University of Wyoming, Department of Zoology & Physiology

10/23/2025

Help us reach 112 donors in celebration of 112 years as a department! We've built a strong legacy through community and student support. Our goal is to show our strength as a community and support the future of our student opportunities. Giving Day is officially live and even $1 makes a difference!

https://give.uwyo.edu/schools/UniversityofWyoming/giving-day-2025/pages/CALSNR/zoology-and-physiology

10/22/2025

After 112 years, we’re just 24 hours away from Giving Day 2025!
This year, our campaign celebrates the legacy of our students, staff, and faculty by building student opportunities and community.

Every gift—no matter the size—makes a difference. Even $1 shows your support for our future generations.

What’s your legacy?

https://give.uwyo.edu/schools/UniversityofWyoming/giving-day-2025/pages/CALSNR/zoology-and-physiology

10/16/2025

Celebrating 112 years of growth, we are proud to see our legacy live on. What's your legacy?

10/14/2025

We had a wonderful turnout at our Donor Appreciation Reception last week. It was great seeing so many generations of faculty, donors, staff and students interacting as we move our 112 year legacy forward!

09/30/2025

Shout out to Dr. Riley Bernard on a very well-received tenure talk. It was a full house and fun seeing her team fill the front row to show their support!

09/25/2025

A huge shoutout to Bethann Merkle on her upcoming book, Teaching and Mentoring Writers in the Sciences, which is now available for pre-order! Use discount code UCPNEW for 30% off here:

https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/T/bo254814702.html

What a fantastic accomplishment!

09/24/2025

10/26/2023

Yessir, it's still UW Giving Day! You have until noon today (Thursday) to support us! Scroll through recent posts on this page to meet some of the Department of Zoology and Physiology's talented graduate and undergraduate students. Consider supporting them with a donation to a student research fund by clicking here (https://tinyurl.com/549c9bvn) and then select “Zoology and Physiology” anytime before noon today (Thursday, 26-October).

10/26/2023

One of the cutest animals that you could support on Giving Day is the swift fox, being studied by Kelsie Buxbaum as part of her graduate research in Dr. Joe Holbrook’s research laboratory in The Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources. Kelsie’s work aimed at updating fundamental knowledge on swift fox in Wyoming, as well as gaining information on swift fox newly occupying an unconventional habitat outside of their historic range boundary. Research funding from the Department of Zoology and Physiology supported Kelsie’s work on diet analysis (DNA metabarcoding), which will be provided to land and wildlife managers to better understand how to manage for these small canids expanding into new landscapes.

To support students like Kelsie in the Department of Zoology and Physiology, click here (https://tinyurl.com/549c9bvn) and then select “Zoology and Physiology” anytime between noon today (25-October) and noon tomorrow (26-October)!

10/26/2023

Giving to the Department of Zoology and Physiology directly helps support the research efforts of students like Ph.D. student Kelsey Reuhling, whose research investigates the microbial ecology and aquatic pollution of surface waters in two watersheds in Wyoming that contain impaired streams. A departmental fellowship supported Kelsey’s attendance at two scientific conferences and a well-attended community forum in Jackson where she presented her completed research.

Kelsey says, “With the support of donors like you, students gain the confidence to ask big questions and pursue whatever means to answer said questions. Thank you again for believing in the important research being conducted in the Zoology and Physiology Department and for ensuring that the next generation of scientists can continue to answer the most important ecological questions of our time.”

To support students like Kelsey in the Department of Zoology and Physiology, click here (https://tinyurl.com/549c9bvn) and then select “Zoology and Physiology” anytime between noon today (25-October) and noon tomorrow (26-October)!

10/25/2023

Your gift on Giving Day can support students like Anne Scholle, a Ph.D. student Dr. Jerod Merkle’s research laboratory in the Department of Zoology and Physiology. Anne is studying mule deer group dynamics. Generous funding from donors allowed Anne to extend her time in the field to track mule deer migration using an unmanned aircraft system (drone). This new and unique work with the drone allowed Anne to capture footage of mule deer interactions and sociality as they navigate vast landscapes during migration. Anne says, “I was honored to receive this award and am deeply appreciative of your support.”

To support students like Anne in the Department of Zoology and Physiology, click here (https://tinyurl.com/549c9bvn) and then select “Zoology and Physiology” anytime between noon today (25-October) and noon tomorrow (26-October)!

10/25/2023

Get in the spirit of UW Giving Day and make a difference for graduate students like Elizabeth Riger (pictured here) working on her Master’s degree in Dr. Annika Walters research lab in the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Elizabeth’s research seeks to understand the relationship between streamflow permanence, habitat, and fish in prairie streams of Wyoming. Elizabeth used departmental scholarships--provided by donors like you-- to purchase camping equipment, which helped her stay safe and comfortable in difficult field conditions. Elizabeth says, “I truly appreciate your generosity towards students in fisheries and for this scholarship award in particular. This funding greatly reduced stress in both my academic and personal life.”

To support students like Elizabeth in the Department of Zoology and Physiology, click here (https://tinyurl.com/549c9bvn) and then select “Zoology and Physiology” anytime between noon today (25-October) and noon tomorrow (26-October)!