Lucas Kavanagh - President

Lucas Kavanagh is a co-founder and the content director at Avo Media, a science-focused production and consulting company. Avo has grown year over year since its inception seven years ago, and been a finalist for provincial and national awards. Lucas’s background is in earth and ocean science, with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Victoria and a master’s degree from McGill.

For more than a decade, he has distilled complex scientific concepts into engaging media. Working both with organizations, and directly with scientists, he’s helped facilitate clear communication through writing, curriculum, mobile apps, live webcasts, podcasts, and videos. Combined, these projects have reached tens of millions of people worldwide. Lucas has been a member of the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada since 2020, and has attended three of their conferences, including as a workshop presenter. He’s looking forward to helping this vital community thrive and grow.

Rhonda Moore - Past President, Chair of the Nominations Committee

Rhonda Moore is the Executive Director, Science and Innovation at the Institute on Governance and a contract instructor in Carleton University’s Faculty of Science. Rhonda has worked in policy, research, and communications for almost 20 years, advocating for effective (science) policy and governance through clear and accurate communication.

Science communication is more than simply making science accessible to non-scientists. Done well, science communication helps to build trust and understanding in science, generate support for scientific research, and inform decision-making. Effective science communication is a meaningful and influential part of the ability to do science and a necessary requirement to uphold the social contract between science and society. As an important part of Canada’s science ecosystem, the SWCC is positioned to help mitigate a growing list of social, environmental and economic challenges in Canada and around the world.

Sumeep Bath -  Treasurer

Sumeep is a seasoned, skilled—and somewhat sardonic—communications professional from London, UK—now based in Winnipeg, Canada. He has been working for over 15 years in the communications field, including for the Embassy of Argentina in London, and for the Press and Public Diplomacy Section of the Delegation of the European Union to the USA in Washington, D.C.

For the last ten years, he has built an identity for IISD Experimental Lakes Area to bring a human face, accessibility (and a sense of humour!) to what has become a relatively unique science communication brand in Canada.

He manages all media outreach, social media, and communications products for that facility to ensure that the world knows all about how IISD-ELA does freshwater science like nowhere else, why it should matter to you, and how we can translate that science into policy that matters.

He speaks fluent English, Spanish and French.

Jeremy Elder-Jubelin - Director

Jeremy Elder-Jubelin is a communications professional living on unceded and unsurrendered Wolastoqey territory. Menahqesk, now called Saint John, is a traditional gathering place for Wabanaki including Wolastoqiyik, Mi'kmaq and Peskotomuhkatiyik.

As the University of New Brunswick’s Research Engagement Strategist, he works to elevate and disseminate the efforts and accomplishments of the university’s research community, highlighting the people, projects and impacts that help create a better world. A passionate storyteller, he is interested in using science and research communications to educate, inspire and inform audiences in an accessible and compelling way.

He holds two undergraduate degrees from UNB and a master of arts degree in social anthropology from York University, and has worked in communications roles for the past decade.

Vanessa Nelson - Director

Vanessa Nelson is a bilingual communicator with more than 25 years of experience translating often complex information – scientific and other – for the general public. Through her career she has worked with a variety of organizations develop communications materials that were accessible, allowing the public to engage with and understand challenging scientific content to help inform their perspectives and decisions. From writing on topics related to renewable energies to health care to aviation, her goal has always been to create content that was accessible and engaging – making the complex comprehensible for all.  

Isabelle Sokolnicka - Director

I am a quadrilingual communications professional with a passion for health and innovation. I began my career as a science journalist, tackling topics such as neurodevelopmental disorders in Canadian children and stem cell transplants for cancer. I was the project manager for McGill University Health Centre’s award-winning injury prevention program and have led national and international communications initiatives, ranging from healthcare reform to reducing maternal and newborn mortality. Since 2021, I lead the Internal, Scientific and Corporate Communications department at CATALIS Quebec, whose mission is to optimize clinical research and accelerate innovative treatments for patients.

I am honoured to serve on the SWCC Board and play a role in shaping the future of science communication across Canada.

Awards Committee

Sunita LeGallou - Chair

Gaby Fwynn - Volunteer

Leesa Klich - Volunteer

Sherestha Saini - Volunteer

Jennifer Cox - Volunteer

Becky Anderson - Volunteer

Jenny Lehmann - Volunteer

Conference Committee

Jeremy Elder-Jubelin - Chair

Digital Media Committee

Kay Maki - co-Chair

Rhonda Moore - co-Chair

Ana de Faria - Volunteer

Iman Abuzaid - Volunteer

Carlyle Apps - Volunteer

Jenny Lehmann - Volunteer

Nayna Kirubakar - Volunteer

Ethics Committee

Terry Lavender - Chair

Nominations Committee

Terry Lavender - Chair

Veronique Morin - Volunteer

Tim Lougheed - Volunteer

Jay Whetter - Volunteer

Professional Development/ Membership Committee

Nyree St. Denis - Co-Chair

Ami Kingdon - Co-Chair