Student Stories

What motivated you to pursue the Master of Conservation Leadership program, and what specific areas of conservation are you focusing on? How does your current work/career fit into this? 

What motivated you to pursue the Master of Conservation Leadership program, and what specific areas of conservation are you focusing on? How does your current work/career fit into this? 

Pursuing a master's degree has always been a personal and professional goal.  As a site manager for a large scale marine protected area, I work with many experts and scientists at the national and international levels.  Obtaining a master's degree in Conservation Leadership provides me with additional tools and knowledge to advance the work that I do.  

What motivated you to pursue the Master of Conservation Leadership program, and what specific areas of conservation are you focusing on? How does your current work/career fit into this?  

Toby Zhou, a Class of 2021 alum with a major in Applied Human Nutrition and a minor in Marketing, launched her entrepreneurial journey in the summer of 2019. With support from the Wood Centre, she now dedicates herself full-time to making bubble tea more sustainable, accessible, and affordable!

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.