Faculty Research Programs

Faculty in the Department of Biology direct active research labs with funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Merck, Inc., and The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Many students elect to carry out independent research alongside a faculty member. The results of student-faculty collaborations are presented in on-campus poster sessions, the Departmental seminar series, and at annual professional meetings. Many students have co-authored and published research articles with faculty mentors.

The Department has specific research strengths in molecular/cell biology, molecular neurobiology, developmental biology, epidemiology of infectious diseases, plant-insect interactions, conservation biology, and evolutionary ecology of animals. The research themes below are listed from most molecular to most behavioral. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of biology, several faculty are listed under multiple themes.

Molecular/Cell Biology
Faculty: Edwards, Hark, Teissere, Wightman

Research within this theme answers questions about the biochemical and genetic underpinnings of cell physiology. Using DNA technology, several faculty focus their research goals on the regulation of gene function by chromatin in eukaryotes, the cellular basis of pathogenicity in the mosquito-borne LaCross Virus, the molecular genetics of development in C. elegans, and the structure and regulation of cell signaling proteins.

Molecular Neurobiology
Faculty: Teissere, Wightman

Research in this theme is complementary to the College-wide interdisciplinary program in neuroscience. Research questions include mapping the structure and function of the neurosteroid binding site on the GABA A receptor, understanding the mechanism of action of kava in the central nervous system, and the function of nuclear receptors in the transcriptional regulation of neuron development.

Developmental Biology
Faculty: McCain, Wightman

An emerging research question in biology is understanding how cells learn or acquire their final fate during development. Labs in this theme are examining the regulation of nuclear hormone receptors in C. elegans, developmental processes that serve as a model for cancer research, and using electron microscopy to understand cell fate choice in marine invertebrates.

Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases
Faculty: Much, Niesenbaum

A strong subsection of the students and faculty in the Department are broadly interested in public health issues. Departmental research has examined the spread of HIV and AIDS in the Lehigh Valley and has worked to identify risk factors in disadvantaged populations (such as migrant farm workers and frequent substance abusers) that contribute to the spread of infectious diseases. Faculty and students are also involved in ethnobotanical research on how various communities use and define herbal medicines to treat disease.

Plant-Insect Interactions
Faculty: Cicconetti (Mathematics), Edwards, Ingersoll (Chemistry), Niesenbaum

Four faculty from across the Science Division collaborate to examine plant-insect interactions. The goal of this interdisciplinary project is to explore why plants of a given type vary in the degree to which they are eaten by insects. The study focuses on Lindera benzoin (spicebush) and the Tulip Tree Beauty caterpillars that make these plants their primary food source. The scientists involved in the project have differing specialties, including plant ecology, molecular biology, analytical chemistry and statistics.

Conservation Biology
Faculty: Klem, Niesenbaum

The Department has distinctive research strength in conservation biology which is complementary to the College program in Environmental Science. Research in this theme has examined the success of sustainable development in Guatemala and Costa Rica, Armenian ornithology, and human-related wildlife mortality. Conservation biology has benefited from strong collaborative ties with the department of Sociology. Research facilities include a state-of-the-art GIS (Geographic Information Systems) laboratory on campus.

Evolutionary Ecology and Morphology of Animals
Faculty: Iyengar, Klem, Meier

The Department has outstanding and historical strength in understanding the ecology and behavior of animals in the field. Research in this theme seeks to understand the social and reproductive behavior of frogs (Rana sylvatica) and woodchucks (Marmota monax), the feeding ecology and kleptoparasitic behavior of marine snails ( Trichotropis cancellata ) , and defense in stream insects and snails. Students have also pioneered projects examining the gross and histological anatomy of the avian alimentary tract.

Additional Opportunities

Students of biology may also be interested in the research labs of faculty from the interdisciplinary science majors, including neuroscience, biochemistry, and environmental science. Interested students are encouraged to consult the websites of these programs to learn more about interdisciplinary research on campus.

Several departmental faculty (including Byrne, Cronin, and Tsao) are interested educational assessment, science outreach, public health, and increasing the quality of science teaching at secondary and undergraduate institutions. Students who are interested in these issues or participating in science outreach or related internships are encouraged to contact these faculty.

Students interested in combining their biology degree with an education degree to later teach at the high school, junior high school, or elementary education level can obtain a teaching certificate in addition to their Biology degree.  If this possibility is of interest to you, please talk with Drs. Iyengar or Byrne.  There are many requirements for teaching certification, so it is a good idea to discuss your possible interest with either of these faculty as soon as possible.