Faculty Accomplishments, Spring 2008
Millard Alexander's Study Combining Experiment and Theory Affirms Key Premise of Quantum Chemistry
Millard Alexander, Distinguished University Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and a team of colleagues have validated the Born Oppenheimer approximation, through an experimental-theoretical study exploring the reaction of chlorine (Cl) and hydrogen (H2). Their findings were published in the January 2008 issue of Science. Read more >>
Catherine Fenselau to Receive Award for Pioneering Use of Mass Spectrometry in Biological Research
Cathering Fenselau, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, will receive the Frank H. Field & Joe L. Franklin Award for Outstanding Achievement in Mass Spectrometry this fall. Her research has spanned a broad range of mass spectrometry (MS) topics and applications over a career of four decades. Read the announcement >>
Steve Hutcheson and Ron Weiner Invention Promises Major Advance in Biofuel Production
Accompanied by Governor Martin O’Malley and UM President Mote, Steve Hutcheson, Professor of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, announced in a press conference on Monday that he has developed a process that may be able to convert large volumes of plant waste, from leftover brewer's mash to paper trash, into ethanol and other biofuel alternatives to gasoline. He and his research partner Ron Weiner, Professor Emeritus, are licensing their patent-pending system, Ethazyme™, through their spin off company Zymetis Inc. Their system could become a viable and inexpensive gasoline substitute.
Read more about the biofuel breakthrough >>
David Inouye Invited to Review Biology Program at UAE University
David Inouye was one of two people invited by the Commission on Higher Education of the United Arab Emirates to review a proposal for accreditation of a new biology major at the American University of Sharjah. He spent three days in Dubai in January and on the campus of the university, which is housed in the University City in Sharjah.
Lyle Isaacs and colleagues Make Chemistry Breakthrough that Could Lead to Better Drug Design
Lyle Isaacs, associate professor of chemistry, and colleagues have made a breakthrough in synthetic molecular containers that could open new doors for medical and commercial applications. Read the news release >>
Sam W. Joseph Elected to American Society for Microbiology
Sam W. Joseph, Emeritus Professor, Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, was elected an honorary member of the American Society for Microbiology by the ASM membership, the highest honor within the power of the Society to confer on a member. The honor will be officially accorded at a dinner in June at the annual meeting of the Society in Boston.
Arthur Popper Publishes New Springer Books on Auditory Research
Arthur Popper, Professor of Biology and Interim Associate Dean, has recently published five new books in the Springer Handbook of Auditory Research (SHAR) series that he co-created and co-edits with Professor Richard Fay of Loyola University of Chicago. These volumes constitute numbers 28-32 in a long-running series that is widely known in the auditory neuroscience research community as the "green books."
Mike Raupp Receives Distinguished Acheivement Award in Extension
Mike Raupp, Professor of Entomology, received the Eastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America’s Distinguished Achievement Award in Extension on March 10. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to extension entomology. The awardee must demonstrate excellent performance through program creativity, impact, achievement, and delivery. Among other achievements, Raupp has published more than 150 articles and presented more than 600 invitational talks in the United States and abroad on the ecology and management of insect and mite pests in landscapes. He has received 5 regional or national awards for excellence in extension including the Secretary of Agriculture's Award for Environmental Protection.
Sergei Sukharev Recognized for Discovery of Membrane Sensor Involved in Complex Cellular Tasks