Recognition & Honors
In the News
Ricardo Azevedo and Rebecca Zufall, biology professors, alongside a team of multi-institutional scientists, received a $2 million National Science Foundation grant to study how different modes of reproduction impact the speed of DNA mutations. By comparing microscopic freshwater organisms, snails and mustard plants, the four-year study aims to uncover the basic biological rules governing mutation rates across species. Unlocking how nature speeds up or slows down these genetic changes could ultimately provide key insights into real-world health challenges, including how cancer tumors evolve and how bacteria develop antibiotic resistance.
Martin Nunez, associate professor of biology and biochemistry, is leading a group studying tree growth in native versus non-native ranges. The group is based in Prague and is funded by the European Union. It will examine how factors such influence tree performance across regions.