Behind the Lab: Spotlight on Katie Devenny, Research Assistant
By Katie Devenny
Summer is here! Another school year come and gone with a warm summer to reflect on the past and plan for the future. Looking back, I feel more thankful than ever for all the opportunities and experiences that led me this way. I had an active childhood paddling on the Ottawa River and camping throughout Ontario’s Provincial Parks, resulting in a love for the outdoors and a respect for natural waterways.
My passion for the environment led me to pursue an undergraduate degree in Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo, where the Co-Op program helped point me in the direction of the Christmas Tree Lab. The more I learn about the Christmas Tree Lab and Dr. Leonard’s various research and achievements, the more passionate I become. I know I will learn a lot this summer and have a fantastic time doing it with the Christmas Tree Lab team.
I’ve spent the past five months doing a semester abroad in Singapore, where I met many new people, tried new food, and adjusted to a new climate. I was fortunate enough to travel around Southeast Asia during my time abroad and found that what everyone says is true: you do learn a lot by travelling! The importance of water was plain to see in every new place I visited. The Mekong River was especially interesting, as I saw it in two of the six countries it passes through. Learning that each country with access to it pulls water from it and discharges it back into it at different capacities sparked my interest in water policy.
The courses I took in Singapore broadened my perspective on water treatment as well. Here in Canada, we mainly use ground and surface water, whereas Singapore uses saltwater desalination and wastewater reclamation to provide clean water to its population. It was so fascinating to learn about, as I had never really considered that other countries would need to have different methods for treating water.
Overall, I am eager for my research surrounding the impacts of climate change on the Christmas tree industry and the role that water has in the results. I look forward to all the relationships I will gain this summer in the Christmas Tree Lab and all the skills I will develop as a research assistant.