The Fraser River Estuary, British Columbia, provides important habitat for juvenile Pacific salmon as they migrate downstream. The tidal marshes that support these juvenile salmon are under pressure from urban development, pollution, sea-level rise, and invasive species. One invasive plant that thrives in these habitats is purple loosestrife. It outcompetes native vegetation and can become […]

This project explores different approaches to land conservation practices in the Amazon region of Brazil and in Canada. In particular, the project will explore the differences in understandings of land conservation practices between mainstream land conservation organizations and Indigenous understandings of land conservation. Based on the project research regarding these different approaches, the project will […]

Flax fibers and their composites are known for their mechanical properties comparable to many petroleumbased composites, such as high strength-to-weight ratios, while offering major sustainability advantages as bioderived and renewable materials. However, the natural fibers’ susceptibility to moisture uptake and degradation currently limits their use in many structural applications. Plastination presents a promising approach to […]

Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in Canada. While many patients live long lives with treatment, some develop incurable disease that spreads to the bones. When this happens, survival drops sharply and patients often face severe pain, broken bones, and serious complications such as spinal cord damage. Bone changes caused by prostate cancer […]

Lululemon develops and markets athletic apparel including women’s bras. Some women experience difficulty finding the appropriate bra to achieve adequate support without discomfort [1]. Lululemon is experienced in tissue biomechanics models of the breast including measurement of tissue movement, forces and accelerations in an effort to better understand the complex issues around bra performance. Nevertheless, […]

This project focuses on creating innovative transparent aerogels to make windows more energy-efficient. Windows are one of the biggest sources of energy loss in buildings, leading to higher heating and cooling costs. Current solutions like multi-pane glass and special coatings are expensive, heavy, and can reduce clarity. To solve these problems, we are developing a […]

The increasing wildfires threaten, indirectly, water quality by altering physicochemical properties and introducing contaminants to water bodies. This research aims to address how wildfire pollutants impact water systems, identify research gaps, and analyze data from Canada and worldwide to understand trends and mitigate impacts on water resources.

Our project seeks to document the criminalization of Indigenous fishers and fisheries in so-called Canada and beyond, and use equitable knowledge-bridging and research co-creation tools to explore possibilities of transformation towards justice. The criminalization of Indigenous fisheries (among other cultural, spiritual, and subsistence practices) is a destructive colonial practice that leads to inequity, loss of […]

The ha?ukmin (Kennedy) Watershed is vital to Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation as a source of food and culture. The goal of this research, led by a Tla-o-qui-aht member and under Tla-o-qui-aht guidance, is to support the Nation’s fisheries and restoration decision-making for ha?ukmin. Specifically, the research will investigate two factors: the diet of Peamouth Chub (who […]

The overarching project goal is to validate the compound’s use as a management strategy for muscular dystrophy, opening the path to its clinical testing in a rare disease and expanding its commercialization potential beyond bone-related conditions.

The tidal marshes of the Fraser River Estuary support numerous species, including juvenile salmon, and offer benefits to nearby communities. To counteract marsh losses, over 100 tidal marshes have been constructed in the estuary from the 1980s to present. Yet after 40 years, key knowledge gaps still limit our confidence in their ability to support […]

Pacific salmon face a gauntlet of fishing gear as they migrate from oceanic feeding grounds to freshwater spawning sites, and while millions of fish typically are harvested each year in BC, a large portion are released. Catch and release (C/R) is a management option that allows recreational fishing opportunities and the economic benefits it entails […]