Quincy Clark graduated from Algoma University in 2023 with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology and has since continued her academic journey as a Master’s student at Algoma. Drawn back by the meaningful connections she formed with faculty—especially her supervisor, Dr. Pedro Antunes—Quincy was eager to dive deeper into research and contribute to projects that have real-world impact.
While part of her undergraduate experience took place online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Quincy credits her Master’s program with providing the well-rounded academic environment she had been seeking. “It was difficult to build relationships during the pandemic, but the Master’s program gave me the chance to really connect with people and be part of the university community,” she shares.
As part of her graduate research, Quincy has partnered with Algoma Steel Inc. to study plant and fungal resilience in post-industrial environments. Her work focuses on steel manufacturing slag—a byproduct characterized by high pH and low nutrient availability. Despite these harsh conditions, vegetation has begun to colonize slag-affected areas, sparking questions about the ecological mechanisms at play.
Through greenhouse trials using Lactuca sativa (lettuce) and DNA metabarcoding of fungal ITS regions, Quincy’s research explores the role of fungal communities in supporting plant growth. Her findings are helping to uncover how fungi adapt to degraded landscapes and could inform future efforts in vegetation recovery and phytoremediation on contaminated or disturbed sites.
Among the highlights of her graduate experience is the network she’s built—both within academia and industry. Co-founding the Graduate Student Club has strengthened her peer connections, while her collaboration with Algoma Steel has opened doors to potential job opportunities.
“The skills I’ve developed through this program have prepared me for a variety of roles, including those in project management,” she says. “Algoma’s graduate programs offer the practical experience and networking opportunities necessary to thrive in today’s increasingly competitive job market.”
If you are interested in learning more about graduate programs at Algoma U, please visit the Graduate Programs website.
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