Biology
The science of the 21st century will fundamentally change the concept of life. Yet as complex as life has become, it all started with a single cell.
The College of Science Biology program provides students with a broad understanding of the biological organization and processes of life, from molecules and cells through tissues and organs, to populations, ecosystems, and evolution.
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Lianyong Wang
The Wang Lab seeks to advance our understanding of chloroplast function using the model unicellular microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The research in Wang lab aims to provide new targets for bioengineering crops, algae, and other photosynthetic organisms to improve their photosynthesis efficiency and enhance their resistance to environmental stresses while improving yields and sustainability. Wang lab […] -
Emily R. Moore
Emily was born and raised in Ohio by parents who worked as surgical assistants in orthopaedics. Her curiosity for understanding how bone health can be improved for our aging population led to a BS/MS in Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH, where she learned about bone structure, biomaterials, and device design. […] -
Jordan Theriault
Jordan Theriault’s work focuses on the brain as a self-regulating system. He is particularly interested in the brain-based metabolic costs of information encoding, as well as their implications for mental health and the interpretation of functional neuroimaging research. Dr. Theriault uses neuroimaging technologies to quantify brain metabolism and to image functional changes in brainstem regions […] -
Lital Davidi
Lital Davidi earned the PhD in Biological Chemistry from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. Dr. Davidi specializes in phyto-molecular biotechnology, with a focus on biofuels, natural products, and extreme environment adaptation. They are interested in micro farming, renewables, bioenergy, sustainability, ecology, and environmental conservation. -
Pedro Saavedra
Pedro Saavedra holds a B.S. in Biology and M.S. in Molecular Pathology from the University of Brasília, Brazil. He obtained his Ph.D. in 2018 from the University of Ghent in Belgium, where he studied the impact of inflammasomes and cell death in the context of auto-inflammatory and infectious diseases with Dr. Mohamed Lamkanfi. He then […] -
Thiago Monteiro Araujo dos Santos
Thiago Monteiro Araújo dos Santos finds the invisible world of microbes captivating. By figuring out how bacteria build their outer walls, he hopes to inhibit the process. Such interference may ultimately lead to new ways to stop deadly infections. Dr. Santos aims to uncover how some bacteria’s cellular machinery manufactures and installs stabilizing protein “bricks” […] -
Lei Wang
Lei Wang is an Assistant Professor of Bioengineering (College of Engineering) and Biology (College of Science) at the Northeastern University. She joined the university in January 2024 after completing her postdoctoral training in the Biological Engineering Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During her postdoctoral research, Lei specialized in mammalian synthetic biology, particularly focusing […] -
Emeka Okeke
Okeke Lab investigates the molecular mechanisms associated with the inflammatory response of innate immune cells with a focus on neutrophils and macrophages. Specifically, we are interested in pathways associated with the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and the contribution of NETs to different diseased states. We also utilize engineered materials for the targeted delivery […] -
Constantin (Nick) Takacs
The Takacs lab opened at Northeastern University in the Biology Department in January 2023. We will be studying the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, its tick vector, and their interactions though a set of genetic, imaging, and biochemical approaches. Nick Takacs obtained his Ph.D. in 2016 from Rockefeller University where he studied hepatitis C virus, […]
Research in Biology
Faculty Labs and Research
Our scientific expertise spans the realm of biological sciences to drive advances in medicine and healthcare, biotechnology, education, and public policy.
Student Research Opportunities
Through research, our students develop a practical expertise and intellectual passion for their chosen field.
Undergraduate Research
- Biology Summer Research Experiences
- Life Sciences at the University of Dundee (Scotland)
- Life Sciences in Action at The American College of Thessaloniki (Greece)
Postdoctoral Training Program
The Postdoctoral Research Program in the College of Science is personalized for each postdoctoral researcher’s needs and aspirations. In addition to rich research experiences with our faculty members, our postdocs have comprehensive professional development support for a variety of career paths.
Research Areas
Interested in working with us?
Biology Education
Undergraduate Majors
Biology majors explore the organization and processes of life across broad areas of the field, from molecules and cells through organs and organ systems to populations, ecosystems, and evolution.
Cell and molecular biology majors pursue a focused program of study emphasizing processes operating at the cellular and molecular levels of biological systems, including specialty courses in molecular cell biology and advanced genomics.
Combined Majors
In this combined major, the fields of biology and English are bridged with course work in different forms of science writing, as well as psychology and sociology courses exploring the acquisition of language and reading, the sociology of health and illness, and the environment, technology, and society.
In the combined biology and mathematics degree program, the two fields are integrated in a range of course offerings including bioinformatics, applied statistics, advanced genomics, and biological imaging.
In the combined biology and political science degree program, an appreciation of the intersection of the two fields is provided through advanced courses in science, technology and public policy, and in environmental politics and policy.
The computer science and biology combined major reflects how research in biology, especially genetics, has become a computational science.
The data science and biology major provides a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, and mathematics, as well as software development and algorithms.
Undergraduate Minors
The Department of Biology offers a minor in biology, which involves taking five biology courses, two of which must have a corequisite lab, and one science course chosen from a range of science departments.
The Department of Biology offers a minor in cell and molecular biology, which involves taking five biology courses, two of which must have a co-requisite lab. The minor provides students with a foundation in biology and an emphasis in cell and molecular biology.
This interdisciplinary science writing minor offers students a contextual understanding of how the language of science is applied and manipulated to influence the reader.
MS Degree Programs
The MS in Bioinformatics program provides students with core knowledge in bioinformatics programming, integrating knowledge from the biological, computational, and mathematical disciplines.
Biotechnology students receive didactic and practical knowledge in genomics, proteomics, and other bioanalytical approaches in drug discovery, development, and delivery, as well as in bioprocess development and optimization.
This innovative nonthesis degree program prepares students for the evolving field of cell and gene therapy medicine through a combination of expert-led interdisciplinary training in advanced therapies and in-demand skills development critical for career success.
Graduate Certificate Programs
The Graduate Certificate in Bioinformatics seeks to provide students with core knowledge in bioinformatics programming, integrating knowledge from the biological, computational, and mathematical disciplines.
Students will explore in detail the key genomic technologies and computational approaches that are driving advances in prognostics, diagnostics, and treatment, learning how scientists sequence, assemble, and analyze the function and structure of genomes.
Accelerated Programs
Our BS/MS PlusOne programs and Accelerated PhD program allow students to pursue advanced degrees in a condensed period of time.
The MS in Bioinformatics program provides students with core knowledge in bioinformatics programming, integrating knowledge from the biological, computational, and mathematical disciplines.
Biotechnology students receive didactic and practical knowledge in genomics, proteomics, and other bioanalytical approaches in drug discovery, development, and delivery, as well as in bioprocess development and optimization.
This innovative nonthesis degree program prepares students for the evolving field of cell and gene therapy medicine through a combination of expert-led interdisciplinary training in advanced therapies and in-demand skills development critical for career success.
The biology PhD program seeks to provide a broad background knowledge base in conjunction with in-depth study of a specialized area of biology. Two optional concentrations are available: cell and molecular biology and molecular microbiology.
PhD Programs
Doctoral candidates gain a broad background knowledge-base and an in-depth study of specialized areas of biology including cell, developmental and regenerative biology, biomechanics, and neurobiology and behavior. Students can choose to pursue a concentration in cell and molecular biology or molecular biology.
This cross-disciplinary program in biophysics bridges the fields of physics, biology, and chemistry to explore living systems with a focus on the interactions of energy and matter across all scales of biological organization—from molecular to organismal levels.
Through the Connected Science Community PhD program, students have the opportunity to participate in the Summer Skills Session the summer before their first year to meet fellow PhD students, develop key skills, explore university resources and learn about post-PhD careers.
Explore interdisciplinary undergraduate programs
PreMed and PreHealth Track
Our PreMed and PreHealth Advising program offers personalized expertise to students pursuing health careers. This comprehensive program includes application guidance, workshops and presentations, course mapping and more.
Experiential Learning
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Cooperative Education
Our signature co-op program makes a Northeastern education more meaningful. With a combination of academics and field experience, students gain a deeper, real-world perspective while they explore career paths and prepare for the global workforce or graduate studies.
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Global Experiences
Northeastern’s biology, cell and molecular biology, behavioral neuroscience, and biochemistry students have the opportunity to study at the University of Dundee, Scotland — the No. 1 rated Life Sciences university in the UK. This program also provides the opportunity to engage in hands-on research at one of the world’s emerging centers for biomedical research.
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Entrepreneurship
Our Science Connects to Innovation Program empowers undergraduate science students through education, resources, and networks to create entrepreneurial solutions—spanning cleaner energy, eco-friendly pesticides, potential anticancer compounds, sustainable foods, and high-tech assistive devices.
Ready to apply?
Belonging and Engagement
The College of Science supports a culture where each person feels they belong, regardless of race, color, religion, religious creed, genetic information, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran or disability status. We celebrate the diversity of our community, and we seek to create a space where everyone belongs to further excellence. We commit to being a College where members act with respect, trust, collaboration, and communication, and where inappropriate behavior is reported and acted on without fear of retaliation.
Student Stories
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Student Spotlight
Donte Lewis ‘26, BS Cell and Molecular Biology
What inspired you to pursue your current field of study/research? My passion for science ignited in high school when I was exposed to cancer research at the Ellison Institute of Medicine where I was a summer research intern. I then pursued an internship at the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) due to my interest […] -
Student Spotlight
Defining Excellence in Science and Leadership: Dillon Nishigaya’s Northeastern Story
For Dillon Nishigaya, a biology major with a minor in health sciences entrepreneurship from San Jose, California, being selected as the College of Science student speaker is more than just an honor. “I am incredibly honored to be selected as the COS student speaker,” Nishigaya says. “I am very proud to represent the College of […] -
Student Spotlight
Yash Maheshbhai Patel ’25, MS Bioinformatics
Yash Maheshbhai Patel ’25, MS bioinformatics, shares his experiences as a COS student. -
Student Spotlight
Valery Pamela Trujillo Benitez ’25, MS Cell and Gene Therapies
Valery Pamela Trujillo Benitez shares her experiences as a master’s student studying cell and gene therapies. -
Student Spotlight
Subhiksha Srinivasan ’25, MS Cell and Gene Therapies
Subhiksha Sirinivasan ’25, cell and gene therapies, shares her experiences as a COS student. -
Student Spotlight
Akshita Virdy ’26, Cell and Molecular Biology
Akshita Virdy ’26, cell and molecular biology, shares her experience as a COS student. -
Student Spotlight
Ashlin Owen ‘26, Biochemistry
Ashlin Owen shares how her experience in class, the lab, and on co-op have shaped her perspective and career path. -
Student Spotlight
Piano-playing Northeastern students help ailing seniors ‘step away from life for just a moment’
Bonnie Liu, fourth year cell and molecular biology major, is part of an organization that visits different places around Boston to play piano for geriatric patients. -
Student Spotlight
Q&A with Lindsey Alexanian, MS in Bioinformatics
Lindsey Alexanian shares their Northeastern experience in the Master of Science in Bioinformatics program, one of our professional master’s program offerings.
Upcoming Events
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Nov 17
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Nov 18
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Dec 9
Biology in the News
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Co-op
How do you say microRNA in Spanish? Co-op student learns the lingo and lab procedures at bioscience startup in Argentina
Argentine startup seeking cures for osteoarthritis provides immersive lab experience for co-op. -
Co-op
This double Husky created her own co-op working on life-changing cancer therapies
CAR T-cell therapy can serve as a life saving treatment for blood cancers, but comes with complications. This master’s degree student’s research may help change that. -
News
Northeastern colleagues remember Phyllis Strauss, ‘tough, generous’ distinguished biology professor
Strauss, who passed away in September, served at Northeastern for 46 years and was among the first biology faculty members to bring in substantial federal research funding. -
Alumni
Houston, we have a Husky
Imelda Muller, behavioral neuroscience ’13, brings expertise in bioastronautics as one of 10 candidates who will undergo training to become an astronaut for NASA’s next generation of flights to the moon and beyond. -
Events
A summer of STEM and discovery
In the Bridge to Science/Bridge to Calculus Summer Program, students dive into STEM, financial literacy, and enrichment activities while building confidence and curiosity. They spend a summer of exploration, creativity, and hands-on learning in math, science, and technology. Read more below for a recap of the enlightening summer our high school scholars had during the […] -
News
From Lego robots to forensic analysis, Northeastern gives Boston high school students a crash course in calculus and STEM
The Bridge to Calculus Program has been a smashing success, and over the past few years it has expanded. It now offers courses in physics, biology, chemistry and more. -
Research
How Northeastern scientists are using Antarctic sea spiders to study life on the edge
Connie Phong wants to know how an animal adapted to live in a highly specialized environment — just below the freezing point for seawater — responds to warming oceans. -
News
Hot, dry weather kills the deer ticks that cause Lyme. But your clothes dryer does an even better job
The black-legged deer ticks that transmit Lyme disease to thousands of Americans every year can survive below-freezing temperatures and go more than a year without a meal. Want to see their superpowers evaporate? Bring on hot, dry weather. One thing deer ticks hate: Hot, dry weather When deer ticks are exposed for too long to […] -
Student Spotlight
Donte Lewis ‘26, BS Cell and Molecular Biology
What inspired you to pursue your current field of study/research? My passion for science ignited in high school when I was exposed to cancer research at the Ellison Institute of Medicine where I was a summer research intern. I then pursued an internship at the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) due to my interest […]
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