News Stories
Alum of the Month: Sara Guzman
September 15, 2021
Sara Guzman has always been fascinated by tiny things you can’t see with the naked eye, from microbes to chemical reactions in cells. It’s the reason Guzman knew she wanted a science career.Her parents encouraged her to pursue higher education. Guzman, originally from Bogota, Colombia, decided to attend university abroad and selected Vancouver Island University (VIU). She graduated from VIU in... Read more
VIU Undergraduate Student Publishes Research Paper in Peer-Reviewed Journal
June 9, 2021
Genevieve van der Voort was the lead author of the published research – a rare accomplishment for an undergraduate student.Genevieve van der Voort is graduating from Vancouver Island University (VIU) with a significant accomplishment under her belt – she is lead author on a research paper published in The Canadian Entomologist.“I still haven’t quite got my head wrapped around it,” says the... Read more
Scholarly Article Sheds Light on Whether Island Wolverines are a Distinct Subspecies
February 4, 2021
Through DNA analysis, VIU researchers determined that Vancouver Island wolverines are not a distinct subspecies from those found on the mainland in North America.Scientists and conservationists have been questioning for decades whether wolverines on Vancouver Island are a distinct subspecies from those found on the mainland in North America.The answer to this question is critical because... Read more
VIU Researchers Examining Genetics of Canada Lynx
December 14, 2020
Data could help governments and wildlife conservation groups understand how climate change might impact the life cycles of the Canada lynx and other species in the boreal forest.The lynx-hare predator-prey cycle that has existed for thousands of years in North America is increasingly under threat from climate change.“The lynx are specialist predators that rely almost exclusively on snowshoe hare... Read more
Biology Professor Investigating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Genes in Nanaimo Region
September 1, 2020
VIU’s Dr. Mercedes Hernandez is researching how common antibiotic-resistant genes are among bacteria from urban environments. Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a worldwide problem and where previously these bacteria were more commonly found in hospitals, now they can be found in everything from the food we consume to the soil beneath our feet, says Dr. Mercedes Hernandez, a Vancouver... Read more
VIU Researcher Investigates Eco-Evolutionary Process of Bog Orchids
August 11, 2020
VIU Biology Professor Jasmine Janes has received a Discovery Grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) to help her research bog orchid hybridization.Bog orchids are hybridizing naturally in the wild even though there are multiple barriers that should prevent this process from occurring, says Jasmine Janes, a Vancouver Island University (VIU) Biology Professor, who... Read more
VIU Biology Professor Pens Paper About Insect Apocalypse Myth
January 9, 2020
Scientific paper sheds light on the damage sensationalist language can have on public opinion and conservation efforts of insect populations.Insectageddon. The insect apocalypse. A global crisis of insect extinction. These sensationalist words and phrases used in media coverage can lead to public apathy and hinder conservation efforts and research about insect populations worldwide, says Dr.... Read more
Women of STEM
September 18, 2019
The white lab coat and plastic eye protection glasses may not have changed in the past two or three decades, but who is wearing them has. The number of women entering science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers has increased in recent years, but not enough. What needs to be done to ensure the increasing number of women accessing STEM education translates into more gender... Read more
The Class of 2019
September 17, 2019
The future is full of infinite possibilities for the more than 1,200 Vancouver Island University graduates who crossed the stage this year. Fuelled by their passions and equipped to excel in their fields thanks to hands-on learning opportunities and the support they received during their time at VIU, grads are ready to take on new challenges and opportunities in their chosen career paths. Three... Read more
VIU Biology Graduate Sets her Sights on Protecting the Environment
May 27, 2019
Inspired by the environmental research she was able to participate in at VIU Kimberley Barrett is excited to enter into the world of research following graduation.Biology graduate Kimberley Barrett isn’t going to medical school like she originally planned five years ago when she first started her degree at Vancouver Island University (VIU). Partway into her journey she discovered helping... Read more