November 10-13, 2025: Visit of Dr. Beth Richardson, Canada to UJEP and presentation of G6094 activities

On November 10–13, 2025, Dr. Beth Richardson, microbial ecologist and environmental DNA specialist from Mount Royal University (Calgary, Canada), visited the Faculty of Environment, UJEP within the Visiting Scholar Program. Her research focuses on using environmental DNA (eDNA) to study microbiomes in landscapes undergoing reclamation in the oil-contaminated sites, including Athabasca Oil Sands Region.

During her stay, facilitated by Prof. Valentina Pidlisnyuk, Dr. Richardson delivered two lectures for students, PhD candidates, and faculty members: a) using eDNA methods for microbial reclamation in Canada’s North – an overview of eDNA sequencing techniques and their role in monitoring bioremediation success; and b) protists in the spotlight: Highlighting the eukaryotic contribution to the reclamation microbiome – a presentation on the often-overlooked importance of eukaryotic microbes in reclamation. The second lecture was virtually attended by G6094 partners from TVHNPU (Ukraine) and KazNU (Kazakhstan).

As part of the program, Dr. Richardson visited the Miscanthus research fields in Chomutov, where advanced M×g Phytotechnologies are being tested. She met with Dr. Sergej Ust’ak, Director of the Agrifood Research Centre, and learned about ongoing collaborative research with UJEP. She also supported PhD students with soil and plant sampling from Miscanthus plantations.

During meetings with NATO G6094 Phytotechnology team at UJEP, including Prof. Pidlisnyuk, NPD; Dr. Karim Suhail Al Souki, PhD students Katrien Booney, Abdulmannan Rouchani, Ghazwa Basma, Batoul Hamade, opportunities for integrating eDNA methods into ongoing UJEP studies were explored. The team also examined the potential impacts of wastewater sludge, used as a phytoremediation amendment, on the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes in soil. She was toured the research framework and laboratories at UJEP with Dr. Jiri Orava, Head of the Department and Dr. Karim Al Souki; the potential of carrying out eDNA extraction work using the facilities at UJEP was discussed.

The visit was supported by the UJEP Visiting Scholar Program and NATO SPS MYP G6094.