FSU Department of Biological Science

Welcome to the official X page for the Department of Biological Science at Florida State University.

[FSU Department of Biological Science @fsubio]

Next @fsubio Colloquium ▶️ @universityofky professor and @FloridaState alumna Ann Morris will present “Retinal development and regeneration: from genes to cells to sight.”

🗓️ Nov. 12
⏰ 3:30 p.m.
📍 King Life Sciences Building (Room 1024)

https://t.co/iCpl4tlOiV

[FSU Arts & Sciences @FSUartssciences]

Meet Andrew Moberly, one of our @FSUNeuroscience faculty members recruiting graduate students for Fall 2027!

The Moberly Lab at @FloridaState studies the neocortex, a part of the brain involved in high-level sensory and cognitive functions, with the goal of understanding the computational logic behind this neurological system.

"Our research asks how the brain builds a coherent picture of the external world and uses it to make decisions. This fundamental process can go awry in many common and devastating conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. By uncovering the rules of how healthy brains process information and guide behavior, we are laying the groundwork for better diagnostics, therapies, and interventions when these cortical circuits malfunction."

Moberly joined the FSU faculty this year as an assistant professor in @FSUNeuroscience and @PsychologyFSU. He earned his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania in 2018.

"You may have noticed that our research description is intentionally broad, centering on a fundamental question: What cortical computations underlie behavior? Because the lab is brand new, students have the unique opportunity to steer specific scientific questions toward what excites them most, whether that involves cortical plasticity, emotional context, or neuromodulatory systems, for example. This offers comprehensive training, from conceptualizing a novel scientific question and building the experimental paradigm to hands-on data collection, analysis and publishing scientific discoveries."

To learn more about FSU's Program in Neuroscience and graduate admissions process, visit: https://t.co/iv9S3k42iB.

📸
One: Photo of Moberly. (Photo by Devin Bittner)

Two: Coronal section in which the targeted recombination of active populations, or TRAP, system was used to label cortical cells (in red) that turn on in response to an aversive stimulus. (Photo by Moberly, courtesy of the Cardin/Higley labs)

Three: Coronal section showing cells in the cortex and hippocampus labeled with the marker for glutamatergic, or excitatory, cells. The Fezf2 gene is in green. (Photo by Moberly, courtesy of the Cardin/Higley labs)

@fsugradschool @fsubio @FSUResearch

[FSU Arts & Sciences @FSUartssciences]

Roberto Vincis, an associate professor in @fsubio and @FSUNeuroscience, has received new funding from @NIH to research temperature's impact on salt taste processing!

The grant will allow Vincis to understand how multiple sensory systems interact to influence unhealthy eating choices and potentially identify biological targets for treating health issues such as heart disease and high blood pressure.

To learn more, visit: https://t.co/Z3wOICorqK.

@FloridaState @FSUResearch @FSU_Health

[FSU Arts & Sciences @FSUartssciences]

Meet Matthew Birnie, one of our @FSUNeuroscience faculty members recruiting graduate students for Fall 2027!

The Birnie Lab investigates how developmental stress remodels neural circuits to alter cognitive and emotional function across the lifespan.

"Virtually everyone experiences stress, but exposure to acute or chronic stress early in development can fundamentally rewire how the brain manages experiences and regulates emotion decades later. By identifying vulnerable cells, nodes and circuits, our research helps lay the groundwork for targeted, cell-type-specific interventions to restore healthy brain function without broad side effects."

Birnie joined the @FloridaState faculty this year as an assistant professor in @FSUNeuroscience and @PsychologyFSU. He earned his doctorate from @BristolUni in the U.K. in 2018.

"As an early-career faculty member, I know my success relies heavily on the success of my graduate students. Therefore, not only will they have access to advanced neuroscience methods, but they will receive a high level of direct, hands-on mentorship, troubleshooting at the bench, and close guidance on experimental design and scientific writing."

To learn more about the FSU Program in Neuroscience, graduate admissions process, and faculty who are presently recruiting graduate students, visit: https://t.co/iv9S3k42iB.

@fsugradschool @FSUResearch

[FSU Arts & Sciences @FSUartssciences]

Meet Alireza Salami, one of our @FSUNeuroscience faculty members recruiting graduate students for Fall 2027!

Salami's research asks why some people maintain cognitive function — memory, for example — as they grow older, while others experience substantial decline.

Using cognitive assessments and brain imaging techniques such as MRI and positron emission tomography, or PET, Salami follows adults across a broad age range over time to understand changes in brain structure and function and how these changes relate to cognitive preservation or decline.

His long-term goal is to develop interventions that may help mitigate cognitive decline in older adults.

"For many of us, memory decline is personal: We have seen a parent, grandparent, or someone close to us struggle with abilities they once took for granted, such as remembering conversations and keeping appointments. As more people live longer, understanding how to preserve independence and wellbeing becomes increasingly important.

"But cognitive decline is not the whole story. Some people maintain efficient memory function into advanced age. Understanding both vulnerability and resilience can help us identify promising ways to support brain health and help people remain independent for longer."

Salami joined the @FloridaState faculty last year as a professor in @FSUNeuroscience and @PsychologyFSU. He earned his doctorate from Umeå University in Sweden in 2012.

To learn more about the FSU Program in Neuroscience, graduate admissions process, and faculty who are presently recruiting graduate students, visit: https://t.co/iv9S3k42iB.

@fsugradschool @FSUResearch

[FSU Arts & Sciences @FSUartssciences]

Laurel Field is one of two from @fsubio — and one of only five from @FloridaState — selected for the 2026-2027 Fulbright U.S. Student Program (@FulbrightPrgrm)!

Field is a doctoral student in biological science and will conduct research at the University of Auckland in New Zealand through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

“As a researcher, I am motivated to work with communities to find local solutions to global challenges.

“I was inspired to apply to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for the opportunity to participate in an immersive international research and cultural exchange experience that would help me further broaden my understanding of how people and industries are adapting to climate change on the other side of the world.”

Field will be based in the coastal community of Leigh to study the potential for offshore aquaculture of green-lipped mussels and king salmon.

She will also identify areas suitable for offshore farming and interview seafood farmers throughout New Zealand to better understand the challenges of expanding the industry.

To learn more about FSU's newest Fulbright U.S. Student Program cohort, visit: https://t.co/oGsiOz3lWP.

@FSUGlobal @FSUartssciences @FSUResearch @ogfafsu

[FSU Department of Biological Science @fsubio]

Next @fsubio Colloquium ▶️ @UCSF's Jacqueline J. Maher will present “Modeling metabolic liver disease using patient-derived stem cells.”

🗓️ Thursday, Oct. 29
⏰ 3:30 p.m.
📍 King Life Sciences Building (Room 1024)

More info: https://t.co/CFovkUdPBp

@FloridaState

[FSU Department of Biological Science @fsubio]

Josephine Whelan is one of two from @fsubio — and one of only five from @FloridaState — selected for the 2026-2027 Fulbright U.S. Student Program (@FulbrightPrgrm)!

To check out the full story, visit: https://t.co/48ujRji9k3.

@FSUGlobal @ogfafsu @FSUartssciences

[FSU Department of Biological Science @fsubio]

Our next @fsubio Colloquium features @UWMadison's Melissa Harrison, who will present “Pioneers, settlers and life on the OregonR trail: transcriptional regulation during development.”

🗓️ Oct. 22
⏰ 3:30 p.m.
📍 King Life Sciences Building (Room 1024)

https://t.co/rQBfq6SAee

[FSU Arts & Sciences @FSUartssciences]

As a physician assistant at the Tallahassee Plastic Surgery Clinic, @FloridaState alumna Olivia Foley serves as the primary clinic and operating room PA for three surgeons, balancing clinical responsibilities like conducting preoperative consultations and follow-up visits while also assisting in surgical procedures.

Foley earned her bachelor’s through @fsubio in 2019 and then a master’s degree in 2023 from @FSUCoM.

To check out the full feature in @FSUartssciences' Spectrum Magazine, visit: https://t.co/8W0NO1p9Xx.

#SpectrumFSUArtsSciences
@FSUAlumni

[FSU Department of Biological Science @fsubio]

Next @fsubio Colloquium ▶️ At five minutes each, @FloridaState's "Faculty Lightning Talks" will convey an overview of the speaker’s research or focus on one exciting project in their lab. https://t.co/rQBfq6SAee

🗓️ Oct. 15
⏰ 3:30 p.m.
📍 King Life Sciences Building (Room 1024)

[FSU Research @FSUResearch]

.@FloridaState researchers ➡️ ​Communicating the power and impact of university research and scholarship has never been more critical.

Research Development and University Communications invite faculty to participate in a workshop during #FSUDiscoveryDays where they will translate their work for the public, practice interviewing with media and learn tips and tricks for video interviews and more.

Register here ➡️ https://t.co/1RFEJ40zJY

[FSU Neuroscience @FSUNeuroscience]

The 2026 Celebration of Chemical Senses Retreat is this Friday! The keynote, “Learning and Belief in the Brain's Olfactory System,” will be delivered by @RutgersU's John McGann. More info: https://t.co/ATfhViLh0G

🗓️ Oct. 9
⏰ 8:15 a.m. to 8 p.m.
📍 @FSUStudentUnion (Room 2213)

[FSU Department of Biological Science @fsubio]

Next @fsubio Colloquium ▶️ @UUtah's Kristen Kwan will present “Cellular and molecular dynamics shaping the vertebrate eye.”

🗓️ Thursday, Oct. 8
⏰ 3:30 p.m.
📍 King Life Sciences Building (Room 1024)

Event details: https://t.co/qVrjGaKbx1.

@FloridaState

[FSU Department of Biological Science @fsubio]

The fourth annual @fsubio Fowler Symposium was a success! 🔬 The two-day event featured speakers from across the country and explored recent advancements in biological imaging.

Upcoming events in the @FloridaState Department of Biological Science: https://t.co/qVrjGaKbx1.

[FSU Arts & Sciences @FSUartssciences]

Congratulations to Douglas Storace, an assistant professor in @fsubio and @FSUNeuroscience, who received a 2026 Faculty Early Career Development Award, or CAREER Award, from @NSF!

The award — one of the most prestigious honors available to early career faculty — will support Storace's research into how olfactory cues are transformed into meaningful information that shapes perception, allowing for the recognition of food, mates and even threats.

To check out the full story, visit: https://t.co/Q7XolSQERQ.

@FloridaState @FSUResearch

[FSU Department of Biological Science @fsubio]

Next @fsubio Colloquium ▶️ @BrownUniversity's Matthew Fuxjager will present “From brains to brawn: integrative approaches to studying new frontiers of animal communication.” https://t.co/rQBfq6SAee

🗓️ Thursday, Sept. 24
⏰ 3:30 p.m.
📍 King Life Sciences Building (Room 1024)

[FSU Arts & Sciences @FSUartssciences]

This week, @FAMUFSUCOE welcomed representatives from the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (@T2COM_HQ, @USArmy) to the @NationalMagLab and @FloridaState's new Interdisciplinary Research and Commercialization Building to learn more about innovative research being conducted in Tallahassee!

The visit kicked off with introductions from FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Dean Suvranu De, @FSUartssciences Dean Sam Huckaba, @FAMU_1887 SVP for Health Science Enterprise Robert Nobles, Jr., MagLab Director Kathleen Amm, and FSU VP for Research Stacey Patterson.

The two-day workshop included a tour of the FSU-headquartered, @NSF-funded National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, as well as presentations from leading faculty experts across engineering, quantum science, chemistry and biochemistry, biological science, physics and more.

✏️ To learn more about the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, visit https://t.co/Xxfe9EreBH.

🧲 To learn more about the lab, visit https://t.co/AeffnHAuaL.

💻 For more from the FSU College of Arts and Sciences, tap the #LinkInBio.

[FSU Arts & Sciences @FSUartssciences]

“I consider my work as part of the life cycle of humanity, and I want this to help us care for each other,” said Dev Sangha, a junior in @fsubio.

Nearly half of all American adults have some form of heart disease — the leading cause of death for adults annually in the U.S. 🫀

Sangha conducts research on heart health, incorporating innovation and accessibility in hopes of advancing care that can improve the lives of millions.

Sangha is part of @FloridaState's Solís Laboratory, led by Christopher Solís, an assistant professor in @fsuannescollege.

To check out the full feature in Spectrum Magazine, visit: https://t.co/GiDl2XKBXX.

#SpectrumFSUArtsSciences
@FSUResearch
@FSU_Health

[FSU Department of Modern Languages & Linguistics @FsuModern]

Meet Sasha!
Sasha Veltri is a senior majoring in Biological Sciences and French. She was awarded the Humanities Center Fellowship to work on her project, Trauma and Recovery in Francophone Media about the Rwandan Genocide, with Associate Professor of French Michelle Bumatay.