Department of Biology

“Ever since early February, when some software volunteers debuted a website to help the public find COVID-19 vaccine appointments, they’ve had a unique window into the ebb and flow of what one engineer there dubbed ‘the spice.’ Who wants the vaccines, and who doesn’t? Where in the state are the shots snapped right up, and where are they left wanting?” writes columnist Danny Westneat. Jessica Chong, assistant professor of pediatrics in the UW School of Medicine, and Carl Bergstrom, professor of biology at the UW, are quoted.

A 6-mile-wide space rock and colossal eruptions racked Earth at the same fateful moment. Scientists have tried for decades to determine the primary suspect behind the Cretaceous extinction. Gregory Wilson Mantilla, Burke Museum curator of vertebrate paleontology and professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.

The term “herd immunity” has been thrown around frequently as vaccinations in the United States have ramped up, with many viewing it as the end goal for the COVID-19 pandemic. But as Carl Bergstrom, professor of biology at the UW, detailed in a thread posted to Twitter, it may not be that simple.

As carbon dioxide continues to rise, multiple changes in the leaves of tropical plants may help these ecosystems perform better under climate change than previous studies had suggested.

Over 100 UW graduate and professional programs have been ranked by U.S. News & World Report to be among the top 35 in the nation.

The oldest known primate fossils were dated to just after the extinction event 66 million years ago —suggesting some primate ancestors lived even longer ago. Gregory Wilson Mantilla, professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.

Halley Greg (who graduated from UW with a double degree in biology and psychology) is on this season of The Voice.

In-class problem solving, group discussions and similar instructional approaches collectively known as active learning are more effective for student learning than lecture-based instruction, studies have shown. But many postsecondary instructors still spend the bulk of class time lecturing. Why resistance to active learning persists has not been clear. Scott Freeman, teaching professor emeritus in biology at the UW, is quoted.

Take a look back at the last year of the UW's research of and adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jawbones and an assortment of teeth found in the Hell’s Creek formation of northeastern Montana are the oldest primate fossils ever discovered, according to newly published research. Gregory Wilson Mantilla, Burke Museum curator of vertebrate paleontology and professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.

Biology professor Horacio de la Iglesia and biology postdoctoral researcher Leandro Casiraghi explain the results of their new study on the moon's effects on sleep.

Despite the option of “extending the end of the day” with artificial lighting in highly urbanized Seattle, UW biology professor Horacio de la Iglesia said UW students slept shorter hours in the days before a full moon, as did indigenous Argentinans with no electricity.

In a new study, a team of paleontologists analyzed tooth samples found in Montana and determined plesiadapiforms, an ancient taxon including primates’ oldest ancestor, likely emerged 65.9 million-years-ago and lived alongside dinosaurs. Gregory Wilson Mantilla, Burke Museum curator of vertebrate paleontology and professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.

Many scientists are expecting another rise in infections. But this time the surge will be blunted by vaccines and, hopefully, widespread caution. By summer, Americans may be looking at a return to normal life. Carl Bergstrom, professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.

Researchers led by UW biology Professor Horacio de la Iglesia have found that whether you live in a rural or urban environment, your sleep patterns are affected by a full moon. On the nights leading up to full moon, people fall asleep later and sleep less overall.