Immigrant families settling the land, quilting bees, and ploughing matches are examples of some of the social and economic topics of early Ontario that link my work to the larger expertise of this University concerning agriculture and rural communities.
The problems I have worked on in animal science have direct implications for genetic selection, food quality (e.g. cow milk), and animal health. On the other hand, my work in understanding the structure and driving mechanisms of ecological (e.g. plant-pollinator) networks have indirect implications for ecosystem conservation, management, and restoration.
In the context of global challenges, I work in the area on communication and information for agricultural innovation and community economic development. I lead the Regional and Rural Broadband (R2B2) project.
My research is in the area of mechanical and electrical engineering. It involves the development of intelligent control and estimation strategies with applications to mechatronic systems, robotics, and real-world problems.
My main research interests are in organizational identity and reputation and their implications for organizational strategies, sustainability and CSR. My research projects include sustainability and certifications in the Australian wine industry and social enterprise in Tanzania.
The research that we conduct in my laboratory aims to understand the causes of infertility at the gene level and pinpoint the mechanisms through which toxicants affect fertility both in humans and farm animals. Understanding how things happen will help in finding ways of overcoming it.