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Biology Department Highlights!

Sarah Sanchez Hurtado
BIOL Major Sarah Sanchez Hurtado is First SSU Student to Receive STEM-NET Award!

Congratulations to Biology major Sarah Sanchez Hurtado who has been awarded the CSU STEM-NET Student Summer Research Program grant

Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee
Dr. Nathan Rank Finds Rare Bee Variety in Michigan

Congratulations to Dr. Nathan Rank, who was visiting family in Michigan recently and came across a "ghost" in his mother's driveway - a dead Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee.

Dr. Richard Whitkus with flowers and award
Dr. Rich Whitkus wins Faculty Service Award!

During the Fall 2025 Faculty Convocation, the Department of Biology's Dr. Richard Whitkus received the Faculty Service Award! 

Congratulations Dr. Whitkus!

 

Student speaking at Northwestern Pond Turtle Symposium
Dr. Nick Geist and Grad Student Madison Stein at Northwestern Pond Turtle Symposium

Field work for the Geist Lab is underway out in Alameda County (they've already found turtle nests this week 🐢🐢): Prof.

Screenshot of Dr. Brent Hughes in new PBS video
Dr. Brent Hughes featured in PBS's Nature Program!

Congratulations to Biology Department Professor Brent Hughes for his participation in this important and timely documentary, produced by Wild Hope (housed at South Florida PBS) for the PBS series "Nature"! Dr.

Grads Spring 2025
Congratulations to All our Grads!!

The Biology Department is proud to recognize all our undergraduates and graduate students who are finishing their degree programs this Spring and Summer 2025! See our Facebook page for more great photos!

Aiyana Singh
Awards and Scholarship Updates!

BIOL Grad Student Aiyana Singh (Zippay Lab) has won two scholarships: The Sonoma County Fish and Wildlife's

Singh Grad Slam Announcement
Biology Grad Student Aiyanna Singh wins People's Choice Award at CSU Grad Slam!

Aiyana says, "Winning the CSU People’s Choice Award was a really special moment. I was honestly just honored to share my research, so to know that it connected with people meant a lot to me. It reminded me that making science accessible and relatable really does matter." 

Underwater photo of scuba diver looking at seagrass
Dr. Brent Hughes and Grad Alum Abbey Dias '23 Contribute to Important Scientific Handbook

Congratulations to Biology Professor Dr. Brent Hughes and Biology Alum Abbey Dias '23 on their recent contribution to The Seagrass Restoration Handbook! 

M Dhiman and K Chiddix
Hua Lab Students Assist High School Students in New Collaborative Program

A big Thank You to Kieran Chiddix & Sarah Sanchez (Hua Lab) who mentored 2 students at Healdsburg High School!