Dr. Puni Jeyasingh, an Ecologist in the Integrative Biology Department, will travel to Finland to conduct research, establish collaborations, and teach a course at the University of Jyväskylä. Dr. Jeyasingh studies the effect environmental changes have had on small invertebrates. By hatching eggs from these invertebrates that are 700 years old (!!), he is able to directly observe how these invertebrates have changed over time. You can read more about Dr. Jeyasingh's award here. 

Congratulations on receiving such a presitigous award!

Congratulations to Patrick Cusaac, Adam Simpson, and Sarah Hileman on sweeping 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place at the regional conference for the Ozark-Prairie chapter of SETAC! OSU was well represented, with 9 students from the Department of Integrative Biology presenting excellent platform talks and posters. Also, a special thanks to the Interdisciplinary Toxicology program for supporting OSU graduate students conducting toxicology related research. You can read more here.

The National Science Foundation has awarded a four year $720,000 grant to Dr. Polly Campbell, in the Department of Integrative Biology at Oklahoma State University. The project seeks to understand the role of imprinted genes in the development and regulation of three defining mammalian features: the placenta, maternal care, and the development of a complex brain. Imprinted genes are defined by their ‘parent-of-origin’ pattern of expression: some are expressed only from the maternally inherited copy and others only from the paternally inherited copy. Because imprinted genes are essential to both placental function and brain development, they are uniquely positioned to affect mother-offspring interactions, during both gestation and lactation, with lasting effects on adult brain function and behavior. In collaboration with Dr. Jennifer Grindstaff (Integrative Biology), and Dr. Charles Chen (Biochemistry), Campbell’s lab group will use whole genome expression and DNA methylation profiling, together with hormonal and behavioral assays, to explore the consequences of disrupted imprinting for mothers and their offspring. In collaboration with Dr. Julie Angle (College of Education) the Campbell lab will provide hands-on research experience for preservice and in-service teachers; trainees will develop lesson plans that will translate their experiences into classroom practice, with the long-term goal of enhancing scientific literacy and engagement in Oklahoma public schools. Congratulations Polly!

Lexi Hill, a Senior at Deer Creek High School, received first place in the Oklahoma Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition for her project titled “Municipal wastewater effluent has sublethal effects on freshwater snails (Helisoma trivolvis)”. Lexi is a student in Ms. Kaytlyn Goodwin’s (OSU 2015) science class and was mentored by Chris Goodchild, a PhD student in Sarah DuRant’s lab. The Stockholm Junior Water Prize is awarded by the Oklahoma Water Environment Association (OWEA) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF). This prize recognizes outstanding student research in water science and sustainability (for more see: http://www.siwi.org/prizes/stockholmjuniorwaterprize/). The award carries an all expenses paid trip to the national competition in Charlotte, NC, where Lexi will be competing for the opportunity to share her research with an international audience in Stockholm, Sweden. Congratulations, Lexi!

The Department of Integrative Biology will offer several new degree options beginning in the fall of 2016. Our 3 base degrees – Biological Science, Physiology, and Zoology – will remain, but we have added options for a more specific and targeted academic experience.

Our department now offers the following degrees/options:

Biological Science

Biological Science: Environmental Biology

Biological Science: Pre-Healthcare

Biological Science: Secondary Teacher Certification

Physiology

Physiology: Pre-Medical Sciences

Zoology

Zoology: Ecology and Conservation Biology

Zoology: Pre-Medical Sciences

Zoology: Pre-Veterinary Science

Visit with your departmental advisor or see the undergraduate studies page to see if these options might be right for you.