Our Research

Fostering a dynamic learning environment

Many of our esteemed faculty members actively engage in diverse and cutting-edge research endeavors across a wide array of topics. Students are regularly invited to actively participate in this research alongside our faculty.

A student receives guidance from a professor during a hands-on lab experiment. — Professor Lisa Kaplan focuses her current research on the relationship between plasticizer exposure and altered crayfish aggression, fish social behaviors and amphipod locomotion. Students involved in this research learn to appreciate the whole organism down to the molecular level, explore different overall perspectives and synthesize more comprehensive explanations.

A biology professor directs a student during an experiment with microscopes.. — Professor Alexandre de Lencastre focuses on genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology. His research lab is interested in the roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) and other non-coding RNAs in biology. Currently, the lab is testing the molecular targets of these miRNAs and possible functions in models of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease.

A student mixes a solution in a beaker during a lab experiment. — Professor Lise Thomas focuses on molecular and cellular neuroscience. Research in her lab focuses on cell signaling, with particular emphasis on the Mitogen-Activated Protein (MAP) kinases, using the baker’s yeast *Saccharomyces cerevisiae* as a model organism.

A biology professor guides a student to operate lab equipment. — Professor Craig Magie leads students through hands-on experiments focused on cell movements and shape changes that occur in the early embryo. By studying these processes in a sea anemone, which along with related animals such as jellyfish and corals split off from the rest of the animals early in animal evolution, this lab aims to gain insight into the evolution of morphogenetic mechanisms.

Students work with their professor in the pollinator garden. — Professor Sarah Lawson has helped establish a pollinator garden on Mount Carmel Campus to invigorate native pollinator biodiversity.

A student and professor in a lab examining a microscope slide together. — Professor Caitlin Hanlon focuses her research efforts on the characterization of Drosophila (fruit fly) G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) during embryonic development. Students have the chance to explore questions relating to genetics, cell biology and developmental biology.

A student holding a baby swallow while a professor looks at it — Sabrina Escobar ’21 and Professor Scott Davies studied and took measurements of baby swallows as a part of a fieldwork session.

A student and her professor examine a specimen under a microscope. — Professor Courtney McGinnis guides students in her environmental toxicology lab through determining the molecular mechanisms of action of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, utilizing C.elegans and zebrafish. Currently, the lab is focusing on building an understanding of how PFAS, the “forever chemicals” activate hormone receptors.

A biology professor directs a student during a lab experiment. — Students work in the lab alongside Professor Dustin Vale-Cruz.

Students come out of a river after collecting water samples for a field study. — Professor Courtney McGinnis leads river testing with students during the summer in the Quinnipiac River. The lab examines the river by gas chromatography mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS) for the presence of phthalates and plasticizers with external grand support from the Quinnipiac River Foundation.

A biology student closes an industrial freezer in a classroom laboratory. — Our facilities embody our dedication to fostering scientific literacy and exploration, mirroring the high-tech laboratories utilized by leading research scientists. Here, Riya Miller ’23, MS ’24 works with samples in an ultra-cold freezer as part of the research on the evolution of social behavior in native pollinators that she conducts with Professor Sarah Lawson.

Current Faculty Research Projects

Alexandre de Lencastre
Roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) and other non-coding RNAs in biology
Scott Davies
How an organism’s physiology enables it to cope with changing environmental conditions
Caitlin Hanlon
Characterization of Drosophila G-protein coupled receptors during embryonic development
Lisa Kaplan
The relationship between plasticizer exposure and altered crayfish aggression, fish social behaviors, and amphipod locomotion
Sarah Lawson
Pollinator health and nutrition;
The evolution of social behavior
Craig Magie
Cell movements and shape changes that occur in the early embryo
Courtney McGinnis
Determining the molecular mechanism of action of endocrine disrupting chemicals, while working toward an understanding of zebrafish sexual differentiation;
Examining the Quinnipiac River by gas chromatography mass spectrophotometry for the presence of phthalates and plasticizers
Nils Pilotte
The application of molecular tools to the study of parasites that cause neglected tropical diseases
Lise Thomas
Exploring Mitogen-Activated Protein (MAP) kinases with genetic and biochemical approaches

Immerse yourself in funded summer research

Student handling baby birds during a field-study.

As one of the University’s hallmark undergraduate experiences, QUIP-RS is an intensive 8-week program that enables students to work in a laboratory while completing a mentored and funded research project alongside faculty mentors.

Learn more about QUIP-RS

Faculty Spotlight: G-protein coupled receptors

Professor Caitlin Hanlon peers over the shoulder of a student in a biology lab and assists them with their microscope

Biology professor earns grant totaling more than $180,000

December 18, 2023

Quinnipiac has been awarded a new National Institutes of Health (NIH) subaward grant to support research on G-protein coupled receptors.

Faculty Spotlight: Gates Foundation, NIH and NIAID

Professor awarded over $180,000 in grants to study parasites that cause neglected tropical diseases

October 5, 2023

Nils Pilotte, assistant professor of biology at Quinnipiac, was recently awarded two grants totaling over $180,000 to study parasites that cause neglected tropical diseases.

Biological sciences research showcase

The Department of Biological Sciences holds an annual student research showcase featuring poster presentations from various disciplines such as biology, biomedical sciences, environmental sciences and the molecular and cell biology graduate program. The posters exhibited at the showcase highlight the valuable contributions made by students under the mentorship of faculty members.