Beloit College 6th International Symposium, November 7, 2007
Beloit College 32nd Annual Student Symposium, April 10, 2008
Midstates Symposia
The Beloit Biologist, Volume 27, 2008
We have spent the last year looking out the window at the new Science Center rising just north of Chamberlin. If you are interested in following the progress, please check out the web camera at https://www.beloit.edu/webcam/. Construction has proceeded on schedule and we expect to begin the move in July!
Kevin Braun '99
Visiting Assistant Professor
B.S. (chemistry) and B.A. (anthropology) Beloit College
Ph.D. University of Arizona
At Beloit since 2007
My first year at Beloit was both exciting and challenging. In the fall, I taught Chemistry 117 and found contextual teaching an exciting way to integrate application with theory. An added bonus to teaching the course has been that a few of my former students have declared chemistry and biochemistry majors this semester! I also taught the first offering of Chemistry 225, Topics in Instrumental Analysis, which replaces Chemistry 360, Instrumental Analysis. The half module course focuses on one or two instruments with the first offering focusing on NMR and Chromatography. The topical format of the course provides students ample one-on-one opportunities with the instruments. The course also offered me a nice opportunity to work with many of the department's upperclassmen in addition to learning the instrumental capabilities of the department.
In the spring, I taught Chemistry 220, Environmental, Analytical, and Geochemistry in addition to a special topics course in Forensic Chemistry. Chemistry 220 continues to see strong enrollment with twenty-nine students from chemistry, biology, and geology taking the course. An intriguing aspect of the course was getting the opportunity to work with the software packages developed by George. The laboratory reporting program, which is accessed through a webpage interface, is unique in that students can check their calculation before final submission. This provides the opportunity to seek out the correct answer rather than just attempting the calculation once and handing in the results. Additionally, the use of KPlot, a program written to conduct equilibrium calculations, has expanded the range of systems that can be explored and solved while providing a user friendly interface. Having been in one of the first classes to utilize MathCAD in 220 in the late 90's, it has been exciting to be part of the course's evolution.
In the Spring of 2008, I taught a section of Chem 370 titled Forensic Chemistry with an enrollment of 10 students. Also during the spring semester, I had the pleasure to oversee two special projects. Leah Kelly '09 worked on the construction of a 3-D lithography system developed from plans from collaborators of George at the University of Illinois. The system is unique in that a computer projector serves as the excitation source with PowerPoint used as the interface software. Structures are fabricated as multiple planes with the polymerization depth controlled by a combination of stage translation and the concentration of a strongly absorbing dye. Leah has continued work on the project with hopes to optimize the resin system and to develop an automated CAD interface. Ian Blitz '08 worked on a special project to characterize acquisition times for carbon NMR using referenced block averaging and also studied the time-resolved capabilities of our Anasazi FT-NMR.
Over the summer, along with preparing for the Science Center move, Rachel Yucuis '09 worked with me on construction of a capillary electrophoresis instrument that uses LEDs as an excitation source and a stock microscope as the base (provided with generous funding through the David A. Norris '92 Research Fellowship). This setup not only substantially reduces the cost of the instrument but also provides a robust platform for both capillary and microchip based separations. Rachel continues to work on the instrument, and we hope to have it up and running by the end of the semester for bioanalytical and forensic applications.
This past year has provided me the opportunity to work with some outstanding students and faculty in both the classroom and the laboratory. With the addition of the new Science Center, this is an exciting time to be at Beloit College, and I am honored and thrilled to be part of it.
George Lisensky
Professor
B.A. Earlham College
Ph.D. California Institute of Technology
At Beloit since 1980
https://www.beloit.edu/chemistry/Lisensky
In the
fall of 2007 George taught Introductory Chemistry (117) and Solid State Chemistry
(250). He organized the sixth annual International Student Symposium. In the
spring of 2008 George was on sabbatical in Sweden working with Ebbe Nordlander
(Beloit '86) at the University of Lund. Both semesters he taught Scientific
Glassblowing, once at Beloit and once in Sweden. At Lund, George did synthesis
research and performed electrochemical analyses. He sang in several choirs,
including at Lund Cathedral which was built in the 1100s.
Paul Hanson
('08) worked with George in Sweden during the summer of 2008 growing
crystals of (N,N´-bis(diphenylmethylene)-1,2-ethanediamine
and N,N´-bis(diphenylmethylene)-1,3-propanediamine
complexes of copper(II) bromide and copper(II) tetrafluoroborate. This resulted
in successful crystal structures of 3 new compounds.
George Lisensky
continues to be internationally active in interdisciplinary nanotechnology
education. Since the last newsletter he has given presentations and workshops
in Tanzania for the African Materials Research Society, Boston for high school
teachers, Washington D. C. on Capitol Hill, as well as for nanotechnology institutes
in Sweden, Denmark, and Israel. George's association with the University
of Wisconsin-Madison Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC)
on Nanostructured Interfaces continues. Two new experiments were added to the
video lab manual that George organizes http://mrsec.wisc.edu/edetc/nanolab. “Preparation
of Zeolite ZSM5 and Catalysis of Xylene Isomerization” was based on a
special project by Ian Blitz (Beloit '08) and “Isolation of CdSe
Quantum Dot Nanoparticles” was based on a project by Tommy Garting at
Lund University.
During a two
week period in July, George returned from Sweden, participated in the move
from Chamberlin to the new Science Center, and his daughter Diana was married.
(George skipped the Chem Ed Biennial Conference that was during this same time.)
In July 2009
George will again organize and teach a week long workshop at Beloit for college
chemistry faculty from around the country on Materials Science and Nanotechnology
as part of the NSF-funded Center for Workshops in the Chemical
Sciences administered by Georgia State University. See https://www.beloit.edu/chemistry/cwcs/.
Presentations and Workshops
• G.
Lisensky, ABCs of Nanotechnology, Rockford Public Library, Rockford,
IL, September 19, 2007
• G.
Lisensky and Elizabeth Boatman ('07), Nanoscale Materials Education,
African Materials Research Society, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, December 19, 2007.
• G.
Lisensky, Light, Color, and Nanotech, NSTA National Conference on
Science Education, Boston, MA, March 28, 2008.
• G.
Lisensky and Dana Horoszewski, Ferrofluid, Liquid Crystals, and Scanning
Probe Microscopy Demonstrations, NISE-Net Nanodays, Washington, DC, April
2, 2008.
• G.
Lisensky, Nano Videos and Laboratory Experiments, Nanometer Structure
Consortium, Physics Department, Lund, Sweden, April 28, 2008.
• G.
Lisensky, Resource Materials for Nanoscale Science and Technology Education,
iNANO Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus, Denmark, May 9, 2008.
• G.
Lisensky, Online Video Lab Manual and Chemical Models, Chemistry Teaching
Seminar, Lund, Sweden, June 17, 2008.
Publications
• G. C. Lisensky, K. Lux, and W. C. Crone, “A
Web-based Video Lab Manual for Nanoscale Science and Technology,” Nanoscale
science and engineering education: Issues, trends and future directions,
edited by A. E. Sweeney and S. Seal, ISBN: 1-58883-085-3, 2008.
• S. M. Nelana, J. Cloete, G. C. Lisensky,
E. Nordlander, I. A. Guzei, S. F. Mapolie, and J. Darkwa, "Unconjugated
diimine palladium complexes as Heck coupling catalysts," J. Mol. Catalysis
A, 285, 72-78 (2008).
Kathleen E. Mandell
Assistant Professor
B.S. Elmhurst College
M. S., Ph. D. University of Illinois-Chicago
At Beloit since 2003
Kathleen taught a First Year Seminar on DNA and Chem 300, Biochemistry of
Macromolecules, in the fall and Chem 117 and Chem 260, Biochemistry of Metabolism,
in the spring.
LET ME SHARE A DAY IN MY LIFE: I drop my son Max at his job in Monroe at 7:45 am, then drive another 30 miles to the new Science Center. On the way, I chat with alumni about their progress in the world, career choices, and opportunities for present students. I have to park about 100 yards from my office - there's only 10 parking spaces near the new building, all taken by construction workers. There's one access door not under construction near the old gym. I get wonderful exercise climbing the many stairs with a spectacular view through all the windows, and arrive at my office where my closet/file cabinet has been delivered. The only way to support the files is by using bricks to prop them up. The freshmen started arriving Friday, but the main entrance is still closed awaiting paving. It's going to be an exciting start to classes this year. On the way home, I learn that Jeff Cleaveland '83 is sending both children off to school this year, Camille Fox '00 is headed for Napa Valley to work in a winery, and Muyiwa Awoniyi '03 is applying for his first NIH grant. Eight hours preparing classes and moving into the new stockroom, and then I am arriving home, so Eliza, Max and I are off to Dane Dances, a free dance experience each week in Madison at Monona Terrace. Usually two of my grandchildren meet us there each week in August. Life is good!
My teaching and research interests really coincide these days. My nutrition class put slogans all over the walls of Commons to educate the campus about healthy choices. I published an article on my 2-week double blind weight loss study that tested 5 hypotheses about applying nutrient signaling to cause weight loss. There's a link at my web sites above. This summer I submitted a $156,000 proposal to the American Diabetes Association to run a 3-month trial that, if funded, will be analyzed in 2010.
In Nerve Signaling, we continue to explore the basis for consciousness. Combining the international and interdisciplinary creativity emphasized at Beloit, we use Eastern meditation and Western technological approaches, meditating once a week at the start of the Eastern lab, and building circuits at the start of the Western lab, both to understand what consciousness is. Are you aware that only about 10% of what you "see" actually is based on nerve impulses from your eyes? Are you conscious that 50% of your political orientation is probably based on your genes?
I spent a day saying farewell to Chamberlin. And upon moving to the new building, I used a razor to remove all of the biochemistry alumni pictures off of my file cabinet to move them to a better location, inspiring more emails to all of you, who sent many great responses. Sarah Howe '78 is creating beautiful pottery and glazes, Prof. Tara Sander '94 at the Medical College of Wisconsin got married, Khalid Qumseya '07 has a great job, Bashar '03 is a practicing physician and happily married man, Dasheema Jarrett '10 interned this summer with Prof. Amy Knowlton '86. Amy Cone is running the health/emergency response program of her community. Entering my 31st year at Beloit, it is a heady experience seeing the tremendous accomplishment of Beloit's alumni reflected in the bright eyes of our current students. Thanks to all of you (Carrie '97, Amy '98, Ian '98, Andy…) for opening so many doors for our current students. I know that alumni connections continue to be the best part of a Beloit education for our students. Please come visit my new digs - room 421.
Laura E. Parmentier
Associate Professor and Chair
B.S. Northland College
Ph.D. University of Wisconsin - Madison
At Beloit since 1991
https://www.beloit.edu/chemistry/parmentier
I teach the Chem 230-235 sequence every year as these courses are required
for all Chemistry and Biochemistry majors, most Biology majors, all students
seeking admission to medical school, and many other students intending to
go into health-related fields. Enrollment demands are such that I offer
two lecture and two lab sections of Chem 230 each fall, and one large lecture
section and two lab sections of Chem 235 each spring. I also taught
Chem 375 – Advanced Topics: Medicinal Chemistry in the spring. I
continue to be quite active in organic chemistry education reform and refine
my pedagogical practices in organic chemistry. The
guided-inquiry approach works well for us, and these are courses
I love to teach.
Independent synthesis projects continue to be an important component of the
laboratory portion of Chem 235. Students design a multi-step synthesis
of a molecule of their choice based on the primary
research literature. We spend the final 5 weeks of the semester working
on these syntheses. This is a very time and resource intensive effort
because we typically have 25 or more different projects - all needing
their own chemicals and equipment - underway in the laboratory simultaneously.
I am currently involved in two research projects. One is the continuation
of the climate change project I began during my sabbatical in Norway. I continued
with data analysis in the fall of 2007 and spring of 2008, and hosted my colleague
Dr. Matthias Paetzel from Sogn og Fjordane University College in Norway for
a research and international education visit in November of 2007. I presented
a Faculty Forum talk on “Glacier
and Climate Change in Western Norway,” in January 2008. The second
on-going project is the completion of two manuscripts based on work completed
as part of my NSF-CCLI grant in organic chemistry education.
As you might expect as "project shepherd" for the construction of the Center for the Sciences, a large part of my time and attention over the past year has been focused on the process of getting the building completed and getting us all moved out of Chamberlin Hall and into the new building. The highly collaborative process among the architects, contractors, and future occupants of the building was educational for us all, particularly as we have worked through the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED certification process. This past summer provided a major challenge in sorting through a 40-year accumulation in Chamberlin Hall, deciding what to move with us, and finding homes for as much else as possible. Including what was reused on campus, taken home by College staff, donated to local schools and the Welty Environmental Center, and sold in an August "yard sale" outside of Pearsons Hall, we estimate that 39 tons of material were reused. Fortunately, we had excellent help from a group of student summer workers that included Ellie Hirte '09 (Biochemistry), Laurel Purdy '09 (Chemistry minor), and Rachel Yucuis ('09 Chemistry).
After two months to pack up and a month to move and unpack, we were ready when the new students arrived, although the last of classroom furniture did not appear until the weekend before the start of fall classes. Given the choice of moving in for the fall and having work finished around us vs. waiting to move between semesters, we were quite happy to make the move. It is rapidly becoming our home, as well as an inviting place for the rest of campus, and the spaces work even better than we hoped for classes and labs, and for providing a welcoming community environment. The "workshop" format for classes is much easier now in labs designed and equipped for that purpose.
For the moment, our teaching is often accompanied by the "slap hammer" that is knocking out the floors in Chamberlin Hall next door. The building should be down by November, with more than 95% of its structural materials recycled. Yes, we are trying to save some Chamberlin bricks for alumni! Next spring will see the completion of the greenhouse, deck, and native plant garden in Chamberlin's footprint, along with the remainder of the conversion of streets into walkways.
This fall, Robin Greenler (who is handling LEED certification for the project) and I are teaching an Environmental Studies course on "Buildings as Teachers." Student projects are already providing interpretation of various aspects of the building, particularly the environmental aspects that may not be immediately obvious. Plan to visit us in the coming year to experience our great new home, which represents a major accomplishment for Beloit College.2007-2008 was a busy and interesting academic year for me. Apart from teaching the courses in the physical chemistry sequence, I was involved in the development and teaching of a number of courses in the (revised) Computer Science and the new Computational Visualization and Modeling (CVM) interdisciplinary minor curricula. Summer 2008 was truly memorable, involving a hectic but successful move of my office and the physical chemistry laboratory after a twenty-five year stint in Chamberlin Hall to the brand new Center for the Sciences. I somehow also found the time to work with two students on curriculum development for the CVM minor over the summer, as well as set up a brand new state-of-the-art Computer Visualization Laboratory in the Center for the Sciences. The new laboratory has nine Macintosh Pro quad-processor computer systems with thirty-inch LCD displays, and a GeoWall 3D projection system, and is partially funded by the National Science Foundation.
"From Boone's and Beer at Beloit to Booming Careers." Dr.
Carey Meyer Cameron '94 and Tara Sander '94.
"Life after Beloit
College and how I earned a Ph.D. degree in immunology." Dr.
Chia Hung '91.
"From pre-med to the financial sector and environmental
chemistry." Steve Horen '78.
"Enjoying a Beloit Education and Beyond," Bill McIvor, M. D., '85
Joint Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Studies Alumni Seminar,
Ian Schmitz '98, Bob Norris '66, Suki Smaglik '81
Taherreh Jalali '00 talked about her experiences at Beloit and her work for
a diabetologist in Mumbai, India, as a clinical trials coordinator focusing
on trials of inhaled insulin and other oral antidiabetic drugs.
Biochemistry of Metabolism at Gray's Brewery
in Janesville, WI
"Studying in the Heart of Norway " Dr. Matthias Paetzel, Sogn og Fjordane
University College, Sogndal, Norway
The seventeenth annual Girls and Women in Science (GWIS) Conference,
supported by Beloit College and private donations, was held at Beloit College
April 4-5, 2008. GWIS is a minds-on, hands-on
science workshop weekend for sixth grade girls, along with their teachers and
parents, and is designed to ignite enthusiasm for science in sixth grade girls.
Heidi Jump was the Program Coordinator, Shanna Dell was the Assistant Administrative
Coordinator, and Rachael Alfredson and Kelsey Frei were Assistant Program
Coordinators. Paul Hansen, Paul Meuller, Leah Kelly, Kelsey Frei, and Dan Murphy
helped with activity stations. Kathleen Mandell, Brock Spencer, and Rama Viswanathan
participated as faculty mentors.
| 117 | Chemistry |
71 |
| 127 | Biochemical Issues |
34 |
| 225 | Instrumental: NMR & Chromatography |
9 |
| 230 | Organic Chemistry I |
43 |
| 245 | Molecular Modeling/Visualization |
6 |
| 250 | Solid State Chemistry |
7 |
| 300 | Biochemistry of Macromolecules |
16 |
| 380 | Senior Seminar |
16 |
| 385 | Senior Thesis |
3 |
| 390 | Special Projects |
1 |
| 395 | Teaching Assistant |
3 |
| Total |
241 |
| 117 | Chemistry | 41 |
| 127 | Biochemical Issues |
38 |
| 220 | Environmental, Analytical, & Geochemistry | 29 |
| 235 | Organic Chemistry II | 24 |
| 240 | Thermodynamics and Kinetics | 12 |
| 260 | Biometabolism | 10 |
| 280 | Professional Tools for Chemists | 16 |
| 370/5 | Medicinal Chemistry | 21 |
| 380 | Senior Seminar | 9 |
| 385 | Senior Thesis | 1 |
| 390 | Special Projects | 5 |
| 395 | Teaching Assistant | 2 |
| Total | 208 |
Daniel |
Addis |
2009 |
Chemistry |
Scandia, Minnesota |
Rachael |
Alfredson |
2009 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
South Beloit, Illinois |
Tanishka |
Armbrister |
2010 |
Biochemistry |
Nassau, Bahamas |
Andrew |
Bartles |
2008 |
Biochemistry |
Dixon, Illinois |
Karen |
Baumann |
2010 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
Chicago, IL |
Jill |
Beamon |
2009 |
Biochemistry |
Lexington, Massachusetts |
Abraham |
Behrmann |
2010 |
Chemistry |
St. Louis, Missouri |
Ian |
Blitz |
2008 |
Chemistry |
Charleston, Illinois |
Judith |
Broderick |
2008 |
Biochemistry |
Beloit, Wisconsin |
Brad |
Cavanagh |
2011 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
Beloit, Wisconsin |
Aarti |
Chawla |
2009 |
Biochemistry |
Mumbai, India |
Shanna |
Dell |
2010 |
Biochemistry |
Madison, Wisconsin |
Michael |
Devine |
2010 |
Biochemistry |
Winnebago, Illinois |
Dana |
Dieringer |
2010 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
Marshfield, Wisconsin |
Kelsey |
Frei |
2009 |
Biochemistry |
Janesville, Wisconsin |
Melissa |
Goslawski |
2009 |
Biochemistry |
Western Springs, Illinois |
Amanda |
Hammermeister |
2008 |
Biochemistry |
Ketchikan, Alaska |
Paul |
Hansen |
2008 |
Chemistry |
Holland, Michigan |
Zeke |
Hess |
2009 |
Chemistry |
Halstad, Minnesota |
Leigh |
Hirte |
2009 |
Biochemistry |
Eagan, Minnesota |
Ronald |
Irick |
2008 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
Shawnee Mission, Kansas |
Izlinda |
Jamaluddin |
2010 |
Biochemistry |
Seremban, Malaysia |
Heidi |
Jump |
2008 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
Tenino, Washington |
Derek |
Keefer |
2009 |
Chemistry |
Richland, Washington |
Leah |
Kelly |
2009 |
Chemistry |
Tucson, Arizona |
Warren |
Kretzschmar |
2008 |
Biochemistry |
Hannover, Germany |
Han |
Lai |
2009 |
Biochemistry |
Chengdu, China |
Hlaing |
Lin |
2009 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
Yangon, Myanmar |
Jennifer |
Laube |
2008 |
Biochemistry |
Pittsfield, Maine |
Michael |
Mandel |
2009 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
St Louis, Missouri |
Elise |
Marquie |
2008 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
Apex, North Carolina |
Jacob |
Marsh |
2009 |
Biochemistry |
Richmond, Illinois |
Katelyn |
McCool |
2008 |
Applied Chemistry |
Warren, Illinois |
Paul |
Mueller |
2009 |
Chemistry |
Streamwood, Illinois |
Daniel |
Murphy |
2008 |
Biochemistry |
Frankfort, Illinois |
Anny |
Nguyen |
2010 |
Biochemistry |
Beloit, Wisconsin |
Keith |
Olson |
2011 |
Biochemistry |
Elmhurst, Illinois |
Jessica |
Panks |
2010 |
Biochemistry |
Issaquah, Washington |
Darren |
Pilcher |
2010 |
Chemistry |
Phoenix, Arizona |
Laurel |
Purdy |
2009 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
Canby, Oregon |
Jhaunell |
Reid |
2008 |
Applied Chemistry |
Westmoreland, Jamaica |
Peter |
Reiss |
2008 |
Biochemistry |
Poecking, Germany |
Stephen |
Rudisill |
2009 |
Chemistry |
Beloit, Wisconsin |
Andrew |
Scarano |
2008 |
Biochemistry |
Edgerton, Wisconsin |
Hilary |
Schwafel |
2009 |
Biochemistry |
Fairbanks, Alaska |
Ryan |
Seelbach |
2008 |
Chemistry |
Hillsboro, Missouri |
Jonathan |
Soffer |
2008 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
Creamridge, New Jersey |
Ashish |
Thapa |
2008 |
Chemistry (Minor) |
Pokhara, Nepal |
May Fern |
Toh |
2008 |
Biochemistry |
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
Jason |
Tse |
2009 |
Biochemistry |
Beloit, Wisconsin |
Rachel |
Yucuis |
2009 |
Biochemistry |
Iowa City, Iowa |
| SUMMA CUM LAUDE | Heidi Jump |
| MAGNA CUM LAUDE | Ronald Irick |
| CUM LAUDE | Katelyn McCool |
DEPARTMENTAL HONORS (Biochemistry) |
Andrew Scarano |
DEPARTMENTAL HONORS (Chemistry) |
Robin Paul Hansen |
| Phi Beta Kappa | Ronald Irick |
| Mortar Board | Warren Kretzschmar |
JOHN H. NAIR AWARD
honors an alumnus (Class of 1915) and
provides membership in the American Chemical Society for one or more seniors
who plan careers in chemistry.
Ian Blitz '08
EDWARD C. FULLER AWARD in CHEMICAL EDUCATION
was established by the majors of the Class of 1982 in honor of Professor Fuller
and is given to a junior or senior who has done outstanding work as a teaching
assistant.
Heidi Jump '08
WILLIAM J. TRAUTMAN AWARD IN PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
recognizes chemistry majors for outstanding performance in physical chemistry.
Professor Trautman taught chemistry at Beloit College from 1921 to 1947.
Warren Kretzschmar '08, Rachel Yucuis '09
CRC PRESS FIRST YEAR CHEMISTRY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
recognizes outstanding work by a first-year student and consists of a copy of
the Handbook of Chemistry and Physics.
Suzanne Grossman '11
AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
sponsored by the Division of Polymer Chemistry recognizes outstanding work in
the introductory organic chemistry course.
Anny Nguyen '10, Alisha Takahashi '10
AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY AWARD
sponsored
by the Division of Analytical Chemistry, recognizes student who displays an
aptitude for analytical chemistry.
May Fern Toh '08
FREE RADICAL AWARD
established by chemistry majors in the classes of 1986-1988,
this award is given only occasionally to recognize academic achievement and
particularly unusual “social spirit,” as is fitting for the catalytic
effect of chemical free radicals.
Hilary Schwafel '09
J. Carl Welty Honor Award (Biology Department)
for services and accomplishments
that most enhance the department each year.
Ronald Irick '08, Heidi Jump '08
Gertrude E. Sweet Award (Biology Department)
presented to a biology student who
is committed to serving others and demonstrates leadership in societal issues
related to the life sciences.
Ronald Irick '08
Ann M. Verville Scholar's Award (Biology Department)
recognizes the outstanding
student of the year.
Heidi Jump '08
Donald S. Dean Biology Education Award (Biology Department)
for commitment to
generating innovative curricular materials and becoming a life science educator.
Amanda Hammermeister '08
Elizabeth W. Souter Award (Biology Department)
recognizes a biology student with
high academic achievement and potential for research.
Warren Kretzschmar '08
Horace White Classical Prize (Classics Department)
is awarded for excellence
in special work by a classics major.
Laurel Purdy'09
Conwell-Huffer Mathematics Prize (Mathematics and Computer Science Department)
recognizes an outstanding senior mathematics student.
Ashish Thapa '08
William & Eudora Shepard Voice Award (Music Department)
Warren Kretzschmar '08
R. R. Palmer Fellowship in Teaching Award (Physics/Astronomy Department)
recognizes
an upperclass physics major of high scholarship and potential in teaching.
Ryan Seelbach '08
Walter S. Haven Physics/Astronomy Prize (Physics/Astronomy Department)
awarded
to students who complete outstanding research projects.
Ryan Seelbach '08
Ruth Colman Peterson Award
awarded to senior woman who best exemplifies the qualities
of athlete, scholar, and leader.
Amanda Hammermeister '08, Katelyn McCool '08
Beloit College 6th International Symposium, November 7, 2007
Andrew Bartles'08
“Genetic Disorders in the Middle East: Oman and Sickle Cell Anemia.” Mentored
by Prof. Rama Viswanathan.
Jill Beamon '09
“ It's called the Vejig. Doctor
Stores and More from Santiago, Chile.” Mentored by Prof. Marion Fass.
Heidi Jump '08
“The Influence of Environmental Factors on a Rainforest-dwelling Marsupial's
Density in the Atherton Tablelands, Australia.” Mentored by Prof. Brett
Woods.
Jenny Laube '08
“The Other Down Under: Conservation and Recreation in New Zealand.” Mentored
by Prof. Colleen Shaughnessy.
Beloit College 32nd Annual Student Symposium, April 10, 2008
Andrew Bartles '08
“Regulating Transcription of DNA with Surfactants and Cyclodextrins.” Mentored
by Prof. John Jungck.
Paul Hansen '08
“[PbSe]n[WSe2]m Thin Films for Thermoelectric Applications.” Mentored
by Prof. George Lisensky.
Chance Irick '08
“Axon Innervation in the Foot and Back Skin of EYFP Mice.” Mentored
by Prof. Marion Fass.
Katelyn McCool '08
“Knockdown of p120 by siRNA Increases Nuclear Factor Kappa
B (NFkB).” Mentored by Prof. Marion Fass.
Stephen Rudisill '09
“Gold Nanoparticles, Plasmonics, and the Science of Small.” Mentored
by Prof. George Lisensky.
Jonathan Soffer'08
“Prevalence Analysis of USA300 Strain
Methicillin-Resistant Staphyloccus aureus in Denver Metro Area Hospitals” Mentored
by Prof. Marion Fass.
2007 Midstates Consortium Undergraduate
Symposium in the Physical Sciences
November 9-11, 2007, University of Chicago
Paul Hansen '08
“[PbSe]n[WSe2]m Thin Films For Thermoelectric Applications.”
Ian Blitz '08
“Mesoporous Organosilicas: Synthesis, Characterization and Application
for Adsorption of Mercury Ions.”
Warren Kretzschmar '08
“No more Fluctuation Tests? Calculating Mutation Rates of Cell Cultures
with large Starting Populations.”
Stephen Rudisill '09
“Study of a Photochemical Mechanism for Gold Nanoparticle Formation.”
Hilary Schwafel '09
“Modeling granular chains with application to polymers and protein folding.”
Ryan Seelbach '08
“Probing Nanostructures of Biorenewable Polyurethanes.”
May Fern Toh '09
“Structure-function Studies of the Neuropeptide Processing Enzyme EP24.15.”
2007 Midstates Consortium Undergraduate Symposium in
Biology and Psychology
November 2-4, 2007, Washington University, St. Louis
Andrew Bartles '07
“Analysis of the relationship between bacterial uptake by M cells and development
of the Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue.”
Aarti Chawla '09
“Role of microRNA 196b Expression in MLL Associated Leukemias.”
Peter Reiss '08
“Ecotypic Variation or Phenotypic Plasticity? Examining Allocation and
Architecture of Wild Lupine Along Resource Gradients.”
Heidi Jump '08
“Investigating Obesity Through Gene Function.”
Elise Marquie '08
“The Design of a DNA Nanowire Switched by Integration Host Factor.”
Daniel Murphy '08
“Respiration Observed Through Peas.”
Jason Tse '09
“Localization of Antigen in Differentially Loaded Dendritic Cells.”
The Beloit Biologist, Volume 26, 2007
Andrew Bartles '08
“Regulating Transcription of DNA with Surfactants and Cyclodextrins.”
Heidi Jump '08
“Understanding Biodiversity: The Effects of Soil Fertility and Fragmentation
on Rainforest-Dwelling Marcopd Density in the Wet Tropics, Australia.”
Amanda Hammermeister '08
“Field Trips: The Significance of One Method of Active Science Teaching.”
Ronald Irick '08
“Axon Innervation in the Foot and Back Skin of EYFP Mice.”
Warren Kretzschmar '08
“A Step-Based Model for Mutation Rate Estimation of Cell Cultures with
large Initial Populations.”
Elise Marquie '08
“New Discoveries in Oral Microbiota.”
Daniel Murphy '08
“Therodynamics of DNA in Disparate Strand Concentrations.”
Andrew Scarano '08
“Interferon-Gamma as a Regulator of the Cell-Mediated
Immune Response.”
May Fern Toh '09
Fern has been accepted into the summer internship program at
University of Kentucky doing medicinal chemistry and drug development research.
Leah Kelly '09
Leah has a summer research internship in the Chemistry Department at
the University of Arizona in Tucson doing work to synthesize and characterize
ultra-thin films of oligothiophene for organic semiconductors.
Laurel Purdy '09
Laurel participated in "DANCE around the World" on November 8, 2007.
She danced in the dance "Everybody Schottishche!".
Stephen Rudisill '09
Stephen participated in "Dance Around the World" on November 8, 2007.
He choreographed and danced in "Beatlemania!" and danced in "Everybody
Schottishche!" He has been accepted into the NNIN REU program for this
summer at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities to work on project
on "Atomic
Layer Deposition of Zinc Oxide & Aluminum Doped Zinc Oxide" to develop
a more robust, precise version of chemical vapor deposition (CVD).
Derek Keefer'09
Derek has been accepted into the NNIN REU program at Penn State
Center for Nanotechnology.
Hilary Schwafel '09
Hilary was the lone musher for the United States in the Sleddog Sports
World Championship in Sweden.
Karen Baumann '10
Karen worked at the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Program in Chicago
as a sailing instructor for the disabled during the summer of 2007. During
the spring semester of 2008 she worked with biology professor Yaffa Grossman
studying carbon usage in the early stages of plant growth. During the
summer of 2008 Karen will be working with Dr. Maria Dean of the Coe College
Biochemistry Department, studying the DNA of two species of
marine annelid worms, Pectinaria gouldii and Phragmatopoma lapidosa, and
the biochemistry of their protein biocement secretions.
Alisha Takahashi '10
Alisha plans to work at a summer camp for children with chronic
illnesses and special needs. Her work will assist children with special circumstances
who are unable to enjoy the opportunities that others experience.
Andrew Bartles – Dixon, Illinois
Biochemistry
My specific interests are in DNA compaction and alternative genetic delivery
systems. I did research at Lund University in Lund, Sweden, and TLR International
Labs in Rotterdam, Netherlands. I plan to attend a masters program at the
American University of Beirut in Arab and Middle Eastern Studies, after which
I may travel to the United Kingdom.
Ian Blitz – Charleston, Illinois
Chemistry Major and Physics Minor
Ian has accepted the offer of a teaching assistantship in chemistry
from the University of Illinois – Urbana/Champaign and will start graduate
school there next fall.
Amanda Hammermeister – Ketchikan, Alaska
Biochemistry Major
Amanda participated in Biology Club, Chemistry Club, and completed an internship
through the Duffy Community Partnership program. She was Teaching Assistant
for Microbiology, Chemistry 117, Biometabolism, and Education. She holds
Beloit College records for the Indoor Track 3000m and 5000m and the Outdoor Track
10000m run and 3000m Steeplechase, as well as the Ruth C. Peterson award for
most outstanding scholar-athlete. Amanda has been a summer teacher for Beloit's
Upward Bound, part of the Trio Institute. After Beloit College, Amanda is a laboratory
technician for Covance in Madison, WI, while deciding what to pursue. She either
wants to teach or go to graduate school for Nutritional Sciences.
Robin Paul Hansen – Holland, Michigan
Chemistry and Physics Majors
Paul
started off the chemistry major as a sophomore and found that he particularly
liked physics as well. He spent a summer working on thin films in a lab
at the University of Oregon, Eugene. Although officially it is a chemistry
lab, the phrase material science applied even stronger. There is a mix
of chemistry and physics PhDs in the program. Due to this interesting interaction
he decided he wanted to pursue material science and graduated with
a double major in chemistry and physics. In the short term, he has accepted
a job in Lund, Sweden and is looking forward to international work and travel.
Chance Irick – Shawnee, Kansas
Integrative Medical Biology Major, Chemistry minor, Healthcare Studies
minor
Chance complemented his study of natural sciences at Beloit by exploring a
range of other disciplines, including playing the mandolin and viola. Following
his sophomore year, he completed the Schweppe Biomedical Research Fellowship
at Northwestern Medical school, studying endocrine effects of tamoxifen on
breast cancer cells. He presented his research at the University of Chicago
Midstates Symposium. His junior year, he completed a neuroscience research
fellowship at the University of Vermont, where he studied expression patterns
in EYFP transgenic mice. In the fall he began osteopathic medical school at
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences.
Heidi Jump – Tenino, Oregon
Cellular and Molecular Biology Major, Chemistry Minor
Heidi Jump is interested in studying how ecosystems and their biotic components
interact to control the functioning of nutrient cycles and productivity. This
fall she will begin a master's program at the School of Forestry and Environmental
Studies at Yale University where she will be studying the effects of biodiversity
on ecosystem functioning. While at Beloit, Heidi was a teaching assistant
for many classes, from general and organic chemistry to genetics, biometrics,
and cell biology. She was involved in Girls and Women in Science all
four years and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa in 2007. Heidi appreciates
the liberal arts education of Beloit that allows her to jump across disciplines.
Warren Winfried Kretzschmar – Hanover, Germany
Biochemistry
Major
Jennifer Laube –Pittsfield, Maine
Biochemistry Major
Elise Marquie – Apex, North Carolina
Integrative and Medical Biology Major, Chemistry and Health and Society Minors
Elise is interested in neuroengineering, physics of biological/biochemical/molecular
systems, and exotic computational processors (DNA computers, biological computers,
neurochips). She will attend the University of Barcelona, Masters in Physics
of Biological and Molecular Systems and hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Physics
of Life at Cambridge (UK). While at Beloit, she had a number of research
and internship experiences: Analog modeling of hippocampal CA3 pyramidal
neuron (2003–2004), Cold Spring Harbor Labs (2003) with Professor Jerry
Yinn, New York University (2004) with Professor Patricio Huerta; in vitro neuronal
fate stabilization (2005), State University of New York, Stony Brook (2005) with
Professor Paul R. Adams; Columbia University (2006) with Dr. Anne Davidson, North
Shore University; Feinstein Institute (2007) with Dr. Anne Davidson, somatic
reprogramming and induced pluripotency (2007–2008), motility dynamics of
axonal growth in adult neurogenesis (2007–2008).
Katelyn McCool – Warren, IL
Applied Chemistry Major
Katelyn has kept busy both on the court and in the classroom during her 4 years
at Beloit College. She obtained a Schweppe scholarship and studied the
knockdown effects of p120 on NFkB at Rush University Medical Center. Earning
four varsity letters in both volleyball and basketball, she left her name in
the college record books for various achievements. She also served as
the president of the Beloit Athletic Advisory Committee, participating in Toys
for Tots and Special Olympics. She is attending the University of Illinois-Chicago
College of Pharmacy for the next four years, where she is working towards her
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD).
Daniel Murphy – Frankfort, Ilinois
Biochemistry major
Dan is interested in elucidating and visualizing molecular biological structures,
the philosophy of science, exobiology, and artificial intelligence. He
hopes to one day extend our definitions of life if it exists or has existed in
some form on Earth, Mars, or Europa. He has done research on DNA thermodynamics,
3D modeling and visualization with GeoWall projection, structural genomics and
X-ray crystallography of protein structures, and computational biology and artificial
intelligence.
Jhaunell Reid – Westmoreland, Jamaica
Applied Chemistry Major
Jhaunell
is pleased with his Beloit College experience. He believes that one of
the greatest gains of his time at Beloit was the people he met, and the friendships
that were made with people from all corners of the world. Jhaunell spent his
3½ years at Beloit College serving as a member of the Black Students
United, the International Club, and also as a regular volunteer for the
Help Yourself Programs at Beloit College. While at Beloit College, Jhaunell
was nominated for the National Collegiate Physical Sciences Award and did internships
with both Professor Rama Viswanathan and Professor Roc Ordman. He was accepted
in March, 2009 to dental school at the University of the West Indies.
Andrew Scarano– Edgerton, Wisconsin
Biochemistry Major and Computer Science Minor
Andrew is interested in medicine and immunology. Next year, he will attend
the University of Wisconsin—Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. He
did research at Rush Medical University in Chicago with Dr. Larry L. Thomas
(summer 2006), and research at UW-Madison with Dr. M. Suresh (summer 2007).
Andrew was a sprinter and jumper on the track and field team
all four years.
Ryan Seelbach – St. Louis, Missouri
Physics Major and Chemistry Minor
The
long hours staring at the white walls of Chamberlain Hall of Science have paid
off for Ryan Seelbach. He is brightening his future and enjoying the sun earning his
masters degree in Biophysics at the University of Barcelona, Spain. He is happy
that his creativity and passions are unifying both sides of his life by allowing
himself to travel and learn languages, art, architecture and immersing himself
into the deep rooted culture Catalonia. Science is a means to make
his dreams come true; which is great because he loves science. Ryan is also
employed by Ipsen Pharma doing physical chemistry research on amyloid peptides,
research that is being molded into his masters thesis.
*Past issues of Beloit College Magazine can be accessed on-line and downloaded in PDF format at https://www.beloit.edu/belmag/.
Scott Hughes '78
Scott went on to get a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry
from Iowa State University. He received his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago,
while employed by a small analytical instrument company. Dr. Hughes founded
Elementar Americas, Inc. in 1999 in partnership with a German manufacturer
of elemental analyzers. Now employing 19 people, Elementar Americas is a leading
supplier of elemental analyzers and isotope ratio mass spectrometers in North
America. Scott was on campus for the alumni fair.
Sandy (Altshuller) Hughes '78
Sandy went on to get an M.S.
in Food Technology from Iowa State University. She received her M.B.A. from
the University of Chicago, while employed by FMC Corporation where she was
a technical sales manager of functional food ingredients. Ms. Hughes joined
Elementar Americas, Inc. in 2001 as Director of Sales, increasing yearly sales
over 5 fold to date during her tenure. Sandy was on campus for the alumni fair.
Christopher Bailey '82
Chris, Professor of Chemistry at Wells College in Aurora,
NY, came to visit Beloit to review our FYI program for possible use at Wells.
Rebecca Salness '82
Rebecca went to medical school at Tel Aviv University, and is now a
Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Arizona.
Bryan Mehlhaff '86
Bryan lives in Eugene, Oregon and loves his practice in Urology. His wife Leslie,
is also a physician, and they have three children Grace 13, Tristan 11, and
Ben 5.
Peter Clausen '88
Peter, a seasoned Ph.D. biochemist with nearly 15 years experience in the biotechnology
sector, has been appointed to the position of Vice President of Business Development
at Cytomedix.
Erica (Black) Periman '89
Erica has moved to Evanston, IL where she
contines as a veterinarian.
Dean Aguiar '90
Dean writes that he showed Ryan (6yrs), Cole (4 yrs) and Missie
the Beloit campus. The new building is looking good, but it is sad to see
that a part of history eventually will be demolished. Dean is now Genomics
Senior Scientist at Pharmacia Corporation in Missouri.
Chia Hung '91
Chia is Staff Scientist in the Department of Molecular
Microbiology at Washington University School of Medicine. After graduating
from Beloit College, Chia entered the Division of Biology and Biomedical
Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine as a graduate student.
He obtained a Ph.D. degree with emphasis on Immunology. He remained at Washington
University to pursue his post-doctoral training. In 2005, he left academia
to help in establishing the biology sector of a start-up drug discovery company,
Sequoia Sciences. He returned to academia in 2008 to pursue an academic position.
Yoon-Hang Kim '91
Yoon, an M.D. reports
things are going very well. He is living in a sustainable community, http://www.serenbe.com.
His clinic where he is building an integrative medicine team is http://www.georgiaintegrative.com.
His wellness education company, http://www.welljourney.com, offers consulting,
publishing, and teaching sessions, for example http://www.baim.citymax.com/f/Summer_2008.pdf.
He also has a real estate partnership for wellness ventures.
Steve Chan '93
Steve reports that he is doing less chemistry and more quality
management. He has received a Master in Science in Quality Management in
HK.
Brian Pfister '94
Brian is Technical Director for Northland Laboratories where he started working
about 18 months ago. He still works for Articular Engineering as well.
The two companies are in the same building. He is about halfway through an
executive MBA program at Notre Dame, run out of downtown Chicago.
Tara Sander '94
Tara is Scientific
Director of a new Molecular Diagnostics lab in Pediatric Pathology at Children's
Hospital of Wisconsin.
Peter Allen '96
Peter pursued graduate studies
in Pharmaceutical Sciences at UW-Madison, but decided to leave with a M.S.
to pursue a career in healthcare advertising. This move allowed him to combine
his interests in science and writing. Peter is currently an Associate Creative
Director at Corbett, where he specializes in direct-to-healthcare professional
advertising and is responsible for creative development, strategic planning,
and digital media. Peter was on campus for the alumni fair.
Tanya (Danner) Roberts '97
Tanya sends this report while on maternity leave: I
just had a baby boy, Joshua Samuel Roberts, weighing in at 10 lbs, 4oz on
April 12, 2008. Things are well. My oldest son, Jalen, is adjusting well.
My husband is also doing well. I will be returning to work as an M.D. on
July 7, 2008 after 12 weeks of FMLA leave.
Greg Ehrendreich '97
Greg reports that life is
fun and filled with action he never found behind the bench. MEEA (the Midwest
Energy Efficiency Alliance) is working on the Midwest segment of a national
campaign to increase the stringency of the 2009 International Energy Conservation
Code. He finally got his first publication, a paper on energy efficiency in
buildings out in California.
Angela Russell, '97
Angela was appointed by Governor Jim Doyle to serve as Executive
Assistant of the Department of Children and Families for the State of Wisconsin.
Lakmini Weerakoon '98
Lakmini reports that she is truly loving veterinary
school.
Finding motivation to study is a piece of cake when one loves what they do,
and she was top of the class last year. May 7, 2008 was a big day for her as
she finally 'tipped' a sheep, the term to deftly grab and put 'em on their
bums for examination or shearing. She then did 10 in row, correct technique
and all, and given that some of them were pushing 60kg, a good 15kg heavier
than her bodyweight, she was quite chuffed!
Matthew Watson '00
Matt reports that since graduating from A&M (with three
decent publications), he is now living and post-docing in Vienna, Austria
with an NSF international research fellowship. He and his wife (Liz McGrew)
have a beautiful baby girl.
Virginia Evans '01
Virginia is now a physician assistant in Madison, Wisconsin working
in the Gastroenterology and Hepatology department at UW. She started in January
and has really been enjoying it.
Rebecca Flagg '01
Rebecca hasreally enjoyed her past four years working in the Newborn Screening
lab for the State of Oregon, but recently left to begin her first year in
the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.
Jonathan Scheerer '01
Jonathan is continuing his post doctoral research position at Johns Hopkins
University.
Camille Fox '02
Camille moved St. Helena, CA in August, 2008, where she has accepted
a position as a wine chemist at the winery that makes MX wines in Napa Valley.
Muyiwa Awoniyi '03
Muyiwa is pursuing
an MD/PhD at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Jon Demick '03
Jon is in graduate school in biochemistry at
the University of Georgia.
Patrice Leahy '04
Patrice is living in Raleigh, NC and working at Research Triangle
Institute International (RTI) in Research Triangle Park as a Chemical Repository
Specialist for the Analytical Chemistry and Pharmaceutics Department. She
is also taking a certification in Public Health online through UNC-Chapel
Hill, working toward an MPH at some point.
Nayani Pramanik '04
Nayani is completing her
Masters degree at University College London. She reports that the research
work seems much easier with her 2 years of lab experience
in the Maine Medical Center Research Institute with Joe Verdi '83.
Stephanie Gage '05
After working as a lab tech there, Stephanie has decided to stay at the University
of Arizona and enter the Neuroscience graduate program.
Dina Simkin '05
Dina has moved to Nice,
France to continue her Ph.D.
Jason Marmon '06
Jason is an English teacher in South Korea and has applied to graduate programs
in chemistry. He rports that he has learned to scuba dive, and found time
to discover a new culture.
Diane Pham '06
Diane is a graduate student in chemistry at the University of Delaware.
Larissa Thomas '06
Larissa
is now attending Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans.
Davis Peterson '07
Davis is employed at a specialty
chemical manufacturer outside of Kansas City, MO, working as one of their
quality control/R&D chemists.
Our alumni email network has been tremendously helpful to our present students for finding mentors, summer research positions, and post-graduate opportunities. The Beloit College Alumni office now maintains an email directory that can be accessed at http://alumni.beloit.edu/. Please send email addresses and changes to alumni@beloit.edu.
Chemistry faculty
braunk@beloit.edu
brownwh@beloit.edu
greene@beloit.edu
lisensky@beloit.edu
mandellc@beloit.edu
ordman@beloit.edu
parmentr@beloit.edu
spencer@beloit.edu
ramav@beloit.edu
Web pages
https://www.beloit.edu/chemistry
(Previous issues of the Annual Newsletter dating back to 1993 are available
on-line via the home page!)
ALUMNI, PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH!! Please send your news and notes to any of the Chemistry faculty - this is what keeps the newsletter going!
Thank you for your support, and thank you to all those who continue to give generously to Beloit College and the Chemistry Department. Your support is crucial for nurturing and enhancing the strength of our programs and infrastructure, especially as we move into the new Center for the Sciences.
Amy Lynn Grant (O'Neill) '96
Joey Daehler (Blackwell) '98