Student Stories

Zahra's academic journey resonates with passion and resolve. Beginning her undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph, she now charts a course toward a Master's in Applied Social Psychology, driven by a singular goal: to illuminate the Autistic experience. Guided by the powerful ethos of "nothing about us, without us," her interests in qualitative methods, neurodevelopmental disabilities, critical disability scholarship, and mental "health" or mad studies converge to weave a rich tapestry of understanding. 

Stop Food Waste Day is a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness about food waste. This year, we are spotlighting Alumni Amar Laila, a graduate from University of Guelph in behavioral nutrition, showcasing his innovative approaches to addressing food waste. Through education and advocacy, the campaign empowers individuals and businesses to reduce waste and build a more sustainable food system.

An estimated 75 to 199 million tons of plastic waste already saturate our oceans. Each year, a whopping 33 billion pounds of plastic invade marine environments. By 2050, plastic is forecasted to outweigh all fish in the sea. Plastic pollution threatens food safety and quality, human health, coastal tourism, and contributes to climate change.  

Olivia Dobson’s journey in research began with a desire to support children with autism and their families through challenging medical procedures. Her focus, honed through her master’s research, unveiled the pressing need for accessible resources to aid autistic children and their caregivers during needle procedures. 

In the realm of nutrition education, the journey towards becoming a registered dietitian often follows a conventional path paved with undergraduate degrees in nutrition or related fields. However, breaking away from tradition, Aliza Hunt and Ryan Farr have charted unconventional routes to their pursuit of a master's degree in applied nutrition. Their stories showcase a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences that have led them to a profound passion for nutrition and its impact on health and well-being.

“Food sovereignty is only possible if it takes place at the same time as political sovereignty of peoples.” (Nyéléni 2007: 5) 

Family Relations and Human Development Master's student Dakota Cherry believes that supporting communities in achieving food sovereignty, or the capacity to determine their own food futures and food security, is essential in building the food systems we need. Dakota shared some insights on her research and how she believes we can positively impact our food systems. 

What is your program and area of research? 

After working in the Bangladesh development sector for ten years, PhD student M Manjurul Islam is turning his focus to climate change adaptation. Through his research, Manjurul hopes to identify and develop sustainable practices that positively contribute to food security while mitigating the impacts of climate change.  

In recognition of this valuable research, Manjurul has been awarded a 2023 Arrell Scholarship. 

Anindita (Dita) Ponkshe is an undergraduate student in the Honours Political Science program.

Although chronic pain is often an invisible illness, the impacts it can have on the lives of those living with it are profound.  

Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology PhD student Delane Linkiewich hopes to support adolescents living with chronic pain through peer support groups, where they can connect with others who have similar lived experiences to share knowledge and build relationships.