�山ǿ�� News - Dept. of Plant Science

Anja Geitmann begins term as inaugural Vice-President (Global Engagement)

webfull — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 18:20:29 +0000

Her mission is to advance �山ǿ��’s vision for global academic leadership by enhancing the University’s international presence and ties

By Neale McDevitt, Editor, �山ǿ�� Reporter

Anja Geitmann sees herself as a catalyst.

“I’m here to connect the dots and to support collaborations between �山ǿ�� and the rest of the world,” said Geitmann, who today began a five-year renewable term as the University’s Vice-President (Global Engagement).

Published: 30 October 2024

Genetic tweaks can make oats more nutritious, increase shelf life

webfull — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 13:03:42 +0000

A recent study from �山ǿ�� proposes a way to enhance the nutritional value of oats by increasing their content of oleic acid, a type of healthy fat known for its cardiovascular heart benefits and potential to lower diabetes.

The findings also suggest this modification could improve their oxidative stability, making oat-based products, such as oat milk, less likely to spoil.

Published: 10 October 2024

First cohort of �山ǿ�� Sustainability Systems Initiative Fellows includes Mac Campus "Smart insecticide" team

webfull — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 17:45:22 +0000

New award provides support for the next generation of sustainability researchers, promotes interdisciplinary approaches

Developing a smart insecticide, assessing protective coatings in marine environments and measuring space allocated to active transport are among the projects undertaken by the inaugural cohort of �山ǿ�� Sustainability Systems Initiative (MSSI) Fellows.

Published: 4 September 2024

Professor Valerio Hoyos-Villegas receives early career scientist award

webfull — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 18:44:58 +0000

Congratulations to �山ǿ�� Plant Science Professor Valerio Hoyos-Villegas, 2024 winner of the North American Plant Phenotyping Network (NAPPN)'s Early Career Scientist Award! This award recognizes an early career scientist making important contributions to plant phenotyping.

Published: 26 August 2024

2024 Interdisciplinary Research Development Award Recipients Announced

webfull — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 18:30:04 +0000

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2024 Interdisciplinary Research Development (IRD) Award, announced earlier this month! As part of the Computational & Data Systems Initiative, these awards are presented by the �山ǿ�� Collaborative for AI & Society and encourage interdisciplinary research aimed at understanding and positively influencing the impact of AI on society through projects targeting a range of issues.

Published: 26 August 2024

NSERC awards Discovery Grants funding to eight �山ǿ�� Agricultural and Environmental Sciences projects

webfull — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 19:10:20 +0000

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has awarded 101 �山ǿ�� research projects funding from its Discovery Grants competition for a total investment of $23.5 million, including $639,500 for eight projects submitted by researchers in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

The Discovery Grants support ongoing programs with long-term goals, recognizing the creativity and innovation that are at the heart of all research advances.

Published: 30 July 2024

Prof. Dastmalchi receives prestigious Phytochemical Society award

webfull — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 13:53:43 +0000

Please join us in congratulating Mehran Dastmalchi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Plant Science, on receiving the prestigious Arthur C. Neish Award from the Phytochemical Society of North America (PSNA). The 63rd annual PSNA meeting took place in Monterrey, Mexico from July 15–19, 2024, where Professor Dastmalchi presented his lab's research in a keynote speech. Among the accomplishments recognized at the conference were his group’s findings on the biosynthesis of medicinal alkaloids in the Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus).

Published: 30 July 2024

2024 inductees selected for Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame, including two former Mac professors

webfull — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 17:33:25 +0000

Four agricultural champions from across Canada have been selected by the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame as its 2024 inductees. Dr. Bruce Coulman, Dr. Michael Eskin, Paul Larmer and Dr. Charles Vincent will be formally inducted on November 2 at a ceremony during the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario.

Published: 26 June 2024

Mac student awarded prestigious Seed Science Foundation scholarship

webfull — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 20:10:09 +0000

Please join us in congratulating Henry Alexander Cordoba Novoa, Ph.D. candidate in plant breeding and genetics at �山ǿ��'s Macdonald Campus, on receiving the Roger Krueger Memorial Scholarship, awarded by the Seed Science Foundation at the American Seed Trade Association Leadership Summit held in Nashville, TN on June 15–19, 2024. This award recognizes Henry's outstanding research, integrity, and professionalism and his passion for the future of agriculture and the seed industry.

Published: 25 June 2024

Skills shortage could lead to food insecurity

webfull — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 14:14:18 +0000

A lack of scientists specialized in plant breeding could lead to ‘dire’ food security implications in Australia, and around the world, according to new research conducted across three continents.

Plant breeding is a multidisciplinary science that underpins the global production of food, animal feed, fuel and fibre.

Published: 12 June 2024