July 2021 July 7—Ever wondered how tiny microbes support our health and contribute to immunity against disease? Two members of Dr. Saxena’s lab, Miar Elaskandrany, winner of the Biology Department’s Eshel Award 2020, and high-school student, Rohin Patel, just published a review article on the topic. May 2020 May 26—Congratulations to Miar Elaskandrany and Meriem Guettatfi, co-recipients of this year’s Eshel Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Research, awarded in honor of Professor Dan Eshel and his commitment to undergraduate research. This year’s Eshel Awards were awarded during our virtual graduation celebration, where both students presented the results of their research. May 26—The Department of Biology recently announced its list of student awardees for the spring 2020 semester. The department awarded close to $30,000 in awards to our students on the basis of outstanding academic performance, departmental service, and financial need. Congratulations to all! Undergraduate Awardees—Priyanka Algu, Henna Ali, Miar Elaskandrany, Alaa Etouni, Meriem Guettatfi, Olga Tsygelnytska, and Sofia Yatsyshyn Graduate Awardees—Sudharma Banerjee, Gabrielle Germain, Kelsey Hom, Keith Levendosky, Jasmin Phillip, Vui Yin Seow, and Paul Thomas February 2020 February 5—In Memorium: The Department of Biology recognizes the passing of Professor Stanley Cohen, who passed away at his home in Nashville, Tennessee, on February 5 at age 97. A Brooklyn native, Professor Cohen graduated with a bachelor of arts in biology and chemistry from Brooklyn College in 1943 and completed his graduate work in biochemistry at the University of Michigan in 1948. Cohen was internationally recognized for his pioneering work in cell development and growth, and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1986 together with his colleague Rita Levi-Montalcini. January 2020 January 27—Welcome to the spring 2020 semester! Stay tuned for the call for applicants for this year’s Two Trees award for excellence in undergraduate research, which should be announced within the coming weeks.