The Scope
February 2026
A newsletter from UMD's Departments of Biology, Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics, and Entomology
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Faculty & Research
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Scientists Develop Floral-Scented Fungus That Lures Mosquitoes to Their Doom
Entomology's Raymond St. Leger helped develop a new strain of fungus that mimics flowers to attract and kill mosquitoes, offering a new weapon in the fight against disease-carrying insects. READ MORE » |
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New Study Reveals How RNA Travels Between Cells to Control Genes Across Generations
A team led by CBMG’s Antony Jose uncovers key mechanisms in gene regulation that may inform the design of RNA-based medicines. READ MORE »
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Open Philanthropy Awards $336K to Map the Impact of Scientific Funding Cuts
The project co-led by Biology’s Joshua Weitz communicates the scientific and community impacts of ongoing cuts to federal funding for science and medical research. READ MORE »
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- Biology’s Eric Haag Shares ‘Story of Sex’ in New Book READ MORE »
- Entomology’s Anahí Espíndola Answers Questions About Pollinators READ MORE »
- CBMG Professor Anne Simon’s $16M Planned Gift to Support Professors, Postdocs and Students READ MORE »
- Entomology’s Paula Shrewsbury Says Not to Panic About Spotted Lanternflies READ MORE »
- CBMG Researchers Discover Way to Predict Treatment Success for Parasitic Skin Disease READ MORE »
- Biology’s Carlos Machado Answers Questions About Coevolution READ MORE »
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Staff
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Meet Paul Keen, 2025 Dean’s Outstanding Employee Award Winner
He is a program administrative specialist in the Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics. READ MORE »
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What It Takes to Run the Insect Zoo
Manager Todd Waters and his colleagues share the challenges of gathering the right leaves for their pickiest eaters, why one of their insects spends time on a tiny treadmill and which of their brood is the most misunderstood. READ MORE »
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Timothy Maugel Celebrates 55 Years in Biology
He directs the Laboratory for Biological Ultrastructure, an imaging facility that contains transmission, scanning, light and confocal microscopes. READ MORE »
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Students
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Health Policy on the Hill
A congressional internship led biological sciences major Vainavi Gambhir down a policy-focused path. Read More »
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A Gutsy Approach to Human Hormones
Biological sciences Ph.D. candidate Gabriela Arp says our gut microbiomes house hormone transformers with the power to change our bodies and brains. Read More »
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Clubs 101: UMD Beekeeping
Get the buzz about collecting honey, making candles and counting queens on campus with UMD's Beekeeping Club. Read More »
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Building Sustainability by Serving the Community
From rescuing dining hall leftovers to researching plant viruses, junior biological sciences major Kyle Zibell tackles waste on multiple fronts for a more sustainable future. Read More »
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ALUMS
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Alum Receives UMD’s 2025 Alumni Excellence Award for Research
Daniel Flynn (B.S. '81, microbiology) helps biotech companies and research institutions develop and commercialize intellectual property. Read More »
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Growing Organically
Science and a family tradition of farming helped Andrew Smith (M.S. ’02, entomology) see organics in agriculture’s future. Read More »
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The Road to Drug Discovery
From big pharma to small startups, Peng Yue’s (Ph.D. ’05, molecular and cellular biology) 20-year, disease-fighting career set the stage for his current role as co-founder and CEO of biotech startup ReviR Therapeutics. Read More »
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A Walk on the Wild Side
Wildlife expert Lynsey White (M.S. ’06, sustainable development and conservation biology) helps humans coexist with the wild animals in their neighborhoods, from bears and coyotes to deer and Canada geese. Read More »
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Flippers, Fins and Terrapins
Claire Bolster’s (B.S. ’20, biological sciences) fascination with biology, marine animals and ecosystems launched her dream career in marine science at Mystic Aquarium. Read More »
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Small Wonders
Maryland State Entomologist Max Ferlauto (Ph.D. ’24, entomology) is working to protect some of the state’s smallest—and rarest—inhabitants. Read More »
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Awards
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We proudly recognize faculty members and graduate and undergraduate students in the University of Maryland’s biological sciences community who recently received honors, awards and/or new positions. Read More »
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