Chair, Professor of Biology
Wei-Jen Chang
Wei-Jen Chang's work includes articles in Gene and Protist.
Biology
You will conduct research alongside professors and receive the support you need to succeed. The emphasis on lab work and research means you will have many opportunities to learn outside the classroom. The skills you develop will be useful wherever your studies take you.
About the Major
The biology program at Hamilton introduces a broad range of students to the life sciences. At the same time it offers a strong scientific grounding for students who plan to pursue graduate study or enter the health professions and related fields. During their senior year, all biology majors pursue active research with faculty members in the Senior Program.
Most importantly, Hamilton is a place in which students are surrounded by brilliant, funny, happy and truly nice people – both students and faculty. People are helpful and students work with one another rather than compete against one another, which is important. Also, there are plenty of opportunities to do research and to dive into fields one is passionate about.
Elisabeth MacColl — biology major
At all levels, biology at Hamilton aims to offer a stimulating, thought-provoking experience, and classes are small. After the introductory courses, students will find a full range of more specialized courses: genetics, plant sciences, anatomy, invertebrate biology, microbiology, development, neuroscience, cell biology, biochemistry, physiology, endocrinology, ecology, evolution and more.
Careers After Hamilton
- Zoology Professor, Ohio Wesleyan University
- VP Investments, Smith Barney
- Cinematographer/ Microbiologist, Wilderness Film & Video Productions
- Editor, Horticulture Magazine
- Dean for Translational Biomedical Sciences, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
- Orthopedic Surgeon
- Chief, Post Conviction Unit, Philadelphia District Attorneys Office
- Director, Wildlife Conservation Society
- Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology, UCLA
- Senior Policy and Research Analyst, Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues
Meet Our Faculty
Assistant Professor of Biology
Rhea Datta
Rhea Datta studies gene regulation to address biological processes during eye and embryo development.
Assistant Professor of Biology
Peter Guiden
As an ecologist, Peter Guiden studies interactions between plants and animals, and seeks to understand how humans reshape these ecological communities.
Professor of Biology
Herman Lehman
Herm Lehman's research is focused on the development and function of neurotransmitters.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology
Jaime Mancilla
Mancilla’s research has focused mainly on understanding how the brain processes sensory information.
Associate Professor of Biology
Mike McCormick
Mike McCormick's research includes the microbial ecology of geochemical gradients in Antarctic sediments and meromictic lakes.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology
Abigail Myers
Abigail Myers research examines the role of mitochondrial transport proteins in neurodevelopmental diseases.
Assistant Professor of Biology
Natalie Nannas
Natalie Nannas studies how cells correctly segregate their genetic material.
Assistant Professor of Instruction in Biology
Noelle Relles
Noelle Relles earned a doctorate in marine science, with a concentration in biology and a sub-concentration in marine policy.
the Stephen Harper Kirner Professor of Biology
Patrick Reynolds
A National Science Foundation grantee, Pat Reynolds is an expert on marine invertebrate biology, particularly Mollusca.
Associate Professor of Biology, Director of Environmental Studies
Andrea Townsend
Andrea Townsend's research is focused on understanding how land-use changes affect populations of wild birds.
Lecturer in Environmental Studies
Jason Townsend
Jason Townsend has a broad background in biological research and has worked extensively in both laboratory and field settings.
the Silas D. Childs Professor of Biology Emeritus (retired)
David Gapp
David Gapp concentrates on comparative endocrinology of reptiles.
Professor of Biology Emerita (retired)
Sue Ann Miller
Miller has presented her science and approaches to education in Asia, Europe, Latin America and all over North America.
Associate Professor of Biology Emeritus (retired)
William Pfitsch
William Pfitsch studies how plants meet the challenges of living in potentially stressful conditions.
Professor of Biology Emeritus (retired)
Ernest H. Williams, Jr.
Ernest H. Williams, Jr. studies the population biology and conservation of butterflies.
A Sampling of Courses
Biology of Aging 145S
An examination of aging from molecules to cells to systems. The course will examine the contributions of both genetics and environment to the process of aging, explore how we measure aging, and examine the proposed theories of the aging process. An overview of aging in the major organ systems as brought about by change at the molecular and cellular level and examination of the relationship between aging and disease. Three hours of class. Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning.
View All CoursesSeminar: Evolutionary Medicine 444S
An in-depth discussion of human diseases from an evolutionary perspective. Topics include proximate versus ultimate causation, reproduction, nutritional and metabolic adaptations, defense, behavior and social organization, evolutionary principles applied to medical practice. Three hours of discussion of papers and topics.
View All CoursesMolecular Genetics 454F
An in-depth study of how genetic information is accurately transmitted and the consequences of mistakes in this process. Topics include mechanisms of chromosome segregation, chromosome and aneuploidy disorders, genetics of cancer, epigenetics, molecular mechanisms of genetic disease and gene therapy options. Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning.
View All CoursesToday and Tomorrow
Connections and Careers
Morse ’22 Awarded Watson Fellowship to Study Salmon Conservation
Read The Story
