Rakel Holm

Title: Graduate Student
Email: holm-h@webmail.uwinnipeg.ca

Degree: Master of Science
Thesis: A Geospatial Analysis of Oil Spill Risks to Red River Métis Freshwater Ecosystems and Resources in Manitoba
Supervisor: Dr. Caleb Hasler & Dr. Joni Storie
Entry: Spring / Summer 2025

Research Interests:
My research aims to assess the threats that oil spills pose to sites and resources that are of ecological, cultural, historical and economic significance to the Red River Métis here in Manitoba. I'm interested in gaining a better understanding of the potential biological effects of oil spills on important species and impacts to aquatic and shoreline habitats in freshwater environments. This project will be done in collaboration with the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) and will pair Métis knowledge and conventional science methods, including geospatial analysis. The goal of this research is the development of an Oil Spill Risk Assessment (OSRA) than can be used to identify high priority areas and inform the oil spill planning and decision-making process.

Biography:
Hi! I'm Rakel (she/her). I'm originally from Calgary, Alberta, I moved to Winnipeg when I decided to further my education and pursue a Bachelor's degree. I graduated from the University of Manitoba with a BEnvSt in Environmental Studies and a minor in biology. I enjoyed the interdisciplinary nature of the program and the freedom it gave me to study a variety of fields. I worked with the Province of Manitoba during my studies and gained experience using GIS, which I'm excited to continue using in my thesis research. I'm thrilled to be partnered with the MMF for this unique project and to have the opportunity to apply multiple knowledge systems to a complex research problem.