The project aims at better understanding the role the stand composition may play in increasing resilience of the Quebec forests to future climate variability. We propose that by increasing the degree “mixing” of different species within forest stands, we can make forest more adapted to climatically unfavourable conditions, those frequency may increase in the future. […]

Structured lipids, specifically diacylglyceride (DAG) oils, have potential to replace trans fats and oils high in saturated fats such as palm and thus provide healthier oils with improved functionalities and sustainability. However, they are produced using costly and environmentally unfriendly “enzyme in solvent” systems, and have shortcomings when utilized in certain food applications. DAG oils […]

The development of beneficial bacterial inoculant as biopesticide and biofertilizers is directly beneficial to agricultural producers through the preservation and enhancement of crop quality and yield. At present, a limited spectrum of naturally occurring microorganisms have been developed for directed, commercial agricultural applications in Canada. Engage Agro Corp is interested in developing bacterial inoculants with […]

The consumption of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)-rich eggs is associated with human health benefits because dietary PUFA reduces the risks of cardiovascular diseases, inflammation and cancer. Flaxseed is an excellent source of PUFA, especially linolenic acid. However, flaxseed contains anti-nutritional factors (i.e., cyanogenic glycosides, mucilage and phytic acid), which causes liver hemorrhage in laying […]

Ontario’s chicken industry contributes $2.72 billion to Canadian economy, and supports 19,183 full-time equivalent jobs (Ontario Chicken Industry Report, 2013). To date, 2015 has seen 309 individual outbreaks of avian influenza (AI) reported to the World Organization for Animal Health, a 147% increase on outbreaks reported in 2014. In Ontario alone, 29 farms were quarantined […]

The Aboriginal housing situation in Canada is in crisis with a lack of culturally and environmentally appropriate housing. A Participatory Approach towards Housing Solutions (PATHS) Framework has been developed that recognizes and visualizes the strengths and limitations of communities, and assesses pathways with which they may achieve their housing goals. Communities are actively engaged in […]

The role of infectious disease in declining productivity of wild salmon in BC is poorly understood. We will combine novel genomic technologies with traditional fish health methodologies and more broadly identify the microbe exposure of BC salmon. By doing so, we can examine their evolutionary relationships and their epidemiological distribution patterns over time and space […]

Commercial fishing is an important part of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) with approximately 8700 registered fish harvesters in 2014. Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations. The Newfoundland and Labrador Fishing Vessel Safety Association (NL-FVSA) has identified extreme weather events, noise and dynamic stability as three major hazards in the

Projected climate change is expected to alter fire regimes across the boreal forest, which in turn will affect forest community structure, composition and diversity. The intern will examine the effects of changes in climate, and by extension, fire cycle, on the presence of three most common tree species in the boreal forest of Canada. Specifically, […]

À l’automne 2014, le gouvernement du Québec déposait le projet de loi no 28, entraînant notamment la fermeture des Conférences régionales des élus (CRÉ) qui étaient investies de certaines responsabilités en matière de forêt. Dans ce contexte, les acteurs territoriaux doivent se réorganiser afin de faire avancer les différents dossiers touchant l’exploitation et la gestion […]

The giant reed Arundo donax (A. donax) is a grass species with high biomass production and great potential for phytoremediation. It is a viable alternative to wood, coal and petroleum based feedstock. Our partner, Nile Fiber Canada, is designing a large-scale production system for planting, growing, harvesting, transporting and processing the grass to chips or […]

Bacteria co-existing with us by living in our intestines are important for maintaining our health. However, there are still many questions about how these probiotic or health-promoting bacteria act to influence health, and how to use them to combat the numerous health problems associated with inflammation. The objective of this research project is to determine […]