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Biology
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016-8007
United States
Biology at American University
The Department of Biology provides courses in the life sciences, emphasizing advances in molecular genetics, embryology, ecology, development and evolutionary biology. Faculty members have expertise in a variety of areas, and conduct research in developmental biology, evolutionary biology, neurobiology, microbiology, ecology, oceanography,and molecular biology.
Students are encouraged to participate in research projects at all levels. Biology students at AUhave the opportunity to visitand internin some of the nation's most prestigious scientific institutions such as the National Instituteof Health (NIH), andthe Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.For those interested in postgraduate studies, the Department of Biology offers a research-intensive Master of Science program that equips students with the skills and knowledge to excel in their chosen area of study. We are currently accepting applications for the MS program and students are encouraged to reach out to individual faculty before applying to discuss research interests and ongoing projects.
MS Biology MS Biotechnology BS Biology
PhD Biomedical & Environmental Health Sciences
News & Notes
Ashley Bastin won the award for Undergraduate Physical Sciences Final Work at the Mathias Student Research Conference.
Rapping for Biology: After watching a rap video written and produced by JC “Chace” White for Essentials of Biology for the Modern World, you may never think about cancer cells in the same way again.
Scholar-Athlete Abraham Correa-Medina: Bio Alum’s path to medical school filled with success on the mat,in class, and at NIH biomedical research fellowship.
Fast Sensor Has Potential Use as a Clinical Tool: Prof John Bracht teams with chemist Alexander Zestos on new method using carbon fiber microelectrodes for detection of RNA and DNA.
125,000 Square Feet Dedicated to Science: See photos and video of the new Hall of Science, dedicated to biology, environmental science, chemistry, and neuroscience.
Alumni
Alumni Spotlight: Brendan Riske, MS in Ecology & Evolution
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Alumni Spotlight:Brendan Riske, MS in Ecology & Evolution ’19
Recent Faculty Publications
- Sepahvand, V., Momtazi, F. and Tudge, C.C. (2020). A new species of ghost shrimp of the genus Michaelcallianassa Sakai, 2002 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea: Callichiridae) from subtidal waters of the Persian Gulf, Iran. Zootaxa 4810(2): 383-388 (DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4810.2.12).
- Ng, M**, K DeCicco-Skinner, and VP Connaughton. 2020. Using zebrafish to assess the effect of chronic, early developmental exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of 5-fluorocuracil and leucovorin. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology.DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103356
Biology Research and Facilities Gallery
Using a microscope to examine mutant phenotype transgenic plants.
Sean Burn loads samples onto a thermocycler.
A student passaging 3B11 cells in a sterile cell culture hood.
Pre Lab instruction for Gen Biology 1.
This microinjection system injects double stranded RNA into flour beetles.
A student pipetting chemiluminescence substrate to viisualize a Western Blot.
Analyzing RNA insitu hybridization slides.