Nicole Schaffer
Postdoctoral Researcher
Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA)
La Serena, Chile
The cryosphere (glaciers, permafrost, snow)
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Glaciology, UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA. Canada, 2017
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Glaciology, University of Calgary. Canada, 2010
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Environmental Geology, QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY AT KINGSTON. Canada, 2004
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Postdoctoral Researcher Full Time
Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA)
La Serena, Chile
2017 - 2021
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Postdoctoral Researcher Part Time
Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA)
La Serena, Chile
2022 - 2023
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Postdoctoral Researcher Part Time
Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA)
Chile
2024 - A la fecha
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Lecturer / Guest Lecturer Part Time
University of Ottawa
Arts
Ottawa, Canada
2013 - 2013
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Lead Guest Topic Editor Other
Frontiers in Water
Chile
2023 - A la fecha
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Guest Topic Editor Other
The Cryosphere
Chile
2023 - A la fecha
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Environmental Consultant Full Time
Environmental Sciences Group
Kingston, Canada
2004 - 2007
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Junior Field Assistant Full Time
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
Wawa, Canada
2003 - 2003
Supervision of students and technical assistants
• Thesis-related: Daniela Bustamante - undergraduate thesis co-supervisor within the project Fondef IDeA (2023) - spatial variability of snow water equivalent in the La Laguna Basin; Eduardo Yañez - co-supervised to transform undergraduate thesis into a manuscript (2019) - factors influencing active rock glacier distribution in the semiarid Andes of Chile; Benjamin Castro - member of undergraduate thesis committee (2019) - creating a glacier, periglacial landform, and geological inventory the Estero Derecho nature reserve and geodetic analysis of one rock glacier.
• Practicums (3-4 months): Felipe Moreno - main supervisor (2023) - variations in surface area of Tapado Glacier (DGA project); Paola Araya - main supervisor (2019) - evaluating the ice content of a rock glacier using two geophysical techniques in the Estero Derecho nature reserve; Gabriel Palma Ojeda – main supervisor (2018) - creating a glacier and periglacial landform inventory for the Elqui Province; Coco Antonissen – main supervisor (2017) - evaluating the effectiveness of snow fences in the dry Andes region of Chile.
• Mentored a student from the Environmental Technology program (Nunavut Arctic College) for the April 2011 field season on Penny Ice Cap.
Teaching activities
• Guest lecturer for a PhD level course on global climate change entitled “Climate change and the cryosphere” (2023, 1.5 hours)
• Guest lecturer for a PhD level hydrology course entitled “The hydrological importance of rock glaciers.” (2020, 1.5 hours)
• Lecturer for GEG3105, Introduction to Remote Sensing, including a 3 hour lecture on satellite imagery in the visible spectrum (e.g. aerial photographs) and a lab on automatically outlining glacier extents using satellite imagery.
• Guest Lecturer for GEG2301, Geomorphology, including a 1.5 hour lecture on rock identification (Winter 2013) and a 1.5 hour lecture on the geological time scale, geology of Ottawa and ice ages (Fall 2013).
• Teaching assistant for GIS in Natural and Social Sciences (Winter 2013), Geomorphology (Winter 2012, Winter 2013, Fall 2013), Climatology (Fall 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011), Introduction to Geomatics (Fall 2012), Places and Spaces of Human Activity (Winter 2012), Research Methods in Geography and Environmental Studies (Fall 2011), Global Environmental Challenges (Winter 2011).
• Teaching assistant for Writing and Reviewing Scientific Reports (Fall and Winter 2010), Introduction to Latin America (Fall 2008).
Scientific outreach and volunteer activities
• Guest speaker and facilitator at a one day workhshop in Tulahuén, Chile, bringing together 5 elementary schools across the province of Coquimbo who participate in “vecinos de las nieves” citizen science program run by CEAZA (2023).
• Co-led interactive discussions and glacier-related hands-on activities for high school students at CEAZA for our annual “laboratorios abiertos” (translation: open laboratories) event (2023, 2019).
• Interviewed for an article in the local newspaper (El Día) entitled “Tras altas temperaturas y escasa acumulación de nieve: Glaciares de la región experimentan retroceso” (translation: After high temperatures and little snow accumulation: glaciers in the region experience retreat” (2023)).
• Guest speaker as an expert glaciologist at a community meeting in Salamanca, Chile, on science for climate change adaptation with a presentation entitled “Agua congelada en la Region de Choapa” (translation: Frozen water in the Choapa Region)(2023).
• Participated in a “Día Internacional de la Mujer y la Niña en la Ciencia” event answering questions for the public and local television station in La Serena, Chile, as a representative glaciologist for CEAZA (2023).
• Co-presented the results of my PhD thesis on Penny Ice Cap to the communities of Pangnirtung and Iqaluit, Nunavut (2023).
• Participated in a one-day meeting with the community of Estero Derecho and government officials with the aim of highlighting the scientific importance of their nature reserve (2019).
• Provided expert advice to colleagues in CEAZA to aid the development and implementation of a citizen science program to describe snowstorm events, measure snow depth and density, and take water samples for isotopic analysis called “Vecinos de las Nieves” (2019).
• Designed/delivered a glacier mass balance workshop to Parks Canada wardens to prepare them to lead the mass balance monitoring program for Penny Ice Cap (my PhD research site). Workshop followed by 6-day field expedition and on-site training for park wardens (2014).
• Presentation to Parks Canada in Iqaluit and Pangnirtung summarizing recent climate change and glacier response in the Arctic. Presentation included results from my PhD research on Penny Ice Cap (2014).
• Presentation to Community of Pangnirtung (Nunavut) /Parks Canada and participated in a radio show discussing most recent scientific results on climate change and research results for Penny Ice Cap, southern Baffin Island (2013).
• Delivered workshops to 3 high schools in Ottawa (Ontario) and in Pangnirtung (Nunavut) on glaciology and climate change through Let’s Talk Science and Science Travels in (2012-2013).
• Presented my PhD research to the community of Iqaluit and Parks Canada in Iqaluit and Pangnirtung (2012).
• Reviewed glaciology specific sections of the Nunavut General Monitoring Plan providing current scientific information which informs policy and provide Nunavummiut with knowledge to participate in management decisions (2012).
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FONDECYT Postdoctoral Award
FONDECYT
Chile, 2018
(March 2018-March 2021) FONDECYT Postdoctoral Award ($26,208,000 CLP/yr) held at Centro de Estudios Avanazados en Zonas Áridas.
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Ontario Graduate Scholarship (three awards)
UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
Canada, 2015
This award was granted in 2013, 2014, and 2015 ($15,000 CAD / year)
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University of Ottawa Excellence Scholarship (three awards)
UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
Canada, 2015
This award was granted in 2013, 2014, and 2015 ($6,720 CAD each year).
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GlacioEx award, glacier safety course, Iceland
UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
Canada, 2015
($1,200 CAD)
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Student Mobility Bursary, University of Ottawa
UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
Canada, 2014
($4,000 CAD)
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Northern Scientific Training Program (four awards)
UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
Canada, 2014
This award was granted in 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011 ($2,713 $3,097; $2,905; $2,835 CAD) by the Canadian Polar Commission.
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CryoEx award (four awards)
UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
Canada, 2014
2014 Winter field safety course at The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) ($2,000 CAD), 2013 GlacioEx Summer School – Sensor Networks, Kananaskis Country, AB ($1,000 CAD), 2011 Cryospheric Field Studies, Yukon Territory ($1,000 CAD), 2011 Remote Sensing of the Cryosphere and Geohazards, University of Oslo ($1500 CAD).
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Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Conference travel grant
UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
Canada, 2012
2011 ($550 CAD) and 2012 ($550 CAD)
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High North Fellowship (two awards)
UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
Canada, 2012
Glaciology course ($3,300 CAD) and general UNIS scholarship ($3,300 CAD) atThe University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS)
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ArcticNet Training Fund, Université Laval, Quebec
UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
Canada, 2011
($2,155 CAD)
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University of Ottawa. Admission Scholarship
UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
Canada, 2011
($18,000 CAD /yr)
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University of Calgary. Graduate Travel Award
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
Canada, 2009
($1,800 CAD)
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Graduate Scholarship in Global Climate Change Research
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
Canada, 2009
Calgary Chamber of Commerce and ENMAX ($1,000 CAD)
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Graduate Student Scholarship
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
Canada, 2009
Alberta Minister of Advanced Education and Technology ($3,000 CAD)
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Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
Canada, 2008
Province of Alberta ($10,800 CAD)
Plataforma CLIMA-L: Cuenca del río Limarí, Medidas de Adaptación Climática |
Snow Water Equivalent Estimation - a new operational Tool for water resources decision-making in the Coquimbo Region (SWEET Coquimbo) |
Asesoría y consultoría de apoyo para el monitoreo de detalle intensivo del Glaciar Tapado, Región de Coquimbo, Macrozona Norte |
Rock glacier volume and area changes in the Semiarid Andes of Chile |
Determinación de áreas potenciales e implementación de barreras de nieve como método de acumulación adicional de nieve en las tres provincias de la Región de Coquimbo=> Experiencia piloto. |
Penny Ice Cap mass balance monitoring program |