Panel discussion jointly hosted by The University of Guelph and RBC with experts and emerging leaders on how research innovations and discoveries are helping Canada become a global leader in safe, nutritious and sustainable food. 

• Dr. Rene Van Acker (Moderator) – Interim Vice President (Research), University of Guelph; Professor and Dean of the Ontario Agricultural Collage (OAC)
• Dr. Asim Biswas – Professor at the School of Environmental Sciences, Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) Research Chair in Soils and Precision Agriculture, and member of the Royal Society of Canada College New Scholars 
• Laura Hanley – MSc student in Food Science at the University of Guelph
• Mohamad Yaghi – RBC Climate Action Institute, Agriculture & Climate Policy Lead 

• Learn from Emma, University of Guelph student, about the different types of pollinators present in Ontario. The goal of the session is to provide an insight into how pollinators effect not only the agri-food system, but also wildlife, ecoystem resilience and the genetic diversity of plants. We’ll dive into the different types of pollinators present in Ontario as well as discuss the difference between native, naturalized, and invasive species in the context of pollinators. We will also explore the many challenges pollinators face and how we can help to improve their health!

• Demographic change, as reflected in smaller households, a growing, culturally more diverse, and aging population, is the source of change in food demand. Climate change with increasing temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events creates challenges and opportunities in agricultural and food production, thus affecting food supply. Both have increasingly shaped the food system in the past 30 years and will likely do so even more in the future. Research plays a central role for the food system to develop a strategic perspective in responding to these changes by innovating, adopting new technologies, and changing

• Their early career journey and why they chose agriculture
• Challenges they’ve faced as women in a male-dominated industry
• Why they’d recommend insurance as a career