Trent University provides the opportunity to connect with professors during the early years of an undergraduate degree, both in the classroom and through summer research opportunities. In Chad Cuss’s case, Dr. Céline Guéguen, Canada research chair in aquatic sciences and biogeochemistry provided him with the opportunity to travel on board the CCGS icebreaker Louis St. Laurent as part of the 2007/08 International Polar Year.

“The research trip was oriented around the collection, analysis, and tracing of Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) from various depths and locations in the Canadian Arctic Ocean,” Mr. Cuss explains. “Without the leadership and mentorship of Professor Guéguen, it is likely that I would not have considered graduate studies. She has continuously inspired and challenged me to develop in my role as a researcher and in my leadership roles as a doctoral student working with undergraduate students and other fellow researchers.”

Hands-on Research Detects Changes in Vegetation

"It’s essential that undergraduates understand the why behind what they’re learning. Hands-on research experiences help deliver that understanding and clarity,” she says.

Take the work of Mr. Cuss as an example. In Canada, the tree line is moving further north. Because of climate change there’s less ice and snow. As a result, trees can cope and survive, which in turn is leading to a change in vegetation and landscape. Chad tries to detect the change in vegetation by examining water samples.

DOM is found in all natural waters and originates primarily through the degradation of plant and animal matter. As the source of most dissolved organic carbon and aquatic nutrients, DOM plays a vital role in global carbon cycles and as the primary food source at the base of aquatic food webs. Mr. Cuss’s research is focused on unearthing the relationships between DOM’s particle size, light absorption/emission properties and impact on environmental functions.

Towards that end, his initial undergraduate thesis and continuing graduate investigations require input and guidance from multiple parties.

Interdisciplinarity Crucial to Solving Environmental Problems

Because current methods for the study of DOM require the analysis of large data sets, the Mathematic Department’s Dr. Michelle Boué was “both inspiring and very helpful” in Mr. Cuss’s pursuit of chemometrics-related statistical methods and fundamentals. Mr. Cuss also worked early on with Dr. Peter Dillon from the Departments of Chemistry and Environmental & Resource Studies/Science, Dr. Shaun Watmough, associate professor in Environmental and Resource Studies/Science, and Dr. Eric Sager in the Ecological Restoration program.

“The environment is so complicated. Working in your lab alone, you won’t make much progress. Working in collaboration is where you make gains,” notes Prof. Guéguen.

Beginning during his undergraduate education, Mr. Cuss was provided with hands-on theoretical and practical research experience. “The multidisciplinary nature of research in the Environmental Life Sciences program also allows me to take an innovative, trans-disciplinary approach to learning, teaching, and research while promoting personal interaction with respected researchers in multiple fields of study,” Mr. Cuss adds.

Connecting research with teaching comes at a costly expense. That’s where funding support from the likes of the BMO Financial Group’s Future Green Leaders Fund plays an enormous role. Through this fund, Mr. Cuss has had the fortune of receiving matched support from the Ontario Graduate Scholarship program. “I am grateful for this support which has allowed me to focus my attention on research, while continuing to provide mentorship to future researchers. The financial freedom provided by BMO’s generous donation permitted me to invest time and effort into these important activities.”