In this newsletter we welcome our six new faculty members and provide
details of the interviews we had with them. We highlight the new
Molecular and Cellular Biophysics PhD program which was created by
faculty members across the Division. There is also an article on DUing
Something in Geography, which focuses on Dr. Matthew Taylor and his
students’ work in Latin America. Our student highlight will introduce you
Welcome to the latest issue of The Continuum. The new students have
arrived, and the excitement is palpable. Fall is officially here.
Dear Friends of NSM,
L. Alayne Parson
Dean, Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Sincerely,
If you’re ever in the DU area, please do stop in and visit us. Also, check
out our newly redesigned website at www.nsm.du.edu.
to Debbie Mitchell, a graduate student in the Department of Chemistry
and Biochemistry, who received an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.
Finally, we recount the Alumni Symposium and the NSM faculty who
participated.
Letter from the Dean
stuDent highLight:
chemistrY stuDent receives Prestigious nsf feLLowshiP
Debbie Mitchell, a doctoral student in the Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, received great news this spring. She has been awarded a National
Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship – a very competitive award
that is offered to only the most distinguished scholars.
new Year, new facuLtY
assistant Professor,
DePartment of PhYsics
anD astronomY
associate Professor, DePartment of PhYsics anD astronomY
Dr. mark siemens
Dr. merceDes caLbi
The NSF graduate research fellowship program recognizes and supports
outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based
master’s and doctoral degrees.
This year, NSF extended the award to 2,000 students across the United States,
and the success rate for applicants was only 8%. The application process for the
award is very arduous, and ends in disappointment for many. But for Debbie,
receiving the fellowship means that she will have tuition waivers and a monthly
stipend for the next three years.
“When I received the NSF fellowship I was very surprised and shocked,” Debbie
writes in an email. “I felt very fortunate and humbled. There are a lot of really
qualified people that apply for these grants, so I just felt very grateful that I was
chosen.”
Fellowships and other forms of graduate aid enable students like Debbie to focus
on their research rather than worrying about how they will be funded, and how
they will pay off large loans after graduation. Graduate aid contributes to the
robust research that DU has maintained for so many years.
www.nsm.du.edu
303-871-2693
Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Debbie began her college career as a chemical engineering major at Brigham
Young University, although she changed her major to chemistry after two years
in the program. Upon graduating, she left Provo for Denver and began working
on her PhD with Sandy and Gareth Eaton in the Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry.
Fall/Winter 2010
She writes that, “Working with the Eatons is a wonderful experience. Both Sandy
and Gareth are very knowledgeable in chemistry so there are many opportunities
to learn. I feel grateful to work with advisors that are so well respected in their
field not only for their expertise and knowledge but also for their humility and
honesty. It is a real honor to work with them.”
Debbie’s research involves the development of a new way of detecting unpaired
electrons through the use of a technique called electron paramagnetic resonance
(EPR). With this technique, samples are placed in a magnetic field and then
monitored.
Debbie is working to design a rapid-scan EPR in which the signal is recorded more
quickly than in prior implementations of this method. “Radicals aren’t very stable,
and they can react or disappear,” Debbie says. “A rapid-scan EPR would help us
track them and monitor their activity more efficiently.”
The goal of her project is to study unstable radicals that are involved in biological
processes. A long-term goal is to study oxygen concentrations in tumors and
improve therapeutic methods that could potentially reduce human suffering.
Upon graduating, Debbie plans to find a job teaching. Although she is not sure
which level she would like to teach, she finds the community college and high
school levels appealing.
“More highly educated teachers are needed in high schools now, especially with
more schools offering advanced placement and IB [International Baccalaureate]
courses.”
She also notes that while students might find chemistry to be complex,
oftentimes it is only because of the language and vocabulary needed to grasp the
concepts. “It’s like learning a language at first,” she says. “But once a student
understands the fundamentals of chemistry, they are able to move on to the neat
and exciting activities that it offers.”
Dr. shannon murPhY
assistant Professor, DePartment of bioLogicaL sciences
Keep an eye on Debbie Mitchell. With a start like this, she has the resources she
needs to build a bright future.
LifeLong Learning: the aLumni sYmPosium
Boettcher West 228
2050 E. Iliff Avenue
Denver, CO 80208
stuDent highLight:
chemistrY stuDent receives Prestigious nsf feLLowshiP
Debbie Mitchell, a doctoral student in the Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, received great news this spring. She has been awarded a National
Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship – a very competitive award
that is offered to only the most distinguished scholars.
new Year, new facuLtY
Dr. merceDes caLbi
Dr. mark siemens
associate Professor, DePartment of PhYsics anD astronomY
assistant Professor,
DePartment of PhYsics
anD astronomY
The NSF graduate research fellowship program recognizes and supports
outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based
master’s and doctoral degrees.
This year, NSF extended the award to 2,000 students across the United States,
and the success rate for applicants was only 8%. The application process for the
award is very arduous, and ends in disappointment for many. But for Debbie,
receiving the fellowship means that she will have tuition waivers and a monthly
stipend for the next three years.
Letter from the Dean
“When I received the NSF fellowship I was very surprised and shocked,” Debbie
writes in an email. “I felt very fortunate and humbled. There are a lot of really
qualified people that apply for these grants, so I just felt very grateful that I was
chosen.”
Fellowships and other forms of graduate aid enable students like Debbie to focus
on their research rather than worrying about how they will be funded, and how
they will pay off large loans after graduation. Graduate aid contributes to the
robust research that DU has maintained for so many years.
Debbie began her college career as a chemical engineering major at Brigham
Young University, although she changed her major to chemistry after two years
in the program. Upon graduating, she left Provo for Denver and began working
on her PhD with Sandy and Gareth Eaton in the Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry.
She writes that, “Working with the Eatons is a wonderful experience. Both Sandy
and Gareth are very knowledgeable in chemistry so there are many opportunities
to learn. I feel grateful to work with advisors that are so well respected in their
field not only for their expertise and knowledge but also for their humility and
honesty. It is a real honor to work with them.”
Debbie’s research involves the development of a new way of detecting unpaired
electrons through the use of a technique called electron paramagnetic resonance
(EPR). With this technique, samples are placed in a magnetic field and then
monitored.
Debbie is working to design a rapid-scan EPR in which the signal is recorded more
quickly than in prior implementations of this method. “Radicals aren’t very stable,
and they can react or disappear,” Debbie says. “A rapid-scan EPR would help us
track them and monitor their activity more efficiently.”
The goal of her project is to study unstable radicals that are involved in biological
processes. A long-term goal is to study oxygen concentrations in tumors and
improve therapeutic methods that could potentially reduce human suffering.
Upon graduating, Debbie plans to find a job teaching. Although she is not sure
which level she would like to teach, she finds the community college and high
school levels appealing.
“More highly educated teachers are needed in high schools now, especially with
more schools offering advanced placement and IB [International Baccalaureate]
courses.”
She also notes that while students might find chemistry to be complex,
oftentimes it is only because of the language and vocabulary needed to grasp the
concepts. “It’s like learning a language at first,” she says. “But once a student
understands the fundamentals of chemistry, they are able to move on to the neat
and exciting activities that it offers.”
Keep an eye on Debbie Mitchell. With a start like this, she has the resources she
needs to build a bright future.
LifeLong Learning: the aLumni sYmPosium
The Alumni Symposium is an annual event that
highlights the rich academic tradition at the University
of Denver. It is open to anyone with an interest in
lifelong learning. This October, three professors from
the Department of Biological Sciences participated in
the symposium.
Dr. Christina Coughlan discussed Alzheimer’s disease,
its symptoms and its believed causes. She described
how the current therapeutic approaches work, and
explained what researchers believe is needed to cure
the disease.
Dr. Anna Sher’s talk focused on tracking climate
change. She presented some of the latest research
about how biological response to climate change is
documented and measured – in Colorado and
beyond.
Dr. John Kinnamon offered a lively discussion about
the senses of taste, smell and the common chemical
sense. His presentation encouraged audience
participation, and he demonstrated how human
senses pick up distinct flavors and aromas.
Through events like the Alumni Symposium, alumni
can continue to learn from DU. For more information
on this year’s event, or to keep an eye on next year’s
schedule, please visit www.alumni.du.edu.
Dr. shannon murPhY
assistant Professor, DePartment of bioLogicaL sciences
www.nsm.du.edu
303-871-2693
Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Fall/Winter 2010
stuDent highLight:
chemistrY stuDent receives Prestigious nsf feLLowshiP
Debbie Mitchell, a doctoral student in the Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, received great news this spring. She has been awarded a National
Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship – a very competitive award
that is offered to only the most distinguished scholars.
This year, NSF extended the award to 2,000 students across the United States,
and the success rate for applicants was only 8%. The application process for the
award is very arduous, and ends in disappointment for many. But for Debbie,
receiving the fellowship means that she will have tuition waivers and a monthly
stipend for the next three years.
Letter from the Dean
“When I received the NSF fellowship I was very surprised and shocked,” Debbie
writes in an email. “I felt very fortunate and humbled. There are a lot of really
qualified people that apply for these grants, so I just felt very grateful that I was
chosen.”
Debbie began her college career as a chemical engineering major at Brigham
Young University, although she changed her major to chemistry after two years
in the program. Upon graduating, she left Provo for Denver and began working
on her PhD with Sandy and Gareth Eaton in the Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry.
She writes that, “Working with the Eatons is a wonderful experience. Both Sandy
and Gareth are very knowledgeable in chemistry so there are many opportunities
to learn. I feel grateful to work with advisors that are so well respected in their
field not only for their expertise and knowledge but also for their humility and
honesty. It is a real honor to work with them.”
Debbie’s research involves the development of a new way of detecting unpaired
electrons through the use of a technique called electron paramagnetic resonance
(EPR). With this technique, samples are placed in a magnetic field and then
monitored.
Debbie is working to design a rapid-scan EPR in which the signal is recorded more
quickly than in prior implementations of this method. “Radicals aren’t very stable,
and they can react or disappear,” Debbie says. “A rapid-scan EPR would help us
Dr. merceDes caLbi
Dr. mark siemens
associate Professor, DePartment of PhYsics anD astronomY
assistant Professor,
DePartment of PhYsics
anD astronomY
Born and raised in Argentina,
Dr. Mercedes Calbi earned
her PhD in physics at the
University of Buenos Aires.
After working as a
postdoctoral fellow at
Pennsylvania State University,
she held positions as
Assistant and Associate
professor at Southern Illinois
University. This fall, she
moved to DU as an Associate Professor of Physics.
The NSF graduate research fellowship program recognizes and supports
outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based
master’s and doctoral degrees.
Fellowships and other forms of graduate aid enable students like Debbie to focus
on their research rather than worrying about how they will be funded, and how
they will pay off large loans after graduation. Graduate aid contributes to the
robust research that DU has maintained for so many years.
new Year, new facuLtY
track them and monitor their activity more efficiently.”
The goal of her project is to study unstable radicals that are involved in biological
processes. A long-term goal is to study oxygen concentrations in tumors and
improve therapeutic methods that could potentially reduce human suffering.
Upon graduating, Debbie plans to find a job teaching. Although she is not sure
which level she would like to teach, she finds the community college and high
school levels appealing.
“More highly educated teachers are needed in high schools now, especially with
more schools offering advanced placement and IB [International Baccalaureate]
courses.”
She also notes that while students might find chemistry to be complex,
oftentimes it is only because of the language and vocabulary needed to grasp the
concepts. “It’s like learning a language at first,” she says. “But once a student
understands the fundamentals of chemistry, they are able to move on to the neat
and exciting activities that it offers.”
Keep an eye on Debbie Mitchell. With a start like this, she has the resources she
needs to build a bright future.
LifeLong Learning: the aLumni sYmPosium
Among Dr. Calbi’s short-term goals at DU is to
open a chapter of Expanding Your Horizons, an
organization that encourages female students to
participate in fields of science, math and
engineering. She says, “I look forward to showing
the girls in local high schools that they can get
degrees in science and math –these areas of study
are not off-limits for them.”
According to the EYH website, women constitute
46% of the U.S. workforce, but hold only 27% of
science and engineering jobs. Dr. Calbi would like
to change these statistics – her DU chapter will
address many of the challenges that prevent the
equal representation of men and women in these
fields today.
Dr. Calbi’s main research achievements are in the
area of surface physics, especially focused on
adsorption processes – the processes by which
particles from gases or liquids are attracted to solid
surfaces and stick to them forming different kinds
of films.
Her research projects are currently supported by
the National Science Foundation. She is the
recipient of a CAREER grant, a prestigious award
to support the early career development of the
most promising junior scientists and engineers in
their role as researchers and educators. In
connection with this award, she was recently
honored with the Presidential Early Career Award
for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). She was one
of only 20 scientists selected among a group of
more than 400 Career awardees nationwide. Her
work in surface physics will add even more depth
to the research initiatives of the Department of
Physics and Astronomy.
Dr. shannon murPhY
assistant Professor, DePartment of bioLogicaL sciences
“Insects are a huge
component of the biodiversity
in the world today,” says Dr.
Shannon Murphy. “Most
people don’t realize that over
a quarter of all living plant
and animal species are
plant-feeding insects. There
are ten times more butterflies
and moths than there are
birds and mammals combined
– insects play an important role in our ecosystem.”
It is our pleasure to introduce Dr. Murphy, the
newest addition to the Department of Biological
Sciences. Dr. Murphy earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Environmental, Population and
Organismic Biology and Biochemistry from the
University of Colorado at Boulder. She went on to
earn a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
from Cornell University.
After graduating, she spent two years at the
University of Maryland as an external fellow in the
Department of Entomology, and three years as a
postdoctoral scientist in the Department of
Biological Sciences at the George Washington
University. She has also served as a National Parks
Ecological Research Postdoctoral Fellow for the
Ecological Society of America and the National Park
Foundation.
In addition to her local field research in the foothills
and mountains west of Denver, Dr. Murphy plans
to continue her research on the effect of nitrogen
runoff from agriculture and urban development in
salt marshes along the Atlantic coast, a long-term
project funded by the National Science Foundation.
This year she will teach two graduate seminars, one
on classic articles in the ecological literature and
another on plant/insect interactions. In the future
she hopes to offer an undergraduate-level
entomology course, which she says would be
helpful for pre-med students. “Entomology can be
helpful for pre-med students because many
diseases are vectored by insects. The most obvious
examples of this are malaria and West Nile virus.”
Dr. Murphy was the recipient of the 2005
Excellence in Teaching Award in the Department of
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Cornell. In
addition to her extensive field experience in the
United States, she has also worked in British
Columbia, Yukon Territory, Costa Rica and Panama.
For more information on Dr. Murphy and her
research, please visit www.mysite.du.
edu/~smurph71.
Dr. Mark Siemens became
interested in physics while
he was an undergraduate at
the Colorado School of
Mines. He found his physics
courses to be the most
demanding, and the
challenges he encountered
piqued his interest. Before
long he obtained a Bachelor
of Science degree in
Engineering Physics from Mines, and went on to
earn a PhD in Physics from CU Boulder. While he
was writing his doctoral thesis, entitled “Nanoscale
thermal, acoustic, and magnetic dynamics probed
with soft x-ray light,” he used ultrafast pulses of
Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) light from high-order
harmonic generation to study acoustic, thermal,
and magnetic phenomena in thin films and
nanostructures. Dr. Siemens has received several
awards for his research and academic
accomplishments, and his work has been
highlighted in JILA News and Physics Today.
The first year of research at DU will be very busy for
Dr. Siemens. His first goal is to set up a research lab
and begin to work on experiments involving a large
laser system. One experiment will focus on how
heat is transported away from small nanostuctures,
and will address a modern issue in technology. As
microprocessors in computers are getting smaller
and faster, manufacturers face more obstacles in
terms of system cooling. Dr. Siemens states that
this is a huge limiting factor in the microprocessor
industry today, and he hopes that his experiments
will lead to practical solutions.
Dr. Siemens hopes to instill the same sense of
wonder and curiosity in his students that he first
encountered as an undergraduate and has
maintained throughout his academic career. For
him, the goal should never be to find and
memorize the “right” answer. Instead, he
encourages his students to ask questions and
become involved in their own learning experience.
Siemens states that, “I want to help students
develop sound intuition about physical phenomena,
problem-solving and question-asking skills, and
solid understanding of fundamental concepts.” He
intends to prove that learning physics can be fun–
using lab demonstrations to make experiments
touch reality teaches lessons that will be
remembered for years to come.
To learn more about Dr. Siemens and his research,
please visit his DU Portfolio page at www.
portfolio.du.edu/msiemens.
www.nsm.du.edu
303-871-2693
Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Fall/Winter 2010
student Voices: duing something in nicaragua
In 2005, Dr. Matthew Taylor took a slight detour from his research in Guatemala.
At the request of Dr. Robert Dull, a geographer at UT Austin, he travelled to the
Pacific coast of southern Nicaragua to investigate the possibilities of starting a
collaborative research project on issues of social and environmental sustainability.
He found that in the small fishing village of Gigante, where most of his research
and service takes place, residents have a need for fresh and locally produced
food. While they recognize that they can make money from the recent influx of
tourism-related development, they do not want to rely on the boom and bust
cycles of tourism.
partnering with Ruffino and company, I believe we will be able to produce the
highest agricultural yields Gigante has ever seen.”
Since 2007, Dr. Taylor has introduced over 50 DU students to Gigante. About 10
of those students have conducted DU-funded research projects to explore various
aspects of sustainability. Former DU student Espen Haugen created a NGO in the
area (www.prehelps.org), which will be one focus of our spring newsletter. For
this edition, we have included information sent to us by students who visited
Nicaragua this summer. These students hope to create a formal student-run
school of sustainability where locals and students learn and practice. They
envision classes taught by DU and Nicaraguan Professors, students, alumni and
locals that would address issues of sustainability.
Most resorts are enthusiastic about using local products, but they need a better
understanding of the tropical soil to manage their gardens. The resorts that do
have gardens have been successful, since tourists increasingly want to eat local
items unique to the region in which they are traveling. Building these gardens
appears to benefit tourists and owners alike. In traveling around the rest of the
country, I saw many other examples of sustainable development, and it was
interesting to compare them to the case of Gigante.”
Funding for this project comes from the DU Center for Civic Engagement and
Service Learning (CCESL), the DU Office of Internationalization, and the DU
Undergraduate Research Center (PINS). DU alumni are encouraged to become
involved. We are thrilled to introduce you to Gigante.
Jenny Nelson graduated from DU with a double major in International Studies
and Spanish.
“Having just finished my undergraduate work at DU, I was looking for a next
step. I heard through various peers about the project in Nicaragua and got on
board to operate as a translator and general ‘helper,’ wanting to know more
about the process needed to set up a permaculture garden in a tropical
deciduous forest, as well as gain more knowledge about this community and its
interest in such a project.
Eliot Andre is currently a senior in the Department of Geography where he is
majoring in Environmental Science.
“The time I spent in Nicaragua was a memorable and beautiful experience shared
with 8 other DU students and an outstanding Nicaraguan family of 4. Traveling
there for the second time and living there for 6½ weeks was a completely
different experience than I had had before while traveling with Matthew [Taylor]
on a DU interterm program.
My goal for the summer was to compare scientific knowledge about the soil with
the classifications and knowledge held by locals. I developed a method to
compare farmers’ perceptions of soil properties to what I learned from analyzing
soil in the DU laboratory.
I interviewed Ruffino, our host father, about the soil and land, and he had a very
traditional perspectives and practices. No research of this type has been done in
Nicaragua, so I am very excited to have brought back 86 pounds of soil to
synthesize – then I will go back to Nicaragua and aid and discuss my results with
Ruffino and other farmers.
With the information I gain from analyzing all the soil I brought back and
the Phd in moLecuLar and ceLLuLar
BioPhysics
Tay Dunklee, a senior, also studies Environmental Science in the Department of
Geography.
“Last summer, I spent nearly a month in Nicaragua observing and inquiring about
local food production as it relates to the ever expanding tourism industry. I spent
two weeks in Gigante inventorying the use of local foods in the restaurants,
hostels and hotels.
Alexandra Shepard is a senior majoring in Spanish and Political Science.
“I went to Gigante for a month this summer and worked, not only on bettering
the projects that have already been started there, but also beginning one of my
own. By teaching English, I realized that I was in a unique position to give to the
community of Gigante something that might be immediately applicable.
I had never taught English before, but I knew that none of the people there had
ever taken English classes – this meant that all of us were going to be learning
and teaching. I met with 10-14 students each evening. We talked about
numbers, phrases, days, expressions, and feelings, and I also taught them words
that would be applicable to the community.
Being involved in programs such as the one in Nicaragua is an instance of the
synthesis of classroom knowledge on international development strategy,
techniques for sustainable agricultural and livelihood strategies, and community
engagement that provided an example of how to actually incorporate these
things, as well as pursue ways to positively impact these communities through
service and capacity building.
Our work this summer is a small part of what can be a great project to create
new understanding between the people of Gigante and DU students, establishing
a connection that is valuable as a learning experience, a way to broaden
perspective and ‘internationalize’ learning, and create meaningful change for
outside communities connected to DU.”
one Program, LimitLess PossiBiLities:
Wish List
student and
FacuLty needs For
2010-2011
dr. ronnie PaVLoV
dr. eugene nau
assistant ProFessor, dePartment oF mathematics
Lecturer, dePartment
oF BioLogicaL sciences
Not everyone knows what they
would like to do when they
grow up. This was not the case
for our newest Math professor,
Dr. Ronnie Pavlov. As far back
as he can remember, he has
had a passion for mathematics.
At the age of nine, he took an
advanced placement calculus
course and by this time he
knew he wanted to teach.
The Biophysics Steering Committee, from left to right: Todd
Blankenship, Michelle Knowles, Sean Shaheen, Martin
Margittai, Kingshuk Ghosh, Nancy Lorenzon. Photo by Wayne
Armstrong.
His affinity for math led to a Bachelor of Science,
Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in
Mathematics from Ohio State University. After
graduating, Pavlov accepted a postdoctoral
fellowship at the University of British Columbia
where he worked for three years.
Dr. Pavlov’s primary research interests are in
dynamical systems, specifically symbolic dynamics,
which is the study of infinite patterns made of
letters from a finite alphabet. This field has
connections to interesting topics such as Penrose
tilings, Turing machines, and information theory. For
example, the act of encoding information into 0’s
and 1’s (as on a computer) can be viewed via
symbolic dynamics. Most of his work involves
symbolic dynamics in multiple dimensions, where
many questions which were easily answered in one
dimension become extremely confusing and
interesting.
Dr. Pavlov brings more than ten years of teaching
experience to the Math Department. He anticipates
tailoring each of his classes to meet the needs of his
students, knowing that they will have different
backgrounds and skill sets.
“I look forward to teaching at DU because the class
sizes are small,” says Pavlov. “Here I’ll be able to get
to know all of my students, which is not always
possible at larger universities.”
When asked how he will help students with “math
phobia,” he responds that oftentimes students are
intimidated by math because they have a fear of the
unknown. Teaching them how to do even simple
problems can help them build confidence and move
on to more complex concepts. Above all, Dr. Pavlov
strives to be approachable, friendly and helpful in
order to positively impact his students.
This year Pavlov looks forward to advancing his
current research, in part through collaboration with
mathematicians from Santiago, Vancouver, and his
colleagues in the Math department.
For more information on Dr. Pavlov, please visit
www.math.du.edu/~rpavlov.
dr. erika trigoso
Lecturer, dePartment oF geograPhy
Left: Ruffino Lanza Zapata opened his Nicaraguan home to 8 DU students this
summer. Right: DU students John Duke, Eliot Andre, and recent graduate
Heather Dearborn working to build a community fire pit for burning neem leaves
and cooking dinners.
I would like to return to Gigante and visit with my students and friends there
again. It would be wonderful to see if any progress has been made and if there
have been any long term benefits to those I was fortunate enough to teach. I also
would love to help further the various projects going on down there, since I can
see that there is always more to be done. I loved being down there and very
much enjoyed my first experience as a teacher.”
Mallory DeCoster is a senior Chemistry major with a minor in Environmental
Science.
“I visited Nicaragua the summer of ‘09 for about 6 weeks. My time spent there
was focused on researching local knowledge of lunar harvesting. This was
interesting because in rural areas, the locals build structures mainly from
untreated lumber that they grow themselves. They practice a harvesting
technique that is involved with the changing phases of the moon. I talked to
many people in Gigante as well as the Las Salinas/Tola area who were very
enthusiastic about explaining their practice. The whole experience was incredibly
eye opening. It turns out that Nicaraguans are very hospitable, curious and happy
people. I can’t wait to return.”
There is never a dull moment
in Dr. Erika Trigoso’s
classroom. In a class on the
geography of South America,
for example, students might
eat traditional food from Peru
one day and watch a Capoeira
group from Brazil the next.
Discussions on current events
and climate change help form
a bigger picture of a country or region.
tools at DU,” she states, “From Blackboard to
documentaries, to one-on-one workshops to
improve teaching materials, there are many ways to
enrich classroom discussions.”
Indeed, Dr. Trigoso uses many teaching methods
which encourage her students to look at issues from
different, unusual perspectives. She knows that
while readings and lectures can be useful, they
might not be the best ways to relay meaningful
concepts.
Dr. Trigoso earned a BA from Ponticicia Universidad
Catolica in Lima, Peru, and a specialist degree in
Remote Sensing, GIS and Cartography from
Universidad de Alcala in Madrid, Spain. She moved
to the U.S. to earn a MA in Geography at the
University of Arizona, and went to the University of
Oxford for her PhD. Her research ranges from
environmental and climate change to geographic
information systems (GIS). Specifically, she has used
GIS to research the ways in which Latin America and
Peru are vulnerable to climate change, and the
impact that melting glaciers, flooding and El Niño
have had on those regions.
Dr. Trigoso looks forward to teaching at DU for
many reasons – two of which are the Department of
Geography’s focus on Latin America and the
resources that are available for faculty and students.
“I was delightfully overwhelmed about the teaching
She has taught in three different countries, in two
different languages, to undergraduate and graduate
students and in public and private universities. Her
experience and teaching methods will serve her well
in the Department of Geography.
Do dark cola soft drinks
cause joint pain? Could red
hot peppers lead to
rheumatism? According to
our new Biology Lecturer
Dr. Eugene Nau, some of
the ‘new world’ foods and
spices such as these could
be to blame for the
millions of people who
suffer from arthritis.
In fact, he is currently writing a book which
explores the possibility that certain plant
alkaloids, medications (many of which are
derived from plant alkaloids) and chemical
pollution are culprits that cause most forms of
the condition. His work in this field has led him
to begin writing a second book on the
neurophysiology of addictive behavior – why
people become addicted to certain foods.
If Dr. Nau is not busy teaching Concepts in
Biology or Molecules to Humankind, you’ll find
him working on one of his writing projects.
“The University of Denver is the perfect place for
me,” he says, “because I am able to do what I
love – teach – and still have time to finish my
books.”
As an instructor at the University of Tennessee
and CU Denver, and as an Assistant Professor of
Biology at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania,
Dr. Nau has been dedicated to ‘teaching
through the heart’ for more than a decade. For
him, this means having a genuine interest in
students’ well-being and their performance in
class. He states, “As a teacher, my role is to
motivate students so that they will want to
learn, provide accurate information and
appropriate knowledge, and create a class
atmosphere that is conducive to learning.”
Dr. Nau earned a Bachelor of Science degree in
Zoology and Botany at CSU and went on to
receive his Master of Science and PhD in the
Department of Zoology at the University of
Tennessee. While he was a graduate student
there, he was awarded the Chancellor’s Citation
for Teaching Excellence. And, years later, while
at Kutztown University, he was nominated for
their prestigious Schellenberg Award for
Excellence in Teaching. Given his many years of
teaching experience and his expertise, he will
surely be an asset to the Department of
Biological Sciences.
student Voices: duing something in nicaragua
In 2005, Dr. Matthew Taylor took a slight detour from his research in Guatemala.
At the request of Dr. Robert Dull, a geographer at UT Austin, he travelled to the
Pacific coast of southern Nicaragua to investigate the possibilities of starting a
collaborative research project on issues of social and environmental sustainability.
He found that in the small fishing village of Gigante, where most of his research
and service takes place, residents have a need for fresh and locally produced
food. While they recognize that they can make money from the recent influx of
tourism-related development, they do not want to rely on the boom and bust
cycles of tourism.
partnering with Ruffino and company, I believe we will be able to produce the
highest agricultural yields Gigante has ever seen.”
Since 2007, Dr. Taylor has introduced over 50 DU students to Gigante. About 10
of those students have conducted DU-funded research projects to explore various
aspects of sustainability. Former DU student Espen Haugen created a NGO in the
area (www.prehelps.org), which will be one focus of our spring newsletter. For
this edition, we have included information sent to us by students who visited
Nicaragua this summer. These students hope to create a formal student-run
school of sustainability where locals and students learn and practice. They
envision classes taught by DU and Nicaraguan Professors, students, alumni and
locals that would address issues of sustainability.
Most resorts are enthusiastic about using local products, but they need a better
understanding of the tropical soil to manage their gardens. The resorts that do
have gardens have been successful, since tourists increasingly want to eat local
items unique to the region in which they are traveling. Building these gardens
appears to benefit tourists and owners alike. In traveling around the rest of the
country, I saw many other examples of sustainable development, and it was
interesting to compare them to the case of Gigante.”
Funding for this project comes from the DU Center for Civic Engagement and
Service Learning (CCESL), the DU Office of Internationalization, and the DU
Undergraduate Research Center (PINS). DU alumni are encouraged to become
involved. We are thrilled to introduce you to Gigante.
Jenny Nelson graduated from DU with a double major in International Studies
and Spanish.
“Having just finished my undergraduate work at DU, I was looking for a next
step. I heard through various peers about the project in Nicaragua and got on
board to operate as a translator and general ‘helper,’ wanting to know more
about the process needed to set up a permaculture garden in a tropical
deciduous forest, as well as gain more knowledge about this community and its
interest in such a project.
Tay Dunklee, a senior, also studies Environmental Science in the Department of
Geography.
“Last summer, I spent nearly a month in Nicaragua observing and inquiring about
local food production as it relates to the ever expanding tourism industry. I spent
two weeks in Gigante inventorying the use of local foods in the restaurants,
hostels and hotels.
Alexandra Shepard is a senior majoring in Spanish and Political Science.
“I went to Gigante for a month this summer and worked, not only on bettering
the projects that have already been started there, but also beginning one of my
own. By teaching English, I realized that I was in a unique position to give to the
community of Gigante something that might be immediately applicable.
I had never taught English before, but I knew that none of the people there had
ever taken English classes – this meant that all of us were going to be learning
and teaching. I met with 10-14 students each evening. We talked about
numbers, phrases, days, expressions, and feelings, and I also taught them words
that would be applicable to the community.
Being involved in programs such as the one in Nicaragua is an instance of the
synthesis of classroom knowledge on international development strategy,
techniques for sustainable agricultural and livelihood strategies, and community
engagement that provided an example of how to actually incorporate these
things, as well as pursue ways to positively impact these communities through
service and capacity building.
Our work this summer is a small part of what can be a great project to create
new understanding between the people of Gigante and DU students, establishing
a connection that is valuable as a learning experience, a way to broaden
perspective and ‘internationalize’ learning, and create meaningful change for
outside communities connected to DU.”
Eliot Andre is currently a senior in the Department of Geography where he is
majoring in Environmental Science.
“The time I spent in Nicaragua was a memorable and beautiful experience shared
with 8 other DU students and an outstanding Nicaraguan family of 4. Traveling
there for the second time and living there for 6½ weeks was a completely
different experience than I had had before while traveling with Matthew [Taylor]
on a DU interterm program.
My goal for the summer was to compare scientific knowledge about the soil with
the classifications and knowledge held by locals. I developed a method to
compare farmers’ perceptions of soil properties to what I learned from analyzing
soil in the DU laboratory.
I interviewed Ruffino, our host father, about the soil and land, and he had a very
traditional perspectives and practices. No research of this type has been done in
Nicaragua, so I am very excited to have brought back 86 pounds of soil to
synthesize – then I will go back to Nicaragua and aid and discuss my results with
Ruffino and other farmers.
With the information I gain from analyzing all the soil I brought back and
Left: Ruffino Lanza Zapata opened his Nicaraguan home to 8 DU students this
summer. Right: DU students John Duke, Eliot Andre, and recent graduate
Heather Dearborn working to build a community fire pit for burning neem leaves
and cooking dinners.
I would like to return to Gigante and visit with my students and friends there
again. It would be wonderful to see if any progress has been made and if there
have been any long term benefits to those I was fortunate enough to teach. I also
would love to help further the various projects going on down there, since I can
see that there is always more to be done. I loved being down there and very
much enjoyed my first experience as a teacher.”
Mallory DeCoster is a senior Chemistry major with a minor in Environmental
Science.
“I visited Nicaragua the summer of ‘09 for about 6 weeks. My time spent there
was focused on researching local knowledge of lunar harvesting. This was
interesting because in rural areas, the locals build structures mainly from
untreated lumber that they grow themselves. They practice a harvesting
technique that is involved with the changing phases of the moon. I talked to
many people in Gigante as well as the Las Salinas/Tola area who were very
enthusiastic about explaining their practice. The whole experience was incredibly
eye opening. It turns out that Nicaraguans are very hospitable, curious and happy
people. I can’t wait to return.”
one Program, LimitLess PossiBiLities:
the Phd in moLecuLar and ceLLuLar
BioPhysics
A recent article from the
Chronicle of Higher Education
discusses an important issue that
educators are facing today: How
can we better prepare students
to tackle society’s problems? To
answer this question, The
Chronicle interviewed Marina
Kim, founder and director of
university programs for Ashoka,
an organization dedicated to
advancing social
entrepreneurship. Kim believes
that interdisciplinary programs
train the next generation of
leaders to use systems thinking
and tackle the real issues of
The Biophysics Steering Committee, from left to right: Todd
today. She states that,
Blankenship, Michelle Knowles, Sean Shaheen, Martin
“Employers increasingly want to
Margittai, Kingshuk Ghosh, Nancy Lorenzon. Photo by Wayne
hire students who are highly
Armstrong.
adaptive, who can work in a
fast-paced environment, be creative and problem solve.” She goes on to say that “The world doesn’t
operate in disciplines – its problems and organizations are cross-cutting. The more interdisciplinary
people can think and learn, the more equipped they will be to deal with the complexity of the real
world.”
Enter DU’s Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Those who read the spring edition of
Continuum in 2009 might remember our article on the STEM Initiative, an effort to engage K-12
teachers, education professionals, and students in interdisciplinary education. This fall marked the
launch of a new PhD program in Molecular and Cellular Biophysics – the Division’s newest effort to
bring disciplines together. The program will provide research opportunities for doctoral students
interested in the truly interdisciplinary nature of Molecular and Cellular Biophysics. It will allow them
to explore issues in physics, biology and chemistry, as well as learn methods of mathematical analysis
and computer modeling. Areas of research, which coincide with faculty areas of experience and
expertise, include cellular physiology, developmental dynamics, protein folding, protein network
analysis, signal transduction cascades, and the development of novel imaging techniques. Biophysical
research is typically directed at understanding molecular or cellular mechanisms of great importance
for biomedical research or biotechnology applications.
Wish List
student and
FacuLty needs For
2010-2011
The AlTer ArboreTum
Lecturer, dePartment
oF BioLogicaL sciences
DepArTmenT of biologicAl ScienceS
Biowave DNA Life Science Spectrophotometer
$4,400.00
Antigen Retrieval System
$1,500
Swinging bucket rotor
$8,000
DepArTmenT of chemiSTry AnD
biochemiSTry
Lab Quest Mini Interface
10 or more @$150 each
Large scale distillation kit
10 or more @$200 each
DigiMelt melting point apparatus
10 or more @ $800 each
DepArTmenT of geogrAphy
General support for student field trips and field
research activities
$10,000
Giddings hydraulic soil sampling, coring and
drilling machine
$36,699
Kingshuk Ghosh, the director of the program, explains that the components of physics, chemistry,
computer science, mathematics and engineering that lie at the interface of biology can help solve
some of the most intractable problems in biomedical sciences. He calls our attention to former
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director and current director of National Cancer Institute (NCI) and
Nobel Laureate Harold Varmus, who states, “Medical advances may seem like wizardry. But pull back
the curtain, and sitting at the lever is a high-energy physicist, a combinatorial chemist, or an
engineer.”
Equipment for the new Math Center in Penrose
$8,000
The MCB Steering Committee, pictured above, makes decisions regarding curriculum and admissions
and is composed of six faculty members from three academic departments - Physics and Astronomy,
Biological Sciences and Chemistry and Biochemistry.
DepArTmenT of phySicS
For more information on the MCB program, please visit www.du.edu/nsm/departments/
molecularandcellular.
assistant ProFessor, dePartment oF mathematics
Arboretum tree labels
$10,000
Projector
$350
Students who graduate from the program can look forward to many attractive career options in
diverse fields ranging from financial modeling on Wall Street to developing more effective
medications for neurodegenerative diseases.
dr. eugene nau
Collections enhancement, “Plant a Tree”
$500 per tree
Currently there are three students in the MCB program, all of whom are fully funded by Graduate
Teaching Assistantships. Potential students for the program have strong quantitative undergraduate
backgrounds in physics, chemistry, or mathematics. Other promising candidates might have
backgrounds in cell or molecular biology with solid foundations in physics and math.
The fourteen faculty members who are involved with the program bring a profusion of expertise from
different disciplines, and provide each student with distinctive research opportunities. As with all of
NSM’s programs, the students have access to cutting edge research facilities and training along with
close faculty-student interactions.
dr. ronnie PaVLoV
DepArTmenT of mAThemATicS
Graduate student support to attend conferences
5 @ 1,000 each $5,000
Math colloquium funding
3 visits @ $2,000 each $6,000
2 Smart Boards
$15,000
Table for conference room
$1,500
Computers and printers for computer lab
$10,000
For a complete wish list for each department, or to
make a contribution, please visit our alumni page at
www.du.edu/nsm/alumni/index.html.
dr. erika trigoso
Lecturer, dePartment oF geograPhy
student Voices: duing something in nicaragua
In 2005, Dr. Matthew Taylor took a slight detour from his research in Guatemala.
At the request of Dr. Robert Dull, a geographer at UT Austin, he travelled to the
Pacific coast of southern Nicaragua to investigate the possibilities of starting a
collaborative research project on issues of social and environmental sustainability.
He found that in the small fishing village of Gigante, where most of his research
and service takes place, residents have a need for fresh and locally produced
food. While they recognize that they can make money from the recent influx of
tourism-related development, they do not want to rely on the boom and bust
cycles of tourism.
partnering with Ruffino and company, I believe we will be able to produce the
highest agricultural yields Gigante has ever seen.”
Since 2007, Dr. Taylor has introduced over 50 DU students to Gigante. About 10
of those students have conducted DU-funded research projects to explore various
aspects of sustainability. Former DU student Espen Haugen created a NGO in the
area (www.prehelps.org), which will be one focus of our spring newsletter. For
this edition, we have included information sent to us by students who visited
Nicaragua this summer. These students hope to create a formal student-run
school of sustainability where locals and students learn and practice. They
envision classes taught by DU and Nicaraguan Professors, students, alumni and
locals that would address issues of sustainability.
Most resorts are enthusiastic about using local products, but they need a better
understanding of the tropical soil to manage their gardens. The resorts that do
have gardens have been successful, since tourists increasingly want to eat local
items unique to the region in which they are traveling. Building these gardens
appears to benefit tourists and owners alike. In traveling around the rest of the
country, I saw many other examples of sustainable development, and it was
interesting to compare them to the case of Gigante.”
Funding for this project comes from the DU Center for Civic Engagement and
Service Learning (CCESL), the DU Office of Internationalization, and the DU
Undergraduate Research Center (PINS). DU alumni are encouraged to become
involved. We are thrilled to introduce you to Gigante.
Jenny Nelson graduated from DU with a double major in International Studies
and Spanish.
“Having just finished my undergraduate work at DU, I was looking for a next
step. I heard through various peers about the project in Nicaragua and got on
board to operate as a translator and general ‘helper,’ wanting to know more
about the process needed to set up a permaculture garden in a tropical
deciduous forest, as well as gain more knowledge about this community and its
interest in such a project.
Eliot Andre is currently a senior in the Department of Geography where he is
majoring in Environmental Science.
“The time I spent in Nicaragua was a memorable and beautiful experience shared
with 8 other DU students and an outstanding Nicaraguan family of 4. Traveling
there for the second time and living there for 6½ weeks was a completely
different experience than I had had before while traveling with Matthew [Taylor]
on a DU interterm program.
My goal for the summer was to compare scientific knowledge about the soil with
the classifications and knowledge held by locals. I developed a method to
compare farmers’ perceptions of soil properties to what I learned from analyzing
soil in the DU laboratory.
I interviewed Ruffino, our host father, about the soil and land, and he had a very
traditional perspectives and practices. No research of this type has been done in
Nicaragua, so I am very excited to have brought back 86 pounds of soil to
synthesize – then I will go back to Nicaragua and aid and discuss my results with
Ruffino and other farmers.
With the information I gain from analyzing all the soil I brought back and
the Phd in moLecuLar and ceLLuLar
BioPhysics
Tay Dunklee, a senior, also studies Environmental Science in the Department of
Geography.
Wish List
student and
FacuLty needs For
2010-2011
dr. ronnie PaVLoV
dr. eugene nau
assistant ProFessor, dePartment oF mathematics
Lecturer, dePartment
oF BioLogicaL sciences
“Last summer, I spent nearly a month in Nicaragua observing and inquiring about
local food production as it relates to the ever expanding tourism industry. I spent
two weeks in Gigante inventorying the use of local foods in the restaurants,
hostels and hotels.
Alexandra Shepard is a senior majoring in Spanish and Political Science.
“I went to Gigante for a month this summer and worked, not only on bettering
the projects that have already been started there, but also beginning one of my
own. By teaching English, I realized that I was in a unique position to give to the
community of Gigante something that might be immediately applicable.
The Biophysics Steering Committee, from left to right: Todd
Blankenship, Michelle Knowles, Sean Shaheen, Martin
Margittai, Kingshuk Ghosh, Nancy Lorenzon. Photo by Wayne
Armstrong.
I had never taught English before, but I knew that none of the people there had
ever taken English classes – this meant that all of us were going to be learning
and teaching. I met with 10-14 students each evening. We talked about
numbers, phrases, days, expressions, and feelings, and I also taught them words
that would be applicable to the community.
Being involved in programs such as the one in Nicaragua is an instance of the
synthesis of classroom knowledge on international development strategy,
techniques for sustainable agricultural and livelihood strategies, and community
engagement that provided an example of how to actually incorporate these
things, as well as pursue ways to positively impact these communities through
service and capacity building.
Our work this summer is a small part of what can be a great project to create
new understanding between the people of Gigante and DU students, establishing
a connection that is valuable as a learning experience, a way to broaden
perspective and ‘internationalize’ learning, and create meaningful change for
outside communities connected to DU.”
one Program, LimitLess PossiBiLities:
dr. erika trigoso
Lecturer, dePartment oF geograPhy
Left: Ruffino Lanza Zapata opened his Nicaraguan home to 8 DU students this
summer. Right: DU students John Duke, Eliot Andre, and recent graduate
Heather Dearborn working to build a community fire pit for burning neem leaves
and cooking dinners.
I would like to return to Gigante and visit with my students and friends there
again. It would be wonderful to see if any progress has been made and if there
have been any long term benefits to those I was fortunate enough to teach. I also
would love to help further the various projects going on down there, since I can
see that there is always more to be done. I loved being down there and very
much enjoyed my first experience as a teacher.”
Mallory DeCoster is a senior Chemistry major with a minor in Environmental
Science.
“I visited Nicaragua the summer of ‘09 for about 6 weeks. My time spent there
was focused on researching local knowledge of lunar harvesting. This was
interesting because in rural areas, the locals build structures mainly from
untreated lumber that they grow themselves. They practice a harvesting
technique that is involved with the changing phases of the moon. I talked to
many people in Gigante as well as the Las Salinas/Tola area who were very
enthusiastic about explaining their practice. The whole experience was incredibly
eye opening. It turns out that Nicaraguans are very hospitable, curious and happy
people. I can’t wait to return.”