Dunlap and her students study arthropods such as bumblebees, fruit flies and tarantulas to glean insights on how environmental variability affects cognition.
LATEST IN Department of Biology
Biologist Aimee Dunlap discusses research on the ecology and evolution of learning as part of NextGen Precision Health Discovery Series
Dunlap and her students study arthropods such as bumblebees, fruit flies and tarantulas to glean insights on how environmental variability affects cognition.
Biologist Aimee Dunlap discusses research on the ecology and evolution of learning as part of NextGen Precision Health Discovery Series
Dunlap and her students study arthropods such as bumblebees, fruit flies and tarantulas to glean insights on how environmental variability affects cognition.
May graduate Chantelle McNeil pursues degree to further her career in auditing and inspire her family
McNeil, who returned to school as a single parent of four children, earned her bachelor’s in liberal studies and a certificate from the Pierre Laclede Honors College.
3 questions with John Bender, doctoral student in biology
Bender leads community‑engaged conservation across the Mariana Islands, where his team advances species recovery and ethical bird translocations.
3 questions with John Bender, doctoral student in biology
Bender leads community‑engaged conservation across the Mariana Islands, where his team advances species recovery and ethical bird translocations.
3 questions with John Bender, doctoral student in biology
Bender leads community‑engaged conservation across the Mariana Islands, where his team advances species recovery and ethical bird translocations.
May graduate Kinsey Henrichsen pursues passions for clinical psychology and community engagement
Henrichsen will continue her education at UMSL in the psychological and brain sciences master’s program.
May graduate Kinsey Henrichsen pursues passions for clinical psychology and community engagement
Henrichsen will continue her education at UMSL in the psychological and brain sciences master’s program.
May graduate Kinsey Henrichsen pursues passions for clinical psychology and community engagement
Henrichsen will continue her education at UMSL in the psychological and brain sciences master’s program.
UMSL recognizes the exceptional work of its researchers during annual Research and Innovation Celebration
The university honored Claire Wolff, Erika Gibb, Jodi Woodruff, Azim Ahmadzadeh, Jalene LaMontagne, Jill Delston, Cynthia Dupureur and Xin Wang with awards.
UMSL recognizes the exceptional work of its researchers during annual Research and Innovation Celebration
The university honored Claire Wolff, Erika Gibb, Jodi Woodruff, Azim Ahmadzadeh, Jalene LaMontagne, Jill Delston, Cynthia Dupureur and Xin Wang with awards.
UMSL recognizes the exceptional work of its researchers during annual Research and Innovation Celebration
The university honored Claire Wolff, Erika Gibb, Jodi Woodruff, Azim Ahmadzadeh, Jalene LaMontagne, Jill Delston, Cynthia Dupureur and Xin Wang with awards.
MORE IN Department of Biology
Eye on UMSL: The perfect pick-me-up
Faculty and staff members and their children, including Leonid Pugachev and his son, enjoyed a day of fun during “Bring a Child to Work Day” on April 23.
Longtime Missouri Botanical Garden President Peter Raven’s legacy includes strengthening biology program at UMSL
Raven, also a former member of the University of Missouri Board of Curators, died Saturday at age 89.
Eight faculty members granted sabbaticals or teaching releases during 2026-27 academic year
Annah Bender, Sandra Langeslag, John McGrosso, Stephanie Merritt, Laura Miller, Carissa Philippi, Shannon Ahrndt and Marc Spingola have been granted time to devote to research or course development.
Missouri Botanical Garden President and UMSL alum Lúcia Lohmann honored with Robert R. Hermann World Ecology Award
The award, from UMSL’s Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center, recognizes distinguished individuals for their efforts to protect biodiversity and promote ecology and conservation around the globe.
UMSL students show off their work at Undergraduate Research Day at the Missouri Capitol
Jesse Bier, Lorah Crame, Bryanna Deatherage, Zoe Ellis, Greg Ketcherside, Karch Knipp, Allison Lendman, Lucy Roth, Samuel Voell and Kyliah Walker represented UMSL at the annual event on March 12.
Eye on UMSL: Three Minute Thesis
Doctoral students in biology, criminology and criminal justice, and education competed in the annual Three Minute Thesis competition.
Biologist Kirk Winemiller discusses constructing a ‘Periodic Table of Niches’ during annual Margalef Seminar in Ecology
Winemiller recently retired as a University Distinguished Professor at Texas A&M University and has been recognized internationally for his research on fisheries and aquatic ecology.
Junior Justice Beard chasing first national title at NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships
Beard, a biology major from Paducah, Kentucky, enters this year’s national meet with the fastest times in the country this season in the 500-, 1,000- and 1,650-yard freestyle races.
2026 Trailblazers Awards celebrate UMSL community members who lead with innovation and dedication
This year’s recipients were Bob Sundvold, Chelesa Holden, Jill Bernard Bracy, Keeta M. Holmes, Addy Yoder and Carl Bassi.
UMSL biology students assembling Osage Orange genome as part of American Campus Tree Genomes initiative
Assistant Professor Blaine Marchant has been leading the project in his bioinformatics course, helping students develop new skills with hands-on assignments using real-life data.
Opportunity Scholar Nadia Manushev pursues career in optometry through the Department of Biology’s 3+4 program
Manushev, who speaks Bulgarian and Spanish, was also a member of the Bridge Program before starting her studies at UMSL.
First Science and Engineering Day gives aspiring scientists a taste of what UMSL has to offer
Nearly 60 prospective students attended the event on Oct. 17 and had a chance to learn about programs in biology, chemistry and biochemistry, physics and astronomy, and engineering.
Doctoral candidate Becky Hansis-O’Neill’s research helps build understanding of tarantulas
The Saint Louis Zoo and Missouri Department of Conservation have taken an interest in her work.
Faculty in computer science, biology and physics receive prestigious NSF research funding
Azim Ahmadzadeh, Jalene LaMontagne, Sara Miller, Erika Gibb and Mohi Saki received four grants totaling more than $1.9 million to support their research.
Jalene LaMontagne, colleagues win Robert P. McIntosh Award from the Vegetation Section of the Ecological Society of America for research on community synchrony in seed production
Their study found that synchrony among species is correlated with trait similarity as well as climate.
CLIMB concludes 11th summer helping area high school students gain hands-on scientific lab experience
The program gives participants a better understanding of what a future in science might look like and helps them see themselves in one of those careers.
Biology Professor Aimee Dunlap elected a fellow of the Animal Behavior Society
Fewer than 10% of ABS members are elected fellows, and they must be engaged in research of animal behavior for at least 10 years and have made distinguished contributions to the field.
UMSL announces 24 faculty promotions ahead of 2025-26 academic year
Nine faculty members were granted tenure and four were awarded the rank of full professor. Of the 11 non-tenure track faculty members receiving promotions, one received the rank of full teaching professor.
Returning to her roots: Lúcia Lohmann takes over leadership of Missouri Botanical Garden
Lohmann trained at the world-renowned institution while working toward her PhD in ecology, evolution and systematics at UMSL.
UMSL hosts Midwest Ecology and Evolution Conference
Students from more than 20 colleges and universities across the Midwest attended the conference April 26-27 at the UMSL Science Complex.
Undergraduate Research Symposium provides forum for students to share deeper learning
More than 50 students participated in the annual symposium and shared research on topics ranging from biology and chemistry to history and music.
Students improve presentation skills while showcasing breadth of their work at Graduate Research Fair
Students from biology, chemistry, communication, computer science, criminology and criminal justice, English, political science, psychological sciences, and supply chain and analytics took part in the fair.
Faculty members granted sabbaticals and teaching releases during 2025-26 academic year
Amber Candela, Jennifer Chen, Lon Chubiz, Lara Kelland, Jerome Morris, Lee Slocum, Leighanne Heisel, Waldemar Rohloff and Kate Watt have been granted time to devote to research or course development.
Biology alum Chris Hollingsworth contributing to Saint Louis Zoo’s hellbender conservation and care team
Hollingsworth earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from UMSL in December 2023 and first joined the zoo staff as an intern early last year.
Biology major Kyliyah Walker presents at UM System’s Undergraduate Research Day
Walker studies Poecilia mexicana, a species of live-bearing fish that have adapted to surviving in hydrogen sulfide-abundant waters, in the Tobler Lab.
Biologist Craig Packer highlights conservation efforts aimed at protecting lions during Jane and Whitney Harris Lecture
The biennial lecture series was created to bring in experts from around the country to share their knowledge with students and the wider community.
Biology doctoral student Soren Johnson studying how cave fish evolve in response to their unique environment
Johnson was a 2024 recipient of the R. C. Lewontin Early Award, a graduate research grant from the Society for the Study of Evolution.
UMSL biologist Aimee Dunlap launching multiyear study of bee behaviors at Green House Venture’s Embankment Greenway
Dunlap and her team hope their research at the site along Interstate 44 will offer insight on the potential for urban agriculture along interstate highways.
Year in review: UMSL sees transformative change during 2024
Look back at some of UMSL Daily’s top stories from the past year.
Biology graduate Julia Talbert working as research assistant at the Danforth Plant Science Center
Talbert, who graduated in December with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a certificate from the Pierre Laclede Honors College, researches sorghum, one of the top five cereal crops grown in the world.
Biology graduate Kordell Hamilton gains invaluable research experience while preparing to launch his career
Hamilton has had internships at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and with Virginia Tech’s The Ecology of Bird Loss Project in the Northern Mariana Islands of the Pacific Ocean.
Department of Biology incorporating Anatomage Table into curriculum to enhance student learning
The tables are designed to help students visualize and interact with the anatomical structures of the human body and practice procedures without the need for physical cadavers.
Five questions with Nathan Muchhala, associate professor of biology
Muchhala was granted a sabbatical for the 2023-24 academic year to further his research and launch a large-scale project in the tropical forests of northern South America.
Jalene LaMontagne settling into new role as Des Lee Professor in Botanical Studies
LaMontagne is a population ecologist who has spent more than two decades conducting research on white spruce trees and other boreal conifers in the forests of North America.
Biochemistry and biotechnology major Jay King nearing graduation with plans to pursue PhD in oncologic research
King has been active on campus with the University Program Board and also got involved in undergraduate research as a scholar in the Missouri Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program.
Provost Steven Berberich announces 17 faculty promotions for the 2024-25 academic year
Three faculty members were granted tenure, two earned the rank of full professor, and 12 non-tenure track faculty members also advanced.
Cody Ding, David Kimball and Xuemin ‘Sam’ Wang named Curators’ Distinguished Professors
It is the highest rank in the University of Missouri System and recognizes faculty members for exceptional contributions to research, education and service.
Eye on UMSL: Honeysuckle hack
Assistant Teaching Professor Meghann Humphries helps direct Pierre Laclede Honors College students working to remove invasive honeysuckle growing in the Bellerive Bird Sanctuary last Friday morning.
UMSL alum Lúcia G. Lohmann named next president of the Missouri Botanical Garden
Lohmann earned a PhD in biology with an emphasis in ecology, evolution and systematics from UMSL in 2003 and had support from the Whitney R. Harris World Ecology while pursuing her degree.
New school year starts by honoring faculty, staff with Chancellor’s Awards at State of the University Address
Chancellor Kristin Sobolik presented the accolades to exemplary faculty and staff members Friday.
UMSL welcomes 21 new faculty members as fall semester begins
There are nine new faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences, four each in the College of Business Administration and the College of Nursing, two in the College of Optometry, one in the School of Social Work and one in UMSL Libraries.
Microbiologist Lon Chubiz part of a team of researchers studying effects of increasing drought, fire on forest recovery
The team, led by colleagues at the University of Idaho, received a six-year, $15 million grant from NSF’s Biology Integration Institutes program.
CLIMB program celebrates 10th class of summer interns
A total of four students from Hazelwood East High School, Hazelwood West High School and University City High School took part in the paid summer internship program.
Eye on UMSL: Tending the gardens
Biology student James Ott and Sustainable Energy & Environmental Coordinator Katy Mike Smaistrla pull weeds last week in the native gardens north of the Recreation Wellness Center.
Biology graduate Jesse Laseter getting acclimated in new job with Missouri Department of Conservation
Laseter, who graduated magna cum laude, is working as a resource management technician as part of the department’s community conservation team.
Biology Professor Michi Tobler uncovers lessons from fish living in extreme environments
Tobler, the E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor in Zoological Studies, has developed a research focus on livebearer fish that have adapted to live in the presence of hydrogen sulfide.
Biology graduate and 2024 Women Trailblazers recipient Nora Stith heading to dental school this fall
Stith was a 2019 Opportunity Scholar and served in leadership for multiple organizations across campus.
UMSL entomologists Sara Miller and Aimee Dunlap are excited for historic event featuring billions of cicadas emerging in Missouri
UMSL entomologists Aimee Dunlap and Sara Miller join UMSL Daily for a conversation about the historic cicada emergence that will soon happen in Missouri.
Annual Graduate Research Fair helps students showcase their work
Twenty-two students representing the Departments of Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Computer Sciences, Criminology and Criminal Justice and Psychological Sciences took part in the fair on April 19.
Xuemin ‘Sam’ Wang to receive 2024 Terry Galliard Medal at International Symposium on Plant Lipids
The award recognizes the career achievements of a distinguished plant lipid scientist and was named to honor Terry Galliard, who organized the first International Symposium on Plant Lipids in 1974.
LATEST NEWS
- May graduate Chantelle McNeil pursues degree to further her career in auditing and inspire her family
- Biologist Aimee Dunlap discusses research on the ecology and evolution of learning as part of NextGen Precision Health Discovery Series
- New UMSL graduates celebrate finishing their college journey during commencement
- Eye on UMSL: One for the memory book
- UMSL students’ data-driven solutions spark interest from St. Louis city officials
- Eye on UMSL: Shared gratitude
- UMSL Tritons weekly rewind
- 3 questions with John Bender, doctoral student in biology
- Political science PhD graduate Jake Shaw lands job as assistant professor at DePauw University
- Study abroad experience at UMSL brought Cristina Fernandez Bermejo back for MBA success
