Page 21 - TriSociety Virtual Event

Panel discussion for early career scientists

Date: Friday July 9 at 1:10 ­2:10 PM CDT.
The Student Social Committee has gathered panelists from the industry, academia, government , and private sectors. This is primarily for graduate
students, post docs and early career professionals. Come ask questions to the panelists, about how to start a career in plant pathology, horticulture,
and agronomy; or submit questions anonymously the following Google form: https://forms.gle/LP5JL7fHkzdMYPNm8

Career Panel Members:

Stephanie Bach
Stephanie is the Director of Projects & Operational Training at Dynaleo Inc, a leading­edge designer and manufacturer of cannabis confectioner y in
Canada. She also runs her own consulting company offering full­suite hydroponic and aquaponics consultation ser vices. Since obtaining her 2011
MSc in Plant Agriculture from the University of Guelph, Stephanie has worked building a unique skill set with experience in agriculture & agri­food,
indoor vertical farming, aquaponics, hydroponics, and aquaculture. Stephanie was a recognized by Global Edmonton as the June 2018 Woman of
Vision, and was named as one of the 2018 Top 10 under 40 by Greenhouse Canada.
Marisol Berti
Dr. Marisol Berti is a professor at the Department of Plant Sciences, North Dakota State University. Previously to NDSU, she worked for 14 years at
the Department of Agronomy at the Universidad de Concepcion (UDEC), in Chile, her home countr y. She has had experience in research, teaching,
extension, and administration during her 27­years in academia. Her research experience includes forages, cover crops, and bioenergy crops produc­
tion research. She has been involved in se veral scientific organizations such as the A ssociation for the Advancement of Industrial Crops, C6­ Forage
and Grazinglands Division of the Crop Science Society of America, and Midwest Forage Association. She is also editor­in­chief of the Industrial Crops
and Products Journal and ser ves as reviewer for over 20 other journals.
Diane Edwards
As a researcher at ABI Environmental Ser vices, Dr. Edwards identifies aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, currently specializing in spiders from
prairie habitats, and quantifies insect diversity using biosur vey techniques. Dr. Edwards is also an instructor of plant sciences at Ambrose University
in Alberta. Additionally she is the current Treasurer of CSHS and Plant Canada.
Diane Edwards’ education specialized in the greenhouse production of horticultural crops. Diane and her family moved to Calgary, AB in 2009 where
she worked as a sessional lecturer at the University of Calgary and Ambrose University and as a contractor. In 2014, Diane and her husband started
ABI Environmental Ser vices Ltd where they do a wide variety of work from aquatic invertebrate identification and biological sur veys, designing cour­
ses in plants and invertebrates, workshops and museum displays. Diane has been a board member of Plant Canada, Canadian Society of Horticul­
tural Science, the U of C Community Garden and the Varsity Community Garden.

George Lazarovits
Dr. Lazarovits is director of research at A&L Biologicals in Ontario and is also a research director at the Agroecology Research Ser vices Center, which
develops farming practices that reduce growers’ input costs. Dr. Lazarovits has ser ved on NSERC Review Committees and played a key role in obtai­
ning funding of the Biocontrol Network.
Andrew McKenzie­Gopsill
Dr. McKenzie­Gopsill is a research scientist at Agriculture Agri­food Canada, PEI. His speciality is herbicide resistant management for potato, weed
diversity for sustainable agriculture, and physiological consequences of crop­weed interactions. Dr. McKenzie­Gopsill is an early career scientist and
can answer questions about the AAFC hiring process.

Sheri Strydhorst
Dr. Strydhorst is an Agronomy Research Specialist with Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions and supports the wheat and barley commission
agronomy research and extension programs. Part of her work includes assisting scientists to refine research proposals to ensure they accurately
address farmer ’s production challenges and produce results that are meaningful at the farm level. Additionally, she conducts extension activities
throughout Alberta with a focus on central and northern Alberta. Her goal is to improve the profitability of farming using science.

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