From March to August 2024, Garima Lakhanpal spent five months in Ireland as part of a collaborative research initiative between the Teagasc Research Centre and the University of Waterloo. Their international research placement centred on fieldwork at two key study sites within the Teagasc network, where they conducted a range of hands-on activities including field experiments, data collection, and laboratory analysis. This work formed a critical part of Garima's graduate research and allowed them to engage directly with the physical and environmental conditions she is studying.
Garima worked under the guidance of their advisor, Dr. Owen Fenton, a leading researcher based at Teagasc’s Johnstown Castle, along with his experienced team. Dr. Fenton's mentorship and access to advanced research infrastructure played an essential role in shaping the direction and impact of their project. The experience not only expanded her technical and analytical skillset but also immersed Garima in a new academic and cultural environment, deepening her understanding of agricultural systems and water quality research in a global context. The connections Garima forged and the knowledge gained will continue to inform their research long after their return to Canada.
Graduate Student International Experience award funds are available to University of Waterloo graduate students who participate in:
- An academic exchange
- A study term abroad related to research or an academic requirement
- Work or volunteer experience in another country