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People

Dr. Christopher Wong
Assistant Professor

Chris joined the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management at UNB in 2024. He holds a BSc. in Ecology and MSc. in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from University of Alberta, and a PhD. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from University of Toronto. He completed a Postdoctoral position at the University of California, Davis.

 

Current Graduate Students & Staff

Ram Bajgai
PhD Candidate

Ram Chandra Bajgai (‪‪Google Scholar; ORCID) is a PhD candidate examining invasive Phragmites in New Brunswick. His research employs a multidisciplinary framework combining remote sensing analytics, ecophysiological experimentation, and socioeconomic evaluation to elucidate the mechanisms and impacts of Phragmites australis invasion across wetland ecosystems. With a strong foundation in plant science, bioremediation, and environmental management, Ram’s work advances quantitative understanding of invasion dynamics and translates ecological data into actionable management priorities. His research contributes to the development of evidence‑based, sustainable approaches for wetland restoration and invasive species control in temperate North American landscapes. Prior to joining UNB, Ram lectured at Sherubtse College, Royal University of Bhutan. Bhutan.

 

Naaman Omar
PhD student

Naaman is originally from Mombasa, Kenya, and completed his BSc and MSc at Mount Allison University. His PhD project uses remote sensing to understand the spatial and temporal dynamics of microphytobenthos on intertidal mudflats, using drone, PhenoCam and satellite imagery and spectroradiometry combined with in situ pigment data.


Outside of the lab, Naaman enjoy hiking and photography.

 

Nasheeda Yasmin
PhD student

Hi! I’m Nasheeda Yasmin, and I’m from Lakshadweep, a tiny group of islands off the southwest coast of India. I did my B.Sc. in Forestry at Kerala Agricultural University and my M.S. in Forest Resources at the University of Maine, and I’m currently pursuing my PhD in Forestry at UNB.


Outside of research, I love sports! I played volleyball competitively at the state and university levels and was also a national-level track and field athlete. These days, when I’m not in the forest or staring at data, you’ll probably find me travelling, writing, taking way too many pictures, or hanging out with my two cats, Mochi and Yuki.

 

Taylor Bottoms-Cau
MSc student

Taylor is originally from North Bay, Ontario, and completed her Bachelors degree in Biology (BSc.) at Nipissing University in 2023 with a Certificate in Forest Resource Management and Conservation. During her time at Nipissing University she worked as a research assistant on several ecological disturbance related projects, and completed an Honours Thesis project studying bryophyte diversity and cover on inactive forest roads in the Nipissing Forest. 


At the University of New Brunswick, Taylor is studying drought stress in white spruce trees and the potential of drone-based multispectral imaging to predict it at an experimental drought site in northern New Brunswick.


In her free time Taylor enjoys reading, bird watching, and bad movies.

 

Dinesh Ramdam
MSc student

Dinesh is originally from Nepal, where he completed his BSc in Forestry. He is now MSc Forestry student at UNB focusing on understanding tree growth and carbon allocation using dendrometer measurements and remote sensing technologies, including UAV-based multispectral imagery and LiDAR.


Outside his research, he enjoys listening to music, cycling, hiking, and spending time outdoors.

 

Nisha Simkhada
MSc student

I’m originally from Nepal. I completed my Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the Institute of Forestry, Tribhuvan University. I’m currently pursuing my MSc in Forestry at the University of New Brunswick, where my research focuses on understanding tree carbon uptake dynamics using remote sensing.


Outside of research, I enjoy travelling, exploring new places, and experiencing different cultures. I’m also a big fan of suspense and thriller movies, especially those that keep me guessing until the very end!

 

Muskan Ancharya
MSc student

Hi! I'm Muskan Acharya. I'm from Nepal, a small mountainous country in Southeast Asia. I completed my bachelor's degree in forestry at Kathmandu Forestry College and then moved to Canada to pursue a master's degree in forestry. My research here focuses on comparing the accuracy of high-, medium-, and low-point cloud density UAV-LiDAR point clouds for predicting stand- and tree-level metrics against ground data.


Outside of research, I enjoy reading fiction, trying out unusual recipes in the kitchen, and spending time with friends. I also make it to the gym every now and then. And yes, I do my fair share of doomscrolling too.

 

Nara Veloso
MSc student

Nara is originally from Minas Gerais, Brazil, and completed her Bachelors degree in Forest Engineering (BSc.) at the Federal University of Lavras. Her undergraduate thesis studied advanced pansharpening and digital image processing for land cover mapping and classification accuracy. Her background is in geospatial analysis and remote sensing, from UAV surveys and the processing of photogrammetric point clouds to predictive modelling of climate related risk.


At the University of New Brunswick, Nara is studying how UAV-LiDAR data can be integrated with permanent sample plot inventories to model forest growth in managed stands, comparing machine learning, statistical, and copula-based approaches.


Outside of research, Nara enjoys travelling and seeing new places. At home she looks after a growing collection of plants, and she is a big fan of astronomy, which she considers remote sensing at a much longer range. 

 

Cyril Cook
MSc student

I am from Tottenham, Ontario with working experience across Canada. I completed my BSc Chemistry at Western University, my Forestry Technician diploma with honours at Algonquin College, my Heavy Equipment Operator certificate at Fleming college and finally, my BSc Foresty with honours at UNB.


I like hiking, canoeing, chainsaw work and working on vehicles/equipment."

 

Jensen Brown
MSc student

My name is Jensen Brown, and I am from Enfield, NS. 

I completed my BSc in Environmental Science & Geography at Saint Mary’s University, then proceeded to complete my Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at the Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS). 

In my spare time I enjoy playing and coaching soccer, roguelike video games, and spending time outdoors with my dog Bentley!

 

Ben Collins
MF student

Ben is from Kamloops, BC. He graduated from UNB with a Bachelors of Science in Forestry in 2024. He started a Masters of Forestry in January 2026 with a focus on remote sensing. 


Outside of work, Ben enjoys hiking, building, and spending time in nature.

 

Alumni

Chloe Hunt, MSc, 2024-2026