Students and alumni present at AABA Conference

Mar 20, 2026

Three current and former students presented their research with Dr. Cara Wall-Scheffler, Professor of Biology, at the 95th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Biological Anthropologists, on March 18, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. The student presenters were: Naomi Hostetler (BS Physiology, 2026), "Walking while talking increases social cohesion among humans and also has a lower energetic cost"; Naomi Kim (BS Physiology, 2025), "Load, tilt, and efficiency: Sex differences in baby-carrying kinematics" and Elizabeth Delgado (BS Physiology, 2025), "Simple tools, big effects: Load-carrying strategies and their impact on locomotor efficiency". Congratulations to our student and alumni presenters!

(from left: Elizabeth Delgado, Naomi Kim and Naomi Hostletler)

Tim Nelson named Dean of the College of Applied and Natural Sciences

Mar 20, 2026

Dr. Tim Nelson, Professor of Biology, has been named Dean of the College of Applied and Natural Sciences (CANS). Dr. Nelson has served as Interim Dean of the newly-created CANS since May 2025. In an announcement by Dr. Kathy Lustyk, Vice President for Academic Affairs, she praised Dr. Nelson for his leadership, observing that he "has successfully fostered a strong sense of stability, made sense of changing processes to strengthen operations, and continues to cultivate a strong sense of community across faculty, staff, and students." Dr. Nelson, an alumnus of SPU, has served on the SPU faculty since 1991. Congratulations to Dr. Nelson!

Dr. Long contributes to deer population management study

Nov 24, 2025

A new study published in People and Nature, a British Ecological Society journal, has addressed management of the hyperabundance of deer populations, which has led to degradation of local ecosystems. Collaborators at multiple institutions in British Columbia, Canada and in Seattle, including SPU Professor of Biology, Eric Long, used a structured decision-making process to evaluate multiple strategies for managing populations of black-tailed deer. The study concluded that hunting, particularly led by indigenous communities, would provide a cost-effective method to reduce deer populations and restore ecosystem health. This study was also described in a commentary in the Canadian publication, The Narwhal.

Katelyn Flolo earnes GNAC honors

Oct 8, 2025

Katelyn Flolo, a senior BS in Applied Human Biology major, was just named to the GNAC Cross Country All-Academic Team for the third consecutive year. Katelyn is one of nine SPU students named to this team, on the basis of her strong performance both academically and as s member of the cross-country team. See this Athletic Department article for the complete story. Congratulations, Katelyn!

SPU alumna and author Rachel Jordan to feature in Faith and Science panel

Oct 1, 2025

The Biology department is excited to welcome back Rachel Jordan, an SPU alumna who graduated with a BS in Ecology in 2015, earned a MS in Coral Reef Biology in Australia, then worked as a coral reef specialist at Dry Tortugas National Park in Key West, Florida. She was a front-line responder to an outbreak of stony coral tissue loss disease, caused in part by climate change-fueled bacterial infections. She recently published a book, "If the Ocean Has a Soul: A Marine Biologist’s Pursuit of Truth through Deep Waters of Faith and Science", that is part a memoir of her journey as a Christian scientist and part a call to action to be better stewards of God's creation. For more about Rachel, please see this SPU Story.

On Wednesday, October 8, from 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM in Demaray 150, Rachel will share from her book and experiences as part of a Faith and Science panel discussion, which will include Dr. Eric Long (Professor of Biology), Dr. Sara Koenig (Professor of Biblical Studies), Olivia Clark (current Ecology and Theology double-major) and President Deana Porterfield. The panel discussion will be moderated by Dr. Cara Wall-Scheffler (Professor of Biology).

Wall-Scheffler co-authors new study on bone aging

Sep 5, 2025

Dr. Cara Wall-Scheffler, Professor of Biology, and collaborators at Charles University in the Czech Republic (where Dr. Wall-Scheffler was a Fulbright Fellow), published a new study, "Bone health: Age-related changes in diaphyseal structural properties among European Holocene humans during the last 9000 years", in Science Advances. This study analyzed the largest skeletal sample available worldwide (comprising nearly two thousand European skeletons spanning from the Neolithic to recent periods), to better understand factors contributing to healthy bone aging. Among the study's key findings are that bone aging varies between different bones and sexes, and that healthy bone aging in adulthood is dependent in part on how how thick bones grow during adolescence.

Annika Esvelt wins President's Citation Award

Jun 10, 2025

At SPU's Undergraduate Commencement ceremony on June 7, 2025, Annika Esvelt (BS Applied Human Biology) was awarded the President's Citation, given to one graduating senior who best represents SPU's mission and vision, demonstrating high academic achievement, exceptional character, outstanding leadership, and service. In addition to Annika, two other Biology students were named among the 11 finalists for this award: Gigi Griepp (BS Physiology and BA Honors) and Elizabeth Horton (BS Ecology and BA Global Developemnt Studies). Congratulations to Annika, Gigi and Elizabeth for this well-deserved recognition!

Congratulations to the Biology Class of 2025

May 23, 2025

The Biology department is very proud of our students who have, or will be completing their degrees during the 2025 calendar year. A celebration of their accomplishments has been compiled on our website, and we look forward to honoring all of them at Ivy Cutting on Friday, June 6, 2025 in Tiffany Loop! Congratulations to the Class of 2025!

Biology students win again at the GNAC Track and Field Championships

May 12, 2025

Two Biology students excelled at the GNAC Women's Track and Field Championships in Bellingham, Washington on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Annika Esvelt (BS Applied Human Biology, 2025) won in the 5000m race, setting a new GNAC Championship record. Annika also took 3rd place in the 1500m race. Hannah Chang (BS Physiology, 2026) won in the 100m hurdles. Hannah was also a member of the 4x400 relay team which took 3rd place in the finals. Congratulations to Annika and Hannah!

Biology faculty honored at Celebration of Service

May 9, 2025

At SPU's annual Celebration of Service on May 8, four Biology faculty were recognized. Dr. Charlotte Pratt, Associate Professor of Biology, was honored for 20 years of service to SPU, while Dr. Tim Nelson, Professor of Biology, was honored for 30 years of service to SPU. Dr. Jenny Tenlen, Associate Professor of Biology, earned the Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. Tracie Delgado, Professor of Biology, earned the Scholar of the Year Award for her outstanding student-centered research focused on identifying antiviral therapies to treat gammaherpesviruses-mediated cancer. Congratulations to these Biology faculty for their achievements!