SFU Biological Sciences
@sfubiosciences.bsky.social
Department of Biological Sciences at Simon Fraser University. www.sfu.ca/biology
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📅 The Outreach & Engagement Committee’s 2026–2027 outreach events and submission deadlines are here!
Explore opportunities in photography, science communication, outreach, creative writing, and more. Check out the schedule and mark your calendar!
Explore opportunities in photography, science communication, outreach, creative writing, and more. Check out the schedule and mark your calendar!
Reposted by SFU Biological Sciences
Greenland's fishing industry is under pressure and that is bringing the slow-growing Greenland shark into conflict with fishers. @sfubiosciences.bsky.social professor @nickdulvy.bsky.social weighs in on a proposed shark cull: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
To cull or not to cull: Greenland debates fate of world’s slowest shark
As trawlers compete with Greenland sharks for halibut and cod, conservationists and fishers clash over what to do about misunderstood species
www.theguardian.com
October 7, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Greenland's fishing industry is under pressure and that is bringing the slow-growing Greenland shark into conflict with fishers. @sfubiosciences.bsky.social professor @nickdulvy.bsky.social weighs in on a proposed shark cull: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
📸 The 7th Annual Biology Photo Contest is here!
BISC faculty, students, staff, and postdocs are invited to share the beauty of their work, from cells to ecosystems and microscopes to fieldwork.
Submit up to 3 photos by Nov. 5 for a chance to win prizes. Full details in the poster!
BISC faculty, students, staff, and postdocs are invited to share the beauty of their work, from cells to ecosystems and microscopes to fieldwork.
Submit up to 3 photos by Nov. 5 for a chance to win prizes. Full details in the poster!
October 1, 2026 at 5:17 PM
📸 The 7th Annual Biology Photo Contest is here!
BISC faculty, students, staff, and postdocs are invited to share the beauty of their work, from cells to ecosystems and microscopes to fieldwork.
Submit up to 3 photos by Nov. 5 for a chance to win prizes. Full details in the poster!
BISC faculty, students, staff, and postdocs are invited to share the beauty of their work, from cells to ecosystems and microscopes to fieldwork.
Submit up to 3 photos by Nov. 5 for a chance to win prizes. Full details in the poster!
📅 The Outreach & Engagement Committee’s 2026–2027 outreach events and submission deadlines are here!
Explore opportunities in photography, science communication, outreach, creative writing, and more. Check out the schedule and mark your calendar!
Explore opportunities in photography, science communication, outreach, creative writing, and more. Check out the schedule and mark your calendar!
October 1, 2026 at 5:15 PM
📅 The Outreach & Engagement Committee’s 2026–2027 outreach events and submission deadlines are here!
Explore opportunities in photography, science communication, outreach, creative writing, and more. Check out the schedule and mark your calendar!
Explore opportunities in photography, science communication, outreach, creative writing, and more. Check out the schedule and mark your calendar!
Reposted by SFU Biological Sciences
@sfubiosciences.bsky.social and environmental sciences major Caio Conradt completed an undergraduate research term with professor David Green studying the impact of human activity on the ecology and life history of spotted towhees. 🧵 🧪🌏
August 26, 2026 at 10:01 PM
@sfubiosciences.bsky.social and environmental sciences major Caio Conradt completed an undergraduate research term with professor David Green studying the impact of human activity on the ecology and life history of spotted towhees. 🧵 🧪🌏
Reposted by SFU Biological Sciences
After taking some time off due to forest fire evacuations, @sfubiosciences.bsky.social professor Isabelle Côté and the Fraser Riverkeeper team are passing through Metro Vancouver on their way to Richmond this Friday! Follow along with their journey: fraserriverkeeper.ca/expedition2026 🧪🌏
September 2, 2026 at 10:43 PM
After taking some time off due to forest fire evacuations, @sfubiosciences.bsky.social professor Isabelle Côté and the Fraser Riverkeeper team are passing through Metro Vancouver on their way to Richmond this Friday! Follow along with their journey: fraserriverkeeper.ca/expedition2026 🧪🌏
Reposted by SFU Biological Sciences
Congratulations to @sfubiosciences.bsky.social prof Tanya Brown, @sfuphysics.bsky.social profs @quantumdan.bsky.social and Thomas Jennewein, chemistry prof Daniel Leznoff and earth sciences prof Xinyue Xu on receiving support through the John R. Evans Leaders Fund!
SFU faculty are conducting diverse, world-class research that contributes to social, economic and environmental well-being of communities in B.C., Canada and across the globe.
12 researchers from SFU share more than $1.86 million in CFI funding, announced today.
12 researchers from SFU share more than $1.86 million in CFI funding, announced today.
Climate innovation, wildfire science and quantum technology among SFU projects awarded $1.86 million in JELF funding
www.sfu.ca
August 20, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Congratulations to @sfubiosciences.bsky.social prof Tanya Brown, @sfuphysics.bsky.social profs @quantumdan.bsky.social and Thomas Jennewein, chemistry prof Daniel Leznoff and earth sciences prof Xinyue Xu on receiving support through the John R. Evans Leaders Fund!
Reposted by SFU Biological Sciences
August 19 is World Orangutan Day. @sfubiosciences.bsky.social PhD candidate spoke with @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social this morning about orangutans and working with legendary primatologist Biruté Galdikas. 🌏 www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
August 19, 2026 at 10:01 PM
August 19 is World Orangutan Day. @sfubiosciences.bsky.social PhD candidate spoke with @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social this morning about orangutans and working with legendary primatologist Biruté Galdikas. 🌏 www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
Reposted by SFU Biological Sciences
@sfubiosciences.bsky.social prof Isabelle Côté and the Fraser Riverkeeper team swam through Prince George yesterday, now heading south toward Quenesl. The group aims to raise awareness and funds for conservation by swimming the length of the Fraser: www.princegeorgecitizen.com/local-news/f... 🌎
Fraser River Challenge team swims into Prince George
They're swimming the length of the waterway to raise awareness of rivershed issues
www.princegeorgecitizen.com
August 18, 2026 at 11:33 PM
@sfubiosciences.bsky.social prof Isabelle Côté and the Fraser Riverkeeper team swam through Prince George yesterday, now heading south toward Quenesl. The group aims to raise awareness and funds for conservation by swimming the length of the Fraser: www.princegeorgecitizen.com/local-news/f... 🌎
Reposted by SFU Biological Sciences
@sfubiosciences.bsky.social professor Isabelle Côté is embarking on a new adventure, starting today! Over the next 30 days she will swim 1,375 km from the Fraser River headwaters to the Pacific Ocean with Fraser Riverkeeper to raise awareness about watershed conservation. fraserriverkeeper.ca 🧪🌎
August 6, 2026 at 9:36 PM
@sfubiosciences.bsky.social professor Isabelle Côté is embarking on a new adventure, starting today! Over the next 30 days she will swim 1,375 km from the Fraser River headwaters to the Pacific Ocean with Fraser Riverkeeper to raise awareness about watershed conservation. fraserriverkeeper.ca 🧪🌎
Reposted by SFU Biological Sciences
Deep sea mining poses many risks to ecosystems beyond the locations being mined. @sfubiosciences.bsky.social professor Nick Dulvy comments: 🧪🌎
They Survived the Asteroid. Deep-Sea Mining May Kill Them via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2026/08...
See associated paper: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
See associated paper: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
They Survived the Asteroid. Deep-Sea Mining May Kill Them | The Tyee
Planned projects would devastate ocean life, DFO scientist warns.
thetyee.ca
August 6, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Deep sea mining poses many risks to ecosystems beyond the locations being mined. @sfubiosciences.bsky.social professor Nick Dulvy comments: 🧪🌎
Reposted by SFU Biological Sciences
What can we learn about ageing from butterflies? @sfubiosciences.bsky.social professor Arne Mooers and colleague Jayme Lewthwaite investigate.
Some tropical butterflies live surprisingly long lives. Is it their high-protein diet?
Some tropical butterflies live surprisingly long lives. Is it their high-protein diet?
Heliconius butterflies eat high-protein pollen and seem to age well.
theconversation.com
August 4, 2026 at 10:57 PM
What can we learn about ageing from butterflies? @sfubiosciences.bsky.social professor Arne Mooers and colleague Jayme Lewthwaite investigate.
Reposted by SFU Biological Sciences
A fascinating @radiolab.bsky.social episode on baby sharks featuring @sfubiosciences.bsky.social professor @nickdulvy.bsky.social: radiolab.org/podcast/baby... (do do do do do) 🧪🌏
Baby Shark
There’s a lot more to baby sharks than that song you can’t get out of your head.
radiolab.org
July 29, 2026 at 8:40 PM
A fascinating @radiolab.bsky.social episode on baby sharks featuring @sfubiosciences.bsky.social professor @nickdulvy.bsky.social: radiolab.org/podcast/baby... (do do do do do) 🧪🌏
SFU Biology postdoctoral researcher Anaïs Remili @anaisremili.bsky.social was recently featured in The News International, where she discussed the vital role whale falls play in sustaining deep-sea ecosystems. Learn more: www.sfu.ca/biology/news...
📸 Photo credit: Jared Towers - DFO MML 001
📸 Photo credit: Jared Towers - DFO MML 001
July 24, 2026 at 5:34 PM
SFU Biology postdoctoral researcher Anaïs Remili @anaisremili.bsky.social was recently featured in The News International, where she discussed the vital role whale falls play in sustaining deep-sea ecosystems. Learn more: www.sfu.ca/biology/news...
📸 Photo credit: Jared Towers - DFO MML 001
📸 Photo credit: Jared Towers - DFO MML 001
Reposted by SFU Biological Sciences
Some of our key findings:
• Only 6 threatened sharks and rays have more than 10% of their range protected by no-take MPAs.
• Only 24% of threatened sharks and 18% of threatened rays have over 1% of their species range covered by no-take MPAs
@sfubiosciences.bsky.social
@earth2ocean.bsky.social
• Only 6 threatened sharks and rays have more than 10% of their range protected by no-take MPAs.
• Only 24% of threatened sharks and 18% of threatened rays have over 1% of their species range covered by no-take MPAs
@sfubiosciences.bsky.social
@earth2ocean.bsky.social
July 13, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Some of our key findings:
• Only 6 threatened sharks and rays have more than 10% of their range protected by no-take MPAs.
• Only 24% of threatened sharks and 18% of threatened rays have over 1% of their species range covered by no-take MPAs
@sfubiosciences.bsky.social
@earth2ocean.bsky.social
• Only 6 threatened sharks and rays have more than 10% of their range protected by no-take MPAs.
• Only 24% of threatened sharks and 18% of threatened rays have over 1% of their species range covered by no-take MPAs
@sfubiosciences.bsky.social
@earth2ocean.bsky.social
Reposted by SFU Biological Sciences
We also built a free Shark & Ray MPA Explorer so researchers, managers, and conservationists can explore species-level MPA coverage for all 1,158 species.
If you're interested in sharks and rays, take a look!
tinyurl.com/SharkRayMPAExplorer
@sfubiosciences.bsky.social
@society4conbio.bsky.social
If you're interested in sharks and rays, take a look!
tinyurl.com/SharkRayMPAExplorer
@sfubiosciences.bsky.social
@society4conbio.bsky.social
July 13, 2026 at 3:56 PM
We also built a free Shark & Ray MPA Explorer so researchers, managers, and conservationists can explore species-level MPA coverage for all 1,158 species.
If you're interested in sharks and rays, take a look!
tinyurl.com/SharkRayMPAExplorer
@sfubiosciences.bsky.social
@society4conbio.bsky.social
If you're interested in sharks and rays, take a look!
tinyurl.com/SharkRayMPAExplorer
@sfubiosciences.bsky.social
@society4conbio.bsky.social
Reposted by SFU Biological Sciences
Pioneering primatologist Dr. Birute Galdikas has left behind a legacy of conservation and advocacy for orangutans, and a new generation of conservationists, including @sfubiosciences.bsky.social PhD candidate Ruth Linsky: nowtoronto.com/news/why-the... 🌏
Inside the push to save Canada's closest living relatives | NOW Toronto
A Canadian researcher dedicated decades of her life to studying orangutans and promoting conservation efforts.
nowtoronto.com
July 15, 2026 at 10:23 PM
Pioneering primatologist Dr. Birute Galdikas has left behind a legacy of conservation and advocacy for orangutans, and a new generation of conservationists, including @sfubiosciences.bsky.social PhD candidate Ruth Linsky: nowtoronto.com/news/why-the... 🌏
Reposted by SFU Biological Sciences
Despite being banned for decades, PCBs, DDT and other pollutants are still circulating in marine ecosystems, and accumulating in the bodies of Arctic seals and the communities that rely on them, leading to negative health effects:
https://ow.ly/H4vz50ZbotX 🧪🌎 #MarineEcology SFU Biological Sciences
https://ow.ly/H4vz50ZbotX 🧪🌎 #MarineEcology SFU Biological Sciences
Human-made chemicals are harming seals at the molecular level
New research shows seals are being affected by chemical pollution in the Arctic food web and rapid climate-driven warming that is transforming their sea ice habitat.
ow.ly
June 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Despite being banned for decades, PCBs, DDT and other pollutants are still circulating in marine ecosystems, and accumulating in the bodies of Arctic seals and the communities that rely on them, leading to negative health effects:
https://ow.ly/H4vz50ZbotX 🧪🌎 #MarineEcology SFU Biological Sciences
https://ow.ly/H4vz50ZbotX 🧪🌎 #MarineEcology SFU Biological Sciences
Congratulations to Aaron Dhanda, PhD alumnus from Julian Guttman's Lab, whose photo "The mitotic meridian" is a finalist in the 2026 NSERC Science Exposed Photo Contest!
Take a moment and follow the link to vote for Aaron's photo!: ow.ly/q5KM50Zbo1Z
Take a moment and follow the link to vote for Aaron's photo!: ow.ly/q5KM50Zbo1Z
June 17, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Congratulations to Aaron Dhanda, PhD alumnus from Julian Guttman's Lab, whose photo "The mitotic meridian" is a finalist in the 2026 NSERC Science Exposed Photo Contest!
Take a moment and follow the link to vote for Aaron's photo!: ow.ly/q5KM50Zbo1Z
Take a moment and follow the link to vote for Aaron's photo!: ow.ly/q5KM50Zbo1Z
Reposted by SFU Biological Sciences
Latest infographic from yours truly 🤍
✨ NEW KILLER WHALE RESEARCH ✨
Type D killer whales were only officially described in 2011, and until now we’ve had almost no idea how many exist, where they go, or how they live.
A new 21-year study is the first to tackle those questions, and the answers are surprising.
Type D killer whales were only officially described in 2011, and until now we’ve had almost no idea how many exist, where they go, or how they live.
A new 21-year study is the first to tackle those questions, and the answers are surprising.
May 26, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Latest infographic from yours truly 🤍
Reposted by SFU Biological Sciences
The BC Parks Living Lab Program pairs scientists with provincial parks to study climate change and conservation. @sfubiosciences.bsky.social prof Chelsea Little spoke with @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social about the work she and her colleagues are doing in Garibaldi Park: www.cbc.ca/listen/live-... 🧪
May 19, 2026 at 11:38 PM
The BC Parks Living Lab Program pairs scientists with provincial parks to study climate change and conservation. @sfubiosciences.bsky.social prof Chelsea Little spoke with @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social about the work she and her colleagues are doing in Garibaldi Park: www.cbc.ca/listen/live-... 🧪
Reposted by SFU Biological Sciences
New research from @sfubiosciences.bsky.social professor Tanya Brown has found more than 200 contaminants in water and juvenile Chinook salmon in the Lower Fraser River estuary, including industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. www.sfu.ca/sfunews/stor... 🧪 #ecotox #yvr
Young Fraser River Chinook salmon swimming in chemical soup, SFU study finds
Juvenile Chinook salmon in the Lower Fraser River estuary are feeding and growing in a slurry of contaminants from pharmaceuticals, personal care products to industrial chemicals, according to a new S...
www.sfu.ca
May 21, 2026 at 7:47 PM
New research from @sfubiosciences.bsky.social professor Tanya Brown has found more than 200 contaminants in water and juvenile Chinook salmon in the Lower Fraser River estuary, including industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. www.sfu.ca/sfunews/stor... 🧪 #ecotox #yvr
Reposted by SFU Biological Sciences
A recent SFU-led study found dozens of chemical contaminants in Fraser River Chinook salmon. @sfubiosciences.bsky.social professor Tanya Brown explains that this is not just an issue for salmon, but could also affect #BC's Southern Resident Orcas:
globalnews.ca/video/118588... 🧪 #ecotox
globalnews.ca/video/118588... 🧪 #ecotox
SFU study finds chemical pollutants in Fraser River Chinook salmon | Watch News Videos Online
Watch SFU study finds chemical pollutants in Fraser River Chinook salmon Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca
globalnews.ca
May 26, 2026 at 6:31 PM
A recent SFU-led study found dozens of chemical contaminants in Fraser River Chinook salmon. @sfubiosciences.bsky.social professor Tanya Brown explains that this is not just an issue for salmon, but could also affect #BC's Southern Resident Orcas:
globalnews.ca/video/118588... 🧪 #ecotox
globalnews.ca/video/118588... 🧪 #ecotox
It’s World Bee Day! If you are concerned about pollinator declines, there’s something you can do: plant flowers. Professor Elizabeth Elle of Biological Sciences at SFU is studying backyard biodiversity, and in a study of just nine gardens in 2025 documented 130 species of pollinators!
May 19, 2026 at 5:10 PM
It’s World Bee Day! If you are concerned about pollinator declines, there’s something you can do: plant flowers. Professor Elizabeth Elle of Biological Sciences at SFU is studying backyard biodiversity, and in a study of just nine gardens in 2025 documented 130 species of pollinators!
Fascination of Plants Day 2026🌱🍀
Ferns reproduce using spores instead of seeds! You can spot them if you flip a leaf over. Those tiny brown clusters are sporangia (arrow), little capsules packed with spores.
Image and text by Miranda Meents
Ferns reproduce using spores instead of seeds! You can spot them if you flip a leaf over. Those tiny brown clusters are sporangia (arrow), little capsules packed with spores.
Image and text by Miranda Meents
May 15, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Fascination of Plants Day 2026🌱🍀
Ferns reproduce using spores instead of seeds! You can spot them if you flip a leaf over. Those tiny brown clusters are sporangia (arrow), little capsules packed with spores.
Image and text by Miranda Meents
Ferns reproduce using spores instead of seeds! You can spot them if you flip a leaf over. Those tiny brown clusters are sporangia (arrow), little capsules packed with spores.
Image and text by Miranda Meents
Reposted by SFU Biological Sciences
May is the middle of the spring migration for many species, and many are passing through Vancouver right now! Learn about birding and how you can contribute to science at an upcoming panel including @sfubiosciences.bsky.social prof @johnreynolds.bsky.social: stanleyparkecology.ca/event/your-o...
April 28, 2026 at 6:03 PM
May is the middle of the spring migration for many species, and many are passing through Vancouver right now! Learn about birding and how you can contribute to science at an upcoming panel including @sfubiosciences.bsky.social prof @johnreynolds.bsky.social: stanleyparkecology.ca/event/your-o...