About GWFO

Staff and Personnel

The GWFO secretariat, based at the University of Saskatchewan, is responsible for the planning and coordination of network activities, ensuring the continued operation and proper functioning of the facility, tracking and reporting usage metrics, and liaison with management, oversight, and advisory committees in the execution of these tasks.

Dr. John Pomeroy

Dr. John Pomeroy FRSC, FRGS, AGU Fellow
Director

University of Saskatchewan
Chris DeBeer

Chris DeBeer
Director of Operations and Science

University of Saskatchewan
Stacey Dumanski

Stacey Dumanski
Outreach Specialist

University of Saskatchewan
Monica Morrison

Monica Morrison
Knowledge Mobilization Specialist

University of Saskatchewan
Stephen O'Hearn

Stephen O'Hearn
IT Coordinator and Data Management Team Lead

University of Saskatchewan
Cuyler Onclin

Cuyler Onclin
Operations Specialist

University of Saskatchewan
Joni Onclin

Joni Onclin
HR and Facilities Specialist

University of Saskatchewan
Jesse Witow

Jesse Witow
Digital Services Coordinator

University of Saskatchewan

The GWFO facility leads oversee and direct operations and data collection at the instrumented sites, laboratories, and deployable systems, or work directly with others responsible for the sites to support operations and act as GWFO liaisons. The leads are professors and faculty from our partner institutions who supervise technical and data management staff.

Name Institution Facilities
George Arhonditsis University of Toronto Scarborough
  • GWFO UTSC Aquatic Biogeochemistry and Food Web Unit
  george.arhonditsis@utoronto.ca
Jennifer Baltzer Wilfrid Laurier University
  • Smith Creek
  • Kakisa and Tathlina Lakes
  • Bogg Creek and surround areas
  • Baker Creek
  • Peace-Athabasca Delta
  • Dehcho Lake Sampling Network
  • Fire Ecology Network
  • GWFO Centre for Cold Regions and Water Science (CCRWS )
  jbaltzer@wlu.ca
Helen Baulch University of Saskatchewan
  • Buffalo Pound Lake
  • GWFO Saskatchewan Water Chemistry and Ecology Laboratory
  • GWFO Prairie & Boreal Research
  helen.baulch@usask.ca
Sean Carey McMaster University
  • Wolf Creek Research Basin
  • Tombstone Water Observatory
  careysk@mcmaster.ca
Steven Cooke Carleton University

 steven.cooke@carleton.ca
Irena Creed University of Toronto Scarborough
  • GWFO UTSC Harmful Algae Analytical Unit
  • GWFO-UTSC Aquatic Chemistry Laboratory/TRACES Centre
  irena.creed@utoronto.ca
Claude Duguay University of Waterloo
  • GWFO-Cryospheric Remote Sensing Laboratory
  crduguay@uwaterloo.ca
Aaron Fisk University of Windsor
  • Lake Ontario
  • Lake Huron
  • Lake Erie
  • GWFO Real-Time Aquatic Ecosystem Observation Network (RAEON)
  • GWFO Centre for Advanced Microscopy and Materials Characterization (CAMMC)
  • GWFO Chemical Tracer Laboratory
  • GWFO Environmental Genomics Facility
  • GWFO Freshwater Chemistry Lab
  afisk@uwindsor.ca
Warren Helgason University of Saskatchewan
  • Kenaston/Brightwater Creek Mesonet Site
  • Fen - Boreal Ecosystem Research and Monitoring Sites (BERMS), White Gull Creek, SK
  • Old Jack Pine (OJP) - Boreal Ecosystem Research and Monitoring Sites (BERMS), White Gull Creek, SK
  • Old Black Spruce (OBS) - Boreal Ecosystem Research and Monitoring Sites (BERMS), White Gull Creek, SK
  • Clavet Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence
  • GWFO Prairie & Boreal Research
  warren.helgason@usask.ca
Andrew Ireson University of Saskatchewan
  • St. Denis National Wildlife Area
  • Duck Lake
  • Hannin Creek
  andrew.ireson@usask.ca
Tim Jardine University of Saskatchewan
  • Saskatchewan River Delta
  tim.jardine@usask.ca
Homa Keyrollah Pour Wilfrid Laurier University
  • GWFO-Remote Sensing of Environmental Change (ReSEC) Lab
  hpour@wlu.ca
Juewen Liu University of Waterloo
  • GWFO-Nanobiosensors
  liujw@uwaterloo.ca
Bruce MacVicar University of Waterloo
  • Wilket Creek in Toronto
  • Morningside Creek in Toronto
  • Ganatsekaigon Creek in Pickering
  bmacvica@uwaterloo.ca
Phil Marsh Wilfrid Laurier University
  • Havikpak Creek
  • Trail Valley Creek
  • GWFO Wilfrid Laurier University Trail Valley Research Basin
  pmarsh@wlu.ca
Jeffrey McDonnell University of Saskatchewan
  • GWFO-MOST Multi-purpOse Soil Testing facility & Isotope Lab
  jeffrey.mcdonnell@usask.ca
Bryan Neff Western University
  • GWFO Western Aquatic Performance Facility (WAPF)
  bneff@uwo.ca
John Pomeroy University of Saskatchewan
  • Athabasca Glacier Research Basin
  • Bologna Glacier
  • Helen Creek Research Basin
  • Marmot Creek Research Basin
  • Peyto Glacier Research Basin
  • Burstall Creek
  • Fortress Mountain
  • GWFO Coldwater Lab
  • GWFO Smart Water Systems Lab (SWSL)
  • GWFO Prairie & Boreal Research
  john.pomeroy@usask.ca
Mike Rennie Lakehead University
  • Lake Superior
  mrennie@lakeheadu.ca
Fereidoun Rezanezhad University of Waterloo
  • Turkey Lakes Watershed
  • Elora Research Station (University of Guelph)
  • rara Charitable Research Reserve
  • GWFO Ecohydrology Laboratory
  • GWFO-Critical zone experimental systems (CZOEX)
  frezanez@uwaterloo.ca
David Rudolph University of Waterloo
  • Alder Creek Smart Watershed
  • GWFO Hydrogeology Field Research
  drudolph@uwaterloo.ca
Mark Servos University of Waterloo
  • Inverhaugh
  • West Montrose
  • Kiwnis Park
  • EIT
  • Fairway
  • Manheim
  • Glen Morris
  mservos@uwaterloo.ca
Heidi Swanson Wilfrid Laurier University
  • GWFO Wilfrid Laurier University Deployables
  heidi.swanson@uwaterloo.ca
Philippe van Cappellen University of Waterloo
  • Urban Ecohydrology 1: Ajax Sewersheds (East&West)
  • Urban Ecohydrology 2: Richmond Hill stormwater pond
  • Urban Ecohydrology 3: Lake Wilcox (Richmond Hill)
  • Urban Ecohydrology 4: Bioretention cell (Mississauga)
  • Urban Ecohydrology 5: Stormwater ponds (Kitchener)
  • Eastern Basin Lake Erie
  • Fanshawe Reservoir
  • GWFO Ecohydrology Laboratory
  • GWFO Aquatic Toxicology and Ecosystem Remediation Laboratory
  • GWFO-Aqueous Analysis Lab (AAL)
  • GWFO-Critical zone experimental systems (CZOEX)
  • GWFO-Multi-Scale Environmental Particle Analysis Lab (MEPAL)
  • GWFO-Aquatic Toxicology and Ecosystem Remediation Laboratory
  • GWFO-Waterloo Aquatic Threats in Environmental Research (WATER) Laboratory
  pvc@uwaterloo.ca
Mike Waddington McMaster University
  • Georgian Bay Biosphere
  jmw@mcmaster.ca
Claudia Wagner-Riddle University of Guelph

 cwagnerr@uoguelph.ca
Mathew Wells University of Toronto Scarborough
  • Lake Erie - Pigeon Bay
  m.wells@utoronto.ca
Cherie Westbrook University of Saskatchewan
  • Sibbald Wetlands
  cherie.westbrook@usask.ca
Colin Whitfield University of Saskatchewan
  • GWFO Saskatchewan Water Chemistry and Ecology Laboratory
  colin.whitfield@usask.ca
Brent Wolfe Wilfrid Laurier University  bwolfe@wlu.ca
Marguerite Xenopoulos Trent University
  • Lake Erie - Pigeon Bay
  • GWFO Water Quality Centre (WQC)
  mxenopoulos@trentu.ca
The GWFO Data Management Team includes staff at each of the major partner insitutions with oversight and direction from experienced faculty representatives at these universities, as well as high-level guidance from the SMC.  This team is responsible for the management, retention, use, and dissemination of data collected through GWFO.   
Name Institution Position
Gordon Drewitt McMaster University Data Manager
Xing Fang University of Saskatchewan Model Test Basins
Kyle Kendall University of Saskatchewan Research Data Analyst
Stephen O'Hearn University of Saskatchewan IT Coordinator and Data Management Team Lead
Bhaleka Persaud University of Waterloo Senior Research Data Manager
Michael Steeleworthy Wilfrid Laurier University Data Manager
Eric Wang University of Saskatchewan Research Data Analyst
Jesse Witow University of Saskatchewan Digital Services Coordinator

GWFO technicians are responsible for the installation, operation, and maintenance of field equipment and deployable systems, and for gathering data from these systems and liaising with data managers to ensure preservation and accessibility of data.  Technicians assist and/or manage GWFO laboratories and oversee sample analyses and maintenance of lab equipment.    

Name Institution Position Primary Location
Reace Murphy Carleton University Field Technician Deployable: RAEON (Acoustic Telemetry instruments) 
David Barret McMaster University Field Technician Wolf Creek; Tombstone Waters Observatory
Alex Furukawa McMaster University Technician, Hydrology and Vegetation  NOBEL
Paul Moore McMaster University Technician, Micrometeorology & Data mgmt  NOBEL
Michael Treberg McMaster University Field Technician Wolf Creek; Tombstone Waters Observatory, Turkey Point
Rosy Tutton McMaster University Field Technician Wolf Creek; Tombstone Waters Observatory
Vedanti Ghatwala Trent University Laboratory Manager & RAEON technician RAEON Lab; Great Lakes
Jessica Livingstone Trent University Technician South-central Ontario Rivers; Kawartha Highland Lakes; Water Quality Centre Labs
Alexandria Northey Trent University Technician South-central Ontario Rivers; Kawartha Highland Lakes; Water Quality Centre Labs
Sarah Playfoot Trent University Research Technician South-central Ontario Rivers; Kawartha Highland Lakes; Water Quality Centre Labs
Seth Amankwah University of Saskatchewan Field Technician St Denis National Wildlife Area; Hannin Creek; Duck Lake
Cody David University of Saskatchewan Field Technician BERMS sites (Fen; Old Jack Pine; Old Black Spruce); Clavet Livestock & Forage Centre; Kenaston/Brightwater Creek; Outlook CAN-SK Irrigation Diversification Centre 
Madison Harasyn University of Saskatchewan Deployable Technician Marmot Creek, Fortress Mountain, Peyto Glacier, Athabasca Glacier, Helen Creek, Burstall Creek, Sibbald Wetland.  Deployables: GWFO Coldwater Laboratory
Kim Janzen University of Saskatchewan Technician Stable Isotope Labs 
Bruce Johnson University of Saskatchewan Field Technician BERMS sites (Fen; Old Jack Pine; Old Black Spruce); Clavet Livestock & Forage Centre; Kenaston/Brightwater Creek; Outlook CAN-SK Irrigation Diversification Centre 
Hannah Koslowsky University of Saskatchewan Deployable Technician Marmot Creek, Fortress Mountain, Peyto Glacier, Athabasca Glacier, Helen Creek, Burstall Creek, Sibbald Wetland.  Deployables: GWFO Coldwater Laboratory
Lindsey Langs University of Saskatchewan Deployable Technician Marmot Creek, Fortress Mountain, Peyto Glacier, Athabasca Glacier, Helen Creek, Burstall Creek, Sibbald Wetland.  Deployables: GWFO Coldwater Laboratory
Kieran Lehan University of Saskatchewan Deployable Technician Marmot Creek, Fortress Mountain, Peyto Glacier, Athabasca Glacier, Helen Creek, Burstall Creek, Sibbald Wetland.  Deployables: GWFO Coldwater Laboratory
Cody Millar University of Saskatchewan Technician MOST Multi-purpOse Soil Testing facility & Labs
Katy Nugent University of Saskatchewan Technician Saskatchewan Water Chemistry and Ecology Laboratory; Buffalo Pound Lake; 
Alistair Wallace University of Saskatchewan Lead Deployable Technician Smart Water Systems Laboratory; Canadian Rockies Hydrological Observatory
Antonio Adamo University of Toronto Lead Lab Technician TRACES & Aquatic Chemistry Laboratory
Pasquale Benvenuto University of Toronto Lab Technician TRACES Lab
Eric Enanga University of Toronto Lead Lab Technician Harmful Algae Analytical Unit - Wet area
Leslie Bragg University of Waterloo Ecotoxicology Research Technician Ecotoxicology lab equipment, Ecotoxicology Laboratory, Ecotoxicology field rentals
Yibo Liu University of Waterloo Nanobiosensors Lab facilities Manager Nanobiosensors Lab facilities & Nanobiosensors Laboratory: Aptamer analysis
Kayla Martin University of Waterloo Research Technician Urban Ecohydrology Observatory, Lake Erie, Aqueous Analysis Laboratory, Microplastics Analysis Laboratory
Neda Rojhani University of Waterloo Remote Sensing Lab Manager  Cryospheric Remote Sensing facilities
Stephanie Slowinski University of Waterloo Research Technician Aqueous Analysis Laboratory, Microplastics Analysis Laboratory, Critical Zone Experimental Laboratory, Multi Scale Environmental Particle Analysis Laboratory, Urban Ecohydrology Observatory
Marianne Vandergriendt University of Waterloo Senior Research Technician Aqueous Analysis Laboratory, Microplastics Analysis Laboratory, Critical Zone Experimental Laboratory, Multi Scale Environmental Particle Analysis Laboratory
Andrew Wiebe University of Waterloo Hydrologic Observatory Manager Alder Creek Observatory
Karly Dominato University of Windsor Technician Freshwater Chemistry Lab
Sharon Lackie University of Windsor Technician Centre for Advanced Microscopy and Materials Characterization
Todd Leadley University of Windsor Field Technician Sites: Lakes Erie, Huron, Ontario                Deployable: RAEON (all equipment except gliders)
Jon Leblanc University of Windsor Technician Deployable: RAEON (Modular microelectrode array landers)
Shelby Mackie University of Windsor Technician Environmental Genomics Facility 
Lauren Paulic University of Windsor Technician Chemical Tracers Lab
Lydia Paulic University of Windsor Glider Technician Deployable: RAEON (Slocum gliders) 
Gena Braun Wilfrid Laurier University Research Instrumentation Technician Lab: Centre for Cold Regions and Water Science (CCRWS)
Meghan Cooper Wilfrid Laurier University Field Technician Sites: Havikpak Creek, Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway, Smith Creek, Kakisa and Tathlina Lakes, Bogg Creek and surround areas, Trail Valley Creek, Baker Creek, Fire Ecology Network, Dehcho Lake Sampling Network
Julia Gyapay Wilfrid Laurier University Field Technician Sites: Havikpak Creek, Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway, Smith Creek, Kakisa and Tathlina Lakes, Bogg Creek and surround areas, Trail Valley Creek, Baker Creek, Fire Ecology Network, Dehcho Lake Sampling Network
Isabel Hilgendag Wilfrid Laurier University Field Technician Sites: Havikpak Creek, Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway, Smith Creek, Kakisa and Tathlina Lakes, Bogg Creek and surround areas, Trail Valley Creek, Baker Creek, Fire Ecology Network, Dehcho Lake Sampling Network; Deployable: GWFO Wilfrid Laurier University - Yellowknife Research Office
Alex MacLean Wilfrid Laurier University Technician Sites: Trail Vally Creek, Havikpak Creek; Deployable: Remote Sensing of Environmental Change (ReSEC) Lab
Austin McIntosh Wilfrid Laurier University Research Technician Site: Fire Ecology Network
Kristen Nikel Wilfrid Laurier University Technician Sites: Kakisa/Tathlina Lake, Dehcho Lake Sampling Network; Lab: CCRWS; Deployable: GWFO Wilfrid Laurier University Deployables