Quantitative Life Sciences - News

�鶹��ý��վ researchers’ novel device could boost the development of sound-based lasers

�鶹��ý��վ — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:52:16 +0000

Researchers at �鶹��ý��վ have developed a novel device that generates sound-like particles known as phonons at extremely cold temperatures. The technology could be used to create phonon lasers, with possible applications in communications and medical diagnostics.

Appointment of Alanna Watt as Dean of the Faculty of Science

�鶹��ý��վ — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:48:45 +0000

Dear members of the �鶹��ý��վ community,

I am delighted to announce that Prof. Alanna Watt will be �鶹��ý��վ’s next Dean of the Faculty of Science. The �鶹��ý��վ Board of Governors approved her appointment at its meeting on April 23, 2026, and her five-year renewable term will begin on May 1.

The science that changed how we study pain

�鶹��ý��վ — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:34:18 +0000

Some of Dr. Jeffrey Mogil’s most influential discoveries could be considered serendipity. He may not have set out to revolutionize the field, but what he ended up finding has made a lasting impact in the world of pain research.

Dr. Mogil is a pain researcher and professor at �鶹��ý��վ, and his CIHR-supported work uncovered two big blind spots: the research had focused almost entirely on male pain and mostly measured one type of pain—and not the type that makes the biggest difference for patients.

Researchers identify new jellyfish species in fossils near Quebec City

�鶹��ý��վ — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:37:27 +0000

Researchers studying 450-million-year-old fossils discovered about 50 kilometres northeast of Quebec City have identified a new species of basal medusozoan: Paleocanna tentaculum, a soft-bodied, tube-shaped polyp with a ring of tentacles. Closely related to modern jellyfish, it is a rare discovery. Only a few other species in its subphylum have ever been described in the fossil record.

2026 Fessenden Professorship Awards and Tomlinson Science Awards winners announced

�鶹��ý��վ — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:45:09 +0000

The 2026 winners of the Fessenden Professorship and Tomlinson Science Awards have been named.

Established in 2007 and named after Canadian electrical engineer Reginald Aubrey Fessenden, the Fessenden Professorship in Science and Innovation Award supports researchers in exploring early-stage concepts, developing intellectual property, and moving innovations toward commercialization.

Researchers turn to mussels and mistletoe to design sustainable materials

�鶹��ý��վ — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:58:15 +0000

Taking inspiration from how mussels and mistletoe plants build natural fibres and adhesives, researchers at �鶹��ý��վ have developed a new way to manufacture complex materials that could offer a more environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional plastics and glues.

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

�鶹��ý��վ — 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.

Science showcase celebrates the curiosity driving undergraduate research

�鶹��ý��վ — 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.

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

�鶹��ý��վ — 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.

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

�鶹��ý��վ — 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

Humans share acoustic preferences with other animals, study shows

�鶹��ý��վ — 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.

Study shows how tree cover shapes freshwater ecosystems over millennia

�鶹��ý��վ — 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.

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

�鶹��ý��վ — 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.

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

�鶹��ý��վ — 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.

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

�鶹��ý��վ — 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.

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

�鶹��ý��վ — 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.”

Dr. Bridget Andersen awarded the Dr. Allie Vibert Douglas Astrophysics PhD Thesis Prize

�鶹��ý��վ — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 18:25:05 +0000

Congratulations to Dr. Bridget Andersen, who has received the Dr. Allie Vibert Douglas Astrophysics PhD Thesis Prize!

Two funding opportunities available for students participating in a Field Study Semester

�鶹��ý��վ — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 15:40:35 +0000

The Faculty of Science is pleased to share two awards available for students participating in a Field Study Semester (FSS) in the 2026-2027 or 2027-2028 academic year.

�鶹��ý��վ team awarded CIFAR AI Safety Catalyst Grant to advance developer oversight in AI-assisted coding

�鶹��ý��վ — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 16:02:25 +0000

�鶹��ý��վ team aims to develop guidelines, tools, and policy insights that help software engineers work safely and effectively with AI-assisted coding systems.

A �鶹��ý��վ research team is tackling one of AI’s fastest-moving challenges: how software developers can steer and safeguard code as AI systems become capable of writing large portions of software on their own.

Freshwater browning threatens growth and populations of economically important fish, �鶹��ý��վ researchers say

�鶹��ý��վ — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 15:30:53 +0000

Freshwater browning is stunting fish growth of some species, shrinking populations of others and changing the composition of fish communities, �鶹��ý��վ-led research suggests. “Browning” refers to freshwater bodies turning tea-coloured, a phenomenon driven by higher levels of dissolved organic matter and/or higher levels of iron in the water. Causes include changes in land use and climate, and reduced acid precipitation.

The findings indicate that changes in land use and climate are affecting biodiversity and how ecosystems function, with implications for fisheries management.

�鶹��ý��վ researchers develop a cheaper, safer material for use in solar panels, sensors and optical devices

�鶹��ý��վ — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 16:38:33 +0000

Using proteins from a common tobacco plant virus, �鶹��ý��վ chemistry researchers have developed a simple, eco-friendly way to arrange gold nanoparticles into ultrathin sheets, strengthening the particles’ optical properties. The result: cheaper, safer materials for solar panels, sensors and advanced optical devices.

Professor Audrey Moores (Chemistry) awarded the Canadian Pacific Chair in Biotechnology

�鶹��ý��վ — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:56:12 +0000

Congratulations to Professor Audrey Moores (Chemistry), who has been awarded the Canadian Pacific Chair in Biotechnology!

The Canadian Pacific Chair in Biotechnology is an endowed chair created in 1984 to promote research in the field of biotechnology. The chair is awarded for a five-year term and rotates among �鶹��ý��վ's Faculties of Medicine, Science and Agriculture.

Exoplanet is observed shedding its atmosphere in real time

�鶹��ý��վ — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 14:36:10 +0000

Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a team led by �鶹��ý��վ researcher Vigneshwaran Krishnamurthy has observed a giant cloud of helium gas evaporating from a distant giant exoplanet called WASP-107b.

24 �鶹��ý��վ researchers identified in Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers List

�鶹��ý��վ — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 15:15:58 +0000

Twenty-four �鶹��ý��վ researchers have been named to the 2025 Highly Cited Researchers™ list, a ranking prepared each year by Clarivate, an analytics company based in the US. The list assesses researchers in a wide range of disciplines, from neuroscience to environmental science. The number of �鶹��ý��վ scholars on the list grew from 14 in 2024 to 24 in 2025.

�鶹��ý��վ’s Bachelor of Arts and Science program celebrates 20 years of interdisciplinary scholarship

�鶹��ý��վ — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:58:56 +0000

Happy 20th birthday, B.A. & Sc.!

Redpath Museum and Physics Outreach bring science to life at �鶹��ý��վ's Bellairs Research Institute

�鶹��ý��վ — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 19:41:55 +0000

This past September, St. James Parish in Barbados celebrated We Gatherin’, a year-long festival of Barbadian heritage, culture and community. As part of the festivities, �鶹��ý��վ’s Bellairs Research Institute hosted a day-long Science Adventure for local schoolchildren featuring a visit from �鶹��ý��վ’s Redpath Museum and the Physics Outreach Committee.

Professor Christian Genest recipient of the Acfas Urgel-Archambault prize (2025)

�鶹��ý��վ — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 19:14:22 +0000

Professor Christian Genest is the winner of the 2025 Acfas Urgel-Archambault prize.

Le Prix Acfas Urgel-Archambault 2025 pour les sciences physiques, mathématiques, informatique et génie, est remis à Christian Genest, professeur titulaire au Département de mathématiques et de statistique de l'Université �鶹��ý��վ.

Bringing environmental policymakers together to focus on the future sparks empathy for nature and later generations, �鶹��ý��վ study finds

�鶹��ý��վ — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 15:19:04 +0000

When environmental policymakers are invited to imagine the future together, they don’t just think differently, they feel differently, too.

How a �鶹��ý��վ undergrad’s summer research project became a paper in a prestigious journal

�鶹��ý��վ — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 20:16:56 +0000

When then-�鶹��ý��վ undergraduate Maya Willard-Stepan cold-emailed a professor asking to help with their research, she didn’t expect the project to end up in the Nature-partner journal npj Urban Sustainability.

“I really wanted to get involved in research early,” said Willard-Stepan, who had come to �鶹��ý��վ from a small town on Vancouver Island.

�鶹��ý��վ researchers track boulders’ influence on snow melt, watersheds using unique combination of methods

�鶹��ý��վ — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 15:30:56 +0000

Thanks to their use of a unique methodology, a �鶹��ý��վ-led research team has obtained new insights into how boulders affect snow melt in mountainous northern environments, with implications for local water resources.

The team found that snow near boulders melts faster, not only because rocks radiate heat, but also due to subtle processes that reshape the snow’s surface. This information will help researchers understand how small-scale processes affect downstream water resources.

Climate change could result in contaminant spread in the High Arctic, �鶹��ý��վ study finds

�鶹��ý��վ — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 16:51:59 +0000

Warming temperatures and increased precipitation in the Canadian High Arctic are mobilizing new pathways for subsurface contaminants to spread from more than 2,500 contaminated sites associated with industrial and military sites across the region.

Ancient mammoth tooth offers clues about Ice Age life in northeastern Canada

�鶹��ý��վ — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 14:54:09 +0000

A worn-down mammoth tooth discovered nearly 150 years ago on an island in Nunavut offers new insights into where and how the Ice Age giants lived and died.

Experts: Social prescribing

�鶹��ý��վ — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 17:34:12 +0000

As part of a new partnership with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (MSO), member doctors of Médecins francophones du Canada can now prescribe tickets to live performances.