{"id":215,"date":"2020-02-24T16:07:38","date_gmt":"2020-02-24T21:07:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transy.edu\/academics\/faculty\/bsly\/"},"modified":"2026-03-16T10:47:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T14:47:25","slug":"bsly","status":"publish","type":"faculty","link":"https:\/\/www.transy.edu\/academics\/faculty\/bsly\/","title":{"rendered":"Sly, Belinda"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cI like to think that conversations about science in my office are not that much different than they are in the classroom or laboratory.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s something fishy going on in Belinda Sly\u2019s laboratory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of Sly\u2019s current projects is studying the genetics of fish color. \u201cMore specifically, we are trying to identify the molecular changes that make one Betta fish blue, and another red,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She has Transylvania students helping with her research, and she appreciates the well-rounded background they bring to her lab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe that the liberal arts tradition makes science students stronger,\u201d she said. \u201cThey often bring insights from other courses that help us understand the context of the science we are studying.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She used one of the students working with her as an example. \u201cPaul Brown ’13 is a double major in fine arts and biology,\u201d Sly said. \u201cIt has been interesting how helpful his art training has been in the lab\u2014everything from taking photos to making wax molds for sectioning fish embryos.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to studying biology, Transylvania students have advantages. \u201cWe have lots of great equipment here for doing molecular genetics and developmental biology, including thermocyclers for amplifying DNA; a DNA sequencer; a fluorescent microscope; and a digital camera system for photographing embryos.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With these sophisticated research tools available, it’s easier to engage the students and develop the critical thinking they will need in their careers. Sly values maintaining relationships with her students even after they leave her classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For her, teaching is most satisfying \u201cwhen the students and I are working together to make connections or discuss things at a deeper level than can be identified in a textbook or lecture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Academic History<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ph.D., Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Indiana University, 2004
B.S., Zoology, Oregon State University, 1996<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Courses Taught at Transy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Integrated Concepts in Biology: Molecules and Cells
Genetics
Developmental Biology
Molecular Genetics
Tropical Ecology
Senior Seminar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Areas of Research<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Development and evolution of pigmentation in animals
Analysis of direct-to-consumer genetic testing<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Recent Publications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Carey, AN, Lyvers, BH, Ferrill, RN, Johnson, RM, Dumaine, AM, and Sly, BJ. “Development of Betta splendens embryos and larvae reveals variation in pigmentati on patterns” Zygote. 2015<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wagner, JD, Campbell, AM, Sly, BJ, Paradise, CJ. “An active textbook converts ‘Vision and Tweak’ to Vision and Change. Course Source. June 3, 2015<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professional Memberships<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Society for Developmental Biology<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bingham Award for Excellence in Teaching<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":4520,"template":"","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"academic_division":[24,7,37],"class_list":["post-215","faculty","type-faculty","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nSly, Belinda - Transylvania University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.transy.edu\/academics\/faculty\/bsly\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Sly, Belinda\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u201cI like to think that conversations about science in my office are not that much different than they are in the classroom or laboratory.\u201d There\u2019s something fishy going on in Belinda Sly\u2019s laboratory. 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