As we monitor novel coronavirus (COVID-19), we are committed to ensuring that all students can fulfill their academic requirements as planned and to supporting students, faculty and staff.
The events that have unfolded in the last several months and years have left us heartbroken yet again. For the past ten days, hundreds of thousands of people across the US and the world have risen up to protest centuries of systemic racism and violence towards black people. Any human who sees the murder of George Floyd and so many others before him can only be sickened, saddened, and angered. Our hearts grieve with the victims’ families and friends. The longstanding institutionalized dehumanizing practices in this country against black people must stop. We must stand against these unacceptable actions and practices, and we must work together to abolish these unacceptable actions and practices.
Yet in this dark hour in the midst of a pandemic that has disproportionately impacted black and brown Americans, there is a ray of hope. These protests have evoked a response from those we put in power to act. All four police officers were charged – a small step in the direction of justice. We must realize the power of our democracy.
As scholars, educators, and scientists, we strive to be logical, thoughtful, and unbiased in our thinking. We encourage the participation of everyone in the process of scientific inquiry and thought. Our humanity must embrace the beauty of our diversity. As a department, we pledge to focus our efforts on our commitment to a community of peace, equality, respect, inclusion, and safety for everyone. We know that healing and improving our community will take sustained effort and concrete actions. We dedicate this 2020-2021 academic year to developing and presenting a clear and sustainable plan that supports this commitment. We welcome all comments, suggestions, and critiques from faculty, colleagues, staff, and students as we move forward.
Keep a watch out for future virtual town halls and workshops/training on UNCC’s website.
Dr. Pinku Mukherjee and Dr. Christine Richardson
The Department of Biological Sciences is an academic community of scientists and students engaged in advancing the discovery, dissemination, and application of knowledge in biological sciences. The Department is guided by the pursuit of excellence in research and education, by a creative and collaborative approach, and by an awareness of the global context in which the Department exists.
Materials for an anti-racism initiative have been created by a group of Goldwater Scholars, forwarded by UNC Charlotte scholar Megan Mitchem (Gaston College, BIO) [Current SPARC4 scholar at UNCC]. Although it is directed toward those in STEM, the message is far broader and appropriate for all. Thanks to Megan and the other scholars for their ambitious and...
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In recognition of their exceptional teaching and abilities to connect with students, Didier Dréau, Andrew Goff and Angela Jakeway have received the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Excellence in Teaching Awards for the 2019-2020 academic year.
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Nitika, Ph.D., Biological Sciences, and Caroline Brinegar, MA, Geography, were recently designated UNC Charlotte’s most Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistants (TA).
The pair were recognized remotely as part of the University’s effort to fight the Coronavirus pandemic. Each received the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, which includes $1,000 and a plaque.
The...
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The Genome Integrity Group (GIG) at UNC Charlotte is made up of a collaborative group of investigators involved in interdisciplinary research to understand DNA replication, recombination, damage and repair mechanisms in cancer and other human diseases. The GIG at UNC Charlotte aims to develop novel technologies and methodologies to...
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As UNC Charlotte biology doctoral student Farida Yasmin advances her research into the wild soybean and its potential to address worldwide food scarcity, she continues to grow her impact and her knowledge.
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Shan Yan had a spot open in his lab for an undergraduate student, but the associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences made it clear to Jude Raj '16 that he was...
UNC Charlotte, Gaston College, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Grow Collaboration, With NIH Support
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Keeping her native land of Bangladesh close to her heart, Farida Yasmin has come to UNC Charlotte to research the woes of the soybean, which, as a critical global resource, provides more than half of the world’s vegetable oils and proteins.
Yasmin is seeking ways to improve the plant’s resistance to the most devastating pest affecting the soybean worldwide – the soybean cyst nematode,...
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Adam Reitzel’s marine sciences lab includes three National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellows (and other NSF grantees). Recipients of these fellowships are high-potential, early-career scientists and engineers, who receive funding to support graduate research training in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. In addition to covering students’ research and...
