2025-06-18
- The School of Integrative Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is proud to announce that Dr. Andrew Suarez, Acting Head and Professor of Entomology, has been named the 2025 recipient of the...
2025-06-17 - On June 15, 2025, SIB’s own Assistant Professor of Entomology and African-American Studies, Dr. Esther Ndumi Ngumbi, authored a heartfelt opinion piece for NPR’s Goats & Soda, published on Father’s Day. Drawing on personal experience, she reflects on her Kenyan father’s decision to educate his four daughters—despite social...
2025-06-12 - CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Laboratory and field experiments have repeatedly shown that modifying the process of photosynthesis or the physical characteristics of plants can make crops more resilient to hotter temperatures. Scientists can now alter the abundance or orientation of leaves, change leaf chemistry to improve heat tolerance and adjust key steps in the process of photosynthesis to overcome...
2025-06-06 - A new paper published in The Anatomical Record sheds light on the biomechanical strategies of saber-toothed predators, offering a more nuanced view of how these iconic animals used their fearsome teeth. The study, "Sharpening Our Understanding of Saber-Tooth Biomechanics," was co-authored by Dr. Philip Anderson, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the...
2025-05-29 - CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In a review in The Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, Stephen Long, a professor of crop sciences and of plant biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, describes research efforts...
2025-05-14 - CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign presents the Campus Awards for Excellence in Faculty Leadership each year to distinguished faculty who enrich the intellectual vitality of campus and the broader community.The awards were...
2025-05-13 - A recent study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution reveals how certain birds have independently developed similar nesting behaviors, offering fresh insights into evolution and animal behavior. Notably, the research features contributions from Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior alumni Abbigail Turner. The study focused on "cavity-nesting" songbirds—a species that build nests in...
2025-04-30 - The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) has honored Dr. Amy Marshall-Colón, Associate Professor of Plant Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with the 2025 Excellence in Education Award. This prestigious award recognizes...
2025-04-24 - CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Scientists developed a machine-learning tool that can teach itself, with minimal external guidance, to differentiate between aerial images of flowering and nonflowering grasses — an advance that will greatly increase the pace of agricultural field research, they say. The work was conducted using images of thousands of varieties of Miscanthus grasses, each of which has...
2025-04-16 - Dr. Rose Marks, Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Biology has spearheaded a landmark international collaboration to chart the future of desiccation tolerance research. The resulting paper, “Life on the Dry Side: A Roadmap to Understanding Desiccation Tolerance and Accelerating Translational Applications,” was published...
2025-04-12 - The Graduate College and the Media Commons of the University Library recently announced the winners of the 2025 Image of Research competition. This annual competition underscores the extraordinary creativity and intellectual diversity of our graduate students.3RD PRIZEThe Melting Arctic: A Fleeting Beautyby Lijia Guo from Plant Biology "As...
2025-04-10 - The Beckman Institute recognized two community members during its annual April celebration of Arnold Beckman’s birth.Microscopist and Outreach Specialist T Josek won the Staff Spirit and Dedication Award; Professor...
2025-04-10 - In a recent WCIA news segment addressing the alarming rise in bee mortality rates in Central Illinois, SIB Entomology Professor Adam Dolezal provided his insights into the multifaceted challenges facing bee populations. During his interview, Dolezal highlighted that factors such as pathogens, pesticide exposure, and inadequate nutrition are primary contributors to bee health decline. He...
2025-04-09 - There’s a lot to talk about after a study abroad trip in Panama, but for plant biology professor Jim Dalling, one of the most memorable experiences is riding on a construction crane 50 meters above the forest floor. Gliding across the surface of the forest canopy, they’re inches away from a hidden world of flying tropical birds, sun...
2025-04-08 - As people look to reduce their water use for environmental and ecological reasons, rain barrels have gained popularity for catching rainwater that can be stored and used for irrigation. These green infrastructure tools can conserve hundreds of gallons of water per year and reduce stormwater runoff. However, as a source of standing water, improperly maintained rain barrels may also be comfortable...