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Canadian Weed Science Society announces award winners
The Canadian Weed Science Society (CWSS) recently honoured several individuals for their extraordinary contributions to the field of weed science. The awards were presented during the organization’s 70th annual meeting, held this year in Moncton, N.B.
Fellow Award (sponsored by CWSS)
CWSS presented the Fellow Award – its highest recognition – to Eric Johnson, who was until recently a researcher employed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Scott, Sask. Johnson now works at the University of Saskatchewan. He is recognized internationally for his research on weed management, including his work on mechanical and chemical weed control. He is also active in the areas of organic production systems and cropping systems/agronomy. Johnson has been an author or coauthor on more than 80 peer-reviewed publications, seven book chapters, and multiple conference proceedings. He has maintained an active collaboration with the University of Saskatchewan where has taught a pesticides course, given more than 30 guest lectures, and has served on the supervisory committees of several MSc students. He has also served in various capacities within the CWSS/SCM, including as a board member for over 10 years, and as president in 2015.
Excellence in Weed Science Award (sponsored by Dow AgroSciences)
CWSS honored Dr. Robert Gulden, an associate professor with the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. Gulden's research focuses on weed biology and management. Dr. Gulden has served on the board of directors for CWSS/SCM and currently serves as an associate editor for the Canadian Journal of Plant Science. Gulden has published more than 60 peer-reviewed manuscripts, several monographs and book chapters, and supervised or co-supervised nine graduate students. In addition, he has received multiple awards for teaching excellence at the University of Manitoba.
Excellence in Weed Extension Award (sponsored by Valent)
CWSS honored Dr. Peter Sikkema, who has been involved in applied weed research and extension in field crops for the past 20 years at the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus. Sikkema has published more than 250 manuscripts in various national and international peer-reviewed scientific journals. He has presented more than 450 oral extension presentations in the province of Ontario, more than 50 extension poster presentations, written more than 70 popular extension articles, conducted more than 325 extension/research tours of weed management plots and has obtained more than 137 minor-use registrations through the Pest Management Regulatory Agency. He has also served in various capacities within the CWSS/SCM, including as president in 2011.
Outstanding Industry Member Award (sponsored by CWSS)
CWSS honored Al McFadden, research scientist with Dow AgroSciences, based in Guelph, Canada. McFadden has a strong track record of interaction with CWSS, CropLife Canada, and the Ontario Weed Committee (OWC), through various presentations at various scientific meetings. Al has served as the industry representative on the CWSS Board of Directors, the Ontario Provincial Council Chair of the Technical and Education and National Biology sub-committees of CropLife Canada, and was the industry representative for the Ontario Weed Committee. In addition to the various presentations he has given at various scientific society meetings, his name appears in peer-reviewed journal manuscripts based on his willingness to involve himself in graduate student training.
Presidential Award (sponsored by CWSS)
CWSS honored Dr. Rory Degenhardt, research scientist with Dow AgroSciences, based in Edmonton. His primary responsibilities are as biology team leader for Canadian Cereal Herbicides. Degenhardt has published several peer-reviewed manuscripts, and has served as principal biologist for discovery of herbicides such as Arylex, as well as for nitrogen stabilizers. He has a strong track record of interaction with CWSS since becoming a member in 2002, including his most recent appointment as local arrangements chair for the CWSS annual meeting held in Edmonton in 2015. Degenhardt played a key role in the co-ordination of this meeting, and his strong leadership abilities were a tremendous asset to the society and to the local arrangements committee. He remains an active member of the CWSS.
Student Scholarships and Travel Awards
Travel Award for PhD student (sponsored by Monsanto) was presented to Charles Geddes from the University of Manitoba. Geddes' research covers optimization methods in canola to reduce populations of volunteer canola in subsequent soybean crops. He works under the direction of Dr. Rob Gulden.
Travel Award for a M.Sc. student (sponsored by Monsanto) was presented to Moria Petruic from the University of Saskatchewan. Petruic's work focuses on expanding weed management options in flax. She works under the direction of Dr. Christian Willenborg.
Travel Award for a M.Sc. student (sponsored by Syngenta) was presented to Felix Marsan-Pelletier from Laval University. Marsan-Pelletier’s work focuses on herbicide resistance in wild oat and common ragweed. He works under the direction of Dr. Anne Vanasse.
Travel Award for a M.Sc. student (sponsored by Dow AgroSciences) was presented to Taiga Cholette from the University of Guelph. Ms. Cholette's work focuses on the interaction between cover crops and herbicides. She works under the direction of Dr. Peter Sikkema and Dr. Darren Robinson.
Travel Award for a M.Sc. student (sponsored by CWSS) was presented to Meghan Grguric from the University of Guelph. Grguric’s work focuses on management of giant hogweed in Ontario. She works under the direction of Dr. Francois Tardif and Mike Cowbrough.
Travel Award for a M.Sc. student (sponsored by CWSS) was presented to Mike Schryver from the University of Guelph. Schryver's work focuses on the distribution and control of glyphosate-resistant waterhemp. He works under the direction of Dr. Peter Sikkema and Dr. Darren Robinson.
November 28, 2016 By Top Crop Manager
