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University of British Columbia aquatic researchers receive $1M fellowships
The Wall Fellowships will support studies of microbial ocean life and toxic road run-off, with both researchers expanding work across British Columbia.
Two UBC researchers, Patrick Keeling and Rachel Scholes, received $1 million Wall Fellowships each to fund five years of research on microscopic ocean organisms and toxic road run-off.
Botany professor Keeling plans to study microbial ocean life using his lab's ability to sequence genes from single cells, believing understanding the natural world is fundamental to human purpose.
Scholes investigates toxic tire chemicals, specifically 6 PPD-quinone, which is lethal to Coho salmon in Metro Vancouver waterways, and aims to implement mitigation strategies with First Nations.
These projects build partnerships with local municipalities and First Nations across the province, while Keeling plans to hire graduate students from France to expand his research team.
The Peter Wall legacy fund also supported 19 additional graduate student awards and eight faculty research projects, furthering Indigenous watershed stewardship and sustainable agriculture across the province.