Expand your academic palate and sample new subject areas with the Faculty Microlectures, an annual interdisciplinary event showcasing faculty research at the University of the Fraser Valley. Faculty presenters each take the stage for a maximum of two minutes and speak about the exciting findings and implications of their research. Feed your academic appetite and…

Dr. Iris Lesser was surprised to find a dearth of resources and information about postpartum physical activity when her first child was born. Nine years later, Iris, an associate professor of kinesiology at UFV, is meeting that need with inclusive, accessible exercise content for every mother who needs it.   Even as an experienced athlete…

As Canada navigates a changing trade relationship with the United States, a University of the Fraser Valley professor says there’s a massive opportunity just waiting to be seized. Dr. Edward Akuffo suggests the next frontier in Canadian trade should be Africa and he's made a compelling case for it in two recently published federal government…

Cranberry sauce is a staple on Canadian tables during the holiday season, enjoyed by millions of people.   But what if this delicious seasonal favourite became a rarity? Cranberry crops will be impacted by climate change in the years to come, according to new research by the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), funded by the B.C. Cranberry Growers…

Two UFV researchers from seemingly disparate backgrounds have found that by combining their strengths, they can offer support to Indigenous groups in northern Canada interested in improving food security. Dr. Cindy Jardine and Dr. Lauren Erland, both federally funded Canada Research Chairs at UFV (Cindy in Health and Community and Lauren in Berry Horticulture), decided…

A University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) professor has received $1,145,460 from the Canadian Space Agency to investigate how astronauts experience long-term missions on the International Space Station (ISS). Over six years, (through 2031), Dr. Jelena Brcic and her national research team will work with astronauts to understand how they manage stress and find meaning…

  Five researchers from the University of the Fraser Valley have been recognized on the 2025 Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists list, a global ranking of the world’s most influential researchers.   Honourees include Drs. Lauren Erland, Javad Hadian, Michael Hitch, Faisal Naeem, and Christophe Schinckus — recognized for their outstanding citation impact and contributions in their…

Operating rooms are meant to save lives, but research by Dr. Alexander Villafranca, a faculty member at UFV’s Kinesiology department, suggests they can also be toxic workplaces. Now, he’s developing tools to help stop disruptive behaviour that can put both patients and staff at risk.  Studies led by Alexander show that bad behaviour is commonly…

For the past two decades, one name has been associated more than any other with the South Asian Studies Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley. When you think of SASI, the institute’s founding director, Dr. Satwinder Bains, comes to mind pretty quickly. That changed on August 15 when Satwinder formally retired. She is…

Dr. Jatinder Mann has joined the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) as Director of the South Asian Studies Institute (SASI), succeeding Dr. Satwinder Bains, who retires this month. Jatinder comes to UFV from the United Kingdom (UK). He holds several degrees and credentials, including a PhD from the University of Sydney in Australia and,…

For humans, melatonin is useful for getting to sleep. For strawberry plants, it may be a tool for survival in a warming world.  UFV student researcher Emily Foster recently finished a study that found melatonin reduces heat stress in alpine strawberries, increasing the resilience of a native crop. Melatonin is a hormone produced by humans…

The world of high-performance sports can push an athlete to the limit, both physically and mentally. But when do the costs outweigh the benefits? When does participation do more harm than good?  A research project led by UFV kinesiology student Meigan Picard examined those questions through the lens of competitive ballet culture. Her paper suggests…