
Prof. Dastmalchi receives prestigious Phytochemical Society award
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.

To remove CO2 from the atmosphere, this former º«¹úÂãÎè postdoc's startup looks to biomass
In 2019, while doing post-doctoral research in º«¹úÂãÎè's Department of Natural Resource Sciences, Qinhong Cai (better known as Tammy) travelled to Nunavut to join the Oceans Protection Plan, a federal initiative designed to improve marine safety and increase the protection and restoration of coastal and seaway ecosystems.

On NYC beaches, angry birds fight drones patrolling for sharks and struggling swimmers
Patrol drones deployed in May to New York City beaches to look for sharks and struggling swimmers are ruffling feathers. Seabirds have been attacking the drones as if they are predators, flying and swooping at the machines while vocalizing.

Mac Campus and Music staff members honoured for Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising
Adelina Lameiras and David Wees are the latest winners of the Dean of Students Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising.
Adelina Lameiras, Student Affairs Administrator at the Schulich School of Music, was recognized in the Administrative Staff category.

º«¹úÂãÎè student investigating why Quebec's red cardinal population has exploded
The population of red cardinals has exploded in Quebec over the past 25 years. After eight months of tracking 41 cardinals as they flew from tree to tree in different environments, a º«¹úÂãÎè biologist spoke to the Journal de Montreal about why cardinals may be thriving here.

Montreal peregrine falcon chicks take first flights into a world full of danger
The world is full of dangers when you're a falcon chick less than six weeks old and learning to fly — even if you're a member of the fastest species on Earth.
This week, three falcon chicks named Hugo, Polo and Estebane started to spread their wings around the nest site on the 23rd floor of the Université de Montréal tower, with hundreds of online viewers watching their every move.

2024 inductees selected for Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame, including two former Mac professors
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.
Louis Robert (BScAgr’82, MSc’86), from agriculture to art
There aren’t many agronomists who have a piece of artwork that carries their name, but º«¹úÂãÎè Macdonald alum Louis Robert (BScAgr’82, MSc’86 – Agricultural Science and Plant Science) is one.

Mac student awarded prestigious Seed Science Foundation scholarship
Please join us in congratulating Henry Alexander Cordoba Novoa, Ph.D. candidate in plant breeding and genetics at º«¹úÂãÎè'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.
Three researchers in º«¹úÂãÎè's Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences honoured with prestigious Canada Research Chairs
On June 14, the Government of Canada announced $693.8 million in funding for discovery and applied research, including $94.5 million for the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Program to support 121 new and renewed chair holders at 39 postsecondary institutions across the country.

Searching for Life’s Simple Necessities Across the Asteroid Belt
NASA’s Europa Clipper mission will explore the characteristics of Jupiter’s moon Europa. Its data will help scientists assess if the icy body has the potential to host life.
A previous satellite mission indicated the likely existence of a salty global ocean beneath Europa's ice, potentially holding more water than all of Earth's surface.

How AI could help farming become more efficient and sustainable
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries across Canada and the world, and agriculture is no exception. Post-secondary institutions and innovative farms are rapidly working to apply AI to food system challenges from labour shortages to climate change.

Montreal drives for greener golf courses by banning most pesticides
Montreal will become the first jurisdiction in Canada to legislate and regulate on golf course pesticide use after a decision to ban most pesticides at golf courses across the city starting next year. Following a successful 2-year pilot project, the ban aims to encourage the use of low-toxicity alternatives to protect biodiversity and human health. Golf courses, which were previously exempt from certain pesticide restrictions, will face fines for non-compliance.
In conversation with Jamie Depolla, valedictorian for the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences ‘B’ ceremony
"The Mac Campus community is one of inclusivity, kindness and open-mindedness. I have felt loved, encouraged and pushed to do better every day."

How to reduce the ecological footprint of your plate without becoming vegan?
Are you having guests over for a barbecue at the end of the week? What will you put on the grill? Animal proteins, most likely. Even if we know the effects of red meat consumption on the environment and potentially on health, for many people it's inconceivable to go without.