Directors & Senior Scientists

HARTNETT, Emma, Ph.D.
Director, Risk Assessment of Biological Systems
Modeling and Simulation Specialist
Emma Hartnett has a Ph.D. in Statistics and Modeling science, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology and specializes in risk analysis in the microbial and animal health spheres.  Emma has extensive experience working in food-safety and animal health risk analysis, in particular in the development of quantitative microbial risk assessments for a variety of pathogens.  Emma currently serves as Past-Chair to the Biological Stressors specialty group of the Society for Risk Analysis.  Risk analysis work includes food-related pathogens (including Campylobacter, Salmonella, Enterobacter and antimicrobial resistant pathogens), water-borne pathogens (including Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Rotavirus) and animal health issues (including Foot and Mouth disease, Classical Swine fever, and African Swine Fever).  Emma is engaged in World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) initiatives in microbial risk assessment, including establishment of international guidelines for risk analysis, and was a primary contributor to the WHO/FAO risk assessments for C. jejuni in broilers and E. sakazakii in powdered infant formula.  Emma also provides training in risk analysis and quantitative risk assessment to international organizations on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO).

RUTHMAN, Todd
Director, Risk Management Technology
Todd Ruthman leads a team specializing in the development of custom science-based and risk-based applications for RSI’s clients using a combination of simulation, database and web technologies. Todd has a degree in Systems Design Engineering and over fifteen years of internet, database and software development experience. He has provided these services to a multitude of clients from both the public and private sectors, including the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada, and the United States Department of Agriculture. Recent projects have focused on simulation-based, risk-ranking applications for microbial and chemical hazards in food.

SPARLING, Erik, MA, B.A.Sc in Biology
Director, Climate Risk Decision Support
Senior Analyst, Risk Informed Decision Support
Erik Sparling brings to RSI an academic background that bridges the natural (ecology) and social sciences (human geography); professional experience in the study and analysis of environmental decision-making, governance structures and institutions; and a strong ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in the delivery of products ranging from training materials for municipalities, to risk assessment guidelines for northern infrastructure practitioners, and policy research reports for the Federal Minister of the Environment.     
Over the past decade, Erik has worked for the Federal Government (Environment Canada), the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
Most recently, Erik has led a range of projects focused on the management, communication, and use of scientific information by a range of end-users, especially with respect to the assessment of climate change-related risks. He has been the author or co-author or various papers, reports and peer-reviewed publications in this area, and has played a main role in advancing the consideration of climate change-related factors in relevant areas of Canada's national codes and standards system.    
Finally, Erik has had experience working with decision-makers and clients in the public, private, and NGO sectors, and has conducted a significant amount of work in the Canadian North.

AULD, Heather, B.Sc., M.Sc.
Principal Climate Scientist
Heather Auld joined RSI as Principal Climate Scientist in January 2012. She has extensive experience (>32 years) with Environment Canada and Department of National Defence in management, Government of Canada processes, weather forecasting and operations, climate science, climate change adaptation, training and stakeholder consultations. She has recognized national and international expertise in climate change impacts and adaptation, engineering climatology for national codes and standards, energy-climate research, extreme event and forensic analyses, disaster risk reduction planning and science-policy linkages; 
Experience in Government of Canada protocols and programming (including drafting of Memorandum to Cabinet and Treasury Board submissions). Heather is a recipient of several Environment Canada Awards for leadership and innovation in building new and  improved programs, and is author of many peer-reviewed publications and international reports on climate change scenarios, adaptation to extremes, engineering climatology, extreme weather, energy, disaster risk reduction.