SIB Bulletin Board

IB students, dive into Caribbean marine life with a unique travel abroad opportunity over spring break in Roatán, Honduras! Explore vibrant coral reefs and learn about fascinating marine ecosystems firsthand at The Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS). Gain field experience identifying reef species, understanding crucial conservation efforts, and getting to swim with dolphins! Apply before the October 25th deadline! You must be comfortable swimming and snorkeling to participate.

First year Bio students: We are recruiting for next year’s sophomore class! Come find out from current IBH students why this is a unique program.

• Small dedicated core classes (24 students)
• Hands-on research
• Peer support Independent Research projects across campus
• Decide which classes you want to take from IB, MCB, SESE or ACES
• Share your passion for biology
• Field trips
• Alumni support and scholarships

Come and find out more and meet with our current IBH students at our info session: Tuesday, November 17 at 6:00 p.m. Join us in person at 4014 Natural History Building – pizza provided.

Each year the School of Integrative Biology makes a T-Shirt for students, faculty, and staff. Having a school shirt is a fun tradition created to promote pride within the SIB community at all levels. 

When sourcing the design each year we love to get submissions from our students and their creative minds. The professional staff then selects a winning design, or a group of designs to merge together to be the next academic year's shirt, to be given out at the annual SIB Kickoff Event.

If you would like to submit a design idea for next years shirt please fill out the form.

5-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, Zoom 
Applying to graduate school? Learn strategies to understand application essay prompts, organize your ideas, and write personal statements that communicate your strengths, fit, and value. You’ll also discover how to get personalized feedback on your personal statement drafts. 

Oct. 20 • The Career Center, 715 S. Wright St., Room 143

The Career Center and the Origin Ventures Office of Entrepreneurship at Gies College of Business invite students of all majors and class levels to the Entrepreneurship Series. Oct. 20: The Entrepreneurial Path — hear real-world insights from business owners. 

View the series calendar or Handshake for more details. 

This position is geared towards candidates with an Associate's degree, but it would also suit recent biology BSc graduates interested in developing their wet-lab skills. The lab tech would work alongside a team of scientists performing state-of-the-art synthetic biology and strain engineering work.

Visit the job listing to learn more about this position.

The Career Center is accepting fall 2026 applications for two semester-long career readiness programs: Career Certificate — International, for students pursuing global job and internship opportunities, and FOCUS, for first-generation students. Both programs are offering additional sessions this fall, creating opportunities for more students to take advantage of these valuable programs. Visit the program websites for details, eligibility, information sessions, and how to apply.

Various times, 335 Illini Union 
Make a strong first impression! Free student headshots are available at the Professional Portrait Lab. 

2:30-4:30 p.m., various dates and locations
Throughout the academic year, The Career Center offers on-site career coaching at seven campus partners. No appointment needed. Just drop in.

See the locations and times on the Career Services webpage.

Thursday, October 15, 2026 8:30 AM | Forest Preserves of Cook County Research Symposium | Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Registration is now open!

Join us for the Forest Preserves of Cook County Research Symposium on Thursday, October 15, 2026. The symposium will bring together researchers, partners, and Forest Preserves’ staff to share discoveries, exchange ideas, and inspire future research. Presentations will highlight a wide range of topics from ecology and wildlife to restoration, recreation, and the connections between nature and people.  From studies on the behavior of daddy longlegs to the impacts of nature on human health, the day's presentations will highlight the remarkable range of research happening across more than 70,000 acres of the Forest Preserves. We hope you'll join us for a day of engaging presentations, thoughtful discussion, and a celebration of the research taking place across the Forest Preserves!

Register

4-5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, Zoom (registration required) 
Are you struggling to resist the temptation of ChatGPT? Are you worried your writing doesn't sound like your own anymore? Writers Workshop will share strategies for brainstorming and drafting, as well as enhancing your academic voice.

October 22, 1–2 pm • Room 103, Illini Union

The Jeffries Center and the Office of Undergraduate Research will host an information session for the First-Gen Scholars Research Program (FGSRP) on Wednesday, October 22, 2026 from 1pm to 2pm. The FGSRP is for first-generation undergraduate college students at Illinois who currently have Federal Work-Study. Students can RSVP for the information session, view details about this year's program and faculty mentors, and complete the FGSRP application at go.illinois.edu/FirstGenResearch. Registration is required for the information session!

November 1 • Online Application deadline

This opportunity is for Illinois undergraduates in their sophomore and junior year. The full-time, 10-week program provides hands-on biomedical research experience at Mayo Clinic. Students from all majors may apply, and prior research experience is not required. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, with preference given to students considering biomedical research careers, particularly a PhD or MD-PhD. Up to six selected students will receive a $7,000 award. 

Biophysics combines biology with physics, mathematics, chemistry, and engineering to explore how living systems work. Biophysicists study everything from molecules and cells to the brain and immune system, using experiments, data, and technology to better understand life and solve biological problems. Join us Nov. 18 for the Illinois Biophysics Symposium to learn more about biophysics research at Illinois and where this field can take your career. Speakers, poster session, lunch, fun activities, from 10 am – 4:15 pm at the Beckman Institute. 

View the schedule and register to attend and/or present. 
Abstracts due Oct. 25, registration closes Nov. 10. 
Questions? Contact ib@office365.illinois.edu

August 26–December 16 • Hours vary by location • Find us across campus and online!

Hours vary Sunday through Friday across campus and online

Find help with your writing needs at the Writers Workshop. Consultations are available by appointment and during dedicated drop-in hours.

Visit the Writers Workshop page to learn more.

Noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, Main Library Orange Room 
Nutrition Peers will be offering a variety of fruit to help keep students well nourished during their study hours at the Main Library. Learn about the importance of having a wide variety of colors in your diet and the nutrition benefits of fruit and vegetables. At this time, students are given the opportunity to connect with McKinley Health Center's Registered Dietitian and services provided at McKinley and through Nutrition Peers. 

4:15-5:15 p.m. Thursday Oct.15, IDEA Lab, Basement of Grainger Library 
Enjoy weekly interactive tabling events to learn about resources for stress management individually and throughout the campus community. Each week includes education, an activity, and giveaways around a new theme. Join for a break in your day.

Various locations through Friday, Dec. 4 
The Big Ten university with the most donations wins $1 million from Abbott to support student or community health initiatives. Schedule your appointment and register your donation or text ‘DONATE’ to 222688 to get your T-shirt and give Illinois credit. Through Saturday, Oct. 31, colleges across campus will compete in the Illinois Gives Blood Challenge to see which college can rally the most blood donors. When you donate on campus, tell the student ambassadors you’re representing LAS.

CampusWell provides health and wellness articles and videos for the campus community. Topics incorporate the Eight Dimensions of Wellness, ranging from nutrition, mindfulness, time management and finances. 

The LAS Undercover Food Pantry is in business and already serving students. We don’t check student ids and we don’t turn anyone away; the pantry is tucked into a secluded corner of the LAS office and is discreet. Students can stop by 2002 Lincoln Hall during our hours of operation (8:30 am – noon and 1 pm – 4:40 pm M, T, TH, F and 10 am – noon, 1 pm – 4:40 pm on W). Let the front desk know you're here about the pantry, or to ‘shop.’ We have bags for you to use if you need them.

The Food Assistance and Well-Being Program is an emergency resource for Illinois students who are facing financial challenges and need short-term food and basic needs support. Our pantry offers a variety of items such as protein, dairy, fresh produce, canned goods, grains and limited personal care items. Every week, students can choose to either make an appointment at the ARC Instructional Kitchen, schedule a pick-up at CRCE lockers or visit a Wesley Food Pantry. During Hunger Action Month this September, create awareness about food insecurity and share this resource with students you serve.

The Student Wellness Guidebook is an online etext and open enrollment Canvas course that helps students build skills across the eight dimensions of wellness and connects them to Illinois resources all in one place.

On TalkCampus, you can share what’s on your mind, chat one-on-one with a trained TalkCampus Buddy, join group conversations, journal, and explore self-guided tools to support your wellbeing. There’s no judgment, just real conversations with students who have lived experience with common college stressors. 

To get started, create an account using your Illinois NetID. If you have questions, contact the Counseling Center at 217-333-3704 during business hours. 

Let's Talk is a program offered by our embedded counselors. It is not a counseling appointment but a casual conversation about Counseling Center services available to you. Conversations with Let’s Talk counselors are private, informal consultations. Let's Talk appointments are 15 minutes long, and there is no fee. 

To schedule a Let's Talk appointment, please schedule an appointment online.  

Learn about resources for stress management individually and throughout the campus community. This weekly event features education, an activity, and giveaways around a new theme.

Illinois students who are facing financial challenges can access short-term food and basic needs support. The pantry offers a variety of items such as protein, dairy, fresh produce, canned goods, grains, and personal care items. Make an appointment at the ARC Instructional Kitchen, schedule a pick-up at the CRCE lockers, or visit a Wesley Food Pantry.

The Illini Wildlife and Conservation Club (IWCC) is a perfect fit for any students who are interested in wildlife, conservation, the environment, or just spending time outdoors. Our RSO has monthly general meetings where we host speakers such as professors from the university, field biologists, zookeepers, and Illinois alumni. During the semester, we take off-campus trips to places such as zoos, state parks, local nature centers, and forest preserves. We also host socials and philanthropy events, plus volunteer at local events like Boneyard Creek Community Day and Illini Lights Out as IWCC is dedicated to giving back to the community and being stewards of the local environment. Ultimately, our goal is to increase awareness and interest in the conservation and sustainability of both wildlife and the environments that support them.

Explore biology and research through writing, editing, and creative design. NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED!

In Double Helix Digest, students can publish any research they’ve done, write a review article from scratch, edit articles, or work on the design/layout of the journal. Our goal is to teach science communication skills to undergraduates, as well as other skills to help prepare undergraduates for further schooling (and ultimately publish one issue at the end of each academic year).

Follow @Quiuchd on Instagram for meeting updates.

October 16, 11 AM–1 PM • Illini Union, Illini Room C

Please join us for the Sustainability Open House on Friday, Oct. 16, at the Illini Union! This event provides an opportunity to learn more about sustainability at Illinois and the many ways to get involved. It will feature a sustainability resource fair as well as two panels exploring campus environmental initiatives and sustainability research and education programs. All are welcome — hope to see you there!

October 22, 1:30-3:30 - Forbes Natural History Building

Discover the science shaping Illinois and making an impact around the world at the Illinois Natural History Survey Research & Partners Open House.

Explore interactive exhibits and research posters highlighting innovative discoveries and the diverse research, monitoring, and outreach programs that advance our understanding and stewardship of Illinois' natural resources. Hear from INHS research program leaders through engaging lightning talks and learn how Survey science supports informed decision-making for conservation, natural resource management, environmental stewardship, public health, and economic development. 

We invite research sponsors, partner organizations, stakeholder groups, campus colleagues, and friends to join us for a day of discovery, conversation, and connection with the scientists and staff whose work is making a difference across Illinois and beyond.

Various times Tuesday, Oct. 27, Main Quad
Do you want to get more involved in the College of LAS? Join us for Media Day! The LAS Marketing and Communications team wants to meet you. As a student, you’re one of our best ambassadors, and we’d love to share what makes your LAS experience unique. Register for a time slot to have your photo taken and share your story.