Profiles

Sharmalene Mendis-Millard (she/her) is a mixed-methods geographer whose research focused on adaptive capacity in Canadian UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and who worked at Reep Green Solutions to engage people on stormwater management. Sharmalene has worked for several interdisciplinary research centres that aim to advance community well-being and social justice through community partnerships, program evaluations, and learning opportunities, and now focuses on equity in climate risk reduction and adaptation. 

sharmalene.mendis-millard@uwaterloo.ca
Office: evolv1
Sharmalene's profile and LinkedIn

Jason is an Associate Professor in the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED) at the University of Waterloo, Associate Director, Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Environment, and Associate Director for Partners for Action (P4A). His research focuses on innovative strategies designed to reduce the economic impacts of extreme weather and climate change. 

j2thistlethwaite@uwaterloo.ca
519-888-4567, ext. 39102
Office: Environment 3 (EV3) 4267
Jason's profile and LinkedIn

Julie took on the role of Director at Partners for Action in December 2020. Previously, she led Waterloo Global Science Initiative (WGSI) through its start-up phase to successfully launching a decade-long Summit series and catalyzing collaborations related to each event. Prior to working at WGSI, she spent ten years in communications and public affairs roles for companies, clients, and campaigns in the tech, cultural and non-profit sectors at the forefront of sector disruption. Julie is also the Ward 7 Councillor for the City of Waterloo. 

julie.a.wright@uwaterloo.ca
519-888-4567, ext. 48938
Office: evolv1 1106
Julie's profile and LinkedIn

Elena Christy (she/her) supports Partners for Action's stakeholder engagement, communications, and knowledge mobilization. With a background in community and international development, community-based research, and design, Elena is particularly interested in how transdisciplinary engagement can lead to the innovative solutions needed to address some of the world’s most pressing issues and bring about social change. 

echristy@uwaterloo.ca
Office: evolv1
Elena's profile and LinkedIn

Liton Chakraborty is a post-doctoral Research Associate at the University of Waterloo. He is a senior policy analyst in the Emergency Management and Programs Branch of Public Safety Canada.  As a lead researcher on socioeconomic vulnerability analysis and flood risk assessments at the Partners for Action (P4A) ’s program, Liton contributed to several research initiatives, such as community-engaged inclusive resilience, flood vulnerability mapping, and developing innovative methodologies on climate change risk assessment emphasizing an equity-centred approach.

liton.chakraborty@uwaterloo.ca
Liton's profile and LinkedIn

Rachel Krueger holds a University of Waterloo Master of Environmental Studies in Sustainability Management (Water, 2022) whose research focused on flood risk communications and who worked on P4A’s Inclusive Resilience project funded by Public Safety Canada via the Canadian Red Cross. Rachel has reviewed recent disaster studies literature and was a City of Mississauga stormwater drainage intern.

r3krueger@uwaterloo.ca
Rachel's profile and LinkedIn

Sina Jahangir is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Waterloo, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, working under the supervision of John Quilty. He is using his expertise in mathematical modeling, hydrology, and computer science to tackle pragmatic, and large-scale problems such as smart and effective flood planning. 

msjahangir@uwaterloo.ca
Sina's profile and LinkedIn

Kasra Motlaghzadeh is a Ph.D. student in System Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo. His research explores complexities around socio-environmental systems, climate change mitigation, and adaptation. 

kmotlaghzadeh@uwaterloo.ca
Kasra's profile and LinkedIn

Felicia is a Master of Environmental Studies student at the University of Waterloo, Department of Geography and Environmental Management. Building on her previous studies in International Relations, Felicia’s thesis research focuses on climate resilience, post-disaster recovery, and flood adaptation policies.

felicia.watterodt@uwaterloo.ca
Felicia's profile and LinkedIn

Tyler is a Ph.D. Candidate in Civil and Environmental Engineering and part of the Structural Timber and Applied Research Team led by Dr. Daniel Lacroix. He led two winning structural design competition submissions, including the top prize in the student category of “Build the (Im)possible,” an international competition to increase the visibility of mass timber innovation. His research focuses on the advancement of the wood construction as a sustainable alternative to concrete and steel.

tyler.hull@uwaterloo.ca 
Tyler's profile and LinkedIn

Cameron recently completed her Master of Environmental Studies in Sustainability Management where her thesis explores the effectiveness of sustainability standards as governance mechanisms. Her background includes environmental governance, corporate sustainability, and implementing sustainability standards. Cameron supports Partners for Action by conducting literature reviews, organizing information, and producing communication pieces. 

cmmcgladebouchard@uwaterloo.ca
Cameron's profile and LinkedIn

Niloofar Mohtat has recently graduated with Ph.D. in Planning from the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo. Her research focuses on equity and justice in urban climate change adaptation, flood risk management, and green-blue infrastructure planning. She has experience in developing GIS analysis, participatory mapping activities, and public engagement processes for advancing climate justice. Niloofar, additionally, has a Master of Arts degree in post-disaster reconstruction and a Bachelor of Science degree in architectural engineering. She is currently working as a Geomatics Officer at the Government Operation Center of Public Safety Canada. 

nmohtat@uwaterloo.ca

Niloofar's Profile 

p4a.info@uwaterloo.ca
Location: evolv1