University plant breeding programs are the epicentre of seed innovation and education. Universities are home to cutting-edge facilities and academic programs dedicated to plant science, highlighting the pivotal role seeds and crops play in driving global food security, sparking crop breakthroughs, and championing sustainability.
These programs aren’t just classrooms — they’re launchpads for innovation. They equip the next wave of changemakers to tackle the biggest agricultural challenges of our time: from combating climate change to overcoming pest resistance and boosting crop yields.
Collaboration is key, and universities partner with industry leaders, government agencies, and international organizations to ensure their research stays ahead of the curve and makes a real-world impact.
Canada’s leadership in plant science shines through the diverse and trailblazing work happening in these programs. From pulses to cereals to oilseeds to cannabis (with potato thrown in for good measure), the students featured here are pushing boundaries and shaping the future of Canadian agriculture — one breakthrough at a time.
Stephen combines a blend of academic excellence, research innovation, and community leadership to do his noteworthy work in improving pulses. Currently pursuing his PhD in plant sciences at the University of Saskatchewan, Stephen has already made significant strides in tackling one of the pulse industry’s most pressing challenges: root rot resistance in peas.
His pioneering research on Fusarium avenaceum root rot has led to the development of reliable methods for evaluating germplasm resistance, with his work published in Legume Science.
Stephen’s academic prowess spans advanced plant breeding, bioinformatics, and plant pathology, complementing his strong commitment to practical solutions. As a professional agrologist, he has demonstrated leadership in both his academic pursuits and community involvement, serving on the Plant Sciences Graduate Student Association. With several awards under his belt and multiple publications in the works, Stephen is poised to make lasting contributions to Canadian plant breeding.
Mehdi Babaei is changing the game in cannabis breeding by tapping into the hidden potential of its genetics. As a PhD candidate, he’s already published 14 research papers in top-tier journals, an impressive achievement for someone early in their career. His latest work delves into the genetic diversity of cannabis landraces, shedding light on how these varieties can be key to breeding stronger, more resilient plants.
What truly sets Mehdi apart is his commitment to preserving genetic diversity while exploring new possibilities in cannabis breeding. His research isn’t just advancing cannabis science — it’s shaping the future of crop improvement. With his innovative approach, Mehdi is well on his way to making a lasting impact on both the cannabis industry and the broader field of plant breeding.
Muhammad Asim Javed is transforming how we fight clubroot disease in canola. As a PhD researcher at Université Laval, he’s diving deep into the genomics of the clubroot pathogen, uncovering its genetic secrets to outsmart resistance-breaking isolates. His work is paving the way for more resilient canola crops.
What distinguishes Muhammad is his ability to blend cutting-edge science with global experience. From earning a University Gold Medal in Pakistan to specialized training in Türkiye and China, he’s always pushed boundaries. His genome assembly of the clubroot pathogen is now a reference genome recognized by the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
But Muhammad isn’t just a scientist — he’s a storyteller. His award-winning presentations at top Canadian conferences prove he can share complex ideas in ways that inspire others to act.
Katherine Fortune is cracking the genetic code of soybeans to transform how we breed and grow this essential crop. As a PhD candidate at the University of Guelph, she ‘s integrating genomics and UAV-based phenotyping to dissect the biological mechanisms and complex genetic networks underlying yield, agronomic performance, and seed quality traits in the SoyMAGIC population. MAGIC (Multi-parent Advanced Generation Inter-Cross) is a breeding design developed to enhance genetic diversity and improve the study of complex traits in soybeans. By bridging advanced phenotyping tools with genetic insights, Katherine aims to accelerate the development of resilient, high-yielding soybean cultivars for the future.
Her passion for discovery has already gained recognition. During her MSc, she conducted a genetic analysis of an exotic Canadian-adapted mapping population to identify beneficial exotic alleles for yield improvement. Her research earned third place in the 2023 National Association for Plant Breeding (NAPB) conference poster competition.
Beyond the lab, she volunteers at Ignatius Organic Farm, contributing to local food production and gaining hands-on farming experience.
Riley McConachie is rewriting the rulebook for plant breeding and agronomy, transforming cutting-edge research into real-world solutions that are reshaping agriculture. As a graduate student at the University of Guelph, his remarkable achievements — from top academic honours to important publications — have already set him apart as a leader in his field.
This past summer, Riley took his impact even further by leading the development of a mobile app that measures wheat head density and evaluates fusarium head blight severity — a major tool that’s setting new standards for disease scouting. But Riley isn’t just advancing his own work — he’s mentoring peers to create next-gen digital tools and collaborating with wheat yield enhancement network personnel to drive smarter, more sustainable crop management.
With his work featured on CTV and in other media, Riley is showing the world how AI and precision agriculture can transform farming into a more efficient and sustainable practice for the future.
Anirup Sengupta is on a mission to outsmart plant diseases and transform the future of wheat breeding. As a master’s student at the University of Manitoba, he dove headfirst into the challenge of tackling leaf rust resistance in winter wheat, blending advanced techniques like genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with genomic selection (GS).
His work didn’t just stay in the lab — it turning heads on the global stage. Anirup’s research earned him the coveted “Best Poster Award” at the International Wheat Congress in Australia. He was also recognized for “Best Oral Presentation” at the Canadian Wheat Symposium and Plant Canada 2024.
From field trials to greenhouse evaluations at the University of Manitoba and AAFC’s Morden Research and Development Centre, Anirup’s hands-on approach demonstrates his passion for bridging cutting-edge research with practical solutions. With an eye for detail, a knack for experimentation, and a commitment to solving real-world problems, Anirup is poised to make waves in Canadian plant breeding and beyond.
George Tarabain is redefining how we combat late blight in potatoes. As a PhD researcher at McGill University, he’s uncovering the genetic basis of disease resistance, using advanced bioinformatics tools like Python and R to decode massive genomic datasets. His goal? To create more resilient potato crops and offer sustainable solutions to the challenges of climate change and food insecurity.
George’s journey is as remarkable as his research. Before coming to Canada, he worked in Syria as a field crop expert and assistant professor, managing plant genetic resources and collaborating with international organizations like International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). This global experience shapes his innovative approach to plant science and shows his ability to merge technical brilliance with real-world impact.
Emilee Storfie is a trailblazer in plant pathology, tackling the formidable challenge of clubroot disease in canola with cutting-edge molecular and bioinformatics approaches. As a PhD candidate at the University of Alberta, her research is uncovering important insights into pathogen-host dynamics and opening new doors for disease-resistant crop development.
But Emilee’s influence reaches far beyond the lab. A 2024 Canadian Plant Breeding Innovation Scholar, she’s actively shaping the future of science through her leadership in Women in Science, Engineering & Research (WiSER). Her commitment to inspiring others also shines in the classroom, where her exceptional teaching earned her the University of Alberta’s Graduate Student Teaching Award. Emilee isn’t just advancing plant science; she’s empowering the next wave of agricultural innovators and driving change across the industry.
Bohan Wei is reshaping wheat disease management with her work in plant pathology. During her master’s, she tackled the pressing issue of tan spot disease caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, delivering two first-authored publications that shed new light on this threat to wheat production. Now, as a PhD candidate, she’s turning her focus to stripe rust, one of wheat’s most devastating crop diseases, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici.
What sets Bohan apart is her ability to combine modern genetic and molecular techniques to address real-world agricultural challenges. Her work on the genetic diversity and virulence of stripe rust in Canada is paving the way for more effective resistance breeding and sustainable wheat production.
Bohan’s love for collaborating is bridging expertise across research labs in Edmonton and Lethbridge, ensuring her discoveries reach farmers and strengthen global food security.
