Biographies of the Community OEAC Members

• Lindsay Beyger (student)
• Lindsay Code (Chair)
• Nicolas Gilbert (student)
• Kristy Kilbourne (Vice-Chair)
• Dr. Andrea Kirkwood
• Ray Kissel
• Barb North
• Bryan Swift
• William Thurber
• Barry Urie
• Jessica Wagstaffe

Lindsay Beyger (student)

Lindsay Beyger has a B.Sc. (Hons) in biology from McMaster University and a M.Sc. in applied bioscience from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology where she studied the Growth, Survivability, and Reproductive Effects of Pulse-Dosed Endosulfan on Jordanella floridae (Florida flagfish) Over One Complete Life-cycle.  She is currently a PhD. candidate at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and her area of interest is in the field of aquatic toxicology.  She hopes to bring her knowledge, and keen interest in protecting the environment to the OEAC. 

Lindsay Code (Chair)

Lindsay is a trained biologist with a degree specializing in aquatic ecology from Lakehead University. She works with a Conservation Authority as part of a watershed monitoring team. She brings with her a great deal of knowledge and interest in the environmental issues concerning the City of Oshawa as she has lived, worked and played here all of her life. Lindsay encourages positive perception and protection of natural areas within and surrounding Oshawa as a step towards creating an environmentally sustainable city for future generations.

Nicolas Gilbert (Student)

Nicolas Gilbert was born and raised in Oshawa and has a B.Sc (Hons) specializing in environmental toxicology and recently obtained an M.Sc in applied biosciences both from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. His expertise is in wetland sciences particularly their functional capacity to attenuate contaminants. He studied different urban wetlands within Oshawa including the one adjacent to the abandoned Harmony landfill. He brings knowledge of current and regional environmental issues and actively participates in various community events particularly those held by the OEAC.

Kristy Kilbourne (Vice-Chair)

Kristy Kilbourne has a B.A. (Hons) in Environmental Studies with a specialization in Environmental Politics, Policy, and Law from Trent University. She is currently a Masters of Environmental Studies candidate pursuing the Planning Stream at York University with an interest in growth management planning. Kristy grew up in Durham Region and has happily settled down in Oshawa with her husband and two children. She is passionate about sustainability issues and has worked in that capacity with an area municipality as well as volunteered for various environmental causes. Kristy also serves as a board member of New Hope Non-Profit Dwellings in Oshawa. 

Dr. Andrea Kirkwood

Andrea Kirkwood is an Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, with research and teaching expertise in the fields of aquatic ecology and environmental microbiology. Part of Andrea’s current research program is an investigation of urban ponds and wetlands, many of which are located in Oshawa.  Andrea has a B.E.S. degree in Environment and Resource Studies and Biology (Double Major, Co-op) from the University of Waterloo, a M.Sc. degree in Aquatic Ecology from McMaster University, and Ph.D. in Environmental Microbiology from the University of Toronto.  Before arriving at UOIT, Andrea worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Oklahoma State University and the University of Calgary. The opportunity to work at a university in Oshawa was a thrilling prospect for Andrea and her husband Mark, since Mark was born and raised in Oshawa and his family still resides here. Andrea, Mark and their son Cameron love to explore the wonderful bike and walking trails of Oshawa, as well as the beautiful waterfront. Andrea not only hopes her experience in the field of environmental science will be useful to OEAC, but also hopes to contribute to the overall vision of a sustainable Oshawa for current and future generations.

Ray Kissel

Ray, his wife and their three children have resided in Oshawa since 1995. He was involved as part of the Mary Street Community Association then later as a member of the Durham Environmental Advisory Committee. Licensed as a Professional Engineer with a graduate degree from UWO in Environmental Engineering, Ray is employed at Ontario Power – Darlington in the Performance Engineering Department.

Barb North

Barb is a lifelong resident of Oshawa. Over the years she has been involved with the community with such activities as Neighbourhood Watch, Parent School Advisory and South Oshawa Development Project. Always concerned about the environment and wildlife, Barb was on the Management Plan Committee for the Stone Street Park, the new South Oshawa Community Centre, and the Pumphouse Marsh.

Bryan Swift

Bryan has resided in Oshawa since 1985 and along with his wife, they have raised their 4 children in the community. Bryan holds a Bachelor of Science (Mech Eng) and an MBA from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario and is a registered professional engineer in the Province of Ontario.  Bryan has served as a volunteer business representative on a high school Community Advisory Council.  He is also past Chair of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association Facility Energy and Environment Committee.   Bryan is the Director, Environmental Activities for GM of Canada. In this role, he works with the Federal and Provincial governments, industry and other stakeholders on energy issues, air and water release reporting and miscellaneous environmental initiatives as they apply to GM products and facilities in Canada.  

William Thurber

Will has been an Oshawa resident since 1983. His respect for the natural environment was formed as a child growing up on Eastern Ontario swimming and canoeing on the St Lawrence River and in Algonquin Park. Will has a BA in Environmental Science at Eisenhower College in Seneca Falls, NY. His senior thesis was “The History of Great Lakes Pollution from 1900 to 1980.” He also was part of a research team investigating the extent of infiltration of Eurasian water milfoil into the Finger Lakes of New York State. Will has an MBA from Clarkson University and studied marketing at the doctoral level at University of Toronto. He also serves as a member of the executive of the Oshawa Kicks Soccer Club and a board member with Epilepsy Durham Region.

Barry Urie

A long time resident of Durham Region, Barry farmed in the Nestleton area during the 80's and 90's, then in Claremont before moving to Oshawa 2 years ago. In addition to farming, Barry worked in technical sales selling pumps in this territory and is familiar with most of the industrial and municipal customers and their applications. From its inception Barry served on the steering committee of 'Zero Garbage Scugog' - a grass roots organization dedicated to minimizing the waste stream, conserving our natural resources and protecting farmland. Barry is now semi-retired and works independently as an artist and photographer.

Jessica Wagstaffe

Jessica Wagstaffe grew up in the City of Oshawa. Jessica is a graduate from the University of Guelph's Environmental Sciences Program and Sir Sandford Fleming College's forestry technician program. Jessica hopes her forestry and environmental education will help the OEAC increase urban forestry and waste reduction education and implementation. Jessica was a member of the Royal Air Cadet's 151 Chadburn Squadron and hopes to give back to the city what the city and squadron gave to her, in her own environmental way.

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