Faculty of Environment

Cynthia Musah, PhD in Geography

Cynthia Musah will be travelling to Uganda and Kenya to kickstart her international research project on women’s empowerment and health in low- and middle-income countries, in both rural and urban communities. This research project, part of the larger Women’s Rise program, prompts Cynthia to work towards developing a culturally sensitive understanding of, and thus advocacy of, women’s health-related needs in low- and middle-income countries.

Nilushika Gamage, Master's in Sustainability Management

Nilushika will be conducting an in-depth field analysis of one of the marine protected areas in Sri Lanka to support her master’s thesis. Her research focuses on enabling a transition from vulnerability to viability of small-scale fisheries within marine protected areas. Obtaining firsthand field experience will allow Nilushika to gain practical knowledge, develop essential skills, and establish a solid foundation for professional growth towards a career as a researcher. 

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Ruyel Miah, PhD student in Sustainable Management

Travelling to India and Bangladesh, Ruyel will research complex small-scale fisheries' social-ecological systems. He will interact with the fisheries there and observe the situation of their communities to better understand the vulnerabilities that they face and assess the ways to address these vulnerabilities. His research focuses on why small-scale fishers experience a lack of human rights, justice, and dignity and why they are left unprotected against external influences.

Navya Vikraman Nair, PhD student in the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development

Navya has travelled to India to investigate the socio-ecological factors that influence the sustainability of local fishing communities and the implications for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services of wetlands. She analyzed the resilience of the ecosystem through habitat degradation, water pollution, and overexploitation. Navya’s research will contribute to fostering collaborations between the hosting institution, local organizations, and academic communities and promote cross-cultural understanding.

Aman Dhindsa - School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability

Aman Dhindsa

As our climate warms, the northern boreal regions of Canada are becoming viable zones for agriculture. Aman Dhindsa, a Master of Social and Ecological Sustainability student in University of Waterloo Faculty of Environment is researching the feasibility of alleviating food insecurity issues in Goose Bay, Labrador through local-scale agriculture.

Beth Palmer, MES student in Geography and Environmental Management

Beth is conducting fieldwork in Indonesia to understand the ways in which community-based tourism employs social capital in a post-disaster setting to facilitate recovery. She is affiliated with the SSHRC-funded project “Linking Tourism, Social/Cultural Capital, and Disaster Recovery: Comparative Perspectives from Nepal, Indonesia and the Philippines” and will be working with Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta. Beth is conducting a qualitative research study while enhancing both her academic and leadership skills.

Faiza Omar, PhD student in Geography and Environmental Management

Faiza’s research applies the evolutionary economic geography (EEG) lens to understanding tourism development in rural Ghana. She collected primary data through surveys and interviews, connecting with key informants and with entrepreneurs in the retail, accommodation, and food sectors. Faiza’s is the first study to apply the EEG perspective to tourism research in Africa.

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Augustine Osei - School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability

Augustine Osei

Across Waterloo, graduate students are harnessing their passions to tackle the climate crisis. PhD student Augustine Osei is one of them. His work explores how perennial crops on marginal lands can provide a source of green energy. “This is a new area where I think I can really contribute to society," says Augustine. "That is key to what motivates me.”

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