Addressing the challenges that the waters of BC face requires a team of innovative and committed leaders. The PSF Marine Data Centre is driven by an exceptional group of professionals with a passion for the conservation, restoration, and enhancement of BC’s marine ecosystems.
Dr. Isobel Pearsall Project Lead
Dr. Isobel Pearsall Project Lead
Isobel is currently the Director, Marine Science Programs, for the Pacific Salmon Foundation. Many of the programs in her portfolio were developed in response to the findings of the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project; she currently oversees a major program on Nearshore and Estuarine Habitat Restoration, a number of large-scale Citizen Science programs for oceanographic, forage fish and salmon data collation; a major research program to assess bottlenecks to survival of Coho, Chinook and Steelhead in the Strait of Georgia, and development of PSF Educational Initiatives. Isobel is also Project Lead for the Marine Data Centre BC.
Ph.D., Univeristy of British Columbia, Dept. Plant Science; M.Sc. Dalhousie University, Dept. Biology; B.Sc., Oxford University, Dept. Biology (First Class).
Dr. Nicole Christiansen Programs Coordinator Marine Science Program
Dr. Nicole Christiansen Programs Coordinator Marine Science Program
Since 2021, Nicole has been the Programs Coordinator for the PSF’s Marine Science Program. In this role, she supports the Marine Data Centre BC along with the rest of the projects in the Marine Science Program portfolio. Nicole brings a broad background of research, monitoring, and work within marine, estuary, and freshwater ecosystems to the Data Centre. She is pleased to contribute to the protection of BC’s marine environment and all that it sustains.
Ph.D., Macquarie University, Dept. Ecology; M. Phil., University of Queensland, Dept. Ecology; B.Sc., University of California, Davis, Dept. Biology.
Dr. Brian RiddellScience Advisor
Dr. Brian RiddellScience Advisor
Prior to joining the Pacific Salmon Foundation, Brian worked for 30 years in research and management positions in Science Branch, Department of Fisheries and Oceans; where he co-authored Canada’s Policy for Conservation of Wild Pacific Salmon (2005), and provided science advice to the Pacific Salmon Treaty. Since joining the Pacific Salmon Foundation (2009), he established the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project and the research network necessary to undertake this international project (www.marinesurvivalproject.com).
In February, 2015; he was recognized nationally as one of “50 Notable Canadians” in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Canadian flag.
Ph.D., McGill University, Dept. Biology (Population biology/genetics); B.Sc., University of Guelph, Dept. Biology (Honours Marine Biology).
Terry CurranGeospatial Consultant
Terry CurranGeospatial Consultant
As a manager in the DFO Canadian Hydrographic Service at the Institute of Ocean Sciences, Terry developed expertise in project management, ISO-9000, marketing and geospatial data management technology (ISO-191xx and OSGeo standards, GeoNetwork/GeoServer, postGIS, etc). He served as the Industrial Liaison Officer for the Institute of Ocean Sciences from 1980 to 2005. He has led projects such as installation of winches aboard ships, designed and implemented audiovisual systems at IOS, guided developments in sea floor classification, and designed ocean instrumentation. Terry has programming expertise in xml, xquery, xslt, and python. He has a continuing interest in the application of underwater gliders to understand ocean processes. Sailing and hiking are passions.
B.A.Sc., University of British Columbia, Dept. Engineering; M.Sc., University of British Columbia, Dept. Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences.
Ben SkinnerGIS Specialist
Ben SkinnerGIS Specialist
As the Data Centre’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist, Ben is honoured to put his energies towards the protection of our oceans & aquatic species. With over five years of experience in mapping and spatial data management, he is constantly striving to develop his knowledge of marine information and the technology systems that bring it to the public. In his role creating visuals for the Marine Data Centre BC, he has been fortunate to grow under the guidance of a dynamic scientific minded team. He eagerly brings his supervisory experience, developed in positions within industries such as horticulture, to assist in managing GIS activities.
M.Sc., Royal Roads University, Dept. Environment & Sustainability (Ongoing); Adv Dip., British Columbia Institute for Technology, Geographic Information Systems; B.Sc., University of Victoria, Dept. Geography.
Paulina Salinas-Ruiz Data Integration Specialist
Paulina Salinas-Ruiz Data Integration Specialist
Paulina is a marine biologist with extensive experience conducting fieldwork and data analysis. In her data analysis journey, she has become proficient in the use of imagery and statistical software which allow her to develop projects and visuals for the Marine Data Centre BC. Her goal as a Data Integration Specialist is to work with the Marine Science Program team to create products that allow for easy understanding of the distribution and trends of various physical, chemical, and biological aspects of our coasts. She feels grateful to be able to contribute to the conservation of marine species in British Columbia.
RPBio #4434; M.Sc. California State University Monterey Bay, Dept. Environmental Science; B.Sc. University of California Santa Barbara, Dept. Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology.
Brahm White-GluzBottlenecks to Survival Data Manager
Brahm White-GluzBottlenecks to Survival Data Manager
Brahm is a data professional with experience in forensic analytics, business intelligence, data engineering, and system design. His background has included working with financial data systems, but his passion for nature and the environment has led him to join the Marine Data Centre BC. He was previously a faculty member of Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business in the Department of Supply Chain & Business Technology Management, where he taught courses on Database Management, Project Management & System Design and Implementation.
M.Eng. Software Engineering, Concordia University, B.Comm. Data Intelligence & Technology Management, Concordia University
Natalia Garcia-Arias Software Implementation Technician
Natalia Garcia-Arias Software Implementation Technician
As the Software Implementation Technician, Natalia is growing her expertise in computer science and exploring innovative ways to streamline data transformation workflows while providing support to key projects for the Marine Data Centre BC. She feels fortunate that her role allows her to combine her technical skills with her commitment to environmental sustainability, focusing on innovative solutions that support marine conservation.
Computer Science; B.A., University of British Columbia (Ongoing)
We have also been fortunate to have the assistance of a large number of scientists, database programmers and managers, who have provided advice along the way. Thank you.