Biograd Lauren Smith and Associate Professor Steve Haase have published a new paper in Science, "An Intrinsic Oscillator Drives the Blood Stage Cycle of the Malaria Parasite, Plasmodium Falciparum."  Smith and her colleagues grew the malaria parasites in vitro, using human blood cells, and observed that expression of about 90% of the parasite’s genes was synchronized.  With no human host to contribute to time-keeping, the experiment demonstrated that the malaria parasite has its own internal clock tha

The Faculty and Staff of the Department of Biology offer their heartiest congratulations to the Class of 2020.  One hundred sixty-four students graduated with a First Major in Biology.  Out of this group 45 graduated with distinction and 21 with high distinction.  18 Biology majors were inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.  More than 70% of Biology majors completed independent studies, demonstrating that they can "think like a biologist."  Almost two-thirds earned second majors, minors or certificates in subjects outside the sciences, showing how well-rounded they are

Everybody gets a little stir-crazy in lockdown, and Duke faculty are no exception.  Professor Fred Nijhout used his enforced isolation to create moving art from some sand, scrap, and “an old 3d printer.”  His creation uses magnets to move a steel ball across a flat sand table, leaving intricate designs in its wake. 

Jim Clark, Professor of Environmental Sciences and Policy and Biology, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences.  The Academy is a private, non-profit society of distinguished scholars.  Established by an Act of Congress in 1863, the NAS is charged with providing independent, objective advice to the nation on matters related to science and technology.  Members are elected by their peers in recognition of outstanding research.

The Biology Department offers its hearty congratulations to Professor Clark!

Congratulations to new Bass Fellow Sheila Patek!  Sheila was named the Mrs. Alexander Heymeyer Professor of Biology on April 25.  The Bass Fellowships were established in 1996 by a gift from Anne T. and Robert Bass.  Their donation called for matching gifts from others, whose names would be attached to the 5-year professorial appointments.  The faculty remain members for life of the Bass Society of Fellows, which now numbers 106. 

Biomajor and 2019 Horn Prize winner Laura Naslund has published her honors thesis work in Environmental Science and Technology.  The paper studies selenium contamination of watersheds from mining by mountaintop removal.  Selenium from streams in the watershed concentrates in biofilms composed of microorganisms, and then is consumed by insects.  Naslund showed high concentrations of selenium in these insects and also in the spiders that feed on them.  The article was selected for the American Chemical Society's Editors Choice Award (March 19, 2020)

Professor of the Practice Sherryl Broverman was interviewed by  Aaron Keck for her expertise in pandemics and Global Health (April 1, 2020). The interview was broadcast on WCHL, found at 1360 AM and 97.9 FM and is now available as a podcast on their site.  Please see the link.

A new collaboration between Duke University and Leica Microsystems, Inc., has created the Leica Microsystems Center of Excellence at the Light Micrscopy Core Facility, directed by Dr.

Gustavo Monteiro Silva has been named one of 100 inspiring black scientists in the Crosstalk Blog of Cell Press.  A. J. Hinton (University of Iowa) was inspired to compile the list after a student of color asked a colleague why black scientists were not covered in the curriculum.  Hinton and his colleagues came up with 75 black “Established Scientists,” including our Gustavo, and 25 “Rising Stars.”  As commenters noted the list is far from complete, but it is a step toward broader recognition.

Congratulations to Gustavo for serving as an exemplar!

The Journal of Anatomy has published a paper by graduating senior Peishu Li and Kathleen Smith, "Comparative skeletal anatomy of neonatal ursids and the extreme altriciality of the giant panda" (02 December 2019, doi.org/10.1111/joa.13127). The paper addresses the extreme difference in size between panda newborns and adults--a factor of 400 by weight. Li and Smith compared the skeletons of newborn pandas with those of other bears, as well as dogs and foxes.