Greta Wengert
Co-Executive Director and Co-Founder
B.S. Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
M.S. Humboldt State University, College of Natural Resources, Wildlife Ecology
Ph.D. University of California at Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ecology
Dr. Greta Wengert is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of IERC. She has led our organization since its founding in 2004. Her research focuses on the relationships within forest predator and aquatic wildlife communities and how natural and human influences impact these interactions. Her interdisciplinary investigations into the impacts and drivers of predation of sensitive species include both molecular and spatial analyses to characterize predation impacts from both native wildlife as well as invasive species. These studies have included biological communities ranging from mid-sized carnivores and ungulates to northwestern pond turtles and amphibian larvae.
Christina Varian
Ecological Research Scientist
B.S. Humboldt State University, Wildlife Biology and Vertebrate Ecology
Ph.D. University of Georgia, School of Veterinary Medicine, Comparative Biomedical Science.
Christina is a disease ecologist, her latest research focused on multi-host vector-borne disease ecology using Chagas disease in central Panama as a study system. While in Panama, she also specialized in invertebrate taxonomy and studied changes in food web dynamics and community interactions in response to gradients of deforestation. Her current research interests include general disease ecology questions and wildlife health across a variety of taxa. In her spare time, Christina enjoys playing soccer, acrobatic pole dancing, fishing, and adventurous eating.
Ivan Medel
Environmental Restoration Program Manager
B.A. University of California Los Angeles, College of Letters and Sciences
M.S. Humboldt State University, College of Natural Resources, Watershed Management
Ivan works as a Program Manager with IERC joining the team in November 2017. Ivan leads multiple projects within our Cannabis and Environmental Science program. Prior to IERC, he worked as the Watershed Programs Manager for the Santa Monica Bay National Estuary Program managing environmental monitoring, data analysis, and technical reporting efforts for numerous southern California restoration projects. In his free time, Ivan likes to go on runs, listen to music, and cook.
Vitek Jirinec
Ecological Research Scientist
B.S. Humboldt State University, College of Natural Resources & Sciences, Wildlife Ecology
M.S. College of William & Mary, School of Arts & Sciences, Biology
Ph.D. Louisiana State University, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Vitek Jirinec is an ecologist specializing in movement ecology, habitat use, and how species respond to environmental change. He has worked extensively in the Amazon, where his research has shown that even pristine rainforests are not immune to climate change, with birds adapting through shifts in body size and community composition. He has also studied bird migration, urban raptor ecology, and tracking methods for small birds. Since joining IERC in 2021, he has led research on a range of topics, including the effects of Barred Owls on the ecosystems of northwestern California. When he’s not in the field or behind a computer, Vitek can usually be found mountain biking, jogging, or backpacking—preferably somewhere off the grid.
Porter Ellis
Laboratory Technician
B.S. California State Polytechnic University Humboldt, Wildlife Conservation and Management
Porter initially joined the IERC team through our Gateway Science internship program and has since graduated to become an employee within our Disease Ecology program. Porter has a professional background in coordinating youth science summer camps, as well as professional interests in wildlife diseases and disease ecology. In his free time, Porter enjoys backpacking, birding, landscape photography, and anything to do with the outdoors.
Chris Garrison
Ecological Project Coordinator
B.S. University of California, Santa Cruz, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
At IERC, Chris coordinates the Sierra Nevada Amphibian Monitoring Program, a collaboration with the US Forest Service focused on monitoring the distribution and abundance of rare and endangered amphibians in the Sierra Nevada. He is a field biologist with years of experience working on and leading amphibian field crews in the mountains of California. He is a proud generalist, having worked with birds, plants, mammals, and fungi in addition to his beloved reptiles and amphibians.
Jake Zolwik
Environmental Project Specialist
B.S. Central Michigan University, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Once obtaining his B.S. in Environmental Science, Jake has spent the past few years traveling throughout the U.S. participating in various wildlife research projects. Some of his favorite experiences include Desert Tortoises in Nevada, Salmon in Alaska, and Owls in Arizona. Now finding himself in Humboldt, Jake is excited to learn about and explore the local area. In his free time, Jake enjoys trying new recipes, trip planning, and sleeping under the stars.
Casandra Leach
Environmental Project Specialist
B.S. San Diego State University, Environmental Engineering, Minor in Sustainability
M.S. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Environmental Science and Management
Prior to joining IERC, Casandra worked as an analyst on mangrove conservation and restoration projects in West Africa, partnering directly with local communities on conservation initiatives. She also brings a background in soil ecology, where her master’s thesis investigated how microplastics affect soil health in agricultural settings. Later, her research on beaver wetland resilience to drought and wildfire sparked a passion for process-based restoration and wildlife conservation, ultimately bringing her to IERC. Casandra looks forward to applying this varied experience to IERC’s Environmental Restoration Program across the region. Outside of the office, Casandra enjoys exploring local hiking and mountain bike trails, birdwatching from her paddle board, and all manner of crafts, such as (but not limited to!) ceramics, crocheting, and embroidery.