now get a lot of satisfaction when scientists and science projects are successful,” Grace said. He is also responsible for the national file on biodiversity. In this role, he assists in the selection and management of research projects in biodiversity at all 19 research centres.
“It is especially important to have genetically diverse organisms available as we face significant climatic changes.”
In addition to research on the effects of agricultural and natural ecological systems on each other, biodiversity is promoted through such means as maintenance of seed banks and numerous strains of live poultry, and cryopreservation of reproductive tissues of other farm animals.
Research undertaken at PARC and elsewhere generally falls into two broad, sometimes overlapping categories—projects for public good and industry-driven projects. Examples of public-good projects include long-term soil erosion studies and research on adaptation to climate change.
“The development of new varieties of crops or improved food processing is considered to be industry-driven projects,” Grace said.
Each research proposal that crosses his desk undergoes both scientific and management review. “In the past few years, there has been an increasing emphasis on working closer with industry, especially in having them set priorities and manage projects,” he said.
Following the successful Matching Investment Initiative, the Growing Forward program was announced last year.
Under this program the federal government has made approximately $140 million available for industry led agricultural research projects across the country, including awards to the Okanagan Plant Improvement Corporation and the B.C. Wine Grape Council announced earlier this year. While Grace focuses on research, the two managers endeavour to create and maintain the environment necessary for good work.
“My wide-ranging duties include hiring technical staff and assigning them to programs. It’s important that the scientists have the people they
need. I also hire general labourers and the farm crews,” MacKenzie said. She is also responsible for the research side of the budget and all health and safety issues such as laboratory protocols, chemical storage and access to proper clothing and gear.
When Grace can’t make meetings or interact with visiting groups, she stands in for him.
A native of B.C., MacKenzie earned a Master of Pest Management at Simon Fraser University followed by a PhD in entomology with a speciality in berry pollination from Cornell University in 1993. In the same year, she was appointed as a research scientist at the Kentville, Nova Scotia, centre where much of her work was on cranberry tipworm and the recognition and importance of native bees as pollinators.
“I am especially proud of my work on the use of alfalfa leaf cutter bees for pollination of lowbush blueberries. It created a new option for growers in places such as north eastern New Brunswick and parts of Quebec where it is difficult to keep honey bees,” MacKenzie said. She gained management experience by serving as project leader or principle investigator on many research investigations and more recently, as acting research manager at Kentville. She also took courses in
management for new executives and human relations.
As a scientist, she understood the critical role a healthy atmosphere plays in fostering good research. “In order to influence that I had to go into management and I also wanted to return to B.C.,” McKenzie said, explaining why she applied for the position at PARC.
She considers the most effective managers to be those who encourage staff to do their best without getting in their way.
“It’s not always easy,” she said. As a first step at PARC, MacKenzie met with each of the professional scientists individually in order to become personally acquainted and understand their professional issues. She holds frequent meetings with professional staff and less frequent meetings with all members of staff. “Good communication is the key to keeping things run smoothly.”
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