News from the Department of Biology
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Faculty Member Receives Fullbright Award |
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 In support of her upcoming sabbatical, Dr. Maureen Knabb has been awarded a prestigious and highly competitive Fullbright Grant. The Fulbright grant will allow Dr. Knabb to perform basic research in cardiovascular physiology in collaboration with Dr. Rafael Rubio, Professor in the Department of Molecular and Integrative Biomedicine, Universidad Autónoma of San Luis Potosi (UASLP), San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
These collaborative efforts will allow her to apply her expertise in adhesion proteins to mechanistic studies of flow-induced changes in heart excitability and contractile force. In addition, Dr. Knabb plans to teach a graduate course in integrative biomedicine entitled “Molecular mechanisms of aging and disease”. This course will introduce the students to active learning through the case study method and serve to strengthen students’ English writing skills. |
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Save the Frogs |
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 Frog populations have been declining worldwide at unprecedented rates, and nearly one-third of the world’s 6,418 amphibian species are threatened with extinction. At least 100 species have completely disappeared since 1980, and this is NOT normal: amphibians naturally go extinct at a rate of only about one species every 250 years!!!
Frog populations are faced with an onslaught of environmental problems: pollution, infectious diseases, habitat loss, invasive species, climate change, and over-harvesting for the pet and food trades. Unless these problems are remedied, amphibian species will continue to disappear, resulting in irreversible consequences to the planet’s ecosystems.
SAVE THE FROGS! is an international team of scientists, educators, policymakers and naturalists dedicated to protecting the world’s amphibian species: the frogs, toads, newts, salamanders, and caecilians.
Find out how you can get involved by visiting:
SavetheFrogs.com |
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Happy Birthday Darwin! |
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 On 12 February 2009 scientist around the world will celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin. Although Darwin's elegant theory of Organic Evolution can be summarized rather simply, it is arguably the most profound tenet of modern biology. Organic Evolution provides a solid, unifying framework for modern biology as well as a unifying thread for continued investigation.
The anniversary of Darwin's birth (February 12) is widely celebrated as Darwin Day throughout the scientific community. The special significance of Darwin Day 2009 has spawned numerous activities and special events throughout the world. Darwin's book "On the Origin of Species" (first published 24 November 1859) is a seminal scientific publication and a landmark event in evolutionary biology. In it, Darwin introduced the theory that populations change over time through the process of natural selection. Darwin's book provides evidence that the diversity of life arose through a branching pattern of evolution and common descent. November 24 2009 marks the 150th anniversary of the book's publication.  ....the Card....the Game....the Gallery....the Publications....the Dangerous Idea
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