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Celebrating Women in Science

One thing many people don't realize is the amount of science that goes into forestry. Today we celebrate the contributions of the amazing women scientists whose work supports healthy forests.

At our world class Maritime Innovation Limited lab in Sussex, NB,  we are pioneers in  the research and science of growing trees, always focused on making sure we have the strongest, healthiest trees for generations to come.  Through a process called somatic embryogenesis, we can select the best and healthiest trees across a wide range of genetic diversity and produce large numbers of them to be planted in our long standing tree planting program.  We are committed to getting it right, and making sure we are using the best available science to properly regenerate our forest after harvest.   We are also working on science to make sure our trees remain strong and healthy throughout their lifetime by giving them natural protection from devastating insects such as spruce budworm.  Through long term collaborative science with Carleton University , we have discovered a naturally occurring fungus called an endophytic fungi which helps our spruce trees fend off attacks from spruce budworm.  While the seedlings are growing up in the nursery, we inoculate them with the fungus, giving them a strong start in life. 

Meet some of the women who help us run this important part of our operations and why science is a key pillar in our business.

"Science is such a diverse and ever changing field. It challenges the way you think about the world around you and every day provides a chance to learn something new," Pamela Nicks, Propagation Specialist.

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 Yeen Ting Hwang, PhD in cellular and molecular biology

Yeen Ting is the tissue culture specialist for Maritime Innovation Limited. Her involvement in the lab includes potato plantlet propagation and the somatic embryogenesis program. This tree propagation technology enables rapid development of high-value tree varieties that integrate growth, quality, and disease and insect resistance. 

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 Pam Nicks, Bachelor of Science, Biology-Mathematics/Statistics Major.

Pamela Nicks is a Propagation Specialist for Maritime Innovation Limited. She is involved with many of the programs currently running at the lab, including potato plantlet propagation, the somatic embryogenesis program and the endophytic fungi production which aims to improve tree tolerance to insect and disease.   

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 Clara Taylor, BSc Environmental and Resource Science

Clara is the Nursery and Seed Orchard Supervisor for the Sussex Tree Nursery and Parkindale Seed Orchard. She is part of the tree improvement team that makes sure we are using the best data and science to select the most suitable trees for our forests and ensures the orchard is healthy and productive to have a sustainable seed source for our reforestation program.

 

 

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