Environmental and Life Sciences master’s student Scott Stebbing has gone from studying the impacts of critical minerals on an Ontario lake ecosystem to contributing to research addressing groundwater security and sustainability in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s largest delta spanning more than four million hectares. 

Scott’s connection to Vietnam began when he met Tri Nguyen from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT). Tri was visiting Trent through the Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) program for his master’s research at the EnIGMA lab. 

“We discovered a shared interest in studying trace elements, although in very different natural ecosystems of the world,” recalls Scott. “Tri studies the UNESCO-recognized Can Gio mangrove forest in Vietnam, whereas my study site is an urban lake in Ontario.” 

Scott’s research examines the geochemical cycling of rare earth elements, a group of priority critical elements for both Canada and Vietnam, in aquatic ecosystems and their bioaccumulation within aquatic food webs to better support the sustainable development of this essential sector of our economies. 

“Trading field stories with Tri in the lab sparked my interest in international research to contribute to environmental science investigations in the Mekong Delta, home to 19 million people but highly vulnerable to climate change and sustainability challenges,” said Scott.  

Researching water security in the Mekong Delta

Through the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholars (QES) program, Scott received funding to join HCMUT’s AQUAS research group under the supervision of Dr. Quang Khai Ha. The research team is investigating environmental challenges in the Mekong Delta, including groundwater contamination by trace elements, particularly arsenic, as well as the impacts of groundwater extraction, land subsidence, saltwater intrusion, and rising sea levels on freshwater availability. 

“Before arriving in Vietnam, I wasn’t fully aware of the complex environmental challenges the region is facing,” said Scott. “Presentations from leading researchers at HCMUT helped me understand the scale and interconnected nature of these issues, while also showing me how advanced modelling tools can support groundwater assessment and management.”  

During his placement, Scott joined Tri and the AQUAS lab team on several field expeditions across the provinces, where he helped collect groundwater and environmental samples for ongoing research projects. The samples will be analyzed at Trent University for several water-quality parameters, and the results will be integrated with socio-economic factors to guide future policy development and climate-resilience planning for this region. 

“The region is much larger and more ecologically diverse than my study site in Canada,” Scott explains. “The fieldwork provided many unique sampling opportunities and invaluable hands-on experience. It was also a great opportunity to bond with the lab team and the local communities, as I adapted to the culture and became more immersed in life in Vietnam.”  

Building international research connections

Scott’s exchange was part of the United Global Plan of Action for One Health and One Climate, a project led by Trent University with the International Institute for Environmental Studies (IIES). 

“The Queen Elizabeth Scholars program gives students the opportunity to learn beyond their home context by engaging with diverse perspectives and leading researchers in a truly interdisciplinary environment,” said Dr. Huy Dang, associate professor in environmental chemistry at Trent University and co-director of IIES. “While international experiences can present language, technical, and cultural challenges, they are often transformative, equipping students to become future environmental leaders who advocate for global collaboration and strengthen people-to-people ties.” 

Scott also presented his Ontario-based research to scientists at the Center for Asian Research on water (CARE), exchanging ideas with researchers tackling similar questions in different environmental and cultural contexts. 

“Those exchanges broadened my perspective greatly and showed me how my research can be applied in other regions of the world,” said Scott. “I’m especially grateful to have met Tri, Dr. Khai Ha and the entire AQUAS team.  Receiving QES funding allowed me to build valuable professional relationships beyond Trent and establish an international network that will support future collaborations.”