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College of Life Sciences

Grace Christensen

College of Life Sciences Freelance Writer
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"God is Involved": Faith and Science Seminar 2023

By Grace Christensen
October 30, 2023
The auditorium seats were filled with students eager to hear the words of Dr. Ryan Cordner, microbiology and molecular biology associate professor, and Dr. Tim Jenkins, cell biology and physiology associate professor. Recipients of the College of Life Sciences Spiritually Strengthening Award, both professors spoke on how their faith guided their career and life paths.
3 Min Read
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Karen Della Corte: Scientist of Faith

By Grace Christensen
October 28, 2023
The College of Life Sciences is honored to welcome Dr. Karen Della Corte as a new assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science. Della Corte’s research focuses on the role of the diet—particularly carbohydrate quality—in risk disease development. With her experience in epidemiological research, Della Corte is excited to expand students’ understanding of how healthy dietary patterns can help with chronic disease prevention.
2 Min Read
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Making Mentorship A Living Reality

By Grace Christensen
September 14, 2023
Biology PhD candidate Justina (Tina) Tavana was recently named a Human Genetics Scholar by the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG). The ASHG is comprised of 8,000 members with an interest in human genetics. Tavana was inducted as a member due to her contributions to health research in understudied populations.
2 Min Read
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Saving Plants From Salty Soil

By Grace Christensen
September 04, 2023
Alfalfa is a major cash crop and significant food source for cattle, horses, chickens, turkey, and sheep across the western United States. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 40.8 million tons of alfalfa were harvested in 2022. But alfalfa, among other abundant crops, is extremely susceptible to the salty soil brought on by Utah’s dry climate and low precipitation.
2 Min Read
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Strengthening Faith in God's Design

By Grace Christensen
August 24, 2023
Students filed into Dr. Tim Jenkins’s classroom just in time for their regular weekly lecture. But this class period was unlike others, as Dr. Jenkins had encouraged his students to invite family and friends to participate in a discussion about science and religion. Dr. Jenkins explained that at a university like BYU, it’s important to study the correlation between the two subjects, as avoiding their relationship will only create stumbling blocks in one’s testimony.
2 Min Read
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Impact Magazine

Cougar Quinoa: The Sustainable Superhero

By Grace Christensen
July 26, 2023
BYU researchers Rick Jellen and Jeff Maughan and Washington State University's Cedric Habiyaremye are breeding new varieties of the protein-rich quinoa that can thrive in the harsh weather conditions of Rwanda’s tropical climate.
3 Min Read
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Impact Magazine

College News - Summer 2023

By Grace Christensen
July 26, 2023
College of Life Sciences students are researching alcoholism, building the graduate student community, designing effective workouts, creating new milk packaging, stimulating crop growth in high-salt soil, and changing diets to protect the planet.
5 Min Read
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Life Sciences Poster Competition: Winter 2023

By Grace Christensen
July 12, 2023
The Harold B. Lee Library played host for this year’s College of Life Sciences poster competition. Presenters, friends, family, and a panel of judges made the turnout so successful that it was hard to hear the student presenters over all the excited chatter. Each contestant stood next to their poster, ready to give a taste of their research to anyone who wanted to stop and listen.
3 Min Read
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Impact Magazine

College News - Fall 2022

By Sydney Springer
June 09, 2023
Students and faculty across the College of Life Sciences are doing amazing things. Read about the three new associate deans, a new dairy product created by food science students, and more.
6 Min Read
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