For intensives that are listed as special permission on the class schedule, permission can be obtained by emailing the instructor during the pre-registration period. Permission is not guaranteed.
If the INT is not listed as special permission you may request it through the usual pre-reg request system.
Fall 2026
Special Topics intensives (BIOL 293 or 393)
BIOL 293 Conversations with scientists. (0.5 units, ungraded). How do you talk to a scientist? How do scientists talk to one another? In this intensive we learn how to talk to scientists about their scientific work in the context of department seminars and local or regional scientific meetings. We prepare to talk to these scientists by reading and discussing their academic papers and discussing the structure and expectations of a scientific seminar. We also talk about how scientific meetings work and why scientists attend these important networking events. Finally, we discuss how to reach out to scientists—to ask about their career paths, or to inquire about conducting research in their lab. We meet from 12 – 2 PM on Fridays. If a seminar is scheduled during this time, students attend the seminar and meet with the seminar speaker afterwards. We may also attend seminar series at other institutions (e.g. Cary Institute), or local or regional conferences (e.g., Hudson Valley Life Science Guild) outside of the normal class time. Students use their skills to help us identify seminar speakers to invite for future semesters. This intensive is especially appropriate for sophomores and juniors intending to or majoring in Biology. The Department. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 107 and BIOL 108.
BIOL 393 Ocean Life in a Rapidly Changing Climate. (0.5 units, ungraded) The ocean is habitat for the majority of life on the planet. In this intensive we work together to examine how various oceanographic features give rise to diverse marine ecosystems, from open ocean phytoplankton-dominated systems to coastal kelp forests. We consider how the rapidly changing climate is affecting marine ecosystems, and how other human activities such as fishing and pollution impact life in the ocean. During the second half of the semester, you will develop an individual project based on your interests.
Prerequisite(s): Two Biology courses at the 200 level.
Independent Research Based Intensives
Students interested in starting to work with faculty on research projects during the academic year do so through independent research intensives such as BIOL 178, 298, 399 or 300 or similar intensives through BIOC, ENST, NEUR, STS, etc. Below is a list of faculty research interests and whether they are accepting new students for the next semester. Since these independent research based intensives are all by special permission, please contact the faculty member directly during the pre-registration period to ask about working with them on a research project.
Duncan (not accepting students) Research will focus on the underlying mechanisms regulating steroid induced neuroprotection following TBI in an avian model. All research students will be required to undergo animal use training.
Echeverría Aitken (continuing students only) My lab is focused on understanding the molecular mechanics of translation initiation, the process of assembling the ribosome on a messenger RNA molecule coding for a protein needed by the cell. Depending on their specific project, students learn and employ molecular cloning approaches, in vitro biochemical techniques, next-generation sequencing workflows, and bioinformatic tools.
Esteban (continuing students only) Laboratory and bioinformatics projects on the structure and function of the gut microbiome in post-viral chronic diseases myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID. We are investigating the role of microbial tryptophan metabolites, which interact with host receptors to regulate inflammation, neurological function, and gut permeability.
Hayashi (accepting new students) My lab is interested in the mechanisms of virus-induced changes of lipids and membranes during infection, because breaking these mechanisms might ultimately stop a viral infection. We will use molecular biology and fluorescence microscopy to study how Zika virus targets cellular membranes by identifying the Zika virus proteins responsible for changes in membrane lipid content.
Hughey (accepting new students) The overarching goal of research in my lab is to expand our understanding of the factors and processes that influence the formation of the microbiome of vertebrate animals. We investigate microbiome assembly as a basic process and are also interested in how this process can be perturbed by environmental challenges such as pathogens and stressful abiotic conditions. This work is highly integrative, drawing upon the fields of microbiology, molecular biology, community ecology, disease ecology, and bioinformatics.
Kennell (accepting new students) Research will focus on characterizing the role of a family of HAD-domain containing phosphatases in regulating Drosophila melanogaster development and metabolism. Wet lab and computational projects are available depending on the student’s interests. Projects related to studying yeasts used in beer fermentation may also be available.
Long (continuing students only). Experimental, biorobotic, and computational projects on the behavior, development, and evolution of animals. Also can take on COGS 399 students
Pater (Not taking students) Research in my lab focuses on photosynthesis, including natural variations within species and stress responses. Current projects in my lab are investigating the ecophysiology of native and invasive woody vine species.
Pokrywka (Not taking students). My research investigates factors involved in cell organization, using Drosophila oogenesis as a model system. Ongoing work is focused on the dynamics of microtubule organization, using fluorescent and confocal microscopy.
Ronsheim (Not taking students). My research focuses on restoration ecology and management on the Preserve, including the management of invasive vines to increase ecosystem resilience, propagating and planting native plants, and developing restoration approaches to increase carbon sequestration on the Preserve.
Schwarz (Not taking students) Lab research investigating the role of an LGRA2 glycoprotein receptor in spawning behavior of the sea anemone Aiptasia pallida. PreReq: Genetics or Biochemistry
Touchon (continuing students only) Research in my lab generally focuses on the development of amphibian larvae when under the threat of predators or pathogens. In fall 2025 we will be studying how environmental complexity interacts with predator presence to affect the development of prey phenotypes.
Student Initiated Intensive Proposal
A group of students can propose an intensive or an individual student can propose to have a CEL (community engaged learning) opportunity count towards their BIOL major. Your proposal must be approved and adopted by a faculty sponsor. If this is something you are interested in, contact a possible faculty sponsor with a brief description or your proposal and include the names of all students in your group (if relevant).