BIOrhythms

a publication of the Washington University Biology Department for Undergraduate Majors

BIOrhythms January 2020

This issue features:

Faculty Spotlight: Michael Landis
Course Spotlight: Bio 472 Behavioral Ecology with student review by Andrew Oh
Bio 500 spotlight on the Budge Lab by Irene Hamlin
Summer Research Opportunities: Biosurf and biology website
Career Center Events
WashU Votes

Bio 200/500 Research Spotlights

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

Do You Have...

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 Information

Faculty Spotlight: Michael Landis, Assistant Professor of Biology

Michael Landis joined the Department of Biology in Fall 2019 as an assistant professor. He spent his childhood living throughout several states because his father worked on radar systems for the US Air Force. His family first lived outside Washington, D. C., then in rural Massachusetts, next moving to New Mexico in the Southwest for nearly a decade, and finally living in the Mojave Desert of Southern California. As a child, he always enjoyed making music with his sister, tinkering on computers with his brother, exploring the outdoors, and visiting natural history museums. His love for biology stemmed from an appreciation for how life can take on so many different forms.  Read More...

BIOrhythms archive

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • More BIOrhythms Archive

    All issues of BIOrhythms dating back to September 2008

more news

Visit our News page for more stories and the latest info about Biology at Washington University.

Visit News