Researchers & Staff of the CRC

Dr. Rajasekaran R. Lada

"Director of the Christmas Tree Research Centre, AIF Project Director, Director of IP, Leader of platform 2 (Needle Abscission Physiology & Needle Abscission Prevention Technologies) and the Department Head for Environmental Sciences, NSAC"

Dr. Andrew Schofield

"Senior Research Associate, Leader of research platform 1 - Tree Genetics and SMART Christmas Tree Molecular Breeding"

Dr. Mason MacDonald

"Post Doctoral Fellow - Artificial Root Technologies"

Mason completed his B.Sc. in Environmental Science at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 2004. Then switching disciplines, Mason completed his Masters degree in plant biology and physiology from Dalhousie (in collaboration with NSAC) in 2006. Upon completing his Masters, Mason was awarded the governor general’s gold medal for excellence in research, teaching, and academics. Most recently, Mason received his PhD in Plant Biology from Laval University in 2010. He has currently co-authored 7 academic papers, numerous abstracts, and mentored 14 high school science projects for regional and national competition while teaching statistics at NSAC. Outside of university, Mason enjoys competing in local commercial hockey and softball leagues.

Dr. Allison Hayward

"Post Doctoral Fellow - Needle Abscission physiology"

Allison, a native of Grand Bend Ontario, received her undergraduate degree from Trent University in Biology in 2007 and skipping a masters, went right into a Ph.D. program. Defending her thesis in October of 2011 she successfully completed her project in Environmental and Life sciences and received her Doctorate distinction.  Her Ph.D. focused on physiological mechanisms in metal stress adaption of plants. Looking into physiological stress, Allison gained an extensive background in plant hormones, particularly cytokinin and abscisic acid. Allison has logged many hours on a tandem mass spectrometer developing methods for highly sensitive metabolite analysis. She has mentored a number of fourth year students during their honours thesis projects, some of which went on to produce publications and continue in research and academia.

Rachel Kennedy

"Program Administrative Officer"

Rachel grew up in a large farming family in the Annapolis Valley. Through living in the region, family connections and 4-H, she was exposed to the many production industries, such as; beef, dairy, sheep, poultry, vegetable, fruit, and woodlot management. By working on the family farm she gained knowledge of small business operations.

Graduating with honors from Northeast Kings Education Centre in 2004, Rachel went on to attend the Nova Scotia Agriculture College. Majoring in Plant Science with a minor in Agricultural Business, Rachel graduated in 2008 with a Bronze Distinctions Award and the title of Life Class President. In her time at the NSAC Rachel completed her fourth year project research on the effects of altering the microclimate of the grape fruiting zone to improve yield and vine growth. Upon graduating Rachel went on to work for the Canadian Research Chair in Organic Agriculture, Dr. Derek Lynch, at the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada.  In her two and a half years at the OACC Rachel held the position of Lab/Field Research Technician and Lab Manager.

Leona Perry

"Financial Clerk"

Azure Adams

"Scientific Officer and Laboratory Manager"

Following one year of studies at Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS, Azure completed two diplomas in Agricultural Business and Agricultural Technology at the Nova Scotia Agriculture College in 1998.  Azure went on to begin her research career in 1998, working with the Processing Carrot Research Program (PCRP) as a Research Technician. In 2003, Azure moved into the role of Scientific Officer for the Ecophysiology Research Group (ERG) and continued her success by becoming the lab manager and technician for the Christmas Tree Research Program, in September 2009. Once settled in at the newly developed center, her research began by investigating the role of cold acclimation on needle retention in Balsam Fir Christmas trees.    Azure also maintains a teaching role as lab instructor for an undergraduate course, Plant Ecophysiology, with the Department of Plant and Animal Science at the Nova Scotia Agriculture College.  

Scott Veitch

"Research Assistant and Orchard Manager"

Upon completing his Bachelor of Science (Agr) at the Nova Scotia Agriculture College in 2003, Scott went on to further his education by earning his Masters in 2005, also at the Nova Scotia Agriculture College in association with Dalhousie University, specializing in of Agriculture Sciences. Both degrees were completed in the fields of horticulture and agronomy, where he has since obtained numerous career positions and experience.

Scotts passion for plants was given him the opportunity to gain experience with various crops, management and fertility practices related to the specific crops, and different production methods.  His research work has allowed him to work closely with various industry partners, present findings at different conferences in North America, and provide opportunities to publish scientific articles in various journals worldwide.  Scotts’ current work has is looking at effects of LEDs and cold acclimation on needle retention of Balsam fir.  While working at the CRC, Scott will also remain involved with research looking at carrot bulking and the physiology as the effects of nitrogen on carrot bulking. Also being examined, is the effects of seeding date, seeding rate and harvest date effects on carrot bulking and physiology.

Aru Thiagarajan

"Doctoral Student - Cold Acclimation"

Aru joins the Christmas Tree Research Center with eight years of research experience in plant sciences and 2 years of experience in software technologies. His area of expertise resides under the two major fields of plant physiology and informatics. During Arus’ education he has earned himself two Master’s degrees in the fields of environmental sciences and agricultural microbiology. While with CRC, Aru will be doing his research on uncovering the relationship between the cold acclimation and post harvest needle retention in balsam fir as a part of his doctoral degree. More specifically he will be investigating the hormonal changes that occur due to cold acclimation in relation to needle retention.

Ernest Korankye

"Masters Student - Needle Volatiles"

Ernest was born and raised in a farming community in the Ashanti region of Ghana, where his interest in agriculture has its roots. He completed his Bachelor of Science (Agr.) in 2009, with a major in molecular biology from the College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences, University of Ghana. Upon completion of his degree, his motivated interest in research lead him to take on a one year national service with the department of crop science (biotechnology center), University of Ghana, where he served as a research and teaching assistant. Through this process he was introduced to NSAC and won a graduate research assistantship to do his masters in plant science. Over his time at the NSAC, Ernest has worked on apples and cabbages and has since switched his research to Balsam fir with the Christmas tree Research Center (CRC). At CRC, his research focuses on the characterization and physiological significance of volatile terpenes in needle abscission of postharvest balsam fir.

Mark Schooten

"Masters Student - Cold Acclimation"

Melissa Georgeson

"Masters Student - Needle Abscission"

Melissa Georgeson graduated from Saint Mary’s University, Halifax in 2010 with a B.Sc. in Biology and Co-op. After working two summers at the Nova Scotia Agriculture College through the Co-op program, she realized that the NSAC was where she wanted to continue her education. Originally from Pictou, Nova Scotia, Melissa moved to Truro to pursue her Masters at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. Her current project work focuses on the relationship between plant nutrition in respect to Balsam Fir and its effect post-harvest needle abscission. Outside of school Melissa’s interests range from art to outdoor activities such as hiking and camping.

Robin MacInnes

"Masters Student