Biological Sciences News Archive
The Palmquist Lab recently brought Marshall University science to the national stage at the 110th Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America (ESA) in Baltimore, Maryland. Lab members Zak Bartholomew, Catie Schwartzmann, and Noah Manuszak shared their research through poster presentations, while Dr. Kyle Palmquist contributed to an all-day working session as part of
Marshall University’s College Program for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder recently led an Allies Training session for biology lab teaching assistants, equipping them with tools to create inclusive, supportive classrooms for all students. The training covered topics like person-first vs. identity-first language, with College Program staff guiding discussion and Nathaniel making his Allies Training debut.
In her lab at Marshall University, Dr. Nadja Spitzer and her students are exploring one of science’s final frontiers — the brain. As part of the NSF-funded West Virginia Network for Functional Neuroscience & Transcriptomics (WV-NFNT) project, Dr. Spitzer collaborates with researchers across the state to study how the brain’s intricate connections change in response
Fifteen students from across the U.S., including Marshall University Biological Sciences graduate student Mary Zarilla, have just returned from an unforgettable two-week adventure in Uganda. The group took part in Primate Behavior and Conservation (BSC 580), a field course offered in collaboration with the Semliki Chimpanzee Project — a 30-year research and conservation effort. From
Environmental Science minor Maggie Dickerson was one of fourteen students who took part in Marshall’s Tropical Biology and Conservation Field Course, offered by the Department of Biological Sciences with Biology instructor Kimberly Dingess. Over two weeks in June, students explored some of the world’s most bio-diverse ecosystems in Costa Rica. Maggie and her experience was
Dr. Pamela Puppo, together with European collaborators, has published exciting new research exploring how plant species on islands form syngameons—networks of hybridizing species that exchange genes while still maintaining their distinct looks. Using wild thyme as a model, the study found that these genetic networks are especially large and complex on younger islands, where species
The Herpetology and Applied Conservation Lab hit the road last week, traveling to St. Paul, Minnesota, for the 2025 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (JMIH)—a major national gathering of scientists passionate about fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Dr. Jayme Waldron was joined by former graduate student Emily Gray and current graduate students Tucker Cribb, Sydney
Dr. Cheyenne Tait and recent Marshall Biology graduate Kia Booth recently made a splash at the Animal Behavior Society’s annual conference in Baltimore! Representing the Department of Biological Sciences, Kia presented a research poster on the lab’s fascinating work with the nudibranch sea slug Berghia stephanieae—a tiny but mighty creature with some seriously cool behaviors.
Marshall University Biological Sciences students just wrapped up an unforgettable 15-day field course in beautiful Costa Rica! From rainforests to rivers, students explored the country’s rich biodiversity while diving deep into the world of tropical biology. The immersive experience brought classroom learning to life—whether it was spotting exotic wildlife, studying plant ecology, or trekking through
he College of Science is thrilled to announce that Dr. Guo-Zhang Zhu has been awarded the prestigious Spring 2026 John Marshall Scholar Award for his exciting project, “Epigenetic Regulation of Mammalian Spermatogenesis.” This competitive award provides Marshall University faculty members with a full semester of teaching release to pursue impactful scholarly or creative work—and Dr.