Board of Directors
President: Vinci Au, M.Sc.
Vinci (she/her) has dual passions: genomics and conservation. She completed her M.Sc. in Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of British Columbia in 2021. She has worked in the genomics field for over a decade, and is currently a molecular biologist at the BC Cancer Research Centre helping other researchers understand tumour evolution using single-cell sequencing and CRISPR screens. When she’s not in the lab, she’s engaged in outreach, fieldwork, and lots of behind-the-scenes work at WildResearch.
Vinci has been a member of WildResearch since 2011, served on the board since 2018, and as President since 2022.
Vice President: Kiirsti Owen, M.Sc., B.Sc., Dipl. Tech.
Kiirsti (she/her) completed a B.Sc. in Ecological Restoration at BCIT, followed by a M.Sc. at the University of Windsor in Ontario. Her master’s research focused on monitoring bird community and behavioural responses to tropical forest regeneration in Costa Rica. In 2020, she started a Ph.D. at the University of New Brunswick and Acadia University looking at how wetland birds use human-created landscapes in Mik’ma’ki/Canadian Maritimes.
Kiirsti has been a member and volunteer with WildResearch since 2014 and has served on the board since 2018.
Treasurer: Sara Wells, B.Sc., BES
Sara (she/her) is a perpetual student that is still figuring out what she wants to be when she grows up. Collecting degrees like Pokemon, she has completed a BSc in biology with an ecology concentration, and Bachelor of Environmental Studies – both from the University of the Fraser Valley. She is currently working toward a Masters of Science in Environmental Practice at Royal Roads University.
Sara has been a member of WildResearch since 2023, joining the board as treasurer in 2024. She believes that people having a connection to nature is an important foundation for conservation and is passionate about supporting WildResearch in engaging the community in conservation science; making connections and providing opportunities for education.
Secretary: Anneka Vanderpas, B.Sc.
Anneka (she/her) grew up in Vancouver and completed her B.Sc. in Natural Resources Conservation at the University of British Columbia in 2017. Since then, she’s worked in government and non-profit conducting wildlife monitoring and ocean conservation research. She is passionate about animal welfare and spends her spare time volunteering at wildlife rehabilitation centres.
Anneka has been a WildResearch member and served on the board since 2022.
Director: Viktorija Juciute, B.Sc.
Viktorija (she/her) completed her B.Sc. with a major in Biology in 2020 and is currently working at the University of British Columbia. She joined WildResearch after discovering some beautiful blackbirds in her backyard and wanting to learn more about birds of the Pacific Northwest. In addition to learning about birds, she discovered her passion for outreach and organization.
iktorija has been a member of WildResearch since 2019, and served on the board since 2022.
Director: Myles Lamont, R.P.Bio, C.W.B, E.P, A.Sc.T.
Myles Lamont is a wildlife biologist, zoologist and naturalist hailing from the west coast of British Columbia. He completed his Bachelor of Science at the University of the Fraser Valley majoring in biology and ecology, a past recipient of Wildlife Preservation Canada’s fellowship program, recipient of the International Wild Waterfowl Associations outstanding service award and an active member in many wildlife organisations and NGO’s.
Myles has served on the board since 2016.
Director: Devin de Zwaan, Ph.D.
Devin (he/him) received his PhD from the University of British Columbia in 2020. He is a behavioural ecologist that specializes in the life-history strategies of songbirds breeding in harsh, variable environments like the alpine. He strongly believes that understanding bird behaviour can better inform conservation decisions. For fun, Devin is a passionate birder and loves exploring remote mountain habitats.
Devin has volunteered with WildResearch since 2013 and has served on the board since 2020.
Director: Alexandra Welch, B.Env.
Alexandra (she/her) completed a B.Env. in Resource and Environmental Management at Simon Fraser University. She is fascinated by human interaction with the environment, and how collectively we can do better. Her position as a Junior Biologist enables her to work on projects related to the development of environmental strategies, avian protection, and ecosystem management. A passion for birds developed at a young age when she was allowed her first pet, a cockatiel. Birding is now one of her favourite pastimes.
Alexandra has been a Wildresearch member and volunteer since 2020, and has served on the board since 2022.
Director: Eleanor O’Sullivan, M.Sc., BSc.
Ellie (she/her) received her BSc in Ecological Science at the University of Edinburgh and MSc in International Development at the University of Bristol. Originally from the UK, she has been an uninvited guest on the unceded territories of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh Nations since September 2022. Ellie is currently working in fundraising at Capilano University and has a background in community, donor and grant fundraising and in venture philanthropy. Ellie has always had a passion for nature and is at her happiest when hiking through forests and spying on birds.
Director: Angela Hansen, M.Sc., B.Sc.
Angela (she/her) was born and raised in North Vancouver, was homeschooled until grade 11, received a Bachelor’s in University Studies from BYU-Idaho, did a service mission in eastern Ukraine, completed a coral ecology internship at UH-Manoa, received Master’s of Science in Marine Science from Hawai’i Pacific University, did a 5 month habitat biology volunteer placement with USFWS on Midway Atoll, worked for a year as a biologist for the Vancouver Aquarium coordinating the PollutionTracker program, is a PhD candidate at the University of Tasmania studying pollution in wild ducks, and currently works as a coordinating biologist for BC Nature in their IBA program. She is also married, a mother, neurodivergent, and passionate about birds, collaboration, and inclusivity.
Director: Chloe Boynton, M.Sc.
Chloe (she/her) completed her MSc at Simon Fraser University in 2017, focusing on the ecology of aerial insectivores. Since then she has primarily worked as an avian biologist focusing on regulations, policy and field biology for government. She is passionate about all-things bird and conservation related and is an avid hiker and camper in her spare time.
Chloe has been a member of WildResearch since 2015 and a board member since 2024.
Director: Sarah Town
Sarah (she/her) is grateful to be a new member of the board of directors as of spring, 2024. As a WildResearch member since 2021, she has participated in the Cooper’s Hawk Monitoring Program and the Iona Island Bird Observatory program, but above all, her heart lies with the BC Marsh Monitoring Program (BCMMP), where she has grown as a participant, coordinator, and advocate of this community science initiative. Sarah grew up in North Vancouver, but has since picked up and re-settled near Nelson where she works as a Biomonitoring Assistant with Living Lakes Canada. Some other sparks of joy for Sarah include hiking and bird-watching with her partner, jumping into cold lakes on hot days, and really good coffee.