College of Natural + Applied Sciences

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College of Natural + Applied Sciences

We build the university of tomorrow.

Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences
Engineering
Science

The College of Natural and Applied Sciences brings together the scientific expertise across our faculties, enabling a new level of interdisciplinary research and innovative teaching practices. Home to some of the most comprehensive research infrastructure and teaching facilities in the world, our college is shaping the future through rigorous educational programs and cutting-edge research.

Office of Education

The Office of Education provides administrative support to academic units in the faculties of ALES, Engineering and Science. We are fostering a new level of interdisciplinary teaching and offers consistent, high-quality, and personalized service.

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News + Notices

What's the latest within the College of Natural and Applied Sciences?

College Dean and Vice-Provost

Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell

Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell is the college dean and vice-provost of the University of Alberta’s College of Natural and Applied Sciences, which brings together the combined strength of the faculties of agricultural, life and environmental sciences, engineering, and science.

As interim dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences from 2021-2023, Kalcounis Rueppell's collaborative approach has helped faculty and staff to successfully navigate an extraordinary amount of change. Working in partnership with college leadership and the council of deans, she has helped to consolidate academic and administrative processes at the college level, encouraging closer collaboration between units. 

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Dean Kalcounis-Rueppell

News

Discover more about teaching and research in the College of Natural and Applied Sciences.

The smoke is back. What does that mean for our health?
Health And Wellness, Science and Technology, Research
The smoke is back. What does that mean for our health?
Consecutive years of wildfire smoke exposure compound the dangers, says U of A expert who offers advice on how to protect ourselves.
June 06, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Kennedy Says ‘Charlatans’ Are No Reason to Block Unproven Stem Cell Treatments
Timothy Caulfield (Law, Public Health) comments on the use of experimental therapies.
June 05, 2025
Edmonton Summer: Your Guide to Balancing Work, Study, and Fun at U of A
Lifestyle & Culture
Edmonton Summer: Your Guide to Balancing Work, Study, and Fun at U of A
Owais’ guide is packed with real-life strategies to make your summer memorable, productive and genuinely fun, without the burnout.
June 05, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Google searches for information about cancer lead to targeted ads from alternative clinics
Opinion: Researcher Alessandro Marcon (Law) writes that phrases or questions contained in online searches serve as valuable data.
June 04, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Former Edmonton homicide detective charged with breach of trust
Sandrine Ampleman-Tremblay (Law) discusses breach of trust charges.
June 04, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Pipeline dreams: Is there even a market for Alberta’s heavy crude oil in Asia?
Andrew Leach (Arts, Law) comments on Alberta’s quest for a new pipeline.
June 04, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Class of ‘25: "There is no art without community"
Class of ‘25: "There is no art without community"
During her time in the BFA program, Nadia Zamora Hernández became a student leader who helped others find connection, confidence and creative courage.
June 03, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Dog attacks and feral cats: Here's how the City of Edmonton is revamping its animal bylaw
Colleen Cassady St. Clair (Science) comments on the City of Edmonton’s exploration of stricter regulations for dogs and feral cats.
June 03, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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From outbreaks to mass casualty events, Alberta's health system preps for G7 summit
James Talbot (Medicine & Dentistry), a former chief medical officer of health for Alberta, explains how Alberta's health system is working behind the scenes to prepare for the G7 summit.
June 02, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Celebrating groundbreaking diabetes research in Edmonton
Peter Senior (Medicine & Dentistry) says the Edmonton Protocol, developed at the U of A, is a life-transforming treatment because it frees people from the need to take daily insulin injections.
June 02, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Exercise Extends Life for People With Cancer, Study Shows
Kerry Courneya (Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation) says involving patients in a structured exercise program with ongoing support and accountability was key to this study.
June 01, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Class of ‘25: From the Netherlands to the North Saskatchewan
Class of ‘25: From the Netherlands to the North Saskatchewan
Arts PhD grad Malou Brouwer found academic inspiration and a deep connection to place through her research on Indigenous women's poetry
May 30, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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New lactation station open at University of Alberta
Kevin Friese, assistant dean of student health and wellness, says “We recognize the diversity of our campus population, and that diversity includes students with dependents and students who parent.”
May 30, 2025
Lowering the Flag: Dr. Robert Westbury
In Memoriam
Lowering the Flag: Dr. Robert Westbury
The University of Alberta banner is flying at half-mast from May 30 - June 2, 2025 in remembrance of Dr. Robert Westbury.
May 30, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Edmonton Summer: Your Guide to Balancing Work, Study, and Fun at U of A
Lifestyle & Culture
Edmonton Summer: Your Guide to Balancing Work, Study, and Fun at U of A
Owais’ guide is packed with real-life strategies to make your summer memorable, productive and genuinely fun, without the burnout.
June 05, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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New residency program aims to keep more family doctors in the Yukon
The pilot program is a partnership between the U of A, the Yukon Government and the Yukon Medical Association.
June 05, 2025
Building the city of tomorrow
Research, Business, Society and Culture
Building the city of tomorrow
U of A business school taps leading expert to envision new solutions to urban challenges — starting with Edmonton.
June 05, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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The Drive AI aims to make file management smarter
Graduate Bigyan Karki (Science) co-founded The Drive AI during his master’s degree at the U of A.
June 04, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Experts stress the importance of achieving herd immunity at a community level as Alberta grapples with the measles outbreak
Stephanie Smith (Medicine & Dentistry) says a number of factors have contributed to Alberta’s increase in measles cases.
June 04, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Disaster deep below: How Calgary's catastrophic feeder main failure was decades in making
Alireza Bayat (Engineering) comments on the Bearspaw south feeder main rupture.
June 04, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Class of ‘25: Using community-driven archaeology to explore Indigenous removal
Class of ‘25: Using community-driven archaeology to explore Indigenous removal
Liam Wadsworth is an Anthropology PhD graduate who seeks to amplify once-silenced voices
June 03, 2025
‘It literally saved my life’: Edmonton Protocol celebrates 25 years of success
Health And Wellness, Research
‘It literally saved my life’: Edmonton Protocol celebrates 25 years of success
The U of A’s islet transplantation program has revolutionized diabetes treatment — and researchers continue the quest to improve its life-changing impact for patients.
June 03, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Extreme cleanses and detox diets: Do they work?
Timothy Caulfield (Law, Public Health) discusses cleanses and detox diets.
June 02, 2025
‘Definitive test’ finds exercise a potent weapon against colon cancer
Science and Technology, Health And Wellness, Research
‘Definitive test’ finds exercise a potent weapon against colon cancer
International clinical trial shows that a structured exercise program after surgery and chemotherapy improves odds of survival and lowers risk of cancer coming back.
June 02, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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A brisk walk a few times a week could help keep colon cancer away, study suggests
Kerry Courneya (Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation) launched the research because previous studies had hinted at the benefits of exercise, but nothing was definitive enough to convince doctors.
June 01, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Temitope Oriola: Fighting violent online network preying on kids requires all of us
Opinion: Temitope Oriola (Arts) writes about violent online networks exploiting minors.
May 30, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Celebrating Difference: Indigenous Perspectives in Health
Grant Bruno (Medicine & Dentistry) says he is taking teachings from his culture and applying them to his research on autism.
May 30, 2025
The power of a good pivot
Health & Wellness
The power of a good pivot
Morenike explores how taking another path can lead you where you were meant to be.
June 05, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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New city-building institute at University of Alberta names its first executive director
Murtaza Haider (Business) is the executive director of the newly established Cities Institute and its first Radhe Krishna Gupta Executive Chair.
June 05, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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In federal Lake Street operation, ICE agent’s Norse patch sparks questions over ideology
Natalie M. Van Deusen (Arts) discusses whether Nordic cultural symbols could be appropriated by white supremacist groups.
June 04, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Frozen in time: No Canadian hockey team has won the Stanley Cup Final since 1993
Andre Costopoulos (Arts) explains that this year, conversations about a Canadian team winning the Stanley Cup have become more serious, as Canadians feel their national identity being threatened.
June 04, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Psychology 101: The mental gymnastics behind this Edmonton Oilers Cup run
Professor Emeritus John Dunn (Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation) explains that the Oilers have been able to develop psychological resilience through overcoming adversity.
June 04, 2025
Shaped by community
Society and Culture, Research
Shaped by community
With an education in Indigenous governance, Marc Jr. Doire is on a path to supporting his nation and serving as a role model for others to follow.
June 04, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Is another 'grand bargain' necessary to build another pipeline?
Andrew Leach (Arts) notes in his book that Alberta’s first promise of government and industry working together to pursue carbon capture technology was made in 1994.
June 03, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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These researchers think the sludge in your home may help save the planet
Lisa Stein (Science) comments on a research group’s search for microorganisms that might pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
June 02, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Canada is facing significant skilled labour shortages
Lecturer Stephen Murgatroyd (Education) discusses Canada’s challenge with job vacancies and labour shortages.
June 02, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Sport researchers say spouses of athletes growing in popularity
Judy Liao (Augustana) says nowadays WAGs (wives and girlfriends) are gaining visibility with social media and online content created by the influencers themselves.
June 01, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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35 ans de l’AJEFA : un combat constant pour les droits en français en Alberta
Student Chiara Concini (Law) has been participating in the general assembly of the Association of French-Speaking Jurists of Alberta (AJEFA) for several years.
June 01, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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There may be more trees than originally thought in the boreal forest
Fangliang He (Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences) speaks about discovering more trees in the boreal forest with AI.
May 30, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Conor Kerr, Ashley Tate and Thomas King among winners of 2025 Crime Writers of Canada Awards
Conor Kerr (Arts) won the $1,000 best crime novel award for Prairie Edge, which was shortlisted for both the 2024 Giller Prize and the 2024 Atwood Gibson fiction prize.
May 30, 2025