All living things depend on the sustainability of the earth’s resources, and understanding how to protect and better manage those limited resources is crucial to our survival. Critical environmental issues like water pollution, food shortages and rising temperatures could have a catastrophic effect on our ability to meet basic human needs in the near future. Experts in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems are working on solutions to many of these challenges.

Our researchers are studying everything from climate change and storm water management to the relationship between food, nutrition, diet and health. The research discoveries being made here have the potential to reach across borders for world-wide applications.

We are also sharing what we’ve learned with the next generation of scientists - our students. They come to us with a strong sense of global responsibility, passionate about creating positive and lasting change on issues of importance. We believe that by providing them with the opportunity to learn outside the traditional classroom - taking part in a community-based experiential learning project or studying overseas - we can enhance their education and help them develop to their full potential.

 

 

Research Facilities

The Faculty of Land and Food Systems offers unique hands-on learning sites for graduate students, in addition to traditional labs where food science, food processing, and nutrition and health research take place.

UBC Farm is 24-hectare site on UBC Vancouver campus, which is a living laboratory that contains agricultural, forest, and transitional landscape areas for interdisciplinary field research. The Centre for Sustainable Food Systems (CSFS) located at UBC Farm is a unique research centre that aims to understand and fundamentally transform local and global food systems towards a more sustainable, food secure future.

The Dairy Education and Research Centre, located a 2-hour drive from UBC Vancouver campus, is an internationally recognized dairy cattle research centre supporting the development and adaptation of new technologies for the dairy industry in British Columbia and beyond. The Centre has a large research herd that can provide sufficient numbers of experimental animals at a given physiological stage to meet most research requirements. These features support a vibrant critical mass of students, postdoctoral fellows, staff, visiting scientists, and faculty. A 10,800 square-foot student residence building opened in September 2015, which allows students and researchers to live on-site at the Agassiz, B.C. research station, and more closely monitor their research projects in dairy cattle welfare, animal reproduction, and resource recovery.

The Wine Research Centre has sites at both UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan campuses, with modern and fully equipped laboratories. Researchers in the Wine Research Centre also have access to the outstanding research facilities in the Michael Smith Laboratories (MSL) which is conveniently located adjacent to the Centre. The MSL has established itself as a force in the global biotechnology research community. Research areas include grapes, vineyards, and soils; wine and fermentation; winery performance and sustainability; and wine territory competitiveness.
 

 

Research Highlights

In the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, our researchers are focused on finding viable solutions to pressing global crises and are known worldwide for their innovation and leadership in areas such as food science, dairy reproduction and animal welfare, sustainable agriculture, and community health and nutrition.

Our researchers have attracted millions of dollars in research funding from sources including Genome Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Michael Smith Scholar, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

Our experts are conducting ground-breaking research in many areas including:

  • animal biology, health, and welfare;
  • ecofriendly alternatives in pest management;
  • food technology, genomics, and safety;
  • food processing and food waste management;
  • plant and soil health;
  • watershed management;
  • food security and sovereignty;
  • community health and nutrition;
  • agricultural land use and impact.

Research Supervisors in Faculty

Name Research Interests
Barichello, Richard Agricultural economics
Black, Jennifer Human nutrition and dietetics; Community Health / Public Health; food banks; food environments; Nutrition; Public health; school food environments; social determinants of health
Black, Thomas Andrew Biometeorology; Soil physics; Microclimate modification
Carrillo, Juli Plant-insect interactions; Agroecology; Invasive species; evolution; Ecology; community ecology; Environmental Change; Plant evolution; Population Ecology
Castellarin, Simone Enology and viticulture; Horticultural crop growth and development; Crop physiology; Fruit ripening; Secondary metabolism; Environmental stresses; Viticulture
Cerri, Ronaldo Animal and dairy sciences; Animal behaviour; Animal developmental and reproductive biology; Animal physiology; Agricultural Machinery and Technology; Animal Production; Animal Reproduction; Biotechnology and Activity monitors; Dairy cattle reproduction; Endocrine Regulation; Endometrium-conceptus cross communication; Estrous cycle physiology in cattle; Inflammation and stress; Production medicine in dairy cattle
Cohen, Tamara understanding the interplay between different lifestyle behaviours; how eating behaviours relate to weight management; Obesity
Cornelis, Jean Thomas Earth and related environmental sciences; Pedology; Biogeochemistry; Soil-Plant Interactions
Dee, Derek Enzymes (including kinetics and mechanisms, and biocatalyst); Proteomics; Nanofabrication, growth and self-assembly; Food chemistry (including fermentation); Protein Folding; protein stability; protein aggregation; protein engineering; funtional amyloid; bacterial amyloid; protein nanofibrils; food proteins; legume proteins; aspartic proteases; psychrophilic enzymes; precision fermentation; Biophysics; food chemistry; alternative food proteins; optical tweezers; single molecule force spectroscopy; cryoEM
Frommel, Andrea Animal physiology, environmental stress; Sustainable Aquaculture; climate change; Early development in fish; Alternative feeds in aquaculture; Fish physiology
Guan, Leluo Functional Genomics, Animal Microbiome
Gulati, Sumeet Agricultural economics; Wildlife and habitat management; Ecological policy; Economics of Human Wildlife Conflict; Economics of Urban Transportation; Effectiveness of Carbon Taxes; Effectiveness of Environmental Policy; International Trade and its Effect on the Environment; Political Economy of Environmental and Trade Policy
Jessri, Mahsa Human nutrition and dietetics; Community Health / Public Health; Epidemiology; Nutrition; Health Policies; Lifestyle Determinants and Health; Health Promotion; Health Prevention; Statistics and Probabilities; Preventive Medicine; Artificial Intelligence; Chronic Disease Prevention; clinical epidemiology; Dietary Assessment; Dietary Pattern Modeling; Dietetics; Machine Learning; Nutritional Epidemiology; predictive analytics; Public and Population Health; Simulation; Health Economics and Modeling
Jovel Ayala, Eduardo Ethnobotany, mycology, natural product chemistry and Aboriginal health
Karakochuk, Crystal Dawn Human nutrition and dietetics; Nutrition; Global Health and Emerging Diseases; Hematology; Biochemical markers of iron status; Clinical dietetics; Determinants and causes of anemia; Inherited blood disorders (sickle cell, thalassemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency); International nutrition; Maternal and child nutrition; Micronutrients (namely iron, folic acid, and zinc); Risk-benefit of micronutrient supplementation
Kitts, David Food chemistry and toxicology, cellular and molecular mechanism, oncology
Knipfer, Thorsten
Kontogiorgos, Vasileios Food colloids, gels, foam and emulsions; Food chemistry (including fermentation); Food rheology, food texture and sensory evaluation; Nutraceuticals, functional foods and bioactive; food chemistry; Physical chemistry of foods; Food colloids; Food emulsions; Food polysaccharides; food proteins
Krzic, Maja Soil sciences; Soil health; Soil management; Soil science education
Lamers, Yvonne Human nutrition and dietetics; Nutrition; Nutrients; Biological and Biochemical Mechanisms; Breast Feeding and Infant Nutrition; Clinical Chemistry; Maternal and child health; Micronutrients; Newborn Screening; Nutritional Biochemistry; Nutritional Biomarker; Periconceptional folic acid supplementation; Pregnancy; Prenatal Supplements; Toddler Nutrition; Vitamins
McAusland, Carol Interactions between globalization and public good provision, impacts of trade liberalization on environmental politics, potential use of trade policy to stem damages from exotic species introductions and biological invasions Environmental impacts of international trade, implications of skilled labor migration for the global provision of public goods
McKendry, James Musculoskeletal biology and physiology; Health promotion and disease prevention; Aging process; Human nutrition and metabolism; Nutritional physiology; Clinical nutrition; Exercise physiology; Sports nutrition; Kinesiology; Skeletal Muscle; Protein metabolism; Aging; Nutrition; exercise; Sarcopenia; Protein; Muscle Disuse; Stable Isotope Tracers; Omics; Cell Culture; Microscopy
Measday, Vivien Chromosome segregation in the budding yeast using molecular biology and genomic tools
Noack, Frederik Environment and natural resources economics; Economics of Biodiversity; Economics of Conservation; Fisheries Economics; economic development; Forests
Pratap-Singh, Anubhav Environment and natural resources economics; Food sciences (including food engineering); Natural resource management; Agri-food Transformation Products; cold plasma; food engineering; food processing; Functional Foods; heat transfer; high pressure; mass transfer; novel non-thermal processing; Nutriceuticals and Functional Foods; pasteurization; pulsed light; sterilization

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Graduate Student Stories

Recent Publications

This is an incomplete sample of recent publications in chronological order by UBC faculty members with a primary appointment in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems.

 

Publication: Environmental and Experimental Botany
UBC Author(s): Simone Castellarin (Applied Biology / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
ISSN: 00988472
Volume: 236
Publication Date: August 2025

View Publication
Publication: Smart Agricultural Technology
UBC Author(s): Maja Krzic (Applied Biology / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
Volume: 11
Publication Date: August 2025

View Publication
Publication: Computers and Electronics in Agriculture
UBC Author(s): Daniel Weary (Applied Biology / Faculty of Land and Food Systems), Marina von Keyserlingk (Applied Biology / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
ISSN: 01681699
Volume: 234
Publication Date: July 2025

View Publication
Publication: Theoretical and Applied Genetics
UBC Author(s): Simone Castellarin (Applied Biology / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
ISSN: 00405752
Volume: 138
Publication Date: June 2025

View Publication
Publication: Childhood Obesity
UBC Author(s): Tamara Cohen (Food, Nutrition & Health / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
ISSN: 21532168
Volume: 21
Page Range: 426-435
Publication Date: 1 June 2025

View Publication
Publication: Nutrition Reviews
UBC Author(s): Tamara Cohen (Food, Nutrition & Health / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
ISSN: 00296643
Volume: 83
Page Range: 1047-1060
Publication Date: 1 June 2025

View Publication
Publication: Applied Animal Behaviour Science
UBC Author(s): Marina von Keyserlingk (Applied Biology / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
ISSN: 01681591
Volume: 287
Publication Date: June 2025

View Publication
Publication: Analytical Chemistry
UBC Author(s): Tianxi Yang (Food, Nutrition & Health / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
ISSN: 00032700
Volume: 97
Page Range: 9848-9857
Publication Date: 13 May 2025

View Publication
Publication: Antioxidants
UBC Author(s): David Kitts (Food, Nutrition & Health / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
Volume: 14
Publication Date: May 2025

View Publication
Publication: PLoS ONE
UBC Author(s): Marina von Keyserlingk (Applied Biology / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
Volume: 20
Publication Date: May 2025

View Publication
Publication: Soil Biology and Biochemistry
UBC Author(s): Jean Thomas Cornelis (Applied Biology / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
ISSN: 00380717
Volume: 204
Publication Date: May 2025

View Publication
Publication: Environmental Research Letters
UBC Author(s): Jonathan Proctor (Food and Resource Economics / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
Volume: 20
Publication Date: 1 May 2025

View Publication
Publication: Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
UBC Author(s): Tamara Cohen (Food, Nutrition & Health / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
ISSN: 01486071
Volume: 49
Page Range: 468-475
Publication Date: May 2025

View Publication
Publication: Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
UBC Author(s): Katja Yvonne Lamers (Food, Nutrition & Health / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
ISSN: 01486071
Volume: 49
Page Range: 451-459
Publication Date: May 2025

View Publication
Publication: Food Research International
UBC Author(s): Tianxi Yang (Food, Nutrition & Health / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
ISSN: 09639969
Volume: 208
Publication Date: May 2025

View Publication
Publication: PLoS ONE
UBC Author(s): Daniel Weary (Applied Biology / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
Volume: 20
Publication Date: May 2025

View Publication
Publication: Food Hydrocolloids
UBC Author(s): Tianxi Yang (Food, Nutrition & Health / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
ISSN: 0268005X
Volume: 162
Publication Date: May 2025

View Publication
Publication: British Journal of Pharmacology
UBC Author(s): Barbara Stefanska (Food, Nutrition & Health / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
ISSN: 00071188
Volume: 182
Page Range: 2069-2074
Publication Date: May 2025

View Publication
Publication: CMAJ. Canadian Medical Association Journal
UBC Author(s): Tamara Cohen (Food, Nutrition & Health / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
ISSN: 08203946
Volume: 197
Page Range: E372-E389
Publication Date: 14 April 2025

View Publication
Publication: PLoS ONE
UBC Author(s): Marina von Keyserlingk (Applied Biology / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
Volume: 20
Publication Date: April 2025

View Publication
Publication: Plant Disease
UBC Author(s): Mark Paul Rivarez (Applied Biology / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
ISSN: 01912917
Volume: 109
Page Range: 736-755
Publication Date: April 2025

View Publication
Publication: Plants
UBC Author(s): Andrew Riseman (Applied Biology / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
Volume: 14
Publication Date: April 2025

View Publication
Publication: Laboratory Animals
UBC Author(s): Daniel Weary (Applied Biology / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
ISSN: 00236772
Volume: 59
Page Range: 169-177
Publication Date: April 2025

View Publication
Publication: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
UBC Author(s): Crystal Dawn Karakochuk (Food, Nutrition & Health / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
ISSN: 00029165
Volume: 121
Page Range: 910-920
Publication Date: April 2025

View Publication
Publication: British Journal of Pharmacology
UBC Author(s): Barbara Stefanska (Food, Nutrition & Health / Faculty of Land and Food Systems)
ISSN: 00071188
Volume: 182
Page Range: 1416-1445
Publication Date: April 2025

View Publication

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Recent Thesis Submissions

Doctoral Citations

A doctoral citation summarizes the nature of the independent research, provides a high-level overview of the study, states the significance of the work and says who will benefit from the findings in clear, non-specialized language, so that members of a lay audience will understand it.
Year Citation Program
2025 Is it possible for animals to be directly included in institutional decision-making? Dr. Ryan’s research in Applied Animal Biology explored how reframing human–animal relationships and including animals’ perspectives in decisions can lead to more ethical science, policy, and governance, benefiting the billions used by humans each year. Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Animal Biology (PhD)
2025 Dr. Chantapakul studied the use of bacteriophages, viruses that target bacteria, to manage stem gall disease in blueberries in British Columbia. He found that phages can reduce soil-borne bacteria, offering an eco-friendly alternative to chemical treatments. His research supports blueberry growers and promotes sustainable farming practices. Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science (PhD)
2025 Dr. Gowton examined extrafloral nectar, or EFN, production in Faba bean to understand how biotic factors, like rhizobia and herbivory, and abiotic factors, such as elevated CO2, nitrogen, and silicon, affect plant defenses. She found EFN production relied more on biotic interactions rather than abiotic interactions, highlighting its context-dependent role Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Science (PhD)
2024 Dr. Pow studied the carbon, water, and net greenhouse gas balances of an intensively managed forage field using micrometeorological methods. This research improves our understanding of the effects of field management on crop production and nitrogen fertilization efficiency while minimizing net greenhouse gas emissions. Doctor of Philosophy in Soil Science (PhD)
2024 Dr. Cheung investigated the structure and function of an antimicrobial plant protein domain using molecular modeling. She identified specific structural components that govern how the protein associates with membranes, gaining insights that deepen current understanding of the ubiquitous protein and accelerate the development for novel applications. Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science (PhD)
2024 Dr. Litzow conducted research in environmental and development economics, specifically studying how environmental change affects populations in low-income settings. She documented how pollution and economic crises negatively affect educational and labor market outcomes and highlighted the need for careful policy design to slow environmental change. Doctor of Philosophy in Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems (PhD)
2024 Dr. Ha investigated the impact of elevated carbon dioxide on plant-insect interactions across multiple insect species. His work narrowed knowledge gaps on how different insect species respond to feeding on CO2-enriched host plants, and contributed towards gaining a deeper understanding of how plant-insect interactions can change in the near future. Doctor of Philosophy in Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems (PhD)
2024 Dr. Wong found a human friendly virus called bacteriophages to be highly effective against a foodborne pathogen, Salmonella, in various fresh produce. For the Salmonella strains that are less susceptible to bacteriophage attack, she found them to utilize genes that can cleave bacteriophages before attack, thereby protecting themselves for survival. Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science (PhD)
2024 Dr. Mozaffari examined the impact of diet diversity on type 2 diabetes. She showed that a diet diverse in five food groups, and a variety of vegetables and plant protein sources, may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. These findings will inform the revision of some dietary guidelines, which currently advocate for a diet limited to only three food groups. Doctor of Philosophy in Human Nutrition (PhD)
2024 Dr. Nyamaizi examined strategies for reducing excessive soil phosphorus levels in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. Her findings provided appropriate phosphorus fertilizer rates and a tool for assessing the potential risk of phosphorus loss. Her research addresses phosphorus management challenges and its potential loss to nearby water sources. Doctor of Philosophy in Soil Science (PhD)

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