Paul Mero (he/him)

Executive Director
647-258-3280 x 2005
paul@ecospark.ca 

Paul’s Bachelor of Political Science degree taught him that democracies only work when citizens are engaged. Combining that understanding with his love of natural spaces, he has pursued a career in the environmental not-for-profit sector. EcoSpark’s focus on citizen science offers an exciting new opportunity for him to build on his past work helping individuals understand and tackle environmental challenges.

Dana Buchbinder (she/her)

Citizen Science Program Manager
647-258-3280 x 2003
dana@ecospark.ca

Dana is an active member of the Citizen Science Association. She graduated in 2012 with a Masters of Environmental Management degree from Duke University, where she loved field studies that had her buzzing with bumblebees. She has supported research on the Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas (Ontario Nature), community air sensors (U.S. EPA), and Delaware StreamWatch (Ashland Nature Center) citizen science projects. Dana leads EcoSpark’s citizen science programs, including the School Watch and Park Watch programs.

Livia Antony (she/her)

Citizen Science Lead Educator
647-258-3280 x 2003
livia@ecospark.ca

Livia’s passion for the sciences and the natural world led her to pursue a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Geology from Mumbai, India. Her growing desire to work in the field of sustainability and conservation brought her to Canada to pursue the Master of Environment and Sustainability program at Western University. Using her knowledge and skills acquired through this multidisciplinary learning, she now works as the Citizen Science Lead Educator, engaging students, schools and community groups in environmental citizen science monitoring activities across the GTA.

Kumal Udamulla (he/him)

Seasonal Program Delivery Assistant
647-258-3280 x 2011
kumal@ecospark.ca

Kumal is a fourth-year student at the University of Toronto pursuing a Bachelor's in Environmental Science and Environmental Biology. His deep fascination with the sciences and the environment has helped him study phosphorus in urban water bodies and aquatic ecosystems. Kumal loves working in the field and enjoys analyzing and finding relationships in environmental data. He hopes to further develop his knowledge of aquatic ecosystems and help engage the youth and the public in the sciences. In his spare time, Kumal loves birdwatching and cycling around the GTA.

Karen Bennedsen (she/her)

Financial and Office Administrator
647-258-3280 x 2002
accounts@ecospark.ca

Karen helps EcoSpark bring about positive change by taking care of the finances and office. She finds creative ways to reuse or repurpose broken monitoring equipment and helps eliminate waste everywhere possible. Karen is an avid bike rider and also works as a gardener, both which keep her outdoors as much as possible.