Dr. Danny Blair, Co-Director
Danny Blair is a Co-Director and Co-Founder of the Prairie Climate Centre. He is also a Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Winnipeg, where he has been working since 1987. He served as the Geography Chair for seven years, and from 2011 to 2017 he was the Associate Dean of Science (4.5 years) and the Acting Dean of Science (1.5 years), and the Acting Principal of the Richardson College for the Environment. From 2004-2007 he was the PARC-Manitoba Hydro Climate Change Research Professor at the University of Winnipeg. His main research interest is climate change in Canada, and especially the Prairie Provinces. He also has interests in climate variability, teleconnections, and synoptic climatology. He was a contributing author of Canada’s National Assessment of Climate Change released in 2008 and is a frequent presenter at conferences and workshops about climate change in the Prairies. He obtained his Geography BSc and MSc degrees from the University of Regina; his MSc thesis was on the thunderstorm hazard in Saskatchewan. His PhD is from the University of Manitoba, where he studied the synoptic climatology of the Red River Basin.
Dr. Nora Casson, Co-Director
Dr. Nora Casson is the Canada Research Chair in Environmental Influences on Water Quality and an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Winnipeg. Her research focuses on the ways in which climate change and other human activities impact water quality in streams, lakes and wetlands.
Christey Allen, Managing Director
Christey is the Managing Director of the Prairie Climate Centre. She completed her MSc at the University of Calgary in Sustainable Energy Development, with her thesis concentrating on life-cycle assessment of agricultural systems. This was preceded by a BSc in Biochemistry with a focus on natural products synthesis and organic chemistry. Prior to starting at the PCC, Christey worked with Grand Council Treaty #3 and the 28 First Nations of the Treaty #3 Territory on various aspects of climate change policy, mitigation, and adaptation. She also spent a few years working in the agricultural sector on analysis and research of Canadian wheat and barley.
Marcel Kreutzer, Filmmaker
Marcel Kreutzer’s passion for film, science, and technology has lead him to the Prairie Climate Centre. In addition to filling the role of film studio manager, Marcel is also the Centre’s primary camera operator, sound and lighting technician, and video editor. Marcel obtained a BA in film studies from the University of Manitoba. Over the past decade, he has worked both on set and behind the scenes on hundreds of film and television projects. When he is not making or watching films, he spends much of his time outdoors, rock climbing, canoeing, and camping with his dog Libby.
Erika MacPherson, Filmmaker
Erika MacPherson (she/her) is a Winnipeg based filmmaker who brings unique perspectives to themes of social and environmental justice. She has served in the community on many artist-run centre boards, as a mentor, and as co-founder of both the St. Norbert Arts Centre and Núna Now festival. Currently Erika works as a documentarian bringing together climate science and story at the Prairie Climate Centre.
Matthew Loxley, Research Associate
Matthew Loxley is a Research Associate at the Prairie Climate Centre. He has a Bachelor of Science (Ag.Env.Sc.) in Renewable Resource Management from McGill University and a Master of Environmental Science in Climate Change Impact Assessment from the University of Toronto. His work at the PCC revolves around climate model data and climate change adaptation, from which he draws on his previous experience working on climate change adaptation with UNICEF at the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Office in Panama. Matthew enjoys the outdoors and has had opportunities to explore various regions of the natural world through his studies, including the Pacific temperate rainforests of British Columbia, the Sonoran and Mojave deserts of the Southwest US, and the tropical rainforests of Panama.
Izabella Robak, Research Associate
Izabella Robak is a Research Associate at the Prairie Climate Centre. With a science degree in Geography from the University of Winnipeg and experience in climate communications, her work at the PCC primarily focuses on education and awareness around climate health impacts and reducing climate risks through adaptation. Outside of the office, she enjoys playing handball and volleyball, and relaxing at the lake.
