Our department is made up of highly skilled faculty with national and international recognition as researchers in their fields. Information about their research areas can be found below, or the faculty’s individual websites. Our faculty conduct research on campus in many different facilities: the Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Laboratory, the Institute for Sustainability Studies, and the New Jersey Center for Water Science and Technology. Our reach extends beyond the campus in diverse locations both nearby and abroad in Ireland and St. Johns.
Faculty Research Interests
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The Department of Biology is housed in Science Hall, a facility that includes well-equipped research laboratories, teaching laboratories and prep rooms, a greenhouse, and faculty/staff offices. Research is funded by agencies including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), SeaGrant, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). It’s important to know the safety protocols when in the lab.
Student Research Opportunities
As a student in our department, you have many opportunities to pursue independent scientific research with faculty members. The first step is to find faculty members that are doing research exciting to you. Contact and visit those faculty members you find interesting – you might get a chance to conduct exciting and novel experiments with them!
Undergraduates can get academic credit for independent research by enrolling in Biology Independent Research (BIOL-418). Alternatively, utilize Externship in Biological Research (BIOL-409) for real-world career experience in addition to research credit. You can also participate in research through the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program.
Graduate students can take Introduction to Biological Research (BIOL-599) or Master’s Thesis (BIOL-698). Both involve independent research under the direction of a faculty member; the thesis involves a longer, more in-depth research experience. Graduate students in our programs are strongly encouraged to conduct thesis research.
Scholarships may be available to support students conducting research; see our scholarship page to see available scholarships. Student researchers have the opportunity to present their findings at local, regional, national and even international research conferences. They have also authored and co-authored papers published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.