{"id":2450,"date":"2026-06-10T10:44:27","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T15:44:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.missouriwestern.edu\/biology\/?page_id=2450"},"modified":"2026-06-10T10:44:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T15:44:27","slug":"dr-ashley-elias-research-profile","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.missouriwestern.edu\/biology\/dr-ashley-elias-research-profile\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Ashley Elias | Research Profile"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: #000000;background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-center\" style=\"max-width:104%;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-center\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-0 fusion_builder_column_inner_2_5 2_5 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div style=\"text-align:left;\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-1 hover-type-none\"><img width=\"320\" height=\"288\" alt=\"Ashley Elias\" title=\"Dr_Ashley_Elias\" src=\"https:\/\/www.missouriwestern.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2023\/01\/Dr_Ashley_Elias.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1990\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.missouriwestern.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2023\/01\/Dr_Ashley_Elias-200x180.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.missouriwestern.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2023\/01\/Dr_Ashley_Elias.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/span><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-1{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:31px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:31px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffc700;\"><span style=\"color: #ffc700;\">Dr. Ashley Elias<\/span><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\" style=\"transform:translate3d(0,0,0);\"><p><span style=\"color: #ffc700;\"><strong>Title:<\/strong><\/span> <span style=\"color: #1e1e1e;\"><span style=\"color: #e1e1e1;\">Associate Professor<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #ffc700;\"><strong>Email:<\/strong> <a style=\"color: #ffc700 !important;\" href=\"mailto:aelias1@missouriwestern.edu\">aelias1@missouriwestern.edu<\/a><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #ffc700;\"><strong>Phone:<\/strong> <a style=\"color: #ffc700 !important;\" href=\"tel:+18162714381\">(816)271-4381<\/a><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #ffc700;\"><strong>Accepting Students:<\/strong> <\/span><span style=\"color: #e1e1e1;\">Yes<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-nested-column-0{width:40% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-nested-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 4.8%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 4.8%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-nested-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-nested-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-nested-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-nested-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-1 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_5 3_5 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-2{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:31px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-2 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:31px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffc700;\"><span style=\"color: #ffc700;\">Quick Bio<\/span><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\" style=\"transform:translate3d(0,0,0);\"><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #e1e1e1;\">Dr. Ashley Elias has been at MoWest since 2019. Her research interests include behavioral ecology, evolutionary biology, ichthyology, genomics, and bioinformatics. In particular, she studies the genetic basis of complex traits in fishes (such as: behavior, sex determination, and limb development). The variety of approaches and techniques provide a range of research options for students.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-3{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:31px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-3 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:31px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffc700;\"><span style=\"color: #ffc700;\">Education\/Academic Qualifications<\/span><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\" style=\"transform:translate3d(0,0,0);\"><p><span style=\"color: #e1e1e1;\">Ph.D., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Purdue University<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #e1e1e1;\">B.S. Biology, Integrative Biology, University of Florida<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-nested-column-1{width:60% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-nested-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 3.2%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 3.2%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-nested-column-1{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-nested-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-nested-column-1{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-nested-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:75% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 2.56%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 2.56%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-1{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : -50px;padding-right : 30px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 30px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-center\" style=\"max-width:104%;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-4{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:31px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-4 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:31px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\">From Viruses to Vertebrates: A Freshwater Biodiversity Survey<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4\" style=\"transform:translate3d(0,0,0);\"><p>This research uses traditional and molecular tools to sample and categorize the biological entities in the freshwater environments that occur on the Missouri Western State campus. Students that work on this project will gain lab and field experience as well as experience working with large, complicated sets of data.<\/p>\n<p>This project is a collaborative effort between the labs of Dr. Elias, Dr. Ganong, Dr. Grantham, Dr. Jedlicka, Dr. Koy, Dr. Mills, and Dr. Walton.<\/p>\n<\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-5{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:31px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-5 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:31px;\"><h3 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\">Requirements<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-5\" style=\"transform:translate3d(0,0,0);\"><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Successful completion of at least one Biology course.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:20px;width:100%;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid\" style=\"border-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.5);border-top-width:4px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:75% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 2.56%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 2.56%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-2{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 30px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 30px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-center\" style=\"max-width:104%;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-6{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:31px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-6 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:31px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\">Mechanisms and Adaptive Significance of Complex Traits in Fishes<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-6\" style=\"transform:translate3d(0,0,0);\"><p>This research looks at the genetic basis and adaptive significance of complex traits in fish. Current projects are examining environmentally induced variation and associated gene expression (golden shiners), the origins of the vertebrate paired-appendage gene regulatory network in an (paddlefish), and genetic identification of hybridization (sunfish). The aim is to understand the generation and maintenance of variation we can observe in nature through the use of comparative approaches and genomic and bioinformatic tools.<\/p>\n<\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-7{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:31px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-7 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:31px;\"><h3 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\">Requirements<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-7\" style=\"transform:translate3d(0,0,0);\"><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Interest in fish and ecology (such as behavior or development) OR molecular biology (such as genetics lab work or analyzing genomic data)<\/p>\n<p>No previous experience is required, just reliability and a positive attitude.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:75% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 2.56%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 2.56%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-3{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 30px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 30px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-4 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: #333333;background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-center\" style=\"max-width:104%;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-3 fusion_builder_column_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-8{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:31px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-8 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:31px;\"><h3 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><span style=\"color: #ffc700;\">Past Research \/ Publications<\/span><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-8\" style=\"transform:translate3d(0,0,0);\"><p><span style=\"color: #efefef;\">Past research looked at the genetic basis of complex traits, including behavior, migration, and sex determination, in fishes. Examples included examining behavioral variation and associated gene expression in migratory salmonids (brook trout and rainbow trout) and the evolution of genetic sex determination (African cichlids). With combined approaches (behavioral experiments, comparative methods, and genomic and bioinformatic tools), we are beginning to understand the number, identity, and expression of genes underlying the standing phenotypic variability among and within wild fish populations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #efefef;\">In addition to research on fish, I also have a great interest in applied learning. In collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of faculty members, students participate in a team of research groups studying the biodiversity in campus ponds. Student assessment data from the research team is gathered and analyzed, to examine methods and impacts of these types of experiential learning experiences for students at a primarily undergraduate institution (PUI). This project is ongoing and will continue, supporting the institutional mission of engaging students in applied learning.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ffc700;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #ffc700 !important;\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/d13080384\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/d13080384<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ffc700;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #ffc700 !important;\" href=\"https:\/\/files.eric.ed.gov\/fulltext\/EJ1339384.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/files.eric.ed.gov\/fulltext\/EJ1339384.pdf<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ffc700;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #ffc700 !important;\" href=\"https:\/\/digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu\/thegeographicalbulletin\/vol63\/iss2\/7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu\/thegeographicalbulletin\/vol63\/iss2\/7<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><a style=\"color: #ffc700 !important;\" href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s10530-019-01992-0#auth-B__E_-Williams-Aff2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffc700;\">https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s10530-019-01992-0#auth-B__E_-Williams-Aff2<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ffc700;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #ffc700 !important;\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jglr.2018.08.006\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jglr.2018.08.006<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ffc700;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #ffc700 !important;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/26488526\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/26488526<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ffc700;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #ffc700 !important;\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.anbehav.2009.04.022\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.anbehav.2009.04.022<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-3{width:75% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-3 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 2.56%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 2.56%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-3{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-3 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-3{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-3 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 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fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-gallery-1 .fusion-gallery-image {border:0px solid #ffffff;}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-gallery fusion-gallery-container fusion-grid-5 fusion-columns-total-6 fusion-gallery-layout-grid fusion-gallery-1\" style=\"margin:-1px;\"><div style=\"padding:1px;\" class=\"fusion-grid-column fusion-gallery-column fusion-gallery-column-5\"><div class=\"fusion-gallery-image fusion-gallery-image-liftup\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.missouriwestern.edu\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2026\/06\/Copy-of-20210714_084032-scaled.jpg\" 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