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Program in Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology (PEEC)

PEEC News

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PEEC graduate student Emmy Medina-Espinoza awarded the Graduate College Dissertation Travel Grant
 In Spring 2026, PEEC graduate student Emmy Medina-Espinoza was awarded the Graduate College Dissertation Travel Grant, which provides funding to support travel and fieldwork essential for doctoral dissertation research. The grant enabled Medina-Espinoza to conduct fieldwork in the Peruvian...
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PEEC graduate student Shasta Kamara awarded a Dissertation Completion Fellowship
This spring, PEEC graduate student Shasta Kamara was awarded the Graduate College's Dissertation Completion Fellowship. This fellowship helps outstanding Illinois graduate students complete the doctoral degree by providing a 9-month...
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PEEC graduate student Malavika Venu awarded the Graduate College Dissertation Travel Grant
 In Spring 2026, PEEC graduate student Malavika Venu was awarded the Graduate College Dissertation Travel Grant, which provides funding to support travel and fieldwork essential for doctoral dissertation research. This grant allowed Venu to further her research at the University of Toronto,...
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PEEC graduate student Mary Heather Jingco wins FA25 Dissertation Travel Grant and NRES Proposal Talk Award
 This past year, PEEC graduate student Mary Heather Jingco achieved significant milestones in her research on the endangered Mariana Fruit Bat. In Fall 2025, Heather was awarded the...
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Two PEEC students amongst finalists for Research Live!
Two PEEC graduate students have been named among the Top 9 Finalists for the 2026 Research Live! Finalist Showcase. Hosted by the Graduate College, this event invites students to present their research to a general audience in three minutes or less.The Research Live! event will take place on...
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Genes from corn's wild ancestor change soil microbial community, improve sustainability
Corn bred with genes from wild relatives can reshape soil microbial communities and reduce nitrogen loss — with no yield reduction — according to new research from the University of Illinois Urbana-...

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PEEC Labs

Discover the PEEC Labs at the University of Illinois, where curiosity meets cutting-edge research in ecology, evolution, and conservation biology. Our interdisciplinary labs offer students a dynamic environment to explore complex scientific questions, gain hands-on experience, and develop the skills needed for impactful careers in research and teaching. In PEEC, students receive personalized mentorship and training, preparing them to become innovative, technically skilled scientists with a broad understanding of ecological and evolutionary processes.