AES researchers dive into fresh ideas for a sustainable water future
From lab benches to local watersheds, McGill researchers are investigating some of today's most pressing water challenges.
Several exciting projects involving researchers in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (AES) were selected for seed funding through two initiatives: the Brace Water Innovation Seed Grants and the Brace Water Centre and CentrEau Project Seed Fund Program.
Advancing water innovation: Brace Water Centre & CentrEau Seed Fund
To strengthen McGill’s engagement in collaborative, cross-sectoral water research across Quebec, the Brace Water Centre has partnered with CentrEau to offer additional research seed funding to McGill-affiliated teams participating in CentrEau’s Special Edition – Project Seed Fund Program.
By supporting early-stage projects that span institutions and disciplines, this partnership helps drive high-impact research on urgent issues such as climate resilience, sustainable water resources management, and public health.
The research teams will present their findings at Brace Water Day on October 8th, 2025.
Funded projects with AES ties
Forecasting water with artificial intelligence: a new era for urban utilities
As cities contend with climate pressures, aging infrastructure, and population growth, they are looking to make water use more sustainable and build climate resilience.
A new project led by Bioresource Engineering professors Jan Adamowski and Zhiming Qi aims to help utilities plan more effectively, manage resources efficiently, and prepare for seasonal or extreme weather shifts.
Focusing on Montreal treatment plants, the team will build a hybrid artificial intelligence framework that blends machine learning with statistical models to detect patterns in water use.
Filtering the facts: putting home water devices to the test
McGill professors Sébastien Faucher (Dept. of Natural Resource Sciences) and Nathalie Tufenkji are joining Émilie Bédard of Polytechnique Montréal to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of household water remineralization devices.
As climate change affects water availability and quality, more people are turning to alternative water sources and these devices are becoming more common—yet little is known about their reliability or potential health risks.
The research team will test up to a dozen commercial models, examining their chemical and microbiological effects.
Sustainable water futures: 2025 Brace Innovation Seed Grants
Backed by Brace Water Innovation Seed Grants, interdisciplinary teams are launching early-stage projects designed to spark collaboration, generate preliminary results, and build the foundation for larger, externally funded research.
Each project reflects the Centre's mission to advance science that supports sustainable water futures—where innovation meets impact at the crossroads of environment, public health, and society.
Funded projects with AES ties
From lab to leaf: next-gen biopesticides for eco-friendly farming
As concerns grow over synthetic pesticides' impact on health and the environment, professors Martin Filion (Dept. of Plant Science), Subhasis Ghoshal, and Codruta Ignea are teaming up to develop next generation biopesticides.
Using synthetic biology and nanotechnology, they'll engineer yeast to produce natural pesticide compounds, packaged in biodegradable particles for slow-release application on crops—which could enhance crop protection, reduce runoff, and lower farmers' costs.
Addressing plastic pollution through Indigenous knowledge and global engagement
International efforts to fight plastic pollution have not fully recognized Indigenous rights, knowledge systems, and leadership, despite these communities' role on the front lines.
Professors Niladri (Nil) Basu (Centre for Indigenous Peoples’ Nutrition and Environment, Dept. of Natural Resource Sciences), Nathalie Tufenkji, and Colin Scott will partner with the Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Territory to co-develop a culturally grounded, community-led microplastic monitoring program, bringing together experts from across disciplines.
They will also work toward more equitable, inclusive, and impactful global solutions by identifying and addressing systemic barriers limiting Indigenous participation in environmental decision-making.