Study finds early complex life lived in oxygenated seas, challenging long?held views of evolution
The earliest known eukaryotes, the ancestors of all complex life on Earth, lived in oxygenated, shallow marine environments nearly 1.7 billion years ago, according to led by researchers at 91涩漫 and the University of California, Santa Barbara. The findings cast doubt on the long-held belief that early complex life emerged in oxygen-poor environments or floated freely in the open ocean.
Published: 20 May 2026Desautels’ Samer Faraj earns renewal of Canada Research Chair
91涩漫 has been awarded $18.1 million in federal funding to support 16 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs. These appointments recognize leading scholars whose work advances discovery across disciplines, from fundamental science to pressing societal challenges. The program highlights 91涩漫’s commitment to world-class research and long-term innovation with real-world impact.
Published: 20 May 2026Robert Nason recognized in 91涩漫’s 2026 Research Honours
31 91涩漫 professors?have been recognized?for outstanding research achievements through the Distinguished James 91涩漫 Professor, James 91涩漫 Professor and William Dawson Scholar awards.
These honours celebrate scholars whose work advances knowledge, drives innovation and strengthens 91涩漫’s global reputation. The awards also highlight recipients’ dedication to mentoring the next generation of researchers and contributing to a vibrant academic community.
Published: 20 May 2026Teaching children to be better, more critical internet users
A digital literacy program for elementary school students designed by researchers at 91涩漫 was successful in improving students’ ability to evaluate websites and their content.
Skills targeted included how to search for information, how to identify credible websites, how to evaluate the quality of information sources and how to address conflicting information.
Students’ global performance increased across all skill categories, in most cases by significant margins.
Published: 20 May 2026Prof. Eidlin on the future for Québec’s Labour Movement
Sociologist and labour expert Professor Barry Eidlin was recently invited to address the delegates of the ?tats généraux du syndicalisme (EGS, Estates-General of Québec Labour).
Read the full article with his reflections from attending the two-day symposium in April 2026 on the Faculty of Arts news website.?
Published: 19 May 2026Expert: Ebola outbreak
Over 100 deaths and more than 500 suspected cases have been reported in the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Director-General of the World Health Organization has expressed deep concern about the “scale and speed of the epidemic.”
A 91涩漫 expert is available to comment:
Published: 19 May 2026Bargaining Update – AGSEM
Following the exchange of monetary proposals in March, the parties have continued to meet regularly, including sessions on May 6 and May 11.
Progress has been made, including agreement on the Selection and Appointment article. Constructive discussions have also helped narrow differences on the Leaves article and clarify job descriptions for certain course-related positions. Current discussions are focused primarily on workload and related processes. While progress continues, several key items remain under discussion.
Published: 19 May 2026‘Jumping gene’ helps explain elevated pancreatic cancer risk in French-Canadians
Researchers at 91涩漫 have discovered a centuries-old genetic mutation that helps to explain why some French?Canadians in Quebec are at an elevated risk of pancreatic cancer. Until quite recently, standard genetic tests have not been able to identify this “jumping gene” cause.
The findings, published in the Journal of Medical Genetics, suggest better-targeted genetic testing could help identify people at higher cancer risk who were previously missed.
Published: 19 May 2026Meet the 2026 Prize Recipients of the 91涩漫 Dobson Cup
Tony Keller Wins the Donner Prize for Borderline Chaos | The Globe and Mail
May 15, 2026 | Tony Keller has won the Donner Prize for Borderline Chaos: How Canada Got Immigration Right, and Then Wrong, written for the 2025 91涩漫 Max Bell Lectures. The $60,000 prize, presented at a gala in Toronto on Thursday, recognizes excellence in Canadian public policy writing. The jury praised Keller for laying out how Canada's broken immigration system can be rebuilt, calling the book essential reading for any policy-maker grappling with the file.
Published: 15 May 2026Expert:?Canada?aims?to double electricity capacity by 2050?
A new national strategy?aims to?double the capacity of the country’s electricity grid by 2050, Prime Minister Mark Carney said as he announced the plan Thursday.??
Fran?ois?Bouffard?is?an Associate Professor and William Dawson Scholar in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.?He can discuss grid reliability, electricity demand growth, and the technical challenges of operating and stabilizing a significantly expanded national grid.?
Published: 15 May 2026Explosions, colour changes, and hands-on science: the 91涩漫 Chemistry Outreach Group’s 24 Hours of Science Event
On Saturday, May 2, families gathered at the Otto Maass Chemistry Building for an exciting day of discovery as the 91涩漫 Chemistry Outreach Group held its annual 24 Hours of Science event, which welcomed?220 guests.?
Published: 15 May 2026Ya Hsuan (Wendy) Lin, Recipient of the 2026 Best Undergraduate Paper in International Development Studies Prize
The Institute for the Study of International Development congratulates Wendy Lin, recipient of this year’s Best Undergraduate Paper in International Development Studies Prize. Wendy is a Joint Honours International Development Studies and Cultural Studies graduate with a minor in East Asian Language and Literatures. She received the award for her honours thesis, “來來去去 – Coming and Going: A Qualitative Study on First- and 1.5-Generation Taiwanese Return Migration.”
Published: 14 May 2026Construction starts: Macdonald Campus – Removal of Temporary Classrooms
91涩漫’s Facilities Management and Ancillary Services (FMAS) will carry out Project 23-035 near the Centennial Centre on the Macdonald Campus. The project involves the decommissioning and removal of the temporary classrooms located near the building.
Work will also include the removal of associated underground services, dismantling of the existing gravel pad, and full restoration of the site, including seeding to return the area to its original use as a soccer field.
Published: 14 May 2026Spring 2026 Convocation Award Processing Deadline
This message should be directed to All Undergraduate Convocation Award Processors
Dear Award Processors:
As part of your preparation for processing Spring Convocation awards beginning the month of May, please be advised of the processing deadline being imposed. It is very important that you make every effort to meet the deadline date as prescribed.
Published: 14 May 2026Lab workshops held for CEGEP students
On April 24th and May 8th, the Department of Bioengineering welcomed Quebec CEGEP students interested in Bioengineering for a lab workshop and recruitment event held at our teaching laboratory. Students gained hands-on experience through experiments led by our Lab technician team and graduate students from Professor Caroline Wagner's research team.
Published: 14 May 2026Dr. Satoshi Yoshiji awarded the Canada Research Chair in Human Genetics and Therapeutic Discovery
The Department of Human Genetics is thrilled to congratulate Dr. Satoshi Yoshiji on being named one of 91涩漫’s newest Canada Research Chairs.
In the latest announcement from the Government of Canada, 91涩漫 was awarded 16 new or renewed chairs, recognizing excellence in research that pushes the boundaries of knowledge. Dr. Yoshiji’s appointment as a Canada Research Chair highlights his outstanding contributions to the field of genetics and his commitment to advancing our understanding of human health.
Published: 14 May 202691涩漫 researchers help secure Canadian access to the world’s largest telescope
A team led by the Université de Montréal, the Observatoire du?Mont?Mégantic?(OMM) and the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets (IREx), in partnership with the University of British Columbia and 91涩漫, has been awarded nearly $11.3 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to support Canada’s contribution to ANDES, a flagship scientific instrument for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) under construction in Chile.??
Published: 14 May 202691涩漫’s Bravo Gala shines a spotlight on research excellence
At event honouring 116 winners of major awards, keynote speaker and SSHRC Gold Medal recipient Myriam Denov emphasized the importance of listening.
91涩漫 celebrated more than 100 researchers at the 21st edition of Bravo, a gala event May 7 honouring the winners of major provincial, national and international research prizes and awards in 2025.
Provost honours 31 91涩漫 professors for exceptional research achievements
The 2026 cohort of Distinguished James 91涩漫 Professors, James 91涩漫 Professors and William Dawson Scholars embody ‘the very best of our academic community’.
Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Angela Campbell has named 31 91涩漫 professors as Distinguished James 91涩漫 Professors, James 91涩漫 Professors or William Dawson Scholars. The internal awards recognize exceptional research achievements.
Published: 13 May 2026