News Stories
VIU researcher examining how microbes could protect frogs and Pacific oysters from diseases
November 22, 2023
Dr. Andrew Loudon received a $165,000 NSERC Discovery Grant to pursue his research. Dr. Andrew Loudon is working to protect the Columbia spotted frog from a deadly disease and breed a more disease-resistant and resilient Pacific oyster. The Vancouver Island University (VIU) microbiology professor’s research focuses on the relationship between animals and microbes. He’s looking into how these... Read more
VIU students showcase innovative seafood creations during Urchin Tank
November 20, 2023
What: Urchin Tank – Seaweed Challenge When: Friday, November 24, 5 to 7:30 pm Where: VIU’s Malaspina Theatre (Building 310), Nanaimo campus Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Urchin Tank is back this fall with five new student teams competing to see who has created the best fermented seaweed product. Urchin Tank is a Dragons’ Den-style show where students pitch their products to a panel of... Read more
Alum of the Month: Brian Timmer
July 31, 2023
As a SCUBA instructor at Sundown Diving, Brian Timmer swam amongst the kelp forests in the waters of Nanoose Bay. During heatwaves in 2014 and 2015, he witnessed those kelp forests disappear. A few years later while attending Vancouver Island University, he worked for the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute on a kelp restoration project, studying kelp forests and nearshore... Read more
VIU biology professor restoring one of Canada’s most threatened ecosystems on Nanaimo campus
May 1, 2023
The Garry oak ecosystem is home to many species at risk in British Columbia. One of Canada’s most threatened ecosystems – the Garry oak – is coming to life on VIU’s Nanaimo campus. VIU employees, students and community volunteers have maintained a Garry oak ecosystem restoration plot since 2021. The 500-square-metre plot is located west of Building 470 near the top of campus. Dr. Caroline... Read more
VIU lecture series kicks off with the story of the endangered Vancouver Island marmot
January 31, 2023
Science and Technology Community Lecture Series features seven presentations by VIU faculty. Scientists are sharing their insights on everything from the endangered Vancouver Island marmot to investigating deep-sea organisms with computational chemistry during the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Science and Technology Community Lecture Series. The lecture series has run almost every spring for... Read more
Vancouver Island Marmot Breeding Program is Preserving the Genetic Diversity of the Species
February 24, 2022
VIU alum Kimberley Barrett publishes a research paper in an esteemed international journal that promotes conservation of biodiversity. The Vancouver Island marmot is one of Canada’s most endangered mammals and a captive breeding program was started in the late 1990s to help prevent extinction. With such a small population, however, conservationists were concerned about the genetic diversity of... Read more
Alum of the Month: Kevin Gourlay
December 20, 2021
On the last day of a week-long survey this summer in Strathcona Provincial Park, Vancouver Island University (VIU) alum Kevin Gourlay made a remarkable discovery – a new Vancouver Island marmot colony. The Vancouver Island marmot is Canada’s most endangered mammal. According to the Marmot Recovery Foundation, in 2004 there were fewer than 30 marmots remaining in the wild. Recovery efforts since... Read more
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