The Department of Biology at Texas A&M University stands as a national model for excellence in research, teaching, and service. Built around five core research areas—Biological Resilience, Neural Systems, Regeneration and Repair, Biological Clocks, Evolution, and Synthetic Biology—our department is thriving at the leading edge of scientific discovery. We are in the midst of an ambitious 10-year strategic plan, initiated in 2020, that has already doubled our external funding to nearly $20 million per year. Over the past five years, we have welcomed 16 outstanding new faculty members who bring interdisciplinary approaches spanning fundamental to applied research. Our faculty receive national and international recognition, including election as Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Academy of Inventors. We are proud to host world-renowned visiting scholars though the Hagler Institute for Advanced studies including as Nobel Laureate Mike Young (Rockefeller University), Leslie Griffith (Brandeis University), and Susan Alberts (Duke University). Our department is also home to the Center for Biological Clocks Research, a global leader in circadian biology, led by Deb Bell-Pedersen.

Our academic mission is equally expansive, with one of the largest teaching programs in the nation. Each year, the Department of Biology serves more than 20,000 students, offering foundational and advanced coursework across the life sciences. These classes provide essential life science curriculum to students across Texas A&M, and our faculty implement innovative teaching methods to engage large courses. We are also home to more than 2,000 undergraduate majors across five disciplines—Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Neuroscience, and Zoology—preparing the next generation of scientists, healthcare professionals, educators, and innovators. We are actively working to expand access to research opportunities for undergraduates, further strengthening the connection between teaching and discovery that defines a world-class education. On the​ graduate side, over 100 Ph.D. students work in Biology laboratories, earning degrees in Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Microbiology, Genetics, and Neuroscience. These students are the engine of research discovery and innovation.

Service to the broader community is woven into the fabric of our department. Our faculty and students engage in outreach efforts that bring science to the public, from K-12 education initiatives to community-based research projects. Through interdisciplinary collaborations within Texas A&M and partnerships with national and international organizations, we are dedicated to translating our research into real-world solutions. Whether developing new tools for biotechnology, new methods for teaching instruction, or communicating scientific discovery to the public, the Department of Biology is committed to making a difference locally and globally.

The future of the Department of Biology at Texas A&M University is extraordinarily bright. Our momentum is fueled by the talent, energy, and vision of our faculty, students, and staff. We are building on a strong foundation with bold aspirations, positioning ourselves to lead the life sciences into the next decade and beyond. We invite you to follow our journey and join a family that including 1000’s of former students, as we continue to define excellence in research, education, and service for Texas, the nation, and the world. It is the privilege of a lifetime to lead such a wonderful team of dedicated faculty, students, and staff.

Alex Keene, PhD

Professor and Head of Biology