Beloit College > Chemistry > Weekly Newsletter

 Fall 2011 Newsletters  Spring 2012 Newsletters
August 25, 2011
August 31, 2011
September 7, 2011
September 14, 2011
September 21, 2011
September 28, 2011
October 5, 2011
October 12, 2011
October 26, 2011
November 2, 2011
November 9, 2011
November 16, 2011
November 30, 2011
December 7, 2011
December 15, 2011
December 21, 2011
January 3, 2012
January 11, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 25, 2012
February 1, 2012
February 8, 2012
February 15, 2012
February 22, 2012
February 28, 2012
March 14, 2012
March 28, 2012
April 4, 2012
April 11, 2012
April 18, 2012
April 25, 2012
May 9, 2012

If you want your name added/deleted from the email list, send email to spencer@beloit.edu.
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


May 9, 2012

Congratulations
Colbert Miller ’13 and Ryan Munger ’12 have been hired as summer research interns at ChemTool, a major manufacturer of lubricants located nearby in Rockton, IL. Jill Wulf ’13 continues as an intern there.

Summer Opportunities
NCSE Launches New Environmental Internship Clearinghouse Portal
As an extension of the National Council for Science and the Environment’s (NCSE’s) Campus to Careers (C2C) program, NCSE has created an environmental internship clearinghouse with support from the UPS Foundation. The clearinghouse enables university students to search for internships in the environmental field and provides a forum for internship providers to tap into a solid community of quality applicants. Students: Looking for a summer internship? Visit http://environmentalinterns.org to look through over 100 internships (and counting!) already uploaded to the platform. You can apply directly through the clearinghouse portal.

Summer Academic Programs - Center for Talented Youth
I am writing to let you know about an excellent opportunity for the students in your school who might be interested in summer employment as a Teaching Assistant with the Center for Talented Youth (CTY) summer programs. We still have open positions and are very interested in reaching out to qualified candidates. Thank you for taking the time to forward this information below to your members.
Regards,
Karen Weeks
Program Manager
Summer Academic Programs
Center for Talented Youth
Johns Hopkins University
McAuley Hall
5801 Smith Avenue Suite 400
Baltimore, MD 21209
410-735-6218 (phone)
866-345-3731 (fax)

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle): 350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10. See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


April 25, 2012

Congratulations
Savannah Huston ’12 has been accepted into the Veterinary Medicine program for next fall at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
Xinchen (Alison) Deng ’14 will spend the summer in Prof. Liu's research group at Duke University studying assembly and applications of carbon nanotubes.
Jenny Gilbertson ’12 has been awarded an Honors Term for next fall when she will return to campus to work on developing nanochemistry labs with George Lisensky and be the TA for his FYI on Nanotechnology.
Shirley Li Shen ’12 will be giving her senior piano recital this Saturday, April 28th, at 2:00 PM in Eaton Chapel.

Chemistry Seminar
Fridays 1:30-2:35 in SC 301.  Everyone is welcome.
For the last seminar of the year we will return to the world of materials science with papers from Christopher Nakamoto and Colbert Miller.  The papers are titled Mechanism of solid-liquid-solid on the silicon oxide nanowire growth and Multiphase design of autonomic self-healing thermoplastic elastomers

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


April 18, 2012

Congratulations
Allie Hunter ’12 as accepted an offer from the University of Colorado–Boulder for their Ph.D. program in Chemistry, where she will be supported through a Teaching Assistantship.  She plans to go into computational chemistry/chemical physics.

Special Seminar
Friday, April 20, 12:30-1:20 PM in SC 301
Prof. Pavel Jungwirth from the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.  The seminar is titled "Water, Water Everywhere," 

Dow-MIT ACCESS Program
We are writing to ask for your help in spreading the word about an exciting program hosted by the Departments of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at MIT. The DOW-MIT ACCESS Program is a weekend-long symposium aimed to expose underrepresented minority students to the benefits of a graduate education in the aforementioned research areas. This 4th annual event, taking place on MIT’s campus October 12th and October 13th, is an interactive and informative symposium that has proven to have a lasting impact on its past participants.

Over half of our ACCESS alumni are now enrolled in graduate programs across the country. We hope you will encourage your students to apply to this program as we continue to work toward increasing the number of under-represented minorities in the fields of chemistry, chemical engineering and materials science.

Please forward this linked announcement to your colleagues and students:
http://access.mit.edu/2012accessannounce.pdf

Applications for the ACCESS Fall 2012 session are due June 15, 2012. All travel expenses, meals and hotel accommodations for students selected to participate in the ACCESS program will be paid by us. Participation neither obligates the student to apply for graduate study nor guarantees future consideration for study at MIT. ACCESS was made possible through the generous support of Dow Chemical Corporation. For more information visit http://access.mit.edu/ or email mit-access@mit.edu.

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


April 11, 2012

Congratulations
Chris Nakamoto ’12 has been selected to participate in the 2012 summer National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NNIN) REU at University of California, Santa Barbra where will be working on selective neural ion pumps. 

Chemistry Seminar
Fridays 1:30-2:35 in SC 301.  Everyone is welcome.
“Structure−Activity Relationships of α-, β1-, γ-, and δ-Tomatine and Tomatidine against Human Breast (MDA-MB-231), Gastric (KATO-III), and Prostate (PC3) Cancer Cells” (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/jf3003027 ).

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


April 4, 2012

Congratulations
Cate Rubin ’15 has declared a Chemistry major.
Donnia Robbins ’14 has declared a Biological Chemistry major.

Special Seminar
Dr. Pepper Schedin, Professor of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado
Monday, April 9th, 8:00 PM, Richardson Auditorium (MI)
"Biomedical research, being wrong, and the discovery of a new type of young women’s breast cancer"

Dr. Schedin is a prominent researcher in the field of breast cancer.  She pioneered a field of study in pregnancy associated breast cancer that today is recognized as being one of the most important branches of research for moving forward in the fight against breast cancer.  As both a mother and a first generation college student, he work has helped revolutionize (in more ways than one) the traditional scientific community.

Dr. Schedin will also be hosting an informal dinner for students interested in going to graduate school in the sciences. This will be a chance for students to talk with Dr. Schedin over dinner and ask her questions about applying to graduate school and life as a scientist after college. The dinner will take place at 6:00pm in the Presidents Dining room in Commons prior to her talk on Monday, April 9th.

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


March 28, 2012

Chemistry Seminar
Fridays 1:30-2:35 in SC 301.  Everyone is welcome.
   This week in seminar we return to the world of Biochemistry.  Valerie will be discussing the paper "Beneficial Effects of Blueberries in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis" (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/jf203611t) and Greg will be discussing "Targeting Insulin-like Growth Factor I with 10−23 DNAzymes: 2′-OMethyl Modifications in the Catalytic Core Enhance mRNA Cleavage" (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/bi201532q). See you all on Friday!

Taylor Company Tours
My name is Bianca Leoni and, as I have said before, I am a student and Resident Assistant on campus. As an RA All-Campus Project, I am organizing a series of trips for Beloit College students to tour Taylor Company in Rockton on April 10 and 13 from 1-4pm. Taylor Company manufactures grills, ice cream machines, smoothie machines and freezers for companies such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Jack in the Box, and many others. These tours will allow students to see and engage in conversation about processes in engineering, design, business marketing, quality control, and management. Throughout my two and a half years working for Taylor Company, I was given insight regarding how to run a company, work cooperatively with others, and make products successfully, which is something I think would benefit all Beloit College students regardless of major. Therefore, this opportunity is open to all students. Transportation will be provided and space is limited, so any students interested should email me at leonib@beloit.edu.

Dow-MIT ACCESS Program
We are writing to ask for your help in spreading the word about an exciting program hosted by the Departments of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at MIT. The DOW-MIT ACCESS Program is a weekend-long symposium aimed to expose underrepresented minority students to the benefits of a graduate education in the aforementioned research areas. This 4th annual event, taking place on MIT’s campus October 12th and October 13th, is an interactive and informative symposium that has proven to have a lasting impact on its past participants.  Over half of our ACCESS alumni are now enrolled in graduate programs across the country. We hope you will encourage your students to apply to this program as we continue to work toward increasing the number of under-represented minorities in the fields of chemistry, chemical engineering and materials science.

Please forward this linked announcement to your colleagues and students:
http://access.mit.edu/2012accessannounce.pdf

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


March 14, 2012

Congratulations
Joe Lownik ’13 has accepted a summer research position with the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative (Univ. of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University)

Special Seminar

Gamechangers: How Our National Laboratories are Working to Help Solve America’s Energy Challenge
Dr. Eric Isaacs (Beloit ’79), Director, Argonne National Laboratory
Wednesday, March 21st, 7:30-8:30pm, SC 150

In the National Laboratory system we are working on the new energy technologies that could transform the ways we generate, store and use energy, and that could protect our environment while recharging our national economy. These new technologies, many of which require breakthroughs in basic science, promise to create new jobs, perhaps even new industries, for young scientists and engineers who are now beginning their careers. 

But as we tackle the fundamental scientific research we need to discover and develop disruptive new energy technologies, it’s worthwhile to ask: What does it really mean to change the game? What does game-changing technology look like, and what are currently our best prospects for gamechangers? Ultimately, can we really change the energy game in this country?

I believe the answer is yes – but only if we bring together the right people and give them the right tools to address the right questions.

Chemistry Seminar
Fridays 1:30-2:35 in SC 301.  Everyone is welcome.

Summer Opportunities

2012 Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute Analytical Studies Group Intern Program
Supported by NSF REU Sites Program

The Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute in conjunction with the NSF REU Sites Program is offering short-term opportunities for undergraduates to work on research projects with staff members of its technical studies and research group. The Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute (MCI) is the center for specialized technical collections research and conservation for all Smithsonian museums, collections, and research centers. MCI combines state-of-the-art instrumentation and scientific techniques to provide technical research and characterization of objects.

Internships will take place during the summer of 2012. Applicants must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate in a university program or scheduled to matriculate in the fall of 2012. Acceptable majors include, but are not limited to: museum studies, art history, archaeology, paleontology, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, ecology, earth science, chemical engineering, and materials science engineering. Basic chemistry and mathematical coursework is preferred; laboratory experience is not required. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. A stipend will be offered for a period of up to 10 weeks.

Projects will be supervised by one of the following staff members in their specific project area. Applicants are strongly urged to contact potential advisors in advance of application. Students are also welcomed to propose projects of their choosing contingent upon agreement of a staff member to advise the project.

Christine France, Physical Scientist, 301-238-1261,
francec@si.edu<mailto:francec@si.edu>
Analyses of human and animal remains using stable isotope mass spectrometry

Jennifer Giaccai, Conservation Scientist, 301-238-1211, giaccaij@si.edu
Analytical studies of artists' materials and degradation using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Raman, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Nicole Little, Physical Scientist, 301-238-1243,
littlen@si.edu<mailto:littlen@si.edu>
Environmental studies of heavy metals using time of flight inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy

Odile Madden, Research Scientist, 301-238-1257,
maddeno@si.edu<mailto:maddeno@si.edu>
Analytical study of polymer composite materials in cultural heritage using Raman, FTIR, and/or XRF spectroscopies, as well as visible light and scanning electron microscopy

Mehdi Moini, Senior Research Scientist, 301-238-1238,
moinim@si.edu<mailto:moinim@si.edu>
Study of protein degradation in museums' proteinaceous specimens

Melvin Wachowiak, Senior Conservator, 301-238-1218,
wachowiakm@si.edu<mailto:wachowiakm@si.edu>
Advanced imaging of archaeological objects using 2D- and 3D-imaging techniques as well as optical imaging beyond the range of human vision

Applications must be made on line at https://solaa.si.edu - apply for the Museum Conservation Institute Analytical Studies Group Intern Program. Application deadline is March 30, 2012. Selected candidates will be interviewed by telephone, although MCI visits are welcome.
Notifications will be sent by April 15, 2012.

http://www.si.edu/mci/english/professional_development/2012TechInternships.html

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


February 28, 2012

New Course - CHEM 381
A new chemistry course has been approved for next fall. If you have done summer research but did not register that experience for credit, sign up for CHEM 381 seminar instead of CHEM 380.  Both will meet at the same time. CHEM 381 can be used instead of CHEM 380 for chemistry major requirements and it will give you credit for the college Liberal Arts in Practice requirement. The prerequisite for CHEM 381 is "Previous completion of a non-credit research project of at least 6 weeks full-time duration and junior or senior standing is required."

Chemistry Seminar
Fridays 1:30-2:35 in SC 301.  Everyone is welcome.
“Plasmonic Band Gaps and Waveguide Effects in Carbon Nanotube Arrays Based Metamaterials,” ACS Nano, Vol. 5, No. 11, p. 9138 (2011)
“Magnetoelectric Charge Trap Memory,” ACS Nano Letters, doi.org/10.1021/nl204114t (not yet published, revised 1/25/12)

Summer Opportunities
Katie Johnson recommends this job search site:  usajobs.gov
This is a listing of government agency (ex. Forest Service, Health and Human Services) jobs and internships.  There are many posted now and more will be posted soon.   There is a "students and recent grads" section, but also try searching "summer" as a keyword. Deadlines range from late February to early April.

Dear Colleagues,
I wanted to ask you to help remind any students you know who plan to apply for funding for summer opportunities that the application deadline for funding through OIE are the Monday following spring break, March 12 and for LAPC opportunities the deadline is Tuesday, March 13. Betsy Brewer and I have held several well-attended workshops this year to help students learn how to write a proposal, but if they missed these opportunities, tips are available here:
http://www.beloit.edu/oie/off_campus/financing/projects_break/
In addition, there are many other Beloit-only opportunities as well as competitive possibilities. These have varying deadlines and requirements.
http://www.beloit.edu/lapc/funding/
Thanks for your help in ensuring that our students don't miss the boat!
Best,
Carol Wickersham - Director for Community-Based Learning

The Beloit College Sustainability Fellows Program announces two new fellowships:
Sustainable Agriculture: A Native Perspective
Community Action: Porter Avenue Sharing Garden, Nelson Avenue Garden and Pumpkin Patch
These fellowships join the previously announced fellowships:
Sustainability projects for this summer include:
Energy use at Beloit College
Native species/Urban ecology at Beloit College
Environmental education at the Welty Environmental Center
Conservation management the Nygren Wetland Preserve

Students in this program contribute their expertise to a campus- or community-based sustainability project and earn one unit of academic credit.  This eight-week summer program offers internships and applied research experiences for Beloit College students to engage in sustainability-related activities on campus and in the local community.  Each student will work at one site under the mentorship of a faculty member.  In addition to working full-time at their placement sites, students will participate in a weekly Sustainability Seminar and a weekly community-based learning workshop.  The fellowships are described at the bottom of this message.  

Students receive a stipend of $3000 and housing on the Beloit College campus during the program.  The tentative program dates for 2012 are May 21 through July 13.
All current Beloit College students are eligible to apply.

To enable students who are interested in the new fellowships to apply, the application deadline for full consideration has been extended to March 15, 2012.  Information and application materials are available at https://www.beloit.edu/sustainability/sust_fellows/

For more information, contact Professor Yaffa Grossman, Director of the Beloit  College Fellows Program (grossman@beloit.edu).

Sustainable Agriculture: A Native Perspective
The fellow will collaborate with Logan Museum Director Bill Green to research and write about sustainable agriculture from the perspective of the crops grown by Native people in the Midwest. The work is mostly lab-based, including identification and analysis of archaeological plant remains.  In addition, the fellow will grow crops in the field and greenhouse to help build reference collections and meet with local organic growers to plan field experiments with Native crops next year.

Community Action: Porter Avenue Sharing Garden, Nelson Avenue Garden and Pumpkin Patch
The summer garden fellow will collaborate with staff of Community Action, including the VISTA staff person, to oversee the development and maintenance of the Porter Avenue Sharing Garden, the Nelson Avenue Pumpkin Patch and the new Nelson Avenue Garden.  These gardens are part of a neighborhood revitalization effort in one of Beloit’s most challenged neighborhoods.  The fellow will engage in basic garden maintenance and management, neighborhood engagement, volunteer coordination, and outreach.

Beloit College Energy Use
The Sustainability Fellows who are placed at the Beloit College Physical Plant will join Director Michael Brady to assess the potential for improvements in energy use on campus. Fellows will examine ways to reduce the College’s energy consumption and develop economic models to assist the college in making decisions about where to invest resources.  The 2012 will extend the work of Sustainability Fellows Sierra Anseeuw (2010), Grace Kellogg (2010, 2011), and Isaac Bamgbose (2011), and examine new issues.

Beloit College Native Species Plantings/Urban Ecology
Native species plantings have become an increasingly common occurrence in Midwestern urban landscapes.  Examples of such plantings include the new oak savanna south of the Science Center and the Eloise Marston Schnaitter Wildflower Garden near the Wright Museum of Art. These plantings provide aesthetic and educational benefits and may provide ecosystem services as well. The term “ecosystem services” refers to processes that ecosystems perform that benefit humans, such as biodiversity preservation, seed production, carbon sequestration, rainwater infiltration/runoff reduction, temperature modification, and pollinator refuge. During the summer of 2012, this research will focus examine the species composition in the third year of growth on the oak savanna, continue an experiment started by 2010 Sustainability Fellow Nathan Whitley, and extend the curation of native species at Beloit College started by 2011 Sustainability Fellow Lucile Tepsa.

Nygren Wetland Fellow
The Nygren Wetland Fellow will work with the staff of the Natural Land Institute (NLI) on the restoration of native species at Nygren Wetland Preserve.  Greg Keilback, NLI Land Stewardship Director, will supervise this fellowship.  India John, the 2010 Sustainability Fellow at Nygren worked on many projects including a turtle restoration project.

Welty Environmental Education Summer Fellowship
The Welty Sustainability Fellow will design environmental education programs, assist with environmental education programs, matching Wisconsin and Illinois state learning standards to environmental education programs offered at the Welty Environmental Center, and help the staff with day-to-day operations at the Welty Environmental Center.  Design of programs will include summer day camp programming for elementary aged children, public programs for all ages, and reworking the established school program curriculum. The fellow will be asked to assist in leading environmental education programs throughout the summer months.  These will include summer day camp programming for elementary aged children, programs for early childhood groups, fishing programs for elementary through middle school aged children, and programming for families of all ages. There will be programming during the day on weekdays, as well as occasional evenings and weekends.  In order to perform the duties of the position the fellow should be able to walk on uneven ground, be outside during heat, rain, wind and any other typical weather of the area, work with people of all ages, but especially children, be organized, and be able to work independently.

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

top


February 22, 2012

Congratulations
Hannah Richter ’15 and Alicia Hoffman ’15 have declared majors in Biochemistry.

Orion Pearce ’10 has been offered a summer REU research position in nanotechnology at Duke University.

Jenny Glibertson ’12 has been placed in a lab in the south of France for the summer to work on biomedically related applications of nanotechnology, a follow-on opportunity provided through her NNIN REU position at the University of Washington last summer.

Summer Opportunities
Beloit College Sustainability Fellows Program
Students in this program contribute their expertise to a campus- or community-based sustainability project and earn one unit of academic credit.  This eight-week summer program offers internships and applied research experiences for Beloit College students to engage in sustainability-related activities on campus and in the local community.  Each student will work at one site under the mentorship of a faculty member.  In addition to working full-time at their placement sites, students will participate in a weekly Sustainability Seminar and a weekly community-based learning workshop. 

Sustainability projects for this summer include:
Energy use at Beloit College
Native species/Urban ecology at Beloit College
Environmental education at the Welty Environmental Center
Conservation management the Nygren Wetland Preserve
Students receive a stipend of $3000 and housing on the Beloit College campus during the program.  The tentative program dates for 2012 are May 21 through July 13. 
All current Beloit College students are eligible to apply.  For full consideration, please apply by March 8, 2012.  Information and application materials are available at https://www.beloit.edu/sustainability/sust_fellows/
For more information, contact Professor Yaffa Grossman, Director of the Beloit College Sustainability Fellows Program (grossman@beloit.edu).

Southern Illinois University REU
[Note: Allie Hunter ’12 was in this program summer before last, so they know and like Beloit students – talk with Allie about her experience there.] 
We are pleased to announce that the NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program in Interdisciplinary Materials Research at Southern Illinois University is recommended for funding and is currently accepting applications for the Summer of 2012 (its 7th season of operation).  We seek your assistance in alerting undergraduate students to our REU Program. 

Our program is particularly interested in attracting candidates (preferably in their first, second, or third years of college) from groups traditionally under-represented in Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering; as always, all applications are welcome.  Application forms and details about the program are available on-line at:  http://www.chem.siu.edu/undergrad/reu.htm.  Review of applications will commence after March 7, 2012. 

The REU program runs for a 10-week period over the summer.  Participating students will work with mentors from the Departments of Chemistry, Physics, or Engineering to perform materials research (broadly defined)—with emphases in nanoscience/nanotechnology, energy research, smart materials, biomaterials, materials characterization, friction/tribology, and materials fabrication among other subjects.  In this program, students will work on independent research projects and receive hands-on training in the use of state-of-the-art instrumentation and methods.

Student benefits include a stipend of approximately $4500, $1,000 research expenditure allowance, free college housing, and a travel allowance to facilitate transportation from the student’s home institution or to conferences (up to $700).

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday. 

top


February 15, 2012

Special Seminar
‘The Long Road to INTELENCE, an Important Advance in the Treatment of HIV’
Dr. Bart DeCorte – Janssen Research Foundation
Monday, February 20, 2:45 PM in SC 202

Since the identification of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the 1980s and its role as the causative agent of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), research efforts in academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies have led to the discovery of a number of therapeutic agents. The discovery of Intelence, one of those agents, will be discussed. A brief overview of the clinical development and regulatory process will also be presented.

Bart DeCorte is a native of Belgium. He completed his undergraduate education in Agricultural and Chemical Engineering at the University of Gent, Belgium. He performed graduate and postdoctoral work at the Université de Rennes, France, the University at Albany, NY, and Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. In 1993, he returned to Belgium and joined the Janssen Research Foundation, one of the Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical companies, as a medicinal chemist. In the past two decades, he has worked for J&J on three continents in the areas of HIV, mycology, oncology, pain, inflammation and metabolic diseases. His most notable achievement is his role as co-inventor of INTELENCE, Janssen’s first FDA-approved non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor for the treatment of HIV. When he is not working in the lab, he enjoys coaching soccer, playing tennis and gardening.

Fall Course Schedules
Tentative course schedules for all of the science and math courses are now posted in SC414. Please check them carefully and let us know of any conflicts that pose a potential problem for you.

Congratulations
Jason Saba ’15 has declared a Biochemistry major.
Jenny Gilbertson ’12 did research in nanotechnology at the University of Washington last summer as part of the National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NNIN) REU program. NNIN has now offered her a follow-on summer of research abroad for this coming summer following her graduation. She is waiting to see where the placement might be.

Chemistry Seminar
Fridays 1:30-2:35 in SC 301. Everyone is welcome.
“Antitumor Activity and Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Paclitaxel-Laden Triazine Dendrimers,” ACS Molecular Pharmaceutics (2012 doi.org/10.1021/mp2005017)

“Small molecules that recapitulate the early steps of urodele amphibian limb regeneration and confer multipotency,” ACS Chemical Biology (2012 – “just accepted”)

Summer Opportunities
Use the ACS Get Experience Site to Search for Research Opportunities in Chemistry
The “Get Experience” site allows you to easily find undergraduate research opportunities, internships, and other chemistry-related experiences for FREE! The site offers features such as keyword, location, and chemistry field searches with helpful filters and tags. Check out www.acs.org/GetExperience to search for or post new opportunities today!

University of Nebraska
Are your students looking for summer research opportunities? Please post, forward, or tell your students about the 2012 Nebraska Summer Research Program housed on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The program offers students an excellent opportunity to hone research skills and to experience life as a graduate student. Students will enhance their academic resume, work closely with faculty and peers, and have fun with social and professional development activities, all while receiving numerous benefits. Students historically underrepresented in graduate education are especially encouraged to apply. Due to funding restrictions, participation is limited to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. All programs for 2012 are listed at http://www.unl.edu/summerprogram/ and include projects in Applied Mathematics, Bioenergy Systems, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Nanomaterials and Nanoscience, Optics and Laser Physics, Redox Biology, and Virology. Our online application makes it easy for students to apply. Priority review of applications begins Wednesday, February 15 and all applications are due Thursday, March 1.

Undergraduate Fellowships in Marine Science, Oceanography and Global Climate Change
TENTATIVE DATES: August 30 to November 24, 2012
The Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences has received National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) funding to support 4-8 fellowships for undergraduate student research at BIOS during the 2012 fall* semester (DATES: arrive on August 29, 2012 - depart on November 25, 2012). Students will design and conduct independent projects under faculty supervision within several research areas including:

Eligibility and Terms of Fellowship Students who have completed at least two years of undergraduate study and will still be undergraduates in the fall of 2012 are eligible to apply. Minorities and women are especially encouraged. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. We encourage all successful applicants to arrange for independent study credit through their home institutions.

Each successful REU applicant will receive a stipend paid at competitive rates. Students will reside on the BIOS campus. Travel expenses will be covered by the REU program.
Applications and Further Information You can apply to BIOS's REU program by downloading an application form (in Word format) and e-mailing, faxing or mailing your completed application to the address listed on the form. If you have difficulty with the form, you can contact BIOS's Education Department at education(at)bios.eduor telephone (441) 297 1880.

If you have any other questions about the program or BIOS, please e-mail education(at)bios.edu
Applications will be accepted until the program is full. Initial selection of participants will begin May 30.

Students will arrive on August 29 and will begin work on August 30. Work will end on November 24, with students departing on November 25.
Dr. Caroline A. Masiello • Assistant Professor • Rice University • dept of Earth Science, ms 126 • 6100 Main St • Houston, TX 77005 • phone:713-348-5234 • fax: 713-348-5214 • biochar.rice.edu • terra.rice.edu/department/faculty/masiello/RIBG/

2012 Climate Fellowship Postings Are Now Available from Clean Air-Cool Planet
Clean Air-Cool Planet (CA-CP) Fellowships are 10-week, full-time summer positions that pair exceptionally talented students with challenging, real-world projects to advance innovative climate change solutions and leadership. Fellows are provided mentorship, networking opportunities and a stipend.

The list of 2012 Fellowships is exciting and diverse, including the following:
Haas Climate Fellowship: Climate Preparedness for Coastal New Hampshire Towns (NH)
Lamprey Climate Fellowship: Charting Emissions From Food Services (CHEFS): Supporting Sustainable Decisions
Impact of Climate Change on Population Dynamics of Emergent Pathogens (NH)
Fostering Innovation in Financing State and Local Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Initiatives (CT)
Using the Campus Carbon Calculator to Highlight Coal Dependence Impacts and Alternatives for Colleges and Universities
Climate Preparedness for New Jersey - Data Directory (NJ)
and more...
If you are, have or know a college student (upper-class undergrad or graduate) looking for a challenging and rewarding summer experience, for details about the projects and application process, please visit http://www.cleanair-coolplanet.org/for_campuses/Climate_Fellows_2012.php.

Our deadline for accepting applications is February 24th, so please help us spread the word!

Beloit College Sanger Scholars
I am pleased to announce the continuation of the Sanger Summer Research program for 2012. The program will run from May 28 to July 20. Applications to participate are due on March 23, 2012.

The Sanger program focuses on collaboration between faculty and students on a sustained research project, with particular focus on moving that research toward public presentation and/or publication. We invite applications from faculty and student teams who are prepared to develop a collaborative model in which students play a significant role in the advancement of an ongoing or new research project and in the dissemination of the new knowledge this project produces.

Students eligible for participation in the program are rising juniors and seniors. Graduated students are not eligible for the program (this includes students returning for an Honors Term).

Applications should include:
1. C.V. or resume from faculty and student team members
2. description of proposed summer research project
3. jointly developed model for collaborative work between student and faculty member
4. proposed learning goals for student
5. proposed professional goals for faculty member
6. plan for the development and submission of completed work to conference or publication
7. possible partners for research cluster (optional)

Selected participants will meet weekly with a research cluster of 1-3 other teams that share similarities in discipline or inquiry. Applicants may suggest other teams with which they would like to partner in this way.

Further information about the program can be found at http://www.beloit.edu/academicaffairs/news

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle): 350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10. See Brock Spencer.

top


February 8, 2012

GWIS BAKE SALE TODAY!
Support Girls and Women in Science by stocking up on some really great baked goods today (Wednesday 2/8) in the Science Center atrium.

Congratulations
Li Shen ’12 has been accepted for law school at the College of William and Mary, UW-Madison, and George Mason University, and has been offered a full-tuition position as a John Marshall Scholar at the John Marshall School of Law in Chicago.

Allie Hunter ’12 has been offered a teaching assistantship and an additional Merit Fellowship in chemistry at the University of Indiana in Bloomington.

Chemistry Seminar
Fridays 1:30-2:35 in SC 301. Everyone is welcome. This Friday (2/10):
“Synthesis of a Conjugated Polymer with Broad Absorption and Its Application in High-Performance Phototransistors,” Macromolecules 2012, doi.org/10.1021/ma202582n

“Engineering Artificial Small RNAs for Conditional Gene Silencing in Escherichia coli,” ACS Synthetic Biology 2012, doi.org/10.1021/sb200001q

Turtle Town Volunteer Fire Department Benefit Pancake Feed
(Famous For Whole Hog Sausage)
Every year for the last 56 years on the second Saturday of February the Town of Turtle Fire Department puts on it's pancake feed. This year will be no exception so come on out to the Shopiere Center on February 11th! This is the department's biggest fundraiser and all of the proceeds go towards new equipment. The funds generated are vital to keeping the fire department operating so please come out to show your support. The pancake feed will be held on Saturday, February 11th, 2012 from 6am to 4pm. The event will be held at the Turtle Community Center located at 6916 S. Cty J in Shopiere. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! [Contact Turtle Town resident Brock Spencer for details – students traditionally make the most of the all-you-can-eat nature of this event.]

Summer Opportunities
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
(Forwarded to us by Carrie Tuit ’96, who did her Ph.D. at WHOI, a post doc at Princeton, and is now an environmental consultant with Gradient Corporation in Cambridge, MA http://gradientcorp.com/people/talent.php?last=Tuit)

2012 Summer Student and Minority Fellowships: Each fellow conducts a research project under the guidance of a member of the Scientific or Senior Technical Staff. Fellows have an excellent opportunity to select and pursue a research problem of their own with access to more than two hundred practicing scientists and engineers and the facilities of a major oceanographic institution. Fellowship recipients also participate in a one-day practicum research cruise. This program aims to provide hands-on experience in ocean studies to a promising group of students with potential career interest in oceanography and/or marine policy.

Summer Student Fellow - Undergraduates who have completed their junior year at colleges or universities and are studying in any of the fields of biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, geophysics, mathematics, meteorology, physics, oceanography, and marine policy. Persons from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. Support for the program comes from the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates Program and private benefactors. Summer Student Fellowship Web page: http://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=36375

Minority Fellow: Students from underrepresented groups who have completed at least one year of study in physical or natural science, mathematics, or engineering and have an interest in marine sciences, oceanographic engineering or marine policy. U.S. citizens or permanent residents may apply. Support for the program comes from the U.S. Geological Survey’s Center for Marine and Coastal Geology. Minority Fellows Web page: http://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=9121

The program is held during the summer months (June-August) when most students are free to attend. Students arrive between the end of May and mid June and stay for 10-12 weeks. Minority Fellowships can be arranged at other times during the year. A stipend is provided for the 10-12 week program ($500 per week) plus a reasonable round trip travel allowance to Woods Hole. WHOI housing is provided for fellowship recipients. Completed applications are due by February 15, 2012. Admissions page: http://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=8065

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle): 350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10. See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


February 1, 2012

Chemistry Seminar
Fridays at 1:30-2:35 in SC 301.  Everyone is welcome.
This Friday's talks will range from explosives to carbon-nanotube sensors for Parkinson disease's precursor molecules:
“New Insights into the Metastable β Form of RDX,” Crystal Growth and Design (dx.doi.org/10.1021/cg201718a |)
“Detection of Asymptomatic Nigrostriatal Dopaminergic Lesion in Rats by Exhaled Air Analysis Using Carbon Nanotube Sensors,” ACS Chemical Neuroscience (dx.doi.org/10.1021/cn200093r |)

Summer Opportunities
North Carolina State University
Materials Science and Engineering at NCSU is launching a new REU for summer 2012 on Advanced Materials for Environmental Sustainability
Details are provided at http://www.mse.ncsu.edu/reu/

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


January 25, 2012

Congratulations
More graduate school acceptances are rolling in – University Edinburgh, University of California at Santa Barbara, Cornell University.

Summer Opportunities
Beloit College 2012 Summer Biomedical Research Scholars Program
Students are invited to apply to the Beloit College Summer Biomedical Research Scholars Program.  This program will fund 8 weeks of mentored biomedical lab research and living expenses in the Chicago area during summer 2012 (typically June 1- July 31).  Applicants must be current Beloit College students with a strong interest in biomedical research.  In previous years, our Biomed Scholars have worked in Chicago labs focusing on microbiology, immunology, pathology, cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, neurobiology, and others.  Preference will be given to second and third year students who have not yet had a biomedical laboratory research experience. 

Applicants should submit their applications to Professor Micho Gravis by Feb 28.  Application materials must be submitted online at the Biomedical Research Scholars Program Moodle page (this Moodle page can be found be in the Moodle Biology course listings or at the direct link: https://bcmoodle.beloit.edu/course/view.php?id=1425 ).

In the letter of application (~2 pages), students should discuss their motivation and rationale for seeking a summer research experience and how their academic background and other experiences will prepare them to conduct summer research.  The application letter should discuss potential research interests, future career goals, and how a summer research experience will facilitate their educational and career goals.  Applicants should also describe any previous research experiences they may have had. Students should describe the general areas of research they are interested in and then use the internet to find biomedical research scientists at Chicago area universities (especially Rush and Loyola) who are doing research related to their interests. We have particularly strong ties with Beloit alumnus Dr. Larry Thomas, an immunologist at Rush, and Dr. Alan Wolfe, a microbiologist at Loyola and parent of a Beloit alum.  Drs. Thomas and Wolfe have previously hosted Beloit students in their labs and helped us place Beloit students in various other labs at Rush and Loyola.  Students should not contact labs they are interested in right now, but should instead describe in their application letter a list of at least 3 possible Chicago area scientist-mentors and their contact information.

In addition to the application letter, a complete application must include a resume or curriculum vitae (CV), a separate document listing relevant Biology and Chemistry courses taken, a record of college grades/academic transcript (unofficial transcript is fine), and a letter of recommendation from one or two science professors.  Please also indicate if you are an Illinois resident who will be able to commute to Chicago labs from your family home in the summer or if you will need to find summer housing in Chicago.
For more information contact Professor Micho Gravis, gravisd@beloit.edu.

Fairly Comprehensive Listing
For a fairly comprehensive listing of summer research/internship programs, see http://www.grinnell.edu/academic/divisions/science/summer/scisumres-offcampus

Student Conservation Association
The SCA offers a very wide range of internships around the country ranging from trail construction in national parts to outdoor education positions to research projects.  For 12-16 week internships they typically provide a $75/week living allowance, travel expenses to and from the site, accident insurance, and may have and AmeriCorps education award available ($1132-1415).  International students are also eligible for many of the positions.  See http://www.thesca.org/serve/internships/browse for a list of positions and other details.  Beloit students have used this program successfully in the past.

Summer Jobs + Jobs Bank
The Department of Labor will be launching the Summer Jobs+ Jobs Bank, an online tool that will help connect you to summer jobs, internships, mentoring programs and more in your area.  Sign up at http://www.dol.gov/summerjobs/ to be notified when the site goes live.

University of Nebraska Summer Research Program
I am writing to request your help in identifying undergraduate students who are interested in a summer research experience. Our faculty has been impressed with the quality of students at your institution and I hope you will encourage your students to consider applying to the 2012 Nebraska Summer Research Program

Nebraska's summer program offers research opportunities in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. A complete listing of faculty mentors and research project descriptions can be found on our website at http://www.unl.edu/summerprogram/. Students can also find information about program benefits including a competitive stipend, room and board, travel expenses and more.

Summer 2012 programs include:
Applied Mathematics
Bioenergy Systems
Biomedical Engineering
Chemistry
Nanomaterials and Nanoscience
Optics and Laser Physics
Redox Biology and Biochemistry
Virology

During the Nebraska Summer Research Program, students receive first-hand exposure to research and the experiences of graduate school. They work closely with faculty mentors and research teams of graduate students and other summer scholars. Students also have opportunities to participate in meaningful social and professional development activities outside of the laboratory.

Our online application makes it easy for students to apply. Priority review begins Wednesday, February 15 and all applications are due Monday, March 1. Students historically underrepresented in graduate education and students from academic institutions where research programs are limited are especially encouraged to apply.

For After You Graduate 
Medical College of Wisconsin
The Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Pediatrics - Hematology/Oncology Division is currently seeking a Clinical Research Coordinator I  Please share this exciting opportunity your current students and/or others you feel might be interested.  If you would like to learn more about the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Department of Pediatrics or this particular position please visit our website: www.mcw.edu/careers.

TO APPLY: Visit the Medical College of Wisconsin website, www.mcw.edu/careers and complete an online application for position #20000410

Jane Martell, PHR, HR Manager
Department of Pediatrics, Administration
Medical College of Wisconsin
Phone:  (414) 337-7122
Email:  jmartell@mcw.edu

Teach English in China
An information meeting about teaching English in China at Henan University will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 31, in the Office of International Education.  Henan University, Beloit's partner university in Kaifeng, China is offering three full-time, year-long teaching positions in its English as a Foreign Language Program for the 2012/13 academic year.

Application deadline:  Monday, February 20.

Eligibility:  Beloit College graduating seniors who are native speakers of English and have an interest in drawing on their liberal arts education to teach university students English.

Teachers have full responsibility for the classes they teach.  The positions require flexibility, creativity, resourcefulness, and discipline.  Applicants need not be Chinese speakers, but they should want to learn some Chinese either before arriving in Kaifeng, or while in Kaifeng.  Competitive applicants will have prior teaching or tutoring experience and will have either completed or be enrolled in a course on teaching English as a second language.

Interviews will be held February 27, 28, and 29.

The application process includes submission of a statement of interest, a description of the applicant's qualifications and approach to the position, a CV, unofficial transcript, contact information for two references.

Application materials should be submitted by email to Mya Fisher, graduate intern, at fisherm@beloit.edu .

Compensation includes RT airfare to China, a campus apartment, and a monthly stipend.

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


January 18, 2012

Congratulations
Allie Hunter has received her first acceptance for graduate school in chemistry for next year, from the University of Washington in Seattle.

CHEM 220 Lab TA Needed
Contact George or Kevin.

Summer Opportunities
North Dakota State University NSF REU
We are sponsoring an NSF-REU program, and we are asking that you encourage potential students to apply.  Research on the Prairies is a 10-week summer research experience for undergraduate students.  Participants will work alongside faculty to engage in cutting-edge research in the molecular sciences.  A list of faculty sponsors and summer research projects can be found here.  Participants will receive a $5000 stipend and on-campus housing. The summer 2012 program will run from May 29 through August 3.

Throughout the intensive summer program, participants will learn to think creatively and independently about research and to communicate their results in multiple contexts.  Weekly seminars, informal research meetings, and trips to regional attractions (e.g. The Badlands) are planned. The summer program will culminate in an undergraduate research symposium that showcases participants' progress throughout the summer.
Deadline for applications is February 15th.  For information and application materials see http://www.ndsu.edu/chemistry/reu.html

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


January 11, 2012

Congratulations
Jenny Gilbertson ’12, who received grants from the college’s Wood International Venture Fund and Weissberg Human Rights Fund for her trip over the break between semesters to study the role of the midwife in rural Senegalese medicine, reports that the first baby whose birth she participated in has been named Jennifer (perhaps the only Jennifer in Senegal?) in her honor.  Look for Jenny when she returns next week with her traditional Senegalese braids and dress.

Summer Opportunities
University of Illinois – Urbana
We are happy to announce the second year of the Illinois Research Experience for Undergraduates program, with support from NSF and the 3M Foundation.   I write now to invite you to urge students to apply to come to Urbana to do summer research.  We particularly seek students who have not previously conducted research, are members of underrepresented groups (including women), or are first-generation college attendees.  Students who will have completed no more than 3 years of college by June 1, 2012 are our intended scholarship recipients.  While we allow post-freshman to apply, it is most likely that post-sophomore and post-junior students will receive highest consideration.

The scholarship provides:
·       $5,000 stipend for a ten-week stay in our department
·$1,000 towards housing in Urbana (either in a dormitory or rented quarters) plus $500 to support travel to and return from Urbana
.       $ 800 for subsistence

We require that sophomore- or junior-level undergraduate students have at least two semesters of organic chemistry lecture and laboratory.  They should also be inclined to pursue graduate studies in chemistry.   For detailed information about the research areas of the individual faculty members, please see http://www.chemistry.illinois.edu/faculty/index.html.  Application may be made at the website http://chemistry.illinois.edu/reu/.
Please have students apply as soon as possible. Applications received by March 15, 2012 will receive full consideration.
   

Center for the Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology REU
Transport and transformation of nanoparticles in the environment.  Effects of nanomaterials in complex, real environments.  Risk assessment for decision making.  A joint program with research opportunities at Duke University in North Carolina, Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, and the European Center for Research and Education (CEXREGXE) in Aix-en-Provence, France.  $4000 plus housing and travel.  Deadline February 15, 2012. This internship is open to undergraduates who are majoring in engineering, chemistry, biology, physics, ecotoxicology or other fields related to nano-science and engineering.  Applicants must also be either citizens or permanent residents of the US or its territories. Apply at http://ceint.duke.edu/reu.

American Chemical Society
Use the Get Experience Site to Search for Research Opportunities in Chemistry
The “Get Experience” site allows you to easily find research opportunities, internships, and other chemistry-related experiences by offering features such as keyword, location, and chemistry field searches with helpful filters and tags for FREE. Check out www.acs.org/GetExperience to search for or post new opportunities today!
Apply to the ACS Scholars Program
The ACS Scholars Program is now accepting applications for the 2012-2013 academic year. This is an undergraduate scholarship program for students from under-represented minority groups majoring in and planning a career in the chemical sciences. Applications must besubmitted online at www.acs.org/scholars.The deadline to receive completed applications and all supporting documents is March 1, 2012. If you have questions, please contact scholars@acs.org or call 202-872-6250, or 1-800-227-5558, ext. 6250. 

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


January 3, 2012

Congratulations
We made it into 2012 – Happy New Year!

Summer Opportunities (to work on over break)

Proctor & Gamble Internships
I am writing to inform you of a Virtual (Online) Career Fair with information about employment opportunities at Procter & Gamble for Summer Interns and Co-ops, located in Cincinnati, Ohio.  I would encourage you to have any highly motivated, interested undergraduate students apply to P&G’s 2012 Diversity Virtual Career Fair which will take place on January 11th, 2012 from 10am-6pm (students can visit anytime within those hours).  Information regarding how to register for the Career Fair is linked below.  Additional information about Procter & Gamble can be found on our websites: www.pg.com and www.experiencepg.com.  Please let me know if you have any questions, and I would be happy to talk to any interested students.

Best regards,
Stephanie Urbin
The Procter & Gamble Company
F&HC Strategic Innovation & Technology
urbin.s@pg.com

WHAT:  2012 Diversity Virtual Career Fair
WHEN:  Wednesday, January 11, 2012 / 10:00am – 6:00pm EST
HOW:  Click this link for Registration
TO LEARN MORE:  Become a fan! Visit our Diversity Facebook page.

Behavioral Research Advancements in Neuroscience (BRAIN)- Summer Neuroscience Research Experience
If you are interested and ready for an exciting summer neuroscience research experience, consider applying for BRAIN 2012. The Atlanta-based BRAIN program invites applications for Fellows who would like to participate in a 10-week summer research program. This program provides full room and board plus a stipend. Those eligible to apply are undergraduates and recent post-bacs who are enthusiastic, hard working, detail oriented, and who want to engage in cutting edge neuroscience research. Some accepted Fellows will be working at the molecular or cellular level in laboratories, others will be working with small animals and some may be collecting data and doing research at outdoor field sites. Projects may include day or evening work. Be a part of an exciting summer research experience! Application Deadline is January 13, 2012, for more information see: http://www.cbn-atl.org/education/brain.shtml. In addition to BRAIN, NET/work is Atlanta's new program for Neuroscience Education and Training. For students from underrepresented groups at Georgia State University, Emory University, Spelman College, and Agnes Scott College - NET/work is a two-year paid research assistantship that provides participants with local and national research opportunities from their sophomore year through graduation.

Maine Medical Center Research Institute 2012 Summer Student Research Program
The Summer Student Research Program (SSRP) at Maine Medical Center Research Institute offers pre-college and college students a unique opportunity to conduct educational research in diverse biomedical science fields during the summer months. Up to ten undergraduate students participate in mentored, independent research projects either in our state-of-the-art research facility in Scarborough, Maine, or working with physicians to impact patient care or the outcome of treatment. For additional information visit: http://www.mmcri.org/home/webSubContent.php?list=webcontentlive&id=193&catID=4&subCatID=18. The deadline for application is January 15, 2012

Alcohol Research Training Summer School (ARTSS)
ARTSS is designed to provide an intensive introduction to alcohol research for undergraduates in order to increase the number of students, and particularly underrepresented minorities, interested in pursuing careers in this field. Students from minority and nonminority groups are encouraged to apply. The program begins with an intensive week-long introduction to alcohol research, followed by an 8 week internship working on a project with a mentoring team. This is a full-time experience with a stipend of $3,200. The program will conclude with the students presenting their research project to the ARTSS faculty and other students. The week-long program of structured learning experiences will be conducted at Washington University in St. Louis from June 3-8, 2012. At the conclusion of the course, ARTSS students will be placed in internships from June 11 - August 3, 2012 in the laboratories of MARC researchers at either Washington University School of Medicine or the University for Missouri-Columbia. For additional information visit: http://alcoholresearch.missouri.edu/relatedtraining.html. The deadline for applications is 2/1/12.

Summer UR Program in Educational Psychology & Applied Developmental Science & Education Policy- Curry School of Education at UVA
This fully funded 8-week internship that is designed to encourage students from groups traditionally underrepresented in the field of education research to consider careers in academic, policy, or research organizations. Rising seniors are eligible for these paid research internships at UVA during Summer 2012. Interns will work with faculty on ongoing research focusing on schools, classrooms, and other youth settings as contexts critical to child and adolescent development. They will have the opportunity to collect and analyze data, write a section of a research paper, participate in research meetings, attend a research conference, and participate in related workshops and a GRE prep course. You can read more about our program and get the application form at http://curry.virginia.edu/SURP. The program is for students who will be entering their senior year in Fall 2012 and the deadline for applications is 2/1/12.

DEADLINE REMINDER: 2012 Amgen Scholars U.S. Program
Amgen Scholars is an undergraduate summer research program in science and biotechnology that provides hundreds of selected undergraduate students with the opportunity to engage in a hands-on research experience at some of the nation's leading educational institutions:
California Institute of Technology
Columbia University/Barnard College
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Stanford University
University of California- Berkeley
University of California- Los Angeles
University of Calfornia- San Diego
University of California- San Francisco
University of Washington, Seattle
Washington University in St. Louis
This is a reminder that the deadline for student applications is February 1, 2012 (Feb. 15 for Caltech). For more information, please go to http://www.amgenscholars.com/ or contact the Amgen Scholars US Program Office at (617) 253-2620 or asp-npo@mit.edu.

Keck Geology Consortium Student Research Opportunities
Each year the Keck Geology Consortium has undergraduate research opportunities for approximately 51 undergraduate students in a wide variety of geological/environmental science sub-disciplines and locations. The program includes 4 weeks of summer research (field and/or lab work depending on the project), continuing research during the academic year (jointly advised by a project faculty member and a research advisor at the students home institution), attendance at the annual Keck Geology Consortium Symposium, and a publication in the annual Keck Geology Consortium proceedings volume. Students receive a $1,500 stipend and typically all travel and living expenses are provided for. Opportunities and details can be found here: http://keckgeology.org/students. Deadline for summer programs is February 3, 2012.

Department of Commerce Internship for Postsecondary Students
Opportunities to participate in hands-on education and training related to the Department of Commerce- business; communications and graphic design; mathematics; computer science; social and behavioral sciences. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply (must be currently enrolled). Internship locations include: District of Columbia, Georgia, and Illinois. Department of Commerce headquarters, Department of Commerce division offices, and field centers. 10 weeks in the summer; 15 weeks during fall or spring semester Deadline(s): January 31 for summer; July 1 for fall semester. Note: Deadlines are listed above, however applications will be accepted on a continuing basis throughout the year and will be considered past the deadline if positions are still available. More information is available here: http://see.orau.org/ProgramDescription.aspx?Program=10038

NIH Accepting Applications for Short-Term Education Program for Underrepresented Persons
The overall goal of NIDDK's Short Term Education Program (STEP-UP) is to build and sustain a biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social science research pipeline focused on NIDDK mission areas. The STEP-UP program is particularly interested in increasing the participation of students from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research on a national basis, including individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, and individuals with disabilities. To accomplish this goal, the NIDDK STEP-UP program provides research education grants to seven institutions to coordinate three High School STEP-UP Programs and four Undergraduate STEP-UP Programs that provides eligible students with ten to twelve weeks of summer research experience and training opportunities. The program culminates with an all expense paid trip to the Annual STEP-UP Scientific Research Symposium in August. Deadline is February 15, 2012 to apply visit: https://stepup.niddk.nih.gov/default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

For After You Graduate 
The Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Pediatrics – Allergy-Immunology Division is currently seeking a Research Technologist 1 (full 40 hours weekly).  Please share this exciting opportunity your current students and/or others you feel might be interested.  If you would like to learn more about the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Department of Pediatrics or this particular position please visit our website: www.mcw.edu/careers.
TO APPLY:  Visit the Medical College of Wisconsin website, www.mcw.edu/careers and complete an online application for position #350.18099

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday 

top


December 21, 2011

Congratulations
We all made it to the end of the semester! See you in January

Summer Opportunities (now’s the time to get something set for summer)
New ACS listings (about 150 in all, including a number of REU sites)
http://www.getexperience.dreamhosters.com/ has a number of new internships listed, such as BASF: The Chemical Company, MedImmume biotech, US Agency for International Development, University of Virginia School of Medicine, ZymoGenetics, Cargill, and Covance (with a bunch of positions in Madison http://www.getexperience.dreamhosters.com/jobs/university-programs-internships-at-covance).

NSF REU – See last week’s Newsletter for details.

Purdue REU
I am writing to invite you to encourage your students to apply to the “Tackling the Environmental Grand Challenges of Engineering” REU at Purdue University. The 10-week program will provide students with research experience as they address some of the most pressing modern environmental issues, including energy efficiency, providing access to clean water around the world, carbon dioxide control in combustion, remediation, and chemical reactivity in the environment.
Solutions to these problems cross disciplinary boundaries, and we are especially interested in drawing a diverse, interdisciplinary group of. Students from all engineering and technology fields, as well as all science fields such as chemistry, environmental science, ecology, and physics, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Please feel free to print and post, or electronically circulate, the attached flyer about the program. More information about the program can be found at engineering.purdue.edu/EEE/REU, or by contacting me directly at hua@purdue.edu.
Inez Hua - Professor of Civil Engineering and Environmental and Ecological Engineering Purdue EEE REU Program Director

University of Tokyo
A unique opportunity for current juniors and seniors in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, geology, and physics. The Graduate School of Science at the University of Tokyo is going to implement a research project program, UTRIP (The University of Tokyo Research Internship Program) from 18 June 2012 (1st Crew: 18 June – 27 July; 2nd Crew: 2 July - 10 Aug.) UTRIP is:
* A six-week program with financial support for all participants
(housing, coverage for air fares and stipend).
* A program for undergraduate students who are thinking of pursuing
long-term career goals in a scientific area.
* A challenging program that gives students an opportunity to get
involved in research at the frontier of natural science.
The application period will start from 16 January till 16 March 2012. The program details and on-line application are available at the website below:
http://www.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/utrip/program/

For After You Graduate
Graduate Schools that have sent us recruiting materials
(Note the range of programs recruiting chemistry and biochemistry graduates!)

Fort those working on grad school applications or starting to think about graduate school options in a year or so, the ACS Directory of Graduate Research provides a great place to get information about particular programs and faculty. Several resources on how to choose a graduate program are also available. Access these at http://portal.acs.org/ then follow the trail through Education – Students – Undergraduate – Planning for Graduate School.

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle): 350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10. See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


December 15, 2011

Spring Internship
I wanted to let you know about a communications and marketing internship at Kerry Americas and ask your help in recruiting students who are equipped to take advantage of this opportunity.  As you see from the attached description, the internship would begin next semester and continue for a calendar year.  The position would be part-time during the academic year and full time during the summer.  It is paid.  Previous students have had very successful experiences at Kerry.  This position provides excellent transferable experience for a wide variety of professional trajectories.  

Qualified students will have excellent written and oral communication skills and be ready to work in a corporate environment.  If they are interested, they need to contact me as soon as possible attaching a resume and cover letter which I will forward to Kerry.  You should please remind them that the resume and letter will serve as small writing samples for those making the hiring decision.  I know this is the crunch time in the semester for them and for you, but Kerry does not operate on the academic year and this opening will be filled by others if we wait. 

Again, thank you for your help,
Carol Wickersham
Director for Community-Based Learning
Duffy Community Partnerships, Coordinator
The Liberal Arts in Practice Center

Summer Opportunities
NSF REU Programs
Summer research programs supported by the National Science Foundation are beginning to appear – see several of them below.  Over the break between semesters, the Chemistry Newsletter will continue to alert you to those for which we receive information.  However, you would be well advised to check the NSF site periodically to see what has been listed (http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm)  Remember to search under several relevant categories – chemistry, biology, materials, earth sciences, engineering, Department of Defense, ocean sciences…..   Recent listings for Summer 2012 include Georgia Tech, Harvey Mudd College, UC-Irvine, Georgetown, Florida, Iowa (Nano – Beloiters here in the past), Boise State, Illinois, Kansas (where Allie Hunter ’12 was last summer), Kentucky, Xavier – Louisiana, UMass-Amherst, Johns Hopkins, Hope College (Beloiters here in the past), Michigan, Southern Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, Syracuse (Beloiters here in the past), Rochester (Will Ksander ’13 was here last summer), Kent State, Oregon (Ari Jacobs ’12 was here last summer), Duquesne, Penn State, Clemson, Furman, South Dakota (Ozgun Kilic ’13 was here summer before last), Rice, Texas A&M, North Texas (below), Texas – Austin, Virginia Tech (Beloiters have gone here), Washington (Jenny Gilbertson ’12 was here last summer), UW-Madison (Beloiters have been here), West Virginia,  Alabama, Northwestern, Brandeis, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Princeton, Cornell, Ohio State, Akron, Portland State, Carnegie Mellon, Lehigh, Vanderbilt.

NNIN Nanotechnology REU (Jenny Gilbertson ’12 was selected for this last summer)
During the summer of 2012, the National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network will host a Research Experience for Undergraduates (NNIN REU) Program from June through August. Engineering and science students with broad interests across disciplines focusing on nanotechnology are eligible to apply (see restrictions and eligibility requirements below).

The chosen undergraduates taking part in this ten-week program will receive hands-on nanoscience and technology experience through research, with applications to bio-engineering, chemistry, electronics, materials science, optics, optoelectronics, physics, and the life sciences. We will also host a small number of projects studying the social and ethical issues (SEI) of nanotechnology. The SEI projects are well suited to communications majors, as well as science majors.  All the research projects are designed and supervised by the faculty and technical staff at the participating NNIN research facilities. Interns then work with faculty and graduate students on projects, using the unique resources offered at their award site. (Due to the complexity of coordinating fourteen sites and approximately 85 internships, applicants cannot choose a preferred project, only a preferred research site and research focus.)  Find information on the NNIN sites at http://www.nnin.org/ or http://www.nnin.org/nnin_sitedescriptions.html

A scientific convocation, attended by all NNIN REU interns, is held in August to allow interns the opportunity to present their work to their peers in a concise scientific presentation. Interns also must complete a written report, akin to a research paper, summarizing the findings of their research project. These reports are published as the NNIN REU Research Accomplishments and distributed to the interns and sites, NSF and many others.  Find the research accomplishments of past NNIN REU programs at http://www.nnin.org/nnin_reu.html

Participants receive a $4,000 stipend, plus housing and all reasonable travel expenses to their research site and the convocation site. They may be responsible for their own meals. Full participation in the site program, network convocation and final reporting is mandatory.

Restrictions and Eligibility Requirements for the NNIN REU Program:
1] If you participated in a NNUN or NNIN Program in the past, you cannot participate again,
2] You must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident,
3] You must be 18 years of age or older,
4] You must have health insurance coverage for the summer,
5] You must not be graduating before the end of the program in August, and
6] You must not already have a four-year degree of any kind.
7] You must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or better.

University of Iowa Medical Scientist Training Program
Eight week biomedical research project, weekly seminars, case-based learning experiences on diseases, career development seminars, shadowing.  $3300 plus housing and travel.  US citizen or permanent resident who will graduate in the 2012-2013 academic year and who have prior research experience.  Deadline January 23, 2012.  http://medicine.uiowa.edu/mstp/

Apply to Become an SCI Scholar: Summer Industrial Internships for Undergraduates
Time is running out! Exceptional sophomores and juniors majoring in chemistry and chemical engineering are encouraged to apply for a prestigious 10-week internship through the SCI Scholars Program. SCI Scholars will receive $6,000-$10,000 for a ten-week internship, a certificate, and an additional $1,000, which can be used for any purpose, such as participation at an ACS meeting. Applications are due December 16, 2011. Thirty scholars will be chosen for summer 2012. Visit to apply: http://www.acs.org/sci.

University of North Texas REU
The Chemistry Department, at the University of North Texas, invites applicants for our Summer 2012 NSF-REU Program.  The ten-week program will begin on June 4, and participants will be given a $5,000 stipend, plus housing.  Funds are available to help defray travel costs to and from the REU site, which is located at the northern outskirts of the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.  If you are interested, please submit your application, personal statement, transcripts and two letters of recommendation to us by Thursday, March 1, 2012.  Information and application forms are available at http://www.chem.unt/nsf-reu/

International Crane Foundation Summer Interns
The International Crane Foundation (ICF) is seeking to fill 4 interpretive naturalist interns for the 2012 visitor season.  Interpretive Naturalist Interns will develop and lead daily interpretive tours at ICF; interact and assist the general public with ICF site orientation on a daily basis; gain experience planning, designing, and evaluating interpretive programs; educate and inspire people about the world’s 15 crane species and the ecosystems on which they depend; create, implement, and present one or several individualized, self-directed projects related to the goals and objectives of the ICF Communication and Education Department. Interpretive Naturalist Internships begin February 2012 and run through November 2012. A $550/month stipend and excellent on-site housing accommodations are provided. Two years of college or an equivalent practical experience; good communication and writing skills; and an ability to teach diverse audiences in a non-formal setting. Candidates should demonstrate a strong interest/background in the fields of interpretation, environmental education, conservation biology, ornithology, education, graphic design, film/documentary production, or other related fields. All applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the time they apply. Candidates without a work visa must obtain one before they will be considered for an internship. Excellent oral and written English communication skills are necessary. Applicants should send a one page cover letter, two page resume, and contact information for three references to: Mr. Cully Shelton, Interpretive Program Manager (cshelton@savingcranes.org). Positions are open until filled.

University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory offers a summer field program for academic credit that includes a research study program option.  They have a spring mini-session (January 3-13), summer mini-session (may 14-25), First Term (May 29-June 26) and Second Term (June 27-July 27).  See http://www.usm.edu/gcrl

For After You Graduate
Graduate Schools that have sent us recruiting materials  
Valparaiso University offers a Masters of Science degree in Computational Science with internship and/or research options.  http://www.valop.edu/grad

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


December 7, 2011

Chemistry Seminar
Friday, December 9 at 1:30 in SC 301
Chris Goyne – “Effect of Highly Ordered Single-Crystalline TiO2 Nanowire Length on the Photovoltaic Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells,” Applied Materials and Interfaces, October 2011 (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021%2Fam201001t)

Allie Hunter – “Insights in the Plasma Assisted Growth of Carbon Nanotubes through Atomic Scale Simulations: Effect of Electric Field,” Journal of the American Chemical Society, 30 November 2011 (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/ja2096317)

Sarh Stariha – “Electrochemical Performance of Modified LiMn2O4 Used as Cathode Material for an Aqueous Rechargeable Lithium Battery.” Energy and Fuels, 10 Nov 2011, (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/ef201531t)

Summer Opportunities
Northwestern University Materials Chemistry
The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at Northwestern University offers a 9-week, paid summer research experience for undergraduates. The students are paired up with some of the leading research professors in science and engineering fields. Research areas include ceramics, nanocomposites, photonics, nanoparticles, and molecular electronics. While there are many REU programs, the NU-MRSEC stands out in offering students an interdisciplinary research experience. Students currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in science or engineering who are US citizens or permanent residents are eligible. The program dates this year are June 18 to August 17, 2012; Applications are due Feb. 15, 2012. Participants are paid a $4500 stipend and a travel allowance and on-campus housing is provided. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.mrsec.northwestern.edu/content/educational_programs/reu.htm

Research in Germany before of after you graduate
The databases for Research Internships Science and Engineering (RISE) internship opportunities for both the RISE and RISE professional are going live on December 6th. RISE has established itself as an outstanding opportunity to combine serious research with a rewarding study-abroad experience. All three programs are targeted to students from the fields of engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, earth sciences (geology) and related disciplines. RISE undergrads have the opportunity to work on cutting edge research projects at top research institutions (e.g., Max-Planck-Institutes) and universities in Germany. Students are paired with German PhD students in a unique mentoring partnership to ensure immediate integration into hands on lab work and built-in social network with an excellent opportunity to develop new technical skills. RISE participants receive a scholarship to cover living expenses. To learn more about RISE, please visit: www.daad.de/rise or email: rise@daad.de. RISE professional is designed for recent graduates, Master's and PhD students, and alumni of the RISE program who are matched with a well-known German company, where the interns gain insight into the professional applications of science and engineering and develop practical skills. Internships can last from 1.5 to 6 months. Similar to RISE, this new program features a scholarship to cover living expenses. Online registration is currently available. To learn more about RISE professional, please visit: www.daad.de/rise-pro or email: rise-pro@daad.de.

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle): 350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10. See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


November 30, 2011

Deep Green Screening and Q & A with Filmmaker 
Wed. December 7th 4:00 - 6:00
Science Center 150
Deep Green is a documentary by filmmaker Matt Briggs that addresses international solutions to global climate change. The film examines some of the best applications worldwide in energy efficiency, green building, de-carbonizing transportation, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and smart grids, and forest restoration. It also presents practical solutions that individuals can implement in their daily lives.  After the film screening, Matt Briggs will be available via Skype to answer any questions and discuss the topic further.

inChemistry
The November/December issue of the American Chemical Society’s magazine for student affiliate members, inChemistry, is now available online at http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/inChemistry/

Summer Opportunities
Conduct research at the Institut Pasteur!
I Love Paris in the Summer When It Sizzles
A wonderful array of host labs has been identified for our Summer 2012 Undergraduate Internship Program. Applications for these paid internships are now available online and due in mid-December 2011. Candidates must be US citizens in their junior or senior year.   More information regarding eligibility and the application process may be found at http://www.pasteurfoundation.org/internships.shtml.  Don't forget to read the FAQ. 

HS-STEM Summer Internship Program
2012 Summer Internships for Undergraduate Students - 10 week research experience; $5000 stipend plus travel expense. Areas of research: Engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological/life sciences, environmental science, emergency and incident management, social sciences
Projects offered at: National research laboratories (Argonne, Idaho, Lawrence Livermore, Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, Pacific Northwest, Sandia, Savannah River), DHS laboratories (Transportation Security Laboratory), Other research facilities (including Air Force research Laboratory, Homeland Security Studies and Analysis Institute, National Institute of Standards and Technology).  Locations include: CA, CO, ID, IL, MD, NM, NJ, OH, SC, TN, WA & VA.  US citizenship required.  Application deadline: January 5, 2012.  See http://www.orau.gov/dhsinternships

ENERGY FELLOWSHIP INTERN PROGRAM
The Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) is a 10-week paid summer internship with opportunities in the US Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy, for women and minority students who are currently enrolled in Science, Technology (IT), Engineering, and Math majors at an accredited college or university. 
ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must be a US citizen, Undergraduate students completing their sophomore year in Spring 2012 through PhD candidates, Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
APPLICATION: Application deadline is December 31, 2011. The start date for the summer internship program is June 4, 2012.
For more information about DOE/FE and to complete the MLEF application, please visit our webpage: http://www.fossil.energy.gov/education/lelandfellowships/index.html

For After You Graduate
Graduate Schools that have sent us recruiting materials
(Note the range of programs recruiting chemistry and biochemistry graduates!) 

University of Oregon – Industrial Internship Program while earning a masters degree in chemistry or applied physics, usually in one year, for graduates in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, or engineering.  The 9-month paid internship ($2500-5400/month) is with one of a large number of industries and national laboratories both in the U.S. and abroad.  Tess Jacquez ’10 is in this program now.  http://internship.uoregon.edu

University of South Carolina – doctoral studies in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology.  Teaching and research assistantships for all students.  Http://chem.sc.edu

Washington State University – Institute of Biological Chemistry.  http://ibc.wsu.edu

University of Central Florida – Materials Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Forensic Science, Chemical Biology.  http://chemistry.cos.ucf.edu

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


November 16, 2011

Congratulations

Chris Koch ’14 has declared a major in biochemistry.

Matthew Sherrell, Olivia Randi, Yarden Sagron, Xinchen Deng, Tommy Davis have all declared chemistry majors.

George Lisensky gave the 2011 Janet Anderson Award Lecture on “Big Changes from Small Materials” at the Midstates Science and Math Consortium Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Computer Science, November 4-5, 2011 at the University of Chicago. The Award recognizes faculty from member schools who are exceptional mentors for undergraduate research students.

Student Presentations
Midstates Science and Math Consortium Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Biological Sciences and Psychology, October 28-29, 211 at Washington University in St. Louis.

Michael Collis ’13 – “Phylogeny of Amatitlania nigrofasciata based on Cone Opsins’ – based on work done at Loyloa University Chicago through the Beloit College Biomedical Scholars Program during the summer of 2011

Valerie Dautermann ’13 – “Salivary Cortisol Testing: Collection Techniques Show Similar Accuracy, but Swab is more Precise” – based on work done at Beloit with Prof. Kathryn Johnson

Christopher Goyne ’13 – “Effects of Neurotransmitters on Cyclic AMP Response-Element Binding Protein (CREB) in B Lymphocytes” – based on work done at Beloit with Prof. Demetrius Gravis

Matthew Hackbart ’12 – “Overexpression of Phytochelatin Synthase in E. Coli and P. Pastori” – based on work done at Rush University Medical Center through the Beloit College Biomedical Scholars Program during the summer of 2011

Caitlin McDonough ’12 – “High Frequency of Hormone Injections and Sperm Collection Negatively Affects Sperm Quantity but not Quality in Fowler’ s Toads (Bufo fowleri)” – based on work done in collaboration with the Memphis Zoo

Jourdan Posner ’12 – “Voronoi Diagrams Applied to Radiolaria Skeletons and Drosophila Embryos” – based on work done at Beloit with Prof. John Jungck

Midstates Science and Math Consortium Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Computer Science, November 4-5, 2011 at the University of Chicago


Jennifer Gilbertson ’12 – “Synthesis of Self-assembling Silver Nanoparticles for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy” – based on work done at the University of Washington in Seattle on an NSF REU 2011 summer program

Allie Hunter ’12 – “Monte Carlo Simulation of the Interfacial Free Energy of a Hard-Sphere Fluid at a Convex Hard Wall’ – based on work done at the University of Kansas on an NSF REU 2011 summer program

Will Ksander ’13 – “Total Synthesis of Apoptolidin A” – based on work done at the University of Rochester on an NSF REU 2011 summer program

Beloit College International Symposium
November 16, 2011


Ozgun Kilic ’13 – “Being International in Your Own Country in Your Own Field in Turkey”

Caitlin McDonough ’12 – “Reproductive Biology and Conservation in Tasmania”

Constance Siu ’13 – “Exploring Values of Contemporary Chinese Youth: Angry Youth of the Post-80s Generation”

Chemistry Seminar
Friday, November 18 at 1:30 in SC 301
Brock Spencer – “Effects of Diesel Particle Filter Retrofits and Accelerated Fleet Turnover on Drayage Truck Emissions at the Port of Oakland, ” Environmental Science and Technology, October 2011 (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/es202609q)

Aaron Joiner – “Porous Quaternized Chitosan Nanoparticles Containing Paclitaxel Nanocrystals Improved Therapeutic Efficacy in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer after Oral Administration,” Bio Macromolecules ASAP (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/bm2010774)

Ozgun Kilic – “Evolution and Protein Packaging of Small-Molecule RNA Aptamers,” ACS Nano, September 2011 (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nn2006927)

Latest from the American Chemical Society
Become an SCI Scholar: Summer Industrial Internships Available for Undergraduates
Exceptional sophomores and juniors majoring in chemistry and chemical engineering are encouraged to apply for a prestigious 10-week internship through the SCI Scholars Program. SCI Scholars will receive $6,000-$10,000 for a ten-week internship, a certificate, and an additional $1,000, which can be used for any purpose, such as participation at an ACS meeting. Applications are due December 16, 2011. Thirty scholars will be chosen for summer 2012. Interested students should visit www.acs.org/sci for more information and to apply. A program flyer is also available for download.

Apply to the ACS Scholars Program
The ACS Scholars Program is now accepting applications for the 2012-2013 academic year. This is an undergraduate scholarship program for students from under-represented minority groups majoring in and planning a career in the chemical sciences. Applications must besubmitted online at www.acs.org/scholars.The deadline to receive completed applications and all supporting documents is March 1, 2012. For questions, please e-mail scholars@acs.org or call 202-872-6250, or 1-800-227-5558, ext. 6250.

Summer Opportunities

Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Looking for an internship opportunity at Oak Ridge National Laboratory? The Science Education Programs at Oak Ridge National Laboratory provides paid opportunities for undergraduates and recent graduates to participate in high-quality research alongside world-class scientists to solve real-world problems. Opportunities are available for internships and co-ops, and research appointments. All opportunities are limited to scientific, technical, engineering, or mathematical fields.

You can access all available opportunities through the website of http://www.orau.org/ornl. This will take you to the profile based application system where you can apply for numerous programs after you complete your profile. The Talent and Opportunity System allows you to create a profile, and then for each program or job posting that you apply for, you only answer 5 or 6 questions.
Individuals who choose an internship or research opportunity at ORNL are paired with world-class scientists to solve real-world problems. All levels of participants are encouraged to publish research papers with their mentors. Please browse through the Research Profiles on the different participants and their research experiences at the right hand side of the bottom of the web site listed above. Also, there is a featured two-minute video of research participants at ORNL sharing their thoughts on how accesses to world-class research facilities and staff have catapulted their careers in science and technology. If you would like to see the six-minute video, you can find it on YouTube at http://ow.ly/2EQLz.

University of Delaware College of Earth, Ocean and Environment
Please pass the following information on to your students about a great undergraduate summer research opportunity at the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, University of Delaware. Supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Division of Ocean Sciences, this REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) program supports ten undergraduate students to conduct research in marine science. We especially encourage applications from members of minority groups underrepresented in science.
The program will run for 10 weeks (June 4 - August 10). Please go to our website http://www.ceoe.udel.edu/academics/undergraduate/summer/index.shtml to find out more about the program. Student support includes a $5,500 stipend, campus housing, and travel assistance. The application form and instructions for submitting supporting documents are available at https://www.ceoe.udel.edu/academics/undergraduate/summer/summerInternApplication.aspx. The application deadline is February 17, 2012

Interns will work with faculty and research staff in a graduate student atmosphere on a research topic in chemical, physical, or biological oceanography, marine biology, or marine geology. This internship program will take place at the University of Delaware's Hugh R. Sharp campus in the resort community of Lewes, located on the shores of the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean near Cape Henlopen State Park.

Operation Groundswell
Backpacking With a Purpose www.OperationGroundswell.com/purpose
Looking for an adventure this summer that will change the way you see the world? We are a student-run, non-profit organization that takes young adults on backpacking programs all over the world. Our group-oriented trips combine volunteer work, cultural exchange and off-the-beaten-path adventure. Our goal is to facilitate, not manufacture, life-changing experiences.
We are currently seeking students who want to step outside the classroom and into the world.
Registration is now open for our 2012 spring and summer programs. Apply now online because spots fill up quickly.
Haiti---Guatemala---Peru
West Africa---East Africa---India
Southeast Asia---Middle East
For videos, prices, dates, testimonials and more information, check out www.OperationGroundswell.com/purpose

For After You Graduate
Graduate Schools that have sent us recruiting materials
(Note the range of programs recruiting chemistry and biochemistry graduates!)

Cellular Dynamics International (in Madison)
This information comes from Kristin Block ’06, who was on the alumni panel during the Advising Practicum.
Cellular Dynamics (located in Madison, WI) is currently hiring for several positions, including Research Specialist/Senior Research Specialist, Instrument Specialist, and Production Specialist. If students are interested in any of the positions, they should apply with a cover letter and resume sent to hr@cellulardynamics.com. In the cover letter, they should reference Beloit College as their referral source. Applications can also be sent in through the website: http://www.cellulardynamics.com/about/careers.html. Descriptions for the positions are also listed on the website. CDI has also started to move forward with using social media:
Facebook:  “Like” us at Cellular Dynamics International, Twitter: Follow us at CellDynamics, YouTube: Subscribe to CellularDynamics , LinkedIn: Follow us at Cellular Dynamics International

University of Michigan – Chemistry graduate programs in organic, inorganic, materials, physical, chemical biology, analytical. Http://umich.edu/~michchem/

Columbia University – Environmental Science and Policy
Learn how Columbia University’s twelve month Master of Public Administration Program in Environmental Science and Policy housed at the School of International and Public Affairs combines Columbia University’s hands-on approach to teaching public policy and administration with pioneering thinking about the environment. On Friday, November 18th at 12pm, we will be hosting an online information session targeted at prospective students outside of the New York area. This session will provide interested students with an opportunity to learn how this program can prepare you for a career in environmental policy and management, sustainable development among others in the public, private or not for profit sectors. You will also have the chance to learn about the admissions process and upcoming application deadlines. Find out how our approach reflects the system-level thinking that is needed to address issues of environmental management and sustainable development. More information can also be accessed online at www.columbia.edu/cu/mpaenvironment To register for this event please visit http://redir.targetx.com/cgi-bin/email/redir.cgi?id=0000918427-130108690.

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle): 350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10. See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


November 9, 2011

Congratulations
Jenny Gilbertson ’12 has received grants from the college’s Wood International Venture Fund and Weissberg Human Rights Fund for her trip over the break between semesters to study the role of the midwife in rural Senegalese medicine.

Meghan Walsh ’14 has declared a Biochemistry major.

Chemistry Seminar
Friday, November 11 at 1:30 in SC 301
Chris Goyne – "Structure Based Drug Design of Crizotinib (PF-02341066), a Potent and Selective Dual Inhibitor of Mesenchymal Epithelial Transition Factor (c-MET) Kinase and Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK)†"  Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2011. (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/jm2007613) 
Aaron Joiner – “What is in a Beer? Proteomic Characterization and Relative Quantification of Hordein (Gluten) in Beer,” Journal of Proteome Research, August, 2011.  (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/pr2008434)
Allie Hunter – “Growth of Graphene from Food, Insects, and Waste,” ACS Nano, July, 2011. (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nn202625c)

Summer Opportunities
(NOTE: We have just received our first flyer about a National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates – NSF REU – program for this coming summer, so that grant notifications must have gone out.  Keep checking back to see what shows up at http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm )

Design and Delivery of Polymer-Drug Complexes
Approximately 15 undergraduates (US citizens and permanent residents only) from around the country will be selected for this NSF REU program at Virginia Tech, which has been hosting an REU program for 24 years (and several Beloit students have gone there).  Research in both science and engineering at Virginia Tech’s Macromolecules and Interfaces Institute for 11 week this summer with a $6,300 stipend.  Application review will begin February 1, 2012.  For information and to apply see http://mii.vt.edu/SURP.
American Chemical Society Web Site
ACS has developed Get Experience, a free, searchable online database with information on research experiences, internships, co-ops, and other chemistry-related opportunities for undergraduates (http://getexperience.dreamhosters.com).  Opportunities are available globally in private companies, academic institutions, government agencies, and nonprofit groups.  Each posting includes a description of available positions and contact, application, and compensation information.  New positions are now being posted.  Those that show up as “expired” are from last year and are worth checking since they are likely to reappear as they are posted for the coming year – so check back regularly.  Since these are often quite competitive, do not wait for the deadline to apply.

American Chemical Society Summer School in Nuclear and Radiochemistry
We are seeking curious and highly motivated students with strong science backgrounds. If selected, these students receive an all-expenses paid opportunity to complete a 6 week summer course in Nuclear and Radiochemistry in either CA or NY. They also earn hours (tuition paid) of undergraduate chemistry credit through either San Jose State University or SUNY-Stony Brook.  Selected students also receive a stipend of $4,000.  information and an on-line application form can also be found on the web at: http://chemistry.missouri.edu/nucsummer/index.shtml  The deadline for applications is February 1, 2012. (We have had Beloit students in this program – they also help with a research placement the following summer.)

For After You Graduate
Graduate Schools that have sent us recruiting materials
(Note the range of programs recruiting chemistry and biochemistry graduates!)

Teach English in Japan
Thinking about post-graduation opportunities?
Are you interested in exploring the field of teaching?
Do you want to make a difference in public education?
Wanna learn more about Japan and Japanese culture?
Considering putting those Japanese language skills to good use?
If you answered yes to any of the above, then the JET Program might be for you!!! The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, sponsored by the Japanese government, offers the opportunity to engage in intercultural exchange through language teaching in the Japanese public education system or by working in a local Japanese government office. NO TEACHING EXPERIENCE OR JAPANESE LANGUAGE ABILITY REQUIRED!!
APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 2nd, 2011

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


November 2, 2011

Advising Practicum Today
Join the fun making an 80 foot sub sandwich on the third floor balcony at 12:30, then take advantage of the Chem/Biochem/Bio sessions available through the afternoon, followed by an alumni panel at 4:00 in SC 150.

Chemistry Seminar
Friday, November 4, 1:30 PM, SC 301

Kelsey Kettelhut – “Hydrogen Peroxide Inducible DNA Cross-Linking Agents: Targeted Anticancer Prodrugs, ”J. Am. Chem. Soc., Just Accepted Manuscript, DOI: 10.1021/ja2073824, Publication Date (Web): October 28, 2011

Jourdan Posner – “Structure-Based Ligand Design of Novel Bacterial RNA Polymerase
Inhibitors,” Medicinal Chemistry Letters, DOI: 10.1021/ml200087m, Publication Date: July 20, 2011.

Joseph Lownik – “Discovery of Non-Glycoside Sodium-Dependent Glucose Co-Transporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors by Ligand-Based Virtual Screening,” J. Med. Chem. 2010, 53, 8770–8774 DOI: 10.1021/jm101080v

Chemistry Club
Thursday, November 3, 9:00 PM in SC 414
Making moles.  Element decorating.  Planning field trips.

Summer Opportunities (NOTE: Summer programs are now opening up!)

Summer Research in Germany
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is pleased to announce that for summer 2012 we will again offer two internship programs: RISE (Research Internships in Science and Engineering) and RISE professional. RISE has established itself as an outstanding opportunity to combine serious research with a rewarding study-abroad experience. Both programs are targeted to students from the fields of engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, earth sciences (geology) and related disciplines.

RISE undergrads have the opportunity to work on cutting edge research projects at top research institutions (e.g., Max-Planck-Institutes) and universities in Germany. Students are paired with German PhD students in a unique mentoring partnership to ensure immediate integration into hands-on lab work and a built-in social network with an excellent opportunity to develop new technical skills. RISE participants receive a scholarship to cover living expenses. To learn more about RISE, please visit: www.daad.de/rise/en or email: rise@daad.de.

RISE professional is designed for recent graduates, Master's and PhD students, and alumni of the RISE program who are matched with a well-known German company, where they gain insight into the professional applications of science and engineering and develop practical skills. Internships can last from one-and-a-half to six months. Similar to RISE, this program features a scholarship to cover living expenses. Online registration is currently available. To learn more about RISE professional, please visit: www.daad.de/rise-pro/en or email: rise-pro@daad.de.

Online registration and the internship database for RISE and RISE professional open on December 6th. The application deadline for both programs is January 31, 2012[We have had several Beloit students accepted into this program in recent years.  It’s a great opportunity.]

Medical College of Wisconsin
The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is having an open house on Saturday, November 19th, from 1:00-4:30 PM for students interested in graduate work, paid summer internships (http://mcw.edu/spur), or fall/spring internships (http://mcw.edu/pure).  If you would like to attend, please preregister at http://mcw.edu/openhouse

University of Pittsburgh
The Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has approximately 8 fellowship positions available for next summer to do research in pharmacology.  For the 10 week program the stipend is $3,500 with possible additional funding for housing and travel.  Admissions decisions will be made on a rolling basis and competitive applicants are encouraged to apply early.  The application site opened November 1 and applications will be reviewed as completed prior to March 1, 2012.  [Message: Apply now!]
Sponsored by the Department and the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET).  Apply at http://pharmacology.us

For After You Graduate
Graduate Schools that have sent us recruiting materials
(Note the range of programs recruiting chemistry and biochemistry graduates!)
Medical College of Wisconsin
The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is having an open house on Saturday, November 19th, from 1:00-4:30 PM for students interested

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


October 26, 2011

Congratulations
Valerie Dautermann, Jourdan Posner, Christopher Goyne, Nico Salas, Michael Collis, Danica Slavish, Sijia Liang, Matthew Hackbart, Emily Peterson, Yang Yang, Caitlin McDonough, and Garrett Nodell are all presenting their research at the Midstates Science and Mathematics Consortium’s 2011 Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Biological Sciences and Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis this coming weekend.

Chemistry Seminar
Friday, October 28, 1:30 PM, SC 301
Sarah Stariha – “Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies for Sustainable Future,” Jordan Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, March 2008, pp. 1-14
Ozgun Kilic – “Bio-active A-Type Proanthocyanidins from Cinnamomum cassia,” Journal of Natural Products, http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/np1007944
Brock Spencer – “Size-Tunable Silicon/Iron Oxide Hybrid Nanoparticles with Fluorescence, Superparamagnetism, and Biocompatibility,” J. Am. Chem. Soc., http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/ja202466m

Advising Practicum
Wednesday, November 2
Check out the activities scheduled for Chemistry/Biochemistry/Biology. We all will start together at 12:30 PM building a 70-foot sub sandwich on the third floor bridge before splitting up into smaller groups at 1:00 PM to finish eating our creation while talking. http://chemistry.beloit.edu/practicum

Chemistry Club
Thursday, October 27th, at 9:00 PM in SC 414.
Make your very own stuffed mole (which is easy and fun, and doesn’t require any sewing experience) to celebrate Mole Day (10/23). Email hunteral@beloit.edu or gilbertj@beloit.edu if you plan to attend so they can buy enough material.

SMART Scholarships – National Defense Education Program
Scholarships for current science undergraduates and for graduate school, with post-graduation career opportunities as a civilian employee in a Department of Defense research laboratory. Cash award, full tuition and fees, health insurance, book allowance, summer internships. Open to U.S. citizens. See http://smart.asee.org/

NSF Graduate Fellowships
Up to 2000 fellowships awarded each year in science, technology, engineering, and math fields.
$30,000 annual stipend, $10,500 cost of education allowance, international research and professional development opportunities – support for 3 years over a 5-year period. U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents. Information at http://nsfgrfp.org and apply at http://fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/. Specific November deadlines vary by field.


Summer Opportunities (NOTE: Summer programs are now opening up!)

Department of Energy Scholars Program
Are your students interested in participating in the most recent scientific research and development? Would they like to gain experience in discovering solutions to power and securing America’s future, specifically in energy security, nuclear security, scientific discovery and innovation, environmental responsibility and management excellence? The Department of Energy Scholars Program offers summer internships with stipends of up to $650 per week depending on academic status to undergraduates, graduate students and post graduates at accredited institutes of higher education. Majors accepted include: engineering; physical sciences; environmental sciences; computer science and information technology; physics; business; policy; program management; mathematics; statistics; safety and health; accounting and finance; law; communications; and other related discipline areas. Visit http://orise.orau.gov/doescholars for more information or to apply - deadline is November 15, 2011!

SCI Scholars for Chem and Chem Engineering Students
The program is a joint effort of the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) America International Group, the American Chemical Society (ACS), and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), and was developed to introduce chemistry and chemical engineering students to careers in the chemical industry. Sophomores and juniors with a GPA of at least 3.5 and who are majoring in chemistry or chemical engineering are encouraged to apply.
Thirty scholars will be chosen for internship positions in the summer of 2012.
SCI Scholars receive $6,000-$10,000 for a ten-week internship.
Students will be awarded a certificate and an additional $1,000, which can be used for any purpose, such as participation at an ACS or AIChE meeting.
Scholars nominate a high school chemistry teacher for recognition. Teachers will be awarded a certificate from SCI and $1,000, which can be used for professional development or classroom materials.
Applications are due December 16, 2011.
Interested students should visit http://acs.org/sci to fill out an application and get more information.

Summer Research at the Institut Pasteur in Paris
Open to current junior and senior biochemistry and biology majors. $4000 for 10 weeks plus $500 to help defray travel and housing. Research internships in one of four groups. Candidates must be US citizens. See http://www.pasteurfoundation.org/internships.shtml for details. Deadline is mid-December.


Graduate Schools that have sent us recruiting materials
(Note the range of programs recruiting chemistry and biochemistry graduates!)

Iowa State University
– Chemistry Department – http://chem.iastate.edu

University of Oregon – Physical Chemistry – http://uoregon.ed/~chem

Mayo Clinic – Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Program
You may not even be aware that Mayo has a graduate school that offers Ph.D. degrees. We do! And it’s just one part of Mayo’s commitment to research and education that includes a yearly research budget of over $500,000,000 (mostly from NIH grant awards) and full institutional support of Ph.D. training). Our research programs are firmly rooted in basic science research that integrate across the disciplines of pharmacology, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, physiology, genomics, and proteomics. The goals of these programs are to discover the basic mechanisms that regulate cell function and to translate these findings into novel therapies. Full Student Financial Support Student stipend, tuition, and, benefits (including health insurance) are paid by the institution for 5 years! So, students don’t have to worry about how to fund their stipends and can focus on research. To Apply Applications are due by December 1, 2011. (Be sure to indicate MPET as your first choice!) To learn more about the MPET program and mentor’s research programs http://www.mayo.edu/mgs/mpet.html

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle): 350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10. See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


October 12, 2011

Congratulations
Stephen Rudisill '09 has published a paper, using nanoparticles to produce hydrogen from water http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jp2071315

Chemistry Club
Thursday, October 13th in SC 414 at 9:00 pm, like. This week’s fun event? DECORATING THE PERIODIC TABLE. Oh that's right. Everyone gets to chose their favorite element, decorate it, and we will hang it up in the chemistry lounge. Please feel free to bring a friend, bring some markers, and your chemistry spirit.

Summer Opportunities
UNCF/MERCK Science Scholarships, Internships, and Fellowships
Undergraduate scholarships up to $25,000. Internships with stipends of more than $5,000. Mentoring and networking opportunities. For current U.S. African American juniors with a science or engineering major and 3.3 GPA. Deadline December 1. http://umsi.uncf.org

Graduate Schools that have sent us recruiting materials
(Note the range of programs recruiting chemistry and biochemistry graduates!)

Columbia University – Masters in Environmental Science and Policy
We are pleased to announce a new fellowship for students in the 12-month Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy. The School of International and Public Affairs, Environmental Sustainability Fellows will be awarded for the first time by the Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy program for the academic year 2012-2013. Environmental Sustainability Fellows will receive $20,000 each towards their tuition. In order to be considered for an Environmental Sustainability Fellow appointment, we invite candidates to apply by the early decision application deadline of November 1, 2011. Nearly half of all students in the MPA Environmental Science and Policy program receive partial fellowships based on merit and need. Applicants must apply by the January 15, 2012 deadline to be considered for a partial program fellowship. Our program emphasizes integrated thinking and learning so that our graduates will see beyond linear and fragmented approaches to coping with environmental problems. For more information about the program, please visit our website or contact Sarah Tweedie, Assistant Director, at st2745@columbia.edu or 212-854-3142.

U Penn – VMD/PhD Program
SARS - AIDS - Ebola - Avian Influenza – Anthrax - Botulism - Plague - West Nile Virus –Mad Cow Disease – Smallpox. Over 60% of all infectious diseases of animals can also affect humans, and incidences of new, emerging zoonotic infectious diseases are on the rise. Veterinarian-scientists, by virtue of their broad experience in multiple species and extensive training in both molecular and whole animal contexts, are uniquely qualified to address the complex problems presented in modern biomedical research. For over 40 years, the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine has provided an outstanding environment for the training of future veterinarian-scientists through its VMD/PhD Program. Find out more about how you can impact tomorrow ’s medicine for all species at www.PennVetPhD.org

Ross University (http://RossU.edu)
School of Medicine – Dominica
School of Veterinary Medicine – St. Kitts

St. George’s University Open House
I would like to cordially invite you to join us next Monday, October 17, as we will be hosting an Information Session for students interested in pursuing an MD degree at SGU. It is a terrific way for you to learn more about our School of Medicine as well as relay this information to prospective students at your institution. Interestingly, St. George’s University has contributed more doctors to the U.S. healthcare system than two-thirds of the U.S. medical schools. The session will educate prospective students on: 1. University Program (s), 2. Island Life, 3. Academic Curriculum, 4. Accreditation (s), 5. Board Exams, 6. Financial Aid & Loan Payment Plan, 7. Scholarship (s), 8. Clinical Rotations, 9. Other Services Offered. Monday, October 17, 2011 Milwaukee, WI. Courtyard By Marriott Milwaukee Downtown. Time: 7:00pm-8:30pm 300 West Michigan Street Milwaukee, WI 53203 Ph: 414.291.4122 Meeting Room: Meeting Room A Prospective students can RSVP by going on our website and clicking on "Information Session Registration Form" http://www.sgu.edu/future-students/university-open-house.html

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle): 350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10. See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


October 5, 2011

Congratulations
New Biochemistry majors Ariana Espinoza ’14 and Aaron Joiner ‘12

Chemistry Seminar
Friday, October 7, 1:30 PM in SC 201.
Allie Hunter – Free-Energy Simulations of Hydrogen Bonding versus Stacking of Nucleobases on a Graphene Surface (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/jp202491j)
Chris Goyne – Engineering Fluorometabolite Production: Fluorinase Expression in Salinispora tropica Yields Fluorosalinosporamide (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021%2FNP900719U)
Brock Spencer – A Redesigned Vancomycin Engineered for Dual D-Ala-D-Ala and D-Ala-D-Lac Binding Exhibits Potent Antimicrobial Activity Against Vancomycin-Resistant Bacteria (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/ja207142h)

Chemistry Club
Thursday, October 6 at 9:00 PM in SC 414. On the agenda: Finding a date that works for people to visit a liquid nitrogen/liquid oxygen plant.  We will also be developing t-shirt ideas and planning for MOLE DAY (10/23).  Bring any and all ideas about cool activities or decorations.. mole haikus anyone?  If you didn't decorate your goggles last week, we still have supplies for this week!

Woods Hole Semester in Environmental Sciences
Dr. Ken Forman, Director of the Semester in Environmental Sciences program at the Woods Hole Marine Biology Institute on Cape Cod will be on campus this Friday morning, October 7th, to meet with students.  The program provides a fall semester of research-based environmental study for credit.  See http://ecosystems.mbl.edu/SES for details.  I you would like to meet with Dr. Forman while he is here, contact Brock Spencer.

Astrochemistry Conference
October 21-22, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will host the 4th annual Midwest Astrochemistry Meeting. This year we are reaching out to chemistry, physics/astronomy, and natural science departments in schools across the region with an invitation to your students and faculty: if you are interested in astrochemistry, come to Urbana for a weekend! This is a great chance for undergraduate students who are interested in working toward an advanced degree in astrochemistry to learn more about the subject and to talk to grad students who are active researchers.  The website for this year's Midwest Astrochemistry Meeting is http://midwest.astrochemistry.us/MWAM11

For After You Graduate
National Physical Sciences Consortium Graduate Fellowship
The fellowship covers tuition, fees, and provides a generous annual stipend for up to six years, including two summer internships with the sponsoring group.  Fellowships are open to all eligible students with an emphasis on recruiting historically underrepresented minority and women students in the physical sciences and related engineering fields.  Students typically apply during their senior year.  See http://npsc.org 

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday. 

top


September 28, 2011

Special Seminar
"Using Nanoparticles to Understand the Environmental Transport of High-level Nuclear Waste in Groundwater"

Friday, September 30, 12:30-1:20 PM, SC 150

Dr. Tori Ziemann Forbes (Beloit Chemistry '01) is a faculty member in environmental chemistry at the University of Iowa. While at Beloit, she worked in Milwaukee at the Great Lakes Water Institute doing geochemistry in the summer of her sophomore year, then spent the fall semester at the Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory in their Semester in Environmental Science program. The following summer she studied nutrient soil cycles in Alaska at the Toolik Lake Long Term Ecological Research Center. After graduation, she worked for a summer at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Washington, D.C. on stable nitrogen isotope studies of the anthropogenic sources of nitrogen in a local estuary, then took a year off working as a teaching assistant back at Woods Hole. She earned her Ph.D. in Geology at the University of Notre Dame characterizing uranium minerals, then stayed there for a post doctoral year in inorganic chemistry. She did a second post doc at the University of California – Davis in the Nanomaterials in the Environment, Agriculture, and Technology Organized Research Unit (NEAT-ORU) before starting her faculty position at the University of Iowa a year ago.

We will have pizza in SC 414 from 11:45-12:20 before the talk, and Tori will be available following the talk for informal discussion about her research and possible career directions.

Poster Sessions
Biology and the Sustainability Fellows – 2:00-4:00 PM Friday, 3rd floor in the atrium.

Chemistry Alumni/Student Reception – Friday at 4:00 in SC414
Plan to join our chemistry alumni who are back for Homecoming/Reunion this weekend. They always enjoy talking with current students, and it provides you with an excellent opportunity to find out about the varied career directions our alumni have taken. Those we know are planning to be here for the reunion are:
Ray Hoff ’56 – Retired industrial chemist with a book on transition metal catalysts for polymers
Tom Tisue ’61 – Worked for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAE)
Cameron Murray ’80 – Staff scientist doing product development with 3M in St. Paul
Kirk Kimball ‘85 – Chemist at the Vermont Department of Health Lab
Bryan Mehlhaff ‘86 – M.D. in urology in Eugene, Oregon
Ebbe Nordlander ’86 – Chemistry faculty member at the University of Lund, Sweden
Pascal Sciarra ’86 – Staff scientist at Plenco plastics company in Sheboygan
Elizabeth Brady-Morris ’91 – Forensic Scientist with the Arizona State Crime Lab
Tori Zeimann Forbes ’01 – Environmental chemistry faculty member at the University of Iowa
Jonathan Scheerer ’01 – Faculty member in chemistry at William and Mary University
Amanda Drennan ’05 – Graduate student in biochemistry at UW-Madison
Kirsten Skruber ‘06
Alisha Takahashi ‘10
Brian Maunze ‘10

Solar Energy Workshop and Discussion
Interested in discussing solar energy with fellow students and Brock Spencer? Want to create a solar oven? Do you enjoy eating cinnamon sugar apples? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then swing on by to OEC this Saturday, October 1, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Chemistry Club
This Thursday, September 29th, at 9pm in Science Center room 414, Chemistry Club will be decorating lab goggles. So bring in your goggles for some serious bedazzling. If you do not own any lab goggles, we will be selling them for $3. In addition, we will be enjoying more liquid nitrogen ice cream (this time with even more flavors and toppings!) so bring your appetites, your goggles, and a friend. Questions? Concerns? Ideas? Email Jenny Gilbertson at gilbertj@beloit.edu.

Psychology Research Project
Information is being gathered as part of an assignment in PSYC 200 - Research Methods and Design. We are asking all students to report on their educational habits, so that we may better understand the motivations of Beloit College students.

If you agree to participate on our study, please use this link to access our survey: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFhKT0M1RzRkcDk1RTJkRkxpUkpEaHc6MQ

The information gathered will be entered anonymously into a database. Your responses will be strictly confidential and used for class purposes only.

It should take about 10 minutes to answer all of the questions on the survey form. You can decide not to answer specific questions. You also can stop filling out the questions at any time. All participants that complete the survey will have the opportunity to be entered into a raffle for one of four $5 gift cards to Walmart.

If you wish to discuss any part of the project, you may telephone Dr. Kristin Bonnie, the course instructor, on campus at 608-363-2026 or e-mail her at bonniek@beloit.edu.

Chemistry Career Symposium
Sponsored by the UW-Madison’s Younger Chemists Committee of the American Chemical Society. October 22nd, 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM, Chemistry Building, UW-Madison. Learn about various career paths from all degree levels BS/BA, MS, PhD. Speakers include representatives from the FBI, patent law, chemistry education, industrial research (3M, Kelly Scientific), many more. Registration fee $30 including breakfast, lunch, networking dinner. See http://ycc.chem.wisc.edu Registration deadline October 1.

For After You Graduate
Graduate Schools that have sent us recruiting materials
(Note the range of programs recruiting chemistry and biochemistry graduates!)

Medical College of Wisconsin School of Biomedical Sciences

Open house for those interested in graduate study there. Friday, October 14, 1:00-4:30 PM and Saturday, November 19, 1:00-4:30 PM. We have a Beloit alumna on the faculty there and have had a number of students do summer research internships there. http://mcw.edu/openhouse

Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowships
Supporting research with an emphasis on near-term application of applied science or engineering in a wide range of departments from astrophysics and chemistry to quantitative biology/biotechnology at 40 top US research universities. $31,000/9 months for five years or $36,000/9 months for two years plus $5,000/year supplemental stipend for up to 3 years if you have other support. (Plus $5,000/year dependent childcare.) Deadline 31 October 2011. See http://hertzfoundation.org and talk to Brock Spencer.

Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration Graduate Fellowships
Doctoral students receive up to four years of financial support through the Stewardship Science Graduate Fellowships for work in nuclear science, materials under extreme conditions and hyrodynamics, and high energy-density physics. The fellowships include a 12-week research experience at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, or Sandia National Laboratories. $36,000 yearly stipend, all tuition and fees paid, $1,000 annual academic allowance, yearly conferences. Applications are due January 18, 2011. See http://krellinst.org/ssgf

College of Pharmacy at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine

The College of Pharmacy at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS) has two events coming up that I would like to make you aware of. The first is an All University Open House which will be held at Rosalind Franklin University on Saturday, October 1st, 2011. We would love to see you here for the Open House, but if you cannot make it then please consider joining us for our Pharmacy Information Session at University of Wisconsin-Parkside on Saturday, October 15th, 2011. Please see the flyer below for more information on each event. To register for either of these events please visit this link: http://rosalindfranklin.edu/dnn/administration/facultystaff/currentstudents/admissions/openhouse.aspx

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Department of Chemistry offers Springborn Graduate Fellowships that provide at least $33,000 per year for the first thee years of graduate study, with an additional waiver of tuition and fees as well as travel support in years two and three. See http://chemistry.illinois.edu/graduates/support/sprinborn.html

University of Nebraska Medical Center
Ph.D. Biomedical Resarch Training Program and M.D./Ph.D. Scholars program. Areas from biochemistry and molecular biology to pharmacology and experimental neuroscience. See http://unmc.edu/brtp and http://unmc.edu/mdphd

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle): 350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10. See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


September 21, 2011

Special Seminar
"Chemical Clues in Ocean Sediments: Reconstructing Past Climate Change."
Friday, September 23, 12:30-1:20 PM, SC 150

Prof. Laura Peterson is a geochemist at Luther College with ties to Environmental Studies, Chemistry, and Geology.  Her research with students provides an excellent example of applying techniques from analytical and organic chemistry to answer fundamental questions about paleoclimate in the tropics.
We will have pizza in SC 414 from 11:45-12:20 before the talk, and Laura will be available following the talk for informal discussion about her research and possible career directions.  Her undergraduate degree at Carleton and graduate degrees at Brown were in geology, while her appointment at Luther is in Environmental Studies and Chemistry.  She also teaches the GIS course at Luther.

Congratulations
Welcome to new Biochemistry major Chris Sebas '14

Chemistry Club
Do you like ice cream? How about tie dying? Do you like watching things explode? Chemistry Club is coming back, with our kick off the semester Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Social happening this Saturday at 8pm located in room 414 in the science center. We will be talking about our plans for the upcoming semester, including celebrating holidays such as Mole Day and watching liquid nitrogen bomb demonstrations. Questions? Ideas? Fears? Email gilbertj@beloit.edu

Spring Semester Courses
A tentative schedule for Chemistry courses for next spring is now available at http://chemistry.beloit.edu/classes/schedules/S12.png for you to check for possible conflicts.  Schedules for all of the sciences and math should be posted in the student offices as well.

Midstates Student Research Symposium
The Fall 2011 Midstates (Pew) Undergraduate Research Symposia is accepting registration for student research presenters: the registration deadline is Sept 27th for the Biology and Psychology Symposium and Oct 10 for the Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science Symposium.

The Symposium in the Biological Sciences and Psychology will be held October 28-29 at Washington University in St. Louis.  The Symposium in the Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science will be Nov. 4-5 at University of Chicago.  Registration will be conducted online at:  http://www.mathsciconsortium.org/symposium

Student research presentations at the Biological Sciences and Psychology Symposium typically range from ecology and environmental biology, zoology, botany, biochemistry, physiology, and molecular/cellular biology, to behavioral and cognitive science, pharmacology and neuroscience.  The Symposium in the Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science typically includes presentations in chemistry, physics, geology, environmental science, math, computer science and engineering.

If you are a student interested in presenting, please contact Micho Gravis (gravism@beloit.edu) ASAP so he has a list of interested students, and then register online and upload your presentation abstract.  Please consult with your research mentor for approval of your abstract before submitting it online and send Micho a copy as well so he can give you feedback.

Beloit frequently takes a van load of students to each symposium, and all expenses (travel, lodging, meals, and conference registration) are covered by the Midstates Consortium.  We have funding for approximately 10 students and one faculty chaperone for each of the two meetings.

Fall 2012 EPA Greater Fellowships for Undergraduate Environmental Study
URL: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2012/2012_gro_undergrad.html
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships program, is offering Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) undergraduate fellowships for bachelor level students in environmental fields of study. The deadline for receipt of applications is December 12, 2011 4:00 PM ET for receipt of paper applications, and December 12, 2011, at 11:59:59 PM ET for submittal of electronic applications to Grants.gov. Subject to availability of funding, and other applicable considerations, the Agency plans to award approximately 40 new fellowships by July 30, 2012. Eligible students will receive support for their junior and senior years of undergraduate study and for an internship at an EPA facility during the summer of their junior year. The fellowship provides up to $19,700 per academic year of support and $9,500 of support for a three-month summer internship.

For After You Graduate
Graduate Schools that have sent us recruiting materials
(Note the range of programs recruiting chemistry and biochemistry graduates!)
Tulane University School of Science and Engineering (http://tulane.edu/sse) has programs in Biomedical Engineering, Cell and Molecular Biology, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, among others.
Case Western Reserve University Biomedical Graduate Programs (http://case.edu/med/BSTP) has a range of options including Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Medicine, Molecular Virology, and Pharmacology.
University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Medicine combined VMD-PhD program to prepare for research with animals (e.g. in drug development and testing).  http:// www.PennVetPhD.org
University of Southern California graduate study in chemistry includes all the usual subfields of chemistry plus hydrocarbon chemistry, nanoscience, medicinal chemistry, and polymer chemistry.  They mention it, but like most graduate programs in chemistry, they offer 100% financial support, free tuition, and health and dental insurance.  http://chem.usc.edu

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


September 14, 2011

Chemistry 380 Seminar
All are invited to join this weekly discussion of current literature articles, plus an occasional visiting seminar speaker.
This Friday, September 16, at 1:30 in SC 301 
Jourdan Posner – “Effect of Simultaneous Consumption of Milk and Coffee on Chlorogenic Acids’ Bioavailability in Humans,” J. Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2011 (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021%2Fjf201906p)

Kelsey Kettelhut – “Evaluation of Leaf-Derived Extracts as an Environmentally Sustainable Source of Essential Oils by Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Enantioselective Gas Chromatography-Olfactometry,” Analytical Chemistry, 2006 (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ac051337s?)

Joe Lownik – “9-Substituted 6,6-Dimethyl-11-oxo-6,11-dihydro-5Hbenzo[b]carbazoles as Highly Selective and Potent Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Inhibitors,” J. Medicinal Chemistry, 2011 (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021%2Fjm200652u)

MACTLAC Student Help
Beloit will be hosting the annual meeting of the Midwest Association of Chemistry Teachers in Liberal Arts Colleges (affectionately known as MACTLAC) on Friday-Saturday, October 21-22, at the end of mid-term break.   The focus of this year’s meeting is on “Energy,” with speakers from Argonne National Laboratory and the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center in Madison, and opportunities for faculty to try out energy-related labs.  We can use a number of students to help with both the meeting logistics on Friday and Saturday (registration, refreshments, instrument vendors, etc.) and with the labs (some of which will be familiar from classes here).  If you are likely to be around at the end of mid-term break and would enjoy attending the meeting and helping out, please let Brock Spencer know (spencer@beloit.edu).

Save the Date
"Chemical Clues in Ocean Sediments: Reconstructing Past Climate Change."
Friday, September 23, 12:30-1:20 PM, SC 150

Prof. Laura Peterson is a geochemist at Luther College with ties to Environmental Studies, Chemistry, and Geology.  Her research with students provides an excellent example of applying techniques from analytical and organic chemistry to answer fundamental questions about paleoclimate in the tropics.

We will have pizza in SC 414 from 11:45-12:20 before the talk, and Laura will be available following the talk for informal discussion about her research and possible career directions.  Her undergraduate degree at Carleton and graduate degrees at Brown were in geology, while her appointment at Luther is in Environmental Studies and Chemistry.  She also teaches the GIS course at Luther.

Present Your Research at Spring ACS Meeting in San Diego
Three Beloit chemistry students presented their research at the spring ACS National Meeting last year.  It would be great to send more this year.  Talk to a faculty member about the process and on-campus sources of funding.  Abstract submission is now open for the 243rd ACS National Meeting in San Diego, CA, March 25-29, 2012; the meeting theme is “Chemistry of Life.”  ACS national meetings offer scientific professionals like you the opportunity to present, publish, discuss, and exhibit the most exciting research discoveries and technologies in chemistry and its related disciplines.  Submission deadlines vary by division but begin October 17, 2011.  View the complete list of programming divisions and submission deadlines.  Don't miss the opportunity to present your research at one of the largest and most respected scientific meetings in the world. Submit your abstract today.  For details about the theme and other meeting information, visit www.acs.org/sandiego2012.

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday. 

top


September 7, 2011

Student Academic Senators
Annual election of Student Academic Senators on September 7, at 4:00 p.m.
Elections will be held for:
Division I                    Room 101, Center for the Sciences
Division II                   Weeks Lounge, Pearsons Hall
Division III                 Moore Study Lounge, Pearsons Hall
IDST                           Mead Room, Pearsons Hall
  (Environmental Studies)
  (Health and Society)
  (Women’s and Gender Studies)
  (International Relations)
  (Self-Designed)

The criteria for Academic Senators are as follows:
·       Must be registered for classes
·       Must have declared a major by Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 3:30 p.m.
·       Must not be on academic probation
·       Must have at least sophomore standing
According to Beloit College’s Administrative Policy Manual, double and triple majors may run and vote in only one election.  This ensures that all students will have equal voting strength.

Chemistry 380 Seminar
All are invited to join this weekly discussion of current literature articles, plus an occasional visiting seminar speaker.  This Friday, September 9, at 1:30 in SC 301
Ozgun Kilic –  “Pinene-Derived Iminodiacetic Acid (PIDA): A Powerful Ligand for Stereoselective Synthesis and Iterative Cross-Coupling of C(sp3) Boronate Building Blocks,” J. Am. Chem. Soc., August 8, 2011 (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ja205912y)
Sarah Stariha – “Glucose-Driven Fuel Cell Constructed from Enzymes and Filter Paper.”  The cover article from the current issue of the Journal of Chemical Education (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ed100967j)

Aaron Joiner – “Synthesis of a New [6]-Gingerol Analogue and Its Protective Effect with Respect to the Development of Metabolic Syndrome in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet,” Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/jm200662c)

Semester in Environmental Science
Study global change and ecosystem biogeochemistry in Woods Hole on Cape Cod next fall.  Beloit College is one of the collaborating institutions in this program at the Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory, which offers a fall semester of off-campus study and research for credit.  See http://ecosystems.mbl.edu/SES and the Beloit College web site for Domestic Programs for details.

Internship at the Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute
The Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute is offering a short-term intern position to work on Mass Spectrometry projects with Research Scientist Dr. Mehdi Moini. The project involves analysis of protein specimens related to museums' proteinaceous samples using a variety of analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography, gel and capillary electrophoresis. Interns will also prepare capillary according to the procedure published in Analytical Chemistry (2007) vol. 79, pp. 4241-4246, help prepare manuscripts for publication and grants for submission to funding agencies, and other tasks as assigned. Preference will be given to applicants with a background in analytical chemistry, mass spectrometry, or in related subjects. Stipends may be offered for a period of up to 10 weeks. Please contact Dr. Moini at MoiniM@si.edu<mailto:MoiniM@si.edu> for more information or to submit an application.

Undergraduate Research Prizes
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is accepting applications for the sixth annual Frank and Sara McKnight Awards in Molecular Sciences. We will offer awards in three areas: Chemistry, Biophysics or Computational Biology and Biological Chemistry. These prizes are designed to recognize undergraduate students with a commitment to scientific research and a record of academic achievement. Approximately fifteen finalists will be chosen from the applicants, and they will be invited to attend a scientific retreat hosted by the Department of Biochemistry at UT Southwestern. There, students will present a poster describing their research. Three young researchers will be awarded first prizes ($2000) while the other finalists will receive $500 prizes. Please share this opportunity with your outstanding undergraduates and encourage them to apply. If there are other pools of qualified students in your institution, we would appreciate it if you could forward this announcement to them, too.

The application process is simple and requires only a brief description of their research experience, a letter of support from their mentor(s) and the usual numerical metrics. We need to receive these applications by October 1, 2011 by email to McknightPrize@utsouthwestern.edu. Students should include Chemistry Prize, Biophysics Prize or Biological Chemistry Prize in the subject line. Thank you for supporting our effort to celebrate research in the molecular sciences. Every year we are encouraged by witnessing the passion and vibrancy that fills these young scientists. The link below provides flyers and a detailed application procedure. 

http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/mcknightprize

In addition to our desire to recognize excellence in undergraduate research, we host this competition to familiarize undergraduates with the exciting opportunities for graduate education at UT Southwestern. In that regard, more information about the graduate programs at UT Southwestern can be found at the links below.

Graduate program in chemistry:
http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/graduateschool/chemistry.html

Graduate program in molecular biophysics and computational biology:
http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/graduateschool/molecularbiophysics.html

Graduate program in biological chemistry:
http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/graduateschool/biologicalchemistry.html

If students have additional questions, they can contact us directly.
Sincerely,
Joe Ready (Chemistry Prize, Joseph.ready@utsouthwestern.edu)
Kevin Gardner (Molecular Biophysics Prize, Kevin.gardner@utsouthwestern.edu)
Benjamin Tu (Biological Chemistry Prize, Benjamin.tu@utsouthwestern.edu)

For After You Graduate
Graduate Schools that have sent us recruiting materials
(Note the range of programs recruiting chemistry and biochemistry graduates!)
University of Michigan Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (http://lsa.umich.edu/earth/
Vanderbilt University Center in Molecular Toxicology in the School of Medicine (http://toxicology.mc.vanderbilt.edu)

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


August 31, 2011

Welcome New Majors!
Sarah Knause – Biological Chemistry
Michael Kreiser – Biochemistry
Joseph Lownik - Biochemistry
Andrew May – Biochemistry
Joseph Poshepny - Biochemistry

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
BELOIT INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM

Students who have engaged in academic work in a country other than their country of origin are eligible to present in the International Symposium. The Symposium is open to both U. S. students who have studied abroad and to international students studying here. Students must be nominated by a faculty sponsor willing to work with the student on their presentation and abstract.  If you are interested in doing a presentation, contact a faculty member to nominate you.
 This symposium aims to emphasize the role of international academic experiences in student learning. While some students focus on the intercultural aspects of their learning, others present research conducted abroad.  Some students might individually share their participation in a particular political, economic, or social event, or join together with others in a panel discussion.

DATES and DEADLINES:
Monday, September 26                       Nominations due
Monday, October 3                             Abstracts and registration due online at
                                                           http://chemistry.beloit.edu/symposium
Wednesday, November 16                  International Symposium Day (in lieu of classes)

Ford Diversity Fellowships Program for College and University Teaching.
Starting September 1, 2011 Applications will be accepted for the 2012 Ford Diversity Fellowships Program for Achieving Excellence in College and University Teaching. Full eligibility information and online applications are available on our website at: http://nationalacademies.org/ford
Eligibility Requirements:
U.S. Citizen or National
Planning a career in teaching and research at the college or university level in a research-based filed of Science, social science or humanities
Stipends and Allowances:
Predoctoral--$20,000 to the fellow, institutional allowance of $2,000 for three years
Dissertation--$21,000 for one year
Postdoctoral--$40,000 for one year, $1,500 employing institution allowance, to be matched by employing institution
Awardees have expenses paid to attend one Conference of Ford Fellows.
Approximately 60 predoctoral, 35 dissertation, and 20 postdoctoral fellowships sponsored by the Ford Foundation and administered by the National Research Council of the National Academies.
Application Deadline Dates:
•                Predoctoral: November 14, 2011
•                Dissertation: November 17, 2011
•                Postdoctoral: November 17, 2011

Rock River Thresheree - 55th Reunion
Labor Day Weekend - September 2-5
Open daily from 8AM-5PM
Parade of Power each day at 2 PM
Steam engines, gas tractors, threshing every day, old machinery and trucks
Adults $8
Located between Janesville and Edgerton on Highway 51 and County Trunk M
Http://www.thresheree.org

Muggers

Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle):  350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10.  See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION

Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


August 25, 2011

2011 Chemistry Newsletter
The annual Chemistry Newsletter for alumni is now available at http://chemistry.beloit.edu/classes/news_annual/2011.html

Chemistry 380 Chemistry Seminar
Join our weekly discussions of the current chemical literature on Fridays 1:30-2:35 in SC 301 and special seminar speakers from time to time on Friday at 12:30 in SC 150 (see these newsletters for announcements). To take Chemistry 380 for credit, you can add it at Registration on Monday, August 29th.

Cosmetic Chemists Scholarships
The Midwest Chapter of The Society of Cosmetic Chemists is offering multiple $1,000 scholarships to students exhibiting excellence in either coursework or research in the fields of chemistry, biology, cosmetic or allied sciences. Special consideration will be given to students actively pursuing careers in cosmetic science. The deadline for applications is October 14, 2011. Scholarship guidelines and applications are available at http://www.midwestscc.org/scholarship/. Several Beloit students have gotten this scholarship in the past.

Chemistry Career Symposium in Madison
My name is Michelle, and I am a graduate student in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Last year, the Younger Chemists Committee (YCC) hosted a chemistry career symposium on campus. This event brought together nearly 140 students from all over the mid-west region to learn about different careers in chemistry. We had 12 speakers from a variety of chemistry careers, both traditional and non-traditional. It was such a huge success that we have decided to host this event again with a fresh group of speakers.

This year’s event will be October 22nd, 2011 from 9:00 am to 7:30 pm. The event will be a full day of learning about different chemistry career opportunities from presentations given by representatives from different careers. Breakfast, lunch, and a networking dinner will be included with the registration fee. The meals will allow the audience to learn more from the speakers in an informal environment and establish contacts for future networking.

This symposium is designed to provide information to students who are currently undecided in their major but are interested in sciences, current chemistry majors who are debating what to pursue after graduation, graduate students who are unsure how to use their Ph.D., and current chemists who are debating a career change. The symposium will also give the audience an opportunity to network amongst themselves as well as establish contacts in the chemistry community. Through this symposium, we hope the audience will leave with a broader knowledge of how a degree in the sciences can be applied and how to use it that best satisfies their career goals.

For more details and to register, you can visit the website in the http://ycc.chem.wisc.edu/, which is continually being updated with information about more sponsors and speakers. If you have any questions regarding this event please contact me at: mcooperrider@chem.wisc.edu
Registration deadline is October 1st.

Regards,
Michelle Benson
YCC Chemistry Career Symposium Chair

Ranking Chemistry Graduate Programs
Ranking graduate programs is always controversial, and the results should be taken with a large grain of NaCl, but the overview provided may be useful as one source of information about graduate schools you might want to consider. The most recent ranking of chemistry programs by the National Research Council (http://graduate-school.phds.org/rankings/chemistry) provides a useful break-out of the individual components used: NRC survey-based quality score, Research Productivity, Student Outcomes, Student Resources, Diversity.

For an international slant that includes programs around the globe, the Academic Ranking of World Universities has just been released by China’s Shanghai Jiao Tong University. “ARWU uses six objective indicators to rank world universities, including the number of alumni and staff winning Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals, number of highly cited researchers selected by Thomson Scientific, number of articles published in journals of Nature and Science, number of articles indexed in Science Citation Index - Expanded and Social Sciences Citation Index, and per capita performance with respect to the size of an institution. More than 1000 universities are actually ranked by ARWU every year and the best 500 are published on the web.”
The report is available at http://www.arwu.org/index.jsp, while the ranking of chemistry graduate programs is available at http://www.arwu.org/SubjectChemistry2010.jsp.

Summer Opportunities
Now is an excellent time to check with students who are returning from their summer internships and research experiences in order to get ideas for next summer. Those with off-campus positions that we know about include:
Michael Collis ’13 and Michael Kreiser ’13 - research in Chicago through the Beloit College Biomedical Scholars Program.
Jenny Gilbertson '12 - research in an NSF REU program at the Center for Nanotechnology at the University of Washington.
Christopher Goyne ’13 - work at NOX Technologies, a biotech company.
Mackenzie Hilliard ’12 - internship in the analytical laboratory at Kerry Ingredients in Beloit.
Allie Hunter '12 - computational chemistry research in the NSF REU program at the University of Kansas.
Ari Jacobs '12 - materials chemistry research this summer in the NSF REU program at the University of Oregon..
Will Ksander ’13 - organic synthetic research on compounds of medicinal interest in the NSF REU program at the University of Rochester.
Christina Mikulka ’13 - studying viral DNA packaging in the NSF REU program at the University of Iowa this summer.
Chris Nakamoto ’13 will spend next fall at Oak Ridge National Laboratory on their Science Semester research program.
Sarah Stariha '12 - her second summer at Argonne National Laboratory working on hydrogen fuel cell projects.
Betsy Wynn ’13 -working on regulatory affairs projects, and Jillian Wulf ’13 - working in the lab at the Corporate Technology Center of ChemTool Incorporated, one of the largest manufacturers and custom formulators of lubricants and specialty products in the world, which has recently relocated to Rockton, Illinois.

For After You Graduate
Graduate Schools that have sent us recruiting materials
(Note the range of programs recruiting chemistry and biochemistry graduates!)

University of Florida College of Pharmacy
• on-line masters in Pharmaceutical Chemistry to prepare for careers in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries, and a at drug regulatory agencies. http://pharmachem.cop.ufl.edu
• on-line masters in Forensic Toxicology, Drug Chemistry, and Forensic DNA & Serology, and MS and PSM degrees in Forensic Science, and certificates in various specialties for careers in crime labs, medical examiners offices, and law enforcement. http://forensicscience.coip.ufl.edu

South Dakota State University – Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Financial aid packages include research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and fellowships, including US Department of Education GAANN Fellowships ($30,000/yr plus at $11,000 cost of education allowance). See http://chembiochem.sdstate.edu.

Wayne State University – Department of Chemistry – http://chem.wayne.edu

Positions Available
Aegis Science Corporation is a full-service forensics laboratory providing toxicology and consulting services to physicians, medical examiners, professional sports organizations, and state/local governments throughout the US. Their staff includes 11 Ph.D.s, 2 Pharm. D.’s, 26 Certifying Scientists, and over 100 laboratory team members. Explore careers with Aegis at http://aegislabs.com/Careers.

ProChem, Inc. [owned by a Beloit alumnus and employing several other Beloit alumni] is expanding and requires the positions below to be filled at its Seward, Illinois facility. It is also likely to be hiring up to 6 more people in the coming year.
• Chemist
• Chemical Operator
• Chemical Technician
Hard working self-motivated individuals with a chemistry related degree or industry experience who are seeking a position with a growing high technology specialty chemical company. The position of chemical operator and chemical technician would include:
-Monitor chemical reactions using analytical and laboratory equipment
-Maintain, operate and set-up laboratory and process equipment
-Monitor and maintain vacuum systems and traps
-Perform distillations, filtrations, and re-crystallizations
-Clean and maintain laboratory and process equipment
-Record data in laboratory notebooks
-Record data for SPC/SQC
-Label reactions, products and byproducts with content and status related information.
-Perform routine health, safety, or environmental practices.
-Utilize software like Excel, Word, Visio and Powerpoint

An associates degree or higher in a science field, or experience may replace the requirement for a degree. If you would like to apply for any of these positions please email cover letter and resume to: prochem1@aol.com To learn more about the company please visit: http://www.prochemonline.com

Muggers
Markson Muggers (pyrex beaker with handle): 350 mL for $8.00 or 600 mL for $10. See Brock Spencer.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send any news items for the Weekly Newsletter to Brock Spencer (spencer@beloit.edu) by noon each Wednesday.

top


Back