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College of Sciences
Department of Biological Sciences

Beyond Basic Biology

Our department redefines multidisciplinary when it comes to our educational and research opportunities. Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Paleontology, and Toxicology encompass only a few of the exciting areas in which our faculty and students are impacting global scientific challenges.

Drosophila auditory cells

Dr. Christa Baker Awarded $1.5 million NSF Grant

Dr. Christa Baker, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, was recently awarded a 5-year, $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to investigate how brains recognize sounds. This award will advance STEM workforce training and educator development by training 5 undergraduate students, a PhD student, a postdoctoral researcher, and 6 high school teachers in the latest neuroscience research techniques.

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Dr. Lindsay Zanno Receives the 2026 North Carolina Award

On November 17, 2026 at the Lenovo Center Governor Josh Stein will present the state’s highest civilian honor, 2026 North Carolina Award, to Dr. Lindsay Zanno for her world-renowned paleontology research program and public outreach.

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One Biology Seminar Series
Carl T. Bergstrom

Professor
Department of Biology
University of Washington

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Topic: The impediments to high-risk, high-return research
Talley Student Union, BR-Currituck-Hatteras Ballroom

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Topic: Information foraging in a digital world
Hunt Library, Room 4106

Dr. Carl T. Bergstrom

RECENT BIOLOGICAL Sciences award winners

Image of Michaela Gazdik Stofer

Dr. Michaela Gazdik Stofer Wins 2026 Outstanding Research Mentor Award

The Outstanding Research Mentor Award is given to one NCSU faculty mentor per year across the entire university. This award is driven by undergraduate student nominations and highlights mentors that serve as a guide, create opportunities, encourage communication, support student belonging, and offer academic/career advice.

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Emily Philips win the Yusor Abu-Salha Senior Award for Outstanding Community Engagement

Emily Phillips Wins 2026 Yusor Abu-Salha Senior Award for Outstanding Community Engagement

Biological Sciences graduating senior won the Yusor Abu-Salha Senior Award for Outstanding Community Engagement at the 2026 COS Senior Recognition Event.

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Stefanie Chen and Melissa Srougi receive NCSU Outstanding Teacher Awards

Dr. Stefanie Chen Wins 2026 University Outstanding Teaching Award

Biological Sciences teaching faculty Dr. Stefanie Chen received the 2026 University Outstanding Teaching Award, which recognizes teaching excellence from across the university.

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Enriching the Student Experience Beyond the Classroom and Campus

Because so much critical learning occurs outside of the classroom, we have partnerships with communities and institutions across the state and are expanding our study abroad offerings to provide exciting opportunities for exploration, research, and engagement. The Biological Sciences study abroad program included 116 NC State students and partnerships with seven countries in Summer 2025 and 2026.

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Microbiology students and instructors for summer study abroad in Prague

Plagues, History, and Public Health in Prague

This summer study abroad program is based on MB 200: The Fourth Horseman: Plagues that Changed the World. Students will learn about the role of plague doctors, tour the Jewish quarter, examine life under medieval quarantine, and analyze plague art and architecture. Visits include Prague Castle, plague columns in the city, the National Museum, and the Terezin Memorial. Applications for Summer 2027 open on October 1, 2026.

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NEWS from 2026

Photos of 11 Biological Sciences professors promoted in 2026

2026 Biological Sciences Promotions

Promotion and tenure mark major milestones in the academic lives of NC State faculty. Promoted faculty have met rigorous standards in their realms of responsibility, and tenured faculty have made a significant impact in their discipline.

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Dr. Grant's son speaks at Biological Sciences commencement

Dr. William “Bill” Grant’s Family Speaks at Spring 2026 Graduation

On May 8, 2026 the Department of Biological Sciences celebrated the graduation of 480 undergraduate majors, 274 undergraduate minors, and 9 graduate students. Closing remarks were delivered by Dr. John Meitzen and Paul Grant, who presented a donation to the William C. Grant Scholarship in honor of his late father.

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Jonah Peckham presenting a scientific poster

2026 National Association for Interpretation Conference Recipient

Congratulations to Jonah Peckham, one of our Master’s students in Integrative Biology, on receiving a full scholarship to attend this year’s National Association for Interpretation conference. Jonah will present his research on zoo programming designed to foster empathy and strengthen conservation values among visitors.

Freha Legoas

The Humanities Hire That Helps STEM Students

Freha Legoas, graduate services coordinator for the Department of Biological Sciences, found her career helping STEM students and problem-solving in academic administration.

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Dr. Marian "Betty" Gardner

Biological Sciences Teaching Professor Dr. Marian Gardner to Retire

Dr. Marian B. Gardner (“Betty”) is retiring on July 1, 2026 after 37 years of exemplary teaching, scholarly activity, and service at NC State University. She has earned the title of Emeritus Professor of Teaching at NC State University. We are highly appreciative of her contributions and wish her well in the next stage of her life.

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Dr. Natalia Duque-Wilckens: A Remembrance

The NC State University community and the global scientific world mourn the devastating loss of Natalia Duque-Wilckens. The Department of Biological Sciences hosted a memorial symposium on May 1, 2026 with speakers from her past including her fiancé Trevor Huffman.

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BioSci and NC State – a national hub for Environmental Health Sciences research

We are one of very few institutions to support several major Centers funded by the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to improve understanding about chemical exposures in the environment, their health impacts, and prevention.

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BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES BLOG

plastic dino toys

October 06, 2026

Dinos Bellied Up to the Cretaceous Seaweed Bar

Dinos might have been beachcombers that dined on washed-up seafood, a new study has found.
water drips from faucet

September 08, 2026

GenX Exposure Study Receives Funding to Look at Effects of PFAS on Metabolic, Long-Term Health

The GenX Exposure study has received funding to continue studying the health effects of long-term exposure to PFAS and PFEAs.
From left to right: Kenzie Cromer, Louise Winter, Rebecca Veronika Olson, and Blair Blakeney.

April 23, 2026

Four Biological Sciences Students Awarded NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

The Department of Biological Sciences had four affiliated students offered a Graduate Research Fellowship on behalf of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF announced recipients of the 2026…
Brain Night 2026

April 08, 2026

Brain Night 2026 Has Most Successful Year Yet

At the end of March, the Department of Biological Sciences had the opportunity to be part of the largest Brain Night yet. The event has been around for over a…
Undergraduate research assistant and NC State student Leah Edwards holds an animal skeleton during the Hartstone-Rose Research Lab's visit to the American Museum of Natural History.

March 05, 2026

How High-Impact Experiences Are Setting Biological Sciences Students Up for Post-Grad Success

In January, Professor of Biological Sciences Adam Hartstone-Rose took a team of 13 students to the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City to collect data for…

February 19, 2026

GGA and the Interdisciplinary Approach

The Genetics and Genomics Academy (GGA) continues to be a leader in interdisciplinary programming, especially through its undergraduate course offerings that allows any NC State major to explore the world…

Current and prospective students: