Research Opportunities

Available Research Opportunities

More research opportunities exist than those listed below. If none of the projects listed here are right for you, please browse the faculty members belonging to the departments listed here to find someone who is doing research in a field that insterests you.

 


MSc Research Opportunity: Effect of chitosan on growth of forage legume crops

Supervisors: Dr. Zhongmin Dong (Saint Mary's University) & Dr. Kathleen Glover (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)

Project Description: We are looking for students to pursue their thesis research on projects to study the potential use of chitosan in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) for ameliorating the detrimental effects of abiotic stresses in Nova Scotia. Studies will be conducted in both controlled environments and in the field.  Projects include evaluating the effect of foliar applications of chitosan on abiotic stress tolerance. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses will be used to understand the mode of action of chitosan during abiotic stress tolerance development. Relevant training and degrees (i.e. BSc for MSc applicants) in biology is required and field research experience is an asset. Click here for more information.

Stipend: $17,000/year

Start Date: September 2019

For more information, email: zhongmin.dong@smu.ca


MSc Research Opportunity: Plant community ecology

Supervisors: Dr. Karen Harper (Saint Mary's University)

Project Description: An accomplished and motivated M.Sc. student is required for study on vegetation structure at forest edges. Possible study sites are in Brazil (in the Atlantic Forest near Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo) or in Nova Scotia (e.g., Kejimkujik National Park or Cape Breton). Possible research topics include (but are not limited to): development of forest edges next to regenerating pasture in Brazil, patterns of structural diversity in heterogeneous landscapes, global synthesis of edge influence on vegetation. Methods could include field data collection, spatial pattern analysis, meta-analysis, LiDAR or drone imagery. Results could be linked to conservation, climate change or species at risk.

If you are interested in research on the edge, please contact: Karen Harper, Adjunct Professor, Saint Mary’s University, Forest Edge Research Network (FERN): Karen.Harper@smu.cahttp://karenaharper.com

Stipend: TBD

Start Date: May or September 2020

For more information, email: Karen.Harper@smu.ca