UVic Science
uvicscience.bsky.social
UVic Science
@uvicscience.bsky.social
From the atom to the universe, the cell to the ecosystem, the theoretical to the applied, we explore the reaches of modern science and mathematics. Dispatches from the Faculty of Science at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada.
He's back.

After a year off on admin leave, Peter Loock is officially back as Dean of Science.

After a successful first term as Dean, he was reappointed for a second five-year term, which will run from Jan. 1, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2030.

Stop and say hi if you see him around the hallways!
January 6, 2026 at 4:50 PM
🪸 2025 in review: We analyzed the widespread impacts of marine heatwaves.

The comprehensive overview of the 2014-16 marine heatwave’s ecological impacts highlighted how heatwaves dramatically impact marine ecosystems.

🔗 Impacts: <a href="https://ow.ly/HFbP50XN07F" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">https://ow.ly/HFbP50XN07F
🔗 Year-in-review: https://ow.ly/HFbP50XN07F
January 4, 2026 at 10:00 PM
⚛️ 2025 in review: We shared the Breakthrough Prize.

30 physicists and engineers from UVic were among global researchers honoured for their work with the ATLAS collaboration at CERN.

🔗 Breakthrough Prize: https://ow.ly/9x5z50XN042
🔗 Year-in-review: https://ow.ly/boyR50XN03U
January 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM
🧬 2025 in review: We brought eDNA Explorer to Canada.

Caren Helbing received a $1.5 million grant from Genome BC to develop a platform that will bring together eDNA projects from around the world.

🔗 eDNA Explorer: https://ow.ly/kf4B50XN01N
🔗 Year-in-review: https://ow.ly/kuXp50XN01H
January 2, 2026 at 11:05 PM
🎆 Kick off the new year by looking back at some of our biggest stories of 2025.

Better UTI tests, our first climate science grads, bringing eDNA Explorer to Canada, an induction to the Royal Society (UK), a boat's 50th birthday and more.

🔗 Read the full year-in-review: https://ow.ly/VeKL50XMZZt
January 1, 2026 at 4:40 PM
🐟 2025 in review: We launched the Codcast.

The Codcast tells the story of the discovery of the Arctic cod grunt, what the research team has learned so far about the sound, and why fish sounds are so important.

🔗 Listen: https://ow.ly/34FH50XMZY5
🔗 Year-in-review: https://ow.ly/1ryO50XMZXX
December 31, 2025 at 2:40 PM
🔬 2025 in review: We made it easier to see atomic-scale structures.

Arthur Blackburn was able to achieve sub-Ångström resolution using a compact, low-energy scanning electron microscope.

🔗 The research: https://ow.ly/wQXZ50XMZWR
🔗 Year-in-review: https://ow.ly/Ot3M50XMZWx
December 30, 2025 at 10:35 PM
🏆 2025 in review: We were the home of a Killam Fellowship winner.

In March, UVic chemistry professor David Leitch was announced as one of eight recipients of the Dorothy Killam Fellowship.

🔗 Leitch's research: https://ow.ly/5ZAa50XMZTf
🔗 Year-in-review: https://ow.ly/KtRB50XMZTe
December 29, 2025 at 5:30 PM
🌥️ 2025 in review: We graduated our first climate science students.

Just two years after launching our climate science program, we celebrated our first three graduates this year—two in June, one in Nov.

🔗 Climate science: https://ow.ly/UeKO50XMZRc
🔗 Year-in-review: https://ow.ly/8f4450XMZQS
December 29, 2025 at 12:25 AM
🧫 2025 in review: We developed a better UTI test.

UTIs affect 150 million people every year but diagnosis can be slow. The Goodlett Lab has developed a faster and more accurate way to identify these infections.

🔗 A new UTI test: https://ow.ly/rH9s50XMZOu
🔗 Year-in-review: https://ow.ly/THwI50XMZOg
December 26, 2025 at 6:15 PM
🧮 2025 in review: We celebrated Mark Lewis's induction to the Royal Society (UK).

Lewis works at the intersection of mathematical analysis and environmental biology.

🔗 Learn more about Lewis and his work: https://ow.ly/w6s550XMZLf
🔗 Read the full year-in-review: https://ow.ly/3ZVP50XMZKX
December 24, 2025 at 3:50 PM
In just one year, he's won four different major awards. Meet UVic chemist David Leitch.

- 2025 Dorothy Killam Fellow
- REACH Award for Early Career Excellence in Research
- Keith Fagnou Award
- Faculty of Science Excellence in Research Award

Phew. 🙃

https://ow.ly/puqC50XMZvC
December 23, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Congratulations to Laura Cowen, whose term as Acting Dean ends on Dec. 31. Over the last year, she's been at the helm of the Faculty, guiding our work and leading the way.

Thanks for your leadership over the past year, Dr. Cowen!
December 23, 2025 at 4:25 PM
If you're looking for someone with a passion for math, allow us to introduce you to Trefor Bazett.

Trefor is an associate teaching professor in mathematics and this year's winner of the Faculty of Science Excellence Award in Teaching.

https://ow.ly/hLIE50XMZuS
December 23, 2025 at 12:00 AM
🛥️ 2025 in review: We celebrated the Strickland's 50th birthday!

The RV John Strickland turned 50 this year, and we couldn’t let to occasion pass without celebrating!

🔗 Learn more about Strickland's history: https://ow.ly/tlO550XMZKb
🔗 Read the full year-in-review: https://ow.ly/XWhw50XMZK4
December 22, 2025 at 3:05 PM
A math professor and YouTube star. A chemist exploring chemical space. Two administrative officers who are the bedrocks of their departments.

What do these four people have in common? They are all winners of the 2024-25 Faculty of Science Excellence Awards! https://ow.ly/HwE950XMZpg
Celebrating our 2024-25 Excellence Awards winners - University of Victoria
There are many talented and hardworking faculty and staff whose contributions help make the Faculty of Science excel. Each year, we recognize a few exceptional faculty and staff members for their outs...
ow.ly
December 22, 2025 at 12:39 AM
While we may not have a cure for cancer yet, we do have immunotherapy, a new treatment for cancer that has been developing over the past 15 years.

Learn all about it at our next Café Scientifique talk!

📅 January 13, 7 p.m.
📍 The Mint, 1419 Douglas St.

🔗 RSVP: https://ow.ly/Y0kf50XLP4X
December 20, 2025 at 4:40 PM
One year, hundreds of accomplishments, and 10 that topped them all. 🙌

As 2025 comes to an end, join us in looking back at some of our favourite accomplishments of 2025: https://ow.ly/cVzW50XMN5q
December 19, 2025 at 9:23 PM
This Giving Tuesday, we're raising money for Science Rendezvous, a free STEM festival for K-12 students, educators, and scientists of all ages. 🧪

Help us inspire the next generation's interest in STEM and make a gift today. Donations will be matched up to $7500! https://ow.ly/3zOz50XASVl
December 2, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Tiny ocean fossils are fundamental to our understanding of the climate system and how it has changed over the past 150 million years.

Join us at our next Café Scientifique to hear all about the world of micropaleontology!

📅 Dec. 9, 2025, 7 p.m.
📍 The Mint
🔗 Details: https://ow.ly/56Sx50XxTlA
November 27, 2025 at 2:00 AM
According to popular media, the search for alien life involves technology, space exploration, government conspiracies and secret programs.

But according to UVic astronomer Jon Willis, the search for alien life begins right in our own backyard.

🔗Q&A on searching for alien life: ow.ly/KiIj50XxTg5
Expert Q&A on searching for alien life - UVic News
UVic astronomer Jon Willis investigates the question “Is there life off Earth?” by joining astrobiologists to study life right here on our planet.
ow.ly
November 26, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Logs on Vancouver Island beaches are a familiar sight. But is it possible that they are harming our intertidal ecosystem?

According to new research by UVic biologist Tom Reimchen, the answer is yes—these drift logs are causing harm.

news.uvic.ca/media-releas...
Drift logs destroying intertidal ecosystems: research - UVic News
Logs are a familiar sight on the beaches along the coast of Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii and are often viewed positively, as they can stabilize the
news.uvic.ca
November 18, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Reposted by UVic Science
UVic Chemistry is hiring again!
Come join us in beautiful Victoria, BC on the Pacific coast!
Mild winters, incredible summers, great facilities, & inspiring colleagues (minus me).
Asst. Prof. level. Physical, Organic, & Inorganic preferred.
www.uvic.ca/faculty-staf...
CHEM 270-155 - Faculty & staff - University of Victoria
Inspired by and honouring place, we are a community-minded, globally engaged university where we transform ideas into meaningful impact.
www.uvic.ca
November 15, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Happy 50th birthday to the RV John Strickland! 🥳

On this day 50 years ago, the Strickland was officially registered at port and came home to UVic, where it has been a key part of research and teaching ever since.

🔗Learn more about the Strickland's 50 years of history: news.uvic.ca/2025/50-year...
50 years on board the Strickland - UVic News
For the past 50 years, the RV John Strickland has been a key part of the University of Victoria’s biology and earth and ocean sciences departments. As the boat approaches its 50th birthday on Nov. 4, ...
news.uvic.ca
November 4, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Reposted by UVic Science
🌊 A great retrospective of our mighty coastal R/V Strickland. A fine ship serving the research and teaching needs of @seos-uvic.bsky.social
If a boat could be a published author, the Strickland's publication record would rival that of the most respected academics.

Check out just a sampling of research that the Strickland has been involved with over the last 50 years: news.uvic.ca/2025/50-year...
50 years on board the Strickland - UVic News
For the past 50 years, the RV John Strickland has been a key part of the University of Victoria’s biology and earth and ocean sciences departments. As the boat approaches its 50th birthday on Nov. 4, ...
news.uvic.ca
November 1, 2025 at 1:42 AM