Biology Day image

Biology Day showcases research projects conducted by undergraduate students in the Department of Biology. Taking inspiration from previous years, we are excited to make the Fall Biology Day always virtual and the Spring Biology Day always in-person. This allows us to expand our geographic reach in the Fall while fostering community in the Spring. Current, Prospective, and Former Students are invited, along with the general public, family, faculty, and staff! 

Date: Friday, April 26, 2024
Time: 11:00 am – 2:30 pm (lunch will be served)
Location: Rutgers Camden Campus Center, Multipurpose Room (google map)


Important Dates

  • Friday, April 5, 2024 – Abstract Submission Deadline
  • Monday, April 8, 2024 – Abstract Decisions Sent Out
  • Monday, April 15, 2024 – Registration Closes
  • Friday, April 26, 2024 – Biology Day 

Getting there

  • Public Transit: The Camden Campus Center is within a short walking distance to the City Hall stop on the Patco and the Cooper Street stop on the Riverline trains.
  • Parking: Guests can register their vehicles for parking using THIS form. This will provide parking in Lots C1, C2, C3, C14, City lot 15 or City Lot 16 without permits (parking map). Buses should drop off and park in City lot 15 or City lot 16.

Abstract Submission Guidelines (SUBMISSIONS CLOSED)

Rutgers Camden students engaged in biology-related research within a lab or classroom have the opportunity to present their work. To be considered for this opportunity, students MUST register and submit their details below no later than Friday, April 5. Decisions on which abstracts are accepted will be sent out on Monday, April 8.

Students submitting group presentations (i.e., those in PPBR or other course-based research experiences) should have only one person within their group submit their abstract details. However, ALL students in that group should register. Graduating seniors engaged in research can select whether they would like to present their research as a talk instead of a poster.

Poster Printing Guidelines

  • Poster templates and printing guidelines can be found HERE. We recommend the 36 x 48 inch landscape formatting. The Department of Biology will pay for your poster printing fees (indicate this on the submission portal). It is recommended to send your poster to print on Monday, April 22, 2024 because there can be delays with printing.
  • Strategies for presenting your poster can be found HERE.
  • Repository of virtual posters and recorded presentations can be found HERE.
  • We use the judging rubric from the ABRCMS conference which can be found HERE

Agenda

10:30 am – 11:00 am: Poster Set-up Begins

11:00 am – 11:10 am: Welcome Message by Dr. Nathan Fried

11:10 am – 12:00 pm: Lunch & Keynote Talk

  • Title: “Adding Value Through Diversity: Expanding boundaries and innovating science”
  • Speaker: Christina Curran-Alfaro, PhD Candidate at Drexel University’s College of Medicine and Rutgers Camden Biology BS & MS alum.

12:15 pm – 1:00 pm: Poster Session A

Student Authors (presenting in bold)
Title of Poster
Sierra Hickey, Nikoloz Kurtanidze Analyzing Anxiety Behavior in Drosophila
Alexangel Nunez, James T Stroud, Anthony J Geneva Evolutionary genetics of invasive Anolis equestris populations
Caitlin Tanoue, Amy Savage Investigating Ant Diversity in Urban Ecosystems with High Heat Vulnerability
Chiara Garcia, Amy Savage Exploring ants in microclimates with varying levels of heat vulnerability.
Isabel Garcia, Brian Corbett Exploring Stress-Induced Microbiome Variations at the Genus level in Mus Musculus and its Implications for Resilience and Vulnerability
Jenna Brodnyan, Joe Braasch, Angelica Gonzalez Diversity in the Atacama: Population genetics and assessment of the genetic structure of solpugids
Kiley Kobsar, Nathan T. Fried Employing computational neuroethology and optogenetics to unveil both the kinematics of tactile stimulation and pain mechanisms in Drosophila.
Shaan Mody, Helen Stott, Nir Yakoby The Impact of Enhancer Proximity on the Shared Regulation of Drosophila Tandem Paralogs Mid and H15 Genes
Leana Salgado, Abneris Morales, David Salas-de la Cruz Optimizing Cellulose Nanocrystal Properties Using Ionic Liquid

1:00 pm – 1:45 pm: Session B 

Student Authors (presenting in bold) Title of Poster
Gabriel Elias, Elizabeth Hardy, Shakita Lan, Brock Price, Flynn Semenuk, Aleece Siner, Lisa Traczyk, Exploring Cellular Responses to Substrate Stiffness for Regenerative Medicine Applications
Livia Cutrim, Kiley Kobsar, Olivia Kusza Gustatory and Olfactory Inhibition on Learned Pesticide Avoidance in Drosophila Melanogaster
Anh Ly, Nicole Rodriguez, Nfn Aysha Impact of Heat Stress on Development and Fertility of Drosophila melanogaster
Isabella Choice, Gabriel Elias, Teresa Maahs, Flynn Semenuk The Effect of HSD on Drosophila with Minocycline
Tayler Williams, Alan Rozenblit, Mounia Khalil, Amama Asif Effects of Ca-a1t Deactivation in Circadian Pacemaker Neurons on Sleep

1:45 pm – 2:15 pm: Senior Research Talks

Student Presenters (presenting in bold) Title of Talk

Alexis Winters
(PI: Anthony Geneva)

Phylogenetic Analysis of Non-Native and Native Podarcis

Blessing Awogbamila
(PI: Kwangwon Lee)

STK-16 Kinase and PZL-1 Phosphatase are Involved in Different Mechanisms regarding Photoperiodism in Neurospora crassa

Elizabeth Hardy
(PI: Nathan Fried)

Investigating the mechanism behind aspartame-induced noxious sensitivity

2:20 pm – 2:30 pm: Closing Remarks & Awards presentation by Dr. Amy Savage