Seminars Spring 2025
The Department of Biology will hold in person and online seminars during Spring 2025 semester. Please contact Dr. Jeff McKinnon, Seminar Committee chair, for questions. *denotes seminar will be held...
ECU Biology Archives
ECU Biology faculty featured in documentary for his work on lemurs and infectious diseases
Dr. Rasambainarivo is only in his second year as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology but he has already been having a big impact on ECU and his...
Biology Undergraduate Students Students Seize Opportunity of a Lifetime Through MARC Grant: First Cohort Reaps Benefits of Mentoring and Groundbreaking Research
Rachel Gittman, Biology Associate Professor, receives Dean’s Early Career Award
USA Today interviews Biology Faculty, Erin Field, to understand what is eating the Titanic
Two biology faculty celebrate retirement by establishing an endowed scholarship for students
After many years of service to ECU, Drs. Carol Goodwillie and John Stiller, both faculty in the Department of Biology, began their retirement at end of summer 2024. Both Drs....
Dr. Rachel Gittman named as a recipient of the 2024 Dean’s Early Career Award
Dr. Rachel Gittman has named been named as a recipient of the prestigious 2024 Dean’s Early Career Awardby the dean of East Carolina University’s Thomas Harriot College of Arts and...
Seminars Fall 2024
The Department of Biology will hold online or in-person seminars during Fall 2024 semester. Seminars start at 4:00 pm unless otherwise stated. All in-person seminars are located in Life Sciences...
Dr. Anne Bunnell selected as a recipient of the Board of Governor’s Distinguished Professor of Teaching Award
The Department of Biology is very proud to share the news that Dr. Anne Bunnell, Teaching Assistant Professor, was selected to be a recipient of the Board of Governor’s Distinguished...
Xiaoping Pan, Biology Professor, Presented with Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Activity
The Department of Biology is so incredibly proud of Dr. Xiaoping Pan who was recently awarded ECU’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Activity. Dr. Pan’s work...
Congratulations to the 2024 Robert H. Wright Award Recipients
ECU’s Alumni Association recently announced the five recipients for the Robert H. Award. This distinguished honor is bestowed upon undergraduate seniors at ECU, recognizing their exceptional academic achievements, dedication to...
Heartfelt Thank You to Pirate Nation
Dear Supporters of the Department of Biology, We are overwhelmed with gratitude as we reflect on the generosity and support shown by our Pirate Nation community during the recent Pirate...
Pirate Nation Gives
Today we celebrate Pirate Nation Gives! Support ECU’s Department of Biology during our annual “Pirate Nation Gives” fundraising event today on March 20, 2024. Pirate Nation Gives is a 24-hour...
ECU’s BS Biochemistry program awarded with ASBMB Accreditation
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) recently reviewed and approved a request for the accreditation of ECU’s BS in Biochemistry degree. ASBMB has accredited more than 100...
Seminars Spring 2024
The Department of Biology will hold online or hybrid (in person and online) seminars during Spring 2024 semester. Please contact Dr. Xiaoping Pan, Seminar Committee chair, for details.
Two ECU Undergraduates receive travel award from the Genetics Society of America
Two Harriot College undergraduates, Ms. Lindsay Swain (B.S. Biology, B.S. Public Health December 2023) and Mr. William “Gage” Outlaw (B.S. Biology, anticipated May 2024) recently received the Victoria Finnerty Award...
Biology faculty published book on the natural history of Earth’s ancient lakes
Dr. Jeff McKinnon (Biology) recently published a book entitled Our Ancient Lakes: A Natural History with MIT Press. This is a wonderful book that relays the interesting natural history of...
Biology faculty co-edits book on the “Parasites of Biological Invasions”
Dr. April MH Blakeslee (Biology) recently co-edited a scientific book entitled “Parasites and Biological Invasions” (CABI press, 2023), which was authored by leading researchers in the field. Compiling information on...
Research In Progress (RIP) Seminar Series – Fall 2023
Our RIP series is designed to give up-and-coming biologists a chance to practice their presentation skills in a formal, but friendly environment. RIP speakers consist of both invited speakers and...
Seminars Fall 2023
The Department of Biology will hold online or in-person seminars during Fall 2023 semester. All in-person seminars are located in Life Sciences and Biotechnology 1006. Links for online-only seminars will...
Biology faculty wins Dean’s Early Career Award
Dr. Heather Vance-Chalcraft, Assistant Professor of Biology, was announced as the recipient of the 2023 Dean’s Early Career Award from the Thomas Harriot College of Art and Sciences. The award...
Zhu elected Fellow for contributions to research in endocrinology
Congratulations to Dr. Yong Zhu who was elected as a Fellow of the North American Society for Comparative Endocrinology at their recent biennial meeting held in Queretaro, Mexico. The award,...
Watts warns about the invasive spotted lanternfly
Dr. Mirian Watts (Biology) contributed information for two news articles and an interview with NPR-WUNC about growing concerns associated with the invasive spotted lanternfly. To learn more about this invasion...
Two Biology faculty participate in international conferences on changing ocean environments
Ocean environments are dynamic places where species can move to locations where they have not historically existed and experience a variety of physical changes due to climate change. Drs. April...
Former ECU faculty member makes science fun for all generations
Thanks to the support of individuals like Dr. John and Nancy Bray, the Department of Biology has been able to support several efforts to improve public awareness about biodiversity and...
Four biology faculty receive awards at ECU’s 2023 Teaching Awards Ceremony
Congratulations to Drs. Elizabeth Ables, Anne Bunnell, Sue McRae and Heather Vance-Chalcraft for being recognized for their outstanding efforts in teaching. Dr. Ables received The Board of Governor’s Award for...
Two biology faculty recognized at ECU’s 2023 Research and Scholarship Awards Ceremony
Congratulations to Drs. Rachel Gittman and Dr. Jean-Luc Scemama for being recognized at this year’s ceremony. Dr. Gittman received ECU’s Scholarship of Engagement Award because of her outstanding ability to...
Congratulations to Carter Stancil on being awarded prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowship!
Congratulations to Carter Stancil who was recently notified that she has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). Stancil is a first-year...
Biology congratulates students who participated in the 2023 White Coat Ceremony at ECU’s School of Dental Medicine
ECU’s second-year dental students participated in a ceremony on Jan. 2023 where they received their white coat and made a pledge to their future patients as they begin their care...
Seminars Spring 2023
The Department of Biology will hold online or hybrid (in person and online) seminars during Spring 2023 semester. Please contact Dr. Xiaoping Pan, Seminar Committee chair, for details.
Privette meeting room a venue for exchanging ideas, positive interactions
Dr. Doug Privette’s sustaining support of the biology department was honored on December 9 2022 by the naming of the Dr. and Mrs. Douglas C. Privette Meeting Room in ECU’s...
Two alumni from ECU’s Department of Biology awarded ECU’s most prestigious medical scholarship
Congratulations to David Murray and Valentine Okafor for their selection into the Class of 2026 ECU Brody Scholars. The Brody Scholarship is ECU’s most prestigious medical scholarships and includes four...
Rebecca Asch and Ph.D. student Brian Bartlett awarded funding to investigate the impact of climate change on National Marine Sanctuary system.
Assistant Professor Rebecca Asch and Ph.D. student Brian Bartlett were one of seven teams across the nation awarded funding by the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Climate Program Office...
Biology faculty work to improve opportunities for underrepresented populations in STEM disciplines
Recent efforts by biology faculty and their collaborators has resulted in the securing of two external awards that will help us to improve opportunities for underrepresented populations in STEM disciplines....
John Stiller named distinguished professor
Dr. John Stiller, Professor of Biology, is the 23rd East Carolina University Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences distinguished professor. Dr. Stiller was recognized for important scholarly contributions to...
Rebecca Asch selected as National Academy of Sciences Kavli Fellow
Dr. Rebecca Asch, Assistant Professor of Biology, joins the prestigious group of early career scholars who represent future leaders in their fields. Dr. Asch will participate in the National Academy...
Biology Seminar Schedule - Fall 2022
The Department of Biology will hold online or hybrid (in person and online) seminars during Fall 2022 semester. Please contact Dr. Xiaoping Pan, Seminar Committee chair, for details.
Research In Progress (RIP) Seminar Series – Fall 2022
Our RIP series is designed to give up-and-coming biologists a chance to practice their presentation skills in a formal, but friendly environment. RIP speakers consist of both invited speakers and...
Biology pilots graduate pathways summer program
Dr. Ariane Peralta, Associate Professor of Biology, and biology graduate (Daniya Stephens, Colin Finlay) and undergraduate (Kai Davis, Scott Siebor) researchers host Fayetteville State University collaborators. Dr. Danielle Graham, Assistant...
Biology’s Nick Duncan receives staff excellence award
Nick Duncan (center in picture), our department’s lead administrative associate, was honored this week with the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences (THCAS) Junior Staff Excellence Award for the...
MS student Carol Gause receives grant to study rare bird
Congratulations to Carol Gause who received a grant from the Carolina Bird Club and the Frances Peacock Scholarship for Native Bird Habitat from the Garden Club of America. Carol will use these funds...
Doctoral student elected to advisory council for major professional society
Congratulations to Robert Driver (IDPBBC student in Biology) who was recently elected as Chair of the Graduate Student Advisory Council for the Society for the Study of Evolution. The Society...
Biologist will receive ECU’s Five-Year Achievement Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Activity
Research In Progress (RIP) Seminar Series – Spring 2022
Our RIP series is designed to give up-and-coming biologists a chance to practice their presentation skills in a formal, but friendly environment. RIP speakers consist of both invited speakers and...
Congratulations to the Class of Fall 2021
In the last few years, we have had the opportunity to get to know these amazing students. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented us from celebrating in person with this outstanding...
Donation in memory of Biology Professor Jim Smith
Donation in memory of Biology Professor Jim Smith secures equipment to support training in biotechnology The Department of Biology has recently acquired a nanodrop spectrophotometer due to the generosity...
ECU biologist receives NSF funding to investigate responses of marine fishes to climate change.
Congratulations to Dr. Rebecca Asch who recently received funding from the National Science Foundation. Dr. Asch and her colleagues intend to utilize six multi-decadal fisheries data sets to investigate the...
ECU biologists study zombies on the coast
Dr. April Blakeslee and her colleagues are studying how a parasitic barnacle that is invading NC’s coastal waters are turning native mud crabs into “zombie crabs”. You can read more...
Biology Seminar Schedule - Fall 2021
Given the uncertainties surrounding the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Biology will hold virtual seminars during Fall 2020 semester. Please contact the Dr. Xiaoping Pan, Seminar Committee chair, for...
Research In Progress (RIP) Seminar Series – Fall 2021
Our RIP series is designed to give up-and-coming biologists a chance to practice their presentation skills in a formal, but friendly environment. RIP speakers consist of both invited speakers and...
Congratulations to the Class of Spring 2021
In the last few years, we have had the opportunity to get to know these amazing students. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented us from celebrating in person with this outstanding...
Biology Seminar Schedule - Spring 2021
Given the uncertainties surrounding the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Biology will hold virtual seminars during Spring 2021 semester. Please contact Dr. Xiaoping Pan, Seminar Committee chair, for details.
Research In Progress (RIP) Seminar Series – Spring 2021
Our RIP series is designed to give up-and-coming biologists a chance to practice their presentation skills in a formal, but friendly environment. RIP speakers consist of both invited speakers and...
Outstanding Seniors Fall 2020
The Department of Biology is proud to announce its Outstanding Seniors for the Class of Fall 2020.
Class of Fall 2020
Congratulations to our students on completing the requirements for a degree from the Department of Biology at East Carolina University! COVID-19 certainly turned our past two semesters upside down and...
Farewell Address to the Class of Fall 2020
Congratulations to the Class of Fall 2020! Our faculty would like to extend their congratulations to each one of you.
Research In Progress (RIP) Seminar Series – Fall 2020
Our RIP series is designed to give up-and-coming biologists a chance to practice their presentation skills in a formal, but friendly environment. RIP speakers consist of both invited speakers and...
Biology Seminar Schedule - Fall 2020
Given the uncertainties surrounding the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Biology will hold virtual seminars during Fall 2020 semester. Please contact the Dr. Michael McCoy, Seminar Committee chair, for...
Congratulations to the Class of 2020!
Over the last few years we have had the opportunity to get to know these amazing students. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented us from celebrating their success in person. In spite of this, we recognize their accomplishments obtained while at East Carolina University, and congratulate them on their achievement!...
Congrats to the Seniors earning Honors in Biology and Biochemistry!
Congratulations to these hard working seniors graduating in the majors of Biology and Biochemistry for completing an undergraduate research thesis!...
Congratulations to Pranaya Pakala on receiving The Robert H. Wright Leadership Award!
Congrats to our Robert H. Wright Leadership Award recipient, graduating senior Pranaya Pakala! The Robert H. Wright Leadership Award recognizes academic achievement, service (both to the university and the community), and leadership qualities (both potential and exhibited) of undergraduate seniors, and is awarded annually by the ECU Alumni Association....
Congrats to four outstanding Class of 2020 Seniors!
Congratulations to these four outstanding seniors graduating in the majors of Biology and Biochemistry....
Congrats to the Class of 2020!
Congratulations to all of those students graduating with a degree from the Department of Biology. Completing a college degree at any level is challenging enough and the transition to online instruction and virtual meetings during this past semester brought new challenges to everyone - which y'all overcame! Well done!!...
Biology graduate Mallory Miles and her husband, Felipe de Araujo win the 3rd annual Pirate Challenge
The final round of the 2019-20 Prirate Entrepreneurship Challenge concluded Wednesday night with FishingLicense.us taking first place. FishingLicense.us is the team of ECU biology major Mallory Miles and her software developer husband, Felipe de Araujo. The online company streamlines the process of registering for a fishing license with the goal of making outdoor recreation more accessible to everyone....
Biology celebrated Darwin Day on February 12
Darwin Day 2020 proved to be a celebration of science and curiosity! A well attended event with Darwin related talks and trivia. Thanks to the organizers and all who attended.
Research In Progress (RIP) Seminar Series - Spring 2020
Our RIP series is designed to give up-and-coming biologists a chance to practice their presentation skills in a formal, but friendly environment. RIP speakers consist of both invited speakers and...
Biology Seminar Schedule - Spring 2020
Doctoral student Chris Moore wins two awards to fund his research!
As part of his dissertation, Moore is testing whether parasites can be used as indicators for the presence of their hosts in different shoreline environments (natural and artificial). However, many...
Chris Balakrishnan Chris Balakrishnan and graduate student Robert Driver explore how the cowbird learns to identify its own kind
Chris Balakrishnan and Robert Driver are contributing authors of a study exploring how the cowbird learns to identify its own kind, despite being raised by a different species. Former ECU postdoctoral scholar Matthew Louder was lead author....
Biology Fisheries Team Receives Large Grant to Explore Spawning of Southern Flounder
A team of ECU Fisheries Researchers, headed by Dr. Rebecca Asch, have been awarded $483,952 over two years to identify offshore migratory corridors and spawning habitat of southern flounder. The funding is provided by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries....
Biology Seminar Schedule - Fall 2019
Refreshments will be served beginning at 3:30 PM.
Dr. Rebecca Asch Receives Prestigious 2018 Sloan Research Fellowship
Rebecca Asch received a prestigious fellowship, as she was one of 126 recipients (one of eight for Ocean Sciences) of the 2018 Sloan Research Fellowship, recognizing her as one of the top early-career researchers in the United States and Canada....
Katie Clements Receives the Marine Biological Laboratory Training Fellowship Award in Neurobiology
Katie Clements from the Issa lab is among only 10 students nationally to be accepted into the Marine Biological Laboratory neurobiology course. Acceptance is highly competitive and is accompanied with the prestigious $8,000 MBLfellowship Award. The course will provide Katie with advanced training in cutting-edge neuroscience techniques....
Biology Faculty Members Awarded Grant to Study Blueback Herring Spawning Populations Using eDNA
Drs. Brewer, Field and Rulifson were awarded a grant from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and NOAA Fisheries to further ground-truth a new way to survey blueback herring using Environmental DNA (eDNA)....
Article on climate change, biodiversity and fisheries co-authored by Rebecca Asch highlighted in Newsweek
Rebecca Asch is lead author of an article published in Marine Policy, and highlighted in several news sites, including Newsweek. The article reports on how changes in physical parameters in the Pacific Ocean alters niche availability for commercially important fish and invertebrate species, resulting in migration to more suitable habitats or decreased abundance of these species....
Stephen Orr Biology Student wins the People’s Choice Award, and Biology Retains the Departmental Championship Title in 2017 Three Minute Thesis Competition
Congratulations to Steven Orr, a graduate student in Dr. Issa's lab, winner of the People's Choice award, and to all presenting at the 2017 Three Minute Thesis Competition. Thanks to their efforts (and their mentors), Biology was able to retain the Departmental Championship Title!...
Biology Alumnus in the Spotlight
BRUCE PANNETON (BS Biology ’96, MS Biology ’02 with Professor Hal J. Daniel, III) is now Dean of Health Sciences and Public Safety at Edgecombe Community College, NC. Bruce is former chair of the Science Department at ECC and received the ECC Keihin Endowed Faculty Chair in 2009 which rewards excellence in teaching....
Heather Vance-Chalcraft and Claudia Jolls Collaborate on Grant Supporting Science Teacher-Training
Heather Vance-Chalcraft and Claudia Jolls will be collaborating on a National Science Foundation Noyce Grant, which will provide 30 scholarships for ECU students to earn science or mathematics teaching licensure and a master's degree....
Biology Alumnus Dr. Robert Twilley Honored by Environmental Law Institute
Biology Alumnus (BS ‘76 and MS ’79); Dr. Robert Twilley has been honored by Environmental Law Institute as the recipient of the 2017 National Wetlands Award for Science Research. Dr. Mark Brinson received the same award in 1995, so ECU Biology can claim TWO recipients of this prestigious award!...
Elizabeth Ables Wins 2017 5th Annual ECU Distinguished Graduate Faculty Mentor Award
Congratulations to Elizabeth Ables who was selected by a committee of faculty and graduate students as the winner of the 5th Annual ECU Distinguished Graduate Faculty Mentor Award, Master’s Category....
Dr. Joe Luczkovich Elected as President-Elect of the Atlantic Estuarine Research Society
Joe Luczkovich was recently elected as the President-Elect of the Atlantic Estuarine Research Society (AERS), the oldest scientific society dedicated to the study of estuaries in the world -founded in 1948. Joe will serve one year as President-Elect, two years as President and two more years as Past-President. Congratulations!...
A team of researchers, including Dr. Bob Christian, has found which parts of the Gulf Coast food web were most vulnerable to Deepwater Horizon contaminants
Dr. Bob Christian is co-author of a recently published article presenting an approach for predicting the role of individual taxa in the response of food webs to perturbations, and using this framework to quantify the relative trophic importance and oil sensitivity of salt marsh organisms to the 2010 Deepwater Horizonspill....
Beth Thompson Recognized as a 2016-2017 ECU Scholar-Teacher
Congratulations to Beth Thompson who was recognized with an ECU 2016-2017 Scholar-Teacher Award. The Award Ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 20 2017 from 5:00-6:30 pm in the Murphy Center....
Ariane Peralta Selected for the 2017 ECU Coastal Maritime Council Coastal Scholar Award
Congratulations to Dr. Ariane Peralta who was nominated and selected to be this year's awardee for the 2017 Coastal Maritime Council Coastal Scholar Award, based on her demonstrated intellectual merit and broader impacts as a coastal scholar during her time at ECU....
Kyle Summers Wins 2017 East Carolina University Lifetime Research/Creative Activity Award
Congratulations to Kyle Summers, who was recently honored with a 2017 East Carolina University Lifetime Research/Creative Activity Award....
Newly Published Manuscript Co-authored by Rebecca Asch Examines the Relationship Between Phytoplankton Productivity and Fisheries
Rebecca Asch is co-author of a manuscript recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that examines the relationship between phytoplankton productivity and fisheries catch on a global scale, and makes projections of the future impacts of climate change on fisheries catch potential....
Molly Albecker and Dr. Mike McCoy Receive NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant
Congratulations to Molly Albecker on receiving a competitive NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant in the Directorate for Biological Sciences! Her award is titled "DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Mechanisms of adaptation to saltwater by an amphibian." Molly is a PhD candidate in the lab of Dr. Michael McCoy in the Biology department....
Apex Predators: Research Pinpoints Predators’ Impact on Ecosystems
Biology’s Ginger Grimes Wins Campus-Wide First Mate Award!
Bond that will Fund New ECU Life Sciences Building Passes!
Biology Faculty Member Carol Goodwillie to Give Commencement Address
Award winning biology professor, Dr. Carol Goodwillie, to speak at ECU fall commencement....
Biology Undergraduate Researchers Highlighted
Two Biology undergraduates and their research opportunities and experiences were featured in an ECU News Services article....
Dr. Chris Balakrishnan Coauthors Paper Published in Science
The November 2015 issue of Science includes a research article coauthored by Dr. Chris Balakrishnan. The article investigates recombination hotspots in species lacking the PRDM9 gene....
Paper Coauthored by ECU Biology’s Sue McRae Gets Extensive Press Coverage, Including Washington Post
A paper in Nature Genetics coauthored by Biology's Dr. Sue McRae (published online 16 November 2015) detailing the role of a supergene in determining highly divergent male reproductive morphs in the ruff has generated significant interest in the popular press, including the Washington Post....
Biology Graduate Students Participate in the 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition
Four graduate students, MS students Gina Bledsoe (Dr. Peralta), Tori Goerig (Dr. Ardon), Tom Miller (Dr. Issa) and PhD student Suelen Tuillo (Dr. Chalcraft), presented their research at the 2015 ECU 3 MT Thesis completion. Tom and Suelen were selected as finalists in the competition and Tom won the People's Choice Award, one of the two top prizes at the 3MT competition....
Jolls Lab Endangered Plant Research Highlighted
Jolls lab research on the effect of invasive plants and weevils on the endangered Pitcher's Thistle receives coverage in "Great Lakes Echo."...
ECU Biology Advancement Council tours Tar River with Dean Bill Downs and Distinguished Prof. Roger Rulifson
ECU Biology Advancement Council tours Tar River with Dean Bill Downs and Distinguished Prof. Roger Rulifson, after record year of fundraising....
Graduate students share research on social media
Biology students Molly Albecker, Daniel Newhouse and numerous others are among a new generation of researchers - graduate students and early career professors - who are embracing social media, blogs...
Biology Homecoming Nerd Nite Oct. 16 with Dr.’s Ariane Peralta, Seth Barribeau
Alums and friends of Biology join us for drinks, snacks, Oct. 16, 5-7pm in Howell N102 with Ariane Peralta: If you build it, will 'they' come?: Restoring ecosystems, many microbes...
New Paper by Incoming PhD Student on Mosquitofish Genital Evolution Gets Extensive Online Coverage
Chris Anderson, an incoming Ph.D. student joining Dr. Jeff McKinnon's lab, has received extensive online coverage for a new paper published in Evolution (Early View, August 26 2015) on the origins of female genital diversity....