WIU Biological Sciences

05/18/2026

2026 WIU Biological Sciences Master’s Students Commencement 🎓

04/22/2026

It was a beautiful afternoon as we honored some of our own. Kaley Meyer, BOT 200 TA and research student, was awarded the Teaching Assistant of the Year Award. She was nominated by Dr. Ranessa Cooper, both pictured below.
Also, not pictured, our own Office Manager, April Huston, was awarded for 10 years of service at WIU!
Congratulations to all and thank you for your hard work and dedication to the Biological Sciences Department and to Western Illinois University!!

04/22/2026

We are proud to announce that TriBeta has restarted with a new group this year and Initiation took place last night under the Presidential leadership of Biology major, Aaron Surdez. Here are the club members with Dr. Musser.

03/12/2026

Some of our students spent some time at the Illinois American Fisheries Society (AFS) Conference, which was attended by Dr. Vaskar Nepal, Grace Fuhrer, Corrine McClendon, Sorin Hilsabeck, and Gunter Nusbaumer. There they presented posters on their research.

The conference was a great chance to meet with other professionals, gain feedback on their research work, and make important connections with other students from regional universities.

03/09/2026

Dear Friends of BiologicalSciences,

Peter James Nielsen (Jim), of Broomfield, Colorado, passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2026, the day after his 88th birthday, surrounded by his family. Jim was born on February 21, 1938, in North Platte, Nebraska, and was raised in Sidney, Nebraska, by his parents, Fern and Hans Peter Nielsen.

Jim excelled in both athletics and music during his youth, playing football throughout high school and studying piano before later dedicating himself to the trombone. He met his beloved wife, Joyce, while attending Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, Nebraska, where he performed in the college band and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biology. He later pursued graduate studies at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE, where he earned his Ph.D. in Physiology and Zoology in 1968 and was a lifelong Cornhusker fan.

Dr. Nielsen was a Professor of Microbiology and Physiology at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois, for 35 years, where he was deeply committed to teaching, advising, and mentoring his students. Jim was active in his children’s and grandchildren’s lives, supporting their activities and accomplishments, as well as enjoying dancing and playing bridge with Joyce and their friends. He engaged in the community through his involvement with the university, Trinity Lutheran Church, and the Boy Scouts of America. He also pursued many personal interests, including riding his scooter, flying, sailing, and woodworking.

Jim and Joyce retired to Edwards, Colorado, and spent 10 years skiing together and volunteering as ski guides at Beaver Creek Ski Resort, the Vilar Performing Arts Center, and Vail’s Shaw Cancer Center. They were also active members of the Mount of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Vail, CO. For the past ten years they have enjoyed living on the Front Range of Colorado in Anthem Ranch and being involved in their community and the Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Broomfield, CO.

Jim and Joyce also shared a lifelong love of travel, attending Broadway performances in New York, participating in river cruises throughout Europe, and embarking on memorable journeys, including a safari in South Africa and a trip to the Holy Land. The most memorable trip being one to Hawaii with the entire family.

Jim is survived by his devoted wife, Joyce; his three children Pam Sunderland (Mark) of Boulder, CO, Tim Nielsen (Carol) of Houston, TX , and Kristi Kraut (Jon) of Champaign, IL; his seven grandchildren, James, Nick, John, Joe, Tyler, Ryan, and Anna; and two great-grandchildren, Willa and Parker.

Jim touched many lives and will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his distinguished academic career, and his lasting influence on the many students he mentored and guided throughout his life.

A Celebration of his Life will be held May 9th,2026 in Broomfield, Colorado at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church.

11/14/2025

On 30 October, Dr. Cooper took some of the Plant Evolution students to the Field Museum in Chicago. Dr. Mike Donovan hosted their visit, and students got a tour of the paleobotany research collection. Then, the students walked through the Evolving Planet exhibit to connect with course material, and they also had the opportunity to enjoy a new exhibit called After the Age of Dinosaurs.

08/29/2025

Here's to a new semester with our TA's!!!

05/12/2025

WIU Biological Sciences Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement 2025

05/08/2025

Mr. Joe DeBold Seminar -

A Day and Life of Wildlife Conservationist. Mr. Joe Debold of the Missouri Department of Conservation and WIU Alumni

05/08/2025

Dr. Shawn Meagher seminar -

Drivers of parasitism in white-footed mice (Peromyscus spp.) - Dr. Shawn Meagher Retirement Research Seminar.

04/30/2025

Dr. Shawn Meagher 25 year Farewell "Last Seminar " Dr. Meagher's Retirement party tonight April 30th, 2025 at Park Place from 6:30 to 8:30pm WIU Biological Sciences UPI at WIU WIU Biology Graduate Student Association