SAU Biology Dept.

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As our seniors take the stage today, we’re proud to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our graduating students...
05/08/2026

As our seniors take the stage today, we’re proud to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our graduating students in Biology and Public Health! Over the past few years, you’ve shown dedication, resilience, and a genuine passion for learning—navigating everything from demanding labs to long nights of studying for exams.

Along the way, you’ve grown into thoughtful scholars, emerging professionals, and future leaders in your fields. Your commitment to science, service, and community has made a lasting impact, and we are excited to see where your paths lead next.

No matter what comes after graduation, you carry with you the skills and experiences to make a difference in our world.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! 🎓 We are so proud of you!

Class of 2026:
Noah Jefferson Calhoun
Jessica Riley Campbell
Allyson Lee Chambliss
Canon Copeland
Malcolm Dunn
Anaya-Nicole Ervin
Justin Lee Gravett
Kennedy Hamilton
Jenna Elise Holmes
William Aaron Humphrey
Lani Lindsey
Connor J. McCain
Myles McDuffie
Colton McPherson
Tanaya Miller
Kaydence Pleasants
Trilla Madison Richardson
Cole Andrew Roberts
Emerald Lee Rummel
Clary Ann Smiley
Jo'Don Thomas
Ashton BryiAnn Timms
Benjamin Tyler Stewart
Shane Ward

It is our honor to announce that the 2025–2026 recipient of the Dr. L.A. Logan Outstanding Student Award in Biology is J...
05/06/2026

It is our honor to announce that the 2025–2026 recipient of the Dr. L.A. Logan Outstanding Student Award in Biology is Jenna Holmes!

The Logan Award is given annually to a graduating senior in the biology department who exemplifies the values of scholarly excellence, intellectual curiosity, and service to peers, college, and community. It is named for a long-time member of the SAU faculty and administration, Dr. Lowell A. Logan, who is also the namesake of our Biological Field Station on Lake Columbia.

Jenna Holmes has embodied the spirit of the Dr. L.A. Logan Award throughout her time at SAU. She has been a dedicated researcher in Dr. Adrian Showalter’s lab, studying potential treatments for metastatic breast cancer. Over the course of her undergraduate career, she has presented her work at seven conferences, ranging from local Arkansas showcases and the State Capitol to the National Collegiate Honors Conference in San Diego. Jenna graduates summa cm laude and has been highly involved on campus, particularly through her leadership in the SAU Pre-Health Club as social media manager, as well as her involvement in Greek life and philanthropic efforts.

Her accomplishments have been recognized through multiple honors, including the Dr. Claude Baker Research Award in 2024-2025 and the Overall Student Achievement Award in 2025-2026. It has been a privilege to witness her growth from her first year to these remarkable milestones. Jenna plans to continue pursuing opportunities in the healthcare field following graduation. Congratulations to you, Jenna, on an incredible finish!

Past recipients of the Dr. L.A. Logan Outstanding Student Award in Biology include:
2024–2025 Alyssa Fish
2023–2024 Alana Hedden
2022–2023 Kenzie Cowan
2021–22 Melanie Joan
2020–21 Connor DeLoach
2019–20 Keely Stofer
2018–19 Alexandria Oliver
2017–18 Carlee Erwin
2016–17 Forrest Woods
2015–16 Diana Mukweyi
2014–15 Wanfeng “Maple” Guo
2013–14 Subir Shakya
2012–13 Brooke Watson
2011–12 Laura Reed
2010–11 Nitish Narula
2009–10 Heather Rochelle
2008–09 Kara Way
2007–08 Rachel Vinsant
2006–07 Lori Mudford
2005–06 Mary Stella Bah
2004–05 Kiley Smith
2003–04 Lori Weaver
2002–03 Chanel Granville
2001–02 James Teague
2000–01 Carla Nicholson
1999–00 Samuel Burns
1998–99 Bradley Rasmussen
1997–98 Kari Deshea Nix
1996–97 Janet Rader

As we approach the end of the academic year, we can look back at all that our wonderful students have achieved. From exc...
05/04/2026

As we approach the end of the academic year, we can look back at all that our wonderful students have achieved. From excelling in the classroom, to the laboratory, and to field sites beyond—our hardworking students continue to amaze and inspire us with their endless curiosity of the natural world. This week, we will recognize two of our top students with awards and celebrate our graduating seniors as they prepare to walk the stage at graduation.

Firstly, it is our honor to announce that the 2025–2026 recipient of the Dr. Claude Baker Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award is Malachi Cox.

The Dr. Claude Baker Research Award is given annually to an undergraduate in the biology department for excellence in scientific research. The award is named in honor of Dr. Claude “Buddy” Baker, who served the biology department as a chair, mentor, and tireless supporter of student research and career development.

Malachi Cox is a junior Marine Biology major who excels in the classroom and is actively involved in the Fish and Wildlife Club. He has worked with Dr. Jesse Filbrun on diverse research projects over the past two years, including surveying stream communities and conducting molecular work in the lab to identify corals, fishes, and crayfishes. Most recently, he was awarded an internal student research grant (co-authored by peer Tanner Billings) to investigate the effects of light levels on corals and their algal endosymbionts. Additionally, Malachi has shared his work at this year's Arkansas Academy of Sciences meeting, where he presented early results from this project.

Beyond SAU, Malachi has gained valuable experience working with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, completing an National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) internship, and earning the prestigious National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship.

Congratulations to you, Malachi! We are so proud of you!

Past recipients of the Dr. Claude Baker Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award include:
2024–2025 Jenna Holmes
2023–2024 Alana Hedden
2022–2023 Savannah Wise

Stay tuned this week as we reveal the recipient of our other top student award and spotlight all of our graduating seniors.

We had a blast at our annual spring picnic! Congratulations to all our graduating seniors, and thank you to all students...
05/04/2026

We had a blast at our annual spring picnic! Congratulations to all our graduating seniors, and thank you to all students and faculty who helped organize the event!

Congratulations to Biology students Jenna Holmes, Clayton Collins, Charlie Patton, and Tanner Billings for their poster ...
04/13/2026

Congratulations to Biology students Jenna Holmes, Clayton Collins, Charlie Patton, and Tanner Billings for their poster presentation awards at the 109th Annual Meeting of the Arkansas Academy of Sciences! We are proud of you all!

Here are the details of their awards:

Jenna Holmes: 1st place poster presentation, Health Science division, advised by Dr. Adrian Showalter, poster title: Zinc oxide nanoparticles effectively treat MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells

Clayton Collins: 2nd place poster presentation, Health Science division, advised by Dr. Adrian Showalter, poster title: Developing a sterile tissue culture environment for studying HER+ and triple negative breast cancer in microgravity on a random positioning machine

Charlie Patton: 1st place poster presentation, Biology division, advised by Dr. James Hyde, poster title: Ozone as a readily available method for disinfecting cell culture incubators

Tanner Billings: 1st place poster presentation, Wildlife Science and Ecology division, advised by Dr. Jesse Filbrun, poster title: Molecular identification of hobby-trade zoanthid corals and their algal endosymbionts

Over the past two days (Apr 10-11), SAU hosted the 109th Annual Meeting of the Arkansas Academy of Sciences. The meeting...
04/12/2026

Over the past two days (Apr 10-11), SAU hosted the 109th Annual Meeting of the Arkansas Academy of Sciences. The meeting was a tremendous success! Science faculty, students, and professionals from across the state presented on diverse topics including general biology, wildlife biology and ecology, agriculture, health sciences, chemistry, physics, and engineering, among others. In total, there were 126 posters and 34 oral presentations. We thank Drs. Zach Porterfield and Julia Toman for delivering an excellent and inspiring plenary talk on scientific collaboration to approach global-scale health problems. Congratulations to Drs. James Hyde and Adrian Showalter (with the assistance of Daniel McDermott, Jesse Filbrun, and Wen Cheng) on planning and leading an exceptionally smooth and well-received meeting! We also thank the many SAU student volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the meeting a success.

SAU Biology students Justin Gravett, Jenna Holmes, Cole Roberts, Abigail Young, and Computer Science student Sayed Amin ...
03/14/2026

SAU Biology students Justin Gravett, Jenna Holmes, Cole Roberts, Abigail Young, and Computer Science student Sayed Amin recently presented their diverse research activities to state lawmakers at the Arkansas State Capitol. This was a great opportunity to showcase the innovative work of SAU students and their faculty mentors, Drs. James Hyde, Adrian Showalter, and Samia Amin.

The Biology Department hosted regional high school students on Friday, Feb 20, as part of the College of Science and Eng...
02/21/2026

The Biology Department hosted regional high school students on Friday, Feb 20, as part of the College of Science and Engineering's Open House. Students participated in diverse hands-on activities and demonstrations that showcased various fields of biology and the diverse expertise of our faculty. Thank you to everyone who participated, especially those behind the scenes that help make this event happen!

01/27/2026

Due to the slow and steady melting of ice on roadways and out of careful consideration for the safety of our faculty, staff, and students, Southern Arkansas University will remain closed, and classes will be canceled on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

For more information on campus operations, please visit www.saumag.edu/weather.

Welcome back, students! We're excited to work and learn with you this semester!
01/16/2026

Welcome back, students! We're excited to work and learn with you this semester!

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100 East Universtiy
Magnolia, AR
71753

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