UVic Faculty of Science

09/03/2026

How a machine learning model that predicts a cancer subtype led to a $100,000 scholarship.

Jason Zhang, a graduate of Mount Doug Secondary School, is this year's Schulich Leader Scholar for the Faculty of Science, receiving a $100,000 scholarship to support his studies.

Jason was a stand-out science fair competitor in grade 11 and 12, winning bronze and silver medals at the national science fair. Inspired by a breast cancer diagnosis in his family, he used publicly available gene expression data from breast cancer patients to develop a machine learning model that could predict a patient's cancer subtype with 93% accuracy.

Jason was also head of the science fair club at his high school and a senior coach of the Math Challengers club. He also ran cross-country.

Jason hopes to pursue a career in bioinformatics by combining his interests in science, computing and data analysis, and plans to study data science at UVic.

🔗 Read more about this year's Schulich Scholars: https://ow.ly/Rb3n50ZJ1Xy

08/27/2026

Our expertise in phytoplankton and climate change research is growing!

Biological oceanographer Adrian Marchetti has recently arrived at UVic as the BC Leadership Chair in Marine Ecosystems and Global Change. His research focuses on phytoplankton ecophysiology and genomics, looking to better understand the important roles that phytoplankton play in global biogeochemical cycles.

Marchetti’s work combines traditional oceanographic methods with molecular biology. He uses advanced methods in molecular sequencing, such as genomics, transcriptomics and metatranscriptomics, to better understand the taxonomic, functional and genetic diversity of phytoplankton.

🗨️ "It’s an indisputable fact that our oceans are changing, from nutrient cycles to the distribution of organisms to the organisms themselves. Phytoplankton are at the very base of our food chain and are responsible for half of the oxygen we breathe. They are often the first to show changes, acting as the canary in the coal mine and raising the alarm. This makes understanding how phytoplankton are changing critically important.”

- Adrian Marchetti, BC Leadership Chair and Professor of Earth & Ocean Sciences and Biology

🔗 Learn more about Marchetti and his research: https://ow.ly/uUpQ50ZFW39

08/14/2026

Struggling to come up with ways to entertain your kids this summer? We've got you!

Check out our list of summer science activities, developed and curated by UVic Science faculty, staff and students.

You can build a remotely operated vehicle to explore the ocean, learn about fish sounds while colouring, play our science-themed Connections games, read a recommended science book, and so much more.

🔗 Explore the list:

From hands-on learning opportunities to books and podcasts, to local adventures, our list of summer science activities is perfect for those looking to share their passion for science with the next generation!

08/12/2026

We've got a Loran Scholar coming to UVic Science this fall!

Edmonton native Tessa Muddle is one of 36 students across the country to be named a Loran Scholar this year, and she's chosen to come to UVic to study physics.

Tessa is the co-founder of an all-girls flag football organization. She coaches, plans, and promotes camps and leagues to help girls play football. She also plays and captains tackle and flag football at the national level, and plays rugby with her school team.

The Loran Award is valued at more than $100,000 over four years of undergraduate study. Scholars are chosen based on evidence of integrity, courage and curiosity, an ability to look beyond themselves and commit to service that improves the lives of others;, and intrinsic leadership potential that they may not fully recognize in themselves.

🔗 Learn more about Tessa: https://ow.ly/kPkv50ZxPOA

08/10/2026

📣Introducing the School of Molecular Life Sciences!

Since 1965, the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology has been one of the core departments within UVic’s Faculty of Science. But lots has changed over the last 60 years, and starting September 2026, the department’s name will be changing as well.

The Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology is officially renaming to the School of Molecular Life Sciences (MLSC) and will be transitioning from offering a BSc in Biochemistry or Microbiology to a new BSc in Molecular Life Sciences.

The new name better aligns with the department's current research and training activities and strengths, while also reflecting the national and international trend of integrating molecular terminology into names.

The program change will expand student flexibility, provide a more cohesive foundation across different areas of molecular life sciences, and reduce administrative duplication. Students will be able to add an option in biochemistry or microbiology, if desired.

🔗 Learn more about the changes: https://ow.ly/B7PU50ZxPMf

08/08/2026

Another conference, another student award winner. 🏆

Climate science student Tommy Duong had the opportunity to attend the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS) Congress online earlier this summer. He presented his research, and came away with the CMOS Flash Presentation Award!

“Attending the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS) Congress was an excellent opportunity to see firsthand the current leading edge of climate, weather and oceanographic research. It was an unexpected honour to receive the flash presentation award, especially amongst other fantastic presentations, but it was great to see other researchers interested in my work and to hear from a wide array of perspectives in earth sciences. Any students interested in the future of meteorology, oceanography or climate sciences should definitely consider attending future congresses, especially if it's online (registration is free for students!).

I would like to thank Drs. Adam Monahan, Carsten Abraham and Gesa Meyer for their mentorship and support throughout this project as well as facilitating this great opportunity."

- Tommy Duong (he/him), BSc (Honours) in Physical Climate Science, entering graduate studies in urban climate modelling at UVic.

07/31/2026

Three UVic Science researchers have been awarded a combined $3.65 million by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. 🙌

Their research will help us better understand diseases, our immune system and how we can support health.

👨🏽‍🔬 Gautam Awatramani (BIOL): Dendritic computations in the retina, $1,136,026.

This study will uncover how specialized cells in the retina detect the direction of movement, providing new insight into disorders where motion perception is impaired.

👨🏽‍🔬 Julian Lum (MLSC): Diet regulation of the metabolic-immune axis, 1,438,200.

This study examines how diet influences immune function in people with cancer, which could offer a scalable, accessible and cost-effective intervention that can be easily integrated into routine cancer care.

👩‍🔬 Lisa Reynolds (MLSC): Environmental factors and mechanisms influencing oral tolerance to dietary antigens during early life, $1,082,476.

This research will help identify new strategies to prevent food allergies and support healthier immune development in children.

🔗 Read more about the recent round of CIHR funding: https://ow.ly/TW3n50Zvf8g

07/31/2026

Another year of bringing science to Pride. 🌈

A group of UVic Science faculty, staff and students participated in Victoria's Pride Parade earlier this summer. Pride flags, tie-dyed lab coats and other colourful attire was the star of the day!

Everyone is welcome in Science. ❤️

07/29/2026

Recent changes at Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) have resulted in exciting news for the Faculty of Science!

Kate Moran's term as President and CEO of ONC concluded on June 30, 2026, and Kate has found a new home as a professor in the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences (SEOS). Welcome, Kate!

Meanwhile, former SEOS Director Jay Cullen has been named the Interim President and CEO of ONC, effective July 1, 2026. Congratulations, Jay!

🔗 Read more about the change: https://ow.ly/10mC50ZuoPh

07/28/2026

Wildfires have recently been making headlines, as smoke blanketed much of eastern Canada and the U.S. in mid-July.

But while Trump is blaming Canada, UVic climate scientist Andrew Weaver is pointing a finger at climate change in a recent Conversation Canada article, arguing that Canada cannot log, rake or prescribe burn its way out of a planetary problem.

Wildfires require ignition, combustible fuel and weather that permits rapid spread. While climate change does not usually strike the match (that's left up to people and lightning), warming weather increasingly determine whether a spark dies or becomes a catastrophe. Hotter air, earlier snowmelt and longer summers mean a drier landscape and more severe fire seasons.

Today's smoke is just a warning of what continued warming will bring.

🔗 Read the full article in The Conversation Canada: https://ow.ly/rei050Zu2MV