University of Iowa Department of Biology
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University of Iowa Department of Biology
@uiowabiology.bsky.social
The University of Iowa Department of Biology is devoted to providing students with an education that prepares them for a multitude of careers that depend on a solid understanding of biology. Students will gain valuable experience through our programs.
Kieran Coffey (Mentor: Steven Green, PhD), a Master's candidate in the iBio Graduate Program, will be defending his thesis on Monday, Nov 24 at 1:30pm in Rm 106, Biology Building East & via Zoom (email biology@uiowa.edu for the link if interested in attending virtually). Open to the public to attend
November 21, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Reposted by University of Iowa Department of Biology
Congrats Tate on presenting at the Fall Undergraduate Research Festival! The Rothenberg lab appreciates all your hard work!
November 21, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Julianna Koenig (Adviser: Dan Summers), a PhD candidate in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, will be defending her dissertation on Friday, November 21st, at 10:00am in Aud 3 in Bowen Science Building. Let’s show Julianna our support during this milestone in her academic journey! 👏
November 20, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Please join us in welcoming the faculty and staff that have joined our department this fall!
November 19, 2025 at 5:09 PM
It’s almost time for the annual Fall Undergraduate Research Festival (FURF)! Stop by the 2nd floor of the University Capitol Centre tomorrow (November 19th) from 3:30-6:00 PM to support all of the undergraduate students who will be presenting their research.
Program of Presenters - FURF/SURF
our.research.uiowa.edu
November 18, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The UI Department of Biology welcomed eight PhD and four MS candidates in our Integrated Biology (iBio) Graduate Program this fall! We cannot wait to see all they will achieve during their journey towards a graduate degree in Integrated Biology. 🖤💛
November 16, 2025 at 5:28 PM
On Monday, November 17th, our iBio Graduate Student Seminar speakers will be Yiwei Li (Smolikove Lab), Maisie Laughlin (Fassler Lab), and Dakota Thompson (Manak Lab). The seminars will begin at 3:30pm in Kollros Auditorium (BBE101). All are welcome to attend and support our incredible grad students!
November 14, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Our Fall 2025 Newsletter is now available! Visit biology.uiowa.edu/news/2025/11... to read about our new faculty and staff, exciting events, undergraduate/graduate program updates, and more.
Fall 2025 Newsletter Now Available
Check out the Department of Biology's Fall 2025 Newsletter!
biology.uiowa.edu
November 13, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Our seminar this week will be led by Marc Libault, PhD, a Professor in the Division of Plant Science and Technology at the University of Missouri. The seminar will begin at 3:30pm on Friday, November 14th, in Kollros Auditorium (BBE101). All are welcome to attend, and we hope to see you there!
November 12, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Assistant Professor of Instruction Brandon Waltz, PhD, was at the Sawmill Museum on November 1st for a book signing event! Dr. Waltz worked with undergrad Biology student Lilly Froehlich to publish the biology-oriented children’s book, “Water Bear Don’t Care!" Thank you to everyone who stopped by!
November 10, 2025 at 4:26 PM
On Monday, November 10, our iBio Graduate Student Seminar speakers will be Cole Kerns (Fassler Lab), Segun Oladapo (Logsdon Lab), & Brianna O’Donnell (Rothenberg Lab). The seminars will begin at 3:30pm in Kollros Auditorium (BBE101). All are welcome to attend & support our incredible grad students!
November 9, 2025 at 4:21 PM
The Forbes Lab is revealing the unknown ecological world of parasitic wasps, which have value to cataloging biological diversity and controlling insect pests in agriculture and forests.

To learn more about the team’s research, visit: stories.uiowa.edu/galls-thieve...
Galls, thieves, and parasites: Iowa biologists unspool wild world of oak-dwelling wasps
Iowa biologist Andrew Forbes’ lab, with a grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation, is revealing the unknown ecological world of parasitic wasps, which have value to cataloging biological diver...
stories.uiowa.edu
November 7, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The Department of Biology has cancelled the prior Assistant Professor of Genetics at the University of Iowa search and posted a new, revised search (#75790). The revised advertisement clarifies the type of applicant we are seeking.

For details and to apply, visit
jobs.uiowa.edu/faculty/view...
Faculty Requisition Details - Jobs@UIOWA: Search and Apply for Jobs at The University of Iowa
Jobs@UIOWA: The official place to search and apply for jobs at The University of Iowa.
jobs.uiowa.edu
November 5, 2025 at 4:47 PM
On Monday, November 3rd, our iBio Graduate Student Seminar speakers will be Emily O’Brien (HE Lab), Hubert Kicinski (HE Lab), and Lily McGettigan (Summers Lab). The first seminar will begin at 3:30pm in Kollros Auditorium (BBE101). All are welcome to attend and support our incredible grad students!
November 1, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Our seminar this week will be led by Nick Ader, PhD, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The seminar will begin at 3:30pm on Friday, October 31st, in Kollros Auditorium (BBE101). All are welcome to attend, & we hope to see you there!
October 29, 2025 at 5:15 PM
On Monday, October 27th, our two iBio Graduate Student Seminar speakers will be Varshu Saravanakumar (Neiman Lab) & Emily Hirsch (Phillips Lab). The first seminar will begin at 3:30pm in Kollros Auditorium (BBE101). All are welcome, & we hope to see you there supporting our incredible grad students!
October 26, 2025 at 9:56 PM
The UI Department of Biology invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position in genetics, beginning in the academic year 2026. Review of applicants will begin on November 1st, 2025. For more information about the position + to apply, please visit: jobs.uiowa.edu/faculty/view...
October 24, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Congratulations to undergraduate alumnus Eli Gregory (first author), Professor Dan Eberl, Research Scientist Mei-ling Joiner, and their collaborators from Nagoya University for their publication in eNeuro!

To learn more about the team’s research, visit: www.yalescientific.org/2025/09/love...
Love at First Buzz – Yale Scientific Magazine
www.yalescientific.org
October 23, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Join Assistant Professor of Instruction Brandon Waltz, PhD, at the Sawmill Museum in Clinton, IA on November 1st (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM) for a book signing event! Dr. Waltz worked with undergraduate student Lilly Froehlich to publish their biology-oriented children’s book, “Water Bear Don’t Care!"
October 22, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Lori Adams, Professor of Instruction in the Department of Biology and Director of the Iowa Sciences Academy, will continue her role as a Provost Faculty Fellow in 2025-2026. During this time, Dr. Adams will focus on expanding mentorship opportunities for faculty.

provost.uiowa.edu/news/2025/10...
Announcing the Provost Faculty Fellows leading strategic plan initiatives
The 2025-26 Provost Faculty Fellows will lead strategic initiatives focused on enhancing student learning, expanding mentorship opportunities, promoting faculty development, and advancing community-en...
provost.uiowa.edu
October 20, 2025 at 10:32 PM
On Monday, October 20th, our two iBio Graduate Student Seminar speakers will be Eric Anderson (Stipp Lab) & Romisa Ghaffari (Comeron Lab). The first seminar will begin at 3:30pm in Kollros Auditorium (BBE101). All are welcome, and we hope to see you there supporting our incredible graduate students!
October 19, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Our seminar this week will be led by one of our department's very own: Assistant Professor Dan Summers, PhD! The seminar will begin at 3:30pm on Friday, October 17th, in Kollros Auditorium (Biology Building East, Room 101).

All are welcome to attend, and we hope to see you there!
October 15, 2025 at 12:54 PM
On Monday, October 13th, our two iBio Graduate Student Seminar speakers will be Daniela Santos Da Mata (Phillips Lab) & Clare Mulcahy (Neiman Lab). The first seminar will begin at 3:30pm in Kollros Auditorium (BBE101). All are welcome, and we hope to see you there supporting our incredible students!
October 10, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Our seminar this week will be led by Melissa Toups, PhD, an Assistant Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The seminar will begin at 3:30pm on October 10th in Kollros Auditorium (BBE101).

All are welcome to attend, and we hope to see you there!
October 8, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Congratulations to Phillips Lab alumna Maria F. Valdes Michel, PhD, and Professor Bryan Phillips, PhD, on their publication in Molecular Biology of the Cell!

Full Article: www.molbiolcell.org/doi/full/10....
SYS-1/beta-catenin inheritance and regulation by Wnt signaling during asymmetric cell division | Molecular Biology of the Cell
Asymmetric cell division (ACD) allows daughter cells of a polarized mother to acquire different developmental fates. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the Wnt/β-catenin Asymmetry (WβA) pathway regulates many...
www.molbiolcell.org
October 6, 2025 at 4:51 PM