Newest College Chair Putting Irrigation Research Into Motion
LETHBRIDGE – Lethbridge College welcomed its first fully-funded applied research chair on Tuesday.
Dr. Willemijn Appels, originally from the Netherlands, joined the Mueller Irrigation Science program earlier this year. Before moving to Lethbridge, she was working with the University of Saskatchewan on detailed hydrological processes at reclamation sites in northern Alberta oil sands projects.
Only months into her tenure, Dr. Appels has already undertaken a number of projects that include monitoring soil dynamics in canola fields, researching different irrigation methods and how technology can make water management more sophisticated.
“You’re not just doing desk studies. We’re working on things that could be applied and help move the irrigated agriculture sector of this province forward,” she noted.