Graduate Programs in Environment & Geography
Student Profiles
Ph.D. Students and Projects
Fowzia Ahmed
Supervisor: Dr. C.J. Mundy
Thesis topic: Nutrient dynamics of sea ice algae in the Arctic
ahmedf6@myumanitoba.ca
Atreya Basu
Supervisors: Dr. Jens Ehn, Dr. Simon Bélanger
Thesis topic: Satellite remote sensing of riverine freshwater contribution in Hudson Bay marine systems
basua@myumanitoba.ca
Vaishali Chaudhary
Supervisors: Dr. Julienne Stroeve, Dr. Dustin Isleifson
Thesis topic: SAR Remote Sensing of Sea Ice to Detect Ice Break-Up Events in the Canadian Arctic
chaudh23@myumanitoba.ca
Luiz Henrique da Silva
Supervisor: Dr. Juliana Marson
Thesis topic: Numerical modelling of Baffin Bay freshwater variability
dasilvlh@myumanitoba.ca
Nabanita Das
Supervisors: Dr. Jens Ehn, Dr. Zou Zou Kuzyk
Thesis topic: My study is focused on assessing underwater light environment for eelgrass habitats in the eastern coast of James Bay
dasn1@myumanitoba.ca
Mehran Dadjoo
Supervisor: Dustin Isleifson
Thesis topic: Integrating microwave remote sensing, drone data, and machine learning enhances Arctic sea ice thickness prediction, offering an advanced approach to trace the profound fingerprints of climate change in polar regions.
dadjoom@myumanitoba.ca
Nicholas Decker
Supervisors: Dr. Kristina Brown, Dr. Dave Capelle
Thesis topic: Freshwater Impacts on Carbon Cycling in the Queen Elizabeth Islands and the Lasting Ice Area, Inuit Nunangata Ungata
deckern@myumanitoba.ca
Mathilde Guillaume
Supervisor: Dr. C.J. Mundy
Thesis topic: Primary production hotspots in the Canadian Arctic coastal zone
guillaum@myumanitoba.ca
Braedon Humeniuk
Supervisors: Dr. Mark Hanson, Dr. Jose Luis Rodriguez Gil
Thesis topic: Assessing the ecological risk associated with salinity and salinization in Canadian freshwaters using the Lake Winnipeg watershed as a case study
humeniub@myumanitoba.ca
Zakhar Kazmiruk
Supervisor: Dr. Eric Collins
Thesis topic: Establishing a baseline of microbial diversity in the Canadian Arctic Ocean and elucidating the effects environmental stressors have on Arctic microbial communities and ecosystem.
https://canwin-datahub.ad.umanitoba.ca/data/project/micb-ocng
kazmiruz@myumanitoba.ca
Paulo Victor Marchetto Silva
Supervisor: Dr. Juliana Marson
Thesis topic: Numerical and biogeochemical modelling at James Bay and southern Hudson Bay
marchepv@myumanitoba.ca
Elise Marie
Supervisor: Jens Ehn
Thesis topic: Heat, mass, and momentum transfer at ice-ocean interfaces
mariee@myumanitoba.ca
Kimberly Ovitz
Supervisor: Dr. Lisa Loseto
Thesis topic: The co-interpretation of spatial data by traditional knowledge holders and western scientists to facilitate the co-production of new knowledge on beluga movement ecology in the Beaufort Sea under a changing climate
ovitzk@myumanitoba.ca
Luca Wams
Supervisors: Dr. Dustin Isleifson, Dr. Marianne Marcoux
Thesis topic: Passive acoustic monitoring of Arctic marine mammals in Foxe Basin and Hudson Strait to study their acoustic presence and vocal behaviour, and assess impacts of increasing shipping noise.
wamsl@myumanitoba.ca
Masters Students and Projects
Meaghan Bartley
Program: M.Sc.
Supervisor: Dr. Zou Zou Kuzyk
Thesis topic: Records of organic carbon and mercury in sediments from James Bay, Canada
bartleym@myumanitoba.ca
Marine Cailleau
Program: M.Sc.
Supervisors: Dr. Marianne Marcoux and Dr. Warren Bernauer
Thesis topic: Impacts of shipping on the Atlantic walrus vocal behaviour and Seasonal vocal occurrence, migration timing, and environmental drivers of five Arctic marine mammal species in Foxe Basin, Nunavut, using passive acoustic monitoring
cailleam@myumanitoba.ca
Daniel Gowryluk
Program: M.Env.
Supervisors: Dr. Bruce Erikson, Dr. Kirstin Brink
Thesis topic: Geoscience Recruitment Outreach Using Museum Techniques
umgowry4@myumanitoba.ca
Aubree Hagen
Program: M.Sc.
Supervisor: Dr. Mark Hanson
Thesis topic: Impacts of Trifluoroacetic Acid on Shallow Wetlands
hagena@myumanitoba.ca
Clinton Macadam
Program: M.Sc.
Supervisor: Dr. John Hanesiak
Thesis topic: Assessments of the ability of ECCC’s HRDPS model to simulate hail storms and hail characteristics explicitly, and the investigation of ways to improve the model's microphysics scheme.
macadamc@myumanitoba.ca
Ramona Muster
Program: M.Sc.
Supervisors: Dr. Kimberly Howland, Dr. C.J Mundy
Thesis Topic: Patterns of diversity and functional traits of arctic coastal seafloor communities and associated habitats (Qikiqtarjuaq, NU)
musterr1@myumanitoba.ca
Cara Rankin
Program: M.Sc.
Supervisor: Dr. Lisa Loseto
Thesis topic: Using sound propagation modeling to characterize depth sounder noise and eastern Beaufort sea beluga vocalizations within dynamic habitats of the Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area
rankinc1@myumanitoba.ca
Ayub Regehr
Program: M.Sc.
Supervisor: Kristina Brown
Thesis topic: Carbon cycling and carbonate system dynamics in the Kitikmeot Sea
regehra1@myumanitoba.ca
Joel Robinson
Program: M.Sc.
Supervisors: Dr. Cortney Watt, Dr. Lisa Loseto
Thesis topic: Developing an automated satellite imagery detection tool to monitor temporal changes in group size and composition of the endangered, subsistence-hunted Cumberland Sound beluga whale population.
robin177@myumanitoba.ca
Rei Shibue
Program: M.Sc.
Supervisor: Dr. Eric Collins
Thesis topic: Biogeography and metabolism of Marine Group II (MGII) Archaea in the Arctic Ocean
shibuer@myumanitoba.ca
Oyster Tognotti
Program: M.Sc.
Supervisor: Dr. Kristina Brown
Thesis topic: Investigating patterns in stratification and nutrient availability within the Kitikmeot Sea
tognotto@myumanitoba.ca
Thamali Vidanage
Program: M.Sc.
Supervisor: Dr. Eric Collins
Thesis topic: Using metagenomics and GC-MS analysis to reveal the genomic features of oil-degrading bacteria in the Canadian Arctic. In addition, conducting a collaborative research project with the Tataskweyak Cree Nation community in Split Lake, MB, to assess the water quality of Split Lake from a microbial perspective
vidanagt@myumanitoba.ca
Julianna Wanke
Program: M.Sc.
Supervisor: Vince Palace
Thesis topic: Investigating the competition growth factors among wild rice and cattails in alternative saturated soil conditions.
wankej@myumanitoba.ca
Elliot Wilson
Program: M.Env.
Supervisor: Nicole Wilson
Thesis topic: Examining governance in Indigenous-led conservation through the Fisher River Cree Nation Conservation Areas Initiative.
wilsone1@myumanitoba.ca
Department Resources
Forms
Milestone Checklists
Registration Approval Form (generally due before Fall term, covers both Fall and Winter)
Resources
Milestone instructions
You must pass various milestone meetings and presentations during your degree. A quick list of how to prepare for each is below. Find full details in the Supplementary Regulations. All meetings can be held in person, virtually, or a hybrid.
Master's Proposal
- No need to register for anything specific.
- Read the Proposal section in your Supp Regs (6.7.1.1).
- Confirm committee with advisor. Can check with Coordinator (Celia) to make sure committee is adequate (Supp Regs 6.5.2).
- Confirm with your advisor that your written proposal is adequate for the meeting, and send it to your committee members, at least two weeks before proposal meeting. (Typically 10 - 20 pages.)
- Arrange a date for your committee to meet. No outside chair is necessary. Does not need to be advertised or open to visitors.
- Tell the Coordinator so the FGS form can be prepped before the meeting.
Master's Thesis Defence
- Register for GRAD 7000 the term you may want to defend. (No problem doing this multiple terms if necessary.)
- Read the “Style and Format” section about the thesis (6.8) in the Supp Regs.
- Consult FGS’s “Submit your thesis” page, for the thesis submission deadline for the term you want to graduate (ignore the PhD section).
- Confirm with Coordinator (Celia) that Appointment of Examiners Form is turned into Graduate Coordinator at least a month before you want to defend.
- Send Thesis draft to advisor.
- Advisor sends (or tells you to send) Thesis draft to whole committee, at least three weeks before intended defence date.
- Read the “Oral Examination” section of the Supp Regs (6.7.1.3).
- Coordinator makes a poster and distributes to your colleagues at least two weeks ahead of time. Must be open to visitors, either virtually or in person. Requires:
- Thesis title
- Time/Date
- Room
- Zoom/Teams link (if any)
- Chair (must be from the department)
- Defend!
- Chair or Advisor gives signed paperwork to Coordinator, who sends to FGS (may be delayed until after revisions).
- Revise thesis based on comments; get advisor’s approval.
- Submit thesis to MSpace.
- Graduate and enjoy your degree!
Ph.D. Proposal
- Normally within the first 18 months.
- No need to register for anything specific.
- Read the Proposal section in the Supp Regs (7.9).
- Confirm committee with advisor. Can check with Coordinator to make sure committee is adequate (7.2.4).
- Confirm with your advisor that your proposal is adequate, and send it to your committee members. (Typically 20 - 40 pages.)
- Arrange a date for your committee to meet; include Grad Chair in scheduling--needs to chair meeting or designate another chair.
- Tell Coordinator about your time/date/title of the proposal defence at least 3 weeks in advance.
- Coordinator advertises two weeks ahead of time. Must be open to visitors.
- If the proposal is accepted (sometimes with revisions), your committee signs the form and returns it in to the Coordinator. If it is not acceptable, make arrangements with the committee to try again within one term.
Ph.D. Candidacy Exam
- Normally within the first 3 years; must be completed at least one year before graduation.
- Register for GRAD 8010 the term you may want to hold the exam. (No problem doing this multiple terms if necessary.)
- Read the Candidacy Examination section of the Supp Regs (7.8).
- Advisor & Committee arranges your question/procedure and scheduling.
- Turn in your written response.
- Advisor schedules exam date; include Grad Chair in scheduling, who needs to find a chair for the meeting; tell Coordinator at least 3 weeks in advance.
- Coordinator advertises the open portion of your exam to your colleagues two weeks ahead of time. Must be open to visitors.
- If the exam is passed, the committee signs the form and returns it to the Coordinator. If it is not passed, make arrangements with the committee to try again within 6 months.
Ph.D. Defence
- Register for GRAD 8000 the term you may want to defend. (No problem doing this multiple terms if necessary.)
- Read the Thesis format section of the Supp Regs (7.10) and familiarize yourself with the steps on the PhD Thesis Examinations pages in the Graduate Studies Hub (summarized here, but consult those pages for the full official process).
- FGS’s “Submit your thesis” page has the thesis submission date recommendation for the term you want to graduate.
- Confirm with your advisor(s), then send draft to your committee members with "Approval to proceed form."
- Advisor(s) gathers a list of 3 potential External examiners. (New rules require advisor or coordinator to contact them to confirm availability in advance.)
- Committee members must sign the Approval to Proceed form.
- Upload the draft and Approval to Proceed form to the Thesis portal (in the Grad Studies Hub).
What happens next?
- Advisor is asked for potential externals.
- WAITING
- FGS picks an external and sends the draft to all examiners.
- All examiners submit comments to the portal within 4 weeks.
- FGS returns comments to advisor.
- The student receives the comments, and if the thesis is deemed defensible, the advisor works to set the defence date with all examiners.
- Student sends FGS biographical data, abstract, etc, in the Candidate Bio/CV form.
- The advisor will arrange a Chair for the defence; must be outside the department (and co-advisor's department, if applicable).
- Advisor or Coordinator (Celia) fills out the scheduling form for the defence date at least 2 weeks beforehand.
- Coordinator distributes a poster to invite your colleagues. Must be open to visitors.
- Defend!
- Chair gives signed paperwork to FGS. If the defence is not passed, talk to advisor about next steps, possible second defence.
- Revise thesis based on comments; get advisor’s approval.
- Submit thesis to MSpace.
- Graduate and enjoy your degree!
International Student Resources
Application Requirements for Graduate Programs
- All graduate programs require at 3.0 incoming GPA, and some require higher. Please check with the individual programs.
- In addition, many students must submit an English Proficiency exam score.
Living Expenses and Arrangements
- Housing options (UMGSA)
- Living expenses (UMGSA)
- Renting/Leasing info
Health Care
- FAQ about the UM's required International Student Plan (MISHP)
- MISHP website
General International Student Questions
Instalment plan for tuition
- International students can apply to pay tuition in an instalment plan.
UM Graduate Student Resources
Indigenous Student Resources
- Campus Indigenous resources centre/Migizii Agamik
- SAGE - Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement
- Tiana Bone - Indigenous Graduate Student Success Coordinator
Library Resources
- Faculty liaison librarian & Environment, Earth, and Resources library resources guide
- GIS and Data Visualization librarian & GIS Geovisualization resources guide
- Research tools and support services
- Library workshops & events
Teaching/Learning Resources
- The Academic Learning Center provides hour or half-hour long appointments with a writing specialist. Select the Grad Student Writing option, and choose one of the specialists recommended for graduate students.
- Graduate Teaching Program
- Graduate Student Workshops (GradSteps and others)
UM Grad Student Association
Financial Resources
- Bursaries (need-based awards)
- FGS Awards
Other University Services
- University Health Service
- Student Counselling resources
- Career Services
- Recreation Services
- IST/computing services - IST, Jason Northage (Jason is the Faculty's IT technician)
- Human Rights and Conflict Management / Sexual Violence Support / Safewalk
- Spiritual Care
- Student Advocacy
- Accessibility Services
Contact us
Department of Environment and Geography
Room 220 Sinnott Building
70 Dysart Road
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2M6 Canada