Guatemala is now the third-largest palm oil producer after Malaysia and Indonesia (which produce 88% of the global supply) and is often seen as a more sustainable alternative. Today, more than 60% of Guatemala’s plantations are certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). High certification rates are largely attributed to plantations owned by a handful of producers, making it easier to certify large chunks of the industry, according to RSPO.
For the fourth year in a row, a McGill Plant Science student has won one of three annual Canadian Plant Breeding Innovation (CPBI) Innovation scholarships, which recognize up-and-coming young plant breeders.
The latest Canada’s food guide recommendations are primarily aimed at reducing chronic disease risk, however how well does our national guide for healthy eating serve the nutritional needs of all Canadians?
As hostile weather intensifies, plant breeding focused on climate-adapted crops has taken on a sense of urgency.
With cultivated crops often suffering from a lack of genetic diversity making them more susceptible to diseases and pests, scientists are now turning to wild varieties, which can offer valuable yet previously overlooked genetic traits. By crossing the wild tepary bean with a black bean or a pinto bean, for example, scientists may be able to breed a new variety that can better endure similar harsh environmental conditions that its relative thrived in.
AgCareers.com has awarded their second Canadian Feed Your Future Scholarship to Sarah Van Heyst, a McGill University student working towards her M.Sc. in Bioresource Engineering.
AgCareers.com created the Feed Your Future $1,000 Scholarship to financially assist a Canadian post-secondary student studying agriculture or intending to pursue a career in agriculture, in support of the organization's goal to "Feed the World with Talent" by supporting education and career opportunities in agriculture and food.
At the Eastern Regional Meeting of the Canadian Society of Plant Biologists (CSPB-SCBV) earlier this month, three McGill Department of Plant Science students received CSPB-SCBV Director's Awards for their outstanding presentations. University students from all over Quebec and Ontario shared their research in poster and oral presentations. Congratulations to our winners:
On December 12, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, announced an investment of $41 million for genomics research under Genome Canada's Genomics Applications Partnership Program (GAPP). Over $23 million will be invested in genomics in Québec, including $5.4 million through Génome Québec.
On Wednesday November 29th, 2023, nine Macdonald Campus graduate students took on the challenge of presenting their thesis in just a few minutes at the Lister Family Engaged Science 3-Minute Thesis Competition.
With only one non-animated slide for visual support, competitors raced against the clock to explain the crucial components of their research and its importance.
Congratulations to Mac alumna Zoey Li BSc(NutrSc)’17, who has been named to Forbes 2024 30 under 30 list in the food and drink category. This list honours the industry's brightest young entrepreneurs who are redefining the way we eat, drink and think about consumption.
As the ash settles on Canada’s record wildfire season, “business as usual from the federal government is not going to cut it,” NDP MP Niki Ashton told Canada’s National Observer.
Ărramăt Project: harnessing Indigenous wisdom for biodiversity conservation and community well-being
Imagine living in a world where the wisdom of Indigenous communities guides our actions towards biodiversity and human health. This isn't just a vision; it's becoming a reality through the groundbreaking initiative known as Ărramăt. This New Frontiers in Research funded project is a pioneering effort to acknowledge and amplify the voices of Indigenous peoples, empowering them to share their knowledge about the environment's role in promoting health and well-being.
As the Arctic wind whistles through Canada's northern wilderness, a unique collaboration is unfolding between scientists and Indigenous communities. Graduate and Postdoctoral students in the Northern Research Knowledges Lab, under the leadership of Dr. Murray Humphries, are redefining how scientific research is conducted.
In our busy everyday lives, it's easy to overlook our deep-rooted connection with nature. The connection is not just about the nourishment we derive or the air we breathe; nature subtly but significantly enhances our well-being. This intriguing intersection is where McGill Department of Natural Resource Sciences PhD candidate Jackie Hamilton directs her research.
Dr. Murray Humphries (PhD’01), a passionate wildlife biology professor at the Macdonald Campus, spends his days immersed in the fascinating world of biodiversity—the colorful, complex tapestry of life on Earth. At the Macdonald Campus, we don't just study this diversity, we celebrate it.
The tidal wetlands and dykelands of the inner Bay of Fundy are critical ecosystems in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, providing essential benefits to human and non-human communities.
These ecosystems offer biodiverse habitats, protection from coastal flooding, and cultural value for Indigenous, Acadian, and other communities. However, they are increasingly threatened by climate change, making their management more complex and their future uncertain.