In the north wing of the Biology Department (Marram Hall, third floor), several adjoining laboratory rooms serve as a core shared-resource for the full spectrum of technologies needed in molecular biology and microbiology. Below are general categories with specific instruments and equipment listed.
A 200 square foot room on the third floor of Marram Hall contains all the necessary equipment to perform animal tissue and cell culture. This facility houses the following:
The Little Calumet River Prairie and Wetlands Nature Preserve is an 11 acre (5 ha) ecosystem restoration adjacent to the north side of campus nestled between the parking lots and the southern edge of the Little Calumet River. The property belongs to the city of Gary, but is managed by IU Northwest Associate Professor Spencer Cortwright. Starting with only about 10 plant species after the Army Corps of Engineers constructed a flood berm, under the diligent guidance and tireless efforts of Dr. Cortwright, the current plant species richness has increased to over 150 species with at least 120 native vascular plant species. The site is managed and maintained by numerous native plantings, seed collection and propagation, herbicide application, and controlled burns (typically conducted in the spring) by Dr. Cortwright and IUN students. For the most recent information about the preserve, read the latest editions of Nature News and read an from the Pride of IU website.
In addition to the formal Nature Preserve, the Biology Department acts as stewards of the IUN Campus Wet Woodland Natural Area. Located at the northwest corner of campus, just south of the main parking lot, this area was previously lawn grass. Part of IU's Woodland Campus Initiative, this area was selected for installation of a woodland since it is a low area that periodically floods and trees were previously planted there for the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus Higher Education program. Site preparation started in the fall of 2022 by removing lawn grass around the established young trees. In summer 2023, the first new native shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, and ferns were planted. Each spring, Dr. Cortwright and Gayle Tonkovich (Academic Lab Specialist) work with Mary Hackett (COAS Business Manager) to host a planting day activity so campus members and community partners can help increase the native plants in the woodland area. In addition to being a more natural and sustainable landscape, the woodland helps store carbon and lower campus energy costs since no mowing or fertilizers are required. In addition, this new green space offers benefits for the community and promotes native biodiversity while helping to mitigate flooding.
