Education

2013                           Ph.D.  Physics (Earth and Atmospheric Physics), University of Toronto

2007                           M.Sc.  Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta 

2003                           BASc.  Mechanical Engineering, University of Toronto

Experience

2019 – Present         Physical Scientist III, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

·         Provide briefings to OPP-oceanography sub-initiative working group (OPPWG)  on all relevant direction, questions or decisions made by management, represent OPPWG in national-level technical discussions or meetings, coordinate the annual revision of the work plan and present to management for approval and coordinate reporting requirements.

·         Plan and facilitate the OPPWG annual face to face meeting which usually occurs over a few days every November.

·         Revised and facilitated through meetings and questionnaires input to the Research Modelling Analysis Advice and Services (RMAAS) committee gap analysis with the aim of delivering coordinated and prioritized research activities, and eventual revisions to the Ocean Science Framework (OSF) and RMAAS Strategic Plans

2017 – 2019             Science Advisor, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

·         Developed and implemented guidelines and governance regarding Research Modelling Analysis Advice and Services (RMAAS) committee General Purpose Science Cluster (GPSC) computing resources

·         Furthered the development and was testing lead of a QAQC system for in-situ data required by operational ocean models

2015 – 2017             Postdoctoral Fellow, Université du Québec à Montréal

·         Implemented hydrodynamic and water quality models (GLM and Delft3D) to predict methane production in hydroelectric dam reservoirs. 

2014 – 2015              Postdoctoral Fellow, National Hydrology Research Centre, Global Institute for Water Security

·         Developed and evaluated hydrodynamic models for integration within Environment Canada’s regional climate model (MESH/CLASS).

2007 – 2013               Environmental Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, University of Toronto

·         Designed, planned and executed limnology field studies focused on characterization of turbulence (thermistors, ADCP and SCAMP), particulate transport (GPS track drifters) and local meteorology (eddy covariance).

·         Applied Lagrangian dispersion modeling to quantify transport and identify barriers to mixing in Lake St. Clair.

2004 – 2007              Multiphase Flow Fluid Laboratory, University of Alberta

·         Evaluated the effect of drag reducing polymers on interface drag of air-water, horizontal two-phase flow. 

·         Developed an optical interfacial measurement method using laser induced fluorescence and high speed videography.

Languages

English (native), French (intermediate/conversational)

Volunteer Service

2019 – Present          Daycare, CPE St. Mary’s – Board Member

2018 – Present          Tenant advocacy, LogisAction – Board Member

2011 – 2013              Crisis Counselling, Toronto Rape Crisis Centre – Crisis Line Counsellor

2008 – 2010              Crisis Counselling, Helping Every Youth Through Youth – Supervisor

2005 – 2007              Crisis Counselling, University of Alberta Sexual Assault Centre – Crisis Counsellor

Selected Publications

Leach TH, Beisner BE, Carey CC, Pernica P, Rose KC, Huot Y, Anneville O, Brentrup JA, Domaizon I, Grossart HP, Ibelings B, Kelly PT, Jacquet S, Rusak J, Straile D, Stockwell D, Verburg P. 2018. Patterns and drivers of deep chlorophyll maxima structure in 100 lakes: The relative importance of light and thermal stratification. Limnology and Oceanography, 63, 628 - 646. doi: 10.1002/lno.10656

Guerrero J-L, Pernica P, Wheater H, MacKay M, Spence C. 2017. Parameter sensitivity analysis of a 1-D cold region lake for land-surface schemes. Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21(12), 6345–6362.

Pernica P, North R, Baulch H. 2017. In the cold light of day: The importance of under ice convective layers to primary producers.  Inland Waters, 7(2), 138-150. doi: 10.1080/20442041.2017.1296627

Pernica P, Wells MG, MacIntyre S. 2014. Persistent weak thermal stratification inhibits mixing in the epilimnion of north-temperate Lake Opeongo, Canada. Aquatic Sciences, 76(2), 187-201.

Pernica P, Wells MG and Sprules G. 2013. Internal waves and mixing in the epilimnion of a lake affects spatial patterns of zooplankton in a body-size dependent manner. Limnology and Oceanography: Fluids and Environments  doi: 10.1215/21573689-2409149.

Pernica P, Wells MG. 2012. Frequency of episodic stratification in the near surface of Lake Opeongo and other small lakes. Water Quality Research Journal of Canada, 47(3-4), 227-237.

Invited Talks

Civil Engineering seminar series, Concordia University, Canada: March 2017. Modeling as a tool to understand the role played by lake systems.