Connections Alumni Newsletter 2009

NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS FALL 2009

Using our strengths to shape the future of science at MSU By R. James Kirkpatrick, Ph.D.Dean of the College of Natural ScienceMichigan State University

Th e trees along the Red Cedar are showing the inevitable change of season, and the crisp autumn air invigorates the students and faculty as they

head to their classes and research laboratories. Th e change of season in Mid-Michigan is certainly one aspect of University life that many alumni recall fondly when they think about their days in East Lansing. Th is fall, though, change at Michigan State is aff ecting not just the weather but all aspects of the University. Like many organizations, MSU is being signifi cantly aff ected by the economy. Although the future will surely be marked by dramatic changes in how the University is structured and conducts its business, we are fully committed to continued quality and impact of the education we off er and the new knowledge we produce. Working together, the department chairs and program directors, the faculty, the students, and the alumni of the Dean’s Board of Advisors are deeply engaged in a process of evaluating all aspects of operations in the College of Natural Science. Th e guiding principles are our commitments to excellence in education and research and to the diversity, openness and engagement that MSU has fostered for many years. While we do not know exactly how we will look, I have no doubt the college will be signifi cantly diff erent a year from now. Indeed, almost all of American higher education, public and private, is in much the

same situation. One of our objectives is to make the right changes so that our competitive position is strengthened even further. As we analyze the data, develop options, and defi ne future directions, it is clear that there is no magic bullet. Th e issues are complex; the decisions are diffi cult. We will get it right. As alumni, we ask that you understand the seriousness of our position and our focus. Th e changes we will be making will allow us to best compete in the areas where we can both teach and conduct leading research to address the most challenging problems facing the world. Our approach is based on a commitment to our alumni and others who have placed their trust in us to educate the next generation of scientifi c leaders and to undertake research at the highest level. Th e college has a long track record of success and is oft en the foundation for much of what is being accomplished at MSU. Investing in our young faculty and students has built a strong framework. I am excited about the new faculty who have joined our team in the past few years and who have already established themselves both at MSU and in the international scientifi c community. Within the past year, fi ve CNS faculty members received National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development Awards. Th ese awards are among the NSF’s most prestigious and competitive awards for junior researchers, and require outstanding commitment to both teaching and research. Th e range is astounding: from Chemistry Professor Xuefei Huang who is assembling a library of complex carbohydrates for experiments aimed at advancing medicine, to Mathematics

Professor Jeff Schenker who is involved with semiconductors and physics by advancing the mathematical theory of how waves scatter from imperfections in complex materials. Equally impressive are the students we attract and the young alumni graduating from our college. Th ree CNS students received Goldwater Scholarships earlier this year: Jessica Muir and Nathan Sanders, both in physics and astrophysics, along with Tory McCoy who is studying mathematics and geological sciences. Th ese students exemplify the undergraduate majors enrolled in our programs. Th is semester, CNS has more than 4,800 undergraduate students pursuing one of the 35 majors we off er. Th e growth in the number of students studying science at MSU is a tribute to the outstanding education off ered by our faculty and to the impact that a great research university can have on students’ lives. Whether it is working toward solutions to sustainable energy involving solar cells or biofuels, or improved health through new pharmaceuticals or gene expression, the college is providing the fundamental science for solutions to the most critical problems. Sustaining our level of excellence, however, cannot be done without a shift in how we operate. Change is coming. As we adjust our structure and make the necessary modifi cations to adapt to the new situation, our investment in core strengths and commitment to excellence will continue to drive success in scientifi c research and education. Alumni can help us embrace this change. We ask for your trust and your support. Soon the leaves will be gone and the snow will blanket the campus. Yet Spring will usher in a fresh, new season at MSU.

For more details on changes at MSU, go to shapingthefuture.msu.edu.

ConnectionsCollege of Natural Science

NaturalScience.msu.edu

2MSU College of Natural Science | Fall 2009

Bridging academia and the business world can be a diffi cult task when trying to provide real-world insight to undergraduate students without compromising the curriculum. Don Keck (B.S. Physics ’62, M.S. ’64, Ph.D. ’67) is using his 34 years of experience in research and leadership at Corning, Inc., to help the college and provide a valuable service to faculty and students. Keck is a member of the college scholarship committee comprised of faculty and alumni who review and rank hundreds of undergraduate research scholarship applications. While the process can be lengthy, it is an important role in providing funding to students conducting research. Th e college has dozens of endowed scholarships that provide varying levels of funding. In some cases, like the Fowler Undergraduate Research Scholarship, the funding means students can conduct research full-time and not have to work a summer job. “As the number of applications has grown over the years the work never becomes old,” Keck said. “It is stimulating and amazing to see the quality and breadth of work at MSU.

Executive provides help judging undergraduate research

We see a wide variety of research proposals, and while you get a view into the professors’ work, you also see the enthusiasm and quality of the students. Nothing like this existed when I was a student. It is fun to see how bright the students are and the good things coming from the research.” Th e workload can be daunting for the committee assigned to review the applications since undergraduate research grants or stipends are awarded each semester and for the summer. As fi nancial need and the ability to become involved in undergraduate research projects have grown, so too has the committees’ workload. Still, Keck and the committee closely examine each application and weigh the merits of each. “My career gave me experience in seeing diff erent levels of research, from small advances to major breakthroughs,” Keck said. “Over time you see what constitutes good, meaningful research and from that you can

Don and Ruth Keck met President Bill Clinton at the White House when Don received the National Medal of Technology in 2000.

pick those proposals which will be a benefi t to scientifi c advancement and society. Th ose are the proposals we ultimately try to reward.” Keck is no amateur at reviewing research applications and his credentials include the National Medal of Technology - the nation’s highest honor for innovators. Upon graduating from MSU, Keck began a career at Corning where he and two colleagues worked on the Optical WaveGuide Project. Within two years, Keck and his team had invented the fi rst low-loss optical fi ber and revolutionized the telecommunications industry. Keck continued to make innovations at Corning while climbing the corporate ladder. He retired in 2002 as Vice President and Director of Research. As an Inductee of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Keck also serves as a judge for their Collegiate Inventor awards. He enjoys keeping his hand in science while helping students launch their careers. “You know the world is going to be a better place because of what these students are doing,” Keck said. “Th ese students will have a leg up in all aspects of life and their career. I wish we could give more students this advantage by providing more scholarships.” Keck adds that the majority of applications are in biological sciences. “In my time at MSU, the hard, physical sciences were the main focus,” Keck said. “We see now how the focus among students has shift ed to the biological and life sciences.” Don and Ruth Keck established the William G. “Bill” and Zelda Keck Memorial Scholarship in 2003 to support undergraduate students in the college. He is also a member of the CNS Dean’s Board of Advisors.

CNS alumni continue to have an impact on science well beyond the campus of East Lansing. In the past year, three CNS alumni have careers which have intersected with key areas in the executive and legislative branches of government. President Obama recently appointed Roger Beachy, Ph.D. Botany ‘73, as the fi rst director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, formerly known as the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. Beachy is the founding president of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and is internationally known for his ground-breaking research on developing virus-resistant plants through biotechnology. Doug Randall, Ph.D. Biochemistry ‘70, was reappointed and confi rmed by Congress to a second term on the National Science Board - the governing board of the NSF and policy advisors to the President and Congress. Randall is former director of the Interdisciplinary Plant Group at the University of Missouri where his lab is working on improving biodegradable plastic production. Karen Wayland, Ph.D. Geology ‘01, was named Policy Advisor for Energy for Speaker Nancy Pelosi in February. Wayland previously served as Legislative Director for the Natural Resources Defense Council and was the American Geophysical Union Congressional Science Fellow for Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) from 2001-2003, where she worked on nuclear waste, water, energy and Native American issues.

Alumni inside the Beltway

MSU College of Natural Science | Fall 20093

Susan Sylvester (B.S. Fisheries’76, M.S. Aquatic Entomology ’78) is making the Great Lakes safer and cleaner for everyone. When she isn’t working on water quality issues for the state of Wisconsin, Sylvester is a steadfast MSU football fan and Girl Scout troop leader – where she is educating the next generation of science leaders. Sylvester is the recipient of the 2009 College of Natural Science Outstanding Alumni Award. She serves as permits chief of watershed management at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources where she spends most of her time working on ballast water issues in the Great Lakes. “Ballast water discharge is the primary way that invasive species get into the Great Lakes,” Sylvester said. “I’m working with the results of the Great Ships Initiative fresh water testing of treatment technologies for ballast water to fi nd better ways to control invasive species.” When she graduated from MSU, she knew she wanted to improve water quality, but at the time universities didn’t off er water quality programs. Her degree in Fisheries combined with her degree in Entomology to prepare her to work in her fi eld. “It was a new fi eld then,” Sylvester said. “I did a lot of independent study programs and I was able to study aquatic ecology at Kellogg Biological Station. MSU aff orded me the opportunity to study the fi eld I wanted to study.” Sylvester is working on some of the largest water quality issues facing the Great Lakes Basin and the Mississippi River today. She serves on the Great Ships Initiative Board and

Alumnus protects the Great Lakes Friends of the College of Natural Science gathered at the Kellogg Center in April for the annual awards convocation to honor outstanding alumni, faculty and students. Hosted by the CNS Alumni Association, the event recognized recipients of college-level scholarships and faculty awards. Th e CNS Alumni Association presented the following awards:

Outstanding Alumni Award: Susan Sylvester, B.S. Fisheries ‘76, M.S. Entomology ‘78

Meritorious Faculty Award: James Stapleton, Professor Emeritus, Statistics & Probability

Tracy A. Hammer Graduate Student Award for Professional Development: Kimberly Cervello, mathematics education, Rochester, N.Y. David Duriancik, human nutrition, Vandergrift , Penn.

Dan Bolin Undergraduate Awards: Dennis Miner, biochemistry, Lockport, N.Y. Paul Harris, biochemistry, Flushing, Mich. Tiff any Chritz, nutritional sciences, Midland, Mich. Lucan Chatterley, human biology, Williamston, Mich.

CNS Alumni Awards

Susan Sylvester is helping lead Wisconsin’s efforts in water quality programs and is helping protect the Great Lakes from invasive species.

the Gulf Hypoxia task force. Th e task force is trying to reduce nutrient deposition that leads to hypoxic zone at the end of the Mississippi river. “My time at MSU challenged me to think and not to accept the easy answers, but to fi nd real solutions,” Sylvester said. “Th at is what I have been doing my entire career. I’ve been presented with problems and I fi nd solutions.” Sylvester is proud to have been the fi rst administrator of all water programs for the state of Wisconsin, including fi sheries, water quality and drinking water. She was awarded the Bronze Medal from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a precedent setting settlement of a hazardous waste case. Her experience and leadership also goes beyond business and government as she promotes environmental leadership to young women in the Girl Scouts. She received the group’s 2008 Rosemary Fleming Award and has been a troop leader for seven years. Sylvester and her family enjoy fi shing, sailing, and kayaking on the waters she is helping to protect.

Copyright 2009. Michigan State University. MSU is an affi rmative-action equal-opportunity employer.

College of Natural Science, Advancement Offi ce103 Natural Science BuildingEast Lansing, MI 48824-1115Ph (517) 432-4561, E-mail: [email protected]

Suzette Hittner, senior director of advancementMichael Steger, communications managerContributing writers: R. James Kirkpatrick, Suzette Hittner, Gordon Shetler and Michael Steger.Photos: Robert Last, Gordon Shetler, Mike Steger, Kurt Stepnitz, and MSU University Relations.

CONNECTIONS Newsletter is published annually by the College of Natural Science at Michigan State University for alumni and friends. Comments, suggestions and submissions are encouraged.

Nominations sought for 2010 alumni awards

Is there a professor who really made an impact on your career? Or an alumnus who exemplifi es MSU and the science community? Help CNS recognize these individuals by nominating them for the Outstanding Alumni, Recent Alumni and Meritorious Faculty Awards. E-mail Elizabeth Wheeler at [email protected] or visit naturalscience.msu.edu for details.


Freshmen start early at science camp

Freshman biology students started their MSU experience a month before arriving on campus as part of a new CNS program called SpartaNature. Th e summer biology program was held at the Kellogg Biological Station in July and provided 92 students with a jump-start on college. Th e program brought students together in small groups to experience the natural sciences in a hands-on fashion. Th ey earned two credits, developed relationships and were introduced to college-level science. “Th e fi rst year of SpartaNature was a great success in getting freshmen indoctrinated into the college science environment,” said Kathy Doig, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education. “Th e students found the program as a good experience to meet new friends, meet faculty and transition into MSU.” Th e students conducted research in the fi eld and the laboratory, learned about critical thinking and were able to establish friendships before they arrived on the campus in East Lansing. “Every year, we see talented students arrive at MSU and they are not quite sure of what area of biological sciences they wish to study,” Doig said. “Th is is one way we can help students fi nd their interests early on, so

they can choose a major that best matches their skills and interests.” In addition to providing students with an orientation to college, the long-term goal of SpartaNature is to increase retention of students majoring in biological sciences. Th e program is modeled aft er a University of Minnesota program which increased the four-year graduation rate while reducing the dropout rate. Th e program doesn’t just end aft er three days at KBS. Th e students continue SpartaNature exercises in the fall term while on campus. Th ey meet several times during the semester to continue working with their groups and examining the research conducted during the program under the guidance of their academic mentors. “Ninety-eight percent of the students said they would recommend SpartaNature to other students,” Doig said. “We had a very successful fi rst year, and their feedback will help us shape this program for next summers’ freshmen class.” For incoming freshmen in 2010, SpartaNature will be off ered again to help introduce students to the MSU science community and launch their studies in biological sciences. For more information on this program, go to spartanature.msu.edu.

Students wade in the water of a river near MSU’s Kellogg Biological Station as part of a fi eld research project designed to introduce them to college-level science and give them an early jump on Fall classes.

Congratulations to the 15 CNS student award winners from the 2009 University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum. More than 600 MSU students participated in the annual event highlighting the research conducted by the students at MSU. Malik Dhandha, a biomedical laboratory diagnostics senior, was the grand prize winner for his project “Distinct autoantibody subtype Profi les Correlate with Defi ned Clinical Subgroups in Pemphigus Vulgaris.” Alumni are invited to experience the excitement of the forum and view hundreds of students presenting their work at next year’s event on April 16, 2010, at the MSU Union. For a complete list of the research projects and awards, go to urca.msu.edu.

Students win research awards

Alumni Reunion Days: Class of 1959

Alumni from 1959 and earlier returned to campus in June for Alumni Reunion Days. As part of the annual event, CNSAA hosted a breakfast for 30 alumni who, along with dozens of others who were unable to attend, helped raise more than $1,000 for the CNSAA Endowed Scholarship Fund which provides funds for CNS student scholarships. Th e 50-year reunion is hosted by the MSU Alumni Association and many of the colleges. More than 345 people attended, including 110 were from the class of 1959. Alumni from 1960 and earlier are invited to attend next year’s reunion on June 3-4, 2010.

CNS by the Numbers (Fall 2009):4,809 Undergraduate CNS Majors1,151 Freshman CNS Majors988 CNS Graduate Students47,100 Total MSU Enrollment768 Bachelors Degrees Awarded (Dec.

‘08 - Aug. ‘09)


Classrooms come in all shapes and sizes. For CNS Study Abroad programs, the classroom combines with culture to strongly infl uence personal skills, attitudes and understanding. MSU leads the nation in study abroad participation at a public university for the fourth year in a row, according to Open Doors 2008. More than 3,100 students left the country last year to learn. CNS sponsors six study abroad programs and along with fi ve co-institutional programs where students are placed at foreign universities for up to a year. “Sixty-four students participated in CNS study abroad programs this year and a greater number participated in programs hosted by other MSU colleges,” said Deb Dotterer, CNS Director of Student Aff airs. “Th e combination of science, culture and unique learning opportunities provide the participants with lifelong memories and skills.” Th is summer, CNS led programs in Kenya to study behavior and ecology of African mammals; the Canadian Rockies to learn about wildlife, geology and ecology; Switzerland to explore environmental science; Uganda to study evolution and forest biodiversity; Tanzania to learn about food, nutrition and health; and Ecuador to learn about the biology of the Galapagos Islands. Th e expense for students to study abroad can be immense due to travel costs and tuition. Students in the college compete for a limited number of privately-funded scholarships to help off set the costs. Following are highlights and observations from CNS students who participated in several of the programs this year.

Students experience science around the worldEcuador and the Galapagos Islands Brian Krisko, a senior in zoology, traveled to the Galapagos Islands to learn about Darwin and biology. He watched the behavior of Galapagos Sharks, penguins, the blue-footed booby and studied diff erences between the islands he visited. He said the trip changed his perspective on science. “One memory from my trip is swimming with sea turtles,” Krisko said. “I’ve seen many pictures of them but never realized how large and amazing they really are until I dove down and swam so close to one I could touch it. It was the most amazing experience of my life.”

Uganda David Orban, a senior in zoology, gained a new perspective on the relationships between organisms. “Being a zoology major, we learn a lot about ecology, evolution and animal behavior in our classes and from our text books,” Orban said. “However, reading about it, just doesn’t give the same eff ect as being there.” Emily Waymire, a senior in zoology, recalled an encounter with a gorilla while she was in Uganda. “One young male reared back, beat his chest and then charged our group, throwing up dirt and grabbing at our pant legs - literally two or three inches from us,” Waymire said. “Everyone ducked down terrifi ed until we noticed our guides laughing. Th ey explained that the huge young gorilla was well known and that he oft en playfully pretended to charge visitors and was always pulling at clothing. Everyone stood up and watched as the gorilla continued running around actually laughing, which sounded incredibly human-like, clearly pleased with himself.”

Switzerland Shamone Johnson, a sophomore pre-medical student, traveled to Switzerland.

She learned about Swiss culture, food and the language, and also had a chance to go paragliding in the Alps. “One memory that really stands out from my trip was paragliding over the Swiss Alps,” Johnson said. “It was an amazing view and was something I never would of thought of doing but I’m glad I did it because I will never forget the feeling of excitement.”

Tanzania Stephanie Chaczyk, a junior in nutritional science, traveled to Tanzania to learn about the food, nutrition and health

in children this summer. She said she will never forget the hardships that she saw while she was there. “Th e severity of poverty and malnutrition truly exists in third world countries like Tanzania,” Chaczyk said. “I saw children with protein defi ciency as well as children with extremely small bone circumference, relative to the size of a quarter. Th ey had hospitals that looked like neglected buildings with very little medical equipment or staff ; incomparable to the medical facilities we have here.

Having witnessed this has made a huge impact on my perspective and has given me more drive toward working in the medical fi eld and helping people – especially with regard to nutrition.”

Photos provides by Stephanie Chaczyk, Brian Krisko, Emily Waymire and NASA Visible Earth.

Emily Waymire admired the views of Rwanda and the Congo from Mgahinga National Park, Uganda.

Stephanie Chaczyk visiting a hospital in Tanzania.

Brian Krisko captured this photograph while in the water at the Galapagos.


Margaret Smith, Med. Tech. ’53, recently served as the interim director of the Battle Creek Nursing Clinic.

John Ohlsson, Microbiology ’58, has made 16 overseas mission trips giving dental services to hundreds of patients in Guatemala, Haiti, Panama, Brazil and Nicaragua.

Robert L. Lippson, Zoology ’63, MS ’64, PhD ’76, and wife Alice are publishing Life along the Inner Coast: A Naturalist’s Guide to the Sounds, Inlets, Rivers, and Intracoastal Waterway from Norfolk to Key West in October, 2009.

Ronald Simon, Math ‘67, has been elected Chairman of the Board of the six Auto-Owners Insurance Group companies.

Robert Henderson, Physics ’67, is the Chief Scientist of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.

John Wettaw, PhD Chemistry ’67, received an honorary doctorate from Northern Arizona University.

Paul Labine, PhD Chemistry ’71, is teaching chemistry at Palm Beach State College in Boca Raton, Florida.

Deborah Hollis, Med. Tech. ‘72, has been named Acting Director of the Offi ce of Drug Control Policy for Michigan.

Walter Judd, Botany ’73, MAT ’74, was recently promoted to the rank of Distinguished Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Florida.

Allan Wilke, Math ’73, MA ’74, is the new Chair of Integrated Medicine at Ross University’s Bahamas campus.

Nancy Nelson, Math ‘74, retired aft er 34 years of teaching high school mathematics.

Class Notes

Michael Bozack, Astrophysics ‘75, MS Physics ‘77, is a physics professor at Auburn University and has recently published the book Street-Smart Advice to Christian College Students: From a Professor’s Point of View.

Tim Buxton, Geology ’77, MS ’81, is in his 20th year with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service where he works on abandoned mine sites.

Tim Greenamyre, Microbiology ’77, is professor and vice-chair of neurology, chief of the movement disorders division, director of the Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases and UPMC Endowed Chair at the University of Pittsburgh.

Glenn Preston, Math ’77, MS Applied Math ’80, has worked at TASC, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Information Systems Sector, for 22 years and recently became an adjunct instructor in mathematics at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

Gail (Seelye) Schwoebel, Physical Science ’72, received the ISTA/Horace Mann Hoosier Educator of the Year and was a national semi-fi nalist for the NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence

Larry Reichard, MS Zoology ’77, is the President of the Missouri Academy of Science (2008-2009) and Division Chairperson for the Division of Science and Technology at Metropolitan Community Colleges-Maple Woods campus, Kansas City, Missouri. Susan Merten, Med. Tech. ’78, teaches middle school science in Chicago and has been named a NSTA New Science Teacher Academy Fellow.

Greg Miller, Nutrition ’78, recently gave two presentations at the Int’l Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit in Germany. He also serves on the Communications and Science Advisory Board of the Global Dairy Platform.

Th omas Stebbins, MS Botany and Plant Pathology ‘78, is a horticultural agent in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and was recognized as the Tennessee County Agent Communicator of the Year for 2008.

Carl Wenning, MAT Planetarium Education ’78, retired in 2008 from Illinois State University aft er 30 years where he served as planetarium director and director of Physics Teacher Education. He continues to work part-time teaching and editing the Journal of Physics Teacher Education Online.

William Green, Fisheries and Wildlife ’79, Math ’82, MS Fisheries and Wildlife ’84, is the coordinator of the Knabusch Mathematics and Science Center and is part of a partnership between Monroe schools and the DNR to include hands-on experiences in the natural world using Lake Erie and the surrounding environment as a learning laboratory for problem solving, observing, and discovery.

Susan McQuiston, Med. Tech. ’79, recently joined the MSU Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program as an instructor and advisor. She is teaching hematology labs, transplant and transfusion labs, and introduction to CLS principles.

Nancy (Wilcox) Widener, Microbiology ’80, MS Clinical Laboratory Sciences ’89, is the Executive Director, Central Clinical Operations, at Bristol-Myers Squibb where she is responsible for the global development activities to get drugs registered.

Raul Fajardo, Food Science ’81, was promoted to Global VP Quality for McCain Foods Limited, a global leader in the frozen food industry.

Paul Layer, Geology ’81, is Interim Dean of the College of Natural Science and Mathematics at University of Alaska Fairbanks.

ALUMNI CLASS NOTES


Brandon West, Microbiology ‘82, is celebrating his 20th year of private practice in podiatric medicine and surgery in Detroit and Walled Lake, Michigan.

Mark Batzer, Microbiology ‘83, MS Zoology ‘85, was elected an AAAS fellow and has been selected as the Dr. Mary Lou Applewhite Distinguished Professor and as an LSU System Boyd Professor at Louisiana State University.

S. Frank Rabbio, Geology ‘85, MS ‘88, is now Exploration Manager of Catamount Exploration, LLC, in Denver, Colorado.

Renee Kirsch, Chemistry ’86, is Group Leader in Technical Services in the Quality Management Department at Hoff mann-La Roche where she is responsible for cleaning validation, particle size analysis, spectroscopy, method validation and support of internal and external complaints/issues.

Mark Buff a, Chemistry ’88, is the lead materials engineer for Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Batteries at General Motors and has been working on the VOLTec and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle.

William Bowerman, PhD Environmental Toxicology ’93, is the President of the Faculty Senate at Clemson University.

Benn Tannenbaum, MS Physics ’93, is Associate Program Director for the Center for Science, Technology and Security Policy at the American Association for the Advancement of Science and was just made an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Georgetown University.

Dave Young, Chemistry ’93, Computational Math ’93, PhD Chemistry ’97, has published his second book, Computational Drug Design.

Terri (Green) Schmidt, Zoology ’94, is the Department Chair for Science at Baker College in Jackson, Michigan.

Stephanie (Berish) Eckley, Medical Technology ’96, is a Pathology Manager at Saint Mary’s Health Care (Trinity Health) in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Christopher Hanley, Astrophysics ’96, MS ’98, was promoted to Senior Systems Soft ware

Engineer in the Science Soft ware Branch at the Space Telescope Science Institute.

Ying Bin Fu, PhD Biochemistry ‘98, is an assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Science at the University of Utah.

Kurt Spearing, MS Geology ‘98, is fi nishing a PhD in biology at Northern Illinois University and is a visiting faculty member at the University of St. Th omas and Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Khara Grieger, Botany and Zoology ’99, MS Plant Bio. ‘03, is a doctoral student in the Department of Environmental Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), located outside Copenhagen, Denmark.

Jonathan Vogel, Zoology ’00, PhD Cell and Molecular Biology ’05, fi nished a post-doc at the University of Florida and is a scientists at BASF Plant Science in Durham, North Carolina.

Joshua Roebke, Physics ’01, had his essay “Th e Reality Tests”, originally published in Seed Magazine, included in the book Th e Best American Science and Nature Writing 2009. He is currently a visiting scholar at UC Berkeley and is working on his fi rst book Th e Invisible World - a social and cultural history of physics in the 20th century.

Brook Kawchak, Physiology ’02, is Operations Manager at Saint Joseph Hospital in Marshfi eld, Wisconsin.

Harry Lee, PhD Microbiology ‘02 is a patent agent at Lee, Hong, Degerman, Kang & Waimey P.C. in Los Angeles, California.

Brian Lipinski, Geology ’02, is a Geologist for EXCO Resources in Pittsburgh and is involved in a large-scale exploration eff ort of the Marcellus Shale in the Appalachian Basin.

Camillia Smith Barnes, Math ‘02, MS ’02, is a tenure-track mathematics faculty member at Sweet Briar College in Virginia.

Mark Borgman, Med. Tech. ’04, is doing a Clinical Chemistry fellowship at the University of Louisville Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

Erin Stein, Math ’05, is a mathematics and French teach at Princeton Day School in Princeton, New Jersey, and received a grant from the French government last year to take classes on French and teaching French in Paris.

Brandon Hanold, Astrophysics ’06, is a Laboratory Engineer at the Rochester Imaging Detector Laboratory/Rochester Institute of Technology. He recently co-authored First use of a HyViSI H4RG for Astronomical Observations in the Proceedings of SPIE.

Danielle Salvatore, Zoology ’06, is a Marine Mammal Trainer at Marineland in St. Augustine, Florida where she oversees 12 Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins ranging in age from newborn calves to 56 years.

Joe Sullivan, Geology ’06, is teaching 9th grade earth science at a Consortium College Preparatory High School in Detroit, Michigan.

Jamey Hardesty, Microbiology ’07, is the Pandemic Infl uenza Systems Epidemiologist in the Surveillance and Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Section at the Michigan Department of Community Health.

Susan Achberger, M.S. Biochemistry ’08, is a Research Technologist at the Cleveland Clinic - Taussig Cancer Center.

Brian Rambadt, Biological Science ’08, is teaching high school biology in Salt Lake City.

Let us share your news and accomplishments! Send your news to CNS at [email protected] or with the online form at naturalscience.msu.edu/alumni. Join the CNS groups on LinkedIn (http://bit.ly/CNSlink) and Facebook (http://bit.ly/CNSfacebook) where you can share your news and interact with classmates.


By Gordon Shetler Th ere is a small, unassuming plant in the mustard family – thale cress – that grows in Europe and Asia and has been cultured in the International Space Station. Better known as Arabidopsis thaliana, or just Arabidopsis, it is one of the most studied plants in the world. At MSU, it plays a central role for scientists working on problems ranging from health to energy to food. Arabidopsis was the fi rst plant genome sequenced and is one of the highest quality sequences of any multi-cellular organism, according to biochemistry professor Rob Last. “Th is plant is a good model organism for study because it has a relatively small genome and it grows quickly, he said. “Th is means scientists can gather information about expression of its tens of thousands of genes under many conditions, in diff erent tissues and during diff erent stages of development.” In the same way that animals tell us about how the human genome works, Arabidopsis provides clues about the workings of genomes of more complex plants like rice, corn and other agriculturally important plants. “In the last couple of years, scientists are fi nally beginning to do map-based or genetic-based cloning in corn,” Last said. “Because of the complexity of the corn genome – there

are 2 billion nucleotide sequences in corn, making it about the same size as the human genome – a working draft has just recently been completed Th is has been a strong focus of research since the 1920s. However, with Arabidopsis, we have been doing research for decades and the plant has become a powerful tool in many areas of study.”

Biofuels

Th e lab of Professor Christoph Benning has discovered a gene in Arabidopsis that when mutated produces wrinkled seeds. Th e mutation in Wrinkled1 inactivates this transcription factor that normally turns on, like a light switch, the genes that produce fatty acids. Th e mutated switch in Wrinkled1 plants is permanently “off ”, so the seeds don’t accumulate fatty acids and look wrinkled. “Photosynthesis produces sugars,” said Benning, an internationally recognized expert in plant lipid metabolism. “Th e Wrinkled1 protein controls the conversion of these sugars

into fatty acids and is a viable strategy to increase the oil content in seeds.” Oilseed crops, like canola and soybeans, contain high-energy oils that can be used for biofuel production. Finding ways to increase the amount of oils these plants store would mean increased production of biofuels. Th is discovery is leading the way for research using grasses and the rutabaga plant.

“We believe that MSU can use this mutant transcription factor to convert a starch storage organ into an oil storage organ in plants such as rutabaga,” Benning said. “Moreover, we are confi dent that we can use Wrinkled1 to produce oil in diff erent grasses to enhance their energy density.”

Feeding the World

Th e food we eat is fi lled with vitamins, essential amino acids and nutrients necessary for human health. All of these come from plants and Arabidopsis is being used to understand plant metabolism to make humans healthier. Professor Dean Della Penna is studying how plants can become more nutritious. He studies how plants create and store vitamins in plastids - a unique storage structure inside plant cells. Generally, plants have high concentrations of vitamins A and E inside their leaves, but much less in the parts that we oft en eat, the grains and the fruits. He focuses on fl ipping the genetic routing switch, so vitamins and minerals are stored inside the parts people eat. His work on rice fortifi ed with vitamins is helping fi ght malnutrition in developing countries that rely on rice as a main source of food. Arabidopsis research also improves crop plants by studying how to develop more pathogen resistant plants and discovering the history of our cultivated crops. Plant biology professor Tao Sang studies the diversity of rice genomes and

Tiny plant connects scientists, solves big problems

Arabidopsis thaliana was the fi rst plant with a sequenced genome and plays a fundamental role in many different research projects at MSU.

Recent CNS news in plant science

A tremendous amount of research is going on in the MSU plant science community. Among the recent headlines associated with items referenced on these pages are:

- MSU is a major partner in the Great Lake Bioenergy Research Center, a U.S. Department of Energy Center which is completing research to advance basic bioenergy knowledge and its application to sustainable energy development.

- MSU is a part of a Grand Opportunities grant from the National Institutes of Health to use transcriptomics and metabolomics to uncover how several popular plants make medicinal compounds and paving the way for more effi cient drug production.

- BASF Plant Science licensed a plant gene from MSU that regulates oil accumulation in plant seeds discovered by Christoph Benning. Th e gene is being used to develop enhanced soybean and canola varieties for increased oil production, with potential for boosting nutritional value, fuel content and other commercial prospects.


how cultivation over thousands of years has caused changes in the plant’s genetic material. To understand the changes in the genome, researchers can rely on Arabidopsis, which has a similar genome sequence. Helping plants fi ght predators and diseases, Professors Gregg Howe and Sheng Yang He are studying how plants resist pathogens and signal pathogen responses. Th ey use Arabidopsis and tomato plants to determine how the defense signaling proteins work. Howe’s research also will help us understand ourselves. Th e plant hormones Howe studies are very similar to human hormones, only not as complex. Th ese plant hormones are structurally similar to the compounds whose production is inhibited by aspirin and Ibuprofen in people. So, although plants don’t get headaches, they respond to injury by producing strikingly similar chemical messengers.

Health and the Environment

“Th e interaction between humans, human health and plants could not be tighter,” said Tom Sharky, chair of the Department of Biochemistry and molecular Biology. “Th e most obvious is what we eat; it comes from plants or it comes from an animal which ate plants. Many of the compounds we need that are essential to our metabolism are made by plants.” Sharkey’s research lab uses Arabidopsis to study how plants emit isoprene – a compound which reacts with other gasses in the atmosphere to cause low-altitude ozone and increase particulate matter in the air. Naturally, Arabidopsis doesn’t produce the compound, but Sharkey inserted the genes from diff erent species of aspen trees and oak trees, which are major producers of isoprene. Air pollution, even from natural sources, can have lasting eff ects on human health. “We are trying to fi nd out why plants make this hydrocarbon,” Sharkey said. “With a better understanding how it is made and regulated, we would be able to improve the air quality for everyone.”

Foundation for Discovery

Studies to understand the Arabidopsis genome and the plant functions that it

controls is a continuous process. One of the critical areas of studies for scientists is to understand how genes function in chloroplasts, where light is converted to energy in plants. Th e Chloroplast 2010 Initiative, led by Rob Last, is examining the relationships between thousands of diff erent genes and almost 100 diff erent measurable physical characteristics in the chloroplast. “Th e hope is to be able to look at the chloroplast as a system rather than a series of connected components that aren’t necessarily obvious,” said Last. “We want to go beyond the ‘one gene, one process at a time’ approach and take a more holistic approach to analyzing the data.” Traditionally, fi nding the gene that causes a particular trait or phenotype has explained how a gene controls a particular physiological process. More recently, scientists have been reversing the process by selecting two or more genes and manipulating them to determine their function and looking at the changes in the phenotype. “Th e collaborating labs at MSU are trying to take a very open-ended approach toward genetics,” Last said. “We’re looking at mutants in several thousand genes instead of just one, two, 10 or even 30. We’re screening their phenotypes using 12 diff erent screens, which collectively account for about seven dozen

diff erent discreet traits that we’re measuring.” Th e project is developing a knowledge base that will set the stage for future comprehensive systems models of plastid metabolism and function. Like many research projects at MSU involving Arabidopsis, this too off ers tremendous practical implications. “Th e science and technology of plants and natural systems is becoming increasingly relevant in human medicine as scientists look for greater effi ciencies and ‘greener’ ways of manufacturing drugs and other health care products,” added Steve Pueppke, Director of the Michigan Agriculture Experiment Station. Th ere is no way to identify all the MSU research labs relying on Arabidopsis at some level for their studies, yet it is obvious that the this unassuming plant has an important role in research on campus that crosses many boundaries. Beyond MSU, scientists around the world continue to utilize the knowledge from this small plant to solve the largest problems.

Gordon Shetler is an MSU alumnus with a B.S. in plant biology. He is completing a master’s degree in journalism and is a science writer for the College of Natural Science Advancement Offi ce.

The South portion of MSU’s campus is the hub of MSU’s physical and biological science research and teaching. In addition to the forthcoming Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, this area will also be home to the Plant Science Expansion. The expansion will connect the Plant Biology Building and Plant and Soil Sciences Building and provide necessary lab space for MSU’s plant science research.


By Suzette HittnerSenior Director of AdvancementCollege of Natural Science

Th e CNS Advancement Offi ce is, as always, a hub of activity as we continue work with academic departments and faculty to further strengthen programs related to students and research. MSU’s growth and maintenance of reliable endowment funding is a key component as we build on strengths that our students and the larger community will need in the years to come. Adroit leadership and management at MSU have kept our endowment resources strong even in recent economic times. Investments made to our endowment continue to grow and provide a strong foundation for our programs. One way our endowment works is by enabling CNS to attract and retain the brightest students with the use of scholarships and fellowships. In 1991, Jim and Jean Valrance established the Lumsden-Valrance Endowed Scholarship to benefi t entering CNS freshman coming from high schools in Northern Michigan. Over the last 18 years, this individual endowment has provided 68 scholarships – each funding up to 15 credits of tuition per semester. Th is stable funding has been critical to realizing the educational goals of so many capable students, and Jim and Jean have been extremely proud of each of their scholarship’s recipients - so much so, that the Valrances kept in contact with many of the students during

An investment in the future of science, societytheir time at MSU and aft er graduation. Earlier this year, when Jean sadly passed away, I felt it was important to remind Jim and his family of the lives that Jean and he had touched through their shared generosity. To do so, we reached out to provide them a documented look at the lives they had aff ected. A few emails later, we were able to connect with many of the Valrances’ scholarship recipients. From those connections, we compiled a treasury of biographies, accomplishments and images. We heard from alumni around the world who were eager to share their stories with the family that had played a key role in their education at MSU. One special note came from Elliot Nelson, a current student in biological science who will graduate in 2010. Elliot wrote:

“Looking back, I know that it was the willingness of other people to help that has made me who I am today. Whether it was my parents encouraging me to discover nature, someone fr om another culture willing to share, or someone like you who is willing to put someone they have never even met through school, it is because of the help of others that I am who I am today.”

As an advancement offi cer, it’s most gratifying to share the refl ective insights of a thoughtful young person with those who have made that insight possible. We fi nd that CNS alumni are always anxious to hear about how our students, alumni and scientifi c

research are helping society, and Jim Valrance was no exception. When I presented Jim with the collection of correspondence from his “alumni” a few months ago, the emotion was overwhelming as the impressive stories illustrated the lives touched through one family’s generosity. Better yet, the list of students helped by the Valrances’ generosity will continue to grow for generations to come. Regardless of the ebbs and fl ows of the economy, or organizational changes at the university, endowed scholarships continue to serve their key purpose – whether that is enabling MSU to recruit and support excellent students with steady, consistent educational funding or provide resources for specifi c research or academic thrusts. Th e investment made through the creation of a CNS endowment provides the type of support that continues to make a real diff erence in the lives of students and faculty by enhancing their education, research, daily work, future inventions and academic excellence. Simply put, endowments serve as cornerstones in the increasingly complex world of science. We can build upon their stability and with confi dence and purpose. Th ese gift s build a stronger organization while positively infl uencing the lives that become the fabric of our larger communities. A gift to an endowment is an investment in the next generation of science leaders as students and faculty work to solve the most diffi cult problems.

Ways of giving to MSU and the College of Natural Science

Gift s to MSU can be made in many ways. Outright gift s of cash are the simplest way to contribute and provide donors who itemize on their tax returns a deduction to the fullest extent of the law. Other giving options include:

Securities and real estate - these generate a possible double tax benefi t with income tax and potential tax on capital gains;

Matching gift s - many companies throughout the country match employee gift s;Bequests - off er another avenue for giving and take many diff erent forms depending on

the intention;Life income plans - allows a donor to receive income in return for the substantial gift ; Retirement plans - oft en preserve more assets for heirs while providing a gift to benefi t a

worthwhile cause. Contact Suzette Hittner at (517) 353-9855 for more details on any of these options.

IRA rollover ends this year

Th e tax provsion allowing individuals to contribute up to $100,000 from their IRA directly to qualifi ed charities ends in 2009. To take advantage of this provision, individuals must be 70-1/2 years of age, or older, on the date of the distribution. Donors may count the amount of the distribution toward the RequiredMinimum Distribution for tax-deferred retirement account in that year. Th ere is no minimum amount needed for the gift .


Clifton R. Wharton SocietyRecognizing individuals who makes a commitment of at least $2,500,000 to MSU or a qualifying deferred gift of at least $3,750,000. Randolph Cowen

Kedzie SocietyRecognizing individuals who make a commitment between $1,000,000 and $2,499,999 or a documented planned gift of at least $1,500,000.Henry and Lois BlosserStephen and Patricia ChazenDavid Grant Dvorak, M.D.Dr. and Mrs. Kirkwood E. FaberLarry D. FowlerGregory F. HauserMr. Harley N. HotchkissProfessor Rudolph Hugh, Ph.D.William N. HurjaGlenda and Peter LappanHenry and Lois BlosserDrs. G. Thomas and Robin L. MorganDr. Milton E. MuelderTimothy R. and Patricia E. OrenElizabeth Difanis PhillipsMarvis RichardsonRon and Sharon RogowskiBarnett and Ritta RosenbergRichard and Patricia Wagner

Shaw SocietyRecognizing individuals who make a commitment between $500,000 and $999,999 to MSU or a documented planned gift of at least $1,000,000. Marilyn M. CulpepperKeith and Sue KnappDr. George H. LauffHelen M. SniderDrs. Richard J. and Renate M. SniderJean and Jim ValranceWarren and Anneliese Wood

Abbot SocietyRecognizing individuals who make a commitment between $250,000 and $499,999 to MSU or a documented planned gift of at least $500,000.

Donor ClubsMembers of university-wide donor clubs with gifts designated in whole or more than ten percent to the College of Natural Science. Memberships are based on cumulative giving to all MSU programs.

Th e many alumni and friends whose names appear on the following pages have helped lay the fi nancial foundation for the College of Natural Science. Th eir support allows the college to provide scholar-ships to promising students, assist faculty with research and academic pursuits and enhance the natural science community.

Recognition represents contributions made between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009. While we have carefully reviewed the names listed, we apologize for any errors or omissions and encourage you to contact the CNS Advancement Offi ce at (517) 353-9855.

Honor Roll of Donors

Richard and Joyce BenefielMarc ConlinPam and Bill CostabileLarry R. Dalton and Nicole BoandMark and Sandy EhlertRichard and Claire GantosDr. Ronald E. GoldsberryThomas and Mary KrigasDr. Evan F. MeltzerLeo V. and Rebecca NothstineJack and Karen Sue PreissAlfred J. Zeits and Ruth K. Zeits

Snyder SocietyRecognizing individuals who make a commitment between $100,000 and $249,999 to MSU or a documented planned gift of at least $200,000. Orrin and Eleanor BarrettEverett “Tex” BenekeRalph and Dorothy BertolaciniDr. James Billman, Jr.Cec BorgesonDr. D. Otto ChengCarol A. DesJardinsDr. Kathryn M. Doig and Mr. Richard J. BensonDaniel and Debra EdsonAlena Fabian, M.D.Barbara J. Frey and Nicholas R. ThinesOlga K. FritzCheryl Sisk and Doug GageDr. and Mrs. John P. GiesyDavid and Karen GlossJohn and Velda GodfreyDr. Richard HahinElizabeth HantelDale E. HissongRoger and Gail KolasinskiDr. Christy MacKinnonThomas and Catherine MallDr. and Mrs. Sigurd O. NelsonMr. and Mrs. Eugene N. ParkerEmory James and Mary Kathryn PatmosRichard C. and Shirley G. PendellDr. and Mrs. Ramon F. RolfDavid and Sara TaftPaul A. TaylorBrad and Jane ThompsonStephen E. Tilmann and Adrian BassLinda Petro Ulrey and Laurence UlreyDr. Berttina B. WentworthDr. Daniel WilliamsMr. and Mrs. Kenneth B. Yerrick

Hannah SocietyRecognizing individuals who make a commitment between $50,000 and $99,999 to MSU or a documented planned gift of at least $100,000. Lois AlexanderArt and Mary ApkarianJean B. BachWalter BlinnRobert and Patricia BoydKathy and Richard BurgisClaire ByerrumDr. and Mrs. James W. CarterMrs. Nadine ChurchillSharon DeBarScott Essex and Brooke CorleyDan and Pam FarraHarry and Ruth Ann Foiles BrunetEthan C. (“Chuck”) Galloway

Dr. Robert W. GeeDennis and Joan GillilandHershel GorenGeraldine and Harold HartDr. Shirley HartlageR. James and Carol A. KirkpatrickFrederick G. and Virginia A. KraussDr. Peter L. LeeGloria and F. R. (Pete) LehmanJoanne and Peter McPhersonMable E. MeitesLinda M. MurpheyCharlotte F. NametzJuliette L. PrimeauRobert J. RietzJean J. RobinsonDr. James E. RodmanMichael SchulzJ. Mark and Kathleen B. ScriberBarb Sears and Ben HassengerDr. Duncan F. Sibley and Margaret C. SibleyRonald H. and Mary E. SimonMr. Gordon SmaleWilliam L. and Andrea K. SmithDouglas SpraggClarence and Loretta SuelterSteve and Sunday WagnerYang Wang, Ph.D. and Dr. Weixin XuRussell and Laura Whalls

Beaumont TowerRecognizing individuals who make a commitment between $25,000 and $49,999 to MSU.Anthony and Racelle ArmadaSam M. and Mary E. AustinThomas E. AyresMaurine BernsteinJim and Julie BradfordJanet and Max BreuerMrs. Deborah J. Cicinelli-Tim and Dr. Kent E. TimmTom and Sally CrawfordDouglas and Marjorie DelineLarry and Lois DimmittJerry and Carole DodgsonLeonard E. EamesSusan Eleuterio and Tom SourlisShelagh and Robert MillerBruce and Susan FriemanMarianne GallowayDonna GibsonMrs. Leona C. GoodGreg and Jan HamiltonWilliam L. HarknessHerbert and Margaret HooverDr. Jon KaguniDr. Laurie KaguniRuth and Donald KeckBrin and Lisa KellerGabriele F. KendeDr. and Mrs. Mark KoenigLorenz and Lynda KullThomas and Lucy LarsenEllen and George LeroiJoseph and Marjorie LongoDr. Sam and Susie MalloryDennis and Estelle McGroartyRich and Pam MerrittRoger Bruce Miles, Jr. and Kim ScherschligtLawrence Gregg MullicaMr. Thomas M. OsgoodMax and Jessie Oswald



Dr. Arnold OttDelmer ParkerCharlie and Brooke PartlanPeter and Kate RathmannSharon & Dave ReganLois G. RidleyRichard and Elaine RudyDr. Loretta S. SatchellThomas D. and Paulette B. SharkeyJohn L. SnyderFrederick W. and Mary Ann StehrMr. David B. Steiger and Dr. Elizabeth J. GalbreathJim and Jan StewartArnold D. and Helen E. SuomiThomas R. Taylor and Margo J. SackheimDr. and Mrs. Alexander TulinskyMrs. Martha VincentKatherine R. Fishburn and Thomas A. VogelJohn L. Wang and Lucille D. FallonVivian L. WongMrs. Dorothy J. YoungMatt and Mary Ellen ZabikChristiane and William R. AndersonMs. Doris H. AsherMr. Sheldon AxlerTerrance and Sandra Bacon

Presidents ClubRecognizing individuals who make a commitment between $10,000 and $24,999 to MSU. George BallJack and Joanne BassCharles and Susan BauerDr. and Mrs. BauerJohn and Teofila BeamanScott and Patricia BeldenDr. Glenn BelyeaRoger and Louise BergmanDr. Helmut BertrandDr. and Mrs. Morley BiesmanGeorge and Anne BirdDr. David E. Blair and Rebecca Adams BlairMr. and Mrs. James F. BoettcherDave BorgattiDavid M. BowenMr. and Mrs. Judson T. BradfordWayne and Lorene BronnerKathryn H. BrooksDavid G. BrowningKirby and Sarah BrownsPamela Pajas and David BurkeZachary F. Burton, Ph.D. and Ann Finkelstein, Ph.D.Gary R. Byerly, Ph.D. and Maud M. Walsh, Ph.D.Chester and Julie CallahanEdward H. and Louise D. CarlsonGreg CaucuttMr. and Mrs. Joseph and Angela CerasoMrs. Dallas ChapinJim and Debbie ChaseMildred K. ChatfieldArthur and Barbara ChesterDavid and Jan ClayWard T. CollinsDr. David DeWitt and Dr. Susan ConradRobert and Susan CopelandProfessor James P. CovellRobert and Carol CukierMr. and Mrs. Gil and Jeane de las AlasJohn and Phyllis DelaneyPhilip C. DemingDave and Shari DevendorfGerald and Marilyn Dommel

Dr. Lewis L. Dotterer and Mrs. Debra A. DottererJim and Angie DyeJames and Ruth LinnemannHarry A. and Sara J. EickDoug and Sue EstryJanine L. FalesDr. and Mrs. Gregory L. FauthDr. Joan Ferrini-Mundy and Mr. Richard MundyJustus J. Fiechtner, M.D. and Karlene J. GehlerVerna C. FinkelsteinBrian and Jeannie MallickDr. Arthur E. and Lois C. FitzGeorge L. FlemingMichele M. Fluck, Ph.D.Mr. Edward M. Tank and Dr. Andrea L. FoilesDr. Bonnie Fons WilsonSharon R. FoxProfessor Pam FrakerBarbara B. FreeMr. and Mrs. James FuchsJoseph and Josephine GardinerDr. John A. Gerlach and Sabrina E. GerlachDr. Brage GoldingDr. A. A. GrahamSamuel and Julia GrayErnie S. GrushJeffrey and Joyce HackMr. and Mrs. Stephen W. HaleDon and Peggy HallDr. Lee and Lois HalstedWilliam and Christine HartmannSteven and Merle HeidemannMarshall and Barbara HestenesRichard and Susan HillSuzette and Konrad HittnerJulius R. HoffmanDr. J.F. HollandRobert and Judith HollingworthDr. Robert and Mrs. Remedios HolmesDr. Gregory A. HolzheiRichard J. HudsonDr. and Mrs. Paul W. W. HunterDr. and Mrs. Joseph A. IgnatoskiDr. Andrew and Mrs. Joan JaroszMr. Matthew T. JeskaTroy and Elizabeth JohnsonMichael Kaiser, M.D.Stephen Kamin and Diane GutekunstGerasimos and Marianna KarabatsosEdwin and Marilyn KashyKen and Sue KeegstraNorman and Hanna KelkerNatalie M. Kerby and James T. Kerby, M.D.Kenneth B. KerrEvan and Betty KidsonPaul and Barbara KillgoarJeffrey and Katherine KlingerNellie R. KnepperDebra KoskyMr. Paul KuipersPaul LaBellMr. and Mrs. LaingDouglas and Mary LakeLori J. LampelDr. Douglas A. Landis and Mrs. Joy N. LandisThomas Law and Rita RichardsonD. Jack and Vonda A. Eckard LemonJames and Michelene LepczykMrs. Harriet T. LinJoyce Parker and Edwin LohMr. and Mrs. Robert J. LoobyBruce and Mary Jo Maguire

Robert and Lori-Ann MaronDr. and Mrs. B. William MaxeyMr. and Mrs. William MaybaumSteven P. and Diane J. MazurekMr. Mark C. McCroskeyJohn G. Shabushnig and Victoria L. McGuffinFrances MeyerWilliam MihelichBruce MillsKeki and Phyllis MistryThomas and Delores MontgomeryJohn and Linda MuellerWilliam and Charlene MuthDr. Karim and Mary T. Nafisi-MoragherMr. and Mrs. Kunimitsu NakahiraMr. and Mrs. Michael A. NametzFedor and Natalie NazarovMr. and Mrs. David J. NeebesMorgens NielsenDr. Robert T. O’DellJohn and Carol OhlroggeDong OkRae Ramsdell and George OrbanJ. Lowell and Olga OrbisonRaymond S. PacovskyEdgar and Jane PalmerDr. and Mrs. Morton PanishSandy PartlanSam and Vivian PatonWesley and Debra PhillipsRobert and Helen PiconeGlen and Judith PieczynskiThomas J. and Marilyn E. PinnavaiaMark and Lisa PintoChester and Suzanne PiotrowskiBernard and Wendy PopeStephen and Marguerite PoredaThomas and Carrie PorterBill and Sally PrattRobert and Anne PressleyCharles H. ProctorJames A. RabeDavid E. Randolph, M.D.Mrs. Alvin C. ReinhardtDrs. William and Rosetta ReuschDave and Janet RichardsonDr. and Mrs. Donald L. RobachAlma J. RomboutsRobert and Michele Root-BernsteinCraig E. RyanHillard and Angela SalasHabib and Joan SalehiLeonard E. SalikaJack and Daisy SamariasMr. Ronald SchultzDr. and Mrs. Michael A. SheldenPeter and Elizabeth SignellSusan M. SimkinAlfred J. Smetana, Ph.D.Jeffrey SmithMargaret E. SmithDr. and Mrs. Patrick B. SmithDr. Loren R. Snyder and Wendy C. Champness, Ph.D.Chris and Shauna SomervilleBill and Nancy SonsinJohn Clarence Speck, Jr.William A. and Gloria J. SpencerJulie St. OngeRonald J. St. OngeMichael and Sheila StegerBill and Sue StelzerCharles and Martha Stocker




Dr. William T. Suggs and Mrs. Jean M. Gawlak-SuggsMrs. Catherine C. SweeneyDr. Arthur Tai and Dr. Joan KeiserDr. and Mrs. Robert A. TallerRichard E. Teets and Mary S. PickettMargaret L. Thorp, D.V.M.Eleanor D. TolbertJoyce E. TrierSteven and Laura TriezenbergJohn and Polly TullochBeatrice S. TungPatrick J. Tyrrell and Mary E. Riendl-TyrrellMr. and Mrs. James G. VanderwallBruce and Nancy VerWestJohn W. Vinson and Karen L. StricklerMegan Donahue and Mark VoitClaude and Anne WatsonDonald and Joyce WatsonPatrick and Mukta WebberDr. Timothy T. and Jan E. WellemeyerDr. William W. Wells and Helen W. WellsDrs. Gary and Catherine WestfallRick and Pat WhitfieldJoyce WildenthalJohn and Sandy WilsonThomas V. and Theresa A. WilsonTimothy and Therese WitherspoonMr. and Mrs. Thomas WitherspoonDavid and Jill YoungJan and Rietje ZeevaartDr. Marilyn J. Zweng

Annual Gifts to the College of Natural Science

$10,000 and moreMaurine BernsteinDr. James Billman, Jr.Edmund P. DePalmaMark and Sandy EhlertSusan Eleuterio and Tom SourlisAlena Fabian, M.D.George L. FlemingMichael D. Gottfried and Pamela C. RasmussenBrin and Lisa KellerR. James and Carol A. KirkpatrickFrederick G. and Virginia A. KraussRussell G. MawbyDr. James E. RodmanThomas D. and Paulette B. SharkeyRonald H. and Mary E. SimonDr. Berttina B. WentworthJoyce WildenthalWarren and Anneliese WoodAlfred J. Zeits and Ruth K. Zeits

$5,000 - $9,999Ralph and Dorothy BertolaciniWalter BlinnTom and Sally CrawfordProfessor Pam FrakerDonna GibsonDon and Peggy HallHerbert and Margaret HooverTien Y. LiLois G. RidleyDouglas SpraggThomas R. Taylor and Margo J. SackheimSteve and Sunday Wagner

$1,000 - $4,999A. Gordon Adams, Jr.Christiane and William R. Anderson

Anthony and Racelle ArmadaThomas E. AyresDonald D. and Karen L. BaumhartJohn and Teofila BeamanJanet and Max BreuerEd BrueningGary R. Byerly, Ph.D. and Maud M. Walsh, Ph.D.Claire ByerrumKaty CaliffMr. and Mrs. Joseph and Angela CerasoArthur and Barbara ChesterJoyce C. and Richard S. ChillingworthMrs. Deborah J. Cicinelli-Tim and Dr. Kent E. TimmTonya P. and Phillip J. CollierMarc ConlinDr. David DeWitt and Dr. Susan ConradMarvin L. and Mary E. DettloffDave and Shari DevendorfGerald and Marilyn DommelMichael J. and Susan F. DonoghueDavid Grant Dvorak, M.D.Leonard E. EamesLaurie M. Erickson, Ph.D.Doug and Sue EstryJanine L. FalesBrian and Jeannie MallickKevin E. and Cynthia FitzgeraldMichele M. Fluck, Ph.D.Harry and Ruth Ann Foiles BrunetMr. Edward M. Tank and Dr. Andrea L. FoilesBruce and Susan FriemanMr. and Mrs. James FuchsCharles R. and Veronica R. FullerRichard and Claire GantosDr. John A. Gerlach and Sabrina E. GerlachNancy E. GibbsDennis and Joan GillilandThomas N. GinterEllen K. and Edward J. GrafiusDr. Shirley HartlageRonald J. Hill and Pamela A. GemeryDale E. HissongSuzette and Konrad HittnerDr. Robert and Mrs. Remedios HolmesDr. and Mrs. Paul W. W. HunterWilbur C. JohnsonStanley N. JonesKen and Sue KeegstraKenneth B. KerrKeith and Sue KnappNellie R. KnepperDr. and Mrs. Mark KoenigThomas and Mary KrigasLee R. and Mary E. KroosDr. Douglas A. Landis and Mrs. Joy N. LandisDr. George H. LauffGloria and F. R. (Pete) LehmanJoyce Parker and Edwin LohAllan D. and Michelle H. MackayDebbra A. and Vincent S. MalcangiThomas M. and Pam MansagerRobert and Lori-Ann MaronMatthew S. MatuszakDr. and Mrs. B. William MaxeyMr. and Mrs. William MaybaumSteven P. and Diane J. MazurekJohn L. and Gayle McCrackenDennis and Estelle McGroartyRich and Pam MerrittGary G. Mittelbach and Katherine L. GrossWilliam and Charlene MuthPaul J. and Susan L. O’Connor

John and Carol OhlroggeLarry G. and Beverly A. OlsenTimothy R. and Patricia E. OrenCraig W. OsenbergPreston S. and Barbara J. ParishRobert and Helen PiconeRena H. QuinnDave and Janet RichardsonDr. and Mrs. Donald L. RobachCraig E. RyanHillard and Angela SalasMark J. Schervish and Nancy J. ShurlowMargaret C. and Richard C. SchoeningMichael SchulzDr. Duncan F. Sibley and Margaret C. SibleyAlfred J. Smetana, Ph.D.Jeffrey SmithJames L. SnelgrovePeter J. and Christine S. StangMr. David B. Steiger and Dr. Elizabeth J. GalbreathClarence and Loretta SuelterAlison L. and Ralph E. TaggartDr. Arthur Tai and Dr. Joan KeiserDr. and Mrs. Robert A. TallerRichard B. and M. Joanne TaylorRichard E. and Linda R. TriemerMegan Donahue and Mark VoitMary S. WagnerJohn L. Wang and Lucille D. FallonYang Wang, Ph.D. and Dr. Weixin XuJames and Sheila WareClifford E. and Doris M. WeilRussell and Laura WhallsMark J. and Anne J. WojnaThomas B. and Nancy U. WoodworthMaija H. ZileDr. Marilyn J. Zweng

$500 - $999Lynne M. and Brian A. AgarLynn G. AndersonChristine E. Angeles and Steven R. CadyJames W. and K. Elizabeth H. AtkinsonBarbara A. Baker and Robert B. Baker, Jr.Keith M. and Wilma A. BaldwinMichael T. and Elaine M. BalombinCharles and Susan BauerDr. and Mrs. BauerScott and Patricia BeldenWendell S. and Constance M. BlandingJames L. and Donna A. BrewbakerLaura C. BroughtonKirby and Sarah BrownsDouglas and Debra CampbellMichelle C. ChambersWard T. CollinsKathleen A. Cooney and Gary J. FaerberProfessor James P. CovellAnne R. DavenportCharles DavisWayne J. DeWitteTerry A. Donovan-O’Neill and William J. O’NeillKari E. DylhoffDavid L. EnlowDr. and Mrs. Gregory L. FauthLisa A. Feinberg and Michael McFarlandShelagh and Robert MillerGary A. FeuerbacherAndrew S. FliesGeorge C. GerritsenRussell A. Gill and Josephine E. FranzMargaret S. Guis




Donald F. and Phyllis J. HardenJames B. Hazen III and Sara J. HazenCarol A. HermannRawle and Saleela HollingsworthReynard HollinsFrederick Hl. and Clara A. HorneTodd L. HouserJoseph T. HuppJames D. and Tonia KallewardStephen Kamin and Diane GutekunstSusan M. Kauzlarich and Peter KlavinsRuth and Donald KeckWilliam J. and Gerri L. KossJuno-Ann Krohn ClarkeRobert L. Last and Jill M. CannySherry S. and Kyle T. LewallenCarl L. Lindquist and Joy VietinghoffMr. and Mrs. Robert J. LoobyLisbeth A. and Zael E. LutzFloyd J. and Myrna A. MalveauxBill MarklewitzKimberly E. MedleyWilliam W. and Susan L. MertenNorton G. and Heather S. MillerEcaterina Nagy and Jeffrey W. KochJean G. Nicholas, Ph.D.Morgens NielsenRichard E. and Elissa J. PalmerA. Dean and Vicki Jo ParlingJohn C. and Susan L. PerssonMark and Lisa PintoRobert G. PonziniSteven P. PouliosCharles H. ProctorRichard J. and Patricia A. RathsackDr. C. A. Reddy and Sasikala ReddyL Virginia RhodesDavid P. and Maribel RitterTeri A. and Emmanuele S. RoacheLisa L. and Richard A. RosenbaumJames C. Rucinski and Nancy L. BrennerLeonard E. SalikaEdward A. SchmidtPaul J. SchuelePamela M. and David M. SchultzMr. Ronald SchultzDana A. ShueyJerry and Lisa R. SingleterryGary M. Smolinski and Janelle StachowiakGail R. and Theodore D. SokoloskiRonald J. St. OngeMark F. and Mary Ellen StinskiZachary H. and Vasiliki D. StoumbosLinda K. and Nick A. StoynoffBiing-Ming and Shiu-Chin H. SuCraig A. SumerixKarin SyverudLarry L. TinkerBarbara J. and James L. TourangeauJoyce E. TrierWendy N. TsujiJeanne L. Turner and Roger N. Turner, Jr.Dr. William W. Wells and Helen W. WellsDrs. Gary and Catherine WestfallJohn F. WettawBenson H. and Sandra WheelerWilliam D. and Dinah M. WrightDavid and Jill Young

$250 - $499 Thomas A. and Judith A. AbrahamThomas E. Abramson

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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDEAST LANSING, MI

PERMIT NO. 21

COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCE103 Natural Science BuildingEast Lansing, MI 48824-1115

Nathan Sanders oft en fi nds himself lying on a bed of nails. Th en, a sheet of nails and a cinder block is placed on top of him and broken with a sledgehammer. Sanders isn’t trying to relieve stress. Th e astrophysics senior from Sault Ste. Marie is the assistant director of MSU’s Science Th eater – a student-led science outreach organization that does demonstrations for children across the state. Breaking the cinder block is a crowd-pleaser and an incredibly eff ective demonstration of how pressure depends on surface area.

During his four years on campus, Sanders has utilized the vast resources available at MSU to help craft his science education. In addition to the joy he receives entertaining children during a Science Th eater performance, Sanders eff orts have yielded hands-on research experience and a prestigious Goldwater Scholarship. Sanders worked on the implementation of the SOAR Telescope’s Spartan Infrared Camera under the direction of Professor Ed Loh. “It was amazing to get a chance to work on a multimillion dollar instrument like

that. I can’t think of another place I could have gotten that experience as a sophomore,” Sanders said. Once the camera was installed on the telescope, Sanders was the fi rst person to take scientifi c observations using the camera. He was able to conduct the research as a part of his current project with Steve Zepf and controlled the camera from the SOAR’s observing room on campus. Sanders received a CNS scholarship this spring to support him in his research. Th e scholarship is funded by the CNS Undergraduate Research

Endowment which was established by private gift s from alumni and friends in order to enhance student education through hands-on experience. For Sanders, this means observing early type galaxies and doing photometry on their globular clusters. “Several decades ago, it was thought that all globular clusters formed when the galaxy was formed -just one period of star formation,” Sanders said. “More recently, it has been found by Professor Zepf and others that there are intermediate episodes of star formation. Aft er the galaxies have already formed, then globular clusters continue to be formed, which can happen if there is a collision between galaxies.” Being involved in the Science Th eater student group along with the undergraduate research experiences has allowed Sanders to maximize the opportunities available to MSU students. “Undergraduate research has cemented my feeling that it is something I have a future in and something I enjoy doing,” he said. Sanders is currently applying to graduate school with the goal of getting a Ph.D. He has discovered the joy of teaching and research, and has no plans of getting rid of his bed of nails anytime soon.

CNS student juggles astrophysics, science theater and research

Astrophysics senior Nathan Sanders is a Goldwater Scholar who often fi nds himself on a bed of nails as part of Science Theater.

Connections Alumni Newsletter 2009

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Transcript of Connections Alumni Newsletter 2009