Nature House: What’s On Tomorrow
Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 9:31AM
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NATURE HOUSE: WHAT’S ON TOMORROW

Coming up this Sunday, August 17:

9:30 AM - 11:30 PM PAG Drop-in & Harvest Hours (all ages)

Location: The People’s Apothecary Garden, 62 North Cove Road

Drop by the PAG and explore what’s in bloom!

2:00 PM Sensational Sunday Speaker Series: From Molecules to Empires: The Colourful Plant Chemistry that Shaped Local Communities and Global Trade (youth, adults)

Location: Forbes Hall

Dr. Rosado will talk about the incredible power of plants as chemical factories, producing compounds that humans use as sources of flavouring agents, medicines, and drugs. We will dive into a group of these compounds in particular - secondary metabolites - and discover their fascinating function within plants. With examples from herbs, spices, and local berries, he will illustrate some of these uses as well as their historical and social significance.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Abel Rosado is an associate professor in Plant Physiology at UBC. Outside of the classroom, his research explores the nutritional properties and quality parameters of culturally significant berries native to the Pacific Northwest, such as salmonberries, huckleberries, and salal. The Rosado Lab analyses their unique phytochemical profiles, bioactivity, and health benefits, while also evaluating key factors for commercialization such as post-harvest behaviour, breeding potential, and flavour. By bridging traditional uses and advanced analytical techniques, our work aims to promote sustainable local food sources and support the health of our communities.

The ThINC Team

Article originally appeared on Thetis Blog (https://www.thetisposts.ca/).
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