One Health Summer Institute 2025: Watershed Planning

Assistant Professor, Schulich School of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calgary

kerry.black@ucalgary.ca

Kerry Black is an Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair (Integrated Knowledge, Engineering & Sustainable Communities), in the Center for Environmental Engineering Research and Education (CEERE) and the Department of Civil Engineering, at the University of Calgary.   She received her PhD from the University of Guelph with research focused on sustainable water and wastewater management in Indigenous communities.  Her focus is to engage in a cross-disciplinary research platform, incorporating technical civil and environmental engineering principles and research, with policy and socio-economic components, focusing on sustainable infrastructure for healthy and resilient communities.  

External Relations, Bow River Trout Foundation

blairdavidw@gmail.com

David started fishing as soon after he learned to walk. He spent his youth on the banks of the Bow and has been fortunate enough to travel overseas and fish for many of the world’s prime gamefish.

Along with his wife Nancy, together they have been involved in the fly fishing industry in Calgary for over two decades after starting Fish Tales Fly Shop in 1997.

During his college and university days, he lived in Lethbridge, Alberta and Missoula, Montana. Both areas are veritable fly fishing havens. He spent four summers guiding fly fishing for pike, lake trout, grayling and walleye in Canada’s North before getting into the retail and outfitting business.

Professor, Hydrology and Schulich Research Chair in Environmental Prediction, University of Calgary

martyn.clark@ucalgary.ca 

Martyn is a Professor of Hydrology and Schulich Research Chair in Environmental Prediction at the University of Calgary. He is elected Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (in 2016) and is the previous Editor-In-Chief for Water Resources Research (2017-2020). Martyn’s research focuses in three main areas: (i) developing and evaluating process-based hydrological models; (ii) understanding the sensitivity of water resources to climate variability and change; and (iii) developing the next generation streamflow forecasting systems. Martyn has authored or co-authored over 200 journal articles since receiving his PhD in 1998.

Chief Operating Officer, WaterSMART Solutions 

claire.jackson@watersmartsolutions.ca

Claire Jackson is the Chief Operating Officer at WaterSMART Solutions. Claire has over 10 years of experience working in sustainable water management, she holds degrees in Chemical Engineering, Environmental Systems Engineering, and an MBA. Throughout her career, Claire has led numerous initiatives addressing pressing water challenges and is a strong advocate for collaborative efforts to safeguard this essential resource. Her work focuses on innovative and sustainable solutions to ensure water security for future generations.

Associate Veterinarians, Veterinary Agri-Health Services Ltd. (VAHS)

MattK@vahs.net

Matt was raised on his family’s ranch in Jumping Pound, AB. He earned his Animal Science degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 2010 and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. Following graduation, Dr. Matt joined Bow Valley Livestock Health and Bow Valley Genetics in Brooks, AB where he provided advanced reproductive services to cow-calf clients. In 2017, he returned home to manage the family ranch and joined Veterinary Agri-Health Services as a part-time veterinarian. Since that time, Dr. Matt and his wife, Angela, have grown the operation to 300 head of Red Angus crossbred mother cows and 700 head of grass cattle by focusing on regenerative agriculture and management-intensive grazing practices. They enjoy family time and ranching with their children, Wade, Bennett, and Rachel. In his spare time, Dr. Matt also enjoys roping at brandings, hunting, and fishing.

Professor, Faculty of Science, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary

kelly.munkittrick@ucalgary.ca

Kelly Munkittrick received a B.Sc. in Fish and Wildlife biology in 1980 and a M.Sc. in environmental physiology in 1983, both from the University of Guelph. He completed his PhD in 1988 in Aquatic Toxicology at the University of Waterloo.

Most recently, he was the Executive Director of Cold Regions and Water Initiatives at Wilfrid Laurier University.  Prior to Laurier, he was the Director of Monitoring at Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA; 2013-2017), where he worked to help the oil sands industry adjust to a new regional environmental monitoring framework, and to align monitoring across oil sands companies. Kelly previously also held a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Ecosystem Health Assessment at the University of New Brunswick (2001-2013), and 11 years as a Research Scientists with the Canadian Federal Government (6 at Fisheries and Oceans and 5 at Environment Canada). 

Executive Director, Bow River Basin Council 

mmurray@brbc.ab.ca

Mike has been working with the BRBC since 2003 coming from a background in ecology. He grew up in the Bow Basin exploring the headwaters, foothills and prairies and developing a keen appreciation for the natural environment and the importance of stewardship of this precious resource. The challenges are many, but Mike enjoys working on these issues with all of the partners and members of the BRBC towards solving complex issues together. He has a firm belief that working together in an inclusive and collaborative fashion we can find solutions and help our ecosystems to flourish and ultimately sustain our future and those who will come after us.

Executive Director, Advancing Canadian Water Assets (ACWA)

christine.ogrady@ucalgary.ca 

Christine is the Executive Director for Advancing Canadian Water Assets (ACWA), University of Calgary, which provides the place and opportunity for the integration of research, education, science, innovation and informed policy for environmental and public health. Christine has worked with the public and private sectors in areas including biotechnology development, laboratory management, environmental consulting and small business ownership. She most recently was the project lead for the first potable water reuse project in Alberta.

Senior Government Relations Liaison, Global Climate Emergency Response, United Nations University, Institute for Water, Environment and Health 

robert.w.sandford@gmail.com

Robert (Bob) Sandford has 45 years of experience interpreting natural and human history for general audiences. In the last two decades Robert Sandford  focus has been on translating scientific research outcomes into language the average person can understand and that decision-makers at all levels can use to craft timely and durable public and private sector policies.  To this end, Bob is also senior advisor on water issues for the Interaction Council, a global public policy forum composed of more than thirty former Heads of State including Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, U.S. President Bill Clinton and the former Prime Minister of Norway, Gro Brundtland.

Professor, Faculty of Science, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary 

frederickjohn.wrona@ucalgary.ca  

Dr. Fred Wrona received a B.Sc. in Environmental Biology in 1977 and a PhD in Aquatic Ecology in 1982 from the University of Calgary. He has >30 years of experience leading or contributing to numerous environmental research and monitoring programs addressing regional, national and international environmental issues related to: climate impacts on freshwater ecosystems; cold regions hydro-ecology; multiple stressor and cumulative effects assessments; ecotoxicology; and environmental monitoring program design. Most recently, he was the inaugural Chief Scientist and Assistant Deputy Minister (Environmental Monitoring and Science Division) for the Department of Alberta Environment and Parks and was previously the Vice-President and Chief Scientist at the Alberta Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Agency. He also served as the government co-chair for the joint Canada-Alberta Oil Sands Monitoring Program.

Professor, Faculty of Science, Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment

cryan@ucalgary.ca

Cathy has been a Professor in Earth, Energy and Environment long enough to have seen three department name changes.  She is trained as a Geological Engineer and Hydrogeologist but truly identifies as ai integrated water scientist.  In her work with communities, she appreciates that the most difficult water challenges are in policy, regulation, and law.  She is closing in on accomplishing 100 peer-reviewed publications and received the “R.N. Farvolden Award” in 2025 (which honors outstanding contributions to the discipline of earth science and engineering that emphasize the role or importance of groundwater).   When not ‘doing science’, Cathy spends much of her time recreating in the flow-generating eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies and thinking about water science.

Professor, Schulich School of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering

Alain.Pietroniro@ucalgary.ca

Dr. Alain Pietroniro currently holds the position of Professor and Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Water Systems at the University of Calgary’s Schulich School of Engineering. Prior to his academic appointment, Dr. Pietroniro served as the Executive Director of the National Hydrological Service (NHS) for the government of Canada. His research is primarily focused on improving, developing, and evaluating hydrological models, remote sensing and GIS applications in hydrology. His work is focused on improving, developing, and evaluating hydrologic models, understanding the sensitivity of water resources to climate variability and change, and developing the next generation of hydrological modelling systems. His very recent transition to an academic career at the University of Calgary has allowed him to incorporate his operational, policy and water resources experiences into an applied and relevant research focus at the University of Calgary. 

Michelle is an honours graduate of Mount Royal University, holding a BSc in Environmental Science. Her academic journey sparked a deep passion for water resources and data analysis, which she now uses as a tool to uncover the intricate connections between people, the environment, and aquatic health. As the CreekWatch and Citizen Science Manager at the RiverWatch Institute of Alberta, Michelle empowers Albertans to explore and answer the question, "How healthy is our local waterway?" by equipping them with the knowledge and resources to collect and interpret water monitoring data. Through her work, Michelle fosters a holistic approach to water stewardship by ensuring that aquatic ecosystems, communities, and decision-makers are connected and supported with reliable data, helping guide the management and protection of watersheds across Alberta.  

Tim Patterson was born Morris Coutlee who is a member of the Lower Nicola Indian Band that belongs to the Scw̓éxmx (“People of the Creeks”) a branch of the Nlaka'pamux (Thompson) Nation of the Interior Salish speaking peoples of British Columbia Canada. Tim grew up in Revelstoke within the Sinixt territory and now resides in Calgary, Alberta. 

Tim has worked throughout British Columbia and Alberta for 30+ years in the areas of Indigenous Child & Youth Care, Indigenous Education, Indigenous Health, Indigenous Tourism as well as Housing & Homelessness for government, universities, not for profits, professional organizations and First Nation reserves. Presently, Tim is owner/lead guide of Zuc’min Guiding an Indigenous adventure tourism company. 

Tim is Fellow in Royal Canadian Geographical Society as well the VP of Mountain Culture for the Alpine Club of Canada. Tim is also honoured to be the Indigenous Ambassador for the UN 2025 International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation. An acclaimed Indigenous guide and educator, Tim’s research and teaching is focused on Indigenous Narratives, Land-based learning, Indigenous Knowledge of the mountains and Indigenous Tourism. 

Associate Professor, Faculty of Law

molszyns@ucalgary.ca

Martin joined the faculty in 2013, following several years of public service in environmental and natural resources law and policy. From 2007 to 2013, he was counsel with the federal Department of Justice, practicing law in the legal services unit at Fisheries and Oceans Canada. During this period, he also spent time on secondment to the Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Division at Environment Canada.

Martin holds a B. Sc. (Biology) and an LL.B., both from the University of Saskatchewan, and an LL.M. (specialization in environmental law) from the University of California at Berkeley. He is currently pursuing a PhD in resource management at the University of British Columbia’s Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability. Following law school, Martin clerked for the Hon. Justice Denis Pelletier of the Federal Court of Appeal (2006).

Richard has been with the Bow River Irrigation District since 1996, initially as the district engineer, and as the general manager since 2004. Previously, he worked on various water resources projects as a consulting engineer in Calgary. He has a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from the University of Alberta (1984) and is registered as a professional engineer in Alberta. He is a vice chair of the Bow River Basin Council. 

Richard serves as chair of the regional water services commission in Vauxhall, Alberta, which operates the regional potable water system. 

Professor, Faculty of Science, Department of Biological Sciences

smvamosi@ucalgary.ca

Dr. Steven Vamosi is Professor of Population Biology in the Department of Biological Sciences and the Scientific Director of the Biogeoscience Institute at the University of Calgary. His research program focuses on evolutionary and conservation ecology of native species in western Canada and the North. Recent projects in the lab include range contraction and potential range expansion of bull trout in Alberta and the Yukon, respectively; ecosystem consequences of Chinook salmon crash in the Yukon; population status of long-toed salamanders; and impacts of beaver activity on montane ecosystems. He has a longstanding commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, serving as the inaugural Associate Dean – EDI for the Faculty of Science (2016-2021). Over the last decade, Dr. Vamosi has worked to build partnerships with First Nations communities in Alberta and the Yukon, with the Chinook salmon study being a full partnership with members of Teslin Tlingit Council. A recent Mobilizing Alberta grant with The Resilience Institute and Piikani Nation enabled knowledge sharing and transfer regarding ecological monitoring of sweetgrass and bison, and an ii’ tah’poh’to’p grant supported Elder gatherings to inform Indigenizing the Barrier Lake field station.