BIOrhythms
a publication of the Washington University Biology Department for Undergraduate Majors
Faculty Spotlight: Barbara Kunkel
Stan Braude: Stories from the Classroom
Meet our new faculty: Natural sciences and mathematics
Bio 200/500 Research Spotlights
Maya Dutta on the Olsen Lab
Adaptation to local environments is critically important for a plant’s ability to survive in a variety of ecological settings and persist in the face of climate change. The genetic and physiological mechanisms that regulate these processes, however, are not well known. In the Olsen Lab, we aim to understand the genetic basis of evolution in plants.
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Kevin Yin on the Rentschler Lab
In the Rentschler lab, we aim to address heart disease by looking at how developmental pathways and gene regulation networks are associated with various heart diseases. We are specifically interested in how alterations of genes during development or in the adult can lead to arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.
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Samuel Kim on the Kummer Lab
In the Kummer lab, we are focused on creating the tools needed to help localize the foci of neural circuit dysfunction. Although the historical attention has been on axonal injury, with synapses below the resolution of classical techniques, new technology enables us to overcome this barrier.
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Mitchell Grinwald on the Chheda Lab
My work in the Chheda lab as a Bio500 independent research student has given me a fantastic opportunity to explore my interests at the intersection of epigenetics and cancer biology. Additionally, the ability to conduct independent research with the exceptional support which my PI (Dr. Chheda) and bench mentor (Dr. Galdieri) provide has enabled me to learn new techniques and think critically about experimental design and analysis.
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An announcement you’d like to make? An interesting story or fun fact you’d like to share? A professor or course you’d like to suggest for a spotlight? We want your input!
Send Us Your Ideas and InformationFaculty Spotlight: Barbara Kunkel, Professor of Biology
Barbara Kunkel grew up in Berkeley CA. Both of her parents were PhDs in scientific fields. Her father was a Physics professor at UC Berkeley. Her mother was a postdoc in botany, but discontinued her research when she became a mother. While there was never any direct pressure to become a scientist, or attempts to influence her career path, being surrounded by scientists cultivated an early interest in the field for Dr. Kunkel. She attended University of California-Davis because she was interested in becoming a vet and they offer the only veterinary program in the UC state college system. By the time she finished high school, she changed her mind about veterinary science, but still attended UC-Davis where she started studying agricultural sciences. She had always been attracted to the romantic idea of farming, and agriculture, or raising and training horses, not yet realizing that these can be very difficult and frustrating lines of work! Read More...
BIOrhythms archive
September 2019
This issue features a Faculty Spotlight on Barbara Kunkel; New Course Spotlight on Bio 4582: Essentials of Biomedical Scientific Reviewing, Writing, and Presenting; Bio 500 Spotlight: Mitchell Grinwald on the Chheda Lab and more!
March 2019
This issue features Faculty Spotlight April Bednarski, New Course Spotlight Bio 144: The Biology of Cancer, Bio 500 Spotlight: Maya Dutta on the Olsen Lab, Career Center events, 2019 Bunche Scholars and more
January 2019
This issue features new biology faculty member Heather Barton, new Area C course Bio 4195 Disease Ecology, Bio 500 Research spotlight about Kevin Yin in the Rentschler Lab, Biosurf, and a new Living Earth Collaborative undergrad group.
November 2018
This issue features new biology faculty member Dr. Mary Lambo, changes to the Neuroscience Track of the Biology Major, Bio 500 Research spotlight about Benjamin French in the Elgin Lab and the new Biology Commons.
September 2018
This issue features new biology chair Joe Jez, the Biotech Explorers Pathway, Undergrad Research Symposium, Career Center events and more.
April 2018
This issue features new biology faculty member Jonathan Losos, Bio 1811, MedPrep Global Scholars Program, Bunche Scholar Awards, Minority Association of Rising Scientists, and Career Center Events.
February 2018
This issue features new biology faculty member Keith Hengen, Bio 3411: Research Spotlight on Molly Shallow’s work in the Hengen Lab, Career Center events, summer internship opportunities, the Public Health Major at Wash U and more.
November 2017
This issue features new faculty member Dr. Rachel Penczykowski, Bio 4936: Seminars in Ecology and Evolution, the Bio 500 research of Odion Asikhia in the Strassmann/Queller Lab, Career Center events, and more.
September 2017
This issue features information about Tyson Research Center, Bio 200/500: Independent Research with focus on the Blodgett Lab, new student group Wash U Women in STEM, Career Center events, and more.
April 2017
This issue features information about Dr. Petra Levin, Bio 4492: Infectious Diseases: History, Pathology and Prevention, the new Microbiology major track, Career Center events, and more.
February 2017
This issue features information about Dr. Kate Hanes, Bio 4524: Structural Bioinformatics of Protein, Wash U Global Brigades Student Experience, Career Center events, WU Achieve, JCUBES, STLAURS and more.
November 2016
This issue features information about Dr. Fahd Ahmad, Bio 2652 PEMRAP, Synapse and more.
September 2016
This issue features information about Dr. Allan Larson, Bio 4183 Molecular Evolution, S.A.R.A.H. recruiting, student groups JCUBES and Synapse, Undergraduate Research Symposium and more.
April 2016
This issue features information about Dr. Richard Vierstra, JCUBES meetings, upcoming events at the Career Center and various prizes and awards for biology graduates in the class of 2016.
February 2016
This issue features information about Dr. Mitch Kundel, Bio 171: Neuroscience Futures 1, JCUBES meetings, upcoming events at the Career Center and various other undergraduate opportunities.
November 2015
This issue features information about Dr. Maggie Schlarman, Bio 3493: Bacterial Bioprospecting and Biotechnology, Organization for Tropical Study opportunities, Student Clubs, and upcoming events at the Career Center.
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All issues of BIOrhythms dating back to September 2008
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