Cambouris, a research scientist at the Quebec Research and Development Centre with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) focusing in soil, precision agriculture, soil regenerative practices and more, is one of the 2025 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture honourees. Top Crop Manager East and Fruit and Vegetable editor Jill Filmer caught up with Cambouris following her being named to the 2025 cohort, to learn about Camouris’ career path, and how she approaches agriculture – and science.
1. Not all great careers are envisioned in childhood.
“I was born in a small town near Quebec from a Greek father and a Quebecer mother – I had no contact with agriculture in my childhood.”
Growing up with allergies to pollen and many animals, Cambouris never saw herself in the field of agriculture – until university, when she got her first taste of plant pathology and soil sciences. During her Master’s degree, she began on-farm experimental work.
In 1995 as precision agriculture was just beginning to hit the ground running in Canada, Cambouris found herself “charmed” by what she learned at a conference on the subject. From there, much like precision agriculture, Cambouris’ passion and interest as a researcher grew and evolved. After 10 years of working as a research professional, Cambouris pursued her PhD – even though by her own admission, she had no idea where it would lead. “Taking that risk was a decision that opened many doors and enabled me to carry out an innovative project with real impacts on the potato sector.”
The thrill of discovery, says Cambouris, is ultimately what had her hooked from the beginning – and keeps her hooked every day. “The ability to make a tangible impact on agriculture and help improve practices for farmers is incredibly rewarding.”
2. Challenges are just learning opportunities.
Cambouris says she fortunately has not had many major struggles in her career, but notes that in her years working for as large an organization as AAFC, she has worked under managers and supervisors with many different styles.
“There have been times when I was not on the same wavelength as [a] manager,” she explains, citing a specific period in which she dealt with several managers with different work and communication styles. “This sometimes created challenges in terms of communication and understanding objectives and priorities,” she says.
But while some may feel frustrated in the face of such differences, Cambouris reflects on this only with a positive emphasis on lessons learned. “I learned to be flexible, and lend that to different management styles,” she says, adding that she was still able to share her own constructive ideas. “Ultimately, this led me to develop skills in management and conflict resolution.”
Similarly, she looks at the sunny side of this year – which she acknowledges has been challenging for the agriculture sector. “Despite the challenges, this year has been marked by many successful and fruitful collaborations.”
3. Keeping an eye on the future is a natural state of being.
One quality farmers and researchers share is the tendency to always think about the future. For Cambouris, her work – whether that’s with farmers and agronomists in the field, or with the students she mentors – is impactful precisely because it affects the world not just today, but also many tomorrows from now.
“Each interaction is an opportunity to contribute to the future,” she says. Citing her work with producers, she adds that working directly has the most benefits. “I can see the concrete impact of our research and advise on their practices and success.”
When it comes to mentorship, Cambouris doesn’t mind when the students she mentors soar beyond her achievements. In fact, she says, this is a thrill for her. “When the student surpasses the teacher, it’s when I’m most happy.” She’s advised eight women pursuing graduate studies. During that time, she’s come to believe that there is no limit – and women hoping to make an impact in agriculture shouldn’t let perceived limitations stop them. “Your unique perspective and experiences are a valuable experience to the agricultural sector – stay resilient in the face of challenge and continue to advocate for yourself and other women in the field. The future of agriculture needs diverse voices and innovative thinkers, and your contribution can help shape a more sustainable and inclusive agriculture sector.”
For Cambouris’ full interview, click here.
