Department of Biology
Nature in a new perspective thanks to Georgia Southern art gallery
Embark on a visually stunning journey along the enchanting Georgia coast at Georgia Southern University’s “Vertical Horizons” art exhibit, curated by Georgia Southern biology professor Alan Harvey, Ph.D. From Dec. 11 to 15, experience an interactive photography exhibition that challenges traditional perspectives. The exhibit is housed in the Fine Art Gallery in Fine Arts Hall on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah.
Georgia Southern University restoring coastline with oyster habitats
Georgia Southern University has partnered with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Yamaha Rightwaters to rejuvenate a section of the Savannah waterways for oyster beds. As part of these efforts, Eagle faculty and students recently installed bags of oyster shells along the coastline to build shelters for budding populations.
Georgia Southern sets fundraising record for third year in a row
For the third straight year, Georgia Southern supporters have propelled the University to a record-breaking year of private fundraising.
Total cash, pledges and in-kind gifts to Georgia Southern University amounted to $23,831,604 during Fiscal Year 2023, which ended on June 30, 2023. That surpasses the total from the previous year, which was also a record at $22.3 million.
National Institutes of Health awards Georgia Southern University $426,000 to study tumor formation
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences, one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), awarded Georgia Southern University’s Dongyu Jia, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Biology, a federal grant totaling $426,000 to fill in the gaps of learning the steps of tumor formation at the beginning stages and what initially triggers their epithelial cell shape change before becoming invasive.
Georgia Southern University professor wins national Student Impact Award from Top Hat
Georgia Southern biology lecturer Elizabeth Sargent, Ph.D., won the 2022 Student Impact Award from Top Hat, a digital platform for teachers and professors to connect with students online, distribute assignments and give in-class quizzes and exams.
Georgia Southern grad student researches different planting treatment effects on Tybee Island sand dunes
The sand dunes of Tybee Island have taken a beating in recent hurricane seasons. Georgia Southern University biology graduate student Shannon Matzke is researching ways to combat the destruction of the dunes for her restoration project by collecting data on the effects of various planting techniques to see which technique best increases the longevity of the dunes.
Georgia Southern biology professor awarded grant to support minority students
Georgia Southern University Professor of Biology J. Checo Colón-Gaud, Ph.D., is part of a team of researchers awarded a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to support training and experiences for underrepresented minority students and early career scientists in the field of freshwater science. Funds for the project called “Emerge” will be distributed over the next five years.
Georgia Southern student named Goldwater Scholar
Flowers, for many, may simply be a nice gift for a loved one or something to stop and smell along the way, but to Honors Program biology student Andrea Appleton, they are a window into the intricacies of daily life. Appleton’s research in botany and floral evolution were recognized this year when she was named a Goldwater Scholar, the highest national award for undergraduate students in the STEM majors.
