Helping farmers be greener
As this year’s William S. Lewis Doctoral Fellowship recipient at the University of New Brunswick, Heather Loomer believes her research will benefit the provincial agriculture industry.
The first student from the Saint John campus to have received the fellowship, Heather’s project – studying the effect of agriculture on the ecology of small streams in Grand Falls, N.B – is a natural fit with the work the Canadian Rivers Institute is conducting.
“As one of the more prolific potato regions in the province, the ecological health of the streams and their capacity to support aquatic life is threatened by the entry of pesticides, sediments, and fertilizers to the waterways,” says Heather.
“I’m hoping to produce water quality guidelines for these streams which are protective of the aquatic communities and key ecological processes they support.“
“Ideally, this information would then be used to make improved land use and development decisions amongst farmers and developers in the region.”
Ability to do what she loves
William S. Lewis
William S. Lewis, a New Brunswick engineer, economist, businessman and philanthropist created the Lewis Fellowships. He studied electrical engineering at UNB, finance at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a PhD in (economics) from Carleton University.
He taught at various universities before he left academia to pursue a career in real estate. In retirement Dr. Lewis is a patron of the arts, a fundraiser for cultural institutions and a generous benefactor to a number of worthy causes.
Having grown up in Quispamsis Heather is happy to have the opportunity to study what she loves while living close to her family and long-time friends.
“This fellowship has given me the chance to reach my goals while working with top notch researchers on “close to home” environmental issues. I intend to take full advantage of this opportunity and extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Lewis for his support.”
Lewis Fellowships are valued at $25,000 a year for four years and are awarded to UNB doctoral students with the potential to become regional, national or international leaders in research and education. Candidates are selected based on academic excellence and on their contribution to either the sciences or the humanities. The annual award alternates between the disciplines.
After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree from UNB in 2006 Heather headed off to the University of Waterloo to pursue a masters degree in biology then spent a year working with an Ontario Conservation authority.
Research will offer insight
"Heather is passionate about protecting freshwater and has deeply rooted interests in understanding how human activities - such as agriculture - are affecting the quality of our streams and rivers,” says her supervisor, Dr. Karen Kidd, Canada Research Chair in Chemical Containment in Food Webs at UNB’s Canadian Rivers Institute.
“Heather is a great embodiment of everything this fellowship is about,” says UNB President Dr. Eddy Campbell. “Her cutting-edge research will benefit our local industries as well as offer valuable insight to the world.”
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