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College of Life Sciences

Biology Department News

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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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Dr. Rachel Wood: Exploring Wetland Wonders

By Parker Smith
October 04, 2023
Meet Dr. Rachel Wood, a new assistant professor of biology researching aquatic ecosystems.
1 Min Read
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Dr. John Sproul: Unearth the Unknown

By Parker Smith
October 02, 2023
Meet John Sproul, a new assistant professor of biology studying genes and phylogenetics.
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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Immense Proteogenomic Dataset Provides New Resource For Pan-Cancer Analysis

By Travis Davies
August 14, 2023
A proteogenomic dataset that was organized with the leadership of BYU's Dr. Sam Payne provides a new and accessible research for pan-cancer analysis. The dataset was published in Cancer Cell and will be an invaluable resource for cancer research and treatment.
2 Min Read
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Impact Magazine

50 Years of Teaching Evolution at BYU

By Aubrey Johnson
July 26, 2023
Teaching evolution at BYU has an origin story decades in the making. Today, it acts as a testament to BYU’s commitment to search for and teach truth by integrating faith and science.
10 Min Read
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Impact Magazine

The Contagion of Fear

By Erin Saito
July 26, 2023
The global prevalence of anxiety has increased in recent years, especially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fish may help us understand human anxiety, social connection, and how to move forward.
5 Min Read
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Impact Magazine

Learning From the Land on Lytle Ranch

By Allie Richael
July 28, 2022
Dallin Leota, the new owner of the Lytle Preserve, opens the land to BYU students, visitors, and Paiute tribe leaders to provide hands-on experiences with history, preservation, and land restoration.
6 Min Read
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Impact Magazine

Life Under Ice: Profiles and Pictures

By Kelly Huh
July 22, 2022
Alder Dillman
4 Min Read
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Impact Magazine

Huddled Up for Healing: Working with the Football Team to Address a Degenerative Brain Disease

By Tanner Sandberg
July 21, 2022
In 2002, the death of legendary NFL center Mike Webster introduced the world to the degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The disease is marked by depression, rage, substance abuse, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia, and diagnoses are rising rapidly among retired football players.
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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Impact Magazine

Life Under Ice: Discovering the skills of Antarctica's tiny ghost creatures

Written By: Kelly Huh
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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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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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