Since its inception in 2002, the Applied Soil Ecology Lab has employed more than 50 undergraduate summer research students, graduated 14 B.Sc., 19 M.Sc., and 9 Ph.D. students, hosted 6 Visiting Researchers, provided career development opportunities for 8 Research Associates / Post Doctoral Fellowships, and trained 33 technicians in its soil ecology or greenhouse gas research programs.
Many of our past personnel have gone on to further their education and establish successful careers in their field of study, including positions with major agronomic associations and businesses, Manitoba Agriculture, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), as professors / researchers at Canadian or international universities, and proprietors of agronomic businesses / consulting firms.
CURRENT PERSONNEL
Post Doctoral Fellows & Research Associates
Dr. Pedro Ferrari Machado (2021-) is a Postdoctoral Fellow whose research focuses on analysis of the unique dataset resulting from the Fertilizer Use Survey, which was conducted between the 2014 and 2019 growing seasons and summarizes the fertilizer management practices and current knowledge of 4R Nutrient Stewardship of growers across Canada. Dr. Ferrari Machado’s analyses will enable the establishment of baselines and identification of trends/future opportunities related to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer management practices in the Canadian Prairies and Eastern Canada.
PhD Students
Victor Valdez (2020-) is a PhD candidate from Belize investigating use of cover crop systems to lower the carbon to nitrogen ratio before winter deep freeze, which will prospectively decrease emissions of N2O and CO2 during spring thaw. His project consists of studying the relationships between gas emissions, C and N substrates, nitrogen cycling gene expression, and enzymatic kinetics in near above frozen soils. By replacing the labor-intensive soil sampling for C and N with simple field estimates of reverse transcribed soil RNA, the identification of one or a set of target genes (Archaea- and Bacteria-amoA, nrfA, hzo/hao, narG/napA, nirK/S, c/qnorB, nosZ1) as proxies for N loss or retention may offer a vital instrument for advising the dynamics of spring gas emissions and soil N in agriculture. Thesis: Cover Crop Effects on the Dynamics of Nitrogen Cycling in Prairie Soils at Near Above Freezing Temperatures with Contrasting Carbon and Nitrogen Sources
Nazanin Ghavami (2016-) is a PhD candidate investigating Manitoban soybean fields for the presence of the soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines. Her project continues from surveys conducted from 2012 to 2015 that did not find the nematode. SCN is one of the most devastating disease/pest organisms of soybean worldwide and is found in all major soybean growing regions of the world, including Ontario and Quebec in Canada. It is expected to soon be present in Manitoba as the pest has progressed northward in Minnesota and North Dakota to reach the Manitoba border. Early detection of SCN before it establishes in Manitoba is critical to limit yield losses. Nazanin will also use her research to develop molecular protocols for quantification of SCN calibrated to traditional microscopic counting of eggs to replace the laborious and error-prone extraction/observation that currently exist for SCN quantification and identification. Thesis: Survey and Development of Molecular Soil Test for Soybean Cyst Nematode in Manitoba
MSc Students
Katie Webb (2021-) is an MSc student doing research at the TGAS-MAN site in Glenlea, Manitoba, looking at the effect of fall established cover crops on annual CO2 and N2O fluxes. Fall rye was used as the cover crop and was planted post-harvest in fall and then allowed to grow until it was terminated the following spring at seeding. CO2 and N2O data for the project is being collected from fall of 2018 until the end of the season in 2021.
M Junaid Afzal (2021-) is an MSc student examining the efficacy of enhanced efficiency / controlled release nitrogen fertilizers to reduce N2O emissions and their effect on the growth and productivity of corn and canola
Hannah Keenes (2020-) is an MSc student in Animal Science (co-supervised by Dr. Kim Ominski) examining greenhouse gas emissions from stored manure from beef cow overwintering sites, and the relationship between manure emissions and farm management practices. Her project involves a producer survey, physical and chemical characterization of stored manure, and determination of manure gas flux using FTIR spectroscopy on 10 cow-calf farms across Manitoba. Thesis: Survey of cow-calf operations to characterize manure nutrient profile and management practices
Claudia Quilesfogel-Esparza (2020-) is an MSc student using canopy sensors to predict nitrogen fertilizer recommendations. She will conduct field experiments in western Manitoba using trials on commercial fields, one year each from 2018 to 2021 using handheld and drone sensors to establish the most economical in-season fertilizer recommendations at early corn stages. Thesis: Improving Nitrogen Recommendations Using Canopy Sensing
Kody Oleson (2019-) is an MSc student studying the influence of 4R nitrogen management practices on indirect emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) through leaching and subsequent denitrification of nitrate (NO3–). His research will take place in western Manitoba where soils are light, well-draining, and low in organic matter content, a sharp contrast to the Lab’s usual field sites located in the Red River Valley. Thesis: Effects of 4R Nitrogen Management Practices on Indirect Emissions of Nitrous Oxide through Leaching and Subsequent Denitrification of Nitrate
Technicians
Zhe Song (2021-)
Chemical Analyst & General Lab Director
Zhe is the Applied Soil Ecology’s lead soil and plant chemistry analyst. His responsibilities include processing and analyzing soil and plant samples collected from greenhouse gas emissions field study sites.
Adam Freiling (2020-)
UAV & Remote Sensing Technician
Adam’s primary responsibilities include drone (UAV) operation and maintenance, remote sensing, and greenhouse gas instrument application and maintenance. He assists professors and graduate students with collecting data from orthomosaic mapping to trace gas spectroscopy.
Fernanda Gouvea (2020-)
Molecular Biology Technician
Fernanda’s work focuses on improving our understanding of the life-cycle development, crop host preference, and damage potential of the stem nematode, Ditylenchus weischeri. Her research routinely involves microscopic and molecular pathogen identification, pest evaluation, nematode extraction and isolation, culturing, disease rating, and field sampling.
Emma Unruh (2020-)
Greenhouse Gas Lab Technician & Engineer
Emma’s primary responsibilities include analyzing greenhouse gas samples on the Lab’s gas chromatographs, processing the output data, and maintaining the gas chromatographs and custom-made auto-evacuator.
Claire Heidenreich (2020-)
Greenhouse Gas Field & Lab Technician
Claire is a field and lab technician in support of the Lab’s greenhouse gas research. Her responsibilities include gas, soil, and biomass sampling as well as sample processing and analysis.
Marliese Peterson (2015-)
IRC Program Technician
Marliese manages the Lab’s website, social media accounts, and outreach programs. She also assists with the overall coordination of undergraduate summer research student training and daily field assignments, and has experience collecting, processing, and analyzing gas, soil, and biomass samples.
Terri Fairman (2014-)
Molecular Biology Technician & Lab Director
Terri conducts molecular diagnostics of soil-borne crop pathogens such as fungi (e.g. Verticillium spp) and nematodes (e.g. Ditylenchus spp). She is also responsible for maintaining the molecular lab and its equipment, and training graduate and summer students in proper molecular biology techniques.
Brad Sparling (2005-)
Greenhouse Gas Lab & Field Director
Brad is the director of the Greenhouse Gas Program’s field operations, its lead gas analyst, and the Lab’s GIS technician. He is responsible for analyzing gas samples collected by graduate students and field technicians, processing the data, and maintaining the Lab’s three gas chromatographs. Brad also coordinates and supervises the field work for our multiple projects and trains our undergraduate summer research students in proper field sampling techniques.
PAST PERSONNEL
Post Doctoral Fellows & Research Associates
Faith Omonijo (2019-2020) (co-supervised by Christine Rawluk, NCLE Research Development & Communications Coordinator, University of Manitoba) Swine Science Cluster project, Advancing the Canadian Swine Sector Through Environmental Footprint Analysis.
Dr. Xiaopeng Gao (2012-2020) Development and Modeling of 4R® Management Strategies to Reduce N2O Emissions from Agricultural Systems. Dr. Gao is now an Assistant Professor in Soil Fertility and Agronomy in the Department of Soil Science at the U of M.
Dr. Kevin Baron (2013-2017) Field Studies of 4R® Nitrogen Management of Wheat and Canola
Dr. Mehrdad Madani (2012-2016) Molecular Diagnostic Development of Plant Parasitic Nematodes
Dr. Haben Asgedom (2009-2012) 4R® Nitrogen Management Studies for Reduction in Emissions of Nitrous Oxide from Soil
Dr. Shabeg Briar (2009-2011) Survey of Plant Parasitic Nematodes of Yellow Pea in Prairie Canada
Dr. Abdel El Hadrami (2007-2009) Green Manures to Reduce Potato Early Dying
PhD Students
Yanyan Li (2019-2020) (visiting PhD candidate from the Chinese Academy of Sciences studying under the supervision of Dr. Xiaopeng Gao) Thesis: Enhanced Efficiency Nitrogen Fertilizers to Reduce N2O Emissions from Irrigated Croplands in Arid Northwestern China
Mingyuan Yin (2018-2020) (visiting PhD candidate from the Chinese Academy of Sciences studying under the supervision of Dr. Xiaopeng Gao) Thesis: Emissions of N2O from Grassland Ecosystem Under Different Grazing Intensities on Kunlun Mountain in Southern Xinjiang, China
Wennong Kuang (2017-2019) (visiting PhD candidate from the Chinese Academy of Sciences studying under the supervision of Dr. Xiaopeng Gao) Thesis: Study on the Mechanism of Water and Fertilizer Management on N2O Production and Emission from Cotton Fields in Arid Regions of Northwest China
Abolfazl Hajihassani (2012-2016) Studies of Plant Host Preferences of the Stem Nematodes Ditylenchus weischeri and D. dipsaci (DOWNLOAD)
Oscar Molina (2011-2016) Identification of Verticillium Species and Control Methods for Verticillium Wilt of Potato in Manitoba (DOWNLOAD)
Ainsley Hamm (2009-2014) Bacterial Community Ecology and Fate in Integrated Livestock Production Systems (DOWNLOAD)
Luca Coppi (2006-2013) Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Soil and Groundwater Following Repeated Nitrogen-based Swine Slurry Applications to a Tame Grassland on Coarse Textured Soil (DOWNLOAD)
Aaron Glenn (2006-2010) Greenhouse Gas Fluxes and Budget for an Annual Cropping System in the Red River Valley, Manitoba, Canada (DOWNLOAD)
Amro Mahran (2005-2009) Suppression of the Root-lesion Nematode Using Liquid Hog Manure (DOWNLOAD)
MSc Students
Priscillar Wenyika (2016-2019) Host Preference for Pratylenchus neglectus Among the Major Crops Grown in the Canadian Prairie Provinces (DOWNLOAD)
Abhishek Agarwal (2016-2018) Study on Verticillium longisporum of Canola from the First Reported Farm in North America (DOWNLOAD)
Matthew Wood (2016-2018) Right Source and Right Time: Reducing Nitrous Oxide Emissions with Enhanced Efficiency Nitrogen Fertilizers (DOWNLOAD)
Fernanda Govea Pereira (2015-2018) Survey of Plant Parasitic Nematodes of Pulse Crop Fields in the Canadian Prairies (DOWNLOAD)
Mick Runzika (2014-2017) Nitrification Rate Effect on Cumulative Nitrous Oxide Emission from Soil (DOWNLOAD)
Megan Westphal (2014-2016) Nitrous Oxide Soil Emissions from an Organic and Conventionally Managed Cropping System in Manitoba (DOWNLOAD)
William Shaw (2014-2016) Placement, Timing, and Source of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Yield of Irrigated Russet Burbank Potato in Manitoba (DOWNLOAD)
Jolene Rutter (2012-2016) Winter Composting of Separated Pig Slurry Solids and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (DOWNLOAD)
Siobhan Maas (2009-2011) Perennial Legume Phase and Annual Crop Rotation Influences on CO2 and N2O Fluxes Over Two Years in the Red River Valley, Manitoba, Canada (DOWNLOAD)
Gwen Donohoe (2009-2011) Nutrient Excretion and Soil Greenhouse Emission from Excreta of Overwintering Beef Cows Fed Forage-based Diets Supplemented with Dries Distillers’ Grains with Solubles (DOWNLOAD)
Krista Hanis-Gervais (2008-2010) Eddy Covariance Measurements of Methane Flux in a Subarctic Fen with Emphasis on Spring-melt Period (DOWNLOAD)
Rhea Lumactud (2008-2010) Spatial Distribution of Soil Nematodes in the Sub-Arctic Environment of Churchill, Manitoba (DOWNLOAD)
Oscar Molina (2007-2009) Effect of Green Manures and Organic Amendments on Verticillium Wilt of Potato in Manitoba (DOWNLOAD)
Nandakumar Rajendran (2007-2009) Dynamics of Profiles of Soil Greenhouse Gases in a Topographically Variable Landscape in Western Canada (DOWNLOAD)
Fardausi Akhtar (2006-2008) Crop Management Impacts On Mycorrhizal Colonization and Cadmium Availability in Agricultural Crops (DOWNLOAD)
Adedeji Dunmola (2005-2007) Greenhouse Gas Emission from a Prairie Pothole Landscape in Western Canada (DOWNLOAD)
Jacqueline Churchill (2005-2007) Spatial Variation of Soil Methane and Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Subarctic Environments of Churchill, Manitoba (DOWNLOAD)
Catherine Welsh (2005-2007) Organic Crop Management Can Decrease Labile Soil P and Promote Mycorrhizal Association of Crops (DOWNLOAD)
Denis Trémorin (2004-2008) Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Grassland Pasture Fertilized with Liquid Hog Manure (DOWNLOAD)
Undergraduate Thesis Students
Colleen Robertson (2019-2020) Soil Properties in Relation to Smooth Brome (Bromus inermis) in Fescue Grasslands at Riding Mountain National Park
Katie Webb (2018-2019) Comparing Greenhouse Gas Production in Stockpiled Cattle Manure
Andrew Hector (2018-2019) Does Increasing Length of Polyculture Deployment Affect Soil Health?
Samuel Steinman (2016-2018) Trends in Agronomic Nutrient Use Efficiency of Major Field Crops in Manitoba
Torrie Eggie (2015-2017) The Reliability of the Rapitest®: Soil Test Kit for Nitrogen and Phosphorus for Garden Soils
Stephanie Dheilly (2013-2015) Soil Nutrient Levels in Vegetable Gardens
Amanda Stefanson (2009-2011) Potential for Winter Composting of Separated Pig Manure Solids in Manitoba
Jolene Rutter (2009-2011) Methane Emissions in Relation of Landscape Position in a Field in the Red River Valley
Lindsey Andronak (2009-2010) Nitrous Oxide and Denitrification Fluxes for a Cropped Field in the Red River Valley, Manitoba
Dale Boswick (2006-2008) Impact of Water Logging on N2O Emissions
Andrea Bacler (2006-2007) Toxicity of Cadmium and Zinc to the Nematode, C. elegans
Siobhan Maas (2005-2007) Nutrient Accumulation in Bare Earth Patches of a Grazed Pasture
Corinne Barker (2006-2007) Sentinel Nematodes of Soil Health
Jody Blazenko (2005-2006) Nutrient Water Quality of a Cow-Calf Operations in Manitoba
Technicians
Krista Hanis-Gervais (2014-2021) director of NCLE field operations, general lab and field technician.
Lanny Gardiner (2017-2020) research agronomist
Mervin Bilous (2006-2020) General lab director and lead soil and plant chemistry analyst.
Amber Aligawesa (2019-2020) soil and plant chemistry technician.
Matt Gervais (2011-2020) TGAS-MAN engineer, micrometeorology, and UAV technician and analyst.
Megan Westphal (2017-2019) National Centre for Livestock and the Environment (NCLE) and Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Program (AGGP) II field and lab technician.
Marissa Robitaille (2016-2017) General field and laboratory technician in support of greenhouse gas research
Natasha Klassen (2014-2017) General field and laboratory technician in support of greenhouse gas research
Ian Copps (2014-2016) General field and laboratory technician in support of greenhouse gas research
Greg Wiebe (2013-2017) General field and laboratory technician in support of greenhouse gas research
Taliah Klippenstein (2015-2017) General field and laboratory technician in support of greenhouse gas research
Liam Kurbis (2014-2015) General field and laboratory technician in support of greenhouse gas research
Ulana Fries (2014-2015) General field and laboratory technician in support of greenhouse gas research
Jehn Francisco (2012-2016) Molecular biology technician; diagnostics of soybean cyst nematode populations from Ontario
Patrick Finnsson (2011-2014) General field and laboratory technician in support of greenhouse gas research
Prasanna Adikari (2011-2013) General field and laboratory technician in support of greenhouse gas research
Jenna Rapai (2008-2011) Micrometeorology technician
Syd Jones (2007-2008) Micrometeorology technician
Trevor Fraser (2007-2008) General field and laboratory technician in support of greenhouse gas research
Oscar Molina (2006-2007) Verticillium and nematology technician