Innovation Needs We Address 
The IATC is a Technology Access Centre (TAC) supporting the integrated and controlled environment agriculture (ICEA) sectors. Our team specializes in a wide range of technologies and techniques related to ICEA, including greenhouse techniques and technologies, automation, biologic controls and integrated pest management, filtration and hydroponics.
We serve small- and medium-sized enterprises by providing applied research and technical services to address real-world challenges. Additionally, we offer specialized training on the latest ICEA technologies.
We partner with the Regional Innovation Network of Southern Alberta (RINSA) to connect our clients with the support they need to grow and scale their businesses. We are also proud to be a part of Canada's Premier Food Corridor, which encompasses more than 4,470 farms operating across 4.3 million acres of land, recognized as a global hub of food production and processing.
Our Research & Technical Specializations
Our greenhouse operations, biosecure isolation facilities, water recirculation technologies, and water quality testing provide a solid foundation for a variety of integrated and controlled environment agriculture research, particularly in:
- greenhouse techniques and technologies
- growing media
- hydroponics
- aeroponics
- vertical farming
- integrated pest management
- water conservation
- waste management
- aerobic bioreactor technology
- novel micro filtration systems (biochar)
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 Polytechnic’s dedicated researchers, faculty and staff.
Meet Our People
Alexis Buzzee
IATC Business Manager
As Business Manager for the IATC, Alexis works closely with the applied research team, technical experts, and operational staff to support client intake, project scoping and budgeting, grant development, and agreement execution. She also leads strategic and business planning for the IATC, ensuring the centre remains agile and responsive to industries challenges.
Gregory Holmes
Greenhouse Facility Manager
Greg holds a master's degree in entomology and biological control, with a specialization in plant performance and system management. As Greenhouse Facility Manager with the IATC, he plays a vital role in maintaining optimal conditions for industry-focused applied research projects. Greg also serves as the IATCs technical expert in greenhouse operations, integrated pest management, and growing systems, providing on-demand consultation to industry clients to help optimize their greenhouse performance and streamline production systems
Eric Stock
Aquaculture Facility Manager
With a Bachelor of Science, a certificate in Fish and Wildlife Technology, and extensive experience managing recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and aquaponics, Eric brings over a decade on hands-on expertise in aquaculture. As a key technical expert with the IATC team, he provides on-demand consultation to industry clients, helping optimize their RAS and aquaponics systems. Eric thrives on the challenge of launching new projects and enjoys working with his hands to bring innovative systems to life.
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.
Seyed Hashemisardroud, PhD
Research Scientist
Seyed is a research scientist specializing in controlled-environment agriculture. During his undergraduate studies, his journey began with exploring plant-environment interactions and biotic stress responses. He later advanced his expertise in plant physiology, crop genomics, and metabolomics through doctoral research. Seyed’s primary focus is optimizing supplemental lighting for greenhouse vegetable production to enhance efficiency, profitability, and sustainability.
Selin Karatepe, PhD
Research Associate
Selin received her degrees in Econometrics from universities in Turkey. With a strong background in stochastic processes and applied time-series econometrics, she specializes in data analytics, focusing on modelling and optimizing economic and environmental outcomes. Her research is driven by a keen interest in discovering the underlying data-generating processes and identifying and analyzing relationships and causal dynamics within datasets. She aims to build models with strong predictive and reasoning capabilities to support strategic decision-making under uncertainty based on available empirical evidence.
Emmanuel Nai, PhD
Research Associate
Emmanuel is a dedicated and highly skilled analytical chemist with a strong foundation in scientific principles and advanced analytical and environmental chemistry techniques. Earning his B.Sc in Chemistry from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana and a Ph.D in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry from the University of Calgary, Emmanuel specializes in chromatographic separations, sample preparation and detection. Throughout his academic journey, Emmanuel developed an exceptional proficiency in analytical instrumentation, mastering the use of sophisticated analytical tools and methodologies to analyze various pharmaceuticals, petroleum and environmental samples. Emmanuel is passionate about applying scientific insights to real-world challenges, particularly environmental protection and sustainability. With a keen interest in research and development, he is currently working with an interdisciplinary team on a mass-balance study of canola-supplemented fish feeds on the performance of plants and fish in aquaponics systems.
IATC Projects & News
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.
Mass-balance study on the impact of canola-supplemented fish feed on the performance of plants and fish in aquaponics systems
Funded by the Canola Council of Canada, Alberta Canola, SaskOilseeds, Manitoba Canola Growers Association and the Government of Canada under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
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.
Fish Quarantine Services and Fish Raising Services
The IATC team provides ongoing fish quarantine and raising services through the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence.
Please visit our online research projects database to review past projects.
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
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
Aquaponics Microcredentials
Sustainable food production is more accessible than ever in Lethbridge, as aquaponics grows in popularity. The expert scientists in Lethbridge Polytechnic’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.
Research Facilities
In 1997, in response to the growing demand from the aquaculture sector, the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (ACE) was constructed to showcase advanced recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). ACE houses Alberta’s only bio-secure isolation facility along with our commercial scale aerobic bioreactor technology, which we utilize for fish waste management. The Centre for Sustainable Food Production (CSFP), our 10,000 ft2 commercial-scale research greenhouse with an additional 532 ft2 advanced laboratory capabilities followed in 2021. These facilities operate as a coupled, closed-loop and zero-waste integrated agriculture system.
Between the internationally renowned ACE and our on-campus research greenhouse, the CSFP, we have over 20,000 sq ft of controlled-environment agriculture facilities. Our unique facilities and technical expertise allow us to offer pre-commercial validation opportunities for commercial applications and to access highly skilled personnel who specialize in integrated food production systems and techniques.
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