Wittenberg University Department of Biology

The Xi Chapter of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society proudly hosted the 2026 NE-4 Regional Conference at Wittenberg University. Universities from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio joined us for a full day of engaging oral and poster presentations showcasing outstanding undergraduate research. Congratulations to Wittenberg students Joshua Putka and Anna Roller for earning honors in their respective categories.
Founded in 1923, Wittenberg’s Xi Chapter is one of the oldest in the nation, and we are proud to continue this tradition of scientific excellence. We extend our sincere thanks to the faculty, students, and volunteers who made this event a success, and to for keeping everyone fueled-especially with much-needed coffee.

🐍 Rooted and Relaxed: Animal Encounter 🐢🦎

Take a break and join us as the Department of Biological and Environmental Science hosts "Rooted and Relaxed"-a wellness event, where you’ll meet some very special animal guests!Meet Noodle, our friendly snake (and the star of Science Center).
Wish a Witt hello! to Mud, the turtle and spot Phoenix, the leopard gecko.

These animals help create a calm, mindful atmosphere while you recharge 🧘🏽‍♀️

Whether you’re an animal lover or just looking to de-stress, this is the perfect chance to pause, breathe, and reconnect.

6th. October at Thomas Library from 2:00 to 5:00 pm.

Come root yourself in the moment and leave feeling more relaxed than ever!

Freshmen in Introductory Biology got hands-on with science this week! They isolated male & female gametes from sea urchins, performed in vitro fertilization, and watched embryos develop right before their eyes during lab!

Feeling the finals week blues? We’ve got your back! Your Biology + ESci professors and staff have come together to create the first-ever Spring Finals Jamming Sessions - a playlist designed to lift your spirits and power you through the chaos of exams.
Hit play, breathe deep, and let the music carry you through the study grind.
Check the comments below and revisit the link -we’ll be adding more tracks all week long!

Big congrats to Hailey Mulvihill ’27!
Our brilliant sophomore BMB & Math double major just won 1st place for her research presentation at the Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society’s Northeast Regional Conference, hosted by Thomas More University. Hailey presented her summer 2024 research on tRNA quality control from Dr. Kunal Chatterjee’s lab, competing among students from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan.
Her success has earned her an all-expenses-paid trip to present at the national conference at Florida State University in May 2026! This summer, she’ll continue her research journey at the RNA Institute at SUNY Albany-one of just 10 students selected from a pool of 430 applicants. And next year, Wittenberg is proud to host the 2026 TriBeta Northeast Regional Conference right here on campus! We couldn’t be prouder of Hailey-way to represent Witt with excellence!

In the Microbiology for Health Sciences course, students got hands-on with science by collecting mouth and skin swabs to explore the human microflora up close! They also tested common household cleaners to see how well they work against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Real-world science in action!

This semester, our talented Biology, Environmental Sciences and BMB majors showcased their summer research at prestigious conferences!

✨ Sophomore Hailey Mulvihill presented her work on tRNA quality control in yeast cells under oxidative stress conditions at the 2024 Rustbelt RNA Conference in Newark, Ohio. Her research was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Kunal Chatterjee.

✨ Abi Brioli, Carly Shiplett, and Caitlyn Shelton shared their findings at the Midwest Great Lakes Undergraduate Research Symposium in Neuroscience (mGluRs) at Oberlin College. Their research focused on changes in gene expression in a mouse model of OCD with and without treatment using N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), under the guidance of Dr. Michelle McWhorter.

👏 A huge congratulations to all our student researchers for their hard work and dedication! We’re so proud of you! 💪🧠🧬

🌊 Harnessing Old Man River: Nature Meets Culture in Mississippi 🌳

Join us for an exciting info session where we dive into the rich intersection of nature and culture along the Mississippi River! Discover how this iconic river shapes the environment and communities around it.

🗓️ When: Thursday, October 24, 4:30 PM
📍 Where: BDKSC 212

Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn and connect during FIRE Week 2025! 🔥

Join us for a fantastic time at the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences tent during Homecoming Weekend! 🌿⚛️

🗓 When: October 5, 2024
📍 Where: Tent 24 (in front of Synod Hall)
⏰ Time : 10 am to 2 pm
🍽 We’ll have meatballs, chips, and delicious desserts to keep you fueled up as we celebrate! 😋🍰

Whether you're a current student, an alum, or just a friend of the department, stop by, say hi, and enjoy some great food and conversation! 💬✨

See you there! 💚🐾