Research Areas

The Department of Biological Sciences emphasizes the integrative nature of the biological sciences, focusing on programs that unite four major areas: Cellular & Molecular Biology; Ecology, Evolution, & Conservation Biology; Genetics, Genomics, & Bioinformatics; and Physiology & Behavior.

Faculty research programs reflect the interdisciplinary strength of our department, while providing a firm foundation in theoretical focal areas. Recent faculty hires support our rich tradition of research training in these traditional fundamental disciplines while providing the specializations to foster interdisciplinary relationships.

Faculty and Student Publications

	Cell & Molecular Biology Amy Abell: Epigenetic regulation of gene expression, EMT, signaling networks Judith Cole: Signal transduction, receptor pharmacology, cell physiology Bernie Daigle, Jr.: Bioinformatics, computational systems biology Carlos Estrano: Signal transduction, protein trafficking, parasitology Charles Lessman: Cell physiology, reproductive biology, development Steven Schwartzbach: Protein trafficking, chloroplast evolution Omar Skalli: Cytoskeleton, cell motility and division Carrie Sutter: Aryl hydrocarbon receptor in skin, genetics of skin disease Thomas Sutter: Cancer prevention, environmental science, signal transduction
	Ecology, Evolution, & Conservation Biology Jim Adelman: Avian disease ecology, ecological immunology, behavior Randall Bayer: Plant systematics and evolution Leigh Boardman: Physiological ecology, insect physiology E. Keith Bowers: Avian evolutionary, physiological and behavioral ecology Shawn Brown: Microbial ecology, environmental microbiology, mycology Rachel Diner: Marine and aquatic microbiomes, ecotoxicology, environmental change Michael Kennedy: Wildlife ecology, mammal systematics Jennifer Mandel: Plant ecology, evolutionary genetics, and conservation Duane McKenna: Insect-plant interactions, insect systematics, evolution Cassandra Nuñez: Animal behavior, behavioral ecology, stress physiology Matthew Parris: Evolutionary ecology, herpetology Emily Puckett: Evolutionary genetics, population genomics, phylogeography
	Genetics, Genomics & Bioinformatics Randall Bayer: Plant systematic and evolution Melvin Beck: Genetics Shawn Brown: Microbial ecology, environmental microbiology, mycology Bernie Daigle, Jr.: Bioinformatics, computational systems biology Rachel Diner: Marine and aquatic microbiomes, ecotoxicology, environmental change Philip Kohlmeier: Neurogenetics, Animal Behavior, Sociobiology Jennifer Mandel: Plant ecology, evolutionary genetics, and conservation Duane McKenna: Insect-plant interactions, insect systematics, evolution Emily Puckett: Evolutionary genetics, population genomics, phylogeography Carrie Sutter: Aryl hydrocarbon receptor in skin, genetics of skin disease Thomas Sutter: Cancer prevention, environmental science, signal transduction
	Physiology & Behavior Jim Adelman: Avian disease ecology, ecological immunology, behavior Leigh Boardman: Physiological ecology, insect physiology E. Keith Bowers: Avian evolutionary, physiological and behavioral ecology Judith Cole: Signal transduction, receptor pharmacology, cell physiology Rachel Diner: Marine and aquatic microbiomes, ecotoxicology, environmental change Michael Ferkin: Animal behavior, animal cognition, hormones and behavior David Freeman: Circadian rhythms, mammal neuroendocrinology Philip Kohlmeier: Neurogenetics, Animal Behavior, Sociobiology Charles Lessman: Cell physiology, reproductive biology, development Cassandra Nuñez: Animal behavior, behavioral ecology, stress physiology