Andrea Bravo is a fourth-year environmental science co-op student majoring in environmental economics and policy. Drawn to the University of Guelph by the well-known enviro sci program, and the uniqueness of the major, she hopes to pursue her master’s and someday work in agriculture or environmental policy.
Amy is a proud U of G student and shows it with her extensive involvement on campus. She volunteers her time through a variety of clubs including the Soil and Crop Club and the Student Federation of the Ontario Agricultural College. After university Amy hopes to continue her passion for agriculture and stay involved on her family farm.
Whether it’s for co-op, a summer job or just for leisure, Jamie is all about insects, plants and the outdoors. She recently returned from India for a field course and has kept busy in the field this summer researching invasive insects.
Mehrdad chose to travel far from his home in Mashhad, Iran to pursue his studies and interests in agriculture. Now studying crop, horticulture and turfgrass science at U of G, he enjoys spending his time outdoors and studying in Bovey Greenhouse. He plans to return to his father’s farm after graduation to put his new knowledge and skills to work for the betterment of the family business as well as his the local farming community.
Horse enthusiast Julia Alebrand is a third year Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management (BBRM)- Equine Management student. She loves to involve herself in any and all things horse related, especially planning equine events. Julia hopes to further her education with a master’s when she finishes her undergrad.
Third year landscape architecture student Mark Gordon has a passion for the outdoors. When he isn’t collaborating in the Landscape Architecture studio, Mark spends his free time at the Arboretum or Preservation Park. After university, he hopes to continue his passion for planning to enhance neighbourhoods and improve the ecological function of green spaces.
Joshua Persi didn’t wait to test the waters before getting involved at the University of Guelph. Now a third-year ecology major, Joshua has been an environmental advocate, a volunteer in on-campus laboratories and an active member of the Environmental Science Student Executive. Inspired by his experiences both in-class and in the field, Joshua plans to further his knowledge of plant ecology in a graduate program before entering the field as a professional ecologist.
Claire Zhang is a self-proclaimed “foodie", which led her to complete a M.Sc. in Human Health and Nutritional Science at the University of Guelph, followed by a PhD in Food Science. Now in the third year of her PhD, Claire has found a family of “foodies”, who all share the same passion for food and food research, in the Department of Food Science. Claire’s current research focuses on improving consumption of healthy fruits and vegetables among the general public.
For Alex Waffle, the practice of landscape architecture is about more than just functionality. By enrolling in the MLA program he has been able to combine art and science on practical and theoretical levels to design spaces and the experiences these spaces offer. Alex’s current MLA research investigates the potential of growing specialty and ethnic foods locally in the hot microclimates of Toronto.
Coming from a family of University of Guelph graduates, Marnie McKechnie was always encouraged to follow suit. Now in her third year of the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture - Animal Science program, she loves the campus, classes and city as much as her family did before her.