News and Events

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major, Joceline Helmbreck, honored as the first Difference Maker of 2022 by President Lovell

Joceline Helmbreck, a sophomore biochemistry and molecular biology major in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, experienced great loss at a young age when her sister, Jessie, passed away from Ewing’s Sarcoma. Her life was so deeply touched by this childhood cancer that now she is using her talents to help find a way to ensure others can avoid that pain. Together with Dr. Nicholas Reiter, assistant professor of chemistry, Joceline is engaging in groundbreaking research to honor her sister’s memory.  Learn more about Joceline’s story in this feature from Spectrum News.

Two Biological Sciences Faculty Join the In Defense of Water Research Team

Two faculty members from the Biological Sciences department — Dr. Krassi Hristova and Dr. Chris Marshall— have joined the research team for the In Defense of Water program. Supported by Marquette’s largest-ever federal award for water research, this multidisciplinary research program brings together collaborators from Marquette and the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center to address water quality challenges and promote healthier environments for troops and civilians. The projects will help the Army promote sustainability, resilience and health on and around military sites — and yield important public health benefits as well. We congratulate Drs. Hristrova and Marshall on this accomplishment. To learn more about their research, click here for the full story. 

GAANN Fellowship Funding

The Department of Biological Sciences has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to establish a Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Program. The GAANN program 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. 

Dr. Rosemary Stuart has been elected by her colleagues as the Wehr Distinguished Professor for 2021-2024.

Dr. Tony Gamble has been promoted to Associate Professor beginning fall of 2022.

Dr. Nate Lemoine has been awarded a Way Klingler Young Scholar Award for the 2022/23 academic year.

Dr. Stephen M. Downs (Emeritus), Dr. Robert H. Fitts (Emeritus), Dr. Tony Gamble, Dr. Stefan A. Schnitzer, and Dr. Rosemary Stuart have been ranked in the top 2% of scientific researchers in the world by a team at Stanford University.

Student Achievements

Adam Knier is a recipient of the Arthur J. Schmitt Leadership Fellowship and Aaron Jones is a recipient of a Richard W. Jobling Distinguished Research Assistantship. Adam and Aaron will be supported on these awards in the 2022-2023 academic year.

Felipe Mello received the 2022 Scholl Graduate Student Award for his paper entitled "Can Functional Traits Explain Plant Coexistence? A Case Study with Tropical Lianas and Trees” published in Diversity. 

Aaron Jones was awarded the 2022 Oliver H. Smith Academic Achievement Award.