RBC Scholars in Sustainable Agriculture

BSc in Biological Science
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Over the past year, I have been working in entomology and learning about beneficial insects in agriculture. When I saw this program, it felt like a perfect blend of my interests and an opportunity to contribute to an important and relevant cause. Sustainability is an interest I have had for many years. Using that interest, along with the support of amazing contributors in this program, gives me hope for the future of sustainable agriculture in this changing world.

This summer, I will be researching the direct and indirect effects of predators on reducing flea beetle damage in canola plants. I will use pitfall traps to collect representative predator species and use microcosms to observe behaviours, along with a camera for both diurnal and nocturnal observation.

I am very grateful to be a part of this program and want to thank the RBC Scholar Program for this wonderful opportunity.

BSc in Animal Systems
Hyderabad, India

My interest in this program stemmed from the challenges faced by my generation, which is how to create food systems that are highly productive yet environmentally responsible. For me, sustainability isn't just an abstract concept; it means coming up with viable solutions that allow us to create a balance where agricultural practices benefit both people and the planet.

This summer, I'm involved in a research project on poultry immunity, and I'm designing my own protocol to track how healthy omega-3 fatty acids deposit in eggs. I will share the insights through podcasts and research events. I’ll also be working on three years of MEF Research and Learning Centre, laying hen farm data to compare how different housing systems impact egg production, efficiency, and animal welfare. I will use a specialized tool called NESTT to map out the facility's environmental footprint and explore how we can adapt it into a learning resource for other students.

I want to express how honored I am for this opportunity, and to say thank you to everyone who made it possible. I owe a special thanks to Dr. Anna Rogiewicz for her constant guidance and mentorship throughout my undergraduate journey. This program is a massive first step for my career, and I am excited about making a meaningful contribution to the team this summer!

MSc Soil Science
Poolville, NY, USA

I was drawn to this program because I want to contribute to developing agricultural practices that are beneficial for both people and the land, and I was excited about this opportunity to be part of a community of people who are also dedicated to that work. To me, a sustainable agricultural system is one that mimics the functions of a natural ecosystem and can produce food in a way that does not harm the land or reduce the resources available for future generations.

Understanding the drivers of phosphorus (P) loss from snowmelt, which contributes to eutrophication of waterways and loss of an invaluable non-renewable resource, is the goal of my research. To do this, I will be measuring P in soil and vegetation on farmers’ fields to determine the contributions of soil characteristics, cropping systems, and management decisions to P loss to help inform guidelines for conserving this essential nutrient. I’ll also be investigating how to increase circularity in agriculture by testing how struvite, a P fertilizer derived from wastewater, compares to conventional forms of P fertilizer on a novel perennial grain crop being developed at the university.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of this group of people working together to imagine new possibilities for more sustainable agricultural systems.

BSc in Agroecology
Vinhedo, Brazil

I have always been interested in ecology and all things related to natural ecosystems, but my current focus and passion lies in Entomology. Sustainability through my eyes means understanding and acknowledging the ecological niches that we as humans fit into, and studying ways to live in harmony with our natural ecosystems.

Through my experience in the faculty of Agriculture, I have realized the importance of sustainability and I believe RBC gives me the best possible opportunity to grow and develop my skills in the field!

As part of my project, I will be assisting two graduate students, under the supervision of Dr. Jason Gibbs, with their projects looking at native pollinators and decomposer insects, and how they may be impacted by the re-introduction of bison in the prairies. My project for the summer will involve selecting bison-made wallows and setting up bee bowl traps to capture native bees and predatory wasps, as a way to observe whether wallows can provide nesting habitats for ground-nesting Hymenopterans.

MSc in Soil Science
Teulon, Manitoba

I had the great privilege of being an RBC Scholar while an undergraduate student last summer, when I began the field work for what would become my master’s thesis study. As the RBC Scholar program supported me in that work, it made great sense to continue participating as a graduate student. Overall, this program speaks to my goals of promoting sustainable agricultural practices to crop producers. Sustainability in agriculture accounts for the viability of the farm business and the land such that agricultural producers can continue feeding the world by using practices that work with the environment and their communities in order to meet their economic goals.

Over the next year, I am continuing my field-plot trials on organically managed forage stands and annual cropping stands, and then analyzing all of the data that comes out of this two-year study. Last year I applied struvite-enriched compost products to these experiments, which featured yard waste, household food waste, and cattle manure as compost feedstocks. Struvite – a renewable slow-release phosphorus fertilizer produced from human wastewater – has recently been approved for use in organic cropping systems in Canada, so the timing of this study is excellent. This year I am observing the residual effects of those enriched-compost applications, to see if the subsequent crops can be sustained as a potential consequence of improved phosphorus availability from the struvite.

I am incredibly grateful to the RBC Scholars program for continuing to support my research, and to Dr. Joanne Thiessen Martens for her ongoing support and for entrusting me to carry out this important work.

MSc in Biosystems Engineering
St. Claude, Manitoba

I grew up on a farm and have always had an interest in improving how technology is used on the farm so biosystems engineering was the natural choice for me. From my experience working on farms I have found that sustainability in agriculture is more than just soil and water conservation, it is reconsidering how and why farmers make the choices they do. For agriculture to continue on its path of sustainability we need to rethink what farming looks like, we need to be thinking "What will the farm look like in 5, 10, 50 or more years from now?", and that means every part of agriculture needs to be looked at, from the environment to the equipment to the on-farm economics.

My project is focused on using drones to predict the biomass and feed quality of forage crops, such as alfalfa, in the field. Forage crops are a key source of affordable protein and fiber for livestock, but it is challenging for farmers to measure the feed quality of the crop before harvest. This means that farmers are not able to control the quality of the feed they provide their livestock which adds extra challenges to their management. By using drones equipped with multispectral cameras we can predict the feed quality and biomass of forage crops before farmers harvest which allows for them to overcome this challenge.

BSc in Agroecology, Minor in Entomology
Winnipeg, Manitoba

I have always been passionate about sustainability in various aspects in my life. The RBC scholars program sounded like a great way to pursue my interests and engage in research related to my field of study. Sustainable agriculture is about learning and implementing practices that protect the environment and biodiversity while ensuring we can produce enough food and resources for our population and future generations.

This summer I am working in Dr. Nuria Morfins Honeybee Lab. I will be conducting research on honeybee nutrition that focuses on the impact of certain feed additives effect on the health of a hive, with the goals of reducing hive mortality, minimizing the presence of disease, and increasing honey and product yields.

I am very appreciative for this opportunity to be an RBC Scholar, to be involved in research that will contribute to the field, meet and connect with many talented individuals, pursue work in a field I am passionate about, and to share the knowledge I am gaining!
 

PhD, Biosystems Engineering
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Global food insecurity is not a hoax nor is food insecurity in Canada a myth, even amid abundant natural resources. The need for improved food production to address rural and urban food insecurity challenges is a noble task and requires critical research and resource commitments. The RBC program provides me with a unique opportunity to contribute my two cents to food security improvement.

For me, sustainability in agriculture implies continuing commitment to creative innovation channeled to meeting current nutritional and agro industrial needs accountably and responsibly without limiting opportunities for future generations to meet the same and opportunities responsibly.

This summer, I am continuing community engagement in the First Nations communities where I will be conducting my research. I am involved in organizing an Aeroponic vegetables and fruits cultivation system workshop training in Sagkeeng First Nation, working collaboratively with colleagues and staff of the Sagkeeng School Authority. The project is to contribute to Indigenous food sovereignty and promote STEM learning among students. I am also working on getting the materials for my pilot project at the Gleanlea Research Station and in the Indigenous communities.

Besides, I will continue handing out free vegetable seedlings to students, staff, and community members through the initiative I started three years ago which is know as “Promoting Urban/School Gardening for Food Security, Mental Health Improvement and Community Integration”. Apart from giving out free seedlings, this initiative is acting as an outreach activity for the University of Manitoba and the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. I will also be donating free seedlings and supporting the Sagkeeng High School improve their Greenhouse.

I am delighted and grateful for the opportunity to be among the recipients of this prestigious RBC award. I am looking forward to networking with other recipients and the coordinators of this program. I hope to benefit from the resources and activities offered through the program.

BSc in Microbiology
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Agriculture is something that impacts every single person, and I think its future is incredibly important, which is what drew me to this program. I was excited by the opportunity to learn more about sustainability through hands-on research and explore how agriculture can continue evolving in ways that support both people and the environment. To me, sustainability in agriculture means finding a balance between productivity and caring for the land so future generations can continue to rely on it.

This summer, I will be conducting research at the Glenlea Research Station focused on how different grazing strategies influence soil microbial communities and greenhouse gas emissions within cropping systems. The project examines how integrating livestock into agricultural systems can impact soil health, sustainability, and long-term ecosystem function under different management practices. My work will focus on analyzing soil microbial communities and greenhouse gas dynamics within green manure systems. Through this research, I hope to better understand how agricultural practices can influence the long-term health and resilience of soil systems.
 

MSc in Animal Science
Winnipeg, Manitoba

I was drawn to the RBC Scholars program because of its focus on using innovation to build a strong, adaptable Canadian food system and its opportunities to interact directly with dairy producers. To me, sustainability in agriculture means moving away from a "one-size-fits-all" approach and instead utilizing continuous, individual animal data for precision management, with the goal of improving longevity for Canadian livestock.

Over the next year, my research will focus on utilizing streams of pre-recorded data generated by automatic milking systems to develop and train machine learning models that aid in determining cow-specific optimal breeding timing. Data from the Glenlea Research Station as well as 178 other Canadian dairy farms will be processed and cleaned to fit this purpose. These datasets include critical milk production and composition variables such as milk yield, fat and protein percentages, alongside health indicators such as somatic cell counts and fat-to-protein-ratios. This information will be used to establish a precise eligibility criteria and train predictive AI models, with the ultimate goal of building a user-friendly decision support tool to help Canadian dairy farmers make optimal breeding decisions and improve cow longevity.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities that the RBC Scholars program will present, providing a unique platform to collaborate directly with industry specialists and translate my research into real-world solutions.

PhD in Animal Science
Enugu, Nigeria

I grew up in a household where most of the food was homegrown, and animal manure from our livestock was used as fertilizer. This shaped my early understanding of agriculture as a circular system where waste from one process becomes an input for another. I am drawn to this program because of its focus on innovation and value addition. To me, sustainability in agriculture means creating systems that recover value from waste, transforming underutilized resources into productive inputs and functional outputs.

This summer, I will be starting my initial experimental work by preparing the protocols and materials for my project on end-of-lay hen valorization. This project's primary aim is to add value to this underutilized resource while reducing waste and improving environmental efficiency in the Canadian egg industry.
I would like to thank Dr. Argenis Rodas-Gonzalez, FAFS, and RBC for the opportunity and support.

BSc in Agriculture (Animal Systems)
Winnipeg, Manitoba

I was drawn to this program because it offers opportunities to learn and gain hands-on experience in research and to further enhance my perspective of livestock agriculture. Moreover, the program creates avenues to make personal connections by working alongside student graduates and industry specialists. To me, sustainability in agriculture is a means of preservation and balance between the world’s ecosystems and humanity’s way of life.

This summer, I will be working under the supervision of Dr. Anna Rogiewicz and her research team. We will be contributing to the development of a more sustainable food system that balances environmental and economic objectives, using Exogenous Enzyme Technology on under utilized feed ingredients. By incorporating this approach in poultry nutrition, we can assess its viability to improve nutrient digestibility, release prebiotic components from dietary fibres, and explore its potential to positively influence the health and performance of poultry.

I am honoured to take on this opportunity, and I am very thankful to Dr. Anna Rogiewicz for her support and guidance during my undergraduate studies.

MSc in Biosystems Engineering
Nepal

I joined this program due to the opportunity to be involved in research related to precision agriculture along with sustainable practices. Additionally, the presence of excellent advisors and access to the world-class research facility in agricultural technology were also major factors in being part of this program. Practicing the different techniques in achieving better productivity while preserving the existing ecosystem in the long run is sustainability in agriculture for me. The cutting-edge technologies like robotics, machine learning and automation should play a vital role in sustainable agriculture to protect the natural resources while providing higher outcomes.

My research in the upcoming year would be to design and test the system to collect data from the crop field, which includes capturing the top/side-view of the crops, monitoring soil properties (nitrogen, phosphorus and moisture content) and collecting weather conditions (air temperature, relative humidity, and vapor pressure). The data will be collected from the wheat field at the Glenlea research site to visualize and analyse in order to detect any stress symptoms present on the crops as early as possible.

Being a research assistant under the supervision of Dr. Jiating Li would be a great opportunity for me to explore the sustainable agriculture domain with the help of technologies like sensor fusion, embedded systems and machine learning. I believe that this will bring a new perspective to my research journey.

BSc in Computer Science
Winnipeg, Manitoba

I was drawn to this program for the opportunity to explore how artificial intelligence can support sustainable agriculture in a sector that’s vital to our province. To me, sustainability in agriculture means enhancing efficiency and productivity while promoting long-term environmental health. For example, by enabling practices like intercropping without the usual efficiency concerns around crop separation.

This summer, I plan to begin by assessing sustainability concerns with researchers at the Glenlea Research Station. Based on those discussions and potential applications, I will collect on-site data to train several computer vision models. I then aim to integrate these models into algorithms I develop to address key challenges in sustainable agriculture.

BSc in Agriculture (Agronomy)
Teulon, Manitoba

This program is a good fit for me because it is in alignment with my beliefs concerning the direction agriculture needs to take in order to remain a viable industry. In my view, sustainability in agriculture exists at the intersection of economic, environmental, and social responsibility – all three are critical to affordably feed the global population with nutritious food today and in the years to come.

This summer I am conducting field-plot trials on organically-managed forage and green-manure crops using compost products made of yard waste, household-food waste, and livestock manure, which are each enriched with wastewater-derived struvite – a renewable, slow-release phosphorus input. Organic crop production is often limited by low plant-available phosphorus due to its limited options for fertilizer inputs, and these phosphorus-fortified compost products may present an alternative. Such products were also developed with sustainability in mind, aiming to return carbon and phosphorus to the agricultural soils from which they came.

PhD in Soil Science
Sri Lanka

I was drawn to this program for its unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in research while building meaningful connections within the field. It offers an ideal platform to explore and deepen my passion for soil science, particularly in the context of sustainable soil and water management. The integration of scientific research with real-world applications aligns with my commitment to creating practical, impactful solutions in environmental stewardship. To me, sustainability in agriculture means managing soil and water resources efficiently to support food production while preserving ecosystem health for future generations.

My research will focus on quantification of phosphorus release from soils across Manitoba’s landscapes during spring snowmelt. I will be collecting field data, analyzing soil and snowmelt samples, and applying GIS techniques to map areas at risk of phosphorus loss. This summer, I will be conducting a laboratory study, and over the next year, I will continue my field sampling and analysis.

I would like to express my gratitude for the RBC Scholars Program which is an amazing opportunity to further my education in sustainability.

MSc in Soil Science
Nigeria

What drew me to this program is its alignment with my current research on soil health and how it influences long-term food security. Soil is an essential growth medium for food, underscoring its critical role in the continued existence of humanity.

To me, sustainability in agriculture means adopting practices that maintain and enhance soil quality, ensuring that it remains productive so that future generations can thrive. This approach aligns with RBC’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, and the program provides an opportunity to expand my expertise, collaborate with like-minded researchers, and make a meaningful contribution to the future of agriculture.

I am assessing how the use of cover crops can enhance nutrient availability and soil health in annual cash crop rotations. The high dependence on annual cash crops, coupled with inadequate soil management practices, has intensified soil degradation and nutrient depletion. My focus is on how different cash and cover crop integrations influence the cycling of essential soil nutrients and health indicators, which in turn affect long-term soil fertility.

BSc in Agriculture ( Animal Systems)
Gujarat, India

I was drawn to this program because it offers hands-on research opportunities that address real-world issues in animal health and nutrition. To me, sustainability in agriculture means integrating animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and efficient production practices to support long-term food security and responsible resource use.

This summer, I’m assisting with a poultry nutrition trial under the supervision of Professor Anna Rogiewicz and PhD student Shengnan Li. The study evaluates how different omega-3 fatty acid sources impact the health, productivity, and immune response of laying hens vaccinated against avian encephalomyelitis.

I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to research that connects nutrition, animal health, and sustainability. This experience is enhancing my technical skills, deepening my understanding of poultry production systems, and supporting my goal of advancing science-based solutions in agriculture.

BSc in Agriculture (Animal Systems)
Winnipeg, Manitoba

I was drawn to this program because of its commitment to advancing sustainable solutions in animal agriculture. As a pre-veterinary student, I’ve seen firsthand how interconnected human, animal, and environmental health are. To me, sustainable agriculture means protecting animal welfare, managing disease and pests responsibly, and ensuring long-term viability for both farms and ecosystems. Through this program, I hope to contribute to all three areas while sharing knowledge that builds resilience in the agricultural community.

This summer, I will be studying the prevalence of ectoparasites in various laying hen housing systems. I will also be involved in research on the role of horseflies and ticks in transmitting Bovine Anaplasmosis to beef cattle. Lastly, I will be contributing to an ongoing project that involves tick surveillance across Manitoba.

MSc in Soil Science
Ghana

In my previous role as a Research Assistant in the Department of Soil Science, University of Ghana, I worked on projects that focused on climate change impact on food systems in Ghana. We addressed the impacts through the lens of sustainable resource development, and I saw how that developed into strategies that were workable and acceptable by the farmers and other stakeholders. I am excited to be an RBC Scholar with the focus on sustainable agriculture as this provides me with the opportunity to advance my understanding of agricultural practices to promote resilient and sustainable food production systems and a healthy environment.

I will set up my research, which will focus on how soil freezing and thawing processes impact the interaction between soil structure and nutrient management in Manitoba. I will share my preliminary results with key stakeholders as well as present at local and national scientific meetings. In addition to my research, I will complete my coursework, which is relevant to deepening my understanding of concepts and principles that are critical to successfully executing my research.

BSc in Agroecology, minor in soil science
Winnipeg, Manitoba

I've always been interested in researching sustainability in agriculture, and Dr. Entz encouraged me to apply, as he thought my values as a student and agroecologist aligned with the intent of the RBC program. When I think of sustainability in agriculture, I think of adapting our agronomic systems to have resilience and respond to the conditions that threaten our agricultural industry. Sustainability means evolution in response to the changes we are seeing, and improving our systems to take into account the ecology that impacts them so that we can continue to provide not only food and feed, but ecological services like carbon sequestration and biodiversity.

I will be conducting multiple greenhouse gas experiments, comparing the nitrous oxide emissions from oat crops in organic and conventional systems, as well as nitrous oxide emissions from different green manure cover crops during the termination phase. Secondly, I will be conversing and visiting with producers across the province, to document what kind of beneficial practices they are using to promote the long term sustainability on their farms. I will form a collective of information, in which I can present as a first person article that educates other researchers, agronomists and producers on the diverse way sustainability can be applied on farms.

MSc in Plant Science
Punjab, India

Through this RBC-sponsored initiative, I will get the chance to expand my knowledge of sustainability-related agriculture research and encourage other academics and students to pursue similar endeavours. In my view, sustainability in agriculture refers to preserving natural resources, using agricultural inputs efficiently to lessen their negative effects on the environment, reducing the negative impacts of climate change, and ensuring sustainable food production.

My research project will evaluate the agronomic potential of integrating cover crops in an annual crop rotation. This project aims to assess the growth and establishment of cover crops, and their impact on soil properties, cash crop yield, and quality.

MSc in Entomology
Winnipeg, MB

I was drawn to this program because it is the only Department of Entomology in Canada and I am lucky enough for it to be in my hometown. Agricultural sustainability means approaching farming in a way that not only maintains, but improves the land, produces enough food, and is profitable enough to support the producers.

I will be surveying laying hen barns of differing production methods and assessing the differences in pest and parasite assemblage with a special interest in poultry red mite. The goal of this is to develop early detection methods that are effective across housing types and to lay to foundation for developing a holistic IPM program.

BSc in Agroecology
Arnaud, Manitoba

In the summer of 2023, I worked as a summer student for Dr. Yvonne Lawley and helped her with her experiments and her master's students. After that experience, I thought that it would be super fun to have a project of my own. Sustainable agriculture, to me, means keeping future generations and the environment in mind when developing agricultural practices. Organizing ourselves in a way that ensures there is a promising future for everyone and agriculture.

In my program, I am evaluating the impact of two different nurse crops, fall rye and oats, on flea beetle damage of canola. Specifically, I will be looking at the effect the nurse crops have on soil moisture, and if it is a factor in limiting canola growth.

BSc in Agriculture (Animal Systems)
Manitou, Manitoba

When initially introduced to this program, I knew it was not an opportunity that I could pass up. It allows me not only to have hands-on experience within the research side of the industry, but also creates personal connections and a space to further explore my passions within animal science. Sustainability to me means not only the continued preservation of our ecosystems, while embracing new technologies/practices to enhance continued productivity, it also means the preservation of the cherished rural way of life.

I will be working under the supervision of Dr Anna Rogiewicz and her phenomenal research team. Taking prebiotic products derived from under-utilized feed ingredients and by-products from various agricultural and food industries - specifically SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast). By incorporating it into poultry nutrition, we then can further assess its effects on poultry gut microbiome, health, and overall nutrient utilization, thus exploring the product's feed component capability and sustainable potential.

I would like to say that I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity, and I would like to say thank you to everyone who has made it possible.

BSc in Agroecology
Winnipeg, Manitoba

I'm interested in the intersection of and interaction between environment, food, and social systems. Sustainable agriculture to me means working with the land to create systems that improve ecosystems while providing for humanities needs.

This summer I am working on best managements practices for establishing pollinator habitats on farms. I am also developing a survey to better understand the current landscape of pollinator habitats in the prairies.

MSc in Animal Science
Iran

Growing up with pets during my childhood instilled in me a sense of responsibility towards animals, which led me to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine and my scholastic career deepened my understanding of animal production and welfare. Considering how important livestock production is to the health of society, my main goal for continuing graduate studies is to contribute to the sustainability of livestock production.

I'm working on post-weaning diarrhea in piglets and my project will centre on enhancing the health and productivity of pigs. The primary objective is to develop innovative strategies for managing infectious diseases on swine farms.

I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Hooman Derakhshani for his valuable guidance and support as my graduate supervisor.

MSc
Langley, B.C

What drew me to this program was the chance to pursue my goals. Which centres around my passion for bridging the gap between natural systems and human use of natural resources. I believe in a future where production does not come at a cost to the environment. Sustainable agriculture means human activity that produces what we need for society and benefits the ecological systems that we rely upon.

The future of agriculture and biodiversity on landscapes are highly fused together. In sustainable agriculture, the watershed comes first, feeding the soil microbiome is second nature, and production of crops and livestock blur the lines of where field meets forest. My research will focus on integrating indigenous ways of knowing and working with the land and its natural cycles. By doing so, this will mitigate negative impacts of climate change, such as flood/drought cycles.

BSc in Agriculture (Plant Biotechnology)
Winnipeg, Manitoba

I was drawn to this program by my interest in agriculture, which is a major part of Manitoba's economy. Sustainability to me means pursuing agriculture in a way that allows us to continue farming far into the future without damaging the fields and lands we rely on for it.

This summer I will be working at the department of soil science on a project assessing the impact of certain manure additives on greenhouse gas emissions.

MSc in Biosystems Engineering
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Lived my whole life in Winnipeg

What drew me to this program was the opportunity to pursue my interest in water conservation and soil science while being able to work at the Glenlea plots to collect data. Sustainable agriculture to me looks at discovering methods to conserve water and promote optimal plant health in the crop fields. Sustainability in agriculture also looks at creating models of fields in order to find better sustainable farming practices.

Over the summer I plan to install data collection systems in multiple locations of the Glenlea crop fields. The sensors will collect soil moisture and temperature data. Using this information, a 3D model using Hydrus will be created to accurately represent the soil conditions at the crop field in Glenlea. The model will allow for future recommendations to be given to optimize crop yield at Glenlea.

The RBC Scholars program is an amazing chance to pursue further sustainability education while getting to work on a hands-on project with professionals in your field.

PhD in Animal Science
Madagascar

Through my academic and professional experience, I have come to understand that sustainable practices, whether in crop or livestock production, must balance efficiency with environmental and social responsibility. To me, sustainability involves creating strategies that minimize environmental impact while ensuring long term productivity and protecting the well-being of both animals and consumers. As this program emphasizes sustainable agriculture, I wish to contribute through my research, which focuses on finding alternatives to antimicrobials to enhance animal health and promote more resilient agricultural systems.

In addition to my doctoral courses and seminar, I am working on my research proposal, which focuses on exploring the feasibility of using bacteriophages as an alternative to antibiotics for controlling post-weaning diarrhea in pigs. I am trying to get hands-on experience with the various protocols used in my lab.

Bachelor of Environmental Science
St. Norbert, Manitoba

I was drawn to this sustainable agriculture program due to my passion for addressing climate change and my deep-rooted connection to the land, stemming from my upbringing in a rural area and a keen interest in National Geographic entertainment. To me, sustainability in agriculture means implementing practices that ensure the long-term health of our ecosystems while also meeting the needs of present and future generations. It involves finding innovative ways to mitigate environmental degradation, promote biodiversity, and enhance soil health.

This summer, I'll be exploring and harnessing soil samples from the Glenlea long-term manured NCLE plots. My focus will be on analyzing their carbon sequestration potential and conducting comparisons among various manure treatments.

BSc (Honours) in Biological Sciences with a minor in Entomology
Winnipeg, Manitoba

I am passionate about pollinators and the services they provide to our food systems, as well as their ecological roles within Manitoba's landscapes, both agricultural and non-agricultural, so I was immediately drawn to this program for the opportunity to contribute to research on the interactions between bees in both of these systems. To me, sustainability in agriculture requires us to understand the impacts of agricultural operations on non-agricultural ecosystems so that these operations can be appropriately managed to mitigate harmful impacts to the environment, and ideally so that agricultural and non-agricultural ecosystems can complement and support each other into perpetuity. The pollination services provided by bees are integral to both our food systems and natural environments, and I believe it is important to have knowledge on how monoculturally farmed honey bees are impacting the health of our native bees in order to effectively sustain their diversity and preserve the ecosystem services they provide outside of pollinating crop plants.

This summer I am working with Dr. Kyle Bobiwash and graduate student Kira Peters on a project examining the transmission of viruses from and between native bees and honey bees on canola fields. We are looking at the impact of agricultural landscape and honey bee density on virus levels.