News & Events

Jason Solnik is trying hard to keep off the weight he lost while trekking in Nepal.

The master’s student spent over a month in the South Asian republic as part of a research trip for Ryerson’s Environmental Applied Science and Management graduate program. Solnik, along with seven other master’s students, travelled to the Annapurna region of Nepal to conduct various aspects of environmental research.

Solnik examined the quality of the drinking water of the Annapurna Conservation Area, a 200-kilometre area representing at least six different cultural groups. At the end of each day, Solnik would gather a sample from the communal water tap and start a two-hour analysis process, testing for seven chemicals and two biological parameters.

“I am interested in the state of accessibility to clean drinking water for all people. As my graduate thesis focuses on creating a real-time drinking water bio-monitoring regime, I was interested in learning from other countries problems with delivering clean drinking water to its citizens and how they have or have not overcome them,” Solnik said.

The group of graduates worked under the supervision of professor Michal Bardecki, whose own studies called for him to return to Nepal allowing him to invite scholars to join him. As a result of the group’s global opportunity, each one was able to submit an abstract to an October research conference in Wisconsin.

Beyond the research itself, Solnik has been changed by the trip. Physically he’s been challenged to reach the highest points of earth, going over the 5,416-metre pass at Throng La. And visually he’s seen jaw-dropping sights going on a safari, visiting an elephant breeding facility and trekking through the jungle. Solnik says the best part was riding an elephant and bathing with her in a river.

Since returning, Solnik has been catching up on his thesis work, preparing to complete his master’s by the fall. Solnik recognizes the trip’s invaluable lessons on a personal and professional level.

“I learned that I am extremely privileged living in Canada and saw up close and personal that my research has worldwide applications,” said Solnik. “I learned that the local people in the Himalayas are extremely industrious, hardworking and friendly. They exhibited great pleasure in talking to the people trekking through their villages. Their families are very close-knit even though some members live in neighbouring villages and have to walk great lengths to help work at relatives’ inns or fields.”

Ryerson’s new Environmental Applied Science and Management program offers a master’s and PhD degree. One of its aims is to provide graduates research opportunities abroad by offering annual collaborations such as this. Students who undertake this kind of activity enrich not only themselves but also their programs by returning to share their experiences with colleagues. It also affords post-graduate students the chance to publish their work in a peer-reviewed journal.