Where Biology Graduates Work and Study
HPU biology alumni work and study at:
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
- Duke University
- Dallas Zoo
- Sanofi Pasteur
- GE Healthcare
- Burns & McDonnell
- University of Rochester
- North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
- University of Florida College of Medicine
- West Virginia University School of Medicine
- Creighton University School of Medicine
- Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
Biology Salary and Job Outlook
U.S. News & World Report ranks High Point University #1 among Regional Universities in the South for Earnings by Major in Best Colleges 2027, a factor that measures what graduates earn four years after leaving campus.
Across all majors, 99% of High Point University’s Class of 2025 was employed or continuing their education within 180 days of graduation, 13 points above the national average, measured by National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) standards. The Princeton Review ranks HPU #14 for Best Career Services in its 2027 guide.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, medical scientists earned a median of $103,410 in May 2025, with 13% projected growth from 2025 to 2035 and about 10,500 openings a year. Microbiologists earned a median of $87,990, and zoologists and wildlife biologists $76,780. Physicians and surgeons, the path many health sciences track students pursue, earned a median of $275,930.
Job Titles Biology Graduates Hold
- Large Mammal Zoologist (Dallas Zoo)
- Lab Technician (Institute for In Vitro Sciences)
- Immunogenetic Technologist (Johns Hopkins School of Medicine)
- Research Technician (University of Rochester)
- Biological Sales Associate (Sanofi Pasteur)
- Commercial Leadership Program (GE Healthcare)
- Assistant Environmental Scientist (Burns & McDonnell)
- Senior Proposal Specialist (Thermo Fisher Scientific)
Roles Biology Graduates Can Pursue
- Physician, Dentist or Veterinarian, after professional school
- Biomedical Research Scientist
- Ecologist or Wildlife Biologist
- Clinical Research Coordinator
- Biotechnology or Pharmaceutical Associate
- Public Health Specialist
Biology Student Organizations
HPU biology majors build pre-professional and research experience through these clubs and honor societies:
- Biology Club
- Botany Club
- Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society
- Alpha Epsilon Delta Health Pre-Professional Honor Society
- HOSA Future Health Professionals
- Pre-Med Society
- Pre-PA Club
- Pre-Dental Club
- HPU Student Emergency Medical Services
Every registered club is listed in the Student Government Association club directory.
Biology Research and Presentations
Students present at the Association of Southeastern Biologists and national meetings, including the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. Selected first-year students join HHMI SEA-PHAGES, and the Natural Sciences Fellows program supports students preparing for medicine and research.
Biology Alumni
Dr. Jennifer Silk
OBGYN, Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, UAB Medicine
Dr. Jennifer Silk earned a B.S. in biology at HPU and now specializes in pediatric and adolescent gynecology at UAB Medicine in Birmingham.
Dr. Calla Telzrow
Senior Proposal Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific
Dr. Calla Telzrow earned a B.S. in biology at HPU and a Ph.D. in molecular genetics and microbiology at Duke, and now works as a senior proposal specialist at Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Biology Graduate Outcomes
Lindsay Elliott is a large mammal zoologist at the Dallas Zoo, and Ava Collins is a lab technician at the Institute for In Vitro Sciences. Jimmy Rager became an immunogenetic technologist at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and Hillary Wilson studied medical illustration at Johns Hopkins.
Kevin Hoffman joined Sanofi Pasteur as a biological sales associate, Mia Clemons entered GE Healthcare’s commercial leadership program and Jordan Morrison is an assistant environmental scientist at Burns & McDonnell. Ava Taylor is pursuing an M.S. in biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins.
Medical, Dental and Veterinary School
Ireland Wayt entered West Virginia University School of Medicine, Sawyer Lyons the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia and Rachel Thiets Creighton University School of Medicine. Gianna Passarelli studies medical sciences at the University of Florida College of Medicine, and Tyler Matthew is earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery at UNC Chapel Hill.
Sam Jung continued to the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Lauren Evans to Wingate University School of Pharmacy and Malcolm MacLean to Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.
Biology Internships
Biology majors intern in clinical research, medicine and animal care. Read how three of them got there.
Ava Taylor
Clinical Research and Operations Intern, Labcorp
“As an intern, I am learning so many new things every day.”
Maximilian Chisolm
Animal Care Intern, Ocean Connections
“HPU has taught me that if I put the work in, I can accomplish any goal I set for myself.”
Maggy Henkel
Medical Assistant Intern, Dermatology Specialist of Greater Cincinnati
“Beyond the classroom, supportive faculty, research opportunities and clinical experiences have helped me grow as a future healthcare provider and leader.”
Biology students have also interned with Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Musculoskeletal Research Center (Brooke Smith), shadowed surgeons at the IRCCS Giovanni Paolo II oncology institute in Italy (Nina Ritter) and worked with Veterinary Referral Associates (Sam Jung).
Biology Graduates in Their Own Words
Faculty mentors and hands-on research come up again and again when biology alumni talk about HPU.
Lindsay Elliott
Large Mammal Zoologist, Dallas Zoo
“My professors, especially Dr. Kenneth McKenna, assistant professor of biology, and Dr. Dinene Crater, professor of biology, supported me as I went through college and helped me find connections throughout the natural science field.”
Tyler Matthew
Doctor of Dental Surgery Program, UNC Chapel Hill
“Through challenging academics, collaborative research, and mentorship from faculty who genuinely cared, I developed the confidence, curiosity, and integrity that now guide my path in dentistry.”
Ava Collins
Lab Technician, Institute for In Vitro Sciences
“HPU’s staff and faculty have provided me with the tools and support to succeed in my degree.”
Start Your Science Career at High Point University
See the courses behind these careers and how HPU biology ranks.
Accreditation & Awards Curriculum & Research
Questions about the program? Email Dr. Matthew Talbert at [email protected].