“The goal of my research is to support growers and help solve their problems.”
Kelly is pursuing her M.Sc. in plant pathology at the University of Guelph, where her research focuses on one of the most persistent challenges facing brassica crops: clubroot. This soil-borne disease is an obligate parasite that affects crops like cabbage and canola, causing swollen roots, stunted growth, and significant yield losses.
In her studies, Kelly has been testing a range of management strategies in the growth room and field. She’s observed how soil pH influences the development of the pathogen, trialed biological control agents, and experimented with cover crops to see how they might suppress infection. Every step of her work is aimed at equipping growers with tools to protect their livelihoods.
“My favourite part of agriculture is the community. It is such a tight network between farmers and the University of Guelph OAC.”
That sense of collaboration drives her research forward. Agriculture doesn’t stand still, and neither does the science that supports it. Researchers like Kelly are an essential part of the agri-food system, bridging the gap between complex scientific challenges and practical solutions for farmers in the field.
