She completed her Ph.D. in Geogaphy at Queen's University (2008). Prior to joining the University of Lethbridge, she worked as a post doctoral fellow at Wilfrid Laurier University and University of Waterloo. Laura's research focuses on wetland and permafrost ecosystem change in central and northern Boreal environments and the implications of these changes on wildfire, climate and natural resources. She is currently working with scientists from the Province of Alberta to develop the Alberta Wetland Policy; the Canadian Forest Service to improve wildfire models; the Government of the NWT to better understand permafrost thaw and ecosystem change; and industrial partners to improve reclamation monitoring in the Oil Sands. Laura loves art, music and riding horses.