Learning. Discovery. Impact.
Empowering Future Innovators
We seek to understand the fundamental mechanisms by which living systems operate and employ a wide range of cutting-edge and innovative approaches and systems.
Our mission is to be a global force for good by advancing fundamental biological knowledge via excellence in multidisciplinary research and education to understand biological systems and improve environmental and human health.
PhD Student Caroline Anscombe Receives Best Oral Presentation Award
Caroline Anscombe, a second-year PhD student in Notre Dame’s Department of Biological Sciences and a member of the Tank Lab, received the Best Oral Presentation in Basic Research award at the 2026 Society for Freshwater Science Annual Meeting in Spokane, Washington.
Her award-winning presentation explored how floodplain restoration influences stormwater flows in agricultural streams. Her research focused on constructed floodplains created through the two-stage ditch practice, an innovative conservation approach designed to help agricultural landscapes reduce storm-driven erosion.
Caroline’s findings suggest that constructed floodplains can effectively reduce peak storm flows and influence how streamflow recedes following storms. However, the results also indicate that the age of these restored systems may affect the extent of water quality improvements.
Caroline is currently preparing her findings for publication, contributing valuable insights into sustainable agricultural practices and freshwater ecosystem management.
Congratulations to Caroline on this outstanding achievement!
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63 Number of Faculty
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73+ Research Collaboration Footprint (Countries)
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30+ Countries Represented in Our Department
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9 Number of AAAS Faculty
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159 Number of Graduate Students
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84 % Notre Dame students are admitted to medical school (twice the national average)
Five Notre Dame faculty elected AAAS Fellows as program celebrates 150th anniversary
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has named its newest class of Fellows, including five faculty from the University of Notre Dame, recognized for excellence in fields such as biology, chemistry, and engineering.
“Election as a AAAS Fellow is a significant honor and testament to disciplinary excellence,” said John T. McGreevy, Notre Dame Provost. “We celebrate these colleagues whose work enhances Notre Dame’s standing as a global research university and a force for good.”
Notre Dame Biology Researcher Featured Among Nature’s 2026 Photo Competition Winners
A striking image from Notre Dame Biology faculty member Lee Haines and chemistry Ph.D. student Shayanta Chowdhury has been named one of the winning entries in Nature’s 2026 photo competition. Captured under ultraviolet light, the image reveals a glowing yellow fever mosquito, part of Haines’s research exploring new ways to kill blood-feeding insects. Stop and take a look at the science, color and beauty behind the winning shot.
Managing water more sustainably in the Midwest
Watershed Modeling and Community-Centered Optimization for Resilient and Sustainable Rural-Urban Water Systems brings together scientists, engineers, and local leaders to create a shared plan for managing water more sustainably across the St. Joseph River Basin, which flows from farms and small towns to cities like South Bend before reaching Lake Michigan.
The project is led by Principal Investigators Jennifer Tank, the Ludmilla F., Stephen J., and Robert T. Galla Professor of Biological Sciences and director of the Notre Dame Environmental Change Initiative, and Alexander Dowling, the Tony and Sarah Earley Collegiate Professor of Energy and the Environment in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.
Latest News
Media Mentions
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Associated Press
What to know about the New World screwworm fly and its reappearance in the US
June 04, 2026
Livestock are vulnerable because of how they’re handled, Lee Haines, an associate research professor of biological sciences at the University of Notre Dame, said in an email Thursday. Standard practices with cattle can break the skin, including shearing and de-horning, or even moving them in and out of corrals can cause scrapes and cuts. Birth would also make a mother and calf vulnerable, she said.
Mentions
Biological Sciences
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Inside Indiana Business
Notre Dame launches neuroimaging research center
April 09, 2026
The University of Notre Dame’s College of Arts & Letters is launching the Human Neuroimaging Center, a new research hub led by psychologist Aron Barbey aimed at studying how brain networks shape human intelligence, health and behavior.
Departmental Community Engagement
The Department of Biological Sciences engages with the greater Michiana community to provide science engagement, expertise, and service. These activities range from developed partnerships, ongoing opportunities for K-12 students and teachers, and individual initiatives to meet community needs. Outreach in the Department of Biological Sciences is a priority at all levels, from undergraduate students to faculty and staff. The programs presented here represent a snapshot of the outreach by the Department of Biological Sciences. We encourage you to reach out to learn more or propose new programs.
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What It’s REALLY Like to Study Biology at Notre Dame | First-Year Experience Revealed
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Prof Jason Rohr: a planetary health innovation for disease, food, and water challenges in Africa
Apply to the Graduate Program
Our department is characterized by unsurpassed commitment to the development of our graduate students into well-rounded scientists who can take on leadership roles in industry, academia, and national labs. With strengths in all areas of biological and environmental sciences and abundant opportunities for interdisciplinary research, we invite you to learn more about the graduate experience at Notre Dame.
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