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Being the most diverse group of organisms in the world, insects are preserved in collections and natural history museums, which act as an invaluable resource and centre for research. These institutions are foundational to advancing our knowledge of the role insects play in our environment and society. In this talk, learn about the research conducted at the Lyman Entomological Museum and how a research-based guide can help local cranberry farmers better understand the impacts of their agricultural practices on the diversity of our native pollinators.

The soil is responsible for many ecosystem services, including water retention and filtration, nutrient cycling and supporting plant life. The ability of the soil to provide these services is dependent on the abundance, diversity and activity of the microbial communities that reside within it, which is in turn influenced by the diversity and composition of the aboveground plant community. Exciting opportunities exist within agriculture to change management practices to increase diversity above and belowground, working with nature rather than against it.

This talk explores the importance of cultural safety in the dietetics profession, focusing on improving the healthcare experiences of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Cultural safety can be defined as the outcome of Indigenous Peoples feeling respected during healthcare interactions. This presentation will provide a historical overview of colonial legacies in dietetics and why cultural safety education matters. This talk is also an opportunity for students to discover the use of qualitative research in the health sciences.

African sleeping sickness is a neglected tropical disease caused by the microscopic parasite Trypanosoma brucei, which continues to cause significant health and economic suffering across many African countries. Come learn about the wonderful world of parasitology, where we’ll explore the history of African trypanosomiasis, global efforts to mitigate the parasite’s spread, and more. You’ll discover how these parasites "win" against our immune systems through antigen switching. We'll also delve into my research, uncovering protein networks tied to antigen switching and their impact on parasite survival.