Departmental Research
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Faculty Research
Some faculty within the Department of Biological Sciences focus their research on ecology and evolutionary biology, organismal biology, and behavior. Faculty carry out both field and laboratory research involving undergraduates, graduates, and postdoctoral associates, as well as with collaborators at other institutions in Arkansas, across the country, and internationally.
Micro/Molecular Faculty Research
Other faculty in the department are engaged in research at the cellular or molecular levels in areas including astrobiology, developmental biology, molecular genetics, immunology, cancer biology, and yeast genetics. All Micro/Molecular faculty are also members of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology (see link below), some are members of the Program in Space and Planetary Sciences, and some are members of the Center for Protein Structure and Function (see below). Thus, graduate students interested in these research areas can pursue graduate degrees in Biology, Space and Planetary Science, or Cell and Molecular Biology.
Arkansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
The
Arkansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is one of 43 coop
units across the country associated with Land Grant universities, state
game and fish agencies, Wildlife Management Institute, and the U.S.
Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division.
Eumycetozoan Project
The
project seeks to expand, standardize, systematize and (ultimately)
summarize the body of information available on the taxonomy, ecology
and biogeographical distribution of all three groups of eumycetozoans
(myxomycetes, dictyostelids and protostelids).
Herbarium
The herbarium houses the floral University of Arkansas herbarium collection and is located at the Biomass Research Center 141. The Herbarium hosts the Arkansas Vascular Flora Project.
Interdisciplinary Research
University of Arkansas Stable Isotope Laboratory
UASIL
is housed in the Department of Biological Sciences Research Building, Ferritor Hall. We
have isotope ratio mass spectrometers allowing the capability to
measure the C, N, O, or H isotope composition of trace gases, solid,
and liquid samples for researchers across the country. We have also developed methods for nitrate.
Program in Cell and Molecular Biology
The CEMB Program is a cross-campus, interdisciplinary program focusing on Cell and Molecular Biology involving several colleges
in the University of Arkansas system.
Center for Protein Structure and Function
In 2005, the National Institutes of Health National Center for Research Resources awarded a COBRE grant to the University of Arkansas establishing a “Center for Protein Structure and Function”. The goals of the COBRE Center are to strengthen collaboration between investigators and allow them to develop promising new approaches to biomedical research in protein structure and function.
Arkansas Center for Space and Planetary Sciences
The Center conducts research on astronomy and planetary science, the geology and biology of planets, and asteroid and comet surfaces. We design instruments and plan missions for the exploration of our solar system and other planetary systems. The Center has a major emphasis on samples and sample return.
Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies
CAST focuses on research, education, outreach, and applications in geospatial analysis and modeling, enterprise spatial databases, remote sensing, digital photogrammetry and geospatial interoperability. Much of CAST's research efforts involve new approaches to spatial data and the development of new methodologies for analysis of these data.
The Environmental Dynamics (ENDY) interdisciplinary Ph.D. program emphasizes study of complex interactions between natural systems and human activity. The program's prime focus is on interdisciplinary analyses of geophysical, biological, geochemical, and sociocultural interactions related to environmental change.
Organization for Tropical Studies
Since
1963, OTS has been dedicated to promoting education, research and the
responsible use of natural resources in the Tropics. Today, OTS offers
intensive Graduate and Undergraduate field courses, in addition to
offering fellowships to promote tropical research.