Innovation and Research with Global Impact

Scholars, experts, researchers, and entrepreneurs—some of the world’s leading innovators work at Dalhousie. Whether they’re in labs, studios, or in the field, they're exploring solutions and making discoveries that improve our daily lives and contribute to a better future for everyone.

A student smiles and pushes a wheelbarrow in a garden
Cultiv8, Dalhousie University's Agricultural Sandbox, includes a student-run farm. (Nick Pearce)

 

Where farm meets future

Agriculture in the 21st century faces multiple challenges.  The most pressing is that the world’s population is expected to grow by over a third – or 2.3 billion people – by 2050.

“Farming and producing food in the next century will look nothing like it has in the past,” says Dr. David Gray, Faculty of Agriculture Dean. “The use of data and technology will drive this change. It is essential that Atlantic Canadian farmers can access technology to ensure our region is competitive and sustainable in food production system development.”

By 2030, more fish, shellfish and aquatic plants will be produced through aquaculture than in the wild. Nutritious feed is one of the greatest costs involved in aquaculture.

As Canada Research Chair in Aquaculture Nutrition, Dr. Stefanie Colombo from the Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture is discovering innovative ways to improve nutrition in aquaculture and support the production of healthier, sustainably farmed seafood.

Continue reading about farm meets future here. 

 

Read more about how Dalhousie creates global impact:

Games for good: Dal prof taps into the power of gaming to help people struggling with mental health                                                   Above Water, a mixed-reality (MR) game that uses both physical cards and a mobile app, aims to educate individuals about anxiety and help them set and achieve personal goals. It also seeks to strengthen communities and create environments that encourage pro-social collaboration.

Ravi Kempaiah and his partners at Zen Electric Bikes are planning to disrupt the way we commute and maybe even the way we power our lives.

Thanks to battery technology developed by the Jeff Dahn Research Group, where Ravi Kempaiah is a post-doctoral fellow, Zen battery packs have double the endurance of the competition. And soon, they’ll last even longer.

Digital Disruptors - As Nova Scotia climbs the ranks as one of North America’s fastest growing tech hubs, Dal makes moves to address the talent gap.

As Nova Scotia climbs the ranks as one of North America’s fastest growing tech hubs, Dal makes moves to address the talent gap.

Dal project awarded millions to help cities fight emissions

A Dalhousie-led research project aiming to improve the understanding of greenhouse gas emissions at the municipal level has been selected to receive millions in new funding from the federal government. The project, led by School of Planning researcher Dr. Ahsan Habib, will receive $3.6 million over five years as a recipient of funding through Canada’s Climate Action and Awareness Fund (CAAF).

Transforming climate action: Dalhousie’s push to put the ocean at the centre of the global climate conversation                          Researchers from across Dalhousie, in collaboration with three partner universities, have designed an ambitious research program to improve global understanding of the ocean's essential role in climate, how the ocean might help mitigate climate change, and how we should react and adapt to a changing climate, especially in coastal communities.

Dalhousie researchers discover existing drug can disrupt coronavirus replication

In early 2020, Eric Pringle and Brett Duguay found themselves spending much of their time in their microbiology lab on the seventh floor of Dal's Tupper Building. The virologists were busy testing potential antivirals for common cold coronaviruses and were seeing promising results.

Wind at her back - Dr. Anya Waite navigates multidisciplinary waters in search of solutions to the challenges of climate change.

Dr. Anya Waite navigates multidisciplinary waters in search of solutions to the challenges of climate change.

This Dal researcher helped Nova Scotia supersize its wild blueberry industry

Dr. David Percival, a professor of whole plant physiology in the Faculty of Agriculture's Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, has earned a spot as one of three finalists of a Public Impact Award presented by Research Nova Scotia.

Commitment to open scholarship at Dalhousie

Open scholarship, open research, or open science, encompasses the process, communication, and re-use of research and its inclusion within wider society.