Jennifer Sabean

Growing up in Ontario, I loved the family summer road trip to the east coast where I could explore new places and play in the ocean. After high school, I wanted to be closer to the coast, so I began my undergrad at Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS. I was hooked during my first geology class, and enjoyed some incredible field trips that opened my eyes to a world of understanding. Some of the best trips included spelunking through caves in West Virginia, clambering the rocky coasts of Newfoundland, & tracking the entire east coast of North America. I obtained my Bachelor of Science Degree in Earth Sciences, with a minor in Oceanography by 2001. I did an honors thesis as part of a larger research project through the Bedford Institute of Oceanography and the Dep’t of Fisheries and Oceans, studying how coastal oil spills affect marsh environments with the use of microfossils as indicators.

In 2001, I packed my skis and headed west to begin my Master’s Degree in Earth Sciences at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, BC. It was great to discover a whole new coastline and the beautiful mountains, and I was amazed by how diverse Canada is. My thesis research focused on the use of microfossils as indicators of coastal movement relative to the sea during great earthquakes on the west coast of North America, under the supervision of Dr. John Clague. It was rewarding to know this research was contributing to a better understanding of how earthquakes and tsunamis could impact people living along the west coast of North America, and that our work might someday help save lives. During my degree, I got to explore a range of amazing places all over BC, the western States, and even Sweden…as a student, field assistant, and as a teaching assistant.

After graduating, I wanted to travel the world, and spent 2 years overseas. I traveled to New Zealand, then Australia, then throughout southeast Asia, meeting up with other researchers to join in on field trips and even paid work, getting to see and do things the average tourist couldn’t imagine! I brought these experiences home with me and settled in Nelson, BC where I now work as a geotechnical consultant, building skills as an environmental geologist and working towards my professional designation. As I learn about the surrounding area and how development is a challenge for exploration and forestry clients in mountainous regions…I also get to know the best spots to ski and how great life is as an Earth scientist!

Education

B.Sc. (Honors) Earth Sciences (2001) Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

M.Sc. Earth Sciences (2004) Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia

For more information, please send e.mail to: jennsabean@hotmail.com
To read Jenn's thesis abstract, please click here