VIU News & Experts: May 25, 2023

In this edition of VIU News & Experts: 

• VIU researcher investigating brain injuries as a result of domestic violence. 
• New expert in foot and ankle stability joins VIU. 
• World Oceans Day experts.
• VIU President and Provost talk research.

Please reach out to us with your requests for experts! We are happy to help. 

Featured experts

Researching brain injuries as a result of domestic violence

Hockey legend Trevor Linden teamed up with the YWCA on a powerful new campaign aimed at raising awareness about concussions suffered by women in domestic violence situations. VIU researcher Dr. Sandy Shultz is investigating this very topic, with the help of a Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar award and a Convening and Collaborating award.

World Oceans Day

With World Oceans Day approaching (June 8), we have experts who can comment on various topics. This year’s World Ocean’s Day theme is Planet Ocean: tides are changing.

• Dr. Timothy Green, VIU’s Canada Research Chair in Shellfish Health and Genomics, can speak about marine disease and climate change adaption of marine organisms.
• Dr. Dan Baker, a VIU Fisheries and Aquaculture Professor, specializes in thermal biology, carbon dioxide elevation and acidification and can speak about significant challenges associated with oceans and climate change.
• Dr. Heather Wiebe, a VIU Chemistry Professor, is an expert in molecular modeling and simulation, with a focus on the biochemistry of deep-sea organisms. She’s looking into the impact plastic pollution has on deep-sea organisms.

VIU in the news

New researcher focused on foot and ankle stability

VIU welcomes award-winning foot and ankle researcher Dr. Michael Asmussen, whose research program focuses on how the foot and ankle are essential for the human ability to walk and run. Asmussen received a Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar award to bring his innovative research to VIU, which focuses on helping people maintain their stability as they age. Learn more.

Ketamine-assisted therapy

Dr. Shannon Dames, chair of VIU's Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy program, weighed in on a CBC story about navy veteran Corey Pettipas. Pettipas is raising awareness about his ketamine-assisted therapy, which he found to be effective but not covered by Veterans Affairs. Read more.

Alum becomes a self-published author

In recent months, Ashley Kuramoto has written and illustrated two children’s books that encourage families to explore fun spots in the mid-Island area. The Little Adventures colouring books include scavenger hunts in popular Qualicum Beach, Nanoose and Lantzville spots. Proceeds of her books have gone to local charities and she has two more books on the way. Read more.

Campus happenings

VIU President and Provost talk about their research

Before VIU President Dr. Deborah Saucier and VIU Provost Dr. Michael Quinn took on administrative roles, they were researchers. Award-winning researchers whose curiosity took them to unique places and led them in directions they never imagined. Watch their presentation at this year’s Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity Symposium.