Staff Directory

Supports the executive director with tasks related to AINA's strategic plan.

Establish partnerships and write grant applications to develop AINA's leadership capacity.

Connect UCalgary researchers with AINA initiatives.

Supports initiatives related to AINA's Observer status at Arctic Council.

Associate Professor, Geography

PhD, Environment and Geography – University of Manitoba (2012)

Processing manuscript submissions and peer-review, managing production, and publishing quarterly journal issues.

Patty's research has focused on the social life of the first Arctic peoples who lived on the island of Newfoundland through her study of animal exploitation for food and raw materials in the manufacture of tools.

PhD in Archaeology – Memorial University of Newfoundland (2012)

Patricia Wells Publications

This role is funded jointly by AINA, the Canadian Mountain Network, and Yukon Government.

My initial task is to build an inventory of observational equipment and activities in the mountains of western Canada, starting with the Yukon, expanding subsequently to NWT, BC and AB.

This inventory will help to reveal areas of key interest (relating, for example, to rapid climate change or major ecological transitions) in which information is currently sparse, thereby supporting discussion of options for augmenting observational activities, and improving coordination and collaboration between participants.

At this stage, a particular focus will be placed on exploring opportunities for advancing participation by Indigenous people in the observation and monitoring of mountain landscapes, and for incorporating Traditional Knowledge with conventional scientific data.

The outcomes of this analysis will inform the development and implementation of a comprehensive mountain observation and monitoring strategy for Canada.

PhD – University of Northern BC (2020)
MSc – University of Southampton (2013)
BSc (Hons) – University of Bristol (1986)

Kara works with the Data and Information Services team at the Arctic Institute, and has a special interest in geospatial data visualization, research data and information management, and science outreach, particularly via simple web application development.

Kara has a background in Earth and data sciences. Prior to joining the Institute, she was a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Oxford and the University of Sydney, building quantitative plate reconstruction models and using marine geophysics data to map and interpret tectonic structures on the seafloor.

PhD in Geophysics – University of Sydney (2014)

Alexandra joined AINA in September of 2022, taking on the position of Information Analyst with Data and Information Services.

During Alexandra’s post-secondary studies, she worked as a historian, archivist, and special collections specialist at The Military Museums in Calgary. She is also a full-time artist, has her own painting practice, and is the owner of a traditional beading business. A bilingual Calgarian (English/French), Alexandra holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Alberta University of the Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Calgary, with a focus on Canadian and Indigenous military history. In 2020-21, she completed a Master’s in Art Law from the University of York in England. Her LLM dissertation focused on the restitution and repatriation of cultural heritage and property of Canada’s First Peoples, including a comparative study of the Canadian and British legal frameworks and museum legislations. Alexandra is thrilled to be a part of AINA’s diverse and passionate team.

Outside of work and academia, Alexandra is always learning, reading, and creating. She enjoys the wonders of the Rocky Mountains of Treaty 7 territory and does so through hiking, rock climbing, snowshoeing, skating, and snowboarding.

Emily is Project Coordinator for the Arctic Genomics project, led by Maribeth Murray (AINA) and Peter Pulsifer (University of Carleton). The Arctic Genomics research team is working to co-develop a suite of genomics knowledge-mobilization tools that will support environmental decision making.

Emily is also an undergraduate student at Royal Roads University, pursuing a degree in Environmental Management. She graduated from Olds College in 2018 with a diploma in Environmental Stewardship and Rural Planning.

Kristina Penn has an MSc in glacier hydrology from the University of Calgary and is currently a PhD Candidate at the University of Calgary studying the hydrological balance of Łù’àn Män (Kluane Lake) watershed to learn about the sources and flow pathways of water in the region. This research is fundamental as the Łù’àn Män received a large portion of inflow from glacier ice melt, but as the climate changes, it is important to understand the other sources of water in the region. Her research topic was guided by questions asked by the First Nation communities in the area about water security. Kristina is a researcher host for the OceanWise – Ocean Pathways program, which allows youth interested in hydrology to participate in her PhD work.

At KLRS Kristina enjoys working with researchers and supporting their work. She values science communication and sharing activities at KLRS with the community. She initiated the partnership with Parks Canada and the Yukon Arts Centre for the Kluane National Park Artist Residency, which allows Canadian and Indigenous artists to stay at KLRS during their residency and interact with scientists as well as nature in the Kluane National Park.