One summer. Eight years later. As KEYS celebrates 20 years, we're sharing the story of Alexis Cruickshank-Taylor—from high school intern to University of Arizona doctoral candidate and KEYS scientific mentor. See how one research experience can shape a career: bio5.org/news/coming-...

Coming full circle

How one summer in the BIO5 Institute's KEYS Research Internship helped Alexis Cruickshank-Taylor find her place in science—and inspired her to help others find theirs.

bio5.org

Meet graduating researcher Lynette Valenzuela 🎓✨ At the University of Arizona, Lynette advanced ovarian cancer research in the lab of BIO5 member Jennifer Barton while completing the accelerated master’s program in biomedical engineering. Read more: bio5.org/news/focusin...

Focusing the lens on ovarian cancer

Graduating with her master’s in biomedical engineering, Lynette Valenzuela uses light to study fallopian tube tissue — work that advances ovarian cancer detection while helping launch her career in me...

bio5.org

Meet graduating researcher Jacob Galloway 🎓✨ This summer, Jacob continues into a doctoral program at the University of Arizona, where he studies how plants can help clean up toxic mining landscapes in the lab of BIO5 member Alicja Babst-Kostecka. Read more: bio5.org/news/turning...

Turning toxic dirt into green gold

Transitioning from his master’s to a doctoral program in environmental science, Jacob Galloway is using the "superpowers" of plants to clean toxic landscapes — pioneering a future where the metals in ...

bio5.org

For 25 years, the BIO5 Institute has brought researchers together. Now, that collaboration is changing the kinds of questions scientists can ask. Read more about exciting research projects: bit.ly/4n5yy3a

How BIO5 is changing the questions scientists can ask

From cells to systems to a lifetime, researchers at the University of Arizona BIO5 Institute are asking new kinds of questions about health and disease.

bit.ly

A parasite infects a person, slips into the brain and can remain there for life. 🧠 🔬 At the University of Arizona, Chandrasekaran “Arun” Sambamurthy studies how Toxoplasma gondii survives inside neurons. Read the story: bio5.org/news/how-bra...

How a brain parasite persists — and the scientist studying it

Chandrasekaran “Arun” Sambamurthy at the University of Arizona studies how the parasite Toxoplasma survives inside the human brain, research shaped in part by the BIO5 Postdoctoral Fellowship.

bio5.org

Big challenges are tackled together at BIO5. ✨ 🧬 🧠 ALS is one of the most difficult neurodegenerative diseases to study. At the University of Arizona, Ross Buchan & Kevin Rhine are bringing faculty & clinicians together to understand & treat ALS with BIO5 support. Read: bio5.org/news/shared-...

Marine microbiologist Alba Filella studies ocean microbes at the University of Arizona with support from the BIO5 Postdoctoral Fellowship. From new lab skills to research travel abroad, the fellowship helped move her work forward. Read the full story: bio5.org/news/bio5-fe...

Faculty, researchers, and industry leaders came together for the sixth annual BIO5/BIOSA Faculty Industry Networking Event on October 29 to share insights on building stronger partnerships between the University of Arizona and Arizona’s growing biotech community. Read more: bio5.org/news/lessons...

The 2025 BIO5 Research and Innovation Showcase on Oct. 14 brought together U of A students, faculty, and staff for a day of discovery and collaboration. Over 50 posters and 100+ attendees highlighted research in aging, cancer, and infectious disease. 🎉 See more photos: bio5.org/news/bio5-re...

Big news for the University of Arizona and BIO5! 👏 Researchers & community leaders gathered to celebrate the installation of two of the most advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems available today! More: bio5.org/news/univers... @uazresearch.bsky.social @uazhealthsciences.bsky.social

How lucky we are to support interdisciplinary researchers at BIO5! 🌟 We welcomed our BIO5 Postdoctoral Fellows to a luncheon last week. With labs spread across campus and projects spanning the globe, these moments of community and collaboration are especially valuable.

What began as an internship at the BIO5 Institute grew into a journey of mentorship, leadership, and discovery for Drew Seiser, now beginning her doctoral studies in Arizona Biological and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Arizona. Read her story: bio5.org/news/how-bio...

Welcome to Noah Curtis as our new director of operations and administration for the BIO5 Institute, effective July 21. We want to extend our sincere gratitude to Kate Riley, the retiring director for her 21+ years of dedicated service to BIO5. More: bit.ly/4mamyeU

Noah Curtis named director of operations & administration for the BIO5 Institute

The BIO5 Institute welcomes Noah Curtis, as its new director of operations and administration, effective July 21, 2025.

bit.ly

Congrats to Amelia Gallitano at the College of Medicine - Phoenix, as the 2025 – 2026 Keating Family Endowed Professor for Interdisciplinary Research at the BIO5 Institute. More: bio5.org/news/amelia-...

Amelia Gallitano named 2025 – 2026 Keating Family BIO5 Professor for Interdisciplinary Research

The professorship honors Gallitano’s impactful work in mental health research, her dedication to mentorship, and her leadership in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration at the University of Arizon...

bit.ly

A month of transition at BIO5! In our May issue, meet our new director, explore how our BIO5 Ambassadors program inspires students, and learn about upcoming public events in July view.comms.arizona.edu?qs=00957ca16... Subscribe and get these updates in your inbox ✍️

We welcomed new leadership as the University of Arizona named Vignesh Subbian interim director of the BIO5 Institute, effective May 12. We extend our gratitude to Jennifer Barton, who steps down after a decade of leadership to serve as interim vice provost for health programs at the U of A.

Jennifer Barton, director of the @uazbio5.bsky.social & Thomas R. Brown Distinguished Chair in #BiomedicalEngineering, discusses her pioneering work in #biophotonics with Travis Sawyer for #BiophotonicsDiscovery. 🎧 Listen here: www.spiedigitallibra...

AAI members in the news! @deeptabhattacha.bsky.social from @uazbio5.bsky.social leads study that shows original COVID-19 vaccination did not stop immune system from fighting variants. Read more: ow.ly/nu9v50W0Ne6.

Study says original COVID-19 vaccination did not stop immune system from fighting variants

Vaccinated people generated an overall protective immune response to the Delta and Omicron strains of COVID-19, though with slightly fewer antibodies for the mutated parts of the virus.

ow.ly

BIO5 member Judith Su @judithsu.bsky.social builds ultra-sensitive optical sensors to detect disease at the molecular level. At Behind BIO5, she shared how a passion for microscopic worlds led to breakthroughs in early diagnosis and cross-disciplinary innovation. Read more: bio5.org/news/meet-sc...

BIO5 member Nirav Merchant is creating digital platforms that help scientists store, analyze, and share complex data. At Behind BIO5, he shared how bridging biology and automation can drive the next wave of discovery. Read more: bio5.org/news/meet-sc...

Lee Ryan studies how the brain changes with age using advanced imaging to explore memory and cognition. At Behind BIO5, she shared how early work with memory loss inspired her neuroscience journey and tool development. Read more: bio5.org/news/meet-sc...

BIO5 member Leslie Farland is advancing women’s reproductive health through innovative research on endometriosis and menstrual health. At Behind BIO5, she shared how data and curiosity shaped her path from medicine to epidemiology. Read more: bio5.org/news/meet-sc...

BIO5 member Alexander Bucksch is transforming how we see plant roots using low-cost imaging tools. At this year’s Behind BIO5, he shared how his journey from architecture to root science is driving big breakthroughs through simple tech. Read more: bio5.org/news/meet-sc...

See the latest news from the BIO5! In our April issue, get a behind-the-scenes look at BIO5, meet a researcher studying the science of sleep, and find a few summer events to add to your calendar. view.comms.arizona.edu?qs=748859974... Subscribe and get these updates in your inbox ✍️

Arizona's NIH funding and bioscience jobs outpaced the nation. Wages remain high. Read more from the latest data analysis of the bio ecosystem. #FlinnFoundation #Arizona #bioscience #biotech #biosciences #medtech #NIH #techtransfer #UArizona #ASU #NAU #venturecapital #philanthropy #NIH

Current Report - Flinn Foundation

ADVANCING THE BIOSCIENCES AND IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES 1802 North Central Avenue | Phoenix, AZ 85004-1506 | 602.744.6800 | info@flinn.org

flinn.org

Dozens of Arizona community members visited us on April 3 to tour innovative research spaces, hear from passionate researchers, and engage in conversations about their work. Thank you to all who attended! 💙 Missed it? Read more: bit.ly/3YaFC3h

Community members go behind-the-scenes at the BIO5 Institute

Guests experienced the collaborative nature of research through conversations, hands-on demos, and real-world applications at the annual public event.

bit.ly

2025 BIO5 Postdoctoral Fellow @katkennedy.bsky.social is exploring how, sleep, health, and cognition are connected, emphasizing underrepresented groups like shift workers and women. Learn more about her research and the journey that led her here: bit.ly/4cuw4G1

Waking up to the interdisciplinary science of sleep

2025 BIO5 Postdoctoral Fellow Kat Kennedy blends an interdisciplinary background to explore how sleep affects health, cognition, and society.

bit.ly

Dr. Jennifer Barton (@uazbio5.bsky.social) sat down with Dr. Travis Sawyer to discuss the future of biomedical optics, OCT, cancer detection, and more in this fun conversation. Watch it on YouTube! 📺 #BiophotonicsDiscovery youtu.be/bXCA0iKddIk...

Discussions of Discovery and Translation with Jennifer Barton

Join us for an insightful and engaging interview with Dr. Jennifer Barton, professor and director of the BIO5 Institute at the University of Arizona and past SPIE president. Hosted by Travis Sawyer, assistant professor at the University of Arizona and associate editor of the new SPIE journal, Bioph

youtu.be

Join us for Behind BIO5 on next Thursday April 3! We invite you to an evening of tours, fireside chats, demonstration tables, and poster presentations. This event is FREE and open to the public! More info & registration: bio5.org/behind-bio5

See the latest news from the BIO5! In this newsletter, learn about the BIO5 Flinn Scholar Research Experience, celebrate work anniversary milestones, and meet a nurse-scientist empowering nurse practitioners. Subscribe and get these updates in your inbox ✍️ view.comms.arizona.edu?qs=587e4245c...