Meet the PSGSA Team

Alexa Peterson
President
Where you're from: Winnipeg, MB
Year and program of study: First year, MSc
Project title/proposed project title: Mapping of quantitative trait loci in Thinopyrum Intermedium for Fusarium graminearum tolerance and agronomic traits
Favourite things to do in your spare time: hiking, baking, listening to live music, walking my dog
Future dream job: Agronomist / Breeder
Dream vacation: Iceland
Nicknames: Lex, Petey
Pets: McLovin', 1 year old goldendoodle

Ginelle Grenier
Vice President
Preferred name: Ginny
Where I'm from: Baldur, MB
Year and program of study: PhD, 2nd year
Project title: Molecular and genetic analysis of lodging resistance in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Favourite things to do: Spending time at my family farm and cabin, playing sports, fishing, travelling, and visiting with friends
Favourite plant: Prairie Rose
Do you have any pets: A cat named Gigi :)

Samadhi Jayarathna
Treasurer
Where are you from: Sri lanka
Year at program of study: 2nd year
Title of project: Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) in Brassica napus for Resistance to Drought Stress
Favourite things to do: Aurora chasing, Road trips , Hiking, Reading novels, Swimming
Dream vacation: One month in Europe
Favourite place to go in the province : Clear lake
Nicknames: Sam, Kaushi
Favorite food: Ceylon foods
Do you have any pets: Doggy girl

Lauren Gislason
Department Council Representative
Where you're from: Arborg, Manitoba
Year and program of study: 1st year MSc.
Title of project: Identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) in Brassica napus L. for pod shatter tolerance
About me
Favorite things to do: Camping, napping, reading for enjoyment
Favorite house plant: Mimosa pudica
Do you have any pets: A white miniature schnauzer named Rudy
Dream vacation: I have many! At the moment - hiking the Camino del Norte in Spain.

Jared Bento
Social Director
Where you're from: Winnipeg, MB
Year and program of study: First year, MSc
Project title/proposed project title: Genome-Wide Association and Genomic Selection for Erucic Acid Content in Rapeseed (Brassica Napus)
Favourite things to do in your spare time:
Taking care of my plants, spending time outdoors, going to the gym, off-road trails, and seeping.
Dream Job: Self sufficiency via my own greenhouses and gardens
Dream vacation: Portugal- Mainland and Azores
Favourite tv show/movie: Star Wars - prequel trilogy (open to friendly debate)
Favourite kind of music: Anything and everything (except pop-country...never pop-country)

Lakmini Pathiranage
Seminar Committee Representative
Where you're from: Sri Lanka
Year and program of study: Second year, MSc
Project title/proposed project title: Role of phytoglobin in protecting maize quiescent center under waterlogging caused hypoxia conditions
Dream vacation: Paris
Favourite place to go in the city: The Forks
Favourite tv show: Young Sheldon
Favourite things to do: Cooking + trying hobbies

Ehsanul Haq
UMGSA Representative
Preferred name/nickname: Ehsanul
Where you're from: Jashore, Bangladesh
Year and program of study: Second year, MSc
Project title/proposed project title: Examining the effects of altered levels of Phytoglobins during seed oil accumulation in Brassica napus
Favourite things to do: Travelling, watching movies, hangout with family & friends
Future dream job: Tour Guide
Dream vacation: Europe
Favourite place to go in the city: FortWhyte Alive
Favourite tv show/ movie: Top Gun
Favorite food: Biriyani
Favourite kind of music: Soft
Do you have any pets: No, not yet

Caroline Brown
Social Coordinator
Where you're from: I was born and raised in Calgary and then moved to Saskatoon for university and have called it home for the last ten years.
Year and program: Second year, PhD
Project title/proposed project title: Investigating the genetic control of seed dormancy in canola
Favourite things to do in my spare time: Spending time outdoors, barre fitness classes, making pottery and spending time with friends and family!
A plant that represents me: Snake plant- low key unless I need water!
Favourite tv show: Schitts Creek
Favourite food: Italian food

Laetitia Mukunga
UMGSA Representative
Where you're from: Kenya
Year and program of study: First year, MSc
Project title/proposed project title: Field, greenhouse, and farm case studies on the role of alternative organic nutrients in sustainable agricultural and livelihood systems in Canada and Kenya
Favourite food: Chicken biryani
Favourite kind of music: African and Reggaeton
Favourite TV show: Money Heist and Suits
Dream vacation: Bali, Indonesia
Pets: Melody, cat