December 12
Congratulations to the Fall 2017 Society of Scholars Inductees
Six (see below) Biological Sciences Majors (along with 17 other students) were inducted to the Fall 2017 Society of Scholars.

Congratulations! Mary Ann Smith, Katie Jones, Wesley Dillard, Meghan Brino, Kyle Winston, and Alexandra Mazzola.

Please follow the link to the story. - external link

November 3
Dr. Nancy Reichert Assumes Role as President oF CAST
Congratulations to Dr. Nancy Reichert, Professor of Biologicals Sciences, recently installed President of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology. Follow the link for the story. - external link

October 26
Local Birds Provide Insight to Malaria Parasite Research in Dr. Outlaw's Lab
read the story in MSU's Alumnus Magazine - external link

October 24
Biological Sciences Ambassadors Charity Drive for Jackson Children's Hospital
follow the link for the story - external link

October 2
Biological Sciences Major Crowned Miss MSU
Congratulations to Callie Brown, senior Biological Sciences major, Miss Mississippi State University 2018. follow the link for the full story - external link

September 25
Drs. Brandon Barton and Heather Jordan and other MSU Scientists Participate in Unusual Ecological Experiment
follow the link for the story--
- external link

September 25
2017-2018 Biological Sciences Scholarship Awards in Excess of $32,000
The following students have been awarded scholarships, totaling over $32,000, in the Department of Biological Sciences.

Congratulations to these outstanding students!

Rachel Kane-Mabry-Clark Memorial Scholarship; Luke Wojohn-Harned Memorial Scholarship in Microbiology; Madilyn Petty-Mildred Watkins Brand Pre-Med Scholarship; Ashlyn Parkhurst-J. Scott Ferguson, M.D. Endowed Memorial Scholarship; Dylan Neuhaus-Dr. William E. Gardiner Memorial Award; Nicholas Hilton-Dr. John C. Longest Pre-Med Scholarship; Benjamin Pace-Coy E. Patton Memorial Scholarship; Elizabeth Kerby, Adam Shumaker, Mary Smith, Haley Jenkins, Jessica Milner, Jacob Roberts, and Hannah Hults-C.B. Mitchell Pre-Medicine Scholarship

August 7
$1.2 Million NSF Grant Awarded
follow the link for the story - external link

July 31
Pre-Dental Majors Accepted to MS Rural Dentists Scholarship Program
Please follow the link for the story - external link

July 14
Dr. Diana Outlaw Raises Autism Awareness
Dr. Diana Outlaw, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, is raising autism awareness via "Through Their Eyes" an exhibit giving insight into how children with autism view the world. You can see the exhibit at Cullis Wade Depot through July 30.

please follow the link for the article - external link

May 18
Chathurani Arachchige Finalist for Evolution Meeting 2017 Presentation
Chathurani Ranathunge Arachchige, Ph.D. student in Dr. Mark Welch's lab, has been selected as a finalist for the W.D. Hamilton Award for outstanding student presentations and the 2017 Evolution Meeting, June 23-27, 2017, in Portland, Oregon. The award committee selects the finalists based on the quality of their submitted abstract. This year 15 applicants were selected to give talks in the W.D. Hamilton Award Symposium of the meeting. Finalists receive a $500 travel stipend to present at the symposium.

The Evolution Conference is the joint annual conference of the Society for the Study of Evolution, the Society of Systematic Biologists, and the American Society of Naturalists. It is the premier opportunity for the presentation and discussion of scientific research in all areas of evolutionary biology.

CONGRATULATIONS, CHATHU!

May 18
Jonathan belanich Receives American-Scandinavian Foundation Fellowship
Jonathan Belanich, Ph.D. student under the direction of Dr. Heather Jordan, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, received a $23,000 fellowship from the American-Scandinavian Foundation to study abroad at the University of Copenhagen. follow the link for the story

CONGRATULATIONS, JONATHAN! - external link

May 10
Biological Sciences Student Ambassadors Selected
please see the story at the following link - external link

May 3
Spring 2017 Society of Scholars
Eight Biological Sciences seniors were recently chosen as new members of the prestigious Society of Scholars in the Arts & Sciences: Reagan Arnwine, Robyn Beattie, Margaret Eason, Anna Jackson, Haley Jenkins, Lily McCrory, Lauren Osborne, and Madilyn Petty.

Congratulations to these outstanding students!

Please follow the link for the story.... - external link

April 25
Tenth Annual Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
The Biological Sciences Department hosted the 10th Annual Biology Undergraduate Research Program (BURP) Symposium in Harned Hall on Friday, April 7. The keynote speaker for this showcase of undergraduate research efforts was Dr. W. Frank Gilmore, Chair Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy and President Emeritus of the Goldwater Foundation. Dr. Gilmore was recognized for his support and contribution to undergraduate research.

Results of the poster competition showcasing the research of 22 undergraduate researchers:

First Place, Anna Jackson
Second Place, Aaron Albee
Third Place, Peter Kooienga
First Place Mentor, Dr. Mark Welch

follow the link for the full story... - external link

April 21
Ervin Research Lab Invited Presentations
Doctoral student Cory Shoemaker was invited to present research performed in the Ervin Research Lab at a national workshop on Standard Monitoring Protocols for Herbaceous Vegetation held April 4, 2017, at the US Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Dr. Gary Ervin, Professor of Biological Sciences, gave an invited keynote presentation at the Second University Congress of Agro-Food Sciences held April 6-7, 2017, in Mexico City.

April 21
Dr. Diana Outlaw Helps Raise Autism Awareness
Follow the link - external link

April 12
Jian Jang Receives Spirit of State Award
Congratulations to Jian Jang, Biological Sciences M.S. student under Dr. Donna Gordon's direction. Follow the link for the story... - external link

April 3
Prestigious Goldwater Scholarship Award
Congratulations to Jackson Poole of Dr. James Stewart's lab and Sabrina Moore of Dr. Justin Thornton's lab for their recent awards. Jackson received the highly-coveted Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Ms. Moore received honorable mention.
Please follow the link for the full story - external link

April 3
Chathurani Ranathunge Arachchige Wins 2 Awards
Congratulations to Chathu, Ph.D. student in Dr. Mark Welch's lab. She was the recipient of two awards at the Association of Southeastern Biologists Meeting in Montgomery, Alabama, March 29-April 1. Her presentation, "Patterns of Selection Acting on Transcribed and Anonymous Microsatellites in Latitudinal Populations of Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)," received the Outstanding Student Oral Presentation Award (Southeastern section of the Botanical Society of America) and the ASB Student Oral Presentation Award (Cell and Molecular Biology).

March 31
Congratulations to Alex Tice--PhD RA of the Year
Alex Tice received the MSU Ph.D. Research Assistant of the Year Award at the 15th Annual Graduate Student Association Awards Banquet on March 30. In addition, he will be inducted into the Graduate School Hall of Fame on April 4, 2017. Congratulations, Alex!

Alex is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Biological Sciences and performs research under the direction of Dr. Matthew Brown, Assistant Professor of Biology.

follow the link for additional details on the Graduate School Hall of Fame inductees - external link

March 29
Posters in the Rotunda-Congrats to Jackson Coole
Students from all eight of Mississippi's public universities shared their research and creative activities on topics ranging from healthcare to cultural heritage to environmental issues with legislators and state leaders at Posters in the Rotunda, held in the Rotunda of the State Capitol on Thursday, March 23. The students showed how their research solves some of Mississippi's most pressing problems and benefits the citizens of the state. The event highlighted the value of undergraduate research and the impact university research has on addressing Mississippi's needs.

Participating in undergraduate research projects provides a beneficial experience for the students, strengthening their academic, leadership and presentation skills and preparing them for research on the graduate level.

Jackson Coole, a Biological Engineering major, was one of four MSU students chosen to present their undergraduate research at Posters in the Rotunda. Jackson works in the research lab of Dr. James A. Stewart, Jr., Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences. His work focuses on environmental pollutants and their impact on human health and diabetes.

March 29
Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium
Dr. W. Frank Gilmore will be the Keynote Speaker for the 10th Annual Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research (BURP) Symposium to be held Friday, April 7.

Dr. Gilmore is Chair Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy and President Emeritus of the Goldwater Foundation. He is being recognized for his support and contribution to undergraduate research.

March 29
Annual Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
The 10th Annual Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium will be held Friday, April 7, 11am - 1pm in Harned Hall.