Scott Moore

Program

MSc Plant Agriculture, Plant Breeding & Genetics

Why did you choose to complete your graduate studies in your program at the University of Guelph? 

I chose to pursue graduate studies in Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph because of how great my undergraduate experience was here. I had some great professors whose knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion for agriculture was instilled in me and drove me to pursue higher education. Additionally, during my undergrad, I got to know many graduate students and all of them were very happy to be here. Lastly, I saw how great student life is here from participating in student-run committees, intramural sports, and social gatherings. To me, there was no other option I considered, or even wanted to consider. Graduate studies at the UofG is where I want to be.

A bit about your path... 

I hail from just north of Guelph, Ontario in Guelph-Eramosa Township. Ever since I was a child, I have always naturally gravitated towards agriculture as I grew up in a farming family and rural community. I was always aware of how renowned the UofG was for its education and research in agriculture. However, I was never a great student in high school and did not have the proper marks to get into university, but I was always interested in the sciences. After high school, I took a year off from school and worked full-time for a large agri-business while I figured out my next steps. Many of my bosses and colleagues had obtained agricultural degrees from the UofG, and after seeing how their education was used in their career, I made the decision I wanted to do the same. So, while I worked full-time, I attended night school to upgrade my high school math and science marks. My decisions and hard work paid off as I was accepted into the UofG in the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture undergraduate program, majoring in Crop, Horticulture and Turfgrass Sciences. The main agricultural interest I developed during my undergrad was in the seed industry, and the development and placement of crop varieties for farmers to grow was particularly appealing to me. About halfway through my undergrad, I decided that I wanted to obtain a Master of Science degree due to my increased interest in research and as a means of career advancement. To prime myself for the prospect of doing graduate studies, I undertook a formal undergraduate research project in soybean breeding with Dr. Istvan Rajcan which developed my research skills and gave me a glimpse as to what it was like to be a graduate student. During this time, I expressed interest in doing graduate studies, and Dr. Rajcan graciously gave me the opportunity to start a Master's upon graduating from my undergrad degree. I started my Master's in the fall of 2022, and at the time of writing this, I am approximately 8 months away from completion. 

A bit about the work you are doing here... 

I am conducting my Master's research in the soybean breeding program. In this research, we are identifying novel genetic resistance to Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN), the most destructive pest of soybean in North America. Although soybean farmers have genetic SCN resistance at their disposal in commercially available soybean cultivars, the vast overuse of a narrow set of resistance genes in SCN-resistant varieties has caused SCN to overcome them. In this research, we are investigating if elite Chinese soybean cultivars have novel SCN resistance genes that can be incorporated into Canadian soybean germplasm. Since soybean is the highest acreage crop in Ontario, finding new SCN resistance genes that protect against yield losses will improve the ongoing battle against this pest and maintain the integrity of Ontario soybean production.

How do you think your research can potentially improve life? 

Because my research is in the active soybean breeding program, the novel SCN resistance genes we are identifying can be bred and incorporated into high yielding soybean cultivars that farmers will be able to grow in the hopefully not-too-distant future. This research can improve life because a resilient, high-yielding soybean crop provides economic benefits to rural communities and contributes to domestic and international food security alike. I have had to opportunity to present my research with farmers and educate them on SCN and growing SCN resistant soybean cultivars.

What's it like to work with an advisor?

My academic relationship with my advisor, Dr. Istvan Rajcan, has been top-notch. He has always had my back, listened to my ideas, been readily available to meet, and provided the resources necessary to complete my project. I am happy to call him my advisor, mentor, and friend. 

What do you plan to do after graduation? How has U of G helped you reach that goal? 

My plan after I graduate is to work in the private sector for a seed company. I aim to be involved in the development, evaluation, and placement of new crop varieties for farmers to grow. UofG is helping me reach that goal by providing me a solid formal education in the classroom/lab, and experiential education in the field. I am confident I will be able to synthesize my classroom and field education obtained at the UofG to serve my future colleagues and clients at the highest level possible. 

What do you like best about the U of G campus? 

As I am sure many others would say the same thing, what I like best about the UofG campus is that the campus is contained in one block of land and it is a short walk from end to end. Because the campus is contained, campus life is vibrant, and it is easy to find buildings and meet with friends and colleagues.

Tell us something about you, beyond being a grad student. 

Beyond being a grad student, I am very involved in sports. My favourite sport to play and watch since I was young has been hockey, and I even have a family member who was a professional hockey player. Now that I am older and do not get the chance to play hockey as much, I am now an avid distance runner and have completed one marathon and four half-marathons. I have been playing guitar for 14 years, and have experience playing in bars with bands. Now that I do not have as much time for playing in a band, I enjoy making TikToks of my guitar playing.

I run a market garden vegetable business with my mom. I am very interested in forestry and management of our family-owned woodlot that our family has owned for over 100 years. Further, my brother and I operate a small firewood business as well.