The science that changed how we study pain
Some of Dr. Jeffrey Mogil’s most influential discoveries could be considered serendipity. He may not have set out to revolutionize the field, but what he ended up finding has made a lasting impact in the world of pain research.
Researchers identify new jellyfish species in fossils near Quebec City
Researchers studying 450-million-year-old fossils discovered about 50 kilometres northeast of Quebec City have identified a new species of basal medusozoan: Paleocanna tentaculum, a soft-bodied, tube-shaped polyp with a ring of tentacles. Closely related to modern jellyfish, it is a rare discovery. Only a few other species in its subphylum have ever been described in the fossil record.
2026 Fessenden Professorship Awards and Tomlinson Science Awards winners announced
The 2026 winners of the Fessenden Professorship and Tomlinson Science Awards have been named.
Established in 2007 and named after Canadian electrical engineer Reginald Aubrey Fessenden, the Fessenden Professorship in Science and Innovation Award supports researchers in exploring early-stage concepts, developing intellectual property, and moving innovations toward commercialization.
Researchers turn to mussels and mistletoe to design sustainable materials
Taking inspiration from how mussels and mistletoe plants build natural fibres and adhesives, researchers at McGill University have developed a new way to manufacture complex materials that could offer a more environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional plastics and glues.
Professor Henri Darmon recipient of the Jeffery‑Williams Prize (2026)
Congratulations to Professor Henri Darmon, Distinguished James McGill Professor at McGill University and CRM member, on receiving the 2026 Jeffery‑Williams Prize from the Canadian Mathematical Society. Darmon is an internationally recognized leader in number theory, known for his groundbreaking work on elliptic curves, L‑functions, and automorphic forms, including the introduction of Stark‑Heegner points and real quadratic analogues of singular moduli.
Science showcase celebrates the curiosity driving undergraduate research
More than 200 undergraduate students presented their work at the 7th edition of the annual Faculty of Science eventFrom labs to field sites, McGill students brought their discoveries to life at the 7th annual Undergraduate Science Showcase, held on March 25.
Researchers warn of risks posed by ‘contaminants of emerging concern’ found in crops, agricultural soil
A new international study offers insights into the health risks posed by crops’ absorption of “contaminants of emerging concern” (CECs) and flags knowledge gaps the authors say must be addressed.
Professor Keita Christophe Named APS Rising Star!
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Big congratulations to Professor Keita Christophe, newly named an APS Rising Star—a well‑deserved recognition of outstanding research and impact in psychological science!
New APS Rising Stars – Association for Psychological Science – APS
Professor Marcin Sabok awarded the Ryll-Nardzewski Prize (2026)
We are delighted to announce that Marcin Sabok has been awarded the Ryll-Nardzewski Prize.
The prize was established to honour the great Polish mathematician Czesław Ryll-Nardzewski, and is awarded by the Ryll-Nardzewski Center at Wrocław University of Science and Technology. The prize is for outstanding achievements in mathematics in areas related to the work of Ryll-Nardzewski.
Humans share acoustic preferences with other animals, study shows
A McGill University-led study has found that humans share acoustic preferences with other species, at least when it comes to animal calls. The results provide experimental evidence that shared sensory processing mechanisms may shape aesthetic judgments of sound.
Study shows how tree cover shapes freshwater ecosystems over millennia
Researchers at McGill University used 2,000-year-old stone jars in Laos to observe long-term ecological processes, enhancing understanding of how strongly tree cover shapes small freshwater ecosystems. Their findings stand to help scientists predict how freshwater habitats will respond to environmental change, the researchers said.
Findings of McGill study could lead to new longevity therapies and improved fall prevention
A new McGill University study has found a direct link between age‑related declines in neuron activity in the cerebellum and worsening motor skills, including gait, balance and agility. While it is well known that these abilities diminish with age, this is the first research to pinpoint how changes in Purkinje cells – a key type of cerebellar neuron – drive this decline and translate into measurable changes in behaviour and physical function.
David Harpp (1937-2026)
It is with a heavy heart that we write to inform you know that David Harpp, the Tomlinson Professor Emeritus in Science Education, our colleague, but also to many of us in the department a teacher, mentor and friend for many decades, passed away Saturday February 14th, peacefully and in the presence of those closest to him.
Siva Reddy (Computer Science and Linguistics) and Katelin Schutz (Physics) awarded 2026 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowships
Professors Siva Reddy (Computer Science and Linguistics) and Katelin Schutz (Physics) have been named 2026 Sloan Research Fellows.