2022 International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Did you know..... February 11, 2022, is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science! Our lab marked the day with a selection of photos of our team members actively performing a variety of tasks supporting research in the field of Entomology! 

Figure 1. Jennifer and Ross collecting insects in canola growing near McLennan AB in 2008 as part of the annual survey of the Peace River region (2003-present).

Figure 2. Jennifer leading a school-aged tour through the Crop Services Building at the AAFC-Beaverlodge Research farm in June 2017.

Figure 3. Amanda collecting wheat midge soil core samples from snow-covered wheat stubble near Rolla BC in April 2017. 

Figure 4. Shelby collecting a sweep-net sample in canola growing near Hines Creek AB in July 2017.

Figure 5. Tessa using the stereomicroscope to sort and identify frozen insects from sweep-net samples collected in 2021 from alfalfa.

Figure 6. Vicky hand-sorting frozen arthropods collected in alfalfa in 2021 using a paint brush.

Figure 7. Jordon constructing vial storage for long-term cold storage of ethanol-immersed pitfall trap arthropods.

Winter 2022 and our IPM Team!

Our field research program at Beaverlodge hinges on technical support - these are people who implement the science we are fortunate to be supported to do in the Peace River region!

This winter, our program has new people hired who are rapidly learning a LOT about how to process and begin to identify the more than 110 arthropod species that are active in annual and perennial field crops  grown throughout the region. Learn more about Jordon, Vicky, Tessa, and Tanya. They join Shelby, Amanda, and me and we're the IPM Team for the winter of 2022!

Welcome Jordon!

Greetings, I am Jordon Chan – currently a Research Assistant in the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) at the Beaverlodge Research Farm. I started with the program in early December and I will be working with them until late April 2022. 

In terms of my background, I studied at the Red Deer College/Polytechnic, earning a General Kinesiology Diploma in 2013 prior to initiating studies at the University of Alberta where I earned my Bachelor of Science with Specialization in Microbiology as well as a Research Certificate in Biological Sciences in 2017. I am currently focusing on an online M.Sc. in International Security at the Paris Graduate School and a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration at Thompson Rivers University. 

My curiosity has led me to travel and new experiences. I've travelled to the island of Bonaire in the Caribbean Netherlands, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Eastern Canada, and the Southeastern Continental USA. As part of my current job, the processing of wireworm pitfall samples for the AAF-SRDP 2019E13R Biodiversity Project, has developed a new intrigue with the diversity in carabids, staphylinids, and elaterids. I like to be active and about with pursuits ranging from training, studying, SCUBA diving, dancing, hiking, or camping in my rooftop tent.

“We are small giants in this massive world”

Welcome Vicky!

Hello! My name is Vicky Tang. I am a Co-Op Student at the University of Manitoba currently working with the Insect Pest Management (IPM) lab at the Beaverlodge Research Farm this winter! This is my first work placement and I am anxious and excited to learn about the ins and outs of working in a lab. 

I am a 4th year student at the University of Manitoba pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences. I am pursuing a major in environmental and integrative physiology and a minor in entomology. My interest in environmental conservation opened my eyes to the importance of insects and their role in agriculture. 

Figure 1. Vicky picking tomatoes to send to the marketplace in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

I used to shiver at the thought of insects, but my first entomology course changed that fear into passionate interest! I am excited to help with processing, data entry, and data management resulting from the hard work that went into collecting samples in the crazy year that was 2021. I want to learn more about how this data is used to promote further study and benefit growers in the Peace River region.

I am looking forward to learning how to identify pest insects from this region and developing crucial lab skills. 

Welcome Tessa!

Hello! My name is Tessa Ferch and I am a new Co-Op Student with the University of Manitoba in the Insect Pest Management Program at the Beaverlodge Research Farm. I will be working in-person at the research farm from January to August 2022.

I am a fourth-year student at the University of Manitoba, where I am in the process of obtaining a Bachelor of Science. I'm pursuing a major in Evolution and Biodiversity, and a minor in Entomology. I have completed five different entomology courses as part of my studies that covered a wide range of topics including crop pests, animal pests, predators and parasites of pests, and pollinators.

Figure 1. Tessa enjoying the winter weather in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

As an undergraduate, I've been working to build my skills and experience. Prior to coming to Beaverlodge, I worked as a Co-Op Student with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at the Brandon Research and Development Centre. While at Brandon, I worked remotely and contributed towards building research background information related to agronomic studies focusing on crop rotations. Before that, I spent two summers working at Henteleff Park in Winnipeg, Manitoba where I was involved with maintaining the park. During this time, I witnessed a huge diversity of insects.  My work experiences, supported by my university education, have contributed to my fascination with different types of animals - especially insects. I am excited to join the IPM team!

Welcome Tanya!

My name is Tanya Proctor. I'm 46-yrs-old and Mom to two grown boys.

I recently joined the team at the Beaverlodge Research Farm where I am working in the Insect Pest Management (IPM) program. I am helping process wireworm pitfall samples collected as part of the AAF-SRDP 2019E13R Biodiversity  Project. I am busy familiarizing myself with the families of insects within the order of Coleoptera, or the beetles. Data collected from these samples will be used to determine which species of wireworms or click beetles (Elateridae) are present and active in field crops grown in the Peace River region. 

Figure 1. Tanya's family celebrating her youngest son's graduation.

I've worked in horticulture since 2007, when I started out as a seasonal temporary employee helping to sort tree seedlings to specific size, and get them packaged up and ready to ship out for planting. I realized this was something I wanted to know more about so I started with the company full time, joining the grow team as the irrigation specialist. Along with many other tasks, I would walk the crops of 10-12 million tree seedlings every day to monitor the watering needs, as well as watch for pests, diseases, irregular growth patterns. In 2008, I began online horticulture classes through the University of Guelph while continuing to work full time. In 2014 I completed my Horticulture Certificate. I intend to continue these classes and finish my full diploma in Horticulture.

I am interested and excited to learn more about all insects and how they affect the crops grown in our area!