Thomas More University Biology Field Station

Thomas More University Biology Field Station Our mission is to educate and engage students & visitors about the Ohio River ecosystem and empower them to make a positive impact on the environment.

The Thomas More University Biology Field Station is a one-of-a-kind center for aquatic biology research whose reach is as wide and powerful as the Ohio River. Located just thirty minutes from the main Thomas More campus, the Station, one of the original lock and dam facilities, is perched on the shore of the Ohio River. Through hands-on inquiry-based teaching methods, the faculty and students at t

he Station educate and engage visitors about the Ohio River ecosystem and surrounding watershed, teach the value of the watershed to those who live within it, and empower students to make a positive impact on the River and surrounding environment.

Drumroll please…for the…BAND LINEUP for the CONCERT! On July 25, visit the Thomas More University Biology Field Station ...
05/24/2026

Drumroll please…for the…BAND LINEUP for the CONCERT! On July 25, visit the Thomas More University Biology Field Station for the third annual Concert for Conservation featuring old-timey, bluegrass bands and musicians including Ma Crow & Co, Sonya Moomaw, Get Down River, Maria Carrelli, and Porch Goose. Swipe to meet the artists performing at this year’s event that also includes laboratory tours, an environmental organization showcase, free kayak rentals, food trucks, and MadTree beverages. Register at tmuky.us/concertrsvp (case sensitive).

LATEST HAPPENINGS with the River Mural by TMU alum, Michael Thompson. Dedication coming soon!
05/15/2026

LATEST HAPPENINGS with the River Mural by TMU alum, Michael Thompson. Dedication coming soon!

SUMMER SEMINAR SERIES! Our annual seminar series will take place in the Biology Field Station Lodge this summer on Thurs...
05/10/2026

SUMMER SEMINAR SERIES! Our annual seminar series will take place in the Biology Field Station Lodge this summer on Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:00 PM (8330 Mary Ingles Highway, California, KY 41007).

Speakers from diverse backgrounds, including several alum of the Bio Station, will discuss their career paths, current research, and professional development. This seminar series is open to the public; feel free to join us.

And don't forget to purchase your tickets to our 3rd Annual Concert for Conservation: Raisin' Hellbenders on the River at. https://www.thomasmore.edu/.../concert-for-conservation/.

See you on the River!

MURAL REVEAL at the CONCERT! As you may remember, Thomas More alumnus, Michael Thompson, is painting a mural on the Fiel...
04/26/2026

MURAL REVEAL at the CONCERT! As you may remember, Thomas More alumnus, Michael Thompson, is painting a mural on the Field Station’s lab building that creatively highlights native biodiversity. Check out these photos for his progress on the hellbender! Join us for the official mural reveal at the third annual Concert for Conservation this July 25 from 3-9 PM at the Biology Field Station! Plus, don’t forget our EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Purchase your tickets at tmuky.us/concertrsvp by June 01 for a FREE raffle ticket for a brand new kayak donated by Schack’s Yaks.

WELCOME ABOARD! We are pleased to announce that Dr. Kendall Simon has accepted our offer to become the next Manager at t...
04/19/2026

WELCOME ABOARD! We are pleased to announce that Dr. Kendall Simon has accepted our offer to become the next Manager at the Bio Station.

Kendall is an aquatic ecologist and environmental toxicologist with over 14 years of experience conducting field- and laboratory-based research focused on water quality, species conservation, and ecosystem health. She earned her a B.S. in Animal Science from Michigan State University, followed by a Ph.D. and M.S. in Ecosystem Health and Natural Resource Management from the University of Maryland, where her research examined bald eagles as indicators of Great Lakes ecosystem health.

Kendall has led multidisciplinary field teams, managed complex research programs, and worked extensively with federal agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, on aquatic ecology and contaminant studies. She is passionate about hands-on education, mentoring students, and connecting science with the broader community through outreach and communication.

Here at the Station, Dr. Simon is excited about mentoring undergrads in research projects, managing our lab conservation work, leading our K-12 STEM Outreach programs, and assisting in the operations and maintenance of the Field Station. In her words... “I am excited to join the Field Station and to help create opportunities for students and the community to connect with aquatic ecosystems in a meaningful, hands-on way. There’s something powerful about being out in the field. You don’t just study the ecosystem, you feel connected to it.”

Please join us in welcoming Kendall to the Biology Field Station and to the University.

CONGRATULATIONS and WELCOME! You know summer is around the corner when we have selected our new cohort of interns. We ...
04/09/2026

CONGRATULATIONS and WELCOME! You know summer is around the corner when we have selected our new cohort of interns. We are pleased to announce the education and research interns at the Bio Station for summer 2026.

These students, arriving from across the country and beyond, will live on site, conducting conservation and research projects, while assisting with our K-12 STEM Outreach programs.

A big thanks to our financial supporters, the Duke Energy Foundation, the Friends of the Field Station, the National Science Foundation, the National Wildlife Federation, the Renaker Family Foundation, SD1, the Terracon Foundation, and the WAVE Foundation, for helping to make these programs possible.

K-12 STUDENTS: The deadlines to apply for our overnight ECO STEM camp for high schoolers and our day camp for elementary...
03/27/2026

K-12 STUDENTS: The deadlines to apply for our overnight ECO STEM camp for high schoolers and our day camp for elementary & middle school students are fast approaching, April 01 and May 01, respectively.

The HS ECO STEM Camp is a four-day overnight summer camp from July 12-15 where campers are immersed in STEM and conservation sessions focused on the ecology of the Ohio River and its watershed. Led by the Station staff and our undergraduate interns, campers get hands-on, feet-wet experiences exploring various disciplines within ecology and conservation.

The two-day camp for rising 1st-8th graders from 9 am - 3 pm June 29-30. Camp is perfect for students interested in aquatic life, nature, and science! Campers will be split into cohorts by grade level. Station faculty, staff, and undergraduate interns will lead camp programming.

To learn more, visit:

HS ECO STEM Camp: https://www.thomasmore.edu/academics/explore-campus/biology-field-station/eco-leaders-camp/

K-8 DAY STEM Camp: https://www.thomasmore.edu/moreover-magazine/summer-camps/

EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM...and the FREE raffle ticket! Spring break has us dreaming of summer vacation and our third ann...
03/15/2026

EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM...and the FREE raffle ticket! Spring break has us dreaming of summer vacation and our third annual 'Raisin' Hellbenders on the River: Concert for Conservation' at the Thomas More University Biology Field Station on July 25, 2026. Tickets are now open; purchase yours by April 15 for a FREE raffle ticket for a chance to win a brand-new kayak! https://www.thomasmore.edu/academics/explore-campus/biology-field-station/concert-for-conservation/

P.S. Thanks to our sponsors that have already signed on to support the event, including Aramark, the Louisville Zoo, MadTree Brewing Co., Music Fund Cincinnati, Schack's Yaks, Riverfront RV, and WAVE Foundation. We are so grateful for their generosity and commitment to conservation!

FOND FAREWELL Part 2 :)Alongside our programs, Molly has had significant positive impacts on the undergraduate interns w...
02/08/2026

FOND FAREWELL Part 2 :)

Alongside our programs, Molly has had significant positive impacts on the undergraduate interns with whom she worked and countless K-12 students who had the opportunity to experience her enthusiasm and love for environmental education, aquatic biodiversity, and the Ohio River.
“It was an absolute pleasure to work under Molly for two summers. Her consistent and intentional actions working to ensure each intern felt included and appreciated cultivated a family-like environment that made my time at the TMU Biology Field Station nothing short of magical.” —George
“I loved having Molly as my supervisor for the summer! It was my first internship and I was really nervous, but Molly was there to reassure me! One thing I learned for her that I’ll always remember in my biology career, is that it’s okay to make mistakes and grow from them. And also that a little kindness goes a long way. Thank you Molly, and I wish you and Cali well!” —Aarianna

“I am so grateful to have had the chance to work with Molly. She made the field station feel like home, from throwing the biggest 1st birthday party for her dog, Cali, to being neighbors during my final semester of college. She will definitely be missed, but I am excited to see where this next chapter takes her.” —Olivia

“Molly was someone we felt comfortable talking to about anything, whether it was work-related questions or just asking for advice. As a fellow woman in the science field, she was an amazing role model and someone I looked up to during my time at the Field Station. I wish her the best of luck with her future endeavors, and it was a pleasure being her student and friend!” –Caitlin

“Molly is kind, patient, and quick to help out. She always made the interns feel welcome and at home at the field station.” —Marina

“Molly went above and beyond to make my time at the field station amazing! She was always super friendly and a pleasure to work with! —Bailee
Thank you for helping make the field station such a welcoming and fun place to learn. You’ll be missed very much but I’m so excited for what the future has in store for you! –LilaGrace

A FOND FAREWELL. It is with sincere gratitude that we bid Molly farewell. During her time at the Station, first as an i...
02/08/2026

A FOND FAREWELL. It is with sincere gratitude that we bid Molly farewell. During her time at the Station, first as an intern and recently as the Station Manager, she displayed a genuine commitment to our conservation, outreach, and research programs. Through her professionalism and friendly nature, Molly has made invaluable contributions from strengthening our collaborations to advancing the science in aquatic biology.
“It was a privilege and a pleasure to be the first Station Manager, and I experienced immeasurable professional and personal growth in the role thanks to the staff, interns, volunteers, and collaborators. I look forward to staying in touch as a Friend of the Field Station and volunteer to continue supporting the Station’s impactful research, education, and outreach programs.” —Molly

“Beyond excited!” That’s how Molly described herself when she interned in 2021. “Beyond excited!” is how I felt when she accepted the position of Field Station Manager in 2023. In the 4-1/2 years I’ve known her, I’ve watched her grow from that eager and enthusiastic intern to a competent and successful Station Manager.
Exercising authority without being overbearing, educating while also entertaining, working with others from various walks of life, cultures, languages and maintaining 100% enthusiasm 100% of the time are just a few of this amazing woman’s qualities.
The Station will surely miss her smiling face and “ready to take on the world” attitude every day. Yet we’re grateful and thankful Molly will be back as a volunteer, and personally I feel very fortunate to call her my friend.
Best of Luck, “Madame Deputy Director”! —Greg

“Molly exceeded my lofty expectations and set the bar high for the Manager position. Working at the Field Station is as much a way of life as it is a career. She embraced this concept wholeheartedly, embodied the mission of the Station and the University, and became family to us. As she lifts her sails and embarks on new journeys, we know the winds will bring her back on occasion. You and Cali, too, are always welcome at your second home on the River.” DL

Address

8309 Mary Ingles Highway
California, KY
41007

Telephone

+18596356941

Website

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