Mar 23, 2023
Anika Jane Beamer ’22, science writing fellow, sets out to get to know the turkey vultures that call Grinnell College home.
Biology News
Feb 10, 2023
Shannon Hinsa-Leasure, professor of biology, on the evolution of science academia, motherhood, and her role as a mentor to scientists of all ages and stages.
Jan 19, 2023
Anika Jane Beamer ’22 embarks on an investigation to answer her own steaming questions and to demystify manure, its origins, and most especially: its smell.
Jan 18, 2023
During her research sabbatical, Charvann Bailey joined forces with Doug Spitz ’78 at the University of Iowa. Together, the two biologists are uncovering a molecule to treat aggressive lung cancer.
Dec 13, 2022
Elizabeth (Liz) Queathem’s short bio on the Grinnell website lists her as a lecturer in biology and American studies. While true, this is a ridiculously modest assessment of her responsibilities, talents, and interests
Nov 28, 2022
A Grinnell graduate and biochemist solves the structure of elusive proteins while re-imagining the culture of scientific research.
Nov 3, 2022
The meeting gathered researchers from institutions across Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin for two days of lectures, research presentations, and fellowship.
Oct 28, 2022
Weeks after they concluded their summer science MAPs, we met up with five students to ask them about their research, the process of scientific inquiry, and what the MAP experience has taught them.
Sep 27, 2022
On the thirtieth anniversary of the Grinnell Science Project, the Student Assistants of GSP reflect on community, confidence, and becoming ambassadors to their peers.
Sep 26, 2022
After 29 years teaching in the Grinnell biology department, Professor Leslie Gregg-Jolly is preparing to enter senior faculty status. She’s worn many hats in her time at Grinnell, not only teaching and mentoring but serving as the College’s chief diversity officer, associate dean of the College, and as chair of the Departments of Biology and Biological Chemistry.
Biology Stories
Where the sciences are headed with research is exactly what’s embedded into classes at Grinnell. It starts from the very beginning with Intro to Biology, and continues as two or three authentic research projects for every class after that.
Vince Eckhart, Waldo S. Walker Professor of Biology
It’s a physician’s role to look beyond the analytics and think ‘What does this feel like to the patient and family? What does a longer wait time mean for future care?’
My work allows me to better see the connection between the research realm and the more human part of the world. In my current position, I am able to work towards making science more relevant for policy and decision making, and I find those goals to be a lot more tangible.
I really appreciate that I went to school in a time when I learned to relate to the patient, professionally, socially, and personally.
Conservation work needs individuals who can foster a mindset of interconnectedness.
Our social environment affects how we study other organisms. We often use the animal world as justification or examples for how humans should be, which is dangerous.
The best work that we can do for the environment, for nature and wildlife, and for each other, is get involved with the local communities because that is where the impact of our work can be seen.
If you have taken a class with Professor Lafontant, you may have picked up on a sense of what he calls wonderment. Wonderment is a word that reflects his belief that the whole world of science is fascinating.
The experience of learning how to think scientifically can help develop a person's critical thinking skills. Scientific inquiry helps people differentiate between things that are real and things that are not real.
You never know where your life is going to take you. So be open to possibilities that might open up.
What is One Health? It’s “recognizing the interconnected relationships between human, animal, and environmental health and working together across those disciplines and sectors," says Griffith.