2021 Science News

Recent Posts

Arturo Sanchez-Azofeifa, study co-author, professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and an affiliate of the U of A Sustainability Council.

News

New climate change modelling study could help Canada plan for economic disruptions
Pleistocene fossils from the Klondike region of Yukon, including Bison priscus skull.

News

Shrub expansion preceded megafauna extinction at the end of the last ice age
Meet the recipients of our annual awards, highlighting excellence and honouring our exceptional faculty and staff.

News

2021 Celebration of Excellence in Research and Teaching
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Science and Technology

New mentorship program puts U of A graduates on path to careers in energy sector
Hear from faculty lecturer and undergraduate physics advisor Kirk Kaminsky on the beauty of physics and sharing knowledge with the next generation of scientists.

News

Let’s Talk Teaching: Meet Kirk Kaminsky
Proof-of-concept platform Cardea brings patients and health professionals together to combat misinformation.

News

Computing scientists develop health-care-focused social media network
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Research, Science and Technology

Physicists create new model to hunt for colliding neutron stars
Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences recognized for research working to ensure the future of wildlife and healthy ecosystems.

News

Mark Boyce receives 2021 J. Gordin Kaplan Award
Meet Sorina Chiorean, graduating with a PhD in chemistry.

News

Celebrating the graduates of Fall 2021: Sorina Chiorean
Meet Christopher Heggerud, graduating with a PhD in applied mathematics.

News

Celebrating the graduates of Fall 2021: Christopher Heggerud
This week, Sucheta Chakravarty graduates with a PhD in psychology from the Department of Psychology.

News

Celebrating the graduates of Fall 2021: Sucheta Chakravarty
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Science and Technology, Research

Paleontologists debunk fossil thought to be missing link between lizards and first snakes
This week, Flavio Preti graduates with a master’s in ecology from the Department of Biological Sciences.

News

Celebrating the graduates of Fall 2021: Flavio Preti
This week, Asha Wijerathna graduates with a PhD in ecology from the Department of Biological Sciences.

News

Celebrating the graduates of Fall 2021: Asha Wijerathna
This week, Michael Armstrong graduates with a PhD from the Department of Chemistry

News

Celebrating the graduates of Fall 2021: Michael Armstrong
Meet Hao Wang, graduating with a PhD from the Department of Chemistry.

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Celebrating the graduates of Fall 2021: Hao Wang
This week, Elly Knight graduates with PhD in ecology from the Department of Biological Sciences.

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Celebrating the graduates of Fall 2021: Elly Knight
Meet Isaac Antwi, graduating with a PhD in chemistry.

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Celebrating the graduates of Fall 2021: Isaac Antwi
Hear from Carrie Demmans Epp on the interconnected nature of computing science.

News

Let’s Talk Teaching: Meet Carrie Demmans Epp
Meet Britta Nielsen, undergraduate student advisor in the Department of Computing Science.

News

Celebrating staff: Britta Nielsen
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Health And Wellness, Science and Technology, Research

Researchers aim to forecast COVID-19 cases further into the future
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Science and Technology, Society and Culture

Understanding social vulnerability is critical for climate change adaptation: study
New Assistant Professor Xiaoqi Tan joins the University of Alberta and shares his research and thoughts on the importance of teaching.

News

Studying uncertainty: Computing scientist uses algorithms to tackle real-world problems
Collaboration explores hyperbolic lattices and opens new avenues for research in condensed matter physics.

News

New research collaboration between physics and pure mathematics enables new strides toward quantum computing
Hear from Jennifer Passey on what makes social psychology so compelling to research and teach.

News

Let’s Talk Teaching: Jennifer Passey
Killam award winner reflects on the value of mentorship.

News

Building community: Meet award-winning mentor Kimberley Mathot
Meet Troy Locke, RNA technologies specialist in the Department of Biological Sciences.

News

Celebrating staff: Troy Locke
Meet Paul Myers, physical oceanographer and associate dean (research) in the Faculty of Science.

News

Have you met Paul Myers?
Meet Eleni Stroulia, acting vice dean in the Faculty of Science.

News

Have you met Eleni Stroulia?
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Science and Technology, Society and Culture, Research

Lakes in Canadian Rockies are losing their turquoise lustre as glaciers fade, say researchers
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Science and Technology, Business, Research

AI-based method speeds discovery of materials that harvest electricity from wasted heat
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Society and Culture, Science and Technology

Schulich Leaders aim to put their love of technology to work solving problems and helping others
NASA fellowship program will support Alexandra Tetarenko’s research on black holes.

News

Alumna and astrophysicist receives prestigious Hubble Fellowship
This month, we highlight the incredible staff behind the work-integrated learning opportunities offered by the Student Internship Program—including Janine Wedemeier, work experience coordinator.

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Celebrating Staff: Meet Janine Wedemeier
Jens Boos giving a 3MT talk in Convocation Hall

News

What is Inside a Black Hole?
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Society and Culture, Research, Health And Wellness

Pandemic isolation harder on introverts than extroverts, study suggests
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Science and Technology, Research

New tool helps predict which native fish species are most at risk from voracious lionfish predators
Former PhD student Jens Boos receives PR Wallace Thesis Prize from Canadian Association of Physicists.

News

Graduate recognized for thesis on theoretical physics of black holes
Student Innovator Spotlight: STEM Fellowship Big Data Challenge Winners

News

Student Innovator Spotlight: STEM Fellowship Big Data Challenge Winners
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Science and Technology, Research

Venom-injecting fangs evolved independently in vipers and cobras
An aerial photograph of the Faculty of Science at the University of Alberta.

News

Four Faculty of Science researchers receive funding for state-of-the-art research tools
Emma Atkinson is a 2021 recipient of the Vanier Scholarship funded by NSERC.

News

Spotting connections: Graduate student studies population dynamics for more sustainable fishing
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Research, Science and Technology

Zebra finches learn to build nests by studying unoccupied ones, new research shows
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Science and Technology, Research

Undergraduate student discovers threatened beetle is actually two separate subspecies
An aerial photo of the Faculty of Science. Valerie Willier shares her experiences as an Indigenous student at the U of A, studying STEM, and her work with equity-seeking group UAP-JEDI to increase inclusivity in physics.

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Student spotlight: Valerie Willier
On July 1, Tracy Raivio will step into her new role as acting chair in the Department of Biological Sciences.

News

Have you met Tracy Raivio?
On July 1, Joerg Sander will step into his new role as interim chair in the Department of Computing Science.

News

Have you met Joerg Sander?
Meet some of the amazing members of the graduating class of Spring 2021 from the Faculty of Science.

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Celebrating the graduates of Spring 2021: Faith Trinh
Meet some of the amazing members of the graduating class of Spring 2021 from the Faculty of Science.

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Celebrating the graduates of Spring 2021: YiYin Gao
Meet some of the amazing members of the graduating class of Spring 2021 from the Faculty of Science.

News

Celebrating the graduates of Spring 2021: Bryton Wong
Meet some of the amazing members of the graduating class of Spring 2021 from the Faculty of Science.

News

Celebrating the graduates of Spring 2021: Mizuki Lopez
Meet some of the amazing members of the graduating class of Spring 2021 from the Faculty of Science.

News

Celebrating the graduates of Spring 2021: Nicholas Silver
Meet some of the amazing members of the graduating class of Spring 2021 from the Faculty of Science.

News

Celebrating the graduates of Spring 2021: Jessica Groat
Meet some of the amazing members of the graduating class of Spring 2021 from the Faculty of Science.

News

Celebrating the graduates of Spring 2021: Jared Janzen
Meet Bhavana Kanagala, graduates of the class of Spring 2021 and ISSS president.

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Celebrating the graduates of Spring 2021: Bhavana Kanagala
On July 1, Roger Moore will step into his new role as chair in the Department of Physics.

News

Have you met Roger Moore?
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Science and Technology, Society and Culture

Grad mixes science with student journalism in quest for versatile skill set
Vladimir Michaelis will receive new funding through the Government of Canada’s Canada Research Chair program.

News

Research in materials discovery strengthened by federal government
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Science and Technology, Research, Health And Wellness

Research into how we retrieve memories could help treat people with PTSD and other anxiety disorders
On July 1, Tom Chacko will step into his new role as acting chair in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.

News

Have you met Tom Chacko?
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Science and Technology, Research

Researchers summit Mount Logan to document 30,000 years of climate history
Meet Fred West, who is stepping into the role of acting dean in the Faculty of Science for a two-year term beginning July 1, 2021.

News

Have you met … Fred West?
Newly-announced federal funding will support a University of Alberta-led study in the development of new infrastructure for 5G wireless communications.

News

Researcher launches program investigating the next generation of wireless comms
Liliana Rivera Sandoval recognized with 2021 Gruber Foundation Fellowship from International Astronomical Union.

News

Physicist receives prestigious international fellowship
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Science and Technology, Research

Ancient sand reveals missing piece of 3.2-billion-year-old continent
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Science and Technology, Research

Early exposure to cannabis compounds reduces later neural activity in zebrafish: study
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Science and Technology, Research

Scientists reveal the secret lives of Canada lynx
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Health And Wellness, Research, Science and Technology

Researchers create new AI-powered deep learning model to support medical diagnostics
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Science and Technology, Business, Research

U of A spinoff company could help unlock a lithium industry for Alberta
Olav Rueppell, honey bee expert and professor in the Department of Biological Sciences.

News

The science of bees: Meet Olav Rueppell
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Research, Science and Technology

Bears that mark more trees may be more successful in mating
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Science and Technology

AI innovator named to Royal Society
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Science and Technology, Research

Caves in Northern Canada provide a history of ancient permafrost
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Science and Technology, Research

Winning personality: researchers look at how squirrel personality influences odds of survival
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Research, Science and Technology

‘Self-healing’ continental roots have implications for precious mineral exploration
Bo Cao

Health And Wellness, Research, Science and Technology

Researchers hope AI can help diagnose depression more accurately
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Business, Science and Technology, Health And Wellness

Fast-growing Edmonton startup helps get new drugs to market sooner
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Research, Science and Technology

Broad-footed adult tyrannosaurs were less athletic than their slender adolescent counterparts
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Research, Health And Wellness

Innovative fitness program encourages kids with heart disease or transplants to train safely at home
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Science and Technology, Research

Study of snake jaw structure yields new understanding of evolutionary origins
As a teenager, Igor Boettcher loved to read about the elementary particles that make up everything in the universe. Now he’s a physics faculty member who develops the mathematical and conceptual framework to understand findings, and proposes new experiments to learn more.

News

Building on fundamental physics knowledge
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Health And Wellness, Science and Technology

Students’ innovative idea could help prevent fentanyl overdoses
The Faculty of Science mourns the loss of esteemed chemist and beloved community member Bill Graham.

News

In memoriam: Celebrating the life of William A. G. (Bill) Graham
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Science and Technology, Research, Health And Wellness

Research targets faster, safer source of islet cells for people with Type 1 diabetes
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Health And Wellness, Research, Science and Technology

U of A chemists discover how a plaque-fighting protein protects against Alzheimer’s
Vincent Bouchard, a professor and associate chair (undergraduate) in the University of Alberta’s Department of Mathematical and Statistical Science.

News

Let’s Talk Teaching: Meet mathematician Vincent Bouchard
Christine Rudd, human resources advisor in the Office of the Dean in the Faculty of Science.

News

Celebrating staff: Christine Rudd
Sample of growth factor that Future Fieds is developing

Business, Science and Technology

Edmonton startup gets $2.2-million boost to help develop lab-grown meat
Mahmoud Almadhoun

Science and Technology, Research

Chemists create high-quality memory devices using non-toxic liquid metals
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Science and Technology, Research

U of A biologists study how changing boreal forests could affect caribou
Project examines security and industrial impact of receding sea ice in the Arctic.

News

Project examines security and industrial impact of receding sea ice in the Arctic
Thomas Chacko is recognized for 30 years of research, teaching and leadership in the Faculty of Science.

News

Newly named distinguished professor delves Into mysteries of Earth’s crust
Victor Shegelski

Research, Science and Technology

Researchers study spread of mountain pine beetle in hopes of containing it
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Research, Science and Technology

Grazing livestock could reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, study shows
Stephen Johnston, professor and chair in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, here pictured on a hilltop during a field school session.

News

Message to alumni and friends from the Chair of the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Stacey Hume

Health And Wellness, Science and Technology

U of A spinoff company partners with Alberta Health Services to produce reagents for COVID-19 tests
Master's student Delaney Lothian

Society and Culture, Science and Technology

Graduate student uses technology to support Indigenous language learning
Hear from Zachary Friggstad on learning about programming and algorithms in the remote environment.

News

Let’s Talk Teaching: Meet computing scientist Zachary Friggstad
Faculty of Science researcher receives funding for research on municipal zoning bylaws in Edmonton.

News

A more equitable Edmonton: UAlberta scientist leads review of zoning bylaws through lens of human rights
Meet Sunrose Ko, manager of administration and finance in the Department of Computing Science.

News

Celebrating staff: Sunrose Ko
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Science and Technology

Canadian scientist briefs U.S. policy-makers on technology to remove carbon dioxide from atmosphere
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Research, Science and Technology

U of A physicist helping build next-generation particle detector to shed new light on dark matter
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Science and Technology, Research

New funding could help Alberta scientists unlock the quantum internet
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Research, Health And Wellness

U of A team receives new funding to advance understanding of misfolded proteins linked with dementia
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Science and Technology, Research

U of A-led space mission propelled by significant new funding
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Health And Wellness, Research

Equipment upgrades will boost innovative metabolomics research linking environmental exposures with health outcomes
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Research, Science and Technology

Powerful new microscope will enable physicists to advance the science of the very fast and very small
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Research, Science and Technology

New equipment will help U of A scientists create compounds that could power the future
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Research, Science and Technology

Limiting invasive species may be a better goal than eliminating them, new research suggests
A fireball lighting up the sky in Alberta and Saskatchewan

Science and Technology

Monday morning fireball was a comet fragment burning up in Earth’s atmosphere
Martha White, associate professor in the Department of Computing Science.

News

U of A scientist named one of the world’s top AI researchers to watch
A female and male Zebra Finch

Science and Technology, Research

Zebra finches choose nest materials based on past experience, new research shows
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Science and Technology

DeepMind champions diversity in AI with new graduate scholarship program at U of A
CMPUT 401 event gives students opportunity to practice hands-on skills, teamwork, and develop computing solutions to real-world problems.

News

Computing science students take on sustainability projects in hackathon
A deer next to a railroad in the rockies

Science and Technology, Research

U of A researchers pinpoint where wildlife are most likely to be killed by trains
Faculty of Science researcher Lisa Willis shares steps and advice for championing EDI in science.

News

12 ways to combat discrimination in STEM
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Research, Science and Technology, Health And Wellness

Researchers identify drugs with potential to stop plaque buildup in arteries
Hear from Assistant Chair Christie McDermott on chemistry, teaching, and her advice for students learning remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

News

Let’s Talk Teaching: Meet chemist Christie McDermott
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Science and Technology, Research

Tiny crustaceans’ claws capable of fastest repeatable movements ever seen in marine animals
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Society and Culture

Great-granddaughter of Black settlers chronicles Alberta’s little-known history
Meet the team that manages the Chemistry Stores in the Faculty of Science.

News

Celebrating staff: Chemistry Stores team
New group seeks to challenge—and educate on—conscious and unconscious biases experienced by scientists from marginalized groups in physics.

News

Students and faculty members champion diversity in the Department of Physics
The common nighthawk

Science and Technology

Researchers track common nighthawks across the Americas to shed light on declining populations
Doctors performing a test on a patient

Health And Wellness, Research, Science and Technology

Preventing seizures after brain injury could stave off dementia
Jonathan Schaeffer has received a lifetime achievement award from CS-Can | Info-Can.

News

Computing scientist recognized for lifetime of work in AI
Experiments conducted in 2019 lay groundwork for components for next satellite project by student group AlbertaSat.

News

What goes up: UAlberta students carry out experiments in simulated zero-gravity conditions on parabolic flight
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Health And Wellness, Science and Technology

Virtual clinic pilot sees success in Pincher Creek
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Science and Technology, Research

New research on hagfish provides insight into evolutionary origin of the eye
Marine conservation researcher Stephanie Green one of 21 scientists across North America selected for pioneering work in sustainability research.

News

UAlberta scientist named to 2021 Earth Leadership Program cohort
U of A professor Murray Gingras

Research, Science and Technology

Newly discovered fossil named after U of A paleontologist
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Science and Technology, Research

Scientists unearth first baby tyrannosaur fossils ever found
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Science and Technology, Research

Eating human food could mean trouble for urban coyotes, study shows
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Health And Wellness, Society and Culture, Science and Technology, Research

Newly named AI chairs will help advance game-changing research at U of A
Matina Kalcounis Rueppell, Dean of the Faculty of Science.

News

Dean’s message - College dean announcement & leadership update
Alumnus Kevin Swersky reflects on his education, founding a successful machine learning start-up, and advice for the next generation of students and entrepreneurs.

News

Alumni advice and artificial intelligence
Meet the recipients of our annual awards, highlighting excellence and honouring our exceptional faculty and staff.

News

2020 Celebration of Excellence in Research and Teaching
Meet Kyle Foster, Taylor Rogers, and Lorne Roth, the people behind undergraduate labs in the Department of Physics.

News

Celebrating staff: Kyle Foster, Taylor Rogers, and Lorne Roth
Project started by student group NeurAlbertaTech takes first place—and $20,000 in funding—in province-wide neurotechnology competition.

News

Student project RemBRAINdt creates art from brain waves
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Science and Technology, Research

Energy channelled by space weather favours the north, new study shows
Hear from Professor Frank Marsiglio on physics, problem solving, and the importance of asking for help.

News

Let’s Talk Teaching: Meet physicist Frank Marsiglio