The Citadel Biology Department

The Office of Research & Grants invites applications for this year’s Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program. The SURE Program provides outstanding Citadel undergraduates with a mentored research or creative experience enabling them to gain a deeper understanding of their field of study. The Summer 2025 program will be an in-person experience and may extend through Fall 2025 (if agreed upon by faculty mentor and student). The expected outcome of the program is that the student will complete a substantial, original research or creative project that will enhance the student’s candidacy for admission into graduate or professional school, for receiving prestigious national scholarships and fellowships, or for securing positions in their chosen career. As such, the program is designed for those students who have a long-¬term interest in and commitment to the creation of original knowledge. Stipends are available for both the student and faculty mentor.
Further details regarding eligibility, requirements, and application process can be found at the Office of Research & Grants website at https://www.citadel.edu/grants/undergraduate-research. All applications must be submitted by 5pm on 7 March 2025 at this site: https://forms.office.com/r/YW3n9bqv5d

For more information, contact Dr. John Weinstein, Assistant Provost for Research, at [email protected].

The Biology Department honored awardees for “Outstanding Student of the Year” by “flash mobbing” in one of their Biology classes during the week of February 24-28.
Congratulations to Grayson Dewald (senior), Grace Laws (junior), Banks Scarpa (sophomore), & Tyler Nguyen (freshman).
These students will also be recognized at the annual Citadel Academy of Science & Math (CASM) Annual Awards Banquet in March.

We still have openings for our Summer 2025 Free MCAT Boot Camp; Pre-Meds Please Apply!

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A free, face-to-face MCAT Preparation course will be held for Citadel students on campus again this summer, 2025! The Program also includes a set of Kaplan MCAT prep books and a host of online preparation materials from Kaplan and AAMC - an $8,000 value, but free to you, due the the generous donation from Dr. Virgil Alfaro. (free campus housing and meal plan also available upon request)

Seats are still open, so please spread the word to all pre-medical students to apply now!

The MCAT Boot Camp Program will have the same Instructor as last summer, and will be open to all Citadel rising Juniors, rising Seniors, graduating Seniors, and older Alumni! All course materials and costs are free to our students and alumni, thanks to the generosity of alumnus Dr. Virgil Alfaro. A free option to live and eat on campus will also be available for those students who need/want to do so. An online course option will be available for those who cannot be in Charleston over the summer. Participating students will be required to sign an agreement to participate fully, so as not to squander this valuable opportunity.

Please contact one of your Pre-Health Advisors, if you think you might like to participate. Advisor contact information is posted here: https://www.citadel.edu/biology/pre-health-information/
Links to an external site.


Score Improvements from Last Summer: Average Improvement = 4.59 points (about 14%)

Testimonials from last summer's MCAT Boot Camp Participants:

"I think the course was designed very well, and helped me to really focus in on the topics I had struggled with in the past. John was an amazing teacher and he explained a lot of the science-based questions with an intense fervor. One of the most helpful things he did was explain a lot of the strategy behind taking the MCAT."

"John did an amazing job with giving us tools to help break down questions and answers, too. "

"Our professor did an outstanding job teaching difficult concepts from the science section, and applying them to real life. He had several useful mnemonics and mental shortcuts to remember tricky topics."

"One of the most unique capacities of this program was getting to see how different students worked through different problems and their thought processes on different subject matter. The program allowed students to interact with each other to help grasp content in new ways."

"Overall Kaplan's bundle was very thorough and provided an interface that really allowed to get into the nitty-gritty...The videos explaining incorrect and correct answer choices was just wow--exactly what was needed." (from an online student)

"I found that having a schedule for class helped get the day started and made it easier to start everyday. John was really enthusiastic and was a great teacher."

"He taught me how to not overthink the question as well as picking up on potential clues for what the MCAT wants as an answer."

"The course held me accountable for studying and also provided peer review and feedback."

"Throughout this course one of the biggest and most important things I learned is how to think. John was awesome at making sure we knew that the MCAT wasn't necessarily a test on what we knew but a test on how to think."

"I tried to stick to the AAMC materials as I did not find the Kaplan question banks useful; however, I do think there is a utility to the Kaplan full-length tests. I would say reading for fun is an important supplement to studying. I definitely think this course should be offered in the future."

"One aspect of the course which I wish I had done sooner was incorporated ANKI/UWorld flashcards into my studies for the Psyc/Soch section of the exam."

"John showed us how to break down science passages properly and look for answers based only on the passage. This made the amount of content on the MCAT seem not as overwhelming. The most important thing I learned is that the MCAT is more about thinking rather than knowing stuff."

Today is the start of National Invasive Species Awareness Week! This week we'll be highlighting a few non-native critters who are living in South Carolina rent free and often at the expense of our native dwellers. First up... the Cuban treefrog!

The Cuban treefrog, native to Cuba, the Cayman Islands and Bahamas, has established itself throughout peninsular Florida and "hitchhiked" its way up throughout the Southeastern US in landscaping, on vehicles and other cargo. These frogs have been confirmed in all of South Carolina's coastal counties with the majority being found in Jasper, Beaufort and Charleston counties.

Cuban treefrogs range in size from 2-5 inches as adults and are thought to be responsible for declines in native treefrog populations. Though they have large toepads and "bug" eyes compared to our native treefrogs, they can be variable in color and pattern, making them difficult to distinguish from native species.

If you find a Cuban treefrog, please take a photo, record the date and your location and report it on our invasive species reporting page or email your sighting to [email protected]

How to identify Cuban treefrogs➡️ bit.ly/436djWM
Invasive species reporting page ➡️ bit.ly/3EOJgsK
📸: Sarah Wilson

Dr. Howie Huynh and his Global Change Biology class "celebrating" Team Canada's recent win in the 4 Nation's Cup!😜🥳🇨🇦 Photos courtesy of Dr. John Zardus (Chair of Dept. of Biology) who also kindly provided grief counseling to heartbroken cadets (who cheered on Team USA) in his office! 😏🥰

Reminder: Pre-Health Society Meeting tomorrow at 6:30 PM in Duckett 101

A message from the Dean:
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Dear sophomores and juniors, This is just a reminder that if you intend to apply for the Astronaut Scholarship, your materials are due by 1700 on 7 MAR. Please review the eligibility requirements and application process here: https://www.citadel.edu/ssm/2025-astronaut-scholarship/
V/r,
Dr. Z.

2025 Astronaut Scholarship 2025 Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Now Accepting Nominations ASF Scholars Selection Committee The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation was created to ensure that the United States would maintain its leadership in science and technology by supporting some of the very best science, technology, engineer...

Hello Citadel Family: Do you have a child or grandchild getting ready to take their MCAT exam?

The Citadel is proud to announce The Citadel MCAT Summer Program 2025 for Citadel students, Alumni, Family and Friends.

This is a Kaplan-run in-person tutoring program for the Medical College Admission Test, which is a requirement for admission into medical school. We have received a generous donation which allows us to offer this program to all our students at no cost.
The dates for this year's program are
June 16th - July 15th, 2025. Housing and food are included for those that wish to reside on campus.
The package includes all books, online videos and questions, in-person tutoring and housing/food on campus.

This year, we would like to offer the MCAT Summer Program to our Citadel family and their children or grandchildren. If you are employed at The Citadel you can apply for yourself or your loved one to participate in the program. There are a limited number of slots, and all applications will be considered.

The tutoring package with accommodation is valued at over $8,000. Please contact one of the Citadel Pre-Health Advisors for more information: Drs. Kathy Zanin, Patrice Capers, Kimbo Yee, and Sarah Imam.

Going Abroad? Need a Passport?
Daniel Library will be hosting a Passport Fair on March 18th.

If you are planning to study abroad, please be sure your passport will be valid. Some countries now will not accept any passport that expires within 6 months of the travel dates.

Your roommates will be so jealous when you tell them what you got to do in Cell Biology Lab!

Undergraduate Research at The Citadel: Cadet Edwin Guo Working on Cell Culture

The Pre-Health Society's next meeting will be February 25. Come learn about Summer Enrichment Opportunities to increase your health knowledge and make yourself a more competitive applicant. Club President Savannah Fisher and Treasurer Banks Scarpa will deliver the presentation.

February 25, Duckett Hall 101, 6:30 PM Food will be served, so we need a head count. Please RSVP at the link in our club Canvas course.

Help Prevent Deaths from Drug Overdose - Tuesday February 18 at 4 PM Jenkins Auditorium - RSVP required.

For Citadel Faculty, students and staff only

The Citadel First Responders Club, in partnership with The Charleston CenterLinks to an external site., will be hosting a FREE Narcan (Naloxone) Administration Training on Tues 18 FEB at 1600 in Jenkins Auditorium.

Please review the attached flyer for full details.

Important Notes:

This training is open to all members of the campus community. Please feel free to share the flyer with anyone who may not have access to email.
Attendees will receive a free 2-dose opioid overdose reversal kit. To ensure we have enough kits for everyone, please RSVPL in advance by COB 17 FEB. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSftv0bboYrSBwsSLvt5tENOgRx5UC-6B4lHwOverT_Qn5GPfQ/viewform