Our Team
Our team
Meet the team making a difference to how Canadians prevent, mitigate, respond to and recover from wildfires.
TRU's team of experts is available to discuss wildfires and related issues. View our full list of experts in the TRU Newsroom.
Core research team
Dr. Mike Flannigan
Scientific director of the Institute for Wildfire Science, Adaptation, and Resiliency BC Innovation Research Chair in Predictive Services, Emergency Management and Fire Science, Thompson Rivers UniversityDr. Flannigan uses machine learning approaches to better model and predict wildfire activity to inform the development of a wildfire early warning system and improve fire management planning and operations.
More about MikeDr. Jill Harvey
Canada Research Chair in Fire EcologyDr. Harvey investigates wildfire and drought as processes driving ecosystem change to help inform forest and fire management practices and enhance resilience in Canada’s forests.
More about JillDr. Lauchlan Fraser
NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Ecosystem ReclamationDr. Fraser is at the forefront of research that aids in the recovery of disturbed ecosystems. He has led reclamation research relating to soil amendments, biodiversity and climate change, with a particular focus on the Southern Interior of BC.
More about LauchlanAffiliate Researchers
Dr. Wendy Gardner
Associate Professor, Natural Resource Science (Faculty of Science)Dr. Gardner is an expert in range land management and ecology and the coordinator of the Master of Science in Environmental Science program at TRU. She is knowledgeable about post-wildfire plant community recovery.
Dr. Brian Heise
Associate Professor, Natural Resource Science (Faculty of Science)Dr. Heise studies the effects of land use practices and invasive species on freshwater invertebrates and fish. He is knowledgeable about the effects of wildfire on aquatic ecosystems, especially rivers and streams.
Dr. Michael Mehta
Professor, Geography and Environmental Studies (Faculty of Arts)Dr. Mehta studies public perceptions of risk, air quality and health, and disaster preparedness and lessons learned from previous wildfires.
Dr. Bala Nikku
Associate Professor. Social Work and Human Service (Faculty of Education and Social Work)Dr. Nikku studies human interactions with wildfires and other climate disasters in Canada and Asia. His work mainly focuses on understanding peoples’ evacuation choices before, during, and post-disaster stages and how those choices intersect with disaster management policies and practices. Using these research insights, Dr. Nikku advocates for building resilient futures.
Dr. Thomas Pypker
Associate Professor, Natural Resource Science (Faculty of Science)Dr. Pypker studies the after-effects of wildfires, particularly as they impact land disturbance and water flows.
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Contact us
TRU Wildfire Institute
800 TRU Way
Kamloops, BC
wildfire@tru.ca
250-852-7218
