Dr. Valbona Hoxha, assistant professor of biology, recently a co-authored “ERI1: A case report of an autosomal recessive syndrome associated with developmental delay and distal limb abnormalities” in the American Journal of Medical Genetics. Ermal Aliu, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at Penn State Health, co-authored the article.

Daelyn Stabler ’23, biology, became the third LVC student recognized by the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts’ Women of Impact: Celebrating Women in STEM Awards Program in the past four years. Stabler will receive the Marion C. Alexander Rising Star Award during the September 21, 2022, ceremony, as “A young female student making strides in her STEM Education.” She joins previous recipients Julianna Koehl ’21, chemistry (2019), and Fatima Madondo ’22, neuroscience major, chemistry minor (2020). 

Biology majors Ainsley Buia ’25 and Sara Collevechio ’25 were awarded the “Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences Undergraduate Research Project” for their project, “The molecular effects of alcohol sensitivity post traumatic brain injury in Drosophila melanogaster.” They, along with classmate and fellow researcher Raegan Laszczyk ’25, were invited to present their research at the 2023 Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences Conference. The trio are conducting their research under the faculty mentorship of Dr. Bona Hoxha, assistant professor of biology. 

Elsevier published “Forensic Toxicology: Principles and Concepts,” the second edition of a textbook written by Dr. Courtney Lappas, professor of biology, and her father, Dr. Nicholas Lappas, professor emeritus, George Washington University. The new edition “takes the reader back to the origins of forensic toxicology providing an overview of the largely unchanging principles of the discipline.”

Erin Ziegler ’22, biochemistry & molecular biology major and environmental science minor, presented a poster, “The effects of deer, light, and competition on Podophyllum peltatum,” at the 2021 Pennsylvania Botany Symposium. Jake Beidler ’23, environmental science, Dr. Doug Becker, assistant professor of biology, and Dr. Rebecca Urban, director of environmental science and professor of biology, co-authored the poster.

Dr. Courtney Lappas, professor of biology, and two colleagues published “Predictors of the intention to receive a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine” in the Journal of Public Health. The authors research showed several predictors associated with those intending to be vaccinated, including perceived vulnerability to COVID-19, political orientation, gender, and race.

Dr. Stephen Williams, professor emeritus of biology, published “Pollination of Dionaea Muscipula, The Venus Flytrap,” in the current issue of the Carnivorous Plant Newsletter. With his co-researcher, Bill Scholl, they describe in detail the timing of stages in flower opening and shedding of pollen. Bumblebees and solitary bees were found to be the pollinators. Dr. Susan Verhoek, professor emerita of biology, and Dr. Allan F. Wolfe, professor emeritus of biology, consulted on the study.

Dr. Rebecca Urban, director of environmental science and professor of biology, was interviewed by Harrisburg Magazine for the story “Now is the time when plants need help the most.”

Dr. Rebecca Urban, director of environmental science and professor of biology, co-authored “Assessment of Student Learning in Undergraduate Courses with Collaborative Projects from the Ecological Research as Education Network,” in Scholarship and Practice of Undergraduate Research.  

Dr. Rebecca Urban, professor biology and director of environmental science, “shared guidance on how to identify invasive plants in your garden, and insight on the long-term problems they can cause,” on WHTM TV 27’s Good Day PA.