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College of Life Sciences

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Opening Doors: Juliette Ball, BYU’s 2023 Student Employee of the Year

By Nicholas Rex
March 20, 2023
Many titles come to mind when describing Juliette Ball, but the most important one to her is learner. “Most sticky situations I find myself in are a result of forgetting my call to learn—from my experiences, from God, and from the wonderful people in my life,” she says. “Regardless of any other status I may gain and lose over the course of my life, I hope I always remember to learn.”
2 Min Read
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Promoting brain health requires more than reducing seizures

By Paige Sherwood
January 30, 2023
Epilepsy, a neurological disorder involving seizures, is most prevalent among those 70 and older. Public health professor Evan Thacker and his colleagues researched cognitive decline among individuals with epilepsy and a vascular risk factor in order to improve brain health for those suffering with epilepsy.
2 Min Read
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Brick by brick, breath by breath

By Kaigan Bigler
January 23, 2023
Nepali brick kiln workers fire and make bricks for twelve hours a day, breathing in crystalline silica that scars their lungs. BYU students Esther Erickson and Mariah Taylor used travel grants given by generous donors to learn more about the air the kiln workers breathe and how it affects their lungs.
3 Min Read
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New Student-led Exhibits Open at Life Science Museum

January 19, 2023
Students from life sciences and fine arts collaborate to address the climate and COVID-19 in two new engaging exhibits.
1 Min Read
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Maintaining Molokai: Data Collection and Reef Restoration

By Angela Larson
January 04, 2023
BYU biology students collect data on local vegetation while researching coral reef restoration on the Hawaiian island of Molokai.
4 Min Read
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Winners of the 2022 Life Sciences Photo Contest

December 26, 2022
Congratulations to the winners of the Life Sciences photo contest! Winners were chosen in two categories, Inspiring Learning and Artistic Merit. Read their stories behind the photos below.
2 Min Read
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Finding a Cure for Chikungunya

By Julia Orellana-Funes
December 16, 2022
The virus, Chikungunya, which means "that which bends up," has a cure coming for it after student Madison Gray's research and findings.
2 Min Read
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License and plant identification, please: BYU comes out on top (again)

By Kaigan Bigler
December 16, 2022
BYU students took the lead in individual and team competition at Utah's URME test for 2022, preparing to go to the international competition in 2023.
1 Min Read
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Preventing Muscle Atrophy? Just Add Heat

By Grace Christensen
December 13, 2022
When he was in fifth grade, Boston Andersen (‘22) was diagnosed with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, a condition that prevents blood from reaching the hip bone, causing the bone to die. As a kid who enjoyed being physically active, having a disease that kept him on crutches for a year was devastating.
2 Min Read
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BYU students advocate for youth at SOPHE summit in Washington, DC

By Kaigan Bigler
December 05, 2022
Fourteen BYU students had the opportunity to interact with federal legislators to advocate for youth mental health at Washington DC's annual SOPHE conference
1 Min Read
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The Science Behind Smaller Things

By Grace Christensen
December 01, 2022
“Growing up, I was always interested in the science behind the smaller things that cause disease and illness.” —Hunter Cobbley
1 Min Read
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Three BYU student finalists at sports medicine conference

By Grace Christensen
November 23, 2022
Three undergraduate students from BYU's exercise science program were selected as finalists in the Undergraduate Student Research Competition at the annual meeting of the Southwest Region of the American College of Sports Medicine.
1 Min Read
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Cougars in the Chocolate Factory

By Angela Larson
November 22, 2022
BYU food science majors Carolyn Chen, Shayden Smith, Janece Nufer, and Erin Caswell put their wisdom to work when they interned at Halloren—the oldest chocolate factory in Germany. They were able to develop a new flavor combination that is approved for production.
4 Min Read
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Curiosity on Display at the 2022 CURA Poster Presentations

By Sydney Springer
November 18, 2022
Over seventy Life Sciences students hung their research posters in the BYU Conference Center on Thursday, November 10, creating a maze of well-dressed scientists presenting developing discoveries before judges. All projects were partially funded by a College Undergraduate Research Award (CURA), grant money donated to innovative undergraduate students working with faculty members. Every year judges have the challenge of selecting only three presentations in each department to receive additional cash prizes, and every year the College of Life Sciences comes prepared with their knowledge and passion, ready to create ripples of impact in the scientific community.
3 Min Read
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Coming to Know Christ Through Medicine

By Grace Christensen
October 24, 2022
After spending a significant amount of time in hospitals addressing her firstborn's health challenges, Shanna Crow (‘22) decided she wanted to work in medicine. She further cultivated her passion for medical lab work as an intern at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado.
2 Min Read
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Shared Roots and Survival in the Quaking Aspen

By Jenny Carpenter
October 17, 2022
Water flows through the soft soil and the aspen trees’ roots soak up every last drop. But the lone aspen cut off from its family’s interconnected root system receives less water, and ultimately, may suffer fatal consequences.
2 Min Read
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Taking Flight In Genomics

By Grace Christensen
October 11, 2022
Andy VanDomelen (‘22) developed an interest in photography as a teenager. When he was on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, his father borrowed his camera, and the two bonded through an interest in bird photography. This interest morphed into an intrigue in different bird species, which ultimately led VanDomelen to study bacteria samples from turkeys in microbiology and molecular biology professor David Erickson’s lab.
1 Min Read
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Microscopic and Deadly Organisms In a Bustling City

By Grace Christensen
October 06, 2022
Thea Ward (‘23) came to BYU with a strong desire to understand how her education could have a broader impact on the world. She was intrigued when the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology offered a study abroad to Gwalior, India, to study the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
1 Min Read
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From the Classroom to Gwalior: The Hunt For Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

By Grace Christensen
October 01, 2022
Madison Duffy's research of the antibiotic-resistant bacteria that resides in India’s rivers went hand-in-hand with one of the country's greatest wonders: the Ganges River. Legend says that anyone who bathes in the Ganges will be cured of any disease due to the bacteria phages that reside in the river.
1 Min Read
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Cultivating Connection Across the Globe: Studying bacteria in the rivers of India

By Grace Christensen
October 01, 2022
Fascinated by microbiology from the time she was in high school, Abby Johnson (‘22) knew she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to research antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Gwalior, India. Johnson spent a month collecting samples of water containing antibiotic-bacteria.
1 Min Read
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New Associate Deans Announced in the College of Life Sciences

September 23, 2022
Dean Laura Bridgewater announced the appointment of three new associate deans. Loreen Allphin of the Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Benjamin Crookston of the Department of Public Health, and Michael Stark of the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology will assume their college administrative responsibilities on October 1, 2022.
1 Min Read
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BYU Food Science Students Win $10K in Product Development Competition

By Sydney Springer
September 23, 2022
BYU undergraduate food science students win the $10,000 grand prize at the 2022 Idaho Milk Processor's Association Conference for their dairy product, "Cream Cheese clouds."
1 Min Read
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Neuroscience student wins 3 Minute Thesis Competition

By Grace Christensen
September 19, 2022
The brain is an incredible machine, and for Michael Von Guten ('24), it was the star of his entry to the 3 Minute Thesis competition. As a neuroscience graduate student, Von Guten studies the effects LSD could have in curing mental health issues, and how multiple drugs used at once can harm the brain.
1 Min Read
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Solving the Issue of Dried, Dead Tissue

By Jenny Carpenter
September 12, 2022
The miracles of anatomy are evident to students who have the privilege of working with cadavers. However, there are also many challenges, including how quickly the tissue dries. Cell biology student Ayden Olsen (‘23) and recent cell biology graduate Craig Reeves (‘22) were curious if they could find a solution. Through a CURA grant, the two set out on a hydration quest.
3 Min Read
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Scholarships Save

By Ellecyn Brimley
September 09, 2022
Senior Biology student Ellecyn Brimley traveled to Vietnam on a study abroad thanks to the many scholarships provided by the BYU Kennedy Center, including the Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship. She shares how she got the scholarship, and how other students can too.
1 Min Read
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BYU Researchers’ Fight to Preserve Permafrost and Restore Earth’s Climate

By Jenny Carpenter
August 31, 2022
Permafrost is the layer of permanently frozen soil, sediment, and rock in many northern and mountainous regions. Permafrost regions contain most of the Earth’s remaining wilderness, and the ecosystem supports more than 1.5 billion people globally. However, permafrost is in trouble. It’s billions of years old—and it’s melting. A team of BYU researchers is raising a voice of warning and working to stop the meltdown.
2 Min Read
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Trauma in Training: Is Trauma Inherited?

By Kaigan Bigler
August 29, 2022
As the old adage goes, the family is the basic unit of society. Characteristics and habits are taught and trained through parenting, morals and perspectives are shaped, and even legacies are formed. Generations cycle through; it is simply how human beings go on. However, research shows that more than just morals and the way you load a dishwasher is transferred from parent to child—parents often carry their childhood traumas into parenthood too.
2 Min Read
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Mexico Meets Medical Mitigation

By Kaigan Bigler
August 25, 2022
Diabetes affects one in six adults in Mexico, with a higher rate in women than men. Mexico is also the most obese country in the world. To fight the diabetes epidemic, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints designed a manual with Mexico City officials to help citizens fight for their health.
2 Min Read
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Deep Dive into Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

By Grace Christensen
August 25, 2022
Studying antibiotic-resistant bacteria during a study abroad in Gwalior, India, gave Sierra Mellor (‘24) a deep dive into microbiology. While her knowledge of microbiology expanded, so did her understanding of Indian culture.
2 Min Read
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Getting Diabetics Back on their Feet

Hannah LeSueur
By Hannah LeSueur
August 23, 2022
68% of all amputations are attributable to diabetes. Andrew Hillier researched the effectiveness of foot braces designed to help people heal from diabetes-related ulcers and prevent amputation.
6 Min Read
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Fish Are Friends, and Other Species Similarities

By Angela Larson
August 14, 2022
Erik Johnson (‘22) wins a CURA award for his research exploring possible connections between individual personality traits and placement in social hierarchies.
4 Min Read
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3 Practices to Improve your Mental Health, According to a BYU Public Health Professor

By Madison Selcho
August 09, 2022
Say something, know something and be something to help improve mental health.
1 Min Read
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Taking the Abstract out of Addiction

By Erin Saito
July 21, 2022
Calvin Smith (‘22), a recently graduated neuroscience student, witnessed first-hand as the negative effects of drug addiction adversely altered the personalities and mental health of childhood friends. Motivated to explore the brain-altering implications of drug use, Smith joined the Edwards neuroplasticity lab to better understand what was happening.
3 Min Read
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Moving Agriculture Upward for Urban Residents

By Jenny Carpenter
July 15, 2022
Larvae squirm into an urban resident’s bare foot. Soon, a rash appears, followed by a loss of appetite, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and a fever. One in seven individuals from the global community encounter these undesirable guests. The larvae-sourced disease (also called hookworm or roundworm) plagues over 1.5 billion individuals across the planet—and those living in urban-packed environments are the most at-risk.
3 Min Read
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One Student's Fight for Cleaner Air and Water

By Jenny Carpenter
July 15, 2022
When Isabella Errigo (‘20) first entered BYU’s environmental science program, she didn’t know her journey would lead to winning the prestigious Fulbright scholarship—or to having the Utah legislative body cite her research in an effort to prevent pollution.
2 Min Read
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Dean Bridgewater Brings Her Broad-Campus Perspective to the College

By Jenny Carpenter
July 06, 2022
After serving as a BYU associate academic vice president, Dean Laura Bridgewater returns to the College of Life Sciences. She looks forward to assisting the college community maintain a well-integrated combination of scientific excellence and gospel light that lifts and blesses others.
2 Min Read
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Gluten-Free and Growing: The Oat Genome’s Global Impact

By Jenny Carpenter
June 06, 2022
With its long stem and small, cocoon-like structures, the oat holds complicated grains that supplement diets and, in some countries, support ecosystems and economies. But the oat doesn’t just provide prosperity to millions of people; it also holds the key to a wealth of health benefits without triggering allergies compared to other cereals such as wheat or rye.
4 Min Read
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The Search for Sperm: Fighting Male Infertility in the Jenkins Men's Reproductive Health Lab

By Erin Saito
May 23, 2022
Emerging research from the Jenkins lab takes steps forward in developing tools to help those struggling with infertility.
3 Min Read
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Liking a New Species of Lichen

By Allie Richael
May 05, 2022
Life Sciences students discover a new lichen species in Glen Canyon. As DNA sequencing didn’t match the green lichen, Jacob Henrie ('22) and biology professor Steve Leavitt concluded that this scaly symbiotic fungus was, in fact, a brand-new species of lichen.
2 Min Read
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Advocate for women in STEM receives Life Sciences Distinguished Service Award

By Allie Richael
April 29, 2022
BYU alumna Suzanne Hyland received a Distinguished Service Award at the 2022 College of Life Sciences convocation ceremony in recognition of her service to female life science students. Hyland was instrumental in establishing the peer consulting program and the annual She is a Scientist event.
2 Min Read
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From Mishaps to Medicine

By Angela Larson
April 24, 2022
Seth Evans (‘22) toyed with the idea of going to medical school but didn’t want to commit without a good reason. Then, Evans broke his femur during a high school football game—throwing him headfirst into the world of medicine, and giving him the reason to pursue the medical school that he was searching for.
2 Min Read
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Coding a Future in Biology

By Kaigan Bigler
April 21, 2022
Inspired by his journey with mental illness and teachers who set strong examples of research, bioinformatics student Evan Marshman (‘22) plans to help those around him improve, mentally and physically.
1 Min Read
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Making a Career Out of a Question

By Sydney Springer
April 20, 2022
Connor Littlefield was raised in a family that was unafraid to ask questions and find answers. Two such questions led him to graduate with a degree in nutritional science: “What does it really mean to ‘burn’ a calorie? And what metabolic processes are keeping your body alive and healthy?”
3 Min Read
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Foundations that Shape Futures

By Jenny Carpenter
April 19, 2022
From helping children to young mothers to Yemen immigrants, Amy Hayward loves assisting her patients to overcome their bodies' shortcomings. Graduating from an exercise science major, Hayward plans on attending the University of Utah's physical therapy program in June. She can't wait to see how her career will move forward in future clinics.
2 Min Read
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Finding the Order in Disorders

By Jenny Carpenter
April 19, 2022
There are few things that make Bailey Calder (‘22) happier than when he looks at a glowing zebrafish brain. In fact, brain research excites him so much that he won’t take a break after graduating—a week after he graduates, Calder will begin his Ph.D. program. Calder's ultimate goal is to help communities gain greater understanding and compassion toward those with neurological disorders.
2 Min Read
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Win at the buzzer – NDFS students take first place at regional college bowl competition

Hannah LeSueur
By Hannah LeSueur
April 18, 2022
Bzzzz! “Anosmia!” shouted BYU dietetics major Maggie Horlacher (‘23). The announcer had barely finished reading the question about the loss of the ability to detect different smells.
2 Min Read
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Finding her path with neuroscience

By Kaigan Bigler
April 18, 2022
Anna Everett says the passion is all in scientific research. After growing up with a mom struggling with an autoimmune disease, she noticed the benefits and disadvantages the medical field provided. She knew this was an area she wanted to explore, and she sees research as the broadest way to make a difference.
1 Min Read
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Different By Design

By Angela Larson
April 18, 2022
This past March, BYU took first at the 2022 National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC), and one of the winners was Abby Kjar (‘22), who competed in interior landscape design. Working in landscape design has also allowed Kjar to foster meaningful connections in unexpected ways.
2 Min Read
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Department News

Mental Health, COVID-19 Stressors and Family Health Attitudes

By Macy Holmgren
April 05, 2022
Two years into the pandemic, research finds that COVID stressors and family health are associated with growing mental health rates in the United States
2 Min Read
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BYU wins fourth consecutive championship at National Collegiate Landscape Competition

By Allie Richael
March 28, 2022
BYU Plant & Landscape Systems students won big at the 2022 National Collegiate Landscape Competition. After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a team of 37 students competed in a variety of landscape-related events at North Carolina State University.
2 Min Read
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Laura Fletcher: Discoveries in Energy Allocation

Hannah LeSueur
By Hannah LeSueur
February 22, 2022
Laura Fletcher (‘22) thought she wanted to study dead fossils and bird evolution when she started the biodiversity and conservation major. However, after participating in engaging research opportunities she discovered a passion for studying energy-use similarities throughout all living organisms.
2 Min Read
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Operation Outbreak: Educating our community through pandemic simulations

Hannah LeSueur
By Hannah LeSueur
February 16, 2022
Operation Outbreak, a pandemic simulation experience, is back at BYU for the second year in a row. Operation Outbreak participants use an app to simulate a pandemic outburst similar to COVID-19.
2 Min Read
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A pickle party: A closer look at reptile embalming

By Taylor Nelson
February 11, 2022
A group of herpetology enthusiasts drive through the winding canyon roads of Utah, dry, sandy mountains lining the highway. Nestled in the backseats and trunks of cars, herpetologists bring the reptilian or amphibious carcasses they find in the desert to an annual gathering at the end of the year, ominously called a pickle party.
2 Min Read
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Life Science Students Win Big at CURA Awards

By Sydney Springer
January 25, 2022
The Garden Court in BYU’s Wilkinson Center bustled with people on November 11, 2021, as rows of hung posters displayed the latest scientific findings by BYU Life Science students. The research ranged from the study of social dominance in humans to protein bindings; from standards for emergency and trauma care to insulin secretion.
2 Min Read
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Microbiology & Molecular Biology welcomes new academic program coordinator

By Allie Richael
January 25, 2022
Nancy Morrill recently joined the Microbiology & Molecular Biology department as an academic program coordinator. In this role, she will help Microbiology & Molecular Biology graduate students along their academic path. She is responsible for reviewing graduate student applications, providing academic guidance to students, and assisting with events like the agar art competition.
1 Min Read
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International cross-pollination in genome sequencing work

By Allie Richael
January 18, 2022
Genome assemblies provide scientists with the genetic map of a plant, animal, or human. Genome sequencing has grown at high speeds in 20 years, yet there is still more to be done. BYU Plant and Wildlife Sciences professor Paul Frandsen collaborated with researchers across the country to assess the last two decades of genome sequencing.
2 Min Read
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Innovation begets innovation: Student initiative evolves into patented solution

By Erin Salto
January 12, 2022
From undergraduate education to patent and biotech startup, cutting-edge research recently published in Nucleic Acids Research from the Hill lab demonstrates how BYU mentorship empowers students to innovate and achieve.
6 Min Read
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Painting with bacteria: connecting art and science

Hannah LeSueur
By Hannah LeSueur
November 19, 2021
Students from all across campus had the opportunity to combine their creativity skills with their curiosity for science by painting Agar plates using harmless E. coli bacteria at the semiannual Agar Art Contest sponsored by the College of Life Sciences Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology (MMBIO).
3 Min Read
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Cracking the Code on Multiple Sclerosis

By Sydney Springer
October 04, 2021
It was a splash of ice-cold water in the face. Amy Hernandez’s friend was only seventeen years old and just diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease that deteriorates the body. Hernandez (‘23) was in the second year of her molecular biology degree at BYU. The sudden, early-onset diagnosis prompted hours of research under Hernandez's mentor, microbiology and molecular biology professor Mary Davis, to answer the question: why is early MS onset in ethnic minorities reached at an earlier age than in Caucasian populations?
4 Min Read
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Sprouts from the Ashes

By Sydney Springer
October 04, 2021
Also hailing from Europe, marine biology student and Sheffield, England native Rebekah Stanton (’21) wanted to earn her PhD at BYU but couldn’t find a program that fit her needs. After receiving an unexpected email from plant and wildlife sciences professor Sam St Clair, she packed her bags and joined his research team to study just the opposite of marine biology—they were going to study the desert.
2 Min Read
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Najla Al-Sonboli, World Health Assembly's Heroine of Health

By Grace McGregor
September 01, 2021
Women in Science: Al-Sonboli was a pediatrician in Yemen who continued to care for the children while the hospital was under fire during rocket attacks.
2 Min Read
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Prestigious award given to Plant and Wildlife Sciences professor

By Allie Richael
August 24, 2021
The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) will present its highest recognition to Plant and Wildlife Sciences professor Bryan Hopkins in an annual awards ceremony.
1 Min Read
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Plant and Wildlife Sciences Department welcomes new professor

By Allie Richael
August 20, 2021
The Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences welcomes Dr. April Hulet as a new associate professor.
1 Min Read
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Men's role in destigmatizing menstruation

By Allie Richael
August 19, 2021
Growing up in a family of six sisters, JB Eyring (‘22) has never felt uncomfortable discussing women’s health. With his mentored research, Eyring seeks to understand and break down the stigma surrounding menstruation and women's health, specifically in men.
2 Min Read
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A Long Life

By Taylor Nelson
August 18, 2021
On a nature hike at Nevada’s Great Basin National Park during his undergraduate studies, David Burchfield (‘21) came across the oldest living organism measured on the Earth today.
2 Min Read
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Mentored research student saves the birds

By Taylor Nelson
August 18, 2021
For the past four months, recent BYU graduate Emma Houghton (‘21) has been raising young seabird chicks that are at great risk for extinction in Hawaii.
2 Min Read
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An ancestry made of agave

By Allie Richael
August 17, 2021
As the sun pours its dry, scorching heat across the Sonoran Desert, a seven-year-old boy in leather sandals follows his papá through a field of pointed agave leaves growing from the ground like bundles of green swords. PWS doctoral student Hector Ortiz revisits his roots to cultivate an alternative crop during times of drought.
2 Min Read
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Emergency symposium to set the record straight on Utah Lake

By Allie Richael
July 26, 2021
At the center of Utah Valley, Utah Lake is one of the largest and most productive freshwater lakes in the western U.S. It is also one of the most misunderstood. Professors from Brigham Young University are joining researchers from universities and organizations across the state to address the lake’s most prevailing issues during a public symposium at Utah Valley University (UVU) on August 4.
2 Min Read
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New director of the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum

By Allie Richael
July 13, 2021
Dean James Porter, College of Life Sciences, announces the appointment of Dr. Michael Whiting as the new director of the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum. The appointment is effective August 1, 2021.
1 Min Read
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Upcoming women in science

By Taylor Nelson
July 12, 2021
Members from the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science are recognized for their contributions to the world of science
2 Min Read
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New graduate program advisor for Plant and Wildlife Sciences

By Allie Richael
July 01, 2021
Mariellen Tuckett joins the Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences staff as the new graduate program advisor. Her job responsibilities include tracking students’ progress towards graduation, reviewing dissertations and speeches, organizing the department’s annual research conclave, and serving as a liaison between graduate students and professors.
1 Min Read
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Wildflowers: The next eco-trend?

By Taylor Nelson
June 15, 2021
Environmental science graduate student Alyssa Brown spends most of her thesis research time in the mountains of Provo canyon, studying wildflowers.
3 Min Read
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The most effective way to exercise according to BYU grad student

By Taylor Nelson
June 15, 2021
If you’ve spent a lot of time on BYU’s campus, you’ll know the daunting hike up the Richards Building stairs. The trek never seems to get easier despite the number of times it is walked
2 Min Read
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Native Samoan graduate student studies genetic disease in her homelands

By Taylor Nelson
June 15, 2021
Family relationships are the fabric of the Polynesian culture. Grandparents help take care of the young, and in turn, children and grandchildren take care of the elderly. Having grown up in Samoa and Hawaii, graduate biology student Justina Tavana ('23) understands the value of looking out for aging community members, even as the ravaging effects of dementia steal away their close connections and identity.
1 Min Read
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Public Health Department welcomes new professor

By Allie Richael
June 09, 2021
BYU alumnus and Salt Lake City native Erik Nelson joins the BYU Department of Public Health faculty after teaching for five years at Indiana University Bloomington.
1 Min Read
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PDBio becomes Cell Biology and Physiology

By Allie Richael
June 09, 2021
The Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology (PDBio) is changing its name to the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (CELL). The faculty hope that renaming the department will not only reflect the students’ learning experience more accurately but will also clarify the department goals toward major selection, graduate student recruitment, and faculty hiring.
1 Min Read
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New chair for the Department of Public Health

By Allie Richael
June 07, 2021
Dean James P. Porter, College of Life Sciences, announces the appointment of Dr. Josh West as the new chair of the Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 2021. Dean Porter also expresses his appreciation for the current department chair, Dr. Carl Hansen, who assisted in the accreditation of the undergraduate public health program and the revamping of course curriculum.
1 Min Read
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College of Life Sciences reappoints two department chairs

By Allie Richael
June 07, 2021
BYU College of Life Sciences Dean James P. Porter announces the reappointment of Michael Stark as chair of the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (formerly, Physiology and Developmental Biology) and Neil Hansen as chair of the Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences. Both reappointments are effective July 1, 2021.
1 Min Read
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Public Health Students Present at SOPHE Conference on Nighttime Commuting Safety

By Emma Freestone
June 02, 2021
Research by Public Health graduates Ida Tovar and Alyssa Baer and Dr. Robbie Chaney showed differences in how men and women react to campus environments while walking at night.
3 Min Read
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Neuroscience student and chemistry TA earns prestigious scholarship

By Allie Richael
May 26, 2021
Anna Everett (‘22) grew up watching her mom struggle with an autoimmune disease. Noting how research at biotech companies enabled her mom to get the treatments she needed sparked Everett’s interest in scientific research. “I think I always saw my family struggling with their health, and it made me think a lot about medicine in general,” she says. Everett eventually chose to major in neuroscience, focusing on neurological disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. She also added biophysics as a second major to explore her interest in math.
2 Min Read
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Using complex data analysis to improve health

By Allie Richael
May 24, 2021
Biostatistics graduate Nolan Cole (‘21) recently earned the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship. Cole says it was a complicated process of applications, nominations, and writing to get the scholarship, but he applied because he knew it was important for his PhD work. Cole plans to enroll in a PhD program next fall in biostatistics and biomedical informatics.
1 Min Read
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BYU graduate earns fellowship from the University of Minnesota

By Allie Richael
May 21, 2021
Clair Wootan (‘21) originally came to BYU to study biology education. As she took more classes, she realized she enjoys conducting research, which led her to pursue an undergraduate degree in biodiversity and conservation. “I’ve always really enjoyed conservation,” she says. “It gave me a lot of opportunities to take really in-depth and specific classes.”
1 Min Read
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New director of Neuroscience Center

By Allie Richael
May 14, 2021
Dean James P. Porter, College of Life Sciences, announced the appointment of Professor Jeffrey Edwards as the new director of the Neuroscience Center, effective July 1, 2021. Edwards has held the position of associate director of the Neuroscience Center for six years under the current director Ramona Hopkins.
1 Min Read
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Studying soil across the globe

By Allie Richael
May 10, 2021
Growing up in small, agricultural Terreton, Idaho, prepared Emilee Severe (‘21) to study environmental science and sustainability. She was raised around farmers and irrigation systems and worked for an irrigation company in high school. “I would drive boats up and down streams, and I was always in the canal bank,” she says. Now at BYU, she has the chance to learn the science behind what she saw in the streams.
1 Min Read
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Cognitive Decline After Epilepsy in Older Adults

By Emma Freestone
April 20, 2021
A ten-year study reveals that epilepsy increases the risk of cognitive decline in older adults.
2 Min Read
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Microbiologist takes her studies around the world

By Allie Richael
April 16, 2021
Honored Graduating Student: Emma Stucki (MMBio)
With the variety of experiences microbiology major Emma Stucki had at BYU, the one common thread has been shifts in perspective. “I always have enjoyed learning things in school that help me better understand the world around me.”
2 Min Read
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Making a difference in public health

By Taylor Nelson
April 16, 2021
Honored Graduating Student: Alyssa Baer (HLTH)
Alyssa Baer wanted to study Public Health at Brigham Young University before she even knew she was accepted. The soon-to-be Life Science grad grew up immersed in the healthcare industry.
2 Min Read
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From student to science teacher

By Allie Richael
April 16, 2021
Honored Graduating Student: Amanda Aamodt (BIO)
When BYU student Amanda Aamodt (’21) first saw the required ecology class on her schedule, she wanted to put it off as long as possible.
2 Min Read
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Majoring in a healthy lifestyle

By Allie Richael
April 16, 2021
Honored Graduating Student: Alexis Gardner (NDFS)
Growing up as the sixth of seven kids in her family, Alexis Gardner (‘21) often heard her older sisters talk about diets and health trends. Instead of joining in on the conversation, Gardner did her own research on diet and nutrition.
2 Min Read
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Living the dream as a scientist

By Taylor Nelson
April 15, 2021
Honored Graduating Student: Kristina Cass (PWS)
Graduating from the BYU Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Cass is living her dream as a scientist. She joined the environmental science program because she loves trees.
1 Min Read
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Passion for progress

By Brooke Hansen
April 15, 2021
Honored Graduating Student: Christina Blackmon (ExSc)
Christina Blackmon’s motto has always been “passion for progress,” even when it hasn’t been easy. As a member of the BYU track team and an honored exercise science student in the College of Life Sciences, it would be easy to overlook the journey that brought Blackmon to where she is today. 
2 Min Read
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Standing on the shoulders of giants

By Sydney Springer
April 15, 2021
Honored Graduating Student: Benton Tullis (PDBio)
When COVID-19 canceled their marathon, Benton and Madeleine Tullis (‘21) decided to run their own. They woke up at 5:30 a.m., made their own medals out of wood, and invited family and friends to cheer them on as they crossed the “finish line” at Utah Lake. Their love of adventure and strong ability to problem-solve will aid them as Benton heads off to medical school in the fall.
3 Min Read
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Inspiring learning through a pandemic: how the College of Life Sciences took initiative

By Grace McGregor
March 25, 2021
While COVID-19 disrupts the world, members of the College of Life Sciences continue to find ways to uplift and impact their communities by participating in President Worthen's inspiring learning initiative.
5 Min Read
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Female Medical School Applicants on the Rise

By Kelly Huh
March 12, 2021
In 2020, a historic 53.4% of medical school applicants were female. However, applicants from BYU do not reflect the national trend as only 13-15% of all BYU medical school applicants are female. The Association of Future Female Physicians is established to support female students and address the challenges.
5 Min Read
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ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE, A DISORDER OF A ‘STARVING BRAIN’

By Taylor Nelson
March 02, 2021
Alzheimer’s disease is a metabolic disorder of the brain, impairing the ability to metabolize glucose while maintaining the ability to metabolize ketones. New research out of BYU substantiates a growing body of evidence indicating a strong correlation between AD and a disrupted metabolic state, where the brain can’t get enough energy.
2 Min Read
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Simulating Campus's COVID with Operation Outbreak

By Grace McGregor
February 16, 2021
Curtis Hoffmann, BYU microbiology and molecular biology student, found a way to leverage education to rebuild trust in our public health systems during the pandemic. He stumbled across Operation Outbreak, a pathogen outbreak simulation, and knew he needed to bring it to Utah County and Brigham Young University.
2 Min Read
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The Impact of COVID-19 on School Meals

By Emma Freestone
January 12, 2021
When the pandemic hit and classrooms across the country became virtual, foodservice professionals worked quickly and creatively to continue delivering school meals to every student.
2 Min Read
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Concern and Convenience: Predictors of COVID Compliance

By Sydney Springer
January 08, 2021
A recent life sciences study looks at what motivates college students to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Findings indicate that concern and convenience are the two primary predictors for Utah Valley college students.
2 Min Read
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A groggy climate giant: subsea permafrost is still waking up after 12,000 years

By Sara Sayedi
December 22, 2020
New research suggests slow but substantial greenhouse gas release from submarine permafrost
3 Min Read
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Study shows that consumption of tree nuts can impact fertility

By Grace McGregor
December 04, 2020
Tim Jenkins worked with a multi-institutional team to research tree nuts’ effects on sperm epigenetic patterns.
1 Min Read
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BYU professor participates in a consortium that assembled the largest avian genomic data set to date

By Grace McGregor
November 20, 2020
Plant and wildlife sciences professor Paul Frandsen is part of a large consortium of people working on bird genomics, with nearly 150 authors assembling the largest genomic data set ever for the world’s avian families. The 363 species’ genomes, including 267 sequenced for the first time, are catalogued in the November 11, 2020, issue of Nature.
1 Min Read
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New Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology associate chair

By Grace McGregor
November 19, 2020
Professor Sandra Hope is appointed as the Microbiology and Molecular Biology Associate Chair.
1 Min Read
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Air pollution costs Utahns billions annually and shortens life expectancy by two years

By Isabella Errigo
November 18, 2020
New study reveals the cost of air pollution for Utahns’ health and pocketbooks
4 Min Read
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Undergraduate research opportunities launch BYU grad to Yale Med

By Christie Allen
October 29, 2020
Jacob Mabey authored two research papers as an undergraduate at BYU and coauthored two more before graduating this year. Now he is using his research experience as a first-year student at the Yale School of Medicine. He follows the path of many BYU grads who go on to earn PhDs, something for which BYU ranks No. 5 in the country.
3 Min Read
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Risk of In-Person Voting per County Evaluated by Public Health Researchers

By Emma Freestone
October 27, 2020
Public Health researchers have created a map showing risk levels for in-person voting for each county in the country. With that information, voters can make safe and informed decisions in the middle of a pandemic and an election.
1 Min Read
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Pandemics, Politics, Mental Health, and an Opportunity

By Emma Freestone
October 15, 2020
Nationwide survey distributed to discover how political perspectives influenced pandemic reactions and how the pandemic affected mental health.
3 Min Read
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Women in Faith and Science: A Roundtable Discussion

By Grace McGregor
August 31, 2020
To assist female students as they navigate the connection between a medical profession and religion, the BYU Pre-professional Advisement Center’s hosted “Women of Faith and Medicine: A Round Table Discussion" to explore this intersection of faith and medicine through humility, hope, and hard work.
2 Min Read
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What can you do with a life science degree? Ensure food security and clean water for sub-Saharan Africa and Asia

August 05, 2020
An international palate encourages life science graduate Gretel Tam to have a global impact.
2 Min Read
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Mentored research prepares student to help with COVID-19 testing

By Kelly Jean
July 27, 2020
Working in Dr. Paul Frandsen's lab allowed College of Life Sciences student Andrew Sheffield to develop the cross-disciplinary skills needed to contribute during a world-wide pandemic.
4 Min Read
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$2.3 million grant to study dragonflies

July 20, 2020
Professors Seth Bybee and Jamie Jensen will lead a team of researchers in creating a 'tree of life' for the oldest and largest insect to fly on Earth. Research findings will facilitate creating the most complete database for an entire order of insect.
3 Min Read
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New Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology Chair

June 09, 2020
Dean James P. Porter announces the appointment of Joel Griffitts as the new chair of the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology effective July 1, 2020.
2 Min Read
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College of Life Sciences Alum Receives NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

By Kalicia Bateman
May 01, 2020
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is designed to recognize the efforts of exceptional graduate students, allowing them to make further advances in their field of research. It is a competitive program whose past recipients include Nobel Prize winners. Fellows receive a three-year annual stipend and a cost of education allowance, covering tuition and fees to the institution where the student will be conducting research.
3 Min Read
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Biology Master's Student Receives NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

By Kalicia Bateman
April 22, 2020
When Beka Greenall, a biological science education master’s student in the College of Life Sciences, received an email from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), she was thrilled to read she had been chosen.
2 Min Read
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Addressing Social Disparities Through Dietetics

By Kelly Jean
April 17, 2020
Melinda Morco-Sieng, a graduate student in Nutrition, Dietetics, & Food Science focuses on how international students adjust their diet when they come to study in the U.S. “If we can figure out what these students are struggling with,” she says, “then we can help them adjust to life here.”
2 Min Read
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Using Technology to Assist in Human Movement

By Nicole Peterson
April 16, 2020
Exercise Science graduate student Spencer Peterson's interest in technology and human movement led him to work with a mechanical engineering team to create an app that could move physical therapy from the clinic into the home.
1 Min Read
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Promoting Health and Nutrition Through Education

By Nicole Peterson
April 15, 2020
Working with Bountiful Children's Foundation to create and refine a curriculum that helps mothers better nurture their children is one of Public Health graduate student Lexi Sayer's educational highlights.
1 Min Read
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Climbing Personal and Academic Mountains

By Kalicia Bateman
April 14, 2020
Statistically speaking, Biology entomolgy PhD student Gavin Martin, shouldn’t have earned a bachelor’s degree, let alone a master’s degree and a PhD. Climbing personal mountains allowed him to reach new heights in his study of fireflies.
2 Min Read
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Exploring New Research Avenues For Neural Tube Defects

By Madeline Jones
April 14, 2020
In addition to making groundbreaking discoveries in embryonic development, Physiology & Developmental Biology graduate student Micah Ross works to build a better community for BYU graduate students.
2 Min Read
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Plant-Bacteria Symbiosis: A Key Communication for the Global Ecosystem

By Kalicia Bateman
April 08, 2020
Microbiology & Molecular Biology PhD student Alex Benedict is focusing on an important environmental process that defines the global nitrogen and carbon cycle and determines the livelihood of global vegetation.
2 Min Read
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Influencing Environmental Change from Iran to Utah

By Kalicia Bateman
April 08, 2020
Plant & Wildlife Sciences PhD student Sara Sayedi wanted to use science to change public policy in her home country of Iran, but the political climate offered her limited options to enter the public policy arena. After learning about the available research opportunities at BYU, she saw a new possibility to influence environmental change.
3 Min Read
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Living Through History

By Lance Good
March 20, 2020
Life Sciences student shares insights on staying positive in light of COVID-19 and other current challenges. Over the course of the last week, our way of life has changed drastically. From the cancellation of all in-person classes, to the temporary closures of businesses, restaurants, and theaters, to an earthquake acting as an alarm clock, we’ve gone through a lot.
1 Min Read
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Disaster Response Class Prepares BYU Students to Serve Their Community

By Nicole Peterson
March 20, 2020
To prepare BYU students to assist their communities, the College of Life Sciences offers a public health elective: Disaster Response and Emergency Preparedness. The class also shared several ways Utahns can prepare for four types of emergencies right now.
2 Min Read
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Permafrost Collapse and the Global Ecosystem

By Kalicia Bateman
March 17, 2020
Although separated by space and time, our emissions have a great impact on ecosystems across the globe, and those systems are responding. Plant and wildlife sciences professor, Dr. Ben Abbott, has been studying these ecosystem responses and recently published research with Dr. Merritt Turetsky, director of the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) at the University of Colorado Boulder, on permafrost collapse in arctic ecosystems.
1 Min Read
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National Nutrition Month at BYU: An Appetizing Experience

March 10, 2020
BYU students are making bite-size changes in their eating and physical activity habits during March for National Nutrition Month. The Student Dietetics Association if offering prizes for those who participate in their nutrition challenge.
3 Min Read
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Trends and Treatment of Chronic Ankle Instability

By Kalicia Bateman
March 10, 2020
Perhaps it happened while playing basketball, executing a perfect arabesque, chasing the dog, or working up a sweat in an aerobics class. Everything was fine—you were going in for the winning basket of the game, you had almost caught Spot—but then you felt your ankle give way, and suddenly everything was not fine.
3 Min Read
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Research Sheds Light on the Affects of Child Temperament on Adult Health

By Kalicia Bateman
March 04, 2020
“We are more prone to believe that the children who are quiet and reserved are in need of the most help, but that’s not the case. The kids that are more interactive and externalizing need attention as well, but in a different way.” – Jake Miller
2 Min Read
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The Fungus Affecting Potato Crops Across the U.S.

By Kalicia Bateman
February 27, 2020
Potatoes are a staple food in the United States. Who doesn’t enjoy warm French fries with just the right amount of salt, a bag of crunchy potato chips, or some creamy mashed potatoes smothered in gravy?
2 Min Read
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MMBio Student's Virus Research Hits Close to Home

By Madeline Jones
February 26, 2020
When MMBio graduate student Israel Guerrero learned about an outbreak of Chikungunya near his home in Southern Mexico, he went to work.
3 Min Read
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PDBIO Student Makes Valuable Connections on Premed Research Internship at Stanford

By Kalicia Bateman
January 24, 2020
"We have students who are impressive and capable, but they just need an opportunity." - Dr. Joshua Jaramillo, internship coordinator
3 Min Read
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December 2019 Graduate Receives Utah Academy of Nutrition Award

By Kalicia Bateman
December 16, 2019
As a well-rounded intern with the ability to grasp new concepts quickly and present work clearly, Mandy Mathews is admired by her faculty and peers.
2 Min Read
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BYU Public Health students go to Washington to study CARE Act

By Nicole Peterson
November 22, 2019
Ten students from BYU’s College of Life Sciences flew to Washington, D.C., to visit with legislators and their staff about the controversial Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency Act (CARE Act).
2 Min Read
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Life Sciences Funded Internship Opportunities

November 15, 2019
Where will you be next summer? There are so many opportunities and the College of Life Sciences can help you get there!
2 Min Read
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New Life Sciences Career Director

By Kalicia Bateman
November 01, 2019
"I was too afraid to go to career services as a student. It sounded like I needed to have my life together before I met with them, but the truth is that you don't. You can come in and say, 'I really have no idea what I'm doing with my life,' and we'll say, 'Great, let's talk!'" - Sterling May
1 Min Read
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Life Science Students Screen Athletes at World Senior Games

October 26, 2019
Every October more than 11,000 senior athletes come together in St. George, Utah for the Huntsman World Senior Games. Over the course of two weeks, men and women over the age of 50 compete in a variety of events, and are also offered free basic health screenings. This year, 92 students from the BYU College of Life Sciences volunteered their time to conduct thousands of these screenings.
1 Min Read
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New Course: Life Sciences and the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ

By Kalicia Bateman
October 21, 2019
The College of Life Sciences introduces a new course to help students better understand the gospel's relevance to questions and issues they will encounter in the sciences.
2 Min Read
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From Phage Hunters at BYU to CMV Research at Penn State

By Kalicia Bateman
October 21, 2019
"I really want to be the one who develops the cures rather than the one administering them." Michelle Nishiguchi (MMBIO)
1 Min Read
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BYU to receive $2.3 million NIH grant to tackle opioid crisis through wearable back sensor

October 10, 2019
BYU Engineering and Exercise Sciences researchers seek to more effectively diagnose lower back pain through novel technology.
2 Min Read
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New Life Sciences Advisor

By Kalicia Bateman
September 30, 2019
“There is something about the college-age student that I find refreshing and inspiring. It is fun to help guide them on their path.”
1 Min Read
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Decreasing the maternal mortality rate in Ghana

By Kalicia Bateman
September 09, 2019
This past summer, students from the College of Life Sciences Department of Public Health worked to lower the maternal mortality rate in Ghana by developing a new app that connects pregnant women with their healthcare worker, tracks their pregnancy schedule, and provides information on prenatal and postnatal care.
2 Min Read
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Changing Lives in Mongolia

August 22, 2019
In August, faculty from NDFS, PWS, and Public Health hosted a group of Mongolian delegates visiting Utah and Idaho to tour local farms and production facilities. Latter-day Saint Charities is partnering with the College of Life Sciences to address Mongolia's food safety and preservation issues.
1 Min Read
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Department News

Running experts: You've already hit your stride

Todd Hollingshead
By Todd Hollingshead
July 31, 2019
A new study by the duo of BYU professors finds the stride length people naturally choose is the best for them, whether they are experienced or inexperienced runners.

2 Min Read
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Biology Department Hosts Reconcile Evolution Conference

July 29, 2019
The theory of creation-evolutionism is a hard topic to grasp for some who are religious because of its seeming threat to their faith.
4 Min Read
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Department News

Why your muscles get less sore as you stick with your gym routine

Todd Hollingshead
By Todd Hollingshead
July 24, 2019
The first time back to the gym after a break usually results in sore muscles. Fortunately, the return trip a few days later—if it happens—is generally less painful. BYU researchers are finding out why.

3 Min Read
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Department News

Study: Gastric bypass surgery can reduce risk of death even for advanced ages

Todd Hollingshead
By Todd Hollingshead
July 24, 2019
New research from Brigham Young University finds that patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery after the age of 35 see a major improvement in long-term survival.

 

2 Min Read
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High levels of exercise linked to nine years of less aging (at the cellular level)

Todd Hollingshead
By Todd Hollingshead
July 23, 2019
But new research from Brigham Young University reveals you may be able to slow one type of aging — the kind that happens inside your cells. As long as you’re willing to sweat.

2 Min Read
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New associate dean for the College of Life Sciences

July 12, 2019
Dean James P. Porter announced the appointment of Susan Fullmer as the new associate dean with responsibilities for undergraduate and graduate students in the BYU College of Life Sciences effective July 8, 2019. Fullmer will replace Rosemary Thackeray, who was recently appointed by President Kevin J Worthen as the assistant to the president for planning and assessment.
1 Min Read
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Intellect

Late-night snacking: Is it your brain's fault?

Todd Hollingshead
By Todd Hollingshead
July 11, 2019
In a newly published study, exercise sciences professors and a neuroscientist at BYU used MRI to measure how people's brains respond to high and low-calorie food images at different times of the day.

2 Min Read
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People on treadmill desks perform tasks nearly as well as those sitting

Todd Hollingshead
By Todd Hollingshead
July 11, 2019
Research suggests health benefits of walking desks outweigh drop in cognition
3 Min Read
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Department News

BYU study: Cancer passing heart disease as leading cause of death in more and more states

Todd Hollingshead
By Todd Hollingshead
July 09, 2019
Trend shows U.S. on verge of epidemiologic transition
2 Min Read
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Events

New Bean Museum exhibit explores evolution

July 09, 2019
The Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum opens a new exhibit today exploring the theories and observations of evolution, and how evolution changes life on Earth.
1 Min Read
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Intellect

Four green thumbs: BYU senior wins 4th landscaping championship

Todd Hollingshead
By Todd Hollingshead
July 09, 2019
BYU senior Alyssa Brown has joined the ranks of the select few college students who have won a national championship in all four years of school. (Wrestler Cael Sanderson and players from the 1967-73 UCLA basketball teams come to mind.)
3 Min Read
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Intellect

Part of the search: A Q & A with the student commencement speaker

By Erica Ostergar
July 09, 2019
David Kastner will represent the graduates as the student speaker at BYU’s Commencement exercises this month. Like many of his fellow graduates, he has accomplished a lot during his time at BYU.
5 Min Read
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Department News

Inspired BYU grad a force against global disease

July 08, 2019
As a young girl growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, Moremi Hamblin saw her parents as prime examples of the difference an education can make in the quality of life.
2 Min Read
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Character

Cougar Query: "Find what you love and work hard at it."

By Kaylee Esplin
July 08, 2019
Name: Julianne Grose
1 Min Read
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Study: Want to help the vaccine hesitant become pro-vaccine? Have them meet someone with a vaccine-preventable disease

Todd Hollingshead
By Todd Hollingshead
July 08, 2019
Learning first-hand of the pain and cost of vaccine-preventable diseases moves the needle
3 Min Read
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Department News

Rosemary Thackeray appointed BYU assistant to the president for planning and assessment

July 08, 2019
Replaces James D. Gordon III, who is retiring after 35 years of service to the university
2 Min Read
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Can your shoes really make you run faster?

July 08, 2019
Led by Professor Iain Hunter, researchers at BYU studied top marathon running shoes to discover if one could help runners be more efficient
2 Min Read
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Study finds bedrock is teeming with microorganisms protecting water quality

May 30, 2019
Nitrogen pollution from human fertilizer and fossil fuels affects two-thirds of freshwater bodies worldwide and causes billions of dollars of damage to fisheries and ecosystems annually. It triggers harmful algal blooms and dead zones where only worms and bacteria can survive.
3 Min Read
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YouTube 'epic fail' star-turned-researcher finds Achilles surprisingly adaptable

Todd Hollingshead
By Todd Hollingshead
February 10, 2015
A new study authored by BYU exercise science researchers reveals great news about the Achilles heel: the Achilles tendon is capable of adapting to uphill and downhill running better than previously believed.

2 Min Read
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