Research Assistants and Technicians

Olivia Otchere, Research Assistant

Olivia Otchere is the head Research Assistant. She has prior experience as a Research Technician and M.Sc. Student in Plant Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan, where she built skills in soil and nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable soil health practices. She brings expertise in project management, specifically in field work, lab analyses, data management, statistical analysis, in addition to organizational and leadership skills. She enjoys being a part of a dynamic and dedicated team of individuals working towards sustainable agriculture through contributions in scientific research.

Paige Fehr, Research Assistant

Paige has a strong educational foundation in the agricultural industry, with a BSc. Agr. from the University of Guelph, MSc. from the University of Saskatchewan, and Agronomy Certificate from Olds College. Paige has prior experience as an educator in the regenerative agriculture space, which allowed her to hone her project management skills and refine her passion for innovation and environmental stewardship within the agricultural industry. She is especially passionate about soil health, innovation in farming, and knowledge mobilization. Outside of her professional endeavors, Paige enjoys spending time outdoors gardening, hiking, camping, and fishing. Paige is also increasingly involved with the family farming operation.

Jamie Taylor, Research Technician

Jamie is a senior Research Technician, and she brings several years of expertise in managing field trials and sustainable vegetable crop management. She currently works part-time as she runs her own farm and continues to suppport our reserach program.

Graduate Students

Laura Carruthers, PhD Student

I graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with a major in Crop Science from the University of Saskatchewan. Through my undergraduate studies and summer job opportunities, I developed a passion for sustainable farming systems and horticultural crops. I am currently a PhD student in Dr. Kate Congreves lab studying nutrient use efficiency of potato cultivars and nitrous oxide emissions. I also had the opportunity to spend time at the University of California Davis working with Dr. Amelie Gaudin’s lab to trace nitrogen through various cover crops in almond orchards using a 15N isotope tracer. Outside of school, I train and compete in Olympic weightlifting and enjoy paddleboarding, hiking, and travelling.

Daphnée Ferland, PhD Student

I obtained my BSc in Agriculture with a major in Crop Science in 2022. Since January 2023, I've been working on my PhD degree under the guidance of Dr. Kate Congreves. My thesis is focused on measuring the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on the greenhouse gas emissions from a canola-wheat cropping system in Saskatchewan, with the use of flux gradient micrometeorology techniques. In my spare time, I can be found staying active at the gym or horse riding, enjoying the company of my horses and dogs as well as spending time with friends and family.

Rachelle McCannell, MSc Student

I am a 2022 graduate from the college of Agriculture and Bioresources at the University of Saskatchewan with a major in crop science and a minor in soil science. Throughout my undergrad studies in addition to summer work experience, sustainable agriculture and crop production has sparked my interest. I carried-out my undergrad thesis project on a corn and hairy vetch intercropping trial conducted at my summer workplace. I am excited to be pursuing an MSc under the guidance of Dr. Melissa Arcand and Dr. Kate Congreves. I am looking forward to collaborating with Dr. Arcand and Congreves beginning in May 2022 on a canola-smart project quantifying soil- and fertilizer-derived nitrogen sources with the use of N15 as well as measuring greenhouse gas emissions. In my spare time I enjoy being outside gardening or spending time riding and training horses and competing in barrel racing competitions. I also enjoy being active and spending time with family and friends.

Iva Henry, MSc Student

I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, majoring in Horticulture Science and minoring in Food and Bioproduct Science. My interests include gardening, food production, and environmental sustainability. I enjoyed working as a technician for our research program, and helping to implement the research which may inform agricultural practices and their environmental impacts. I moved into the MSc program in 2021, I'll be using 15N isotope tracers to identify spring wheat cultivars and traits associated with superior nitrogen use efficiency. 

Spencer Kutcher, MSc Student

I graduated with a major in Crop Science in 2023, and started a MSc in Sept 2023 with Drs. Kate Congreves and Kirstin Bett. I am interested in crop genetics and breeding, and my MSc thesis is exploring nitrogen transfer from lentil to wheat. I spend most of my days in the agricultural greenhouse or in the lab :) I enjoy reading and growing plants.

Dane Harder, MSc Student

I completed my undergraduate studies in 2023 with a BSc. in Horticulture science. During my undergraduate studies I worked as a summer student at Patterson Garden Arboretum in Saskatoon, SK. My passion for tree care and research really bloomed as I spent each summer learning interesting facts about the hundreds of specimens in the arboretum. My Master's project is focused on the impact of urban soil health on street tree growth and performance. I hope to provide an applicable understanding of the most important factors to urban tree health under the co-guidance of Dr. Congreves and Dr. Tanino. In my spare time I enjoy playing rec volleyball and frisbee, going to the gym, andwoodcarving.

Emily Anweiler, MSc Student

Emily Anweiler is set to have a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree, majoring in Environmental Science and minoring in Food and Bio-product Science. She is starting her Plant Science MSc program in January 2025, under the supervision of Dr. Kate Congreves. Having previous experience working as a summer student and research technician with this group, Emily found a passion for Plant Science research and decided to stick around. She is going to be taking over the Diverse Field Crops Cluster (DFCC) project, which is looking at GHG emissions from five specialty crops: carinata, camelina, flax, mustard, sunflower, and has a control crop of spring wheat. When Emily is not working or doing school, you can find her reading or playing with her dog, Sadie. 

Alumni

Graduate students

 

McAuley, Warren, M.Sc. Thesis "Effects of intercropping fababean with cereals and oilseeds on crop productivity and soil health" June 2023 (Co-Supervised)

Soudeh Farzadfar, Ph.D. Thesis "Role of cover crops in regulating nitrogen dynamics, productivity, and phytochemical quality in vegetable production systems" Dec 2022

Trang Phan, M.Sc. Thesis "Can enhanced efficiency fertilizers reduce nitrous oxide emissions without compromising yields?" Nov 2022

Olivia Otchere, M.Sc. Thesis "The impact of cover cropping on soil nitrogen availability, crop nitrogen use, and nitrous oxide emissions in a prairie potato-grain crop rotation" Apr 2022.

Athena Wu, M.Sc. Thesis "Developing a soil health testing protocol for arable cropping systems in Saskatchewan" June 2021.

Caio Taveira, M.Sc. Thesis "Tracing crop residue derived nitrogen into subsequent crops and nitrous oxide emissions", Apr 2020.