Research in the Department of Biology encompasses a breadth of different specialties and fields. Interested undergraduate and prospective graduate students should contact faculty members whose areas of research expertise interests them. Many faculty are often looking for eager and dedicated undergraduate and graduate students to join their labs.
Research opportunities provide unique hands-on-training experiences for students that foster and develop skills for a variety of careers and those seeking continued education (e.g., medical school, graduate school).
Highlighted below are some examples of current and ongoing research projects in the Department of Biology.
Contact faculty regarding opportunities for undergraduate or graduate research:
Dr. Heiko Schoenfuss (hschoenfuss@stcloudstate.edu): The Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory investigates the effects contaminants have on aquatic life from the molecular level via organismal effects to consequences at the trophic level. Work in the lab is focused on studying the dramatic ecological effects estrogen in rivers and lakes can have on populations of freshwater fishes.
Contact faculty regarding opportunities for undergraduate or graduate research:
Dr. Matthew Julius (mljulius@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates the potential applications algae may have on various industries, including alternative energy sources and dietary supplements.
Contact faculty regarding opportunities for undergraduate or graduate research:
Dr. Matthew Davis (mpdavis@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates the evolution and tree of life of fishes with an emphasis on fishes that live in deep-sea habitats and their associated adaptations (e.g., bioluminescence, fangs).
Dr. Matthew Julius (mljulius@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates the evolution, ecology, and systematics of algae.
Dr. Jennifer Lamb (jylamb@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates the taxonomy and population genetics of amphibians.
Dr. Angela McDonnell (angela.mcdonnell@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates the evolution, systematics, and population biology of flowering plants.
Contact faculty regarding opportunities for undergraduate or graduate research:
Dr. Jennifer Lamb (jylamb@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates the population genetics and conservation status of amphibians throughout North America.
Dr. Angela McDonnell (angela.mcdonnell@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates the evolution, systematics, and population biology of flowering plants.
Contact faculty regarding opportunities for undergraduate or graduate research:
Dr. Gengyun Le (gengyun.le@stcloudstate.edu): Research Interests include endocrinology, musculoskeletal function, sex differences, and exercise physiology.
Dr. Timothy Schuh (tjschuh@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates the early development of Xenopus laevis.
Contact faculty regarding opportunities for undergraduate or graduate research:
Dr. William Cook (wmcook@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates aspects of prairie ecology including habitat fragmentation and community ecology.
Dr. Matthew Julius (mljulius@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates the ecology of algae and large lake limnology and paleolimnology.
Dr. Angela McDonnell (angela.mcdonnell@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates the evolution, systematics, and population biology of flowering plants.
Contact faculty regarding opportunities for undergraduate or graduate research:
Dr. Matthew Davis (mpdavis@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates the evolution and tree of life of fishes with an emphasis on fishes that live in deep-sea habitats and their associated adaptations (e.g., bioluminescence, fangs) using genomic data.
Dr. Matthew Julius (mljulius@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates the evolution, ecology, and systematics of algae using genomic data.
Dr. Christopher Kvaal (cakvaal@stcloudstate.edu): Research integrates bioinformatics, molecular biology, and genetics to study a variety of systems including causes of Toxoplasmosis.
Dr. Angela McDonnell (angela.mcdonnell@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates the evolution, systematics, and population biology of flowering plants using genomic data.
Dr. Brian Olson (blolson@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates the molecular biology of human diseases including the use of cell culture and biochemistry to study human proteins involved in human diseases.
Contact faculty regarding opportunities for undergraduate or graduate research:
Dr. Marina Cetkovic-Cvrlje (mcetkoviccvrlje@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates factors associated with autoimmunity in experimental type 1 diabetes.
Contact faculty regarding opportunities for undergraduate or graduate research:
Dr. Jennifer Lamb (jylamb@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates the taxonomy and population genetics of amphibians.
Dr. Angela McDonnell (angela.mcdonnell@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates the evolution, systematics, and population biology of flowering plants using genomic data.
Contact faculty regarding opportunities for undergraduate or graduate research:
Dr. Kristin Gulrud (kpgulrud@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates medical microbiology, bacterial toxins, and mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis.
Dr. Louise Millis (lmillis@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates host-microbe interactions and vectors of viruses.
Contact faculty regarding opportunities for undergraduate or graduate research:
Dr. Oladele Gazal (osgazal@stcloudstate.edu): Research investigates mammalian physiology and endocrinology.
Dr. Gengyun Le (gengyun.le@stcloudstate.edu): Research Interests include endocrinology, musculoskeletal function, sex differences, and exercise physiology.
Dr. Heiko Schoenfuss (hschoenfuss@stcloudstate.edu): Work in the lab is focused on studying the anatomical changes in freshwater fishes in response to environmental conditions.