News

The OAC Dean’s Office is pleased to announce Carie Devitt as the B.Sc. (Env.) and A.D.T.M Program Counsellor, effective immediately.

In this role, Devitt provides support to students studying in the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences and Associate Diploma in Turfgrass Management programs. Since April 2019, Devitt has been the acting program counsellor for the B.Sc. (Env.) and A.D.T.M students; prior to this she was the OAC Program Counsellor’s Assistant from 2013-2019.

Abdou Fall is a third year student in the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture program majoring in Honours Agriculture. He is passionate about developing pathways to increase food security. Drawn in by the University of Guelph’s high-standing reputation for agricultural research and innovation, he hopes to use the knowledge he’s gaining to help create more self-sustaining food systems in Africa.

The School of Environmental Sciences is pleased to welcome Jacqueline Goordial as an Assistant Professor in Environmental Microbiology. Goordial will begin in the role on June 15th, 2020.

Goordial will lead a comprehensive research program in environmental microbiology, while teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.

The School of Environmental Sciences is pleased to welcome Andrew Young to the department as an Assistant Professor in Systematic Entomology. Young began in the role on June 1, 2020.

Prof. Jesse Popp has joined the School of Environmental Sciences as OAC Chair in Indigenous Environmental Science. She begins in the role on September 1, 2020.

Popp comes to the University of Guelph from Mount Allison University where she holds a Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Indigenous Environmental Science.

Her research and teaching weaves Indigenous and Western ways of knowing to advance environmental and ecological science. She is a member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory in Ontario.

Last week, President Franco Vaccarino released a message of solidarity for our Black community members, acknowledging the ongoing injustices, hatred and violence committed against them. This message is an important reminder that the U of G community must make an ongoing commitment to combating acts of racism and discrimination. We must continue our work to improve our supports and inclusive practices for our students, faculty and staff.

Growing up on a small island in the Caribbean, E’layna Baker witnessed food import dependency and lack of local agricultural production. This made her decide to pursue studies in food, agricultural and resource economics at the University of Guelph. With the academic and professional experience she is obtaining in Guelph, E’layna hopes to influence agri-food policy in her home country in the future.

Prof. Helen Booker has been hired as an associate professor in the Department of Plant Agriculture, assuming the Grain Farmers of Ontario Professorship in Wheat Breeding and Genetics position.

*** Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing a series of Q&As featuring OAC community members to showcase how people are coping with our uncertain - but collective - state. We’re hoping these will help connect and support our community (in a small way) during these isolating and challenging times. Look after yourself and those around you. ***

Paul Kelly is an OAC alumnus (BSc. Agr. 1983) and the research and apiary manager with U of G’s Honey Bee Research Centre. Although mostly working from his home in Fergus, Ontario, Paul has essential work to be done caring for the bees on campus. We recently chatted with him to see how he is doing and to learn more about how COVID-19 is affecting beekeeping across Canada.