Phoenix Biology

The University of Chicago's "life of the mind" emphasizes the pursuit of cutting edge ideas and creativity in both the humanities and the sciences.

The Phoenix Lecture series seeks to introduce the nation's leading scientific minds and ideas in the biological sciences to undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Chicago.

First held in October 2014, the event was the first to celebrate undergraduate research from all science departments at the University of Chicago. Over 250 people were in attendance.

The 2015 Symposium took place at the new, state of the art Eckhardt Research Center in October. Internationally renowned breast cancer researcher Dr. Funmi Olopade gave the keynote address and over 60 students presented.

The 2016 Symposium was held in the Gordon Center for Integrative Sciencecs at the University of Chicago, drawing over 60 presenters and 300 attendees.

Undergraduates benefit greatly when they have an opportunity to closely interact with senior faculty members, even, and especially, outside the boundaries of the classroom.

Fireside Chats present an opportunity for undergraduates to interact with their professors in an informal setting and to get to know them on a more personal level.

There are plenty of opportunities to be found in the biological sciences, if one knows where to look for them.

The Phoenix Mentorship Program seeks to promote the academic and professional careers of students in the life sciences by pairing them with  supportive upperclassmen, faculty, and alumni mentors who have walked a wide variety of career paths and had a host of different academic experiences.

You've memorized the structures of all the amino acids...now what?

Through career exposure and networking events, Phoenix Biology offers you the chance to explore careers beyond the ever popular fields of medicine and research. Do what you want to do with your life, and discover that journey through Phoenix Biology.

The classroom doesn't teach you everything there is about biology. Phoenix Biology seeks to constantly expand undergraduates' understanding of the enormous scale of biology through diverse programming.

Examples include: career exposure events, field trips, documentary screenings, journal clubs, mixers, and more.