Fostering the future
Welcoming new students, supporting continuing students and celebrating graduates
"The dedication, sacrifice and care repeatedly shown by our instructors and student services is inspiring and humbling, and our students have put forth outstanding effort and fortitude in adapting and persevering this past year," Associate Dean for Academics Claus Tittiger said. Photo by Jeff Dow.
During the 2019-2020 academic year, we were pleased to welcome:
311
new undergraduate students
79
new graduate students
And, during the 2020-2021 academic year thus far, we have welcomed:
400
new undergraduate students
83
new graduate students
Celebrating the Class of 2020
You've shown keen focus, curiosity and determination. You overcame every hurdle. You thrived in lectures, libraries and labs. You took classes that pushed you to develop the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills that are the hallmark of your profession. You earned your degree. Now you are ready to begin a rewarding career and make a world of difference. We're proud of you, and we're proud to share your achievements with the world.
Student enrollment numbers
Total enrollment
| Students enrolled | Students graduated |
|---|---|
| 1,115 | 256 |
| Students enrolled | Students graduated |
|---|---|
| 201 | 56 |
| Students enrolled | Students graduated |
|---|---|
| 1,228 | 66 |
| Students enrolled | Students graduated |
|---|---|
| 205 | 14 |
Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Sciences
| Degree program | Students enrolled | Students graduated |
|---|---|---|
| B.S. in Agricultural Science | 53 | 14 |
| B.S. in NevadaTeach Agricultural Science | 14 | 3 |
| B.S. in Rangeland Ecology & Management | 21 | 7 |
| B.S. in Veterinary Science | 192 | 25 |
| Degree program | Students enrolled | Students graduated |
|---|---|---|
| M.S. in Animal & Rangeland Science | 9 | 3 |
| Ph.D. in Animal & Rangeland Science | 8 | 0 |
| Degree program | Students enrolled | Students graduated |
|---|---|---|
| B.S. in Agricultural Science | 60 | 4 |
| B.S. in NevadaTeach Agricultural Science | 15 | 0 |
| B.S. in Rangeland Ecology & Management | 24 | 1 |
| B.S. in Veterinary Science | 216 | 6 |
| Degree program | Students enrolled | Students graduated |
|---|---|---|
| M.S. in Animal & Rangeland Science | 9 | 1 |
| Ph.D. in Animal & Rangeland Science | 9 | 0 |
Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
| Degree program | Students enrolled | Students graduated |
|---|---|---|
| B.S. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | 230 | 49 |
| B.S. in Biotechnology | 53 | 11 |
| B.S./M.S. in Biotechnology | 12 | 1 |
| Degree program | Students enrolled | Students graduated |
|---|---|---|
| M.S. in Biochemistry | 1 | 1 |
| Ph.D. in Biochemistry | 15 | 4 |
| B.S./M.S. in Biotechnology | 14 | 16 |
| M.S. Biotechnology | 4 | 3 |
| Degree program | Students enrolled | Students graduated |
|---|---|---|
| B.S. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | 276 | 11 |
| B.S. in Biotechnology | 59 | 0 |
| B.S./M.S. in Biotechnology | 6 | 0 |
| Degree program | Students enrolled | Students graduated |
|---|---|---|
| M.S. in Biochemistry | 0 | 0 |
| Ph.D. in Biochemistry | 21 | 2 |
| B.S./M.S. in Biotechnology | 5 | 1 |
| M.S. Biotechnology | 10 | 1 |
Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science
| Degree program | Students enrolled | Students graduated |
|---|---|---|
| B.S. in Ecohydrology | 11 | 4 |
| B.S. in Environmental Science | 157 | 38 |
| B.S. in Forest Management & Ecology | 44 | 10 |
| B.S. in NevadaTeach Environmental Science | 11 | 5 |
| Pre-Ecohydrology | 1 | 0 |
| Pre-Environmental Science | 1 | 0 |
| Pre-Forest Management & Ecology | 6 | 0 |
| B.S. in Wildlife Conservation & Management | 167 | 35 |
| Degree program | Students enrolled | Students graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology | 62 | 2 |
| M.S. in Environmental Sciences | 9 | 5 |
| Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences | 12 | 2 |
| M.S. in Hydrogeology | 8 | 4 |
| Ph.D. in Hydrogeology | 3 | 0 |
| M.S. in Hydrology | 10 | 4 |
| Ph.D. in Hydrology | 11 | 3 |
| M.S. in Natural Resources & Environmental Science | 26 | 7 |
| Degree program | Students enrolled | Students graduated |
|---|---|---|
| B.S. in Ecohydrology | 10 | 2 |
| B.S. in Environmental Science | 163 | 15 |
| B.S. in Forest Management & Ecology | 50 | 4 |
| B.S. in NevadaTeach Environmental Science | 8 | 0 |
| Pre-Ecohydrology | 1 | 0 |
| Pre-Environmental Science | 1 | 0 |
| Pre-Forest Management & Ecology | 2 | 0 |
| B.S. in Wildlife Conservation & Management | 182 | 13 |
| Degree program | Students enrolled | Students graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology | 64 | 3 |
| M.S. in Environmental Sciences | 7 | 3 |
| Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences | 15 | 1 |
| M.S. in Hydrogeology | 5 | 0 |
| Ph.D. in Hydrogeology | 3 | 1 |
| M.S. in Hydrology | 10 | 0 |
| Ph.D. in Hydrology | 12 | 0 |
| M.S. in Natural Resources & Environmental Science | 29 | 1 |
Department of Nutrition
| Degree program | Students enrolled | Students graduated |
|---|---|---|
| B.S. in Nutrition | 148 | 10 |
| Degree program | Students enrolled | Students graduated |
|---|---|---|
| M.S. in Nutrition | 6 | 0 |
| Degree program | Students enrolled | Students graduated |
|---|---|---|
| B.S. in Nutrition | 142 | 54 |
| Degree program | Students enrolled | Students graduated |
|---|---|---|
| M.S. in Nutrition | 9 | 2 |
University professors provide safe, engaging experiences for students amid COVID-19
In fall 2020, Professor Tamzen Stringham held class outdoors, following all state and county guidelines in effect at the time.
Story by Elisabeth Watkins, undergraduate student in the College
COVID-19 limitations required faculty and staff to create educational opportunities amid new restrictions. With the help of video chats and increased personal protective equipment (PPE), students were able to participate in hands-on activities and engage with industry experts.
The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology successfully conducted in-person laboratory classes by instituting several safety measures that met or exceeded University and State COVID restrictions. Among the precautions taken, laboratory spaces were reconfigured and plexiglass shielding was installed. In addition, students became subject to temperature checks and were required to wear PPE and maintain social distance.
"Our students are receiving equal or greater access to scientific instrumentation and experimental work as in previous years. And, at the same time, keeping our students’ safety is our number one priority." -Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Chair Bob Ryan
Professor Tamzen Stringham held an outdoor lecture for the Riparian Management and Restoration class during the fall semester. Students participated in an evening lecture and slideshow outdoors while following the COVID-19 social distancing restrictions in place at the time.
The Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science held a series of virtual lectures led by Elizabeth Ledger, professor and director of the University’s Museum of Natural History. One lecture included an edible plant taste test by providing edible plant goodie bags that the students picked up.
"We had a guest speaker who specializes in edible plants," Bethany Default, a senior in the Range & Forest Plants course, said, referring to Evert Broderick, a professor at Truckee Meadows Community College. "He made students goodie bags to pick up so that even though we were online, we could still eat the plants and enjoy it as a class. It was nice to engage rather than staring at a screen."
Ledger opened up her virtual lectures to additional guest speakers, including Broderick.
The edible plant goodie bags included a vial of elderberry elixir, a salve made from the balsam poplar tree and a piece of dried prickly pear cactus fruit. Class materials explained the medicinal properties of the salve, and students were taught how to identify the tree. Photos by Elisabeth Watkins.
Tracy Shane, professor for the Elements of Livestock Production course, invited students to meet, discuss and ask questions online about cattle production with Ty Minor, cattle producer and a recent alum from Minor Ranch. Shane also created a virtual egg-candling activity, which included videos showing how to measure the size of the air cell and the weight, grade and size of the eggs.
Dear Class of 2020, I can relate
A letter to our students from a faculty member whose own senior year was disrupted by a quarantine of her own.
Supporting students during the pandemic
During this time of crisis, our students who are ineligible to receive funds from the CARES Act need holistic and financial support to ensure they can complete their educational dreams. These students and their families have unique needs during normal circumstances, but with the pandemic, the need for support from our community is even more critical.
Biochemistry Seminar Series boosts speaker participation while moving online
Graduate student Colin Fox, with the Bob Ryan lab, presented his research on Cardiolipin Nanodisks, which are lipid-enriched, water-soluble nanoparticles used for drug delivery. Photo by Irina Romenskaia.
Claudia RückertStory by Hannah Alfaro
The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology hosted its Biochemistry Seminar Series virtually during the fall 2020 semester.
The series, which is typically hosted every semester for graduate students, faculty and external speakers to showcase their research, was successfully delivered in an online Zoom format in the fall, after the department had to cancel the majority of the series planned for spring 2020, due to the pandemic. The series focuses on a variety of topics, including insect science, plant science and human health science.
"The series is especially important for students who want to practice presenting and showcasing their research to a group of peers," Claudia Rückert, assistant professor in the department and organizer of the fall seminar series, said. "The students are also exposed to research and topics that they may otherwise not have heard about, which opens up avenues for further research on topics like the environment or our health."
The move to a digital format allowed the department to host more guest speakers from other institutions than in past years, including Ryan Smith, from Iowa State University, who spoke about how the understanding of mosquito immune cell biology is being shaped by factors such as chemical genetics. The series also hosted Daisy Sahoo, from the Medical College of Wisconsin; Mehdi Kabbage, from University of Wisconsin; and Laura Lavine, from Washington State University. Lavine, who presented her research on the adaptive phenotypes in insects, was also able to speak with students and faculty about the importance of women in science, specifically in leadership positions.
In addition, seven graduate students, who are able to participate in the series as one of their graduate courses, presented their work from labs across the College. This year’s students included Colin Fox, with the Bob Ryan lab; John Baggett, with the Grant Cramer and Melinda Yerka labs; Anil Kunapareddy, also with the Yerka lab; Jeremiah Reyes, with the Monika Gulia-Nuss lab; Eli Holschbach, with the Dylan Kosma and Patricia Ferreira dos Santos labs; Mitiku Mengistu, with the John Cushman lab; and Devin Smith, with the Ian Wallace lab. Department Chair Bob Ryan also presented his research on heart disease biomarkers, which are indicators to evaluate heart function.
The series, which garnered an audience of 40-50 viewers each presentation, is set to return digitally for the spring 2021 semester to continue to ensure the safety of students and faculty.
RELATED STORY | Undergraduate research opportunities build skills
Story by Tanya Kelley
Research is a skill and experience that we at the University want every undergraduate student to develop during their time with us. It is an active practice – a puzzle that requires students to use academic training and to collaborate.
There are more research opportunities at the University than ever. In our College, Won-Gyu Choi is offering undergraduates the opportunity to participate in a project in biochemistry & molecular biology, focusing on editing genes to create heat-tolerant plants.
Hosting speakers from a variety of disciplines
"Moving the series online has allowed us to host more speakers from a greater variety of disciplines than we would normally be able to have. Some of the graduate students were able to invite their family as well, which was nice." -Assistant Professor Claudia Rückert
New accreditation enhances University's reputation
Students can learn the science of watching over the world's wildland through the now-accredited Rangeland Ecology & Management program.
Barry Perryman was recently named interim chair of the department. Story by Ashley Andrews
The College's Rangeland Ecology & Management degree program, an offering of the Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Sciences, is now accredited by the Society for Range Management, and the University is now a Society for Range Management accredited university.
This is the first time that the degree and the University have been accredited by the Society.
The Society is a professional scientific and conservation organization that provides leadership for the stewardship of rangelands based on sound ecological principles. It accredits quality professional programs in range management education and the universities that provide them.
The University received word from the Society of the accreditation in summer 2019, just a few short months after the University achieved the Carnegie Classification of "R1" in December 2018 and just before it learned in fall 2019 that U. S. News and World Report ranked the University in the top tier of national universities for the 10th straight year.
Like earning R1 and Tier 1 status, receiving Society accreditation is also big news for the College, the University, Nevada and beyond.
Program graduates find careers in:
- Parks management
- Ranch management
- Native plant research
- Conservation planning
- Wildlife habitat management
- Soil science and conservation
- Fuels and wildfire management
- Rangeland economics and policy
- International rangeland management
- Rangeland restoration and rehabilitation
- Riparian and wetland ecology and management
- Rangeland livestock production and management
They work for university Experiment Stations and Extension offices; nonprofit conservation organizations; private environmental consulting firms; federal, state, local and public lands agencies; national, state and local parks; and more.
Providing high-quality rangeland education
"I believe there are only 12 programs in the world that are Society-accredited. We have worked extremely hard to meet the accreditation requirements, and I would like all of Nevada and beyond to know of this accomplishment." -Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Sciences Professor Tamzen Stringham
University grows in living-learning communities
The College's new Living Learning Community in the University's Great Basin Residence Hall offers incoming freshmen the opportunity to live and work with students who have similar academic goals and interests while also providing individualized mentorship and extracurricular activities.
Story by Ashley Andrews
Great Basin Hall is the University home for students who are interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The hall provides a quality, immersive college living experience that celebrates diversity, promotes sustainability and fosters student success.
The hall's name recognizes the traditional homelands of the indigenous peoples of Nevada and acknowledges the tribes of the Great Basin who historically and currently reside in the state: Newe (Western Shoshone), Nuwu (Southern Paiute), Numu (Northern Paiute) and Wa She Shu (Washoe).
The building is home to a Women in Science and Engineering community and has been honored for its environmentally friendly design.
New to the hall this fall is a living-learning community for our College. It will offer our incoming freshmen the opportunity to:
- Live and work with students who have similar academic goals and interests
- Experience individualized mentorship and exclusive extracurricular activities
- Experience mentorship by successful STEM professionals
- Build community and lasting relationships
- Develop research and professional skills
Our students' home away from home
"Great Basin Hall isn't just a residence hall, but rather a community where students will come together to discover their passions alongside new ideas and take advantage of the countless opportunities this institution offers." -Shannon Ellis, vice president for student services
New staff bolster College's efforts to foster a better future for Nevada
Improving lives, and Nevada's future
One teaching, research and engagement program participant at a time.
Our staff, students and alumni in the news
University of Nevada, Reno and the Nevada Alumni Association recognize 9 graduates with top grade-point average
University graduate student Blaize Abuntori teams up with Colleges to aid homeless
Honor the Best ceremony takes place remotely, still features all the special moments
A list of award winners; annual ceremony to be held at later date during fall semester
Brings beef cattle production expertise to teaching, research and outreach in Nevada
University of Nevada, Reno and the Nevada Alumni Association recognize 11 graduates with top grade-point average
“Helping vulnerable populations in any way we can is essential now more than ever”
Madeleine Lohman garners best talk at prestigious regional conference, earns field's most respected fellowship
Taylor Hollaway worked with Desert Farming Initiative to complete degree
Rangeland Ecology and Management Program student and Bureau of Land Management Nevada firefighter Matt Petersen joins international taskforce
"It is imperative professionals in my field develop sustainable agricultural practices, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and reduce natural disasters or we might not survive."
Extension's Lizeth Ramirez-Barroeta, a University classified employee of the month, was sworn in as a U.S. citizen
University of Nevada, Reno and the Nevada Alumni Association recognize nine graduates with top grade-point average
One of only 10 members nationally to receive The Wildlife Society Fellows Award
University’s Teresa Byington recognized for leadership, program efforts and professional development
“4-H helped me in school by teaching me ... to always do my best. I always wanted those blue ribbons.”
Edward Cruz hopes to improve agricultural production as an academic researcher
Staff Employees' Council names Brendi Gertsma Distinguished Classified Employee of the Year
Tamzen Stringham develops tools to help land managers make informed decisions
"It’s important that there are people doing what I do because we can help our community by teaching them how to have a healthy lifestyle."
The Honor the Best ceremony has been a staple gathering around commencement since 1970 and recognizes the outstanding achievements of faculty, staff and students.
‘All of you are the embodiment of the mission and values of our University’
"I want to express my gratitude to each of you for your dedication, support and commitment to excellence."
"I want to express my gratitude to each of you for your dedication, support and commitment to excellence."
Jeff Harper named Nevada’s Distinguished Career Researcher for his significant work addressing the global, food-security challenge
Professors Stringham and Yerka, along with postdoctoral scholar Dunham-Cheatham, discuss their work as CABNR researchers
Dafoe, a graduate of the College of Biotechnology, Agriculture & Natural Resources rangeland science program, takes us through life as a rangeland consultant