Research in the Department of Biological Sciences
The department of Biological Sciences at Montana Tech is dedicated to providing students with opportunities for independent scientific inquiry guided by PhD level faculty. Undergraduate researchers can be involved with a number of different disciplines, from microbiology to wildlife ecology and climatology to infectious diseases.
Here is a glimpse of the latest research activities in some of our labs:
 Dr. Martha Apple has recently begun work on the installation and monitoring of a GLORIA (Global Research Initiative in Alpine Environments) site in Southwestern Montana as part of an international monitoring network of alpine plants and climate change, (with Tyler Pullman and the GLORIA network). http://www.gloria.ac.at/
She is also involved in research projects that study tree physiology and symbiotic relationships of mycorrhizae with mountain plant species.
 Dr. Marisa Pedulla's research efforts are focused on the isolation and characterization of mycobacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria. Over the years, research of these "phages" has produced many valuable research tools that have led to a deeper understanding of molecular biology, including processes for genetic engineering of bacterial species. Current efforts in her lab are aimed at the genomic and proteomic characterization of more than two dozen newly isolated "phages". Many of these phages offer opportunities for researchers to discover previously unknown proteins that may help in the further development of new research and therapeutic tools. Visit Dr. Pedulla's lab page for more information on how to get involved.
 Dr. Rick Douglass has been actively involved in wildlife ecology research for more than three decades and is a leading researcher on Hanta Virus. This infectious disease is often spread through mice and, in coordination with Dr. Amy Kuenzi, research at Montana Tech is shedding light on the ways in which this dangerous disease is spread among mice and how it may be transmitted to humans and livestock as well as providing insight into the potential development of diagnostics aimed at detecting the disease in an efficient manner.
 Dr. Grant Mitman is currently conducting research involving the use of algae, bacteria and other organisms as agents for bioremediation, and he investigates biological surveys of acid mine waste environments.
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