Geography and Environmental Studies Postdoctoral Fellows

Pieter Aukes

I received my PhD in Earth Sciences (Water) from the University of Waterloo in 2019. Prior to this, I completed a MSc in Isotopes and Geochemistry at the University of Waterloo and a BSc in Environmental Sciences (Geology) at the University of Calgary.

I am interested in how a changing climate influences carbon cycling in arctic and sub-arctic systems, specifically through the impact on carbon fate, ecosystem functioning, and drinking water quality.

• E: paukes@wlu.ca
• Office location: 3C12
• Office hours: By appointment.

Kristine Haynes

I completed my PhD in Geography at the University of Toronto. My thesis examined the impacts of climate change on mercury cycling in peatland ecosystems. My MSc research, also completed at the University of Toronto, focused on the hydrological controls on mercury mobility in forested upland environments.

My postdoctoral research investigates the hydrological impacts of climate change-induced permafrost thaw. The overarching aim of this research is to better understand the trajectory of landscape change in the discontinuous permafrost region as well as the long-term availability and sustainability of freshwater resources.

• E: khaynes@wlu.ca
• T: 519.884.0710 x3847
• Office location: 3E12, Arts E Building
• Office hours: By appointment.

Megan Larsen

I received my PhD in Biology from Indiana University in 2016. Prior to Laurier, I was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Water Sciences Laboratory.

• E: mlarsen@wlu.ca
• Office location: 3C14, Arts
• Office hours: By appointment.
• Personal website: meganllarsen.wordpress.com

Carolina Voigt

I completed my PhD in 2018 with distinction at the University of Eastern Finland and have since been a Post-Doctoral researcher at University of Eastern Finland and Université de Montréal.

My research interests include assessing the role of climate warming and permafrost thaw on greenhouse gas dynamics in the Arctic. As a visiting researcher, I expect to contribute to Dr Marsh’s research group, the Laurier – GNWT Partnership as well as other northern research conducted at Laurier. My current research focuses on greenhouse gas flux measurements at Trail Valley Creek in the Western Canadian Arctic, and involves further field work at sites in Finland and Sweden. Through a project funded by the Academy of Finland starting in September 2020, I aim at investigating methane dynamics, as well as interlinkages between the carbon and nitrogen cycles in Arctic tundra ecosystems.

During my visit, I intend to focus on field work and research, writing peer-reviewed publications, and mentoring graduate students associated with those projects.