McGill University Bioresource Engineering

🏆 A Podium Finish at the ASABE Robotics Competition!
Congratulations to our McGill University Department of Bioresource Engineering Robotics Team on an outstanding performance at the ASABE Annual International Meeting (AIM) Robotics Competition, held July 12-15 in Indianapolis, Indiana!
Competing in the Standard Division alongside 15 university teams, McGill earned an impressive 3rd place finish in this year's competition.
This year's challenge simulated a real-world corn field environment, where autonomous robots were tasked with identifying, mapping, and managing plants with precision. Teams had to distinguish between desirable (green) and undesirable (yellow) plants, removing the yellow plants while preserving the green ones.
The competition included four progressively challenging tasks that tested:
🌱 Autonomous navigation
🌱 Plant identification
🌱 Precision plant removal
🌱 Simultaneous mapping, identification, and selective removal across a five-row field
Representing McGill at the competition were Mireille Houde and Philippe Leblond, with the robot developed by an exceptional team consisting of Philippe Leblond, Skyler Martineau, Marie-Maude Collin, Mireille Houde, Ata Rahmani, Owen Pflipsen, and Monique Ngan.
The team was guided by faculty advisors Shangpeng Sun and Viacheslav Adamchuk.
This achievement reflects the innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence of our students as they develop robotics solutions that address real-world challenges in precision agriculture. We are incredibly proud of the team for representing McGill on the international stage.
Congratulations to everyone involved!

From Growing Food in Space to Nature-Inspired Metastructures

As part of NABEC 2026, participants enjoyed an engaging keynote on Tuesday, August 4, featuring three faculty members from McGill University's Department of Bioresource Engineering: Dr. Viacheslav Adamchuk, Dr. Hamid Akbarzadeh, and Dr. Mark Lefsrud.

The session showcased the remarkable breadth of research within Bioresource Engineering.

🌱 Dr. Viacheslav Adamchuk opened by introducing the Department's academic programs and diverse research areas, highlighting how engineering and technology are helping address challenges in agriculture and the environment.

🔬 Dr. Hamid Akbarzadeh explored new opportunities with metamaterials and megastructures, drawing inspiration from nature to develop advanced multifunctional materials and structures with applications ranging from renewable energy to sustainable design.

🚀 Dr. Mark Lefsrud concluded with a fascinating and highly engaging discussion on growing food beyond Earth, exploring the challenges and opportunities of plant production in environments such as the International Space Station, the Moon, and Mars.

The keynote was a great illustration of the diversity of Bioresource Engineering, from precision agriculture and advanced materials to the future of food production in space.

Thank you to Dr. Adamchuk, Dr. Akbarzadeh, and Dr. Lefsrud for sharing their expertise and giving NABEC participants a glimpse into the exciting research happening at McGill!

Macdonald Campus of McGill University

First Place Graduate Oral Presentation at NABEC 2026!

Congratulations to Erik Barrett, who received the First Place Graduate Oral Presentation award at the 2026 Northern Agricultural and Biological Engineering Conference (NABEC), hosted in Baie-D’Urfé on August 4.

Erik’s presentation, “Design and Evaluation of Phosphorus Reduction Structures on Organic Soils,” explores an important challenge facing agricultural and environmental systems: reducing phosphorus pollution before it reaches our waterways.

Phosphorus is a potent pollutant and a major contributor to harmful algae blooms. Erik’s research is investigating low-cost, non-point source approaches to reducing phosphorus losses from agricultural fields, combining real-world field research with laboratory studies.

His project includes an active field study in Ontario’s Holland Marsh, an intensively cultivated region known for its horticultural production, alongside laboratory experiments evaluating different sorbent materials for phosphorus removal.

By bridging field implementation and laboratory research, Erik’s work is helping build a more comprehensive understanding of how phosphorus can be removed effectively, efficiently and affordably.

We are proud to see this important research recognized at NABEC 2026. Congratulations, Erik, on this well-deserved achievement! 👏

Macdonald Campus of McGill University

Optimizing Industrial Cannabis Drying
Researchers in the Biomass Production Lab, in partnership with Entreprises C-Médical Inc. and Food and Agriculture Corporation, investigated how industrial drying methods affect the quality of cannabis inflorescence. The study, "Industrial drying of cannabis (Cannabis sativa) using tray and hang air-drying systems," by Philip Wiredu Addo, Jonathan Béland, Mickael Rizzo, Carbonell, Taylor, Shearer, MacPherson, Raghavan, Orsat, and Professor Lefsrud, compares two conventional industrial air-drying methods, tray-drying and hang-drying, at full commercial scale. Using real-time relative humidity monitoring, the study tracked drying progression across two harvests, evaluating the effect of the drying method and harvest timing on drying kinetics, color, and cannabinoid concentration.

Why it matters:
Drying is now recognized as a major GMP step in cannabis production, directly affecting product safety, shelf stability, and regulatory compliance, not just yield or appearance. As the industry moves toward standardized, validated postharvest protocols, this research provides licensed producers with real-world, industrial-scale evidence to optimize drying conditions that balance efficiency with cannabinoid retention and product quality. This study further supports process validation as required by Annex 15 Qualification and Validation [EudraLex - Volume 4 - Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines].

📄 Read the full study:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214786126000422

Macdonald Campus of McGill University

Congratulations to Dr. Ángela M. Triviño Arévalo!
The Department of Bioresource Engineering at McGill University is proud to congratulate Dr. Ángela M. Triviño Arévalo on successfully completing her PhD oral defense.
Her doctoral research, “Emissions and Field Validation of Next Generation Passive Flux Samplers for Monitoring Agricultural Ammonia,” reflects the shared commitment of McGill's Department of Bioresource Engineering (BREE) and the Research and Development Institute for the Agri-environment (IRDA) to advancing sustainable and practical solutions for the agricultural sector.
Agriculture accounts for 93% of Canada's ammonia (NH₃) emissions, contributing to eutrophication, soil acidification, biodiversity loss, and fine particulate matter formation. Angela's research addressed this important environmental challenge by developing and validating a portable, low-cost Passive Flux Sampler capable of determine ammonia emissions directly in agricultural environments without airflow monitoring.
Bringing together engineering, environmental science, 3D-printing design, and field validation, this research demonstrates how collaboration between academia and agricultural research organizations can help develop practical tools for better environmental monitoring and sustainable nitrogen management.
The project included field validation at IRDA's Deschambault facilities connecting research and innovation with the realities of modern agricultural production.
This research is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when academic expertise and agricultural research come together with a shared commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and the future of agriculture.

NABEC 2026 Technical Tour: Innovation in Action

Last week, as part of the NABEC 2026 activities, participants took part in a full-day technical tour exploring agricultural engineering, renewable energy, precision agriculture, and food innovation across Montreal and the surrounding region.

The tour included visits to:

🌾 McGill Agronomy Research Centre for plant sensing, robotics, aerial imagery, and greenhouse gas monitoring.

🔬 McGill Research Facilities to discover work in biomass, soil sensing, climate simulation, nutrition, and livestock research.

💧 Beauharnois Generating Station, one of the world's largest hydroelectric power plants.

🌱 LogiAg to learn about LaserAg technology for rapid soil analysis.

🐄 Lactanet to explore how data and innovation support Canada's dairy sector.

🥚 MatrixSpec Solutions Inc. to discover computer imaging technologies for food quality and safety.

The tour showcased the diverse ways that research, engineering, and industry are working together to advance a more sustainable and innovative agricultural sector.

A big thank you to all of our hosts and partners for welcoming the NABEC community and sharing their expertise!

First Place Graduate Oral Presentation at NABEC 2026!
Congratulations to Dr. K. R. Jolvis Pou, who recently completed his PhD in the Department of Bioresource Engineering at McGill University and is now continuing his research as a Postdoctoral Researcher under the supervision of Vijaya Raghavan.
Dr. Pou received First Place in the Graduate Oral Presentation Competition at the 2026 Northeast Agricultural and Biological Engineering Conference (NABEC) for his presentation, "Optimization of a Paper-Based Enzymatic Time-Temperature Indicator."
His award-winning presentation builds on the team's recently published research focused on developing smart packaging technologies for milk safety monitoring using a paper-based time-temperature indicator with smartphone-assisted detection.
This innovative research has the potential to improve food safety, reduce food waste, and support smarter monitoring throughout the food supply chain by providing consumers and industry with accessible tools to assess product freshness.
The published work was authored by Dr. K. R. Jolvis Pou, Yvan Gariepy, Muthukumaran Packirisamy, and Vijaya Raghavan.
The Department is proud to have supported Dr. Pou throughout his graduate studies through the Graduate Research Enhancement and Travel (GREAT) Awards, helping him share his research, expand his professional network, and contribute to the advancement of agricultural and food engineering.
Congratulations to Dr. Pou, Professor Raghavan, Professor Packirisamy, and the entire research team on this outstanding achievement and continued research excellence!

First Place in the 2026 ASABE-NABEC Undergraduate Student Design Competition!

We are proud to celebrate the success of our undergraduate student team, whose project, "Designing an Efficient Irrigation System for Greenhouse Orchid Production," was awarded First Place in the 2026 ASABE-NABEC Undergraduate Student Design Competition.

The winning team includes:
🌿 Philippe Leblond
🌿 Samantha Csisztu
🌿 Sydney Baer
🌿 Imad Boumenna

The judges recognized the team for the strength of their engineering approach, highlighting their rigorous decision analysis, thoughtful selection of irrigation and sensing technologies, and outstanding validation results. Their design demonstrated a substantial reduction in water use while nearly eliminating the need for manual watering, showcasing the potential of innovative engineering solutions to improve greenhouse production and resource efficiency.

One of the most rewarding outcomes of this project was the client's enthusiastic response, recognizing the value and practical benefits of the proposed irrigation system for their greenhouse operation.

As first-place winners, the team presented their project at the 2026 ASABE-NABEC Annual Meeting, where they were recognized for their outstanding achievement.

Congratulations also to the team's faculty mentors, Sunjka, Dr. Grant Clark, and Dr. Chandra Madramootoo, whose guidance, expertise, and mentorship were instrumental in the evolution and success of this project.

Congratulations to Philippe, Samantha, Sydney, Imad, and their faculty mentors on this well-deserved recognition. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of your work on the future of sustainable agricultural engineering.

The 2026 CSABE Conference was an incredible opportunity to connect with colleagues, share research, and celebrate the achievements of Canada's agricultural and bioresource engineering community. We were especially proud to see so many members of the McGill Department of Bioresource Engineering recognized during the Awards Banquet.

Congratulations to our outstanding students on their well-deserved achievements:

🏆 Undergraduate Thesis Award
Pneumatic Electrical Trigger to Improve Nitrogen Cannons for Avalanche Control: Aleix Toews, Philippe Charest, and Khloe Lu
🏆 Undergraduate Design Award
Automated Wind Farm Site Selection: Olivia M. Domingos, Noelle Ciravolo, Lisa El Khazen, Abby Newsham, and Sylvio Chamoun
🏆 ASABE ¼ Scale Tractor Student Design Competition
Mu Trac Team: Vincent Boa, Catherine Grammond, Olivia M. Giguere, Gabriel Morin, Thomas Brunet, Madeleine C. Hetu, Carley R. Kiiskila, Isabel J. Heger, Marguerite Deseau, Selena Amirzada, and Florence Brun

We also have an honourable mention to our very own faculty member who has made a lasting impact in the industry:
🏆 CSABE-SCGAB Lifetime Legacy Award
G.S. Vijaya Raghavan

These awards are a testament to the creativity, technical excellence, and dedication of our students, as well as the mentorship and collaborative spirit that drive innovation within our department.

Congratulations to all of our award recipients. We are proud to celebrate your success and look forward to seeing what you accomplish next!

A Canadian innovation is poised to transform the global poultry industry and advance more sustainable food production worldwide.

Congratulations to Dr. Michael Ngadi, Professor in McGill University's Department of Bioresource Engineering and CEO of MatrixSpec Solutions, on the announcement of a strategic partnership between SANOVO TECHNOLOGY GROUP, Canadian Egg Technologies (CET), and MatrixSpec Solutions to commercialize the world's earliest non-invasive in-ovo egg s*xing technology.

Developed in Canada, the hyperspectral imaging system enables accurate, non-destructive s*x determination as early as the fourth day of incubation, earlier than any technology currently available on the market. Designed to integrate seamlessly into existing hatchery operations, the innovation offers a practical and scalable solution for hatcheries of all sizes.

Why does this matter?

By identifying the s*x of an egg at a very early stage of development, hatcheries can make more informed management decisions, helping to improve animal welfare, reduce resource use, and increase operational efficiency. The technology also supports a more sustainable egg production system by reducing the energy, feed, labour, and incubation resources associated with raising birds that are not needed within the production chain.

"This technology was built from the ground up to be practical, not just scientifically impressive, but deployable for hatcheries everywhere," said Dr. Ngadi. "Partnering with SANOVO TECHNOLOGY GROUP and Canadian egg farmers gives us the platform to make that vision a global reality."

Expected to launch globally in late 2026 or early 2027, this breakthrough demonstrates how McGill research and innovation are helping address some of agriculture's most pressing challenges while creating a more sustainable future for food production.

McGill University