Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies

Grad Students' Words of Wisdom

Graduate student Ashley Stegelmeier (PhD, Pathobiology) in the atrium of the Albert A. Thornbrough Building, University of Guelph

Ashley Stegelmeier

Advice for Prospective Grad Students… 

I loved being a PhD student here. My advisors and labmates were all very supportive of my research endeavors. I enjoyed being in charge of my own research project.

Portrait of graduate student Abdalla Albeely

Abdalla Albeely

Advice For Prospective Grad Students… 

I'd tell them that at U of G you'll benefit academically and you will get to enjoy being part of such a great community.

Portrait of U of G MSc Management student, Tyler Tap Young

Tyler Yap Young

Words of wisdom for a prospective grad student...

Do not be afraid to engage with your professors and fellow students. Professors want to help you succeed so do not be afraid to reach out to them. The people who best know what you are going through are you fellow students. Ask how they are doing, ask if they have any tips for the upcoming assignment. Doing this will help make you a part of the LANG community.

Jennifer Jolie

Jennifer Jolie

Words of wisdom for prospective grad students...

If you’re considering pursuing post-secondary education but maybe aren’t sure you can do it, especially if you are a first-generation university student, don’t count yourself out. It’s easy to talk yourself out of it because you may not think your voice matters or that you have anything important to contribute—but nothing could be further from the truth. Your own unique life experience and perspective will be your biggest source of strength and learning. No one in the world thinks or creates things like you do! 

Portrait of graduate student Mohammad Melebari (PhD, Food Science) in the atrium of the Albert A. Thornbrough Building, University of Guelph

Mohammad Melebari

Why I Chose Guelph… 

I completed my MSc at UofG and found that this place is a really nice place to spend more time and get my PhD. I'm proud to be Gryphon!

Portrait of graduate student Joshua Salamun

Joshua Salamun

Advice for Prospective Students...

The faculty profiles page, on the Food Science Department website, is very useful to help find research projects that you may be interested in. Do not hesitate to email or talk directly to the faculty members. They are always welcoming, and can even help you apply for scholarship funding! 

Portrait of graduate student Sierra Rosiana

Sierra Rosiana

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

Remember that research never goes as planned and to not let failed experiments or unwanted results keep you from working hard on your degree. No one gets through graduate school without failed experiments and huge changes in their project plans.

Francis Opoku

Francis Opoku

About the City of Guelph… 

I lived in Ridgetown as this is where my research was conducted. Although Ridgetown does not have much infrastructure in comparison to the City of Guelph, it has large acres of land for research in agriculture. I sometimes enjoyed a tour on the vast land with various research work going on. Personally, I think Ridgetown may be the town with the kindest people I have met, and I know the same is true for the City of Guelph.

Portrait of Dr. Yazmin Osornio Maganaz

Yazmin Osornio Maganaz

Advice for a prospective grad student or someone who would like to follow in your footsteps...

My biggest advice is to follow what truly excites you. My passion for equine reproduction started as a vet student, and every challenge and success since then has only made me more certain of my path. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, make mistakes, and learn from them — that’s where the growth happens. Surround yourself with people who support and inspire you, and remember why you started. There will be tough days, but if you love what you’re doing, it will all be worth it. 

Kayla Snyder portrait

Kayla Snyder

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

Choose a supervisor who makes you excited about your project. There will be times when your project does not go as planned and reminders of that enthusiasm and why you are doing the work are crucial to continuing through the hurtles.