Updates, news and stories

Message from the President: Welcome to the new academic year

A message from Benoit-Antoine Bacon, President and Vice-ChancellorIt gives me great pleasure to welcome everyone back to our beautiful campuses for the 2024/25 academic year. I hope you like September as much as I do; there is always something special in the air as we get back to class and welcome new students, faculty and staff into our community.

Four UBC-led projects awarded $21.5 million to develop sustainable agriculture solutions

Four projects led by UBC researchers have been awarded a combined $21.5 million to support a sustainable agriculture and agri-food sector in a net-zero economy.The research teams and projects are supported by grants awarded through the NSERC-SSHRC Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative, a joint initiative between the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Thousands of jellyfish clones are multiplying in BC lakes

An invasive, freshwater jellyfish is popping up in BC waters in the thousands and future sightings could increase rapidly, according to UBC research.The peach blossom jellyfish clones have been spotted in 34 places in BC, its furthest northern range in North America, and a recent paper predicts sightings will increase to about 80 by the end of the decade as climate change extends this range. 

Research in focus: Mathieos Belayneh

Mathieos is a physician in the Faculty of Medicine's Division of Palliative Care. His research focuses on the efficacy of methadone in treating Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy – a disorder that causes chronic neuropathic pain and debilitation in many cancer patients.

Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation leadership update

How much microplastic are you drinking? New UBC tool can tell you in minutes

Apply for the 2024/25 Community-University Engagement Support Fund

The 2024/25 Community-University Engagement Support (CUES) Fund is now open for applications, with a total of $700,000 available for up to 28 community-university projects. Apply for up to $25,000 to support community-university partnerships that benefit communities across the province and advance collaborative research, teaching and learning. CUES funding removes financial barriers and prioritizes reciprocal, inclusive engagement so all communities — especially those that have been and continue to be underserved, marginalized, or excluded — can benefit.

Dr. David Kitts appointed Dean pro tem, Faculty of Land and Food Systems

Dr. David Kitts has been appointed as Dean pro tem of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, effective Oct. 1, 2024.

Fire-breathing research: Clearing the air of wildfire dangers

Share a Research in focus profile

Submit your Research in focus (a short, informative profile) and help your colleagues learn more about you and your research at UBC. We would love to hear more about you and your research at UBC. What do you hope will change as a result of your research? What’s surprised you the most about your research journey? Who are the collaborators you would like to acknowledge? Tell us. 

Apply for the 2024/25 Maximizing Impact cohort

All non-tenured faculty at the level of assistant professor in the educational leadership and research streams who are within their first three years at UBC are invited to apply to be a part of this year’s cohort.Maximizing Impact is an eight-month cohort-based program, now entering its fifth year. This year’s cohort will include 35 faculty members from both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. This program provides mentorship and coaching to engage early-career academics and educational leaders in maximizing the impact of their research, teaching, and leadership.

Staff in focus: Ash Raymond

Ash is a registered veterinary technician with Animal Care Services at UBC Vancouver. Find out why “I can do hard things” is one of her favourite quotes and how she invests in her wellbeing.