Board
The PaCS Board holds an annual business meeting in conjunction with the ICCB or one of the regional SCB meetings. We hope to see you at the next meeting!
John A. Cigliano, President
John A. Cigliano is Professor Emeritus of Biology and former Director of Environmental Conservation at Cedar Crest College, Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA, an adjunct research faculty at the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park,Winter Harbor, Maine, USA, and an Earthwatch Institute Principal Investigator. He is Vice Chair of Massachusetts Oyster Project, a NGO dedicated to oyster reef restoration and Marine Science Advisor for Seaside Sustainability, a NG working to address marine plastic pollution. John currently engages with citizen scientists in his research on the effects of ocean acidification and warming and microplastics on temperate intertidal and coastal organisms and communities. He co-edited and author of several chapters in the book “Citizen Science for Coastal and Marine Conservation" and is an Associate Editor for the journal "Citizen Science: Theory and Practice."
Lindsay Wancour, Vice President
Lindsay is the Project Creation Senior Manager at Adventure Scientists, a nonprofit that equips partners working in environmental fields with project planning, training, and field data to advance their goals using a citizen science model.
After serving in AmeriCorps for 2 years connecting to beautiful, rugged backcountry landscapes in Montana and Idaho, Lindsay decided to pursue a passion-driven career in conservation. She earned her M.S. in Environmental Studies with a certificate in Natural Resource Conflict Resolution from University of Montana. Her research focused on engaging communities in watershed conservation. In 2016 she was recognized as a Wyss Conservation Scholar for her graduate work. In 2018 She became the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Science and Democracy Fellow for Montana. In 2020 she was part of SHIFT’s Emerging Leaders Program. Previously she was the Co-PI on a huckleberry phenology study in partnership with USGS and Earthwatch. Nothing brings her more joy than helping people develop relationships with the outdoors and become advocates for nature.
Tod Harwell, Secretary/Treasurer
Todd Harwell (he/him) is a Research Scholar in the Novel Data Ecosystems for Sustainability Group at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) near Vienna, Austria. His current work focuses on advancing and scaling citizen science initiatives across Europe to support inclusive, data-driven, and nature-based approaches to sustainability and urban transformation. He focuses on developing collaborative approaches to environmental monitoring and knowledge creation that strengthen connections between science, policy, and society. His previous research explored the roles of citizen science in marine conservation and in supporting diverse participation and science identity development. Todd holds a PhD in Environmental Sciences from Oregon State University and has worked in academic, governmental, and research settings.
Claire O'Neill, Member-at-Large
Claire is the President and co-founder of Earthwise Aware (EwA), a nonprofit advancing ecological literacy, co-created participatory science, and conservation action. She runs EwA’s Biodiversity and Climate Participatory Science Program, leading inclusive ecological monitoring and long-term research that connect professionals, scientists, communities, and volunteers through ethical, data-driven engagement. With over a decade of experience in conservation and program development, Claire has established documentation initiatives, capacity-building workshops, and open-access tools that support high-quality participatory science. She collaborates with agencies, academic institutions, and grassroots groups to advance transparent, locally relevant research. Her leadership emphasizes equitable frameworks that empower diverse stakeholders and expand public participation in environmental research, while EwA’s open programming reflects her commitment to environmental justice, intercultural dialogue, and community stewardship. Claire also contributes to professional networks, developing participatory science standards and tracking outcomes, bridging research, policy, and practice.
Nichole Reed, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer
Nichole Reed is an ecosystem scientist specializing in grassland ecology with a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has mentored undergraduate researchers through the University of Illinois’ Latin@s Gaining Access to Networks for Advancement in Science (LAS GANAS) program and supported queer graduate students at Arizona State University through peer mentorship and professional development initiatives. Currently, she works as an environmental consultant and is committed to promoting community-led solutions while fostering sustainability and conservation awareness.
Delphine Mpayimana, Student Affairs Officer
Ms. Delphine Mpayimana is a passionate biodiversity conservationist with a Master’s degree in Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resources Management. She has a strong background in ecosystem and landscape restoration, species monitoring, and plant biodiversity research, with hands-on experience in forest inventory, species distribution modelling, and agroforestry systems. She has worked with leading institutions such as the Center of Excellence in Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resources Management (CoEB), Rwanda Forest Authority (RFA), University of Rwanda (UR) and One Acre Fund (OAF) Tubura. Through these engagements, she has contributed to projects advancing forest mapping, ecological data analysis, and sustainable landscape management.
Delphine’s research focuses on medicinal and cultural plants, invasive species management, and sustainable land use planning. Beyond research, she is deeply committed to youth and women’s engagement in conservation initiatives. Her leadership experience includes serving as Communication Officer for the Society for Conservation Biology (Rwandan Chapter), where she promotes science-based environmental stewardship among emerging conservation professionals. Delphine is recognized for her professionalism, community engagement, and dedication to advancing biodiversity conservation through education, mentorship, and evidence-based environmental action.
Anya Dabite, Education & Training Officer
Anya Dabite is a biodiversity conservator with over seven years of experience working with local communities across Korup and Mt Cameroon National parks to protect wildlife and also runs a conservation education initiative in secondary schools in Cameroon. He is currently engaged with the Program for Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (PSMNR) in Southwest Cameroon to estimate elephant populations at Mt. Cameroon and serves as a research consultant for students and researchers from the University of Göttingen, Germany as well as other international organisms carrying out research in Cameroon.