Deglaciated Soils: Microorganisms emerging from melting glaciers
Growing up in Minnesota, McGill PhD student Scott Sugden spent a lot of time outdoors, particularly canoeing and backpacking in the Arctic.
The Arctic became a landscape that he cared deeply about. It led to work in outdoor education, a high school biology classroom, and now as a researcher in environmental microbiology.
Potential for Chickpea Production in the Northeast
In a new article for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, Javed Sidiqi, Eric Bishop Von Wettberg and McGill Plant Science Assistant Professor Valerio Hoyos Villegas dive into the potential of the humble chickpea, an increasingly popular legume known for high nutritional value and nitrogen-fixing properties.
A day of learning in the Longhouse
On November 22, a delegation of McGill senior academic leaders, including Interim Vice-President (Global Engagement) and Department of Plant Science Professor Anja Geitmann, Associate Provost (Teaching and Academic Programs) and Department of Natural Resource Sciences Professor Christopher Buddle, and School of Human Nutrition Professor
Mac Alum Appointed Deputy Director General-Research at the International Crops Research Institute
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has announced their appointment of Dr. Stanford Blade (PhD(AgEnvSc)'91) as Deputy Director General-Research. Dr. Blade holds a Ph.D.
Mac Alum named Associate Director of McGill Sustainable Systems Initiative
We are pleased to share that Evan Henry (BSc(AgEnvSc)'15, MSc (Bioresource Engineering)'16) has recently taken on the role of Associate Director at the McGill Sustainable Systems Initiative (MSSI). Evan is widely recognized and highly esteemed within the Macdonald Campus community for his active involvement in student life and his contributions to the establishment of the McGill Apicultural Association.
Canada's Food Guide may be less accurate for seniors
Seniors aged 65 and over who meet the recommendations of Canada's new Food Guide may not be getting enough of some important nutrients, warns a new study published by researchers at McGill University: their diet may not contain enough folate, vitamin D and calcium.
The rise of vertical farming
In the contemporary agricultural landscape, interest in vertical farming is surging. This alternative to conventional methods can allow farmer's to cultivate crops in compact spaces, maximizing output without expanding horizontally by instead cultivating crops in vertically stacked layers or inclined surfaces. Increasing land use efficiency is critical as the world grapples with limited arable land, especially in urban areas.
Palm oil giants push out smallholders in Guatemala; deforestation risks remain
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.
McGill Macdonald Campus Student Wins Canadian Plant Breeding Innovation Award
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.
Does Canada’s food guide provide adequate guidance for older adults?
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?
Do Wild Varieties of Crops Hold the Key To Developing More Resilient Agriculture?
As hostile weather intensifies, plant breeding focused on climate-adapted crops has taken on a sense of urgency.
McGill Bioresource Engineering student wins Feed Your Future scholarship
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.
Macdonald Students Win Awards at Canadian Society of Plant Biologists Meeting
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:
More than $900,000 for genomically-driven sustainable agriculture research at McGill
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.
Congratulations to the winners of the Macdonald Campus 3MT competition
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.