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 From
the Dean
Several major events will be taking place over the next couple of months where broad participation by the College
community is important. On November 11, we will be one of the sponsors of the UM/Children’s National Medical Center Joint Research Symposium, to foster partnerships between the two institutions. The program will feature six half hour talks by faculty from the two institutions, lunch, posters, and working sessions to plan collaborative efforts. November 17 is Bioscience Research and Technology Review Day. Participation has been excellent in the past, and I expect this year’s program to be the best yet. On November 19, join the party at the College Tailgate preceding the Maryland vs Boston College football game. December 15 is the date for our Joint Holiday party with AGNR, and the University and College commencement ceremonies will be held on the evening of December 21 and the afternoon of December 22. The speaker at the College commencement is Terry Chase, CEO of Chesapeake Perl, a member of our Board of Visitors and an undergraduate alum of our college.
The news from the external funding front was very positive for the first quarter of FY05. Both the number of proposals submitted and the total value of awards were up in all four departments, with Biology and Entomology in the lead in terms of percentage increases in both categories. This is very encouraging, given the external funding climate, and I appreciate the effort that it has taken to achieve these gains. We will need to work to sustain these increases over the coming year.
I’m pleased to announce that Dan Falvey and Caren Chang have been appointed Associate Chairs of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, respectively. As the University and College grow and become more complex, Associate Chairs have increasingly important roles to play and I am very pleased that Dan and Caren have been willing to take on these responsibilities.
CUPC, the College’s Undergraduate Program Committee will be meeting this week to discuss how to develop the Learning Outcomes Assessment Plans that we are required to develop for each undergraduate and graduate program, major, and minor. Broad faculty participation will be required in this important process and I thank you in advance for your support.
Norma
Allewell
Professor and Dean
Academic
Calendar and Upcoming Events
November 11: UMD/Children's National Medical Center Joint Research Symposium UMD/ Children's National Medical Center Collaboration Symposia. See details below.
November 11: Visit Maryland Day
November 15: New Student Welcome, 6:30 p.m. in the
G. Forrest Woods
Atrium, Chemistry Bldg.
November
17: Bioscience
Research and Technology Review
Day. More information: www.bioscienceday.umd.edu.
CLFS contact: Gene Ferrick (gene@umd.edu)
November 19: College Tailgate prior to the Maryland vs. Boston College Football Game. See details below.
December 15: Joint Holiday Party, AGNR & CLFS, 2:00 p.m., 1110 Symons Hall
December 21: University Commencement in Comcast Center at 7:00 p.m.
December 22: College Commencement in the Memorial Chapel at 9:00 a.m.
February 20, 2006: Open House for Juniors
March 15, 2006: The College First Year/150th Celebration
April 29, 2006: Maryland Day
May 22: Spring Commencement at 2:00 p.m.
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Faculty
Recognition and In
the News
Dr. Michael P. Cummings, Biology & UMIACS, and Jeffrey C. Huskamp, VP and CIO for UM, co-authored the article, “Grid Computing” in the Educause Review (Nov/Dec 2005).
Dr. Jonathan Dinman, CBMG, is one of the co-inventors to win the 2005 Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award for the invention "Subfamily of RNA helicases which are modulators of the fidelity of translation termination and uses thereof."
In the last issue of Environmental Entomology, Dr. Galen Dively, Entomogy, co-authored three articles on the non-target ecological effects of Bt crops in a subsection called “Transgenic Plants and Insects.” (Environmental Entomology, vol. 34, num. 5, Oct. 2005)
Dr. William Fagan, Biology, is the lead author of a paper that will appear in the December issue of the American Naturalist entitled "When can herbivores slow or reverse the spread of an invading plant? A test case from Mount St. Helens."
Drs. John Fourkas and Amy Mullin, Chemistry and Biochemistry, have been elected Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Dr. Douglas Gill, Biology, and doctoral candidate Norman Bourg are co-authors with Dr. William McShea of the National Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center, on the article in the journal Ecology, “Putting a CART before the search: successful habitat prediction for a rare forest herb.” Ecology 86(10): 2793-2804. Dr. Gill also received a $25,000 grant to support his research program on the restoration of the native grasslands on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Dr. David Inouye, Biology, had some advice for the residents of Crested Butte, Colorado, in a letter-to-the-editor. Crested Butte News, October 14
Dr. Frederick Khachik, Chemistry & Biochemistry, was issued a patent over the summer titled “Method for Production of Rare Carotenoids from Commercially Available Lutein.”
Dr. Gerald Miller, Chemistry & Biochemistry, has been selected by the U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation to receive a “CRDF Recognition Medal,” which recognizes his contributions to CRDF’s success in developing international collaborations in science and technology.
Dr. Margaret Palmer, Entomology and Biology, is quoted in each of three articles making up the Hartford Courant series on the state of the nation’s rivers. Hartford Courant, October 23, 24, 25
Dr. Michael Raupp, Entomology comments in the Baltimore Sun about how gypsy moths will threaten trees in the Spring (October 21). Dr. Raupp also discussed the Asian tiger mosquito on WRC-TV on October 21.
Dr. Steven Salzberg, Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, is the  co-author of an article in Nature, “Large-scale sequencing of human influenza reveals the dynamic nature of viral genome evolution.“ This article and Dr. Salzberg received much attention in the news. Nature, October 6
Innovations Report (Germany) (TIGR release), October 6
Medical Research News (NIH release), October 5
The Scientist, October 6
Toledo Blade, October 6
Macon Telegraph, October 6
Environmental News Service, October 7
Canadian Press, October 6
Drs. Paula Shrewsbury and Michael Raupp, both Entomology, have received a 3-year, $152,000 grant from the USDA competitive grants program entitled: “The Influence of Native Plants on Arthropod Population Dynamics.” The project is part of a collaborative study with University of Delaware entomologist Dr. Douglas Tallamy, a Maryland Ph.D. graduate.
Please
send faculty news items to gene@umd.edu.
Maryland/Children's National Medical Center Joint Research Symposium
November 11, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.,
Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center
The University of Maryland and Children's National Medical Center (CNMC) have launched an initiative to foster joint research and training programs. ARHU, CLFS, BSOS, ENGR, HLHP, and EDUC are currently participating in this effort. To kick off the partnership, a symposium/workshop has been scheduled for November 11, 2005 to introduce researchers and plan joint research proposals.
Click here for a detailed symposium agenda. The morning will feature keynote faculty speakers from each institution. Breakout sessions will be held in the afternoon to discuss potential collaborations. Lunch will be provided! During the breaks you can share posters of your work.
The new NIH roadmap emphasizes multidisciplinary and translational research and training. Thus, there are many opportunities for joint projects that will expand and strengthen research at both institutions. In addition to its large clinical research programs, Children's has outstanding basic science research programs in cancer, genetics, immunology, neuroscience, proteomics, and stem cells. If you are interested in finding collaborators at Children's, please send an email to Judy Skinner in the Office of the VP for Research (jskinner@umd.edu), cc’ing Gene Ferrick (gene@umd.edu) by November 7. Please specify if you require a vegetarian plate.
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Graduate Student News
 Kirsten “Kisi” Bohn who will receive her Ph.D. in Biology this December 2005 has won the award for best student paper presentation at the 35th Annual North American Symposium on Bat Research, in Sacramento, CA. Ms. Bohn was advised by Dr. Gerald Wilkinson, Biology, and has just moved to Austin, Texas, to start a post-doctoral position at the University of Texas.
Doctoral candidate Norman Bourg and his advisor Dr. Douglas Gill, Biology, are co-authors with Dr. William McShea of the National Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center, on the article in the journal Ecology, “Putting a CART before the search: successful habitat prediction for a rare forest herb.” Ecology 86(10): 2793-2804
Please
send graduate
student and postdoc
news items to gene@umd.edu.
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Excellence Awards to College Park Scholars
Congratulations to the students in the College Park Scholars Program who have earned the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence from Donna B. Hamilton, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean for Undergraduate Studies. The award is conferred on those students who exhibit outstanding academic performance by ranking in the top ten percent of their College Park Scholars Citation class. We are proud of your accomplishments.
Recipients:
Haritha Baskar, Megan Carroll, Heather Dwyer, Laura El-Hage, Shara Epstein, Evan Fisher, Daniel Fistere, Victoria Kalasinsky, David Kitchell, Karen Mayer, Joshua Metzger, Diana Newsom, Eileen Seage, Tamar Sterling, and Mamata Venepally
You’re invited to the College of Chemical and Life Sciences Tailgating Party ~ Terps Vs Boston College
Mark your calendars for the pre-game social for College of Chemical and Life Sciences faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends before the Terps vs. Boston College football game on Saturday, November 19th. Byrd Stadium will play host to the ACC conference's newest member, Boston College. Boston College's trip to College Park will be its first since 1986. This is the last home game for the 2005 season.
When: The social will begin 3 ½ hours prior to kickoff. Game time will be announced approximately 2 weeks before game day.
Where: Hornbake Plaza (Located in front of the Biology/ Psychology Building)
Provided: Sodas and munchies will be provided along with grills. You are welcome to bring your own food to grill and beverages.
Fee: The social is free. Please RSVP to Bobbi Donley (rdonley@umd.edu or 301.405.2908) if you plan to attend.
Tickets for the football game can be purchased through the Ticket Office by calling 301.314.7070 (1.800.462.TERP) or by logging on to the Terrapins Athletics web site. Tickets are $40 for adults and $25 for children 17 and under.
A College of Chemical and Life Sciences Alumni Community Event
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Alumni
News
Dr. Matt Disney, graduate of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (B.S., 1997), began his faculty career this fall. Matt is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at SUNY-Buffalo. Matt was an HHMI Fellow with Prof. Jeff Davis. He earned his Ph.D. in 2002 from the University of Rochester, working with Dr. Doug Turner on RNA structure and function. After 2 years as a post-doctoral fellow at the ETH-Zurich with Dr. Peter Seeberger, Matt joined the faculty at SUNY-Buffalo. Matt’s research focuses on the use of molecular evolution techniques to solve complex problems in molecular recognition. For more on Matt’s program, see http://www.chem.buffalo.edu/disney.php
Dr. Douglas Tallamy, a Maryland Ph.D. graduate and University of Delaware entomologist is part of a collaborative study with Drs. Paula Shrewsbury and Michael Raupp, both Entomology. They received a 3-year, $152,000 grant from the USDA competitive grants program entitled: “The Influence of Native Plants on Arthropod Population Dynamics.”
Dr. Xiaodong "Mike" Shi, a graduate of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (Ph.D., 2002), began his faculty career this fall. Mike is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at West Virginia University. After receiving his Ph.D. under the supervision of Dr. Jeff Davis, Mike spent 2 years as a post-doctoral fellow at UC-Berkeley with Prof. Dean Toste. Mike’s research focuses on Lewis-base catalyzed asymmetric synthesis and molecular recognition in water. For more on Mike’s program see www.wvu.edu/~chemistry/people/XiaodongShi.html.
Please
send alumni notes to gene@umd.edu.
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Gifts to the College, Recognized with Thanks
Corporate and foundation support
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, $450,000; Bayer CropScience LP, $13,700 for Department of Entomology General Fund; Zoologist Have Kobenhavn, $10,000 for Golden Lion Tamarin Study.
Annual Fund Gifts and Pledges
Private support is essential to the progress of the College of Chemical and Life Sciences and we thank those who have stepped forward in this important effort.
Colonnade Society: Dr. Richard Payne** $2,000 for NACS Fellowships, Dr. & Mrs. James Ross (James BS'70, Chemistry, Janet BS'70 ) $1,000 for The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.
Rohan Abeyesundere, Ph.D.'90, BS'82 (Both Chemistry), Robert Barclay,
Jr., Ph.D.'57 (Chemistry), Marc-Raleigh Brescia, Ph.D.'97 (Chemistry) for
Chemistry Atrium Courtyard Improvements Fund, Walter R. Dowdle,
Ph.D.'61 (Microbiology), Edward A. Duffy, BS'81 (Biochemistry),William C.
Fuqua, Jr., Ph.D.'91 (Microbiology), Dr. Allen D. Hamers,
DDS'89, BS'76 (Chemistry), Anna L. Iacangelo, BS'79 (Microbiology), Alicia
Lawrence Jarboe, BS'75, David R. Joy,BS'86 (Chemistry), Albert J. Karas,
MS'52, '50, Nader Kazor, MS'84, John W. Krasauskas, MS'34, BS'33 (Both
Bacteriology), Dr. Steven Markow, DDS'86, BS'82 (Zoology) , Lloyd T. Mc Atee,
Ph.D.'69, '66 (Zoology), Colleen B. Pettis, MS'89 (Microbiology), Dr. Jay
Schuster, BS'83 (Biological Sciences), Dr. Cynthia Brown Stevens,
MS'76 (Chemistry) for Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Fund, Dr.
Richard H. Wong, DDS'93, BS'89 (Chemistry), Dickey Yee, BS'71.
Pledges:
Norris E. Allen, Ph.D.'69, BS'60 for Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics, Erin
K. Barlag, BS'98 (Biological Sciences), Debra T. Bostick, BS'72
(Biochemistry) for the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Graduate Award
Fund, Sally H. Brodie, Ph.D.'75, BS'77 (Both Chemistry), Sandra M. Butler,
Ph.D.'88 (Biochemistry) for the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Graduate Award Fund, Karen L. Dugard, BS'74, Margaret Falcone-Hindley,
Ph.D.'98 (Chemistry) for the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Graduate
Award Fund, Julie B. Fox, BS'84 (Zoology) for Department of Zoology Fund,
Brian F. Fuller, BS'71, Regina M. Hawkins, BS'81, San Ming Hui,
Pharm.D.'97, BS'91 (Chemistry) for the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Graduate Award Fund, Dr. Judith A. Johnson, Judith A. Johnson, Ph.D.'90,
BS'77 (Microbiology), Ameet Chandra Joshi, BS'05 (Biological Sciences), Dr.
Ihor E. Kopka, BS'76 (Chemistry) for the Department of Chemistry &
Biochemistry Graduate Award Fund, Randy J. Lusky, BS'94, Sam Alexander
Malekiani, BS'04 (Biological Sciences), Dr. Robert I. Pargament,
BS'97 (Biological Sciences), Stephen E. Prescott, BS'93 (Chemistry), Erin
Kristina Reeder, BS'03 (Chemistry), Adrienne Lorraine Sheldon, BS'98, Daniel
R. Sidler, Ph.D.'88 (Chemistry) for the Department of Chemistry &
Biochemistry Graduate Award Fund, Amanda Lynn Stevens, BS'2004, Mageli
Canlas Talastas, BS'88, Robert B. Weiner, BS'76, Ms. Xiao-Feng Zheng,
Xiao-Feng Zheng, BS'05 (Biochemistry), Prof. John W. Zondlo, MS'73 (Chemistry, Physics), BS'72 (Chemistry) for The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Graduate Award Fund.
* Colonnade Society - annual support of $1,000 or more
* Faculty or staff of College of Chemical & Life Sciences
If you are interested in learning more about supporting the College of Chemical & Life Sciences, please contact Bruce Shatswell, Assistant Dean for Development and Corporate Relations, bashatswell@umd.edu, 301-405-0295.
Funding
Alerts
How
to Post Your News
If
you would like to share your accomplishments
or other news, please send a note (and
any accompanying photos)
to Gene Ferrick at
gene@umd.edu. Issues are usually sent at the beginning
of each month.
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