Dear Alumni and Friends,
Greetings from the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (EEOB) at Iowa State University!
You are reading Biospheres, our department’s alumni newsletter, and I am thrilled to connect with you in this edition. Much has changed since our last issue—including my new role as Chair of EEOB, which I began in January 2025. It is an honor to serve in this capacity, and I am excited to build upon EEOB’s strong legacy of excellence in research, teaching, and outreach. When I was given the opportunity to lead EEOB, I saw a chance to amplify the incredible work of our faculty, students, and alumni – which you can read about in Biospheres. Today’s world faces many pressing, interacting challenges—climate change, biodiversity loss, emerging diseases, habitat fragmentation, and the evolutionary pressures of anthropogenic change. These “wicked problems” require scientific expertise and interdisciplinary collaboration, both of which are hallmarks of how we think and train students to think in EEOB. I stepped into this role because I believe the research we conduct and the students we train are essential to tackling these global issues.
One of my top priorities as Chair is to strengthen our connections—within the department, across campus, and with you, our alumni. We are launching a LinkedIn group to better engage with graduates of EEOB and its predecessor programs, including Zoology, Plant Biology, and current majors of Biology, Genetics, and Environmental Science. I encourage you to join us there and stay in touch! Another key goal is to expand opportunities for our students to engage in hands-on research. Authentic research experiences fuel curiosity and critical thinking – the very attributes and skills needed for today’s STEM workforce. Your support—whether through mentorship, internship opportunities, or scholarship donations— plays a crucial role in making this possible. I invite you to stay connected and share your stories. Your experiences inspire our students and shape the future of EEOB. Thank you for your continued support—I look forward to the journey ahead!
Warm regards,
Dr. Amy Burgin
Chair, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
Iowa State University