate change on watersheds and the eventual impacts those effects may have on water quality and availability. I am helping to link GIS data to small-scale watershed units to help policymakers make data-informed land-use decisions. I came to UBC because I wanted to study the environment in a place surrounded by nature. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and board games.

Elina Shi

Undergraduate Research Assistant

I am a fourth-year student studying Geographical Sciences at UBC. Coming from Hawaii, I am particularly interested in the effects of watershed-level land cover changes have on coastal landscapes. Land-cover changes can cause impacts on the growth of invasive algae species through watershed sediment runoff. I am also interested in seeing how remote sensing technologies can contribute to watershed research. Over the years, I have worked with GIS for several conservation efforts including monitoring invasive miconia plants with the Oahu Invasive Species Committee, monitoring and managing invasive algae in Maunalua Bay with Mālama Maunalua, and with mapping plant species in Vancouver's Pacific Spirit Park. I have been with the HG-WM lab since January 2020 working on calculating watershed-level hydrologic and land cover metrics across Canada and the US.

 As of September 2022, Elana has started Master of Environmental Management program at the Yale School of the Environment.