Dr. Melissa Lafrenière

Biography

Melissa Lafrenière is a Professor and Head of the Department of Geography and Planning at Queen's University. Born and raised in Mattawa, Ontario, she has a strong background in Geography and Geology, obtaining her B.Sc. Hon. from the University of Western Ontario in 1996 and further studies in Geology at the University of Ottawa. She earned her Ph.D. in 2003 from the University of Alberta, focusing on hydrological biogeochemical controls on organochlorine contaminants in glaciated alpine catchments. Since joining Queen's in July 2004, her research has concentrated on the impacts of climate change and human activities on hydrology and biogeochemical processes in glacial and permafrost watersheds. She co-directs the Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed Observatory, where she leads integrated watershed research in the Canadian Arctic. Her work emphasizes the importance of partnerships with local communities, incorporating traditional knowledge into research data, and exploring the effects of climate change in sensitive alpine and arctic ecosystems.

Research Interests