Biology

Congratulations to our Chair, Brad Barbazuk, who was elected Fellow of The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in this year’s list. The AAAS has recognised Brad for his distinguished contributions to the field of computational biology and bioinformatics, particularly using comparative genomics to provide insight into genome architectures and evolution in scientifically […]

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Karen Bjorndal, Distinguished Professor of Biology and the Director of the Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research has officially retired this past January, after more than 50 years in the Department. Congratulations on a truly amazing, dedicated and decorated career. https://news.clas.ufl.edu/karen-bjorndal-retirement/

Read more "Celebrating Karen: Karen Bjorndal retires after over 50 years at UF!"

To understand how life works, synthetic biology aims to design and build cells, with current efforts focusing on genes, vesicles, and biochemical pathways. However, higher-level phenomena, such as metabolism and evolution, remain difficult to engineer. In their new article, Zhanar Abil from the Department of Biology, and colleagues from the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial […]

Read more "Assistant Professor Zhanar Abil Publishes on Synthetic Life in Nature Reviews Bioengineering"

The National Academy of Sciences announced the selection of 162 of the nation’s brightest young scientists from industry, academia, and government to take part in the 2024 Kavli Frontiers of Science symposia. Frontiers symposia bring together early-career scientists who have already made recognized contributions to science in a variety of disciplines. These symposia provide a […]

Read more "Bryndan Durham designated a 2024 Kavli Fellow by the National Academy of Sciences"

A recent issue of Nature published nine papers on the completion and analyses of the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) whole-brain connectome—the detailed wiring diagram of the fly brain, which includes approximately 140,000 neurons and 50 million synapses. Assistant Professor Zepeng Yao was part of an international team, the FlyWire Consortium, that contributed to THREE of […]

Read more "Assistant Professor Zepeng Yao Co-Authored not one, not two, but THREE Nature Papers!"

Stefanie Gazda, Associate Instructional Professor in the Biology Department, is part of a team that was awarded a 2-year, $427,065 grant from the Gulf Research Program (Empowering K-8 Youth through Place-Based Education). Led by Julie Brown and Kent Crippen in the College of Education, the Guardians of the Gulf will engage 6th to 8th grade […]

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Congratulations to Whitney Laboratory and Department of Biology Professor Dr. James Liao for winning the 2024 Ig Nobel Prize in Physics at a ceremony at MIT! Ten new Ig Nobel winners (https://improbable.com/ig/winners/) were introduced. Each winner (or winning team) has done something that makes people LAUGH, then THINK. Prize winners are selected from over 10,000 […]

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Watch it here: https://youtu.be/j0brfn8UcXs?si=Jj14sKgmIcqX_rYD

Read more "Yaupon research by Jack Putz was featured in an educational film: “Yaupon Holly Makes a Tea Drunk By Millions, Then We Stopped Using It. Here’s Why.”"

Department of Biology Professor Charles Baer was part of a study led by Texas A&M University Chemical Engineering researchers that documented in vitro evolution of breast cancer cells in response to natural selection imposed by the mechanical stiffness of the extracellular matrix. The response was driven by rare genetic variants, highlighting the importance of accounting […]

Read more "Charles Baer’s work published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences"

Assistant Professor Juannan Zhou has received the prestigious R35 Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) worth $1.25M over the next 5 years. The MIRA awards provide support for early stage investigator’s whose research falls within the mission of The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). The study of […]

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Congratulations to Dr. Hannah Vander Zanden who has received a prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award “Turtle or egg: Characterizing sea turtle reproductive strategies”. From NSF: The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious awards in support of early-career faculty who have the […]

Read more "Dr. Hannah Vander Zanden receives prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award"

Department of Biology Professors Rebecca Kimball and Edward Braun were part of a study led by University of Michigan researchers that has identified important changes in birds’ genomes sparked by the mass extinction, called the end-Cretaceous mass extinction event, that led to the extinction of dinosaurs, ultimately contributing to the incredible diversity of living birds. […]

Read more "Rebecca Kimball and Ed Braun’s work published in Science Advances"

Associate Professor Gareth Fraser has received a Colonel Allen R. and Margaret G. Crow Term Professorship for a three-year term (2024-2027). These professorships were created by Colonel Allen R. and Mrs. Margaret G. Crow to recognize faculty who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, teaching and service. Congratulations Gareth!

Read more "Associate Professor Gareth Fraser named Colonel Allen R. and Margaret G. Crow Term Professor"

Dr. Zepeng Yao, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology, was awarded a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 grant to study the neural circuits linking food sensory detection to endocrine and feeding control using a fruit fly model. The project aims to investigate the neural circuit mechanisms that integrate external and internal food sensory […]

Read more "Zepeng Yao Awarded NIH Grant to Study Neural Regulation of Feeding"

We are pleased to announce that Biology Faculty members Dr. Ana Longo and Dr. Hua Yan have been granted promotion to Associate Professor of Biology with tenure by the University of Florida Board of Trustees. Ana and Hua are now tenured faculty in the University of Florida, Department of Biology. Promotion is effective August 16, […]

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UF ecologists Amanda Subalusky and Chris Dutton reveal the critical impact of animals on ecosystem health through their role in nutrient cycling, emphasizing the interconnectedness of life within natural habitats. Ecologists uncover the hidden power of animals in shaping ecosystems  

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By screening over 40,000 compounds, a team led by Biology’s Keith Choe, discovered that a novel metal homeostasis protein in C. elegans functions as a resistance mechanism to pre-clinical anticancer fungal toxins. The team also made the cover of the journal: ACS Chemical Biology: In vivo screening of 41716 compounds in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans identifies pre-clinical anticancer […]

Read more "Novel Metal Homeostasis Protein in C. elegans Functions"

Congratulations to Department of Biology Professor Karen Bjorndal who was elected to the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS) as a Lifetime Fellow for the 2023 Class. The Lifetime Fellows program celebrates Karen’s many accomplishments, mentorship and acknowledges her professional impact in marine ecology and sea turtle conservation. https://www.aaas.org/news/aaas-welcomes-502-scientists-and-engineers-who-join-ranks-fellows  

Read more "Karen Bjorndal elected AAAS Lifetime Fellow!"