BIOrhythms
a publication of the Washington University Biology Department for Undergraduate Majors
Undergraduate research is for everyone
Meet the incoming dean: Feng Sheng Hu
Bio 200/500 Research Spotlights
Ethan Weiner on Haswell Lab
Hello! My name is Ethan Weiner and I am currently a senior about to graduate with a Biology major with a Biochemistry concentration. Since spring semester of my sophomore year, I have had the privilege of working in Dr. Haswell’s lab. Her lab studies the ways in which plants respond to mechanical stimuli. I have utilized algae and moss as model organisms in order to better understand a specific family of protein channels (Piezos) that are likely involved in not just plants’, but many eukaryotes’ responses to certain mechanical stresses.
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Irene Hamlin on the Budge Lab
In the Budge Lab we focus on the eradication of lymphatic filariasis (LF) which is a neglected tropical disease caused by the Wuchereria bancrofti worm endemic in Western and Central Africa. This disease damages the lymphatic system, often causing lymphoedema and elephantiasis of the limbs. I’ve spent the last year and a half as an undergraduate research assistant working towards improving the rapid diagnostic test for LF. The World Health Organization’s Global Program for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis depends on efficient and accurate diagnoses to inhibit transmission. Currently, cross reactive antigens from the co-endemic Loa loa worm produce false positive test results and impede the successful treatment of those with Lymphatic Filariasis. Misdiagnosis bears significant risks, as treating false positives may lead to encephalopathy and death.
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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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Send Us Your Ideas and InformationProfessor Erik Herzog talks about his background and research
Erik Herzog grew up in the woods near Madison, Wisconsin. He studied Biology and Spanish as an undergraduate at Duke University and Neuroscience as a graduate student with Prof. Robert Barlow at Syracuse University, followed by postdoctoral research with Prof. Gene Block at the University of Virginia. His interest in chronobiology stems from early work as an undergrad at the Duke Marine Lab.
“Prof. Dan Rittschof was an inspirational teacher for many reasons, among them, he was obviously having a lot of fun as a scientist. I didn’t know it then, but I got involved in an experiment that ultimately relates to what my lab studies now. With Doc Dan and visiting scientist, I studied when barnacle larva settle on surfaces, like when they attach to a ship’s hull. They prefer to attach around the time of high tide. This was my introduction to biological rhythms. Fourteen years later, I started my lab studying circadian rhythms at WUSTL.” Read more about Erik Herzog
BIOrhythms archive
April 2020
This issue features Bio 4492 to refocus on COVID 19, Maggie Schlarman on the challenge of teaching a lab online, Bio 500 spotlight on Ethan Weiner of Haswell Lab, new video series WashU Between the Lines, undergrad scholarship winners, and more.
February 2020
This issue features information about new assistant professor Michael Landis, Bio 472: Behavioral Ecology, Bio 500 spotlight Irene Hamlin on Budge Lab, WashU Votes, BioSURF and more.
November 2019
This issue features new assistant professor Swanne Gordon, WUSTL Endure Neuroscience Pipeline program, Research opportunities at Tyson Research Center and MO Botanical Gardens and more.
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.
More BIOrhythms Archive
All issues of BIOrhythms dating back to September 2008
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