Biology

Louis Kordish is turning his passion for environmental conservation and gaming into a meaningful future. As a biology major, conservation intern, and member of Saint Francis University's championship Super Smash Bros. Esports team, he's gaining hands-on experience while building community and confidence both in and out of the classroom.

Saint Francis University’s Nearspace Ballooning Program partnered with Altoona Area High School students to launch a high-altitude research balloon mission near Spring Church, Pennsylvania. Supported by the FirstEnergy Foundation, the project gave students hands-on experience in science, engineering, launch operations, and payload recovery.

Q: What did SFU Field Biology students do over winter break? A: They traveled to Africa for a hands-on experience at the Cheetah Conservation Fund

Last fall, the University was thrilled to welcome Kaleidoscope the Series to campus for a special filming. The episode, which aired Nov. 2, 2025, highlights the University’s innovative program in which students learn alongside shelter dogs and cats in experiential courses that blend psychology, neuroscience, compassion, and community service.

Abrielle Brown, a junior Biology/Pre-med major, active in Student Government and Greek Life, shares how small acts of service make a big impact.

Three Saint Francis University entrepreneurs took their non-profit company EcoPrint all the way to second place in the 41st annual Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO) Global Conference and Pitch Fest on November 2, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. Biology-Pre-med students Caleb DeBass (Forest, VA), Carson Elbin (Needmore, PA), and Nathan Poplos (Magnolia, DE) pitched their business EcoPrint.

Saint Francis University’s largest Interprofessional Gross Dissection Lab welcomed over 30 healthcare professionals and 50 students for an intensive cadaver workshop led by expert surgeons.

The Dr. Wayne and Elizabeth Takacs Biology Department is Saint Francis University’s first named academic department, made possible by a generous gift from the Takacs family.

An empty plastic Powerade bottle kicked off an unexpected journey for three Saint Francis University Biology/Pre-Medicine majors. Their quest for free filament to use in their personal 3-D printers has blossomed into something truly extraordinary.

The Dr. Wayne and Elizabeth Takacs Biology Department is hosting ConGen 2023, an international conservation genomics training workshop next week. Free evening presentations are open to the public on topics related to conservation biology and genetics/genomics.