Auburn biologist receives $1.2 million NSF CAREER award for work testing evolutionary biology theory

Matthew Wolak, an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, is a recipient of a $1,268,000 National Science Foundation, or NSF, CAREER award from the Division of Environmental Biology to conduct the first causal test of an evolutionary biology theory in almost an entire century.

“In the 1930s, a verbal statement in the field of biology set-up an expectation on ways populations should adapt to the environment,” said Wolak.

 The idea has not been formally tested in the lab but has become a standard.

“This theory created specific mathematical equations on how natural selection works on populations,” Wolak explained.

But what do these equations really predict?

COSAM Talks - Hear from award-winning researcher Matt Wolak

In this episode of COSAM Talks, learn how Matt Wolak uses mathematical equations to further understand natural selection. 

He shares insight about how populations will adapt to the environment and could actually change how people think. 

Auburn University’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry celebrates faculty, staff and students at annual awards banquet

On Wednesday, April 12, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry hosted its annual awards celebration at the Red Barn.

“We have a lot to celebrate and be grateful for tonight,” said Doug Goodwin, chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “Our department had a record year with grant funding including the tripling of our National Institutes of Health grant dollars. We are also on the cusp of welcoming our 70^th class of doctoral students in August 2023.”

COSAM graduate students lead coding workshop for underrepresented adolescents

On Saturday, March 25, five elementary and middle school students from the Auburn/Opelika area showcased projects they had coded and built themselves during CODEWorks. Developed by COSAM graduate students Jalaan Avritte and Ashley Williams, Williams explained that “the purpose [of CODEWorks] is to expose and teach historically underrepresented groups in STEM about coding skill sets to try and give them the skills to be successful in the field.” Over the course of seven workshops, the fourth to seventh grade students were taught basic coding, came up with their own idea for a project and were given the resources and assistance to build that project.

Graduate students share their research progress at the COSAM Graduate Student Research Forum

On April 18, graduate students from COSAM presented their research. Five graduate students spoke about their research, findings and real-world applications.

The Graduate Student Research Forum, previously the Interdisciplinary Colloquium, is organized by Prosenjit Ray, chair, Ishveen Kaur, Kaitlyn Murphy and Nafiul Huda.

“This is an excellent opportunity for graduate students to share the impact their research makes with fellow students, faculty and staff,” said COSAM's Acting Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies Mark Liles who presented each speaker with a certificate. “We are excited to continue these forums next fall and look forward to seeing even more students get involved and gain experience presenting their research.”

View previous issues of COSAM Today.

We want to hear from you! Share your good news with us.

COSAM Today is published by COSAM's Office of Communications and Marketing. Questions? Send an email to mcg0052@auburn.edu.