Biology Department

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Sea star wasting disease starting to fade as scientists identify factors in mass die-off

The disease that killed millions of the once-ubiquitous sea stars seems to be fading.

Marine biologists are zeroing in on the combined factors — including a rise in water temperature — that resulted in the devastation of the sea star population on the Pacific Coast, from Mexico to Alaska…

2016-02-26
Inaugural winners of Diversity and Social Justice Grants announced 2016-01-25
Seals prefer quiet times for the call of the wild, study suggests

Marine scientists call it a roar, though it sounds more like someone breathing heavily on the other end of the phone.

It’s the underwater mating call of a male harbour seal and it could be at risk of being drowned out by the din of motor vessels.

The first study of its kind has…

2015-12-09
Learn to ID birds, help with survey at Cherry Point reserve

Learn how to identify 15 common marine birds and put the skill to use for upcoming bird surveys at the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve.

The free classes will be taught by Audubon experts Paul Woodcock and Pam Borso, and by John Bower, a Western Washington University professor and…

2015-10-30
Moyer has paper published in microbiology journal 2015-10-14
Starfish Are Still Dying, But Here's Reason for Hope

It's been three years since millions of sea stars from Alaska to Canada and down to Baja, Mexico started wasting away into gooey white mounds. And although the destruction wrought by this disease shows no signs of stopping, the pace of the die-off has slowed. That's partly because so…

2015-09-16
National Geographic features Western research 2015-09-16
Lee has article published in Molecular Cell 2015-09-08
Birch Bay algae blooms focus of July 30 talk

People can learn about the algae blooms that blanket Birch Bay each summer, causing concern among residents and visitors, during a presentation Thursday, July 30, at Birch Bay Bible Community Church.

The free event runs 7 to 8 p.m. at 4460 Bay Road.

Robin Kodner, assistant…

2015-07-28
WWU biologist to give lecture on algae in Birch Bay

Birch Bay residents concerned about the algal blooms in the bay can attend a free public seminar on Thursday, July 30.

Dr. Robin Kodner, assistant professor of biology at Western Washington University, will give a speech at Birch Bay Bible Community Church from 7 to 8 p.m. on July 30.…

2015-07-23
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