Environment professor celebrated for excellence in geography
In recognition of her research achievement and career potential, The Canadian Association of Geographers named Dr. Chantel Markle as the recipient of The Julian M. Szeicz Award for Early Career Achievement.
Dr. Markle is a wildlife ecohydrologist and conservation biologist with expertise in the protection and management of threatened wildlife and wild spaces. She specializes in interdisciplinary and collaborative research, integrating a combination of spatial and landscape ecology, GIS, remote sensing and hydrology approaches to drive evidence-based decision making in wildlife management and environmental policy.
Her three main research themes include:
- Effects of climate-mediated disturbances on habitat use and function
- Climate refugia: Detecting and predicting change
- Habitat restoration: Enhancing resilience to climate change
She runs the Wildlife Ecohydrology and Conservation Lab and was awarded funding to advance wildlife and habitat management by the Ontario Research Fund. In 2023, she was appointed as a Canada Research Chair in Wildlife Ecohydrology and Global Change. Together, these achievements reflect how she embodies the Waterloo spirit and values of thinking differently and acting with purpose to drive meaningful change for people and planet.
The award is presented annually by the Canadian Association of Geographers in recognition of research achievement and career potential by a Canadian geographer at an early career stage and honours the memory and achievement of Dr. Julian M. Szeicz (1965-1998).
Congratulations, Dr. Markle!
