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Message from the incoming Chair
Dear Biology alumni and friends,
This is a time of transition for Biology – not only are we preparing for the transition from the relative quiet of our summer activities to the busy yet exciting beginning of a new academic year, but it is also the close of David Weisrock’s term as our Department Chair, and the beginning of my service in this role. We are very grateful to Dave for his tireless work as our Chair these past four years. Dave has handled his many responsibilities with grace and good humor, and always with the intention of leaving things better than he found them. Thank you, Dave!
I am very excited to begin serving as Chair of the Biology Department on July 1 of this year. My research focuses on understanding development and regeneration of the vertebrate visual system. My goal as a scientist is to understand the genetic pathways that regulate cellular differentiation as the retina develops during embryogenesis, and in animals that are capable of regenerating retinal neurons, with the hope that this will aid in the development of therapies for genetic disorders affecting the human visual system, such as retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration. While I am passionate about my research, what I enjoy most about being a faculty member in Biology is teaching, mentoring, and training students and supporting their individual career goals. As incoming Chair, I now have the privilege of expanding this role, and I look forward to encouraging and supporting the success of all the faculty, students, and staff in our department. Although Biology faces challenges with respect to diminishing federal support for research and a changing funding landscape for students, we remain focused on upholding our core missions of excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching, conducting outstanding research, and training the next generation of scientists and critical thinkers. Indeed, I am optimistic that Biology is in a unique position not only to adapt to changing times, but ultimately to thrive. With the support of our alumni and the UK Biology community, I am confident that together we can accomplish these goals.
Sincerely,
Ann Morris
Professor
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Biology Student Success Fund Provides Student with Summer Research Experience
In our last newsletter, Biology Alumni Board Chair Amy Wilson announced the establishment of the Biology Student Success Fund, which was created to provide Biology and Neuroscience students with new opportunities to expand their scientific knowledge and research experiences.
This summer, with the support of the Biology Student Success Fund, Biology undergraduate Jonah Kocan received a summer research fellowship for his project entitled “Are There Potential Dependent Effects of Scopalamine in the Ectothermic American Bullfrog?” Jonah is working with Biology faculty member Dr. Melody Danley to investigate the effects of the anti-nausea and sedative compound scopalomine on cardiac rhythms in amphibians. The results of his project will reveal how this drug effects animals that do not internally control their body temperature and may provide a new option for pain and stress relief in amphibians.
If you’d like to support research opportunities for students like Jonah, you can contribute to the Biology Student Success Fund by clicking here to donate.
| | “The REU summer research experience helped me truly understand how the scientific model works by designing experiments and testing hypotheses. Seeing how new data drives questions along the way showed me how science is an ongoing process, not a black and white path.” Jonah Kocan | | Undergraduate Achievements & Spotlights | | |
Meet undergraduate student Julia Bianchini Andrade, a Biology major minoring in Microbiolgy from Brazil.
To learn more about Julia, click here!
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Meet undergraduate student Connor Stuart, a Biology and Neuroscience major, minoring in Spanish from Florence, KY. Connor was recently named an Excellent Undergraduate Research Ambassador!
To learn more about Connor, click here!
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Meet Lexington native, undergraduate student Kaitlyn Brock, a Neuroscience and Psychology major who was awarded Beckman Scholar.
Click here to read more!
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Jaycie Gard, Neuroscience major, was awarded with the Sandra J. Legan Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience.
Jaycie worked with Dr. Robin Cooper in the Department of Biology and Dr. Brad Hubbard in the Department of Physiology.
Photo from left to right: Dr. Robin Cooper, Jaycie Gard, and Jaycie's parents.
| | | Graduate Student Spotlight | | |
Meet Edison Rea Sancho, a biology graduate student, from Calderon, Ecuador.
Edison is in Dr. Rosana Zenil-Ferguson's lab conducting evolutionary research in the American tropics.
To learn more about Edison, click here!
| | Departmental Community Outreach | | |
BioBonanza: From Atoms to Ecosystems (pictures below), is a one-day science festival at UKY designed for K-12 students to ignite curiosity, improve public scientific literacy, and strengthen ties between UK researchers and local community. This year's research topics included ecology, early human agriculture, axolotls and lampreys, forest etymology, and more.
BioBonanza was sponsored by the Department of Biology BGSA (Biology Graduate Student Association) and the College of Medicine-Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics.
| | Faculty Achievements & Spotlights | | Congratulations to Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) Duncan for her promotion to Associate Professor! To learn more about Dr. Duncan, click here! | |
Julie Pendergast uncovers hidden health effects of disrupted sleep, circadian rhythms
The University of Kentucky’s Julie Pendergast, Ph.D., and a team of researchers are exploring how disruptions to our body’s natural circadian rhythms and sleep impact health... Click here to read more!
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Possible Genetic Explanation for Regeneration
Research conducted by an international team and led by biologists at the University of Kentucky has found that the ability to regenerate complex tissue may be more widespread in mammals than previously thought... Click here to read more!
| | | We'd like to extend a heartfelt "THANK YOU" to Drs. Elizabeth Debski and Ruth Beattie for their many years of invaluable contributions and dedication to our department! We congratulate them on their retirement and wish them the best as they start new chapters of their lives! | | Department of Biology | 101 T.H. Morgan Bldg., 195 Huguelet Dr. l | 859-257-4711 | biology@uky.edu |
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