Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

UBC Science @science.ubc.ca · 14h

UBC’s Small Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund is open for proposals! Science Skylight offers early internal feedback on potential submissions—reach out by October 30 for support: skylight.science.ubc.ca/programs-gra...

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UBC Science @science.ubc.ca · 1d

#UBC Science is seeking an exceptional emerging scholar to fill a Canada Research Chair in Medical Physics in the Canadian Institutes of Health Research stream. Applications due November 30.

science.ubc.ca/about/careers

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Reposted by UBC Science

UBC News @news.ubc.ca · 2d

CTV's @adamsawatsky.bsky.social finds out how @science.ubc.ca dean Dr. Mark McLachlan's crosswords are adding up to something pretty remarkable.

B.C. chemistry professor’s puzzling hobby earns spot in New York Times

This is not a story about realizing a childhood dream, because back then, Dr. Mark McLachlan was unaware of a crucial reality.

www.ctvnews.ca

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UBC Science @science.ubc.ca · 2d

Congratulations to UBC Science’s 6 new public scholars! Sean Edgerton, Drew Hall, Yunfei Li, Jessica Mukiri, Lilith South & Molly Zhang are among 36 doctoral students who are pursuing interdisciplinary, community-engaged PhD work with real world impact. 

www.grad.ubc.ca/collaborativ...

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UBC Science @science.ubc.ca · 3d

UBC is one of 5 member universities of the Pacific Marine Science Alliance Society which announced a 3-year agreement with the Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response Network to strengthen ocean research collaboration in Canada.

science.ubc.ca/news/2025-10...

New ocean research alliance to boost national collaboration

A three-year agreement between UBC-affiliated research networks is designed to strengthen collaboration across Canada’s three coasts.

science.ubc.ca

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UBC Science @science.ubc.ca · 3d

“This is the first time we’ve seen this play out in a human model,” says Dr. Stephen Withers, UBC chemistry professor who co-led the development of a universal blood type. “It gives us invaluable insight into how to improve long-term outcomes.” @chem.ubc.ca

www.msn.com/en-us/health...

Dr. Stephen Withers, professor emeritus of UBC's department of chemistry.

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Reposted by UBC Science

ubcphas.bsky.social @ubcphas.bsky.social · 6d

The Department of Physics and Astronomy in the Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver seeks an emerging research leader for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair position in Medical Physics. academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/307... @science.ubc.ca @ubcmedicine.bsky.social

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UBC Science @science.ubc.ca · 6d

“This is what it looks like when years of basic science finally connect to patient care,” said Dr. Stephen Withers. “Seeing our discoveries edge closer to real-world impact is what keeps us pushing forward.” @chem.ubc.ca

science.ubc.ca/news/2025-10...

UBC enzyme technology clears first human test toward universal donor organs for transplantation

The first successful human transplant of a kidney converted from blood type A to universal type O used special enzymes developed at UBC.

science.ubc.ca

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UBC Science @science.ubc.ca · 7d

Evolutionary ecologist Dr. Kayla King is giving a public lecture: Pathogens and the Power of Evolution

Oct. 18 7:15 pm P.A. Woodward Instructional Resources Centre, UBC Vancouver
@kayla-king.bsky.social @ubcmicroimmuno.bsky.social @zoology.ubc.ca
More info: globalreportingcentre.org/vancouver-in...

Dr. Kayla King is Canada Excellence Research Chair, Zoology and Microbiology & Immunology at UBC, and Professorial Fellow of Evolutionary Ecology, University of Oxford.

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Reposted by UBC Science

UBC Oceans @ubcoceans.bsky.social · 8d

Study finds that tools used by DFO to assess #infectious agents commonly found on #salmon #farms concluded they were not, despite credible scientific evidence to the contrary, says Dr. Gideon Mordecai. @science.ubc.ca oceans.ubc.ca/2025/10/01/f...

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UBC Science @science.ubc.ca · 8d

Dr. Vered Shwartz, UBC professor of computer science and author of "Lost in Automatic Translation", on the potential for #AI chatbots to cause harm to users as well as potential safeguards for the future. @cs.ubc.ca

science.ubc.ca/news/2025-10...

Can AI persuade you to go vegan—or harm yourself?

Large language models are more persuasive than humans: UBC computer scientist Dr. Vered Shwartz discusses safeguards for the future of AI.

science.ubc.ca

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Reposted by UBC Science

UBC Oceans @ubcoceans.bsky.social · 10d

As the government finalizes its plan to transition away from open-net pen #salmon farming in B.C., it is crucial that decision-makers have a clear pathway to receive robust #science advice - Dr. Gideon Mordecai vancouversun.com/opinion/op-e... via @vancouversun.bsky.social @science.ubc.ca

Opinion: DFO’s flawed science leaves wild salmon vulnerable to disease

As government finalizes plan to transition away from open-net pen salmon farming in B.C., decision-makers must receive robust science advice

vancouversun.com

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UBC Science @science.ubc.ca · 10d

The world’s first mushroom-powered waterless toilet, the MycoToilet, has made a splash at #UBC Botanical Garden: “Fungi are very good at breaking down biomass, including human and animal waste,” says UBC microbiologist Dr. Steven Hallam. science.ubc.ca/news/2025-09...

UBC launches world’s first mushroom-powered, waterless toilet

The MycoToilet turns human waste into nutrient-rich compost and features a modern, sustainable design.

science.ubc.ca

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UBC Science @science.ubc.ca · 10d

Hospital News looks at a new solution developed by Canadian researchers—including UBC microbiologist Dr. Robert Hancock—that uses machine learning to quickly predict the risk of sepsis: hospitalnews.com/game-changer...

Game changer’: Canadian scientists develop blood test to quickly predict risk of sepsis

Understand the impact of early detection with the new test for sepsis, improving global treatment and reducing deaths.

hospitalnews.com

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UBC Science @science.ubc.ca · 13d

Reminder: This weekend @YVR! Our Quantum Universe. UBC physicist Dr. Mark Van Raamsdonk discusses classical and quantum gravity, and cosmology. t.co/HLK9zHAtj2

UBC Science @science.ubc.ca · 14d

"Just like when we add carbon dioxide to Coke or soda, that makes the soft drink more acidic," says UBC's Christopher Harley, commenting on the latest Planetary Health Check report on CO2 emissions and ocean acidification. www.cbc.ca/news/climate...

Oceans have crossed 'safe' acidic threshold, scientists warn | CBC News

The latest Planetary Health Check report says ocean acidification has reached risky territory. Experts say it will reduce our oceans’ ability to absorb the carbon we emit and also weaken the shellfish...

www.cbc.ca

Reposted by UBC Science

UBC Computer Science @cs.ubc.ca · 22d

The Distinguished Lecture Series is back! Learn about topics such as generative AI in healthcare, how data can inform AI for education, and the past and future of parallel algorithms. Lectures are free to attend and open to the public. Learn more at cs.ubc.ca/DLS

UBC Computer Science Distinguished Lecture Series. Fred Kaiser Building (2332 Main Mall, UBC), Room 2020/2030.

All lectures are free and open to the public.

J. Ross Mitchell, University of Alberta
Talk Date: September 25, 2025 ; 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM PST
Title: Generative AI in Healthcare

John Stamper, Carnegie Mellon University
Talk Date: October 9, 2025 ; 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM PST
Title: What is the role of Data Science in the era of Generative AI?

Kimberly Keeton, Google
Talk Date: November 6, 2025; 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM PST
Title: Not Your Grandparents' Memory System

Guy E. Blelloch, Carnegie Mellon University
Talk Date: November 20, 2025 ; 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM PST
Title: Parallel Algorithms : A Retrospective and current directions

www.cs.ubc.ca/DLS

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Reposted by UBC Science

UBC Forestry🌲🇨🇦 @forestry.ubc.ca · Sep 3

Join #UBCForestry and @landfood.ubc.ca on September 30 at 1956 Main Mall as we unite for an Intergenerational March to Commemorate Orange Shirt Day.

Learn more: bit.ly/osd-2025
#UBC #OrangeShirtDay

2025 Intergenerational March to Commemorate Orange Shirt Day |

Join Land and Food Systems and Forestry for an Intergenerational March to Commemorate Orange Shirt Day on Sept 30.

bit.ly

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UBC Science @science.ubc.ca · 17d

After nearly 25 years of negotiations, the World Trade Organization finally has its first legally binding agreement to tackle government #fisheries subsidies. Dr. Rashid Sumaila of @ubcoceans.bsky.social explains why this milestone is only the beginning.

theconversation.com/what-the-wto...

What the WTO’s deal to curb fisheries subsidies means and what it could achieve

For decades, government subsidies have helped industrial fishing fleets to expand, often with little regard for sustainability.

theconversation.com

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Reposted by UBC Science

ubcphas.bsky.social @ubcphas.bsky.social · 20d

PHAS and partner the Vancouver Public Library have a new science discovery series: welcome to "How the Universe Works!" Join us with UBC experts making science accessible! vpl.bibliocommons.com/events/6877f... @ires.ubc.ca @science.ubc.ca @ubcmath.bsky.social @triumflab.bsky.social #science

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UBC Science @science.ubc.ca · 20d

From labs to boardrooms, UBC Science alum Dr. Barb Kinnaird has learned what it takes to be a successful leader and innovator.

science.ubc.ca/alumni/profi...

For this data driven alum, success is about people

From UBC labs to biomedical boardrooms, Dr. Barb Kinnaird learned valuable lessons on what it takes to be a successful leader and innovator. Now she's tackling a new role as a leadership and business ...

science.ubc.ca

UBC Science @science.ubc.ca · 21d

Machine learning today learns once from a massive amount of data. In our changing world, @cs.ubc.ca prof Dr. Evan Shelhamer thinks it's useful to have ML keep learning. He's a @vectorinstitute.ai member & CIFAR AI Chair.
youtu.be/q3BKoRrb7to

Dr. Evan Shelhamer, computer scientist

YouTube video by ubcscience

youtu.be

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UBC Science @science.ubc.ca · 22d

A new extension for UBC’s Biodiversity Research Centre adds a fossil storage room for the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, a pollinator garden filled with native plants, and new research and meeting space.

science.ubc.ca/news/2025-09...

UBC opens $45M Beaty Biodiversity Centre expansion

UBC has opened a $45 million expansion of the Beaty Biodiversity Centre, made possible by philanthropic support from the Ross and Trisha Beaty family and Gordon B. Shrum, matched by UBC.

science.ubc.ca

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UBC Science @science.ubc.ca · 23d

Take a bite out of science at UBC Homecoming this Saturday, Sept. 20 with dinosaur exhibits, free museum and garden admission, and $4 day-long parking. Learn more and register: bit.ly/4gvkUD2

Homecoming

Dinosaur mayhem, free museum and garden admission, and $4 day-long parking. Check out UBC Science at Homecoming this September.

bit.ly

UBC Science @science.ubc.ca · 23d

@UBC cosmologist Dr. Mark Van Raamsdonk is giving a public lecture: Our Quantum Universe - the intersection of quantum mechanics and gravity. @ubcphas.bsky.social
Sept 27, 7:15 pm
P.A. Woodward Instructional Resources Centre, UBC Vancouver.
More info: globalreportingcentre.org/vancouver-in...

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