U of G launches AI initiative to benefit agri-food production and sustainability practices

Rozita Dara with a student pointing at a computer screen on a table.

 

Advancing artificial intelligence (AI) research to benefit agri-food systems, along with educational programs that contribute to using these technologies, are the two foundational pillars of a new initiative announced in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Guelph.

Artificial Intelligence for Food (AI4Food) seeks to pioneer research and learning at the intersection of responsible, data-driven technologies and AI in our agricultural and food systems.

“Our overarching...

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U of G Researcher stresses importance of advanced monitoring in water crisis

Beth Parker sitting in front of greenery

 

By Cate Willis

Urging Canada to bolster its publicly funded monitoring of underground water systems, a University of Guelph researcher recently testified before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development about the critical need for advanced technologies to safeguard this vital resource. 

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Enhancing research security at U of G

A black keyboard

Photo Credit: Unsplash

 

By Cate Willis

The University of Guelph is taking a proactive and comprehensive approach to research security by fostering a culture of awareness, diligence and research excellence among its research community while ensuring alignment with evolving regulatory requirements. 

In January 2024, the federal government introduced policies to safeguard Canadian research and listed sensitive technology research areas and specific research organizations that researchers should not be affiliated with if they want to apply for...

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U of G Researchers Receive More Than $ 31.8M in Federal Funding

Johnson Hall on U of G's campus

 

University of Guelph researchers have secured $31.8 million in new funding from the federal government to support studies ranging from bespoke microbial communities to enhanced cancer therapies and innovative carbon capture initiatives. 

The funding is part of a larger investment totaling over $1.7 billion, announced by Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transport, on behalf of François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, along with Mark Holland, Minister of Health. 

In total, U of G...

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U of G gifted $3.5M to enhance Canada’s poultry and egg industry internationally

Several brown chickens together

 

The William and Lynne Gray Foundation and L.H. Gray & Son gifted the University of Guelph $3.5 million to improve innovation and sustainability in the Canadian poultry and egg industry. 

The gift will establish an endowed chair position within the Department of Animal Biosciences at the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) and will also make Canadian poultry and egg industry more competitive internationally by supporting the development of technologies and practices that ensure both sustainability and profitability in production...

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Vice-President of Research Visits France to Strengthen Global Research Partnerships

On the left, the U of G delgation standing in front of a sign for Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne and on the right is a logo for the French Embassy in Canada

 

Dr. Rene Van Acker, vice-president (research), led a delegation from the University of Guelph, including Dr. Stuart McCook, assistant vice-president (international), and Dr. Eric Lyons, associate dean of research and graduate studies at the Ontario Agricultural College, on a visit to France. The visit's purpose was to enhance the University of Guelph's global research and discovery partnerships in food and agriculture, environment and One Health. 

The U of G delegation visited the Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne following a...

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U of G Announces New Research Leadership Chairs

Headshots of: Drs. Animesh Dutta, Beth Parker, Melissa Perreault, Laurie Barclay, Jess Haines, Stephen Lewis, Cezar Khursigara, Andrew MacDougall, Flavio Shenkel and Anna Kate Shoveller.

 

Ten University of Guelph faculty members have been named Research Leadership Chairs (RLCs) for their contributions to various fields.  

The RLC program, established in 2017, supports mid- to late-career researchers of national and international recognition. Each RLC will receive $45,000 over three years for research and training, with nominees recommended by their respective colleges.  

The recipients are: 

  • ...

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U of G Receives Funding for Advancing Bean Production Capacity

A green field where beans grow

 

University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) received a donation from the Ontario Bean Growers (OBG) to improve the production of dry beans like pinto, navy and kidney beans. 

This donation, along with contributions from an anonymous donor, totals $2 million and will help support the establishment of the OBG Assistant Professorship in Weed Sciences at...

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U of G researcher Paul Hebert receives Benjamin Franklin Medal

A headshot of Paul Hebert

 

Dr. Paul Hebert, a professor who holds a Canada Research Chair, Tier 1, and is the director of the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, was awarded the Benjamin Franklin Medal for Earth and Environmental Science for 2024. 

Hebert received the medal for creating DNA barcoding, a technology that identifies species using a small segment of DNA, like how a...

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U of G research finds housing security essential for preventing intimate partner violence

A woman covering her face with her hands.

Photo Credit: Unsplash

 

By Cate Willis

A University of Guelph research project found that a lack of housing support has serious consequences for women facing intimate partner violence, making it more difficult for them to leave abusive situations.

The study, led by Dr. Paula Barata, a professor in the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences, in collaboration with Lieran Docherty and Dicle Hann from WomanACT, Dr....

Read more: U of G research finds housing security essential for preventing intimate partner violence