Delta State University Department of Biological Sciences

05/20/2026

The USDA Wildlife Services (APHIS Division) in the Delta Region wants to hire people to work with combating feral hogs. If interested, please contact Dr. Nina Riding at DSU ([email protected]) and she will give you more information.

Send a message to learn more

05/12/2026

On May 8th, three outstanding Environmental Science students graduated. For example, Ms. Molly Mellen received highest honors in having a 4.0 GPA. Some photos are provided below.

05/06/2026

Dr. Nina Baghai-Riding is the Environmental Science evaluator for The Mississippi Delta Nature Center in Greenville, MS. Ms. Amanda Delperdang and her husband, Jon Delperdang, are the founders of this outstanding facility. Environmental Science programs for K-6 grade students represents one of their strengths.

On May 5, 2026 Ms. Delperdang and Baghai-Riding presented at the Gulf Conference 2026 that was held at the Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center in Mobile, Alabama. Their presentation was in the session titled "Place-based education in the Gulf; An overview of initiatives, lessons learned and ongoing efforts". Their presentation was very well received.

Please visit the following website for more information about the MS Delta Nature Center: https://www.msdeltanature.org/work-with-us

Please visit the following website for more information about degree programs in Environmental Science at Delta State University: https://www.deltastate.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/bs-environmental-science/

Way to go DSU!

05/04/2026

Delta State University (DSU) was well represented at the Memphis Gem, Mineral and Fossil show that occurred in late April. Dr. Nina Baghai-Riding had a display table that highlighted Environmental Science programs at DSU. Molly Mellen and Canaan Mercer, both graduating seniors who double majored in Environmental Science (Wildlife Management Concentration) and Biology (General Concentration) helped out with answering questions to patrons. It was a great weekend! Go DSU!

04/27/2026

Two DSU senior Environmental Science majors secured prestigious summer internships with Mississippi state agencies this past Friday. This success highlights the excellence of DSU's program and student body. It is a fantastic time to be an Environmental Science major at DSU! Go DSU!

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04/17/2026

The Division of Math and Sciences will have a table at the Memphis Mineral, Fossil, and Jewelry show this weekend (April 18-19, 2026) at the Agricenter. Come and visit our booth and pick up a freebie! The show is outstanding and fun! Some photos from a recent show are shown below. Go DSU!
https://earthwideopen.wixsite.com/rocks

04/16/2026

Students at Delta State University received training in fluorescence microscopy techniques on April 14th. Students examined cheek cells. TriBeta sponsored this hands-on experience training. This microscope will enhance environmental science labs. Go DSU!

04/09/2026

A great news article was published today regarding the participation of environmental science, biology, and chemistry students and faculty at the recent Mississippi Academy of Sciences Conference. DSU has some amazing undergraduate science students. Go Statesman!

Senior Canaan Mercer of Madison received first place at the recent Mississippi Academy of Sciences Conference for his poster examining the effects of atrazine on cellular processes. CLEVELAND, Miss. — Students from Delta State University’s Division of Mathematics and Sciences earned multiple awa...

04/08/2026

TriBeta at DSU is hosting an event to the USDA-ARS in Stoneville, on April 17th. Please email [email protected] if you are interested. Below is the major part of the email.
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TriBeta is excited to announce that it will be taking DSU students to visit the USDA Agricultural Research facilities on Friday, 4/17/26, departing at 2:15 PM and returning at approximately 6PM!

The US Department of Agriculture conducts Agricultural Research Services in the Stoneville MS center year-round, researching diverse agriculture topics ranging from plant genomics and bioinformatics, aquaculture, insect immunology, and more.

Students may take part of this FREE VISIT to witness the high-end research facilities and be guided by actual USDA researchers to see their daily activities. This event provides students valuable insights into working as a government-funded agricultural researcher, and they are able to directly interact with many of its sub-disciplines while building network connections and potential career opportunities.

We ask that interested students sign up by Sunday, 4/12/26. They may scan the QR code on the flyer or use the following link to the Microsoft Form:

04/07/2026

Delta State University faculty and students made a significant contribution at the American Chemical Society Spring Conference that occurred in late March in Atlanta, Georgia. Congrats to everyone that participated! Please read the published news release for more information. Go Statesman!

(L to R) Dr. Chris Jurgenson, Erick Manriquez and Dr. Joe Bentley represented Delta State at the recent American Chemical Society Spring Meeting, presenting original research at one of the largest scientific gatherings in the world. CLEVELAND, Miss. — Delta State University undergraduate student E...

03/26/2026

Current and former Delta State Environmental Science students achieved remarkable recognition at the Mississippi Academy of Sciences conference in Biloxi last week. Ms. Aubrie Pitts received a Millsaps Participation Certificate for her abstract, which was rated within the top 10% of undergraduate submissions. Ms. Olivia Pharr, received third place for best poster in the Ecology, Entomology, Evolutionary Biology, and Zoology (EEEBZ) Division. and Mr. Canaan Mercer received first place for best poster in the EEEBZ Division.
Other Environmental Science students including Molly Mellen and Hannah Jones had great poster presentations as well. Dr. Nina Baghai-Riding has presented a poster as well as an oral presentation regarding palynomorphs from the Coffee Sand, Booneville, MS fossil site as well as results associated with her INBRE 2024 grant. Several DSU faculty and students participated in the fieldtrip to the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum in Biloxi, MS that was featured as an MAS activity by the EEEBZ Division.