Biology Department
The biological sciences play a key role in human society from the conservation of biodiversity to medicine. The Department of Biology strives to cultivate an exciting academic environment to study, research, and contemplate the broad spectrum of the life sciences. Our teaching philosophy is founded on a belief in the value of a personal educational experience, achieved through small classes and laboratories, and opportunities for independent study and research. Faculty embrace the Teacher-Scholar model, and pursue varied research interests with student collaborators.
Our curriculum is designed to promote effective scientific communication, the understanding and use of the scientific method, the understanding of the major concepts in biology, the use of the tools and techniques of science, and an understanding of the scientific literature. An important aspect of science education at Washington & Lee is hands-on experience, including independent research experience. Many of our courses include laboratory and/or field work, often incorporating original research projects.
Our majors receive a broad education in the biosciences. Our graduates are competitive for entry to graduate programs, medical and other professional programs, and employment in all sectors of research, development and commerce.
We also provide opportunities for students in all academic programs to gain a greater appreciation for the nature of science and its impacts on society, in keeping with the liberal arts tradition of broadly educated individuals.
There are five vehicles for student research:
- Directed Individual Study (BIO401-403)
- Directed Individual Research (BIO422-424)
- Honors Thesis (BIO492-496)
- R. E. Lee Undergraduate Research Program, which enables students to spend the summer doing research full-time with the faculty scientists of their choice
- HHMI Research Fellows Program, which provides students with a more significant research experience with funding for a two-year period
In addition to our in-house curriculum, students can take advantage of programs off campus. These include our popular fall semester program at St. Andrews University in Scotland, as well as the Marine Science Educational Consortium with the Duke University Marine Laboratory in Beaufort, NC. All credits earned in these programs apply to the biology major at Washington and Lee University.
Biology Department
Nadia Ayoub, professor of biology, loves sharing her passion for open-ended scientific exploration with colleagues and students.
W&L’s Robert Humston Receives Grant to Study the Trout Population in the Jackson River
The director of environmental studies and professor of biology received the funding from the Virginia Departments of Wildlife Resources and Environmental Quality.
Office Hours with Robert Humston and Megan Fulcher
Professors Robert Humston and Megan Fulcher are part of a team of faculty volunteers who serve as liaisons between athletics and academics.
Marcie Bernard ’25 explored the different avenues of veterinary medicine in the Amazon Rainforest as she worked to rehabilitate and rewild animals at Hoja Nueva.
Pari Ahmadi ’24 will be working as a clinical research coordinator at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute before attending medical school.
Alicia Reigel Published in the Journal Communications Biology
The first-year biology professor co-authored a paper titled “Sponge-derived matter is assimilated by coral holobionts.”
W&L’s Reigel Published in the Marine Ecology Progress Series Journal
First-year biology professor co-authored a paper titled “Microbiome environmental shifts differ between two co-occurring octocoral hosts.”
W&L Student Co-Authors Paper Published by the Pain Medicine Journal
Lucy Worthy ’24 assisted in the research and helped publish the results alongside two W&L alumni.
Robert Humston will assess over 30 years of data collected by the U.S. Forest Service within the George Washington and Thomas Jefferson National Forests.
W&L Professors and Students Co-Author Peer-Reviewed Paper on Web-Weaving Spiders
Professors Nadia Ayoub and Kyle Friend, and students Jamal Magoti ’23, Maria Luzaran ’23, Cooper Lazo ’24 and Eman Muamar ’24 all contributed to the paper that appeared in the open science platform Frontiers.
W&L Professor Receives the 2023 Portion of Multi-Year Grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior
Bill Hamilton will utilize the grant to fund his ongoing research on ecosystem health in Yellowstone National Park.
Mike Hepner serves as a laboratory technician for the biology department.