Honors at Graduation
Honor Societies
Departmental Awards
Scholarships Awarded to Biochemistry and Chemistry Majors
Beloit College 31st Annual Student Symposium, April 12, 2007
Beloit College 5th International Symposium, November 8, 2006
Midstates Symposia
The Beloit Biologist, Volume 26, 2007
The fourth floor of Chamberlin continues to be a busy and fun place. It has been rather noisy at times with the new building going up immediately to the north (see Center for the Sciences Progress Report on page 6), but this just adds to the excitement.
We are delighted that Kevin Braun’99 has joined us for the 2007-08 academic year as Visiting Assistant Professor (and George’s sabbatical replacement). Kevin completed his Ph.D. at the University of Arizona in 2005 (and defended TWO theses!), and then joined the research group of Michael Ramsey at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill as a postdoctoral research associate. Kevin is teaching a section of Chem 117 and a new course in Instrumental Analysis this fall at Beloit, and he will teach a topics course in Forensic Science and Chem 220–Environmental Chemistry in the spring. We are happy to welcome Kevin back to Beloit.
The Chemistry faculty and staff in general are an active lot. Rama and collaborators from many other departments were able to gain College approval for a new interdisciplinary minor in Computational Visualization and Modeling. This led to successful funding of an NSF DUE-CCLI grant for a state-of-the-art computer visualization laboratory for the new building. George continues to present nationally and internationally in the area of nanochemistry education. You may well remember trying to keep up with George when you were here! Brock has been busy with planners, architects, contractors, and all phases of the new building project. We began writing about the possibility of a new facility in the Newsletter in 1997, and now we watch the daily reality of concrete and steel outside our windows. Kathleen continues to secure research funding through the NSF Major Research Instrumentation program, most recently to purchase a Circular Dichroism (CD) Spectropolarimeter. Kathleen’s new “toys” have been used regularly in her research and teaching labs (from FYI to Chem 300!). Roc’s nutrition research has garnered considerable attention, and his Biochemical Issues classes have been packed. Dave Gordon is indispensable. Please see the Faculty and Staff Update section in the Newsletter for a more detailed view of individual happenings.
Chemistry and Biochemistry students are an engaged lot as well. Our students are involved as scholars, musicians, athletes, researchers, clinicians, volunteers, teachers, and travelers. Please check out the Student Experiences section on page 29 of this Newsletter for the full picture. We are thrilled to see a student-led revival of the Chemistry Club this year. Some activities of the club thus far include sponsored travel to local ACS meetings, a liquid nitrogen ice cream party, painting the all-important periodic table on the wall in the organic chemistry classroom, and an end-of-semester party with door prizes and a chemistry trivia quiz. We look forward to a full and fun year.
As described in last year's newsletter, we have exciting opportunities provided by a $500,000 grant over five years from the Sherman Fairchild Foundation for scientific equipment for the new building. Last January we acquired a powder x-ray diffractometer, which was immediately put to use in the introductory Chemistry 117 course and in the new Chem150–Nanochemistry course, and will be used extensively in both chemistry and geology. The grant also provided eight sophisticated global positioning system (GPS) field data-logging units, which will be used in conjunction with the new building's GIS/Visualization lab. This year we will acquire a molecular digital imaging system with multiwavelength fluorescence illumination for use in our new suite of biochemistry and molecular biology labs.
Also supported by the grant is a new position, a Research and Instrument Specialist, to work with faculty and students on research projects and instrumentation throughout the science division. Rongping Deng joined us in August, following a postdoctoral position in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where his research used ultra high vacuum techniques to study elementary chemical reactions on transition metal surfaces. His Ph.D. work in physics at the University of New Hampshire involved the electronic characterization of gas phase fullerene molecules. He has done semiconductor research at the University of Warwick, Fudan University (masters degree), and Xinjiang University, where he was a Lecturer, teaching undergraduate physics at all levels. We are very pleased to have Rongping join us.
In preparation for the move to the new building, we have retired our vintage 1974 atomic absorption spectrophotometer, a workhorse instrument that George modified in the 1980s for digital data acquisition and processing, and familiar to many generations of chemistry graduates. It has been replaced this fall by a new Varian Atomics 240 "fast sequential" atomic absorption spectrophotometer. With rapid switching among atomic lines from four multi-element lamps and automatic pump-based standard and sample dilution, a single sample can be rapidly analyzed for Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, Cu, Cr, Pb, Mg, and Ca. Other lamps can be substituted for other elements, and the flame emission mode permits ready analysis of elements such as Na and K. In addition to our heavy use of this instrument in Chem 117 and 220, it will also be available for elemental analysis projects in biology and geology. After 14 years of service from our 200 MHz FT-NMR, its superconducting magnet quenched once again, which we took as a sign that it, too, should be retired. It has been replaced by a permanent magnet Anasazi 60 MHz FT-NMR for proton, carbon and some other nuclei. Over its first year, it has proved versatile and highly reliable for routine work, as well as for individual projects in the second semester organic lab. Once this more easily moved NMR is installed in the new building, we will consider whether to seek funding for a new high field, superconducting NMR. Both of the new instruments were obtained with department and divisional endowed equipment funds ($30,000 for the AA and $90,000 for the NMR), available through an earlier challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation and the generous support of alumni and friends through the Norval F. Myers’24 Chemistry Fund and the Stewart W. and Dorothy (Johnson) Gloyer’32 Chemistry Fund.
It is fall now as the Newsletter goes to press. Brock continues to keep us well supplied with apples and doughnuts and cider. Life is good. Please keep in touch.
Beloit’s Biochemistry Program continues to develop. Demetrius “Micho” Gravis has joined the Biology Department as a Molecular Biologist. His expertise in immunology and molecular biology strongly complement the biochemistry program. Micho received his PhD in Immunology from the University of Iowa, was a postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Tennessee from 2002-2004, and taught a variety of biology courses at Western State College of Colorado. We are thrilled to have Micho join the Biology Department and look forward to working with him. We are also honored to have Beloit alumnus Kevin Braun’99 joining the Chemistry Department as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry. Kevin has extensive analytical chemistry expertise and comes to us after postdoctoral research at the University of North Carolina designing and fabricating nanofluidic devices for separation of DNA.
Beyond the traditional chemistry and biology interface, advances in nanotechnology, medicinal chemistry, and bioinformatics have strengthened the connections between biochemistry and physical chemistry and inorganic chemistry. The changes in the biochemistry curriculum allow our students more flexibility to study abroad and design their educational path as liberally educated students in diverse fields. Our students continue to combine biochemistry with a variety of interest and experiences ranging from classical civilization to theater.
Many biochemistry students dedicate their summer to research off campus. This summer our students attended outstanding programs at a variety of places ranging from Lund University in Sweden to Loyola University in Chicago. Our students also pursued volunteer and clinical experiences all over the world. Biochemistry students at Beloit develop their scientific experience in the classroom, research laboratory, and clinical environment, both on and off campus.
Our students presented the results of their research at a variety of conferences, including the Pew Midstates Science & Mathematics Undergraduate Research Conference. In 2006, Beloit College sent ten students from Psychology, Biochemistry and Biology to the Biological Science and Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference at the University of Chicago. Three Beloit students from Chemistry, Environmental Biology and Physics presented their research at the Physical Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference at Washington University.
I was honored to serve as Chair of the Biochemistry program during the 2006-2007 academic year. Members of the Biochemistry Committee have diverse backgrounds and research interests at the interface of biology, chemistry and physics. John Jungck, Laura Parmentier, Roc Ordman, and I represent research interests ranging from bioinformatics to enzyme mechanisms, nutrition, and DNA stability. With plans for the new Science Center and research equipment well in place and the construction proceeding on schedule, our final year in Chamberlin will bring plenty of excitement.
The building is underway! Site work on the Center for the Sciences began in mid-March, with the official groundbreaking on April 20, 2007. You can follow the progress with our web camera at https://www.beloit.edu/webcam/, which also includes a link to photos of the groundbreaking ceremony. Foundation work was completed and structural steel work began in June. By the end of this fall, the structure and building shell should be completed, so that interior work can progress over the winter and spring of 2008. We are scheduled to move in during July of 2008, in time for classes that fall. During next summer, interior work and addition of an elevator will make Mayer Hall independent. Over the fall of 2008, Chamberlin Hall will be deconstructed for recycling and a new greenhouse constructed. Spring of 2009 will see completion of the outdoor deck and native plant garden in Chamberlin's footprint, bringing the site work and the project to its conclusion.
Organized around a central atrium, the two wings will house the departments and programs currently in Chamberlin Hall, plus Psychology, new interdisciplinary programs in Environmental Studies and Health and Society, and the Center for Language Studies in the summer. Like Chamberlin, the building will have four floors plus a basement, but will be significantly larger at 116,000 square feet, and taller, with a significantly larger floor-to-floor separation to accommodate modern air handling equipment. It will be big, capturing your attention as you drive toward campus on Emerson Street from the east or approach the campus along the Rock River on the west. Unlike Chamberlin, the Center for the Sciences will have all of the departments represented on the first two levels (see the floor plans at https://www.beloit.edu/sc/), emphasizing the interdisciplinary connections that pervade contemporary science. Like Chamberlin, it will reinforce the "Chamberlin Rats" student culture, with student office/commons spaces for each department, a number of student study lounge areas around the atrium on all levels, and close proximity of student spaces and faculty offices. Unlike Chamberlin, it will be obviously welcoming to the rest of campus and the public, with a net increase of six classrooms to bring others into the building for classes, and with the 7,700 sq. ft. atrium and adjacent auditorium and large conference room well situated for all-college and public events.
With all of its green features, the building and its expected LEED Silver certification will provide an example of sustainability for the campus and community. The building itself will offer the opportunity for a complex case study examining the interdisciplinary issues associated with design, construction, and operation for sustainability. We expect that students will use the data stream from this highly monitored building (over 2500 individual control points), in conjunction with other environmental and economic data, to investigate a broad range of questions and issues ranging from energy and water efficiency to indoor environmental quality and the life-cycle costs of building sustainably.
Kevin Braun ’99
Visiting Assistant Professor
B.S. (chemistry) and B.A. (anthropology) Beloit College
Ph.D. University of Arizona
With the start of the new school year, I find myself yet again walking the hallowed halls of Chamberlin. In an exciting twist of fate, I have returned to Beloit to teach! This semester, I am teaching Chem 117 in addition to the first installment of the new Advanced Instrumentation course, Chem 225. Before coming to Beloit, I completed a postdoctoral appointment at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the group of J. Michael Ramsey. There I worked on the development of a genomic microchip utilizing nanoscale apertures with integrated nanoscale electrodes for the realization of rapid and cost effective individual genotyping. I recently had a paper based on my doctoral research on signal multiplexing in capillary electrophoresis published in Electrophoresis (v. 78, 3115).
David Gordon ’97
Laboratory and Safety Coordinator
B.A. Beloit College
At Beloit since 2005
Last year’s newsletter found me wandering on campus in a constant state of déjà vu. 2007 finds me in a similar state of "wonder" about the future. The new Center for the Sciences continues to grow at an astounding rate just outside my office window. The entire Science Division is rapidly preparing for the move (with some professors preparing a bit faster than others!) Tough decisions are necessary when sifting through 60 years worth of scientific instrumentation and supplies. It is hard to say good-bye to equipment that has ties to so many students and so many memories. Everything I attempt to box up or tag for disposal seems to have some tale associated with it….no matter how dusty the exterior may be. Being present during this exciting transitional period has allowed me to be blessed with the dual role of attempting to honor the Chamberlin Rats who have passed through these labs while also preparing to assist the next generation of Beloit scientists.
George Lisensky
Professor
B.A. Earlham College
Ph.D. California Institute of Technology
At Beloit since 1980
https://www.beloit.edu/chemistry/Lisensky
In the fall of 2006, George taught Introductory Chemistry (Chem 117) and Solid State Chemistry (Chem 250). He also organized the fifth annual International Student Symposium. In the spring, George taught Environmental, Analytical, and Geochemistry (Chem 220) and a new course in Nanochemistry (Chem 150).
There have been significant changes in the software used in the Chem 220 course. MathCAD has been replaced by new software written by George. KPlot does equilibrium calculations and presents results in both numerical and graphical formats. It calculates logarithmic concentration, distribution, and titration plots for acid/base, solubility, metal/ligand and redox equilibria. The user interface consists of pull down menus and dialog boxes. It formats proper chemical formulas. It runs on both Macintosh and Windows computers and students have their own copies. Another big change has been to retire the Filemaker server used for lab reports and switch to a MYSQL database with a php interface. Students enter their laboratory data and their calculation results over the internet to the database. A dynamic web page then immediately compares the data and the calculated results and simply reports to the student whether each calculated result is consistent with the entered data.
Chemistry plays a significant role in the emerging interdisciplinary fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The nanoscale refers to materials with dimensions on the scale of nanometers (a thousandth of a thousandth of a thousandth of a meter). Control of the material world at the scale of atoms and molecules can produce materials with fundamentally different properties and behavior and has been touted as the next technological revolution. The students in Beloit’s Nanochemistry course studied primary literature papers that were only a few weeks old and made nanomaterials. The experiments in the course have all been filmed and incorporated into the Video Lab Manual for Nanoscale Science and Technology that George organizes in collaboration with UW-Madison, (http://mrsec.wisc.edu/edetc/nanolab).
George’s continued association with the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Materials Science Research and Engineering Center (MRSEC) on Nanostructured
Interfaces led Beloit students Annemarie Rini, Dan Addis, Grigori Grigoriev,
Jhaunell Reid, Kyle Hansgen, Paul Hansen, Stephen Rudisill, Tanishka Armbrister,
Travis Ksander, Xiaoyue Ma, and Zeke Hess to help present science to the public
at the biannual Engineering Expo at UW-Madison, April 19-21, 2007, where they
explained Nanoworld table top demonstrations to the general public. For photos
of this event attended by thousands of people, see
http://www.mrsec.wisc.edu/edetc/Photo_Album/Expo07/index.html
Stephen Rudisill‘09 worked with George during the summer of 2007 researching the stoichiometry of the photochemical production of gold nanoparticles. The work is featured on the back cover of this newsletter.
George Lisensky continues to be nationally active in interdisciplinary nanotechnology education. Since the last newsletter he has given presentations and workshops for chemistry faculty (Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Purdue University), for physics faculty (American Association of Physics Teachers, Seattle), for materials science faculty (National Educators Workshop, Cincinnati), for engineering faculty (International Conference on Engineering Education, San Juan, Puerto Rico), for high school chemistry teachers (University of Chicago) and for high school physics teachers (Crystal Lake High School, Illinois.) He had two papers published in the December 2006 issue of The Science Teacher, appeared in a web broadcast for the First LEGO League Nanoquest that was accessed by 30,000 middle school students, and collaborated with science museum exhibit developers at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland, the Science Museum of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. He also participated in a workshop for nanotechnology policy makers in Madison, Wisconsin.
This past summer George taught a weeklong workshop (https://www.beloit.edu/chemistry/cwcs/) at Beloit for 22 college chemistry faculty from around the country on Materials Science and Nanotechnology as part of the NSF-funded Center for Workshops in the Chemical Sciences administered by Georgia State University.
Presentations and Workshops
• G. C. Lisensky, W. C. Crone and G. M.
Zenner, Light, Color, and Nanotech: Applications in Display Devices workshop,
International Conference on Engineering Education, San Juan, Puerto Rico, July
28, 2006.
• G. C. Lisensky, S. M. Condren and E. J.
Voss, Light, Color, and Nanotech: Applications in Display Devices, Biennial
Conference on Chemical Education, Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN, July 30,
2006.
• A. M. Nickel, G. C. Lisensky, S. M. Condren
and E. J. Voss, Hands-on Models in Chemistry, Biennial Conference on
Chemical Education, Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN, July 31, 2006.
• G. C. Lisensky, Nanotechnology Applications,
web broadcast for First LEGO LEAGUE NANOQUEST (http://fll.ee.nd.edu/), August
2006. Also available on the web at http://mrsec.wisc.edu/edetc/cineplex/nanoquest/applications.html.
• G. C. Lisensky and O. Castellini, Hands-on
Models for Solids, National Educators Workshop for Materials Science Faculty,
Cincinnati, OH, October 15-17, 2006.
• G. C. Lisensky, Resource Materials for
Nanoscale Science and Technology Education, American Association of Physics
Teachers National Meeting, Seattle, WA, January 6-10, 2007.
• G. C. Lisensky, Nanoscale Materials workshop
for Chicago public high school chemistry teachers, University of Chicago, Feb.
24, 2007.
• G. C. Lisensky, ABCs of Nanotechnology, Discovery
Center Science Museum, Rockford, IL, April 11, 2007.
• G. C. Lisensky, live webcast on Incorporating
Nanoscience into the Curriculum, UW-Madison, School of Education, Office
of Education Outreach, May 9, 2007.
• G. C. Lisensky, Workshop on Nanotechnology for
Chicago area high school physics teachers, Crystal Lake, IL, May 19, 2007.
• G. C. Lisensky and S. Rudisill, Exploring
Light activity at Aldrich Middle School, Beloit, WI, June 5, 2007.
• G. C. Lisensky, Nanoscale Materials workshop
at Alabama A&M, Huntsville, AL, July 16-18, 2007.
• G. C. Lisensky and K, J. Nordell Pearson, Materials
Science and Nanotechnology week-long NSF-funded faculty workshop, Beloit,
WI, July 22-27, 2007.
Other Meetings Attended
• Scientific
Visualization, Gordon Research Conference, Providence, RI, July 1-6, 2007.
• Midwest
Nanotechnology Safety Workshop, Madison, WI, May 21-22, 2007.
• Nanoscale
Informal Science Education Network, Science Museum of Minnesota, Minneapolis,
MN, March 11-13, 2007.
• Visualization
Challenges, National Science Foundation, Washington, DC, September 25-26, 2006.
• Nanoscale
Informal Science Education Network, The Exploratorium, San Francisco, CA, Sept
11-13, 2006.
Publications
• G. C. Lisensky, K. Lux, and W.
C. Crone, “A Web-based Video Lab Manual for Nanoscale Science and Technology,” Nanoscale
science and engineering education: Issues, trends and future directions,
edited by A. E. Sweeney and S. Seal (in press).
• G. C. Lisensky, D. Horoszewski, K.
L. Gentry, G. M. Zenner, and W. C. Crone, Fats, Oils, and Colors of a Nanoscale
Material,” The Science Teacher, 30-35 (December 2006).
• O. M. Castellini, G. C. Lisensky,
J. Walz, G. M. Zenner, Wendy C. Crone, “Structure and Properties of Carbon,” The
Science Teacher, 36-41 (December 2006).
• G. C. Lisensky, A. C. Payne, K. L.
Gentry, A. Comins, S. M. Condren, W. C. Crone, and A. B. Ellis, Polyhedral
Model Kit, Institute for Chemical Education, Madison, WI (2006).
In the fall, I taught Chemistry 117 Chemistry. The course continues to be
a fun and exciting way to learn about chemistry in the world around us. I also
taught Chemistry 300 Biochemistry of Macromolecules. Biochemistry of Macromolecules,
which continues to focus on the synthesis, stability and structures of biological
macromolecules and laboratory skills for the purification and characterization
of nucleic acids, proteins, enzymes and lipids. In the spring, I taught Chemistry
117 and Chemistry 260−Biochemistry of Metabolism. The course integrates
demonstrations of electron transfer processes in biological molecules from
a macroscopic perspective with inquiry based curricular material to investigate
metabolic processes within the cell. The laboratory experiments are integrated
into the discussion and provide hands-on learning of metabolic reactions.
This past summer, Dan Murphy’08 and I won awards to conduct research in
the Sanger Summer Scholar program. We designed a DNA based nanowire. The DNA
nanowire is covalently linked at respective ends to a gold and a titanium dioxide
nanoparticle to enable detection of electron transfer. The electronic transmission
can be switched on/off through binding of the integrated host factor protein.
Dan presented this research at the Sanger Scholar Presentation and the Midstates
Science & Mathematics Consortium Undergraduate Research conference at Washington
University. This research is promising for the ultimate development of nanoscale
wires (that self-assemble) for electronics and computing. Fern Toh’08 (see
newsletter cover page) also did research at Beloit with our new Circular Dichroism
(CD) spectropolarimeter. She analyzed secondary structures of synthetic DNA constructs
and began development of a course manual. The CD spectropolarimeter was obtained
with funds from the NSF Major Research Instrumentation grant. Additionally, we
are continuing the collaborative development of a nanoscale calorimeter with
Material Science Division at Argonne.
As a Lieutenant in the US Navy, I had the honor to serve our country. At the
end of March, I was recalled to active duty to support Navy Operations and Planning
at the Pentagon. Clarissa Schumacher’03 (Ph.D. Northwestern University)
taught Chem 300−Biochemistry of Macromolecules, and Chemistry 117 until
I returned in mid-September. We were thrilled to have Clarissa return to Beloit.
Finally, I was able to contribute to science education outreach projects through
participation in Beloit College's Girls and Women in Science and by developing
activities for elementary school students. I continue actively to support junior
and high school science fairs. The students’ curiosity and dedication continue
to impress me.
Presentations
• Biomolecular Analysis with Miniature Calorimeter, Rydh, A. , Welp, U., Kwok,
W.-K. and Mandell, K.E., 51st Annual Biophysical Society.
Baltimore, MD. March 3-7, 2007.
• Design of a DNA Nanowire, , Kitayama, A., Drennan,
A., Rajh, T, Tiede, D.M., Mandell, K. E.. 50th Annual Biophysical
Society. Salt Lake City, UT. February 18 – 22, 2006.
Last fall, a visit by Tibetan Buddhist monks was the highlight of a campus-wide international week at Beloit College. The monks answered many questions for my course, Chem 127--Nerve Signaling, as we began a scientific study of meditation. One of our texts was The Universe in a Single Atom, written by the Venerable Dalai Lama. It describes cooperation between meditators and neuroscientists using subjective and objective investigations to explore what consciousness is. It was a wonderful experience to help beginning liberal arts students explore the joys of research.
Here is a list of highlights of my activities for this past year:
• Summer of 2006–Went to the AGE meeting in Boston, just as their journal
published a research study on the optimal dosage of vitamins C and E coauthored
by Leta Moser '02.
• Began consultation with a nutritional supplement company that has asked
for my advice in developing better supplements. Began discussion of product
possibilities with a number of biochemistry alumni.
• Fall, 2006–Taught Chem 127--Nerve Signaling, began using the China
Study as the course text for a Nutrition course, changed the title of Chem
380: Senior Seminar to “Science Discussion,” where students
and faculty subscribe to and have lively, relaxed discussions about articles
in the current issue of Science. Scheduled guest speakers included
biochemistry alumni Ian Schmitz’98 and Dave Murray’00.
• Filed a provisional patent on a nutraceutical formulation designed to
cause weight loss.
• Spring, 2007–Began the semester with the Martin Luther King Day convocation.
President Burris introduced Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, who in turn introduced
the main speaker, Philip Christian '81 MD/PhD (medical consultant to the
Seminole nation and Barack Obama), whose kind words describing his biochemistry
education at Beloit moved me deeply.
• Taught Nutrition with all research posters focusing on alcohol at http://beloit.edu/~ordman/posters/postinds/zpostalc.htm
• Had more than 80 students in 4 classes, Chem 280, Chem 380, Nutrition,
and The Art and Science of Negotiation.
• Received approval from the College IRB and conducted a double-blind study
of weight loss formulations, with 68 volunteers.
• Summer, 2007–Participated in the Linus Pauling Conference in Portland,
where I visited with Lester Packer and Bruce Ames. Attended AGE in San
Antonio, where I got to visit with Aubrey de Grey, who has won his $20K
bet in Science that it is realistic to expect to live 1,000 years.
• Began analyzing the weight loss study with the help of Jhaunell Reid
'08 and Prof. Paul Campbell. I am currently writing an article describing
the results for a peer-reviewed publication.
If you are a biochemistry alumnus/alumna, please email me an update for the notes by my office door. I am grateful that so many of you continue to share your lives with me. As the memory of Dave Murray’00 reminds us, our kindnesses live even after we are gone.
Laura E. Parmentier
Associate Professor and Chair
B.S. Northland College
Ph.D. University of Wisconsin - Madison
At Beloit since 1991
https://www.beloit.edu/chemistry/parmentier
This has been an enjoyable teaching year for me. With two large sections of Chem 230 in the fall and two lab sections of Chem 235 in the spring, most of my time is devoted to organic chemistry, courses I love to teach. I also taught our interdisciplinary, laboratory-based Women’s Health class this year, together with Professor Suzanne Cox (Psychology), which was particularly delightful. We were fortunate to be able to bring to campus three women’s health activists as guest speakers: Natalie Jacobsen-Dunlop’00, Tory Vollrath, M.D., and Professor Chris Bobel, University of Massachusetts–Boston.
My outreach projects this year included an invitation from The Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth (WCATY) to speak about my research in Norway, where I had examined lake sediments for evidence of glacial advance and retreat and climate changes around the time of the “Little Ice Age.” I also gave the keynote address for the Girls and Women in Science conference this year, a talk entitled “Eating Ancient Mud in the Name of Science: A Study of Glacier and Climate Change in Western Norway.” In addition, George and I teamed up to provide an array of hands-on activities to explore light, color, and energy for kids and their parents during a delightful evening at the Evansville Energy Fair. Stop by the fourth floor of Chamberlin Hall to look at our poster entitled “Cool Lights! Brilliant ideas.”
This past year has included a half-time sabbatical leave spread over the full year to work on the new Center for the Sciences and longer-range initiatives for campus sustainability. In October, I attended the Sustainable and Energy Efficiency Leadership Conference in Madison, the annual meeting of the Wisconsin Green Building Alliance, and in November, Greenbuild 2006, the annual meeting of the U.S. Green Building Society in Denver, which sponsors the LEED certification program for green buildings. Both of these conferences underlined the extremely rapid development of the green building movement nationally and our foresight in deciding early to seek LEED certification for the Center for the Sciences. As we have moved through the construction document phase of planning and since we started construction last March, a significant portion of my time has been devoted to chairing the planning committee, working with the architects and contractors, and making presentations on the project. With construction underway, I will also readily admit to keeping a close eye on the fascinating process unfolding just outside my window as the foundation went in and the structural steel has gone up.
As described elsewhere in the Newsletter, we have made exciting additions to both equipment and staff through the grant from the Sherman Fairchild Foundation. As administrator for the grant, I have been heavily involved in the extensive annual reporting required, as well as in the successful search for a new divisional Instrument and Research Specialist. My on-going involvement with fund raising for the new building has included a number of presentations and some travel to visit potential donors, as well as significant involvement in preparing proposals for foundation grants. I also served on a review panel in Washington for the National Science Foundation's Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement program and as a reviewer for private foundations.
With time off for my sabbatical leave, my departmental teaching has been a section of Chemistry 117 each semester. Last spring, I joined Yaffa Grossman in our first offering of the Senior Colloquium for the new Environmental Studies interdisciplinary major. This first group of six graduating seniors made an excellent start on a campus-wide Environmental Assessment (https://www.beloit.edu/envbiology/), which will provide baseline data and a template for annual updates.
This was a challenging and exciting year for me on the academic and professional
front. Apart from teaching the regular physical chemistry sequence and CS courses,
I was also involved in a comprehensive revision of the computer science curriculum
and program at the college, which has resulted in an enhanced and updated program
that meets recent ACM guidelines. In addition, concurrently with this revision,
I also worked with colleagues in Math and CS and a number of other departments
to design and develop a new interdisciplinary (IDST) minor in Computational
Visualization and Modeling. I am delighted to report that the Academic Senate
has approved the minor and that I am currently teaching a course in Data Visualization.
The most exciting news is that as a result of the development of the minor,
I was able to obtain a NSF DUE-CCLI interdisciplinary grant for a state-of-the-art
computer visualization laboratory equipped with 12 high-end Macintosh Intel-based
multiple boot computers and large screen LCD displays in the new Center for
the Sciences. This laboratory, which is scheduled to open in fall 2008, will
also have a GeoWall dual projector 3-D visualization system, and has been designed
from the ground up to support the CVM minor and other programs involving computational
science at the college, including the CHEM245–Molecular Modeling, Visualization,
and Computational Chemistry–class that I teach in physical chemistry.
For more details, see https://www.beloit.edu/academics/fields/minors/computational_overview.php
This past summer, I worked with Laurel Purdy’09 on finishing the solution
calorimetry project started by Jhaunell Reid’08 in 2006, as well as on
adapting a camera flash-based luminescence experiment for the undergraduate laboratory.
Laurel is pictured below with a test setup where the flash is housed in a cardboard
carton! I also worked with Han Lai’09 and Hlaing Lin’09 on software
development projects funded by our NSF grant for the CVM minor. We now have a
beta version of BioGrapher–an Excel front-end for graphical visualization
and layout using the AT&T GraphViz libraries–available for download
from the ESTEEM Excel projects page of the BioQUEST consortium site at http://www.bioquest.org/esteem.
Details and visualizations of biological network graphs were presented at the
annual meeting of the Society for Mathematical Biology, held in San Jose in August.
“Mass Spectrometry and its Application in Physical Chemistry Studies.” Rongping Deng, Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, (currently Research and Instrument Specialist at Beloit College.)
“Nanoscale Technologies for the Realization of Rapid, Cost Effective Individual Genotyping.” Kevin Braun ’99, Visiting Assistant Professor, Beloit College.
“Sum Frequency Vibrational Spectroscopy Applied to Polymers and Proteins at Interfaces.” Mark Even, University of Michigan.
“Global Hunger, Foreign Aid, Human Rights, Negotiation Techniques, and Careers in the Foreign Service.” Dr. Andrew Sisson, Senior Coordinator for Africa in the U.S. Department of State.
The sixteenth annual Girls and Women in Science (GWIS) Conference, supported by Beloit College and private donations, was held at Beloit College March 30-31 2007, and as usual was a great success. GWIS is a minds-on, hands-on science workshop weekend for sixth grade girls, along with their teachers and parents, and is designed to ignite enthusiasm for science in sixth grade girls. This year again was special because the Chemistry Department had a record number of students–Taniska Armbrister’10, Emily Andreae’07, Jill Beamon’09, Elizabeth Boatman’07, Kelsey Frei’09, Paul Hansen’08, Heidi Jump’08, Sarah Katz’07, Kelli Kazmier’07, Jennifer Laube’08, Elise Marquie’08, Katie McCool’08, Daniel Murphy’08, Rachael Oliver’07, Hilary Schwafel’09, Ryan Seelbach’08, Anna Wentz’07, and Johna Winters’07–who helped with activity stations. David Gordon, George Lisensky, Laura Parmentier, and Rama Viswanathan participated as faculty mentors. Finally, we were delighted to welcome back Dianne Pham’06 as one of the Alumni Panelists.
| 117 | General Chemistry |
68 |
| 127 | Biochemical Issues |
34 |
| 230 | Organic Chemistry I |
45 |
| 245 | Molecular Modeling/Visualization |
12 |
| 250 | Inorganic Chemistry |
6 |
| 300 | Biochemistry of Macromolecules |
8 |
| 380 | Senior Seminar |
11 |
| 385 | Senior Thesis |
1 |
| 390 | Special Projects |
1 |
| 395 | Teaching Assistant |
2 |
| Total |
188 |
| 117 | General Chemistry | 30 |
| 127 | Biochemical Issues |
48 |
| 150 | Nanochemistry | 9 |
| 220 | Environmental, Analytical, & Geochemistry | 32 |
| 235 | Organic Chemistry II | 29 |
| 240 | Thermodynamics and Kinetics | 11 |
| 260 | Biometabolism | 20 |
| 280 | Professional Tools for Chemists | 25 |
| 370/5 | Advanced Topics | 2 |
| 380 | Senior Seminar | 6 |
| 385 | Senior Thesis | 5 |
| 390 | Special Projects | 2 |
| 395 | Teaching Assistant | 2 |
| Total | 221 |
Daniel |
Addis |
2009 |
Chemistry |
Scandia, Minnesota |
Rachael |
Alfredson |
2009 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
South Beloit, Illinois |
Tanishka |
Armbrister |
2010 |
Biochemistry |
Nassau, Bahamas |
Andrew |
Bartles |
2008 |
Biochemistry |
Dixon, Illinois |
Jill |
Beamon |
2009 |
Biochemistry |
Lexington, Massachusetts |
Abraham |
Behrmann |
2010 |
Chemistry |
St. Louis, Missouri |
Ian |
Blitz |
2008 |
Chemistry |
Charleston, Illinois |
Judith |
Broderick |
2008 |
Biochemistry |
Beloit, Wisconsin |
Aarti |
Chawla |
2009 |
Biochemistry |
Mumbai, India |
Shanna |
Dell |
2010 |
Biochemistry |
Madison, Wisconsin |
Michael |
Devine |
2010 |
Biochemistry |
Winnebago, Illinois |
Kelsey |
Frei |
2009 |
Biochemistry |
Janesville, Wisconsin |
Amanda |
Hammermeister |
2008 |
Biochemistry |
Ketchikan, Alaska |
Paul |
Hansen |
2008 |
Chemistry |
Holland, Michigan |
Zeke |
Hess |
2009 |
Chemistry |
Halstad, Minnesota |
Ronald |
Irick |
2008 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
Shawnee Mission, Kansas |
Izlinda |
Jamaluddin |
2010 |
Biochemistry |
Seremban, Malaysia |
Heidi |
Jump |
2008 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
Tenino, Washington |
Derek |
Keefer |
2009 |
Chemistry |
Richland, Washington |
Leah |
Kelly |
2009 |
Chemistry |
Tucson, Arizona |
Warren |
Kretzschmar |
2008 |
Biochemistry |
Hannover, Germany |
Han |
Lai |
2009 |
Biochemistry |
Chengdu, China |
Hlaing |
Lin |
2009 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
Yangon, Myanmar |
Jennifer |
Laube |
2008 |
Biochemistry |
Pittsfield, Maine |
Michael |
Mandel |
2009 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
St Louis, Missouri |
Elise |
Marquie |
2008 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
Apex, North Carolina |
Jacob |
Marsh |
2009 |
Biochemistry |
Richmond, Illinois |
Katelyn |
McCool |
2008 |
Applied Chemistry |
Warren, Illinois |
Paul |
Mueller |
2009 |
Chemistry |
Streamwood, Illinois |
Daniel |
Murphy |
2008 |
Biochemistry |
Frankfort, Illinois |
Anny |
Nguyen |
2010 |
Biochemistry |
Beloit, Wisconsin |
Darren |
Pilcher |
2010 |
Chemistry |
Phoenix, Arizona |
Laurel |
Purdy |
2009 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
Canby, Oregon |
Jhaunell |
Reid |
2008 |
Applied Chemistry |
Westmoreland, Jamaica |
Peter |
Reiss |
2008 |
Biochemistry |
Poecking, Germany |
Stephen |
Rudisill |
2009 |
Chemistry |
Beloit, Wisconsin |
Andrew |
Scarano |
2008 |
Biochemistry |
Edgerton, Wisconsin |
Hilary |
Schwafel |
2009 |
Biochemistry |
Fairbanks, Alaska |
Ryan |
Seelbach |
2008 |
Chemistry |
Hillsboro, Missouri |
Jonathan |
Soffer |
2008 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
Creamridge, New Jersey |
Ashish |
Thapa |
2008 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
Pokhara, Nepal |
May Fern |
Toh |
2008 |
Biochemistry |
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
Jason |
Tse |
2009 |
Biochemistry |
Beloit, Wisconsin |
Rachel |
Yucuis |
2009 |
Biochemistry |
Iowa City, Iowa |
| SUMMA CUM LAUDE | Elizabeth Boatman |
| MAGNA CUM LAUDE | Sarah Katz |
| CUM LAUDE | Ammar Kutiyanawalla |
| DEPARTMENTAL HONORS | Elizabeth Boatman |
| Phi Beta Kappa | Elizabeth Boatman |
| Mortar Board | Ammar Kutiyanawalla |
JOHN H. NAIR AWARD
honors an alumnus (Class of 1915) and
provides membership in the American Chemical Society for one or more seniors
who plan careers in chemistry.
Elizabeth Boatman’07, Stephanie Giles’07, Kelli Kazmier’07
EDWARD C. FULLER AWARD in CHEMICAL EDUCATION
was established by the majors of the Class of 1982 in honor of Professor Fuller
and is given to a junior or senior who has done outstanding work as a teaching
assistant.
Andrew Scarano’08
WILLIAM J. TRAUTMAN AWARD IN PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
recognizes chemistry majors for outstanding performance in physical chemistry.
Professor Trautman taught chemistry at Beloit College from 1921 to 1947.
Laurel Purdy ’09, Ashish Thapa’08
CRC PRESS FIRST YEAR CHEMISTRY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
recognizes outstanding work by a first-year student and consists of a copy of
the Handbook of Chemistry and Physics.
Anny Nguyen’10, Karen Baumann’10
AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
sponsored by the Division of Polymer Chemistry recognizes outstanding work in
the introductory organic chemistry course.
Heidi Jump’08
AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY AWARDsponsored
by the Division of Analytical Chemistry, recognizes student who displays an
aptitude for analytical chemistry.
Rachel Yucuis’09
DAVID A. NORRIS'92 RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
was established in his honor and encourages and supports chemistry-related
student research.
Kelli Kazmier’07
ANN M. VERVILLE SCHOLAR’S AWARD (Biology Department)
presented to an
upper class biology major chosen by the biology department faculty as the outstanding
student of the year.
Kelli Kazmier’07
GERTRUDE E. SWEET AWARD (Biology Department)
presented to a biology student who
is committed to serving others and demonstrates leadership in societal issues
related to the life sciences.
Heidi Jump’08, Jonathan Moran’08
ELIZABETH W. SOUTER AWARD (Biology Department) for outstanding
scholarship to a biology student with high academic achievement and potential
for research.
Elizabeth Boatman’07, Kelli Kazmier’07
WILLIAM PORTER LATIN PRIZE (Classics Department)
Laurel Purdy’09
WALL STREET JOURNAL AWARD (Economics Department)
Xiaoyue Ma’07
BANUCCI MUSIC AWARD (Music Department)
Laurel Purdy’09
ANDY BOGGS MUSIC AWARD (Music Department)
Stephen Rudisill’09
R.R. PALMER FELLOWSHIP IN TEACHING AWARD (Physics Department)
Sarah Katz’07
DELTA PSI DELTA PRIZE (Theatre Arts Department)
Rachel Oliver’07
BACON SUPER-VISION FELLOWSHIP
Jill Beamon’09
Andrew Bartles’08 |
Brannon Presidential, AFS/YFU, Ferris Endowed |
Jill Beamon’09 |
Eaton |
Ian Blitz’08 |
Eaton, Claire D. Mitchell |
Aarti Chawla’09 |
Moore Family |
Kelsey Frei’09 |
Janesville Foundation Moral Obligation |
Amanda Hammermeister’08 |
Ericsson, Monticello Foundation, Paul W. Boutwell |
Heidi Jump’08 |
Ferwerda Science, Mauer Presidential |
Sarah Katz’07 |
Chapin Presidential , Ferwerda Science, Founders |
Kelli Kazmier’07 |
Chapin Presidential |
Winni Kretzschmar’08 |
Ferwerda Science |
Ammar Kutiyanawalla’07 |
Ferwerda Science |
Han Lai’09 |
Moore Family |
Jennifer Laube’08 |
Chapin Presidential |
Xiaoyue Ma’07 |
Moore Family, Teresina Peck Rowell |
Jacob Marsh’09 |
Chapin Presidential |
Katelyn McCool’08 |
Chapin Presidential, Ericsson, Zeltman |
Paul Mueller ’09 |
Mauer Presidential |
Daniel Murphy’07 |
Hildebrand Memorial |
Rachel Oliver’07 |
Maurer Presidential, Marjorie Brown Leff |
Davis Peterson’07 |
Eaton |
Darren Pilcher’10 |
Brannon Presidential |
Laurel Purdy’09 |
Brannon Presidential, Marjorie Brown Leff |
Jhaunell Reid’08 |
Moore Family |
Stephen Rudisill’09 |
Chapin Presidential, Founders |
Andrew Scarano’08 |
Eaton, Alfred & Matilda Wilson |
Ryan Seelbach’08 |
Hildebrand Endowed Memorial |
Ashish Thapa’08 |
World Affairs Center, Ferwerda Science |
May Fern Toh’08 |
World Affairs Center |
Jason Tse’09 |
Chapin Presidential, Sau Wing Lam |
Anna Wentz’07 |
Marjorie Brown Leff |
Johna Winters’07 |
Kate Baron, Ericsson, Mabel Pearl Spanswick |
Rachel Yucuis’09 |
Brannon Presidential |
Zeke Hess’09
“Scientific Research, One Nanostep at a Time.” Mentored
by Prof. George Lisensky.
Kelli Kazmier’07
“Ion Channel Structure Determination: Current Methods and
New Results.” Mentored by Prof. Marion Fass; Dr. Adrian Gross, Northwestern
University.
Derek Keefer’09
“Electrochromic Prussian Blue: Application in Display Devices.” Mentored
by Prof. George Lisensky.
Rachel Oliver’07
“Cyst Formation and Morphology from Superovulated Transgenic
and Control Mice.” Mentored by Prof. Marion Fass; Joanna Burdette, Teresa
K Woodruff, Northwestern University.
Peter Reiss’08
“Controlled Gene Expression in Functionally Distinct Parts of
the Central Nervous System: A Powerful Analytical Tool for Neural Development.” Mentored
by Prof. Marion Fass; Dr. Warren Tourtelotte, Northwestern University.
Beloit College 5th International Symposium, November 8, 2006
Elizabeth Boatman’07
“Lessons on Physics and the Truth about Australia.” Mentored
by Prof. Paul Stanley.
Anna Wentz’07
“The Music Scene in Costa Rica: Past and Present Wind Instruments.” Mentored
by Prof. Brock Spencer.
Jeffrey Thimm’08
“Alternative Fuels and Sustainable Development: LPG in Albania.” Mentored
by Prof. Yaffa Grossman.
2006 Midstates Consortium Undergraduate
Symposium in Biology and Psychology
November 3-5, 2006 University of Chicago
Kelli Kazmier’07
“Investigations of Lipid-Protein Interactions with K+ Channels KCSA and
KVAP”
Peter Reiss’08
“The Site-Specific Recombineering CRE-LOXP System used for Generating Conditional
Knockout Mutations on the EGR3 Transcription Factor.”
2006 Midstates Consortium Undergraduate Symposium in
the Physical Sciences
November 3-5, 2006, Washington University, St. Louis
Derek Keefer’09
“Electrochromic Prussian Blue: Application in Display Devices.”
Ashish Thapa’08
“Novel Approaches to Modeling Charge Transfer.”
The Beloit Biologist, Volume 26, 2007
Emily Andreae’07
“Rhodopsin Mutations Cause Rod Cell Abnormalities and Degeneration.”
Kelli Kazmier’07
“Lipid-Protein Interactions Confirmed for the K+ Channel KVAP.”
Rachel Oliver’07
“Cyst Number and Size in Ovaries of Superovulated SMAD2 Dominant Negative
Transgenic and Control Mice.”
Nathaniel Remley’07
“Fighting Testosterone: Moving Towards More Sound Testing Methods by
the International Olympic Committee and World Anti-doping Agency.”
Rachael Alfredson’09 worked as a tutor and counselor in the Upward Bound program at Beloit College.
Andrew Bartles’08 performed research on cationic interactions with DNA with Rita Dias and Bjorn Lindman at Lund University in Sweden after completing a semester abroad in Oman.
Jill Beamon’09 went to Santiago, Chile to take a medical Spanish course as well as a study abroad at a local clinic.
Elizabeth Boatman’07 worked in a summer internship at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution developing a possible stable selenium isotope dating method for ocean sediments to be used for determining relative atmospheric oxygen concentrations (assumed to correlate with abundance of life) throughout prehistory.
Aarti Chawla’09 worked with Kari Severson, a graduate student (and Beloit alumna) in the Knight laboratory at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago. The Knight lab specializes in Immunology and Microbiology. One of the aims of the Knight lab was to study the role of intestinal micro flora in the development of GALT (Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue). Aarti researched a possible correlation between bacterial uptake by the M cells and GALT development.
Kelsey Frei’09 took Chinese classes at the Center for Language Studies (CLS) Summer Language Program headquartered at Beloit College.
Ellie Hirte’09 planned to volunteer at the University of Minnesota Medical Center while working in a temporary laboratory job.
Amanda Hammermeister’08 helped teach biology and math to summer school students at Beloit Memorial High School. The program was a collaboration of the Upward Bound/Help Yourself Program at Beloit College and the Beloit Memorial teaching staff.
Paul Hanson’08 worked on an NSF-REU summer research project in solid state chemistry at the University of Oregon. His research work involved depositing layers of molecules on top of one another and annealing them into crystal structures, allowing precise control over the solid composition.
Heidi Jump’08 worked in Dr. Hughson's structural biology and x-ray crystallography lab in the Molecular Biology Department, Princeton University. Her project was on characterizing two fragments of mammalian COG4, a subunit of the conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex. COG is a tethering factor implicated in retrograde vesicle fusion in the Golgi Apparatus.
Winni Kretzschmar’07 worked as a research intern at the Radiation Effects Research Foundation in Hiroshima, Japan, on a model for cell culture mutation rate estimation. He also worked in the research and development lab at Elon Chemical in Newark, NJ.
Jennifer Laube’08 worked and also traveled and camped in New Zealand during the summer. She visited Abel Tasman National Park and climbed Fox Glacier.
Han Lai’09 worked with Professors John Jungck and Rama Viswanathan as a research assistant in the ESTEEM BioQUEST Project, where he helped with the development of software for graphical layout and properties, including the BioGrapher Excel front-end for AT&T's GraphViz code library.
Hlaing Lin ’09 also worked with Professors John Jungck and Rama Viswanathan as a research assistant in the ESTEEM BioQUEST Project, enhancing the BioGrapher and WChart (“digital” chart recorder with direct acquisition of data into Excel) software modules developed at Beloit College.
Xiaoyue Ma’07 worked as a laboratory assistant at Georgetown University Medical Center and was a Knowles Electronics Finance intern.
Katelyn McCool’08 received a Schweppe Scholars Grant to work at Rush University Medical Center. She worked in the pharmacology department doing biomedical research under the supervision of Dr. Hazel Lum. Her research included knocking down p120 with siRNA and observing the changes of nuclear factor kappa (NFkB) in human brain endothelial cells. They observed an increase in NFkB, which is significant with inflammation.
Paul Mueller’09 spent the summer interning at Fresh Look Marketing in Hoffman Estates Illinois.
Daniel Murphy’08 performed research with Kathleen Mandell at Beloit College as a Sanger Scholar. Their research focused on designing and characterizing a protein-switched DNA nanowire. They designed a DNA dumbbell sequence with the consensus binding sequence for the DNA bending protein Integration Host Factor, which binds and bends DNA almost 180 degrees. DNA dumbbells were characterized with Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Circular Dichroism. Dan also had a wonderful time on a return trip to Copenhagen, Denmark and enjoyed being an Orientation Leader during New Student Days.
Rachel Oliver’07 worked as a physical therapist aide at Presidio Sports and Medicine and taught dance to children at the Presidio Dance Theatre and in local schools in San Francisco. She also participated in some dance performances.
Jhaunell Reid’08 worked with Roc Ordman, studying how dietary supplements can affect weight loss in college students. The goal is to cure obesity, and Roc is very hopeful that all students will be saved from their life-threatening obesity-related conditions.
Peter Reiss’08 worked with Dr. Nancy Schwartz and Dr. Miriam Domowicz on a REU at the University of Chicago in the Departments of Pediatrics, Developmental Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. His research focus was the role of morphogens in astrogliogenesis.
Stephen Rudisill’09 worked with George Lisensky and Professor Wendy Crone in the UW-Madison MRSEC Interdisciplinary Education Group, developing nanotechnology demonstrations and experiments.
Hilary Schwafel’09 had to miss a week of school and take her mid-term exams early so that she could be the lone musher for the United States in the 2007 Sled Dog Sports World Championship in Sweden. She finished sixteenth in the race (see picture on page 8) in her class, beating out some of the Scandinavians. A native of Fairbanks, Alaska, Schwafel reports that she has been racing sled dogs in sprints for 10 years.
Ryan Seelbach’08 was involved in National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NNIN) for the Chemical Engineering and Materials Sciences Department at the University of Minnesota. This summer he worked under Dr. Christopher Macosko and Ling Zhang researching the use of biorenewable polyurethanes as novel substitutes for petroleum based flexible foams. His work resulted in a poster (displayed on the chemistry floor!) describing the detailed project design and experimental methods that were used, with good results.
May Fern Toh’08 performed research on campus with Kathleen Mandell. Her project involved the synthesis of peptides and DNA constructs, and their characterization using a brand new Circular Dichroism spectrometer that was acquired through an NSF Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Grant and recently installed in the biophysical chemistry laboratory.
Emily Andreae – Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Cellular and Molecular Biology Major, Chemistry Minor
Emily’s biological and biochemical interests include vision, cellular signaling, host-microbe
relationships, prions, proteomics, and biochemical pathways. Emily will attend
the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, working towards her doctorate
in the Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences. Her tentative specialization
is cell-signaling with G-protein coupled receptors. While at Beloit, Emily
was a Teaching Assistant for Biometrics and Genetics. During the summer of
2004, she had an internship at the Potato Introduction Station, an agricultural
research base and gene bank located in Sturgeon Bay, WI, where she tried to
streamline and troubleshoot the RFLP analysis procedure.
Elizabeth Boatman – St. Louis, Missouri
Applied Chemistry and Physics Majors
Elizabeth
pursued courses in almost every department while at Beloit, exemplifying her
strong belief in the advantages of a liberal arts education rooted in science
and mathematics. Her summer research experiences included a Chemistry Department
Sanger Summer Scholarship working with quantum dots and an internship in the
Materials Science Department at Stanford University working on organic solar
cells. She presented each of her research projects at several conferences,
including the Pew Undergraduate Research Symposium. During her junior year
she studied abroad in Brisbane, Australia, where she attended Queensland University
of Technology. She was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa in 2006. Elizabeth has
joined the Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering at Berkeley.
Stephanie Giles – W. Medford, Massachusetts
Biochemistry Major
While
at Beloit, Stephanie worked with Dr. Bruce Jackson and his group at the University
of Massachusetts in Lowell studying the genetic affects of volcano ash on plant,
animal, and insect life on the island of Monsterrat (Eastern Caribbean) and
its surrounding ocean. She also participated in the REU summer program at Washington
University in St. Louis where she worked in an aquatic chemistry laboratory
on a project involving studies of lead absorption and binding by phosphate
(apatite) in fish bone.
Grisha Grigoriev -Albuquerque, New Mexico
Applied Chemistry and International Relations Majors, Russian Studies Minor
Sarah Katz - Silver Spring, Maryland
Physics Major, Chemistry and Computer Science Minors
Sarah spent one summer at the Naval Research Laboratory in
Washington, D.C., as an intern, researching liquid crystals. She spent another
summer there in the power electronics branch, researching semiconductors including
silicon carbide, gallium nitride, and diamond. Sarah worked as
a summer camp counselor to help kids with physical and mental disabilities
participate in camp activities. Sarah’s extracurricular interests at
Beloit included fencing.
Kelli Kazmier – Linden, Michigan
Biochemistry Major
In
addition to the coursework of a biochemistry major, Beloit afforded me the opportunity
to study neurochemistry on campus in a directed readings course with Brett
Woods. In addition, I was awarded grants from Beloit College’s Schweppe
Foundation that allowed me to study human DNA methylation patterns at the University
of Chicago and ion channel structure determination/electron paramagnetic resonance
spectroscopy at Northwestern University. In addition, I was also fortunate
enough to obtain a research internship at the University of Rochester to study
opioid pharmacology. I was able to be a teaching assistant for multiple classes,
including organic chemistry, neurobiology, and genetics, while at Beloit. I
am currently a graduate student at Vanderbilt University. This past summer
I rotated in a cryogenic electron microscopy lab and focused on Adenovirus
structure determination. Now, I am in the process of taking courses and rotating
through other potential thesis laboratories. I will probably join the Department
of Biochemistry. I am interested in methods of protein structure determination.
Ammar Kutiyanawalla – Mumbai, India
Biochemistry Major and Mathematics Minor
During
my time at Beloit, I gained as much from my coursework as I gained from my
two internships and special projects. My first internship was at Northwestern
University as a Schweppe Scholar; the other internship was at University of
Pittsburgh under their SURP program. I also worked on a number of special projects
related to molecular cloning, supervised by Prof. Kathleen Mandell. I had a
great tutoring experience with Prof. Jungck in his microbiology class. With
the guidance of Prof. Fass, I have decided on a career in either biomedical
research or medicine.
Xiaoyue Ma – Beijing, China
Business Administration Major and Chemistry Minor
Xiaoyue has always found it difficult to choose between her interests in business and science. She hopes to continue her studies in a program that combines science, technology and management. She is fascinated about how technology drives a business, how business encourages new development in technology, especially "green" industry-one of the greatest challenge we are facing right now and in the future in order to achieve continual development.
Rachel Oliver – Missoula, Montana
Biochemistry and Dance Majors
Rachel
Oliver took advantage of Beloit's liberal arts atmosphere, majoring in Biochemistry
and Theatre Arts: Dance. During her time here, she has been a teaching assistant
for many chemistry courses, worked as the Dance Costume Supervisor, participated
in music ensembles, as well as committing the majority of her time to participate
and perform in December Dance Workshop, Chelonia, and Senior Dance Show performances.
Rachel assisted in research on cyst formation and morphology from superovulated
transgenic and control mice in the Woodruff Lab at Northwestern University,
using a Schweppe Scholarship in 2006. She was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and
Mortar Board and has participated in conferences including the Northwestern
Endocrinology Mini Symposium, Girls and Women in Science and UW-Madison's bi-annual
Engineering Expo.
Davis Peterson –Omaha, Nebraska
Applied Chemistry Major and Russian Studies Minor
After graduation, I will return to Omaha for a few weeks to spend some time
with my family and relax before moving to St. Louis, Missouri. In truth, I
will be returning to St. Louis, and I plan to find employment highlighting
my applied chemistry major in local industry. Also, I will most likely pursue
a bar tending license and continue my hobby of attending live music concerts.
Nathaniel Remley – Green Bay, Wisconsin
Biochemistry Major
Nathan is interested in exercise physiology. His future plans are to live
in Europe. Nathan spent time during his summers getting his helicopter license,
training for the “Ironman” competition and visiting Australia.
Anna Wentz – Saint Louis, Missouri
Biochemistry Major
This
summer, I hopefully will tour with a circus on a school bus run on vegetable
oil. After that, I may teach English in Spain, apply to graduate or medical
school, ride trains to Central America and become a beach bum, or stay with
the circus. While at Beloit, I spent a summer learning to use and running the
flow cytometer in the High Speed Cell Sorter Core Laboratory of Prof. Bill
Eades, located in the Siteman Cancer Center at the Washington University School
of Medicine in St. Louis. I also worked in Dr. Mark Sand's laboratory at the
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, studying lysosomal storage
disorders.
Johna Winters – Lakewood, Colorado
Applied Chemistry Major and Political Science Minor
Johna participated in the Polymers/Nanotechonology (SENSORS) undergraduate research
program at Drexel University. Johna helped present science to the public at the
biannual Engineering Expo at UW-Madison. She participated in the Girls and Women
in Science program at Beloit College.
*Past issues of Beloit College Magazine can be accessed on-line and downloaded
in PDF format at https://www.beloit.edu/belmag/.
Heather Mernitz–Honorary “alumna” (staff member of the CHEMLINKS
consortium formerly headquartered at Beloit) visited us recently, and we are
delighted to hear that she is now a tenure track assistant professor at Alverno
College and is really enjoying teaching there, as she anticipated when she
wrote enthusiastically after her interview that “the labs are beautiful,
the students interesting (all women at the undergraduate level), and the faculty
extremely collaborative. Between computers in classrooms and classes in labs
or lab-like set-ups, there is plenty of opportunity for innovative pedagogy
and group work. (The college) actively encourages new and interesting methods
of teaching, learning, and assessing student knowledge and skills. I still
have a lot to learn about their system of ‘authentic assessment’,
but it fits right in with the educational philosophies I developed working
with all of you on ChemConnections and MIDP. I couldn't imagine finding another
place that puts so much emphasis on teaching and learning and could provide
me with colleagues willing to mentor me and collaborate on educational endeavors....” Our
congratulations and best wishes to Heather!
Xiao-Xuan (Edward) Tang’49 was named Honorary Chair of the Friends of Beloit College in China at an alumni reception held in Shanghai last spring. The honor came in recognition of the Tang family’s three generations of Beloit College graduates. His son, Eddie Tang’84, attended the event and accepted the chair on his behalf.
Robert Norris’66 recently wrote to say that “green is good. …The
Longmont Board of Environmental Affairs developed a green building ordinance
that was adopted by the City Council. This ordinance requires that all new
residences and major remodels/build outs be built to a higher environmental
standard. Based on the size of the project a number of points are required.
Many options can be selected from to reduce energy and water consumption or
make the home more healthy (less volatile organic vapors). I am also starting
up a group of volunteers to help poor and elderly that do not qualify for assistance
for weatherizing their homes. We will do some weather stripping, caulking,
etc. Finally, I have climbed three 14,000 foot plus mountains with Phil Straffin.
(Editor’s Note: Emeritus Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science)”
John Houk’72 was listed in the July 2006 issue of Honolulu Magazine as
one of Hawaii’s best doctors. An internist, John lives in Honolulu.
Lewis Tobin’72 sent us an email saying, “there wasn't much call for chemistry in Nome, so I became a tug boat captain for 15 years and am just now falling back on my more formal education as my back in falling in on me. It's nice to have the capacity to move into a desk when you need to.” Lew is now a Regional Training Specialist in the Employment, Education and Training Division of Kawerak, Inc. in Nome, Alaska.
David Virshup’77 is the Willard Snow Hansen Professor of Cancer Research and professor of pediatrics at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah. He collaborated on research about the effect of a mutation in a key gene that is involved in the regulation of sleep and wake cycles (circadian rhythms). The research revealed that the mutation plays an opposite role from what was previously postulated. The finding is detailed in the July 11, 2006 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Brian Davis’81 writes, "Some of you may know of our struggle to get a skate park in Waco after the City of Waco unceremoniously dismantled ours 15 months ago. The Waco Tribune (helped) our non-profit establish a (new) skate park. We hope to (re)open in March 2007."
Peggy Arntsen Popp’81 has been working for RMT, a Madison based environmental engineering firm, for the past 10 years. She had now left the laboratory bench for a computer desk job monitoring groundwater contamination from landfills. (She notes that there are several familiar Beloit names in the regulatory agencies she submit reports to.) On a personal note, her two kids are in high school now, with the oldest one graduating this (past) spring.
Bill McIvor’83 was elected to AOA faculty membership by the student members of Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) National Honor Medical Society. His election was based on his commitment to scholarly excellence and medical education. Additionally Bill received the Faculty Recognition Award for his achievements as an outstanding teacher and student mentor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where he holds the positions of assistant professor of anesthesiology and director of medical student simulation education.
Joe DiChristina’87 is beginning his 20th year in higher education administration and his seventh year as the Dean of Students at Allegheny College.
Krista van Vleet’87 wrote to say that she is no longer a biochemist
but has become a cultural anthropologist! She has been teaching courses on
gender and family, narrative, religion and violence, and the Andes and Latin
America at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine since 1999. She was promoted
to Associate Professor with tenure in 2006, and her book “Performing
Kinship: Narrative, Gender, and the Intimacies of Power”(Univ. Texas
Press, 2007) should be on bookshelves by the end of the year. Husband Lawrence
Kovacs’88 and she now have two daughters, ages 9 and 2. Krista feels
that the Maine winters are longer (and darker) than even the Wisconsin winters,
but the Maine summers make up for everything, and she cordially invites everyone
to come and visit!
Erica Black Periman’89 writes, “I am very busy in small and large
animal veterinary practice. My husband Daryl and I have two kids and are happily
living in Jackson Hole, Wyoming with a pack of dogs, cats, horses and various
other creatures (aside from the occasional moose or bison that wanders through)…”
Dean Aguiar’90 is a principal investigator with Pfizer, Inc., in Chesterfield, Mo. He and his wife, Melissa, have two sons.
Linda Zuckerman’90 wrote last December to say that she has been at ZymoGenetics, Inc. for the past 5 years. As a Director in the Pre-Clinical Development Dept. she oversees 20 Ph.D. scientists, associate scientists, and research assistants across two groups: Mechanistic Pharmacology and BioAnaltyical Research and Development. The Pharmacology group does primarily tumor, autoimmune, and surgical modeling; the BioAnalytical group does method development for measuring the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of their protein therapeutics. Check them out at http://www.ZymoGenetics.com. Linda says she is really enjoying her responsibilities at ZymoGenetics. Her husband Michael Lagunoff is an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Washington. They have two little boys who keep them busy and up at night, but the kids are wonderful!
Nimalika Weerakoon’92 wrote from Wagga Wagga (“the place of many crows”), Australia to say that she is now a science teacher at the local high school and is enjoying the challenge. Her husband John is teaching at Charles Sturt University (CSU) and they have two daughters, ages 6 and 4. Her sister Lakmini Weerakoon’98 also lives with them and is studying animal science at CSU. Nimalika says that they are enjoying the good life in Australia growing their own vegetables and getting fresh eggs from their chickens!
Tara Sander’94 completed her PhD in Biochemistry at the Medical College of Wisconsin and postdoctoral training in Molecular Biology at Harvard Medical School. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Pediatric Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Research Institute in Milwaukee. Her laboratory is studying mechanisms of gene regulation in the vasculature, which has clinical implications in congenital heart disease and cancer. She is also involved in various national and local committees that strive to enhance the career development of women and minorities in science.
Dawn Miller Sloan’96 recently completed her MD at the Uniformed Services
University, and has started her family medicine internship at Dewitt Army Community
Hospital in Fort Belvior in Virginia. She writes, “the farther I get
into my intern year, the more sure I am that family medicine is the right choice
for me, and that my time at Beloit is serving me well in sorting through ‘evidence-based
medicine’ and applying it to the not-so-evidence-based patient…”
Gregory Ehrendreich’97 wrote last December to say that he will be graduating
with a master's degree in environmental management from the IIT-Stuart School
of Business in February and that he has been working since late summer at the
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA), first as an unpaid intern and then
full-time as the Policy Associate. He works on energy policy and on maintaining
their communications for the organization. On a personal note, he and Jill
Vargason’98 (Art History) tied the knot on October 21, 2006 in a small
ceremony, attended by number of Beloit alumni including fellow Biochemistry
alumnus Glen Cronan’01.
Shannon Fountain’97 received a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy in May 2006. She currently practices as a health-care pharmacist in western Kentucky, where she lives with her husband and 6 year old son.
Bart Gottschalk’97 uses information technology and software to support development, competitiveness, and adoption of renewable energy. The link to his blog is at http://swirlingplanettimes.blogspot.com
Kelly Knudson’97 is an assistant professor in the School of Human Evolution and Social Change at Arizona State University in Tempe, where she has established and directs the Archaeological Chemistry Laboratory (http://www.kjknudson.com/acl/index.html) in the Center for Bioarchaeological Research. Her current projects use stable isotope analysis to study Andean residential mobility and changes in Alaskan subsistence practices over time.
Tanya Danner Roberts’97 and spouse Ernest live in Matteson, Illinois, where she is a Family Practice physician. They have a two-year-old son.
Yutan Getzler’98 writes that his spouse, Elizabeth Conrey, gave birth to their first child, a baby girl, in April 2007. For the fall of 2007, he is enjoying a parental leave from his teaching duties at Kenyon College, although he still tries to get into the lab every week. In the spring of 2008, he will dive into the world of total synthesis with a mini-sabbatical in the lab of Leo Paquette at The Ohio State University.
Laura Tarwater-Scharp’98 graduated in May 2006 with a master’s degree in history from San Jose State University. She is a freelance writer and researcher.
Sarah James’99 is a student at the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She was elected to serve as the student academic member on the board of governors for the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians.
George Rogge’99 wrote to say that he is currently a graduate student in the Molecular and Systems Pharmacology graduate program at Emory University. His work focuses on the molecular mechanisms of drug addiction and how permanent genetic alterations in the brain reward pathway of chronic drug users can lead to the addicted phenotype. Specifically, his group is studying the gene regulation of an mRNA intimately involved in cocaine reinforcement and reward known as Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART). His project involves treating male rats with cocaine and observing changes in the levels and function of transcription factors that are proposed to bind to the previously identified CART gene promoter cis-regulatory elements. Significant changes in transcription factor protein levels or function will provide further insight into how cocaine changes the gene expression pattern of users in the brain reward pathway and possibly how to prevent those changes.
Mary Wright’99 writes, “I don't believe I have ever sent in an update to the Chemistry newsletter (although I do enjoy receiving it). ….At Heritage Environmental Services in Indianapolis, I tested a variety of samples for a huge list of pollutants: PCBs, Pesticides, Herbicides, Gas/Diesel/Oils, and various solvents. Besides basic lab techniques, I worked extensively with gas chromatographs (HP5890 and HP6890s). I also learned to rip them apart (usually with the goal of repairing and cleaning the parts). In July of 2006, I decided I had enough of environmental lab work and switched fields to pharmaceuticals and I'm now working at Baxter Pharmaceuticals in Bloomington, learning …HPLC. It's a lot of fun and I'm really enjoying the work. When I'm not working, I spend my time with my husband Brian (class of '97) and our son. He's 4 now and while he doesn't have a home chemistry set yet, he has laid claim to the multiple pairs of "science glasses" that I've brought home over the years...I really enjoy getting the annual chemistry newsletter and I'm thrilled about the new science center!”
Carlo Giacomoni’00 began his postdoctoral fellowship at the residential treatment unit of the Cook County Jail.
Matthew Watson’00 completed his PhD in Biochemistry at Texas A&M University in December of 2006. His dissertation examined the role of recombinational processes in telomere maintenance in the model plant Arabidopsis. He is currently a postdoctoral fellow with Karel Riha at the recently opened Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology in Vienna Austria, where they are examining the relationship between abiotic stress and telomere stability and function. His spouse Liz is working at a biotech startup company, Intercell, in Vienna. Intercell focuses on developing novel approaches to vaccine and vaccine adjuvant production and development.
Jennifer Callen’01 worked in St. Louis, MO at Saint Louis University's (SLU) School of Medicine in the Department of Pathology as a research assistant. After four years, she decided that she needed more people interaction, joined the two-year graduate program at SLU's School of Social Work and graduated with a master's degree in August. She hopes to get her clinical licensure and work with children and families in a therapeutic setting. She adds that she will always remember her time at Beloit as some of the best years of her life, is excited to hear about the new science building and can't wait to see it up and running!
Tori Ziemann Forbes’01 has completed her Ph.D. in Mineralogy at the University of Notre Dame and will be staying there for another year as a postdoctoral Fellow in inorganic chemistry, while also teaching a course in mineralogy.
Jonathan Scheerer’01 sent us a pre-print (JACS 129, 8968-8969, 2007) of the synthesis of Salvinorin A, a Potent κ Opioid Receptor Agonist, that made up the bulk of his PhD research with Dave Evans at Harvard. Jon also recently visited during alumni weekend after finishing his postdoctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins, where he worked on some classic biosynthesis problems (enediynes and aflatoxins). He is now seriously considering an academic teaching career at a liberal arts college, although he has not ruled out research either.
Kathryn Stettler’02 married Matthew Johnson in Edgerton, Wis.
Clarissa Schumacher Craft’03 finished her PhD in biomedical research, with a focus on prostate cancer drug discovery, at Northwestern University in July. Since then she has joined Washington University in St. Louis–School of Medicine as a NIH-funded postdoctoral research scholar conducting preclinical cardiovascular research to find therapeutic mechanisms to treat inherited vascular diseases.
Emily Good’03 is finishing her veterinary degree in London, England. She is currently spending the summer in internships for Farm and Equine practice, and starts rotations in 2008. She is planning to take the NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam) in order to decide where she will start her career.
Nana Fenny’04 will be taking a break next year from her MD program at the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago to complete a one-year master’s degree program in public health for medical professionals at Yale University, before returning to Pritzker for her fourth year.
Nayani Pramanik’04 wrote last year to say that she was still working as a laboratory technician in biochemistry alumnus (class of ’83) Joe Verdi’s laboratory at the Maine Medical Center Research Institute. [Editor's note: This work was publicized and Nayani's photograph featured in the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram in February 2007.] As for future plans, Nayani is planning to apply to graduate schools or find a position in the biotech industry.
Amanda Drennan’05 has joined the PhD program at the University of Wisconsin– Madison in integrative biochemistry.
Chip Schumacher’06 wrote an article for a journalism class, “Going Glacial: Studying Global Warming in Alaska,” that was excerpted in the fall/winter 2006 issue of Beloit College Magazine.
Larissa Thomas’06 was featured as one of the lead dancers in a New York Times review of Alma Esperanza Cunningham’s “Princess,” performed at the Joyce SoHo Theater in New York in July 2007.
Nozomi Yamaoka’06 has joined the medical school at Ryukyu University in Okinawa, Japan. It is a six-year program followed by a two-year residency. Nozo is very excited about starting her "second stage of education" and says that "...four years of Beloit ..(have) prepared me well enough for this. Now I am confident that I can survive the next six years... Again, thanks for everything you and all the chemistry faculty have done for me..."
Nathaniel Remley’07 was featured in a summer Beloit College Magazine article profiling new graduates who have family that are also Beloit graduates. Nate was pictured in the magazine with his parents, Tom and Colly Cahill Remley, both of the class of ’72, and his sister, Virginia (Tawna), of the class of ’04.
Our alumni email network has been tremendously helpful to our present students for finding mentors, summer research positions, and post-graduate opportunities. The Beloit College Alumni office now maintains an email directory that can be accessed at http://alumni.beloit.edu/. Please send email addresses and changes to alumni@beloit.edu.
Chemistry faculty
braunk@beloit.edu
brownwh@beloit.edu
greene@beloit.edu
lisensky@beloit.edu
mandellc@beloit.edu
ordman@beloit.edu
parmentr@beloit.edu
spencer@beloit.edu
ramav@beloit.edu
Web pages
https://www.beloit.edu/chemistry
(Previous issues of the Annual Newsletter dating back to 1993 are available
on-line via the home page!)
https://www.beloit.edu/biochemistry/
ALUMNI, PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH!! Please send your news and notes to any of the Chemistry faculty - this is what keeps the newsletter going!
Gifts have been received from Brian Bohlmann’83, Jeffrey Cleaveland’83, Joseph Donofrio’74, and Dorothy Gloyer.
Thank you for your support, and thank you to all those not listed here who continue to give generously to Beloit College and the Chemistry Department. Your support is crucial for nurturing and enhancing the strength of our programs and infrastructure, especially as we move into the new Center for the Sciences.
Douglas Bannerman’39
Bennett Buell’39
Edwin Bailey’9
Charles Branthaven’41
Richard Freeman’52