Our students are engaged in a wide range of academic pursuits that include degree programs in 160 undergraduate and graduate fields delivered by 6 different colleges.
The faculty and students of the biology department conduct research in a wide spectrum of fields that include, but are not limited to: Molecular Biology, Virology, Plant and Animal Systematics, Morphology and Physiology, Ecology, Animal Behavior, Evolution, Conservation Biology, Wildlife and Environmental Biology, Parasitology, Disease ecology, History, and Philosophy of Science.
Research is carried out in on-campus labs using state-of-the-art equipment as well as in the field in Arkansas and around the world. A departmental library is also maintained to help facilitate research.
Ecology & Wildlife Management
Our research in Ecology and Wildlife Management is multi-faceted incorporating modern molecular techniques with emphases on field ecology. Student's research questions address conservation, resource management, and evolutionary ecology. Many students have projects that are cross-disciplinary, involving two or more of these disciplines.
Students in our department receive a Graduate Assistantship, either a Teaching Assistantship (TA), or a Research Assistantship (RA). Funding for RAs is typically tied to a specific research project that is supported by State or Federal research grants.
Faculty: Boves, Fluker, McKay, Mangan, Mullin, Neuman-Lee. Risch, and Rolland.
Molecular & Cell Biology
Research in Molecular and Cell Biology ranges broadly from the study of microorganisms, such as herpes virus and plastic-producing bacteria; to the manipulation of the genome and metabolic pathways in plants to produce proteins and drugs; to cellular studies, including neuron development and toxicant effects on brain cells and gametes; to neurological, cardiovascular and reproductive processes in response to agents such as nicotine.
Students involved in our research include undergraduates, Biology Master's students, and PhD students enrolled in the Environmental Sciences and Molecular Biosciences Doctoral programs. Collaborations include those with faculty in other colleges and departments at A-State, as well as with researchers at UAMS, UAF, NCTR, and other universities and agencies.
Faculty: Bhattacharya, Boyd, Dolan, Gustafson, Johnson, Shields, Sweet, and Zhou
Environmental Biology
Research in this area is directed at protecting and enhancing our natural resources while maintaining economic viability. Students and faculty are involved in research encompassing a wide range of areas, including aquatic and terrestrial toxicology, environmental biomonitoring and biomarkers, ecological restoration, bioremediation, and wetlands services.
Research facilities include the Ecotoxicology Research Facility, Environmental Biomonitoring Laboratory and Aquatic Ecology laboratory. The recent addition of the Arkansas Biosciences Institute to A-State has expanded our research areas to include environmental risk assessments of genetically modified organisms and nanotoxicology.
Faculty: Artim, Bouldin, and Farris
Plant Biology
Botany is the study of plants and deals with all facets of their biology, including systematics, evolution, reproductive biology, plant physiology, cell biology, genetics, population biology, ecology, and their dynamic interactions with other organisms. Students interested in learning more about plants have opportunities to expand upon their knowledge in the classroom and in research projects with faculty.
Students in our department receive a Graduate Assistantship, either a Teaching Assistantship (TA), or a Research Assistantship (RA). Funding for RAs is typically tied to a specific research project that is supported by State or Federal research grants.
Faculty: Huss, Marsico, Medina-Bolivar, and Wijeratne.
