Biology

$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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

Professor Veerappan says genetics is art

Vijaykumar Veerappan, assistant professor of biology at Eastern Connecticut State University, gave new meaning to the phrase “Seeing is Believing” during his virtual presentation,...

Posted on April 06, 2021 by Dwight Bachman

National Science Foundation awards $650,000 to Eastern for Success Scholars program

Eastern Connecticut State University has been awarded a $649,957 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to implement a scholarship program for lower-income students in pursuit of...

Posted on January 22, 2021 by Michael Rouleau

Eastern’s Carmen Cid elected a vice president of Ecological Society of America

Carmen Cid, professor of biology and dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Eastern Connecticut State University, has been working to improve the career success of women and minorities in...

Posted on November 30, 2020 by Dwight Bachman

‘Fatally Flawed?’ Amy Groth Authors COVID-19 Case Study

Answering a call for teaching tools related to the coronavirus pandemic, Biology Professor Amy Groth has authored a new case study called “Fatally Flawed? Early Genetic Testing for the...

Posted on May 05, 2020 by Michael Rouleau

2 Eastern Seniors Win CSCU Henry Barnard Distinguished Awards

Eastern Connecticut State University students Stefanos Stravoravdis '20 of Colchester and Evelyn Lemus Silva '20 of Burnsville, NC, have been named recipients of the 2020 Henry Barnard...

Posted on April 07, 2020 by Dwight Bachman

Eastern Biology Major Awarded for Novel Scorpion Research

Christopher Shimwell ’20, a biology major at Eastern Connecticut State University, received an excellence award from the Eastern Colleges Science Conference (ECSC) for his manuscript titled...

Posted on April 07, 2020 by Michael Rouleau

Stefanos Stravoravdis '20 and his mentor Biology Professor Jonathan Hulvey.

Biology Research Duo Publishes on Antifungal Resistance

New research into anti-fungal resistance, conducted by Eastern Connecticut State University student Stefanos Stravoravdis '20 of Colchester and mentored by Biology Professor Jonathan Hulvey,...

Posted on December 12, 2019 by Molly Boucher

Professor Patricia Szczys and Eastern student's Rachael Finch and Brittany Velikaneye pose for a photo together.

Szczys and Students Shine at Waterbird Society Meeting

Eastern’s Biology Department had a strong showing at the recent Waterbird Society meeting in Maryland this past November. Professor Patricia Szczys gave the opening plenary lecture and...

Posted on November 29, 2019 by Michael Rouleau

7 Students Present at COPLAC Conference in New Hampshire

Seven Eastern Connecticut State University students presented research projects at the Northeast regional conference for the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) on Nov. 8-9 at Keene...

Posted on November 12, 2019

President Elsa Núñez with the 12th class of Eastern Fellows: Cody Guarnieri ’09, Larry Smith ’77 and Justin Piro ’05.

3 Alumni Inducted into Eastern Fellows Program

Eastern Connecticut State University inducted its 12th class of distinguished alumni into the Eastern Fellows Program on Oct. 23. Cody Guarnieri ’09 is a lawyer and partner with the law firm...

Posted on October 24, 2019 by Michael Rouleau

Rachael Finch Studies Endangered Birds in Buzzards Bay

Rachael Finch, a biology major at Eastern Connecticut State University, has spent the past five weeks working with the endangered birds in Massachusetts’ Buzzards Bay. As the recipient of an...

Posted on July 11, 2019 by Michael Rouleau

Field Courses Bring Students to Bahamas, Western U.S., Italy

In the weeks following Commencement, three groups of Eastern students traveled to San Salvador Island in the Bahamas, Italy, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming to engage in exciting Global Field Courses.

Posted on June 06, 2019 by Dwight Bachman

Professors Davis and Graham Wrap up Spring Faculty Forum Series

Davis Presents on “An Elephant’s Eye View: Megafauna and Dominion in Southeast Asia.” Graham Discusses “The Roles of Evolving Landscapes, Ancient Waterways and Shifting...

Posted on May 07, 2019 by Dwight Bachman

Biology Students Present at Annual ECSC Conference

Fourteen biology students from Eastern presented independent research at the 73rd Annual Eastern Colleges Science Conference (ECSC) on April 6 at Manhattan College in Riverdale, NY. The students...

Posted on May 02, 2019

Eastern biology major explain the process of isolating bacteria.

Bio Department Hosts ‘Tiny Earth Day,’ Welcomes Local High School

The Biology Department hosted a mini-symposium on Earth Day, April 22, to showcase its ongoing work with the Tiny Earth project, an international network of young scientists who are combatting the...

Posted on April 26, 2019 by Michael Rouleau

Barnard Scholars pose for the camera with President Núñez

Eastern Seniors Win Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Awards

Eastern Connecticut State University students Haley Knox ’19 of Bristol and Jacob Dayton ’19 of Bolton have been named recipients of the 2019 Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award....

Posted on April 24, 2019 by Jordan Corey

Kurt Lucin Explains How Alzheimer’s Disease Might Progress

On April 3, Kurt Lucin, assistant professor of biology, continued the Faculty Scholars Forum with a discussion on Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), a debilitating neurological disease that affects a...

Posted on April 10, 2019 by Dwight Bachman

Biology Students Study in Deserts of the Southwest

A group of Eastern students recently returned from the American Southwest after studying desert ecology in a global field course (GFC) with the biology department. The trip took place from March...

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Jordan Corey

Students Combat Antibiotic-Resistance Crisis via ‘Tiny Earth’

Eastern Connecticut State University is joining the push to mitigate one of the world’s most critical public health crises: antibiotic resistance. Through a new opportunity in the Biology...

Posted on November 09, 2018 by Michael Rouleau

Biology Students Named ASPB Scholar, Present in Texas

Roshani Budhathoki ’19 and Jacob Dayton ’19 had big Octobers as biology students at Eastern Connecticut State University. Budhathoki was named a 2018-19 ASPB-Conviron Scholar by the...

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Raven Dillon

Professors holds camel spider up to camera.

Eastern Receives Major NSF Grant to Study Camel Spiders

Eastern Connecticut State University is the recipient of a major grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to fund research on a little-known type of arachnid known as the camel spider. Led...

Posted on September 28, 2018 by Michael Rouleau

Students pose for the camera in Costa Rica.

Eastern’s Tropical Biology Field Course Reaches Milestone

The sun was setting on Costa Rica. The air was thick with humidity and adrenaline. The rain was coming down, and Nicholas Kukla, a biology student at Eastern Connecticut State University, was about...

Posted on August 24, 2018 by Jordan Corey

Students pose in the cloud forest reserve

Students Study within Jungles of Costa Rica

On May 20, 14 Eastern Biology students and professors Patricia Szczys and Matthew Graham traveled to Costa Rica to conduct research in that country’s tropical forests.

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Dwight Bachman

Eastern Student is Connecticut’s only 2018 Goldwater Scholar

Eastern Connecticut State University student Jacob Dayton ’18, a biology major from Bolton, has been awarded the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship for undergraduates in STEM fields who intend...

Posted on May 11, 2018 by Ed Osborn

Eastern Students Win Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Awards

Eastern Connecticut State University students Nadia Balassone ’18 of East Hartford and Yuberki Delgadillo ’18 of Quaker Hill were named the recipients of the 2018 Henry Barnard...

Posted on April 19, 2018 by Anne Pappalardo

Professor Graham and Murdoch pose for the camera.

Eastern Professors Use NASA Grant to Research Antimicrobial Resistance

Matthew Graham, a biology professor at Eastern Connecticut State University, is currently one of three university professors across Connecticut with a research grant from the NASA Connecticut Space...

Posted on February 27, 2018 by Jolene Potter

1978 Eastern Graduate Named to Major National Mental Health Post

Elinore McCance-Katz, M.D., Ph.D., a 1978 graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Aug. 3 as the first Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and...

Posted on August 31, 2017 by Edward Osborn

Students Study Health Care in Ghana

Ten health sciences students from Eastern Connecticut State University returned from a study abroad trip in Ghana this August. The purpose of the two-week trip was to introduce students to the...

Posted on August 21, 2017 by Michael Rouleau

2 Biology Students Complete NASA CT Summer Fellowships

Two Eastern biology students were among six undergraduate students from universities across Connecticut to receive fellowships from the NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium this summer. Lauren...

Posted on August 05, 2017 by Michael Rouleau

Mariana Serrano Receives Biomedical Scholarship Through Harvard University

Mariana Serrano ’18 of Waterbury, CT, received a $7,500 scholarship at the Biomedical Science Careers Program (BSCP) “Evening of Hope” reception at Harvard University on April 27....

Posted on June 19, 2017 by Edward Osborn

Honors Students Study Environmental Conflict in Costa Rica

A group of honors students from Eastern Connecticut State University spent 10 days in Costa Rica in May 2017 for a field course that examined the country’s rich biodiversity and developing...

Posted on June 10, 2017 by Michael Rouleau

Students Study Tropical Biology in Bahamas

Twenty biology students from Eastern Connecticut State University traveled to the Bahamas in May 2017 to study an island’s tropical biology.

Posted on June 09, 2017 by Michael Rouleau

Top Eastern Students Win Barnard Awards

Elizabeth Del Buono ’17 of Southington and Kevin Connolly ’17 of Enfield, two students majoring in biology at Eastern Connecticut State University, have been named recipients of the...

Posted on April 10, 2017 by Dwight Bachman

Volunteers Needed for 2017 Special Olympics Swim Meet in Windham

The 38th Annual Windham Invitational Special Olympics Swim Meet is looking for 350 volunteers to help with its meet, to be held March 11 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Windham High School.

Posted on February 28, 2017

Eastern Professor Awarded Grant; Students Receive Scholarships from NASA

Eastern Connecticut State University Professor Brendan Cunningham received a grant from the NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium (CTSGC) for his research project “The Efficient Use of...

Posted on January 05, 2017 by Anthony LaPenna

Eastern Professor Named President-Elect of National Association of Biology Teachers

Elizabeth Cowles, biology professor at Eastern Connecticut State University, is the new president-elect of the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) as of Jan. 1, 2017. Comprised of 3,500...

Posted on January 03, 2017 by Michael Rouleau

Eastern Faculty Create ‘Democracy at Work’

With the 2016 presidential election drawing near, politics have taken center stage at Eastern Connecticut State University. In order to generate student discussion around the election, Eastern...

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Jolene Potter

World Class Scientist Plays Piano in Unique Lecture

Edison Liu, president and CEO of The Jackson Laboratory (JAX), is also an accomplished jazz pianist. On April 11, he visited Eastern Connecticut State University to lecture and perform in a...

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Michael Rouleau

Antibiotic Resistance: An Eastern Professor Tackles a Global Problem

Among the world’s most pressing public health problems is antibiotic resistance, and Barbara Murdoch, a biology professor at Eastern Connecticut State University, is dedicated to fighting it....

Posted on April 06, 2016 by Michael Rouleau

“The Snail Darter and the Dam” Author Speaks at Eastern

Zygmunt J. B Plater, author of “The Snail Darter and the Dam: How Pork Barrel Politics Endangered A Little Fish and Killed A River,” spoke at Eastern Connecticut State University on...

Posted on April 06, 2016 by Christine Rossomando

George Weinstock Discusses the Human Microbiome at Eastern

Pioneering scientist George Weinstock visited Eastern Connecticut State University on Jan. 27 to explain “The Human Microbiome: A New Frontier That Might Just Affect Everything.”...

Posted on February 01, 2016 by Michael Rouleau

Eastern Participates in Antibiotic Resistance Awareness Week

Biology and health sciences students at Eastern Connecticut State University participated in the first-ever World Antibiotic Awareness Week from Nov. 16–22. The campaign aims to increase...

Posted on November 23, 2015 by Michael Rouleau

Students Travel to American Deserts for Global Field Course

During the spring semester, a group of fourteen Eastern Connecticut State University biology students traveled to the Great Basin, Mojave and Sonoran deserts as part of a new global field course....

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Ryan King

Students Examine San Salvador Island’s Fauna for Global Field Course

Nineteen students from Eastern Connecticut State University recently traveled to San Salvador Island to study tropical biology. The trip focused on studying the history and development of the local...

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Ryan King

Students Magner and Patrizi Named Barnard Scholars

Research studies have shown that the biggest determinant of where people end up is not genetics or parental upbringing, but who their friends are. This year, Eastern Connecticut State...

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Michael Rouleau

Three Distinguished Alumni Named Eastern Fellows

Eastern Connecticut State University inducted three highly decorated alumni into the seventh class of the Eastern Fellows Program on March 4. As part of their induction, Brian Bohling ’83,...

Posted on March 05, 2015 by Michael Rouleau