Few experiences are more valuable for undergraduates studying biology than hands-on research in collaboration with a faculty mentor, and few colleges offer more opportunity for such experiences than Gettysburg. Nearly 70% of the College's biology majors participate in undergraduate research, on topics that include cell cycle regulation, marine toxins, thyroid hormones, fish neurobiology, foraging behavior in bats, and a wide range of other topics.

Students who want to do research choose a topic that's of interest to them and then work with a faculty member to develop a research program. Research may be conducted during the academic year or in the summer, either at Gettysburg or at some other location. Research projects typically culminate in a campus presentation, and many students also become co-authors of research publications, or present research at regional or national meetings. Experiences such as these can be extremely important when applying for jobs or graduate school.

Fighting cancer with sea slugs

Margaret Buell presented a poster at the College's annual colloquium that celebrates student research and creative activity.