"It is a monstrous abuse of the science of biology to teach it only in the laboratory--
Life belongs in the fields, in the ponds, on the mountains, and by the seashore."
Insects, and fish, and mice, oh my! From rippling streams to labs and test tubes, the Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Science has a research opportunity for everyone. We encourage students not to just hear about science, but to actually go out and do it.
Why become involved? You can become involved in research in order to enhance your resume, get an outstanding letter of recommendation from your supervising faculty, or prepare for graduate school. You will gain valuable experience and insight into your field. Don't wait to explore the possibilities.
Our geographic location between the York and James Rivers, near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, places us in close proximity to the broad Bay marshes, the Grafton Plains, the Great Dismal Swamp and the Barrier Island system. We are a two-hour drive from the Appalachian Mountains.
"Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science."
Edwin Powell Hubble,
The Nature of Science.
Our department offers a varied assortment of research opportunities each year. Undergrads work closely with graduate students and faculty. And, because our faculty appreciate the value of learning through experience, the entire outdoors is your laboratory. The Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Science supports the ethical and humane treatment of animals. [Institutional Animal Use and Care Committee]
Our Students Have Published . . .
Book review of Primates of Columbia (Richard Defler) by Matt Jaroma has been accepted for publication in The Journal of Mammology.
Hall, B. L. and R. Derr. The Eastern Cougar (Book Review). Journal of Mammalogy (In Review).
Dunnings, C.N. and Webb, L.S. Genetic Analysis of Isolated Cotton Stainer Populations. Proceedings of the MARCUS Conference; Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, VA.
Bullis, Michelle. The evolution of animal communication: reception and deception in signaling systems (Book Review). Journal of Mammalogy (In Review)
Kissner, W. M. Rats: observation on the history and habitat of the city’s most unwanted inhabitants (Book Review). Journal of Mammalogy (In Review).
Sherwin, R.E., and R. R. Ives. Small mammals of the Navajo and Hubble Trading Post National Monuments, Arizona
Rakes, Sarah E. Field guide of the Plants of North Western Nevada.
"Results of a Survey of Corynorhinus rafinesquii roosts, Including the First Documented Hibernacula in Southeastern Virginia" Ela-Sita Carpenter, Stephanie Rollins
"Use of epigeic roosts by Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) in Nevada" Samuel L. Skalak, Richard E. Sherwin, Jason Williams, Robin R. Ives, and Jonathan H. Warren
"Applicability and reliability of external survey techniques when monitoring for Townsend’s big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii) in Pershing County, Nevada" Jonathan H. Warren, Richard E. Sherwin, Christopher Ross, Jason Williams, Samuel L. Skalak, Tamara Rocabado, Hannah White, Ishmael Ganame, and Trystan Sill.
Preston Burke and Jonathan Short, BCES students working with Dr. Gary Whiting and Dr. James Reed on the King William County Reservoir Water Quality Testing Project, presented their work at the “Ask the Expert” room at Hamilton-Holmes Middle School, King William County. Their project involves ecological monitoring to measure the water quality using automated water quality sensors at sites along the Mattaponi River and along the Pamunkey River.
Jeff Frederick, Robin Ives, Sam Skalak, Alan Kline. Using thermal profiles of abandoned mines in Alaska to infer use by bats and make recommendations for reclamation. North American Symposium on Bat Research (2005) in Sacramento, CA.
Stephanie Harris. “Removal of Arsenic from Water by Iron Modified Organo-Silicate Nanocomposite Material.” Sigma Xi and American Chemical Society, The 7th Annual Student Research Poster, Christopher Newport University, Virginia, U.S.A., October, 2005.
Using thermal profiles of abandoned mines in Alaska to infer use by bats and make recommendations for reclamation. 35th Annual North American Symposium on Bat Research. Sacramento, California. October, 2005. Robin Ives.
Bradshaw, Amber D., Erin Bradshaw, Amy M. Seim. 2006. Effect of water levels, temperature, and precipitation on the growth rates of Atlantic white cedar in an intermediate-aged stand within Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. The Ecology and Management of Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) Ecosystems. National meeting of the Atlantic White Cedar Alliance, Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Roosting affinities of Rafinesque’s big-eared bat in southeastern Virginia. 35th Annual North American Symposium on Bat Research. Sacramento, California. October, 2005. Ela-Sita Carpenter.
Kara Segna wins First Place in the CNU Sigma Xi Undergraduate Poster Competion. Her poster presented her proteomics research on Pennicillium marneffei, an emerging fungal pathogen in Southeast Asia. She completed her research during a ten week summer 2005 internship for the biochemistry department, Youngstown State University, Ohio. Kara also presented her work at the 84th Annual Meeting of the Virginia Academy of Science, May 25-26, 2006; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA.
Hudson, W. H., III, 2006. Wetland restoration design and marketing for a 1678-acre (679-ha) Carolina Bay located in North Carolina. Fifth Annual Paideia Conference at Christopher Newport University.
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