�鶹��ý��վ News - Faculty of Science

Professor Henri Darmon recipient of the Jeffery‑Williams Prize (2026)

webfull — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:30:54 +0000

Congratulations to Professor Henri Darmon, Distinguished James �鶹��ý��վ Professor at �鶹��ý��վ and CRM member, on receiving the 2026 Jeffery‑Williams Prize from the Canadian Mathematical Society. Darmon is an internationally recognized leader in number theory, known for his groundbreaking work on elliptic curves, L‑functions, and automorphic forms, including the introduction of Stark‑Heegner points and real quadratic analogues of singular moduli.

Published: 2 April 2026

Science showcase celebrates the curiosity driving undergraduate research

webfull — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:44:02 +0000

More than 200 undergraduate students presented their work at the 7th edition of the annual Faculty of Science event

From labs to field sites, �鶹��ý��վ students brought their discoveries to life at the 7^th annual Undergraduate Science Showcase, held on March 25. The event offers students an encouraging, non-competitive space where they can proudly share their research, passion projects, and in-class work, all while strengthening their confidence and science communication skills.

Published: 1 April 2026

Researchers warn of risks posed by ‘contaminants of emerging concern’ found in crops, agricultural soil

webfull — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:16:17 +0000

A new international study offers insights into the health risks posed by crops’ absorption of “contaminants of emerging concern” (CECs) and flags knowledge gaps the authors say must be addressed.

CECs include pharmaceuticals, microplastics, engineered nanomaterials and PFAS (commonly known as “forever chemicals”). The researchers warn that even when present at very low concentrations, these chemicals can subtly alter plant physiology, disrupt soil health and pose wider environmental and human health risks.

Published: 31 March 2026

Professor Marcin Sabok awarded the Ryll-Nardzewski Prize (2026)

webfull — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 15:17:15 +0000

We are delighted to announce that Marcin Sabok has been awarded the Ryll-Nardzewski Prize.

The prize was established to honour the great Polish mathematician Czesław Ryll-Nardzewski, and is awarded by the Ryll-Nardzewski Center at Wrocław University of Science and Technology. The prize is for outstanding achievements in mathematics in areas related to the work of Ryll-Nardzewski.

🔗 Read the official announcement

Published: 20 March 2026

Humans share acoustic preferences with other animals, study shows

webfull — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 18:18:52 +0000

A �鶹��ý��վ-led study has found that humans share acoustic preferences with other species, at least when it comes to animal calls. The results provide experimental evidence that shared sensory processing mechanisms may shape aesthetic judgments of sound.

Published: 19 March 2026

Study shows how tree cover shapes freshwater ecosystems over millennia

webfull — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:07:15 +0000

Researchers at �鶹��ý��վ used 2,000-year-old stone jars in Laos to observe long-term ecological processes, enhancing understanding of how strongly tree cover shapes small freshwater ecosystems. Their findings stand to help scientists predict how freshwater habitats will respond to environmental change, the researchers said.

Published: 9 March 2026

Findings of �鶹��ý��վ study could lead to new longevity therapies and improved fall prevention

webfull — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:46:40 +0000

A new �鶹��ý��վ study has found a direct link between age‑related declines in neuron activity in the cerebellum and worsening motor skills, including gait, balance and agility. While it is well known that these abilities diminish with age, this is the first research to pinpoint how changes in Purkinje cells – a key type of cerebellar neuron – drive this decline and translate into measurable changes in behaviour and physical function.

Published: 23 February 2026

Siva Reddy (Computer Science and Linguistics) and Katelin Schutz (Physics) awarded 2026 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowships

webfull — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:27:55 +0000

Professors Siva Reddy (Computer Science and Linguistics) and Katelin Schutz (Physics) have been named 2026 Sloan Research Fellows.

They are among the 126 early-career researchers in this year’s cohort of the prestigious two-year, $75,000 fellowship sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Fellows are nominated by their colleagues and evaluated based on their research accomplishments, creativity and potential to become leaders in their fields.

Published: 17 February 2026

Plants retain a ‘genetic memory’ of past population crashes, study shows

webfull — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:32:55 +0000

Researchers at �鶹��ý��վ and the United States Forest Service have found that plants living in areas where human activity has caused population crashes carry long-lasting genetic traces of that history, such as reduced genetic diversity. Because genetic diversity helps species adapt to climate change, disease and other stresses, the study suggests it is vital to consider a population’s history-influenced genetics alongside its size and habitat in conservation planning.

Published: 12 February 2026

People can learn to reject unfair advantages, even when it costs them

webfull — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:32:11 +0000

A new study co-authored by �鶹��ý��վ researchers suggests people can be taught to reject unfair advantages.

“We often benefit personally from an unequal distribution of resources, a phenomenon known as advantageous inequity – for example, receiving a higher salary than a colleague with the identical role,” said senior author Ross Otto, a psychology professor. “Here we ask whether people can learn to punish advantageous inequity merely by observing the inequity-averse preferences of another person.”

Published: 11 February 2026