ALES Research

Researcher demonstrates pipetting biochar in front of a black chalkboard

PhD candidate (Land Reclamation) and Vanier Scholar Abhijeet Pathy demonstrates research with biochar. Photo: U of A

Researchers in ALES turn science into solutions

The Faculty of ALES conducts robust research that provides solutions to global challenges in the areas of agriculture and food, the environment, community and individual well-being and bioresource innovation.

explore OUR research

Areas of research

Delve deeper into the breadth of research residing within the faculty’s four departments, which collectively encompasses the entire human experience.

Research projects

ALES hosts interdisciplinary research projects that bring together several faculty members. These projects often involve research partners from other faculties and institutions around the world.

Research centres and facilities

Our faculty has some of the most comprehensive agricultural and environmental research infrastructure and teaching facilities in the world. Find a list of our many units, centres, ranches and labs located across Alberta.

Find an expert

Our network of innovators is enriched by a diversity of subject expertise and backgrounds. Get to know our high-calibre faculty and staff, including those holding prestigious chair positions. 

Centres + Institutes

Alberta Land Institute

The Alberta Land Institute (ALI) is committed to conducting and funding research that supports and enhances land use policy in the province of Alberta and beyond.

Sustainability Council

The Sustainability Council is an academic leadership unit that works with all faculties to spark learning, discovery and citizenship for sustainability.

Our Latest News

Plant partnership: fungi help spruce trees fight off budworm attacks
Science and Technology, Research
Plant partnership: fungi help spruce trees fight off budworm attacks
New study could help researchers and industry boost forest resilience by taking advantage of natural symbiosis.
May 23, 2025
New research helps Alberta communities take fuel away from wildfires
Science and Technology, Research
New research helps Alberta communities take fuel away from wildfires
Study reveals highest-priority areas for removing trees and brush that heighten the threat to buildings.
April 01, 2025
Traditional diet shows promise for modern gut health
Health And Wellness, Research, Science and Technology
Traditional diet shows promise for modern gut health
Restoring the gut microbiome could help reduce risk of diabetes and heart disease, study shows.
March 13, 2025
From skydiving to seedlings: GoPro finds new use in forestry
Research, Science and Technology, Business
From skydiving to seedlings: GoPro finds new use in forestry
Using action cameras to track tree growth could save time and money for low-tech nurseries.
February 10, 2025
Researchers genetically engineer yeast to produce healthy fatty acid
Research, Health And Wellness, Science and Technology
Researchers genetically engineer yeast to produce healthy fatty acid
CRISPR-based technique could offer a way to produce more of the valuable fatty acid along with a protein supplement for food.
January 21, 2025
U of A innovators recognized with ASTech Awards
Science and Technology
U of A innovators recognized with ASTech Awards
Winning research projects showcase excellence in engineering, health tech, energy and environmental sustainability.
November 29, 2024
Leading nutrition expert aims to help women tip the scales in their favour against cancer
Science and Technology, Society and Culture, Research, Health And Wellness
Leading nutrition expert aims to help women tip the scales in their favour against cancer
Carla Prado is one of 11 new or renewed Canada Research Chairs at the U of A.
November 14, 2024
Are plants and fungi trading carbon for nutrients? Not likely, say researchers
Science and Technology, Research
Are plants and fungi trading carbon for nutrients? Not likely, say researchers
New study suggests economic analogies limit our understanding — and our ability to take advantage of a natural carbon sink.
October 01, 2024
Unusual mix of blazes sparked 2023 fire season, study shows
Research, Science and Technology
Unusual mix of blazes sparked 2023 fire season, study shows
Fierce season redefined what is possible under a warming climate, researcher warns.
August 14, 2024
3D printing heats up food safety
Business, Health And Wellness, Research, Science and Technology
3D printing heats up food safety
Experiment builds knowledge about increasing food safety in the rapidly developing technology.
June 18, 2024
North American boreal forest holds 31 per cent more trees than thought
Research, Science and Technology
North American boreal forest holds 31 per cent more trees than thought
New AI-enhanced estimate suggests the vast forests may have more potential to mitigate climate change.
May 13, 2025
Bioengineered red yeast turns wood waste into a valuable fatty acid
Research, Science and Technology
Bioengineered red yeast turns wood waste into a valuable fatty acid
Discovery could offer economic wins for forestry and food industries.
March 31, 2025
Alberta researchers aim to revolutionize animal feed
Science and Technology, Research
Alberta researchers aim to revolutionize animal feed
Gates Foundation backs U of A partnership with startup to turn coal-derived methanol into a more sustainable protein source.
March 10, 2025
Research could help focus efforts to restore habitat for threatened caribou
Research, Science and Technology
Research could help focus efforts to restore habitat for threatened caribou
Study guides industry and government in deciding where to step in to regrow forest along seismic lines in northern Alberta.
February 06, 2025
3D printability of pea protein shapes up with plasma treatment
Research, Science and Technology
3D printability of pea protein shapes up with plasma treatment
Innovation strengthens potential for using the low-cost, nutritious protein source in food products.
December 03, 2024
Growing grains and legumes in the same fields could be a win-win for crop performance and sustainability
Science and Technology, Research
Growing grains and legumes in the same fields could be a win-win for crop performance and sustainability
An innovative experiment shows promising results in different growing regions across Alberta.
November 21, 2024
New research will help beef producers use genetics to reduce methane emissions in cattle
Science and Technology, Research, Business
New research will help beef producers use genetics to reduce methane emissions in cattle
Project aims to make technology easier to adopt on the farm.
November 05, 2024
Helping hoverflies help crops
Science and Technology, Research
Helping hoverflies help crops
Treed borders provide a base for pollinating, pest-eating insect in crops, study shows.
September 24, 2024
New research offers fresh insights on why some clothes get smellier
Research, Science and Technology
New research offers fresh insights on why some clothes get smellier
Textile scientists simulate sweat to better understand how different fibres absorb and release odours.
July 08, 2024
From childhood fear to aviation innovation
Science and Technology, Business
From childhood fear to aviation innovation
Graduate’s expertise in biojet fuel drives his interest in renewable energy legislation.
June 10, 2024
Video Spotlight: Research in record time
Science and Technology, Health And Wellness, Research, Society and Culture
Video Spotlight: Research in record time
In the Three Minute Thesis competition, grad students showcase the impact of their research in compelling elevator pitches anyone can understand.
April 07, 2025
The ‘smartwear revolution’ begins: clothing with built-in sensors will improve balance, reduce injuries and support people with muscle weakness
Health And Wellness, Science and Technology, Research
The ‘smartwear revolution’ begins: clothing with built-in sensors will improve balance, reduce injuries and support people with muscle weakness
Interdisciplinary U of A team wins $24-million federal grant to advance the frontier of assistive technology.
March 19, 2025
Rheumatology enters the chat: research projects use AI and collaborative thinking to improve patient care
Research, Health And Wellness, Science and Technology
Rheumatology enters the chat: research projects use AI and collaborative thinking to improve patient care
Research to develop an empathetic chatbot and reduce a side-effect of anti-cancer drugs among 28 U of A projects receiving nearly $20 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
February 12, 2025
U of A ranked in the Top 100 worldwide in five subjects
Research, Business, Society and Culture, Science and Technology, Health And Wellness
U of A ranked in the Top 100 worldwide in five subjects
Excellence in a broad array of disciplines shows in Times Higher Education’s latest ranking.
January 22, 2025
U of A experts rank among world’s most influential researchers
Health And Wellness, Science and Technology, Research
U of A experts rank among world’s most influential researchers
A soil scientist whose work underscores the value of plant biodiversity in soil function is among 10 leading researchers cited most often in their fields.
December 03, 2024
Weight-loss drug found to shrink heart muscle in mice, human cells
Science and Technology, Health And Wellness, Research
Weight-loss drug found to shrink heart muscle in mice, human cells
U of A researchers urge caution about the unknown unintended negative health consequences of trendy anti-obesity medications.
November 18, 2024
Soil pH affects growth of destructive fungus in canola
Research, Science and Technology
Soil pH affects growth of destructive fungus in canola
Study suggests producers may need to balance practices to avoid inadvertently trading one crop disease for another.
October 28, 2024
New shirt developed by U of A researchers offers better protection for wildland firefighters
Research, Science and Technology, Health And Wellness
New shirt developed by U of A researchers offers better protection for wildland firefighters
Prototype’s 3D fabric provides air gaps to protect areas most vulnerable to burns.
September 05, 2024
Canadians and Europeans are leery of taking other countries’ CO2
Research, Science and Technology, Society and Culture, Business
Canadians and Europeans are leery of taking other countries’ CO2
Financial compensation for carbon storage does not override safety worries or perceived unfairness, U of A study shows.
July 04, 2024
Research comes to the rescue to make firefighters’ clothing safer
Science and Technology, Research, Health And Wellness
Research comes to the rescue to make firefighters’ clothing safer
Some fibres used in protective gear break down when exposed to warm water, studies show.
May 27, 2024