Meet Our Team
Co-Investigators
Sanjay Nepal
Professor
Department of Geography and Environmental Management
University of Waterloo
Sanjay’s research focuses on tourism and conservation geographies. Much of his research is focused on Nepal, Thailand, and Canada. Some of his current research publications are focused on sustainable tourism, tourism and natural disasters, and community engagement in wildlife conservation efforts.
Erin O’Connell
Continuing Lecturer & Associate Chair Undergraduate
Department of Geography and Environmental Management
University of Waterloo
Erin’s research focuses on post-disaster vulnerability reduction and sustainable, resilient communities. Much of her research has taken place in Asia, with an emphasis on community-based disaster recovery, housing reconstruction, livelihood development, and faith-based responses to disasters.
Brent Doberstein
Associate Professor
Department of Geography and Environmental Management
University of Waterloo
Brent's research focuses on hazards, post-disaster recovery & climate change adaptation, split equally between developing countries (e.g. Indonesia, Vietnam, Venezuela) and developed countries (e.g. Canada). He has active research on managed retreat/planned relocation for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
Graduate Researchers
Dipak Bishwokarma
PhD Candidate
Department of Geography and Environmental Management
University of Waterloo
Dipak’s research focuses on climate change and disaster risk reduction in the South Asian context. Specific areas of interest include vulnerability, adaptation, community resilience, and community-based natural resources management.
Jacqueline Harper
Master’s Candidate
Department of Geography and Environmental Management
University of Waterloo
Jacqueline's research focuses on aiding tourism destinations in becoming positive stewards of natural ecosystems and the local community. She has volunteered with the Destination Stewardship Center, researching the impacts of cruise vs layover tourism, and interned at the Center for Responsible Travel.
Celina Mohni
Master’s Candidate
Department of Geography and Environmental Management
University of Waterloo
Celina’s research focuses on the intersections between climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction within the tourism industry.
Beth Palmer
Master’s Candidate
Department of Geography and Environmental Management
University of Waterloo
Beth’s research focuses on the intersection of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaption to examine how community and cultural practices within the tourism industry can impact recovery initiatives.
Undergraduate Researchers
Ashley Caitlin Bencich Borg
Undergraduate Researcher
Department of Geography and Environmental Management
University of Waterloo
Ash’s research focuses on exploring the link between tourism and social capital as a DRR tool for reducing vulnerability at the local level. Other areas of interest include traditional ecological knowledge, the role of local people/organizations in recovery and nature based solutions