Meet the recipients of the 2023 Arrell Scholarships
Anna Ngwenyi Mafor, School of Engineering
Anna is studying in the School of Engineering to complete a MEng in Engineering Systems & Computing under the supervision of Dr. Sheng Yang. She hails from the Northwest region of Cameroon, Africa and her research focuses on designing an automated aeroponic greenhouse system equipped with the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence. This proposed smart aeroponic system will enable farmers to use less water, pesticides and nutrients and have a shorter crop growth rate, making agriculture more sustainable. Anna hopes to use her innovations to strengthen food security and deliver environmental benefits to farmers. She is the co-founder of a successful startup, Multi-Tech Sustainable Solutions, and won the African Youth Adaptation Challenge at COP27 in 2022.
M Manjurul Islam, Department of Geography, Environment & Geomatics
M Manjurul will be completing his PhD under the supervision of Dr. Evan Fraser in the Department of Geography, Environment & Geomatics. M Manjurul will be working on climate-smart food systems that can support vulnerable coastal people in his home country of Bangladesh. He holds an MSc degree in Climate Change and Development and another master’s degree in Development Studies. His future goal is to conduct research that informs policy on climate resilient agriculture in areas most affected by climate change and agricultural production to help those most food insecure regions. He is currently working as a Domain Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Lead of Climate Change and Sustainable Development Programme in HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation in Bangladesh.
Kamshajini Raveenthiran, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development
Kamshajini is from Vavuniya, a northern district of Sri Lanka and will be pursuing a MSc in Capacity Development and Extension with Dr. Helen Hambly. She will be involved in the design and implementation of digital extension and capacity building activities involving welfare for dairy cattle and well-being of producers. She will be working with researchers involved in the NSERC Alliance and Canada Research Chair program, WELL-E: Enhancing Animal Welfare & Longevity Through Remote Sensing and Artificial Intelligence Dedicated to Dairy Farming. With an agricultural economics and extension perspective, she will compare this knowledge with innovation to support the dairy industry globally and in her home country of Sri Lanka.
Olivia Willoughby, Department of Population Medicine
Olivia is from Bowmanville, Ontario and recently completed an MSc in Animal Breeding and Genetics from the University of Guelph. She will begin her PhD in the Department of Population Medicine, part of the Ontario Veterinary College, under the supervision of Dr. Stephen LeBlanc. Her project will investigate the epidemiology of bovine leukemia virus in Canadian dairy herds to describe when animals first test positive, and eventually develop a control program for the disease. This research will improve the health and welfare of Canadian dairy cattle and dairy operations. Her future goals are to develop new research knowledge that can be applied on-farm to lead to high-quality food produced safely and sustainably for Canadian consumers.
The scholarship provides $50,000 a year to support the scholars’ academic studies and gives them the opportunity to participate in projects, meet leaders and develop workplace ready training. Read more.