Corporate and Community Partners

Department of Biology Partnerships

The Department of Biology has partnerships with several professional organizations, corporations and individuals from the biomedical and biotechnology community. 

Massachusetts Biotechnology Council

The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MBC), is a not-for-profit organization that provides services and support for the Massachusetts biotechnology industry. The MBC is committed to advancing the development of critical new science, technology and medicines that benefit people worldwide. Representing over 500 companies, academic institutions and service organizations involved in life sciences and health care, the MBC works with public leaders to advance policy and promote education, while providing member programs and events, industry information, and services.

Faculty Research Partnerships

  • Dr. Jon Lyon has been working with the Town of North Reading and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on water quality studies, shoreline and wetland restoration and invasive aquatic plant studies.  He has also been involved in a long-term collaboration with Community Conservation, a not-for-profit organization that promotes global biodiversity and sustainable land use, by catalyzing, facilitating and empowering local people to manage and conserve natural resources within the social, cultural and economic context of their communities.
  • Dr. David MacLaren has a long-term partnership with the Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation.

Sigma Xi – The Scientific Research Society

The Department of Biology at Merrimack College has an active Sigma Xi chapter on campus. Sigma Xi was founded in 1886 to honor excellence in scientific investigation and encourage a sense of companionship and cooperation among researchers in all fields of science and engineering. The Merrimack College chapter sponsors a symposium each year highlighting the best senior thesis research projects. Selected individuals are nominated for Associate Membership into the Society. Students have also been successful in obtaining Grants-in-Aid-of-Research for their research project.