The focus of my undergraduate degree was predominantly on environmental and climate sciences, sustainable development, and physical geography. My program was unique in the fact that it was self-directed yet designed to produce well-rounded students who are passionate about what they learn and capable of crossing interdisciplinary boundaries. Through this interdisciplinary exposure, I became interested in a deeper understanding of the sustainability of food and biomass production systems and the biogeochemical cycling of these systems associated with urban waste and agriculture sectors.
Many human activities such as agriculture and waste management alter natural biogeochemical cycles. In many cases, they create linear flows of nutrients that can be energy intensive and lead to negative impacts on surrounding ecosystems. I am interested in exploring ways to transform these linear flows into more circulative ones. Alternative organic waste management strategies, such as composting and anaerobic digestion, are promising because through these processes, waste material is converted into a resource, natural biogeochemical cycles are enhanced, and greenhouse gas emissions may even be reduced.
My thesis research aims to develop a model that can estimate existing nutrient flows on the island of Montreal associated with agriculture and organic waste, identifying control (or leverage) points where technological or policy tools could be most effectively applied, and assess how those flows may be altered by the implementation of a policy which bans the disposal of organic waste to landfills.
Skiing, yoga, traveling, cooking, reading … and I would be lying if I didn’t include Netflix.