Can skin bacteria save a frog's life? 🐸 New research from PhD fellow Laura Schuck & the Becker Lab @PennState moves science closer to proving that the skin microbiome is a frontline defense against deadly infection. Out now in @AnimalMicrobiome 👇
This summer, Biology graduate researchers John Majoris and Macy Littell visited a clownfish laboratory at Boston University! 🐠
Biologist and lab coordinator, Jennifer Rittenhouse-Pruss, was given a ‘We Are’! Her nominator wrote:
Pollinator science is blooming across Pennsylvania 🐝🦋🌼 On National Pollinator Week, PSU Extension Master Gardeners are supporting pollinator research, education, and conservation across the state, from monitoring bee diversity to helping researchers understand which flowers best support polinators
New in @PLOSNTDs from the McGraw Lab! 🦟 Researchers found that both mosquito genetic background and Wolbachia strain influence dengue virus blocking and fitness in South American Aedes aegypti populations—important insights for improving dengue control strategies. journals.plos.org/plosntds/art...
Interactions between mosquito genetic background and Wolbachia strain affect dengue virus blocking and fitness in South American populations of Aedes aegypti
Author summary Dengue virus is transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti, causing large outbreaks in many parts of the world. One promising way to reduce dengue virus transmission is to release mosqui...
journals.plos.org
🌱 We’re hiring in Plant Biology at Penn State! The Department of Biology at Penn State University Park is searching for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor in any area of plant biology.
Biology Seminar on Tuesday, April 28th This is the final seminar in this semester's series; we hope to see you there! Seminar Details Speaker: Jeremy Lichstein, Professor, University of Florida Title: Forest Dynamics in a Changing World Time: 12:00–1:00 PM Location: 8 Müller Lab
🧬 Biology Student Seminar this week! Join us for two exciting talks: 🧠 Troy LaPolice & Nittany AI Group Transforming university scheduling with MatchMyLab 🧬 Natalia Grube Taenia evolution & what it reveals about carnivory in hominins 🗓️ 12:00–1:00 PM 📍 8 Müller Lab #PSUBiology #StudentSeminar
🎉 Big congratulations to our 2025–26 Biology Graduate Student Award winners! Recognized for outstanding academic achievement and promise across our department 👏 Special shoutout to all recipients of the Popp, Mohnkern, Troxell, and Hill awards—you make #PSUBiology proud! 🧬🌿
🚨 Biology Seminar this Tuesday! Join us for a powerful talk by Christopher Medina-Kirchner (Harvard Medical School): “Agony and Ecstasy: A Scientist’s Path from Incarceration to MDMA Research” 🗓️ April 14 ⏰ 12–1 PM 📍 8 Müller Lab
🧠 Are we really as “special” as we think? In a recent Ezra Klein interview, Michael Pollan explores a provocative idea: 👉 Human consciousness may not be as unique — or as protected — as we assume.
Check out The Philadelphia Inquirer highlighting Penn State University’s new neurobiology majors!
🧬 Penn State Biology Pre-Seminar Poll Before our last seminar, we asked a classic question: Are viruses alive? Here’s what our department said 👇 86% — Yes 14% — No
Join us tomorrow for our seminar: Speaker: Jubao Duan, Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago Title: From GWAS to disease biology: neurogenomics in human iPSC models Time: 12:00–1:00 PM Location: 8 Müller Lab
Congratulations, to Carly Sjogren who was just named a Global Learning Fellow.
Despite the weather delay, we will still be having the Biology seminar today at the usual place and time (noon in Müller 008).
🧪 Lab Tech Spotlight 🐸 From Wildlife & Fisheries Science to amphibian microbiomes — here’s a glimpse into my path and what I do in the Becker Lab 🧵
Join us tomorrow! Arrive earlier for cookies and coffee, bring your mug!
Join us next week for amazing seminars: Dr. Kelsey Tyssowski, a Research Associate at Harvard University is scheduled to present a seminar on Monday, February 16 at 12:00 – 1:00 PM in W203 Millennium Science Complex titled: “The neural basis of the evolution of dexterity in deer mice.”
🔬✨ Postdoc Spotlight: Dr. Jiyeon “Joan” Baek Meet Joan, a postdoctoral researcher studying how the brain forms memories — and how these processes change with age. Her work bridges aging, neuroscience, and gene regulation. A quick thread 🧵👇
Come join us today at this special seminar
Come join us for the seminar today! Hot coffee, tea and cookies offered prior to the seminar!
🎓💙 Penn State will soon expand scholarship support thanks to a $55 million estate gift — the second-largest commitment in University history — benefiting Pennsylvania undergraduates with financial need across every college and campus.
Welcome back, everyone! 🌿 The Biology Department is starting the semester with our first seminar — come reconnect, learn, and celebrate another term of great science together.
📢 New research from Penn State Bio shows wood warblers borrow color-related genes from evolutionary neighbors — helping explain their dazzling diversity! 🎨🕊️
We celebrated the start of 2025 with dinner and bowling! 🎳✨ Grateful for the wonderful community that makes Penn State Biology such a great place to learn, work, and grow.
