Biology at Texas A&M University

The Department of Biology is responsible for research and teaching within the vast disciplines of the biological sciences, from molecular cell biology to ecology and evolutionary biology. Our faculty perform cutting-edge research in a wide array of biological sciences in the laboratory and in the field. Our graduate research programs prepare scientists for careers in academia, industry and government and enhance our understanding of the central role of biological systems in the global environment. Our undergraduate students gain a firm foundation in modern biological sciences to prepare them for a multitude of careers that depend on a solid understanding of biology.

TEACHING

Graduate Education in Biology

Our Graduate Program in Biology offers a diverse range of integrative training opportunities for students seeking a Ph.D. degree in the biological sciences. We offer training in multiple disciplines within Biology, including Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Neurobiology and Behavior, Microbiology, Plant Biology, Biological Clocks, and Physiology and Systems Biology.

All students in our program receive rigorous academic training in biology and carry out their research in competitive, state-of-the-art research labs. Many faculty research programs span multiple research areas and levels of biological organization, creating a dynamic training environment for graduate students. Evolutionary theory sets the stage for many cross-disciplinary research collaborations among our diverse faculty. Our graduate students conduct creative, independent research and scholarship. Graduates of our programs prepare themselves for a wide range of career opportunities and gain positions in academic institutions, government agencies, and industry.

Undergraduate Education in Biology

The Department of Biology is responsible for introducing biological principles to students in every Texas A&M University major. We provide modern and comprehensive B.S. and B.A. curricula in Biology, Molecular and Cell Biology, Microbiology and Zoology for more than 1500 undergraduate biology majors. These degrees prepare students for various life science careers and are an excellent entrée to the health care professions. If you are interested in pursuing a major in one of our disciplines, or if you are currently a student and would like information on courses or the program, we have excellent undergraduate advisors who will be happy to help you.

The Biology Lower Division Instruction  Programs encompass a series of lab courses offered in the biological sciences. Many of these courses are open to students in any major to cover their science requirements.

word map of biology interests

RESEARCH

Basic biological research has evolved into a broad, fast-paced and dynamic profession that drives newly emerging industries and actively shapes many human endeavors. Both globally and locally, cutting-edge research at Texas A&M University strives to understand the fundamental processes driving life around us and to improve the ways people everywhere manage their health and the health of our planet.

SERVICE

The Department of Biology’s outreach committee is responsible for developing and maintaining outreach projects, such as STEM events at local schools, in the Bryan-College Station area. Over the last few years, the outreach committee has created a sustainable program by meeting with schools in the area to assess need, obtaining resources for experiments, and collaborating with other departments. For more information please visit out Biology Outreach page.

If you would like to join out listserv and get involved with future events, you can sign up by emailing listserv@listserv.tamu.edu, and in the body, you will write SUBSCRIBE biologyoutreach firstname lastname. Or, if you would like to contact us, please email us at Biology_outreach@bio.tamu.edu

COMMITTEES

Elected Committees

Name Dates
Joe Sorg Associate Head for Faculty Affairs and Appointed Chair
Alan Pepper 01/01/2023-12/31/2025
Jim Smith 01/01/2023-12/31/2025
Andy Tag 01/01/2021-12/31/2024
Asha Rao 01/01/2023-12/31/2025
Debby Siegele 01/01/2021-12/31/2024
Mike Smotherman 01/01/2021-12/31/2024
Matthew Sachs 01/01/2022-12/31/2025
Name Dates
Jason Karpac 09/01/2024-08/31/2027
Matthias Koch 09/01/2024-08/31/2027
Jerome Menet 09/01/2024-08/31/2027
Daniel Paredes-Sabja 09/01/2024-08/31/2027
Bella Farhy 09/01/2023-08/31/2027
Christine Merlin 09/01/2022-08/31/2025
Courtney Fitzpatrick 09/01/2021-08/31/2024
Lamba Sangare 09/01/2021-08/31/2024
Aref Zarin 09/01/2021-08/31/2024
Heath Blackmon Associate Head fir Graduate Program and ex officio
Jennifer Bradford Assistant Program Director
Nopakorn Hansanant Graduate student representative
Name Dates
Courtney Fitzpatrick 09/01/2024-08/31/2027
Jeff Jones 09/01/2024-08/31/2027
Beiyan Nan 09/01/2024-08/31/2027
Rene Garcia 09/01/2023-08/31/2026
Rachel Moran 09/01/2023-08/31/2026
Angela Mitchell 09/01/2022-08/31/2025
Bella Farhy 09/01/2021-08/31/2024
Jerome Menet 09/01/2021-08/31/2024
Jim Smith 09/01/2021-08/31/2024
Heath Blackmon Associate Head for Graduate Program and ex officio
Jennifer Bradford Assistant Program Director
Michael Debrah Graduate Student Representative
Name Dates
Kathy Ryan Appointed Chair
Alan Pepper 09/01/2024-08/31/2027
Angela Hawkins 09/01/2024-08/31/2027
Andy Tag 09/01/2024-08/31/2027
Rachel Wright 09/01/2024-08/31/2027
Samantha Fletcher 09/01/2023-08/31/2026
Beiyan Nan 09/01/2023-08/31/2026
Rene Garcia 09/01/2021-08/31/2024
Brigitte LeBoeuf 09/01/2021-08/31/2024
Tapasree Roy Sarkar 09/01/2021-08/31/2024
Jim Erickson Associate Head for Academic Affairs and ex officio
Asha Rao Assistant Head for Undergraduate Curriculum and ex officio
Vanessa Nordell Manager for Advising
Name Dates
Debarati Ghose 09/01/2024-08/31/2027
Rachel Wright 09/01/2024-08/31/2027
Ben Neuman 09/01/2024-08/31/2027
Ben Herman 09/01/2024-08/31/2027
Beiyan Nan 09/01/2024-08/31/2027
Angela Hawkins 09/01/2024-08/31/2027
Lathi Taylor 09/01/2024-08/31/2027
Samantha Fletcher 09/01/2024-08/31/2027
Ahmed El-Hashash 09/01/2024-08/31/2027

Faculty Senate

Name
Asha Rao
Matthew Sachs
Andy Tag

Appointed Committees

Bruce Riley Barbara Earnest
Lily Pena Mike Smotherman
Mark Zoran
Jason Oldham (chair) Joseph Sorg
John Book Heath Blackmon
Alan Pepper (chair)
Susan Reed
Wayne Versaw
Aurelio Cadena (chair)
Denise Valero
Richard Gomer (chair) Bruce Riley
Alan Pepper Angela Mitchell
Kira Delmore Jennifer Dulin
Courtney Fitzpatrick

POLICIES

Department of Biology Policies

Texas A&M University Policies

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Tenure-Track: Assistant Professor

Texas A&M University: College of Arts & Sciences: Biology

Location

College Station

Open Date

Sep 06, 2023

Description

The Department of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences at Texas A&M University (TAMU) invites applications for two full-time, tenure-track assistant professor positions with 9-month academic appointments beginning August 1, 2024. We are interested in recruiting talented neurobiologists that complement the department’s existing strengths, including regeneration and repair, glial biology, plasticity, neurodegeneration, neurodevelopment, and resilience. Research groups in the department work in diverse animal models, including mice, fish, Drosophila, and C. elegans.

This search represents the continuation of a multi-year strategic hiring effort to move several cutting-edge research areas within the biological sciences at Texas A&M University to preeminence. Expectations for successful candidates are to develop an externally funded research program, teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses, and engage in activities outside the fields of teaching and research as part of the department’s service expectations. This is an exciting opportunity for new hires to be a part of a rapidly growing department focused on interdisciplinary problems in biology. The Department of Biology (www.bio.tamu.edu) provides many opportunities to recruit trainees through undergraduate research programs, PhD programs in Biology, as well as participation in exciting interdepartmental doctoral programs such as Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (eeb.tamu.edu), Genetics (genetics.tamu.edu), and Neuroscience (tamin.tamu.edu). The position includes competitive startup packages and modern laboratory space.

Bryan-College Station, home to Texas A&M University, is a vibrant, dynamic, and rapidly growing community that offers cultural diversity, arts and entertainment, job opportunities, and overall quality of life. Located in the heart of the Houston-Dallas-Austin triangle, the region offers the modern amenities of a big city with a warm, small-town charm, and the community’s low cost of living is advantageous to the student and general populations, making it an ideal place to live. Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment for all visitors, students, faculty, and staff.

Qualifications

We require all candidates to have a Ph.D. in biology, neurobiology, or a related field. We will consider candidates with research programs focused on neural regeneration, neural repair, and synaptic plasticity or related areas. The criteria for selection will be creativity and excellence in research and scholarship, the potential to establish and maintain an extramurally funded research program.
Application Instructions
For full consideration, applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, personal statement to include philosophy and plans for teaching, research, and service (as applicable), and three confidential letters of recommendation by October 15th, 2023. Application materials must be submitted online at http://apply.interfolio.com/130001 .

If you have questions about this search, please direct e-mails to Dr. Jennifer Dulin, Chair of the search committee, at jdulin@bio.tamu.edu.

Application Process

This institution is using Interfolio’s Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer committed to diversity.