Prof. Tonya DelSontro​
Assistant Professor​
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ
Email: tonya.delsontro@uwaterloo.ca​
Location: EIT 2051B​
Phone: 519-888-4567 x33959​
Tonya DelSontro’s research focus is to advance our understanding of how human activities and climate change alter aquatic carbon cycles and greenhouse gas budgets. She integrates field-based system analyses and experimental laboratory work to define and predict anthropogenic impacts on aquatic greenhouse dynamics from local and regional to global scales.
Sara Abate
Research Assistant
Email: sabate@uwaterloo.ca​
Location: PHY 220
Sara Abate is a research assistant in the Aqua GHG Lab. She graduated in 2024 from the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ's Honours Science program minoring in Earth Science, Geography and Environmental Management, and completing a Diploma of Excellence in GIS. Her expertise in geospatial analyses is utilized in multiple research projects conducted by the Aqua GHG Lab. Her other duties consist of organization and management of all field, lab, and sample analysis, as well as management of the undergraduate and co-op students.
Jennifer Zhou
Research Assistant
Email: jennifer.zhou1@uwaterloo.ca​
Location: PHY 220
Jennifer Zhou is a research assistant in the Aqua GHG Lab. She received her undergraduate degree in 2025 from the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ in Environmental Science with an Ecology specialization. She has experience in aquatic ecology and toxicology. She is involved in projects focused on investigating GHG emissions from man-made reservoirs and restored wetlands, as well as lab and field organization and implementation.Â
Shayna Meinzinger​
Masters Student​
Email: ²õ²ú³¾±ð¾±²Ô³ú¾±²Ô²µ±ð°ù°ª³Ü·É²¹³Ù±ð°ù±ô´Ç´Ç.³¦²¹â€‹
Location: PHY 220C
Shayna Meinzinger is a Graduate Student Researcher in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ (BSc Geochemistry). Her research focuses on quantifying greenhouse gas emissions in restored wetlands across Southern Ontario. She aims to better understand the dynamics of these emissions and their implications for wetland restoration and climate change mitigation.
Jordan Li
Masters Student (co-supervision)​
Email: Âá2374±ô¾±°ª³Ü·É²¹³Ù±ð°ù±ô´Ç´Ç.³¦²¹â€‹
Location: PHY 230
Jordan Li is a Graduate Student Researcher at the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, co-supervised by Dr. Nandita Basu, and in the Collaborative Water Program. Jordan is investigating the environmental trade-offs between greenhouse gas emissions and carbon accumulation within restored agricultural wetlands.
Avery Opalka
Master Student (co-supervision)
Email: aopalka@uwaterloo.ca​
Location: E3 2113
Avery Opalka is a MASc student in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ (BEng, Dalhousie University). She works with her two supervisors (Kyle J. Daun and Tonya DelSontro) to develop methods to quantify greenhouse gas emissions from wetlands using hyperspectral imaging. Her goal is to compare the measurements from optical measurement techniques to those taken with flux chambers.
Undergraduate Research Assistants (co-op)
Ruby Collins, Undergraduate Research Assistant (co-op)
Joey Ruck, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Thenuja, Undergraduate Research Assistant (co-op)
Caleb Alexander, Undergraduate Research Assistant (co-op)
Emily Vesnaver, Undergraduate Research Assistant (co-op/NSERC USRA), also in MME