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.
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Cell & Molecular BiologyAmy 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 |
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Ecology, Evolution, & Conservation BiologyRandall 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 |
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Genetics, Genomics & BioinformaticsRandall 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 |
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Physiology & BehaviorE. 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 |
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Biology Education ResearchJaime Sabel: Biology student learning, scaffolds, metacognition |