On the eve of New Year 2013 I am writing
this letter to welcome you to our latest issue
of The Continuum. In this issue we share
with you all the latest news from the Division
of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
NSM finally acquired its Latin motto, Scientia
sol mentis est (Knowledge is the light of
the mind), which was unveiled at the first
Annual NSM Award Ceremony in December.
This year many of our faculty should feel great about professional life,
teaching, and research productivity. We have a number of colleagues who
had a spectacularly productive year. Several of them were nominated for
the NSM Awards for Excellence in Research, Teaching, Outstanding Service,
and Outstanding Junior Faculty, and four colleagues were honored as the
awardees – read more about it in this newsletter or on our webpage.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE DIVISION
DEAR FRIENDS OF NSM,
Andrei Kutateladze
Dean, Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Finally, if you are ever in the DU area, please stop by and visit us. We are
always happy to reconnect with alumni and friends.
The pendulum of public opinion is recently swinging in the right direction for
the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines
– Sciences and Math are cool again! It is an exciting time to be a science
educator. We at NSM are very proud to be a part of sustained effort to
reinvigorate STEM education, which is critical for the nation’s future as
the world’s leader in cutting-edge science and technology. The article
“Magnificent Seven” highlights top grants in NSM which introduce our
students in STEM to real world applications of science and math.
A few of our distinguished colleagues have retired; we welcomed several new
faculty members, life goes on.
LETTER FROM THE DEAN
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
When you walk through the research areas of Biological Sciences lately you might find a new vibe.
The past three tenure-track hires have been in the area of the ecology, biodiversity and evolution
(“EBIO”) and they are hitting the ground running! Drs. Shannon Murphy,in her 3rd year, and Scott
Nichols and Robin Tibbs-Tinghitella , both in their 1st year, have synergistic research interests. Current
studies focus on the ecology and evolution of interactions between herbivorous insects, the plants
that they feed upon and the predators and parasitoids that feed upon them (Murphy), addressing
fundamental questions about the origin and early evolution of animals concentrating on Sponges
(Nichols),and understanding the forces that shape diversity in animal communication and social
systems (Tinghitella).Dr Murphy has already secured a major NSF research grant. Reconstruction is
occurring in Boettcher West to accommodate the new critical mass of faculty and students (three
ecology labs with students as well as offices for four faculty)!This dynamic set of faculty are already
setting up a tradition of integrating students into all parts of their program with 2 grad student and
5 undergrad student authors on Dr. Murphy’s last publication.“EBIO” at the University of Denver is
creating a stir not only on campus but in the outside science community as well.
www.nsm.du.edu
303-871-2693
Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Winter/Spring 2013
Shannon Murphy, Robin Tinghitella and
Scott Nichols
• T he award given to Sylvia Brady was used in many different ways;it allowed her to give “small incentive for [her] interviewees, […] and people
who helped in [her] research.”She also told us that she was able to “purchase reliable audio recording equipment” and to “focus on completing
[her] research project without worrying about the costs.”
•A
s international travel expenses are significant, Sarah McCall used her award to defray her travel expenses to conduct preliminary field research
in energy and electrification in Nicaragua. She told us that this award “was an invaluable opportunity to investigate the feasibility of this potential
dissertation topic”.Nikolai Alvarado’s award also helped him with his travel expenses to Gigante, Nicaragua. He is “extremely grateful for the
honor” and he is looking forward to sharing his results with everyone very soon.
MATHEMATICS
The department of Mathematics has operated a Math Center in the Penrose library for the past 2 years, recording well over 1000 student visits
per year. With the reopening of the new Academic Commons (formerly Penrose library) the Math Center will be leaving its temporary home of the
past two years in the Driscoll Center and be moving into a dedicated space in the
Commons. The Center is staffed by Math graduate and undergraduate students
who offer free, drop-in assistance for College Algebra, Trigonometry, Business
Calculus, and Calculus I, II and III classes.
CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
You don’t often look for a chemist in a greenhouse but then again, Dr. Keith Miller is not your typical chemist! What started as a project in a firstyear seminar class has now turned into a learning laboratory featuring a variety of hydroponic systems. Miller, along with colleagues Mike Kerwin
and Martin Quigley, wrote a proposal to the Office of Teaching and Learning to fund the development
of a hydroponics facility in Olin Hall for use in undergraduate courses spanning chemistry, biology and
geography. “We really wanted to give students the opportunity to have at least one experience in
growing food. That is difficult in an urban setting! But hydroponics allowed all of us to integrate topics of
sustainable food production in our courses and provide the opportunity for students to experience what it
takes to grow your own food!”
Dr. Keith Miller
As educational objectives for the grant, Miller and his colleagues want to provide experiential learning
opportunities in hydroponics for undergraduate students, and to integrate multidisciplinary topics centered
on sustainable food production across multiple courses. While initially targeted for courses offered in NSM,
the three hope that the laboratory will be used by others across campus.“We are still working out the
kinks,” states Dr. Miller, “but our hope is that other NSM faculty and faculty from across campus will soon
be able to use the laboratory for their courses.”
GEOGRAPHY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Boettcher West 228
2050 E. Iliff Avenue
Denver, CO 80208
The Professor Laurance C. Herold Memorial Fund located in the department of Geography and the Environment was created in 2010 to honor the
memory of Dr. Laurance C. Herold, Geography faculty member from 1963 through 1996. Donations to this fund are used to create small grants that
support field research by graduate and undergraduate students. This year’s awardees were asked how
this award benefited their research and field experience and here are their responses:
• “The Herold Award made my summer research in Nicaragua possible by allowing me to purchase
related field work equipment (calibration solutions, altimeter, etc.) […] and to carry out my proposed
research”, said Gary Lavanchy about the opportunity this award gives to graduate students. His
research title is “The Political Ecology of Water in Tourism Development, Nicaragua”.
• Alicia Green told us, “As a result of the Laurance C. Herold Memorial Fund, I was able to secure train
transportation within Peru to my research study site. I spent 6 weeks in Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Peru,
carrying out the field work necessary to develop the risk perception layer of a GIS model as well as to
gather data and observations about the physical landscape.”The data collected during her travels are
vital to the completion of her master’s research project “GIS Modeling of Landslide Susceptibility and
Risk Perception - Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), Peru”.Alicia plans to return to Peru to share
the results of her research with the people of Aguas Calientes this summer (2013).
Academic Commons: Future Home of Math Center
Dr. Michael Kinyon and Dr. Petr Vojtechovsky will host the 3rd Mile High
Conference on Nonassociative Mathematics August 11-17th, 2013. This
international conference will bring in speakers from across the globe to speak
toward areas of nonassociative mathematics such as quasigroups, loops, latin
squares, octonions in physics and more. The list of current speakers includes:
Alberto Elduque (University of Zaragoza, Spain),Pavel Kolesnikov (Sobolev Institute
of Mathematics, Russia), Peter Plaumann (University of Erlangen-Nuremberg,
Germany), Susanne Pumpluen (University of Nottingham, UK), Jonathan Smith
(Iowa State University, USA), Tony Sudbery (University of York, UK) and the Fields
Medalist Efim Zelmanov (University of California, San Diego, USA).
PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
There are many special students who pass through NSM but Physics and Astronomy would like to draw special
attention to Van Bruce MacDonald, who passed away on May 20th, 2011. Dr. Robert Amme (research professor
in Physics and Astronomy) describes MacDonald as one of the brightest students to have ever been enrolled in the
Master’s program in Physics. Whereas all students have challenges throughout their academic career it seems that
Van obtained an advanced degree in physics despite his challenges. MacDonald was diagnosed as being autistic
early in his childhood but was not correctly diagnosed as having Asperger’s Syndrome until sometime around 1995.
Van MacDonald received his BS in Applied Math on August 16th, 1969 from University of Colorado and his MS in
Physics from University of Denver in Spring 2003. Even after MacDonald received his MS from DU, he continued
visiting the departments of physics and astronomy as he had found the University to be his academic home and he
never felt that learning ended with obtaining his degree! Every Tuesday at 9am, Van would make his way to the
office of Dr. Amme to discuss various topics around the area of biofuels, and mostly around the use of biobutanol
as the fuel of the future. MacDonald’s “day job” was working at Bayaud Enterprises which serves to train and
place individuals from challenged communities into positions of employment. One way in which Van helped out
at Bayaud was to train various incoming individuals to use computers as part of their training for employment in
private and governmental sector jobs.
The MacDonald family has just recently set up the Van Bruce MacDonald Fellowship which will be available to all
physics students but primarily aimed to assist cognitively challenged students in Physics.
Van Bruce MacDonald
(L-R) Dr. Laurance Herold Memorial
Award: Nikolai Alvarado (MA), Gary
Lavanchy (PhD), Sylvia Brady (MA), Mrs.
Joyce Herold, Sarah McCall (PhD), Alicia
Green (MS)
NEWS FROM AROUND THE DIVISION
On the eve of New Year 2013 I am writing
this letter to welcome you to our latest issue
of The Continuum. In this issue we share
with you all the latest news from the Division
of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
NSM finally acquired its Latin motto, Scientia
sol mentis est (Knowledge is the light of
the mind), which was unveiled at the first
Annual NSM Award Ceremony in December.
This year many of our faculty should feel great about professional life,
teaching, and research productivity. We have a number of colleagues who
had a spectacularly productive year. Several of them were nominated for
the NSM Awards for Excellence in Research, Teaching, Outstanding Service,
and Outstanding Junior Faculty, and four colleagues were honored as the
awardees – read more about it in this newsletter or on our webpage.
DEAR FRIENDS OF NSM,
Andrei Kutateladze
Dean, Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Finally, if you are ever in the DU area, please stop by and visit us. We are
always happy to reconnect with alumni and friends.
The pendulum of public opinion is recently swinging in the right direction for
the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines
– Sciences and Math are cool again! It is an exciting time to be a science
educator. We at NSM are very proud to be a part of sustained effort to
reinvigorate STEM education, which is critical for the nation’s future as
the world’s leader in cutting-edge science and technology. The article
“Magnificent Seven” highlights top grants in NSM which introduce our
students in STEM to real world applications of science and math.
A few of our distinguished colleagues have retired; we welcomed several new
faculty members, life goes on.
LETTER FROM THE DEAN
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
When you walk through the research areas of Biological Sciences lately you might find a new vibe.
The past three tenure-track hires have been in the area of the ecology, biodiversity and evolution
(“EBIO”) and they are hitting the ground running! Drs. Shannon Murphy,in her 3rd year, and Scott
Nichols and Robin Tibbs-Tinghitella , both in their 1st year, have synergistic research interests. Current
studies focus on the ecology and evolution of interactions between herbivorous insects, the plants
that they feed upon and the predators and parasitoids that feed upon them (Murphy), addressing
fundamental questions about the origin and early evolution of animals concentrating on Sponges
(Nichols),and understanding the forces that shape diversity in animal communication and social
systems (Tinghitella).Dr Murphy has already secured a major NSF research grant. Reconstruction is
occurring in Boettcher West to accommodate the new critical mass of faculty and students (three
ecology labs with students as well as offices for four faculty)!This dynamic set of faculty are already
setting up a tradition of integrating students into all parts of their program with 2 grad student and
5 undergrad student authors on Dr. Murphy’s last publication.“EBIO” at the University of Denver is
creating a stir not only on campus but in the outside science community as well.
• T he award given to Sylvia Brady was used in many different ways;it allowed her to give “small incentive for [her] interviewees, […] and people
who helped in [her] research.”She also told us that she was able to “purchase reliable audio recording equipment” and to “focus on completing
[her] research project without worrying about the costs.”
•A
s international travel expenses are significant, Sarah McCall used her award to defray her travel expenses to conduct preliminary field research
in energy and electrification in Nicaragua. She told us that this award “was an invaluable opportunity to investigate the feasibility of this potential
dissertation topic”.Nikolai Alvarado’s award also helped him with his travel expenses to Gigante, Nicaragua. He is “extremely grateful for the
honor” and he is looking forward to sharing his results with everyone very soon.
MATHEMATICS
Shannon Murphy, Robin Tinghitella and
Scott Nichols
The department of Mathematics has operated a Math Center in the Penrose library for the past 2 years, recording well over 1000 student visits
per year. With the reopening of the new Academic Commons (formerly Penrose library) the Math Center will be leaving its temporary home of the
past two years in the Driscoll Center and be moving into a dedicated space in the
Commons. The Center is staffed by Math graduate and undergraduate students
who offer free, drop-in assistance for College Algebra, Trigonometry, Business
Calculus, and Calculus I, II and III classes.
www.nsm.du.edu
303-871-2693
Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Winter/Spring 2013
CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
You don’t often look for a chemist in a greenhouse but then again, Dr. Keith Miller is not your typical chemist! What started as a project in a firstyear seminar class has now turned into a learning laboratory featuring a variety of hydroponic systems. Miller, along with colleagues Mike Kerwin
and Martin Quigley, wrote a proposal to the Office of Teaching and Learning to fund the development
of a hydroponics facility in Olin Hall for use in undergraduate courses spanning chemistry, biology and
geography. “We really wanted to give students the opportunity to have at least one experience in
growing food. That is difficult in an urban setting! But hydroponics allowed all of us to integrate topics of
sustainable food production in our courses and provide the opportunity for students to experience what it
takes to grow your own food!”
Dr. Keith Miller
As educational objectives for the grant, Miller and his colleagues want to provide experiential learning
opportunities in hydroponics for undergraduate students, and to integrate multidisciplinary topics centered
on sustainable food production across multiple courses. While initially targeted for courses offered in NSM,
the three hope that the laboratory will be used by others across campus.“We are still working out the
kinks,” states Dr. Miller, “but our hope is that other NSM faculty and faculty from across campus will soon
be able to use the laboratory for their courses.”
GEOGRAPHY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The Professor Laurance C. Herold Memorial Fund located in the department of Geography and the Environment was created in 2010 to honor the
memory of Dr. Laurance C. Herold, Geography faculty member from 1963 through 1996. Donations to this fund are used to create small grants that
support field research by graduate and undergraduate students. This year’s awardees were asked how
this award benefited their research and field experience and here are their responses:
• “The Herold Award made my summer research in Nicaragua possible by allowing me to purchase
related field work equipment (calibration solutions, altimeter, etc.) […] and to carry out my proposed
research”, said Gary Lavanchy about the opportunity this award gives to graduate students. His
research title is “The Political Ecology of Water in Tourism Development, Nicaragua”.
• Alicia Green told us, “As a result of the Laurance C. Herold Memorial Fund, I was able to secure train
transportation within Peru to my research study site. I spent 6 weeks in Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Peru,
carrying out the field work necessary to develop the risk perception layer of a GIS model as well as to
gather data and observations about the physical landscape.”The data collected during her travels are
vital to the completion of her master’s research project “GIS Modeling of Landslide Susceptibility and
Risk Perception - Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), Peru”.Alicia plans to return to Peru to share
the results of her research with the people of Aguas Calientes this summer (2013).
Academic Commons: Future Home of Math Center
Dr. Michael Kinyon and Dr. Petr Vojtechovsky will host the 3rd Mile High
Conference on Nonassociative Mathematics August 11-17th, 2013. This
international conference will bring in speakers from across the globe to speak
toward areas of nonassociative mathematics such as quasigroups, loops, latin
squares, octonions in physics and more. The list of current speakers includes:
Alberto Elduque (University of Zaragoza, Spain),Pavel Kolesnikov (Sobolev Institute
of Mathematics, Russia), Peter Plaumann (University of Erlangen-Nuremberg,
Germany), Susanne Pumpluen (University of Nottingham, UK), Jonathan Smith
(Iowa State University, USA), Tony Sudbery (University of York, UK) and the Fields
Medalist Efim Zelmanov (University of California, San Diego, USA).
PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
There are many special students who pass through NSM but Physics and Astronomy would like to draw special
attention to Van Bruce MacDonald, who passed away on May 20th, 2011. Dr. Robert Amme (research professor
in Physics and Astronomy) describes MacDonald as one of the brightest students to have ever been enrolled in the
Master’s program in Physics. Whereas all students have challenges throughout their academic career it seems that
Van obtained an advanced degree in physics despite his challenges. MacDonald was diagnosed as being autistic
early in his childhood but was not correctly diagnosed as having Asperger’s Syndrome until sometime around 1995.
Van MacDonald received his BS in Applied Math on August 16th, 1969 from University of Colorado and his MS in
Physics from University of Denver in Spring 2003. Even after MacDonald received his MS from DU, he continued
visiting the departments of physics and astronomy as he had found the University to be his academic home and he
never felt that learning ended with obtaining his degree! Every Tuesday at 9am, Van would make his way to the
office of Dr. Amme to discuss various topics around the area of biofuels, and mostly around the use of biobutanol
as the fuel of the future. MacDonald’s “day job” was working at Bayaud Enterprises which serves to train and
place individuals from challenged communities into positions of employment. One way in which Van helped out
at Bayaud was to train various incoming individuals to use computers as part of their training for employment in
private and governmental sector jobs.
The MacDonald family has just recently set up the Van Bruce MacDonald Fellowship which will be available to all
physics students but primarily aimed to assist cognitively challenged students in Physics.
(L-R) Dr. Laurance Herold Memorial
Award: Nikolai Alvarado (MA), Gary
Lavanchy (PhD), Sylvia Brady (MA), Mrs.
Joyce Herold, Sarah McCall (PhD), Alicia
Green (MS)
Van Bruce MacDonald
Boettcher West 228
2050 E. Iliff Avenue
Denver, CO 80208
NEWS FROM AROUND THE DIVISION
On the eve of New Year 2013 I am writing
this letter to welcome you to our latest issue
of The Continuum. In this issue we share
with you all the latest news from the Division
of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
NSM finally acquired its Latin motto, Scientia
sol mentis est (Knowledge is the light of
the mind), which was unveiled at the first
Annual NSM Award Ceremony in December.
This year many of our faculty should feel great about professional life,
teaching, and research productivity. We have a number of colleagues who
had a spectacularly productive year. Several of them were nominated for
the NSM Awards for Excellence in Research, Teaching, Outstanding Service,
and Outstanding Junior Faculty, and four colleagues were honored as the
awardees – read more about it in this newsletter or on our webpage.
DEAR FRIENDS OF NSM,
Andrei Kutateladze
Dean, Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Finally, if you are ever in the DU area, please stop by and visit us. We are
always happy to reconnect with alumni and friends.
The pendulum of public opinion is recently swinging in the right direction for
the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines
– Sciences and Math are cool again! It is an exciting time to be a science
educator. We at NSM are very proud to be a part of sustained effort to
reinvigorate STEM education, which is critical for the nation’s future as
the world’s leader in cutting-edge science and technology. The article
“Magnificent Seven” highlights top grants in NSM which introduce our
students in STEM to real world applications of science and math.
A few of our distinguished colleagues have retired; we welcomed several new
faculty members, life goes on.
LETTER FROM THE DEAN
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
When you walk through the research areas of Biological Sciences lately you might find a new vibe.
The past three tenure-track hires have been in the area of the ecology, biodiversity and evolution
(“EBIO”) and they are hitting the ground running! Drs. Shannon Murphy,in her 3rd year, and Scott
Nichols and Robin Tibbs-Tinghitella , both in their 1st year, have synergistic research interests. Current
studies focus on the ecology and evolution of interactions between herbivorous insects, the plants
that they feed upon and the predators and parasitoids that feed upon them (Murphy), addressing
fundamental questions about the origin and early evolution of animals concentrating on Sponges
(Nichols),and understanding the forces that shape diversity in animal communication and social
systems (Tinghitella).Dr Murphy has already secured a major NSF research grant. Reconstruction is
occurring in Boettcher West to accommodate the new critical mass of faculty and students (three
ecology labs with students as well as offices for four faculty)!This dynamic set of faculty are already
setting up a tradition of integrating students into all parts of their program with 2 grad student and
5 undergrad student authors on Dr. Murphy’s last publication.“EBIO” at the University of Denver is
creating a stir not only on campus but in the outside science community as well.
• T he award given to Sylvia Brady was used in many different ways;it allowed her to give “small incentive for [her] interviewees, […] and people
who helped in [her] research.”She also told us that she was able to “purchase reliable audio recording equipment” and to “focus on completing
[her] research project without worrying about the costs.”
•A
s international travel expenses are significant, Sarah McCall used her award to defray her travel expenses to conduct preliminary field research
in energy and electrification in Nicaragua. She told us that this award “was an invaluable opportunity to investigate the feasibility of this potential
dissertation topic”.Nikolai Alvarado’s award also helped him with his travel expenses to Gigante, Nicaragua. He is “extremely grateful for the
honor” and he is looking forward to sharing his results with everyone very soon.
MATHEMATICS
Shannon Murphy, Robin Tinghitella and
Scott Nichols
The department of Mathematics has operated a Math Center in the Penrose library for the past 2 years, recording well over 1000 student visits
per year. With the reopening of the new Academic Commons (formerly Penrose library) the Math Center will be leaving its temporary home of the
past two years in the Driscoll Center and be moving into a dedicated space in the
Commons. The Center is staffed by Math graduate and undergraduate students
who offer free, drop-in assistance for College Algebra, Trigonometry, Business
Calculus, and Calculus I, II and III classes.
www.nsm.du.edu
303-871-2693
Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Winter/Spring 2013
CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
You don’t often look for a chemist in a greenhouse but then again, Dr. Keith Miller is not your typical chemist! What started as a project in a firstyear seminar class has now turned into a learning laboratory featuring a variety of hydroponic systems. Miller, along with colleagues Mike Kerwin
and Martin Quigley, wrote a proposal to the Office of Teaching and Learning to fund the development
of a hydroponics facility in Olin Hall for use in undergraduate courses spanning chemistry, biology and
geography. “We really wanted to give students the opportunity to have at least one experience in
growing food. That is difficult in an urban setting! But hydroponics allowed all of us to integrate topics of
sustainable food production in our courses and provide the opportunity for students to experience what it
takes to grow your own food!”
Dr. Keith Miller
As educational objectives for the grant, Miller and his colleagues want to provide experiential learning
opportunities in hydroponics for undergraduate students, and to integrate multidisciplinary topics centered
on sustainable food production across multiple courses. While initially targeted for courses offered in NSM,
the three hope that the laboratory will be used by others across campus.“We are still working out the
kinks,” states Dr. Miller, “but our hope is that other NSM faculty and faculty from across campus will soon
be able to use the laboratory for their courses.”
GEOGRAPHY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The Professor Laurance C. Herold Memorial Fund located in the department of Geography and the Environment was created in 2010 to honor the
memory of Dr. Laurance C. Herold, Geography faculty member from 1963 through 1996. Donations to this fund are used to create small grants that
support field research by graduate and undergraduate students. This year’s awardees were asked how
this award benefited their research and field experience and here are their responses:
• “The Herold Award made my summer research in Nicaragua possible by allowing me to purchase
related field work equipment (calibration solutions, altimeter, etc.) […] and to carry out my proposed
research”, said Gary Lavanchy about the opportunity this award gives to graduate students. His
research title is “The Political Ecology of Water in Tourism Development, Nicaragua”.
• Alicia Green told us, “As a result of the Laurance C. Herold Memorial Fund, I was able to secure train
transportation within Peru to my research study site. I spent 6 weeks in Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Peru,
carrying out the field work necessary to develop the risk perception layer of a GIS model as well as to
gather data and observations about the physical landscape.”The data collected during her travels are
vital to the completion of her master’s research project “GIS Modeling of Landslide Susceptibility and
Risk Perception - Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), Peru”.Alicia plans to return to Peru to share
the results of her research with the people of Aguas Calientes this summer (2013).
Academic Commons: Future Home of Math Center
Dr. Michael Kinyon and Dr. Petr Vojtechovsky will host the 3rd Mile High
Conference on Nonassociative Mathematics August 11-17th, 2013. This
international conference will bring in speakers from across the globe to speak
toward areas of nonassociative mathematics such as quasigroups, loops, latin
squares, octonions in physics and more. The list of current speakers includes:
Alberto Elduque (University of Zaragoza, Spain),Pavel Kolesnikov (Sobolev Institute
of Mathematics, Russia), Peter Plaumann (University of Erlangen-Nuremberg,
Germany), Susanne Pumpluen (University of Nottingham, UK), Jonathan Smith
(Iowa State University, USA), Tony Sudbery (University of York, UK) and the Fields
Medalist Efim Zelmanov (University of California, San Diego, USA).
PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
There are many special students who pass through NSM but Physics and Astronomy would like to draw special
attention to Van Bruce MacDonald, who passed away on May 20th, 2011. Dr. Robert Amme (research professor
in Physics and Astronomy) describes MacDonald as one of the brightest students to have ever been enrolled in the
Master’s program in Physics. Whereas all students have challenges throughout their academic career it seems that
Van obtained an advanced degree in physics despite his challenges. MacDonald was diagnosed as being autistic
early in his childhood but was not correctly diagnosed as having Asperger’s Syndrome until sometime around 1995.
Van MacDonald received his BS in Applied Math on August 16th, 1969 from University of Colorado and his MS in
Physics from University of Denver in Spring 2003. Even after MacDonald received his MS from DU, he continued
visiting the departments of physics and astronomy as he had found the University to be his academic home and he
never felt that learning ended with obtaining his degree! Every Tuesday at 9am, Van would make his way to the
office of Dr. Amme to discuss various topics around the area of biofuels, and mostly around the use of biobutanol
as the fuel of the future. MacDonald’s “day job” was working at Bayaud Enterprises which serves to train and
place individuals from challenged communities into positions of employment. One way in which Van helped out
at Bayaud was to train various incoming individuals to use computers as part of their training for employment in
private and governmental sector jobs.
The MacDonald family has just recently set up the Van Bruce MacDonald Fellowship which will be available to all
physics students but primarily aimed to assist cognitively challenged students in Physics.
(L-R) Dr. Laurance Herold Memorial
Award: Nikolai Alvarado (MA), Gary
Lavanchy (PhD), Sylvia Brady (MA), Mrs.
Joyce Herold, Sarah McCall (PhD), Alicia
Green (MS)
Van Bruce MacDonald
Boettcher West 228
2050 E. Iliff Avenue
Denver, CO 80208
BIG NSM HAPPENINGS
ON CAMPUS IN 2012
COSMIC RAY SYMPOSIUM
The “Centenary Symposium 2012: Discovery of Cosmic Rays” convened at the University of Denver during this past June
celebrating the discovery of cosmic rays by Victor Hess and to present a summary of the current new data and understanding in
this area. This event was very well attended and included many presentations related to cosmic ray discovery and understanding
that has taken place over the past 100 years. Though many played a role in the organization of this event, Dr. Jonathan Ormes
(Physics and Astronomy) played a major role in its success.
UNIVERSITY OF DENVER PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE SPEAKERS HOSTED BY NSM
Dr. William Colglazier shared his insights as science and technology adviser to the Secretary of State during this special event.
The mission of the Office of the Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary is to provide scientific and technical expertise
and advice in support of the development and implementation of U.S. foreign policy. Since taking his current role in July 2011,
Colglazier has used his post to support the United States’ global scientific engagement in advancing science, solving global
problems and advancing diplomacy. This debate event was hosted by Sean Shaheen of Physics and Astronomy.
Dr. Nic Ormes (Mathematics) hosted and organized an event which brought the award-winning author and science advocate
Shawn Otto onto the DU campus, who gave a presentation on the impact science and antiscience have on American elections. A
regular speaker at science-related events, Otto is the author of Fool Me Twice: Fighting the Assault on Science in America. He also
coordinated a national science debate between former presidential rivals Barack Obama and John McCain.
Left: Cosmic Symposium 2012, Top Right: Shawn Otto, Bottom Right: Dr. William Colglazier
THE “MAGNIFICENT SEVEN”
TOP 7 FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS FOR 2011/2012
NSM was very successful over the past year
in the area of getting funding with a grand
total of over $8.5 million for the 2011-2012
academic year…here is a teaser of the top
seven funded grants:
Dr. Todd Blankenship’s (Biological Sciences)
grant “Dynamics of Epithelial Polarity Proteins
and the Control of Tissue Architecture” is
funded at the National Institutes of Health.
Blankenship will be looking at processes that
direct epithelial cell adhesion giving a better
understanding of how the critical tissue
integrity of epithelial tissues is maintained and
can be disrupted by disease.
Dr. Martin Margittai (Chemistry and
Biochemistry) was funded by National Institutes
of Health for a grant entitled “Linking Tau
Filament Structure to Phenotypic Diversity in
Human Tauopathies”.Dr. Margittai will study
the tau protein that is associated with several
neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s,
and how misfolding of tau proteins result
in phenotypic diversity observed in human
tauopathies. This knowledge can then be
used to develop new therapeutic strategies to
slow or even reverse the progression of taumediated diseases.
Dr. Sandra Eaton (Chemistry and
Biochemistry) was awarded a grant, “MRI:
Development of Innovative EPR Spectrometer”,
to develop a new electron paramagnetic
resonance (EPR) spectrometer which can be
used to study materials which have unpaired
electrons. The development of this digital and
highly versatile spectrometer (instrument)
opens up the world of spectrometry to many
new areas of science. Dr. Eaton proposes
to use her newly developed instrument
to enhance already existing studies at DU
which include the study of transient radicals
implicated in apoptosis and neurodegenerative
diseases, development of probes for in vivo
measurements of local oxygen concentration
and design of materials with potential for
quantum computing.
Dr. Phil Danielson (Biological Sciences)
successfully secured funding from the
Department of Justice. The grant, entitled
“Developmental Validation of a High-Specificity
Multiplex Assay for Human Body Fluid
Identification”, will utilize biomarkers and mass
spectrometry to confirm individualization of
biological stains used in forensic serological
testing. This improved testing schema will
provide the forensic community with a
powerful tool to aid in criminal investigations.
Dr. Danielson will work in collaboration with
the Center for Forensic Science Research and
Educations/NMS Labs in Willow Grove, PA.
Move over CSI…!
Dr. Kingshuk Ghosh (Physics and Astronomy)
received a grant from the National Science
Foundation entitled “How do Thermophilic
Proteins Withstand High Temperature?” which
involves investigating thermal protein folding
and unfolding. Dr. Ghosh is questioning
whether thermophilic proteins retain some type
of structural integrity in their unfolded state,
thus explaining how they can survive at higher
temperatures. This systematic approach using
such a large set of thermoproteins will provide
new understandings towards temperature
sensitivity in living cells generally attributed to
protein thermal denaturation.
Dr. Mario Lopez (Mathematics) received a
Toyota USA Foundation grant to build upon
a previously funded grant entitled “Kids
Play Math”.Dr. Lopez will use these funds to
improve access to quality early mathematics
education for children in Pre-Kindergarten
through 1st grade from marginalized (i.e.
migrant) and low-socioeconomic backgrounds.
Research on early childhood learning in
mathematics demonstrates the importance of
introducing baseline skills and mathematics
concepts in these student populations as early
as possible so that they may be successful in
mathematics in later grades.
Dr. Barry Zink (Physics and Astronomy)
is funded by the Central Intelligence
Agency for his project on “High Atomic
Number Absorbers: A Path for Gamma-Ray
Microcalorimeters to Exceed the Efficiency of
Germanium Sensors”.In recent years, a team
that includes NIST, Los Alamos National Lab,
and Prof. Zink’s group at DU has developed
and demonstrated a detector technology,
transition-edge sensor microcalorimeters,
with much better energy resolution. However,
these detectors currently require longer data
acquisition times than semiconductor detectors
to produce a useful spectrum. This new award
will allow this investigative team to increase
the efficiency of gamma-ray capture which will
then identify itself as the new state-of-the art
in gamma-ray spectroscopy. This technology
can be used for nuclear security and
safeguards applications, such as monitoring
ports-of-entry for weapons-grade uranium or
inspecting nuclear fuel for signs of plutonium
manufacturing.
MOVERS
& SHAKERS
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
RETIREMENTS
University Faculty Service Award: On October 17, DU honored Dr. Robert Dores, Biological Sciences,
with the Faculty Service Award. This award is given to a faculty member in recognition of outstanding
service to the university, the community, or the profession. Dr. Dores was exemplified for his service to
all three! Dr. Dores would consider himself most dedicated to students especially in the area of pre-med
advising and to undergraduate research. Dr. Dores currently serves as the first Director of Pre-Professional/
Pre-Allied Health Advising which is a position created in conjunction with the Office of the Provost to guide
students across the University intending to enter into the health service area after their graduation from DU.
There were three retirements in the division this year
and we celebrated each one as they leave academia
and move on towards enjoying the next phase of
their life:
Dr. Alayne Parson stepped down as Dean of
NSM where she served the division for seven years.
She continues to stay connected with her home
department as she will teach as an adjunct in the
Department of Mathematics.
Dr. Judy Snyder also retired this year from
the Department of Biological Sciences after 33
years! Dr. Snyder is known for her research on
chromosomal movement within the cell as well
as cytoskeletal component interactions during
interphase of the cell division cycle. Snyder received
her B.A. in Biological Sciences from Univ. of
California, Berkeley and her Ph.D. in Botany from
UC, Berkeley as well. She was also the first recipient
of the Barton L. Weller Chair.
Dr. Joe Hornback retired after 43 years from the
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Joe
received his B.S. in Chemistry from the University
of Notre Dame and his Ph.D. from Ohio State
University. Hornback’s research interests are in
the areas of synthetic organic chemistry, organic
photochemistry, and chemical education but he
made it clear that he was here to share his passion
of chemistry with his students!
NEW FACULTY
Biological Sciences
Dr. Scott Nichols, Asst. Prof.
Dr. Robin Tinghitella, Asst. Prof.
Dr. Julie Morris, Lecturer
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Dr. Bryan Cowen, Asst. Prof.
Dr. Candace Kristensson, Lecturer
Geography and the Environment
Dr. Jing Li, Asst. Prof.
Kristopher Kuzera, Lecturer
NATURAL SCIENCES
AND MATHEMATICS
DEANS AND STAFF:
Andrei Kutateladze, Dean
Nancy Sasaki, Associate Dean
Joe Benson, Director of Budget and Planning
Karen Escobar, Assistant Director of Budget & Planning
Kirsten Norwood, Executive Assistant to the Dean
303-871-2693
[email protected]
www.du.edu/nsm
NSM 1st Annual Awards Ceremony: The division held its first award ceremony honoring faculty and
staff in the area of research, teaching, service and junior faculty. Faculty and staff from all departments
enjoyed an evening of celebration in the Tuscan Ballroom of the Joy Burns Center. Awardees were
announced at the ceremony and and several nominees were even surprised their names were called! It was
a very nice evening and we look forward to next year’s ceremony.
Excellence in Research: Dr. Gareth Eaton currently has 6 funded grants active in his lab and has six more
grant proposals in review. He published thirteen articles in highly ranked journals and was involved in eight
presentations. Dr. Eaton is a veteran of the department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Excellence in Teaching: Dr. Michael Kerwin, Geography and the Environment, has always demonstrated
a heartfelt devotion to student learning, tremendous enthusiasm for teaching, and genuine concern as
a mentor for undergraduate and graduate students. He serves as the Director of the interdisciplinary
Environmental Science program, and routinely advises 60-80 undergraduate Environmental Science majors.
A true role model for faculty as well as students!
Outstanding Service: Dr. Keith Miller exemplifies the word “service”. It is said by many across campus
that he is the “consummate good citizen” as he not only serves on departmental (Chemistry and
Biochemistry) search committees and chairs their pre-tenure review committee but serves on the Faculty
Athletics Committee and the Renew DU Teaching Incubator. Dr. Miller has also been involved in STEM
education initiatives bridging Morgridge College of Education STEM initiatives with those in NSM.
Outstanding Junior Faculty: You can find Dr. Shannon Murphy (Biological Sciences) in her lab with
her three graduate and five undergraduate students looking at the ecology and evolution of interactions
between herbivorous insects, the plants that they feed upon and the predators and parasitoids that
feed upon them. Dr. Murphy has funding from NSF and has published in several journals and presented
her research at numerous meetings. She brings energy and commitment to teaching and serves on the
Biological Sciences graduate committee as well as Graduate Council. Great job!
Top photo; Chancellor Robert Coombe, Dr. Robert
Dores, Dr. Scott Leutenneger.
Bottom photo; Drs. Keith Miller, Michael Kerwin,
Shannon Murphy and Gareth Eaton.
STUDENT CORNER FEATURING KEVIN LEGG
Our featured student for
2012 is Kevin Legg who
is currently a Biology
doctoral student in Dr.
Phil Danielson’s lab.
Kevin is highly skilled in
comparative proteomics
and bioinformatics.
Before becoming a
Biology grad student,
Kevin developed software
for the Eleanor Roosevelt Institute also located
here at DU and this talent led him into the “life
of crime”.Kevin began his Ph.D. program in 2009
(graduation Spring 2013) where he initiated
work on the application of mass spectrometry
and comparative proteomics to forensic biology.
To succeed in his Ph.D. research, Kevin needed
to be trained in mass spectrometry and he
did this at the National Jewish Proteomics and
Metabolomics facility in Denver CO. He used
this training to help write the software for the
biomarker discovery and to develop the body
fluid identification assay that is the foundation
of a new Department of Justice grant awarded
to the Danielson lab. This new protocol will
be used to try and link a DNA profile to trace
amounts of specific human body fluids such
as saliva, vaginal fluid or urine. This will enable
crime investigators to better evaluate critical
evidence in sexual assaults and other crimes
against persons. As explained, merely finding
DNA from an alleged female victim of sexual
assault on a suspect’s jeans does not necessarily
indicate guilt. Perhaps the alleged victim merely
sneezed on the suspect. In such a case, the ability
to confidently distinguish between traces of saliva
from a sneeze versus vaginal fluid from a possible
sexual assault could provide critical context that
can help juries to accurately determine guilt
and innocence. This new grant allows Legg to
continue his work in DNA forensics as a postdoc, where he will be responsible for directing
a rigorous series of developmental validation
studies. His research skills make him a critical
asset to the proteomic research program of the
Danielson lab.
Additional Factoids about Kevin:
•K
evin has just successfully completed the
Scientific Evidence course at DU’s Sturm
College of Law which is team taught by Dr.
Joyce Sterling and Dr. Phillip Danielson.
•K
evin’s research served as the basis of the
capstone project for the course – a mock
admissibility hearing where Kevin served as an
expert witness and Colorado Supreme Court
Justice Nancy Rice served as the Judge.
•K
evin was awarded a very prestigious Graduate
Fellowship by the National Institute of Justice
for his research on body fluid identification.
Typically only 2 to 5 of these are awarded
nationally each year.
•K
evin has presented his work at both National
and International professional conferences.
BIG NSM HAPPENINGS
ON CAMPUS IN 2012
COSMIC RAY SYMPOSIUM
The “Centenary Symposium 2012: Discovery of Cosmic Rays” convened at the University of Denver during this past June
celebrating the discovery of cosmic rays by Victor Hess and to present a summary of the current new data and understanding in
this area. This event was very well attended and included many presentations related to cosmic ray discovery and understanding
that has taken place over the past 100 years. Though many played a role in the organization of this event, Dr. Jonathan Ormes
(Physics and Astronomy) played a major role in its success.
UNIVERSITY OF DENVER PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE SPEAKERS HOSTED BY NSM
Dr. William Colglazier shared his insights as science and technology adviser to the Secretary of State during this special event.
The mission of the Office of the Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary is to provide scientific and technical expertise
and advice in support of the development and implementation of U.S. foreign policy. Since taking his current role in July 2011,
Colglazier has used his post to support the United States’ global scientific engagement in advancing science, solving global
problems and advancing diplomacy. This debate event was hosted by Sean Shaheen of Physics and Astronomy.
Dr. Nic Ormes (Mathematics) hosted and organized an event which brought the award-winning author and science advocate
Shawn Otto onto the DU campus, who gave a presentation on the impact science and antiscience have on American elections. A
regular speaker at science-related events, Otto is the author of Fool Me Twice: Fighting the Assault on Science in America. He also
coordinated a national science debate between former presidential rivals Barack Obama and John McCain.
Left: Cosmic Symposium 2012, Top Right: Shawn Otto, Bottom Right: Dr. William Colglazier
THE “MAGNIFICENT SEVEN”
TOP 7 FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS FOR 2011/2012
NSM was very successful over the past year
in the area of getting funding with a grand
total of over $8.5 million for the 2011-2012
academic year…here is a teaser of the top
seven funded grants:
Dr. Todd Blankenship’s (Biological Sciences)
grant “Dynamics of Epithelial Polarity Proteins
and the Control of Tissue Architecture” is
funded at the National Institutes of Health.
Blankenship will be looking at processes that
direct epithelial cell adhesion giving a better
understanding of how the critical tissue
integrity of epithelial tissues is maintained and
can be disrupted by disease.
Dr. Martin Margittai (Chemistry and
Biochemistry) was funded by National Institutes
of Health for a grant entitled “Linking Tau
Filament Structure to Phenotypic Diversity in
Human Tauopathies”.Dr. Margittai will study
the tau protein that is associated with several
neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s,
and how misfolding of tau proteins result
in phenotypic diversity observed in human
tauopathies. This knowledge can then be
used to develop new therapeutic strategies to
slow or even reverse the progression of taumediated diseases.
Dr. Sandra Eaton (Chemistry and
Biochemistry) was awarded a grant, “MRI:
Development of Innovative EPR Spectrometer”,
to develop a new electron paramagnetic
resonance (EPR) spectrometer which can be
used to study materials which have unpaired
electrons. The development of this digital and
highly versatile spectrometer (instrument)
opens up the world of spectrometry to many
new areas of science. Dr. Eaton proposes
to use her newly developed instrument
to enhance already existing studies at DU
which include the study of transient radicals
implicated in apoptosis and neurodegenerative
diseases, development of probes for in vivo
measurements of local oxygen concentration
and design of materials with potential for
quantum computing.
Dr. Phil Danielson (Biological Sciences)
successfully secured funding from the
Department of Justice. The grant, entitled
“Developmental Validation of a High-Specificity
Multiplex Assay for Human Body Fluid
Identification”, will utilize biomarkers and mass
spectrometry to confirm individualization of
biological stains used in forensic serological
testing. This improved testing schema will
provide the forensic community with a
powerful tool to aid in criminal investigations.
Dr. Danielson will work in collaboration with
the Center for Forensic Science Research and
Educations/NMS Labs in Willow Grove, PA.
Move over CSI…!
Dr. Kingshuk Ghosh (Physics and Astronomy)
received a grant from the National Science
Foundation entitled “How do Thermophilic
Proteins Withstand High Temperature?” which
involves investigating thermal protein folding
and unfolding. Dr. Ghosh is questioning
whether thermophilic proteins retain some type
of structural integrity in their unfolded state,
thus explaining how they can survive at higher
temperatures. This systematic approach using
such a large set of thermoproteins will provide
new understandings towards temperature
sensitivity in living cells generally attributed to
protein thermal denaturation.
Dr. Mario Lopez (Mathematics) received a
Toyota USA Foundation grant to build upon
a previously funded grant entitled “Kids
Play Math”.Dr. Lopez will use these funds to
improve access to quality early mathematics
education for children in Pre-Kindergarten
through 1st grade from marginalized (i.e.
migrant) and low-socioeconomic backgrounds.
Research on early childhood learning in
mathematics demonstrates the importance of
introducing baseline skills and mathematics
concepts in these student populations as early
as possible so that they may be successful in
mathematics in later grades.
Dr. Barry Zink (Physics and Astronomy)
is funded by the Central Intelligence
Agency for his project on “High Atomic
Number Absorbers: A Path for Gamma-Ray
Microcalorimeters to Exceed the Efficiency of
Germanium Sensors”.In recent years, a team
that includes NIST, Los Alamos National Lab,
and Prof. Zink’s group at DU has developed
and demonstrated a detector technology,
transition-edge sensor microcalorimeters,
with much better energy resolution. However,
these detectors currently require longer data
acquisition times than semiconductor detectors
to produce a useful spectrum. This new award
will allow this investigative team to increase
the efficiency of gamma-ray capture which will
then identify itself as the new state-of-the art
in gamma-ray spectroscopy. This technology
can be used for nuclear security and
safeguards applications, such as monitoring
ports-of-entry for weapons-grade uranium or
inspecting nuclear fuel for signs of plutonium
manufacturing.
MOVERS
& SHAKERS
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
RETIREMENTS
University Faculty Service Award: On October 17, DU honored Dr. Robert Dores, Biological Sciences,
with the Faculty Service Award. This award is given to a faculty member in recognition of outstanding
service to the university, the community, or the profession. Dr. Dores was exemplified for his service to
all three! Dr. Dores would consider himself most dedicated to students especially in the area of pre-med
advising and to undergraduate research. Dr. Dores currently serves as the first Director of Pre-Professional/
Pre-Allied Health Advising which is a position created in conjunction with the Office of the Provost to guide
students across the University intending to enter into the health service area after their graduation from DU.
There were three retirements in the division this year
and we celebrated each one as they leave academia
and move on towards enjoying the next phase of
their life:
Dr. Alayne Parson stepped down as Dean of
NSM where she served the division for seven years.
She continues to stay connected with her home
department as she will teach as an adjunct in the
Department of Mathematics.
Dr. Judy Snyder also retired this year from
the Department of Biological Sciences after 33
years! Dr. Snyder is known for her research on
chromosomal movement within the cell as well
as cytoskeletal component interactions during
interphase of the cell division cycle. Snyder received
her B.A. in Biological Sciences from Univ. of
California, Berkeley and her Ph.D. in Botany from
UC, Berkeley as well. She was also the first recipient
of the Barton L. Weller Chair.
Dr. Joe Hornback retired after 43 years from the
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Joe
received his B.S. in Chemistry from the University
of Notre Dame and his Ph.D. from Ohio State
University. Hornback’s research interests are in
the areas of synthetic organic chemistry, organic
photochemistry, and chemical education but he
made it clear that he was here to share his passion
of chemistry with his students!
NEW FACULTY
Biological Sciences
Dr. Scott Nichols, Asst. Prof.
Dr. Robin Tinghitella, Asst. Prof.
Dr. Julie Morris, Lecturer
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Dr. Bryan Cowen, Asst. Prof.
Dr. Candace Kristensson, Lecturer
Geography and the Environment
Dr. Jing Li, Asst. Prof.
Kristopher Kuzera, Lecturer
NATURAL SCIENCES
AND MATHEMATICS
DEANS AND STAFF:
Andrei Kutateladze, Dean
Nancy Sasaki, Associate Dean
Joe Benson, Director of Budget and Planning
Karen Escobar, Assistant Director of Budget & Planning
Kirsten Norwood, Executive Assistant to the Dean
303-871-2693
[email protected]
www.du.edu/nsm
NSM 1st Annual Awards Ceremony: The division held its first award ceremony honoring faculty and
staff in the area of research, teaching, service and junior faculty. Faculty and staff from all departments
enjoyed an evening of celebration in the Tuscan Ballroom of the Joy Burns Center. Awardees were
announced at the ceremony and and several nominees were even surprised their names were called! It was
a very nice evening and we look forward to next year’s ceremony.
Excellence in Research: Dr. Gareth Eaton currently has 6 funded grants active in his lab and has six more
grant proposals in review. He published thirteen articles in highly ranked journals and was involved in eight
presentations. Dr. Eaton is a veteran of the department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Excellence in Teaching: Dr. Michael Kerwin, Geography and the Environment, has always demonstrated
a heartfelt devotion to student learning, tremendous enthusiasm for teaching, and genuine concern as
a mentor for undergraduate and graduate students. He serves as the Director of the interdisciplinary
Environmental Science program, and routinely advises 60-80 undergraduate Environmental Science majors.
A true role model for faculty as well as students!
Outstanding Service: Dr. Keith Miller exemplifies the word “service”. It is said by many across campus
that he is the “consummate good citizen” as he not only serves on departmental (Chemistry and
Biochemistry) search committees and chairs their pre-tenure review committee but serves on the Faculty
Athletics Committee and the Renew DU Teaching Incubator. Dr. Miller has also been involved in STEM
education initiatives bridging Morgridge College of Education STEM initiatives with those in NSM.
Outstanding Junior Faculty: You can find Dr. Shannon Murphy (Biological Sciences) in her lab with
her three graduate and five undergraduate students looking at the ecology and evolution of interactions
between herbivorous insects, the plants that they feed upon and the predators and parasitoids that
feed upon them. Dr. Murphy has funding from NSF and has published in several journals and presented
her research at numerous meetings. She brings energy and commitment to teaching and serves on the
Biological Sciences graduate committee as well as Graduate Council. Great job!
Top photo; Chancellor Robert Coombe, Dr. Robert
Dores, Dr. Scott Leutenneger.
Bottom photo; Drs. Keith Miller, Michael Kerwin,
Shannon Murphy and Gareth Eaton.
STUDENT CORNER FEATURING KEVIN LEGG
Our featured student for
2012 is Kevin Legg who
is currently a Biology
doctoral student in Dr.
Phil Danielson’s lab.
Kevin is highly skilled in
comparative proteomics
and bioinformatics.
Before becoming a
Biology grad student,
Kevin developed software
for the Eleanor Roosevelt Institute also located
here at DU and this talent led him into the “life
of crime”.Kevin began his Ph.D. program in 2009
(graduation Spring 2013) where he initiated
work on the application of mass spectrometry
and comparative proteomics to forensic biology.
To succeed in his Ph.D. research, Kevin needed
to be trained in mass spectrometry and he
did this at the National Jewish Proteomics and
Metabolomics facility in Denver CO. He used
this training to help write the software for the
biomarker discovery and to develop the body
fluid identification assay that is the foundation
of a new Department of Justice grant awarded
to the Danielson lab. This new protocol will
be used to try and link a DNA profile to trace
amounts of specific human body fluids such
as saliva, vaginal fluid or urine. This will enable
crime investigators to better evaluate critical
evidence in sexual assaults and other crimes
against persons. As explained, merely finding
DNA from an alleged female victim of sexual
assault on a suspect’s jeans does not necessarily
indicate guilt. Perhaps the alleged victim merely
sneezed on the suspect. In such a case, the ability
to confidently distinguish between traces of saliva
from a sneeze versus vaginal fluid from a possible
sexual assault could provide critical context that
can help juries to accurately determine guilt
and innocence. This new grant allows Legg to
continue his work in DNA forensics as a postdoc, where he will be responsible for directing
a rigorous series of developmental validation
studies. His research skills make him a critical
asset to the proteomic research program of the
Danielson lab.
Additional Factoids about Kevin:
•K
evin has just successfully completed the
Scientific Evidence course at DU’s Sturm
College of Law which is team taught by Dr.
Joyce Sterling and Dr. Phillip Danielson.
•K
evin’s research served as the basis of the
capstone project for the course – a mock
admissibility hearing where Kevin served as an
expert witness and Colorado Supreme Court
Justice Nancy Rice served as the Judge.
•K
evin was awarded a very prestigious Graduate
Fellowship by the National Institute of Justice
for his research on body fluid identification.
Typically only 2 to 5 of these are awarded
nationally each year.
•K
evin has presented his work at both National
and International professional conferences.
BIG NSM HAPPENINGS
ON CAMPUS IN 2012
COSMIC RAY SYMPOSIUM
The “Centenary Symposium 2012: Discovery of Cosmic Rays” convened at the University of Denver during this past June
celebrating the discovery of cosmic rays by Victor Hess and to present a summary of the current new data and understanding in
this area. This event was very well attended and included many presentations related to cosmic ray discovery and understanding
that has taken place over the past 100 years. Though many played a role in the organization of this event, Dr. Jonathan Ormes
(Physics and Astronomy) played a major role in its success.
UNIVERSITY OF DENVER PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE SPEAKERS HOSTED BY NSM
Dr. William Colglazier shared his insights as science and technology adviser to the Secretary of State during this special event.
The mission of the Office of the Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary is to provide scientific and technical expertise
and advice in support of the development and implementation of U.S. foreign policy. Since taking his current role in July 2011,
Colglazier has used his post to support the United States’ global scientific engagement in advancing science, solving global
problems and advancing diplomacy. This debate event was hosted by Sean Shaheen of Physics and Astronomy.
Dr. Nic Ormes (Mathematics) hosted and organized an event which brought the award-winning author and science advocate
Shawn Otto onto the DU campus, who gave a presentation on the impact science and antiscience have on American elections. A
regular speaker at science-related events, Otto is the author of Fool Me Twice: Fighting the Assault on Science in America. He also
coordinated a national science debate between former presidential rivals Barack Obama and John McCain.
Left: Cosmic Symposium 2012, Top Right: Shawn Otto, Bottom Right: Dr. William Colglazier
THE “MAGNIFICENT SEVEN”
TOP 7 FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS FOR 2011/2012
NSM was very successful over the past year
in the area of getting funding with a grand
total of over $8.5 million for the 2011-2012
academic year…here is a teaser of the top
seven funded grants:
Dr. Todd Blankenship’s (Biological Sciences)
grant “Dynamics of Epithelial Polarity Proteins
and the Control of Tissue Architecture” is
funded at the National Institutes of Health.
Blankenship will be looking at processes that
direct epithelial cell adhesion giving a better
understanding of how the critical tissue
integrity of epithelial tissues is maintained and
can be disrupted by disease.
Dr. Martin Margittai (Chemistry and
Biochemistry) was funded by National Institutes
of Health for a grant entitled “Linking Tau
Filament Structure to Phenotypic Diversity in
Human Tauopathies”.Dr. Margittai will study
the tau protein that is associated with several
neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s,
and how misfolding of tau proteins result
in phenotypic diversity observed in human
tauopathies. This knowledge can then be
used to develop new therapeutic strategies to
slow or even reverse the progression of taumediated diseases.
Dr. Sandra Eaton (Chemistry and
Biochemistry) was awarded a grant, “MRI:
Development of Innovative EPR Spectrometer”,
to develop a new electron paramagnetic
resonance (EPR) spectrometer which can be
used to study materials which have unpaired
electrons. The development of this digital and
highly versatile spectrometer (instrument)
opens up the world of spectrometry to many
new areas of science. Dr. Eaton proposes
to use her newly developed instrument
to enhance already existing studies at DU
which include the study of transient radicals
implicated in apoptosis and neurodegenerative
diseases, development of probes for in vivo
measurements of local oxygen concentration
and design of materials with potential for
quantum computing.
Dr. Phil Danielson (Biological Sciences)
successfully secured funding from the
Department of Justice. The grant, entitled
“Developmental Validation of a High-Specificity
Multiplex Assay for Human Body Fluid
Identification”, will utilize biomarkers and mass
spectrometry to confirm individualization of
biological stains used in forensic serological
testing. This improved testing schema will
provide the forensic community with a
powerful tool to aid in criminal investigations.
Dr. Danielson will work in collaboration with
the Center for Forensic Science Research and
Educations/NMS Labs in Willow Grove, PA.
Move over CSI…!
Dr. Kingshuk Ghosh (Physics and Astronomy)
received a grant from the National Science
Foundation entitled “How do Thermophilic
Proteins Withstand High Temperature?” which
involves investigating thermal protein folding
and unfolding. Dr. Ghosh is questioning
whether thermophilic proteins retain some type
of structural integrity in their unfolded state,
thus explaining how they can survive at higher
temperatures. This systematic approach using
such a large set of thermoproteins will provide
new understandings towards temperature
sensitivity in living cells generally attributed to
protein thermal denaturation.
Dr. Mario Lopez (Mathematics) received a
Toyota USA Foundation grant to build upon
a previously funded grant entitled “Kids
Play Math”.Dr. Lopez will use these funds to
improve access to quality early mathematics
education for children in Pre-Kindergarten
through 1st grade from marginalized (i.e.
migrant) and low-socioeconomic backgrounds.
Research on early childhood learning in
mathematics demonstrates the importance of
introducing baseline skills and mathematics
concepts in these student populations as early
as possible so that they may be successful in
mathematics in later grades.
Dr. Barry Zink (Physics and Astronomy)
is funded by the Central Intelligence
Agency for his project on “High Atomic
Number Absorbers: A Path for Gamma-Ray
Microcalorimeters to Exceed the Efficiency of
Germanium Sensors”.In recent years, a team
that includes NIST, Los Alamos National Lab,
and Prof. Zink’s group at DU has developed
and demonstrated a detector technology,
transition-edge sensor microcalorimeters,
with much better energy resolution. However,
these detectors currently require longer data
acquisition times than semiconductor detectors
to produce a useful spectrum. This new award
will allow this investigative team to increase
the efficiency of gamma-ray capture which will
then identify itself as the new state-of-the art
in gamma-ray spectroscopy. This technology
can be used for nuclear security and
safeguards applications, such as monitoring
ports-of-entry for weapons-grade uranium or
inspecting nuclear fuel for signs of plutonium
manufacturing.
MOVERS
& SHAKERS
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
RETIREMENTS
University Faculty Service Award: On October 17, DU honored Dr. Robert Dores, Biological Sciences,
with the Faculty Service Award. This award is given to a faculty member in recognition of outstanding
service to the university, the community, or the profession. Dr. Dores was exemplified for his service to
all three! Dr. Dores would consider himself most dedicated to students especially in the area of pre-med
advising and to undergraduate research. Dr. Dores currently serves as the first Director of Pre-Professional/
Pre-Allied Health Advising which is a position created in conjunction with the Office of the Provost to guide
students across the University intending to enter into the health service area after their graduation from DU.
There were three retirements in the division this year
and we celebrated each one as they leave academia
and move on towards enjoying the next phase of
their life:
Dr. Alayne Parson stepped down as Dean of
NSM where she served the division for seven years.
She continues to stay connected with her home
department as she will teach as an adjunct in the
Department of Mathematics.
Dr. Judy Snyder also retired this year from
the Department of Biological Sciences after 33
years! Dr. Snyder is known for her research on
chromosomal movement within the cell as well
as cytoskeletal component interactions during
interphase of the cell division cycle. Snyder received
her B.A. in Biological Sciences from Univ. of
California, Berkeley and her Ph.D. in Botany from
UC, Berkeley as well. She was also the first recipient
of the Barton L. Weller Chair.
Dr. Joe Hornback retired after 43 years from the
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Joe
received his B.S. in Chemistry from the University
of Notre Dame and his Ph.D. from Ohio State
University. Hornback’s research interests are in
the areas of synthetic organic chemistry, organic
photochemistry, and chemical education but he
made it clear that he was here to share his passion
of chemistry with his students!
NEW FACULTY
Biological Sciences
Dr. Scott Nichols, Asst. Prof.
Dr. Robin Tinghitella, Asst. Prof.
Dr. Julie Morris, Lecturer
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Dr. Bryan Cowen, Asst. Prof.
Dr. Candace Kristensson, Lecturer
Geography and the Environment
Dr. Jing Li, Asst. Prof.
Kristopher Kuzera, Lecturer
NATURAL SCIENCES
AND MATHEMATICS
DEANS AND STAFF:
Andrei Kutateladze, Dean
Nancy Sasaki, Associate Dean
Joe Benson, Director of Budget and Planning
Karen Escobar, Assistant Director of Budget & Planning
Kirsten Norwood, Executive Assistant to the Dean
303-871-2693
[email protected]
www.du.edu/nsm
NSM 1st Annual Awards Ceremony: The division held its first award ceremony honoring faculty and
staff in the area of research, teaching, service and junior faculty. Faculty and staff from all departments
enjoyed an evening of celebration in the Tuscan Ballroom of the Joy Burns Center. Awardees were
announced at the ceremony and and several nominees were even surprised their names were called! It was
a very nice evening and we look forward to next year’s ceremony.
Excellence in Research: Dr. Gareth Eaton currently has 6 funded grants active in his lab and has six more
grant proposals in review. He published thirteen articles in highly ranked journals and was involved in eight
presentations. Dr. Eaton is a veteran of the department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Excellence in Teaching: Dr. Michael Kerwin, Geography and the Environment, has always demonstrated
a heartfelt devotion to student learning, tremendous enthusiasm for teaching, and genuine concern as
a mentor for undergraduate and graduate students. He serves as the Director of the interdisciplinary
Environmental Science program, and routinely advises 60-80 undergraduate Environmental Science majors.
A true role model for faculty as well as students!
Outstanding Service: Dr. Keith Miller exemplifies the word “service”. It is said by many across campus
that he is the “consummate good citizen” as he not only serves on departmental (Chemistry and
Biochemistry) search committees and chairs their pre-tenure review committee but serves on the Faculty
Athletics Committee and the Renew DU Teaching Incubator. Dr. Miller has also been involved in STEM
education initiatives bridging Morgridge College of Education STEM initiatives with those in NSM.
Outstanding Junior Faculty: You can find Dr. Shannon Murphy (Biological Sciences) in her lab with
her three graduate and five undergraduate students looking at the ecology and evolution of interactions
between herbivorous insects, the plants that they feed upon and the predators and parasitoids that
feed upon them. Dr. Murphy has funding from NSF and has published in several journals and presented
her research at numerous meetings. She brings energy and commitment to teaching and serves on the
Biological Sciences graduate committee as well as Graduate Council. Great job!
Top photo; Chancellor Robert Coombe, Dr. Robert
Dores, Dr. Scott Leutenneger.
Bottom photo; Drs. Keith Miller, Michael Kerwin,
Shannon Murphy and Gareth Eaton.
STUDENT CORNER FEATURING KEVIN LEGG
Our featured student for
2012 is Kevin Legg who
is currently a Biology
doctoral student in Dr.
Phil Danielson’s lab.
Kevin is highly skilled in
comparative proteomics
and bioinformatics.
Before becoming a
Biology grad student,
Kevin developed software
for the Eleanor Roosevelt Institute also located
here at DU and this talent led him into the “life
of crime”.Kevin began his Ph.D. program in 2009
(graduation Spring 2013) where he initiated
work on the application of mass spectrometry
and comparative proteomics to forensic biology.
To succeed in his Ph.D. research, Kevin needed
to be trained in mass spectrometry and he
did this at the National Jewish Proteomics and
Metabolomics facility in Denver CO. He used
this training to help write the software for the
biomarker discovery and to develop the body
fluid identification assay that is the foundation
of a new Department of Justice grant awarded
to the Danielson lab. This new protocol will
be used to try and link a DNA profile to trace
amounts of specific human body fluids such
as saliva, vaginal fluid or urine. This will enable
crime investigators to better evaluate critical
evidence in sexual assaults and other crimes
against persons. As explained, merely finding
DNA from an alleged female victim of sexual
assault on a suspect’s jeans does not necessarily
indicate guilt. Perhaps the alleged victim merely
sneezed on the suspect. In such a case, the ability
to confidently distinguish between traces of saliva
from a sneeze versus vaginal fluid from a possible
sexual assault could provide critical context that
can help juries to accurately determine guilt
and innocence. This new grant allows Legg to
continue his work in DNA forensics as a postdoc, where he will be responsible for directing
a rigorous series of developmental validation
studies. His research skills make him a critical
asset to the proteomic research program of the
Danielson lab.
Additional Factoids about Kevin:
•K
evin has just successfully completed the
Scientific Evidence course at DU’s Sturm
College of Law which is team taught by Dr.
Joyce Sterling and Dr. Phillip Danielson.
•K
evin’s research served as the basis of the
capstone project for the course – a mock
admissibility hearing where Kevin served as an
expert witness and Colorado Supreme Court
Justice Nancy Rice served as the Judge.
•K
evin was awarded a very prestigious Graduate
Fellowship by the National Institute of Justice
for his research on body fluid identification.
Typically only 2 to 5 of these are awarded
nationally each year.
•K
evin has presented his work at both National
and International professional conferences.