University of Arizona BIO5 Institute

Big challenges are tackled together at BIO5. ✨ 🧬 🧠

ALS is one of the most difficult neurodegenerative diseases to study. At the University of Arizona, Ross Buchan & Kevin Rhine are bringing faculty & clinicians together to understand & treat ALS with BIO5 support.

Read: bio5.org/news/shared-...

Marine microbiologist Alba Filella studies ocean microbes at the University of Arizona with support from the BIO5 Postdoctoral Fellowship. From new lab skills to research travel abroad, the fellowship helped move her work forward.

Read the full story: bio5.org/news/bio5-fe...

Faculty, researchers, and industry leaders came together for the sixth annual BIO5/BIOSA Faculty Industry Networking Event on October 29 to share insights on building stronger partnerships between the University of Arizona and Arizona’s growing biotech community.

Read more: bio5.org/news/lessons...

The 2025 BIO5 Research and Innovation Showcase on Oct. 14 brought together U of A students, faculty, and staff for a day of discovery and collaboration.

Over 50 posters and 100+ attendees highlighted research in aging, cancer, and infectious disease. 🎉

See more photos: bio5.org/news/bio5-re...

Big news for the University of Arizona and BIO5! 👏

Researchers & community leaders gathered to celebrate the installation of two of the most advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems available today!

More: bio5.org/news/univers...

@uazresearch.bsky.social @uazhealthsciences.bsky.social

Group of people posing in front of a building with glass and greenery behind them

How lucky we are to support interdisciplinary researchers at BIO5! 🌟

We welcomed our BIO5 Postdoctoral Fellows to a luncheon last week.

With labs spread across campus and projects spanning the globe, these moments of community and collaboration are especially valuable.

Woman smiling with text overlay that says How BIO5 mentorship shaped a scientist's journey

What began as an internship at the BIO5 Institute grew into a journey of mentorship, leadership, and discovery for Drew Seiser, now beginning her doctoral studies in Arizona Biological and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Arizona.

Read her story: bio5.org/news/how-bio...

Noah Curtis named director of operations & administration for the BIO5 Institute The BIO5 Institute welcomes Noah Curtis, as its new director of operations and administration, effective July 21, 2025.

Welcome to Noah Curtis as our new director of operations and administration for the BIO5 Institute, effective July 21.

We want to extend our sincere gratitude to Kate Riley, the retiring director for her 21+ years of dedicated service to BIO5.

More: bit.ly/4mamyeU

Amelia Gallitano named 2025 – 2026 Keating Family BIO5 Professor for Interdisciplinary Research The professorship honors Gallitano’s impactful work in mental health research, her dedication to mentorship, and her leadership in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration at the University of Arizon...

Congrats to Amelia Gallitano at the College of Medicine - Phoenix, as the 2025 – 2026 Keating Family Endowed Professor for Interdisciplinary Research at the BIO5 Institute.

More: bio5.org/news/amelia-...

A month of transition at BIO5!

In our May issue, meet our new director, explore how our BIO5 Ambassadors program inspires students, and learn about upcoming public events in July

view.comms.arizona.edu?qs=00957ca16...

Subscribe and get these updates in your inbox ✍️

Read more: More: bio5.org/news/vignesh...

Portrait of a professional wearing glasses and a checkered shirt with a striped tie, standing in an office environment.

We welcomed new leadership as the University of Arizona named Vignesh Subbian interim director of the BIO5 Institute, effective May 12. We extend our gratitude to Jennifer Barton, who steps down after a decade of leadership to serve as interim vice provost for health programs at the U of A.

Person standing at a microscope.

Jennifer Barton, director of the @uazbio5.bsky.social & Thomas R. Brown Distinguished Chair in #BiomedicalEngineering, discusses her pioneering work in #biophotonics with Travis Sawyer for #BiophotonicsDiscovery.

🎧 Listen here: www.spiedigitallibra...

Way to go! Congrats!

Study says original COVID-19 vaccination did not stop immune system from fighting variants Vaccinated people generated an overall protective immune response to the Delta and Omicron strains of COVID-19, though with slightly fewer antibodies for the mutated parts of the virus.

AAI members in the news! @deeptabhattacha.bsky.social from @uazbio5.bsky.social leads study that shows original COVID-19 vaccination did not stop immune system from fighting variants. Read more: ow.ly/nu9v50W0Ne6.

Judith Su speaking into a microphone at the 'Meet the Scientists' event, with a quote about interdisciplinary collaboration on the background banner titled Behind BIO5.

BIO5 member Judith Su @judithsu.bsky.social builds ultra-sensitive optical sensors to detect disease at the molecular level. At Behind BIO5, she shared how a passion for microscopic worlds led to breakthroughs in early diagnosis and cross-disciplinary innovation.

Read more: bio5.org/news/meet-sc...

Nirav Merchant sitting and speaking at a "Behind BIO5" event, with a quote: "We are not just building infrastructure. We are building capacity for the next generation of scientists.

BIO5 member Nirav Merchant is creating digital platforms that help scientists store, analyze, and share complex data. At Behind BIO5, he shared how bridging biology and automation can drive the next wave of discovery.

Read more: bio5.org/news/meet-sc...

Lee Ryan speaks at an event with a quote about developing new methods to study the brain displayed next to them, under the title "Meet The Scientists" from the Behind BIO5 series.

Lee Ryan studies how the brain changes with age using advanced imaging to explore memory and cognition. At Behind BIO5, she shared how early work with memory loss inspired her neuroscience journey and tool development.

Read more: bio5.org/news/meet-sc...

Leslie Farland speaking at 'Meet the Scientists' event, with a quote about the intrigue and opportunities in women's health.

BIO5 member Leslie Farland is advancing women’s reproductive health through innovative research on endometriosis and menstrual health. At Behind BIO5, she shared how data and curiosity shaped her path from medicine to epidemiology.

Read more: bio5.org/news/meet-sc...

Alexander Bucksch, featured in the 'Meet the Scientists' series, presenting with a microphone in hand beside a promotional banner for 'Behind BIO5'.

BIO5 member Alexander Bucksch is transforming how we see plant roots using low-cost imaging tools. At this year’s Behind BIO5, he shared how his journey from architecture to root science is driving big breakthroughs through simple tech.

Read more: bio5.org/news/meet-sc...

See the latest news from the BIO5!

In our April issue, get a behind-the-scenes look at BIO5, meet a researcher studying the science of sleep, and find a few summer events to add to your calendar.

view.comms.arizona.edu?qs=748859974...

Subscribe and get these updates in your inbox ✍️

Current Report - Flinn Foundation ADVANCING THE BIOSCIENCES AND IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES 1802 North Central Avenue | Phoenix, AZ 85004-1506 | 602.744.6800 | info@flinn.org

Arizona's NIH funding and bioscience jobs outpaced the nation. Wages remain high. Read more from the latest data analysis of the bio ecosystem. #FlinnFoundation #Arizona #bioscience #biotech #biosciences #medtech #NIH #techtransfer #UArizona #ASU #NAU #venturecapital #philanthropy #NIH

Community members go behind-the-scenes at the BIO5 Institute Guests experienced the collaborative nature of research through conversations, hands-on demos, and real-world applications at the annual public event.

Dozens of Arizona community members visited us on April 3 to tour innovative research spaces, hear from passionate researchers, and engage in conversations about their work.

Thank you to all who attended! 💙

Missed it? Read more: bit.ly/3YaFC3h

Waking up to the interdisciplinary science of sleep 2025 BIO5 Postdoctoral Fellow Kat Kennedy blends an interdisciplinary background to explore how sleep affects health, cognition, and society.

2025 BIO5 Postdoctoral Fellow @katkennedy.bsky.social is exploring how, sleep, health, and cognition are connected, emphasizing underrepresented groups like shift workers and women.

Learn more about her research and the journey that led her here: bit.ly/4cuw4G1

Thank you so much for participating!

Join us for an insightful and engaging interview with Dr. Jennifer Barton, professor and director of the BIO5 Institute at the University of Arizona and past SPIE president. Hosted by Travis Sawyer, assistant professor at the University of Arizona and associate editor of the new SPIE journal, Bioph Discussions of Discovery and Translation with Jennifer Barton

Dr. Jennifer Barton (@uazbio5.bsky.social) sat down with Dr. Travis Sawyer to discuss the future of biomedical optics, OCT, cancer detection, and more in this fun conversation. Watch it on YouTube! 📺 #BiophotonicsDiscovery

youtu.be/bXCA0iKddIk...

Join us for Behind BIO5 on next Thursday April 3!

We invite you to an evening of tours, fireside chats, demonstration tables, and poster presentations.

This event is FREE and open to the public!

More info & registration: bio5.org/behind-bio5

See the latest news from the BIO5!

In this newsletter, learn about the BIO5 Flinn Scholar Research Experience, celebrate work anniversary milestones, and meet a nurse-scientist empowering nurse practitioners.

Subscribe and get these updates in your inbox ✍️

view.comms.arizona.edu?qs=587e4245c...

BIO5 Institute offers Flinn Scholars early research opportunities at the University of Arizona Nine exceptional University of Arizona freshmen from diverse fields are participating in immersive, semester-long research with a mentor of their choice to jumpstart their scientific careers.

BIO5 with the Office of Research, Innovation and Impact & W.A. Franke Honor's college is offering a semester-long paid research experience to 9 Flinn Scholars during their freshman year, working with a U of A faculty mentor of their choice to jumpstart their scientific careers. More: bit.ly/3FIR9QQ

Person standing at the reception desk of the Center for Sleep, Circadian & Neuroscience Research at the University of Arizona.

For World Sleep Day, @katkennedy.bsky.social, 2025 BIO5 Postdoc Fellow has perspective:

"Everyone's experience with sleep is different, but I believe how we sleep reflects how we spend our days. It's crucial to give ourselves space during the day to process stress, so we can sleep better at night."