Earth’s remote oceans are still largely undiscovered. Dr. William Cheung, a professor and CRC in ocean sustainability at UBC, recommends following the precautionary principle when considering deep sea mining. thetyee.ca/News/2026/08...

Deep-Sea Mining Would Devastate Ocean Life, DFO Scientist Warns | The Tyee

Some creatures that ‘survived all of Earth’s mass extinctions’ might not make it if we go ahead.

thetyee.ca

Congratulations to Salt Spring conservationist and UBC Science alumnus Dr. Bristol Foster—one of 12 new appointees to the Order of British Columbia! Dr. Foster earned his PhD in Zoology from UBC in 1963, and shaped environmental stewardship through decades of research and protection of ecosystems.

UBC biochemist David Perrin discusses so called 'mirror life' with BBC Science Focus: www.sciencefocus.com/nature/mirro...

'Mirror life is a very, very bad idea': The strange new organisms scientists are begging each other not to build – before it's too late | BBC Science Focus Magazine

As messing with mirror molecules could threaten all life, scientists must reflect on where to draw the line

sciencefocus.com

Geography influences the early 'programming' of our immune system, according to new research from #UBC microbiologists. The findings, published in Nature Communications, could help predict susceptibility to infection throughout the first year of life: mbim.ubc.ca/news/july-07...

A thin layer of ancient clay is unlocking secrets for Earth scientists, shedding light on the class of meteorite that ended the reign of the dinosaurs. New UBC research in Science Advances indicates it wasn’t a garden-variety space rock: science.ubc.ca/news/2026-07...

SEEKING: Fellowship opportunity for exceptional sub-Saharan #African researchers, who hold a PhD or research equivalent, to partner with @UBC based researchers. @science.ubc.ca University of Cape Coast oceans.ubc.ca/2026/07/15/s...

How do you get a pigeon to wear a backpack and a hood? UBC zoologists equipped pigeons with small backpacks and heat-mounted cameras to track how they fly and, hopefully, improve how drones fly, too. @zoology.ubc.ca VIDEO: www.cbc.ca/player/play/...

How pigeons wearing cameras can improve how drones fly

UBC researchers equipped pigeons with small backpacks and heat-mounted cameras to track how they fly and, hopefully, improve how drones fly, too. The Early Edition host Steven Quinn spoke with one of ...

cbc.ca

UBC researchers share lessons from the unprecedented Stanley Park coyote attacks from 2020 to 2021 to help people better live in harmony with their four-legged neighbours. @zoology.ubc.ca science.ubc.ca/news/2026-07...

How we can coexist with coyotes, and other lessons from Stanley Park

Lessons from the unprecedented Stanley Park coyote attacks reveal why conflict happens—and what people can do to safely coexist with urban wildlife.

science.ubc.ca

To study how pigeons see while flying, UBC researchers hand-sewed custom falconry-style hoods and miniature backpacks to carry tiny cameras and computers. The footage revealed unexpected eye movements that could help inspire smarter autonomous drones. @zoology.ubc.ca science.ubc.ca/news/2026-07...

How camera-equipped homing pigeons could improve robotic vision in flight

To study how pigeons see while flying, UBC researchers hand-sewed custom falconry-style hoods and miniature backpacks to carry tiny cameras and computers.

science.ubc.ca

After billions of doses worldwide, a new global review of mRNA vaccines led by UBC researchers and published in The Lancet confirms they are safe, highly effective and supported by extensive real-world data. Read more: news.ubc.ca/2026/06/mrna...

Billions of doses later: Global review confirms mRNA vaccines are safe, effective and full of promise

Comprehensive review brings together global evidence to strengthen public trust and counter misinformation as mRNA vaccines expand to prevent and treat more diseases.

news.ubc.ca

New Faculty Research Published: Basement membrane turnover drives filopodial protease-independent invasion. 💡 Dr. Anotida Madzvamuse and his co-authors explore how cancer cells may spread by exploiting the body's natural tissue repair process. Read the full paper ▶️ tinyurl.com/3u3stv9e

Basement membrane turnover drives filopodial protease-independent invasion

Abstract. Basement membranes (BMs) are specialized, nanoporous extracellular matrices (ECMs) mainly composed of collagen IV fibres and laminins. Because co

tinyurl.com

Congratulations to Michael Smith Laboratories PhD student Vincent Fetterley on receiving a scholarship from the Canadian Plant Breeding Innovation for research that could help modernize one of agriculture’s most misunderstood crops: hemp. www.seedworld.com/canada/2026/...

Young Plant Breeder Wins CPBI Scholarship for AI-Powered Hemp Research

Vincent Fetterley is developing genomic and computer vision tools to help breeders improve hemp faster

seedworld.com

According to a study from @ubcoceans.bsky.social , more whales really are visiting local waters after years of conservation efforts. @ubcmarinemammal www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...

Orcas swim under the Lions Gate Bridge near Vancouver

A trio of orcas were seen swimming under the Lions Gate Bridge near Vancouver on Tuesday afternoon.

ctvnews.ca

Congratulations to Dr. Joerg Bohlmann of UBC's Michael Smith Laboratories on receiving the 2026 Genome BC Award for Scientific Excellence from Life Sciences BC. @genomebc.bsky.social lifesciencesbc.ca/lsbc-news/ce...

If you’ve noticed more whales visiting local waters, you’re not imagining it: Vancouver’s gargantuan guests are here thanks to the season, great grub and conservation successes, researchers say. @ubcoceans.bsky.social science.ubc.ca/news/2026-06...

Why so many whales are in Vancouver waters—and how to (legally) spot them

UBC researchers explain what species you’re seeing—and how to watch them safely.

science.ubc.ca

"It shows a classic shifting baseline problem," said Dr. William Cheung. "It's really important we have a proper baseline and understanding of the trends, to inform our current actions for conservation and for climate adaptations." @science.ubc.ca @ubccoru.bsky.social www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Kelp forests once covered part of the northern Salish Sea, UVic study finds | CBC News

Research from the University of Victoria shows that an area of the Georgia Strait near Comox and Denman Island was once covered in 5.5-million square metres of bull kelp forests, ten times the amount ...

cbc.ca

"It's stealing intellectual property. These systems have been trained on the entire internet without any regard for copyright. So people's photos, videos, books, etc. have been essentially stolen," says UBC computer scientist Dr. Alan Mackworth. @alanmackworth.bsky.social @cs.ubc.ca bit.ly/4ecCn3C

'It's a big bet': What impact could big AI data centres have in Vancouver?

As advocates rally against them, two experts warn against betting too hard on AI while acknowledging its usefulness if used ethically.

bit.ly

This fall, UBC has a new introductory course about AI! AI 100 is open to all UBC students and covers the fundamentals of what AI is and explores its ethical and social implications. Learn more: science.ubc.ca/news/2026-05...

“The importance of biodiversity is that it gives us a way to understand the world that we live in.” We are excited to unveil the first of the GSC’s three new mandate videos: this one is on Biodiversity, Environment, & Agriculture which showcases our collaborations and impact in these sectors.

At its core, a musical note is a repeating vibration, says UBC physicist & amateur jazz musician Dr. Mark van Raamsdonk. “A piano string or whatever is oscillating at that frequency ... and then your ear converts that into a signal to your brain,” he says. @ubcphas.bsky.social bit.ly/448Eorz

How Canadian rock duo Angine de Poitrine play with neurobiology and physics to make viral music

Angine de Poitrine don't abide by the usual rules of Western music, using their own custom-built guitar to strike notes that shouldn't exist

scientificamerican.com

Like many alumni, Alyssa Sangalang had a couple of options up her sleeve when she graduated with a BSc in 2021. Ultimately, she chose to blaze an unconventional trail by founding a web design studio. science.ubc.ca/alumni/profi...

From a combined major in science to the creative web

Like many alumni, Alyssa Sangalang had a couple of options up her sleeve when she graduated with a BSc in 2021. Ultimately, she chose to blaze an unconventional

science.ubc.ca

UBC material scientist Dr. Joshua Folk is part of an international collaboration that has uncovered new aspects of superconductivity in rhombohedral graphene—a few layers of carbon atoms stacked like the treads of a staircase. @ubcphas.bsky.social phys.org/news/2026-06...

Research uncovers novel electronic properties in quantum material

Florida State University physicists are part of a team that has discovered unusual superconducting states in parts of graphene, with the potential to drive unexpected quantum technologies.

phys.org

Bottom trawling - a destructive fishing practice that indiscriminately brings to market about a quarter of the world’s wild-caught seafood - must stop. @projectseahorse.bsky.social research mentioned. Comments by Dr. Daniel Pauly @seaaroundus.org also referenced. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/08/o...

Opinion | How to Fish Better

nytimes.com

Quantum materials, cooked to perfection. 🔬 At @science.ubc.ca, Dr. Alannah Hallas and her team are designing crystals with powerful quantum properties—enabled by #CFIfunded equipment that lets them observe and fine-tune materials in real time.🔥bit.ly/4wghxaq @ubcphas.bsky.social

IRES students and CoSphere colleagues call for microfibre filter standards and bold biofibre investment, protecting oceans while creating economic opportunity for Canada. www.hilltimes.com/2026/06/04/p... @science.ubc.ca @ubcoceans.bsky.social

Plastic sunset: Canada has a generational chance to protect the oceans while boosting the economy - The Hill Times

Today’s solution is for this country to mandate that laundry appliances include a built-in microfiber filter—like a lint trap for your washer that captures up to 90 per cent of fibers at the source.…

hilltimes.com

The federal government's plan to fast-track major infrastructure development is at odds with its new $3.8-billion strategy to protect 30% of Canada's lands & waters by 2030, say UBC, UVic & U of T researchers. ca.news.yahoo.com/canada-major...

Canada’s ‘major projects’ should not come at the cost of the environment

Impact assessments prevent harm before it occurs. Circumventing the process before we understand the risks is misguided and a gamble with our collective future.

ca.news.yahoo.com

UBC and TRIUMF researchers at the ALPHA experiment have made an important step in the effort to probe deeper into the nature of antimatter. science.ubc.ca/news/2026-06...

UBC researchers help measure tiny energy gap in antimatter with improved precision

The ALPHA Collaboration improves its measurement of the ground-state hyperfine splitting of antihydrogen by two orders of magnitude.

science.ubc.ca

Canada released its draft AI strategy today that will modernize online safety laws to protect Canadians in the digital age. However, it doesn't specify what those modernizations will look like. Here's what UBC AI pioneer Dr. Alan Mackworth recommends. @alanmackworth.bsky.social @cs.ubc.ca

Can Canada constrain AI?

Dr. Alan Mackworth — professor emeritus with UBC Computer Science — has been studying AI since the 1970s. He’s served as president of the…

bit.ly

UBC sustainability expert Dr. Jiaying Zhao says embracing joy can help us save Earth. "Joy is what made our species survive in the first place. If we’re rewarded, reinforced by it, then we continue doing it. We spill over. We become contagious. We get others on board.” bit.ly/4nZWgyf

Laughing amidst the gloom: How activists embrace joy in the fight to save Earth

Across the world, groups of activists, teachers and psychologists are tackling one of the planet's most daunting problems with laughter, dancing, hugs and most especially joy.

bit.ly

UBC will welcome 28 doctoral students and 17 postdoctoral fellows thanks to funding from the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards (CIRTA). And this is only the first wave of CIRTA awardees! www.grad.ubc.ca/about-us/new...