Biology Announcements

What's Happening

• News

  Dr. Alison Scoville and her former undergraduate researcher, Lauren Tanacka, are featured in a recent publication of Audubon magazine: "As Stands of Whitebark Pine Disappear, Could the Clark's Nutcracker Soon Follow?"  The article includes Dr. Scoville's research on the Clark Nutcracker with collaborator Dr. Taza Schaming (New Yorkwildlife ecologist working for the nonprofit Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative).

   

• Darwin Day

  The Department of Biological Sciences, in conjunction with the College of the Sciences, would like to invite all interested students, faculty, staff, administrators and community members to a celebration of the science and evolution and Darwin's contributions to our modern world.

  Each year, thematic events, including talks, a birthday cake party and discussions occur during the week of Darwin's birthday, February 12th.

  Join us for this year's presentation, which will introduce us to a man who came to idea of natural selection separately from Charles Darwin:

  "Alfred Russel Wallace: Radical by Nature."

  Webinar presentation by Dr. Jim Costa, the Executive Director and Professor of Biology at Western Carolina University's Highlands Biological Station.

  Monday, February 12, 2024
  12:00-1:00pm, with coffee and treats provided, starting at 11:45am.
  Showing in Dean Hall, Room 104

  Long and short sleeve t-shirts commemorating our celebration this year will also be available for purchase in the Biology Office (Science 338).

  

• Science on Tap Seminar Series

  Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Green Tea Along the Gut-Liver Axis

  Presented by Geoffrey Sasaki, PhD

  Date: Tuesday, March 5
  Time: 6:00pm
  Location: The Ridge (404 N. Pine St.)

  Join us for an inside look into the metabolism and benefits of green tea in cardiometabolic diseases. Cardiometabolic diseases continue to be a major public health concern in the United States. Chronic low-grade inflammation is associated with cardiometabolic diseases and is suggested to be driven by increased translocation of gut-derived endotoxins into the circulation. Green tea is a polyphenol-rich beverage with associated anti-inflammatory activities along the gut-liver axis. Dr. Sasaki’s talk will discuss translational studies examining the anti-inflammatory activities of green tea polyphenols in rodents and humans as well as exploring the metabolism of green tea polyphenols in healthy and obese adults.

  Dr. Sasaki is the Director of Craft Brewing and lecturer in the Craft Brewing Program and Department of Biological Sciences. Prior to Central Washington University, Dr. Sasaki served as Quality Manager at Columbus Brewing Company (Columbus, OH). At the brewery, he oversaw and performed daily analytical and microbiological analyses of in-process and finished beers as well as lead daily and weekly sensory panels to evaluate raw materials, in-process/finished beer, and shelf life. While at the brewery, Dr. Sasaki developed a strong interest in teaching and education and began leading staff trainings on beer production, food/fermentation science, and sensory. Additionally, he taught courses and guest lectured at The Ohio State University in nutrition, food science, and microbiology. Along with brewing and fermentation science, Dr. Sasaki developed a passion for polyphenol research in relation to improving cardiometabolic health during his graduate studies. His work primarily focused on the anti-inflammatory benefits of green tea but has also collaborated on research projects involving other functional foods and their associated health benefits.

  Sponsored by CWU Biology Dept. & College of the Sciences

• Greenhouse Public Hours

  We invite you to visit the CWU Greenhouse, open to the public most (non-holiday) Fridays from 1:00pm-3:00pm.

   

   

  CWU Biology Greenhouse
• Marshall W. Mayberry Arboretum

  Did you know you can take a self-guided tour to learn more about the numerous trees surrounding the CWU Biology Greenhouse?

  Marshall W. Mayberry Arboretum