Department of Biology faculty and staff were recognized by the Class of 2026 for making a positive difference in their lives during their time at the University of Iowa.
Sean Strand, an undergraduate student majoring in Biology and a member of Tina Tootle's lab in the Department of Biology, received a 2026 Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award.
Christina Yu, an undergraduate majoring in Neuroscience and a student in the Iowa Sciences Academy, received 2nd Place at the 2026 Quick Pitch Challenge.
Three undergraduate students were named recipients of the 2026 Iowa Neuroscience Institute Summer Scholar Awards: Nathan Fassett, majoring in Neuroscience with a Biology minor; Ava Vaillant, majoring in Biology (Genetics and Biotechnology track); and Christina Yu, majoring in Neuroscience.
Anna Gaw, a former academic advisor in the Department of Biology, was recently promoted to Associate Director, Student Support and Transitions, with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Academic Advising.
Get to know Biology Associate Professor, Bin Z. HE, in this interview.
John Manak, Professor of Biology, was recently honored with a Friend of Systems Unlimited Award in recognition of his advocacy work on behalf of the disabilities community in the class he teaches, Good Genes Gone Bad (BIOL:2120).
Maurine Neiman, Professor of Biology, is the 2025 recipient of the IDEA Award given to a person at any career stage who has strengthened the ecology and evolutionary biology community by promoting access and inclusiveness in the fields of the American Society of Naturalists, the Society for the Study of Evolution, and the Society of Systematic Biologists.
Katy Rothenberg, Assistant Professor of Biology, was featured in the March 18, 2026 publication of Anatomy Now with her research on investigating collective cell migration and her role as a researcher-educator.
Two Biology faculty members, Cathy Yea Won Sung and Anne Martin, are featured in this article for advancing research in hearing loss and understanding neurodevelopmental disorders.
John Manak, Professor of Biology, was recognized in an article by The Daily Iowan for his work with Dr. Benjamin Darbro in the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics in using fruit flies to identify genes implicated in intellectual disability.
The Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank (DSHB), located in the Department of Biology, was featured in The Daily Iowan for receiving a $3.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to consolidate and modernize its labs and offices into one space in the Biology Building.
Congratulations to Rebecca Glover, a Research Associate in the Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank (DSHB), for her 30 years of service to the University of Iowa!
Alan Kay, Professor of Biology, and Gary Gussin, Professor Emeritus, wrote an In Memoriam tribute to their former colleague, Jeff Denburg.
Upcoming events
Mark your calendar! The 6th Annual BioBlitz will be held on Saturday, July 11 from 9:00-11:00am. Join researchers in collecting, observing, and recording biodiversity at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory. Registration is required and free. This is an all ages event and no experience is required. Families welcome!
The Summer Undergraduate Research Conference (SURC) will be held on Wednesday, July 29, from 1:00-3:30pm in the Main Lounge of the Iowa Memorial Union. This conference will bring together undergraduate students who have been conducting summer research projects in departments and programs across campus.
Spring 2026 events
Andrew Forbes, Professor of Biology, presented in a Wide Lens Series event on May 6 on the topic of Conflict and Resolution. Dr. Forbes' presentation was titled, "How to Succeed When Predators Are Everywhere."
Students in the Latham Science Engagement Fellowship Program presented their science outreach projects at the 11th Annual Latham Project Engage Showcase on May 2, 2026.
The Biology Career Seminar Series is an opportunity for students to hear from Department of Biology alumni about various career paths. Chelle Lehman (B.A. in Biology, 2002), Program Manager of Iowa KidSight in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at University of Iowa Health Care, gave a talk to students on Tuesday, April 28, titled, "Redefining Success: My Nonlinear Path from Biology to Public Health."
Iowa City Darwin Day was celebrated April 9-11 focusing on vaccine science and public health.
On March 7, members of the Science in Action club advised by Brandon Waltz, Assistant Professor of Instruction, participated in an outreach event at the Regional Awards Celebration for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program where they introduced middle school students and their parents to the world of tardigrades and showcased some examples of faculty and student writing in the form of children's/youth science-themed books.
On February 26, Instructional Services Specialists Stephanie Haase and Kendra Musmaker, and Biology undergraduate student, Lohitaksh Chawla, represented the Department of Biology at the 7th Annual Norman Borlaug Elementary Science Fair. Stephanie and Kendra were also present at the Penn Elementary Science Night on April 9. Both events provided an opportunity for students and their families to do some fun activities and learn about science!
