Growing up in Dillon, Cole had always heard about the strength of the Education program at UMW but wasn’t as familiar with the other opportunities available. “I quickly found my calling thanks to the exceptional faculty in the Biology Department,” he shared. “My parents had instilled a strong academic work ethic in me at a young age, and this work ethic was only accentuated by the interactions I had with my professors during my tenure as a biology student.”
His interest in research developed through an opportunity to investigate the biomechanics of head-turning behaviors in the Spiny Dogfish Shark (Squalus acanthias) with Dr. Bradley Wood. “I was fortunate enough to take a class taught by Dr. Wood in which there were only three students, including myself. With such a small class, I was able to talk to Dr. Wood one-on-one frequently, which eventually led us to discuss graduate school,” Cole explains. “Before this conversation, I had not considered pursuing a Ph.D., but afterward, it was the only path that made sense to me. From that point forward, I worked tirelessly to achieve this goal.”
Despite never having seen the ocean, Cole’s research on sharks has provided important insight into how animals without a functional neck are able to move their heads during prey capture and processing. He presented his research at the 2025 national meeting of the Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology in Atlanta, GA, and at the annual UMW Undergraduate Research Symposium this May. He is currently working with Dr. Wood on a first-authored manuscript for publication in a scientific journal.
Although his undergraduate research experience focused on anatomical questions, Cole’s interest in genetics began with a lab project in his general genetics class with Dr. Mike Gilbert. During this project, Cole learned how to clone the gene bb0769 from the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi so it could be inserted into Escherichia coli for expression. This process was unlike anything Cole had ever done before and gave him insight into the work and thought processes involved in conducting research in molecular biology. The entire concept of creating a transgenic organism was awe-inspiring to Cole because it revealed the endless possibilities and applications contained within an organism’s genome.
“The tight-knit community has allowed me to form relationships with professors that I will maintain for the rest of my life. Dr. Wood, Dr. Mike Gilbert, Dr. Michael Morrow, Dr. Michelle Anderson, and Dr. Steven Perry were all instrumental in preparing me for graduate school, as well as in helping me navigate the difficult choices that come with such a commitment. I would not be in the position I am in today without their dedication to students’ success—along with the support and encouragement of my parents, sisters, and my wonderful partner, McKenzie,” Cole said while reflecting on his time at UMW.
Cole’s Ph.D. research at Iowa will focus on the biomedical applications of human genetics.
