News Stories
VIU professor develops imaging technology to take a deeper look at tumour metabolism
August 28, 2023
Dr. Kyle Duncan is part of an innovative cancer research team that received funding from the Terry Fox Research Institute. A team of researchers is leading an innovative project that will give clues to the origin and behaviour of cancer. The Terry Fox Research Institute is awarding $2.4 million to the Spatial Metabolome Hubble Project. The Terry Fox New Frontiers Program Project Grant is led by... Read more
VIU lecture series kicks off with the story of the endangered Vancouver Island marmot
January 31, 2023
Science and Technology Community Lecture Series features seven presentations by VIU faculty. Scientists are sharing their insights on everything from the endangered Vancouver Island marmot to investigating deep-sea organisms with computational chemistry during the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Science and Technology Community Lecture Series. The lecture series has run almost every spring for... Read more
VIU researcher aims to build a new tool to map molecules in tissue
January 4, 2023
Chemistry Professor Dr. Kyle Duncan receives NSERC Discovery Grant to help develop new mass spectrometry imaging technology. A Vancouver Island University (VIU) Chemistry Professor is developing mass spectrometry technology that could help discover new treatment options for cancer. Dr. Kyle Duncan is building custom mass spectrometry imaging technology to help get a more accurate picture of... Read more
From climate change to fish kills – environmental chemistry enabled by innovative research
December 1, 2022
VIU Chemistry Professor Dr. Erik Krogh receives NSERC Discovery Grant to continue groundbreaking research. Dr. Erik Krogh, a Vancouver Island University (VIU) Chemistry Professor, is expanding the frontiers of mass spectrometry to develop real-time measurements of emerging contaminants in real-world samples. Access to clean air, water and food is critical to the quality of life in Canada, said... Read more
VIU researchers measure methane at Alberni Valley Landfill
August 17, 2022
Student researchers gain valuable hands-on experiences while helping to fight climate change. Methane is more potent than carbon dioxide and reducing or eliminating emissions is a critical step to help fight climate change. Researchers at Vancouver Island University (VIU) are working with the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District to monitor the Alberni Valley Landfill to find methane hot spots.... Read more
Microplastics Exposed to Sunlight Can Change their Behaviour in the Environment
March 1, 2022
VIU alum Misha Zvekic’s research on microplastics and the effects of exposure to light was recently published by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Microplastics are everywhere – in the oceans, rivers and the air you breathe – and are being ingested by various animals and other organisms. And while microplastics are already problematic on their own, they can also absorb toxins and other harmful... Read more
VIU Researcher Developing Precise Chemical Tests Requiring Minutes Instead of Hours
February 23, 2022
Chemistry Professor Dr. Chris Gill receives a $240,000 Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada grant to pursue research. For two decades, Dr. Chris Gill and his research team have been revolutionizing scientific methods using direct mass spectrometry – an analytical technique that is used to rapidly measure the chemical makeup of substances. Gill, Co-Director of Vancouver... Read more
VIU Researcher Investigating Impact of Plastic Pollution on Deep-Sea Organisms
October 13, 2021
Chemistry professor Dr. Heather Wiebe is pursuing her research with the help of a $120,000 NSERC Discovery Grant. Plastic pollution is reaching the deepest depths of the ocean and the impact of these contaminants on marine life that live in these high-pressure environments is unknown. Dr. Heather Wiebe, a VIU Chemistry Professor, is investigating the ability of deep-sea organisms to metabolize... Read more
Alum of the Month: Sara Guzman
September 15, 2021
Sara Guzman has always been fascinated by tiny things you can’t see with the naked eye, from microbes to chemical reactions in cells. It’s the reason Guzman knew she wanted a science career. Her parents encouraged her to pursue higher education. Guzman, originally from Bogota, Colombia, decided to attend university abroad and selected Vancouver Island University (VIU). She graduated from VIU in... Read more
BC Government announces support for VIU-developed drug checking technology
August 17, 2021
Vancouver Island University (VIU) is excited to share the news that the provincial government is providing $305,000 for HarmCheck – a cutting-edge drug-checking technology that was developed at VIU. It uses high-throughput paper spray mass spectrometry to provide rapid drug-checking and can be used on-site as a harm reduction method. HarmCheck is a collaboration between VIU and the Victoria-based... Read more