School of Arts & Sciences

Department of Biology

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Welcome to the Department of Biology

The Department of Biology provides a rigorous program for academic instruction in the biological sciences for students from all socioeconomic levels of the population.  The program prepares students for graduate/professional programs and productive entry-level employment.

Our faculty and staff strive to:

  1. Demonstrate Biological Understanding: Students explain how living systems function at molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecological levels and connect these ideas to real-world issues.
  2. Apply Scientific Inquiry: Students ask testable questions, design and conduct experiments, analyze data, and draw evidence-based conclusions.
  3. Perform Laboratory and Field Techniques: Students use laboratory and field methods safely and accurately, documenting and interpreting results with precision.
  4. Use Quantitative and Analytical Reasoning: Students apply statistical methods, interpret data visualizations, and evaluate the strength of scientific evidence.
  5. Conduct and Communicate Research: Students engage in research practices by evaluating scientific sources, interpreting findings, and clearly presenting biological concepts in written, oral and visual formats.
  6. Integrate Biology with Professional and Graduate Pathways: Students apply biological principles to internships and careers in health and science related professions, teaching, professional collaboration, graduate study, societal needs, and ethical considerations.

Our students are moving on to graduate/professional programs or exciting employment opportunities in the field of research, medicine, zoology and much more.

Join The Pride to find your place in this growing field.

Contact

Dr. Anissa Evans
Chairperson/Professor
Department of Biology
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
1200 North University Drive
Pine Bluff, AR 71601
870-575-7113
bucknera@uapb.edu

Biology Alumni

Christy Walker, MD, is a double board-certified physician specializing in Cosmetic Surgery and Gynecology. With a commitment to excellence in both aesthetic and women’s health care, Dr. Walker brings a comprehensive and patient-centered approach to her clinical practice.

Torrance Walker, MD, is a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon with subspecialty certification in Orthopedic Sports Medicine. He provides advanced musculoskeletal care with a focus on injury prevention, surgical precision, and rehabilitation for athletes and active individuals.

Kristopher Stepps, MD, is a board-certified General Internal Medicine physician dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare to underserved rural communities across Arkansas.

Leah Rowe, Ph.D, serves as a Medical Laboratory Scientist II at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Melanie Frazier, PharmD, serves as a Pharmacy Specialist in PTSL Research at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Na’Shall Castle is a trained microbiologist currently serving as an Industrial Quality Administrator at L’Oréal USA.

Kyron Parris currently serves as a Laboratory Technician at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He has been accepted into the Baylor College of Medicine – Texas Heart Institutes Cardiovascular Perfusion Program, where he will begin his studies in Fall 2026.

Asia Colen, DO, is a board-certified Family Medicine physician specializing in primary care.

OUR IMPACT

Research

As home to the university’s STEM Academy, our department facilitates local, regional, national and international research opportunities to explore research areas of interest. We’re also home to a newly renovated research facility.

Grants

Our faculty represents the university as a partner institution in a $6.1 million grant awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) focused on virology and virus ecology.

Scholarships

We’ve awarded over $30,000 annually in scholarship dollars to students studying in STEM fields.

Careers

Our students are employed with organizations such as Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Bristol Myers Squibb, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

Degree Options

UAPB offers two degree paths for students studying the field of biology: the bachelor of science degree in biology and the bachelor of science in Education Life Science teaching option.