Designing environments where plants thrive.

I'm Ajwal, a plant scientist working at the intersection of controlled environment agriculture, photobiology, and plant physiology. My research translates into production systems that optimize yield, quality, and resource efficiency.

Guelph, ON PhD Candidate, University of Guelph Controlled Environment Systems
Ajwal Dsouza
Selected Work Research & Development

Doctoral Research — Ongoing

Harnessing Controlled Environments for Medicinal Plant Production

Investigating how environment factors influence growth, physiology, and specialized metabolite production in high-value medicinal species including Salvia miltiorrhiza, common sage, and dendrobium orchids.

Impact

Establishing protocols for precision control of secondary metabolite accumulation in controlled environment systems.

Photobiology Secondary Metabolites Medicinal Plants

Could vertical farms transform how we produce plant-based medicines? This review outlines strategies—from light spectrum manipulation to circadian-timed elicitation—to reliably enhance therapeutic compound production in medicinal plants.

Read Publication

NASA & CSA Challenge — Finalist

Canada GOOSE: Growth Options for Outer Space Environments

Designed, developed, and validated a controlled-environment resource-efficient food production unit for deep space missions and remote terrestrial communities. Selected as one of four finalists from 68 international teams.

Impact

Addressing the challenge of producing safe, palatable, and nutritious fresh food in resource-constrained environments.

Top 4 of 68 Teams
$100K Phase 3 Award
CBC Featured
Space Agriculture Life Support Systems System Design
\n

Research Associate — Dr. Mike Dixon

Optimizing Hydroponic Barley and Alfalfa Fodder Production

Experimental research program focused on optimizing controlled environment conditions for hydroponic fodder production at the University of Guelph's Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility.

Impact

Established protocols that improve both yield and nutritive value of barley (Hordeum vulgare) fodder through precise environment manipulation.

CESRF Research Facility
2 Species Optimized
Hydroponics Fodder Production Yield Optimization Nutritive Quality
About Background & Expertise

I work where plant science meets precision engineering — understanding how controlled environments can unlock the full potential of crop production, from leafy greens to high-value medicinals.

My research at the University of Guelph focuses on the fundamental question of how environment factors shape plant growth and biochemistry. Through controlled experiments with light spectra, photoperiods, and growing conditions, I develop evidence-based protocols that translate directly into production improvements.

Beyond the research bench, I've contributed to projects ranging from space food systems (the Deep Space Food Challenge with NASA and CSA) to policy advisory work on regenerative agriculture and net-zero food systems. My work has been featured in CBC News, The National Post, and The Conversation.

I believe the future of agriculture lies in precision — understanding plants deeply enough to give them exactly what they need, when they need it. This approach reduces waste, increases quality, and opens new possibilities for what we can grow and where.

Connect Let's Talk

Building the future of controlled environment systems?

I work with teams navigating the complexities of controlled environment production — whether optimizing existing operations, developing new crop protocols, or exploring what's possible with emerging technologies. If you're working on something interesting, I'd like to hear about it.

Email ajwaldsouza@gmail.com LinkedIn /in/dsouzaajwal