NIU Today

NIU biology professor Karen Samonds has spent more than two decades piecing together a mystery. Samonds’ field research aims to shed light on the origin and evolutionary history of Madagascar’s modern fauna – and to close a gap in the fossil record. In more than 20 years of researching Malagasy vertebrate species, she has discovered...

The fieldwork of an NIU professor will be showcased in a documentary slated to air later this year on the Discovery Channel. In June of 2013, Karen Samonds, assistant professor of biological sciences, was filmed for a documentary series titled “Voyage of the Continents,” depicting how, over many millennia, geology and evolution have interacted to...

As the deadly Ebola virus races through West Africa, its grip on the collective United States attention is reaching a fever pitch. President Obama speaks almost daily on the outbreak, proclaiming it a “top national security priority” Oct. 6 and calling the next day for ramped-up airport screening procedures. Journalists staged across Dallas to report...

The Phi Sigma Biological Honors Society of the NIU Department of Biological Sciences hosted its 20th annual Student Research Symposium April 12. Approximately 50 students, both graduate and undergraduate, presented posters of their research and were judged by a panel from the department faculty. Gunisha Arora, Bode Lab, was awarded the Phi Sigma Outstanding Graduate...

NIU alumna Karen Horting, deputy executive director of the Society of Women Engineers, will lead the world’s premiere organization for women engineers as its executive director and CEO beginning Jan. 1, 2014. “Karen will bring fresh ideas and a new perspective to the role of executive director and CEO while at the same time, maintaining...

Northern Illinois University’s Casey LaBarbera was named to the 2013 Women’s Golf Academic All-Mid-American Conference Team, the league announced Friday. Taylor Ellett (Hampshire, Ill./Hampshire) and Allie Parthie (Marinette, Wis./Marinette) received Honorable Mention accolades. “It’s good for all three of them to be recognized for academics,” said NIU head coach Kim Kester. “You’re a student before...

National Geographic Magazine’s website singled out NIU biologist Karen Samonds for recognition as part of its March 8 observance of International Women’s Day. Explorers Journal salutes Samonds for both her work at filling in the 65-million-year gap in the fossil record of vertebrates on the island of Madagascar, and for choosing to bring her family...

Holly Jones, assistant professor in the NIU Department of Biological Sciences, will speak at noon Thursday, Feb. 21, at the next brown bag luncheon of the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society. The event takes place in Wirtz 216. Bring a lunch; light snacks (cookies, chips) will be provided. All are welcome. Jones will talk on...

What does it mean to graduate with honors? Sure, you get a special sash to wear at commencement and an impressive line on your resume

It all began with an email from the Huskie Research Rookies program. It was an invitation that changed biology major Evan Wittke’s first-year experience as a Huskie into something extraordinary – not only for him, but perhaps someday, for the world. For Wittke, the title “Research Rookie” meant he could join biology professor Barrie Bode...

Northern Illinois University women’s golfers Kelsie Passolt and Allie Parthie were selected to the Academic All-Mid-American Conference Team, the league office announced Wednesday. “Kelsie and Allie both did a great job of balancing high-level performance on the course with academic success,” said NIU head coach Pam Tyska. “Sheer desire doesn’t work alone as they put...

A team of researchers that included two Northern Illinois University scientists has used vitamin K2 to successfully undo the effect of one of the genetic defects that leads to Parkinson’s disease. The research study, conducted on fruit flies, is published in the latest edition of the prestigious journal Science on its Science Express website (see abstract)....