Biology Research & Internships

Supervised Research & Internships in Biology

‌The faculty of the Biology Department at Sacred Heart University encourages undergraduate students majoring in biology to consider taking courses in supervised research and/or internship. The aims of the courses are to provide experience in both conducting research in the biological sciences (supervised research) and in current practices in work-related settings (internship).

Supervised Research | BI390

The majority of biology faculty members are actively engaged in research and committed to providing our majors with opportunities to join them in the research process. Students may take supervised research for 2-3 academic credits.

Why Do Research?

  • You may discover information about the natural world that no one has previously known
  • You will gain hands-on experience in laboratory or field techniques, including identifying a research question, designing experiments, data collection and interpretation and communication of the conclusions to other scientists and the public
  • Undergraduate research experience will complement your coursework, and deepen your knowledge in a specific area of biology
  • You will be prepared to make an informed decision about whether to pursue future graduate study and a potential career involving academic research

What Research Opportunities Exist?

The Biology Department currently offers topics for students interested in pursuing undergraduate research at Sacred Heart University:‌‌

  • Melanoma and MicroRNA Deregulation; Tick-Borne Disease Detection (S. Babapoor)
  • Sexual Development in Fungi (K. Bartholomew)
  • Behavioral Neurogenetics (B. Collins)
  • Skeletal Muscle Cell Biology (S. Deschênes)
  • Ecological Genetics (T. Hanley)
  • Population & Restoration Ecology (T. Hanley, J. Kasinak, L. Steele)
  • Marine/Aquatic Ecology (T. Hanley, J. Kasinak, L. Steele, A. Stoehr)
  • Neuronal Cell Biology (M. Jareb)
  • Behavioral Ecology & Physiology in Birds (E. Levy)
  • Invertebrate Evolutionary Ecology (J. Loving Lichtenstein)
  • Avian Physiological Ecology (B. Pierce)
  • 3D Printing Applications for Biology (S. Poniros)
  • Developmental Neurobiology & Toxicology (N. Roy)
  • Limb Evolution & Biomechanics (K. Savell)
  • Vertebrate Physiology (A. Stoehr)
  • Animal Behavior and Communication (T. Terleph)
  • Genetics, Genomics, and Evolution (A. Woronik)

Biology majors interested in conducting supervised research should contact one of the faculty members mentioned above to discuss research options.

Recent examples of research conducted by SHU biology majors:

  • A. ‎Besnilian and K. DeStephanis (faculty advisers A. Woronik and A. Stoher): DNA extractions and PCR amplification to identify meiofauna in sediment from a disturbed shoreline
  • M. DeRubis and C. Kohlroser (faculty advisers B. Pierce (Biology), D. Yeater (Psychology) and D. Melzer (Psychology): The impact of brief animal assisted therapy dog interactions on perceived stress and salivary cortisol levels of high school students.
  • B. Galluzzo & J. Hillis (faculty adviser A. Woronik): Investigating the biological mechanism underlying Varroa destructor mite resistance in a Swedish population of Honeybees (Apis melifera).
  • E. Heath and A. Smentkowski (faculty adviser S. Deschênes): Effect of capsaicin analogs on expression of myogenic differentiation markers in C2C12 myoblasts.
  • A. Mancini. (faculty adviser J. Kasinak). Comparing temporal patterns of horseshoe crab parasite loads in Long Island Sound from 2021-2023.
  • K. Quinn, A. Woodbury (faculty adviser K. Savell): Human evolution: Limb evolvability in Pan troglodytes.
  • C. Riccitelli, J. Mowad, J. Moore (faculty adviser K. Savell): Assessment of human anthropometry with a markerless motion capture system.

SHU Summer Research Experiences

  • Bee Health and Ecology Research Objective, funded by The National Science Foundation (NSF) International Research Experience for Undergraduates
  • Project Limulus research program, supported by The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
  • Migratory bird physiology, funded by the NSF
  • Migratory bird physio-ecology (Germany and Canada), funded by the NSF

Internship | BI360

Many biology majors do not wish to pursue a career in academic research, but rather plan to enter a more traditional career in private industry (e.g. biotechnology laboratories) or public service (e.g. Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection). Students may complete an internship in biology for 3-6 academic credits.

Why Do an Internship in Biology?

Most potential employers prefer to hire individuals that have job-related experience. The goal of the department's internship program is to provide students with an opportunity to gather experience in a real world setting. Students are encouraged to seek an internship which would provide work experience that most closely matches their future goals for employment. During the internship experience, students work closely with a supervisor at the internship, as well as a faculty adviser in the department. Specific learning objectives are agreed to prior to the initiation of the internship, and students meet on a regular basis with a faculty member to discuss their progress. Following the internship experience, students will be a better judge of whether such a position is (or is not) a good career choice.

What Internship Opportunities Exist?

SHU biology majors have secured internships with many companies and organizations, including:

  • Two Road Brewing, Stratford, CT
  • Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.- Summer Research
  • MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, MA - Summer Research

Although faculty advisers are able to suggest specific internship opportunities, students are encouraged to seek internship possibilities that best fit their personal goals.