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WCSU biology faculty and adjuncts have expertise in a wide range of fields, from animal behavior and organismic biology to cell and molecular biology. Our staff provide valuable support to teaching and research activities.
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Undergraduate tracks prepare students for professional school, or careers ranging from health sciences and research to teaching and environmental conservation.
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A unique graduate program enables students to earn their Master's degree at night, on weekends, and during the summer.
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What's New on the Website
• Upcoming Events (01-31-12)
• Dept News (01-16-12)
• Faculty Fall Schedules uploaded (09-14-10)

Speaker
Neil Walsh, Bangor University, will be speaking on "Practical strategies to maintain immune health in athletes". Thursday, Feb 9, 4:00 pm. Science Building 125. Open to the public. For more information, e-mail Dr. Jeff Schlicht at schlichtj@wcsu.edu. (posted 01-31-12)

• Jacqueline Malecki, who graduated (BA in Biology) in 2010, is a coauthor — along with Dr. Tom Philbirck — of a paper describing a new plant species. Click here for more information. Philbrick, C. T., J. Malecki, H. I. Stevens & N. P. Tippery. 2011. A new genus of Podostemaceae from Venezuela. Novon 21: 475-480. (posted 01-16-12)

• Susie Fehrmann, a 2010 graduate of the M.A. in Biological & Environmental Sciences, has published her thesis work in the American Journal of Botany (AJB). Click here for more information on her work. Fehrmann, F., C. T. Philbrick & R. Halliburton. 2012. Intraspecific variation in Podostemum ceratophyllum (Podostemaceae): evidence of refugia and colonization since the last glacial maximum. American Journal of Botany 99: 145-151. (posted 01-16-12)

• Welcome to several new additions to the Biology Dept. family. Dr. Lori Benoit is an Assistant Professor on a one-year appointment, and will be teaching Genetics this semester. Sal Sidoti, a former graduate of WCSU, is returning to teach Ecology, as well as Concepts of Biology lab. Lisa Taylor joins us as the new Biology secretary. (posted 09-14-11)

• Jacqueline Malecki is the latest of several WCSU undergraduates in Dr. Tom Philbrick's lab who are co-authors of papers in scientific publications. These projects represent independent studies conducted by the students under Dr. Philbrick's guidance and supported by his grants from National Geographic and The National Science Foundation. To see a description of the papers and undergraduate researchers, click here. (posted 09-14-11)

• A farewell to Dr. Tom Lonergan, who will be leaving as our chairperson to become Dean of Arts & Sciences at Davenport University, Grand Rapids, MI. Good luck, Dr. Lonergan! Dr. Mitch Wagener will serve as acting chairperson. (posted 09-14-11)

• Dr. Mitch Wagener & two of our students, Bruna Oliveira and Catrina Morgan, are highlighted in the Danbury News-Times for their work in testing local waterways for zebra mussel infestation. (posted 08-02-11)

• Dr. Dora Pinou and area grade school teachers ran the STEM summer camp this year from July 11-29. This year's Event flyer and schedule, and news from last year's camp are available. (posted 08-02-11)

• Dr. Tom Philbrick is coauthor on four recent papers:
- Ruhfel, B. R., V. Bittrich, C. P. Bove, M. H. G. Gustafsson, C. T. Philbrick, R. Rutishauser, Z. Xi & C. C. Davis. 2011. Phylogeny of the Clusiod Clade (Malpighiales): Evidence from the Plastid and mitochondrial genomes. American Journal of Botany 98: 306-325.
- Tippery, N. P., C. T. Philbrick, C. P. Bove & D. H. Les. 2011. Systematics and phylogeny of neotropical riverweeds (Podostemaceae: Podostemoideae). Systematic Botany 36: 105- 118.
- Philbrick, C. T. , C. P. Bove & H. I. Stevens. 2010. Endemism in Neotropical Podostemaceae. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. 97: 425-456. (posted 08-02-11)
- Bove, C. P., C. T. Philbrick & W. J. E. M Costa. 2011. Taxonomy, distribution and emended description of the neotropical genus Lophogyne (Podostemaceae). Brittonia 63: 156-160. (posted 08-02-11)

• Dr. Neeta Connally spoke on a panel with other Lyme Disease experts at the Westport Public Library this past April. The story is reported in the Westport News. (posted 08-02-11)

• Dr. Richard Halliburton has announced his retirement from the Biology Dept. faculty. Dr. H has coordinated the graduate program for many years, and taught genetics, population genetics, evolution, and graduate courses. He retires to California with his wife, WCSU library technical assistant Meredith Halliburton, and will pursue his passion, outdoor photography. We wish you the best, Dr. Halliburton! Click here for farewell party photos and song. (posted 06-27-11)

• Dr. Howard Russock's recent paper in the journal Behaviour has been highlighted in Science Daily. The original paper is entitled "An evolutionary interpretation of the effect of gender and sexual orientation on human mate selection preferences, as indicated by an analysis of personal advertisements". (posted 04-20-11)

• Dr. Frank Dye's manuscript "Developmental Cell Biology" has been accepted for publication in the Encyclopedia of Molecular Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Wiley Press. It will be issued an an online update in August. The book should be following in early 2012. (posted 02-12-11)

• Dr. Neeta Connally joins us this year as a new full-time, tenure-track faculty member. Formerly of the Yale School of Public Health, Dr. Connally is a specialist in ticks & Lyme Disease. Let's give her a big WestConn welcome. (posted 01-24-11)

Older News Items

• Herpetology Club is welcoming new members. Contact Dr. Dora Pinou for more information.

• Biology Club is welcoming new members. For details, contact its advisor, Dr. Ruth Gyure.

• Advisor's lists, program planning sheets, and other forms are available from the Forms page .