Dr. Isabelle Aicklen has been named the new Ontario Bean Growers (OBG) professor in weed management at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College (OAC).
Based at the University’s Ridgetown College campus, Aicklen brings a wealth of experience to the role, the university says. She completed her BSc and Ph.D. at the University of Guelph, where her research focused on herbicide resistance in green pigweed populations in southwestern Ontario. Her work provided critical insights into effective weed management strategies for Ontario growers.
She has previously worked at Cargill, Syngenta Canada, and Bayer CropScience, where she gained firsthand experience in agronomy, pest management, and grower engagement, notes a U of G release.
Aicklen’s hiring is made possible through funding from OBG and an anonymous donor, with the goal of advancing weed management research and supporting the province’s dry bean industry. OBG will contribute $660,000 towards an industry investment of $2 million in the weed management professorship position over ten years. The investment will also support Huron Research Station.
Aicklen will take over the weed research duties from recently retired Dr. Peter Sikkema who led weed research in edible beans for many years. Sikkema earned his nomination to the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2021.
Aicklen’s research will directly benefit Ontario’s bean growers by identifying innovative and sustainable solutions for weed management. She will also play a key role in teaching and mentoring students in Ridgetown’s diploma programs, helping to train the next generation of agricultural professionals.
“OAC and U of G have a world-class reputation in agricultural research, and I am excited to be part of this legacy,” says Aicklen. “With its strong ties to Ontario’s agricultural community, Ridgetown Campus is the perfect place for me to contribute to the advancement of weed science.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Aicklen to Ridgetown,” says Brett Shepherd, director of U of G’s Ridgetown Campus. “Her expertise in weed science and passion for knowledge-sharing will be an incredible asset to our diploma students, who will gain hands-on experience in the latest weed management strategies.”
