proposal for research biology

• school Campus Bookshelves
• menu_book Bookshelves
• perm_media Learning Objects
• login Login
• how_to_reg Request Instructor Account
• hub Instructor Commons
• Download Page (PDF)
• Download Full Book (PDF)
• Periodic Table
• Physics Constants
• Scientific Calculator
• Reference & Cite
• Tools expand_more
• Readability

selected template will load here

This action is not available.

1.4: Research Proposals

• Last updated
• Save as PDF
• Page ID 128984

Learning Objectives

• Perform biodiversity research through making and translating your observations of the natural world into research questions, hypotheses, and experimental design that are grounded in scientific literature.
• Communicate the research process to your peers in a clear, effective, and engaging manner.

Written Proposal

Writing about research is a primary method scientists use to communicate their work. Thus, this course will involve developing a written research proposal. We will use several drafts to refine the research proposal. The first draft can utilize the template available in Appendix 6. Subsequent drafts should become more refined and start to take the format of a scientific paper. The proposal should include an introductory section providing background on the topic of interest, drawing from several primary research articles. This section also develops the argument for why the research question is worth studying. The research question and hypothesis should also be included in the introduction.

The second section should include the proposed methodology. Describe how the hypothesis will be tested. It should outline the experiments and what will be needed to perform them. Ideas can be supported by referring to previously published research. The third section will address anticipated results. Consider the expected findings and the implications of those findings for the original research question and hypothesis. Consider what it would mean if the results turned out a different way. Finally, be sure to include both in-text citations and a full reference list at the end. The proposal should have good narrative flow and be proofread for proper spelling and grammar. See the rubric in the Appendix 3 for evaluation guidelines.

Oral Presentation

Scientists also frequently share their research findings via presentations, such as at meetings with other scientists. Developing an oral presentation of the research proposal provides an opportunity to practice communicating science to our peers. The presentation should be ~10 minutes and delivered via a slideshow. The presentation should include the same content as the written portion, but the distinction here the audience will be engaged in a different way. The best presentations tell a good story, so think about how to translate the proposal into a story – typically start with background information so the audience members have some understanding of the context. Then use the background information strategically to build up to the identified research gap and the corresponding research question. The question then leads naturally into the hypothesis or hypotheses to be tested. The final part of the presentation will be the experimental plan – how will the hypothesis be tested? Try to envision all possible outcomes from the experiment and how that will support or refute the hypothesis and inform on the interpretation of the results.

There will be opportunities for questions from peers at the end. It is important to try to ask questions at the end of presentations in order to practice giving this kind of feedback. This is a very common way in which scientists provide feedback to each other on their work. Attending departmental seminars or conferences will enable witnessing this first hand. See the rubric in the Appendix 3 for evaluation guidelines.

Proposal Workshop I

Proposing research ideas is a key element of working in the biodiversity science field. Thus this first workshop will be focused on sharing and expanding upon initial ideas for a research proposal. It will take a lab meeting format with a round table discussion where each student has the opportunity to share their research proposal ideas. Peers will then ask follow-up questions to help support idea development. Incidentally, this also serves as an opportunity to practice communicating science to peers. It takes practice to clearly articulate ideas. Following the workshop, begin exploring some literature related to the topic of interest and start putting ideas down on paper – they will not be polished yet, but it will help to develop the initial draft of the research proposal. See the Appendix 6 for a proposal first draft template.

Proposal Workshop II

This workshop will continue to develop the research question, hypothesis, and experimental design. We will discuss developing ideas in pairs with both the course instructor and classmates. We will work to develop ideas into excellent proposal material by digging into the following questions.

Research Question

• What is your research question?
• Is your question clearly stated and focused? If not, how might you tailor it?
• Why are you interested in this question? What makes you curious about it? What have you learned from previous studies that lead you to want to ask this question?

Hypotheses/predictions

• What are your hypotheses/predictions?
• Are they stated clearly? If not, what needs to be adjusted?
• Are they aligned with the question you are asking?
• Why are you interested in this hypothesis?

Experimental Plan

• What is your experimental plan?
• Does the design fit with your hypothesis?
• Are there things that still need to be considered? If so, what are they?

Proposal Workshop III

This workshop is an opportunity to polish. Use this time to solicit final feedback from peers, test out design ideas for the final presentation, or practice delivering the presentation in front of an audience.

Excellent opening paragraph stating why is the research important and leading to the research goals

Clear and concise presentation of research aims \(questions\)

Research plan is well \ detailed starting from third paragraph.

Pronoun problem: who is the "w\ e"? Earlier, "I" is very clear, but this "we" lacks a clear antecedent.

Writing tip: good use of "signa\ l" words \("first," "second"\) to organize information and highlight key points.

Contributors: P. Pazos, Searle Center for Teaching Excellence and P. Hirsch, The Writing Program, [email protected]

Posted: 2008

TITLE: The Mitochondrial Stress Response and the Communication of Stress Responses Between Subcellular Compart\ ments

Compelling presentation of preparation from courses and prior lab experience.

Very detailed presentation of techni\ ques learned that are relevant to the project

Writing tip: "data" is a p\ lural word. Say, "The data suggest. . . " and "they [meaning the data] indicate."

Overall comments:

Good quality proposal overall. The author clearly explains the aims a\ nd methods to carry out those aims.

Research question: Analysis of mitochondria's unfolding protein response and its crosstalk with other folding envir\ onments in the cell.

Compelling presentation of prior experience in courses and labs. Could include specific techniques learned.

Good use of citations and references

Suggestions:

Should add headings to make it more readable and add some structure.

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Starting the research process
• How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

Published on October 12, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on November 21, 2023.

A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will conduct your research.

The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least these elements:

Introduction

Literature review.

• Research design

Reference list

While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organized and feel confident in the path forward you choose to take.

Table of contents

Research proposal purpose, research proposal examples, research design and methods, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research proposals.

Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student, you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application , or prior to starting your thesis or dissertation .

In addition to helping you figure out what your research can look like, a proposal can also serve to demonstrate why your project is worth pursuing to a funder, educational institution, or supervisor.

Research proposal length

The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.

One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.

Download our research proposal template

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

• Academic style
• Vague sentences
• Style consistency

See an example

Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.

• Example research proposal #1: “A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management”
• Example research proposal #2: “Medical Students as Mediators of Change in Tobacco Use”

Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• Your institution and department

The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.

Your introduction should:

• Introduce your topic
• Give necessary background and context
• Outline your  problem statement  and research questions

To guide your introduction , include information about:

• Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
• How much is already known about the topic
• What is missing from this current knowledge
• What new insights your research will contribute
• Why you believe this research is worth doing

As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review  shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.

In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:

• Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
• Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
• Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesize prior scholarship

Following the literature review, restate your main  objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.

To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.

For example, your results might have implications for:

• Improving best practices
• Informing policymaking decisions
• Strengthening a theory or model
• Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
• Creating a basis for future research

Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .

Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.

Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.

Download our research schedule template

If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.

Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:

• Cost : exactly how much money do you need?
• Justification : why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
• Source : how did you calculate the amount?

To determine your budget, think about:

• Travel costs : do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews, archival research)?
• Materials : do you need access to any tools or technologies?
• Help : do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do, and how much will you pay them?

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .

Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.

I will compare …

A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.

Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, November 21). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved April 15, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-proposal/

Is this article helpful?

Shona McCombes

Other students also liked, how to write a problem statement | guide & examples, writing strong research questions | criteria & examples, how to write a literature review | guide, examples, & templates, "i thought ai proofreading was useless but..".

I've been using Scribbr for years now and I know it's a service that won't disappoint. It does a good job spotting mistakes”

• Research Process

Writing a Scientific Research Project Proposal

• 5 minute read
• 97.4K views

Table of Contents

The importance of a well-written research proposal cannot be underestimated. Your research really is only as good as your proposal. A poorly written, or poorly conceived research proposal will doom even an otherwise worthy project. On the other hand, a well-written, high-quality proposal will increase your chances for success.

In this article, we’ll outline the basics of writing an effective scientific research proposal, including the differences between research proposals, grants and cover letters. We’ll also touch on common mistakes made when submitting research proposals, as well as a simple example or template that you can follow.

What is a scientific research proposal?

The main purpose of a scientific research proposal is to convince your audience that your project is worthwhile, and that you have the expertise and wherewithal to complete it. The elements of an effective research proposal mirror those of the research process itself, which we’ll outline below. Essentially, the research proposal should include enough information for the reader to determine if your proposed study is worth pursuing.

It is not an uncommon misunderstanding to think that a research proposal and a cover letter are the same things. However, they are different. The main difference between a research proposal vs cover letter content is distinct. Whereas the research proposal summarizes the proposal for future research, the cover letter connects you to the research, and how you are the right person to complete the proposed research.

There is also sometimes confusion around a research proposal vs grant application. Whereas a research proposal is a statement of intent, related to answering a research question, a grant application is a specific request for funding to complete the research proposed. Of course, there are elements of overlap between the two documents; it’s the purpose of the document that defines one or the other.

Scientific Research Proposal Format

Although there is no one way to write a scientific research proposal, there are specific guidelines. A lot depends on which journal you’re submitting your research proposal to, so you may need to follow their scientific research proposal template.

In general, however, there are fairly universal sections to every scientific research proposal. These include:

• Title: Make sure the title of your proposal is descriptive and concise. Make it catch and informative at the same time, avoiding dry phrases like, “An investigation…” Your title should pique the interest of the reader.
• Abstract: This is a brief (300-500 words) summary that includes the research question, your rationale for the study, and any applicable hypothesis. You should also include a brief description of your methodology, including procedures, samples, instruments, etc.
• Introduction: The opening paragraph of your research proposal is, perhaps, the most important. Here you want to introduce the research problem in a creative way, and demonstrate your understanding of the need for the research. You want the reader to think that your proposed research is current, important and relevant.
• Background: Include a brief history of the topic and link it to a contemporary context to show its relevance for today. Identify key researchers and institutions also looking at the problem
• Literature Review: This is the section that may take the longest amount of time to assemble. Here you want to synthesize prior research, and place your proposed research into the larger picture of what’s been studied in the past. You want to show your reader that your work is original, and adds to the current knowledge.
• Research Design and Methodology: This section should be very clearly and logically written and organized. You are letting your reader know that you know what you are going to do, and how. The reader should feel confident that you have the skills and knowledge needed to get the project done.
• Preliminary Implications: Here you’ll be outlining how you anticipate your research will extend current knowledge in your field. You might also want to discuss how your findings will impact future research needs.
• Conclusion: This section reinforces the significance and importance of your proposed research, and summarizes the entire proposal.
• References/Citations: Of course, you need to include a full and accurate list of any and all sources you used to write your research proposal.

Common Mistakes in Writing a Scientific Research Project Proposal

Remember, the best research proposal can be rejected if it’s not well written or is ill-conceived. The most common mistakes made include:

• Not providing the proper context for your research question or the problem
• Failing to reference landmark/key studies
• Losing focus of the research question or problem
• Not accurately presenting contributions by other researchers and institutions
• Incompletely developing a persuasive argument for the research that is being proposed
• Misplaced attention on minor points and/or not enough detail on major issues
• Sloppy, low-quality writing without effective logic and flow
• Incorrect or lapses in references and citations, and/or references not in proper format
• The proposal is too long – or too short

Scientific Research Proposal Example

There are countless examples that you can find for successful research proposals. In addition, you can also find examples of unsuccessful research proposals. Search for successful research proposals in your field, and even for your target journal, to get a good idea on what specifically your audience may be looking for.

While there’s no one example that will show you everything you need to know, looking at a few will give you a good idea of what you need to include in your own research proposal. Talk, also, to colleagues in your field, especially if you are a student or a new researcher. We can often learn from the mistakes of others. The more prepared and knowledgeable you are prior to writing your research proposal, the more likely you are to succeed.

Language Editing Services

One of the top reasons scientific research proposals are rejected is due to poor logic and flow. Check out our Language Editing Services to ensure a great proposal , that’s clear and concise, and properly referenced. Check our video for more information, and get started today.

• Manuscript Review

Research Fraud: Falsification and Fabrication in Research Data

Research Team Structure

You may also like.

Descriptive Research Design and Its Myriad Uses

Five Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Biomedical Research Paper

Making Technical Writing in Environmental Engineering Accessible

To Err is Not Human: The Dangers of AI-assisted Academic Writing

When Data Speak, Listen: Importance of Data Collection and Analysis Methods

Choosing the Right Research Methodology: A Guide for Researchers

Why is data validation important in research?

Writing a good review article

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Science & Quantitative Reasoning Education

Yale undergraduate research, how to write a proposal.

The abstract should summarize your proposal. Include one sentence to introduce the problem you are investigating, why this problem is significant, the hypothesis to be tested, a brief summary of experiments that you wish to conduct and a single concluding sentence. (250 word limit)

Introduction

The introduction discusses the background and significance of the problem you are investigating. Lead the reader from the general to the specific. For example, if you want to write about the role that Brca1 mutations play in breast cancer pathogenesis, talk first about the significance of breast cancer as a disease in the US/world population, then about familial breast cancer as a small subset of breast cancers in general, then about discovery of Brca1 mutations in familial breast cancer, then Brca1’s normal functions in DNA repair, then about how Brca1 mutations result in damaged DNA and onset of familial breast cancer, etc. Definitely include figures with properly labeled text boxes (designated as Figure 1, Figure 2, etc) here to better illustrate your points and help your reader wade through unfamiliar science. (3 pages max)

Formulate a hypothesis that will be tested in your grant proposal. Remember, you are doing hypothesis-driven research so there should be a hypothesis to be tested! The hypothesis should be focused, concise and flow logically from the introduction. For example, your hypothesis could be “I hypothesize that overexpressing wild type Brca1 in Brca1 null tumor cells will prevent metastatic spread in a mouse xenograph model.” Based on your hypothesis, your Specific Aims section should be geared to support it. The hypothesis is stated in one sentence in the proposal. 

Specific Aims (listed as Specific Aim 1, Specific Aim 2)

This is where you will want to work with your mentor to craft the experimental portion of your proposal. Propose two original specific aims to test your hypothesis. Don’t propose more than two aims-you will NOT have enough time to do more. In the example presented, Specific Aim 1 might be “To determine the oncogenic potential of Brca1 null cell lines expressing wild type Brca1 cDNA”. Specific aim 2 might be “To determine the metastatic potential of Brca1 null cells that express WT Brca1”. You do not have to go into extensive technical details, just enough for the reader to understand what you propose to do. The best aims yield mechanistic insights-that is, experiments proposed address some mechanisms of biology. A less desirable aim proposes correlative experiments that does not address mechanistically how BRCA1 mutations generate cancer. It is also very important that the two aims are related but NOT interdependent. What this means is that if Aim 1 doesn’t work, Aim 2 is not automatically dead. For example, say you propose in Aim 1 to generate a BRCA1 knockout mouse model, and in Aim 2 you will take tissues from this mouse to do experiments. If knocking out BRCA1 results in early embryonic death, you will never get a mouse that yields tissues for Aim 2. You can include some of your mentor’s data here as “Preliminary data”. Remember to carefully cite all your sources. (4 pages max; 2 pages per Aim)

Potential pitfalls and alternative strategies

This is a very important part of any proposal. This is where you want to discuss the experiments you propose in Aims 1 and 2. Remember, no experiment is perfect. Are there any reasons why experiments you proposed might not work? Why? What will you do to resolve this? What are other possible strategies you might use if your experiments don’t work? If a reviewer spots these deficiencies and you don’t propose methods to correct them, your proposal will not get funded. You will want to work with your mentor to write this section. (1/2 page per Aim)

Cite all references, including unpublished data from your mentor. Last, First, (year), Title, Journal, volume, pages.

*8 page proposal limit (not including References), 1.5 spacing, 12pt Times New Roman font

• View an example of a research proposal submitted for the Yale College First-Year Summer Research Fellowship (PDF).  
• View an example of a research proposal submitted for the Yale College Dean’s Research Fellowship and the Rosenfeld Science Scholars Program (PDF) .

Biology Research: Getting Started: Research Design/Methods

• Grant Proposals
• Research Design/Methods
• Finding Articles
• Writing & Citing
• Research Tips
• Background Information

Books on Research

• ISBN: 9781473907539

Experimental Design

Useful Resources

• Biological Procedures Online Biological Procedures Online, from BioMed Central, publishes articles that improve access to techniques and methods in the medical and biological sciences.
• Introduction to Designing Experiments A 7-part series from Films on Demand that includes how to design research, hypotheses, sampling, ethics and bias, and more.
• Exploring Qualitative Methods How to conduct research using qualitative data from Films on Demand.
• Organizing Quantitative Data Video from Films on Demand on using quantitative data.
• Statistics for Biologists This resource from Nature magazine offers guidance in using statistics in biology research

Health and Sciences Librarian

• << Previous: Grant Proposals
• Next: Finding Articles >>
• Last Updated: Feb 1, 2024 1:56 PM
• URL: https://libguides.jsu.edu/bioresearch

Thesis proposal example 2

Senior Honors Thesis Research Proposal

Albert B. Ulrich III Thesis Advisor: Dr. Wayne Leibel 11 September 1998

Introduction:

Neotropical fish of the family Cichlidae are a widespread and diverse group of freshwater fish which, through adaptive radiation, have exploited various niches in freshwater ecosystems. One such evolutionary adaptation employed by numerous taxa is miniaturization, an evolutionary process in which a large ancestral form becomes reduced in size to exploit alternative niches. A considerable amount of research has been conducted on the effects of miniaturization on amphibians (Hanken 1983), but although miniaturization has been found to occur in 85 species of freshwater South American fish, little has been done to investigate the effects which miniaturization imposes on the anatomy of the fish (Hanken and Wake 1993).

Background:

Evolution is the process by which species adapt to environmental stresses over time. Nature imposes various selective pressures on ecosystems causing adaptive radiation, where species expand and fill new niches. One such adaptation for a new niche is miniaturization. Miniaturization can be defined as “the evolution of extremely small adult body size within a lineage” (Hanken and Wake 1993). Miniaturization is observed in a variety of taxa, and evolutionary size decreases are observed in mammals and higher vertebrates, but it is more common and more pronounced in reptiles, amphibians and fish (Hanken and Wake 1993). Miniaturization evolved as a specialization which allowed the organisms to avoid selective pressures and occupy a new niche. Miniaturization as a concept is dependent on the phylogenetic assumption that the organism evolved from a larger predecessor. Over time, the miniature organism had to adapt to the new conditions as a tiny species. All of the same basic needs had to be met, but with a smaller body.

In miniature species there is a critical relationship between structure of the body and body size, and frequently this downsizing results in structural and functional changes within the animal (Harrison 1996). Within the concept of miniaturization is the assumption that the species evolved from a larger progenitor. It is necessary then to explore the effects of the miniaturization process. “Miniaturization involves not only small body size per se, but also the consequent and often dramatic effects of extreme size reduction on anatomy, physiology, ecology, life history, and behavior” (Hanken and Wake 1993).

Hanken and Wake 1993 found that the adult skulls of the salamander Thorius were lacking several bones, others were highly underdeveloped, and many species within the genus were toothless. Several invertebrate species display the wholesale loss of major organs systems as a result of the drastic reduction in body size (Hanken and Wake 1993). Hanken and Wake also have shown that morphological novelty is a common result of miniaturization. Morphological novelty, in essence, is the development of new structures in the miniature organism. For example, as body size decreases, certain vital organs will only be able to be reduced by a certain amount and still function. As a result organs such as the inner ear remain large relative to the size of the miniature skull, and structural innovations have to occur in order to support the proportionately large inner ear.

In 1983, James Hanken, at the University of Colorado determined that the adult skull of the Plethodontid salamanders could be characterized by three observations: 1) there was a limited development or even an absence of several ossified elements such as dentition and other bones; 2) there was interspecific and intraspecific variability; 3) there were novel mophological configurations of the braincase and jaw (Hanken 1983).

In his experiments, Hanken found that cranial miniaturization of the Thorius skull was achieved at the expense of ossification. Much of the ossified skeleton was lost or reduced, especially in the anterior elements, which are seen typically in larger adult salamanders (Hanken 1983). In contrast to this ossified downsizing, many of the sensory organs were not diminished in size — therefore present in greater proportion to the rest of the reduced head. He also reported that due to the geometrical space availability, there is a competition for space in reduced sized skulls, and the “predominant brain, otic capsules, and eyes have imposed structural rearrangements on much of the skull that remains” (Hanken 1983).

Hanken proposed that paedomorphosis was the mode of evolution of the plethodontid salamanders (Hanken 1983). Paedomorphosis is the state where the miniaturized structures of the adult salamanders can be described as arrested juvenile states. To support this theory, Hanken showed data where cranial skeletal reduction was less extreme in the posterior regions of the skull. One of the hallmarks of paedamorphosis is the lack of conservation in structures derived late in development. Early developed structures are highly conserved, and the latter derivations become either lost, or greatly reduced. Again, Hanken has shown that elements appearing late in development exhibit greater variation among species than do elements appearing earlier in ontogeny (Hanken 1983). But the presence of novel morphological features cannot be accounted for merely by truncated development and the retention of juvenile traits. Miniature Plethodontid salamanders display features that are not present in other species, juvenile or adult. These novel morphological features are associated with the evolution of decreased size and are postulated to compensate for the reductions occurring in other areas (Hanken 1983).

In 1985, Trueb and Alberch published a paper presenting similar results in their experiments with frogs. They explored the “relationships between body sizes of anurans and their cranial configurations with respect to the degree of ossification of the skull and two ontogenetic variables‹shape and number of differentiation events” (Trueb and Alberch 1985). Trueb and Alberch examined three morphological variables: size, sequence of differentiation events, and shape changes in individual structures. Size and snout length were measured, and the data showed that the more heavily ossified frogs tended to be smaller, whereas the less-ossified species were of average size, contrary to what was hypothesized. But Trueb and Alberch also attributed the diminution in size to paedomorphosis, citing that the smaller frogs lacked one or more of the elements typically associated with anuran skulls‹these missing elements were typically late in the developmental sequence. It is significant to note, however, that although there was an apparent paedomorphic trend, it could not be “applied unequivocally to all anuans” (Trueb and Alberch 1985). Very little research has been done on the effects of miniaturization on fish. In 1993, Buckup published a paper discussing the phylogeny of newly found minature species of Characidiin fish, but the extent of the examination was merely an acknowledgment that the species were indeed miniatures so that they could be taxonomically reclassified ( Buckup 1993). It is this deficit of knowledge with regard to miniaturization in fish that prompts this research.

Statement of the Problem:

How does miniaturization affect other vertebrates, such as fish? There are over 85 species of freshwater South American fish which are regarded as miniature, spanning 5 orders, 11 families and 40 genera (Hanken and Wake 1993). One such species, Apistogramma cacatuoides, is a South American Cichlid native to Peru. It lives in shallow water bodies in the rainforests, where miniature size is necessary. Males in this species reach approximately 8cm, and females only 5cm. This makes A. cacatuoides an ideal specimen for examination. In this senior honors thesis, I intend to examine the effects of miniaturization on cranial morphology of A. cacatuoides.

Plan of Research:

In this thesis, I will compare the cranial anatomy of A. cacatuoides to that of “Cichlasoma” (Archocentrus) nigrofasciatum, a commonly bred fish reared by aquarists known as the Convict Cichlid, a “typical” medium-sized cichlid also of South American origin. The Convicts will be examined at various stages in development, from juvenile to adult, and will be compared to A.cacatuoides.

The first part of this project will involve whole mount preparation of A. cacatuoides, utilizing the staining and clearing procedures described by Taylor and Van Dyke, 1985. This procedure involves the use of Alizarin Red and Alcian Blue to stain bone and cartilage, and takes into account the adaptations and recommendations Proposed in an earlier paper (Hanken and Wassersug 1981). The Taylor and Van Dyke procedure is specifically for the staining and clearing of small fish and other vertebrates. I tested the procedure during last semester¹s Independent Study and made a few minor adjustments to the protocol.

First, the specimens will be placed serially into an absolute ethyl alcohol solution and stained with Alcian Blue. The fish will then be neutralized in a saturated borax solution, transferred to a 20% hydrogen peroxide solution in potassium hydroxide, and then bleached under a fluorescent light. The unwanted soft tissues will then be cleared using trypsin powder, and then stained in KOH again with alizarin red. The final preparation of the fish involves rinsing the fish, and placing them serially into 40%, 70%, and finally 100% glycerin.

Following the above preparation of the specimens, the crania of the A. cacatuoides specimens will be examined for morphological variation and compared to the cranial anatomy of the Convict cichlid as a progenitor reference point examined at various developmental stages to see if paedomorphosis in indeed the mechanism of miniaturization in A. cacatuoides.

Expected Costs:

The project is estimated to cost no more that five hundred dollars for chemicals and supplies for the entire year.

Literature Cited:

Hanken, J., 1983. Miniaturization and its Effects on Cranial Morphology in Plethodontid Salamanders, Genus Thorius (Amphibia: Plethodontidae). I. Osteological Variation”. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society (London) 23: 55-75.

Hanken, James, 1983. Miniaturization and its Effects on Cranial Morhology in Plethodontid Salamanders, Genus Thorius (Amphibia, Plethodintidae): II.The Fate of the Brain and Sense Organs and Their Role in Skull Morphogenesis and Evolution . Journal of Morphology 177: 255-268.

Hanken, James and David Wake, 1993. Miniaturization of Body Size: Origanismal Consequences and Evolutionary Significance. Annual Review of Ecological Systems 24: 501-19.

Harrison, I. J., 1996. Interface Areas in Small Fish. Zoological Symposium No. 69. The Zoological Society of London: London.

Miller, P. J., 1996. Miniature Vertebrates: The Implications of Small Body Size. Symposium of the Zoological Society of London. No. 69: 15-45.

Taylor, William R. and George Van Dyke, 1985. Revised Procedures for Staining and Clearing Small Fishes and Other Vertebrates for Small Bone and Cartilage Study. Cybium. 9(2): 107-119.

Trueb, L. and P. Alberch, 1985. Miniaturization and the Anuran Skull: a Case Study of Heterochrony. Fortschritte der Zoologie. Bund 30.

Williams, T. Walley, 1941 Bone and Cartilage. Stain. Tech. 16:23-25.

Department of Biological Sciences

Examples of Undergraduate Research Projects

Fall 2021 projects, previous projects.

• How it works

Published by Robert Bruce at August 29th, 2023 , Revised On September 5, 2023

Biology Research Topics

Are you in need of captivating and achievable research topics within the field of biology? Your quest for the best biology topics ends right here as this article furnishes you with 100 distinctive and original concepts for biology research, laying the groundwork for your research endeavor.

Table of Contents

Our proficient researchers have thoughtfully curated these biology research themes, considering the substantial body of literature accessible and the prevailing gaps in research.

Should none of these topics elicit enthusiasm, our specialists are equally capable of proposing tailor-made research ideas in biology, finely tuned to cater to your requirements. 

Thus, without further delay, we present our compilation of biology research topics crafted to accommodate students and researchers.

Research Topics in Marine Biology

• Impact of climate change on coral reef ecosystems.
• Biodiversity and adaptation of deep-sea organisms.
• Effects of pollution on marine life and ecosystems.
• Role of marine protected areas in conserving biodiversity.
• Microplastics in marine environments: sources, impacts, and mitigation.

Biological Anthropology Research Topics

• Evolutionary implications of early human migration patterns.
• Genetic and environmental factors influencing human height variation.
• Cultural evolution and its impact on human societies.
• Paleoanthropological insights into human dietary adaptations.
• Genetic diversity and population history of indigenous communities.

Biological Psychology Research Topics 

• Neurobiological basis of addiction and its treatment.
• Impact of stress on brain structure and function.
• Genetic and environmental influences on mental health disorders.
• Neural mechanisms underlying emotions and emotional regulation.
• Role of the gut-brain axis in psychological well-being.

Cancer Biology Research Topics 

• Targeted therapies in precision cancer medicine.
• Tumor microenvironment and its influence on cancer progression.
• Epigenetic modifications in cancer development and therapy.
• Immune checkpoint inhibitors and their role in cancer immunotherapy.
• Early detection and diagnosis strategies for various types of cancer.

Also read: Cancer research topics

Cell Biology Research Topics

• Mechanisms of autophagy and its implications in health and disease.
• Intracellular transport and organelle dynamics in cell function.
• Role of cell signaling pathways in cellular response to external stimuli.
• Cell cycle regulation and its relevance to cancer development.
• Cellular mechanisms of apoptosis and programmed cell death.

Developmental Biology Research Topics 

• Genetic and molecular basis of limb development in vertebrates.
• Evolution of embryonic development and its impact on morphological diversity.
• Stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine approaches.
• Mechanisms of organogenesis and tissue regeneration in animals.
• Role of non-coding RNAs in developmental processes.

Also read: Education research topics

Human Biology Research Topics

• Genetic factors influencing susceptibility to infectious diseases.
• Human microbiome and its impact on health and disease.
• Genetic basis of rare and common human diseases.
• Genetic and environmental factors contributing to aging.
• Impact of lifestyle and diet on human health and longevity.

Molecular Biology Research Topics 

• CRISPR-Cas gene editing technology and its applications.
• Non-coding RNAs as regulators of gene expression.
• Role of epigenetics in gene regulation and disease.
• Mechanisms of DNA repair and genome stability.
• Molecular basis of cellular metabolism and energy production.

Research Topics in Biology for Undergraduates

• 41. Investigating the effects of pollutants on local plant species.
• Microbial diversity and ecosystem functioning in a specific habitat.
• Understanding the genetics of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
• Impact of urbanization on bird populations and biodiversity.
• Investigating the role of pheromones in insect communication.

Synthetic Biology Research Topics 

• Design and construction of synthetic biological circuits.
• Synthetic biology applications in biofuel production.
• Ethical considerations in synthetic biology research and applications.
• Synthetic biology approaches to engineering novel enzymes.
• Creating synthetic organisms with modified functions and capabilities.

Animal Biology Research Topics 

• Evolution of mating behaviors in animal species.
• Genetic basis of color variation in butterfly wings.
• Impact of habitat fragmentation on amphibian populations.
• Behavior and communication in social insect colonies.
• Adaptations of marine mammals to aquatic environments.

Also read: Nursing research topics

Best Biology Research Topics 

• Unraveling the mysteries of circadian rhythms in organisms.
• Investigating the ecological significance of cryptic coloration.
• Evolution of venomous animals and their prey.
• The role of endosymbiosis in the evolution of eukaryotic cells.
• Exploring the potential of extremophiles in biotechnology.

Biological Psychology Research Paper Topics

• Neurobiological mechanisms underlying memory formation.
• Impact of sleep disorders on cognitive function and mental health.
• Biological basis of personality traits and behavior.
• Neural correlates of emotions and emotional disorders.
• Role of neuroplasticity in brain recovery after injury.

Biological Science Research Topics: 

• Role of gut microbiota in immune system development.
• Molecular mechanisms of gene regulation during development.
• Impact of climate change on insect population dynamics.
• Genetic basis of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
• Evolutionary relationships among vertebrate species based on DNA analysis.

Biology Education Research Topics 

• Effectiveness of inquiry-based learning in biology classrooms.
• Assessing the impact of virtual labs on student understanding of biology concepts.
• Gender disparities in science education and strategies for closing the gap.
• Role of outdoor education in enhancing students’ ecological awareness.
• Integrating technology in biology education: challenges and opportunities.

Biology-Related Research Topics

• The intersection of ecology and economics in conservation planning.
• Molecular basis of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria.
• Implications of genetic modification of crops for food security.
• Evolutionary perspectives on cooperation and altruism in animal behavior.
• Environmental impacts of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Biology Research Proposal Topics

• Investigating the role of microRNAs in cancer progression.
• Exploring the effects of pollution on aquatic biodiversity.
• Developing a gene therapy approach for a genetic disorder.
• Assessing the potential of natural compounds as anti-inflammatory agents.
• Studying the molecular basis of cellular senescence and aging.

Biology Research Topic Ideas

• Role of pheromones in insect mate selection and behavior.
• Investigating the molecular basis of neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Impact of climate change on plant-pollinator interactions.
• Genetic diversity and conservation of endangered species.
• Evolutionary patterns in mimicry and camouflage in organisms.

Biology Research Topics for Undergraduates 

• Effects of different fertilizers on plant growth and soil health.
• Investigating the biodiversity of a local freshwater ecosystem.
• Evolutionary origins of a specific animal adaptation.
• Genetic diversity and disease susceptibility in human populations.
• Role of specific genes in regulating the immune response.

Cell and Molecular Biology Research Topics 

• Molecular mechanisms of DNA replication and repair.
• Role of microRNAs in post-transcriptional gene regulation.
• Investigating the cell cycle and its control mechanisms.
• Molecular basis of mitochondrial diseases and therapies.
• Cellular responses to oxidative stress and their implications in ageing.

These topics cover a broad range of subjects within biology, offering plenty of options for research projects. Remember that you can further refine these topics based on your specific interests and research goals.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are some good research topics in biology?

A good research topic in biology will address a specific problem in any of the several areas of biology, such as marine biology, molecular biology, cellular biology, animal biology, or cancer biology.

A topic that enables you to investigate a problem in any area of biology will help you make a meaningful contribution. 

How to choose a research topic in biology?

Choosing a research topic in biology is simple. 

Follow the steps:

• Generate potential topics. 
• Consider your areas of knowledge and personal passions. 
• Conduct a thorough review of existing literature.
•  Evaluate the practicality and viability. 
• Narrow down and refine your research query. 
• Remain receptive to new ideas and suggestions.

Who Are We?

For several years, Research Prospect has been offering students around the globe complimentary research topic suggestions. We aim to assist students in choosing a research topic that is both suitable and feasible for their project, leading to the attainment of their desired grades. Explore how our services, including research proposal writing , dissertation outline creation, and comprehensive thesis writing , can contribute to your college’s success.

You May Also Like

Welcome to the most comprehensive resource page of climate change research topics, a crucial field of study central to understanding […]

How many universities in Canada? Over 100 private universities and 96 public ones, the top ones include U of T, UBC, and Western University.

A preliminary literature review is an initial exploration of existing research on a topic, setting the foundation for in-depth study.

Ready to place an order?

USEFUL LINKS

Learning resources, company details.

• How It Works

Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance

Researched by Consultants from Top-Tier Management Companies

Powerpoint Templates

Icon Bundle

Kpi Dashboard

Professional

Business Plans

Swot Analysis

Gantt Chart

Business Proposal

Marketing Plan

Project Management

Business Case

Business Model

Cyber Security

Business PPT

Digital Marketing

Digital Transformation

Human Resources

Product Management

Artificial Intelligence

Company Profile

Acknowledgement PPT

PPT Presentation

Reports Brochures

One Page Pitch

Interview PPT

All Categories

Top 11 Biology Research Proposal Ideas with Samples and Examples (Free PDF Attached)

Hanisha Kapoor

“Cancer cure is finally here! Doctors found the miracle drug! Cancer in all patients vanishes,” these have been some screaming headlines in newspapers in 2022. Even as the discovery of the cure (with many qualifiers as of now) is a miraculous achievement, it took real hard work.

At the centre of any sublime achievement in health sciences is a team of world-class researchers and doctors, who worked hard to draft a biology research proposal idea that got the nod of funding agencies. In the specific example cited above, Dostarlimab, was the drug that was researched.

What we illustrate through this study is the necessity and essentiality of crafting a research proposal that meets its goals and outperforms competition.

Explore this guide to write an impeccable research proposal to ensure you always write a winning proposition, and turn ideas into reality.

In this blog, we study the nuts and bolts of a well-structured presentation. The thing to ensure is that the research proposal covers all bases and leaves nothing to chance.

Biology Research Proposal Ideas Templates to Get Funded for New Discoveries and Advancements

If you want to project new developments and innovation that your research will bring to life, perk up your presentations with SlideTeam’s well-designed PPT Templates. Whether it is about showcasing different experiments or drug testing, incorporate our ready-made PPT Templates to gain that extra edge and purpose.

Persuade reviewers to support your findings using our actionable PowerPoint diagrams.

Writing a thorough dissertation proposal is a stepping stone to excelling in your academic projects. Read this blog and learn more on structuring your thesis.

Browse this collection of PowerPoint slides to make a substantial positive impact on how your research proposal is seen.

Let's begin!

Template 1: Biology Research Proposal PowerPoint Template

This is a 29-slide research proposal PPT diagram to help you put forth your ideas and discoveries in the field of biology. Use these well-crafted PowerPoint Templates to give your audience an overview of the project. You can also showcase steps of your research process, requirements, and other capabilities for completing the study. This ready-made PowerPoint Deck also comprises a slide on Budgeting to help you convince your reviewers to sanction that grant. Download this PPT Template now!

Download this template

Template 2: Biology Cover Letter Research Proposal Idea PPT Slide

As the adage goes, First Impression is the Last Impression . Ensure that you leave a long-lasting impression on your audience with the showcasing of your new research using this engaging PPT Template. Deploy a predesigned and easy-to-use PowerPoint Layout to pitch your client your project idea. Get a head-start from your reviewer and dig deeper into your research with this template as the reference. Download now!

Grab this slide

Template 3: Vision and Mission for Biology Research Proposal PowerPoint Graphic

Want to showcase the aim and goal of your research project? Get this content-ready PPT Template to pen down the vision and mission of your biology research proposal project. Present your future goals and expectations from this study with this fully editable PowerPoint Slide and help your audience comprehend your mission for this project. This PPT diagram can easily be downloaded. Just click the link below and use it as per requirements.

Grab this template

Template 4: Biology Project Objectives PowerPoint Template

What you plan to achieve by the end of the project is what matters the most to the reviewers. Thus, ensure that you highlight the project objectives, which include timelines, budget, etc., with this content-ready PowerPoint Template. Leave no scope for error and uncertainties in your proposal. Get your audience on board with you on your research idea using this customizable PPT slide. Download now!

Template 5: Biology Research Idea Context PPT Diagram

Here is another ready-to-use PowerPoint Template that helps you with the framework of how to contextualize your project. Walk your audience through the strategies you plan to execute to create practical solutions to the problems. Incorporate this fully editable PPT diagram and highlight the best possible treatment, medicines, vaccinations, etc., to combat disease. Use this custom-made PowerPoint Slide and present your detailed study with confidence. Grab this slide now!

Template 6: Methods for Biology Research Proposal PowerPoint Slide

This ready-made PowerPoint Diagram is well designed to help you demonstrate actionable methods that fight diseases. Be methodical and explain each process using this PPT design. Convince reviewers and ensure to get funded for your research with this customizable PowerPoint Graphic. Download now!

Template 7: Roadmap Biology PowerPoint Template

Deploy this preset as a communication tool to draw a painting review of your action plan. Define major tasks and goals and lay out your strategies to achieve those targets. This roadmap PPT Template helps showcase major steps and milestones in your journey. Use this ready-made PowerPoint Graphic as a guide to keep everyone in your team informed on the project status. Download now!

Template 8: Gantt Chart Research Proposal PowerPoint Design

Wish to complete your project on time? Grab this actionable PowerPoint Template and set dates and times for each task. This PPT Template also allows you to keep track of business activities and ensure your project’s timely completion . It is a customizable PowerPoint Diagram to help you change time and date as per requirements. Grab this useful PowerPoint Layout now!

Template 9: Budget Research Proposal PPT Diagram

Struggling to create a budget for your research proposal idea? How about using this illustration to outline a detailed expected project cost? This PPT Template helps you list all activities and the estimated cost of each. Justify your budget and get approval from your stakeholders using this customized PPT Diagram. Download now!

Template 10: Next Steps for Biology Research Proposal PowerPoint Template

Want to seal the deal with researchers for your next biology project? Use this content-ready PowerPoint Template and state the next steps for your study in a professional manner. This PPT Diagram also allows you to include some content. Use this template to  convince your reviewers that you are a step ahead of all possible negative scenarios. Download now!

BONUS SLIDE

Contact us biology research ppt side.

It is impolite not to leave your contact number for your researchers or stakeholders. Thus, ensure you provide a point of contact so that your clients reach out to you without any inconvenience. Deploy this neat, clutter-free PPT Slide to add your address, phone number, and email id. It is a custom-made slide. You can use it as per requirement. Download now!

Justifying and presenting practical ways to study a research problem is a task. Thus, ease the burden and incorporate SlideTeam's ready-made research proposal presentation PPT Templates to showcase your analysis and in-depth research on a subject. These handy PowerPoint Diagrams can be customized with a single click. Download these ready-made and premium PowerPoint Slides from our monthly, semi-annual, annual, annual + custom design subscriptions here .

PS: Wish to present your scholarly literature review in a concise and easy manner? Explore this exclusive guide replete with literature review templates to make sure you reach the public as well, with your authoritative point of view.

FAQs On   Biology Research Proposal Ideas

How to write a research proposal in biology.

Every research proposal is unique and aims to tackle a specific problem statement or hypothesis. It should focus on potentially valuable outcomes, fill in the gaps, and lead to progress of Scientific Knowledge in general. In biology, of course, there is still endless ground to cover in terms of our ability to tackle diseases; the Covid-19 pandemic brought out all our inadequacies to the fore as well.

As the starting point for any effort to improve things, writing an effective research proposal in biology is the key skill to inculcate for hard-core researchers and the academia. Given below are the five key steps we need to master before we put pen to paper for a biology research paper that rocks.

• Study the existing literature
• Narrow the topic down
• Identify keywords
• Formulate the topic

What is the purpose of research in the field of Biology?

Biological scientists conduct research to gain better understanding of life processes and apply that understanding to developing new products and processes. Here, the aim is to know better and deeper, and work to develop novel solutions to diseases. Remember, disease prevention is even more important than developing cures.

How long should a biology proposal be?

A focused and extensive thesis proposal should not be longer than 12 pages of text. Figures and data can be presented on additional pages, if these are critical to the persuasive pitch. Please remember it is purpose of the research proposal, its organization of information and the real-life connect it has that gets it the money. Length of the proposal is required, but a part of the format that every other researcher will have to comply to. You shine when your problem statement and hypothesis are the most relevant.

What are the features of a successful biology research proposal?

A good research proposal must:

• Cover the basics
• Describe the relevance
• Focus on the significance of the research
• Explain the approach
• Highlight your expertise

In short, explaining your approach in a relevant manner is the key differentiator that mark out the successful projects as a class apart. Your sincerity of purpose and attention to detail also has to be evident when it is show-time for presentations.

Download the free Biology Research Proposal .

Related posts:

• How to Design the Perfect Service Launch Presentation [Custom Launch Deck Included]
• Quarterly Business Review Presentation: All the Essential Slides You Need in Your Deck
• [Updated 2023] How to Design The Perfect Product Launch Presentation [Best Templates Included]
• 99% of the Pitches Fail! Find Out What Makes Any Startup a Success

Liked this blog? Please recommend us

Top 10 Impactful Ways of Writing a Research Design Proposal With Samples and Examples

Top 10 Business Loan Proposal Templates to Ensure Funding (Free PDF Attached)

This form is protected by reCAPTCHA - the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Digital revolution powerpoint presentation slides

Sales funnel results presentation layouts

3d men joinning circular jigsaw puzzles ppt graphics icons

Business Strategic Planning Template For Organizations Powerpoint Presentation Slides

Future plan powerpoint template slide

Project Management Team Powerpoint Presentation Slides

Brand marketing powerpoint presentation slides

Launching a new service powerpoint presentation with slides go to market

Agenda powerpoint slide show

Four key metrics donut chart with percentage

Engineering and technology ppt inspiration example introduction continuous process improvement

Meet our team representing in circular format

Cell Biology Preliminary Exam Format

form_preliminary_exam.pdf

Scroll to the bottom of this page for information about prelim practice sessions! 

Research Proposal:

The proposal should be relevant to your anticipated thesis project. A successful written proposal should devise specific research aims that seek to answer an important scientific question, as identified by the student through a careful reading of the literature, including that encountered in formal coursework and lab rotations.

The research proposal will be in the form of an  11 page  research proposal, excluding references. The format of the proposal will consist of 5 sections:

•     Title Page with a brief abstract.
•     Three pages of Historical Background.
•     Specific Aims page.
•     1 - 1.5 pages of Significance and Innovation.
•     4.5 - 5 pages of Research Approach.  

The proposal follows the NIH/NRSA guidelines with the additional 3 page historical review.

The formatting should be 11-point Arial with 0.5-inch margins on left, right, top, and bottom and single spaced.

The proposal is to be emailed as a PDF document to the DGS and committee members  10 days  before your scheduled exam date. Your DGS's E-mail is:  [email protected] .

The oral exam is scheduled to last 2 hours and begins with the student's brief 20-minute PowerPoint presentation of the proposal, in sufficient background and experimental detail for the committee to determine significance and feasibility. Following the presentation the exam will primarily focus on a critical evaluation of the research proposal and the student’s background knowledge of Cell Biology as it relates to their coursework and thesis proposal.  This part of the examination is designed to determine the limits of the student’s knowledge and test their ability to think logically and critically.

Research Proposal Tips and Guidelines:

2. Historical Background:  3 pages

The review needs to have a historical perspective, tracing the current project from the key, founding observations to the present, and should highlight the most important discoveries, models and paradigms, detailing why they are significant and how they advanced the field. Your background should:

• Note the key findings that brought the field to its current state.
• Offer a critical perspective - if you feel that the field needs redirection, say so. If you feel that the field is embracing important but untested assumptions, say so. If you feel that particular groups or individuals have made particularly remarkable contributions to the field, say so. If you can identify landmark studies that you feel greatly influenced the field, highlight them and note why they are (were) significant.
• Conclude with how the background has led to the hypothesis or statement of unmet need that will form the basis of your Thesis Proposal and Specific Aims.

3. Specific Aims:  1 page 

State concisely the goals of the proposed research and summarize the expected outcome(s), including the impact that the results of the proposed research will exert on the research field(s) involved.

4. Significance and Innovation:  1 – 1.5 page 

• Explain the importance of the problem or critical barrier to progress in the field that the proposed project addresses.
• Explain how the proposed project will improve scientific knowledge, technical capability in one or more broad fields.
• Describe how the concepts, methods, technologies that drive this field will be changed if the proposed aims are achieved.
• Explain how the application challenges and seeks to shift current research paradigms.
• Describe any novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation or intervention(s) to be developed or used, and any advantage over existing methodologies, instrumentation or intervention(s).
• Explain any refinements, improvements, or new applications of theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation or interventions.

5. Approach:  4.5 – 5 pages

• Describe the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the project.
• Discuss how the data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted.
• Discuss potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success anticipated to achieve the aims.

** A note on preliminary data:  A student is allowed to utilize their own preliminary data related to their proposal, however,  preliminary data is not required or expected for this exam.   Properly cited published data from others can and should be used to inform project feasibility.

Q: So, what is a practice exam, and why should I consider doing one?

A:  the practice exam group is essentially two fold....

Part 1:  Before prelim season, we go through what to expect in a prelim, how to prepare, what goes in your document, choosing your committee, best practices in designing your talk, etc. This all happens over the course of two-three meetings.

Part 2:  During prelim season, we have each second year schedule a practice prelim. In this practice, the student presents their project to their peers. The audience (open to any cell bio student) probes the presenters knowledge and understanding of their project by asking questions, ideally similar to what they experienced in their prelim.

The benefit to all of this is  for the prelim-ers to know what to expect, diminish nerves, encourage better preparation, and provide a support system during this stressful process. For the older students, this group provides a productive way to interact with and meet the second years, serve as mentors, share their experiences, see what other labs in the department are starting to work on, and promoted a scientific community for the department. 

• Learn English
• Universities
• Practice Tests
• Study Abroad
• Knowledge Centre
• Ask Experts
• Study Abroad Consultants
• Post Content

Biology Research Proposal: Guidelines and Examples

This article will give you the guidelines on how to write a good research proposal. Furthermore, if you lack idea's for writing a research proposal in the field of Biology/Life science, you will find many idea's in this article which you can use to write a project proposal of your own.

Writing a good research proposal is part and parcel in the life of an academician, student, scientist. You may need to write research proposals for PhD applications, for scholarships, for post-doctoral fellowships, as well as for getting grants and funding. Guidelines You may be very intelligent and have an excellent idea but to convince others about your idea, you need to present it excellently. First of all of you need to plan out every detail of your idea, so that you can predict timeline, requirements and most importantly what all you can infer from your data. Secondly you need to write it out in such a manner that you convince the pioneers of your field that your idea is excellent and it should definitely be translated into actual research. While in some cases the format and word limit of the proposals is mentioned, in other cases you have to write according to your own judgement. The format of a research proposal should include the following basics. 1. Title: The title should be precise and unassuming. Do not write – 'To develop cure for cancer' if in actually you want to check metastatic properties of X compound. A proposal is the not place where you want to make an interesting title that doesn't speak sufficiently about the project. Don't write – 'How do lysosomes eat?' if your project is about pathways involved in degradation inside lysosomes. Be scientific. Don't make the title too lengthy such that it is difficult to understand. 2. Abstract / Summary: In most cases the person reviewing your proposal will decide to read the entire proposal only on the basis of your abstract. So your abstract should be succinct and catchy at the same time. Ideally don't let it exceed 250 words. Avoid excess of technical details in the abstract and emphasize more on the idea and its significance. 3. Significance: Write exactly why is your idea so important. What are the reasons that such research should definitely be carried out. What is the benefit from the research going to be? 4. Objectives/ Aims: Write down the different objectives and aims that are included in your project. It is preferable to break down your project into sections and give each of them a heading – these can act as your objectives/aims. 5. Background / Literature review: Here in put in all the data that has led to the idea. Give proper references for all of the information. Make sure that it flows in logical order and it is possible to connect the statements to each other. If possible divide the background into subheadings all of which reflect the individual objectives. Subheadings can also be made according to any other suitable factors. The background should only include what is relevant for your project and not excess details – e.g. you want to characterize expression level using RT-PCR. So don't start with history of RT-PCR etc., just give a few examples(along with references) wherein RT-PCR has been used for the same purpose. 6. Methodology: This is where you finally explain how you intend to go about your work. The level of detail depends upon the requirements of the reviewer. Usually for grants high level of detail is required in this step. Explain the methodology of each objective in explicit detail. Any references used in section should be properly mentioned. It is also advisable to include a timeline in this section. The timeline should show how much time will be required for each step (e.g. 1st objective – 6months, 2nd objective – 2 years etc.). It is ideal to include a flow chart that illustrates your methodology as well as timeline. Herein you should also include the expected results as well as what interpretations can be made from those results. Furthermore, you need to add what you would do next if you achieve those results – whatever they might be. 7. References: Make a list of all the references used in the proposal. They should be in any one of the standard formats such as APA or Harvard Style referencing. They can be ordered either alphabetically or according to order in which they appear in the proposal. There shouldn't be difference in font or format in the entire reference list. The references should not include general websites such as Wikipedia or blogs, they can include books and journal articles. Your proposal should be easy read. Highlight all the important points so that a person skimming through it is also able to get the complete gist. Always maintain flow of thought while writing. Double check your work for grammatical errors and typos as they leave a very bad impression on the reviewer. Make sure that any figures, tables or flow charts included in the proposal are properly labelled. Examples For those of you struggling for a good idea to write a proposal on here are a few suggestions: 1. Gene/protein characterization (Molecular Biology) : Pick your favourite pathway and see if any gene's functions are still not known completely. Many times books mention such genes/proteins which have still not been worked on much. Gene characterization can involve – its expression levels, whether it is under an inducible promoter or constitutive promoter, which all cells/tissues it expresses in, which developmental stage it expresses in, effect of knockdown/knockout of the gene etc. Protein characterization – in addition to the previous steps one include – structure, location within the cell, presence of PTMs, interacting partners etc. 2. Checking various properties of particular compound(s) (Biochemistry) : Pick a medicinal plant that has not been worked on much and check the properties of its extracts. These could include antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-viral, anti-cancer, etc. You can include further characterization of the extracts that give any positive result to identify the exact compound (by TLC, GC-MS, reagent based tests etc.). 3. Genome analysis for particular traits (Genomics/Bioinformatics) : You can compare genomes of species of economical or medical interest to find out different things such as difference in pathways, presence of homologs etc. You can either compare host and pathogen genomes or you can compare genomes of wild and true bred varieties of crop plants, or genomes of different types of parasite that attack the same host etc. 4. Effect of environmental factors on organisms (Environmental ecology/microbiology) : There are so many pollutants and chemicals in our environment. Pick one or few and develop a hypothesis on how they affect the local fauna and flora. Design experiments that can prove your hypothesis. 5. Population level studies: You can write a proposal about metagenomic studies carried out in different locations. E.g. Archaebacteria in swamp areas, fungi in Antarctic, bacteria in deep sea vents etc.

Related Articles

Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease - ulcerative colitis and crohn's disease, heaven meets the sea : goa, poly cystic ovaraian syndrome / disease (pcos/ pcod) : how do i know, infectious diseases and vaccination schedule for child and its significance, infectious diseases, vaccination schedule for child and its significance, pleural mesothelioma: disease overview, signs and symptoms of chickenpox disease, heart transplantation in valvular heart disease, osteoporosis : a disease of old age and post menopausal women, benign enlargement of prostate : a common disease of ageing in men.

More articles: Sea

I just wanted to add some more ideas in the area of biotechnology. Research on new genes and molecules and especially designing these in computer software may help in finding the medicines speedy. Also evolution of good and bad germs which affect and causes HIV, HINI, cancer to human beings, animals and plants. I hope the above ideas may also suit those who wanted to pursue their research in biology/bio technology. Also recently I read an article that, in India, the researchers are very less in this area.

I am trying to come up with a proposal for biological science project for my bachelors degree. Please give me some examples.

• Do not include your name, "with regards" etc in the comment. Write detailed comment, relevant to the topic.
• No HTML formatting and links to other web sites are allowed.
• This is a strictly moderated site. Absolutely no spam allowed.

Top Contributors

• Neeru Bhatt (20)
• Partha K. (8)
• Umesh (273)
• DR.N.V. Sriniva... (190)
• Neeru Bhatt (182)

About IndiaStudyChannel.com

Being the most popular educational website in India, we believe in providing quality content to our readers. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any content published here, feel free to contact us using the Contact link below.

• Admissions Consulting
• Adsense Revenue
• Become an Editor
• Membership Levels
• Winners & Awards
• Guest Posting
• Help Topics

STUDY ABROAD

• Study in Foreign Universities
• Study in Germany
• Study in Italy
• Study in Ireland
• Study in France
• Study in Australia
• Study in New Zealand
• Indian Universities
• Nursing in Mangalapuram
• BDS in Mangalore
• MBA in Bangalore
• Nursing admissions in Mangalore
• Distance MBA
• B Pharm in Mangalore
• MBBS in Mangalore
• BBA in Mangalore
• MBA Digital Marketing
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

Promoted by: SpiderWorks Technologies, Kochi - India. ©

200+ Unique And Interesting Biology Research Topics For Students In 2023

Are you curious about the fascinating world of biology and its many research possibilities? Well, you are in the right place! In this blog, we will explore biology research topics, exploring what biology is, what constitutes a good research topic, and how to go about selecting the perfect one for your academic journey.

So, what exactly is biology? Biology is the study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment. It includes everything from the tiniest cells to the largest ecosystems, making it a diverse and exciting field of study.

Stay tuned to learn more about biology research topics as we present over 200 intriguing research ideas for students, emphasizing the importance of selecting the right one. In addition, we will also share resources to make your quest for the perfect topic a breeze. Let’s embark on this scientific journey together!

If you are having trouble with any kind of assignment or task, do not worry—we can give you the best microbiology assignment help at a value price. Additionally, you may look at nursing project ideas .

What Is Biology?

Table of Contents

Biology is the study of living things, like animals, plants, and even tiny organisms too small to see. It helps us understand how these living things work and how they interact with each other and their environment. Biologists, or scientists who study biology, explore topics like how animals breathe, how plants grow, and how our bodies function. By learning about biology, we can better care for the Earth and all its living creatures.

What Is A Good Biology Research Topic?

A good biology research topic is a question or problem in the field of biology that scientists want to investigate and learn more about. It should be interesting and important, like studying how a new medicine can treat a disease or how animals adapt to changing environments. The topic should also be specific and clear, so researchers can focus on finding answers. Additionally, it’s helpful if the topic hasn’t been studied extensively before, so the research can contribute new knowledge to the field of biology and help us better understand the natural world.

Tips For Choosing A Biology Research Topics

Here are some tips for choosing a biology research topics:

1. Choose What Interests You

When picking a biology research topic, go for something that you personally find fascinating and enjoyable. When you’re genuinely curious about it, you’ll be more motivated to study and learn.

2. Select a Significant Topic

Look for a subject in biology that has real-world importance. Think about whether your research can address practical issues, like finding cures for diseases or understanding environmental problems. Research that can make a positive impact is usually a good choice.

3. Check If It’s Doable

Consider if you have the necessary tools and time to carry out your research. It’s essential to pick a topic that you can actually study with the resources available to you.

4. Add Your Unique Perspective

Try to find a fresh or different angle for your research. While you can build upon existing knowledge, bringing something new or unique to the table can make your research more exciting and valuable.

5. Seek Guidance

Don’t hesitate to ask for advice from your teachers or experienced researchers. They can provide you with valuable insights and help you make a smart decision when choosing your research topic in biology.

Biology Research Topics For College Students

1. Investigating the role of genetic mutations in cancer development.

2. Analyzing the impact of climate changes on wildlife populations.

3. Studying the ecology of invasive species in urban environments.

4. Investigating the microbiome of the human gut and its relationship to health.

5. Analyzing the genetic diversity of endangered species for conservation.

6. Studying the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

7. Investigating the ecological consequences of deforestation.

8. Analyzing the behavior and communication of social insects like ants and bees.

9. Studying the physiology of extreme environments, such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents.

10. Investigating the molecular mechanisms of cell division and mitosis.

Plant Biology Research Topics For College Students

11. Studying the impact of different fertilizers on crop yields and soil health.

12. Analyzing the genetics of plant resistance to pests and diseases.

13. Investigating the role of plant hormones in growth and development.

14. Studying the adaptation of plants to drought conditions.

15. Analyzing the ecological interactions between plants and pollinators.

16. Investigating the use of biotechnology to enhance crop traits.

17. Studying the genetics of plant breeding for improved varieties.

18. Analyzing the physiology of photosynthesis and carbon fixation in plants.

19. Investigating the effects of soil microbiota on plant health.

20. Studying the evolution of plant species in response to changing environments.

Biotechnology Research Topics For College Students

21. Investigating the use of CRISPR-Cas9 technology for genome editing.

22. Analyzing the production of biofuels from microorganisms.

23. Studying the application of biotechnology in medicine, such as gene therapy.

24. Investigating the use of bioplastics as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics.

25. Analyzing the role of biotechnology in food production, including GMOs.

26. Studying the development of biopharmaceuticals and monoclonal antibodies.

27. Investigating the use of bioremediation to clean up polluted environments.

28. Studying the potential of synthetic biology for creating novel organisms.

29. Analyzing the ethical and social implications of biotechnological advancements.

30. Investigating the use of biotechnology in forensic science, such as DNA analysis.

Molecular Biology Research Topics For Undergraduates

31. Studying the structure and function of DNA and RNA molecules.

32. Analyzing the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotic cells.

33. Investigating the mechanisms of DNA replication and repair.

34. Studying the role of non-coding RNAs in gene regulation.

35. Analyzing the molecular basis of genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis.

36. Investigating the epigenetic modifications that control gene activity.

37. Studying the molecular mechanisms of protein folding and misfolding.

38. Analyzing the molecular pathways involved in cancer progression.

39. Investigating the molecular basis of neurodegenerative diseases.

40. Studying the use of molecular markers in genetic diversity analysis.

Life Science Research Topics For High School Students

41. Investigating the effects of different diets on human health.

42. Analyzing the impact of exercise on cardiovascular fitness.

43. Studying the genetics of inherited traits and diseases.

44. Investigating the ecological interactions in a local ecosystem.

45. Analyzing the diversity of microorganisms in soil or water samples.

46. Studying the anatomy and physiology of a specific organ or system.

47. Investigating the life cycle of a local plant or animal species.

48. Studying the effects of environmental pollutants on aquatic organisms.

49. Analyzing the behavior of a specific animal species in its habitat.

50. Investigating the process of photosynthesis in plants.

Biology Research Topics For Grade 12

51. Investigating the genetic basis of a specific inherited disorder.

52. Analyzing the impact of climate change on a local ecosystem.

53.Studying the biodiversity of a particular rainforest region.

54. Investigating the physiological adaptations of animals to extreme temperatures.

55. Analyzing the effects of pollution on aquatic ecosystems.

56. Studying the life history and conservation status of an endangered species.

57. Investigating the molecular mechanisms of a specific disease.

58. Studying the ecological interactions within a coral reef ecosystem.

59. Analyzing the genetics of plant hybridization and speciation.

60. Investigating the behavior and communication of a particular bird species.

Marine Biology Research Topics

61. Studying the impact of ocean acidification on coral reefs.

62. Analyzing the migration patterns of marine mammals.

63. Investigating the physiology of deep-sea creatures under high pressure.

64. Studying the ecology of phytoplankton and their role in the marine food web.

65. Analyzing the behavior of different species of sharks.

66. Investigating the conservation of sea turtle populations.

67. Studying the biodiversity of deep-sea hydrothermal vent communities.

68. Analyzing the effects of overfishing on marine ecosystems.

69. Investigating the adaptation of marine organisms to extreme cold in polar regions.

70. Studying the bioluminescence and communication in marine organisms.

AP Biology Research Topics

71. Investigating the role of specific enzymes in cellular metabolism.

72. Analyzing the genetic variation within a population.

73. Studying the mechanisms of hormonal regulation in animals.

74. Investigating the principles of Mendelian genetics through trait analysis.

75. Analyzing the ecological succession in a local ecosystem.

76. Studying the physiology of the human circulatory system.

77. Investigating the molecular biology of a specific virus.

78. Studying the principles of natural selection through evolutionary simulations.

79. Analyzing the genetic diversity of a plant species in different habitats.

80. Investigating the effects of different environmental factors on plant growth.

Cell Biology Research Topics

81. Investigating the role of mitochondria in cellular energy production.

82. Analyzing the mechanisms of cell division and mitosis.

83. Studying the function of cell membrane proteins in signal transduction.

84. Investigating the cellular processes involved in apoptosis (cell death).

85. Analyzing the role of endoplasmic reticulum in protein synthesis and folding.

86. Studying the dynamics of the cytoskeleton and cell motility.

87. Investigating the regulation of cell cycle checkpoints.

88. Analyzing the structure and function of cellular organelles.

89. Studying the molecular mechanisms of DNA replication and repair.

90. Investigating the impact of cellular stress on cell health and function.

Human Biology Research Topics

91. Analyzing the genetic basis of inherited diseases in humans.

92. Investigating the physiological responses to exercise and physical activity.

93. Studying the hormonal regulation of the human reproductive system.

94. Analyzing the impact of nutrition on human health and metabolism.

95. Investigating the role of the immune system in disease prevention.

96. Studying the genetics of human evolution and migration.

97. Analyzing the neural mechanisms underlying human cognition and behavior.

98. Investigating the molecular basis of aging and age-related diseases.

99. Studying the impact of environmental toxins on human health.

100. Analyzing the genetics of organ transplantation and tissue compatibility.

Molecular Biology Research Topics

101. Investigating the role of microRNAs in gene regulation.

102. Analyzing the molecular basis of genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis.

103. Studying the epigenetic modifications that control gene expression.

104. Investigating the molecular mechanisms of RNA splicing.

105. Analyzing the role of telomeres in cellular aging.

106. Studying the molecular pathways involved in cancer metastasis.

107. Investigating the molecular basis of neurodegenerative diseases.

108. Studying the molecular interactions in protein-protein networks.

109. Analyzing the molecular mechanisms of DNA damage and repair.

110. Investigating the use of CRISPR-Cas9 for genome editing.

Animal Biology Research Topics

111. Studying the behavior and communication of social insects like ants.

112. Analyzing the physiology of hibernation in mammals.

113. Investigating the ecological interactions in a predator-prey relationship.

114. Studying the adaptations of animals to extreme environments.

115. Analyzing the genetics of inherited traits in animal populations.

116. Investigating the impact of climate change on animal migration patterns.

117. Studying the diversity of marine life in coral reef ecosystems.

118. Analyzing the physiology of flight in birds and bats.

119. Investigating the molecular basis of animal coloration and camouflage.

120. Studying the behavior and conservation of endangered species.

• Neuroscience Research Topics
• Mental Health Research Topics

Plant Biology Research Topics

121. Investigating the role of plant hormones in growth and development.

122. Analyzing the genetics of plant resistance to pests and diseases.

123. Climate change and plant phenology are being examined.

124. Investigating the ecology of mycorrhizal fungi and their symbiosis with plants.

125. Investigating plant photosynthesis and carbon fixing.

126. Molecular analysis of plant stress responses.

127. Investigating the adaptation of plants to drought conditions.

128. Studying the role of plants in phytoremediation of polluted environments.

129. Analyzing the genetics of plant hybridization and speciation.

130. Investigating the molecular basis of plant-microbe interactions.

Environmental Biology Research Topics

131. Analyzing the effects of pollution on aquatic ecosystems.

132. Investigating the biodiversity of a particular ecosystem.

133. Studying the ecological consequences of deforestation.

134. Analyzing the impact of climate change on wildlife populations.

135. Investigating the use of bioremediation to clean up polluted sites.

136. Studying the environmental factors influencing species distribution.

137. Analyzing the effects of habitat fragmentation on wildlife.

138. Investigating the ecology of invasive species in new environments.

139. Studying the conservation of endangered species and habitats.

140. Analyzing the interactions between humans and urban ecosystems.

Chemical Biology Research Topics

141. Investigating the design and synthesis of new drug compounds.

142. Analyzing the molecular mechanisms of enzyme catalysis.

143.Studying the role of small molecules in cellular signaling pathways.

144. Investigating the development of chemical probes for biological research.

145. Studying the chemistry of protein-ligand interactions.

146. Analyzing the use of chemical biology in cancer therapy.

147. Investigating the synthesis of bioactive natural products.

148. Studying the role of chemical compounds in microbial interactions.

149. Analyzing the chemistry of DNA-protein interactions.

150. Investigating the chemical basis of drug resistance in pathogens.

Medical Biology Research Topics

151. Investigating the genetic basis of specific diseases like diabetes.

152. Analyzing the mechanisms of drug resistance in bacteria.

153. Studying the molecular mechanisms of autoimmune diseases.

154. Investigating the development of personalized medicine approaches.

155. Studying the role of inflammation in chronic diseases.

156. Analyzing the genetics of rare diseases and genetic syndromes.

157. Investigating the molecular basis of viral infections and vaccines.

158. Studying the mechanisms of organ transplantation and rejection.

159. Analyzing the molecular diagnostics of cancer.

160. Investigating the biology of stem cells and regenerative medicine.

Evolutionary Biology Research Topics

161. Studying the evolution of human ancestors and early hominids.

162. The genetic variety of species and between species is being looked at.

163. Investigating the role of sexual selection in animal evolution.

164. Studying the co-evolutionary relationships between parasites and hosts.

165. Analyzing the evolutionary adaptations of extremophiles.

166. Investigating the evolution of developmental processes (evo-devo).

167. Studying the biogeography and distribution of species.

168. Analyzing the evolution of mimicry in animals and plants.

169. Investigating the genetics of speciation and hybridization.

170. Studying the evolutionary history of domesticated plants and animals.

Cellular Biology Research Topics

171. Investigating the role of autophagy in cellular homeostasis.

172. Analyzing the mechanisms of cellular transport and trafficking.

173. Studying the regulation of cell adhesion & migration.

174. Investigating the cellular responses to DNA damage.

175. Analyzing the dynamics of cellular membrane structures.

176. Studying the role of cellular organelles in lipid metabolism.

177. Investigating the molecular mechanisms of cell-cell communication.

178. Studying the physiology of cellular respiration and energy production.

179. Analyzing the cellular mechanisms of viral entry and replication.

180. Investigating the role of cellular senescence in aging and disease.

Good Biology Research Topics Related To Brain Injuries

181. Analyzing the molecular mechanisms of traumatic brain injury.

182. Investigating the role of neuroinflammation in brain injury recovery.

183. Studying the impact of concussions on long-term brain health.

184. Analyzing the use of neuroimaging in diagnosing brain injuries.

185. Investigating the development of neuroprotective therapies.

186. Studying the genetics of susceptibility to brain injuries.

187. Analyzing the cognitive and behavioral effects of brain trauma.

188. Investigating the role of rehabilitation in brain injury recovery.

189. Studying the cellular and molecular changes in axonal injury.

190. Looking into how stem cell therapy might be used to help brain injuries.

Biology Quantitative Research Topics

191. Investigating the mathematical modeling of population dynamics.

192. Analyzing the statistical methods for biodiversity assessment.

193. Studying the use of bioinformatics in genomics research.

194. Investigating the quantitative analysis of gene expression data.

195. Studying the mathematical modeling of enzyme kinetics.

196. Analyzing the statistical approaches for epidemiological studies.

197. Investigating the use of computational tools in phylogenetics.

198. Studying the mathematical modeling of ecological systems.

199. Analyzing the quantitative analysis of protein-protein interactions.

200. Investigating the statistical methods for analyzing genetic variation.

Importance Of Choosing The Right Biology Research Topics

Here are some importance of choosing the right biology research topics: 

1. Relevance to Your Interests and Goals

Choosing the right biology research topic is important because it should align with your interests and goals. Studying something you’re passionate about keeps you motivated and dedicated to your research.

2. Contribution to Scientific Knowledge

Your research should contribute something valuable to the world of science. Picking the right topic means you have the chance to discover something new or solve a problem, advancing our understanding of the natural world.

3. Availability of Resources

Consider the resources you have or can access. If you pick a topic that demands resources you don’t have, your research may hit a dead end. Choosing wisely means you can work efficiently.

4. Feasibility and Manageability

A good research topic should be manageable within your time frame and capabilities. If it’s too broad or complex, you might get overwhelmed. Picking the right topic ensures your research is doable.

5. Real-World Impact

Think about how your research might benefit the real world. Biology often has implications for health, the environment, or society. Choosing a topic with practical applications can make your work meaningful and potentially change lives.

Resources For Finding Biology Research Topics

There are numerous resources for finding biology research topics:

1. Online Databases

Look on websites like PubMed and Google Scholar. They have lots of biology articles. Type words about what you like to find topics.

2. Academic Journals

Check biology magazines. They talk about new research. You can find ideas and see what’s important.

3. University Websites

Colleges show what their teachers study. Find teachers who like what you like. Ask them about ideas for your own study.

4. Science News and Magazines

Read science news. They tell you about new things in biology. It helps you think of research ideas.

5. Join Biology Forums and Communities

Talk to other people who like biology online. You can ask for ideas and find friends to help you. Use websites like ResearchGate and Reddit for this.

Conclusion 

Biology Research Topics offer exciting opportunities for exploration and learning. We’ve explained what biology is and stressed the importance of picking a good research topic. Our tips and extensive list of over 200 biology research topics provide valuable guidance for students.

Selecting the right topic is more than just getting good grades; it’s about making meaningful contributions to our understanding of life. We’ve also shared resources to help you discover even more topics. So, embrace the world of biology research, embark on a journey of discovery, and be part of the ongoing effort to unravel the mysteries of the natural world.

Related Posts

Step by Step Guide on The Best Way to Finance Car

The Best Way on How to Get Fund For Business to Grow it Efficiently

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS. A lock ( Lock Locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB)

View guidelines, important information for proposers.

All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in this funding opportunity and in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the proposal is being submitted. It is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets these requirements. Submitting a proposal prior to a specified deadline does not negate this requirement.

Supports postdoctoral fellows in selected areas of the life sciences who focus on broadening participation of underrepresented groups in biology; study the rules governing interactions between genomes, environments and phenotypes; or study plant genomes.

The Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) awards Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB) to recent recipients of the doctoral degree for research and training in  selected  areas supported by BIO and with special goals for human resource development in biology. For proposals under this solicitation, these areas are  (1) Broadening Participation of Groups Underrepresented in Biology, (2) Integrative Research Investigating the Rules of Life Governing Interactions Between Genomes, Environment and Phenotypes, and (3) Plant Genome Postdoctoral Research Fellowships.  

The fellowships encourage independence at an early stage of the research career to permit Fellows to pursue their research and training goals in the most appropriate research locations in collaboration with sponsoring scientists. It is expected that the sponsoring scientists will actively mentor the Fellows and will greatly benefit from collaborating with these talented early-career scientists and incorporating them into their research groups. The research and training plan of each fellowship must address important scientific questions within the scope of BIO and the specific guidelines in this fellowship program solicitation. Because the fellowships are offered to postdoctoral scientists only early in their careers, NSF encourages doctoral students to discuss the availability of these postdoctoral fellowships with their doctoral mentors and potential postdoctoral sponsors early in their doctoral programs to take full advantage of this funding opportunity. Fellowships are awards to individuals, not institutions, and are administered by the Fellows. 

Updates and announcements

Faqs on submitting postdoctoral research fellowships in biology (prfb) proposals, prfb virtual office hours, program contacts, program events.

• September 21, 2023 - PRFB Virtual Office Hours
• September 19, 2023 - PRFB Virtual Office Hours
• September 13, 2023 - MCB Virtual Office Hour: Postdoctoral Research Fellowships…
• September 13, 2023 - PRFB Virtual Office Hours
• March 21, 2023 - Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI) Virtual Office…
• November 16, 2021 - Q&A Session for the Postdoctoral Research Fellowships…
• September 8, 2021 - Post-doctoral Research Fellowships in Biology
• October 9, 2020 - Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology Webinars
• October 6, 2020 - Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology Webinars

Additional program resources

• How to Apply for Fellowship Applicants
• Sponsoring Scientist Statement Instructions
• Reference Letter Author Submission Guide
• For Current PRFB Fellows: PRFB Administrative guide (NSF 22-109)
• For PRFB Applicants: PRFB Administrative Guide (NSF 23-137)

Awards made through this program

Organization(s).

• Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO)

Department of Biology

Forbes-Lea Research Fund

The Forbes–Lea Endowed Fund honors the memory of two great professors of Biology at Portland State University: vertebrate biologist Dr. Richard B. Forbes, and cell physiologist Dr. Malcolm Lea. A fund was started in their honor in 1998 in order to support student research efforts. Interest from the endowed fund is now sufficient to accomplish that goal.

It is anticipated that for this year there will be no more than approximately 7–10 proposals funded, but the number of awards and level of funding depend on number and amounts of requests, as well as the return from the endowment, having historically run between $400 and $1,000 each. Include your FULL BUDGET and indicate how expenses not covered by a Forbes Lea award will be covered.

Funds awarded must be spent by April 30 of the following year barring exceptional circumstances. In case of limited funding being available, second–time awards and travel to conferences will receive lower priority. In keeping with the spirit of student inquiry encouraged by these great professors, the Forbes–Lea Research Fund will support a limited number of student projects that best fit the following criteria:

• Are the hypotheses clearly enunciated within the framework of hypothesis testing?
• Will the research plan as outlined lead to adequate testing of the hypotheses?
• Is the science sound?
• Is the problem to be addressed well researched and placed within a historical context?
• Is the research innovative and significant?
• Are the project goals clearly stated and realistic within the time frame proposed?

Proposal Instructions

Apply via this form .

Deadline: Applications due Feb. 28, 2023.

First Page: title, name of investigator, name of research sponsor, amount requested, and abstract of proposed research, including significance of proposed research.

Research Proposal: limit of three pages of text and figures, on standard 8.5 by 11 inch (21.6 by 27.9 cm) paper with no less than 1 inch (2.54 cm) margins all around, no smaller than 11 point font (no more than 15 characters per inch), and no less than single space (six lines of type per inch).

The proposed investigation must address the criteria outlined above and be sufficiently detailed so as to be evaluated by biological scientists potentially outside the area of expertise of the investigator.

In brief, the description should provide a clear statement of the work to be undertaken, objectives for the period of the proposed work, expected significance, relation to longer–term goals of the investigator’s project; and relation to the present state of knowledge in the field and to work in progress by the investigator and elsewhere. The description should outline the general plan of work, including the broad design of activities to be undertaken, and provide a clear description of methods and procedures, plans for anticipated data (results), samples, physical collections, and other potential products. A separate section on the broader impacts of Literature cited: no limit on citations; literature cited is separately paginated and does not count against the three page limit of the research proposal.

Budget: Up to one page for budget, one additional page for justification (two pages maximum for budget and justification). INCLUDE YOUR FULL BUDGET even if it is more than $1,000. Please indicate how expenses above the Forbes Lea award will be covered. The most common items eligible for funding would be consumable supplies or expendable equipment, living expenses in the field or at a research station, and travel expenses. Please use estimates of actual expenses. The budget must clearly show the amounts and purposes of all expenditures.

Letter of Support:  A letter of support from your graduate advisor is required. The form is available here .

Advice to a Young Mathematical Biologist

• Perspectives
• Open access
• Published: 09 April 2024
• Volume 86 , article number  52 , ( 2024 )

Cite this article

You have full access to this open access article

• Paul A. Roberts   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-5293-6431 1  

1767 Accesses

26 Altmetric

Explore all metrics

This paper offers advice to early-mid career researchers in Mathematical Biology from ten past and current Presidents of the Society for Mathematical Biology. The topics covered include deciding if a career in academia is right for you; finding and working with a mentor; building collaborations and working with those from other disciplines; formulating a research question; writing a paper; reviewing papers; networking; writing fellowship or grant proposals; applying for faculty positions; and preparing and giving lectures. While written with mathematical biologists in mind, it is hoped that this paper will be of use to early and mid career researchers across the mathematical, physical and life sciences, as they embark on careers in these disciplines.

Similar content being viewed by others

Eighty Years of the Finite Element Method: Birth, Evolution, and Future

Wing Kam Liu, Shaofan Li & Harold S. Park

A Beginners Guide to Estimating the Non-synonymous to Synonymous Rate Ratio of all Protein-Coding Genes in a Genome

First-order differential equations in chemistry.

Gudrun Scholz & Fritz Scholz

Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.

1 Introduction

Early-mid career researchers in Mathematical Biology face a particular set of challenges. As they develop in their career, a number of skills need to be learnt, most of which are not taught in a typical undergraduate degree. In this paper, ten leading mathematical biologists—all current or former Presidents of the Society for Mathematical Biology (SMB)—share their advice on a number of areas of particular interest to early and mid career researchers. While written with mathematical biologists in mind, much of the advice presented here is of relevance to any researcher working in the life, physical or mathematical sciences. It is hoped that this paper will prove a valuable resource to early and mid career researchers as they make the first steps in their academic journey, providing a helping hand from those who have trodden the road before them.

The idea for this paper occurred to me following the excellent past Presidents’ panel discussion, organised by Prof. Heiko Enderling, at the 2023 SMB conference, held at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. This was an inspiring session, with many useful insights shared by some of the greats in the field. It struck me that it would be good to capture the insights from some of these researchers in a permanent way, and that this would be of particular interest and benefit to early/mid career researchers.

All of the living past and current SMB Presidents were contacted, and to those who were able to contribute, a series of questions was posed, inviting their top tips and advice in a number of areas relevant to early/mid career researchers. These questions consisted of a subset of ten specific topics, together with two, more general questions, which were posed to all contributors. Responses were then compiled, ordered and edited to provide coherent guidance in each area.

The advice offered here is not intended to be exhaustive. Rather, it is hoped that this will be a starting point, bringing together guidance on a range of topics into a single place, leaving the reader to explore specific areas in greater depth as desired. As with any advice, it is left to the reader to follow or leave at their discretion.

The title of this article is a homage to Prof. Sir Peter Medawar’s book ‘Advice To A Young Scientist’ (Medawar, 1979 ) and to the later multi-author chapter ‘Advice to a Young Mathematician’ in The Princeton Companion to Mathematics (Atiyah et al., 2008 ); both of which are recommended. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first paper to offer guidance specifically to early/mid career mathematical biologists.

In what follows, we cover ten specific topics: ‘Deciding if a career in academia is right for you’, ‘Finding and working with a mentor’, ‘Building collaborations and working with those from other disciplines’, ‘Formulating a research question’, ‘Writing a paper’, ‘Reviewing papers’, ‘Networking’, ‘Writing fellowship or grant proposals’, ‘Applying for faculty positions’ and ‘Preparing and giving lectures’; together with two general topics: ‘What do you wish you had known when you were an early-mid career researcher?’ and ‘Some final words of advice’. These sections can be read in any order or in isolation, depending on the needs and interests of the reader.

2 Deciding if a Career in Academia is Right for You

Many of us may wonder if the academic path is the right one for us. This question might occur when deciding whether or not to pursue a doctorate, to apply for postdoctoral or faculty positions, or even whether to remain in academia, having obtained a permanent position. Whatever your stage, the following advice may be helpful to bear in mind.

Make a list of things that are important to you, what you want to accomplish in your professional life and what will make you happy going to work every day for the rest of your life.

If you are self-driven, have lots of questions, like to work and meet with people, and like to share your work in different venues (e.g. papers and presentations), you could consider a career in academia.

A career in academia is not easy.

You need to consider what kind of academic you would like to be: more research focused, or more teaching focused. Do you want to have a large or small group, or work at a large or small school?

You also need to consider that there is a lot more to an academic job than what you may have experienced during your undergrad/PhD/postdoc. Talk to PhD students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty to find out what they do from day to day, and get a sense of what the job entails. Learn what they like about their roles and what they wish was different.

Talk to many professionals outside academia about their experiences.

3 Finding and Working with a Mentor

The concept of a mentor is a familiar one, both historically and in popular culture: Plato had Socrates, Luke Skywalker had Obi-Wan Kenobi, Bertrand Russell had Alfred North Whitehead and Frodo had Gandalf. Though familiar, finding and developing such a relationship can be difficult. Here are some expert tips on how to navigate this area.

The mentor is probably the most important part of your academic career.

Finding a mentor

You can find a mentor in many different ways:

Get to know the faculty in your research institution;

Talk to people at conferences;

Participate in mentoring programs.

Have a one-on-one conversation about ideas and what the potential mentor looks for.

Identify what YOU need from a mentor. Make sure that you communicate your needs to a prospective mentor and evaluate if they can help you in your academic journey.

Be honest about your interests.

The best science is not necessarily done by the mentor that best serves your needs, though make sure the research approach of the mentor excites you.

Try to visit and meet members of the potential mentor’s group, talking with former/current students/collaborators/mentees. This is important, not least because it will enable you to check the potential mentor’s reputation. This will also help you to evaluate if their mentorship style is right for you.

Take into account the breadth of the institution, and especially the department, and the potential to interact with others outside the group.

Working with a mentor

Expect the relationship to develop and change over time.

Mentorship can be developed very naturally—through discussion at conferences and workshops, and then some emails in between.

Make time for the relationship to develop in social contexts in connection with or outside of research discussions (e.g. coffee/tea/beer etc. time).

Do not agree to work on a project if it does not align with your interests, but be open to suggestions of new projects or research questions/approaches.

4 Building Collaborations and Working with Those from Other Disciplines

Given the intrinsic interdisciplinarity of mathematical biology, the ability to build and grow fruitful collaborations is key to developing biologically faithful and impactful models. This is not something that is usually taught at the undergraduate level, but rather is learned on-the-job, with a degree of trial-and-error(/-improvement). While this is a rite-of-passage that all mathematical biologists must pass through—and, indeed, a lifelong learning process—here are few tips to smooth the way.

Listen carefully to lectures on topics from other disciplines, and read review papers carefully to identify what questions motivate that discipline/topic. Ask yourself in what way you could contribute to answering such questions using your skill-set.

Learn a lot about the subject matter. Attend experiments when they are being done.

Follow your heart and make the effort to work with people who you find interesting and exciting.

Find someone who is open to theoretical approaches and who is a person with whom you get along really well.

It can take a while to build a good collaboration, so be patient, and invest in a few possible directions. Usually one or another will eventually pan out.

Trust that your collaborators know what they are talking about.

Ask a lot of stupid questions, balancing keeping expectations low with occasional moments of surprising brilliance.

Be clear about shared responsibilities.

Be willing to suppress your ego. Remember that what makes the work interesting is the experiments rather than the theory.

Learn the jargon of the biological discipline(s) relevant to your research.

Explain your ideas in plain English. Do not expect potential collaborators to know or be familiar with mathematical jargon or methods.

Explain what your methods could do to help test hypotheses or to analyse data, or to help with the design of experiments.

Try to get in a situation where you can help design the experiments to provide data needed for analysis.

Biological experiments usually cost a lot of money and take a lot of time. Do not expect that a collaborator will immediately agree to do your favourite experiment. (Sometimes, you have to make-do with data from the literature.)

Be willing to pay any students who may work on the theory and perhaps other costs associated with doing the experiments. Working on joint grants is one way to do this but that takes patience.

5 Formulating a Research Question

As any Douglas Adams fan will know, the key to making discoveries lies in asking the right questions. The following advice may be helpful in deciding upon a research topic and what question(s) to ask.

Find a problem that really interest you, about which you are passionate and want to know the answer, and do not care what others think.

Be driven by the research question, not by the methods you will use.

Find a topic that will potentially expand the field, not something that is just incremental.

There are many kinds of research questions: explaining a puzzling data set; testing a hypothesis for some mechanism; finding some optimal strategy; making a long-term prediction. Each case would imply a different strategy.

To find new interesting quantitative questions, read a number of recent review papers on the topic of your choice. Find sentences such as ‘The mechanism for this observed behaviour is poorly understood’, and look for key areas where a knowledge-gap is identified. Be sure that these questions are not just experimental ones. Be sure that some facts are known and/or some data is available on which to construct your model, for example.

Be open to approach by colleagues from other disciplines. Listen to their ideas and motivation, and assess whether your skills could be useful, or whether other colleagues have just the right tools to be helpful.

6 Writing a Paper

Most mathematical biologists begin by taking an undergraduate degree in mathematics, spending the bulk of their time working through a series of problem sheets. As such, when they come to do a doctorate and begin writing their first paper, it may be some years since they were required to write at any length. Further, the process of writing an academic article is unlike that of writing a secondary/high school essay. The following advice should be of help in providing a possible approach to writing papers, while also highlighting some common pitfalls.

Some general points

Do your literature review well: you do not want to submit a manuscript that is missing important references.

Spend time critically reviewing your results. Do they make sense? What are some questions that reviewers might have? Are any results difficult to understand?

Do not make the paper too long. Figure out what you want to say in a direct way.

A possible approach

Let us assume you have wrapped up an original piece of research and you are ready to write your first paper. The first step is to get your work organized in a logical, convincing fashion. You have probably already done this in preparing for your committee meetings, student presentations and poster sessions. A good MS PowerPoint presentation is a great place to start.

Next, consider the audience you want to reach. Defining your audience will dictate what journal to submit to and also what background information you need to include in the introduction.

Write an outline, using the standard format of a scientific publication.

Title: start with a working title; it may change later.

Abstract: write this last!

Introduction: make an outline, with your target audience in mind.

arrange your research in a logical fashion;

sketch your figures in some detail (and write cogent legends);

consider what tables you will need;

push some results to ‘Supplementary Material’ to stress the main points.

Discussion: make notes along the way, but write this part later.

Now that you are ready to start writing, keep the following Four Cs in mind.

Correct. Everything you write must be scientifically correct, to the best of your knowledge. Check each sentence and every equation. Make sure you have provided the correct parameter values for all your calculations.

Clear. Now that everything is correct, you must communicate your results clearly to your audience. You do not have to tell people what DNA means, but do not skip over important things that the reader needs to know. It is helpful here to get someone else’s point of view—on joint authored papers, it is the responsibility of all authors to make sure that what is written is clear. Some important points to note:

Often papers are not structured in a logical way, and read like a stream of consciousness. Look at the logical structure of your flow of ideas to make sure that your argument will make sense to your readers.

In this regard, basic grammar rules are important, especially coherent paragraphs with topical sentences. Do not let your paragraphs get too long; most long paragraphs can be broken into two or more separate ideas.

Watch how you use pronouns—they can be dangerous. You may know what your pronoun is referring to, but your reader may not. When a reader comes across a pronoun, he/she typically assumes that the pronoun refers to the last noun mentioned in the previous sentence. If the reader has to look further back, he/she will likely get lost. The simple fix is to repeat the noun, so it is absolutely clear what you are talking about.

Another mistake of non-English writers is overloading the subject of a sentence, using too many modifiers for a noun, or other nouns as modifiers of the main noun. It can be difficult for the reader to figure out what the noun of the sentence is, and which words are modifiers. The simple fix is to use prepositional phrases and dependent clauses to expand on a noun, rather than going beyond a few adjectives. For example, ‘the budding yeast cell cycle spindle assembly checkpoint’ should be ‘the spindle assembly checkpoint of the budding-yeast cell cycle’. Another good example of an ‘overloaded noun’ of a sentence is: ‘Initiation and progression of the cell cycle are considered to occur in response to the timely ordered transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and posttranslational regulation of the cell cycle (cyclin/cyclin dependent kinase [CDK]) machinery components ’. The italicised phrase is the object of the passive verb construction ‘are considered to occur in response to’. The object is ‘components’ and the preceding words all modify ‘components’. It would be clearer to write: ‘Progression through the cell cycle is thought to be based on the temporally ordered activation of cyclin/cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs), which are regulated by a complex molecular network of transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational controls’.

Concise. After you are sure your text is correct and clear, then go through it carefully to get rid of annoying repetitions that may have crept in. Pare things down to a minimum without destroying clarity. State your main points several times (in the Abstract, Results and Discussion); as for everything else, just say it once.

Compelling. Finally, polish up the writing. Use MS Word’s thesaurus to find exactly the right word to get your idea across. Make the paper easy/pleasant/attractive to read, so people will recommend it to others.

7 Reviewing Papers

Reviewing your first paper can feel like a daunting task, with a weight of responsibility to make an accurate and fair assessment. The following tips should prove useful both to first time reviewers, and to those with some experience under their belts.

Only accept reviews for manuscripts you are competent to assess.

Make sure you are familiar with other research in the field, so you know how novel the work is.

Do not take on another review if you already have one.

Negotiate with the editor a timeline that suits you and not just them.

Do not allow deadlines to make you do a superficial job.

Try to be fair and write the kind of review you would like to receive.

Read the introduction and discussion first, to get a feel for what the authors want you to get from the paper, then read the whole manuscript to see if the results match with this.

Do not question the motives but focus on the results.

Do not be sucked in by overhype.

Always ask for codes to be shared if they are not already.

8 Networking

Our scientific research is not conducted in isolation, but rather as part of a community. As such, developing relationships with fellow scientists and mathematicians is an important part of any mathematical biologist’s career. Indeed, the contacts we make now could be our future collaborators, reviewers or employers. We often use the word ‘networking’ to denote the practice of making and developing these relationships, particularly in the context of conferences. While most would agree that networking is important, many of us are unsure of how best to go about it. This problem is especially acute for early and mid career researchers, who may wish to speak with senior researchers, but are unsure of how to introduce themselves, or manage the conversation. Here is some advice on how to approach it.

Study the conference program before the meeting. Identify 4–6 people with whom you might be interested in meeting. These include people that are senior to you and also people that may be more junior. Email them ahead of time and schedule meetings during coffee or lunch breaks early in the conference.

Do your homework before approaching a specific scientist. If you have some knowledge of their research, then a simple introduction can be had through a compliment or question about a specific piece of work. All scientists love to discuss their research, so if you have a question or insight to share they almost always want to hear it.

Find an appropriate time to approach someone and be polite. A good time to introduce yourself might be at a reception or poster session; another meeting can always happen after the initial introduction.

Go to poster sessions, or better yet, present a poster. Poster sessions are a great networking opportunity.

Go to after program events (e.g. dinner, drinks and hikes). The best networking happens off campus.

Ask a mentor, or another scientist who knows the researcher you would like to meet to introduce you and help break the ice.

9 Writing Fellowship or Grant Proposals

Writing good fellowship and grant proposals is something of an art form in itself. As an early/mid career researcher writing your first proposal, it is easy to feel bewildered, not knowing quite where to start. It is hoped that the following guidance will set you in the right direction.

Know your audience. Grant proposals are diverse and depend on the specific call in regard to what is required, what the review procedures will be and who will be the reviewers; therefore, always read the specific call/request for proposals carefully, so that you know what is expected and what the deadlines are.

If appropriate, discuss your proposal with the specific program officer / agency’s program manager, if there is one, to be certain that what you are proposing fits the guidelines for support. They can often give good advice on what will be received well versus what will not be. Ask if the proposal will be reviewed by more than one group.

Follow faithfully any guidelines that are given by the funding body, e.g. if you are asked to write the proposal in 12pt Arial font.

Ask a successful grant writer to share some of their previous grants—the structure and level of detail as well as visual support for a proposal varies greatly and needs to be tailored to the specific call.

Collaborate with someone who has been successful in obtaining support in the past from the agency.

Try to plan ahead so that you have time to share a draft of your proposal with your peers or mentor for feedback.

Make sure you have an exciting and innovative idea in the first place! Remember that the person(s) reviewing your fellowship application / grant proposal will probably have many others as well, so it is important to ‘grab the reviewer’s attention’ from the outset. Aim to write a factual but stimulating first paragraph which will make the reviewer want to read on and find out about the exciting project you are proposing.

Ensure also that your idea is appropriate, carefully stating the goals of the proposed work somewhere near the start of the proposal.

Write passionately from the heart and be ‘achievably ambitious’.

Justify any claims you make and give as good an argument as you can that what you are about to do can be achieved.

Do not try to cram every possible thing you can think of into the proposal; rather, be focused and have a good timeline with appropriate milestones.

Most grants are scored badly because the reviewer could not understand what you really wanted to do. Far fewer fail because of a flawed idea, so make a big effort in articulating your ideas as clearly as possible; visual support can really help e.g. cartoons, schematics and graphs.

Emphasize why you are the appropriate person to do the work.

Almost nobody is successful with the first iteration of a grant, so it is good to submit to a call on the first round and then resubmit on subsequent rounds, integrating reviewer feedback.

For more on this topic, see ‘Notes on Writing and Getting Grants’ by Lou Gross: lgross.utk.edu/grantwriting.txt .

10 Applying for Faculty Positions

Many early/mid career researchers may be relatively inexperienced in writing job applications, or be unsure of how best to present themselves to potential employers. The following advice is given with faculty applications in mind, though many of the tips are also relevant to applications for postdoctoral positions.

Do not apply for a job you do not want—you might get it.

Publish your work when it is ripe, even if it is not perfect.

Collaborate, but be sure to establish your own identity.

Think about who you are: a fox or a hedgehog? This reference comes from a 1953 book by the philosopher Isaiah Berlin, in which he quotes the Ancient Greek poet Archilochus as saying that ‘ the fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing ’ (Berlin 1953 ). In the context of mathematical biology, think about whether you see your research as centring around one topic, or as touching on many topics, perhaps with a more abstract common theme. Both are valid ways to work, but it is good to think about who you are, to avoid getting pushed or pulled in directions that might not fit.

Make sure your CV is up-to-date and is written well.

Do not try to exaggerate anything, e.g. do not list lots of unpublished papers.

Cover letter

Read the job advertisement carefully and write a relevant, engaging cover letter, outlining your background, your current research interests, your future research plans and your teaching philosophy / teaching experience.

Be explicit as to why you are appropriate for the position. Spend some time finding out about the department and the university in general, and aim to include in your cover letter how you feel you could fit in and connect with the teaching and research that is going on in the department and also potential collaborations elsewhere in the university (e.g. departments of biology / life sciences and medicine).

Be enthusiastic.

Statement of research interests

Summarize in one paragraph the main results from your prior work.

Lay out a research plan, possibly with several different components. Think of this as a research plan for the initial 5–10 years of your career. Where do you want to be, what ‘big’ questions do you want to work on and how do the smaller ones fit into this?

Statement of teaching interests

Summarize what your teaching experience has been.

Give a bit of your teaching philosophy and provide examples of how you have applied it (e.g. projects you developed/used in a course you taught, or implementation of computer-based examples).

State your teaching objectives over the next 5 years—what courses and seminars you might like to teach/develop, what texts you might be interested in developing. Tie this in to particular courses the university provides.

Make sure you have good referees who will provide strongly supportive but not hyperbolic references.

Make it as easy as possible for your referees to write a letter for you—give them all the material you are sending out, explaining how to address letters and providing the links to the adverts for positions you are applying to.

Make sure the referees know which jobs are the ones of most interest to you.

Perhaps ask your referees to contact (email or phone) anyone they know at your top choice positions to alert them to your application.

For more on this topic, see ‘Applying for a job, haggling for a job, and keeping a job’ by Lou Gross: lgross.utk.edu/gettingjobs.postdocs.mbi06.txt .

11 Preparing and Giving Lectures

The average early/mid career researcher will have attended hundreds of lectures during their undergraduate studies; some of them better than others. While many PhD students will get experience of leading or assisting with tutorials and problems classes, opportunities for lecturing experience arise less frequently. The following guidance should be of help to postdoctoral researchers and new faculty preparing to give their first lectures.

Find the lecturing style that you are most comfortable with e.g. ‘chalk and talk’, slides, iPad/Tablet etc., and practise at it.

Do not practise too much—talks can sound really canned with too much practice. Put another way, too much practice can stand in the way of ‘presence’ during a talk, thinking a little on your feet and taking a few chances.

Prepare your notes in advance and try to connect with external material e.g. books, research articles, online videos etc.

Think about your main point during your pre-lecture preparation.

Your lecture has to fit your audience. Do not attempt to give the same lecture to biologists and to mathematicians.

Optimise your slides: a maximum of 20 words per slide, brief bullet points, self-contained and easy to follow.

Do not include something on a slide if you do not want to talk about it.

Go to the lecture theatre before you start the course and work out where everything is so that you can begin the first lecture without any glitches or delays.

Try to be enthusiastic and passionate in your delivery and to ENJOY giving the lecture.

Never forget that it is about the material, not about you.

Consider introducing your talk with interesting scientific questions, and returning to those at the end to show that you ‘solved them’. Merely reproducing a behaviour with a model is not very interesting unless you can show new insights or novel predictions.

Aim to engage the students rather than just lecture for one hour e.g. stop regularly and ask questions, ask the students to suggest ways to complete a piece of algebra or offer the answer to a problem.

Provide plenty of motivation and background for the audience to understand the main ideas. Be sure to emphasize the significance and goals.

Give plenty of worked examples in the class which underpin any piece of theory you deliver.

Be sure to EXPLAIN everything. Your audience will appreciate that.

Make the lecture interesting. Use some colour, make fonts nice and large, consider some humour if possible, once you gain confidence.

Make a deliberate mistake now and again—this can encourage the students to engage and when they get the correct answer it gives them confidence. It also shows them that you are not infallible!

Never go over time.

12 What Do You Wish You Had Known When You were an Early-mid Career Researcher?

In addition to asking our seasoned professionals for guidance on specific questions, their advice to early and mid career researchers was also sought at a more general level, as recounted in this section and that which follows. First, in this section, we explore the hard-earned knowledge that our experts wish they had possessed when they were early/mid career researchers.

Seeking advice

Do not be shy about getting advice, particularly on grant proposals.

Understand how the system at your institution works, who to go to for advice/assistance and how to work around arcane rules that constrain your ability to advance your research and teaching.

Career planning

Think a few years ahead but do not let long-term planning stand in the way.

Early in your career, it is common not to know what you really want and that is OK, since you have not experienced enough yet.

‘When I started as a graduate student, I had a very specific plans about what I wanted to study: quantum chemistry. Like most mathematical biologists, I never intended to be one! I stumbled onto the field through my professors and mentors. So keep your eyes open, see what catches your interest, see where new research areas are opening up and where you can make a contribution. Be flexible, find your place in the world and have fun!’

Think strategically about what you will gain from a specific position and how it might lead you to new opportunities in the future.

‘Failure’ and rejections

Be ready to accept rejections and how to move on effectively from these, such as re-applying for grants to either the same agency which initially rejected it or to try someplace else.

Do not take failure personally; academia is a constant source of failure, whether it is papers, grants or even your science. Failure is the only way we can learn; of course it still stings, but know that this is a universal pain we all feel as scientists, and it is also temporary, as it will drive resubmissions, rewriting, reframing and ultimately success.

Lack of a job offer, or interview, may just be due to various political factors in a given department/unit that have nothing to do with your excellence. Therefore, do not let such ‘rejections’ affect your morale and work.

Do not skip your postdoc; exploit every second of it. It is a rare time in your scientific career that you will never have again—both scientific freedom and no financial concerns.

Have fun! Most research ideas come outside the laboratory; on a walk, while exercising, or while having dinner with friends. A lot of great ideas start out on a napkin.

If you are not excited about a problem, the work is not going to be worthwhile.

You can work on anything you want to, independent of your field, as long as you are willing to learn the new area.

Keep doing good work, even when the job-market looks bleak. Eventually this will pay off.

Take the time to learn new skills.

Do the hard work yourself.

‘I wish I had known’:

LaTeX —‘I wrote my PhD thesis using troff’ ( wikipedia.org/wiki/Troff ).

More numerical analysis.

The Sobolev Embedding Theorem (just kidding!).

Sharing your work

Put real effort into making your science as accessible as possible—the more people who understand it, the better it will be cited and shared.

Grab any opportunity you can to present your work, even if you find it difficult. It will help you understand your own work better and expose the community to what you are doing and critically provide valuable feedback.

Open science is a golden opportunity to share your work before it is published, embrace it. Share your papers on preprint servers (e.g. bioRxiv and arXiv), and your code and data on public repositories (e.g. GitHub).

Collaboration and networking

Work with people you like, in labs that are happy and have a good community ethic. Do not try to work with people simply because of their prestige.

Use administrative roles to build collaborations.

Networking with others (in your unit and at conferences) is very important. Consider sending your e-publications to the top researchers with a short email. Many are busy, so may not answer, but some will.

Do not be shy at a conference. Schedule meetings ahead of time to make sure you are not alone during coffee breaks.

Maintain contact with those you have met who might help your career advance in the future.

Organising your time

‘I did not realize how much time I would spend in service-related activities. I sit on many committees. My service takes about one full day per week.’

‘I did not realize how much grant writing I would be doing. I had to learn how to write grants for many different reviewing bodies. This can take time, but can also be helpful in that you then understand how to talk about your research with many different audiences.’

Teaching and mentorship activities can occupy much of your time. Make sure that you structure your week so that you have research blocks that are long enough for you to remember what you are doing, and get some work done to review and advance your projects.

Get home in time for dinner with your family.

13 Some Final Words of Advice

In this last section, we offer some final words of advice, not covered by the previous sections.

Community, collaboration and care

Collaborate broadly and build your network of collaborators in ways that stretch your research to fields that might be far from your formal education.

Team science is truly a gift for mathematical biology. It is being embraced across many different disciplines and is a golden opportunity to work across fields with creative teams, where the team is far more powerful scientifically than any of the individuals. If you can work with a team, jump at the chance.

Develop a community around you, but do not feel that you need to collaborate with everyone. Deliberately keep some experts in your field at ‘arm’s-length’ as you will need people to review your file at tenure and promotion, for grants, and your manuscripts for publication.

Care about your community—take time to contribute, to nurture and enrich your community as it will not continue without it.

Make time for self-care; something outside of science even if it is with scientists. It is important to recharge your creative and non-creative batteries and that cannot happen if you use them all the time.

Most scientists are good people even if they may ask difficult questions and appear intimidating—they are a scientist just like you and care about similar things.

Always be honest, even if it means admitting mistakes, being truthful will always pay dividends in the end.

Work on what you want, not on what other people think you should.

Enjoy yourself, have fun, work on problems that you are really interested in and passionate about.

Aim high. Always ask ‘could my work be better?’ Do not settle for the first result and hurry to publish—do your due diligence and make that sure every piece of work has the highest impact it can.

Mathematical biology is a subfield of biology. Talk to biologists as often as you can. Let their questions guide your research.

Do not be afraid of data. Indeed, look at the data! You may find something that you did not expect that is more interesting than what you did expect.

Understand what it means to calibrate and validate a mathematical model. Not every curve that fits data makes a model plausible and it does not guarantee predictive power (if that is what you are aiming for).

Do not be a one-trick pony. It will help your career if you become the go-to person in the world on a particular topic, but do not constrain yourself to this area. Look for side-projects that may be well outside this area of focus.

Be willing to take risks and try out new/alternative things. It is only by failing that we discover what does not work and this helps put us on another track that perhaps will work. Do not be afraid to ‘fail’. The following quote from John Backus (who invented FORTRAN) illustrates this point:

‘ I, myself, have had many failures and I’ve learned that if you are not failing a lot, you are probably not being as creative as you could be—you aren’t stretching your imagination. You need the willingness to fail all the time. You have to generate many ideas and then you have to work very hard only to discover that they don’t work. And you keep doing that over and over until you find one that does work. ’ — mathshistory.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Backus/quotations/

Communication

Learning to communicate in writing and orally is just as important as doing advanced research. Your funding and the respect you achieve will depend on your ability to explain your work and convince others that it is significant.

Work to build your vocabulary to be able to communicate with experts in fields quite different from your own.

Get some formal training from science communication experts to assist you in being able to discuss your work with non-scientists and journalists. Do not be bashful about tooting your own horn.

For more on careers in academia, see ‘Careers in Academia: How to Enhance your Chances for Success’ by Lou Gross: lgross.utk.edu/eeb504Spring2021.html .

Atiyah M, Bollobás B, Connes A, McDuff D, Sarnak P (2008) The Princeton companion to mathematics, Chapter VIII.6: advice to a young mathematician. In: Gowers T, Barrow-Green J, Leader I (eds) Princeton University Press, pp 1000–1010. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt7sd01

Berlin I (1953) The hedgehog and the fox. Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London

Google Scholar  

Medawar PB (1979) Advice to a young scientist. Basic Books, New York

Download references

Acknowledgements

This paper would not have been possible were it not for the sagacious advice, generously offered by the following current and former SMB Presidents: Prof. Frederick R. Adler (University of Utah); Prof. Alexander R. A. Anderson (H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute); Prof. Mark A. J. Chaplain (University of St Andrews); Prof. Leah Edelstein-Keshet (University of British Columbia); Prof. Heiko Enderling (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center); Prof. Leon Glass (McGill University); Prof. Louis J. Gross (University of Tennessee); Prof. Jane M. Heffernan (York University); Prof. Simon A. Levin (Princeton University); and Prof. John J. Tyson (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University). PAR acknowledges financial support from the University of Birmingham Dynamic Investment Fund.

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Centre for Systems Modelling and Quantitative Biomedicine, Institute of Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK

Paul A. Roberts

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paul A. Roberts .

Additional information

Publisher's note.

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ .

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Roberts, P.A. Advice to a Young Mathematical Biologist. Bull Math Biol 86 , 52 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11538-024-01269-1

Download citation

Received : 02 February 2024

Accepted : 12 February 2024

Published : 09 April 2024

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s11538-024-01269-1

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Funding applications
• Job applications
• Teaching and research
• Find a journal
• Publish with us
• Track your research