From the Dean

Welcome to the last College of Science e-newsletter for 2007! If you’re like me, you are probably wondering where this year went. The next few weeks are the “last blast” of work for students as they prepare for finals before the holiday season begins. This is when all of the studying and hard work pays off, and we wish our students the best of luck on their exams.

Students are not the only ones with an awesome work load over the next few weeks. In addition to helping the university promote two wonderful new scholarship programs, we continue to keep up the momentum on our Centennial celebrations, and we have just initiated the 2008–2014 strategic planning effort. So, as you can see, we are busy!

I’d like to draw your attention to a new and exciting opportunity for incoming fall 2008 freshmen that is part of President Córdova’s access, success, and diversity initiative. The program consists of two merit-based scholarship programs—the Trustees and Presidential scholarships—that are automatically awarded to each admitted student who meets certain academic criteria. The scholarships are designed to attract and recruit academically high-achieving students from across the country in order to increase the academic profile of our students as well as improve the retention and graduation rates. The scholarships will provide a real boost to aid packages for high-merit students who also exhibit high need.

The Trustees Scholarship program provides $10,000 for non-Indiana residents per year ($40,000 total value) and $8,000 for Indiana residents ($32,000 total value). It is awarded to each high school senior who has at least a 30 composite ACT or 1340 SAT(CR+M), and in addition has a 3.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or a top 5% high school ranking. The Presidential Scholarship program provides $7,000 to non-Indiana residents per year ($28,000 total value), and $5,000 to Indiana residents per year ($20,000 total value). It is awarded to each high school senior who has a 27–29 composite ACT or 1240–1330 SAT(CR+M), and in addition has a 3.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or a top 5% high school ranking. The Trustees and Presidential scholarships are multi-year awards and renewable for up to four continuous years of full-time enrollment.

To be eligible for the scholarships, applications to Purdue are due by December 15, 2007, which is a strict deadline. Please help us get the word out to all potential applicants. For more information and to apply for the scholarships, they can visit the Purdue Admissions website.

In early November, the College of Science joined fellow sponsors around the university to honor the 2007 class of Science Journalism Laureates. The program, currently in its second year, honors the linchpin role that journalists and communicators of science and technology play in educating the public and helping us all make more informed decisions. At the public events, the laureates provided keen insights into ethics and social responsibility. Please visit the Science Journalism Laureates website to see videos of the Town Hall meeting and the afternoon convocation as well as information about the laureates and the program. The audio of the Town Hall will be rebroadcast in a coming TechNation radio program on NPR.

As we look back during our Centennial celebrations, we are energized about our future. The exciting new scholarship program I mentioned earlier carries with it very large financial obligations, and we are working hard to raise funds from our alumni and friends who are passionate about providing opportunities for future generations of students. We are currently beginning the 2008–2014 College strategic planning process to help chart our future. A steering committee will convene soon to review our mission, vision, and values. We are creating subcommittees to examine the four Pillars of the College: Discovery, Learning, Engagement, and Diversity. Throughout the process we will use an interactive approach and Town Hall meetings to engage our stakeholders and find out what is important to them. We will create a College of Science strategic planning website for your information and input.

On behalf of the College of Science, I’d like to wish you, your family, and friends a peaceful, holiday season and a most happy 2008.

Sincerely,

Jeff Vitter

SCIENCE PEOPLE

Computer Science professor receives Distinguished Alumnus Award

Mikhail (Mike) Atallah received the 2007 Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (FEA) Distinguished Alumnus Award from the American University in Beirut (AUB). Full story.

Purdue professor develops technology instrumental in early detection of cancer

Daniel Raftery, professor of analytical and physical chemistry, is hopeful that a new technology developed in his laboratory will help in the early detection of cancer. Full story.

Chemistry professor receives award

Phil Low, the Ralph C. Corley Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, and his graduate assistant, Wei He, received the "Most Innovative New Product" award for a product that they presented through the Purdue Research Park company, Endocyte, Inc. Full story.

Distinguished professor to be honored in Paris

A conference honoring Jim Douglas, Jr., the Compere and Marcella Loveless Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Computational Mathematics, for his 80th birthday will be held at the Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (INRIA), Paris-Rocquencourt, France, on December 13–14, 2007. Full story.

Spring break anyone? Purdue Science Student Council students head for Ecuador

When you ask most college students where they are headed for spring break, it is usually to a tropical location where the fun is flowing freely. Not so for a group of students from the Purdue Science Student Council who will spend their vacation in Quito, Ecuador, as part of a medical brigade. Full story.

Junior women’s basketball player "cooks" more than opponents

It's not like Lauren Mioton doesn't have enough to do. She's a junior on the Purdue women's basketball team and is studying to become a doctor. Now Mioton has found enough time and energy to organize a cookbook to help her hometown of New Orleans. Full story.

Researchers get the picture

A College of Science-led research team has captured a key step in the metabolic process that allows materials, such as nutrients and drug treatments, to move in and out of cells. Full story.

SCIENCE NEWS

Statistics grads endow scholarship

Over the course of their careers, Bob and Marjorie McLean—both statistics graduates from Purdue—have developed a deep appreciation for the importance of giving back to their alma mater. Full story.

A decade of information security

The Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security (CERIAS) celebrates its 10th anniversary in May 2008. The center has the distinction of graduating approximately 25% of all the Infosec Ph.D.s in the U.S. over the decade. Full story.

Observations after a Mojave earthquake

The strength of Earth's outer layers and their ability to resist deformation are important factors in determining earthquake hazards in seismic zones. Full story.

Standing room only for Professor Harry Gray lecture

Professor Harry B. Gray’s November 29 lecture on "Bioinorganic Solar Chemistry" drew an audience of more than 110 faculty, staff, and students. Full story.

Computer Science participants celebrate Women in Computing

Purdue Computer Science participated in the 2007 Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing program. The conference was held October 17–20, 2007 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. Full story.

"Best in Class" for Department of Mathematics teaching assistants

On November 19, the Department of Mathematics awarded 2007–2008 Excellence in Teaching Awards to six teaching assistants. Full story.

Industrial and Applied Mathematics comes to Purdue

Purdue students have formed a chapter of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM). Full story.

Former EAS project coordinator to lead Native American commission

Aleeah Livengood, Purdue alumna and former project coordinator for the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, has been named executive director of the Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission. Full story.

Science journalists help public understand science

Twenty percent of Americans still think the sun orbits around the Earth, says journalist David Ewing Duncan. Full story.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association presents interviewing tips tailored to international students

International students have a lot to offer, says Norman Timonera, a human resources representative with Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Full story.

Research forecasts increased chances for stormy weather

Researchers who study severe weather and climate change joined forces to study the effects of global warming on the number of severe storms in the future and discovered a dramatic increase in potential storm conditions for some parts of the United States. Full story.

PURDUE NEWS

Purdue forms strategic planning committees

Purdue President France A. Córdova has appointed eight working groups that will form the vanguard in the creation of the university's next strategic plan. Full story.

President Córdova addresses women in science

On November 27, Purdue University President France A. Córdova gave the keynote address at a National Institutes of Health conference in Bethesda, MD, on mentoring women for careers in biomedicine. Full story.

CERIAS associate director named distinguished professor

Professor Victor Raskin has been named the Distinguished Professor of English and Linguistics by the Purdue University board of trustees. Full story.

Purdue awards first scholarships through federal Homeland Security STEM program

Two College of Science students were among the seven Purdue graduate students who will receive research scholarships through the university's Homeland Security Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics Career Development program. Full story.

Purdue climate change researchers create primer to help policy-makers

Members of the Purdue University Climate Change Research Center have created a policy brief to aid decision makers in weighing the options and consequences of different approaches to deal with climate change issues. Full story.

Seed grant proposal competition initiated

Discovery Park has initiated a competition for seed grant proposals with a total of $300,000 allocated to fund seed grants of up to $50,000 each for proposals that catalyze new high impact activities at Purdue. More information.

Director named for Purdue's $100 million Alfred Mann Institute for Biomedical Development

A former president and CEO of an international producer of medical devices will serve as the executive director of the Alfred Mann Institute for Biomedical Development at Purdue University. Full story.

SPOTLIGHT ON NEW STAFF

Bente Fein

Bente Fein began her duties as director of advancement for the College of Science on November 26. Bente is responsible for coordinating college advancement activities, including development, alumni and donor relations, and special events.

Bente was most recently the director of development in the departments of biological sciences and statistics and the actuarial science program in the College of Science.

Bente received her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design and a Bachelor of Urban Planning and Development from Ball State University. She also received a Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.

Steven Hare

Steve Hare began his position as director of information technology in the College of Science on November 12. Steve is responsible for developing the College’s IT vision and direction to build collaborative IT relationships among departments, ITaP, and other units on campus, with the goals of improved service delivery, better use of personnel, and leverage of other capabilities on campus.

Prior to the College of Science, Steve served as the collaborations and IT officer at the Regenstrief Institute in Indianapolis. He previously held positions at Purdue in ITaP, CERIAS, Krannert Graduate School of Management, and the Department of Computer Science.

Steve received two Master of Science degrees from Purdue University, one in 1977 from the College of Science in Applied Mathematics, and the other from Industrial Engineering in the College of Engineering in 1981. His Bachelor of Science degree is from Calvin College in mathematics and physics.

Karen Pulliam

Karen Pulliam began her role as communications and media coordinator in the College of Science on November 12. Her responsibilities include development and implementation of the college’s communications plan as well as coordination of communications for the dean’s office, college publications, electronic newsletters, and media.

She was most recently at the Dauch Center for the Management of Manufacturing Enterprises & Global Supply Chain Management Initiative in the Krannert School of Management.

A Purdue alumna, Karen received her Bachelor of Arts from Purdue University in Communication and Public Relations, and MBA, with emphasis in marketing, from the University of Phoenix.

SCIENCE EVENTS AND CALENDAR

Dec. 6, 4:30 p.m.: Department of Statistics Special Colloquium, MATH 175. Professor Marianna Pensky, Department of Mathematics and Department of Statistics, University of Central Florida. More information.

Dec. 6, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.: Stewart Center 214. Purdue's Office of the Vice President for Research will offer a workshop featuring two program officers from the National Institutes of Health. Belinda Seto, deputy director of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, will give a presentation on imaging and future institute initiatives. More information.

Dec. 7, 3:30 p.m.: Department of Physics, Condensed Matter and Biological Physics Seminar. Dr. Sudhakar Yarlagadda, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, will present “Charge density waves due to electron-phonon interaction in low-dimensional systems.” More information.

Dec. 7, 8:00 p.m.: Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse. "Holiday Cheer & All That Jazz." Purdue's three jazz bands—the Purdue Jazz Band, American Music Repertory Ensemble and Lab Jazz Band—will perform a variety of jazz versions of seasonal standards during this free concert. More information.

Dec. 7–9: 74th Annual Purdue Christmas Show, Elliott Hall of Music. “Christmas from the Heart.” More information.

Dec. 8, 4:00 p.m.: Women’s basketball, Purdue vs. Notre Dame.

Dec. 11: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.: Purdue Memorial Union 118. Child care information sessions. For more information, contact Ken Sandel, managing director for the executive vice president and treasurer, 765-494-0990. More information.

Dec. 15, 3:30 p.m.: Men’s basketball, Purdue vs. Louisville (Wooden Tradition).

Dec. 16, 2:30 p.m.: Winter Commencement, Elliott Hall of Music.

Jan. 9: CERIAS Security Seminar Archive. Eric Cole, Lockheed Martin. For more information, visit the CERIAS seminar Web site.

Jan. 20, 5:00 p.m.: Meet the Dean, Oakland, CA. For more information, contact John Fisher, director of alumni relations and special events: jrfisher@purdue.edu, 765-494-0586.

Jan. 22, 7:00 p.m.: Meet the Dean, San Martin, CA. For more information, contact John Fisher, director of alumni relations and special events: jrfisher@purdue.edu, 765-494-0586.

Jan. 28, 6:00 p.m.: Meet the Dean, San Diego, CA. For more information, contact John Fisher, director of alumni relations and special events: jrfisher@purdue.edu, 765-494-0586.

Jan. 31, 7:00 p.m.: Meet the Dean, Los Angeles, CA. For more information, contact John Fisher, director of alumni relations and special events: jrfisher@purdue.edu, 765-494-0586.

Feb. 7, 4:30 p.m.: Centennial Distinguished Science Series, PHYS 114. Biological Sciences presents Mildred Dresselhaus, Institute Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. More information.

March 19–20: 9th Annual CERIAS Symposium. More information.

Mar. 29, 1:00 p.m.: “An Afternoon with Jane Goodall,” Elliott Hall of Music. The College of Science will host renowned primatologist Jane Goodall to speak about threats to chimpanzees, the problems facing our world, and how people can effect change through consumer action, lifestyle change, and activism. More information.

Apr. 7, 5:00 p.m.: Centennial Distinguished Lecture Series, Fowler Hall. Mathematics presents Margaret Wright, Chair and Silver Professor of Computer Science, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University. Wright is a leading researcher in the fields of optimization, linear algebra, and scientific applications. More information.

Are you interested in leaving a lasting legacy for future students or faculty at Purdue? If so, please visit our planned giving home page.

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