Biology

Alumni couple pursues medical school side by side
Sajae Willis ’22 and Jolie Garcia ’22 motivated to serve underprivileged communities

Since meeting as first-year students, Sajae Willis ’22 and Jolie Garcia ’22 have been inseparable. Together, they navigated the rigors of Eastern’s biology program and now...

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Darlene Orozco B. '28

Mushrooms as building materials
Biology researchers investigate new technology

Mushrooms — you see them in the woods, put them on salads, and inadvertently grow them on old bread. Soon, you could be living in them. Mycelial bio-blocks are building materials grown...

Posted on August 12, 2025 by Katie Gaspar

Men’s soccer captain, aspiring physician named LEC Student-Athlete-of-the-Year
Walter Scudder: 'I tried to stay present and focus on the task at hand'

Walter Scudder ’25, a four-year starting midfielder and two-year captain on Eastern Connecticut State University’s men’s soccer team, was named one of three recipients of the...

Posted on August 12, 2025 by Noel Teter '24

Summer STEM program supports underrepresented students

Eighteen first- and second-year students majoring in STEM fields participated in a residential program this July meant to support historically underrepresented students in the sciences. Modeled...

Posted on July 25, 2025 by Elisabeth Craig

Biology students dive into field research in the Bahamas

Thirteen biology students at Eastern submerged themselves in research on oceanic ecosystems as part of two global field courses (GFCs) on San Salvador Island in the Bahamas this past May 2025. The...

Posted on July 17, 2025 by Noel Teter '24

Dean Emerita Carmen Cid honored with ESA service award

Carmen Cid, dean emerita at Eastern Connecticut State University, is the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Service Citation from the Ecological Society of America (ESA), which recognizes long and...

Posted on June 12, 2025 by Ed Osborn

Research institutes delve into data analytics, DNA sequencing, picture books

Eastern Connecticut State University began its summer session with three week-long summer research institutes, culminating in a final presentation on June 6 in the Student Center Theater. Students...

Posted on June 10, 2025 by Elisabeth Craig

Biology department continues antibiotic crowd-sourcing effort
Eastern hosts Norwich Free Academy for Tiny Earth Day

High school students from Norwich Free Academy (NFA) visited Eastern on April 23 for “Tiny Earth Day,” a global project that aims to inspire students in science and address antibiotic...

Posted on May 05, 2025 by Kyle Berson '26

Biology alumni talk job search and opportunities

Eastern’s Department of Biology welcomed three alumni to present a special career panel on Feb. 28. Natalie Cummins ’19, Scott Forbes ’24, and Jessica Tyrrell ’18 gave...

Posted on March 05, 2025 by Kyle Berson '26

Eastern’s greenhouse is a sanctuary for imperiled plants

The greenhouse within the David G. Carter Science Building is home to a garden of elusive plants. The Department of Biology has been working to cultivate rare and endangered plants from around the...

Posted on January 16, 2025 by Elisabeth Craig

Eastern botanist breeds novel plants
Connolly's latest cultivar receives patent

Botanist and biology Professor Bryan Connolly has a knack for breeding novel plant cultivars. His partner in this ongoing effort is Mark Brand, professor of horticulture and plant breeding at the...

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Noel Teter '24

Biology alum shares animal rescue journey at Mystic Aquarium

“Every day is different,” said Eastern Connecticut State University alumna Jessica Verrato at a seminar on Oct. 25, as part of Eastern’s Biology Seminar Series.

Posted on October 31, 2024 by Kyle Berson

2 biology students present at national conference for 'minoritized scientists'

Two senior biology students from Eastern Connecticut State University have been selected to present their research at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS)...

Posted on October 21, 2024 by Elisabeth Craig '26

Biology professors lead fungi and flora forays around campus

As part of this year’s Big Read program based on the environmental novel "The Bear," Eastern hosted two nature-themed strolls around campus in early October. Biology Professors Jon...

Posted on October 15, 2024 by Noel Teter

Biology student publishes children's book on marine biology

A biology major at Eastern Connecticut State University recently published a children’s book based on her study of marine biology. Junior Jasmine Antonucci’s “Friends with the...

Posted on September 20, 2024 by Elisabeth Craig

2 recent Eastern alumni accepted into medical school

Eastern Connecticut State University biology alumni Madison Greenfield ’20 and Catrina Sullivan ’22 have been accepted into medical school programs for the fall 2024 semester.

Posted on September 10, 2024 by Noel Teter

Anthophiles swarm greenhouse for rare double-blooming corpse flower
Occurrence is one of the few in documented history

Similar to how the elusive corpse flower’s powerful stench attracts insects from far away, a rare twin corpse flower at Eastern attracted humans from across the country to the...

Posted on June 06, 2024 by Michael Rouleau

Eastern inducts hundreds into honor societies in spring 2024

More than 20 academic programs and departments at Eastern Connecticut State University recognized student achievements this spring 2024 semester during honor society inductions and award ceremonies.

Posted on May 16, 2024

Eastern’s Tiny Earth Day lures high school students to the lab

Thirteen students from Norwich Free Academy learned laboratory techniques and the impact of microbiology research in a recent visit to Eastern Connecticut State University ‘s Tiny Earth Day...

Posted on April 30, 2024 by Lucinda Weiss

Biology professionals discuss careers on panel

Eastern Connecticut State University’s Department of Biology hosted a panel discussion on April 17 about careers available to students with a bachelor’s degree in biology.

Posted on April 24, 2024 by Noel Teter

Eastern researchers present on cannabis at farming conference

Eastern welcomed hundreds of local farmers and agriculturalists to campus on March 23 as it hosted the 42nd annual conference for the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA). With many...

Posted on April 01, 2024 by Elisabeth Craig

Biologists confirm local lore that Nantucket’s deer boom stems from two Michigan does

Most of the deer on Nantucket Island, which has one of the densest deer populations in the Northeast, likely descend from two does that were introduced to the island from Michigan in 1926. This...

Posted on December 18, 2023 by Lucinda Weiss

Students reimagine liberal arts resume strengths

Workshop helps students articulate their liberal arts education

Students of all majors joined Arts and Sciences Dean Emily Todd on Nov. 30 to better understand the ways to market their skills to employers and graduate schools. The students, with the guidance of...

Posted on December 12, 2023 by Marcus Grant

$500k grant aims to increase STEM diversity and retention

Minority students applying to Eastern Connecticut State University in 2024 who plan to major in the sciences or mathematics will be recruited for a new STEM mentoring program funded by a National...

Posted on November 28, 2023 by Lucinda Weiss

Biology alumna speaks on pharmaceutical career path

The Biology Department at Eastern Connecticut State University featured alumna Shirley Lasch '88 at a seminar. Lasch is an executive at QurAlis in Cambridge, MA, and she shared the testimonies...

Posted on November 07, 2023 by Elisabeth Craig

Success Scholars students and faculty gather for a photo in spring 2023.

Success Scholars program fosters 'STEM identity'

University students see themselves many ways based on different things they do. This idea sparked a research interest in Laura Rodriguez, assistant professor of education at Eastern Connecticut...

Posted on November 01, 2023 by Noel Teter

Biology students prep for grad school with summer research

Three biology students at Eastern Connecticut State University presented their summer research to peers and faculty on Sept. 22, describing projects that ranged from studying epilepsy in mice to...

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Elisabeth Craig

Biologists find new signs of gene expression in model worm
The worm’s gene expression may have implications for human conditions

In research recently published in the online scientific journal “microPublication Biology,” Eastern Connecticut State University biology professor Amy Groth and her former undergraduate...

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Lucinda Weiss

Scientists to discuss beech leaf disease in seminar at Eastern

Two scientists from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) will describe their efforts to study and manage the beech leaf disease nematode, an invasive worm that is killing beech...

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Lucinda Weiss

Teaching sustainability strengthens Eastern partnership with Windham school

A growing collaboration between Eastern Connecticut State University’s Institute for Sustainability and the eighth-grade science classes at the Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy in Windham...

Posted on August 17, 2023 by Lucinda Weiss

Research on oceanic life takes students to Bahamas

A field trip to the Bahamas in May gave 11 students in a Tropical Biology course at Eastern Connecticut State University a chance to observe and collect data on the flora and fauna of oceanic...

Posted on June 21, 2023 by Lucinda Weiss

CREATE returns with lively display of student research and creativity

Undergraduate research and creativity were celebrated at the 2023 CREATE conference at Eastern Connecticut State University on April 21, where students presented posters, gave talks, exhibited...

Posted on May 03, 2023 by Cindy Weiss

Biology research finds faster way to germinate an endangered wildflower

A new method that shortens the germination time of an endangered New England wildflower is described in a paper to be published in the Native Plants Journal by Eastern Connecticut State University...

Posted on May 03, 2023 by Lucinda Weiss

Students present in Wisconsin at National Conference on Undergraduate Research

Eastern Connecticut State University sent eight students to the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire on April 13 to present their research findings at the National Conference for Undergraduate...

Posted on April 27, 2023 by Jack Jones

Eastern biologists contribute to Tiny Earth’s search for antibiotics

The global search for new antibiotics is getting a boost from Eastern Connecticut State University through an effort known as “Tiny Earth,” a network of researchers uniting against...

Posted on April 25, 2023 by Lucinda Weiss

Biology students present at nation’s oldest undergraduate science conference

Four Eastern Connecticut State University biology students presented and won awards for their research at the 77th annual Eastern Colleges Science Conference, the oldest continuous scientific...

Posted on April 12, 2023 by Lucinda Weiss

2 Eastern seniors win CSCU’s top undergraduate award
Barnard award goes to Emily Barata and Judith Arroyo Cervantes

Two seniors at Eastern Connecticut State University, Emily Barata of New Fairfield and Judith Ariana Arroyo Cervantes of Manchester, are recipients of the 2023 Henry Barnard Distinguished Student...

Posted on April 10, 2023 by Lucinda Weiss

Eastern hosts 'Humans and the Environment' symposium

Four Connecticut-based scholars described the ecological impacts and anthropogenic changes that humanity has had on the environment at a symposium at Eastern Connecticut State University on March 24.

Posted on April 05, 2023 by Jack Jones

Biologists publish method for aeroponic system to grow plants that aids researchers

A biology professor at Eastern Connecticut State University and three students who worked in his laboratory have published a research article in a peer-reviewed journal, “Plant...

Posted on April 05, 2023 by Lucinda Weiss

Eastern’s Success Scholars prepare for science careers

Eleven students in the National Science Foundation-sponsored Success Scholar program at Eastern Connecticut State University are pairing with faculty and student mentors in a four-year effort to...

Posted on January 24, 2023 by Noel Teter

Scorpion stinger could be source of new antibiotics
Discovery could aid in fight against antimicrobial resistance

New biology research at Eastern Connecticut State University has discovered that novel bacteria exist in the stingers of scorpions, a discovery that could help alleviate the global issue of...

Posted on January 17, 2023 by Michael Rouleau

Inaugural conference makes Eastern the hub of cannabis research
Eastern announces new cannabis certification at NECREC

Cannabis cultivators, researchers and industry hopefuls visited Eastern Connecticut State University from Oct. 21-22 for the state’s first academic conference focused on cannabis research....

Posted on October 24, 2022 by Jack Jones

Eastern to announce new cannabis certification at Connecticut's first cannabis academic research conference

Eastern Connecticut State University will announce a certification for environmentally sustainable cannabis businesses at the inaugural New England Cannabis Research and Education Conference...

Posted on October 20, 2022 by Amanda Irwin and Michael Rouleau

Eastern announces speakers, sponsors for Connecticut's first cannabis academic research conference

The first New England Cannabis Research and Education Conference (NECREC), hosted by Eastern Connecticut State University on Oct. 21-22, has announced its full roster of speakers and panel topics....

Posted on October 11, 2022 by Amanda Irwin

Biology students share summer internship experience

Dozens of biology students and faculty gathered in room 104 of the Dr. David G. Carter Science Building on Sept. 23 for an hour-long summer internship showcase. This first seminar event of the...

Posted on September 26, 2022 by Jack Jones

Biology student presents at plant bio conference in Oregon

Honors Biology major Megan Piechowicz presented at the recent American Society of Plant Biology (ASPB) conference in Portland, OR, from July 9 -13.

Posted on August 02, 2022 by Michael Rouleau

What’s that smell? Corpse flower blooms at Eastern

One of the world’s most peculiar flowering plants bloomed this week at Eastern Connecticut State University. Amorphophallus titanium, popularly known as “corpse flower” for its...

Posted on July 27, 2022 by Michael Rouleau

Bio researchers study little-known coral disease in The Bahamas

Biochemistry major Sydney DeNoncour accompanied Biology Professor Joshua Idjadi on a research trip in the Bahamas to study a rapidly spreading disease that is affecting Caribbean coral reefs....

Posted on July 20, 2022 by Michael Rouleau

Eastern to host Connecticut’s first cannabis academic research conference
Registration now open for NECREC

Eastern Connecticut State University will host the first New England Cannabis Research and Education Conference (NECREC) on October 21-22. Connecticut’s first academic conference on cannabis...

Posted on June 22, 2022 by Amanda Irwin

Botanists’ search in Windham yields new plant discoveries
Eastern professor updates local herbarium record

A botanist from Eastern Connecticut State University was recently published by the New England Botanical Society (NEBS) for his efforts to update Windham County’s herbarium record—a...

Posted on June 07, 2022 by Michael Rouleau

Barnard Scholars Nelson Javier Santos Ferrer and Natalie Devlin stand beside Eastern President Elsa Núñez and Todd Cooper, CSCSU board member and management program analyst with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

2 seniors receive Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award

Eastern Connecticut State University students Nelson Javier Santos Ferrer ’22 of Westfield, MA, and Natalie Devlin ’22 of Somers, CT, have been named recipients of the 2022 Henry...

Posted on April 29, 2022 by Dwight Bachman

Connolly published in ‘Ecological Restoration’ journal
Research finds hemp byproduct aids buttonbush growth and fortifies habitat

Bryan Connolly, botanist, horticulturalist and assistant professor of biology at Eastern Connecticut State University, recently had his research published in the peer-reviewed journal...

Posted on April 05, 2022 by Molly Boucher

Campus Briefs

CCE hosts ‘Big Brothers Big Sisters’; Biology major receives travel award; ‘Eye-Mind-Body’ presents drawing in action; Vasillopulos and Rezai author new books; and more.

Posted on March 08, 2022

Megan Piechowicz receives travel award to attend plant biology conference

Biology student Megan Piechowicz was awarded the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) travel award to attend the Worldwide Plant Biology Summit from July 9-13 in Portland, OR. While at the...

Posted on February 17, 2022 by Bobbi Brown

Kate Arildsen, a junior majoring in biology.

Biology major Kate Arildsen selected as Fulbright Canada research intern

Junior biology major Kate Arildsen has been selected as a research intern for the Fulbright Canada Mitacs Globalink Program. The program grants recipients up to $7,800 (Canadian) in funding and...

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Molly Boucher

2 biology research groups publish on camel spiders and endangered seabirds

Two alumni-faculty research groups from the Biology Department at Eastern Connecticut State University authored two peer-reviewed articles that were recently published in scientific journals. Jacob...

Posted on November 22, 2021 by Bobbi Brown

2 biology students present in plant biology conference

Eastern Connecticut State University biology students Kate Arildsen and Catrina Sullivan presented at the 85th Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Section of the American Society of Plant Biologists...

Posted on November 09, 2021 by Bobbi Brown

Peer mentors guide first cohort of Success Scholars

Three Eastern Connecticut State University students have been hired as peer mentors for the "Beyond the Curriculum: A Learning Community for Success" program. Funded with a $650,000 grant...

Posted on October 27, 2021 by Molly Boucher

Eastern harvests first hemp crop
A milestone in the University’s soon-to-be-launched hemp cultivation program

Eastern Connecticut State University harvested its first hemp crop on Oct. 8, as students and faculty from the Biology Department trimmed the buds off 25 cannabis plants in the University’s...

Posted on October 08, 2021 by Michael Rouleau

Biology duo publishes on antifungal resistance and boxwood blight

Eastern Connecticut State University alumnus Stefanos Stravoravdis ’20, and his faculty mentor, biology professor Jonathan Hulvey, have had their research published in the International...

Posted on September 03, 2021 by Molly Boucher

Biology students present at plant biology world summit

Biology majors Kate Arildsen ’22 and Catrina Sullivan ’22 presented research to the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) during its 2021 Virtual Worldwide Summit held July 19-23.

Posted on August 03, 2021 by Dwight Bachman

Connolly receives NASA space grant to breed micro tomatoes

Connolly is using funding from the NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium to conduct a research project called “Building an Open Source Micro Tomato Breeding Collaborative for Space and...

Posted on July 16, 2021 by Dwight Bachman

Eastern is top university for ‘Opportunity Scholars’
TheDream.US program provides full scholarships to undocumented students

Since TheDream.US started its groundbreaking scholarship program to support undocumented students in 2016, it has relied on five institutions nationwide to host more than 600 Opportunity Scholars....

Posted on July 15, 2021 by Michael Rouleau

Murdoch honored as QUBES faculty mentor

The Quantitative Undergraduate Biology Education and Synthesis (QUBES) Project honored Barbara Murdoch, biology professor at Eastern Connecticut State University, as one of 16 college professors...

Posted on July 14, 2021 by Michael Rouleau

Campus Briefs

See the graduates of the class of 2021; Eastern named a 2021–22 'College of Distinction; SOAR welcomes Class of 2025: Murdoch honored as faculty mentor by QUBES; Police departments runs...

Posted on July 14, 2021

Eastern to launch hemp cultivation program in fall 2021

Beginning this fall semester, Eastern Connecticut State University will offer one of Connecticut’s first hemp cultivation minors with an eye toward expansion as an interdisciplinary major in...

Posted on July 08, 2021 by Ed Osborn

Eastern Biology student wins conference grant
Arildsen's research focuses on plant genetics

Kate Arildsen '22 of Mansfield has received a grant to present at the American Society of Plant Biologists' virtual conference July 19-23. Arildsen's research focuses on a novel...

Posted on July 02, 2021 by Dwight Bachman

Campus Briefs

Zuzu Acrobats perform thrilling Kenyan acrobatics on campus; Baseball remains unanimous no. 1 in New England; Students and faculty awarded for research and mentorship at CREATE conference; Physical...

Posted on May 06, 2021

Joanne Michelle Ocampo ’11 and Tunde Olatinwo ’12.

Biology alumni speak on COVID-19, urge vaccination

Eastern Connecticut State University’s Biology Department hosted “Moving Forward: The Pandemic Tales of Two Eastern Alumni,” on April 28. Moderated by Biology Professor Joshua...

Posted on April 30, 2021 by Molly Boucher

Gomez-Stafford and Beazoglou named 2020-21 Barnard Scholars
2 graduating seniors poised for careers in genetic counseling and healthcare management

Two graduating seniors from Eastern Connecticut State University are recipients of the Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Awards this 2020-21 academic year. The award is the highest undergraduate...

Posted on April 08, 2021 by Michael Rouleau

Vijaykumar Veerappan, assistant professor of biology.