Horticulture Student selected for Fulbright Internship
March 31, 2026Congratulations to Ella McGrath!
Third‑year Horticulture and Global Resource Systems student Ella McGrath received a 2026 Fulbright internship. Through her Fulbright Internship, Ella applied for, and was awarded a Mitacs Globalink Research Internship. Mitacs partners with Fulbright Canada to match U.S. student applicants with research projects hosted by Canadian academic-institution faculty members in a variety of academic disciplines.
About Ella:
Ella has worked with Dr. Dior Kelley for the past three years on the characterization of auxin response factor genes in maize roots. Through her work, she has earned the American Society of Plant Biologists Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, and third place among undergraduates for her poster presentation at the 2026 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Day.
In addition to her research achievements, Ella has participated in numerous study‑abroad experiences, including trips to the United Nations in Rome, a semester in Costa Rica, three weeks in India, and an upcoming study experience in Antarctica in January 2027.
Following graduation, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in plant science, with the goal of developing solutions to agricultural challenges related to food insecurity and climate change.
Mitacs Project:
This summer, Ella will work with Dr. Jane Morrison at Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke, Quebec, on a project titled “Evaluation of Biodiverse Hedgerows in Organic Agriculture.” Her research will assess the applicability of hedgerows compared to mowed grass in organic farming systems. She will evaluate ecosystem services of these hedgerows based on pollinator support, pest control, soil health, moisture retention, and crop yields. Further, she will integrate field data with farmer priorities to develop a decision‑making tool to help farmers determine if hedgerows are worth the investment.
Follow this link for more information information on Mitacs Globalink Research Internships: https://www.mitacs.ca/our-programs/globalink-research-internship-students/