Margaret Ojochide Aligbe

Start Date: September 2021
Country of Origin: Nigeria
Background Disciplines: Agricultural Economics; Sustainable Development
Supervisor: Dr. Andreas Klinke
Partner: (to be determined)
Email: moaligbe@grenfell.mun.ca
Research Project Description: The Methodological Cosmopolitanism and Ocean Governance project is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada. The goal of the project is to establish the relevance of a cosmopolitan approach to ocean governance beyond methodological nationalism (intergovernmental model and the domination of nation-states) as it relates to present-day challenges and the importance of oceans to life. The project combines Law (policy), Marine Sciences, Sociology, Political Science and Sustainability Science (which is an interdisciplinary mix). It is a broad a research project with different partners across sectors and disciplines in line with the goals of the Transdisciplinary Sustainability program.

 

Naznin Sultana

Start Date: September 2021
Country of Origin: Bangladesh
Background Disciplines: Economics; Environmental Policy
Supervisor: Dr. Gabriela Sabau
Partner: (to be determined)
Email: nsultana@grenfell.mun.ca
Research Project Description: The title of the research project is “Circular Economy and Sustainable Food Security: The Impact of Circular Economy to Attain Sustainable Food Security in NL, Canada”. This research, so far, combines three disciplines i.e. economics, environmental studies, and business. It is based on primary as well as secondary data and both qualitative as well as quantitative methods will be used to analyze the data. The main aim of the research is to suggest the best circular economy practices (i.e. through a framework) that can help to attain sustainable food security in NL.

 

 

Abdul-Latif Alhassan

Start Date: January 2021
Country of Origin: Ghana
Background Disciplines: Geography and Resource Development; Environmental Policy
Supervisor: Dr. Lakshman Galagedara
Supervisory Committee: Dr. Mery Perez (co-supervisor); Dr. Paul Foley
Partner: Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited (CBPPL)
Email: aalhassan@mun.ca
Research Project Description: Abdul’s research project “Innovative agriculture to support food security in Newfoundland & Labrador under a changing climate: Diverting industrial byproducts into greenhouse farming” aims to identify, examine, and investigate innovative ways and policy options to enhance year-round local vegetable production through efficient utilization of byproducts in commercial greenhouse farming in Newfoundland and Labrador. It combines methods from policy and agriculture and involves stakeholders in academia and industry in a transdisciplinary approach. Abdul is a 2019 African Leaders of Tomorrow (ALT) Scholar, Mandela Washington Fellow and holds a Masters degree in Environmental Policy from Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN).

Research & Publications

Alhassan, A.-L., Perez, M. A., & Galagedara, L. W. (2025). Integrating climate change, food security, and innovative agriculture in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL): A Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus approach. Global Transitions, 8(1), 22–36.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glt.2025.08.002

Alhassan, A.-L., Galagedara, L., and Mery, P. (2023). Agricultural Innovation (AI) and Circular Economy (CE): Implications on the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus in a Boreal Ecosystem. Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, 12(2), pp. 1-17. https://doi.org/10.15640/jaes.v12n2a1 

Alhassan, A.-L, & Kliewer, B.W. (2024). African Leadership in the Diaspora: Collective, Constructionist, and Practice Approaches to Leadership", Elkington, R., Ngunjiri, F.W., Burgess, G.J., Majola, X., Schwella, E. and de Klerk, N. (Ed.) African Leadership: Powerful Paradigms for the 21st Century, Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 219- 232. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80117-045-120231016.

Alhassan, A.-L., & Kliewer (2022). African Leadership in the Diaspora: Diffusion, Infusion, and Challenges. Journal of Leadership Studies, 15(5), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1002/jls.21803.

Richards G., & Alhassan, A.-L. (2021). How to engage with environmental policy: A guide for citizens. Environmental Policy Institute. (EPI), MUN, Corner Brook,  https://grenfell-epi.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/EPILab-001-Environmental-Policy-Engagement.pdf

Rural Resilience Researcher https://ruralresilience.ca/researchers/mun/students/abdul-latif-alhassan/

Philanthropy in Atlantic Canada - Submitted to Memorial University Press. Contributing author. 

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/abdul-latif-alhassan-927270b3

 

Lucas Arantes Garcia

Start Date: January 2021
Country of Origin: Brazil
Background Disciplines: Ecology; Conservation Biology
Supervisor: Dr. Stephen Decker
Supervisory Committee: Dr. John Dagevos (co-supervisor); Dr. Kelly Vodden; Dr. Doreen Churchill
Partner: (to be determined)
Email: lagarcia@grenfell.mun.ca
Research Project Description: Lucas holds a B.Sc. in Environmental Management and a M.Sc. in Ecology, Conservation & Wildlife Management. His research interests are on circular bioeconomy, workforce diversity, gender studies, ecology, and global change. In his research, Lucas will utilize Natural and Social Science disciplines to contribute to gender parity in the forest sector in NL, Canada. The sector can thrive in the global sustainability transition towards a circular bioeconomy, but the lack of workforce diversity compromises its innovation and resilience capacity. Ultimately, a homogeneous workforce prevents the sustainable management of forests' multidimensional assets and harms associated communities.

 

Kamal Ziaul Islam

Start Date: January 2021
Country of Origin: Bangladesh
Background Disciplines: Agricultural Engineering; Farm Structure; Sustainable Water Management
Supervisor: Dr. Lakshman Galagadera
Supervisory Committee: Dr. Gabriela Sabau; Dr. Mumtaz Cheema; Dr. Joseph Daraio
Partner: Division of Agriculture Production and Research, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Email: kzislam@grenfell.mun.ca
Research Project Description: The title of Kamal’s research is “Measuring the impacts of climate change on the Humber River watershed and economic efficiency of small-scale organic farms in Western Newfoundland”. Through a novel combination of three methods and a transdisciplinary approach, Kamal’s research will establish baseline hydrological conditions such as runoff, soil moisture conditions, and crop water requirements as well as evaluate the economic efficiency of small-scale organic farms in the Humber River watershed. The outcomes of this research will inform policy and enhance crop production in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), contributing to food security in the province.

 

Roshayne Mendis

Start Date: January 2021
Country of Origin: Sri Lanka
Background Disciplines: Business Management; Environmental Policy
Supervisor: Dr. William Newell
Supervisory Committee: Dr. John Bodner; Dr. Gabriela Sabau
Partner: YMCA Employment, Enterprise and Newcomer Services
Email: rbmendis@grenfell.mun.ca
Research Project Description: Roshayne’s current research project focuses on studying the New Venture Creation process for immigrant entrepreneurs in Newfoundland and Labrador and its implications on policy and sustainability. The project takes a transdisciplinary approach by combining several disciplines: Business, Environmental Sustainability and Socio-Cultural studies. She is using ethnographic research methods for her Ph.D. research and is interested in telling the stories of immigrant entrepreneurs in Newfoundland (NL). Her research interests are around Business, Entrepreneurship and Policy, focusing primarily on rural communities. She has contributed to various projects in the Gros Morne and Great Northern Peninsula regions of NL.

 

Mohammad Selim Reza

Start Date: January 2021
Country of Origin: Bangladesh
Background Disciplines: Economics; Environmental Policy
Supervisor: Dr. Gabriela Sabau
Co-Supervisors: Dr. Lakshman Galagedara; Dr. Adrian Unc; Dr. Morteza Haghiri
Partner: (to be determined)
Email: msr780@grenfell.mun.ca
Research Project Description: Selim’s research project title is “Agro-ecology: A Sustainable Way to Ensure Food Security and a Healthy Ecosystem in NL, Canada”. The aim is to analyze the feasibility of introducing crop-livestock integration practices in NL (Newfoundland and Labrador) agriculture to increase food security and enhance certain ecosystem services, through the lens of valuation of ecosystem services thus preserved. Choice Experiment and Response Induce Sustainability Evaluation models will be used for valuation and assessing the sustainability of an integrated agro-ecological system in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Selim holds master's degrees in Economics (SUST) and Environmental Policy (Grenfell Campus, MUN).

 

Tuyet-Anh T. Le

Start Date: January 2021 (transferred)
Country of Origin: Vietnam
Background Disciplines: Forestry; Silviculture; Socioeconomics
Supervisor: Dr. Jianghua Wu
Supervisory Committee: Dr. Kelly Vodden (co-supervisor); Dr. Ryan Bullock
Partners: Centre for Indigenous Knowledge Research & Development (Vietnam) and Na Hau Nature Reserve (Vietnam)
Email: tatle@mun.ca
Research Project Description: Tuyet-Anh's project title is “Payments for Forest Ecosystem Services (PFES) Programs and Rural Sustainable Livelihoods in Forest-Dependent Communities: Global Insights for Vietnam”. By integrating participatory approaches into sustainable livelihood frameworks and different methodologies (i.e., bibliometric, interview, Delphi, Likert, etc.) through research collaborations between internal and external partners in forestry departments, the project is expected to (1) provide a comprehensive view of PFES worldwide, (2) explore rural sustainable livelihoods in forest-dependent communities from implementing this program in Vietnam, and (3) reveal useful policy implications in the environmental policies and decision-making towards sustainability in Vietnam and beyond. Tuyet Anh is a passionate scientist and always aspires to create genuine and valuable works that contribute to changing the world for the better. Her publications can be viewed at the following links:

• Link 1
• Link 2

 

 

Leanna Butters

Start date: September 2020
Country of Origin: Canada
Background disciplines: Architectural studies (design), history, environmental policy
Supervisors: Dr. Kelly Vodden (Grenfell Campus, Memorial University), Prof. Cameron Forbes
(University of Saskatchewan)
Supervisory committee: Dr. Heather Hall (University of Waterloo)
Partners: Town of Labrador City, NunatuKavut Community Council
Email: ljb303@mun.ca
Research project description: Leanna’s research explores social space and sustainability in Labrador West, an iron ore mining region in Labrador, Canada. Her work uses a combination of arts, design, and ethnographic methods to consider how material dimensions (infrastructure, planning efforts, material culture, etc.) and immaterial dimensions (community dynamics, organizational networks, values, etc.) of community space relate to the social sustainability of the region. This work also includes the co-design of a new social space in Labrador City that builds on community-identified values: an outdoor senior’s park.

 

Christopher Abetianbe

Start Date: January 2023
Country of Origin: Nigeria
Background Disciplines: Chemical Engineering; Renewable Energy
Supervisor: Dr. Garrett Richards
Supervisory Committee: Dr. Doug Smith; Dr. AKM Shahidullah
Partner: econext
Email: caabetianbe@mun.ca
Research Project Description: The title of the research project is "Integrating circular economy measures into the green hydrogen sector". This study combines inputs from the fields of systems engineering, political science and green business, to analyze how circular economy principles can be incorporated into wind-hydrogen projects. This will enhance an understanding of clean energy-circular economy integration and develop pathways for implementing feasible applications, using the proposed green hydrogen projects in Newfoundland and Labrador as case studies.

 

Sara Langer-Smith

Start Date: September 2020
Country of Origin: Canada
Background Disciplines: Ecological economics; peacekeeping studies and conflict resolution;
sustainability philosophy
Co-Supervisors: Dr. Gabriela Sabau; Dr. Adam Beardsworth
Supervisory Committee Member: Dr. Kelly Vodden
Partner: French Shore Interpretation Centre
Email: sll844@mun.ca
Research Project Description: Sara Langer is a PhD candidate in Transdisciplinary Sustainability at Grenfell Campus, MUN. Langer works at the fringes of ecological economics and art to unravel the complexities of what makes rural and coastal communities sustainable beyond the status quo lens of economic growth. Her research takes place in Conche, NL with the French Shore Interpretation Centre to facilitate a community-engaged art project using traditional handcrafts to the region to repurpose an old, discarded, broken fishing net retrieved from a dead orca into a handwoven tapestry. Local traditional knowledge, cultural handcrafts, and heritage are drawn upon by community members to transform such an object of ecological destruction where not only is it out of the ocean but also has been diverted from the landfill. The final net co-created with many hands in the community represents the active sustainable transformation of ocean waste and ghost gear through arts and culture.

 

Lawrence McCarthy

Start Date: Sept 2025
Country of Origin: Canada
Background Disciplines: Nursing
Supervisor: Dr. Erica Samms Hurley
Partner: (to be determined)
Email: x75lmm@mun.ca
Research Project Description: The title of the research project is “Hearts of the Land: Indigenous Perspectives in Creating a Cardiac Simulation Through a Transdisciplinary Sustainability Study”. This research, so far, combines three disciplines, namely: nursing, environment, and history. The research will be completed utilizing a transdisciplinary, community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach. The primary objective of the research is “To explore the interconnections between environmental change, historical wrong-doings, nursing care, and cardiac health in a subgroup (to be determined) of Indigenous peoples’, and to develop a sustainability-focused, culturally responsive simulation for bachelor of science in nursing (BScN) students to complete within their undergraduate degree.

 

Seyedeh Anahita Mireslami

Start Date: September 2024
Country of Origin: Iran
Background Disciplines: Environmental Policy; Economics; MBA (Business Administration)
Supervisor: Dr. Morteza Haghiri
Supervisory Committee: Dr. Gabriela Sabau; Dr. Mumtaz Cheema
Partner: Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture (NLFA); Agriculture and Agri-
Food Canada (AAFC)
Email: samireslami@mun.ca
Research Project Description:
The title of Anahita’s research project is “Economic Analysis of Beneficial Management Practices for the Western Newfoundland Living Lab.” Her study applies a cost–benefit analysis approach to examine the economic and environmental feasibility of Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) such as cover cropping and nitrogen-use efficiency. Working with AAFC and NLFA, her research aims to link agriculture, economics, and environmental policy to support sustainable farming and climate adaptation in Newfoundland and Labrador.

 

Natasha Pennell

Start Date: September 2021
Background Disciplines: Commerce • Law and Society • Environmental Policy
Supervisor: Dr. Garrett Richards
Supervisory Committee: Ivan J. White & Dr. Emily Doyle
Partner: St. George’s Indian Band Council
Email: natasha.pennell@mun.ca
Research Project Description:
My research focuses on advancing Indigenous food sovereignty in Western Newfoundland, with a particular emphasis on the Mi’kmaq of St. George’s. Despite the central role of food in Indigenous cultures, the historic and contemporary food experiences of this community remain under-documented. In partnership with the St. George’s Indian Band, my work examines how colonial governance and land-use policies have shaped Mi’kmaw relationships with food, access to traditional harvesting areas, and current food security challenges.

Guided by Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed Seeing, this project blends Indigenous storytelling methodologies with Western policy analysis to explore both the evolution of local food systems and the grassroots solutions being pursued to strengthen them. The research aims to identify structural and policy barriers that may limit the sustainability of community-driven initiatives, while developing actionable recommendations that support long-term resilience, cultural continuity, and self-determination in the local food system.

 

Natalie Penney-Toba

Start Date: September 2023
Country of Origin: Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Background Disciplines: Education; Indigenous Entrepreneurship; Mi’kmaw Culture &
Language
Supervisor: Dr. William Newell
Supervisory Committee: Dr. Kelly Vodden; Dr. Heather Hall; Dr. Mary Beth Doucette; Dr.
Frankie Young
Partner: Northshore Aboriginal Group. Inc., Irishtown-Summerside, NL.
Email: f83ncp@mun.ca
Research Project Description: Natalie’s research, “Indigenous Entrepreneurship: Roles of Mi’kmaw Women in Sustaining Elmastukwek, Ktaqmkuk or Bay of Islands, Newfoundland focuses on the roles of Mi’kmaw women in sustaining Elmastukwek based on two provincial pivotal events: Confederation in 1949 and Federal Recognition in 2011, which have had profound effects on the lives of the Mi’kmaq in the region. The research is guided by the principle Etuaptmumk or Two-Eyed Seeing, emphasizing the strengths of Indigenous and Western knowledge systems for mutual benefit, while Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) ensures community involvement throughout all stages of the research journey. The results of this research will provide insights to both status and non-status Mi’kmaw people, other First Nations, and governments about the significant roles that Mi’kmaw women in Ktaqmkuk have played in their communities through entrepreneurial activities. Their contributions are vital for preserving Mi’kmaw knowledge for youth and future generations and for the process of decolonization in Newfoundland and Labrador.

 

Zahra Pourvaziri

Start Date: September 2023
Country of Origin: Iran
Background Disciplines: Industrial Management/engineering, production, and
operations orientation
Supervisor: Dr. Gabriela Sabau
Partner: Exploits Renewable Energy Corporation
Email: zpourvaziri@mun.ca
Research Project Description: The title of the research project is “Creating a Sustainable Supply Chain Management Model for Green Hydrogen: A Critical Realism Approach”. This research investigates the feasibility of designing a green hydrogen supply chain grounded in the three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, economic, and social, while exploring the value of applying a critical realism approach. A key objective is to develop a theoretical and interdisciplinary supply chain management (SCM) model for green hydrogen, tailored to Newfoundland’s unique energy context but adaptable to international applications. The model will be developed collaboratively with an external partner and draw upon four academic disciplines: ecological economics, statistical analysis, materials chemistry, and industrial engineering.

 

Ajithraj Rajasekhara Panicker

Start Date: September 2022
Country of Origin: India
Background Disciplines: Fisheries Sciences, Development Studies with Sustainability specialisation, Natural resources management and Future Studies
Supervisor: Dr Paul Foley
Partner: Town of Fogo Island
Email: arajasekhara@mun.ca
Research Project Description: As a PhD candidate with the Future Ocean and Coastal Infrastructure (FOCI) project, my research is co-developed with the Town of Fogo Island and focuses on full-spectrum sustainability for coastal island communities. I draw on transdisciplinary approaches—combining critical future studies, ocean governance, community-based ethnography, participatory mapping, and foresight methodology—to generate new knowledge about seaweed-society relationships and support local sustainability goals. My work documents international best practices for ethical, participatory visioning, explores changing environmental, economic, and cultural connections between people and marine algae, and analyses scenarios for future development opportunities. This research is both analytical and community-engaged, building on FOCI’s border mission to envision resilient and inclusive coastal infrastructure in Atlantic Canada. Working closely with local stakeholders, including the Town of Fogo Island, I aim to inform policy that future-proofs communities against climate, economic, and demographic challenges by centring local knowledge and transformative, place-based innovation.

 

Dylan Ruth

Start Date: May 2023
Country of Origin: Canada
Background Disciplines: Applied Mathematics; Glaciology; Physics; Water Science
Supervisor: Dr. Camille Ouellet-Dallaire
Partner: Nature Conservancy Canada (NCC)
Email: dpr283@mun.ca
Research Project Description:
Dylan’s research focuses on mapping and modelling flood-regulating ecosystem services (FRES) across Canada to better understand how natural landscapes mitigate flood risk. Using global hydrological datasets such as HydroSHEDS and HydroATLAS, Dylan’s work integrates GIS-based modelling, hydrological flow routing, and cold-region process representation (e.g., snowmelt, permafrost thaw, glacial melt) to identify national hotspots of FRES demand and provision. This research bridges hydrology, sustainability science, and ecosystem service assessment, with the goal of supporting evidence-based conservation and planning decisions in partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Dylan holds a B.Sc. in Computational Mathematics and Physics (double major) from Grenfell Campus and a Master of Mathematics (MMath) in Applied Mathematics from the University of Waterloo. He is a recipient of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Postgraduate Scholarship – Doctoral (PGS D).

 

Edmund Yirenkyi

Start Date: May 2022
Country of Origin: Ghana
Background Disciplines: Theology; Global Development; Social Justice; International Relations
Supervisor: Dr. Kelly Vodden
Supervisory Committee: Dr. Joseph Bowden; Dr. Emily Doyle
Partner: Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia
Email: [eeayirenkyi@mun.ca]
Research Project Description:
Edmund Yirenkyi's doctoral research, titled “Financing Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Efforts for Sustainable Communities in Atlantic Canada,” examines the role of philanthropy in supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation at the community level. The study focuses on how philanthropic resources interact with public, private, and community stakeholders to advance local climate initiatives, with an emphasis on collaborative climate finance and sustainable community development. The research is guided by four key objectives: (1) to estimate the costs associated with climate adaptation and mitigation in Atlantic Canadian communities; (2) to examine the role of philanthropy in financing regional climate action and its integration with other funding sources; (3) to develop an inventory of community-level climate initiatives in Nova Scotia and explore their financing mechanisms; and (4) to evaluate strategies for enhancing the long-term effectiveness of philanthropic investments. Grounded in transdisciplinary sustainability and constructivist paradigms, the project aims to provide insights into how philanthropic resources can contribute to inclusive, equitable, and sustainable climate action in Atlantic Canada.

 

Other Students (without a Full Profile)

• Kiley Best (started September 2025; supervised by Dr. Stephen Decker)
• Blessing Adedokun-Awojodu (started September 2025; supervised by Dr. Shoshanna Ganz)
• Fadeelatu Yussif (started September 2025; supervised by Dr. Erica Hurley and Dr. Kelly Vodden)
• Lawrence Nditsi (started January 2025; supervised by Dr. Evan Andrews and Dr. Kelly Vodden)
• Ajithraj Rajasekhara Panicker (started September 2022; supervised by Dr. Paul Foley)
• Edmund Yirenkyi (started May 2022; supervised by Dr. Kelly Vodden)
• Chantal Pennell (started January 2022; supervised by Dr. Kelly Vodden)
• Natasha Pennell (started September 2021; supervised by Dr. Garrett Richards)
• Tithy Dev (started September 2021; supervised by Dr. Gabriela Sabau)
• Abigail Oppong (started January 2021; supervised by Dr. Andreas Klinke)
• Sara Langer (started September 2020; supervised by Dr. Gabriela Sabau)
• Benson Gihangange (started September 2020; supervised by Dr. Kelly Anne Hawboldt)
• Frederick Campbell (started September 2020; supervised by Dr. Kelly Vodden)