Jennifer Baltzer portant une casquette et un tee-shirt violet avec des arbres en arrière-plan.

Dr. Jennifer Baltzer looking at the forest ecosystem where she is standing.

Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)

Professor and Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change

Wilfrid Laurier University

Created On: March 28, 2024
Sector:
Science
Education Pathway: University
Related School Subjects:
Biology,  Ecology,  Ecosystems,  Environmental Science,  Climate change,  Human effect on the ecosystem,  Sustainability
Readability:
8.01

Learn About My Career

I work at a university, teaching students and conducting research on the impact of climate change on forests in Canada and around the world.

I was born/grew up in: Clementsvale, Nova Scotia.

I now live in: Kitchener, Ontario.

I completed my training/education at: 

BSc in Biology at Acadia University; PhD in Forestry at University of Toronto; Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Smithsonian Institute's Centre for Tropical Forest Science at Harvard University.

 

I work in a biology department with colleagues studying many different topics. We train people on how to be biologists. My background is in forestry. Now I lead a team of students and other scientists studying climate change impacts on northern forests.

Climate warming is causing wildfires and permafrost thaw in Canada’s north. My team is working to understand how these disturbances are impacting forests in many remote places.      

We ask questions that look at the issue from the leaf to the landscape scale. We measure carbon uptake in plants using specialized instruments. We determine tree growth, birth and death processes using forest plots or tree ring measurements. We also study large-scale patterns of forest change using images taken from airplanes or satellites. We link this information with measurements of changes in the environment, like soils and climate. Then we use this data to better understand and forecast how and why these forests are changing.

In the spring and summer, we spend a lot of time in forests. We hike around beautiful places to collect data and samples. During the fall and winter, we analyze these samples or work at our computers with the data we collected, making exciting discoveries! We work with governments and northern communities to support decision-making in the face of climate change.

I loved spending time in nature as a kid and teenager. I knew early on that biology was the direction I wanted to go. So, I suppose this has always been my path.

During my BSc at Acadia, I had an incredible mentor. He hired me in my first year to work in his lab. I spent every summer from then on, conducting research with him. This helped me decide on my career direction. He helped identify good supervisors for graduate work. I went on to do my PhD at the University of Toronto in the Faculty of Forestry.

The twists and turns in my career have more to do with the system I am working in than the career itself. In my BSc, I studied salt marsh plant ecology. During my PhD and Postdoctoral work, I studied tropical forests in Southeast Asia. When I took my first faculty position, I focused my efforts on temperate forests on Canada’s east coast. In my current position, my focus is on the subarctic and arctic regions of Canada.

I love adventure! I think the thing that gets me most excited at work is having the opportunity to explore and study beautiful, amazing places around the world. I have worked in forests from the tropics to the arctic tree line. I feel so lucky to have had these opportunities.

On a day-to-day basis, I get very excited about new problems or questions. I love identifying the ways that we can help to solve or answer these questions. Equally exciting is the data analysis phase, where you actually uncover the answer!      

I love the fact that I get to do so many different things in my career. Sometimes, there is physically demanding field work. There are times of quiet reading to understand a new topic. I give presentations to communities, governments, or other scientists. I do lab work and data analysis. I also consult with the people who will use the products of our research. And I’m involved in the training of young students about this amazing field.

This diversity of responsibilities keeps me engaged, excited and loving my career. The most rewarding part of my career is seeing my trainees succeed. Whether they publish a great paper, secure the perfect job, or give an outstanding presentation at a conference; supporting these young people in their successes is very rewarding.

Northern regions are warming three to four times faster than the Earth as a whole. Ecosystems are responding to this very quickly. Our work helps northern governments and communities understand these changes. This allows them to better prepare for and respond to future conditions. Northern ecosystems contain about twice as much carbon as is in the atmosphere. So, changes in these places impact all of us through their contributions to global warming. Our work helps advance our understanding and prediction of these processes.

Outside of work, I try to stay very physically active. I love running, swimming, and skiing. I spend a lot of time on walks with my dogs and kids. I love gardening and making food for my family from what we grow. I volunteer with science education initiatives, working with schools and youth to share my love of science.

Take opportunities to explore research very early on. Jump on opportunities that are presented to you. Seek out information on research opportunities during your studies. There are usually more opportunities than you know. This is so important in any next steps in academia. It will help you figure out what you are passionate about.

What I do at work

I work in a biology department with colleagues studying many different topics. We train people on how to be biologists. My background is in forestry. Now I lead a team of students and other scientists studying climate change impacts on northern forests.

Climate warming is causing wildfires and permafrost thaw in Canada’s north. My team is working to understand how these disturbances are impacting forests in many remote places.      

We ask questions that look at the issue from the leaf to the landscape scale. We measure carbon uptake in plants using specialized instruments. We determine tree growth, birth and death processes using forest plots or tree ring measurements. We also study large-scale patterns of forest change using images taken from airplanes or satellites. We link this information with measurements of changes in the environment, like soils and climate. Then we use this data to better understand and forecast how and why these forests are changing.

In the spring and summer, we spend a lot of time in forests. We hike around beautiful places to collect data and samples. During the fall and winter, we analyze these samples or work at our computers with the data we collected, making exciting discoveries! We work with governments and northern communities to support decision-making in the face of climate change.

My career path is

I loved spending time in nature as a kid and teenager. I knew early on that biology was the direction I wanted to go. So, I suppose this has always been my path.

During my BSc at Acadia, I had an incredible mentor. He hired me in my first year to work in his lab. I spent every summer from then on, conducting research with him. This helped me decide on my career direction. He helped identify good supervisors for graduate work. I went on to do my PhD at the University of Toronto in the Faculty of Forestry.

The twists and turns in my career have more to do with the system I am working in than the career itself. In my BSc, I studied salt marsh plant ecology. During my PhD and Postdoctoral work, I studied tropical forests in Southeast Asia. When I took my first faculty position, I focused my efforts on temperate forests on Canada’s east coast. In my current position, my focus is on the subarctic and arctic regions of Canada.

I am motivated by

I love adventure! I think the thing that gets me most excited at work is having the opportunity to explore and study beautiful, amazing places around the world. I have worked in forests from the tropics to the arctic tree line. I feel so lucky to have had these opportunities.

On a day-to-day basis, I get very excited about new problems or questions. I love identifying the ways that we can help to solve or answer these questions. Equally exciting is the data analysis phase, where you actually uncover the answer!      

I love the fact that I get to do so many different things in my career. Sometimes, there is physically demanding field work. There are times of quiet reading to understand a new topic. I give presentations to communities, governments, or other scientists. I do lab work and data analysis. I also consult with the people who will use the products of our research. And I’m involved in the training of young students about this amazing field.

This diversity of responsibilities keeps me engaged, excited and loving my career. The most rewarding part of my career is seeing my trainees succeed. Whether they publish a great paper, secure the perfect job, or give an outstanding presentation at a conference; supporting these young people in their successes is very rewarding.

How I affect peoples’ lives

Northern regions are warming three to four times faster than the Earth as a whole. Ecosystems are responding to this very quickly. Our work helps northern governments and communities understand these changes. This allows them to better prepare for and respond to future conditions. Northern ecosystems contain about twice as much carbon as is in the atmosphere. So, changes in these places impact all of us through their contributions to global warming. Our work helps advance our understanding and prediction of these processes.

Outside of work I

Outside of work, I try to stay very physically active. I love running, swimming, and skiing. I spend a lot of time on walks with my dogs and kids. I love gardening and making food for my family from what we grow. I volunteer with science education initiatives, working with schools and youth to share my love of science.

My advice to others

Take opportunities to explore research very early on. Jump on opportunities that are presented to you. Seek out information on research opportunities during your studies. There are usually more opportunities than you know. This is so important in any next steps in academia. It will help you figure out what you are passionate about.

When I was a student I enjoyed:

  • Math
  • Science
  • Home Economics/Family Studies
  • Music

When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:

  • Enjoyed doing things on my own
  • Always wanted to be outside
  • Liked helping people
  • Was motivated by success
  • Liked reading
  • Felt great satisfaction in getting good grades

Related Topics

Careers Climate Change Ecology Ecosystems Forests & Forestry Research Methods Research Process SDG13-Climate Change SDG15-Terresterial Ecosystems Sustainability

Explore More Career Profiles

  • Brianna Lummerding à genoux près d’un cerceau en plastique collectant des échantillons dans un champ herbeux.

    Brianna Lummerding

    Career Profiles

    Agronomic Innovation Manager

    I look after all things related to soil management for a group of retailers.
    Learn More Brianna Lummerding
  • Li Tan, vêtu d'une blouse de laboratoire de couleur blanche, souriant dans son laboratoire.

    Li Tan (he/him)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (he/him)
  • Tyler Mohard wearing lab coat and hair net as he works in the SyLMAND lab

    Tyler Morhart (video)

    Career Profiles

    Scientist, Beamline Responsible - SyLMAND

    I am responsible for the SyLMAND beamline at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron facility.
    Learn More Tyler Morhart (video)
  • Five people, each wearing a white lab coat, standing around a lab bench that has scientific equipment on it.

    Li Tan (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (Video)
  • portrait par Rashell Featherstone

    Rashell Featherstone (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Senior Program Associate

    I coordinate projects for the development of new products at STEMCELL.
    Learn More Rashell Featherstone (she/her)
  • Kira Hoffman portant un casque rouge avec de la fumée en arrière-plan

    Kira Hoffman (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Postdoctoral Researcher/Fire Ecologist

    I am a researcher at both a university and a not-for profit organization where I am gaining experience to become a senior researcher.
    Learn More Kira Hoffman (she/her)
  • Zoe Ehlert closely examining a plan that has yellow flowers

    Zoë Ehlert (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
    Learn More Zoë Ehlert (Video)
  • Daniel Meister headshot

    Daniel Meister

    Career Profiles

    Master's Student, Kinesiology

    Learn More Daniel Meister
  • Zoë Ehlert, vêtue d'une blouse de laboratoire blanche, pose une boîte en carton sur une étagère.

    Zoë Ehlert

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
    Learn More Zoë Ehlert
  • Jennifer Baltzer portant une casquette et un tee-shirt violet avec des arbres en arrière-plan.

    Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Professor and Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change

    I work at a university, teaching students and conducting research on the impact of climate change on forests in Canada and around the world.
    Learn More Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)
  • Caitlyn Lyons, prête pour la forêt avec son sac à dos et ses outils de collecte de données. La photo insérée montre Caitlyn examinant une section de gazon.

    Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Ph.D. Candidate

    I am working towards my PhD and studying the forests in the Northwest Territories.
    Learn More Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)
  • Joann Whalen headshot

    Joann Whalen

    Career Profiles

    Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,

    I teach advanced courses on how to manage soils to produce healthy, nutritious food and maintain healthy ecosystem functions.
    Learn More Joann Whalen