Biology
Study, research and explore the science of the living world.
As a biology major at Meredith, you'll experience personalized advising, a welcoming environment and opportunities for research with faculty as well as multiple student organizations and the chance for involvement outside the classroom with faculty and other students.
The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of students interested in the wide variety of career areas related to biological sciences, from medical to environmental to teacher training. Small class sizes as well as the opportunity for one-on-one work with faculty on research projects provides you with a personalized learning environment in which you will get to know faculty and your peers.
Meredith's biology program provides opportunities in all facets of biology, from field studies and environmental sustainability, to preparation for medical school or studies in allied health. It maintains a strong research program available to all students throughout their time at Meredith. Faculty have a variety of research interests. Some ongoing projects are the use of Neem tree products as mosquito repellent, protease activity of an herbal anti HIV medication, small mammals in forest ecology, and pharmaceuticals in freshwater systems.
The Department of Biological Sciences has excellent facilities, with 13 individual faculty/student research labs as well as dedicated laboratories for specific upper level courses. The department maintains a microscopy suite including a scanning electron microscope for student use. Our location near Research Triangle Park also provides biology students with many internship opportunities.
Biology majors participate in various internships. Some recent examples are internships at the State Bureau of Investigation, City/County Bureau of Identification, GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis. Students interested in careers in healthcare are guided through their search for shadowing opportunities and volunteer opportunities. Recent students have spent time in physical therapy practices, at Zaytoun Orthodontics and job-shadowed at Raleigh Foot and Ankle clinic.
The biology program maintains a strong research program available to all students throughout their time at Meredith College. Biology students also have the opportunity to conduct research in labs at Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with postdoctoral research associates and advanced graduate students through a mentoring program supported by a grant from the Jessie Ball duPont Foundation.
Students have presented their research at venues such as the North Carolina Academy of Science, Southeastern Association of Biology, State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium, and the Ecological Society of America.
Recent student research presentations include the following:
"Shell Morphology and DNA Sequencing of Disperse Populationsof Corbicula fluminea in North Carolina."
"Tissue Culture, Plant Regeneration, and DNA Extraction of Tylosema fassoglense."
"HIV protease inhibition abilities of Tylosema fassoglense."
"Tissue Culture and Plant Regeneration of Tylosema fassoglense and Tylosema exculentum."
"Extraction, Purification, and Isolation of Potential Protease Inhibitor from Root and Leaf of Tylosema fassoglensis."
"Wetland Sediment Microbial Community Composition Shifts in Response to Global Change."
"The Morphological Evolution of the Highly Specialized Aquatic Frogs Xenopus laevis."
"The Effect of Nicotine Use on Decision Making Behavior."
"Microbial Enzyme Activity in Response to Drought and Saltwater Intrusion in Wetland Soils."
"Cloning of katA (catalase) in Staphlococcus epidermidis."
"Fecal Coliform Monitoring of Meredith Pond."
"Conversion of Secondary Amines to Imines Using Common Organic Reagents."
"Cloning of the Restriction Enzyme Escherichia coli Restriction EndonucleaseI."
A biology degree prepares students for a wide array of potential careers as well as graduate study. Activities of recent graduates of Meredith's biology program include:
Professional Programs
Medical Schools
- Brody School of Medicine at ECU
- Edward Via VA College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Podiatric Medicine at Midwestern University
- VCOM – South Carolina
- Wake Forest University Medical School
- Yale Medical School
Dental School
- Ohio State University College of Dentistry
Veterinary School
- NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Law School
- NCCU School of Law
Pharmacy Schools
- Campbell University
- Medical University of South Carolina
- UNC-Chapel Hill
- University of Kentucky
Nursing Schools
- Duke University
- East Carolina University
- Georgia Southern University
- UNC–Chapel Hill
Physical Therapy Programs
- East Carolina University
- Touro College
Physician Assistant Programs
- Duke University
- East Carolina University
- Methodist University
Graduate Programs
Ph.D. Programs
- Biomedical Engineering – UNC Chapel Hill
- Biochemistry – Wake Forest University
- Chemistry – North Carolina State University
- Education – University of Tennessee
- Microbiology – North Carolina State University
Master of Science Programs
- Food Science - North Carolina State University
- Genetics - North Carolina State University
- Microbiology – Virginia Commonwealth University, NC State University
- Molecular Diagnostics – UNC Chapel Hill
- Zoology - North Carolina State University
- Ecology – Virginia Commonwealth University
Masters in Clinical Research Program
- Campbell University
Masters of Public Health Program
- East Carolina University
- Eastern Virginia Medical School
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
- UNC-Chapel Hill
Professional Masters in Microbial Biotechnology Program
- NC State University
Professional Employment
- Science Education Center, Museum of Life and Science
- Registered Nurse, Duke University Medical Center, Baptist Hospital
- Cytogenetics Technician, LabCorp of America
- Molecular Genetics Lab Tech, LabCorp of America
- Animal Care Tech and Customer Service Tech, Care First Animal Hospitals
- Chiropractic Assistant, Triangle Spine Center
- EPA – Neurotoxicology Division
- Pharmacy Technician, Rite Aid
- Patient Services Coordinator, Biogen Idec
- Lab Technologist, American Red Cross
- Program Assistant, Energy Division at NC Department of Commerce
- K-6 Public school teacher
- Bulk Manufacturing Associate, Novartis
- MSPH Climate Change Epidemiologist, Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Public Health NC Dept of Health and Human Services
- Solar Administrator, Southern Energy Management
- Research Technician, Nicholas School for the Environment, Duke University
Each year, the department recognizes student achievement through awards and scholarships that are given to deserving students:
- Deborah K. Smith Award for Achievement in Biology: graduating seniors
- Tiana Nicole Williams Award in the Biological Sciences: graduating seniors
- John Yarbrough Awards: Outstanding Rising Junior, Senior in Biology
- Martha Nell Tucker Freshman Biology Award
- Martha Tucker Science Award
- GlaxoSmithKline Women in Science Scholars Progam Scholarship
- Betty Hyatt Biology Scholarship
- Mull/Jackson/Mellette Scholarship
- Deborah K. Smith Scholarship
In addition to these discipline-specific scholarship opportunities, Meredith offers a range of merit and need-based financial assistance. Last year, Meredith coordinated $42.8 million in financial assistance.
Meredith’s student/faculty ratio of 11:1 and average class size of 17 ensure that students get to know their professors. In turn, our faculty know students by name and, just as important, are familiar with each student’s unique strengths and interests. This allows faculty to identify interesting research and internship opportunities for students, to write meaningful letters of recommendation, and to support students as they conduct in-depth undergraduate research. In fact, students and faculty frequently work together on such projects—more than 140 were conducted by student/faculty teams across campus last year.
Biology faculty include:
- Karthik Aghoram, Ph.D., teaches cell biology and biochemistry. His research focuses on plant compounds that exhibit potential HIV protease inhibition. He serves as the assistant pre-med advisor for Meredith and advisor to the Meredith Association of Pre-Health Professions Students.
- Jason Andrus, Ph.D., teaches microbiology, molecular biology and biotechnology, and principles of biology. His research involves using molecular biology and biochemistry to understand the physiology of microorganisms. Dr. Andrus serves as advisor for ISPE (International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineer) and coo-advisor for Beta Beta Beta, the Biological Honor Society.
- Francie Cuffney, Ph.D., is the Department Head of Biological Sciences and teaches courses in evolution, ecology and aquatic field techniques. Her research focuses on effects of pharmaceutical and personal care products on freshwater mollusks. She is also the chief pre-med advisor for Meredith
- Larry Grimes, Ph.D., teaches courses in medical parasitology, medical histology, comparative vertebrate anatomy, scanning electron microscopy and general zoology. His research focuses on the behavior adaptations of Aedes albopictus, Asian Tiger Mosquito. He is also the pre-vet advisor for Meredith with 30 years of experience.
- Erin Lindquist, Ph.D., teaches plant biology and environmental science. She is the coordinator of the environmental sustainability major. Her research focuses on forest communities. She also leads a summer study abroad experience to Costa Rica to study tropical ecosystems.
- John Mecham, Ph.D., teaches courses in anatomy and physiology. His research interests include human anatomy and physiology, parasitic diseases and HIV/AIDS.
- Robert Reid, Ph.D., teaches courses in genetics biology and society, and tissue culture. His research focuses on plant tissue culture as well as Beta fish embryological development.
