Biology
Vijayalakshmi Natarajan
Chairperson

The Biology Department at Truman College actively supports student success by combining equity-focused instruction, academic support, and career-connected learning. Faculty use evidence-based teaching strategies, embedded tutoring, and open educational resources to help students succeed in high-enrollment, foundational courses like Biology 121 and 122.
The department is committed to inclusive pedagogy, ensuring that diverse student experiences are reflected and supported in the classroom. Students are connected to undergraduate research, transfer advising, and career exposure opportunities in partnership with local universities and STEM employers.
Through community outreach, dual-credit programming, and support for underrepresented students, the Biology Department helps build a strong STEM pipeline—aligning closely with Truman’s institutional goals of equity, retention, and workforce readiness.
"Thinking About a Career in Healthcare or Research?"
"Find Your Next Biology Course"
- Biology Programs/Pathways:
· Current schedule: Credit class schedule
· Scholarship help: CCC Scholarships
"Need Help with Biology courses?"
“Where Can Biology Take You?”
“Student Clubs in Biology”
Faculty and Staff
NAME | PHONE | OFFICE | |
---|---|---|---|
Vijayalakshmi Natarajan – Chair | (773) 907- 4660 | vnatarajan@ccc.edu | 2635 F |
Marwan Amarin | (773) 907- 4658 | mamarin@ccc.edu | 2635 K |
Mahesh Gurung | (773) 907- 4689 | mgurung1@ccc.edu | 2623 |
Akbar Ebrahim | (773) 907- 4677 | aebrahim@ccc.edu | 2629 |
Farzana Najam- Assistant Chair | (773) 907- 4886 | fnajam@ccc.edu | 2635 C |
Harry Sdralis | (773) 907- 4679 | hsdralis@ccc.edu | 2635 D |
NAME | PHONE | OFFICE | |
---|---|---|---|
Thuy Chung | (773) 907- 4659 | tchung@ccc.edu | 2983 |
Hazel Crew- Lab Assistant | (773) 907- 4662 | hcrew@ccc.edu | 2640 |
Manju Maharjan- Lab Assistant | (773) 907- 4662 | mmaharjan@ccc.edu | 2640 |
Semira Yassin - Lab Assistant | (773) 907- 4662 | syassin1@ccc.edu | 2640 |