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José Queirós - APECS President 2023-2024
Portugal
I’m a PhD student at the University of Coimbra (Portugal) and I focus my research in the Southern Ocean deep-sea, being interested in the ecological interactions (mainly predator-prey), species autoecology and resources management. For my PhD, I’m studying the deep-sea food webs related with the Antarctic and Patagonian toothfish fisheries in the Southern Ocean, to understand how these are structured and how climate and anthropogenic stressors can affect it. My primarily work in polar ecosystems was during my degree when I studied the habitat and trophic ecology of Antarctic squids. It was during my master that I turned my research to Southern Ocean fisheries and studied the diet and trace elements concentrations in Antarctic toothfish from the Ross Sea region. During all these periods I had the luck to spend several months in the Southern Ocean, as by collecting samples for my research onboard fishing vessels, as by spending some time in scientific stations analysing them. Besides my academic research, I’m interested in Education and Outreach activities, given talks in schools and museums, but also participating in science fairs and other events. Conferences, coffee breaks and engage with friends after work are among my favourite things to do. I became an APECS member in 2014 as a member of the Executive Committee of the Portuguese National Committee which I chaired during the 2018 term. In 2016 I joined the APECS Council and since then I participated in several different project groups, being a Project Group Leader of some of them, had the chance of being a council co-chair for two terms and a member of the Executive Committee for one term.
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Hugo Guímaro - APECS Vice-President 2023-2024
Portugal
Olá from Portugal! I'm Hugo Guímaro and I am a PhD student at the University of Coimbra based at the Marine and Environmental Science Centre (MARE, Coimbra- Portugal) and at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS, Cambridge- United Kingdom). I focus on Antarctic marine animal ecology with a particular interest in the ecological interactions with climate change of the iconic Emperor Penguin species. By applying satellite imagery technology, my ambition is to help conservation actions effectiveness, while contributing to carbon-neutral solutions as a future research priority of polar science. My life naturally led me to choose a background in Biology with a specialization in Ecology, but social sciences are also present in my life. I'm highly involved in education and outreach activities related to polar science, raising awareness for environmental issues. Photography is another part of my life that I use as an escape and a way of perpetuating memories in time. My experience with APECS began in 2017, and since then this adventure of being part of the early polar community has given me numerous opportunities that help me with my personal development. Through these years, I had the chance to help others. Having these opportunities with such responsibilities (i.e., National Committee Coordinator, Council Chair or even APECS Portugal Representative) makes me feel passionate about helping others. I believe collaboration and kindness are the best way to a better community and a better world, and I hope to continue sharing it with everyone in APECS through new challenges.
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William Harcourt - APECS Vice-President 2023-2024
United KingdomI am an Interdisciplinary Fellow at the University of Aberdeen where I use remote sensing and artificial intelligence techniques to study glaciers and ice sheets. I am currently leading the development of a Greenland Ice Sheet digital twin which will aim to understand the drivers of recent mass loss from the ice sheet. Previously, I studied for a BSc in Geography at the University of Exeter before obtaining an MSc in Geographical Information Science (GIS) from the University of Edinburgh. In 2022, I completed a PhD in Physics at the University of St Andrews where I developed millimetre-wave radar for mapping and monitoring glaciers. I have been involved in APECS since 2020 through co-leadership of the Polar Earth Observation database project group and loved every minute of it! Beyond this, I also contribute to other Arctic consortia such as the Remote Sensing Working Group (RSWG) of the Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System (SIOS). Through these roles, I aim to speak up for and enhance the voices of Early Career Researchers (ECRs) working within Polar science from across the world.
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Lina Madaj - APECS Vice-President 2023-2024
The Netherlands
I am originally from Bremen, northern Germany, where I also did my PhD on the topic of past ice-sheet dynamics in western Greenland based on isotope geochemistry. I analysed radiogenic isotopes in marine sediments in order to trace detrital sediment fluxes through meltwater discharge from the Greenland Ice Sheet into Baffin Bay. After my PhD I added some organic geochemistry to my inorganic geochemistry expertise by doing a postdoc at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Here I am working on the fate and transport of organic carbon into the Arctic Ocean from thawing permafrost, mainly in the Canadian Beaufort Sea. As so many of us I also couldn't help falling in love with the beautiful and unique environment of the Arctic which happened for me during a research cruise that I attended while doing my master degree in Gothenburg, Sweden. Since that summer in 2015 I wanted to contribute my part to polar research and science communication to help protect and raise awareness about the delicate and rapidly changing Arctic realm. During the past years I have been involved in different outreach and science communication projects, including being part of the APECS social media team - because communicating the science is, to me, as important as the science itself. Besides being involved in APECS for the past four terms in different roles (project group leader, social media coordinator, ExCom member) I am also actively part of the European Geoscience Union (EGU) early career network within the cryosphere division by currently holding the position of one of the chief-editors of the EGU cryosphere blog.
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Ryan O'Hara - APECS Vice-President 2023-2024
USA
My name is Ryan O’Hara, and I am an undergraduate studying computer science, mathematics, and environmental physics at California’s Harvey Mudd College. My primary research focus is on the ways that robotic systems can support failing ecosystems and mitigate the consequences and root causes of climate change. This research has taken me from NASA’s Kennedy and Ames Space Centers, where I worked on the development of an algae-based life support and water purification system for extraterrestrial habitats and water-starved regions on Earth and helped develop AI models to better capture the emissions of air and spacecraft, to the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, where I took part in a research expedition to study the effects of climate change on both myctophid populations and the wider marine ecosystem. During my tenure with APECS, I have served as the founder of the UNFCCC project group, a project group leader for the podcast project group, represented APECS as part of our organization’s group review of the IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report, and was a council co-chair during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 terms. Outside of academia, I am very involved in green electoral politics, grassroots environmental organizing, and advocating for equitable and sustainable environmental policies.
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Gwenaëlle Gremion - ex-officio
Canada
Greetings from Rimouski in Canada ! Despite growing up in the tropical island of Guadeloupe (French West Indies), I have been interested in the polar landscape, ever since a trip I took to Spitzbergen with my grandmother when I was 8. Since then, I’ve mainly focused my academic background in polar marine sciences. My bachelor degree was in Geology and Biology, and my master's and PhD degrees in Oceanography. My PhD was in Physical and Biological Oceanography, especially on how primary production and pelago-benthic coupling will respond to environmental changes in the North Water Polynya in the Arctic. Because my research is only computer-related, and I really enjoy going to the field, I often find myself helping with others' polar projects. That attitude led me to travel to the Carlini base (Antarctica, Argentina) and to Baffin Bay (Nunavut, Canada) for oceanography missions to study the impacts of marine variables on the ecosystem. I am currently a postdoctoral fellow and a coordinator for BOREAS a Northern Environment Research Group as well as for the Research chair in environmental education and sustainable development. My interest in outreach activities led me to develop the Ocean Week project to bring Early Career Scientists to primary school students over the French-speaking countries. These experiences made me realize the importance and advantages of diversity and international collaboration. I’ve been a member of the Council and on the board of APECS France since 2017, and have thoroughly enjoyed the sense of community, network, and opportunities that APECS has provided. Within the Council, I was mainly involved in the leadership of the IPCC review Project Group which aims to provide opportunities to early career scientists to take part in the review activities of IPCC reports. I completed the two allowed terms in the ExCom, with one as President, and this experience was just amazing ! I encountered colleagues and friends that I was happy to work with. I am glad to have been invited to join ExCom as ExOfficio for this term. I’m looking forward to working again with the Council to continue the amazing job we did with the ExCom last term, to continue to grow APECS and make it shine on the international scene of polar associations through its continued support of early career scientists.
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Deniz Vural - ex-officio
Germany
Greetings from Berlin, Germany! I am a lifelong learner who embarked on a career path in permafrost research, transitioning from the maintenance of ship engines to exploring environment-friendly applications. This shift accelerated my journey into Geosciences, where I pursued a Master's degree to gain a broader perspective. My aim is not only to study scientific climatic changes but also to translate this knowledge into public awareness. I have been actively involved in citizen science through various projects and activities focusing on Polar regions, the impacts of the climate crisis, and advocating for steps to reduce individual footprints (carbon, water, ecological, etc.) since 2015.
Despite my origins in a Mediterranean coastal city, my passion for these experiences motivated me to venture further North. Here, I fell in love with the permafrost in the Arctic environment! Currently, I am conducting my PhD research, focusing on understanding the changing shoreface dynamics in the western Canadian Arctic. In essence, my research centers on coastal erosion processes, aiming to tackle the vulnerability of these regions. Concurrently, I am dedicated to enhancing science communication through my involvement in various non-governmental organizations whenever my schedule allows.
Executive Committee
The APECS Executive Committee (ExCom) is responsible for working with our members, advisors and partner organizations to continue to develop our organization to be a resource for early career scientists interested in the polar and cryospheric regions. It works closely with the APECS International Directorate Office and is responsible for guiding our organization, helping to set priorities, assuring the directions and goals of APECS, making decisions on the approval of new projects and Council members and representing APECS at events around the world. The ExCom is composed of 5 positions, elected by the Council. The President is elected from within the ExCom. All other members of the ExCom are considered Vice-Presidents of APECS and carry the responsibilities of any organizational Vice President. The APECS Handbook outlines the tasks and responsibilities of the APECS ExCom. The possibility to apply for APECS ExCom is announced on the APECS website every year in July and the election is held within the APECS Council in September.
Photo: APECS Executive Committee 2023-2024
The ExCom meets via online calls every two weeks throughout the year and you can read the summary of their meetings here.
Being a member of the Executive Committee is the highest and most work-intensive level of involvement in APECS and requires very good knowledge of the organization, its procedures, projects and events. Involvement in the ExCom gives its members the opportunity to enhance their skills and experience on this dynamic committee, as well as put their own individual mark on the administration and future promotion of our unique polar organisation. APECS members can gain experience needed for the ExCom by getting involved in the APECS Council or an APECS National Committee within their country of residence.
View the members of the current Executive Committee below. You can also find the list of members of our past Executive Committees since the creation of APECS.
If you would like to contact the Executive Committee, just send them This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Past APECS Executive Committees
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Executive Committee 2022-2023
- Susana Hancock - APECS President 2022-2023 - Arctic Basecamp, USA
- Élise Devoie - APECS Vice-President 2022-2023 - Queen’s University, Canada
- Doğaç Baybars Işıler - APECS Vice-President 2022-2023 - The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye, Türkiye
- Lina Madaj - APECS Vice-President 2022-2023 - Vrije Universiteit, Netherlands
- José Queirós - APECS Vice-President 2022-2023 - University of Coimbra, Portugal
- Gwenaëlle Gremion - ex officio - Institut des Sciences de la Mer - Université du Québec à Rimouski, Canada
- Deniz Vural - ex officio - Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Germany
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Executive Committee 2021-2022
- Marta Moreno Ibáñez - APECS President 2021-2022 - University of Quebec in Montreal, Canada
- Mathieu Casado - APECS Vice-President 2021-2022 - University of Heidelberg, Germany
- Gwenaëlle Gremion - APECS Vice-President 2021-2022 - Institut des Sciences de la Mer - Université du Québec à Rimouski, Canada
- Susana Hancock - APECS Vice-President 2021-2022 - University of Oxford, United States
- Deniz Vural - APECS Vice-President 2021-2022 - Polar Research Institute, The Scientific and Technological Council, Turkey
- Jilda Caccavo - ex officio - Alfred-Wegener-Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Germany
- Clare Eayrs - ex-officio - Center for Global Sea Level Change, NYU Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Meghan Helmberger - ex officio - University of Colorado Boulder / National Snow and Ice Data Center, United States
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Executive Committee 2020-2021
- Gwenaëlle Gremion - APECS President 2020-2021 - Institut des Sciences de la Mer - Université du Québec à Rimouski, Canada
- Mathieu Casado - APECS Vice-President 2020-2021 - Alfred-Wegener-Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Germany
- Meghan Helmberger - APECS Vice-President 2020-2021 - University of Colorado Boulder / National Snow and Ice Data Center, United States
- Neelu Singh - APECS Vice-President 2020-2021 - Norsk Polarinstitutt, Norway
- Deniz Vural - APECS Vice-President 2020-2021 - The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey Marmara Research Center, Turkey Mangalore University, India
- Jilda Caccavo - ex officio - Alfred-Wegener-Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Germany
- Juan Höfer - ex officio - Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso, Chile
- Gabriela Roldan - ex-officio - University of Canterbury - New Zealand
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Executive Committee 2019-2020
- Jennifer Cooper - APECS President 2019-2020 - University of Kansas, United States
- Carolynn Harris - Montana State University, United States
- Juan Höfer - Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso, Chile
- Lara F. Pérez - British Antarctic Survey, United Kingdom / New Zealand
- Neelu Singh - Mangalore University, India
- Jilda Caccavo - ex officio - Alfred-Wegener-Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Germany
- Gabriela Roldan - ex-officio -Gateway Antarctica / University of Canterbury - New Zealand
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Executive Committee 2018-2019
- Jilda Caccavo - APECS President 2018-2019 - Alfred-Wegener-Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research - Germany
- Jennifere Cooper - University of Kansas - United States
- Clare Eayrs - New York University Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
- Juan Höfer - Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso & IDEAL research Centre, Chile
- Gabriela Roldan - Gateway Antarctica / University of Canterbury - New Zealand
- Hanne Nielsen - ex-officio - University of Tasmania, Australia
- Alexander Thornton - ex-officio - Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. - United States
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Executive Committee 2017-2018
- Hanne Nielsen - APECS President 2017-2018 - University of Tasmania - Australia
- Jilda Alicia Caccavo - The University of Padua - Italy
- Jean Holloway - University of Ottawa - Canada
- Gabriela Roldan - Gateway Antarctica / University of Canterbury - New Zealand
- Alexander Thornton - University of Alaska Fairbanks - United States
- Alice Bradley - ex-officio - Dartmouth College - United States
- Ruth Vingerhagen - ex-officio - University of Cambridge - United Kingdom
Photo (from left to right): Alex Thornton, Jean Holloway, Gabriela Roldan, Gerlis Fugmann, Jilda Caccavo, Hanne Nielsen, Alice Bradley, Heike Midleja, Clare Eayrs, Jennifer Cooper, Fiona Tummon.
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Executive Committee 2016-2017
- Alice Bradley - APECS President 2016-2017 - University of Colorado Boulder - United States
- Josefine Lenz - Alfred Wegener Institute - Germany
- Hanne Nielsen - University of Tasmania - Australia
- Alexander Thornton - University of Alaska Fairbanks - United States
- TJ Young - British Antarctic Survey / University of Cambridge / Scott Polar Research Institute - United Kingdom
- Heather Mariash - ex-officio - National Wildlife Research Centre - Canada
- Trista Vick-Majors - ex-officio - Université du Québec à Montréal - Canada
- Ruth Vingerhagen - ex-officio - University of Cambridge - United Kingdom
Photo: Front row from left to right: TJ Young, Josefine Lenz, Alice Bradley, Gerlis Fugmann, Heike Midleja. Back row from left to right: Alex Thornton, Hanne Nielsen, Ruth Vingerhagen
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Executive Committee 2015-2016
- Ruth Vingerhagen - APECS President 2015-2016 - University of St. Andrews - United Kingdom
- Alice Bradley - University of Colorado Boulder - United States
- Heather Mariash - National Wildlife Research Centre - Canada
- Hanne Nielsen - University of Tasmania - Australia
- Trista Vick-Majors - Montana State University - United States
- Jean-Sébastien Moore - ex-officio - Université Laval - Canada
- Yulia Zaika - ex-officio - Khibiny educational and scientific base of the Faculty of Geography M.V.Lomonosov Moscow State University - Russia
- Sara Strey - temporary ExCom member - University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign - United States
Photo (from left to right): Gerlis Fugmann, Heather Mariash, Ruth Vingerhagen, Alice Bradley, Hanne Nielsen, Yulia Zaika, Trista Vick-Majors
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Executive Committee 2014-2015
- Jean-Sébastien Moore - APECS President 2014-2015 - Université Laval - Canada
- Ivan Dubinenkov - Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research - Germany
- Ruth Hindshaw - University of St. Andrews - United Kingdom
- Heather Mariash - National Wildlife Research Centre - Canada
- Trista Vick-Majors - Montana State University - United States
- Jennifer Provencher - ex-officio - Carleton University - Canada
- Yulia Zaika - ex-officio - Khibiny educational and scientific base of the Faculty of Geography M.V.Lomonosov Moscow State University - Russia
- Alice Bradley - temporary ExCom member - University of Colorado, Boulder - United States
- Sílvia Lourenco - temporary ExCom member - Universidade de Lisboa - Portugal
Photo (from left to right): Ivan Dubinenkov, Gerlis Fugmann, Trista Vick-Majors, Ruth Vingerhagen, Heather Mariash, Yulia Zaika, Jean-Sébastien Moore
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Executive Committee 2013-2014
- Christie Logvinova - APECS President 2013-2014 - Clark University - United States
- Frigga Kruse - University of Groningen - Netherlands
- Russell Fielding - University of Denver, United States
- Jean-Sébastien Moore - Université Laval - Canada
- Iglika Trifonova - Bulgarian Antarctica Institute - Bulgaria
- Jennifer Provencher - ex-officio - Carleton University - Canada
- Penelope Wagner - ex-officio - University of Delaware - United States
- Yulia Zaika - ex-officio - Khibiny educational and scientific base of the Faculty of Geography M.V.Lomonosov Moscow State University - Russia
Photo: Front row from left to right: Iglika Trifonova, Frigga Kruse, Christie Logvinova. Back row from left to right: Gerlis Fugmann, Russell Fielding, Yulia Zaika, Jennifer Provencher, Jean-Sébastien Moore
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Executive Committee 2012-2013
- Penelope Wagner - APECS President 2012-2013 - University of Delaware - United States
- Erli Costa - Federal University of Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
- Jennifer Provencher - Carleton University - Canada
- Ines Tavernier - Consortium Marine@UGent - Belgium
- Yulia Zaika - Khibiny educational and scientific base of the Faculty of Geography M.V.Lomonosov Moscow State University - Russia
- Gerlis Fugmann - ex-officio - University of Saskatchewan - Canada
- Allen Pope - ex-officio - Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge - United Kingdom
Photo (from left to right): Penelope Wagner, Erli Costa, Jennifer Provencher, Ines Tavernier, Yulia Zaika, Gerlis Fugmann, Allen Pope
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Executive Committee 2011-2012
- Yulia Zaika - APECS President 2011-2012 - Khibiny educational and scientific base of the Faculty of Geography M.V.Lomonosov Moscow State University- Russia
- Allen Pope - Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge - United Kingdom
- Jennifer Provencher - Carleton University - Canada
- Angelika Renner - Norwegian Polar Institute - Norway
- Luis Guilherme Resende de Assis - Universidade de Brasilia - Brazil
- Gerlis Fugmann - ex-officio - University of Saskatchewan - Canada
Photo (from left to right: Jenny Baeseman, Julia Zaika, Luis Guilherme Resende de Assis, Allen Pope, Jennifer Provencher, Angelika Renner
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Executive Committee 2010-2011
- Allen Pope - APECS President 2010-2011 - Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge - United Kingdom
- Gerlis Fugmann - Justus Liebig University Giessen - Germany
- Angelika Renner - Norwegian Polar Institute - Norway
- Suhas Suresh Shetye - National Centre for Antarctic & Ocean Research - India
- Mariette Wheeler - M2 Environmental Connections, Pretoria - South Africa
Photo (from left to right): Mariette Wheeler, Suhas Shetye, Allen Pope, Jenny Baeseman, Gerlis Fugmann, Angelika Renner
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Executive Committee 2009-2010
- Gerlis Fugmann - APECS President 2009-2010 - Justus Liebig University Giessen - Germany
- Francisco Fernandoy - Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research - Germany
- Daniela Liggett - University of Canterbury - New Zealand
- Kate Sinclair - New Zealand Ice Core Programme - New Zealand
- Alexandra Taylor - Stockholm University - Sweden
- Allen Pope - part-term - University of Cambridge - United Kingdom
Photo (from left to right): Gerlis Fugmann, Francisco Fernandoy, Daniela Liggett, Kate Sinclair, Alexandra Taylor, Allen Pope
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Executive Committee 2008-2009
- Daniela Haase Liggett - APECS President 2008-2009 - University of Canterbury - New Zealand
- Ben Beall - University of Western Ontario - Canada
- Francisco Fernandoy - Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research - Germany
- Matt Strzelecki - Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań (Poland) & Durham University (U.K.) / The Association of Polish Geomorphologists - Poland
- Liz Thomas - British Antarctic Survey / U.K. Polar Network - United Kingdom
2008-2009 brought about some important career changes for 2 of our ExCom members. Jose and Tina have moved on, but still remain active in the organization.
- Jose Xavier, British Antarctic Survey (UK), CEBC-CNRS (France), and University of Algrave (PT)
- Tina Tin, Environmental Consultant (France)
Photo (from left to right): Daniela Liggett, Ben Beall, Francisco Fernandoy, Matt Strzelecki, Liz Thomas, Jose Xavier, Tina Tin
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Executive Committee 2007-2008
- Kriss Rokkan Iversen - APECS President 2007-2008 - University of Tromsø - Norway
- Narelle Baker - Scott Polar Research Institute / UK Polar Network - United Kingdom
- Hugues Lantuit - Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research / Permafrost Young Researcher Network and International Permafrost Association Secretary / Co-Founder of APECS - Germany
- Daniel Pringle - University of Alaska, Fairbanks / Alaska Young Researcher Network - United States
- Jose Xavier - Center for Marine Sciences / Portuguese Youth Steering Committee - Portugal
Photo: APECS ExCom 2007-2008 in Iceland writing the APECS constitution. From left to right: Hugues Lantuit, Jose Xavier, Daniel Pringle, Jenny Baeseman, Halldor Johansson, Kriss Rokkan-Iversen, ?, Narelle Baker, Dave Carlson