News and events

The number of positions for Spring 2021 is subject to enrollment and/or course cancellation.

BIOL 186 - Physiology & Cell Biology

BIOL 230 - Genetics

BIOL 307 -  Chordate Zoology

BIOL 309 - Developmental Biology

BIOL 319 - Marine Ecology

BIOL 324 - Biology of Land Plants

BIOL 329 - Vertebrates of BC

BIOL 330/ES 344 - Study Design & Data Analysis

BIOL 335 - Ichthyology

BIOL 336 - Biology of Algae

BIOL 366 - Plant Physiology   

BIOL 449/ES 425 - Flowering Plant Diversity

For the Spring 2021 term, lab delivery will be online, therefore, it is expected that TAs have the use of a computer, webcam, microphone and good internet access for lab meetings and student instruction using ZOOM.

The closing date for applications is Monday,  November 16, 2020.

Please complete the CUPE 4163 application form.

Applications and current curriculum vitae to be sent to Janice Gough, Administrative Officer, Department of Biology bioadmin@uvic.ca.

The Department of Biology is delighted to welcome two new faculty members, Drs. Nicole Templeman and Greg Owens. Dr. Templeman’s research explores the mechanisms that influence aging and aging-related processes, using mice and nematodes as models. She comes to UVic from a recent Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship in Coleen Murphy's lab at Princeton University. Dr. Owens studies the evolutionary genomics of adaptation, focusing especially on sunflowers. Greg comes to us from a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship in Rasmus Nielsen's lab at the University of California, Berkeley. Welcome Greg and Nicole! 

Dr. Peter Constabel is tapping Nicotiana benthamiana for its ability to quickly produce virus proteins, such as those of COVID-19.

Read the complete story from Vimala Jeevanandam in the UVic News.

Dr. Frances Juanes has been selected as an inaugural member of the COMPASS Leaders for Sea Change. This group will create a dynamic network ready to co-create solutions to ocean change with local communities, advocates, and decision-makers across the Pacific coast of North America. As climate change accelerates, the challenges facing the ocean require bold scientific leadership to advance solutions that are equitable, inclusive, and just. Participants will grow as leaders and take meaningful action toward their goals for the changes they want to see in the world. Congratulations, Francis!

See: https://www.compassscicomm.org/2020-leaders-for-sea-change/

The 2020 Co-op Photo Contest is here! Students who have taken part in work terms from September 2019 to August 2020 are eligible to submit up to 3 photos to the contest for a chance to win a $500 grand prize. 

For more information go to uvic.ca/coopandcareer/contest 

Positions for Sessional Lecturers                              April 30, 2020

Expressions of interest are invited for a sessional assignment for the following Winter Session 2020-21 courses.                      

September 09 – December 03, 2020

33 % BIOL150A Modern Biology x 2 sections 1.0 unit total 

** The first term posting closes Monday, May 25, 2020, the employment decision is anticipated June 01, 2020.

January 04 – April 01, 2021

BIOL150B Modern Biology x 2 sections  3.0 units total 

BIOL324 Biology of Land Plants 1.5 units 

Biol370/ES320  Conservation Biology  1.5 units                                               

** The second term postings close Monday, June 22, 2020, employment decision is anticipated June 30, 2020. 

Salary is subject to the Cupe4163- Component 3 collective agreement based on years of lecturing experience at a post-secondary institution.
More information can be found on the UVic Human Resources website  www.uvic.ca/hr/services/home/labour-relations/index.php

Expressions of interest must be submitted in writing to Dr. Barbara Hawkins, Chair, Department of Biology, University of Victoria. P.O. Box 1700 Stn CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2 Tel:  (250) 721-7092   care of bioadmin@uvic.ca on or before the term’s posting closing date.

Expressions of interest should include: a curriculum vitae, a cover letter outlining suitability for the position, and the names and contact details of three references 

While all applications will be considered, only those applicants selected for interview will be contacted. The Department of Biology reserves the right to fill additional teaching assignments from the pool of applicants for this posting.

The University of Victoria is an equity employer and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities and aboriginal persons, people of all sexual orientations and genders, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the University.

The bliss of a quiet period': lockdown is a unique chance to study the nature of cities 

Lockdowns and social distancing measures have given scientists the chance to study how human activity changes urban environments. Rana El-Sabaawi discusses changing animal habitats as a result of decreasing human presence in urban environments.

Congratulations to Dr. Julia Baum, who is featured in a new documentary entitled Reef Rescue, which is premiering on The Nature of Things on Friday, March 6 on CBC-TV:

https://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/m_episodes/reef-rescue

The film is being promoted by Vulcan Productions, and will air on Nova in the United States in June, and in France later this year: 

https://www.vulcanproductions.com/reefrescue/thefilm

Congratulations to Dr. Francis Choy who has just been awarded Honorary Membership in the Canadian College of Medical Genetics.

In addition, two of Dr. Choy’s former students, Andrea Vaags and Katherine Blood were named new Fellows in the CCMG.

https://www.ccmg-ccgm.org/annual-meeting-new/83-annual-meeting/77-annual-meeting.html.

A team of researchers have found charcoal points at the Kilgii Gwaay site in Haida Gwaii that tells the story of how and when the first people inhabited North America. These samples were sent to UVic for radiocarbon dating where Dr. Terri Lacourse and her team of students conducted a detailed analysis of the findings, which appear to be 13,000 years old.  The paper was published in the journal Vegetation History and Archaeobotany.

The full story here.

The 2019 Canadian Council of University Biology Chairs Career Achievement Award has been awarded to Dr. Verena Tunnicliffe. The award will be presented at the CCUBC annual meeting in November and Dr. Tunnicliffe will make a presentation at the banquet. For more information see http://ccubc.ca/awards_winners.html

Congratulations Verena!

Recent summers with drought-like conditions have damaged cedar trees on Vancouver Island. Peter Constabel comments on the damage and why the effects of dry summer weather are seen first in cedar trees.

The full story here.

The number of positions for Spring 2021 is subject to enrollment and/or course cancellation.

BIOL 186 - Physiology & Cell Biology

BIOL 230 - Genetics

BIOL 307 -  Chordate Zoology

BIOL 309 - Developmental Biology

BIOL 319 - Marine Ecology

BIOL 324 - Biology of Land Plants

BIOL 329 - Vertebrates of BC

BIOL 330/ES 344 - Study Design & Data Analysis

BIOL 335 - Ichthyology

BIOL 336 - Biology of Algae

BIOL 366 - Plant Physiology   

BIOL 449/ES 425 - Flowering Plant Diversity

For the Spring 2021 term, lab delivery will be online, therefore, it is expected that TAs have the use of a computer, webcam, microphone and good internet access for lab meetings and student instruction using ZOOM.

The closing date for applications is Monday,  November 16, 2020.

Please complete the CUPE 4163 application form.

Applications and current curriculum vitae to be sent to Janice Gough, Administrative Officer, Department of Biology bioadmin@uvic.ca.

The Department of Biology is delighted to welcome two new faculty members, Drs. Nicole Templeman and Greg Owens. Dr. Templeman’s research explores the mechanisms that influence aging and aging-related processes, using mice and nematodes as models. She comes to UVic from a recent Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship in Coleen Murphy's lab at Princeton University. Dr. Owens studies the evolutionary genomics of adaptation, focusing especially on sunflowers. Greg comes to us from a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship in Rasmus Nielsen's lab at the University of California, Berkeley. Welcome Greg and Nicole! 

Dr. Peter Constabel is tapping Nicotiana benthamiana for its ability to quickly produce virus proteins, such as those of COVID-19.

Read the complete story from Vimala Jeevanandam in the UVic News.

Dr. Frances Juanes has been selected as an inaugural member of the COMPASS Leaders for Sea Change. This group will create a dynamic network ready to co-create solutions to ocean change with local communities, advocates, and decision-makers across the Pacific coast of North America. As climate change accelerates, the challenges facing the ocean require bold scientific leadership to advance solutions that are equitable, inclusive, and just. Participants will grow as leaders and take meaningful action toward their goals for the changes they want to see in the world. Congratulations, Francis!

See: https://www.compassscicomm.org/2020-leaders-for-sea-change/

The 2020 Co-op Photo Contest is here! Students who have taken part in work terms from September 2019 to August 2020 are eligible to submit up to 3 photos to the contest for a chance to win a $500 grand prize. 

For more information go to uvic.ca/coopandcareer/contest 

Positions for Sessional Lecturers                              April 30, 2020

Expressions of interest are invited for a sessional assignment for the following Winter Session 2020-21 courses.                      

September 09 – December 03, 2020

33 % BIOL150A Modern Biology x 2 sections 1.0 unit total 

** The first term posting closes Monday, May 25, 2020, the employment decision is anticipated June 01, 2020.

January 04 – April 01, 2021

BIOL150B Modern Biology x 2 sections  3.0 units total 

BIOL324 Biology of Land Plants 1.5 units 

Biol370/ES320  Conservation Biology  1.5 units                                               

** The second term postings close Monday, June 22, 2020, employment decision is anticipated June 30, 2020. 

Salary is subject to the Cupe4163- Component 3 collective agreement based on years of lecturing experience at a post-secondary institution.
More information can be found on the UVic Human Resources website  www.uvic.ca/hr/services/home/labour-relations/index.php

Expressions of interest must be submitted in writing to Dr. Barbara Hawkins, Chair, Department of Biology, University of Victoria. P.O. Box 1700 Stn CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2 Tel:  (250) 721-7092   care of bioadmin@uvic.ca on or before the term’s posting closing date.

Expressions of interest should include: a curriculum vitae, a cover letter outlining suitability for the position, and the names and contact details of three references 

While all applications will be considered, only those applicants selected for interview will be contacted. The Department of Biology reserves the right to fill additional teaching assignments from the pool of applicants for this posting.

The University of Victoria is an equity employer and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities and aboriginal persons, people of all sexual orientations and genders, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the University.

The bliss of a quiet period': lockdown is a unique chance to study the nature of cities 

Lockdowns and social distancing measures have given scientists the chance to study how human activity changes urban environments. Rana El-Sabaawi discusses changing animal habitats as a result of decreasing human presence in urban environments.

Congratulations to Dr. Julia Baum, who is featured in a new documentary entitled Reef Rescue, which is premiering on The Nature of Things on Friday, March 6 on CBC-TV:

https://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/m_episodes/reef-rescue

The film is being promoted by Vulcan Productions, and will air on Nova in the United States in June, and in France later this year: 

https://www.vulcanproductions.com/reefrescue/thefilm

Congratulations to Dr. Francis Choy who has just been awarded Honorary Membership in the Canadian College of Medical Genetics.

In addition, two of Dr. Choy’s former students, Andrea Vaags and Katherine Blood were named new Fellows in the CCMG.

https://www.ccmg-ccgm.org/annual-meeting-new/83-annual-meeting/77-annual-meeting.html.

A team of researchers have found charcoal points at the Kilgii Gwaay site in Haida Gwaii that tells the story of how and when the first people inhabited North America. These samples were sent to UVic for radiocarbon dating where Dr. Terri Lacourse and her team of students conducted a detailed analysis of the findings, which appear to be 13,000 years old.  The paper was published in the journal Vegetation History and Archaeobotany.

The full story here.

The 2019 Canadian Council of University Biology Chairs Career Achievement Award has been awarded to Dr. Verena Tunnicliffe. The award will be presented at the CCUBC annual meeting in November and Dr. Tunnicliffe will make a presentation at the banquet. For more information see http://ccubc.ca/awards_winners.html

Congratulations Verena!

Recent summers with drought-like conditions have damaged cedar trees on Vancouver Island. Peter Constabel comments on the damage and why the effects of dry summer weather are seen first in cedar trees.

The full story here.