The Biology Department annually gives three awards to graduating students.

Shirley Jolliff Memorial Biology Research Award

The award is presented to a graduating senior biology major in recognition for outstanding quality and effort in the pursuit of his/her senior research in biology.

Marcus Hatfield is a co-recipient of the 2008 Shirley Jolliff Memorial Biology Research Award. Marcus is currently a student in the Ph.D. program at Creighton University in the Biomedical Sciences Program.

Greg Timblin is a co-recipient of the 2008 Shirley Jolliff Memorial Biology Research Award. Greg is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in immunology at the University of California-Berkeley's Molecular and Cell Biology Graduate Program.

Dr. C. J. Shirk Memorial Biology Achievement Award

The award is presented each year to the senior student who has demonstrated academic excellence, participated in research, and shown leadership potential through service in the Biology Department.

Lynsey Crosby is the 2008 recipient of the Dr. C. J. Shirk Memorial Biology Achievement Award. Lynsey received a Goldwater Scholarship, one of the most prestigious undergraduate research awards, in 2006. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

Biology Leadership Award

The award is presented to the student who has shown outstanding leadership in the activities and functions of the Biology Department.

Katie Emanuel is the recipient of the Biology Leadership Award. Katie is currently working at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She plans to enter graduate school next fall.

Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship Recipients

Megan Larsen of Beatrice and Taryn Overton of Lincoln have both received Ernest F. Hollings Scholarships from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This award is designed to increase undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education. It includes up to $8,000 of academic assistance per year for the student’s junior and senior years, as well as a 10-week paid internship at NOAA.

Larsen (selected as a Hollings Scholar in 2007) is majoring in biochemistry and pursuing a minor in environmental studies. Upon graduation from Nebraska Wesleyan University, Larsen plans to attend graduate school with a focus on toxic aquatic algae.

Overton (selected in 2008) plans to obtain a degree in veterinary medicine and ultimately work with marine endangered species and facilitate wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release.

Seventh Annual INBRE Conference

Richie Nelson was a recipient of the Richard Holland Future Scientist Award from the Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures. Nelson earned a first place, poster, at the Seventh Annual INBRE Conference held in August 2008, in Grand Island, NE.

West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference

Two of our students claimed top honors at the 33rd Annual West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research (WCBSUR) Conference held Saturday, April 12, 2008, on the campus of Point Loma Nazarene University, located in San Diego, California. Lynsey Crosby presented a paper titled “Development of an Immunofluorescent assay using recombinant proteins expressed in insect cells for the screening and confirmation of Human Herpesvirus-8 antibodies” and was awarded first place in that category. Rachel Steadman’s first place paper in the Cell Biology and Biochemistry section was titled “β-cyclodextrin supramolecular inclusion complexes as duel guest host.” Each recipient with presented with $50 and a certificate of achievement.