VIU Scholarship, Research, and Creative Activity

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Course-based Student Research February 23, 2023 - 1:33pm

An REB Protocol for Course-Based Student Research provides an efficient process for VIU faculty to receive REB approval for minimal risk student research involving human participants conducted as a requirement of course completion.

Once approved, an REB Protocol for Course-based Student Research documents the scope of projects, methods, and participant populations that student researchers may undertake with REB approval as part of a course under the supervision of the course instructor.

Contact Us May 22, 2025 - 12:25pm

Email: reb@viu.ca

Submission Deadlines and Meeting Dates June 25, 2025 - 3:51pm

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis through the academic year (Aug 15 – July 15th) on the ROMEO research application portal. Following submission, all applications undergo an initial review to determine the level of REB review required.

Wetlandkeepers Course March 5, 2019 - 10:23am

During the weekend of July 14-16 MABRRI student researchers, Maria Kawahara, Curtis Rispin, and Lauren Shaw participated in a Wetland Keepers Course facilitated by Michele Jones and the British Columbia Wildlife Federation (BCWF).

The course took place at North Island College in Campbell River and was designed to teach participants wetland mapping, plant and animal identification, soil sampling, and other wetland classification and stewardship skills.

Wetlandkeepers Course March 5, 2019 - 10:22am

The BC Wildlife Federation partnered with Greenways Land Trust in Campbell River, BC to host a Wetlands Keeper course free of charge and open to the public. Wetlands are important ecosystems that are disappearing in BC and urgently needs community protection. In 2016, MABRRI started a wetland mapping project in partnership with the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) and Vancouver Island University (VIU). This project is helping build an inventory of where wetlands are, and promotes research regarding connectivity between wetlands and other water systems.

CSR research May 29, 2025 - 12:04pm

The Centre for Shellfish Research (CSR) focuses on sustainable shellfish aquaculture and the environment. Our current and past research efforts address three strategic areas: 

  • Ecological Interactions Research Program investigating sustainable shellfish practices and ensuring that environmental protection and a vibrant industry go hand-in-hand.

Bull Kelp Sampling May 25, 2023 - 12:23pm

The perks of working with MABRRI were on full display on Friday June 9th when myself, Ryan and Maria launched The Silver Bullet (Ryan’s boat) from Schooner Cove in Nanoose. We set out to locate and sample bull kelp in the Salish Sea, which has been disappearing along the coast of south east Vancouver Island.  Our first target was around the east and north side of Gabriola Island where I snorkeled and searched the cool waters for any signs of bull kelp.  However, while we found some drifting in the tide line, no live bull kelp was found after over an hour of searching.

Linley Valley Trails Assessment March 5, 2019 - 10:20am

Linley Valley Cottle Lake Park is a 145 acre wilderness park located in the heart of Nanaimo with access points throughout the city. Filled with a network of trails and untouched scenery the park offers a lush escape from the city with well-maintained trails and immaculate views of the Salish Sea from higher points.

Wetland Mapping March 5, 2019 - 10:19am

Today, June 9, 2017, Ashley, Kayla, Lauren, and I (Carson) set out to Milner Gardens to do our best impression of swamp monsters as we completed some wetland mapping. Starting at 8am we loaded our gear in the MABRRI truck and started northbound on the Island highway. After about a 40 minute drive with some excellent scenery along the way we arrived at our destination, the picturesque Milner Gardens. Pulling into the parking lot we were greeted by a very calm group of deer lounging about in flat spot of grass near the truck.

Gazebo Talks March 5, 2019 - 10:18am

From 2pm to 7pm on June 8, 2017, as part of the consultation process for the ongoing parks inventory report and Community Park masterplan report, the MABRRI team in partnership with The City of Parksville, held an open house at the gazebo located in Parksville’s beautiful Community Park. Because the open house was at the gazebo we nicknamed the event “Gazebo Talks”.

The Snaw-Naw-As Garden of Spiritual Healing March 5, 2019 - 10:18am

MABRRI is currently working with Snaw-Naw-As First Nation to develop the Snaw-Naw-As Garden of Spiritual Healing over the course of two years. The main goal of the garden is to help preserve traditional knowledge and language pertaining to local native plant species. The garden will also help promote food security, raise awareness of physical and mental health benefits associated with gardening, and foster a sense of community by being a place where members can teach, learn, and explore gardening together.

Plant Phenology March 5, 2019 - 10:17am

This year I have been lucky enough to collect data for the plant phenology project at Milner Gardens and Woodland in Qualicum Beach. Phenology is the study of the timing of seasonally reoccurring biological events like bud break, flower blooming, pollen release, and leaf fall. The timing of these events is strongly linked to variables like temperature and precipitation, making it a strong indicator of climate change. Phenology also plays a crucial role in relationships between species. If mutualistic species respond differently to climate change, their phonology will be out of synch.

Salish Sea Monitoring March 5, 2019 - 10:15am

On Wednesday May 3, MABRRI research assistants Ryan Fredrickson, Kidston Short, and Larissa Thelin spent the day on the Salish Sea with Captain Tom Fredrickson to do water sampling for the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project. Coordinated by Canadian-based Pacific Salmon Foundation and American-based Long Live the Kings, the project aims to determine the primary factors affecting the survival of juvenile salmon and steelhead in the Salish Sea.

Adventures to Amazing Places August 26, 2024 - 3:07pm

On May 2, 2017, Ryan, Carson, Haley, Larissa, Lauren, Kidston and I adventured into the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region to check out some of the Amazing Places. Our first stop was at MacMillan Provincial Park (Cathedral Grove) where we wandered through the ancient grove of moss and lichen draped Douglas-fir, Western red-cedar, Western hemlock, and a variety of other species such as Yew, bigleaf maple, and Western flowering dogwood.

Amazing Places Adventure March 5, 2019 - 10:12am

On Tuesday, May 2 the newest MABRRI research assistants went on a tour of the MABR to get acquainted with where we will be working all summer. During this day trip we went to Little Qualicum Falls, a provincial park designated as a UNESCO Amazing Place. For many of us, this was our first time at the falls. The tall mossy cliffs and gorgeous waterfall made us understand why Little Qualicum Falls was chosen as one of MABR’s 10 Amazing Places.

2nd Annual MABR BioBlitz March 5, 2019 - 10:11am

A BioBlitz is a method used to collect as much information as possible, in a short amount of time, about the biodiversity and species richness of flora and fauna species in a given area. The BioBlitz that occurred on April 22, 2017 in the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region (MABR) involved local experts, participants, and volunteers undertaking two sessions, a morning and afternoon, to explore the BioBlitz location and identify as many species of flora and fauna as they could.

World Cafe March 5, 2019 - 10:10am

On Saturday March 25th, Students from Vancouver Island University (VIU), in association with Staff from the City of Parksville, hosted a World Café for the Community Parks Master Plan & Survey Project. From 10am – 3pm, students worked with members of the community to draw ideas about the future of the City’s Parks and Trails. Altogether, seventeen students from Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute (MABRRI), Masters of Community Planning (MCP), and a range of bachelors programs volunteered to facilitate the World Café.

Parks on the Street March 5, 2019 - 10:09am

On Saturday, March 4th the MABRRI team along with VIU students and faculty facilitated a community engagement event, "Parks on the Street." From 10 am - 3 pm fourteen students worked the streets in Parksville, collecting data in the form of a questionnaire that will be used to inform further research for the Parks Master Plan and Survey Project. During this event students stationed across the City asked passersby three questions:

Bull kelp Collection in the Salish Sea August 26, 2024 - 3:03pm

On Monday morning a few of the MABRRI researchers (Graham, Kayla, Ryan) loaded up our inflatable boat (Big Red), a kayak, our inflatable life jackets, three dry suits for snorkeling, our flippers and masks and the all of the necessary safety gear into the F-150 VIU work truck. We then made a quick stop for coffee and some breaky and headed for the 6:30am ferry over to Gabriola Island. Once we made it over to Gabriola, we found our way to Orlebar Point and Barry Point with the help of our tour guide (Kayla) who grew up on Gabriola Island.

test December 16, 2016 - 1:08pm

Analytical

  • TAMIMS
  • CP-MIMS
  • Membrane Interface Design
  • Miniaturization Instrumentation
  • Novel Ionization Strategies

Environmental

  • Reaction Monitoring
  • Geospatial Mapping