Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science

Research at UBC Okanagan is taking an important step toward improving the lives of those living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as a bioengineered probiotic moves into human trials.

The microbial therapy, advancing through Melius MicroBiomics Inc. builds on work led by Faculty of Science researchers Drs. Deanna Gibson and Andrea Verdugo-Meza. Designed to thrive in the inflamed gut, the approach aims to overcome a key challenge that has limited the effectiveness of traditional probiotics.

“Probiotics tend to wash out of the gut exactly when patients need them most—during a flare. We wanted to flip that and engineer the probiotic to use inflammation as fuel.”
— Dr. Deanna Gibson, Professor of Biology, Melius MicroBiomics CoFounder.

With millions of people worldwide living with IBD, this milestone marks a promising step toward new microbiome-based treatment options.

Read more: https://news.ok.ubc.ca/2026/06/19/researchers-engineer-a-probiotic-thats-heading-to-human-trials/

Researchers engineer a probiotic that’s heading to human trials - UBC's Okanagan News A probiotic bioengineered by UBC Okanagan researchers to thrive in […]

Congratulations to Dr. Emmanuel Osei, Assistant Professor of Biology, on receiving the 2026 Ann Woolcock Memorial Award from the American Thoracic Society.

This international award recognizes outstanding early-career researchers making significant contributions to the study of obstructive airway diseases and highlights exceptional promise in the field.

Dr. Osei’s innovative research—combining bioengineering and lung cell biology to better understand inflammation and fibrosis—positions him among the next generation of global leaders in respiratory science. Through advanced, human-relevant lung models, his work is unlocking new insights into complex lung diseases and informing future pathways for treatment.

Please join us in celebrating this remarkable achievement!

Read more: https://loom.ly/js5Zht8

There’s still time to apply for the 2026 Science Meets Parliament (SMP) program — the new deadline is Friday, June 5, 2026.

Now in its sixth year, SMP Federal returns to Ottawa on November 23–24, 2026, just ahead of the Canadian Science Policy Conference.

This unique program brings together early-career researchers and policymakers, creating meaningful opportunities to:
🔹 Build connections between science and policy
🔹 Gain insight into how decisions are made
🔹 Contribute to evidence-informed policy

If you're looking to broaden your impact beyond the lab and engage directly with decision-makers, SMP is an experience you won’t want to miss.

👉 Learn more and apply: https://loom.ly/VroCVQM
CSPC (Canadian Science Policy Centre)

A UBC Okanagan study, co-led by Dr. Mohammed Shehata, Professor of Computer Science, in partnership with BC Cancer – Kelowna, shows how AI can identify heart health risks in breast cancer patients using existing CT scans and clinical data.

This approach creates new opportunities to improve patient care without adding burden for patients or the health-care system.

🔗 Read more: https://loom.ly/g83ghI0

New research led by Dr. Suzie Currie shows that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, significantly reduces aggression and activity in a naturally combative fish.

These findings highlight the potential of fish models to advance understanding of how this compound affects the brain, with implications for conditions linked to aggression, anxiety and social functioning in humans.

🔗 Learn more: https://loom.ly/DTjkysQ

The Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science was proud to welcome Canada's Chief Science Advisor, Dr. Mona Nemer, to UBC Okanagan on May 4. Dr. Mathieu Bourbonnais highlighted wildfire research and training, while Dr. Brendan Dyck and Dr. Kyle Larson presented advances in critical minerals characterization and exploration. This important work is made possible through meaningful partnerships with the federal and provincial governments, industry and community partners.

New research from UBC Okanagan’s Dr. Brendan Dyck, in collaboration with Dr. Jon Wade (University of Oxford), explores how the rise of Earth’s earliest continents shaped the chemical conditions necessary for life to emerge.

The study suggests continental growth helped regulate boron levels in ancient oceans, balancing a key ingredient needed to stabilize the building blocks of life.

Learn more: https://loom.ly/A9pmsCo

Join Dr. Ashley Welsh (UBC Vancouver) for a thoughtful seminar exploring Goal 4: Indigenizing Our Curriculum from UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan. Drawing on real examples from across the Faculty of Science, this talk highlights re‑envisioned curricula, teaching practices and the relationships that make meaningful change possible.

Grounded in humility, shared responsibility and lived experience, this session invites educators and learners alike to reflect on how momentum for change is built—and sustained.

📅 May 11, 2026 | 🕑 2:00–3:00 pm | 📍 ART 103
🎟️ Free | No preregistration required

Presented by the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science as part of the Department of Biology Seminar Series.

🔗 Find out more: https://loom.ly/NJKLyCg

The MBtec program is hosting Bench to Industry: Hiring Manager Insights—a must‑attend workshop for students considering the transition from academia to industry.

🎤 This workshop features Ian Richmond, Senior Manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific, who has more than 24 years of hiring experience across Canada, the U.S. and Europe.

📅 Tuesday, May 12 | 1:00–2:30 PM |📍SCI 333

What you’ll learn:
✅ What hiring managers really look for
✅ How to write résumés that stand out
✅ Why networking matters—no matter your background
✅ Common interview mistakes and how to avoid them
✅ How to stand out without formal industry experience

👥 Open to 4th‑year undergrads (Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry), MSc students & postdocs
☕ Refreshments provided
⚠️ Space is limited—pre‑registration required
👉 Register now: https://loom.ly/CkNhT-g

Congratulations to Dr. Bowen Hui on receiving the BCcampus Award for Excellence in Open Education!

This recognition acknowledges her leadership and significant contributions to open educational resources, as well as her impact on teaching and learning across post‑secondary institutions.

🔗 Learn more about Dr. Hui’s open education work and the resources she has developed: https://loom.ly/vKL_lCg