IUP Women’s Leadership Award recipients are selected for their outstanding campus leadership experience, academic excellence, and community achievements. The following awards were presented to students of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

PASSHE Consortium Leadership Institute Award

Kristen Shafer

Major: Chemistry, Pre-Medicine

National Education for Women’s Leadership Award

Danielle Lewis

Major: Physics Education

The reception will begin at 11:00 a.m. and will be held outside the main entrance of Weyandt Hall. Refreshments and seating will be available in tented areas.

All graduates of the college as well as their guests are invited to attend.

The reception will conclude at 1:00 p.m. 

Read all about their work in the Spring 2013 issue of IUP Magazine.

Leslie-Pelecky earned undergraduate degrees in physics and philosophy from the University of North Texas and a Ph.D. in condensed matter physics from Michigan State University. After 14 years at the University of Nebraska, she recently became director of the West Virginia Nano Initiative and professor of physics at West Virginia University. There, her research seeks new ways to apply magnetic nanoparticles to make chemotherapy more efficient and decrease the side effects.

Her passion for making science understandable and relevant to the average person brought her to a second laboratory: the racetrack. The fact is that you can’t win races without getting the math and science right. Her book, The Physics of NASCAR, was excerpted by TIME magazine, and her work has been featured in everything from the New York Times to Sporting News magazine. She blogs at BuildingSpeed, explaining the math and science behind current events in motorsports.

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics 

Details on deadlines and how to apply can be found on the college’s student page.

A website will be available in the near future to help interested individuals get started. Until then, you can contact Chrispell directly at jchrispe@iup.edu.

Right now, IUP has the following service units awarded:

• SDSC Appro Linux Cluster (Trestles): 50,000
• Open Science Grid (OSG): 200,000
• PSC SGI Altix UV (Blacklight): 30,000
• SDSC Appro with Intel Sandy Bridge Cluster (Gordon Compute Cluster): 50,000
• TACC Dell PowerEdge Westmere Linux Cluster (Lonestar): 50,000
• TACC Sun Constellation Cluster (Ranger): 100,000

Service units are approximately an hour of time on the machine.

Details about each of the machines can be found at the Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment website.

Department of Mathematics

During almost three decades of his professorship in the Chemistry Department, John became a great colleague and friend to so many of us at IUP. He led and collaborated on multiple scholarly projects and was an inspiring mentor to thousands of students who were fortunate to have him as their teacher. John leaves behind a legacy of outstanding dedication to and excellence in teaching and mentoring students and colleagues. His imprint on the college and our hearts is lasting, and he will be remembered and missed every single day.

Memorial services for John Woolcock will be held on Saturday, February 2, from 2:00–4:00 p.m. and 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Robinson Lytle Funeral Home, and funeral services will be held Sunday, February 3, at 2:00 p.m. also at Robinson Lytle.

We are planning to gather on campus to celebrate John Woolcock’s life. Please look for the announcement of this gathering very soon, and join us.

Deanne Snavely
Dean

The Maya civilization was, without a doubt, the most developed in the pre-Columbian Americas. It flourished for centuries in southern México, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. The Maya are known for a fully developed written language, an intricate calendric system, beautiful art, and sophisticated architecture. It was one of only two civilizations in the world to develop and use the concept of zero.

Much attention has been given to, and many theories abound about, Maya prophecies surrounding the end of the world in 2012. In this talk, Alarcón will present some of the history, theory, and current understanding of the Maya Long Count Calendar, the Maya number system, and Maya Cosmo vision. The Long Count is set to complete 13 Bak’tuns in December 2012. Alarcón will also examine what the Maya may have really believed was to happen on this ominous date, as well as what all the hype about world destruction reveals about our own culture.

Sigma Xi is an honorary society founded in 1886 to honor excellence in scientific investigation and encourage a sense of companionship and cooperation among researchers in all fields of science and engineering.

Come hear about the major new findings from recent lunar missions, planned future missions, and watch the Moon's motion through the sky. Coles will also present the ever-popular look at the current stars and planets in the sky.

The show is open to the public, and will run about 40 minutes. If weather permits, the show will continue outside for a brief look through telescopes at the Moon (and other celestial sights).

Seating for the shows is first-come, first-seated; it's not feasible to take advance reservations. If you want to bring a large group [i.e., 10 or more people], contact Coles about accommodations, as seating is limited: 724-357-5626, 724-357-2379, or kcoles@iup.edu.

The planetarium is in the east side of Weyandt Hall (the side away from the Oak Grove). Doors open at 6:45 p.m.

Students that will be using chemicals in a research setting are highly encouraged to attend. A sign-in sheet containing attendee names will be made available to departments of the college.

This is the first of two chemical training seminars that will be provided this year. The next chemical safety training will be held at the end of January 2013.

The college will take part in the Crimson Huddle Alumni and Friends Pregame Party being held from 11:00 a.m. until gametime at Kovalchick Complex.

Mark your calendars, and plan on joining other alumni and friends at this event!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Brian Becker, senior admissions counselor for the New York Chiropractic College (Seneca Falls, N.Y.) will be on the IUP campus to meet with undergraduates who are interested in their Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) program.

• Time: 1:00–3:00 p.m.
• Place: 236 Weyandt Hall

Monday, October 15, 2012

Bridget Phillip, assistant director of graduate admissions, Gannon University (Erie, Pa.) will be on the IUP campus to meet with undergraduates who are interested in their Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) program.

• Time: 1:00–3:00 p.m.
• Place: 236 Weyandt Hall

Contact Larry Kupchella at Lawrence.Kupchella@iup.edu or 724-357-2363 if you have further questions.

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Dean Deanne Snavely welcomed the graduates and guests.

Please see our photo gallery of the event.

The reception will begin at 11:00 a.m. and will be held outside the main entrance of Weyandt Hall. Refreshments and seating will be available in tented areas.

All graduates of the college as well as their guests are invited to attend.

The reception will conclude at 1:00 p.m.

The IUP chapter of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, is sponsoring a lecture by Anthony M. Johnson, professor of Physics and Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

The presentation, titled “Ultrafast Optical Characteristics of Novel Nanoscale Materials,” will take place on Thursday, April 12, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. in Sprowls Auditorium.

This presentation is free and open to the IUP community, but will be of special interest to Physics Department faculty and students.

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

The program will highlight scholarly accomplishments of female undergraduate/graduate students and faculty.

For more information about the poster session, submission, or awards, please visit the Women in Mathematics, Science, and Technology website.

Talks are open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Rose Shumba at shumba@iup.edu or 724-357-3166.

Schedule of Events

8:40–9:00 a.m.

• Opening Remarks
  Dr. Deanne Snavely, Dean, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics 

9:00–9:45 a.m.

• “Four Essential Requirements for Securing Your Enterprise”
  Mr. David C. Brown, Business CyberSecurity, Inc.

9:45–10:45 a.m.

• “Making Sense of the Security Data Generated by Multiple Devices”
  Mr. Greg Porter, Allegheny Digital
• “Using Open Community Software to Identify Network-Based Security Risks to Sensitive Information”
  Mr. Matthew Stewart, Robert Morris University

10:45–11:00 a.m.

• Break

11:00–Noon

• “Red Teaming Approaches, Rationales, Engagement Risks, and Methodologies”
  Mr. Mark Yanalitis, Highmark, Pittsburgh

Noon–1:00 p.m.

• Lunch Break

1:00–2:00 p.m.

• “What Keeps Me Up at Night?”
  Special Agent Jason Pearson and Special Agent Keith Mularski, Pittsburgh Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation

2:00–3:00 p.m.

• TBA
  Mr. Harley Parkes, NSA

3:00–4:00 p.m.

• “Information Assurance, an IT Audit Perspective”
  Mr. Douglas Brown, First Commonwealth Bank, Indiana

Dr. Snavely comes to IUP from Bowling Green State University, where she was interim associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. At Bowling Green, she also previously served in the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate College as associate dean and as interim vice provost.

During her twenty-five-year career at Bowling Green, Dr. Snavely, a physical/analytical chemist, rose through the faculty ranks in the Department of Chemistry to full professor with tenure. She also served for four years as Chemistry Department chairperson.

As a faculty member, Dr. Snavely taught a full range of courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, from freshman general chemistry to advanced graduate courses in quantum chemistry. As a physical/analytical chemist, Dr. Snavely's research interests have focused primarily on the study of polyatomic molecules through the use of vibrational spectroscopy and the kinetics of reactions by laser vibrational overtone activation. She has published thirty-six peer-reviewed journal articles and has secured nearly $1 million in external funding in support of her research.

During her career, Dr. Snavely has mentored twenty-five undergraduate students on research projects and has supervised seven master's theses and seven doctoral dissertations.

Early in her career, Dr. Snavely was awarded a prestigious Naval Young Investigator Award in Chemistry.

Dr. Snavely earned a B.S. degree in Chemistry from Ohio State University and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Yale University. After completing her doctorate, Dr. Snavely held postdoctoral appointments at Yale University and at Stanford University before joining Bowling Green.

The college and the entire university community welcomes Dr. Snavely to IUP.

Justin Fair, an assistant professor in the Chemistry Department, was honored in the area of Content Pedagogy, “the use of techniques which are especially effective in teaching content within a particular discipline.”

Tom Lord, a professor in the Biology Department, was honored in the area of Pedagogical Research, “study that increases knowledge about teaching and learning as a function of actual classroom practice.”

Charles Shubra, a professor in the Computer Science Department, was honored in the area of Experiential Education, “for exemplary commitment demonstrated by an experiential education coordinator in the design, development, delivery, evaluation, and/or advocacy of experiential education at IUP.”

Congratulations to Drs. Fair, Lord, and Shubra for exemplifying the college’s commitment to teaching excellence.

Dr. Laurie E. Locascio will speak on “Biological Applications of Microfluids” at 7:30 p.m. in Eberly Auditorium.

Dr. Laurie E. Locascio is a project leader and biomedical engineer in the Analytical Chemistry Division within the Chemical Science and Technology Laboraotry at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). She has published more than sixty papers, and has filed for sixc patents in the fields of microfluidics, biosensors, and sensor/flow systems.

Her current research efforts involve the design and application of microfluidic chemical systems, also known as “lab-on-a-chip” devices. This work focuses on the development of new methods for microfabrication and microsystems integration, development of fundamental methods for accurately measuring flow and temperature in microsystems, development of new methods for improved microchemical separations and detection, and the development of microscale methods to facilitate single molecule measurement and manipulation.

Much of her earlier work involved the development of new methods for low-level detection of clinical and environmental analytes utilizing biological receptors for analyte recognition and employing both otpical and electrochemical elements.

Some of her honors and awards include the following: U.S. Department of Commerce Certificate of Recognition 1987, 1989, 1990; U.S. Department of Commerce Bronze Medal Award, 1991; National Institute of Standards and Technology Applied Research Award, 1993; and national tour speaker for the Society of Applied Spectroscopy, 1994.

Dr. Locascio is a member of the Journal of Analytical Chemistry editorial advisory board, the American Chemical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Sigma Xi.

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Details can be found at the Women in Mathematics, Science, and Technology Program website.

These two women have had stellar careers which started at IUP in the Biology and Applied Mathematics programs.

Drs. Toner and Travis will be participating in an Open Forum from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. on Friday, April 1, in the Program Lounge of the Northern Suites. They will talk briefly about their careers and the research they do and will then be available to answer questions.

While this event is being held as part of the Women in Mathematics, Science, and Technology event, please encourage all students to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

Dr. Elizabeth Travis ’65 is currently the associate vice president for Women Faculty Programs at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston, and is a member of the faculty at the University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Travis is also the Mattie Allen Fair Professor in Cancer Research, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology (Division of Radiation Oncology), and has a joint appointment as professor in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine (Division of Internal Medicine) at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Travis received a Ph.D. in Experimental Pathology with a Radiation Biology minor from the Medical University of South Carolina (1976), an M.Ed. from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and Graduate School of Education (1967), and her B.S. in Biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (1965). Among her recent honors and awards are the 2009 Association of American Medical Colleges Women in Medicine Leadership Development Award and her designation in 2007 as a Fellow of the American Society for Radiation Oncology.

Dr. Karlin Toner ’83 is the director of the Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO), where she manages an interagency initiative charged with facilitating and coordinating the development of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). Dr. Toner also serves as the senior staff advisor to the Secretary of Transportation for NextGen. Prior to her work at JPDO, Dr. Toner had twenty years of experience with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), including service as the director of the Airspace Systems Program at NASA Headquarters and multiple positions in aerospace and aeronautical planning and research while working at the NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field in California. Dr. Toner holds doctoral and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she was a computer science minor and a varsity swimmer.

This program will highlight scholarly accomplishments of female undergraduate/graduate students and faculty.

For more information about the poster session, submission, and awards, please visit the Women in Mathematics, Science, and Technology website.

Details on deadlines and how to apply can be found on the college’s student page.

Students majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics at any Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education university can apply for up to $10,000 a year in scholarship assistance in their junior and senior years by committing to becoming a high school math or science teacher. Students who transfer from community colleges to a PASSHE university also can apply for the scholarship funds.
 
Those who already hold a degree in one of the so-called STEM fields can receive a $10,000 stipend to help cover the cost of returning to school to earn their teacher certification.
 
Both awards are available through the Robert Noyce Scholarship Program, which is funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation and is administered by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Foundation. The deadline for applying for Fall 2010 awards is April 20.
 
The scholarship program was developed to help increase the number of basic education teachers with strong content knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Recipients of either the scholarship or the stipend are required to teach in a high-need school in Pennsylvania for one year for every semester they receive the scholarship.

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must have an overall grade-point average of at least 3.00 and must be a full-time student during each semester for which the award is received. Transfer students or graduates whose academic standing is or was less than 3.00, must complete at least a semester of coursework at a PASSHE university to establish the qualifying GPA.

Applicants for the stipend must have earned a degree in science or mathematics and make a commitment to completing certification requirements to teach secondary science or mathematics within two years of the initial award.

For more information about the program and to obtain an application, please go to the PA Foundation website or contact Eileen Showers in the PASSHE Foundation office at 717-720-4065 or eshowers@thePAfoundation.org. Information also is available through Pennsylvania Career Link.

The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics is sponsoring a program on April 19, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., as part of the Research Appreciation Week.

The Women in Mathematics, Science, and Technology Program will highlight scholarly accomplishments of female undergraduate/graduate students and faculty.

For more information about poster session, submission, and awards, please visit the Women in Mathematics, Science, and Technology website.

Come join the discussion about the impacts and responses to global warming. There will be several planned activities and opportunities to get involved.

All interested persons are welcome!

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Program was created to encourage outstanding students to pursue research careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering and to foster excellence in those fields. Current sophomores and juniors in these fields who have excellent academic credentials and are interested in a research career are invited to attend these meetings. Freshman may attend to learn about preparations for a future scholarship application.

To be eligible, students must be pursuing a graduate degree in physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computational sciences, or environmental sciences during 2010–2011. Full details, including eligibility, stipends, and application information, can be found at the Department of Energy Office of Science page.

IUP College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Kaplan’s Practice Test is a terrific opportunity for prospective graduate, medical, and dental students to answer a critical question, "If I took the exam today, would I be prepared for the test questions?"

Last year, tens of thousands of Kaplan Practice Test participants assessed their test-taking skills while learning valuable strategies to help them ace the real test. Since admission to graduate school is fierce, a high exam score is crucial to the admissions process.

We would like to invite you to participate in the Kaplan Practice Test event taking place on campus on Saturday, October 24. To register, students may call 1-800-KAP-TEST or visit the Kaplan website.

If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Seisek by phone at 412-621-4620, ext. 0.

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

The social will be held the area between Walsh/Weyandt halls and the Northern Suites. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the lobby of Weyandt Hall. We especially welcome our new freshmen. Many student organizations in the college will be represented at informational tables.

Application instructions are available on line at the National Science Foundation. For further information concerning benefits, eligibility, and tips on applying, applicants are encouraged to visit the East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes website or the National Science Foundation.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes for U.S. Graduate Students (EAPSI) is a flagship international fellowship program for developing the next generation of globally-engaged U.S. scientists and engineers knowledgeable about the Asian and Pacific regions. The Summer Institutes are hosted by foreign counterparts committed to increasing opportunities for young U.S. researchers to work in research facilities and with host mentors abroad. Fellows are supported to participate in eight-week research experiences at host laboratories in Australia, China, Japan (10 weeks), Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, and Taiwan from June to August. The program provides a $5,000 summer stipend, round-trip airfare to the host location, living expenses abroad, and an introduction to the society, culture, language, and research environment of the host location.

NSF recognizes the importance of enabling U.S. researchers and educators to advance their work through international collaborations and the value of ensuring that future generations of U.S. scientists and engineers gain professional experience beyond this nation’s borders early in their careers. The program is intended for U.S. graduate students pursuing studies in fields supported by the National Science Foundation. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply for the EAPSI. Applicants must be enrolled in a research-oriented master’s or Ph.D. program and be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents by the application deadline date. Students in combined bachelor’s/master’s degree programs must have matriculated from the undergraduate degree program at time of application.

The first Summer Institutes began in Japan in 1990, and to date approximately 1,800 U.S. graduate students have participated in the program. For the 2009 competition, NSF received 317 applications and issued 187 awards. EAPSI applicants are representative of most U.S. states and territories. The 2009 awardees pool included representation from ninety-five universities and forty states.

The NSF-EAPSI Operations Center (eapsi@asee.org or 1-866-501-2922) is administered by the American Society for Engineering Education.

IUP College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

The presentation is on Friday, September 18, 2009, at 2:30 p.m. in Weyandt Hall, room 331. Light refreshments will be provided.

Dr. Houseknecht will discuss how you can increase your annual salary by $10,000 to $20,000 via a one-semester program at Penn State, where you gain clean room experience, work with the latest instrumentation, and prepare for internships. See Nano4me.org for more details.

IUP College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Together, Larkin and Duchamp have been studying Pennsylvania’s Allegheny woodrat population. The woodrat can provide vital information about forest health. In an earlier interview, Larkin’s research on the impact of habitat changes on golden-winged warbler populations was described. The interviews were conducted by The Allegheny Front, environmental radio for Western Pennsylvania, and can be heard at the Allegheny Front website; check the archives for the weeks of July 15 (Golden-wing Habitat) and August 12, 2009 (Woodrats).

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

This visit involves the inspection of any vertebrate animals involved in research or teaching, the facilities in which animal subjects are housed and research is conducted, as well as the files and protocols of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Once again, the university was found to be in compliance with all the USDA regulations regarding animal health and welfare. Dr. Bill Meil, Psychology Department, is chair of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and is responsible for ensuring that IUP meets all USDA standards.

College of Natural Sciences and mathematics

Dr. Adkins has served as a member of most of the important committees in the Mathematics Department and has been chair of many, including the Graduate Curriculum Committee and the Service Courses Committee. He also serves as the graduate coordinator of the Applied Mathematics M.S. program and, since arriving at IUP, has contributed greatly to the direction and development of that program.

Within the college, he has served as chair of the NSM Technology Committee, developed the on-line Science Festival Registration website, and is a member of the Visiting Scientist Program. He also plays a key role in Sigma Xi, serving as secretary-treasurer and vice president.

At the university level, he served on a Middle States Review subcommittee and as chairperson of the Liberal Studies Subcommittee on Science of the Natural World.

He has shared his expertise with the community through presentations at the Annual Science Festival, at workshops on computer controlled robotics for secondary school students, and through his active participation in the ARIN-IUP Mentorship Program. Dr. Adkins has provided extensive service to the PASSHE by utilizing his extensive knowledge of technology to help develop the Keystone University Network.

Dr. Hershman served as the director of the Teacher Education Program, as a member of the NSM Pre-Professional Committee, as a fund raiser for the Physics M.S. graduate program and was a member and often chair of almost every Physics Department committee. He served as chair of the Department prior to his retirement in 2007.

He led many curriculum development projects, including the Kids and Computers videotapes, which were sold to Vernier Software, the Physical Science for Fine Arts course, and the development of the Liberal Studies 499 course Exploring Science with the Computer.

Dr. Hershman was especially effective in outreach to regional physics teachers and served as the director of the IUP Alliance of Physics. He received an ExCEL grant for $150,000 for support of the Science Education Program, a $100,000 grant for supporting second certification in Physics for high school teachers,and was a co-PI on the Electro-Optics PA DCED 2+2+2 EO program, which has provided over $500,000.

Dr. Hershman’s extensive dedication to serving the success of IUP students is best demonstrated by his continuing to regularly tutor students in Physics during his retirement years. His selfless contribution in helping students understand physics is greatly appreciated by the students being served as well as by his faculty colleagues.

Details about eligibility and how to apply can be found on the scholarship page.

• Dr. George Long, professor of Chemistry, received the Sponsored Programs Award for Outstanding Achievement in Curriculum and Instruction.
• The New Investigator Award was given to Dr. Katherine L. Farnsworth, assistant professor of Geoscience.
• The Graduate Dean’s Award for Outstanding Commitment to Sponsored Programs was awarded to Dr. Jeffery L. Larkin, assistant professor of Biology.

These three faculty members continue the long tradition of excellence in research exhibited by faculty members in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

He was recognized at the recent University Honors Day and will be recognized again at the University Commencement. Details can be found at the IUP Reporter page. 

This year, forty-two women (four faculty members and thirty-eight students) presented thirty-five research posters.  A panel of judges, composed of  Dr. Seema Bharathan (Biology), Dr. Nate McElroy (Chemistry), Dr. Mark Palumbo (Psychology), Dr. Ruiess Ramsey (Chemistry, Professor Emeritus), and Dr. Janet Walker (Mathematics), and coordinated by Dr. Vida Irani (Biology),  recognized five undergraduate and two graduate projects.

Undergraduate Student Awards

First Place Award

• Ashley Hill
  Biology (Pre-Med)
  Supervisor: Seema Bharathan
  “Determination of the Optimum Concentration of Monoclonal Antibody BCI-2 to be used in Immunohistochemical Analysis of Prostate Cancer Tissues”

Second Place Awards

• Caitlin Williamson
  Biochemistry
  Supervisor: Keith Kyler
  “Calcium Tungstate: A Convenient Recoverable Catalyst for Hydrogen Peroxide”
• Amy Devlin
  Chemistry
  Supervisor: Nathan McElroy
  “Effect of pH on Uptake Rates of Non-Polar Organics by Semi-Permeable Membranes”

Third Place Awards

• Patricia Tolu-Ajayi
  Biology (Pre-Med)
  Supervisor: W. Barkley Butler
  “Effects of Temperature on the Ability of Tamoxifen (Novaldex), A Drug Used in the Treatment of Breast Cancer, to Induce Breast Cancer Cells to Behave More Like Normal Cells” 
• Rachel DeStefano and Kelsi Lindblad
  Biology Education
  Supervisor: Tim Nuttle
  “The Hormetic Response to Roundup in Brassica Rapa”

Graduate Student Awards

First Place Award

• Galit Regev and Nikki Kibe
  Biochemistry/Biology
  Supervisor: N. Bharathan
  “Characterization of Salicylic Acid Treated Mutant for Double Stranded RNA in the Plant Pathogenic Fungus Rhizoctonia Solani: Isolate 303”

Second Place Award

• Anindita Sengupta
  Physics
  Supervisor: Feng Zhou
  “A Fiber-Optic Q-Switch Based on Electro-Optic Ceramic for Fiber Lasers”

Congratulations to the award winners, and thank you for your participation in and support of this event.  We look forward to next year’s event, and hope for an even larger turnout.

We will be accepting submissions through April 1.

Congratulations to our students and their faculty mentors!

The session will be led by representatives of the Princeton Review. The first hour will give general strategies for the test, and the second hour will offer strategies for the math section.

Space is limited, so please RSVP to Se Hee Kim (rdcn@iup.edu) by Saturday, February 21.

The college would like to thank the faculty members who coordinate each program: Dr. Mike Briggs (Chemistry), Dr. Ken Coles (Geoscience), Dr. Stan Sobelewski (Physics), Dr. Holly Travis (Biology), and Dr. Janet Walker (Mathematics).

Please note that this is a public area of the Northern Suites and I-card entry is not required—simply use the main entrance. There will be light refreshments and door prizes. Representatives from the college’s student organizations will also be present.

The recipients are as follows:

Dean’s Scholarship

Ashley M. Hague, Geoscience Department
Marissa L. Umbel, Physics Department

The Patricia Hilliard-Robertson Scholarship

Christina L. Ritter, Geoscience Department

Albert R. Pechan Scholarship

Elizabeth C. Paladin, Chemistry Department

Wienken and Associates Scholarship

Beth M. Leverett, Chemistry Department

The Emerging Scholar Award recognizes outstanding rising sophomores studying at Phi Kappa Phi member institutions. Congratulations Deanna!

“Creating a Data Resource for Biology: Lessons from the Protein Data Bank” will be presented by Dr. Helen M. Berman of Rutgers University from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday, April 24, 2008, in Eberly Auditorium.

You are invited to attend! This presentation is open to the public and appropriate for a general audience. Please also encourage students to attend.

Description

There are many considerations when building a community resource for enabling science. One is the necessity of a scaleable infrastructure that can handle vast amounts and different types of data. This infrastructure must also be able to adapt to new and changing technologies. Another concern is how to solicit and incorporate the needs and wants of a variety of user communities. How are policies created and enforced? A case history of a global resource for science, the Protein Data Bank (PDB), will be presented. The PDB has been the archive for the three-dimensional coordinates for experimentally determined biological structures. Today, it is a resource used by researchers and students studying the structures of biological macromolecules and their relationships to sequence, function, and disease.

Biographical Sketch

Dr. Berman is director of the RSCB Protein Data Bank, a repository for three-dimensional structural data of proteins and nucleic acids, and professor of chemistry and chemical biology at Rutgers University. Dr. Berman has contributed significantly to the understanding of the relationship between the structural properties of biological molecules and their biological functions. She also spearheaded the creation of the Nucleic Acid Database. Both these efforts have greatly helped the scientific community establish methods to collect, archive, and analyze structural data. Her research focuses primarily on the structures of protein-nucleic acid complexes and the role of water as a mediator in intermolecular interactions. Dr. Berman completed her Ph D. in 1967 at the University of Pittsburgh.

For more information, contact Rick Adkins by e-mail at fadkins@iup.edu or by phone at 724-357-3790.

Also find more information on the Sigma Xi website.

Join us for a tour of the current sky, weather permitting, followed by a star party with some classic telescopes (Newton’s telescope/The Galileo Project).

The telescope viewing will be at 8:00 p.m.

If it is clear, we will set up several telescopes on the lawn between McElhaney and Ackerman halls. The moon, Saturn, Mars, and several other celestial sights will be visible once it gets dark enough, shortly after 8:00 p.m. Come take a look!

This event is sponsored by the IUP Geoscience Department and the College of Natural Science and Mathematics.

The planetarium is on the first floor of Weyandt Hall, which is on the east side of the Oak Grove, next to Oakland Avenue. Weather permitting, participants are invited to observe the sky after the various planetarium shows.

Seating is limited; doors will open fifteen minutes before each show. Groups that wish to attend are asked to call in advance. For more information, call 724-357-5626 or 724-357-2379.

The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics invites you to the Women in Mathematics, Science, and Technology program, a module of Research Appreciation Week.