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Doctor of Philosophy (1997 - 2001)
Centre for Earth Observation Science
Department of Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Dissertation Title: Development of a One-Dimensional Electro-Thermophysical Model of the Snow-Sea Ice System: Arctic Climate Processes and Microwave Remote Sensing Applications

Master of Science (Atmospheric Science) (1992 - 1994)
Faculty of Pure and Applied Science
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Science
York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Thesis Title: The Mesoscale and Microscale Characteristics of a CASP-II Severe Ice Pellet Storm

Certificate of Meteorology (1990-1991)
Faculty of Pure and Applied Science
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Science
York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Bachelor of Science (Double Major Physics & Mathematics) (1987 - 1990)
Faculty of Science
University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Professor
Dept. of Environment & Geography, Centre for Earth Observation Science, University of Manitoba
Full-Time (April 2011 - present)

AsSOCIATE Professor
Dept. of Environment & Geography, Centre for Earth Observation Science, University of Manitoba
Full-Time (April 2007 - March 2011)

Associate Dept. Head & Assistant Professor
Dept. of Environment & Geography, Centre for Earth Observation Science, University of Manitoba
Full-Time (Sept 2006 - June 2007)

Assistant Professor
Dept. of Environment & Geography, Centre for Earth Observation Science, University of Manitoba
Full-Time (June 2001 - May 2007)

Meteorologist
Prairie Storm Prediction Centre (Environment Canada Meteorologist), Winnipeg, MB
Full-Time (Jan. 1999 - May 2001)

Meteorological Consultant
Self-Employed, Winnipeg, MB
Part-Time (Sept. 1996 - 1998)

Climate Atmospheric Research Consultant (contract)
Meteorological Service of Canada (Climate Processes and Earth Observation Division (CCRP)), Toronto, ON
Full-Time (Sept. 1994 - Sept. 1996)

Head Laboratory Instructor
Faculty of Pure and Applied Science
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Science, York University, Toronto, ON
Part-Time (Sept. 1992 - Apr. 1994)

Meteorological Assistant
Meteorological Service of Canada (Scientific Services Division), Winnipeg, MB
Full-Time (May 1 - Aug. 31, 1992)

Laboratory Instructor
Faculty of Science
Departments of Physics, Mathematics and Geography, University of Winnipeg
Full-Time (Sept. 1991 - May 1 1992)

Project Assistant
Environment Canada (Environmental Partners Fund), Winnipeg, MB
Full-Time (May - Sept. 1991)

Research Assistant
Meteorological Service of Canada (Scientific Services Division), Winnipeg, MB
Full-Time (May - Sept. 1990)

Changing Cold Regions Network (CCRN)
2013-2018
This $5M NSERC Network was funded via the Climate Change and Atmospheric Research (CCAR) program and focuses on historic and future weather, climate, surface (vegetation, permafrost and snow) and hydrology related variability to better understand the processes that control the climate system in the Canadian Prairies, Western Cordillera and sub-Arctic regions. My role is to investigate historic and future changes in severe weather and heavy precipitation related phenomena using observations and regional climate model simulations. CCRN website

Plains Elevated Convection At Night (PECAN)
2014 – present
PECAN is lead by D. Parsons (U Oklahoma) and B. Geerts (U Wyoming). I sit on the SSC of this U.S. lead project and will participate in its field component (June 1 – July 15, 2015) and future workshops. The project’s goal is to contribute to the improved understanding, forecasting and modeling capabilities of nocturnal elevated convection. My role is to contribute to better understanding: (1) nocturnal boundary layer (NBL) and low level jet (LLJ) evolution, and (2) elevated convection initiation and storm intensity. I am collaborating with several Co-I’s in the project. PECAN website

Understanding Severe Thunderstorms and Alberta Boundary Layers Experiment (UNSTABLE)
Summer 2008
I am a Co-PI for UNSTABLE that focuses on the importance of boundary-layer water vapour availability / stratification and mesoscale convergence boundaries to the development of severe thunderstorms over the Alberta Foothills. Measurements obtained through a high-resolution network of surface (stationary and mobile), upper-air, surface remote sensing and airborne instruments are used together with measurements from existing platforms to better understand important mesoscale processes in this thunderstorm genesis zone.
Visit the UNSTABLE WebSite

Hydrometeorology and Arctic Lab (HAL) & Prairie & Arctic Storm Prediction Centre (PASPC)
2001 - present
I am an active participant in the Meteorological Service of Canada’s (MSC) HAL and PASPC collaborative research projects that are designed to improve interactions and technology/research transfer between the research (government, academic and private sectors) and meteorological operational communities in Canada. I have participated in many HAL & PASPC meetings. These direct collaborations have lead to many local meteorologists assisting with teaching undergraduate courses, provide summer employment to students and provide career choice information for students.

CFCAS Storm Studies in the Arctic (STAR Network)
2006-2011
I am a co-PI in a CFCAS Network (based out of UofM) valued at $3M focusing on arctic storms and their impacts on humans. This project is concerned with the documentation, better understanding and prediction of meteorological and related hazards in the Arctic including their modification by local topography and land-sea transitions and their impact on the local communities.
Visit the STAR WebSite

CFCAS Drought Research Initiative (DRI Network)
2005-2011
I am a co-investigator in a CFCAS Network (based out of McGill/Saskatchewan) focusing on prairie drought, in particular the physics associated in initiating, maintaining and ending droughts. This Network has been approved for $3M over 5 years and began in the Fall of 2005. My role is to quantify the drought in various ways, investigate spatial patterns of convection/rainfall and severe weather in association with spatial patterns in vegetation phenology, and how well models predict the “atmosphere” of drought.
Visit the DRI WebSite

NSERC / Canadian IPY Canadian Flaw-Lead (CFL) System Study
2007-2011
I am a co-I and Theme 9 Lead (Modeling) in an NSERC SRO-IPY and Canadian federal IPY project (Lead PI D. Barber) focusing on atmosphere-sea ice-ocean interactions and physical-bilogical couplings of major Canadian flaw lead polynyas, with links to climate change and effects on humans ($15M over 4 years). My role in this project is leading a modeling theme devoted to better understanding the physical processes of atmosphere-sea ice-ocean connections with linkages to biological processes in Arctic polynyas.

ARCTICNET (NCE)
2004 - 2009
ArcticNet is a Network Centres of Excellence (NCE) that “brings together scientists and managers in the natural, human health and social sciences with their partners from Inuit organizations, northern communities, federal and provincial agencies and the private sector to study the impacts of climate change in the coastal Canadian Arctic.” I was originally working in various Themes of ArcticNet on surface-atmosphere couplings and extreme weather processes since 2004 and was most recently working with R. Stewart in the Coping with Atmospheric-Related Hazards in the Canadian Arctic project. This project ended in 2009 and was concerned with strong and variable low-level winds, heavy snow, and freezing precipitation.

CFCAS Blowing Snow in the Canadian Prairies & High Arctic
2003-2006
I was involved in a joint project with York University and the Prairie and Arctic Storm Prediction Centre (PASPC) focusing on blowing snow/blizzard issues. The study used weather observations, field data and numerical modeling of blowing snow to improve its predictability and impact on visibility.

The Canadian Arctic Shelf Exchange Study (CASES)
2001 - 2006
CASES was an NSERC National Network. Scientifically, the project examined the relationship between the observed reduction in sea ice extent and volume with aspects of the marine ecosystem. This climate change study focused on the processes which drive these relationships and entailed a year long field experiment in the Beaufort Sea and Amundsen Gulf in Northern Canada. The project was also awarded $28M toward the retrofit and outfitting a research ice breaker to be used during CASES and other Arctic research initiatives in the future. The team was lead by L. Fortier from the University of Laval. I was a co-investigator within the sea ice-atmosphere interactions group lead by D.G. Barber of the University of Manitoba.

The International North Water Polynya (NOW) Project
1997 - 2001
The NOW study was funded by NSERC (1997-2001) to the level of 5M$. Industry and government support (national and international) increased this level to a total of 34 M$. The project was operating as a National Network program within the NSERC funding structure. The project studied the North Water Polynya in northern Baffin Bay. The objectives were to determine the role of sensible and latent heat mechanisms in the creation and maintenance of the Polynya and to link these physical mechanisms to their biological consequences throughout the entire trophic system. I participated as a graduate student and acted as the ice camp manager in Cape Herschel for part of the project under the 'sea ice/climate dynamics' sub component of this experiment (D.G. Barber as PI).

Sea Ice Model Inter-comparison Project (SIMIP)
2001 - 2003
I was a Co-investigator in the Sea Ice Model Inter-comparison Project (SIMIP) lead by G. Flato (CCCMA) that was designed to isolate, evaluate and improve the representation of vertical sea-ice thermodynamic processes in climate models. My role was to conduct control and sensitivity trials using a unique coupled snow sea-ice model developed during my Ph.D. work. No external funding was formally assigned to this project.

Canadian Ice Working Group (CIWG)
1999 - 2001
The CIWG is an organization of Canadian and US researchers active in the study of floating ice since 1989. The organization is structured to promote the exchange of research and operational ice forecasting developments. Three Co-Chairs (University, Government and Industry) coordinate the activities of the 150+ membership. I participated in the CIWG as a graduate student, presenting my research and networking with this organization.

The Cryospheric Systems Experiment (CRYSYS)
1996 - 2001
CRYSYS is comprised of many Canadian cryospheric researchers (university and government) and was part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's "Mission to Planet Earth" program since 1989. The objective is to develop the capabilities to monitor pertinent geophysical variables of the cryosphere using remote sensing and to utilize these data in modeling cryospheric processes. I participated in CRYSYS as a graduate student (funded by CRYSYS through B. Goodison (MSC) and my advisor D.G. Barber) that required annual reports and deliverables specific to my research. I also attended annual meetings to present my research and network research activities within the group.

The Beaufort and Arctic Storms Experiment (BASE)
Sept. 1 - Oct. 15, 1994
BASE was conducted in Canada's western Arctic to better understand and predict the weather in the Beaufort Sea and surrounding areas of the Arctic and assess its impact on the regional climate of the western Arctic. BASE had a strong link with the international GEWEX program through its focus on precipitation events that affect the Mackenzie River hydrology. This project was lead by R.E. Stewart (Meteorological Service of Canada at the time). Major funding bodies included the Federal Panel on Energy Research and Development (PERD) and the Green Plan. Participating agencies included: Meteorological Service of Canada (Climate Processes and Earth Observation Division; Cloud Physics Research Division; Arctic Weather Centre; Canadian Meteorological Centre (and RPN)), University of Toronto, York University, Hokkaido University, University of Northern BC, University of Colorado, National Research Council, and the Institute of Ocean Sciences. I participated in BASE as a climate atmospheric research consultant by collecting field data, analyzing and synthesizing various data sets toward peer reviewed journal publications.