Dr. Karl C. Ivarson Alberta Agricultural Scholarship
These scholarships were established by Dr. Karl C. Ivarson to support students with a connection to his home province of Alberta in their pursuit of studies in agricultural sciences. They are awarded on the basis of academic achievement, areas of study, community involvement, career interests and letters of recommendation.
Applications for 2026 coming soon
Congratulations to our 2025 Recipients!
Congratulations 2025 Scholarship Recipients!
Alessia Marchesan: PhD Recipient
Alessia Marchesan, Ivarson PhD Scholarship Recipient
Alessia is a PhD candidate in Soil Science at the University of Alberta whose research focuses on evaluating alternative management practices within organic crop production that minimize tillage frequency. Her focus is on soil carbon storage potential, greenhouse gas mitigation, and physical soil quality.
Organic crop production has been considered a sustainable alternative to intensive conventional management, but significant research is needed to improve practices and make it a viable option for producers to adopt. Even though Alberta has the third-largest land area dedicated to organic production nationally, there is limited research specifically in Alberta for producers to access. With this research, Alessia hopes to provide evidence-based management practices that will innovate organic practices suitable for this specific region.
Alessia grew up in Calgary and attended the University of Alberta where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, Major in Land Reclamation. She is currently the research program manager for the Sustainable Land Ecosystems Lab and co-instructs courses in Soil Fertility and Sustainable Agriculture. She serves on the organizing committee for the Alberta Soil Science Workshop where she helps coordinate annual gatherings of soil scientists and agronomists in Alberta. Alongside her professional work, she is passionate about science outreach, mentoring undergraduate students and volunteering with elementary school education initiatives such as USchool to foster early engagement with soil and environmental science.
Through her role as a webinar and conference speaker with Organic Alberta, a non-profit, producer-centered organization, Alessia engages directly with the unique challenges and questions faced by organic producers in Alberta. These experiences inform her career goals of advancing sustainable agriculture in Alberta through research and science communication, ideally in tandem with research extension and industry.
Shane Collins, MSc Recipient
Shane Collins, Ivarson MSc Scholarship Recipient
Shane is a master’s student in the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Alberta. His research focuses on pre-harvest desiccation in spring wheat, with an emphasis on identifying alternative herbicides to glyphosate. While glyphosate has been widely used for pre-harvest applications, its continued use is under reconsideration due to the evolution of resistant weed species and increasing concerns of residues and food safety. In response, Shane and his colleagues are investigating alternative herbicide options that can effectively accelerate wheat dry-down, while simultaneously controlling late-season weeds. By doing so, their research aims to improve harvest efficiency and support sustainable food production.
Shane’s interest in agriculture and applied research stems from his rural childhood in Manning, Alberta, which is North-North in the Peace River Region. Growing up on a grain farm, he developed a love for anything outdoors, especially plants and soil. Due to the northern climate, Shane also witnessed firsthand how early snowfall and short growing seasons can disrupt harvest operations, reinforcing the relevance of this research for producers in Canada.
Beyond the family farm, Shane’s appreciation for agriculture grew through pursuing an undergraduate degree in Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Alberta. In the summer months, he returned to Manning to work at North Peace Applied Research Association, a local organization that supports farmers by testing novel crop types, seeding rates, fertilizers, and pest control strategies. These experiences furthered Shane’s excitement for sustainable agriculture and his desire to pursue a master’s degree in Renewable Resources.
When he is not working on his thesis paper, Shane enjoys sharing his passion for agriculture with others. He has participated in the Uschool program, leading youth through interactive soil experiments, and serves as a teaching assistant for Soil Fertility, guiding undergraduate students as they test the effects of nutrients on wheat growth in the greenhouse. Outside of agriculture and soil, Shane likes to golf and stay active with his friends and family.
Upon completing his master’s degree, Shane looks forward to sharing his knowledge with producers, helping to bridge the gap between large-scale farm operations and research-based agronomic solutions.
Ivarson ALberta Agricultural scholarshipS Past Recipients:
PhD RecipientS
2024 Claire Bertens, Univ of Saskatchewan
2023 Chantel Chizen, Univ of Saskatchewan
2022 Younyoung Lee, Univ of Calgary
2021 Kristina Polziehn, Univ of Alberta
2020 Jessica Sperber, Univ of Nebraska
2019 Kris Guenette, Univ of Alberta
2018 Cameron Olson, Univ of Alberta
2017 Amy Gainer, Univ of Saskatchewan
2016 Christine Rosser, Univ of Alberta
2015 Nandika Bandara, Univ of Alberta
2014 Alison Murata, Univ of Alberta
2013 Jovana Kovacevic, UBC
MSc RecipientS
2024 Adele Beaudoin, Univ of Alberta
2023 Sonja Bialobzyski, UBC
2022 Natalie LaForest, U of Alberta
2021 Warren McAuley, Univ Sask
2020 David MacTaggart, Univ Sask
2019 Nicole Zukiwsky, Univ of Alberta
2018 Nicole Briggs, Univ of Alberta
2017 Leanne Ejack, McGill University
2016 Mathew Vercaigne, U of Alberta
2015 Amy Mangin, Univ of Alberta
2014 Laurel Perrott, Univ of Alberta
2013 Christina Straathof, U of Alberta