Stay connected with the vibrant Biology community at St. Cloud State University. Here, we celebrate the achievements of our students, alumni, and faculty, showcase groundbreaking research, and highlight participation in national and international scientific gatherings. From innovative publications and award-winning presentations to TEDx talks and collaborative conferences, this page offers a dynamic glimpse into the impactful work and academic excellence that define us.
Recent Highlights
Aquatic Swap and Symposium At SCSUSCSU Biologists and Student Clubs Organize Event for SCSU Community
The Lakes Aquarium Club's Aquatic Swap was held at St. Cloud State University on Oct. 12, 2025. The swap provided support for small business and allowed local communities to learn more about aquatic vertebrates, plants, and algae. The gathering included a symposium by Dr. Matt Julius on algae as a nutrious source and Dr. Matt Davis on bioluminescence and biofluorescence in aquatic biodiversity. The event was also co-organized with the SCSU student club The Into the Wild Society.
Intersection Between Scientific Research and STEM Education Faculty publication
Dr. Matt Julius is a co-author on a recent publication in the Asian Journal of Biology Education investigating how a diatom-based education computer program can raise environmental awareness among students. This computer program, SimRiver, is used in introductory biology courses at SCSU.
International Botany 2025 conference in Palm SpringsStudent Achievements
Three SCSU students presented independent research at the international Botany conference, a joint meeting of six professional societies at which there were over 1,000 attendees, in Palm Springs, California. AnnElise Swanson, Kendall Cross, and Sam Hennemann each gave presentations about the development of a black and red Husky tomato, conservation biology of a rare sunflower in Minnesota, and movement of invasive grasses in Minnesota, respectively.
Kendall Cross was recognized with the Young Botanist Award, given by the Botanical Society of America, which recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the plant sciences. He also received the Undergraduate Research Prize, given by the American Society of Plant Taxonomists, in recognition of outstanding research in plant systematics. The awards are the highest honors for undergraduates from both societies.
Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists in St. PaulHosted by SCSU faculty
Six SCSU students presented oral and poster presentations at the meeting. Biological Sciences graduate student Spencer Ott (Graduate Advisor Dr. Sarah Gibson) was the recipient of the Storer Award for Best Poster in Ichthyology. SCSU Biological sciences student Elizabeth Favor was the recipient of a Raney Award for her research from the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Congratulations to Spencer and Elizabeth!
Investigating the Family Tree of Anglerfishes Student and faculty publication
SCSU alum Alex Maile (Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution B.S. and Biological Sciences M.S.) and Dr. Matthew Davis are authors on a recent publication in PLOS One exploring the evolution of deep-sea anglerfishes from a total evidence perspective that includes novel insights into the classification of the group. This work was part of Alex Maile' thesis work at SCSU.
Salamanders Glow Throughout Their LifeFaculty publication
SCSU FacultyDr. Jennifer Lamb and Dr. Matthew Davis are authors on a recent publication inIchthyology and Herpetologyexploring glowing salamanders in their early-life history.
Generating a New Tree of Life for All Flowering PlantsFaculty publication
Dr. Angela McDonnell is a co-author of a publication in the journalNaturewhich revises the tree-of-life for all flowering plants. The work represents an international, phylogenomic effort to shed new light on the evolutionary history of flowering plants and their rise to ecological dominance on Earth. You can find the open access article, Phylogenomics and the Rise of Angiosperms, as well as the St. Cloud State Today article.
Alumni Highlights
Congratulations to Dr. Rene Martin (B.S. Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology 2014, and Evolution; M.S. Biological Sciences 2017) on being awarded the 2025 Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Alumni Award.
Bree Barney ’05, a biology graduate of St. Cloud State University, has worked at multiple Zoos across the country, including helping to bring the wonders of Australia to thousands of visitors as a zookeeper at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Walkabout Australia exhibit. Barney oversaw the immersive, barrier-free habitat—home to kangaroos, wallabies, cassowaries, and endangered Matschie’s tree kangaroos—ensuring the animals’ wellbeing while educating guests experiencing these species up close, many for the first time. She described the exhibit’s opening to record crowds as “an A+ moment,” and says contributing to international conservation efforts is a dream come true. After gaining experience at Como Park Zoo and drawing on the scientific skills she developed at St. Cloud State, Barney now enjoys a career she calls surreal: “I’ve never woken up and thought, ‘I don’t want to be a zookeeper today.’” Barney currently works at the Minnesota Zoo as the Curator of the Tropical and MN Trail exhibits.
