Our research group
Our lab has exciting fully funded research projects for MSc and PhD graduate students to lead. Prospective graduate students with academic training and/or experience in agroecology, soil science, biogeochemistry, plant science, environmental sciences, and other relevant fields are encouraged to connect with me (kiraborden@trentu.ca) to discuss current and future opportunities in the lab.
Prospective graduate students are encouraged to take a look at:
Environmental & Life Sciences Graduate Program
Graduate Scholarships and Awards
We also seek enthusiastic undergraduate students enrolled at Trent University who would like to gain field and lab work experience. Reach out if interested!
Current lab members
Carling Serran, MSc
Lab Manager
Trent School of the Environment
Carling completed the B.Sc. in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems at Trent in 2023 and an MSc in the Borden Lab. He has experience working at several organic vegetable farms in the Guelph and Peterborough areas. At Trent, he has involved in the Trent Seed Saving Club and The Seasoned Spoon board, learning more about food sovereignty and how to strengthen our local food system. His research interests include belowground root interactions, nutrient cycling, and methods for farmers to mitigate climate change while making a living from their farm.
Radhika Rani
PhD Student
Environmental and Life Sciences, Trent
Radhika completed a BSc in Agriculture from Punjab Agricultural University, India. She then earned her MSc in Agricultural Sciences from the University of New Hampshire (UNH), USA, in 2025. Her MSc research focused on the effects of cultural practices, including plant growth regulators and cluster thinning, on table grape production and fruit quality. Radhika's PhD research will examine how sustainable farming practices can improve soil health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance crop resilience in urban and peri-urban agricultural systems. Her work will include field studies at Trent Farm and across the Greater Toronto Area. Radhika holds a Canada Impact+ Research Training Award.
Outside the lab and field, Radhika enjoys cooking, attending events around town with friends, and embroidery.
Dr. Kira Borden
Assistant Professor
Trent School of the Environment
I am an agroecologist with expertise in plant-soil interactions, plant functional ecology, and biogeochemical cycling. I've conducted my research over a range of agricultural environments that feature more plant diversity (such as with cover crops, intercropped vegetables, and various forms of agroforestry) across Canada, West Africa, and the Caribbean. Prior to my position at Trent, I earned my PhD from the University of Toronto and led research at The University of British Columbia and University of Guelph as an NSERC-Banting postdoctoral fellow.
I am thrilled to join the Trent School of the Environment and am leading several new research projects financially supported by NSERC (Discovery and Alliance grants), Trent University, and OMAFRA.
Dr. Adriano Roberto
Research Associate
Trent School of the Environment
Adriano Roberto is a plant ecologist with expertise in plant facilitation, environmental stressors, and plant invasion. He earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Science and Master of Environmental Science in Conservation and Biodiversity at the University of Toronto Scarborough, where he also recently defended his PhD in Environmental Sciences. His doctoral research explored how plant traits, species interactions, and environmental conditions influence green roof performance and urban rooftop food production. His research interests include understanding how plants respond to environmental stress, how interactions among species shape plant growth and productivity, and how these ecological processes can inform sustainable urban agriculture.
Adriano is currently leading the establishment of an integrated suite of GHG and plant ecophysiology instruments for multiple on-going research projects.
Dilrukshi Kombala Liyanage
PhD candidate, University of Guelph
co-supervised with Dr. Claudia Wagner-Riddle
Dilrukshi earned her bachelor's degree in agricultural science from the University of Wayamba in Sri Lanka. She then earned her Master of Science in plant science from the University of Alberta in 2022, investigating the effects of drought stress on soybean. Her persistent interest in agriculture prompted her to pursue a Ph.D. in Environmental science at the University of Guelph. She aims to understand how the use of cover crop mixtures could optimize the greenhouse gas reduction benefit through increased diversity and complementary root-soil interactions of different species. Her long-term educational goal is to contribute to research on greenhouse gas emissions reduction. When not in the lab or the field, Dilrukshi enjoys painting, cooking and reading.
Sajana Pandey
MSc Student
Environmental and Life Sciences, Trent
co-supervised with Dr. David Pelster, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Sajana is leading research through the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Research Affiliate Program and the Living Labs, Ontario program. Sajana holds a BSc in Horticulture from Tribhuvan University, Nepal and a postgraduate certificate in Sustainable Agriculture from Fleming College in Lindsay, ON. Some of Sajana's previous applied research involves evaluating the impact of mulching on summer squash production in Nepal. Her MSc research interests include sustainable soil management practices in agricultural systems to improve climate resilience. Outside of academics, Sajana enjoys spending time in nature and engaging in outdoor activities experiences that keep me grounded and inspired.
Liz Lukic
Research Assistant
BSc in Environmental and Resource Science, Trent
Liz is an undergraduate student in the Environmental and Resource Science program at Trent University with an interest in greenhouse gas emissions. She is especially drawn to fieldwork and enjoys learning innovative methods to better understand what is happening beneath the soil surface.
Liz enjoys being part of hands-on research that bridges scientific questions to real-world environmental challenges. She is excited to keep exploring how different agricultural practices can help reduce emissions and contribute to more sustainable food systems.
When she is not in the field or the lab, you will likely find her outside hiking, exploring, or just spending time in nature!
Tia Beckford
BSc Honours Thesis
BSc in Environmental and Resource Science, Trent
Tia is an undergraduate student in the Environmental and Resource Science program at Trent University. She was awarded a Trent School of Environment Internship Award to conduct research at the Trent Farm Research Centre. Tia is interested in better understanding how farming systems can become more sustainable through science, research and holistic approaches. She is particularly interested in how different agricultural practices can influence environmental outcomes, soil health, and crop productivity in the context of climate change and food system security. Outside of the lab, Tia enjoys hiking, camping, gardening and exploring everything the earth has to offer!
Previous lab members
MSc theses
Victoria Vanslyke (2023-2026) - current position: Trial Manager DLF Canada
Aleisha Cassidy (2023-2025) - current position: Agricultural & Nature Specialist, Severn Sound Environmental Association
Undergraduate research assistants
Shreema Satra (2025-2026)
Nathan Gillespie (2024-2026)
Angus McBride (2025)
Athena Wang (2024)
Undergraduate placement students
Athena Wang (2024)
Maxwell Dowsett (2024)