My advice for prospective grad students is to reach out to people. When I was looking at the CDE program, I reached out to a couple of graduated students in different fields to talk about their experience in the program. This information was very valuable and helped me to make a confident choice. If you have any questions about the program or my experience please feel welcome to reach out.
My research dealt with using biostimulants as environmentally friendly alternatives to fungicides, for preventing dollar spot disease, which is one of the most prevalent disease that affects turfgrass on golf courses worldwide. My research will hopefully help to identify species and cultivars of turfgrass that respond positively to various biostimulant applications and therefore have a lower disease incidence. This will potentially allow golf course managers to use fewer fungicides in the future by switching to biostimulant applications, which will reduce the environmental impact that they have on the surrounding ecosystems.
I highly recommend University of Guelph graduate studies for the prospective grad student who is looking to build their skills and improve their knowledge. This great learning experience will make students more employable in the labor market. The best thing in grad studies is the working opportunities offered to students while studying which improves their networking and can prepare them for the labor market.
Although I think most prospective grad students have been told about the importance of picking a study/project that interests you, I think it's also really important to take some time to see how you interact with your supervisor and lab. These will be the people you work the closest with for the next several years, and help provide support to you in some of your toughest moments.
My student philosophy is that anyone can learn anything. However, to succeed and enjoy your graduate school education you need to create good relationships with your mentors and those you look up to and get involved in student life by joining things that resonate with you whether that be student councils, clubs, intramural teams, etc!
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.
We have AMAZING faculty for cardiovascular research, as well as nutrition, exercise and food science. If you're trying to choose universities and advisors, come drop by Guelph- chat to the professors, other lab members, our support staff. You'll see the difference yourself and be able to make an informed decision!
For Food Science in Canada, Guelph was the only choice! Having completed my undergrad here as well, I was happy to build upon my existing relationships within Food Science. Moreover, I was also very excited to not just witness, but be a part of Guelph’s large agri-food revolution.
