23 Best Gifts for Biologists (in 2024)

11 min read

Last updated: September 22nd, 2024

The internet is overflowing with biology-specific gifts, but we've scoured our sources to find the most popular and high-quality gifts for biologists that will definitely win a smile.

I hope this gift guide helps you finish your shopping faster than ever. Show them you understand their passion for biology and relish the moment when they geek out over your perfect gift.

This list is a compilation of our favorites from around the internet. Some are our own Genius Lab Gear inventions and some we’re just jealous we didn’t think of first! Some external links in this page are from affiliates, which means that any purchase of the items after clicking the link will result in a small monetary referral fee paid back to Genius Lab Gear at no cost to you. We appreciate your support which allows us to continue inventing and testing the best tools for scientists on the planet!

1. Microbiology Word Magnets

Biology-themed gifts are rarely as entertaining and enduring as our science-themed word magnet sets! We recently launched these to encourage creativity and self-expression in labs, classrooms and offices. Each specialty pack comes with 144 tiles carefully designed by a PhD in that field for technical accuracy and tacit absurdity.

So far, we have sets for Biology, Medicine, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, Academia, Microbiology, Neuroscience, Ecology, and Basic Science. Most people grab a 2, 3, or 4-pack that represents their unique experience in STEM. I would suggest the Science Basics, Biology and Ecology packs for a Biologist, and add an Academia pack if they are a professor or graduate student.

Also now available on Amazon.

Biologist cell-fies magnetic poetry gift

2. rOtring or Staedtler Mechanical Pencil

Mechanical pencils are considered a daily essential for biologists. They let you precisely draw diagrams for homework or professional work with the option to make fine adjustments with the eraser. In the new digital age, mechanical pencils are still required but biologists often find themselves using touch screens as well.

That’s why my new favorite is the rOtring 800 Retractable Mechanical Pencil, (0.5 mm). This one turns from a pencil to a stylus on the fly, and also ensures the tip isn’t poking holes in your pocket all day like most other models. This is truly the top-end mechanical pencil and will make a special gift.

Check price on Amazon

Staedtler is another brand much-loved by biologists. This model is cheaper and will last a long time, but just isn’t convertible to a stylus. You can’t go wrong with either one.

3. Pocket Microscope with Aspheric Lens System

Biologists often use microscopes to study the smallest units of life that cannot be seen by the naked eye. But being in the field collecting samples to study means they don’t have access to a regular microscope. The solution? A pocket microscope!

It’s a fully functional mini-microscope that may be carried around with you at all times. It's designed to be lightweight and portable. The magnification can even reach up to 120x! This is the perfect gift to help a biologist explore the wonderful unseen world around them in great detail.

Check the price on Amazon.

4. New 100% Cotton Lab Coats designed for Scientists

If they work in a laboratory, most biologists wear lab coats daily. And most of them hate their lab coats. That's why we spent 3 years designing and modifying a lab coat that scientists love! Released in 2024, the Louis and Curie lab coats are consistently reviewed as "the best lab coat I've ever had". (The Louis is named after renowned biologist Louis Pasteur, as voted on by our fans.)

For biology labs specifically, the tapered knit cuffs are especially important for protecting wrists from chemicals and prevent skin and hairs from contaminating thier work! The two versions are tailored to fit male and female builds differently, with a wide size range and adjustable belt so biologists can finally feel great in their lab coat at work.

This is one to clue them in about beforehand so you can get the sizing right and make sure it meets their lab safety requirements! Or, you can grab a refundable $75 gift card to let them grab their own lab coat plus a pocket protector!

Louis and Curie Lab Coats by Genius Lab Gear

5. Ernst Haeckel's Art Forms in Nature book

This makes for the perfect coffee table book for a biologist or biology major who has a passion for the natural world. The original 100 hand-drawn figures inside are now over 100 years old! This publisher revitalized the work in 2023 to bring it back to life for a modern audience.

A book like this isn't about learning in a biology career - it's to reignite their passion for the natural world by admiring the detail with which Ernst studied it himself. He truly "got lost" in the subtle beauty of nature and this mindset is essential to feeding that inner passion.

Check the price on Amazon.

6. Microbes In Magnifying Glass Enamel Lapel Pin

This Microbes in magnifying glass enamel lapel pin is a unique gift for your favorite biologist to showcase their passion for what they do. Made from high-quality metal with gold-colored brass plating, this pin lends a whimsical touch to lab coats, professional attire at conferences, and even everyday wear.

Check the price on Amazon.

7. Photosynthesis Board Game

Did you know there’s a board game about plants? Say hello to Photosynthesis by Blue Orange Games -- an award-winning strategy board game that makes an ideal gift for a biologist who’s into trees, botany and strategic board games. As a biologist, their work revolves around the living organisms on Earth. This entertaining game challenges them to survive the life-cycle of a tree by taking care of them from seedling to full bloom to rebirth.

Check the price on Amazon.

8. Classic Greenhouse-style Terrarium

Most people I know in the biology fields consider themselves "plant people" and can never have too many. Terrariums are a great way to create their own little world of different plants that fits neatly into a windowsill or corner of a desk to add some natural beauty to their workspace.

This particular terrarium's design reminds me of the conservatory where we got married surrounded by lush plants - specifically the metal and glass frame. It's a classic look for someone with a classic style.

Check the price on Amazon.

9. Lab Coat Pocket Protector

From organizing their precision tools to adding a touch of style to their lab coats, this accessory will be appreciated and put to good use by any biologist. The venerable Pocket Protector became a cultural icon in the 1960's and 1970's, but somewhere along the way the newer generation of STEM researchers forgot about them.

Biologists need these back in their labs to stay organized, stay efficient, protect their work clothes, and finish their experiments without being late to lunch. So we researched and tested every type ever made to methodically solve each problem and come up with this refreshed design.

Available in spruce green, sapphire blue, and faded pink - the top 3 colors voted on by our fans! You can even get it from our Amazon page if that's easier.

pocket protector gift for scientists and biologists working in laboratories

Check the price on Amazon.

10. Cytosis: A Cell Biology Game

Created with the stamp of approval of the Journal of Cell Science, the world finally has a board game about cell biology! The gameplay is similar to other fun and popular board games, using the "worker placement" style, but all of the content is meant to satisfy your love for cell biology!

Check the price on Amazon.

11. Tree of Life Poster Print

Art meets biology in this laminated Tree of Life deco poster print, perfect for the creative biology geek in your life. It portrays the history of existing life in a way that is meticulously researched, scientifically accurate, and artistically drawn. It includes an 8-page booklet that goes over the evolutionary tree in greater detail, as well as 24 game cards that may be played with the Tree of Life art poster.

Check the price on Amazon.

12. 12 Bugs Collection Desk Decoration

You can never go wrong with a durable, ultra-clear bug collection acrylic block as a present for any insect-loving biology enthusiast. 12 real specimens of bugs are featured in this lovely leg-filled desk decor; Grasshopper, Cicada, 2 types of Chafer beetle, Scorpion, Antler horn beetle, Weevil, Shield bug, Spider, Stag beetle, Blister beetle, and Wasp. Don’t worry, they’re ethically gathered!

Check the price on Amazon.

13. Mitochondria nerdy plush toy

All biologists know "mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell". That's Biology 101. So the biology majors I know tend to have lots of adoring jokes about mitochondria because they are so essential in biology.

The GIANTmicrobes brand has tons of fun plushes that I see in biology grad student offices all the time. They are sort of an "emotional support" toy to play with when wrestling with a big problem AND can be used for student outreach. This mitochondria plush is really the cornerstone of biology and is an excellent choice for their desk!

Check the price on Amazon.

14. Test Tube Hydroponics Terrarium

For a more modernist and science-y vibe, this test tube rack terrarium also makes for a great desk or office decoration for biology majors. It uses "hydroponics" - basically growing plants in water instead of in soild - which keeps things a little tidier in a workspace.

Check the price on Amazon.

15. Sunprint kit - Capture shapes in print

I did this one as a kid and can never forget it! Sunprints use a special photosensitive paper that turns a rich blue when exposed to the sun. The coolest thing is that you can block the sun with shapes to capture that shape on paper!

So imagine finding some little dead bugs, unique leaves or flowers, and capturing it in detail on this fun print! Most biologists would love doing this for fun themselves as a creative break or using it with kids to get them interested in the natural world.

One other cool thing you can do - let a slow bug crawl across is and see if you can capture their trail!

Check the price on Amazon.

16. Forest Animal Cookie Cutters

This is the epitome of a nature celebration! A must-have gift for a foodie animal-loving biologist that includes 7 assorted cute woodland animal-shaped cookie cutters made of food-grade stainless steel that’s durable and safe! Now they can bake delicious cookies and share them with other animal lovers!

Check the price on Amazon.

17. The Selfish Gene: 40th Anniversary edition

A foundational book for biologists is The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins. Richard Dawkins is one of our generation's most well-known science communicators and writers. The book helps build a better picture of humanity and nature. This book is recommended for someone who’s interested in biology or genetics, perfect for your favorite biologist.

Check the price on Amazon.

18. The Soul of an Octopus book

Sometimes researchers get bogged down in technical reading and forget to read "for fun". Instead of a romance novel, a biologist might love a heartwarming real-life story about humans bonding with nature.

The Soul of an Octopus by biologist Sy Montgomery tells several stories of the octopuses she has met all over the world and their different "personalities". From curious to playful to intentionally deceptive, she pokes holes in the idea that humans are the only beings on this planet with true intelligence. It's one of those books that a biologist can use to "take a break", but come back refreshed and inspired to learn more about the natural world.

Check the price on Amazon.

19. Rat Mood Chart - Framed Canvas Wrap

A biologist working with “rodent models” will be rolling on the floor laughing if they receive this fun tongue-in-cheek canvas. Lab rats have their own personalities and understandably get anxious about the next experiment. This framed floating canvas print is a hilarious addition to a biologist’s home, office, or laboratory. Make sure they record the mood via the angle, length, and height of the rat in your lab notebook. Angle, length, and height may need to be normalized by species.

You can order this canvas print directly through our site.

Click here to see our collection of science and laboratory wall art prints!

20. The Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life

Nick Lane, an award-winning author and biochemist, sets out to answer questions and ideas about life’s emergence and evolution in his book called “The Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life”. “Why are we as we are?” “Why are we here at all?” “Why did complex life like animals and plants arise from a single ancestor only once in the history of our planet?” “Why two sexes and not three or four or 12?” All the answers can be found in this enthralling book. A perfect read for a biologist who’s always been fascinated about life.

Check the price on Amazon.

21. The Ghosts Of Evolution: Nonsensical Fruit, Missing Partners, and Other Ecological Anachronisms

The Ghosts of Evolution is a fascinating, innovative, and intriguing work of writing that everyone interested in nature and its many components should read. The book explains that some plant species in North America, according to the author, Connie Barlow, are lacking their animal equivalents. Honey locust, persimmon, osage orange, and bitter melon were introduced by now-extinct species such as Mammoths, giant sloths, camels, and local horses 15,000 years ago. Anyone who enjoys a stroll in the woods or even down a city sidewalk will find this book an enriching experience.

Check the price on Amazon.

22. Subscription to AI-powered Research and Writing Software (SciSpace)

Biologists and biology grad students have to keep track of a huge amount of information to complete their research and write new papers. Luckily, AI is now ready to help! SciSpace is a new software tool that combines AI search engines with reference/bibliography management to quickly get answers to highly technical questions - all sourced from peer-reviewed journals.

The Copilot feature is my favorite! It can scan those clunky PDF files to make summaries and even pull tables out into an editable format! That would have saved me hundreds of hours in grad school...The other neat thing is that it lets you take notes on every journal article, link it to that file, and search your notes later with the AI engine.

The best move here is to gift them a 1-year subscription! Just create an account here with your email, and then print out the login details to put into a gift box for the big day! They can move the account to their email address right after.

SciSpace Subscription

23. Microbiologist Gift Bundle

If you can't decide by now, I can still help! Consider this decision made. I put together a Microbiology Gift Bundle just to make it easy for you. It includes the Pocket tool and Word Magnets from above, plus a few fun science stickers. You'll save over 20% by bundling them together, so consider this decision made!

You can also add a custom logo to the pocket tool for events, networking, or promotional giveaways! Custom orders start at 100 pieces - just email us for more info.