Two of our students were featured in the March 2025 edition of SeedWorld.

 Soybean Science Pioneer

Katherine Fortune, 26
University of Guelph

Katherine Fortune is cracking the genetic code of soybeans to transform how we breed and grow this essential crops. As a PhD candidate at the University of Guelph, she's integrating genomics and UAV-based phenotyping to dissect the biological mechanisms and complex genetic networks underlying yield, agronomic performance, and seed quality traits in the SoyMAGIC population. MAGIC (Multi-parent Advanced Generation Inter-Cross) is a breeding design developed to enhance genetic diversity and improve the study of complex traits in soybeans. By bridging advanced phenotyping tools with genetic insights, Katherine aims to accelerate the developments of resilient, high-yielding soybean cultivars for the future.

Her passion for discovery has already gained recognition. During her MSc, she conducted a genetic analysis of an exotic Canadian-adapted mapping population to identify beneficial exotic alleles for yield improvement. He research earned third place in the 2023 National Association for Plant Breeding (NAPB) conference poster competition.

Beyond the lab, she volunteers at Ignatius Organic Fam contributing to local food production and gaining hands-on farming experience.

AI Meets Agriculture

Riley McConachie, 24
University of Guelph

Riley McConachie is rewriting the rulebook for plant breeding and agronomy, transforming cutting-edge research into real-world solutions that are reshaping agriculture. As a graduate student at the University of Guelph, his remarkable achievements  - from top academic honours to important publications - have already set him apart as a leader in his field.

This past summer, Riley took his impact even further by leading the development of a mobile app that measures wheat head density and evalutates fusarium head blight severity - a major tool that's setting  new standards for disease scouting. But Riley isn't just advancing his own work - he's mentoring peers to create next-gen digital tools and collaborating with wheat yield enhancement network personnel to drive smarter, more sustainable crop management.

With his work featured on CTV and in other media, Riley is showing the world how AI and precision agriculture can transform farming into a more efficient and sustainable practice for the future.