Department of Biology

From investigating genes and cells to studying ecosystems, we emphasize a strong foundation in biology that includes practical classroom, laboratory and field experiences.

Both programs benefit from Hood’s graduate programs in biomedical science and environmental biology; seniors have opportunities to take advanced elective courses that are generally not offered at small liberal arts colleges.

Graduates have expressed that this provides a real head start for graduate school, medical school and the job market.

Upcoming Events

Fall 2022 Seminar Series 

Unless noted, seminars are held from 1:00-1:50 pm (EST) via Zoom. Open to all Hood undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Daehwan Kim kimd@hood.edu. Students are asked to complete the Evaluation of Speaker form for feedback on candidates. 
Seminar recordings can be found by clicking on the title of the seminar. You must be logged into Blackboard.

https://zoom.us/j/99918084294?pwd=MDBjOE1pZHNZRzNhRnVKKzFSUVZMdz09
Meeting ID: 999 1808 4294
Passcode: 713972

Faculty Book Published: Blindsight, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and the Brain: Thinking about Thinking 

Dr. Jen Krishnaswamy, a visiting professor in Hood’s Biology Department has published a new text entitled “Blindsight, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and the Brain: Thinking about Thinking” (Cambridge Scholars Publishing). This book is an outgrowth of Dr. Krishnaswamy’s research in neuroscience, her 10 years of teaching at Hood, and her own life experiences.

While receiving her PhD in biophysics from the University of California, Berkley, Dr. Krishnaswamy was struck by a vehicle during an afternoon run.  The accident left her with several neurological injuries.  One in particular, a sight deficit in her right field of vision, was due to this traumatic brain injury which was related to the sensory research that she was conducting for her degree. Fortunately, after months of rehabilitation, she recovered from her injuries, returned to the laboratory, and completed her degree.  Fast-forward about a decade:  Dr. Krishnaswamy began teaching at Hood, first as an adjunct professor and, for the last five years, as a visiting professor.

From the outset, she developed a freshman level introductory biology course at Hood called “Thinking about Thinking” which viewed the breadth of life science from a focus on neuroscience and sensory biology. The course has developed very well over the years; however, Jen could never find quite the right introductory neuroscience text to engage and motivate her students.  Her solution was to create the text herself from her experience in research, in life, and in the classroom. She will be using this book the next time she teaches the course.

Dr Krishnaswamy’s book is unique in that it weaves together her personal narrative with the customary topics found in a neuroscience text.  There are chapters on cellular neurobiology and each of the sensory systems and how they function.  Final chapters cover nervous system regeneration and the degenerative syndromes such as Alzheimer’s disease.  Original watercolor illustrations on the book cover and throughout the text were created by her daughter.

Congratulations Dr. Krishnaswamy on this publication and professional milestone!

“Blindsight, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and the Brain: Thinking about Thinking” was released August 31, 2022.  Copies of the book can be ordered at https://www.cambridgescholars.com/product/978-1-5275-8790-8