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Engaging Students Through the Rigors of Research
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An on-going project, Biology Under Cover is the latest exhibit located in the lobby of the Aline W. Skaggs Building.
Matt Crawley
Our semester began with our annual science retreat where we showcased the cutting edge research being conducted in the SBS. Eight graduate students and postdocs presented their research along with our newest faculty member, Dean Castillo (inset photo) who comes to us from Cornell. Dean is an evolutionary geneticist who works on the genetics of selection and sexually selected traits. We also hosted three distinguished speakers. Dr. Robert (Bob) Sclafani from UC Denver, this year’s Lark speaker. Dr. Ole Jensen, DDS, MS and Dr. Cynthia Sagers, Vice President for Research at Arizona State University were our Distinguished Alumni Speakers. A total of fourteen of our wonderful undergraduate scholars also presented posters of their research enabled through the largesse of our scholarship donors.
While we warmly greet new faculty this year, we also must say goodbye to plant physiologist Dr. John Sperry for his twentyeight years of service to the U. All the best, John, as you retire.
In November we celebrate the inaugural Diversity Fellows Program by hosting a dozen undergraduate students from across the country for a preview of the graduate school application process. This program gives students a chance to interact with graduate students, postdocs and faculty from the SBS and to see the wonders of Utah.
We’ve recently immortalized research in the School of Biological Sciences by rendering in metal the journal and book covers produced by our faculty. You will find these displayed in the lobby of the Aline W. Skaggs Biology Building. Each cover has a QR code linked to a description of the research and the article from the journal. Stop in and take a look!
Dean Castillo
And, finally, I want say thanks again to all of our supporters. Your financial donations, collectively, allow us to provide the hands-on training needed for our next cohort of scientists, researchers, teachers and informed citizens.
All the best for a happy 2020,
M. Densie Dearing Distinguished Professor, Director School of Biological Sciences
