Research Areas

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

	Cell & Molecular Biology Amy Abell: epigenetic regulation of gene expression, EMT, signaling networks Judith Cole: signal transduction, receptor pharmacology, cell physiology Lewis Coons: parasitology 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 Randall Bayer: Plant Systematic & Evolution E. Keith Bowers: Avian evolutionary, physiological, and behavioral ecology Shawn Brown: Microbial ecology, environmental microbiology, mycology Michael Kennedy: wildlife ecology, mammal systematics Jennifer Mandel: Population Genetics; Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics Duane McKenna: Insect-plant interactions, Insect Systematics, Evolution Matthew Parris: Evolutionary Ecology, herpetology Emily Puckett: Evolutionary genetics; Population Genomics; Phylogeography
	Genetics, Genomics & Bioinformatics Randall Bayer: Plant Systematic & Evolution Melvin Beck: Genetics Shawn Brown: Microbial ecology, environmental microbiology, mycology Bernie Daigle, Jr.: Bioinformatics, computational systems biology Jennifer Mandel: Population Genetics; Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics 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 E. Keith Bowers: Avian evolutionary, physiological, and behavioral ecology Judith Cole: signal transduction, receptor pharmacology, cell physiology Michael Ferkin: Animal behavior, animal cognition, hormones and behavior David Freeman: Circadian rhythms, mammal neuroendocrinology Charles Lessman: cell physiology, reproductive biology, development
	Biology Education Research Jaime Sabel: Biology student learning, scaffolds, metacognition