The title of Distinguished University Professor is the highest academic honor bestowed by the university.

New study by researchers including Professor Emeritus David Inouye shows hummingbirds distinguish colors that combine ultraviolet and visible light. The study was published on June 15, 2020, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Study led by Professor William Jeffery and Principal Faculty Specialist Li Ma identified the first gene responsible for eye loss in cavefish, revealing connection to a human vascular disease. The study was published in the journal Nature Communications on June 2, 2020.

The evaluation committee had the following comments on Gammerdinger's (advisor: Thomas Kocher) top-ranked article: "A very impressive analysis of next-generation genome sequencing to describe sex chromosome systems (XY and ZW) in Lake Tanganyika cichlids. The work reveals surprisingly rapid sex chromosome evolution, AND a novel color polymorphism locus. Based on an EECG award."

A major goal of the project is to accelerate the analyses of SARS-CoV-2 genomic data needed by scientists and public health officials battling the virus.

Awardees included Assistant Professor Quentin Gaudry, Professor Bill Fagan and Associate Research Scientist 
Katrina MacLeod.

Two of the 50 things in the article involve Biology faculty members David Inouye's work with pollinators and James Dietz's work on Golden Lion Tamarins in Brazil.

He will take the reins from Bill Fagan, who has served as department chair since 2013.

Professor Karen Lips helps find a significant drop in snake diversity following amphibian declines from chytrid fungus. The results were published in the February 14, 2020, issue of the journal Science.

The major is a cross-disciplinary collaboration between the Department of Biology in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences and the Department of Psychology in the College of Behavior and Social Sciences. Senior Lecturer Hilary Bierman co-directs the new program.