Recognizing up-and-coming young plant breeders, the Canadian Plant Breeding Innovation Scholarships scholarships enjoy the support of 11 great sponsors this year with three $3,500 scholarships being handed out.
Congratulations to all and thank-you to our wonderful sponsors, who make it all possible!
Jared Bento, University of Manitoba
Helping Breeders Better Allocate Resources
Armed with DNA data and cutting-edge machine learning, Jared has evaluated predictive models for key traits in canola, like oil content and fatty acid composition. His work aims to supplement traditional field trials, offering a fast, resource-efficient path to developing better crop varieties. It’s a win not just for researchers, but for canola farmers across the Prairies, where time and precision are everything. But Jared isn’t just about data points and algorithms. His commitment to plant science extends far beyond his thesis. From volunteering in greenhouses and seed labs to organizing symposiums and mentoring peers, Jared has become a cornerstone of the University of Manitoba’s plant science community, and with experience at industry players like Bayer and Haplotech, he’s already walked the fields of real-world plant breeding. His stellar academic performance — so exceptional he was nominated as a Rhodes Scholar — cements his reputation as a powerhouse in the making. Currently finalizing his master’s thesis, which has been lauded as PhD-level work, Jared is poised to redefine what’s possible in plant breeding.
Isabella Chiaravallotti, McGill University
Bolstering Genomics-Assisted Breeding
Isabella Chiaravallotti is not just breaking new ground in plant breeding — she’s redefining it. Her PhD research bridges the gap between theory and practice. Her groundbreaking simulation platform offers a roadmap for transitioning from traditional selection methods to genomics-assisted breeding. But she doesn’t stop at theory. Isabella is conducting the first-ever empirical genomic selection field study in common beans — a multi-year experiment designed to explore the long-term impacts of predictive models in breeding populations. This work is nothing short of a guide for breeders looking to harness genomic data to accelerate progress without sacrificing quality. Isabella’s versatility shines in her mastery of machine learning, a field she has integrated into her plant breeding research with remarkable success. Her studies on machine learning applications for genomic prediction have not only yielded impactful results but also positioned her as a go-to resource for her peers. She’s shared her expertise through workshops with the National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB), empowering others to adopt simulation and prediction tools in their own programs. Beyond the lab, Isabella exemplifies leadership and advocacy. She’s a key collaborator in a North American cross-program genomic selection project and has organized Field Days for Emerging Crops to connect farmers, breeders and industry players. Her Lister Science Chat and fellowship at McGill’s B21 showcase her dedication to making plant science accessible and fostering interdisciplinary innovation.
Quinn Sturby, University of Saskatchewan
Predicting Yield More Accurately
As a PhD student exploring UAV-based digital imaging to model vegetation growth and predict yields, Quinn is at the forefront of efforts to modernize breeding programs in Canada. Her research focuses on the application of digital phenotyping to capture growth patterns and canopy measurements in common beans. Her work seeks to create data-driven yield prediction models, a critical advancement that promises to enhance efficiency and precision in breeding programs. Her accomplishments extend beyond the lab, of course. As a teaching assistant and mentor, she has guided undergraduate students while juggling a demanding research schedule. Quinn’s leadership shines through roles in the Plant Sciences Graduate Students’ Association, where she’s served as secretary, president and treasurer. Most notably, Quinn co-led the organization of the 39th Plant Science Graduate Student Symposium, an international conference that brought together researchers from around the world. Quinn’s ability to manage complex responsibilities while excelling academically underscores her dedication to advancing agricultural science and fostering collaboration within the scientific community.
The 2025 scholarship sponsors are:
