Northern Environmental Geoscience Laboratory
PhD Graduate Students (Current)
Katrin Bogner
Status: PhD Student
Program: PhD in Physical Geography
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: 2026-
Funding stream: CIRTA, CRC & NSERC
Project title: Permafrost science in Labrador
Lili Paradi
Status: PhD Student
Program: PhD in Physical Geography
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way & Dr. Andrew Trant
Time period: 2025-
Funding stream: CRC & NSERC
Project title: Assessing ecosystem changes due to permafrost thaw in culturally important peatlands in Labrador
MSc Graduate Students (Current)
Shaelyn Clark
Status: MSc Candidate
Program: MSc in Physical Geography
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: 2026-
Funding stream: CCPN & CRC
Project title: Investigating historic and future changes in snow and landfast ice along winter travel routes in coastal Labrador
Meagan Moroney
Status: MSc Candidate
Program: MSc in Physical Geography
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way & Dr. Yifeng Wang (NRCAN)
Time period: 2025-
Funding stream: CRC & NSERC
Project title: Characterizing short-term permafrost thaw rates in coastal peatlands using UAV photogrammetry
Nicole Gaul
Status: MSc Candidate
Program: MSc in Physical Geography
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way & Dr. Mark Stoller
Time period: 2024-
Funding stream: CRC & CINUK
Project title: Exploring glacier change through youth-engaged participatory glaciology in Tongait KakKasuangita SilakKijapvinga (Torngat Mountains National Park, Nunatsiavut)
Nhu Le
Status: MES Candidate
Program: MES in Social and Ecological Sustainability
Supervisor(s): Dr. Andrew Trant & Dr. Robert Way
Time period: 2024-
Funding stream: CINUK
Project title: The impacts of shrubification on caribou and ptarmigan habitats in Tongait KakKasuangita SilakKijapvinga (Torngat Mountains National Park)
Erin Rendell
Status: MSc Candidate
Program: MSc in Physical Geography
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: 2024-
Funding stream: CRC
Project title: Ice thickening experiments for winter trail resilience in Nunatsiavut
BSc Students (Current)
Elise Alexander
Status: BSc thesis in progress
Program: BSc in Environmental Science
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: 2026-2027
Funding stream: NSERC, SWEP
Project title: High resolution prediction of permafrost distribution in Subarctic peatlands using machine learning, uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and field measurements
Catherine Parke
Status: Ongoing
Program: BSc in Geography
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: 2026-2027
Funding stream: NSERC, SWEP
Project title: Ongoing Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) operations and applications for wildfire risk prediction in coastal Labrador
Graduated PhD Students (n=1)
Dr. Yifeng Wang
Current position: Research Scientist, Permafrost Division, Natural Resources Canada
Status: Graduated Fall 2024
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Degree: PhD in Physical Geography
Time period: 2020-2024
Funding stream: NSERC
Project title: Investigating the Distribution of Peatland Permafrost and Its Sensitivity to Climate and Ecosystem Change in Coastal Labrador, Northeastern Canada
Graduated MSc Students (n=6)
Rosamond Tutton, MSc
Current position: Northern field technician, McMaster Watershed Hydrology Group (Whitehorse, YK office), McMaster University.
Status: Graduated Winter 2021
Degree: MSc in Physical Geography
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: 2019-2021
Funding stream: ArcticNet
Thesis title: Exploring measurement and ground thermal influences of snow depth in Nunatsiavut, NunatuKavut and Nitassinan
.png)
Anika Forget, MSc
Current position: Ice Service Specialist, Meteorological Service of Canada, Montreal
Current status: Graduated Fall 2023
Degree: MSc in Physical Geography
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: 2020-2023
Funding stream: ArcticNet
Thesis title: Uncovering the ground thermal regime of coastal Labrador: The influential effects of snow and vegetation on ground temperatures
Jordan Beer, MSc
Current position: Resource Conservation Officer, Wood Buffalo National Park, Parks Canada, NWT
Current status: Graduated Fall 2023
Degree: MSc in Physical Geography
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: 2021-2023
Funding stream: NSERC
Thesis title: Evaluating peatland permafrost characteristics and vulnerability along the Labrador Sea coastline using uncrewed aerial vehicles
Victoria Colyn, MSc
Current position: Communications and Engagement Coordinator, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) - Northern Alberta
Current status: Graduated Fall 2024
Degree: MSc in Physical Geography
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: 2022-2024
Funding stream: ArcticNet & Queen's University
Thesis title: Investigating spatial variability of ground temperatures across coastal-continental and latitudinal gradients in Labrador, northeastern Canada
Katryna Barone, MES
Current position: Watershed technician, Southern Rockies Watershed Project, University of Alberta
Current status: Graduated Fall 2025
Degree: MES in Social and Ecological Sustainability
Supervisor(s): Dr. Andrew Trant & Dr. Robert Way
Time period: 2023-2025
Funding stream: ArcticNet & CINUK
Thesis title: Influences of Source Waters on Alpine River Systems in Tongait KakKasuangita SilakKijapvinga (Torngat Mountains National Park), Nunatsiavut, Labrador
Madison Power, MSc
Current position: Geomorphologist, Tetra Tech, Inc.
Current status: Graduated Fall 2026
Degree: MSc in Physical Geography
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: 2024-2026
Funding stream: CRC & NSERC
Thesis title: Characterisation of permafrost and geocryological hazards in Nunatsiavut, northeastern Canada
Graduated BSc Thesis Students
Jessica Korn
Status: Completed BSc thesis
Program: BSc in Environmental Science
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: 2025-2026
Funding stream: SISAdapt, SWEP
Project title: Permafrost detection using cryotic assessment sites in Nain, Nunatsiavut
Incoming Graduate Student(s)
Research Associates, Research Assistants & Research Technicians
Catherine Parke
Title: Arctic & Subarctic Research technician
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: Summer 2026 (Upcoming)
Funding stream: SWEP & Various
Topic: Arctic & Subarctic environmental change
Leah Fedder
Title: Arctic & Subarctic Research technician
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: Summer-Fall 2024
Funding stream: SWEP & Various
Topic: Arctic & Subarctic environmental change
Rachel Tian
Title: Arctic & Subarctic Research technician
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: Summer 2025
Funding stream: SWEP & Various
Topic: Geocryological hazards in Nain, Nunatsiavut & peatland permafrost science
Elise Alexander
Title: Arctic & Subarctic Research technician
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: Summer 2026 (Upcoming)
Funding stream: SWEP & Various
Topic: Arctic & Subarctic environmental change
Jessica Korn
Title: Arctic & Subarctic Research technician
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: Summer 2025
Funding stream: SWEP & Various
Topic: Geocryological hazards in Nain, Nunatsiavut
Emmanda Zhang
Title: Subarctic Peatlands Research Assistant
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: Summer 2024, Fall 2024, Summer 2025
Funding stream: NSERC
Topic: Ecosystem change & peatland permafrost thaw
Billie-Marie Andersen
Title: Inuit Youth Research Technician Program
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: Summer 2023
Funding stream: CINUK
Topic: Torngat research program
Ella Jacque
Title: Inuit Youth Research Technician Program
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: Summer 2024
Funding stream: CINUK
Topic: Torngat research program
Maurice Jacque
Title: Inuit Research Technician
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: Winter-Spring 2025 & Spring 2026
Funding stream: SISAdapt
Topic: Sea ice observation & measurement
Emma McNeill
Title: Inuit Youth Research Technician Program
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: Summer 2025
Funding stream: CINUK & ArcticNet
Topic: Torngat research program
Melissa Denniston
Title: Inuit Youth Research Technician Program
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: Summer 2024
Funding stream: CINUK
Topic: Torngat research program
Hanson Jacque
Title: Inuit Youth Research Technician Program
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: Summer 2023
Funding stream: CINUK
Topic: Torngat research program
Samuel Lane
Title: Inuit Youth Research Technician Program
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: Summer 2025
Funding stream: CINUK & ArcticNet
Topic: Torngat research program
Glen Sheppard
Title: Inuit Research Technician
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: Winter-Spring 2026
Funding stream: SISAdapt
Topic: Sea ice observation & measurement
Jessica Sheppard
Title: Inuit Youth Research Technician Program
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: Summer 2024
Funding stream: CINUK
Topic: Torngat research program
Kayla Wyatt
Title: Inuit Youth Research Technician Program
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: Summer 2023
Funding stream: CINUK
Topic: Torngat research program
Kendra Winters
Title: Inuit Youth Research Technician Program
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: Summer 2025
Funding stream: CINUK & ArcticNet
Topic: Torngat research program
Past short-term Research Assistants & Research Technicians
Rabecca Thiessen
Title: Research Assistant
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robert Way
Time period: Summer-Fall 2023
Funding stream: NSERC
Topic: Peatland permafrost