Dr. Anh Tran completed her postdoctoral fellowship in Prof. Tania Watts’ laboratory, where she investigated the role of microRNAs in T cell survival. Currently, she holds the title of Research Officer at the National Research Council (NRC) Canada located in Ottawa, Ontario. Anh shares with us her transition from academia to the NRC and her involvement in viral vaccine development with the government. Viruses are a component of our ecosystems. They can be transmitted to…

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As we enter 2020 and look at the past decade, it is obvious the world is changing. The 2010s held the hottest years on record, severe storms and an ever-rising ocean. However, this was coupled with an increased awareness of climate change. The era of social media has shown that grassroots movements like the global climate strike can mobilize millions of people. There is landmark support for environmental non-profit organizations, which demonstrates a global understanding…

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Introduction The average temperature on the planet has risen almost 1°C since the late 19th century, with the majority of the warming occurring in the past 40 years. This seemingly small change has manifested due to the decrease in size of Antarctica’s ice sheets, retreat of glaciers around the world, rising sea levels and an increased frequency of extreme weather events. While climate change is a natural and continuous process, human activities have drastically accelerated…

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Beyond Meat has led a movement for creating plant-based meats to satisfy the ‘meat craving’ for those wishing to reduce or opt out of animal product use. The company, founded in 2009, went public in May with the best-performing public option in recent history. The website for Beyond Meat boasts their new, plant-based patty that “looks, cooks, and satisfies like beef without GMOs, soy, or gluten.” However, is this new era of animal-free meat really…

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The World Health Organization (WHO) cites climate change as “the greatest threat to global health in the 21st century.” Direct effects include respiratory complications from increasing allergens and air pollution, greater exposure to pathogens from contaminated water and food supplies, and injuries and illness resulting from severe weather. The physical effects on our communities are palpable, but the mental health impacts are often unacknowledged and overlooked. In addition to clinically recognized disorders, people experience “eco-anxiety”,…

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Climate change has shifted Earth’s topography to unimaginable lengths, changed political relations, and seeped into social discourse with the global climate strikes in 2019. Why have environmental messages failed in large part to encourage lifestyle change and promote sustainable habits? The Guardian conducted an interview with Dan Kahan – a professor of Psychology and Law at Yale University – revealing the interesting psychology behind this paradox. Kahan claims that it is not the lack of…

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The consequences of human activity on the environment are clear. Global temperatures are rising, ecosystems are being destroyed, and species are going extinct. Despite the efforts of world leaders and mega-corporations to “go green”, our planet may soon be unable to sustain human life as we know it unless we find a solution. Enter space – the vast unknown, the final frontier, and perhaps, the last hope for humanity. At least this is the thought…

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Incorrect recycling practices have far worse consequences than consumers typically expect. The critical issue begins when non-recyclable materials are mixed with recycling. A striking 30% of what consumers dispose into recycling bins should indeed be placed into the garbage. Examples of contaminated recyclables include pizza boxes with grease stains or paper with liquid stains. The process of recycling paper requires adding water; as such, any residual oil or grease would render the batch non-recyclable. Moreover,…

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Scientists studying climate change have been calling for meaningful action for decades. Political and social inaction has spurred youth climate activists all over the world. “Our house is still on fire,” Greta Thunberg told the World Economic Forum at Davos just a few months ago. We’ve seen it in the Amazon, we’ve seen it in Australia, California, Flint and closer to home, in our own Prairies and lakes. As members of the scientific community, we…

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