New research manager plans to use international experience to advantage

Officially, her new title is Research Manager at the Crops and Livestock Research Centre. But sitting in her office overlooking the research grounds in Charlottetown, Dr. Maria Rodriguez calls it a dream job. “Prince Edward Island is the place to be if you’re interested in agriculture and looking for an excellent quality of life for your family,” says Rodriguez.  “It just feels so good to be here.”

The Venezuelan-born Rodriguez is the ninth research manager in the centre’s 100-year history. She arrives at the centre at a time when Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is expanding its research focus. While scientists continue to investigate better ways to control insects and diseases and improve crops and animal health, the department is also using new technologies, an increased emphasis on collaboration with partners and a growing understanding of agriculture’s potential to create benefits that go beyond the sector. Those benefits include better health, a cleaner environment, safer food and a range of innovative new products that can grab consumer interest in a competitive global marketplace, and provide opportunities to diversify agriculture in the region and increase the profitability of farmers.

Rodriguez brings an extensive background in agricultural science, trade policy and food inspection to the job. Rodriguez grew up in Miranda state, in the valleys of Central Venezuela, and later moved to Anzoategui state in the Eastern Plains. She earned a degree in agronomic engineering from the Universidad Central de Venezuela. She co-managed a family farm, taught as a university lecturer, and worked as a farm consultant in that country. She came to Canada in 1992 and worked on various research contracts to do clinical trials for veterinary drugs. She also undertook a PhD in animal physiology at McGill University.

Her thesis on the effects of electric and magnetic fields from major power lines on the physiology of dairy cows was the result of a joint research project involving Hydro Quebec, McGill University, the Province of Quebec and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. From there, she went to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency where she was a senior policy advisor for the Fish Inspection Program.

Rodriguez joined Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in 2006, where she worked in food safety and quality policy and in international trade policy before becoming Deputy Director for Latin America and Caribbean trade policy. She says her 28-year career has given her the kind of experience that should mesh well with research in a province where trade is such a big part of agriculture and where seafood is so closely linked. “There is a strong link between agriculture and trade here,” says Rodriguez.  “In line with the department’s research plan, I would like to explore opportunities for scientific cooperation with international research institutes and with other countries in trade-related areas.” In the meantime, she wants to get to know the industry on Prince Edward Island and across the region. “I want to get acquainted with our clients, with our staff, with our partners, with the issues and the region. Good relationships are important for good research. For me, it is very important to understand the context where we work and the needs of the sector.”  The Crops and Livestock Research Centre includes the 65-hectare Home Farm in Charlottetown and 330-hectare Harrington Research Farm.

Rodriguez says the department and the research centre are focusing on strengthening the management of collaborative partnerships with research collaborators.  The goal is to maximize the research benefits coming out of the partnerships.

For example, the centre also has three scientists working on a research team at the Institute for Nutrisciences and Health in Charlottetown that includes researchers from the National Research Centre and the University of PEI.