Department Facilities

The Department of Biology and Microbiology is housed on several floors of Halsey Science Center.  Our laboratories are outfitted with equipment that is standard for the field of study, and we have a well-provisioned stockroom.  Below are listed facilities of which we are especially proud.  All of these facilities (and equipment) are used for both teaching and research.  Some of the equipment can be used (for a fee) by researchers from other institutions.  Please contact the appropriate director.

Cell and Molecular Biology

Proteomics and Functional Genomics

The Robert E. Moore Proteomics and Functional Genomic Facility contains state-of-the-art equipment used for genetics and biochemistry.  Among the pieces of equipment are a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer, an electrospray ionizing mass spectrometer and a thermal cycler for real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

Dr. Toivo Kallas, Director
kallas@uwosh.edu
(920)424-7084

Electron Microscopy Facility

The facility houses both Hitachi scanning and transmission electron microscopes.  It also contains an ultra microtome, a critical point dryer, sputter coater, vacuum evaporator and other equipment necessary for this type of microscopy. 

Dr. Todd Kostman, Director
kostman@uwosh.edu
(920) 424-1102 or -7301

Tissue Culture

The tissue culture facility contains two Type II viral containment hoods, two laminar flow hood and four CO2 incubators.

Environmental & Public Health Microbiology

Our group conducts a variety of Environmental Health (EH) functions. These include EH academic programs in the Department of Biology and Microbiology, student internships, research on a variety of topics, collaborations with local health departments, partnerships with State and Federal agencies, and outreach programs related to promoting environmental health and education.  Our facility is state-certified for E. coli and coliform analysis and operates satellite facilities in Ashland, Eagle River, Sturgeon Bay and Manitowok.  In addition to water testing, our lab conducts a wide array of both field and laboratory air and water testing methods. Visit their website.

Dr. Greg Kleinheinz
kleinhei@uwosh.edu
(920)424-1100

Organismal Biology

Greenhouses

Atop Halsey Science Center are the biology department greenhouses.  They house a wide variety of plants, used primarily for courses, but several houses are set aside for research, only.  Some of the research projects involve plant/fungal interactions and plant response to environmental change.

The Neil A. Harriman Herbarium

The Neil A. Harriman Herbarium contains nearly 120,000 plant specimens from around the world.  It is open to the public during normal weekday working hours.  Click here for more detailed information about the herbarium.

Dr. Thomas Lammers, Curator
lammers@uwosh.edu
(920) 424-1002

Insect Collection and Museum

About 50,000 species of insects are represented in the insect collection and the museum also contains the entomology library of Dr. H.G. Drecktrah. There is an endowment to provide money for a student to assist with curation of the collection. Click here for more detailed information about the insect collection and museum.

Dr. Jennifer Zaspel, Curator
zaspelj@uwosh.edu
(920) 424-1044

Environmental Research and Innovation Center (ERIC)

The ERIC is located on the shore of the Fox River and boasts direct access to Lake Winnebago and connected watersheds.  The ERIC contains both teaching and research laboratory facilities.  There is also a classroom that can accommodate up to 40 students. The ERIC has a wide array of research equipment and capabilities from a 21' research vessel to artificial streams.  The classroom and teaching laboratory were renovated in 2006, and the research lab and boathouse are scheduled to undergo Phase II of the facility's overall renovation in the near future.  During Phase II the boathouse will be renovated and offices and a research laboratory added to the facility.  To visit the ERIC website click here.

Pigeon Lake Field Station

This facility is managed by UW River Falls but some of our courses are taught at the station during the summer.  In addition, other courses have field trips to Pigeon Lake and faculty can pursue research interests there.  Visit the station's website

Animal Care Facility

The Animal Care Facility at UW Oshkosh complies fully with federal guidelines for humane animal care.  In 2008, it also earned full accreditation by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care.  It is routinely inspected by the UW Oshkosh Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. A unique feature of our facility is a captive breeding colony of 13-lined ground squirrels.

Kelly Schill, Facility Manager
schillk@uwosh.edu
(920) 424-0931

Dana Vaughan, Squirrel Colony Curator
vaughan@uwosh.edu
(920) 424-3076