2020/2021 PRSSS Executive
Click here to learn more about the executive positions.
President
Jordan Kesey (she/her), Ph.D. Student in Soil Science, UBC
Jordy Kersey received her B.Sc. in Environmental Science and Biology at Iowa State University, USA. Throughout her undergrad, she worked in a soil chemistry lab which allowed her to discover her love for research and all things soil nitrogen related. After taking a year off, Jordy completed her M.Sc. in soil science at Oregon State University. Her master’s thesis focused on soil health in managed forest systems. Currently, Jordy is working on her PhD with Dr. Sean Smukler. Her project will be focused on soil health dynamics and climate change resiliency in agricultural fields of the Alaksen National Wildlife Area.
Past President
Patricia Hanuszak, M.Sc. Student in Soil Science, UBC
Patricia (Trish) is a M.Sc. student at UBC with Dr. Sean Smukler. Trish’s interest in soil was ignited when she learned about agronomy as a career during her time abroad. Her work experience includes winery production and wine making, sterile insect release technology, and more recently an involvement with a grassland set-aside project in Delta, B.C. Trish’s dream is a small secluded plot of land with a fertile loam soil and a creek that runs year-round. When Trish is not in school she can be found out in nature whether at the beach or in the trees.
Secretary
Jeremiah DuBovis (he/him), MSc in Soil Science, UNBC
Originally from the Sonoran Desert, Jeremiah DuBovis developed an interest in soil science after taking an introductory course at the University of British Columbia. From there, he received his Bachelor of Science in Global Resource Systems from UBC in 2021; his program included an emphasis on soil ecology and the Global South. He is currently studying to receive his master’s degree from the University of Northern British Columbia, where he conducts research on mine tailing remediation. Aside from Soil science, Jeremiah takes a keen interest in rock climbing, music, and fermenting vegetables.
Treasurer
Fernanda Diaz-Osorio (she/her), B.Sc. Student in Global Resource Systems, UBC
Fernanda moved from Oaxaca, Mexico, to study at UBC. She holds a BSc. in Global Resource Systems, with a focus on Sustainable Agriculture and Economics. Growing up, she spent a significant amount of time at her family’s restaurants, and developed a deep interest in food systems. However, it was not until she took an Introductory Soil Science class with Dr. Sandra Brown that her passion for soil was born. She had the opportunity to work at organic farms in both France and Belgium. Her research interests lie at the intersection of conservation, education and economics. Fernanda enjoys trying new food, hiking, playing tennis and solving sudokus.
Social Media Coordinator
Kirsten Thomson (she/her)
Kirsten recently finished her degree at UBC with a Bachelor of Science in Global Resource Systems, where she focused her studies on Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Science. If you spend enough time around her, you’ll be sure to hear her say “I freaking love soil!”, it’s kind of her catch phrase. She is unsure what her future holds for her, but is certain that it will involve holding soil.
Website Coordinator
Isaac Peetoom Heida (he/him),M.Sc. Student in Plant Sciences, UBC
Isaac is an M.Sc. student in the PIEE Lab at UBC. He completed his B.Sc. in Edmonton in Ecology, and afterwards worked for various environmental non-profits in Alberta. Through this work, he developed a passion for conservation agriculture, and came to UBC to pursue research in this topic. Currently he is investigating how plants uptake silicon from the soil to defend themselves against pests. In his spare time he enjoys reading, writing, and rambling up unnamed streams in search of fish.
Newsletter Coordinator
Morgan Hamilton (she/her), M.Sc. Student in Soil Science, UBC
Morgan Hamilton received her BSc in Global Resource Systems at UBC with a focus on Food Systems in North America. Currently, Morgan is M.Sc. student in the Soil Res3 lab out of UBC Vancouver under the supervision of Dr. JT Cornelis and Dr. Maja Krzic. Morgan’s research focuses on looking at soil and plant response to low rate application of biochar in agricultural soils. Morgan values engaging with food and supporting food system at many points along the way from studying and working in soil science, to growing food in her home garden, cooking and preserving throughout the seasons, and serving at local restaurants. Her research interests include agricultural adaptation to climate change, soil carbon sequestration, and soil remediation.
Newsletter Coordinator
Franco Lopez Campomanes (he/him)
Franco is a passionate soil scientist and agricultural researcher. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology from UBC and is an Articling Agrologist at BCIA. His experience working on research labs, organic farms, and environmental consulting has led him to focus on practical and feasible ways to apply scientific knowledge in various industries. Franco is also passionate about education and awareness in soil science which led him to co-author two children’s books for the UN World Soil Day Contest and win first prize in 2021. When not in in the field or behind a computer, Franco loves hiking, playing soccer, and singing karaoke!
Director
Art Bomke (he/him)
Art was raised on a small farm in Illinois, did his university education in that state at Southern Illinois University (B.Sc. and M.Sc.) and the University of Illinois (Ph.D.), and immigrated to British Columbia four decades ago. Art’s educational background is in Agronomy, specifically soil and crop management, and he taught courses and conducted research on soil fertility and management throughout his UBC career. Art has also had opportunities to explore social dimensions of agricultural systems through his teaching in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems’ Land, Food and Community core curriculum. Since coming to UBC, he has conducted research on both inorganic and organic fertilization, nitrogen cycling, on-farm composting, agroecology and cropping systems. Art officially retired to Professor Emeritus status in 2011 and continues to pursue interests in sustainable soil management and supporting farmers and farm communities. He was a charter member of the PRSSS and past director and is enthusiastic about helping the Society to engage with the broader public in advocating for policies based in sound soil science.
Director
Teresa Porter (she/her), M.Sc. Student in Soil Science, P.Ag., UBC
Teresa recently completed her M.Sc. in Soil Science under the supervision of Dr. Maja Krzic at UBC. Her research focused on the effects of grassland set-asides on soil physical quality in the Fraser River delta region. She holds a B.Sc. in Global Resource Systems from UBC and is working towards her Professional Agrologist designation. Teresa has worked on small-scale organic vegetable farms around the province, and now co-owns and operates an urban flower farm in Vancouver, Suelo & Faa. She loves soil, growing things, and reading.
Director
Lewis Fausak, M.Sc. in Soil Science, UBC
Lewis is currently the Applied Biology Education and Research Technician at UBC. He completed his post-secondary education at the University of Alberta (B.Sc.) and the University of British Columbia (M.Sc. in Soil Science). His research has included studying greenhouse gas emissions in cropping systems, soil quality (aggregate stability, carbon pools, soil fractals, moisture characteristics, nutrient availability), irrigation water demand, heavy metal contamination, and mafic tailings. In his current position, he gets to help excite students about soil science, participate in research, and learn from a great group of mentors. He is also the creator of @adventuresinsoils, where he creates fun soil science themed art, and has also contributed to soil science textbook illustrations.
Director
Eveline Wolterson, M.Sc. Soil Science, P.Ag., EP (Emeritus)
Eveline was raised in rural Horseshoe Bay and earned her training in physical chemistry, geomorphology and soil science at UBC. She has worked as a cocktail waitress, in an oil refinery, as a laboratory tech, in applied research, and for the last 30-odd years as an environmental consultant in agriculture, forestry, transportation, mining, land use planning, and water resources. Eveline is a Professional Agrologist and an Environmental Professional certified in the disciplines of agriculture, waste management, and site assessment and reclamation. She is retired from full-time consulting, but continues to dabble in environmental policy, planning and advocacy for local communities, sustainable agricultural systems, and stump ranching in the north Okanagan Valley.
Graduate and Regional Representative
Brooke Hayes (she/her), PhD Student in Environmental Studies, University of Victoria
With an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry, Brooke Hayes has returned to the University of Victoria as a graduate student in the school of Environmental Studies after a twenty year career working in the BC provincial service. Brooke has worked on a variety of projects during that time, such as assessing the impacts of the mountain pine beetle epidemic on rural communities in BC, supporting the transition of the BC Ambulance Service and the Oil and Gas Commission out of the public service, developing a cross-government strategy for the delivery of $6.6 billion of goods and services delivered through procurement, and most recently, held responsibility for climate change, marketing, land use planning, and soil, air and water quality portfolios within the BC Ministry of Agriculture. Here Brooke discovered a passion for agriculture that has inspired a return to school to investigate the relationships between climate-adaptive soil management practices and the overall health of farmers and communities in BC and beyond.