News

It is with sympathy that we share the passing of Bruce Scandrett, OAC Class of 1957 & MSc 1959, on November 11, 2022. 

Supporting rural communities and promoting sustainable food systems are the shared concerns of two University of Guelph emerging researchers who will receive the Government of Canada’s most prestigious scholarships. Maria Margarita Fontecha, PhD candidate in rural studies and an Arrell Scholar, has received a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship worth $50,000 per year for up to three years. Dr. Khodokar Kabir, post-doctoral fellow in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, has received a prestigious Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship worth $70,000 a year.

The University of Guelph and Loblaw Companies Limited have partnered to challenge tomorrow’s food leaders and develop solutions for a net-zero food system in Canada, through a new 10-month graduate student experiential learning program at the university. The Loblaw Net-Zero Food Systems Challenge will bring together graduate students from across Canada to investigate strategic levers that will drive Canadian adoption and demand for net-zero agricultural products along the value chain, from farmers to consumers.

You could say Rebecca Osborne conducts her research at a snail’s pace.

And like that old adage of “slow and steady wins the race,” Osborne has indeed won. For the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Science Exposed photo contest, a snapshot of snail embryos by the U of G environmental science and toxicology doctoral candidate took home one of three jury prizes as well as the people’s choice prize.

“It’s really exciting to feel like my work is getting out there,” Osborne said.

Delicious food and a beautiful campus? What's not to love! Those two things combined with the uniqueness of the environmental management program made choosing U of G an easy decision for Annia. Hailing from Trinidad & Tobago, she came to Canada to pursue her interests in sustainability. As an avid environmentalist, Annia loves to explore the Arboretum and enjoys the hands-on experiences in her courses.

Benjamin is a student in the Environmental Economics and Policy (EEP) program, who is passionate about solving environmental issues, like climate change, in an equitable and fair manner. He enjoys the interdisplinary nature of the bachelor of science in environmental sciences program, that allows him to take courses on a varety of subjects. When he isn't exploring U of G's beautiful campus you can find him among the books in the McLaughlin Library. 

Strip mall parking lots have never been renowned for their ability to entice passers-by to gather and mingle. But that has been changing in parts of Toronto in the last few years thanks to a University of Guelph-led project called plazaPOPS. 

The project has transformed barren parking lots in Toronto’s outer boroughs into inviting spaces where residents can sit and chat between shopping errands, or where entire neighbourhoods can gather for day-long community and cultural events. 

As climate change brings more insect pests to Canada’s farms and forests, a newly funded research and teaching chair at the University of Guelph is intended to help manage infestation threats to crops and trees.  

The new E. Alan (OAC ’60) and Jule A. Cameron Chair in Ecological Pest Management will be funded by a $3-million gift from Alan, a graduate of the Ontario Agricultural College, and his wife, Jule.  

Their gift will support this new chair in the School of Environmental Sciences (SES) for an unlimited term.

The OAC Dean’s Office is pleased to welcome Boris Martin into the role of Experiential Learning Partnership and Educational Developer. He began in the role on October 31.

In this role, Boris will support the OAC flexible internship courses, developing and expanding existing and new experiential learning initiatives within OAC, and stewarding strong relationships with employers and community partners in the agriculture, environment, food and community development sectors. The role reports jointly to the OAC Dean’s Office and U of G’s Experiential Learning Hub.

What does the future of food look like?  

The University of Guelph will help answer that question and more as it takes part in the 100th anniversary of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair – the largest fair of its kind in the world. The event takes place Nov. 4-13 under the theme “A Century of Champions.” 

The fair will encourage its 300,000 visitors to discover and learn about all that is equestrian, agricultural, culinary and educational.