Team

Favourite Ice Age Animal: Woolly Mammoth

Susan is the real deal when it comes to archaeology and human osteology. Joining the Beringia Centre as manager in June 2024, she brings over 20 years of experience to the table. Susan's journey began on a NatGeo-sponsored dig on the island of Unalaska, a modern remnant of Beringia in the Aleutian Islands. She then continued her work in the Alaskan subarctic of the Tongass National Forest.

Susan has amassed a wealth of experience across various jurisdictions. She has worked with government agencies, research and academic institutions, First Nations groups, private consulting organizations, public stakeholders, special interest groups, and political representatives.

Passionate about the stories bones tell, Susan has analyzed over 1,100 sets of human remains, revealing the intricate narratives they hold. Her interest also extends to the global movement of megafauna.

Favorite Ice Age Animal: Stilt-Legged Horse

Cooper is another one of those “born and raised” Yukoners. It seems there are more of them around these days. As with many of this rare breed, nature is a special interest. I mean, have you seen it up here; it’s crazy wild and beautiful! Cooper is no exception to this rule, whose hobbies include almost everything nature oriented – especially landscape and wildlife photography. The nature theme does not stop there though, why not go all the way and make a career out of it, right? Cooper is doing exactly that. He's currently enrolled at Yukon University studying … you guessed it... Environmental Sciences.  

All this to say, if you are interested in nature come talk shop with Cooper who works at Beringia Centre – a “natural” science museum. I mean, how much more natural can you get, Cooper?

Favourite Ice Age Animal: Beringian Lion

Jacob is a real archaeologist, who has dug holes across western and northern Canada. Digging holes in order to fill them is what archaeologists do, but as Jacob knows, the work is not all indigo ponies and Indiana Jones. Archaeology is meticulous, backbreaking work. Digging up the tiniest shreds of evidence, just so the world can have a clearer picture of the past, requires conviction and drive …something Jacob has in spades (get it …spades). While many Beringia staff, steeped in academic theory and head knowledge, have scarcely gotten their hands dirty, Jacob is the real deal with both book smarts and field cred. This gives Jacob a unique perspective, one that he is excited to share with visitors.

It goes without say that Jacob enjoys all things science and outdoors. These two passions have clearly merged in his choice of career, but also played a significant role in his decision to move to Whitehorse last spring and even to enroll in the Northern Studies program at Yukon University. One thing is for sure, Jacob is going places, so Beringia Centre is excited to have him onboard!

Favourite Ice Age Animal: Giant short-faced bear

As a born-and-raised Yukoner with a wilderness mentality and an interdisciplinary education, Lance finds Beringia a natural fit for him. 

“It overlaps with so many of my interests and is a never-ending source of awe and discovery,”  Lance gushes. “It’s humbling to realize how this fortuitous strip of northland shaped so much of the natural and social history of our planet–it’s truly significant!”

So, when Lance isn’t out fishing, picking morels or birdwatching, he is wrapping his head around the implications and nuances of Beringia. He is especially interested in how cutting-edge science works to resolve our questions about the ice age and peopling of the Americas.  He also sees Beringia as a natural platform to discuss many of the environmental and social issues facing us today.

Lance is all about showing off… Beringia that is. So look for programs that tell it like it is—for  Lance there is no need to exaggerate or sensationalize, the real story is spectacular enough.

Please contact Lance if you have any questions about the centre’s interpretive programs or if you would like to book a tour.

Danial's journey to Beringia has been anything but ordinary. Moving from the Middle East, to the Far East, to Vancouver, and eventually the Yukon, Danial has travelled around the globe to be here. With a humble spirit and deep curiosity, Danial brings a passion for learning that exemplifies everything we stand for.

While Danial did not come to the Centre through the traditional natural sciences academic route, Danial brings a wealth of direct and immersive knowledge from his time as a nature guide. As a nature guide, Danial has spent time in wild spaces and can speak intimately about his experiences with everything from aspens to auroras. For a man who prefers hanging off cliffs and racing down mountains, it's sometimes hard to imagine Danial working a 9 to 5 desk job. Yet, glimpses of his past life, as a software engineer, poke through. Combine his IT background with his adventure guiding experience, and you get a unique take on Beringia. When you visit, make sure you ask him about his favorite Ice Age animal—the grey wolf!

Favourite Ice Age Animal: Grey Wolf