Catching the Opportunities
Dr. Christine Murray (Class of ’88)

While attending NSAC, Dr. Christine Murray was a go-getter. She participated in all types of activities from intramural sports, to helping prepare animals for College Royal, Winter Carnival events, woodsman weekend events, social activities and even co-editing the yearbook in her final year. 

“I wanted to get the most out of my university experience as possible,” said Christine. “I threw myself into campus activities, enjoyed being involved, while also concentrating on academics.”

Following graduation from NSAC, Christine continued to be ambitious. She furthered her education, earning a PhD at the University of Guelph.  Today she is helping sustain a province's future agriculture and forestry industries.  

In her role as director of agricultural technologies, with Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions (Al Bio), Christine works with scientific research groups and evaluates projects for their scientific rigor and focus on key research areas. Al Bio is embracing and supporting new technologies and the creation of new ideas for the growing global bio-economy.

Christine didn’t secure this job immediately after receiving her PhD. First, her go-getter attitude landed her a job at Crop Diversification Centre South (CDCS). The CDCS, part of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, has been instrumental in horticulture and special crops research and has developed new crop varieties and new agronomic practices for Alberta and across Canada. The CDCS conducts research into crops including greenhouse vegetables, potatoes and pulses.

While at CDCS Christine had the opportunity to work with a lot of great scientists and had a hands-on role in the building of a state-of-the-art greenhouse.  “The people were the best part of that job,” said Christine.  “Scientists are very creative and passionate about their work.”

Christine has taken the experience from her previous jobs, her determined personality and put all her efforts into Al Bio.  She wants to build on Alberta's strengths in the health, energy and environment, technology and bio sectors.

“In next 10 years, Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions will be building on the many successes they have achieved and will have a growing dedicated research fund to draw upon. AI Bio will have funded a portfolio of excellent research,” is Christine and her colleagues vision of AI Bio.

During a recent visit to NSAC, Christine met with Dr. Alan Fredeen, ruminant nutritionist and professor at NSAC.

Alan loved Christine’s enthusiasm as an alumnus. “Christine exemplifies the spirit of NSAC grads and the high quality of students I've seen over the years at this university. In her current role, she is in the front row of funding opportunities for agricultural research and development in Alberta.  Christine exemplifies the value of initiative and a university education based on the NSAC advantage.”

The NSAC advantage applies to all of NSAC’s graduates, because they have the advantage of small class sizes, exceptional hands on training and the values that come along with this knowledge. 

It was NSAC that gave Christine the knowledge to start her career and bring her to where she is today.  Christine believes in the NSAC advantage.

“My time at NSAC was the beginning of many wonderful opportunities,” said Christine “Most importantly it made me realize the value of being interested, committed and willing to work hard. You need to throw yourself out there to catch the opportunities.”