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A Well-Deserved Retirement for Four Mac Staff Members

The Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (AES) is proud to celebrate four members of the Macdonald Campus community who are preparing to embark on a well-deserved retirement: Luis Agellon (Professor in Human Nutrition), Shelly Johnston (Research Finance Services Supervisor), Roger Cue (Associate Professor in Animal Science) and Yvan Gariepy (Academic Associate in Bioresource Engineering.)

We sat down with Roger and Yvan to reflect on their journeys at McGill- the paths that brought them here, some of the work that defined their careers and what lies ahead.

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Published on: 9 Jun 2026

AES Researchers Celebrated at McGill's 2025 Bravo Gala

Each year, McGill's Office of the Vice-President (Research and Innovation) hosts the Bravo Gala to celebrate faculty members and researchers who have earned major provincial, national, and international prizes. This year, the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (AES) is proud to have nine members honoured among McGill's brightest research leaders. Their work spans food safety, plant science, nutrition, material engineering, animal science, ornithology, and agricultural communication.

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Published on: 11 May 2026

Moderate UV light is best when it comes to boosting the vitamin D content of edible mushrooms, McGill study finds

Researchers at McGill University have discovered that moderate ultraviolet (UV) light exposure is best when the technique is used to enhance vitamin D₂ in edible mushrooms. Excessive exposure leads to nutrient degradation or a plateau effect, they found. The paper also provides quantitative guidance. 

The researchers’ work supports efforts to address vitamin D deficiency, which affects between 30 and 50 per cent of the world’s population, as well as enhance the nutritional value of mushrooms more broadly. 

Classified as: Valerie Orsat, Augustine Edet Ben, Mushrooms, vitamin D, ultraviolet light
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Published on: 4 May 2026

When Theory Meets the Real World: McGill Students Shine at the IFTSA Competition

Imagining, designing, and developing a food product just as it would be done in industry within the framework of a prestigious international competition, was the challenge taken on by Cole, Jackie, and Deniz, students in McGill University’s Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

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Published on: 27 Apr 2026

Study finds treating peanuts with cold plasma could make them less allergenic

Researchers at McGill University have found that briefly treating peanuts with cold plasma, an ionically charged gas that triggers chemical changes, reduces their potential to cause allergic reactions. The researchers say this is probably because the process causes changes to the protein structure, the part of the peanut that can trigger an immune response. The technology was also shown to improve functional properties important for food manufacturing. 

Classified as: Vijaya Raghavan, peanuts, Food allergies, cold plasma
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Published on: 22 Apr 2026

McGill researchers optimize process for converting human urine into clean energy

Researchers at McGill University have improved the efficiency of a method for converting human urine into clean energy.

The method employs microbial fuel cells (MFCs), which use bacteria to turn organic waste into electricity, providing a sustainable and low-cost means of treating wastewater while generating energy from an abundant source. The McGill research provides insights into which urine concentrations are optimal for this process.

Classified as: Vijaya Raghavan, microbial fuel cells, development of sustainable technology, wastewater treatment, renewable energy
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Published on: 16 Feb 2026

McGill researchers create shapeshifting materials that could power the next generation of soft robots

McGill University engineers have developed new ultra-thin materials that can be programmed to move, fold and reshape themselves, much like animated origami. They open the door to softer, safer and more adaptable robots that could be used in medical tools that gently move inside the body, wearable devices that change shape on the skin or smart packaging that reacts to its environment.

Classified as: Hamid Akbarzadeh, Marta Cerruti
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Published on: 23 Jan 2026

Microencapsulated B-vitamins help dairy cows produce more milk with fewer emissions

A new international study led by McGill University in collaboration with Jefo Nutrition shows that supplementing dairy cow diets with microencapsulated B-vitamins can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing milk yield and quality. The use of the feed additive cut global warming potential, an internationally standardized measure of climate impact, by up to 18 per cent across seven countries.  

Classified as: Ebenezer Miezah Kwofie, Prince Agyemang, greenhouse gas emissions, agricultural pollution, food & sustainability, cows, dairy cow management, vitamin B
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Published on: 11 Dec 2025

McGill study shows low-grade heat from renewable sources could be used to desalinate water

A McGill University-led research team has demonstrated the feasibility of a sustainable and cost-effective way to desalinate seawater. The method – thermally driven reverse osmosis (TDRO) – uses a piston-based system powered by low-grade heat from solar thermal, geothermal heat and other sources of renewable energy to produce fresh water.

Classified as: Jonathan Maisonneuve, desalination, water, renewable energy
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Published on: 14 Nov 2025

Bioresource Engineering Ph.D. candidate pitches biogas to turn farm waste into renewable energy

In her presentation at a scientific symposium hosted by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre in June, McGill Ph.D. candidate Anjaly Paul highlighted the potential for Canadian farms to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while generating renewable energy, by converting agricultural waste into biogas.

Classified as: Idaresit Ekaette
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Published on: 21 Jul 2025

Professor Michael Ngadi calls for enhanced capacity of smallholder farmers in Nigeria

McGill Bioresource Engineering Professor Michael Ngadi called for urgent action to address the challenges facing stallholder farmers in Nigeria at a recent public lecture at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU).

A specialist in developing advanced emerging technologies for monitoring and controlling agrifood processing systems, he discussed the critical role that smallholder farmers and processors play in global food systems, particularly in developing and transition countries.

Classified as: Michael Ngadi
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Published on: 17 Jul 2025

Macdonald Campus valedictorians Andre Hadji-Thomas and Jennifer McDonald reflect on their journeys

As McGill’s Class of 2025 prepares to cross the stage, the 10 valedictorians from Faculties across the University—including Andre Hadji-Thomas and Jennifer McDonald in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences—have been drafting their speeches and, in the process, reflecting on much more than their academic success.

Classified as: Convocation, valedictorians, Convocation Ceremonies, Spring Convocation 2025
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Published on: 27 May 2025

Is eating Canadian better for your health?

In a recent article, La Presse investigates whether boycotting American products could improve our health. Experts interviewed for the article said it's possible—but only if we change other eating habits in the process.

Classified as: Valerie Orsat, Amani Al-asmar
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Published on: 9 Apr 2025

McGill Bravo Gala honours eight Agricultural and Environmental Sciences researchers

On March 27, McGill honoured 141 laureates at the 20th annual Bravo Gala, celebrating researchers who received prestigious provincial, national or international awards in 2024, including eight researchers in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

In his opening remarks, McGill President and Vice-Chancellor, Deep Saini, applauded the honourees for their efforts, underlining the importance of McGill’s research contributions.

Classified as: elena bennett, Mehran Dastmalchi, Vijaya Raghavan, Arun Mujumdar, Harriet Kuhnlein, Valerio Hoyos-Villegas, Treena Wasonti:io Delormier, Zhiming Qi
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Published on: 2 Apr 2025

Quebec adopts new code to regulate 'forever chemicals' in biosolids—comments from Prof. Grant Clark

The presence and concentration of PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals," in fertilizing residual materials will be monitored under new standards in Quebec through a management code, according to Quebec's Environment Ministry.

Quebec's code on the management of fertilizing residual materials such as sewage sludge, also known as biosolids—which come from treating municipal or industrial wastewater—will take effect Nov. 1.

The code takes into account a total of 13 types of substances and includes monitoring guidelines.

Classified as: Grant Clark
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Published on: 19 Mar 2025

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