Updates, news and stories

Your second COVID-19 booster is on the way—but when?

Space rocket junk could have deadly consequences unless governments act

The re-entry of abandoned stages of rockets left in orbit from space launches have a six to 10 per cent chance of severely injuring or killing a human being in the next decade, according to a new UBC study. Researchers say governments need to take collective action and mandate that rocket stages are guided safely back to Earth after their use, which could increase the cost of a launch, but potentially save lives.

How Indigenous anthropologist Kristen Barnett is decolonizing archaeology

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30

In recent years, Sept. 30 has been known as Orange Shirt Day. Founded by Phyllis Webstad in 2013, Orange Shirt Day is a grassroots campaign that grew out of her own experiences and the experiences of other residential school survivors who attended St. Joseph’s Mission near Williams Lake. It is a day to honour and hold up the healing journeys of residential school survivors and their families, to engage in meaningful discussions about the history and legacy of the residential school system.

30-second bio: Johannah May Black

As an educator in the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office at UBC Okanagan, Johannah creates resources, develops curriculum, facilitates workshops and more. Find out why she encourages others to try out her newest hobby – roller skating.

Turning skyscrapers into trees

UBC scientists take a leaf from nature’s book. Article by Jared Downing.

What robots can learn from therapists

Dr. Christie Newton appointed Associate Vice-President, Health pro tem

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Christie Newton as Associate Vice-President, Health pro tem, effective July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022.

How do we make our cities more equitable and inclusive?

Will Hughes appointed Director, School of Engineering

We are pleased to announce that Professor Will Hughes has been appointed Director for the School of Engineering at UBC Okanagan for a five-year term commencing July 1, 2022. Dr. Hughes earned a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Upon graduation, he completed a National Academy of Engineering Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship on Engineering Education.

Cancer drug shows potential as treatment for muscular dystrophy

Researchers at UBC’s School of Biomedical Engineering have discovered that an existing cancer drug could have potential as a treatment for muscular dystrophy. The researchers found that the drug — known as a colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) inhibitor — helped slow the progress of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in mice by increasing the resiliency of muscle fibres.

Bold new plans unveiled for UBCO Downtown

Academic space, rental housing, art gallery, simulated hospital ward part of UBCO’s growth It’s bold, bright and about to make a significant impact on the heart of Kelowna’s cultural and business district. Plans unveiled this week offer a glimpse inside UBCO Downtown, located at Doyle Ave. and St. Paul St., and give dramatic insight into the future of Kelowna and the heart of its downtown core.