SJU Biology Department

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10/15/2026

Join us for the next talk in the McGroddy Frontiers in Science Seminar Series, featuring one of our own: Ed Eisenstein, Ph.D. (SJU ‘79)!

Dr. Eisenstein began his scientific journey right here Saint Joseph's University. Today he is the Director of University Honors at the University of Maryland, a Fellow at the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, and President of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). In 2205, he was named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, one of the highest honors in science, for his contributions to plant bioengineering, leadership, and public engagement.

His research has grown from studying how proteins and enzymes interact to engineering poplar trees as sustainable sources of biofuels and bioproducts. His team works to help trees resist disease and pests, withstand environmental stress, and use nutrients more efficiently.

Dr. Eisenstein is also a champion of hands-on undergraduate learning through programs like iGEM, and a dedicated advocate for science outreach, working to connect research with policymakers and the public.

📅 Wednesday, October 21
🥪 Reception: 3:00 PM
🎤 Presentation: 3:30 PM
📍 Science Center 200

Come welcome a Hawk home and learn how collaboration and public engagement are advancing molecular bioscience!

10/08/2026

Undergraduate and graduate biology students from SJU and the Nelson Lab are partnering with Mr. Kelly’s 6th grade class at Samuel Gompers School in Philadelphia on an ongoing science outreach project! Over several weeks, students are exploring C. elegans, a microscopic worm that has helped scientists make big discoveries, through hands-on lessons and experiments. 🧬✨

This week was all about the stages of development. Students looked at real worms under microscopes, then built each stage of the life cycle in clay, from egg 🥚 to embryo to larva to adult. Their models were creative, colorful and scientifically accurate! 🎨

We’re proud of our student volunteers for sharing their love of science, and we can’t wait to see what this class discovers next! 💙

This work is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). 🙌

09/29/2026

Senior Biology major Annalise Thaler spent her summer with the NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP) in Dr. Charles Venditti's lab at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), researching genetic therapies for propionic acidemia—a rare metabolic disease. Alongside accessing incredible research resources, she gained hands-on model organism experience and shadowed real patients in the clinic, bringing her one step closer to her goal of becoming a genetic counselor.

09/23/2026

Meet Farrah Ponnwitz, a senior Biology major who spent her summer as part of the inaugural cohort of HHMI's Cech Fellows Program!

Named for Nobel laureate and former HHMI President Thomas R. Cech, the highly competitive program selected just 176 undergraduates from 109 institutions across 36 states and territories for its first cohort. Fellows spend nine weeks conducting hands-on research alongside leading scientists, gaining mentorship from some of the most impactful researchers working today.

As a Cech Fellow, Farrah completed a nine-week research project in Dr. Meng Wang's lab at HHMI. Her work looked at how diet shapes metabolism in the tiny roundworm C. elegans. These worms feed on E. coli, and different bacterial strains produce metabolites that affect the shape of the worms' mitochondria. Using development assays and fluorescence imaging, Farrah showed that different E. coli strains also have distinct effects on the worms' oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis levels. She wrapped up the summer by presenting her research poster at Janelia's Cech Fellows Symposium, where she connected with fellows from across the country and learned about their work.

Congratulations, Farrah, on an incredible summer of discovery!

05/19/2026

Huge congratulations to the entire Class of 2026!

A special shoutout to our brand-new Phi Beta Kappa inductees for their incredible academic dedication, and to the many different award recipients who were recognized for their outstanding achievements this week! Your hard work and unique talents have truly shone through.

To every single graduate: you have left an undeniable mark here. As you step out into the world, may your futures be bright, your adventures be bold, and your impact be limitless. The world is so lucky to have you. Cheers to the next chapter!

05/11/2026

The late nights, the endless caffeine, and the "is this actually due tomorrow?" panics are officially behind you. You didn’t just finish; you conquered. Now, it's time for our Hawks to spread their wings and soar into this next chapter.
Congratulations to our undergraduate class of 2026!

12/01/2025

Bridget Magee ('26) and Nouhad Khoury ('26), undergraduate students in Dr. Tudor's lab, presented their work at the Molecular and Cellular Cognition Society and Society for Neuroscience Annual Meetings in San Diego. They also got to catch up with SJU alumni Sierra Feeney ('25) and Bella Succi ('20). Sierra is in her first year in the University of Iowa Neuroscience PhD program. Bella is in her fourth year in the Columbia University Biology PhD program.

11/30/2025

It was great to see so many of our undergraduate and graduate students presenting their research at the 35th Annual Sigma Xi Symposium on Friday, November 21st.

08/23/2025

Another year of the BEAGLE early arrival program came to a successful completion yesterday. We are looking forward to the many accomplishments that these new Hawks will achieve in the next four years.

Many thanks to those who made the program possible, and special thanks to our undergraduate student leaders, Tara and Abby.

06/16/2025

MS Biology students and LIMR Fellows, Lauren Hino, Sara Forsey, and Aaron Nickie, presented their research at the 2025 Research Day at Lankenau Institute for Medical Research. LIMR graduate fellows conduct their thesis work under the mentorship of a LIMR Research Faculty. Lauren, Sara, and Aaron recently completed their first year of the 2-year fellowship program.

Address

5600 City Avenue 229 Science Center
Philadelphia, PA
19131

Telephone

+16106601820

Website

http://www.sju.edu/academics/cas/biology/

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