Posted: Friday, March 31, 2017 11:07 pm Biology lecture at BGSU By Sentinel-Tribune Staff Sentinel-Tribune Dr. Scott Gilbert, professor of biology at Swarthmore College, will discuss his research about ecological developmental biology for the 2017 Jean Pasakarnis-Buchanan Lecture on campus Tuesday. Ecological developmental biology brings together aspects of embryology, medical physiology, ecology and evolution. Gilbert will present Eco-Evo-Devo: The Synthesis of Epigenetics, Medicine and Evolution at 7 p.m. in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union Theater (Room 206). Gilbert, who is the Howard A. Schneiderman Professor of Biology, is known for his work in developmental genetics, embryology, and the history and critiques of biology. During his public presentation, he will discuss his research, which includes the origin of evolutionary novelties, history of biology and its social functions. The lecture is free and open to the public. Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. Please click the button below to manage your account. kAmv:=36CE H:== 2=D@ AC6D6?E w@H E96 %FCE=6 v@E xED $96==[ 2 D4:6?E:7:4 =64EFC6[ @? (65?6D52J 😕 ``a {:76 $4:6?46D qF:=5:?8] sFC:?8 E96 27E6C?@@? AC6D6?E2E:@?[ v:=36CE H:== 5:D4FDD 56G6=@A>6?E2= 6G:56?46 7@C EFCE=6D 42C2A246 7@C>2E:@? 5FC:?8 >@CA9@86?6D:D[ 2?DH6C:?8 2 =@?8DE2?5:?8 BF6DE:@? 23@FE E96 @C:8:? @7 EFCE=6D D96==D]k^Am kAmqv$&D 2??F2= … Continue reading →

Human beings are familiar with the idea of extreme events. Meteorologists keep us up to date on hurricanes, floods and high temperatures. Economists watch the stock market for signs of crashes or rallies. We spend a lot of time trying to better predict these events, yet are often surprised when they occur. But, says a new study in the journal Limnology & Oceanography Letters, when it comes to biology's extremes, it's not enough to just expect the unexpected. We need to be ready for the unprecedented as well. More than three decades of data on the physical, chemical and biological variables in 11 Midwestern lakes show that while lake temperatures and nutrient concentrations rise within relatively expected ranges, biological organisms achieve high population extremes. The findings challenge preconceptions about what a "normal" distribution of averages and extremes looks like. "There hasn't been much attention given to extreme fluctuations in biological time series," says lead author of the paper, Ryan Batt, who conducted the study as a graduate student at the UW-Madison's Center for Limnology. "We tend to think of these things that cause a huge distress on human populations, like natural disasters or financial collapses. I wanted to know how … Continue reading →

Topics: College of Sciences and Humanities, Honors College March 31, 2017 Photo by Don Rogers Senior Ellen Wagner, Ball States third student to receive a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, has spent time studying Candida albicans, a pathogenic yeast. Wagner said research in the lab is calming and relaxing work. I enjoy trying to answer questions about the bacteria. Its like a puzzle Im trying to solve. The same curiosity that fuels her research in the biology labs at Ball State led senior Ellen Wagner to apply for a 2017 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship. This month she became one of only 2,000 STEM students nationwideand the third student in Ball State historyto receive the prestigious award, which provides her with a three-year, annual award of $46,000 for tuition, fees, and living expenses, along with professional development and international research opportunities. Getting this fellowship is huge, said Wagner, an Honors College student whose biology major is concentrated in microbiology and genetics. The NSF funds so much national research and I know it has the potential to open a lot of doors for me. Photo by Don Rogers One of Wagners mentors has been her professor Doug Bernstein. … Continue reading →