Cancer research, navigating MAiD, Indigenous speaker shares through song
In this issue of VIU News & Experts:
- Research that could improve cancer treatments
- Navigating the MAiD process
- The global AI arms race
- Reconciliation through song
- Keeping students in school this Giving Tuesday.
VIU experts
Taking a deeper look inside cells
VIU postdoctoral researcher Dr. Joseph Monaghan is developing new technology to better see what's happening in tissues on the cellular level, which could lead to improvements in cancer treatments. Monaghan is part of the VIU Metabolomics Group research team, led by Chemistry Professor Dr. Kyle Duncan.
“We want to develop tools to understand how metabolites change over time and space at the cellular level,” said Monaghan. “The end dream is to be able to pick out a cell and see who its neighbours are, which metabolites are present and how they have changed.”
He has a $140,000 Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Postdoctoral Research Award to continue his research at VIU over the next two years.
Helping people considering MAiD navigate supports
Navigating complex health and social systems can be challenging for people requesting Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), as well as their families and caregivers. VIU Nursing Professor Dr. Caroline Variath is working with community and patient partners to identify gaps in services and explore how local health and social resources can better respond to people’s needs.
Read more about Caroline's research
VIU Model UN explores AI arms race
Can the AI arms race be stopped?
Political and Global Studies students are delving into this topic during VIU's annual VIU Model UN Conference. The VIU students will be joined by more than 150 high school students.
Keynote speaker David Chan, Executive Director of the Department of National Defence, Canadian Armed Forces Artificial Intelligence Centre, will join the conference virtually and talk about the challenges AI presents to military applications such as AI and autonomous weapons. Chan is a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, the Operational Service Medal – Expedition and the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada Post-Graduate Research Fellowship.
When: Friday, November 20, refreshments at 9 am. Opening ceremony at 9:30 am
Where: Malaspina Theatre, Nanaimo campus
Members of the media who would like to attend the event can email Rachel Stern, Communications Officer, at Rachel.Stern@VIU.ca, by Thursday, November 19 at noon.
Canada's closer relationship with the European Union
Canada is the first “associate member” of the European Union opening the door to closer cooperation on trade, technology, energy, defence and critical minerals. VIU Economics Professor Dr. Charles Schell is available to speak with media about the potential economic implications of closer Canada-EU ties. Two of his students, Emma Roth and Victoria Laukamp, both German exchange students, are also available to share their thoughts on the relationship between Canada and the EU.
VIU news
VIU launches literacy micro-credential
Dropping literacy rates show a greater need for support in early literacy instruction. VIU has a new online program to help elementary school teachers strengthen their reading and writing teaching. Teachers will learn how to better identify learning gaps, plan lessons and provide extra help to students. They will also learn ways to support students from different backgrounds, including those who speak more than one language or have different learning abilities.
Read about the new micro-credential
Helping students in financial need
VIU’s Giving Tuesday campaign has begun and aims to support students who are in danger of dropping out of school due to financial reasons. For Marissa (ḥayuxt̓in) Tom-Charlie, receiving an entrance scholarship made coming to VIU possible. “It was a big part of the decision to go to school,” she says.
From November 1 to December 1, double the impact of your gift with matching funds. You can also bid on items in the popular online auction starting November 17.
Learn more about Giving Tuesday at VIU
Exploring reconciliation through song
Marion Newman is a critically acclaimed mezzo-soprano of Kwagiulth and Stó:lō First Nations with English, Irish and Scottish heritage. You may know her as host of CBC’s Saturday Afternoon at the Opera as well as her award-winning stage performances. On November 18 she’ll deliver the keynote at VIU’s 12th annual Indigenous Speakers Series. Open to all and free to attend.
The science of mass spectrometry
VIU researchers are using mass spectrometry to detect toxins, improve drug testing and help address the opioid crisis. The technology identifies and measures chemicals in samples and gives insights into what they're studying.
Education student fastest triathlete in his age group
Swim, bike, run, study, repeat. VIU Education student Ryan Seaman is pursuing two big goals: triathlon success and a teaching career. A former boxer, Ryan discovered triathlon in 2024 and didn't look back. At Ironman 70.3 in Victoria, he finished fourth overall, won his age group and was the first Canadian to cross the finish line. Now, he’s setting his sights on the 2027 world championships while continuing his studies in Education.
Happening at VIU
Putting a human face to war
Who are we remembering when we read the names on a cenotaph?
VIU’s Dr. Stephen Davies, Director of VIU's Canadian Letters and Images Project, says every year on Remembrance Day, people gather in front of cenotaphs to remember those fallen in Canadian conflicts. But just looking at names doesn’t give people a sense of who these soldiers were. That’s where the project comes in – it looks at soldiers’ letters and the feelings, memories and motivations they reveal.
Davies says remembrance is about making the invisible visible and that “soldier correspondence is the best means to achieve that transformation. Letters put a human face to war and remind us of what remembrance is about.” In the final 2026 Arts and Humanities Colloquium Series talk on November 19, Davies will share the stories of some of these soldiers – as told through their letters home.
Davies will be joined by Operation Pegasus Foundation and Operation Freedom Paws, local non-profits supporting veterans and first responders.
When: Thursday, November 19, 11:30 am to 1 pm
Where: Malaspina Theatre (Building 310 on VIU’s Nanaimo campus)
Free entry: No need to register in advance.
Milner Christmas Magic
Make memories with family and friends this holiday season by experiencing Milner Christmas Magic. Stroll outdoors through thousands of twinkling lights and festive window displays. Milner Christmas Magic runs December 3 to 6, 10 to 13, and 17 to 20, from 3:30 to 8:30 pm, with viewing until 9 pm. Admission by suggested donation of $8 for adults, $4 for children and $20 for a household.
Discover the work of artist Brendan Wanderer
Don’t miss the upcoming View Gallery exhibit Rooted in the In-Between, featuring art and poetry by Brendan Wanderer. The exhibit runs November 12 to December 3. Opening night is November 19 from 4 to 6 pm. The View Gallery, Building 330, VIU Nanaimo campus, is open Tuesday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm, during exhibitions.
Butterfly Theater brings romantic play to VIU
Join Butterfly Theater and VIU’s Theatre department for the brilliant and beautiful play Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune. Producer and owner of Butterfly Theater, Rebecca Godin, plays Frankie in this romantic play. Ryan A. Holdaway, a professional actor based in Vancouver, plays Johnny.
When: November 25 to 28, 7:30 pm, November 28 matinee at 1 pm
Where: Mike Taugher Studio, Building 330, Room 109
VIU in the news
Foodie events, improving drug testing, our Mariners soccer teams are at nationals and raising money for students at risk of abandoning their studies. Here’s what happened over the last month at Vancouver Island University:
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