Welcome to the Department of Biological Sciences!

The teaching and research mission of the Department of Biological Sciences is to develop a deeper understanding of contemporary biology at multiple levels, from molecules and cells, to organisms and entire ecosystems.

News and Events

Internships and Summer Research Program Resources

Applications for Marquette's Undergraduate Summer Research Program are now open! Applications are due February 1st, 2024.

Interested in learning more about Internships and Summer Research programs happening across the country? Check here for our new Summer research program resource page. 

GAANN Fellowship Funding

The GAANN program (Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need) provides fellowships (stipend and tuition) to doctoral students of superior academic ability in financial need, particularly from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds in the field of biological sciences. To learn more about the GAANN program and qualifications for the fellowship, click here


Research Opportunities for Undergraduates

Are you an undergraduate interested in getting involved with research? Check here to find out which professors currently have openings for undergraduates.


Recent extramural awards

  • Department of Biological Sciences Faculty are top performers in obtaining extramural funds. Awards in fiscal year '23 exceed $8 million.
  • Dr. Deanna Arble, assistant professor, has received an NIH R15 grant ($456,882) to study novel treatments for obesity-related respiratory disease by uncovering neuronal etiology.
  • Dr. Joseph LaManna, assistant professor, has received a grant worth approximately $800,000 from the National Science Foundation to explore how native microorganisms adapt under the stress of shifting global climates. 

Dr. Michael Schlappi, professor, has received $650,000 from the USDA to study mechanisms of cold stress tolerance responses in rice.

Dr. Krassimira Hristova, professor, and assistant professors Dr. Chris Marshall and Dr. Joseph LaManna are major contributors to the second $3.8 million Department of Defense grant for "In Defense of Water" project. Dr. Hristova is one of the main drivers of the project in collaboration with Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering.

Faculty Kudos

Dr. Nathan Lemoine, assistant professor, helped develop the Pocket Prairie located on 14th and Wisconsin Avenue. This prairie consists of 750 native plants. The project was funded by Marquette's Explorer Challenge.

A newly discovered species of dwarf gecko called Lygodactylus gamblei has been named after associate professor Dr. Tony Gamble to recognize his significant contributions to the evolutionary biology of geckos. 

Dr. Rosemary Stuart was awarded the inaugural "Inspire" award from the Institute for Women's Leadership.

Dr. Rosemary Stuart has been elected by her colleagues as the Wehr Distinguished Professor for 2022-2024

Dr. Martin St. Maurice and Dr. Krassimira Hristova have been promoted to full Professor beginning fall of 2023.


Graduate Student Achievements

Claire Radtke received the People's Choice Award and took 3rd place in The Science Coalition's annual "Fund It Forward" video competition

2023-24
Arthur J. Schmitt Leadership Fellowship: Madison Sutton.

Rev. John P. Raynor, S.J. Fellowship:  Nicholas Schneider

2023 Scholl Graduate Student Award: Adam Knier for his paper entitled "The yeast molecular chaperone, Hsp104, influences Transthyretin (TTR) aggregate formation in Frontiers of Molecular Neuroscience (2022). doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1050472

2023 Oliver H. Smith Academic Achievement Award: Sarah Rolli

Winners of the 3 Minute Thesis Competition and the Graduate Student Poster Competition:
3MT Winner: Sarah Rolli
3MT Runner-Up and People's choice award: Hannah Buchholz
Poster competition, Doctoral: 1st: Cole Doolittle

competition award