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Jennifer Magel
Research topic
Evaluating the impacts of future sea level rise on intertidal habitat for migratory shorebirds in the Fraser River estuary to inform conservation decision-making
Research supervisor(s)
Home Town
Vancouver
Country
Canada
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
As someone who has always loved the academic environment, the possibility of one day completing a PhD had been on my mind since the beginning of my undergraduate degree. Following my MSc, I decided to step away from academia for a few years to try out different career options and pursue a life-long dream of living overseas; however, before too long I ultimately found myself gravitating back towards research. I love the freedom that academia provides to pursue the questions that truly interest you; the personal satisfaction that comes from contributing something to our understanding of the world; and the opportunities to engage in teaching and mentorship alongside research.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
After studying remote coral reef ecosystems for my MSc and living in Japan for nearly two years following graduation, studying at UBC provided the perfect opportunity to return to the West coast and conduct ecological research in a system slightly closer to home. UBC is known for its beautiful campus and world-class learning facilities, and the university also provides students with many opportunities to build the knowledge, skills and professional relationships necessary to succeed not only in their studies but also in their future careers. On top of that, a lot of my extended family lives in and around Vancouver, and I was excited by the prospect of once again being surrounded by the mountains and the ocean.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
The main thing that attracted me to UBC's Department of Forest & Conservation Sciences was the opportunity to work with my supervisor, Dr. Tara Martin. Dr. Martin is a world-renowned researcher and pioneer in the field of conservation decision science, and she focuses on conducting collaborative research with practical applications for conservation decision-making — something that I felt was missing from my previous research experience. The Department of Forest & Conservation Sciences at UBC is also home to a large number of ecologists and conservation biologists, providing opportunities for collaboration and connection with like-minded individuals.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
One thing that I really love about Vancouver (and particularly the neighbourhood that I live in) is the abundance of trees. During the spring and early summer, I am constantly amazed at the variety of flowering trees found throughout the city. I have also loved exploring the different libraries and other learning spaces at UBC (especially during the summer when campus is less crowded).
The university also provides students with many opportunities to build the knowledge, skills and professional relationships necessary to succeed not only in their studies but also in their future careers.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
I was lucky to have multiple opportunities to be involved in academic research during my undergraduate degree, which familiarized me with the scientific method and opened my eyes to the wide variety of sub-disciplines that exist in the field of ecology. During my MSc, I was able to gain increasing independence as a researcher and hone many of the skills that I am now using in my PhD, such as scientific writing, data visualization, statistical analysis and public speaking. Through my MSc research in coral reef ecology, I also gained a deeper understanding of the impacts of climate change and multiple stressors on coastal ecosystems — information that I am now applying to my work on temperate coastal wetlands in British Columbia and a research theme that I hope to carry with me into my future career.
What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
I strongly believe in work-life balance, so I have a lot of hobbies (perhaps too many) that keep me busy during my free time. I enjoy a lot of active pursuits — dance, martial arts, volleyball, hiking and going for walks along the beach. I also really enjoy reading (mainly literary and science fiction), doing puzzles and learning languages (I am currently studying Japanese and Brazilian Portuguese).
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
I know that it sounds cliché, but always remember that completing a graduate degree (especially a PhD) is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't be afraid to take a break when you need it or to ask for help when you are struggling (whether with your research, mental health or anything else). Do your best to seek out like-minded people and build a close-knit community both within your research group and outside of the lab, and make an effort to engage with friends and labmates in-person whenever you can.
Learn more about Jennifer's research
My research focuses on evaluating the threat of sea level rise (SLR) to coastal wetlands and migratory shorebirds in the Fraser River estuary (FRE). The FRE is a biodiversity hotspot containing over 15,000 hectares of coastal wetlands, which support over 1 million migratory shorebirds and provide important ecosystem services to local communities. However, the persistence of the estuary's coastal habitats and their biodiversity is threatened by SLR. My work will project changes in tidal flat and salt marsh ecosystems in the FRE under multiple scenarios of future SLR and assess the impact of these changes on habitat suitability for shorebirds. I will also identify and prioritize actions that we can take to preserve these systems in the face of future SLR, with the goal of informing local management and conservation decision-making in this biodiverse urban estuary.
