News Releases

While many attitudes about sexual orientation have changed dramatically in recent decades, sex researchers can still face immense backlash about their work. It’s no wonder then that an invitation-only conference like the Puzzle of Sexual Orientation, recently held at the University of Lethbridge, drew leading sex researchers from around the world to discuss their work in the company of fellow scientists who are also seeking to build knowledge in the field.

University of Lethbridge campuses in both Lethbridge and Calgary will once again be teeming with activity over the next few days as students prepare for the start of the Fall 2023 Semester on Wednesday, Sept. 6.

Dr. Michael Gerken, a professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, was recently named a Fellow of the American Chemical Society (ACS), an honour currently shared by only seven other Canadians. “I was absolutely thrilled and honoured,” says Gerken. “It’s fantastic to be named an ACS Fellow.” The honour recognizes both scientific contributions to the field of chemistry and service to the Society. Gerken works in the field of fluorine chemistry. Fluorine is the most reactive element in the periodic table and is used in many different compounds.

Early Start Experience course eases transition from high school to university First-year students looking to get a leg up on their post-secondary academic journey will be wrapping up their first course this week, having opted to take part in the University of Lethbridge’s unique Early Start Experience. LBED 1500 — The First-Year Experience: Mapping our Communities, is a full-credit course that began Aug. 21 and is concluding Friday, Sept. 1 with final student presentations.

Dr. Stacey Wetmore, a professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry with expertise in computational chemistry, has been appointed a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair while Dr. Julie Young, a professor in the Department of Geography & Environment, and Dr. Trushar Patel, a professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, have had their Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs renewed for another term.

University of Lethbridge researchers across a breadth of disciplines have earned more than $2.3 million in funding support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), as announced by the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, and the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health in Edmonton today.

Lethbridge College and the University of Lethbridge will kick off the 2023-24 academic year with a delicious new event – inviting the community to a free pancake breakfast during the city’s Whoop-up Days celebration. Image

Dr. Jenny McCune, a University of Lethbridge biology professor, collaborated with an up-and-coming filmmaker to produce a documentary designed to focus greater public attention on endangered plant species and her fight to save them. The Quiet Green Creatures highlights the work McCune and her students are doing in southern Ontario to boost the sustainability of two endangered plant species, the wood poppy and crooked-stem aster.

A media opportunity is scheduled for 11:15 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 9 Youngsters attending Destination Exploration’s Medical Science camp will get the chance to meet Lethbridge MP Rachael Thomas as part of Bring Your MP to STEM Camp, a national campaign by Actua, Canada’s leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics youth outreach network.

Accomplished researcher and senior administrator, Dr. Michelle Helstein, has been appointed Provost and Vice-President (Academic) by the University of Lethbridge’s Board of Governors, another significant addition to a leadership core that has seen a dramatic influx of new perspectives in the past six months.