Research Areas
The University of Mississippi is included in the elite group of R-1 Doctoral Universities, Highest Research Activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, the definitive list for the top doctoral research universities in the United States. The Department of Biology is a comprehensive life science department, with faculty bridging diverse areas of biology, ranging in scale from the gene to the ecosystem. Areas of research emphasis include:
Cellular and Molecular Biology Research
From the molecular basis of plant development and adaptation, to cell physiology and differentiation, researchers in this area emphasize the fine scale examination of biological problems at a cellular and molecular level. They explore the mechanisms behind an organism’s growth, development, and behavior.
Dr. Joshua Bloomekatz
fundamental principles underlying cardiovascular morphogenesis and development
Dr. Sixue Chen
molecular mechanisms of glucosinolate biosynthesis and plant stress resilience using systems biology
Dr. Patrick Curtis
bacterial signaling pathways and prokaryotic development
Dr. Wayne Gray
virology, vaccine development
Dr. Mika Jekabsons
mechanisms of apoptosis, cell physiology and mitochondrial physiology
Dr. Brad Jones
cell differentiation, nervous system development, Drosophila genetics
Dr. Sarah Liljegren
transcriptional networks and cell signaling required for plant development
molecular evolution, phylogenetics of mutations and tumor migrations in cancer
Dr. Yongjian Qiu
molecular and cellular mechanisms of morphogenetic adaptation to environmental changes in plants
Conservation and Restoration Biology Research
Departmental research in the area of conservation and restoration biology ranges from Mississippi old growth forests to the Gulf of Mexico to the tropics and the Southern Hemisphere. Researchers in this area study ways of restoring ecosystems and conserving and maintaining global biodiversity. Research in this area is supported by the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation Research (CBCR), which is housed in the department.
Dr. Stephen Brewer
fire ecology, plant ecology, invasive species
Dr. Richard Buchholz
animal behavior, host-parasite coevolution, conservation biology
Dr. Ryan Garrick
biodiversity conservation, population genetics, phylogeography
Dr. Jason Hoeksema
ecological and evolution of soil fungi in the context of global change and biological invasions; shorebird conservation ecology and ecosystem services provided by wetlands managed for birds
Dr. Brice Noonan
diversity and distributions of tropical organisms
Dr. Michel Ohmer
amphibian ecophysiology, disease ecology, host-pathogen interactions, thermal biology, amphibian ecology and conservation
Dr. Beckie Symula
evolutionary biology, color pattern evolution and phylogenetic of frogs
Evolution, Biodiversity, and Systematics Research
From microorganisms to coral reefs to the evolution of traits and behaviors, researchers in the area of evolution, biodiversity, and systematics investigate biological diversity at scales from molecules to communities. Some researchers focus on patterns in species diversity while others focus on evolutionary aspects of biodiversity.
Dr. Lainy Day
behavioral neuroscience, neuroplasticity, evolution of cognition and motor-learning
Dr. Ryan Garrick
biodiversity conservation, population genetics, phylogeography
Dr. Tammy Goulet
symbiosis and host-symbiont genotypic combinations, marine ecology, coral reefs, coral-algal physiology
Dr. Jason Hoeksema
ecological and evolution of species interactions, especially mycorrhizal symbiosis; coevolution; common mycorrhizal networks
Dr. Erik Hom
synthetic ecology, fungal-algal interactions, evolution of symbiosis and microbial consortia, waste valorization
Dr. Colin Jackson
microbial ecology and diversity, microbiome studies
molecular evolution, phylogenetics of mutations and tumor migrations in cancer
Dr. Brice Noonan
diversity and distributions of tropical organisms
microbial ecology of sustainable agriculture for Earth, Moon, Mars; sustainable systems, and role of quorum sensing in microbial interactions.
Dr. Beckie Symula
evolutionary biology, color pattern evolution and phylogenetic of frogs
Dr. Peter Zee
evolution of species interactions; experimental evolution with microbes; eco-evolutionary modelling
Freshwater, Marine, and Wetland Ecology Research
Departmental researchers in this area study organisms and biological processes in freshwater, marine, and wetland ecosystems. This research makes us of local resources such as the University of Mississippi Field Station, Sardis Lake, or the Mississippi River, and goes further afield to the Gulf of Mexico and marine environments around the world.
Dr. Tammy Goulet
symbiosis and host-symbiont genotypic combinations, marine ecology, coral reefs, coral-algal physiology
Dr. Jason Hoeksema
ecosystem and bird conservation ecology in the context of managed wetlands
Dr. Colin Jackson
microbial ecology and diversity, microbiome studies
Dr. Michel Ohmer
amphibian ecophysiology, disease ecology, host-pathogen interactions, thermal biology, amphibian ecology and conservation
Microbiology Research
Departmental research in the area of microbiology focuses on different aspects of microorganisms, from how bacterial cells develop, how microorganisms communicate, how their interactions evolve, and how communities of microorganisms change depending on the environment or host organism.
Dr. Patrick Curtis
bacterial signaling pathways and prokaryotic development
Dr. Wayne Gray
virology, vaccine development
Dr. Erik Hom
synthetic ecology, fungal-algal interactions, evolution of symbiosis and microbial consortia, waste valorization
Dr. Colin Jackson
microbial ecology and diversity, microbiome studies
microbial ecology of sustainable agriculture for Earth, Moon, Mars; sustainable systems, and role of quorum sensing in microbial interactions.
Neurobiology, Behavior, and Physiology Research
Researchers in the area of neurobiology, behavior, and physiology tend to look at organismal processes, whether it is how an organism behaves or how an organism’s physiology changes under different conditions. Research spans the range of biology, from the molecular and cellular basis of behavior to interactions between organisms in an ecological context.
Dr. Richard Buchholz
animal behavior, host-parasite coevolution, conservation biology
Dr. Lainy Day
behavioral neuroscience, neuroplasticity, evolution of cognition and motor-learning
Dr. Tammy Goulet
symbiosis and host-symbiont genotypic combinations, marine ecology, coral reefs, coral-algal physiology
Dr. Mika Jekabsons
mechanisms of apoptosis, cell physiology and mitochondrial physiology
Dr. Brad Jones
cell differentiation, nervous system development, Drosophila genetics
Dr. Christopher Leary
endocrine and neural systems underlying animal communication and behavior
Dr. Michel Ohmer
amphibian ecophysiology, disease ecology, host-pathogen interactions, thermal biology, amphibian ecology and conservation
Symbioses and Species Interactions Research
Departmental research in the area of symbioses and species interactions focuses on how organisms belonging to different species interact. These interactions can be tight symbioses such as mutualism or parasitism, or looser interactions in the broader sense of community ecology.
Dr. Stephen Brewer
fire ecology, plant ecology, invasive species
Dr. Richard Buchholz
animal behavior, host-parasite coevolution
Dr. Sixue Chen
plant disease triangle – “tug of war” between plant cells and bacterial pathogens under climate change
Dr. Tammy Goulet
symbiosis and host-symbiont genotypic combinations, marine ecology, coral reefs, coral-algal physiology
Dr. Jason Hoeksema
ecological and evolution of mycorrhizal symbiosis, common mycorrhizal networks, shorebird foraging ecology in managed wetlands
Dr. Erik Hom
synthetic ecology, fungal-algal interactions, evolution of symbiosis and microbial consortia, waste valorization
Dr. Colin Jackson
microbial ecology and diversity, microbiome studies
Dr. Christopher Leary
endocrine and neural systems underlying animal communication and behavior
Dr. Michel Ohmer
amphibian ecophysiology, disease ecology, host-pathogen interactions, thermal biology, amphibian ecology and conservation
Dr. Peter Zee
evolution of species interactions; experimental evolution with microbes; eco-evolutionary modelling
microbial ecology of sustainable agriculture for Earth, Moon, Mars; sustainable systems, and role of quorum sensing in microbial interactions.
Biology Education Research
The field of biology education research uses interdisciplinary knowledge and methods to enhance teaching and learning in university science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs. Biology education research encompasses studies that aim to develop new and effective teaching techniques for students in both undergraduate and graduate STEM programs, as well as methods to support students in staying in STEM majors and advancing in their careers. Biology education researchers may also work to promote faculty development in teaching and mentoring through research and education.
Identification and implementation of variables associated with academic performance in Human Anatomy and Physiology students. Recent research projects have examined the key word effect on exam performance, test anxiety, fixed vs growth mindsets, intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation, game-based learning, and spatial ability.
Classroom and social influences that shape student learning and STEM equity; course design to minimize student barriers to success, improve academic outcomes, and encourage STEM persistence
Investigations into ways to improve science general education courses, both in ways to convey science and to increase students’ mastering of concepts and content, as well as improve the students’ experiences with, and attitudes towards, science
Increase STEM student learning and equity; design courses to minimize student barriers to success, improve academic outcomes, and encourage STEM persistence
Isolating the source of interest in science and elevating that interest from an early age through the college years
Student and instructor agency in undergraduate and graduate STEM education, specializing in the experiences of neurodivergent STEM students and the career development of both students and instructors
Dr. Beckie Symula
Creating institutional methods to evaluate and support faculty interested in employing effective teaching techniques
