A little berry with big popularity

Eric Pace is studying a little berry with big popularity on grocery store shelves.

Set to graduate this spring, Eric Pace wasn’t always sure what he wanted to do after high school but his love of animals led him to the Faculty of Agriculture.

Eric’s time on the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus began as a student in the pre-veterinary science program, but after a year he realized his true calling was in animal science. A native of Truro, Eric has taken his education in animal science and applied it to his research in human health science — which, as he explains, wasn’t a big jump.

“Once you have a vertebral column there’s not a big difference between animal science and human health science. A cow’s nerve works in the same way as a human’s. It’s all the same.”

Berry business

Eric is specifically focusing his research on the super fruit that has been gaining in popularity on grocery store shelves – the Haskap berry. Driven by his desire to make a difference in people’s lives and supported by an undergraduate student research award from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Eric is exploring how to protect a key bioactive molecule in this up-and-coming iconic Canadian berry during the juice pasteurization process.  It’s a key molecule that unlocks significant health benefits and is one of the key reasons why people are drawn to the Haskap.

Eric is a key contributor to the University’s research team. Working under Vasantha Rupasinghe, Canada Research Chair in Fruit Bioactives and BioProducts, Eric is helping to explore all of the health benefits of Haskap.

“People have time for you here at Dal and you’re never just a number. They take the time to listen and to help you out – you can’t do it by yourself. Hundreds of people have had a part in my success and I’m very grateful,” he said.

Exploring his options

Building on his passion for animal and human science, Eric is weighing his options after he completes his degree, which may include medical school or a master’s degree. He’s confident his education in animal science is opening up new opportunities and that there’s no better time to pursue a career in agriculture.

“Agriculture and farming, for that matter, are scientific pursuits. If someone asked me why I came to the Faculty of Agriculture to study animal science, I’d say, ‘Why not?’ This degree will prepare me to work in an industry that is continually growing and needs young, bright people to advance it scientifically. I’m advancing an industry that directly influences the food we eat. It’s incredibly rewarding to have that kind of impact.”