CORE TEAM
Founder and Executive Director
Thomas Homer-Dixon’s research focuses on threats to global security in the 21st century, including economic instability, climate change, and energy scarcity. He also studies how people, organizations, and societies can better resolve their conflicts and innovate in response to complex problems. He holds a PhD from MIT in international relations, defense and arms control policy, and conflict theory.
Research Director
Scott Janzwood leads the development and management of the Cascade Institute's research projects. His research focuses on how scientists and policymakers communicate uncertainty and collaborate to address global catastrophic risks, such as climate change, pandemics, and other emerging threats. Scott holds a PhD in Global Governance from the University of Waterloo.
Gabriela Vieyra
Operations Manager
Gabriela (Gaby) Vieyra manages the Cascade Institute's office and administrative systems. She has been an educator for almost 23 years as an instructor, department director and curriculum designer. Gaby holds a PhD in Humanistic Studies with an emphasis on ethics from Tecnologico de Monterrey and a Masters of Environment and Management from Royal Roads University.
Leighton Gall
Fellow
Leighton Gall is the Technical Lead and Indigenous Energy Lead on the Scale-up & Acceleration and Ultradeep Geothermal programs. A member of the Métis Nation and a specialist in sustainable geothermal and advanced drilling technologies, he blends his deep Indigenous heritage with a global outlook, enriched by extensive international experience. Leighton holds a Master of Global Management from Royal Roads University.
Megan Shipman
Fellow
Megan Shipman is a Fellow on the Polycrisis program team. Her expertise in neural circuitry, complex behaviour, and biomedical science informs her current research on global health systems and their interactions with global crises. Megan holds a PhD in neuroscience from the University of Vermont.
Fellow
Michael Lawrence is a Fellow on the Polycrisis program team. He uses complexity science to understand the coevolution of conflict, violence, and social structure, and through this work he has developed expertise on global governance, societal collapse, the psychology of dehumanization, transnational organized crime, and peacebuilding. Mike holds a PhD in Global Governance from the University of Waterloo.
Fellow
Rebecca Pearce is the Science Lead of the Ultradeep Geothermal program. Her research focuses on emerging geothermal and drilling technologies and the characterization of geothermal sites. Rebecca is an expert in applied magnetotellurics, contributing to projects in Chile, Northern BC and West Antarctica. She holds a PhD in Geophysics from University College London.
Director, Geothermal Energy Office (CI-GEO)
Peter Massie leads the Cascade Institute’s Geothermal Energy Office. He has over a decade of experience in a variety of roles within the Canadian federal government. Most recently he managed Techno-Economic Analysis in the Department of Natural Resources Canada, where his team used quantitative tools to assess the contributions of energy technologies to Canada’s net-zero transition. Peter holds an MA in Sustainable Energy Policy from Carleton University, where he focused on both geothermal and wind energy.
Emily Smejkal
Fellow
Emily Smejkal is the Policy Lead for the Cascade Institute Geothermal Energy Office (CI-GEO) and the Ultradeep Geothermal program. She is a specialist in Canadian geothermal geology and geothermal policy. Emily holds a BSc in Geology and Earth Science from the University of Calgary. She is the Vice President of Geothermal Canada.
Dave Lovekin
Energy Systems Program Lead
Dave Lovekin oversees the development and coordination of the Scale-up & Acceleration and Ultradeep Geothermal programs. Dave's experience includes renewable energy technology research and analysis, government policy and the decarbonization of remote community energy systems. He holds a MASc and BASc in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo.
Simone Philpot
Fellow
Simone Philpot is a Fellow on the Scale-up and Acceleration program team. She combines systems modeling with qualitative research, focusing on conflict modeling and decision analysis. She has previously applied her expertise to water resources management, aggregate mining, and marine shipping. Simone holds a PhD in Geography and Environmental Management, from the University of Waterloo.
Nicole Pointon
Communications Manager
Nicole Pointon handles Cascade Institute communications and outreach, supporting research knowledge mobilization across projects and teams. Nicole holds a BA in Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University and is working on completing a MA in Global Leadership—with a focus on youth participation—at Royal Roads University.
Jordan Bendall
Administrative Assistant
Jordan Bendall is the Cascade Institute’s Administrative Assistant, supporting the team through his expertise in scheduling, communications, and administrative process-building. Jordan holds a BA in English from the University of Victoria with a minor in Professional Writing in Journalism and Publishing.
Varinder Paul
Graphic Designer
Varinder is a multimedia artist with a passion for introducing the impact of art and design into spaces where it can improve day-to-day operations within any facet of society. Her focus at the Cascade Institute is translating complex research into dynamic and accessible visuals, as well as elevating the institute's branding identity and social media presence.
RESIDENT AND VISITING FELLOWS
Julie MacArthur
Resident Fellow, Energy Systems
Dr. Julie MacArthur is the Canada Research Chair in Reimagining Capitalism and an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Management at Royal Roads University. She is an expert in the political economy of just energy transitions, with a particular focus on the potential and role of radical democratization for transformative system change. Julie holds a PhD in Political Science from Simon Fraser University.
Jaigris Hodson
Resident Fellow, Anti-Polarization
Dr. Jaigris Hodson is the Canada Research Chair in Digital Communication for the Public Interest and an Associate Interdisciplinary Studies Professor at Royal Roads University. Her SSHRC and CIHR funded research examines the ways that misinformation can be mitigated through digital communication efforts. Jaigris holds a PhD from York University.
Ian Graham
Visiting Fellow, Energy Systems
Dr. Ian Graham is a member of the Energy Systems team, supporting the Ultradeep Geothermal program. A former IT and business consultant, he has held management and leadership positions at the Bank of Montreal, University of Toronto, and small Toronto-based startups, as well as research positions with the National Research Council. Ian holds a PhD in Physics from McGill University.
AFFILIATED RESEARCHERS
Lina Madaj
Researcher
Dr. Lina Madaj is a Researcher on the Permafrost Carbon Feedback Project. She is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands where her research focuses on the carbon released into the ocean by coastal permafrost thaw. Lina holds a PhD in Earth Sciences from the University of Bremen, Germany.
Deniz Vural
Researcher
Deniz Vural is a Researcher on the Permafrost Carbon Feedback Project. She has 10 years of professional experience in education and outreach activities related to climate change and its impact on polar regions. Deniz is a PhD Candidate at the Alfred Wegener Institute in Potsdam, Germany where she researches the changing shoreface dynamics on the permafrost coasts of the Northwestern Canadian Arctic.
Katherine Matos
Research Associate
Katherine Matos is a member of the Polycrisis Team. She is currently completing an MA in Environment and Management at Royal Roads University, where her research focuses on the energy transition. She has over 10 years of experience in environmental studies and project management within the private and public sectors.
Joan Owen
Research Associate
Joan Owen is a member of the Polarization Team. She has Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University. Joan is currently completing her Doctor of Social Sciences at Royal Roads University where her dissertation focuses on polarization and social media.
Princess Cosalan
Research Associate
Princess Sharlynne Cosalan is a member of the Energy Systems Team, working on Ultradeep Geothermal research. She is currently completing an MSc in Earth Sciences at Simon Fraser University where her research focuses on volcanic crisis management, where she leverages geophysics to enhance our understanding and preparedness for volcanic events.
Stephanie Cortinovis
Research Associate
Stephanie Cortinovis is member of the Energy Systems team working on Scale-up & Acceleration and Ultradeep Geothermal research. She is currently completing her Ph.D. in Global Governance at the University of Waterloo. Her research focuses on carbon dioxide removal technology governance and energy transitions in the context of deep uncertainty and the climate crisis.
