UVic news – University of Victoria
## UVic Researchers Make Waves in 2024: From Ice Age Teens to deep-Sea Seals
The University of victoria (UVic) community continues to make headlines with groundbreaking research, inspiring partnerships, and a commitment to a brighter future. 2024 saw a surge of impactful stories that resonated with audiences across the globe.Here are just a few highlights:
### Unearthing the Teenage Experience During the Ice Age
What was it like to be a teenager 25,000 years ago? UVic paleoanthropologist april Nowell led an international team to uncover the realities of adolescence during the Pleistocene era. Their research,published in the *Journal of Human Evolution*,identified bone markers that reveal insights into the puberty experience of Ice Age teens.”It can sometimes be tough for us to connect with the remote past, but we all went through puberty even if we experienced it differently,” says Nowell.”Our research helps to humanize these teens in a way that simply studying stone tools cannot.”
Nowell’s groundbreaking work was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and her Lansdowne Fellowship Award.
[Read more about the research](https://www.uvic.ca/news/topics/2024+ice-age-teens+media-release)
### Deep-Sea research Sonar Offers Unexpected glimpse at Northern Elephant Seals
Deep in the Pacific Ocean,off the coast of Vancouver Island,a group of northern elephant seals where caught on camera using research equipment as a dinner bell.
Thanks to sonar videos from an Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) observatory, researchers observed the seals repeatedly visiting a 645-metre-deep research site. The footage, published in the *PLOS ONE* journal, revealed never-before-seen behaviors, including power-napping at the depths.
[Learn more about the elephant seal discovery](https://www.uvic.ca/news/topics/2024+onc-northern-elephant-seals+media-release)
### UVic First Academic Partner on Bombardier’s Sustainability-Focused Project
UVic is leading the way in enduring innovation through a groundbreaking partnership with Bombardier. As the first academic partner on BombardierS sustainability-focused project, uvic researchers will contribute their expertise to develop cutting-edge technologies that reduce the environmental impact of transportation.
This collaboration highlights UVic’s commitment to addressing global challenges through interdisciplinary research and collaboration with industry leaders.
[Stay tuned for updates on this exciting partnership](https://www.uvic.ca/news/topics/2024+bombardier-partnership+media-release)
These are just a few examples of the remarkable achievements of the UVic community in 2024. From uncovering the secrets of the past to shaping the future of sustainable transportation, UVic researchers, students, and partners are making a real difference in the world.
University of Victoria Makes Waves in Aerospace, Astronomy, and Reconciliation
Victoria, BC – The University of Victoria (UVic) has been making headlines in 2024, with groundbreaking research, impactful community initiatives, and prestigious accolades. From exploring sustainable aviation to unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos and honoring Indigenous resilience, UVic is proving to be a leader in innovation and social responsibility.
Taking Flight Towards a Greener Future
UVic’s Centre for Aerospace Research (CfAR) has partnered with Canadian aerospace giant Bombardier on the EcoJet Research Project, a pioneering initiative aimed at slashing buisness jet emissions by up to 50%. CfAR, selected as Bombardier’s first academic partner, is playing a crucial role in the project, leading the design, manufacturing, and flight testing of scale models.This collaboration promises to revolutionize the aviation industry and pave the way for a more sustainable future.
Rewriting the Story of White Dwarf Stars
In a stunning discovery published in Nature, UVic researcher Simon blouin, a National Fellow at the Canadian Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, has challenged long-held beliefs about white dwarf stars. By analyzing data from the European Space Agency’s Gaia satellite, Blouin and his collaborators have found evidence suggesting that these celestial objects may be billions of years older than previously thought, defying the customary “dead star” classification.This groundbreaking research opens up new avenues for understanding the evolution of stars in our galaxy.
Honoring Survivors, Building a Brighter Future
UVic has taken a significant step towards reconciliation by permanently raising the Survivors’ Flag on campus. The flag, a powerful symbol of remembrance and resilience, honors all individuals, families, and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada.
“I think it’s really significant that UVic has a Survivors’ Flag,” said Survivor and Elder Klith-wii-taa, Dr. barney Williams. “It’s an prospect to recognize the challenges we Survivors went through and to make sure that we will always be remembered. It’s also important that this flag honours all Indigenous people by representing first Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.”
Architectural Excellence Recognized
The national Centre for Indigenous Laws (NCIL) at UVic has received a prestigious design award, recognizing its innovative and culturally sensitive architecture. The award highlights UVic’s commitment to creating spaces that are both functional and meaningful, reflecting the university’s dedication to Indigenous knowledge and reconciliation.
These achievements demonstrate UVic’s commitment to pushing boundaries, fostering inclusivity, and making a positive impact on the world. As the university continues to innovate and inspire, it is indeed sure to remain a beacon of excellence in research, education, and community engagement.## UVic Researchers, Projects Make waves in 2024
The University of Victoria (UVic) made headlines in 2024 with groundbreaking research, innovative projects, and prestigious awards. From tackling global health challenges to revolutionizing legal education, UVic researchers and students are making a real-world impact.
### Indigenous-Led Design Earns Prestigious Award for New National Centre
Located on Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Esquimalt) territory, the National Centre for Indigenous Laws (NCIL) received a 2023 Canadian architect Award of Excellence. This recognition highlights the building’s unique design, which seamlessly blends Coast Salish aesthetics with elements of the surrounding forest.
The design process was deeply collaborative, involving Elders and members of the Songhees, Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ communities, as well as UVic’s Faculty of Law students and a dedicated team of staff and faculty.
### Hope on the Horizon: UVic Researcher Leads Syphilis vaccine Development
as syphilis cases surge globally, UVic microbiologist Caroline Cameron is leading an international team in a race to develop a vaccine for this ancient disease. While antibiotics currently offer treatment, a vaccine would provide a proactive solution to combat the resurgence of this global health threat.
Cameron’s lab is the only one in Canada dedicated to studying the bacterium that causes syphilis, making her work crucial in the fight against this re-emerging illness.
### Climate Disaster Project Earns National Recognition for Innovative Journalism
The Climate Disaster Project, an international teaching newsroom based at UVic, received a Special Recognition Citation at the National Newspaper Awards. This prestigious recognition celebrates the project’s innovative approach to journalism, which trains students to report on the frontlines of humanitarian crises and create a valuable archive of eyewitness accounts.
Led by uvic’s Wayne Crookes Professor of Environmental and Climate Journalism Sean Holman,the project has empowered over 219 students to produce impactful work featured in national media outlets.
### UVic student Uses Research to Empower Her Community
K’sana Wood Lynes-Ford, a Gitxsan student at UVic, is using her research to directly address health challenges facing her community. Her work focuses on understanding the impact of traditional food systems on the well-being of Indigenous peoples,providing valuable insights that can inform community-driven health initiatives.
Wood Lynes-Ford’s dedication to her research exemplifies UVic’s commitment to supporting Indigenous students and empowering them to make a difference in their communities.
UVic Student Combines Chemistry Expertise with Community Health research
victoria, BC – K’sana Wood lynes-Ford, a University of Victoria (uvic) undergraduate student pursuing Chemistry for Medical Science, is making waves by combining her passion for chemistry with a commitment to improving the health of her community.
Working in the labs of dr. Laura Arbour and Dr. Leigh Anne swayne in UVic’s Division of Medical Sciences, Wood Lynes-Ford is investigating the presence of a specific gene variant (p.S646F of the Ankyrin B gene) within the Gitxsan First Nation and its potential link to health issues affecting community members.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to research that directly impacts my community,” says wood Lynes-Ford. “This project allows me to apply my scientific knowledge to address real-world health concerns and hopefully make a positive difference.”
Wood Lynes-Ford’s research is a testament to UVic’s commitment to community-engaged scholarship and its dedication to supporting Indigenous students in pursuing their academic and research goals.
UVic Students Spearhead Campus-Wide Switch to Reusable To-Go Cups
In a move towards a more sustainable campus, UVic students are leading the charge to reduce single-use waste.Spearheaded by the Surfrider UVic club, a collaborative project with university Food Services and the Office of Campus Planning and Sustainability has resulted in the introduction of a reusable to-go cup program at campus cafes.
“We wanted to move beyond simply swapping single-use materials for another option like paper,” explains Matt Miller, a UVic PhD student in Oceanography and a key member of Surfrider UVic. “Research shows that reusables are the most sustainable choice when used repeatedly. That’s why we proposed a pilot program for reusable to-go cups.”
The initiative reflects UVic’s commitment to environmental sustainability and its support for student-led initiatives that promote positive change on campus.
