Episode 26: How can biomass crops improve the environment?

We've all had food go bad, which results in the unfortunate act of food waste. But what if the structure of food could be altered to extend the shelf life? Louis Colaruotolo, a PhD student in the Department of Food Science, is trying to do just that. Using 3D printing and other research methods, he is working to better understand the causes of food deterioration. He discusses his ​fundamental research and its importance with E'layna and Tahlia. This is our last episode for this batch, thank you E'layna for being a magnificent host! We hope to be back soon. 

Stress in laying hens can result in feather pecking, a behaviour that can have severe welfare and economic consequences. E’layna and Tahlia chat with Claire Mindus, a PhD candidate in the Department of Animal Biosciences. Claire discusses her research on a promising solution to feather pecking, that involves supplementing hens with probiotic bacteria. Note: the research discussed in this episode, and all animal research at the University of Guelph, is done in adherence to the University of Guelph Animal Care Policy and Procedures.

Biomass crops, like switchgrass and miscanthus, are used for agriculture products and biofuel production. These crops can improve soil health while removing carbon dioxide from the air. Sowthini Vijayakumar, a PhD candidate in the School of Environmental Sciences, is trying to find a practical solution to decrease atmospheric carbon through the conversion of agricultural land to biomass crops. She joins E’layna and Tahlia on the podcast to discuss her research in this area.

There are some new voices behind the Why & How podcast. Our new host E’layna and friend of the show Tahlia welcome their first guest, Tyler Black, to the show after a brief hiatus. Tyler, PhD candidate in the School of Environmental Sciences, discusses his research on oil spills. They often make headlines when they occur, but what happens next? Through a toxicology lens, Tyler is looking to better understand how they impact marine organisms, specifically clams, and how to support restoration efforts in the future.

Anaerobic digestion is a biological process in which microbes break down organic matter to produce biogas. This process captures the biogas, which can be harmful to the atmosphere and uses it for energy. Dr. Brandon Gilroyed, a professor in the School of Environmental Science at the Ridgetown Campus, chats with Graeme about his research in this area, highlighting how it works and the environmental benefits. This is our last podcast episode for a little while, but we will be back soon!

Before recreational cannabis became legal in Canada in 2018, some rural communities in British Columbia relied on the illicit market for economic well-being. Legalization disrupted these communities’ way of life. Tracey Harvey, a PhD candidate in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, is researching the implications of cannabis legalization on these communities. She talks to Graeme and Jordan about the history of the illicit market, her methods for conducting research, and how her research will help support these rural economies.

Producing informative research is the goal of all our guests, but ensuring that groundbreaking research is actually used is the focus of Dr. Amy Lemay. Amy, who is a post-doc researcher in the Department of Plant Agriculture, is working to determine why Integrated Pest Management practices (based on research findings) have been so widely adopted by farmers. She explains the “sociology of science”, why knowledge translation and transfer is critical to research adoption and how she’s hoping her own research will help others translate theirs into common practice.

Ultra-processed foods are dominant in our Western diet, and this doesn't just include pop and chips. Many processed foods that consumers consider to be healthy (based on their ingredients) are negatively affecting our health. Dr. Mike Rogers, a professor in the Department of Food Science, explains the evolution of our diet and the impacts of processed food on our bodies. He also unpacks the complications of our current food system, which prioritizes technological innovation over understanding the impacts on our health.

Using robots to care for dairy cows might sound a bit cold or even dystopian to some, but researcher Dr. Meagan King found a connection between automation and positive health benefits for both dairy cows and the farmers who care for them. In this episode, Meagan talks to Graeme and Jordan all about dairy cows and explains how her research in the Department of Animal Biosciences showcases the linkage between automation, strong herd health and benefits for farmer mental health.

Note: Meagan received permission to visit and work with farms/farmers and followed policy set by the University of Guelph Research Ethics Board. The research discussed in this episode, and all animal research at the University of Guelph, is done in adherence to the University of Guelph Animal Care Policy and Procedures.

This past summer, hundreds of teachers across Canada played host to bee hotels in hopes of better understanding solitary wild bees. Sage Handler, a master’s student in the School of Environmental Sciences, tells Graeme and Jordan all about this unique approach to crowd-sourcing research data and why tracking wild bees is worthwhile. She also answers all of Graeme and Jordan’s bee-related questions.