University of Alberta

01/24/2025

Meet Greg King, an assistant professor of environmental science at the U of A Augustana Campus. By combining hands-on research with local partnerships, Greg equips students with the skills to tackle sustainability challenges and turn the UN Sustainable Development Goals into real-world impact.

Read Greg’s story:

Environmental science professor Greg King combines project-based learning and community partnerships in his teaching to help students understand sustainability concepts while creating real-world solutions to environmental challenges.

01/22/2025

The U of A ranks in the Top 100 worldwide in five subjects in the 2025 Times Higher Education rankings, maintaining excellence in a broad array of disciplines. Based on metrics focusing on research and teaching, these rankings reinforce the U of A’s global impact and commitment to shaping future leaders.

The U of A has five subjects in the Top 100 in the world according to the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject — showcasing excellence in teaching and research in disciplines across the health sciences, natural and applied sciences, and social sciences and humanities.

01/22/2025

The U of A, in partnership with EPCOR, has launched an interdisciplinary research centre to address global challenges in water supply, treatment and infrastructure. Led by engineering researchers, the Water Research Centre brings together experts from multiple disciplines to improve water sustainability and train future researchers.

“This could put us on the national and international map, highlighting the research we’ve been doing for years and putting us in contact with other centres we might end up collaborating with,” says director Mohamed Gamal El-Din.

The University of Alberta and EPCOR have teamed up to launch an interdisciplinary research centre aimed at keeping water and wastewater services safe, reliable and sustainable for generations to come.

01/21/2025

U of A researchers have genetically engineered baker’s yeast to produce high levels of punicic acid, a healthy fatty acid found in pomegranates.

Applying the CRISPR-based technique, this research enhances the bioindustrial production of specialty oils with health benefits and potential for other bioproducts.

Using fermentation, U of A researchers have come up with a way to produce higher amounts of a healthy fatty acid found mainly in pomegranates.

01/20/2025

Meet Alex Gagnon, a first-year law student driven to advocate for systematic change in Canada's justice system.

As a research assistant at U of A’s Centre for Criminological Research, Alex contributes to Canada’s first systematic research on factors that lead to a person’s successful reintegration into society after incarceration. Thanks to community support, she’s applying her legal experiences and findings to make evidence-based changes.

Together, we’re empowering the next generation of changemakers. https://www.ualberta.ca/en/giving/why-give/impact-stories/2025/scholarships-open-doors-to-justice-reform.html

01/17/2025

What’s the science behind a perfect brew? In this experiential learning course, U of A students applied chemical engineering principles to every stage of coffee brewing.

From thermodynamics to fluid mechanics, the students tested their skills in an innovative brew-off against one of Canada’s best baristas. https://www.ualberta.ca/en/folio/2025/01/video-the-chemical-engineering-of-coffee.html

01/16/2025

First Peoples' House Round Dance brings together children, friends, families, youth and Elders of our community to share stories and catch up while dancing the night away. It is a time to honour traditions and memories of our ancestors.

On February 1, First Peoples' House warmly invites people of all ages to join us in the circle. Everyone is welcome at this annual event! https://www.ualberta.ca/en/events/provost/first-peoples-house-annual-round-dance-2025.html

01/14/2025

Meet Haley Wolgien-Lowe, a master’s student in bioresource technology. Haley is tackling food insecurity and environmental challenges by developing sustainable alternative proteins. Thanks to community support, she’s thriving in her research and inspiring others with her innovative work.

Together, we’re empowering the next generation of change-makers. https://www.ualberta.ca/en/giving/why-give/impact-stories/2024/elocution-fermentation-and-solving-food-insecurity.html

01/13/2025

U of A’s BLINC Lab recently showcased an AI-powered prosthetic arm at Cybathlon 2024, an international competition for assistive technologies. The “Bento Arm” uses machine learning to interpret muscle signals and electrical activity, enabling intuitive control for users.

As the only North American entry in its category, the team focused on transforming the science and the art of prosthetic restoration, winning eighth among over 100 global competitors. https://www.ualberta.ca/en/folio/2025/01/video-smart-prosthetic-connects-digital-physical.html

01/09/2025

U of A researchers are using machine learning to help predict ADHD in kindergarten students, aiming to support earlier detection and intervention. By analyzing health records and teacher assessments, the study identifies key risks and protective factors, dedicated to improving mental health outcomes for children.

Computational psychiatry researchers at the U of A have shown that machine learning can be used to analyze population-level data and successfully predict which kindergarten students will be diagnosed with ADHD, with the goal of allowing earlier detection and treatment.

01/08/2025

This year marks 5 years since the U of A community was affected by the tragic downing of Flight PS752. As a community, we honour those who lost their lives, those whose lives they touched and the inspiring legacy they leave behind. https://www.ualberta.ca/en/flight-ps752-memorial/index.html

01/07/2025

A recent U of A study found that a 12-week home-based resistance training program helps young liver transplant patients combat a muscle loss condition linked to prolonged health challenges. Participants gained muscle and improved overall health through a cost-effective way to support recovery, even in remote areas.

In a pilot study, researchers tested the feasibility and impact of a 12-week resistance training program on pediatric liver transplant patients with sarcopenia, with positive results.

01/02/2025

Happy New Year U of A! We’re looking forward to welcoming students back on campus next week.

12/24/2024

Wishing everyone a safe and restful winter break. See you in 2025! ❄️

Please note: This account will not be monitored until we return on January 2, 2025. For a list of available U of A resources during the winter break, please visit https://www.ualberta.ca/en/campus-operations-services/notices/2024/december/building-access-and-campus-safety-over-the-winter-closure.html

12/23/2024

Pacylex Pharmaceuticals, a U of A spinoff company, is advancing a new cancer treatment targeting a unique weakness in cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. After 12 years of research, zelenirstat has completed Phase 1 trials, showing safety and promising results.

Read how this BioAlberta’s 2024 Company of the Year developed life-saving treatments through teamwork, patient involvement and community support:

University of Alberta spinoff Pacylex has spent 12 years pushing its first-in-class cancer treatment forward from a research lab idea to the stage of Phase 2 human trials with the potential to benefit people with both blood and solid tumours. It would not have happened without teamwork between scien...

12/20/2024

Congratulations to the U of A undergraduate student team for winning gold at the iGEM Grand Jamboree in Paris! The students tackled fast fashion waste by using engineered E. coli bacteria to turn old textiles into synthetic spider silk—a material highly valued in industries like biomedicine and aerospace. Their work highlights the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, paving the way for future innovations.

A 24-member interdisciplinary team from the U of A won a gold medal in competition with 400 other teams from around the world at this year’s iGEM competition with a project to turn mixed fabric waste into spider silk using genetically engineered E.coli bacteria.

12/18/2024

Students like Aysha Khan are advancing life-changing medical research at the U of A. As a PhD student in rehabilitation medicine, Aysha explores new treatments for spinal cord injuries in the Neuro-Recovery Lab. Her dream is to one day help those affected by paralysis regain mobility.

Aysha’s journey at the U of A has been shaped by critical training and generous support from our community. Together, we’re empowering change-makers who can shape the future.

Aysha Khan landed in Edmonton on a brisk February day last year, prepared to pursue her doctoral dream on the Canadian prairies. The move marked her first trip outside of her home country.

12/17/2024

From rankings and recycling to health care and AI, U of A researchers, students and graduates found many ways to shape a better world. Here are just a few of the many U of A stories that inspired us in 2024.
https://www.ualberta.ca/en/folio/2024/12/year-in-review-10-stories-that-inspired-us-in-2024.html