Hannah J. McSorley

Background

About Hannah J. McSorley

Hannah specializes in freshwater sciences; she excels with methods and measurements, is inspired by watershed processes, and fascinated by interfaces that occur at the margins. She has been working in water research for over 12 years, including 7 years as a field technician and team lead. Her background includes subalpine and forest hydrology, hydrometeorology, water quality monitoring, environmental analytical chemistry, data analysis, public outreach, education and communication. She believes that science is cool, especially if results can be clearly articulated to diverse audiences.~ Hi! My career began in the Applied Environmental Research Labs (AERL) where I worked my way up from acid-washing glassware and taking inventory, to a position of senior research assistant. When I graduated with a BSc, I was the primary chemical analyst on an industry-partnered groundwater project which showcased my ability with operation, maintenance, and repair of analytical instrumentation (Membrane Introduction Mass Spectrometry) and led to a contract with Environment Canada. I gained field skills as a hydrology research assistant with Bill Floyd's Coastal Hydrology Research Lab - a multi-disciplinary organization with ties to the Hakai’s Watersheds Observatory Program. One full-time job wasn't enough (LOL) and I joined the Regional District of Nanaimo's Drinking Water & Watershed Protection Program, and continued as a contractor with them through the first term of grad school; analyzing water-use and production data and evaluating water conservation programs. My MSc thesis focused on water quality dynamics with hydrologic responses across a regional forested, drinking water supply area. Following graduation, I joined BC Ministry of Environment's Snow Program, where I had the incredible opportunity to experience and measure the spatial heterogeneity and temporal variation of winter weather across BC; and deepened my appreciation of BC's diverse topography and hydrometeorology. I shifted perspective from quality assurance in collecting hydrometeorological data, to quality control for operational purposes, when I joined BC Hydro's Hydrometeorological Monitoring & Data Management group. I got a taste of Environmental Policy with the Federal Environmental Protection Branch; and worked as a hydrotechnical field lead for Environmental Baseline monitoring with Palmer Consulting. I am grateful for my experiences and where I am now: working with alignment in my values and skills, on integrated watershed research in service to indigenous-led stewardship.