News

Improving human and animal health, ensuring environmental sustainability and further strengthening Canada’s dairy industry are the goals of a newly funded, $6.1-million project headed by a University of Guelph food scientist.

Dr. Gisèle LaPointe, a professor in U of G’s Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), will lead a five-year initiative in dairy microbiology involving nearly 50 U of G researchers and students as well as five leading partners in Canada’s $20-billion dairy industry.

Two University of Guelph faculty members and a staff member have received 2021 Minister’s Awards of Excellence from the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU).

Edward grew up in Guelph and has always loved the city. After researching options for graduate studies, he decided to return to pursue a master of science in plant agriculture due to the programs reputation. Edward enjoys spending time in the outdoors participating in activities such as mountain biking, golfing, skiing, and hiking. When he's not working in lab, you might find him at the Arboretum, one of his favourite spots on campus!

Helping Canada to meet current and emerging threats to its crop plants and food security is the purpose of a new report by an expert panel including a University of Guelph plant scientist.

Released Jan. 27 on the Council of Canadian Academies website, the report identifies key risks posed to Canadian crop plants by climate change, extreme weather events and pests ranging from insects to diseases to weeds. “Cultivating Diversity” also pinpoints gaps and overlaps in governance, from registration of crop protection products to communication among federal and provincial agencies.

Growing up in Hamilton, Ont., with a nurse mom and a researcher dad, Dr. Lawrence Goodridge had homegrown role models for his studies and ultimate career as a microbiologist and food scientist at the University of Guelph. But he knows many Black people lack similar backgrounds and opportunities to contemplate, let alone pursue, science careers.

In celebration of Black History Month, the University of Guelph will host virtual events and on-campus initiatives and share stories throughout February.

Many of the events have been organized by the University’s Cultural Diversity Office within the Department of Student Experience and the Guelph Black Students Association (GBSA).

“Black History Month is a time of reflection, celebration and inspiration,” said Abigail Barrett, program coordinator with the Cultural Diversity Office.

Ibrahim Mohammed is an international graduate student in environmental sciences. He is passionate about soil science and finding a sustainable solution for food production. Ibrahim volunteers with the Corteva Agricultural Sciences Symposium and works as a teaching assistant (TA). He plans to pursue a post-doctoral fellowship after graduation.

It was during her studies at the University of Guelph that Dr. Roberta Bondar had to shelve one career plan and pursue another – a choice that ultimately secured her a spot aboard the NASA space shuttle Discovery in 1992 as Canada’s first woman astronaut.

As she prepares for this Saturday’s 30th anniversary of the shuttle’s lift-off, she says her U of G roots also laid the groundwork for her subsequent career back on Earth as an award-winning nature photographer and champion of environmental activism.

As Canada’s new vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers goes into effect, a University of Guelph food economist wonders whether there might be better ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19 while keeping Canada’s food supply strong.

Dr. Mike von Massow is a professor in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics in the Ontario Agricultural College. He researches supply chain management and food value chain structure and performance.

Nicole became interested in plant science while volunteering in a biology lab during her undergraduate degree. She was naturally interested in research and was drawn to the University of Guelph to pursue a PhD in Plant Agriculture. She spends her free time practicing yoga, reading, and baking and is the PhD representative on the Plant Agriculture Graduate Student Liaison Committee (GSLC). Nicole is considering a post-doctoral fellowship or career in industry after graduation.