News

Cavefish

Newly Named "Cavefish" Asteroid Honors Hidden Creatures Swimming in the Depths of Earth

An asteroid millions of miles away now has the name of nearly invisible fish that live in underground waters on Earth. LSU Professor and Curator of Fishes Prosanta Chakrabarty helped name the asteroid "Cavefish" to raise awareness about cave-dwelling fish. Working with asteroid hunter Carrie Nugent, Associate Professor at Olin College of Engineering, he hopes that the asteroid's name will bring attention to this rare species, most of which are endangered freshwater fish.

Aislinn Mumford

From Christmas Tree Farm to National Recognition: Biological Sciences Student Wins Award for Plant Research

Growing up on a Christmas tree farm in Rhode Island, Aislinn Mumford spent her childhood exploring the outdoors, captivated by the plants around her.

Professor Ryoichi “Ryo” Teruyama

Professor Wins Award for Research on Oxytocin Neurons that Support Maternal Behavior

LSU Biological Sciences Professor Ryoichi "Ryo" Teruyama recently received an award from the Louisiana Board of Regents for his research on how the brain changes in new mothers. His study, titled "Plasticity of Oxytocin Receptor Neurons during the Postpartum Period," focuses on oxytocin, a hormone that helps create bonds and encourages caring behaviors. This research could lead to new ways of understanding and even treating postpartum depression, a condition some mothers experience after childbirth.

David Vander Pluym

PhD Student Offers New Perspective into Altitudinal Migration

Migration is often referred to as birds flying south to escape the winter, but a lesser-known form of migration, called altitudinal migration, involves animals moving between elevations, such as from a mountain to a valley, based on the season.

Flavia Montano-Centellas

Trailblazing in the Andes: Flavia Montano-Centellas Earns Maxwell-Hanrahan Award in Field Biology

Assistant Professor Flavia Montano-Centellas has been selected as one of the recipients of the Maxwell-Hanrahan Award in Field Biology, recognizing her tireless dedication to studying montane biodiversity and species interactions in Bolivia's Andean mountains.

Birds

Redpoll Revelation: Uniting Two Birds into One Species

Assistant Professor Nicholas Mason and his collaborators published a groundbreaking paper in 2021 that will soon introduce significant changes to the classification of bird species. Their research, spanning a decade, focuses on the Redpoll, a bird that Mason has studied throughout his career.

Patrick DiMario

Professor Patrick DiMario Named Department of Biological Sciences Interim Chair

The LSU Department of Biological Sciences proudly announces the appointment of Patrick DiMario, PhD, as the new Interim Chair, effective July 1.

Trisha Ball

Trisha Ball: The Nucleus of LSU's Life Sciences Buildings

If you've ever stepped foot in the Life Sciences Building or Annex at LSU, chances are you've encountered a familiar face - Trisha Ball. Often described as the glue that holds everything together within the bustling academic hubs, she recently received the LSU Staff Stripes Award.

Abdul Ada

Bringing Knowledge Home: Abdul Ada's Journey to Inspire Mozambican Youth on Climate Change and Sustainability

Abdul Ada, a PhD student, is returning to his roots in Mozambique next spring with an inspiring mission. He will lead a transformative workshop to educate local teenagers on the impacts of climate change on marine communities while encouraging them to pursue their educational aspirations.

Ambre Placide

Student Spotlight in Kelly Lab

LSU is known for hosting several guest researchers from all across the world in different departments. Dr. Morgan Kelly in the Biological Sciences Department got the opportunity to co-supervise Ambre Placide, a student from Austria's Innsbruck University.