News
First cohort of McGill Sustainability Systems Initiative Fellows includes Mac Campus "Smart insecticide" team
Published: 4 September 2024
New award provides support for the next generation of sustainability researchers, promotes interdisciplinary approachesÂ
Developing a smart insecticide, assessing protective coatings in marine environments and measuring space allocated to active transport are among the projects undertaken by the inaugural cohort of McGill Sustainability Systems Initiative (MSSI) Fellows.Â
The Fellowship allows interdisciplinary teams of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to work on co-designed sustainability research projects while cultivating a shared learning experience. The five funded teams include a total of 15 graduate and postdoctoral students, who come from eight departments and programs across five faculties. They will work on their projects over a nine-month period, meeting monthly to share progress, challenges and provide feedback Each project will receive $10,000 in funding.Â
“Today’s global problems are too complex to be tackled using the traditional departmental structures of universities,” said Evan Henry, MSSI Director. “At the MSSI, we want to train and equip the next generation of sustainability leaders and researchers with the know-how and practical experience to conduct interdisciplinary research. The breadth of projects selected in this inaugural cohort is truly inspiring and makes me excited to see how this fellowship evolves throughout the years.” Â
Smart insecticideÂ
On one of five 2024 McGill Sustainability Systems Initiative projects, MSSI Fellows Mohammad Jamil Kaddoura and Unnikrishnan Kannan in the Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry and Yintin Chen in the Department of Plant Science will work together to develop a smart biopesticide targeting caterpillar pests by exploiting their unique, highly alkaline gut pH. This approach improves pesticide specificity, thereby reducing health impacts from accidental exposure and environmental impacts from excessive pesticide use.
Over the next nine months, the selected teams will benefit from personalized guidance and support from MSSI. This includes cohort meetings, progress tracking and assistance in navigating unforeseen challenges. Next spring, a final showcase will be held for teams to present their completed projects.
Pictured above: The 2024 McGill Sustainability Systems Initiative Fellows; Back row, l to r—Christopher Luederitz, Unnikrishnan Kannan, Hardik Singla and Mohammad Jamil Kaddoura; Front row, l to r—Jose Arturo Jasso Chavez, Alexandra Kinman, Stephanie Leite and Justus Wachs.