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Biology

A page within Biology

Vanessa Mbuyi

Cellular and Molecular Biology

"At UW-La Crosse the professors are open to just being there for students. I think it is true when they say they put the students first."

Learn more about Vanessa Mbuyi 

BIO news feed

The Hįnųkwas Tree Trail launched on April 25. The trail consists of a loop of nearly 30 native trees and serves to recognize and honor nature, Indigenous languages and cultures. Rooted in culture Posted 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, 2025 UWL's new tree trail honors nature, Indigenous culture Read more about Rooted in culture Students in Adam Schneider's plant taxonomy course tackled a real-world challenge by identifying a plant species for the City of La Crosse. Mystery solved Posted 10:43 a.m. Friday, May 9, 2025 Biology students identify unknown plant for City of La Crosse Read more about Mystery solved Students in Arthur Grupe's Medical Mycology course are experimenting with fungi in hopes of identifying antibacterial and antifungal properties that may be useful in treating human infections. It's a project inspired by the accidental discovery of penicillin by Scottish physician Alexander Fleming. Fun with fungi Posted 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2025 Mycology students get hands on, in search of medical breakthroughs Read more about Fun with fungi Students in Adam Schneider's plant taxonomy course are getting hands-on experience tackling a real-world project for the City of La Crosse. Checking out DNA Posted 1:19 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 Students apply molecular biology to ID plant species for City of La Crosse Read more about Checking out DNA UWL senior Anika Oplanic is being recognized for her extensive contributions as a student leader as UWL’s honoree for the Universities of Wisconsin Outstanding Women of Color in Education Award. Championing change Posted 2:06 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024 Senior Anika Oplanic honored with Outstanding Women of Color in Education Award  Read more about Championing change
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Things our students are doing!

Congratulations to Megan Adams (Best Student Oral Presentation) and Max Monfort (Student Scholarship Award) for their awards at the 2025 Mississippi River Research Consortium meeting. Congratulations to Megan Adams (Best Student Oral Presentation) and Max Monfort (Student Scholarship Award) for their awards at the 2025 Mississippi River Research Consortium meeting.
Congratulations to Thomas Roehl who was the 2023 recipient of The Rosandich Graduate Thesis & Dissertation Award! Thesis title: Examining the genetics of mushroom in the cultivated edible mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) Congratulations to Thomas Roehl who was the 2023 recipient of The Rosandich Graduate Thesis & Dissertation Award! Thesis title: Examining the genetics of mushroom in the cultivated edible mushroom (Flammulina velutipes)

Why earn a Master's degree in Biology at UW-La Crosse?

Master's-focused education

At UWL, we specialize in training Master's students, providing individual mentoring and professional development for students preparing for careers or further studies. As a M.S. student at UWL, you will not compete with Ph.D. students for resources, funding, or faculty attention. Many careers require a M.S. rather than a Ph.D., and a master's research project might help you decide whether to pursue a Ph.D. in the future.

Graduate student and mentor work in lab

Diverse research opportunities

Our department has a faculty of nearly 40 instructors with a wide variety of professional interests. Whether you are interested in biomedical sciences, molecular biology, ecology, evolution, fungi, or behavior, you can find a great mentor at UWL. Our colleagues in Microbiology study bacteria, archaea and viruses - you should check out the MS in Microbiology if those organisms are of interest! Our new Prairie Springs Science Center offers state-of-the-art research facilities for both programs.

Graduate student and mentor in the field

A great place to live

With accolades from publications including Forbes magazine and Outdoor Magazine, La Crosse offers a great cultural and natural environment.  La Crosse combines a small-town feel with ample cultural and recreational opportunities. Situated on the Mississippi River in the geologically unique Driftless region, La Crosse offers four-season recreational and research opportunities on water and land.

Drone picture of UWL

Graduate Seminar Series - Tuesday & Thursday at 3:20 PM in Centennial Hall 2213. 

Truffle fungi diversity of the Midwest (click for abstract) Tuesday: Mariah Rogers Truffle fungi diversity of the Midwest (click for abstract)
Taxonomic novelties in the fungal family Hygrophoraceae from western North America & the Hawaiian Islands Thursday: Lauren Ré Taxonomic novelties in the fungal family Hygrophoraceae from western North America & the Hawaiian Islands

Need additional info?

Contact our graduate program director

Anita Davelos  Profile of Anita Davelos