Climate science, community wellness, and career inspiration at the 2025 John Abbott Sustainability Through Science Symposium
On April 11, 2025, over 60 people gathered at the annual John Abbott Sustainability Through Science Symposium to hear how the research of three Macdonald Campus graduate students contributes to a more sustainable future. Honours and science students from John Abbott College, as well as members of McGill University's Macdonald Campus community, were inspired by short talks followed by a panel discussion on the students' university experience and their chosen career paths.
“For many CEGEP science students, there is a lot of uncertainty about potential career directions,” said Sean Hughes, Science Program Coordinator at John Abbott College. “Our guests spoke candidly about their experiences in navigating post-secondary education, how they came to find passions in different areas of scientific research and how our students can follow suit.”
Read on to learn more about this year's presenters and their research.
Seeing inside plant leaves with artificial intelligence and microscopy
Preet Manchanda, PhD candidate, Department of Plant Science, McGill University
Textbooks and scientific studies have long relied on 2D images to represent plant leaves and their internal structures, but these flat representations limit scientists' understanding and ability to study these structures further. With interdisciplinary tools, we can now explore the mesophyll layer of plant leaves—a vital structure sustaining life on earth through photosynthesis—in 3D.
Using advanced microscopy and artificial intelligence, PhD candidate Preet Manchanda aims to analyze how climate change influences the mesophyll layer anatomy, unlocking new insights into plant adaptation.
Building a healthier future: community vision for sustainable diabetes prevention
Ekua Manful, MSc student, School of Human Nutrition, McGill University
Indigenous Peoples in Canada are addressing health inequities through community-led, culturally grounded solutions. In 1994, a First Nations community partnered with academic researchers to implement and evaluate school health programs for type 2 diabetes prevention.
However, despite positive impacts so far, type 2 diabetes remains an issue; a 2018 report indicated 50% of children are overweight or obese. Master's student Ekua Manful is studying the readiness of elementary schools to revitalize and sustain the school health program within the community’s new wellness plan and the education system centered on language and culture.
Beyond the sea: how marine science sustains society in a changing climate
Amanda Round, MSc student, Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University
Arctic cod are tiny fish, yet they have a huge impact on Arctic ecosystems and the economies and communities that rely on them. As climate change shifts their populations, the ripple effects extend far beyond the ocean, affecting fisheries, food security, and policy decisions.
Master's student Amanda Round explores how marine science, even (and especially) on niche topics, helps us adapt, not just to protect the environment, but to keep economies running, communities thriving, and food on the table in an uncertain future.
The Sustainability Through Science Symposium is held annually by the Lister Family Engaged Science Initiative, in partnership with John Abbott College.
