Department of Biology

I secured a position in a craniofacial biology lab as a professional research assistant. This is the exact area of the field that I studied during undergrad with Dr. Vida Melvin. I have a research project of my own on craniofacial development in mice with plans to publish (hopefully!) next year. I plan to apply and attend a masters program at CSU for Assisted Reproductive Technologies. I want to be able to work in infertility clinics helping couples make babies of their own. Speaking of babies, I am a happy and proud mom to a total of 33 houseplants (and counting).

Jessie Patrick

BIO Alumna - Class of 2019

I started off transferring from Community College of Denver to MSU Denver just to take some upper division classes. I did not think I was on the road to obtaining a second bachelor’s degree, but I ended up finishing with a B.S. in Biology. That would not have been possible if it was not for the friends I made, the professors who encouraged me every step of the way, and the academic advising I received. My proudest accomplishment was receiving several scholarships thanks to Dr. Liu and CO-WY-AMP. Dr. Zajdowicz also opened up a whole new world of science to me and helped develop my love for microbiology and infectious diseases. I will be attending the University of Colorado’s CHA/PA program starting July 2022!

Nika Macfarlane

BIO Alumna - Class of 2020

I am currently in my final year of medical school (Class of 2022)! I am pursuing a career in obstetrics and gynecology and I plan to sub-specialize in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. MSU Denver gave me the groundwork to pursue any career I wanted with my biology degree. The close-knit relationships with the faculty were vital to my success and allowed me to secure strong letters of recommendation. Furthermore, I was able to get involved in undergraduate research which gave me the foundation to get multiple journal article publications during medical school. I am so thankful for my time at MSU Denver and for everything the biology department did to get me where I am today!

Nathan Hoskins

BIO Alumnus - Class of 2016

While at MSU Denver, I was a TA for Dr. Melvin, as well as a tutor for the chemistry department. My favorite biology classes were Genetics and Microbiology. Fun fact - I also played basketball for MSU Denver! I am currently working as a research assistant in my gap year. Since graduation, I’ve taken the MCAT and scored in the 99^th percentile. I have applied to medical school and hope to get into Clinical Academic Medicine so I can practice as well as research and teach.  

Mariah Schroeder

BIO Alumna - Class of 2021

He has studied, taught about and filmed insects all over the world for more than 25 years. A medical entomologist and authority on mosquitoes, bed bugs and other blood-sucking insects, his close-up footage has been featured on network and cable television programs worldwide.  His documentary series “Mosquito Man” was recognized internationally and his film "Bedbugs of London" received an Honorable Mention for macro-cinematography from the International Wildlife Film Festival.

Robert Hancock, Ph.D.

Professor of Biology