UVic Faculty of Science

Struggling to come up with ways to entertain your kids this summer? We've got you!

Check out our list of summer science activities, developed and curated by UVic Science faculty, staff and students.

You can build a remotely operated vehicle to explore the ocean, learn about fish sounds while colouring, play our science-themed Connections games, read a recommended science book, and so much more.

🔗 Explore the list:

Summer science activities - Science - University of Victoria From hands-on learning opportunities to books and podcasts, to local adventures, our list of summer science activities is perfect for those looking to share their passion for science with the next generation!

We've got a Loran Scholar coming to UVic Science this fall!

Edmonton native Tessa Muddle is one of 36 students across the country to be named a Loran Scholar this year, and she's chosen to come to UVic to study physics.

Tessa is the co-founder of an all-girls flag football organization. She coaches, plans, and promotes camps and leagues to help girls play football. She also plays and captains tackle and flag football at the national level, and plays rugby with her school team.

The Loran Award is valued at more than $100,000 over four years of undergraduate study. Scholars are chosen based on evidence of integrity, courage and curiosity, an ability to look beyond themselves and commit to service that improves the lives of others;, and intrinsic leadership potential that they may not fully recognize in themselves.

🔗 Learn more about Tessa: https://ow.ly/kPkv50ZxPOA

📣Introducing the School of Molecular Life Sciences!

Since 1965, the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology has been one of the core departments within UVic’s Faculty of Science. But lots has changed over the last 60 years, and starting September 2026, the department’s name will be changing as well.

The Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology is officially renaming to the School of Molecular Life Sciences (MLSC) and will be transitioning from offering a BSc in Biochemistry or Microbiology to a new BSc in Molecular Life Sciences.

The new name better aligns with the department's current research and training activities and strengths, while also reflecting the national and international trend of integrating molecular terminology into names.

The program change will expand student flexibility, provide a more cohesive foundation across different areas of molecular life sciences, and reduce administrative duplication. Students will be able to add an option in biochemistry or microbiology, if desired.

🔗 Learn more about the changes: https://ow.ly/B7PU50ZxPMf

Another conference, another student award winner. 🏆

Climate science student Tommy Duong had the opportunity to attend the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS) Congress online earlier this summer. He presented his research, and came away with the CMOS Flash Presentation Award!

“Attending the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS) Congress was an excellent opportunity to see firsthand the current leading edge of climate, weather and oceanographic research. It was an unexpected honour to receive the flash presentation award, especially amongst other fantastic presentations, but it was great to see other researchers interested in my work and to hear from a wide array of perspectives in earth sciences. Any students interested in the future of meteorology, oceanography or climate sciences should definitely consider attending future congresses, especially if it's online (registration is free for students!).

I would like to thank Drs. Adam Monahan, Carsten Abraham and Gesa Meyer for their mentorship and support throughout this project as well as facilitating this great opportunity."

- Tommy Duong (he/him), BSc (Honours) in Physical Climate Science, entering graduate studies in urban climate modelling at UVic.

Three UVic Science researchers have been awarded a combined $3.65 million by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. 🙌

Their research will help us better understand diseases, our immune system and how we can support health.

👨🏽‍🔬 Gautam Awatramani (BIOL): Dendritic computations in the retina, $1,136,026.

This study will uncover how specialized cells in the retina detect the direction of movement, providing new insight into disorders where motion perception is impaired.

👨🏽‍🔬 Julian Lum (MLSC): Diet regulation of the metabolic-immune axis, 1,438,200.

This study examines how diet influences immune function in people with cancer, which could offer a scalable, accessible and cost-effective intervention that can be easily integrated into routine cancer care.

👩‍🔬 Lisa Reynolds (MLSC): Environmental factors and mechanisms influencing oral tolerance to dietary antigens during early life, $1,082,476.

This research will help identify new strategies to prevent food allergies and support healthier immune development in children.

🔗 Read more about the recent round of CIHR funding: https://ow.ly/TW3n50Zvf8g

Another year of bringing science to Pride. 🌈

A group of UVic Science faculty, staff and students participated in Victoria's Pride Parade earlier this summer. Pride flags, tie-dyed lab coats and other colourful attire was the star of the day!

Everyone is welcome in Science. ❤️

Recent changes at Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) have resulted in exciting news for the Faculty of Science!

Kate Moran's term as President and CEO of ONC concluded on June 30, 2026, and Kate has found a new home as a professor in the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences (SEOS). Welcome, Kate!

Meanwhile, former SEOS Director Jay Cullen has been named the Interim President and CEO of ONC, effective July 1, 2026. Congratulations, Jay!

🔗 Read more about the change: https://ow.ly/10mC50ZuoPh

Wildfires have recently been making headlines, as smoke blanketed much of eastern Canada and the U.S. in mid-July.

But while Trump is blaming Canada, UVic climate scientist Andrew Weaver is pointing a finger at climate change in a recent Conversation Canada article, arguing that Canada cannot log, rake or prescribe burn its way out of a planetary problem.

Wildfires require ignition, combustible fuel and weather that permits rapid spread. While climate change does not usually strike the match (that's left up to people and lightning), warming weather increasingly determine whether a spark dies or becomes a catastrophe. Hotter air, earlier snowmelt and longer summers mean a drier landscape and more severe fire seasons.

Today's smoke is just a warning of what continued warming will bring.

🔗 Read the full article in The Conversation Canada: https://ow.ly/rei050Zu2MV

Are we entering a new "golden age" of mathematics?

UVic math professor Trefor Bazett is tackling this question in a new Conversation Canada article.

Recently, there has been a steady drumbeat of new results that either partially or completely leverage artificial intelligence to solve research-level mathematics problems. In May 2026, generative AI resolved a major unsolved problem called the "unit conjecture theory".

So where is this going? How good, and how quickly, will AI capabilities grow? Will most mathematical research be predominantly artificial intelligence? Or, as some mathematicians suggest, will AI combine with human ingenuity and other computer tools to create a golden age of mathematics?

🔗 Read more of Trefor's thoughts: https://ow.ly/kU8p50Ztyfi

A little push from a supervisor can take you far.

Six UVic Chemistry students went to the Western Canadian Undergraduate Chemistry Conference earlier this summer, and one brought home the award for Best Poster Presentation in the Inorganic Chemistry Division. Congratulations to Trenton Lyon on this achievement!

“It was truly a fantastic experience to be surrounded by so many smart people my age at the Western Canadian Undergraduate Chemistry Conference. Thank you Scott McIndoe for urging me to go!”

- Trenton Lyon (he/him), 4th year chemistry for medical sciences student