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An avid outdoorswoman and passionate environmental scientist, Samantha Bennett (Class of 2026) grew up hiking and camping outside Montreal—experiences that sparked a lifelong fascination with the natural world.

“As I learned more about climate change in school and saw how human actions can impact our environment, I decided I wanted to pursue an undergraduate degree in environmental science,” Sam recalls.

That curiosity evolved into a deep scientific focus on the unseen ecosystems beneath our feet. During her undergraduate studies, Sam joined a lab focused on conservation and soil ecology, where she spent a summer studying soil arthropods—particularly earthworms. “That first summer opened my eyes to the complexity of soil biota,” she says. “I became fascinated by how these tiny organisms shape entire ecosystems.”

Sam continued working in the same lab for three years, an experience that cemented her passion for research and her desire to study soil ecology at the graduate level. When it came time to choose where to pursue her MSc, her honours supervisor encouraged her to consider Dalhousie University’s Agricultural Campus—known for its strong research focus on agricultural and environmental systems.

In September 2023, Sam joined Dr. Paul Manning’s Insect Biodiversity in Agroecosystems Lab, where she worked on a project funded by an NSERC Discovery Grant and Dr. Dave Burton’s NSERC Climate-Smart Soils CREATE program. Her research examined how methane emissions from cattle dung are influenced by both diet (specifically, the inclusion of brown seaweeds) and biotic interactions with dung beetles.

“I was drawn to this research project because I’ve always been interested in the connection between improving food security and how management practices can help farmers achieve their goals while minimizing agriculture’s environmental impact,” Sam explains. “I’m especially interested in understanding how changes in management practices influence insect communities, which provide a range of ecosystem benefits but are often overlooked when assessing agricultural systems.”

Through her MSc, Sam explored how insects—often regarded simply as pests—can actually play critical roles in nutrient cycling and climate solutions. 

“Sam discovered some really cool things with her MSc that filled important gaps in our understanding of nutrient cycling,” he explained.  “She has an exceptional ability to connect applied and fundamental research. Completing an entire thesis—from fieldwork to submission—in just 23 months is a testament to her focus and determination.”

Beyond research, Sam found a strong sense of belonging at Dalhousie’s Agricultural Campus. “My favourite part of the AC was the community,” she says. “Whether it was fellow students or faculty members, everyone showed genuine enthusiasm for what they do and always provided invaluable advice and support.”

After completing her MSc, Sam began a new role as Soil Health Program Coordinator with the Greenbelt Foundation in Toronto. In this position, she helps communicate soil health results with farmers across the Greater Golden Horseshoe, prepares soil health reports and organizes events for farmers and agricultural organizations across Ontario.

Looking ahead, Sam plans to pursue a PhD, continuing to explore how soil health, insect biodiversity, and sustainable agricultural practices intersect.

“Sam is a deep thinker—creative, hardworking, and generous,” says Dr. Manning. “She brought infectious energy, kindness, and a can-do attitude to everything she encountered. I’m incredibly proud of the caliber of work she produced, and I can’t wait to see how her research continues to shape the field.”

Sam will cross the stage today during fall Convocation celebrations in Halifax.  Watch the livestream here.