Meet the 2025 AFI Scholars
Ekow Ashun-Stone, Geography, Environment and Geomatics
Ekow’s research aims to increase the production and accessibility of ethno-cultural vegetables (ECVs) in ways that promote equity, sustainability, and regional food system resilience. Ekow’s research will focus on how to strengthen Black agri-food sovereignty in the Greater Toronto Area, and Southern Ontario more broadly, by improving the supply chain for ECVs through community-based, entrepreneurial solutions. Ekow will be completing a degree in Geography supervised by Dr. Sara Edge, Arrell Chair in Food, Policy & Society.
Luca Galler, Environmental Sciences
Luca’s research aims to ensure all communities, especially those of historically marginalized groups, have access to nourishing food that aligns with their needs, values, and sovereignty. Luca’s research focuses on how to increase the availability of healthy and culturally relevant produce in food insecure regions of Northern Canada by selecting and optimizing crops in Controlled Environment Agricultural/Systems (CEA/CES) complexes. Luca will be completing a degree through the Ontario Agriculture College under the supervision of Dr. Sara Edge, Arrell Chair in Food, Policy & Society.
Manahil Zaid, Family Relations & Applied Nutrition
Manahil’s research aims to encourage greater consumption of plant-based foods with the potential to reduce the environmental impact of our food system while simultaneously improving population health, leading to a sustainable, healthy, and resilient food system. Her research focuses on engaging youth to effectively promote plant-based eating, with the goal of supporting long-term shifts in dietary patterns. Manahil will be completing a degree through the department of Family Relations & Applied Nutrition with Dr. Jess Haines and Dr. Sadaf Mollaei, Arrell Chair in the Business of Food.
Interested to learn more about Arrell Scholarships?
Arrell Food Institute provides graduate students the opportunity to engage in an experiential learning program that will prepare them to be leaders in the agri-food sector and address key agriculture and food challenges. Arrell Scholarships are currently not open for applications. Please check back for updates
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.