Biology
Student Research Opportunities in Biology
The Department of Biology provides opportunities for field and lab research as well as course-based research experiences. Below you will find a listing of all available research opportunities in Biology. Please use the contact information on the departmental web page or listed below for further information regarding research opportunities.
Jason Pitts
Laboratory of Arthropod Sensory Biology
Our lab investigates the molecular mechanisms of sensory perception that are critical to the life histories of arthropods of medical and agricultural importance. Of particular interest are chemical- and temperature-oriented behaviors such as host-seeking, nectar feeding, and oviposition site selection. Our major objective is to understand complex biological systems by employing a range of techniques including gene expression, neurophysiology, and animal responses to sensory stimuli.
Recommended Pre-requisites: BIO 1305/1105 and BIO 1306/1106
Positions are highly competitive. Preference is given to Biology majors who are considering graduate school.
Course Credit Offered: Yes
Semesters Available: ongoing
Contact Information: Jason_Pitts@baylor.edu
Myeongwoo Lee
Biology of Extracellular Matrix
My lab studies how the cell environment affects the behaviors of the cell. Studies found that cell senses the stiffness of the extracellular matrix to regulate cell movement and gene expression, which is necessary for maintaining steady cell physiology. Using the nematode C. elegans as a model, we study the function of genes encoding 'mechanosensory' cellular proteins that deliver the mechanical information of the environment to cellular targets, such as surface receptors, signaling molecules, and cytoskeletons. Such mechanosensing genes are edited using the CRISPR-Cas9 system, and phenotypes of the gene-edited animals are characterized. Students perform microinjection, PCR genotyping, behavioral assays, fluorescence imaging, statistical analysis, and genetics crosses. Our approach and findings will lead us to understand how cells develop and behave differently when they encounter various microenvironments.
Recommended Pre-requisites: BIO 1305, BIO 1306, and BIO 2306; we welcome students who know statistical analyses.
Course Credit Offered: Yes
Begin Date: Anytime
Semesters Available: Fall, Spring, & Summer II
Contact Information: Myeongwoo_Lee@baylor.edu
Joe Taube
Biology of Breast Cancer Metastasis
Research in the Taube Lab focuses on the epigenetic regulation of cell identity and it's relationships to tumor formation and metastasis. Current lab projects are exploring histone modifying enzymes, microRNAs, and small molecule inhibitors of these regulations.
Recommended Pre-requisites: Research experiences are highly competitive and preference is given to students considering graduate school and with at least 2 more years at Baylor. Students should have excellent grades, a mature attitude, a commitment to working non-traditional hours, and good communication skills.
Course Credit Offered: Yes
Begin Date: Applications will be considered in December and January.
Semesters Available: Fall, Spring, Full Summer
Contact Information: Joseph_Taube@baylor.edu
Jacquelyn Duke
Biological Systems Research BIO 3300 and BIO 3V90
This is a year-long 8-total-credit-hour research course (4 hrs per semester) limited to 12 biology majors, meeting Tues 12:30-4:30 pm and Thurs 12:30-1:45pm. Students need a permit to add this course. You must submit an application, and be selected in order to receive a permit. You must also be committed to being a part of the year-long endeavor. Request an application from Dr. Duke. Overview The first semester will focus on a research project in systems biology. The second semester will involve communicating the results of students' research to a non-majors ecology course, and working with the non-majors to develop and execute a community engagement activity. Overall, the two-semester course will not only engage students in a deeper level of learning through research and teaching activities, but will also facilitate scientific communication and engagement with a peer group of non-science majors. This research opportunity will culminate in: student-developed lectures on an introduction to systems biology, student presentations on their research activities in the form of poster and Power Point presentations, and a manuscript on the research that will be submitted for a publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Students will also engage in scientific advocacy and public engagement through the organized systems biology outreach event. Co-taught by J. Duke and T. Scott.
Recommended Pre-requisites: Freshman Biology and Genetics courses
Course Credit Offered: Yes
Begin Date:Fall 2018 Semester
Semester Available: Fall & Spring
Contact Information: Jacquelyn_Duke@baylor.edu
Dwayne Simmons
Investigations into seneorineural hearing loss and nerve repair
Research interests in the Simmons laboratory concern both developing and aging brain function related to hearing and balance, neurodegeneration, and neuro-immune responses using murine transgenic models. The Simmons laboratory investigates how the regulation of calcium signaling contributes to hearing loss, development and maturation of sensory organs, and peripheral nerve regeneration. Calcium signals can be regulated by specialized protein buffers that bind calcium ions. We have focused our studies on the function of an EF-hand calcium binding protein, oncomodulin (Ocm), which is a member of the parvalbumin gene family. Its distribution is highly restricted, being mostly limited to a subset of sensory hair cells in the mammalian inner ear and elsewhere to a subset of immune cells. Targeted deletion of Ocm in mice leads to an early, progressive hearing loss and to slowed or delayed nerve regeneration.
Recommended Pre-requisites: BIO 1306
Course Credit Offered: Yes
Semester Available: Fall/Spring/Full Summer
Links:https://www.researchgate.net/lab/Dwayne-D-Simmons-Lab
Contact Information: Dwayne_Simmons@baylor.edu
Cheolho Sim
Vector Biology
Diapause, a period of developmental arrest, is an essential survival mechanism in insects for coping with inimical conditions, and it plays a crucial role in the transmission of vector-borne diseases. The objective of this proposal is to understand the molecular mechanisms of diapause in adults of the northern house mosquito, Culex pipiens, the vector of West Nile virus, with the long-term goal of disrupting the mosquito’s biological processes during this vulnerable phase of the life cycle. The Forkhead-box, family O (Foxo) transcription factor has been identified as a key molecular switch that activates the downstream genes which govern diapause traits including extended lifespan, fat accumulation, and enhanced stress resistance in diapausing females of Cx. pipiens. Any alteration in the diapause responses (e.g. diapause prevention, delay in onset or termination, impairment of energy storage or utilization, reduced stress tolerance) could potentially be developed as a tool for disrupting this critical phase of the mosquito life cycle and therefore destroying the mosquito before it can reproduce.
Recommended Pre-requisites:Genetics & Cell Biology
Course Credit Offered: Yes
Semesters Available: Fall & Spring
Links: https://sites.google.com/site/vectorbiology/home
Contact Information: Cheolho_Sim@baylor.edu
Marty Harvill
Biology, BIO 1406 Laboratory Research Projects
In the laboratory part of the course, students will have an opportunity to work with 2 other students to develop a research project related to Lake Waco Wetlands. Previous Projects can be found at URSA Scholars Week https://www.baylor.edu/ursa/index.php?id=863331
Recommended Pre-requisites: BIO 1305 C+ or greater
Course Credit Offered:
Begin Date: Spring Semesters
Contact Information: marty_harvill@baylor.edu
Joseph White
Plant Biology
Ecosystem response to disturbance including fire and climate change studied through the use of field and laboratory experimentation, remote sensing, and computer modeling. His present research includes carbon from land, water, to the atmosphere for both modern and ancient landscapes.
Recommended Pre-requisites: BIO 1305 and BIO 1306
Course Credit Offered: BIO 3V90
Begin Date: ongoing
Contact Information: Joseph_D_ White@baylor.edu
Christopher Kearney
Title: Targeted control of gastrointestinal pathogens
Description: We develop peptides to selectively eliminate bacterial pathogens from the gastrointestinal tract, using probiotic bacteria for delivery. This simple system also allows us to study how pathogens evolve to evade targeting and how we can stop drug resistance evolution in pathogens.
Website: http://sites.baylor.edu/chris_kearney
Recommended Pre-requisites: Genetics (BIO 2306)
Course Credit Offered:
Begin Date: ongoing
Contact Information: chris_kearney@baylor.edu
Jonathan Kelber
Title: METASTASIS AND THERAPY RESISTANCE IN SOLID TUMORS
Our lab studies the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive disease progression in breast and pancreas cancers. There is a strong correlation between solid tumor progression and poor patient survival. Many signaling pathways and molecular/cellular mechanisms that control normal tissue homeostasis are dysregulated in cancer. Our group aims to identify and understand factors that regulate cancer metastasis and therapy resistance, and whether these factors may also control tissue repair.
Course Credit Offered: Yes BIO 3V9R
Begin Date: Fall 2024
Semesters Available: Case-by-case basis based upon discussion between Dr. Kelber and students
Contact Information: Jonathan_Kelber@baylor.edu
Bessie Kebaara
Regulation of gene expression
We use yeast to investigate changes in gene expression at the messenger RNA level in response to environmental conditions. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.baylor.edu/biology/index.php?id=68799
Recommended Pre-requisites: Genetics (BIO 2306)
Course Credit Offered: yes
Begin Date: ongoing
Contact Information: Bessie_Kebaara@baylor.edu