Dr. Greg McCarthy, Dr. Tom Gonnella, Dr. Seok-Bong Choi, Dr. Beon-Kyu Kim, Dr. Phil Boudjouk, Dr. Denley Jacobson, Dr. Dennis Tallman.

Amy Singer Garman, Theresa Bomstad, Shane Carter, Bryan Jarabek,Jasper Saberi

CHEM- NEWSNorth Dakota State University

Department of Chemistry

Volume 4 Number 1 May

Congratulations ‘98 Chemistry Graduates

Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program Graduates

First Class

Five years ago Phil Boudjouk had abrainstorm. (Just one of many!) Formany years we had been encouragingour undergrad majors to join researchgroups, learn professional teamworkand experience the thrill of newdiscovery. Many took our advice andjoined groups by their sophomore orjunior year. Phil reasoned: why notextend that opportunity to freshmanand give high achieving high schoolgraduates yet another reason forchoosing to get their chemistry degreeat NDSU. Our well-funded researchfaculty would dedicate Cont’d page 7

their federal or industrial research

On May 9, 1998, NDSU Chemistrymajors joined the procession ofgraduates in commencementceremonies held at the Fargodome. Congratulations to the students whograduated in August ‘97, December‘97 and May ‘98.

Bachelor’s DegreesKyle Allen David NaleTheresa Bomstad Jasper SaberiShane Carter Charles SchiltzDilinie Fernando Peter WallsAmy Singer Garman Joseph WegnerSheila Huck Steven ZerrBryan Jarabek

M.S. Degrees, ChemistryRandall LambrechtDilrukshi VitharanaXiaofan Zheng

Ph.D Degrees, ChemistrySeok-Bong ChoiBeon-Kyu KimTom GonnellaJoe Klingfus

Ph.D Degrees, P&C OptionMao ChenBrian PenningtonWylie Wetzel

cont’d page 2

Chem-News May1998 2

Chem-Newsis published by

Department of ChemistryNorth Dakota State University

PO Box 5516Fargo, ND 58105

Rose Overby, EditorDr. Greg McCarthy, Advisor

To obtain a copy of this newsletter or tosubmit your comments,

call (701) 231-8694Fax: (701) 231-8831

e-mail: roverby@prairie.nodak.edu

more photos from graduation and the Dean’s Reception

Tom Gonnella, Ph.D. graduate, with his advisor,Prof. Denley Jacobson.

Jasper Saberi with his father, Reza, and sister,Roxana, at the Dean’s Graduation Luncheon. Jasper received the AICF award (see story). Rebecca Twite (B.S. Chem., 1992 ) received her

Ph.D. in Polymers and Coatings. Becky workedon corrosion research with her advisor, Prof. Gordon Bierwagen (R) and Prof.Dennis Tallman(L).

Bryan Jarabek, with his father, Cal, Mother,Vicki, and brother, Eric, at the Dean’sGraduation Luncheon. Bryan received the MerckAward (see story).

One Undergraduate Research Fellow’s ExperiencesBy Rachel Peterson, URF, Campiglia Research Group

Beginning my college career atNDSU meant not only gettingadjusted to a new campus andclassmates, but getting somechemistry laboratory experience.This involved not only learninganalytical techniques, but alsogetting to know the members of theCampiglia group. With my onlyprevious laboratory experience beinghigh school biology and chemistryclasses filled with kids eager to mixchemicals and burn things, I knewthis experience would be a bitdifferent. Every day that I entered theCampiglia lab, each group memberwas at work, whether reading or

using the instrument. By observingeach member of the group, I learnednew techniques, as well as learninghow to be more careful and accurate.All of it was a bit intimidating at thebeginning of the year, as I wasseeing a more serious side tochemistry. This was the sideinvolved in doing genuine research,where outcomes are not knownbefore the experiments arecompleted. There were someconcepts that required a bit ofthinking, and I was given a lot ofnew material to digest. I feel lucky,though, for being given theopportunity to get to learn the

Wylie Wetzel (B.S. Chemistry, 1993) received aPh.D. in Chemistry, Polymers and CoatingsOption. His advisor was Prof. J. Edward Glass(L.)

Prof. Phil Boudjouk with new doctoral graduatesBeon-Kyu Kim (L) and Seok-Bong Choi (R).

.

Chem-News May1998 3

Our Students and Graduates... you make us proud

Jasper Saberi NamedOutstanding Graduate

Jasper Saberi, Fargo, has received theAmerican Institute of ChemistsFoundation Outstanding Graduate inChemistry Award from the College ofScience and Mathematics. Saberi, graduated this spring with a B.S. inChemistry with a Polymers andCoatings Option.

This summer, Saberi will conductresearch with Prof. Michael Pagewhere he will be doing theoreticalquantum chemistry research using high-speed computers and basicprinciples of physics in order tounderstand and predict the behaviorof molecules. The research is oftendirected at areas for whichexperiments are difficult to perform,such as atmospheric chemistry andcombustion chemistry.

He has been active in intramuralbasketball, weightlifting and is amember of the Ultimate Frisbee Clubat NDSU. Saberi attended Longfellowelementary school, Ben Franklinjunior high school and Fargo Northhigh school, where he played cello,percussion and studied piano.

Jasper intends to find a chemistry-related job this fall. “ My futureplans are to eventually attendgraduate school once I obtain anarrower focus as to what my interestsare.”

Named in ‘Who’s Who’

Chemistry majors, Jasper Saberi andBryan Jarabek were two of 30 NorthDakota State University studentswhose names were added to the 1998

edition of “Who’s Who Among research at the Kennedy Space CenterStudents in American Universities in Florida this summer and as aand transfer student to University of

Colleges.” Students are selected frommore than 1,900 institutions in 50 When asked for parting words Bryanstates, the District of Columbia and replied, “I would like to thankseveral foreign countries. everyone here for the great learningCongratulations! environment and opportunities that

Merck Award Winner... Bryan Jarabek

Bryan Jarabek graduated this monthwith a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry, with the ACS Chemistrycertification, and a Zoology minor. 1998 NDSU AURA AwardBefore coming to North Dakota Statehe graduated from Fargo South HighSchool.

Bryan started research as a freshmanUndergraduate Research Fellow inDr. McCarthy’s lab. Over his fouryears of research Bryan has co-authored six papers and was primaryauthor of two. He also has presentedposters at conferences, including theACS meetings in 1997 and 1998, aswell as the Denver X-ray Conferencesin 1996 and 1997.

In 1996 Bryan was awarded theGoldwater Scholarship forundergraduate research and recognized as the 1996 AnalyticalChemistry undergraduate of the year.Bryan’s future plans include theM.D./Ph.D. program at GeorgetownUniversity in Washington, DC.

He is also proud to announce that heisgetting married to Raquel Vilhauer onAugust 1 , 1998. Raquel is currentlyst

a freshman who is also doing researchin both the McCarthy and Boudjouklabs. She has been accepted into aNASA summer program to do

Maryland.

are given to the students at NDSU.

The Merck Award is presented to anoutstanding graduate interested inorganic synthesis or medical school.

Scott Peterson, Nicole Howe

Winners

The ND EPSCoR annual AdvancedUndergraduate Research Awards(AURA) provide $2,500 summer-research stipends for undergraduateswho join a faculty member’slaboratory at NDSU or UND. Awardsare made directly to students whoselect a research topic and a mentorfrom the sciences, engineering ormathematics disciplines. NDresidents and students enrolled at NDUniversity System institutions areeligible.

The 1998 NDSU chemistry awardwinners, home towns and mentorsare:� Scott Peterson, Bismarck,

Dr. Joseph Eaton, Chemistry.� Nicole Howe, West Fargo,

Dr. Mukund Sibi, Chemistry.

Tara Ternes Awarded NationalScience Foundation GraduateFellowship

Tara Ternes, an NDSU graduatestudent in organic chemistry, has

Chem-News May1998 4

Our Students and Graduates... you make us proud

received the prestigious National from a field of 1,186 science andScience Foundation Graduate engineering students nominated byFellowship. With the award, she will faculty across the nation.receive $15,000 each year for threeyears as she works towards a The one-year scholarship covers thedoctorate. Cont’d page 8 cost of tuition, fees, books and room

Tara Ternes Awarded NationalScience Foundation GraduateFellowship - continued

The Foundation gave only 14fellowships to organic chemistrystudents this year putting her in anelite group. “I’m very proud,” shesaid. “ It has boosted my confidence alittle bit.”

Ternes is a member of the research group led by Dr. Mukund Sibi. She isparticipating in groundbreakingresearch supported by the National Institutes of Health. Her workinvolves investigations offundamental aspects of free radicalchemistry. “It’s organicmethodology, trying to find new waysof doing an enantioselective anddiastereoselective carbon/carbon bondformation,” she said. “ She isprobably one of the most outstandingstudents I have come across,” Sibisaid. “She is very bright, motivated,pleasant and a go-getter. This is thefirst graduate fellowship that I knowof to go to one of our students in thechemistry program. This is a realachievement for her.”

Goldwater and BristolScholarships Recipient:Brian Very

Brian is a Chemistry Junior, one of316 Goldwater Scholars who wereselected on a basis of academic merit

and board, up to $7,500. The BristolScholarship ($425) is intended torecognize outstanding academicperformance by a student in theNDSU College of Science andMathematics.

Brian, an undergraduate ResearchFellow, is a native of Bismarck andholds a 3.95 grade point average. “Brian is a very bright undergraduate researcher who has been in myresearch group since he enteredNDSU, says Dr. Phil Boudjouk, hisfaculty mentor.

Very’s research focuses on new methods and routes of making semiconductor materials. “I have theopportunity to do synthesis work,which I’ve always been interested in,”he said. “I get to explore new andbetter ways of doing things, some ofwhich haven’t been previously done.”

Part of his work is developingsemiconductors at much lowertemperatures than conventionaltechniques require.

Chem-News May1998 4

Graduate student Shuguang Sunand Post Doctoral Researcher, Bidhan Royexamine the predicted structures of twomolecules on the Silicon Graphicsworkstation. The structures were generatedusing the modeling software “Spartan”.

Welcome... Mallik Group By: Mrs. Sanku Mallik

Kwang Rim, Dr. Hershberger and Michael Edwards. Missing - Randy Baren.

Hershberger Group says...

We have recently added a new groupmember, Randy Baren, who joinedin January. He is working withKwang Rim to measure productratios in reactions of importance incombustion chemistry. MichaelEdwards is working on the

HCCO+NO reaction,which is a crucial step incertain NO removalprocesses.

Chad Westbrook in his work area.

We are now organized and all set upfor research at NDSU. We are new, strength. Chad Westbrook, abut we are familiar with the weather sophomore undergraduate chemistryof Fargo as we have moved from major, joined the group at theUND, in January '98. beginning of the Spring Semester. He

At present we are pleased with the work and busy working on synthesisprogress in organizing our new lab, of polymerizable lipids in one of ourconfiguring our new Silicon Graphics lab projects. workstation & PC’s and installing ournew instruments. We are expecting a new graduate

Moreover, we are looking forward to Bangladesh) to join our group inour dream instrument, a micro- August. calorimeter, which will be installedsoon. This will allow us to determine Another undergraduate student,binding constants and thermodynamic Robert Usselman from Concordiaparameters of binding easily.We are College will be working towards hishappy to have restarted our research honors thesis in our lab during thework here, having good access to summer. We are expecting two otherDepartmental facilities, and passing summer researchers also.through a mild and pleasant winter.

Our Group is now small, but slowly forward. Sun recently had a paper small peptides. We are working toand steadily we are increasing published in J. Chem. Soc., Chem develop this approach of molecular

is highly motivated in his research

student, Abul Fajal (from

Research in the Group is moving

Commum., on recognition of recognition to more complicatedpeptides.”

Chem-News Summer 19995

News from the McCarthy Group &MCL By Dean Grier

Ryan Winburn, Becca Parham, StephanieLerach, Marissa Wisdom, Dean Grier, BryanBortnem, Bryan Jarabek, Rachel Vilhauer.

Raquel Vilhauer and BryanJarabek will be married inAugust and move to theWashington, DC area.

The McCarthy Group will be losingthree valued co-workers this springand welcoming two others. BryanJarabek and Rebecca Parnham will begraduating this spring, with Bachelor’sdegrees in chemistry and geology,respectively. Raquel Vilhauer will betransferring to the University ofMaryland, to continue herundergraduate career in chemistry. New arrivals to the group will includeJeff Walsh, a junior in geosciences,and Kevyn Smith, an incominggraduate student who will work bothin the Materials CharacterizationLaboratory and the OrganicSpectroscopy Laboratory.

Rebecca Parnham will be graduatingthis semester with her degree ingeology and will be moving toDenver, CO at the end of May. Shewill be working for a law firm indowntown Denver as a legal clerk. She will be taking the LSAT in the falland hopes to be accepted to theUniversity of Colorado at Boulder LawSchool, and enter as a first year lawstudent in the fall of ’99. She was verybusy in her last semester at NDSU finishing up course work, working inthe MCL, and preparing to be theMaid of Honor for both of her sisters’weddings this summer. Becca had thisto say about her experiences at NDSU,“I thoroughly enjoyed working in theMCL. I will take with me the invaluablelessons I learned from great co-workers and will miss the lab dearly”.

It is also rumored that she will miss the teaching of Chemistry 110 in the fall. free e-mail! The higher education “market” should

Summer wedding plans are also being graduation (hopefully) next springprepared by Bryan (J) and Raquel. (’99). “Learning the ropes” with RyanBryan and Raquel are preparing to this year was Undergraduate Researchmove to Washington, DC, as noted in Fellow, Stephanie Lerach. Stephaniethe story on page 3. This summer, enjoyed the work so much that she isRaquel will continue her aerospace continuing with the group thisinvolvement, participating in a six- summer.week NASA space program. Raqueland Bryan also presented posters at Several improvements were made tothe ACS meeting in Dallas, Texas this the MCL this year by Bryan Bortnem. past March. Raquel presented work Our Differential Scanning Calorimeter

on quantitative x-ray diffraction, and submitted to the MCL by researchersBryan presented work on character- in the department.izing compound semiconductingmaterials (collaborative work with Dr. Research on CCBs continues in theBoudjouk’s group). group, with Marissa Wisdom, Raquel,

and Dean characterizing core materialsRyan Winburn has been pursuing a recovered from various disposal sites;Ph.D. degree by way of developing and with Stephanie Lerach, Ryan, andand implementing whole-powder- Bryan (J) developing the QXRDpattern quantitative X-ray Diffraction protocols. A further site sampling has(QXRD) for coal combustion by- been arranged for this coming summer,products (CCBs). In addition to and Ryan will be presenting recentcompleting this research degree, he results of his work at the 1998 Denverhas and will be taking on additional X-ray Conference. teaching responsibilities in thedepartment, including a lecture course(Chemistry 121) this summer, and co-

be prepared (!) for his entry following

(DSC) has been fit with a chamberpurge line (nitrogen) to preventcondensation on the analysis blockduring subambient experiments causedby humid surrounding air. It was alsofit with a vented cap to allow for(limited) decomposition and analysisof liquid samples, with the aid of agenerous contribution from theprimary user of this capability, Dr.Mark Soucek (Polymers and CoatingsDepartment). The facility serviceswere also expanded to includeelemental carbon, hydrogen, andnitrogen analysis of samples

Visit us at: http://qxrd.chem.ndsu.nodak.edu/

Chem-News May1998 6

Scott Erickson, P. Sathya Shanker, and KeithParajasingham. Not shown - Barry Leeks.

Broberg Lecture featured Stanford Professor

Chemistry Imitating Natureor is it Vice Versa?

April 20 - 8PM

Century Theater - Memorial Union

Much discussion revolves around the needto make science more “interdisciplinary.” Such discussion ignores the first question-–what defines a discipline? The issue ispoignantly illustrated by the evolvingrelationship between chemistry and biology. Some thoughts on the nature of thisrelationship and its impact on the futurewere presented by Professor Trost.

Broberg Lecturer: Dr. Barry Trost and Dr. Greg Cook

his spring’s BrobergTLecturer was Dr. Barry M.Trost, a professor at

Stanford University. He visitedNDSU April 20-22. His Mondayevening lecture was open to thepublic, and his second presentation

Tuesday afternoon, was gearedtoward university faculty andstudents. In recognition of hiscontributions, Trost hasreceived manyawards, includingthe ACS Award inPure Chemistry, theACS Award forCreative Work inSynthetic OrganicChemistry and theArthur C. Cope ScholarAward. He haspublished two booksand written more

than 570 scientific articles. He is aFellow of the American Academy ofSciences and a member of the National Academy of

The Cook Group is Really Cooking!By Dr. Greg Cook

Visit the Cook Group on the web at:http://qantum.chem.ndsu.nodak.edu/~cook/group/

xciting things are happening currently being expanded into new,Ein the Cook Group these days. undeveloped areas.Namely, the science has been

progressing at a good clip. A new Results from the Cook Group have The Cook Group would like to selective preparation of unusual been presented around the country officially welcome new graduateaminohydroxy acids and diamino this semester. Dr. Cook visited the student, Scott Erickson. Scott joinedacids based upon a palladium- Affymax Corporation in Santa Clara, the group last semester and hascatalyzed reaction has opened the California in March to give a plunged himself into his research. doors to a lot of new chemistry in the presentation. Their work was also Scott has a Master’s degree from UM-group. The target amino acids are presented at the American Chemicalimportant precursors for protease Society National Meeting in Dallas atinhibitors which are under investi- the end of March. Both Dr. Sathyagation for their treatment of hyper- Shanker, and Dr. Cook presentedtension, HIV, and cancer. The their chemistry. The papers in Dallasmethods developed in the Cook Group were well received, eliciting manyprovide one of the simplest and most inquiries for more information. Dr.selective ways to synthesize these Cook and Dr. Shanker enjoyed theircompounds. Already, this work has visit to Dallas - the science was great,resulted in one paper published, one and it paper in press, and a third manuscript seems Shanker enjoyed a particular in preparation. The research is Mexican restaurant so much, he went

back three times!

Chem-News May1998 7

Duluth, where he worked withProfessor Zhdankin.

Chem-News May1998 7

Herbert Roesky Dietmar Seyferth

Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program Graduates First Class cont’d from page 1

a portion of their federal or industrialresearch grants to provide a modeststipend. Freshman could stay on campusand not have to seek supplementalincome off campus. They would have a“home base” right in the department, and mentoring would be ongoing fromtheir professor, and post-docs, gradstudents and upperclass undergraduateresearchers in their group. We wouldname these students UndergraduateResearch Fellows (URF). We wouldalso consider sophomores who had notbeen selected originally, butdemonstrated excellence during theirfreshman year, or were transfer students.

With data from the Admissions Office,in the spring of 1993 we considered theincoming class of 1998 chemistrymajors who had high ACT, GPA andgraduation class rank. Five studentsaccepted our offers, and all five (BryanJarabek, Matt Alm, Rena Diegel, RobertHeninger, Brian Walter) graduated

within four years and with honor. The

program worked just as planned, in thatthe fellows got the opportunity early toconsider research as one option for acareer. Bryan will go into medicalresearch (see story elsewhere in thisissue), while Matt chose early entry intoDental School at the University ofMinnesota, Robert graduated in Zoologyand will attend UND Medical School,and Rena and Brian will become highschool science teachers. All will have aclear idea what research is all about, andwhy it is so vital to the growth of ourstate and nation. We congratulate ourcharter class of Undergraduate Research Fellows andtake joy in their achievements at NDSU.

What happens after the freshman year? Most fellows continue research, either intheir original group or elsewhere on campus. Our other UndergraduateResearch Fellows (and their Research

Groups or areas) are: Class of 1999: Jesse Ebert (now

majoring in Microbiology; microbiologyresearch), Stephanie Moe (plant sciencesresearch), Scott Peterson (Atwood andEaton), Brian Very (Boudjouk).Class of 2000: Patricia Schiltz (plant sciences research), Nicole Hovda,Marissa Wisdom (McCarthy). Class of 2001: Charles Kidd (Page),Stephanie Lerach (McCarthy), BrennaMorberg (Boudjouk), Rachel Peterson(Campiglia), Rebecca Wertish(Atwood), Michelle Wiest (Tallman).

The URF program is growing! Tenstudents have accepted fellowship offersfor the class of 2002. The Department ofPolymers & Coatings will join us nextfall in order to provide additionalfellowships and research groups toincoming chemistry majors. And,several departments in the College of

Roesky, Seyferth to Headline Fargo Conference

FargOConferenCeoN Main GrouPChemiStry

6

8

15

16

The 2nd

Final preparations are at a feverish pitch forThe 2nd Fargo Conference on Main GroupChemistry to be held June 4-6, 1998 in theFargo Holiday Inn. The conference willfeature plenary lectures by ProfessorDietmar Seyferth (Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology) and Professor Herbert Roesky(Göttingen Universität, Germany). Dr.Seyferth will speak on Friday morning, June5, "The Organometallic Chemistry ofAmbidentate Dianions. Reactions of Group4 Metallocene Dichlorides andOrganosilicon Dichlorides With AcetoneDianions. A New Synthesis ofPolylithioallenes". Dr. Roesky will speak

on Saturday morning, June 6, "New

Clusters and Molecular AssembliesRelated to Main Group Elements".Professor Richard Smalley wasscheduled to give a plenary lecture,however, he had to cancel do to travelconflicts. Professor Gregory Robinson(University of Georgia) will kick offthe conference with his work ongallium multiple bonding. His workwas featured in the March 16, 1998issue of Chemical and EngineeringNews and has sparked a heated debateon this subject. gGroup 13 Chemistry

The scientific program includes the followingsessions:gLow Valent Complexes and Multiple BondinggReactions and Mechanisms Related

to Materials ChemistrygFluorine ChemistrygPolymers and Catalysis Ligand DesigngGroup 1 and 2 Chemistry

gGroup 16 ChemistrygCluster Chemistry

The preliminary program includes 52 oralpresentations and 48 posters. This representsa healthy increase over the 80 presentationsgiven at the first Fargo Conference onMain Group Chemistry in 1996. Theorganizing committee anticipates close to200 participants at this years conference.

Chem-News May1998 8

Dr. Tom Plough presenting Dr. Phil Boudjoukwith 25 years service award.

Faculty and Students

Dr. Philip Boudjouk Receives 25Years of Service Award

Dr. Philip Boudjouk, DistinguishedProfessor and State EPSCoR Directorwas inducted into the North DakotaState University Quarter Century Clubon April 21 in recognition of 25st

years of full time service to theuniversity.

Tara Ternes Awarded NationalScience Foundation GraduateFellowship - cont’d from page 3

The Foundation gave only 14fellowships to organic chemistrystudents this year putting her in anelite group. “I’m very proud,” shesaid. “It has boosted my confidencequite a bit.”

Ternes is a member of the research group led by Dr. Mukund Sibi. She isparticipating in groundbreakingresearch supported by the NationalInstitutes of Health. Her workinvolves investigations offundamental aspects of free radicalchemistry. “It’s organicmethodology, trying to find new waysof doing an enantioselective anddiastereoselective carbon/carbon bondformation,” she said. “ She is amongthe most outstanding students I havecome across,” Sibi said. “She is verybright, motivated, pleasant and a go-getter. This is the first NSF graduatefellowship that I know of to go to oneof our students in the chemistryprogram. This is a real achievementfor her.”

Goldwater and BristolScholarships Recipient:Brian Very

Brian is a Chemistry Junior, one of developing semiconductors at much

316 Goldwater Scholars who wereselected on a basis of academic meritfrom a field of 1,186 science andengineering students nominated byfaculty across the nation.

The one-year scholarship covers thecost of tuition, fees, books and roomand board, up to $7,500. The BristolScholarship ($425) is intended torecognize outstanding academicperformance by a student in theNDSU College of Science andMathematics.

Brian, an undergraduate ResearchFellow, is a native of Bismarck andholds a 3.95 grade point average. “Brian is a very bright undergraduate researcher who has been in myresearch group since he enteredNDSU, says Dr. Phil Boudjouk, hisfaculty mentor.

Very’s research focuses on new methods and routes of making semiconductor materials. “I have theopportunity to do synthesis work,which I’ve always been interested in,”he said. “I get to explore new andbetter ways of making importantmaterials.” Part of his work is

lower temperatures than conventional

techniques require. PreviousChemistry Department GoldwaterScholars were Ioana Stoenescu (‘92),Jason Barron (‘95), Bryan Jarabek(‘96), and Scott Peterson (‘97).

Chem Club Attends NationalAmerican Society Meeting inTexas

The NDSU Chemistry Club recentlyattended the National AmericanChemical Society Meeting ‘Deep inthe Heart of Texas.’ The ChemistryClub, with financial help from theCollege of Science and Math, theChemistry Department, NDSUStudent Senate, and EPSCoR, wasable to send 13 members to themeeting. Marcia Guetter, Chem ClubPresident, led the group in other fundraising activities, including sales ofexam study booklets and departmentlogo shirts.

Members of the group presented onfive different occasions with topicsranging from current undergraduateresearch to Chemistry Club activities. The NDSU Chemistry Club wasrecognized by the ACS with an‘Honorable Mention’ award for clubachievements from the previous yearas well.

Besides visiting the lectures the groupwas able to see some of Dallas. Alltogether the members sent to Dallaswere: Theresa Bomstad, JeremyDaum, Ryan Eddy, Marcia Guetter,Nicole Howe, Bryan Jarabek, HeatherNash, Scott Peterson, Aaron Smith,Tad Stewart, Jenny Twait, BrianVery, Raquel Vilhauer.

Chem-News May1998 9

President Tom Plough (L) and Dr. Sibi

Professor Mukund Sibi Receives Fred Waldron Award for Excellence in Research

Dean Allan Fischer reads thecitation for the Waldron Award.

Changes..... Jill Retzer Moves OnJill Retzer, former Chem-News editor, recently left thedepartment and the Center for Main Group Chemistry. Jill is now the Communications Director for the NationalMultiple Sclerosis Society of Minneapolis. “After more than10 years in Fargo, I felt it was time for a change. I lovebeing in the Twin Cities, and I’m enjoying my new job--butI still miss everyone in the Chemistry Department. I’llalways remember my time at NDSU fondly.”

Marie SlangerNamed ConferenceSecretaryfor the 2 Fargond

Conference on MainGroup Chemistry to beheld in Fargo, June 4-6. Marie previouslyworked in the ResearchAdministration office

at NDSU. She lives in North Fargo with her husband Bill. They have three sons, two in college and one at NorthHigh. Welcome!

Jodee Hanson Joins EPSCoR Staff

The EPSCoR (Experimental Program to StimulateCompetitive Research) staff recently welcomed JodeeHanson, the office’s new administrative assistant. “I enjoyworking at NDSU; it has a great working environment andsuper people to work with! I live way north of Fargo withmy family which includes my husband, four sons, two dogsand two cats. We enjoy the great outdoors and the varietyof seasons which neverbore any of us. I lookforward to working withand meeting many ofyou! Please stop in ouroffice and say hello! Jodee, ND EPSCoR Room 258, Ladd

This year the Waldron Award was Dr. Allan Fischer, Dean of theestablished by the NDSU Develop- College of Science and Mathematics,ment Foundation Board of Trustees to praised Sibi for his research withrecognize outstanding faculty research renewable resources, lengthy list ofthat has a positive impact on the publications and successful grantmission of NDSU. Academic deans history. nominate one candidate from eachCollege. “Mukund Sibi has a very, very active

Dr. Mukund Sibi, newly promoted to to get his research done, but also heProfessor of Chemistry, received the teaches them to be very successful atWaldon Award at the First Annual NDSU,” Fischer said.President’s Convocation, April 30 . th

President Thomas Plough said he waspleased to initiate the convocation andhoped it becomes an annual traditionat NDSU. “Excellence andinnovation are the hallmarks of a fineland grant university.”

group. He utilizes all types of people

Chem-News May1998 10

The “Siblings” at the Waldron AwardPresentation.

Chem-News May1998 10

On April 18 , 750 junior and senior highth

students were at NDSU for the North DakotaScience Olympiad. A portion of thecompetition was held in Ladd and DunbarHalls, with numerous Chemistry Departmentfaculty and students assisting with the event.

And, over in the Engineering lecture hall, Dr. PhilBoudjouk volunteered (again this year) to prepareEngineering Seniors for their licensing exams.

Dr. Mel Morris times “Chemistry Clue”event.

Science Olympiad Held at NDSU

Adam Bystol works with Drs. Jacobson and Campiglia on“Chem Lab”.

Undergrad Volunteers, Darwin Kratchaand Patty Schiltz with Valley City Highstudents, Darcey Babbegard (R) and LindWvolv (L) at the “Polymer Detective”event.

Nichole Howe helped Dr. Cook with his event.

Dr. Greg Cook supervised a new event, “You Can’tJudge a Powder By Its Color”.

Dr. Roy Garvey operates the“Scoring Center” for ScienceOlympiad. Talk about pressure!

Dr. Denley Jacobson has conducted “Chem Lab” formany Science Olympiads.

Greg Oswald, explains Chem Lab to contestants.

Left to Right: MCL Manager, Dean Grier, assist-ed by Aaron Smith, Bryan Bortnum and ScottPeterson, conducted “Chemistry Clue” for JuniorHigh students.

Chem Club Members Ryan Eddy, JeremyDaun and Aaron Smith helped Dr. Mallik with“Physical Science Lab” for Junior Highstudents.

Chem-News May1998 11

The Atwood Group

Dr. Tallman’s Laboratory By Vicki Gelling

Life is good in Dr. Tallman’s Laboratory. Dr. Tallman is as busy as ever. During the last week of April he presented a paper at ANTEC (AnnualTechnical Conference of the Society of Plastic Engineers) entitled “Studiesof Electronically Conducting Polymers for Corrosion Inhibition ofAluminum and Steel”.

The article is a result of a collaboration of research from both Dr. Tallman’sLaboratory and Dr. Bierwagen’s Laboratory in the Polymers and CoatingsDepartment at NDSU.

The members of the lab have also been kept busy with the arrival of twonew instruments. A Solartron® impedance instrument is currently beingset up. Once it’s up and running, Brent Reems and I will be fighting overusage time for the instrument. Our second new addition is a scanning localimpedance instrument. The instrument will be the responsibility of ournew graduate student, Jie He.

Jie He comes to us from the University of Minnesota at Duluth. He receivedhis master’s degree in August of 1997. He is originally from Tianjin, P.R.China. When Jie isn’t making us laugh with his biting sense of humor he’sfound with his nose deep into books and journals.

With the semester finally over we are looking forward to the summermonths, which are often the most productive of the year. To help us withour research this summer we have Undergraduate Research Fellow MichelleWiest. She has been with us the past year and has contributed greatly to thelab. She is originally from Mankato, MN. In 1997 she graduated from theMankato West High School. In her spare time (which is rare), Michellespends her time pursuing her other love: softball. Michelle is currently amember on the NDSU softball team playing the position of right field.

Everyone would like to welcome Jie He and Michelle Wiest to our labfamily. As somebody once said, the more the merrier!

Biswajit Sannigrahi, Pingrong Wei, Heli Tianen, Dr.Atwood, Amy Singer Garman and Shegming Liu.

The Atwood group will experiencechanges this summer as Dr. Atwoodgets ready to move to Kentucky andgraduation effects the group.

Dr. Atwood says, McNair Scholar“Amy Garman Singer has been anexemplary undergraduate researcherover the past couple of years. She hasbeen a constant positive influence onthe people in the Atwood group. Herhard work has earned her co-authorship on two manuscripts thatare soon to be published (Articles inInorg. Chim. Acta - Zinc Chemistryand J.Organomet. Chem. Group 13Chemistry). In one of them (the Zincpaper) she did essentially all of thework. This was also covered in aposter that she presented at the SanFrancisco ACS meeting last Spring.She really has set a high standard forundergraduate research at NDSU."

If you are in town, pleasestop by Ladd 104 and visit. Also, we’d love to hearfrom you and what you aredoing!Recent Visitors: Dr.

Immanuel J. Wilk, 1942, NDSU Grad.,Ph.D. UCLA, taught and did research atStanford University.

Dr. Clint V. Kopp, Ph.D. NDSU. Recently sold his share in MemTech, ahighly successful Australian firm (he wasVP for R&D). Clint will return to the USthis summer so his high school children

may experience the “American Way” inMandan, ND.

Chem-News May1998 12

One Undergrad Research Fellow’sExperience cont’d from page 2

year in the Campiglia laboratory.The experience wasn’t all work,though. Although everybody wasserious about their work, they wereable to have fun, too. I guess thatcan be seen by the sign that is tapedoutside the door to the lab, depictingDr. Campiglia as the leader of a

group of

Vikings on their ship. Yes, collegechemistry can be fun. Thecombination of seriousness in workas well as a sense of humor exhibitedby everyone really impressed me,and made me feel more comfortableas the year progressed. Perhaps itmade me realize the obvious: There’smore to a chemist than goggles and

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPermit 818Fargo, N.D.

North Dakota State UniversityDepartment of Chemistry104 Ladd HallFargo, ND 58105-5516

Gayle Noraker

Congratulations Chem Club!

Thanks to the American Chemical Society Student AffiliateChem Club, we can all be in uniform when we host an eventin Ladd-Dunbar. Designing and selling shirts imprinted with"NDSU Chemistry" was just one of the Club’s activities in97-98. The Club again did outreach demonstrations atregionalelementary schools, and provided vital assistance inadministering the State Science Olympiad competition inApril. To raise funds for the trip to Dallas for the ACSNational Meeting, the Club put in many hours sellinggoggles and exam review books to general chemistry labstudents. A record number (13) of majors attended the DallasMeeting (see story on page 8). They gave papers andpresented a group paper describing their favoritechemistry demonstrations for elementary school students.

The faculty commends Marcia Guetter (President), BryanJarabek (Vice-President), Scott Peterson (Secretary), LisaEllingson (Treasurer), and Dr. Mukund Sibi (Advisor) foranother active and productive year.

The H.J. KlostermanChemistry Librarylocated in Ladd 209

is a speciality library for chemistry faculty and students. The librarians are specialists in their subject, and theyprovide a wide range of knowledge in aiding studentsand faculty in their research.

From our Chemistry Librarians, Gayle and Lura...Did you know ..?

The 13th Collective Index of Chemical Abstracts has150 volumes for your reading enjoyment.

Not counting Advances in EVERYTHING, we have 55new books since July of 1997.

You can see the list postedin the Chemistry Library.

See you in the Library! Gayle and Lura

Nichole Howe, Tad Stewart, Heather Nash, Bryan Jarabek in Dallas atthe ACS Meeting.