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Lead Researcher
Lead Researcher
Dr. Gunn's main research interests aim to improve the retrievals of physical components of the Cryosphere, including permafrost (active layer thickness, timing of thaw/refreeze) and ice parameters in sub-Arctic and Arctic environments. His research applies emerging technologies including: airborne/spaceborne synthetic aperture radar, high-performance cloud computing (ex. Google Earth Engine), interferometry, polarimetric decomposition, thermodynamic modeling, and the collection of field variables to validate these remote observations.
Fun facts: Dr. Gunn plays softball - poorly, hence why he periodically lecture with a black eye (true story). He has also been to every province and territory in Canada!
Current Graduate Students
Current Graduate Students
Jake Ferguson, PhD Candidate
Jake (he/him) is a PhD Candidate in Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Waterloo. He’s interested in SAR Interferometry, SAR Polarimetry, producing open educational resources, and fussing over his website’s D3 renders. He primarily works on Synthetic Aperture RADAR remote sensing of cryospheric systems, but his work also touches on other remote sensing methods, thermodynamic models which ingest RS data, and physics pedagogy.
Fun fact: In his free time, Jake enjoys birding!
Sukhdip Kharoud, PhD Student
Sukhdip is a PhD student who's research focuses on improving the retrieval of lake ice properties, including ice thickness and internal structure, in remote northern environments. In my MSc, I used multifrequency synthetic aperture radar (X-, C-, and L-band) acquired by the DLR’s FSAR sensor to investigate microwave interactions with freshwater ice, with observations collected over Noell Lake in the Northwest Territories. Through polarimetric decomposition, I assessed the sensitivity of different wavelengths to variations in lake ice, contributing to the development of remote sensing techniques for future SAR missions such as NASA/ISRO’s NISAR. This work supported broader efforts to understand the role of lake ice in northern hydrology, climate systems, and as a critical component of winter transportation infrastructure.
Fun facts: Outside of research, I enjoy spending time outdoors, particularly hiking, and I'm a lifelong baseball fan with a special love for both the Dodgers and Blue Jay!
Hayley Kavanagh, MSc Student
Hayley is a MSc student who is exploring the capability of the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission to retrieve lake ice and overlying snow. She plans on implementing InSAR methods to the KaRIn sensor on the SWOT satellite to determine the sensitivity of the instrument to changes in snow and lake ice heights. In the winter of 2025 Hayley was able to participate in field work in Kluane Lake (Łù’àn Mǟn), through which she gained various skills and knowledge regarding freshwater ice.
Fun fact: Hayley raises livestock in her spare time.
Peilin (Jan) Chen, MSc Student
Peilin was graduated from UW's geomatic program, and now pursuing master degree in Geography. He was working in Canada Center for Remote Sensing and Department of Fisheries and Ocean during his undergraduates. Currently he is researching InSAR methods for lake ice thickness retrieval, specifically potentials from immediate interferometry systems and the NISAR mission.
Fun fact: Peilin choose Arctic studies because he thought he could watch a polar bear for free.
Alumni Students
Alumni Students
Connor McRae-Pharo, MSc
Jennifer Fatt, MSc
Saba Dezyani, MSc
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