WELCOME TO THE DEPARTMENT OF biologY AT SKIDMORE
Our dynamic department emphasizes one-on-one mentoring of students by faculty in hands-on
research collaborations that often result in poster presentations at professional conferences and student co-authored publications. Biologists develop and test ideas that deepen our understanding of life. In coursework
and in research collaborations with our faculty, students work in our laboratories,
the Skidmore Microscopy Imaging Center and our 500+ acre North Woods investigating molecular and cellular information and processes, studying the structure
and function of cells and whole organisms, and exploring behavior and ecology. In
consultation with a faculty advisor, students design programs of study to meet individual
interests and goals.
Although research is not formally required for the major, students are encouraged to pursue collaborative research during the academic year and summer. In the last ten years, Skidmore students have appeared as coauthors on more than 25 manuscripts published in international journals and they have presented their work at both regional and national meetings. Graduates of our program and research laboratories can be found in medical schools and doctoral programs across the country, including: Tufts University, Cornell University, UC—Davis, and Harvard University.
DEPARTMENT NEWS AND EVENTS
The Skidmore Young Scholars Cell Biology Institute
July, 2023
The Young Scholars Cell Biology Institute is a major outreach initiative for high school students sponsored by the National Science Foundation. This summer the program ran as a day camp from 8:45am until 4:45pm from July 10-14, 2023 for 26 high school students from Saratoga Springs, Saratoga Central Catholic, Shenendehowa, South Glens Falls, Lake George, Northwood, Emma Willard, and Schuylerville high schools. This program provided the students with comprehensive hands-on learning in various areas of cell biology including microscopy, physiology, neuroscience, bacteriology, plant biology, and disease mechanisms. In addition to experimental work, students also participated in acquiring and interpreting data from technologies such as inverted light microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.
This program is part of a NSF grant awarded to professor of Biology, David Domozych, entitled, “Spatiotemporal mapping of the membrane trafficking networks involved in secretion and autophagy in the unicellular zygnematophyte, Penium margaritaceum” from the NSF-Molecular and Cell Biology Program (NSF- MCB grant 2129443). It was organized with the assistance of Lily Kozel, Microscopy Technology & Research Coordinator, Josie Loricco, Post-doctorate Research Scientist, Kaylee Bagdan (Class of ’24) and Skidmore faculty.
“Bioreactor” Event, May 1, 2023
The Department of Biology held their Bioreactor event on May 1 at the Surrey-Williamson Inn to honor graduating seniors and to welcome incoming majors. Our current majors shared their experiences with study abroad, REU programs at different institutions, graduate school and job searches, and more. Several students were honored for departmental and college awards:
- Joseph Garrison Parker Prize: Libby Danielson ‘23
- Donald W. Pyle Award: Kaylee Bagdan ‘24
- Dowd-Lester Award: Ariella Kornfeld ‘23
- Biology Faculty Recognition Award: Serena Bradley ‘23
Professor David Domozych receives a $573,372 grant through the Molecular and Cellular Biology Division of the National Science Foundation
David Domozych was recently awarded a grant through the Molecular and Cellular Biology Division of the National Science Foundation (NSF-MCB 2129443) to support research for the project entitled, "Spatiotemporal mapping of the membrane trafficking networks involved in secretion and autophagy in the unicellular zygnematophyte, Penium margaritaceum". This 3-year grant for $573,372 will analyze the unique secretory system of the model charophyte, Penium, and provide insight into the evolution of land plants and the ways plants make important extracellular products. The grant also supports summer research activities for undergraduates and the Young Scholars Cell Biology program, a summer program for local high school students to explore cell biology and microscopy.
