Biology

Alumna part of team winning Ig Nobel prize for key discovery about wombat scat

The annual awards are presented each September at Harvard University.

Sep 17, 2019


Biology grad student wins thesis competition

Sarah Lamar, who is earning a master's degree in biology, won first place with her research, "Biological Invasions on a Large Scale: Investigating the Spread of Baby's Breath (Gypsophila paniculata) Across North America." Lamar won $500 and will represent Grand Valley at the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools 3MT® competition in St. Louis, Missouri, March 22.

Feb 22, 2019


GVSU receives $1 million grant to study impact of climate change on Arctic vegetation

A Grand Valley faculty member has been awarded a $1 million grant by the National Science Foundation to work with students to study the impact climate change has on vegetation in the Arctic tundra. The funding will support the next five years of research by Robert Hollister, professor of biology, and a team of five Grand Valley undergraduate and graduate students in northern Alaska.

Oct 5, 2018


Big Data Month events to focus on FOIAs, health care, climate change and more

The benefits of data analysis in areas such as journalism, climate change, health care and even analyzing ancient Greek texts, will be examined during multiple Big Data Month events at Grand Valley throughout September.

Aug 31, 2018


Showcase highlights student research

Despite the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico, senior biology major Brendan Kosnik learned some of the island's trees and plants are very resilient. Kosnik was among 30 undergraduate researchers who gave presentations July 24 at the Summer Scholars Showcase held in the DeVos Center.

Jul 26, 2018


Community event led by GVSU faculty, staff explores how math impacts nature

The 7th annual Allendale Community Field Day offered West Michigan community members of all ages the chance to learn about how math impacts the natural world. The free event, coordinated by Grand Valley faculty in collaboration with Allendale Public Schools, took place June 16 on the district's K-8 campus.

Jun 20, 2018


Endangered falcon chicks banded at Eberhard Center

The peregrine falcon is listed as an endangered species in the State of Michigan but might not be for much longer. Two falcon chicks were born in early May in a nesting box installed on the roof of Grand Valley's Eberhard Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus, adding more numbers to the diminished population in the state. On May 24, a team from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources traveled to the 9th floor of the facility to band the falcons.

May 25, 2018


Students conduct research to help preserve two historical Grand Haven parks

Two parks in the Grand Haven area may continue to grow and thrive for many more years thanks to research conducted by a group of more than 30 Grand Valley students. During the winter semester, students collected and analyzed forest vegetation data in Duncan Woods and Mulligan's Hollow. The research was conducted in response to conservation concerns Grand Haven city officials expressed about the health of the ecosystems within the two parks.

May 10, 2018


Local middle school students learn about creative side of STEM fields during event

About 90 local middle school students embraced the fields of science, technology, engineering and math during a daylong, interactive STEM event hosted by The Association of Women in Science (AWIS) - West Michigan. "Fall in Love with STEM," which took place February 10 at Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College, offered workshops and activities focusing on the fields of geology, math, physics, biology and chemistry.

Feb 12, 2018


Alumna shares Laker Effect through passion for environmental advocacy

Angela Chaffee's love for nature and the environment began during her childhood while enjoying fishing trips with her father, gardening with her mother and spending countless days exploring the flora and fauna of the outside world. That love grew into passion, which Chaffee, '04, further nurtured while attending Grand Valley. Chaffee currently serves as the outreach and events director with the Connecticut River Conservancy in Greenfield, Massachusetts. In this position, she strives to protect the Connecticut River, and prom

Jan 30, 2018