Innovation Needs We Address Integrated Agriculture Technology Centre Logo

At the Integrated Agriculture Technology Centre (IATC), we’re meeting the demand for quality applied research into aquaculture and aquaponic practices specifically adapted to northern geographical locations. We have over 20,000 sq ft of controlled-environment agriculture facilities, including our internationally renowned Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (ACE) and our on-campus research greenhouse, the Centre for Sustainable Food Production (CSFP). Our unique facilities and technical expertise allow us to offer pre-commercial validation opportunities for commercial application and exploration of a variety of integrated food production techniques.

As one of Alberta’s eight Tech-Access Centre’s, the IATC connects industry with technologies and research expertise at Lethbridge College. We serve small- and medium-sized enterprises by providing applied research and technical services to solve challenges, as well as specialized training on the latest equipment and emerging technologies.

Our Research

Our greenhouse operations, biosecure isolation facilities, water recirculation technologies, and water quality testing provide a solid foundation for a variety of aquatic-and aquaponic-based research, particularly in: 

  • aquaponics
  • recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS)
  • RAS ecosystem health
  • RAS water quality
  • water conservation
  • waste management
  • aerobic bioreactor technology
  • novel micro filtration systems (biochar)
  • greenhouse techniques and technologies 

IATC Projects & News

Current Projects

Optimized Yield, Quality and Power Consumption with Full Spectrum LED Lights in Greenhouse Production Systems

Results Driven Agriculture has funded a three-year greenhouse lighting trial that will take place in the Centre for Sustainable Food Production (CSFP) research greenhouse. This project is also supported by three of our valued industry partners; Tamura Imports, Current Prairie Horticulture Inc. and Vivent SA.  

 

Aquaponics Design Study

Commissioned by a private company in a First Nations Community in Western Canada to design a coupled aquaponics system to produce leafy greens and strawberries for local markets. 

 

Ongoing Consultation 

The IATC team provides ongoing consultation to various clients made up of private aquaponic, hydroponic and aquaculture producers.  
 

Henderson Lake Water Quality Monitoring  

Since 2009, Henderson Lakes water quality and plankton profile has been monitored to gauge the effectiveness and impact of lake management changes and decisions. Lake conditions continue to improve, and positive change has been realized through continued monitoring and assessment of lake conditions between April and September each year. This is an ongoing project in concert with the City of Lethbridge. 

Past Projects

Please visit our online research projects database to review past projects.

News & Stories

Apr 25, 2023
Lethbridge College Receives Funding for Greenhouse Lighting Research Project

Mar 21, 2023
Sunterra Greenhouse, Lethbridge College Researchers Make Discoveries to Support the Greenhouse Industry

Oct 4, 2021
RDAR Commits $783K to Grow Alberta’s Burgeoning Ag Tech Sector with Sunterra Greenhouse and Lethbridge College

Aug 17, 2021
Lethbridge College Research Project Fishes Answers Sturgeon Diseases

Apr 21, 2021
Lethbridge College Aquaponics Research Display All Granary Road

Mar 16, 2021
Lethbridge College Launches Aquaponics Training

Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (ACE)

Aquaculture research at Lethbridge College began in 1989 with our studies on the effectiveness of triploid grass carp in controlling rooted aquatic vegetation in irrigation canals. From this foundation the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence was created in 1999 and the Centre for Sustainable Food Production followed in 2019. The years of research expertise and technical know-how in these fields have had an immensely positive impact on the field of aquaculture, aquaponics, greenhouse techniques and technologies, and more. Learn more about this history and the key technological impacts our work has contributed to.

Dr. Savidov’s Research Documents

  • 2004 IDS Initiative Fund Final Report: evaluation and development of aquaponics production and product market capabilities in Alberta Phase I - view report
     
  • 2005 IDS Initiative Fund Final Report: evaluation and development of aquaponics production and product market capabilities in Alberta Phase II - view report
     
  • 2013 AFC-ACIDF Research and Development report: work related to biochar as a soilless medium for production of greenhouse vegetables and ornamental plants - view report

Aquaponics Microcredentials

Sustainable food production is more accessible than ever in Lethbridge, as aquaponics grows in popularity. The expert scientists in Lethbridge College’s Integrated Agriculture Technology Centre (IATC) have launched a new series of courses that will provide training in the area to everyone from high school students to interested amateurs to experienced greenhouse technicians. 

View Aquaponics Microcredentials

How to Work With Us

Do you have a challenge you are looking to solve? We are the bridge between the problems you want to solve and the wealth of expertise of Lethbridge College’s dedicated researchers, faculty and staff. 

Fill out our Client Intake Form

Meet Our People

 

Nick Savidov, PhD

Senior Research Scientist – Centre for Sustainable Food Production

Nick was born and raised in his native Russia, where he received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry in Russian State Agricultural University in Moscow. He conducted his postdoctoral studies in Plant Biochemistry Lab in Ben-Gurion University in Israel and at the University of Alberta.

Dr. Nick Savidov is an internationally recognized expert in aquaponics. He has been involved in aquaponic research since 2002. His contribution to the field includes development of solid waste processing in Recirculated Aquaculture Systems, which resulted in the first zero-waste, sustainable, food production system in the world.

Dr. Savidov assumed positions at the Research Greenhouse Crops Program Lead at Crop Diversification Centre South with Alberta Agriculture Food and Rural Development in 2001 and continued his research in Bio-Industrial Opportunities Branch as a Senior Research Scientist developing sustainable agricultural systems based on water and nutrient recycling for commercial growers at Crop Diversification Centre North. 

 

John Derksen MSc, P. Biol.

Aquaculture Centre of Excellence Chair & Industry Liaison and Research Advisor

John’s expertise is centered around aquatic ecology and aquaculture. He obtained his degrees in Fisheries and Fish Pathology from the University of Guelph. John has been teaching at Lethbridge College since 1997. 

 

 

Seyed Hashemisardroud, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Seyed is an advocate for controlled-environment crop production who aims to bridge the gap between scientific advancements and the sustainability in agricultural practices. His journey began in 2009 with an exploration of the intricate dynamics of plant-environment interactions during his B.Sc. at Azad University of Tabriz, where he delved into the complexities of plant biotic stress, unraveling the fascinating ways in which plants respond to their surrounding insects. 

Seyed’s deep-rooted enthusiasm in exploring the plant-environment interactions led him to the University of Guelph in 2018, where he graduated with a Ph.D. in plant breeding and genetics and channeled his dedication towards research in crop genomics and metabolomics. 

He is currently working with an interdisciplinary team on an applied project that evaluates the benefits of using various types of supplemental lights for greenhouse vegetable production to improve the efficiency, profitability, and sustainability. 

 

Kristine Wilson MSc.

Research Associate

Kristine received her bachelor’s degree in marine biology from Dalhousie University and a master’s degree in aquaculture from the University of Bergen. In her role as research associate, she provides the senior research scientist with technical support related to project planning and management. Her work includes assisting with writing research proposals, grants, reports, experimental design, sample collection and analysis and data handling. 

 

Daria Ladighina, BASc.

Research Assistant II, ACE

Daria is a Lethbridge College grad with a diverse set of skills including greenhouse crop production, fish rearing, data collection and analysis. Daria has extended knowledge of various analytical methods and analytical equipment.

Alexis Buzzee

Applied Research Operations Officer IATC 

Alexis works closely with the research, operations, and facilities management teams at the Aquaculture Centre for Excellence (ACE) and the Centre for Sustainable food production (CSFP). She supports project management, client intake and relations, agreements, grant application development, grant reporting and other operational tasks. 

 

 

Eric Stock

Aquaculture Facility Manager

With a Bachelor of Science degree and a certificate in Fish and Wildlife Technology, Eric has been living and breathing fish for more than 10 years. He enjoys the challenge of setting up new projects and working with his hands, making him a valuable asset as the facility Manager of the Aquaculture Centre. 

 

 

Gregory Holmes

Greenhouse Manager

With a master’s degree in entomology and biological control, Greg specializes in plant performance and system management. As a recent addition to the college in March 2023, he has become an integral part of the aquaculture research team as the greenhouse manager, coordinating students and updating SOPs for more safe and efficient greenhouse operations. 

 

 

Tyler Branson

Aquaculture Operations Specialist

Tyler has an abundance of experience and expertise in Fish husbandry and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems and their required maintenance. He also has fish handling experience including species such as Tilapia, Salmonids and various Sturgeon species. 

 

Dissemination

Reports and Publications
  1. Pounina, Tatyana A., Tatyana A. Gloriozova, Nick Savidov, and Valery M. Dembitsky. 2021. "Sulfated and Sulfur-Containing Steroids and Their Pharmacological Profile" Marine Drugs 19, no. 5: 240. https://doi.org/10.3390/md19050240
  2. Dembitsky, Valery M., Ekaterina Ermolenko, Nick Savidov, Tatyana A. Gloriozova, and Vladimir V. Poroikov. 2021. "Antiprotozoal and Antitumor Activity of Natural Polycyclic Endoperoxides: Origin, Structures and Biological Activity" Molecules 26, no. 3: 686. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26030686
  3. Khiari, Z., Alka, K., Kelloway, S., Mason, B., & Savidov, N. (2020). Integration of Biochar Filtration into Aquaponics: Effects on Particle Size Distribution and Turbidity Removal. Agricultural Water Management, 229, N.PAG-N.PAG. doi:10.1016/j.agwat.2019.105874
  4. Khiari, Z., Kaluthota, S., & Savidov, N. (2020). Phosphorus delays the onset of nitrification during aerobic digestion of aquaculture/aquaponic solid waste. Biochemical Engineering Journal, 155, N.PAG-N.PAG. doi:10.1016/j.bej.2020.107493
  5. Khiari, Z., Kaluthota, S., & Savidov, N. (2019). Aerobic bioconversion of aquaculture solid waste into liquid fertilizer: Effects of bioprocess parameters on kinetics of nitrogen mineralization. Aquaculture, 500, 492-499. doi:10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.10.059
  6. Derksen, J. (2019) Henderson Lake Water Quality Report.
  7. Savidov, N. (2018). Development of highly productive zero-waste food production platform based on microfiltration and nutrient recycling. Report for CASBE/NSERC. August 31, 2018.
  8. Vil, V. A., Terent’ev, A. O., Quntar, A., Gloriozova, T. A., Savidov, N., & Dembitsky, V. M. (2019). Oxetane-containing metabolites: origin, structures, and biological activities. Applied microbiology and biotechnology, 103(6), 2449-2467. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00253-018-09576-z
  9. Vil, V. A., Terent’ev, A. O., Savidov, N., Gloriozova, T. A., & Dembitsky, V. M. (2019). Hydroperoxides derived from marine sources: origin and biological activities. Applied microbiology and biotechnology, 103(4), 1627-1642. doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00253-018-9560-x
  10. Vil, V. A., Terent'ev, A. O., Savidov, N., Gloriozova, T. A., Poroikov, V. V., Pounina, T. A., & Dembitsky, V. M. (2019). Hydroperoxy steroids and triterpenoids derived from plant and fungi: Origin, structures and biological activities. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, 190, 76-87. doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.03.020
  11. Vil, V., Gloriozova, T. A., Poroikov, V. V., Terent'ev, A. O., Savidov, N., & Dembitsky, V. M. (2019). Naturally occurring of α,β-diepoxy-containing compounds: origin, structures, and biological activities. Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology, 103(8), 3249-3264. doi:10.1007/s00253-019-09711-4
  12. Dembitsky, V. M., Savidov, N., Poroikov, V. V., Gloriozova, T. A., & Imbs, A. B. (2018). Naturally occurring aromatic steroids and their biological activities. Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology, 102(11), 4663-4674. doi:10.1007/s00253-018-8968-7
  13. Savidov, N., Gloriozova, T. A., Poroikov, V. V., & Dembitsky, V. M. (2018). Highly oxygenated isoprenoid lipids derived from fungi and fungal endophytes: Origin and biological activities. Steroids, 140, 114-124. doi:10.1016/j.steroids.2018.10.006
  14. Dembitsky, V. M., Savidov, N., & Gloriozova, T. A. (2018). Steroid phosphate esters and phosphonosteroids and their biological activities. Applied microbiology and biotechnology, 102(18), 7679-7692. doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00253-018-9206-z
  15. Vil, V. A., Terent’ev, A. O., Savidov, N., Gloriozova, T. A., Dembitsky, V. M., & Poroikov, V. V. (2018). Peroxy steroids derived from plant and fungi and their biological activities. Applied microbiology and biotechnology, 102(18), 7657-7667. doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00253-018-9211-2
  16. Savidov, N., Gloriozova, T. A., & Dembitsky, V. M. (2018). Pharmacological activities of sulphated steroids derived from marine sources. Life Science Press, 2(1), 48-58. doi:10.28964/LifesciPress-2-107
  17. Dembitsky, V. M., Savidov, N., & A., G. T. (2018). Sulphur containing steroids: Structures and biological activities. . Vietnam Journal of Chemistry, 56(5), 582-540. doi:10.1002/vjch.201800044
  18. Dembitsky, V. M., Savidov, N., & A., G. T. (2018). Natural Sulphur‐containing Steroids: Origin and biological activities. The Vietnam Journal of Chemistry, 56(5), 76-87. 

 

Presentations
  1. Derksen, J. (2023) Aquaponics microcredentials – self tailored learning from anywhere. Presentation at the Aquaponics Association Conference 2023. Albuquerque, NM. September 15-17, 2023.
  2. Savidov, N.A. (2020) Aquaponics research at Lethbridge College, Alberta. Paper presented at 2020 Aquaponics Conference Cultivating the Future. Oct 16-18, 2020.
  3. Stout, M., Shultz, R. C., Savidov, N. A., & Filipowich, B. (2020). Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) for Aquaponic Produce and Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).  Certification, 2020 Update. Paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2020, Honolulu, HI. Feb 10-13, 2020.
  4. Shultz, R. C., & Savidov, N. A. (2020). Recent Advances in Aquaponics in Canada. Paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2020, Honolulu, HI. Feb 10-13, 2020.
  5. Savidov, N. A. (2019). Research and Community Outreach Development at Lethbridge College, Alberta. Paper presented at the Aquaponics Association Putting Out Fruits, Frankfort, KY. Sep 20-22, 2019
  6. Savidov, N. A. (2019). Use of Aerobic Bioreactors to Utilize Solid Fish Waste in Aquaculture. Paper presented at the 2nd International Congress and Expo on Agriculture & Horticulture, Prague, Czech Republic. August 12, 2019
  7. Savidov, N. A. (2019). Aerobic Bioreactors in Aquaculture. Paper presented at the Invited Lecture at the University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. August 7, 2019
  8. Savidov, N. A. (2018). The Development of the First, Zero-Waste Food Production System based on Aquaponics. Paper presented at the Aquaponics Association Putting Up Shoots Hartford, CT. September 21-23, 2018
  9. Savidov, N. A. (2017). Further Development of Aquaponics Technology in Canada. Paper presented at the Aquaponics Association Putting Down Roots., Portland, OR. November 3-5, 2017
  10. Savidov, N. A., & Shultz, R. C. (2015). Aquaponics in Alberta: A New Sustainable Method to Produce Safe Food. Paper presented at The Conference of The Canadian Society for Bioengineering: “Innovation in Water, Energy, and Biosystems” (iWEB) – Positioning the Globe for 2050, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. July 5-8, 2015
  11. Savidov, N. A. (2015). New Developments in Sustainable Agriculture: Aquaponics and Beyond. Paper presented at the Economic Impacts: Perspectives on Trends in Agriculture, the Environment and Society, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. April 30-May 2, 2015
  12. Savidov, N. A. (2015). From Aquaponics to Livestock Integrated Farm: Nursery Crop Prospective. Paper presented at The LANTA Annual Conference, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. January 16, 2015
  13. Shultz, R. C., Derksen, J., & Savidov, N. A. (2014). Development of a Zero-Discharge Aquaponics System Optimized for Greenhouse Production in Canada. Paper presented at the Aquaculture Europe 2014, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain. October 14-17, 2014
  14. Shultz, R. C., & Savidov, N. A. (2014). Evolution of aquaponics in Alberta, Canada. Paper presented at the Aquaculture America, Seattle, WA. Feb 10, 2014
  15. Shultz, R. C., Derksen, J., & Savidov, N. A. (2014). Evolution of aquaponics in Alberta. Paper presented at the Aquaculture Canada 2014, St. Andrews, New Brunswick. June 3, 2014
  16. Savidov, N. A. (2014). Evolution of Aquaponics Design: from UVI to Zero-Waste Commercial Operation. Paper presented at the Aquaponics Association Conference 2014, San Jose, CA. September 12-14, 2014
  17. Savidov, N. A. (2014). Using Biochar as a Soilless Growing Medium. Paper presented at the Aquaponics Association Conference 2014, San Jose, CA. September 12-14, 2014 

Partners

Funding Partners

 

 

 

 

Industry Partners

 

 

Showcase

 

​​

 

​​