2025/2026 PRSSS Executives
Click here to learn more about the executive positions.
Co-President - Sasha Pollet
Sasha, originally from Belgium, came to British Columbia 3 years ago to pursue a PhD in Soil Science at the University of British Columbia. Her love for soil science took root during an introductory course while studying Bioengineering at the University of Liège (Belgium) — and it’s been growing ever since. After completing a Master’s in Environmental Science and Technology in 2021, she dove into PhD research exploring the complex relationships between soil, roots, and plants. She’s especially interested in how roots play a role in nutrient uptake and carbon storage in soils. When she's not immersed in research, Sasha enjoys getting outside, whether it's hiking through nature, rock climbing, or dancing salsa.
Co-President - Sarah Pickering
Sarah is a UBC, Master of Land and Water Systems student with a passion for building sustainable food systems that take into consideration environment, community, and health. She has a BSc in Earth Sciences from the University of Victoria and over 3 years of practical experience in food security and sustainability projects, including working on an organic veggie farm in Pemberton, BC. She recognizes that nurturing healthy soils is critical to fostering rich ecosystems and happy communities. When not on the farm or in the classroom, Sarah can be found riding her bike, skiing, and exploring the backcountry of the Coast Mountains.
Past President - Jeremiah DuBovis
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. His research focuses on mine tailing remediation under the supervision of Dr. Michael Preston. Aside from soil science, Jeremiah takes a keen interest in rock climbing, music, and fermenting vegetables (all things good for your gut).
Secretary - Fiona Farag
Fiona Farag is a recent graduate from the University of British Columbia, where she earned her degree in Natural Resources Conservation through the Faculty of Forestry. With a passion for agriculture—and a signature love for overalls—her interest in soil was first sparked during a summer job at a peach orchard. Although soil science wasn’t a core focus of her program, this curiosity led her to gain hands-on experience as a research assistant with the Soil Res3 Lab at UBC.
This summer, Fiona is thrilled to continue exploring forest ecology and soil science as part of the Mother Tree Project’s field crew. An outdoor enthusiast, she spends her free time climbing, dancing, and swimming at the beach. Fiona is excited to bring her stoke, curiosity, and love for the outdoors to her role as Secretary on the PRSSS team.
Treasurer - April Stainsby
April is excited to join the PRSSS and serve as the treasurer. She recently returned to the coast after working and studying in the prairies and the north where she worked on farms and agricultural research projects. Through her work she aims to contribute to projects that increase the ability of agricultural landscapes to support healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.
Events Coordinator - Elyse Farmer
Elyse developed a fascination with food systems after visiting the Yukon one summer as a teenager. This led her to pursue a Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainable Agriculture from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, where she is currently in her fourth year and has come to find a deep appreciation for soil. Elyse is the President of the Sustainable Agriculture Student Association, where she hopes to contribute to the professional development of her peers by fundraising for them to attend conferences. Elyse is looking forward to being the assistant researcher to Dr. Asksit Puri and conducting her own research on soil solarization. In her free time, she enjoys foraging and frolicking.
Events Coordinator - Kathrin Leicht
Kathrin has always been deeply passionate about environmental protection. Her interest in soil science began during a two-week field course that took her from Northern Germany to Southern Austria as part of her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Technology at the Technical University of Berlin. She further explored this path through a master’s in Soil Resources and Land Use at BOKU in Austria and SLU in Sweden. After graduating, Kathrin spent several years working in soil and groundwater remediation, gaining experience in both industry and academia. Over the past year, she has reconnected with the "classic" field of soil science, expanding her expertise through courses on soil health. As a member of the Executive Team at PRSSS, she is excited to help raise awareness about soil science and contribute to building a strong and supportive community for students as well as professionals in the field. When she’s not digging into soils, Kathrin enjoys outdoor adventures—whether it’s snowboarding, hiking, kayaking – or practicing yoga.
Merchandise Coordinator - Theo Mohamed
Theo is an undergrad student at UBC studying Soil Science and GIS. He's new to the exec team and is looking forward to bringing you all some new soil merch this year! Before his time at UBC, Theo sewed backpacks at the Arc'Teryx factory in New Westminster and used to run a small brand of his own. In his free time, you can find him listening to music, cooking, reading, and getting distracted by exposed soil profiles in the "wild".
Membership Coordinator - Kelly Wang
Kelly has a B.Sc. in Environmental Sciences and M.Sc. in Plant Science from the University of British Columbia. Kelly developed an interest in soil science from taking an introductory course at UBC! She has a background in integrated pest management, pesticide efficacy trials and the development of sustainable products for agroecosystems.
Social Media Coordinator - Allison Walters
Allison has a BSc in Sustainable Agriculture & Environment from UBC, and now works in both farming at A Rocha Farm and in media sales. Her work experience includes IPM at ES CropConsult and organic farming at Farmship Growers Co-op. In the future, she plans to work in agricultural sales. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, dance, and running.
Social Media Coordinator - Kylee Smith
Kylee is currently completing her UBC Undergrad in Global Resources Systems with specializations in Agricultural Sciences and the European perspective. She is a proud Ojibway woman from Ontario, but loves Vancouver for the beautiful scenery! Kylee has a background in Indigenous Rights and Homeland Initiatives, soil contamination, pollination strategies for farmers, yeh deindustrialization of agriculture, and forest ecology. When she has free time, she loves hiking and watching horror movies!
Newsletter Coordinator - Erin Stakiw
Erin is a UBC student in the Master of Land and Water Systems program. She grew up in Ontario and has a BSc in biological science from the University of Guelph and a BEd from Lakehead University. She is passionate about soil health, sustainable land and water management, and wildlife conservation. Outside of her studies, Erin enjoys mountain biking, petting dogs, and exploring the outdoors.
Website Coordinator - Cameron Donnelly
Cameron just completed her bachelor's degree in the Sustainable Agriculture & Environment program at UBX. She works as a research technician in the Sustainable Agricultural Landscapes Lab, which has taught her tons about soil science, agroecology, and climate change. She has always loved digging holes and playing outside, so loving soil science just makes sense! In her free time, Cameron enjoys admiring cool insects, leading backpacking trips, teaching ski lessons, and cooking for friends and family
Awards Chair - Teresa Porter
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.
UNBC Undergraduate - Erica Kreitz
I am an undergraduate student in forest ecology at UNBC, with a minor degree in soils and the environment. I became passionate about soil sciences after learning that soil is not only the foundation, but key a component, of a healthy ecosystem. I feel very fortunate to be part of a great community of likeminded students with a passion for soils here at UNBC! My current research is focused on soil ecology, specifically ericoid mycorrhizal fungi and their significance in Ericaceous plant species establishment and success when used for restoration projects.
UNBC Graduate - Emily Dennis
Emily is currently doing a Masters of science at the University of Northern British Columbia in a soil related project. She is currently working on a long term soil productivity project and specifically looking at different forest health impacts of soil compaction and organic matter removal. Originally from Langley, Emily holds an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of the Fraser Valley. In her spare time, she loves swimming, kayaking, road trips, and writing.
Okanagan - Hannah Friesen
Hannah is a Master’s student at UBC Okanagan, working with Agriculture and Agrifood Canada on the Living Labs project. Her current research explores the potential for vineyards to support biodiversity, focusing on ground-dwelling natural enemies. With a background in soil science and experience as a soil analyst, she’s passionate about agroecology and takes a systems approach to understand complex ecosystem interactions. When she's not identifying beetles in the lab, Hannah loves being out in nature—whether biking, hiking, or skiing—and is driven by a deep curiosity for the natural world and a desire to bridge research with real-world impact.
UBC Undergraduate - Olwynn Hughes
I am a fourth year sustainable agriculture student at UBC, focusing on regenerative vegetables farming.
UBC Graduate - Steward Fuoco
Stewart is a Master of Science student at the University of British Columbia, affiliated with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), researching the responses of microbial communities to invasive weed pressure in grazed and ungrazed grasslands in British Columbia.
Lesley Dampier
I accidentally found my passion for soil while an undergraduate student at UBC. I took an Introduction to Soil Science course because it fit my schedule... little did I know that would shift the trajectory of my degree and career! The soil was the integrator that I needed to make sense of biology, chemistry and physics. After a period of time working in environmental consulting with an emphasis on residuals management, I completed an MSc in soil science exploring soils of the Yukon. I loved learning the story that each soil profile was telling me - what a reward after all that digging! I now work in research management at UBC and am pursuing my passion for education through a Masters in Education. I hope to bring my experience in strategic planning and my passion for soil education to the team!
Franco Lopez Campomanes
Justin Straker
Justin is a soil scientist and a forest ecologist, a Professional Agrologist, and an MSc graduate from UBC’s Department of Soil Science in 1998. He has worked as a consultant in the field of mine reclamation for the last twenty-five years, mostly in western and northern Canada. Justin’s focus is on collaboration with Indigenous communities on mine reclamation, and on soil-plant-water cycles on reclaimed sites.
Lewis Fausak
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.
Eveline Wolterson
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.