Support Biology

The Department of Biology welcomes your financial support. Many of our scholarships and programs for undergraduate and graduate students are supported by your generous donations. Whether you wish to contribute in response to current program or campaign solicitations (such as those detailed below) or desire to support another cause, we truly appreciate your kindness. Donations to Biology can be made by mail or through the Office of Development website.

Legler Professorship in Human Anatomy

Over the last half-century, Professors John Legler and Mark Nielsen have given more than 30,000 students a detailed understanding of the structure, organization, and function of the human body. They have each revolutionized the practice of teaching anatomy through their writings and their development of state-of-the-art courseware using contemporary technologies. Together, they have provided a solid foundation in human anatomy for professionals throughout Utah and the nation. In 2009, we celebrated the first half century of this program by launching the Legler Professorship in Human Anatomy and a $2M capital campaign to endow this position so that future generations of undergraduates whose chosen professions involve detailed understanding of the human body will continue to receive instruction from inspired teachers of human anatomy.

The passion Professors Legler and Nielsen convey for anatomy has inspired and created enduring bonds with countless students. Both Professors Legler and Nielsen have received many teaching honors, including the University’s coveted Distinguished Teaching Award, and establishment of an endowed professorship in human anatomy will honor their legacy of exceptional teaching in perpetuity.

Your gift in support of The Legler Professorship in Human Anatomy will ensure that future generations of health care, allied health, and other professionals whose work revolves around the human body will have received instruction—and inspiration—at the undergraduate level from the best teachers of anatomy. Contributions to the campaign, as gifts or pledges, will be gratefully accepted and can be made directly through the Office of Development website (Legler Professorship).

Integrative Human Biology (IHB)

This interdisciplinary initiative is based in the Departments of Anthropology and Biology. Its purpose is to advance education and research in human form and function, human evolution and biological variation, human behavior, and the roles humans play in local and global ecosystems. These subjects are studied by distinguished faculty in our departments and elsewhere at the U, and they are increasingly understood to bear on a wide range of practical issues of concern to society as a whole.

The initiative is developing an Integrative Human Biology undergraduate major and minor that will help students acquire the broad but rigorous background they will need as professionals in the 21st-century health sciences and many other fields that engage directly with aspects of human adaptation and welfare.

IHB will also host talks and other events to facilitate interaction among researchers and members of the larger community. For a schedule of upcoming events and other information about the program please visit the Integrative Human Biology web site.