INNOVATION March-April 2014

f ea t u r e s Hydrogeologist Gwyn Graham, P.Geo., with Environment Canada’s Pacific and Yukon Region, has worked with Allen and the BC Ministry of Environment on groundwater projects over a 10-year period, with the work focusing on trans-boundary ground- water issues. “Diana’s research has provided valuable insights on the nature of groundwater flow and water quality issues in the trans-boundary Abbotsford-Sumas aquifer (shared between BC and Washington). She has shown a great deal of innovation in trying to tackle the complex problem of simulating nitrate contamination of groundwater from non-point source agricultural pollution and using some of the same models for climate change impact assess- ment. She’s helped us understand how the groundwater system responds to various drivers and pressures over the aquifer,” he says, adding such information helps to inform potential solutions. “In general, Diana has been effective at applying her research to issues that are relevant to communities.” Allen’s research has also had international impact. From 2004 – 2010, she served as Director of the Global Aquifer Development Foundation, headed by Dr. Gilles Wendling, P.Eng. The founda- tion focused on developing, managing and protecting groundwater resources. She worked in Mali, West Africa, and, in 2011, after working in the area with a grad student, completed a study on Mali’s groundwater recharge. In 2012, she launched her study that looked at the Bahamas’ groundwater supply and the impact of climate change on this important tourism nation. She is also currently involved in Dr. Diana Allen in Mali, Africa, doing a field analysis of the water chemistry.

an UNESCO study of 43 small island development states around the world and the characteristics of their groundwater. But, when she looks at her body of work over the past two decades, she derives the most satisfaction from her post as Professor at Simon Fraser University’s Earth Sciences Department. It is in this role that she makes an indelible impression on students. Former student Michele Lepitre, P.Geo., now Regional Hydrogeologist for the South Coast region of the BCMinistry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, says, “She is one of the best teachers I have ever had. She puts her whole self into teaching,” says Lepitre. Allen acknowledged that without the support of her graduate students she would not be able to handle the volume of research projects that she undertakes today. “It is my deepest pleasure being engaged in research with them and helping them to become scientists or whatever they chose to do,” Allen says. “Training the next generation of scientists—that is my biggest impact.”

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