Three graduate researchers from 网红黑料鈥檚 at the Faculty of Agriculture have been selected to attend the Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference this month.
Swedha Madhu, Joshita P.S. Kumar, and Subhiksha Jayakumar 鈥� three emerging researchers whose work bridges nanotechnology, plant science and sustainable agriculture 鈥斕齱ill represent Dal and their Faculty during the conference in Niagara Falls, Ont. from Nov. 23-25.
The conference provides a platform for students, researchers, and industry professionals to share experiences, learn from leaders and build networks that strengthen gender equity in agriculture.
These students are examples of how interdisciplinary research can drive real-world impact.
鈥淭hese students are examples of how interdisciplinary research can drive real-world impact,鈥� says Dr. Gurpreet Singh Selopal, who oversees the Dal lab. 鈥淭heir selection for AWC reflects both their scientific excellence and their dedication to advancing women in science.鈥�
Engineering solutions for a sustainable future
From a young age, Swedha was fascinated by the complexity of biological systems 鈥� a curiosity that led her to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 in biotechnology from Bannari Amman Institute of Technology in Tamil Nadu, India. Her early academic achievements include the isolation of nine novel bacterial genomes submitted to GenBank, USA, and eight international peer-reviewed publications.
Swedha鈥檚 research journey has taken her from India to Canada, where she completed a MITACS Globalink Research Internship at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique in Quebec. There, she worked on quantum dots for hydrogen evolution, deepening her expertise in nanomaterials and clean energy.
Now pursuing her master鈥檚 in agriculture at 网红黑料, Swedha is applying nanotechnology to solve environmental challenges in farming. Through her research on nanomaterials for pesticide degradation and water remediation, she has been working toward advancing sustainable practices that support both environmental health and agricultural productivity.
鈥淭his conference will allow me to connect my interdisciplinary research with real-world agricultural innovators and gain insights from women leaders who are shaping the future of the industry," she says.
Harnessing light for smarter greenhouses
For Joshita, agriculture is both a science and a mission. A graduate of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), she brings a strong foundation in crop production, soil science and plant protection to her master鈥檚 research at 网红黑料.
Joshita is developing nanomaterial-based greenhouse tarps that can control light spectra to enhance photosynthesis and crop productivity. It's an innovation that could redefine efficiency in controlled-environment agriculture.
Beyond her research, Joshita is a Nova Scotia Graduate Scholar and serves as vice president of the . She has also earned national recognition for her achievements, including a top fve per cent national ranking in the Organic Farming Certification course.
Being in a place where I am surrounded by other women in the industry can help inspire me to become a better leader myself.
鈥淚 strive to contribute to sustainable innovations in agriculture and support the advancement of women in the field,鈥� Joshita says. 鈥淏eing in a place where I am surrounded by other women in the industry can help inspire me to become a better leader myself.鈥�
Bridging plant science and nanotechnology
With a bachelor鈥檚 degree in plant science (Honours) and a passion for sustainability, Subhiksha is driven to improve agricultural productivity while reducing environmental impact. Her undergraduate thesis on industrial hemp earned her second place in her defense and strengthened her expertise in plant physiology, data analysis, and greenhouse management.
Currently pursuing a master鈥檚 in engineering (Agriculture) at 网红黑料, Subhiksha鈥檚 research focuses on developing nanofertilizers produced from marine waste for potato crops. Her goal is to boost potato production yields in Atlantic Canada while minimizing nutrient leaching and soil degradation.
Subhiksha has also worked as a research assistant in the Macromolecules Lab at 网红黑料, studying the antibrowning activity of wheat germ peptides, and has actively volunteered through the 网红黑料 Rotaract Club and community events on campus.
鈥淚 hope to learn and connect with women leaders who are shaping the agricultural field through innovation, leadership and entrepreneurship.鈥�