An important
aspect of the research program in the Biology Department is to give undergraduate
students who are interested in science as a career an opportunity to get involved
in research. Student researchers assist in all phases of experiments, from
design to data analysis to data presentation. They receive a broad training
in current techniques, which will serve to prepare them to study a variety
of systems as they continue on to graduate school. In addition to carrying
out experiments, students who participate in student research are required
to present their data at a regional and national undergraduate research symposium.
Recent student presentations include general meetings for the American Society
for Microtiology (Washington D.C.), Experimental Biology Meetings (San Diego,
CA), the PEW Scientific Consortium Meetings (Salt Lake City, UT), and the
Howard Hughes Research Symposium (Grinnell College, IA). Students are also
expected to present their research in written form in fulfillment of the senior
paper requirement at Luther. 
We engage as many students as possible in the process of science by having faculty that serve as mentors; not just telling students about the products of science, but demonstrating the process through their own passion for investigative work in biology. This may take place with Kevin Kraus in the study of development in larval Drosophila, with Kirk Larsen in the study of prairie insect populations, with Marian Kaehler in the analysis and characterization of DNA sequences, with Tex Sordahl in the study of shorebird behavior, with Scott Carlson in the study of nervous system control of circulation, with Jodi Enos-Berlage and the study of how bacteria attach to different surfaces, with Beth Lynch on the history of plant communities, with Mark Eichinger in the study of high altitude and respiration, with Jim Eckblad in the study of the river ecosystems of northeast Iowa, with Mary Lewis in the study of nitrogen cycling through compost, with Wendy Stevens in the study of human nutrition, or with Robert Fitton in the analysis of structure using scanning or transmission electron microscopy. This mentoring takes place during our regular academic year (autumn and spring semesters plus January Term) as well as during the summer.
Student research is supported by extramural grants as well as additional support by Luther College. Current grant funding includes awards from the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), the George I. Alden Trust, the Iowa college Foundation, and the American Heart Association. Additionally, funding from the NSF, NIH, Carver Foundation, and the American Heart Association have provided for state-of-the-art technologies that distinguish Luther College as an outstanding undergraduate research institution. Final planning is underway for total renovation of the existing science building accompanied by a 45,000 sq. ft. addition to house new instructional and research spaces for the sciences.
Above: Dean of the College William Craft discusses the results of the study "effect of motor oil on the mortality of water striders" with entomology student Eddie Mauch.