IERC Leadership
Dr. 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.
Dr. Mourad Wisam Gabriel
Co-Executive Director and Co-Founder
B.S. Humboldt State University, Wildlife Biology
M.S. Humboldt State University, Wildlife Conservation
Ph.D. University of California at Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Comparative Pathology (Integrative Pathobiology)
Dr. Gabriel is Co-Founder and Co-Director of Integral Ecology Research Center (IERC), where he leads scientific strategy, partnerships, and organizational growth alongside overseeing grant administration and strategic communications. He studied at Humboldt State University and at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Comparative Pathology, building a foundation in wildlife disease ecology and conservation science. He held a federal program leadership role with USDA, U.S. Forest Service, and also has advised at the White House level on public lands conservation, giving him a rare view into both the science and policy sides of natural resource management. As a first-generation American and the first in his family to enter conservation science and receive a Doctorate, he is driven by a deep commitment to equity in STEM access and to opening doors for emerging scientists who might not otherwise see a path into the field. That combination of scientific rigor and personal investment in mentorship continues to shape how he builds IERC as an institution rather than around any single project or researcher.
Dr. Gabriel will trade office time for a wetsuit, a fishing rod, or tracking game every chance he gets, with the same enthusiasm he brings to conservation science. Family and the great outdoors round out the rest.
IERC Staff
Dr. 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.
Dr. 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.
Kimberly Haile
Human Resources Generalist
B.A. California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, Leadership Studies
Society of Human Resource Management – Certified Human Resource Professional
Kimberly is an HR and operations professional focused on building strong organizational systems that support both people and mission-driven work. At IERC, she supports human resource operations, organizational development, compliance, and employee engagement, helping create structures that allow scientific teams to thrive and focus on impactful conservation research. Her professional background includes experience in operations, full-cycle human resources management, and cross-functional organizational support, with a strong emphasis on systems thinking, communication, and operational efficiency. Kimberly is especially drawn to work that strengthens teams and creates positive organizational culture, while building environments where people can do meaningful work that contributes to the greater good. Outside of work, Kimberly enjoys supporting the Arts, community-centered projects, and exploring ways to foster connection through performance and storytelling. She is passionate about creating spaces where people feel supported, empowered, and inspired to grow.
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.
Margaret Stoneham
Ecological Project Coordinator
M.S. Texas State University
At IERC, Maggie contributes to Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Program, coordinating the R5 Carnivore Monitoring Project in the southern Sierras of California, with a particular focus on fisher and marten ecology and the use of remote sensing tools to inform potential population declines, track distribution, and land management decisions. Maggie is a conservation ecologist whose masters’ research at the Texas State University investigated carnivore temporal ecology in Neotropical landscapes using remote camera data. Prior to joining IERC, Maggie had previously worked as a field biologist with the R5 Carnivore monitoring project conducting carnivore surveys and supervising a crew, and also worked as a consultant biologist in San Diego County, surveying and monitoring for species of concern.
Jackie Quinones
Outreach Coordinator and HOC Staff Ornithologist
B.S. University of Maryland, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Wildlife Ecology
As Outreach Coordinator, Jackie leads IERC’s community engagement efforts, building and maintaining partnerships and promoting the organization’s research and conservation projects. She also supports organizational development and coordinates field operations for the Humboldt Ornithology Collective in IERC’s foundational partnership with Cal Poly Humboldt’s fledgling ornithology collaborative. Jackie’s work as an ornithologist has led her across North America, running banding stations in Ontario and coastal California as well as studying the breeding and movement ecology of several different declining and endangered species. Her primary research interests center on migration and movement ecology, a field she intends to pursue in graduate school. Prior to her work in ornithology, she ran a nonprofit, managing their public outreach, event planning, and fundraising efforts. She looks forward to creating meaningful connections and sharing her enthusiasm for avian field research and restoration of native habitats throughout California. Outside of work, you can find Jackie cooking her way through her extensive cookbook collection, frequenting local farmers’ markets, and hiking up to alpine lakes.
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.
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.
Emma Knepp
Environmental Restoration Technician
B.S. Oregon State University, College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Science
M.S. California Polytechnic State University, Humboldt, Natural Resources
At IERC, Emma contributes to environmental restoration program projects, with a focus on vegetation monitoring. Emma is a recent graduate of Cal Poly Humboldt, where her master’s thesis examined tree rings from high-elevation conifers in the Trinity Alps Wilderness of northern California. Prior to joining IERC, she worked as a field botanist, conducting soil and vegetation surveys across the Great Basin region, deepening her appreciation for public lands and remote landscapes. She’s drawn to work where field-based data collection informs our understanding of ecosystem health and land management. Outside of work, Emma enjoys spending time on local trails, riding her bike, and trying different bakeries around town.
Rebeca Becdach
Environmental Restoration Technician
B.S. Tufts University, Biology and Environmental Studies
M.S. California Polytechnic State University, Humboldt, Wildlife
At IERC, Rebeca contributes to the Environmental Restoration Program, including restoration on public lands, environmental studies, and assessment of soil and water quality. Rebeca’s background is in wildlife biology; her master’s research assessed jaguar population density and occupancy in eastern Panama using spatial models and camera data. Before joining IERC, she worked as a field biologist in the Coachella Valley conducting surveys and banding for burrowing owls. Here in Northern California, Rebeca worked on a long-term monitoring project for bats in Humboldt Redwoods with the U.S. Forest Service, as well as a population study for fishers and martens in Lassen National Forest with a Cal Poly Humboldt graduate student. Outside of fieldwork, Rebeca dedicates most of her free time to training jiu jitsu and kickboxing, and enjoys crafting, with a current focus on embroidery and cross stitching.