This is me. In a nutshell.
I am a geologist, environmental scientist, and university professor. I earned my undergraduate degree from Princeton University and my Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. I am also a writer, with numerous textbooks, scholarly publications, and popular science books in the areas of Earth Science, Geology, Environmental Science, and Sustainability. I have won a few teaching awards and have been recognized as an educational innovator, especially in the areas of experiential learning and online learning. I have experience in the development, implementation, and assessment of curricula and learning outcomes in adult/post-secondary training programs. I am currently affiliated with the UTM Department of Geography, Programs in Environment, and the Master of Science in Sustainability Management program at the Institute for Management and Innovation, and with Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador.
I do a lot of volunteer work and have filled a variety of roles in the environmental, educational, and youth sectors. I am familiar with board governance, structure, function, and strategic planning, especially in the not-for-profit sector. I have held board and committee appointments in very small to very large organizations, including more than 12 years as a Trustee of the Ontario Science Centre and a Director of the Ontario Trillium Foundation. I have participated in several start-ups. I also have considerable international and cross-cultural experience, including administration, management, and on-the-ground implementation and assessment of complex projects, mostly funded by the Canadian International Development Agency.
In my free time I am a hiker and I have completed the entire Bruce Trail - all 900 km of it - and I have the tattoo and the badges to prove it. I play the violin a little, I read a lot, I walk my two dogs Charlie and Scrappy, and I work on my Spanish.
HONOURS
- Ontario Volunteer Service Award (April 2015, nominated by Ontario Trillium Foundation)
- University of Toronto President’s Teaching Award (2010)
- EcoSpark – Special Recognition Award (2012)
- UTM Dean’s Special Merit Award (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018)
- UTM Small-Pool Award (2010, 2018)
- Heritage Mississauga – Special Recognition Award (2008)
- TVOntario – “Ontario’s Best Lecturer Competition” Nominee (2007 and 2009)
- Toronto Brigantine – Volunteer of the Year Award (2007)
- University of Toronto Mississauga – Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence (1997)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (appointed 2013)
- Sigma Xi Scientific Honor Society – Full Member
- Canadian Certified Environmental Practitioner (EP)
- Member, Board of Directors – Ontario Trillium Foundation (until July 2015)
- Past President, Board of Directors - EcoSpark (formerly Citizens' Environment Watch)
- University of Toronto School of Environment
- University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies
- University of Toronto Mississauga Institute for Management and Innovation