Dr. Teresa Ryan (Sm’hayetsk) is a Tsimshian scientist, Indigenous knowledge practitioner, and fisheries/aquatic ecologist whose work bridges Indigenous knowledge systems and Western science to advance forest and watershed stewardship. A lecturer in the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia, she teaches courses on complex adaptive systems, ecological sustainability, and Indigenous forest and fisheries stewardship.
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Dr. Leslie (Les) Lavkulich was born and raised on a farm in southern Alberta. He attended the University of Alberta where he received a BSc in 1961 and an MSc in 1963. In 1967 he was awarded a PhD from Cornell University. es joined the Department of Soil Science at the University of British Columbia as an Assistant Professor in 1966, promoted to Associate Professor in 1971 and to Professor in 1975.
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Dr. Brian Pickles has been involved in the Mother Tree Project from the very beginning when he helped to write the NSERC proposal that launched the project. He was a postdoc with Dr. Suzanne Simard from 2012 to 2015 and is now an Associate Professor of Ecology at the University of Reading (UK). Brian is mainly interested in symbioses but works on a wide range of topics including biodiversity, host-symbiont interactions, and spatial ecology.
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Photo credit: UBC Faculty of Forestry
Marie Le Bihan, a recent graduate from the University of British Columbia, serves as the Communications Coordinator for the Mother Tree Project. Her academic journey included contributing to research on infant cognition at UBC, where she honed her skills in analysis, communication, and storytelling.
Following her appointment with the Faculty of Forestry’s Dean’s Office, Marie has played a pivotal role in shaping the project’s public and internal presence. She contributes to compelling content creation, media, and public relations campaigns, internationally focused social media strategies, and other emerging priorities. Driven by her passion for storytelling and sustainability, she works tirelessly to help amplify the Mother Tree Project’s mission: advancing cutting-edge forest ecology research and inspiring global stewardship.
Photo credit: Karolina Turek
Abigail Millson is a graduate of the University of British Columbia’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Acting Program, where she honed her skills in performance, communication, and digital storytelling. Passionate about connecting people through stories, she currently serves as the Digital Communications & Project Assistant for The Mother Tree Project.
In this role, Abigail blends her artistic background with a strategic approach to digital communication, utilizing her expertise in content creation, social media management, and project coordination to amplify the project’s mission. Drawing on her experience in teaching and mentoring, she brings clarity and creativity to her communications role, making complex ideas accessible to diverse audiences. Inspired by a love for both the arts and nature, Abigail is committed to making a meaningful impact through authentic, action-oriented communication.
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