¶¡ÏãÔ°AV

Geography master's student in the

Tell us a little about yourself, including what inspires you to learn and continue in your chosen field

After practicing as an actuary for nearly 15 years, I decided to make a career change in 2021 to better align my skills with my passion for the environment and my desire to work on solutions to the climate crisis. Therefore, I returned to university to pursue a second degree and I graduated with a Bachelor of Environment with a major in Global Environmental Systems from ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV in 2024. I am now pursuing a Master of Science in Geography under Dr. Kirsten Zickfeld since I am particularly interested in doing research that can enhance our understanding of nature-based climate solutions and inform climate policies.

Why did you choose to come to ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV?

I did my second undergraduate degree at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV and wanted to pursue my Master's degree under the supervision of Dr. Kirsten Zickfeld.

How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?

I am building a machine learning tool (a type of artificial intelligence that learns patterns from data) to investigate the impact of reforestation on cloud coverage. This will enhance our understanding of the climate benefits of reforestation.

What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?

Climate Change Mitigation, Reforestation, Artificial Intelligence

How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?

During my undergrad at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV, I did two RA-ships that have been instrumental in helping me learn scientific research methodology and getting ready for graduate school. In my second term as a grad student, I participated in the 3MT competition and received the "People's Choice Award" from the Faculty of Environment. This experience strengthened my ability to distill complex scientific concepts into clear, concise explanations for a broad audience. Communicating science effectively is essential not only for academic discussions but also for engaging with the general public and informing policymakers. 

Have you been the recipient of any major or donor-funded awards? If so, please tell us which ones and a little about how the awards have impacted your studies and/or research

During my Master's studies, I was awarded the NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master's (CGS-M) and the BC Graduate Scholarship, which have provided crucial financial support, allowing me to focus on my research. In my undergraduate studies, I received the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA), which enabled me to conduct research on the biogeophysical effects of reforestation under Dr. Kirsten Zickfeld. This early research experience was instrumental in shaping my current Master's work, where I continue to explore the impact of reforestation on climate.

Contact Pierre:peb1@sfu.ca