Biology Department | Accomplishments

UNC Greensboro

Jonah Tatsapaugh

Undergrad Researcher Maps New Pathways in Bone Biology at UNCG

A biology major with a minor in chemistry, Jonah spent the last three semesters developing an innovative method to analyze the microstructural growth of thigh bones of individuals aged 3 months to 18 years.

His project, titled “Filling in the Holes: An In-Depth Look at Microstructural Variation in Subadult Femurs,” uses cutting-edge imaging technology to build the first comprehensive 3D model of normal bone growth patterns in children and adolescents.

Dr. Sally Koerner

Koerner Wins UNCG’s 2025 Research Excellence Award

Dr. Sally Koerner, associate professor of biology, receives the Early Career Research Excellence Award for her transformative scholarship in grassland ecology.

Dr. Koerner is internationally recognized for her research on grassland ecosystems and how global change impacts biological diversity, with studies ranging across South Africa, the Great Plains of the United States, and North Carolina. Her findings have fundamentally changed scientific understanding of grassland ecology, for example demonstrating that while grazing produces vastly different effects on biodiversity across the globe, a universal mechanism – how the dominant plant species responds – controls the response. Koerner’s critical work also includes timely explorations of how fire and drought impact plant community dynamics.

collage of students in biology

Student Accomplishments in 2024

Academic Year 2024 has been filled with many exciting accomplishment by both our undergraduate and graduate students. Here we share a sampling of their publications, awards, fellowships, field school work, and more!

Wasserberg in the field

Faculty Research Projects in 2024

Our faculty have highly respected research programs nationally and internationally. A sampling of the 2024 active programs, many of which are collaborative with other scientists, and biology faculty who direct these programs are shown here

Faculty Research Spotlight: Dr. Kevin Wilcox and Dr. Sally Koerner

Drs. Wilcox and Koerner have an active research program funded by the National Science Foundation involving graduate students, undergraduates, and citizens of South Africa.  They are studying how biodiversity promotes recovery after compound extreme events such as the extreme drought and simultaneous heavy herbivory that occurred in southern African between the years of 2015-2016, or the drought that swept across Kenya in 2021 and 2022. The primary location of their study site is in Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Urocitellus idahoensis, the Snake River Plains ground squirrel.

UNCG researcher identifies new American mammal

UNC Greensboro’s Dr. Bryan McLean and his collaborators have identified a new mammal in North America. Urocitellus idahoensis, the Snake River Plains ground squirrel, is named for its singular habitat in southern Idaho.

Elijah Resuello leans on the rail of a bridge at UNCG.

Class of 2024: Bitten by the Bug of Biology

When he looked into college majors, he did not want something that would overly narrow his choices for an exciting career after graduation. The versatility of a biology degree was what drew him to that major as a first-year college student from Winston-Salem. “Biology gave me more leg room to work with,” he explains.

Osena in the lab with a student

Dr. Ayalew Osena Wins New Grant From NSF For Tef Grain Research

Dr. Ayalew Osena, an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, has received a new 4-year, $450,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for his project: Collaborative Research: Deciphering the mechanisms of iron acquisition and accumulation in the underutilized ancient crop tef (Eragrostis tef). The Osena lab at UNCG uses molecular-genetic and biotechnological tools to improve desirable traits in agricultural plants. This grant supports Osena’s ongoing research with the “orphan crop” tef, a grain.