From the Dean

I hope that you’ve had a pleasant and productive start to 2008.  The cold temperatures and snowfall we’ve experienced in Indiana have not slowed the quickening pace of life and work in the College of Science.  Last month was our official kickoff of the College’s strategic planning process, in which we’ll set the course of the College for the next five years and beyond.

The strategic planning steering committee has already met three times in as many weeks to kick-start the effort into top gear.  President France Córdova attended the first meeting to share her vision for Purdue and to provide a linkage with the University planning effort.  She spoke about making Purdue a global role model in student success, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and she challenged us to position the College of Science similarly.  The steering committee’s work has been to formulate such a vision for the College as well as big-picture goals that the four Pillar group committees—on discovery, learning, engagement, and diversity—will flesh out.  During our committee meetings, I have been very impressed by the energetic and thought-provoking discussions. 

My California “Meet the Dean” tour last month has also provided me with excellent input from Science alumni for our strategic planning process… as well as several ideas and offers for how alumni can pitch in.  I’m looking forward to further interactions at upcoming “Meet the Dean” events in Naples, Dallas, Boston, and Indianapolis. Alumni should contact Bente Fein, at bfein@purdue.edu, director of advancement, if interested in attending an event or hosting another.  Everyone in the College is invited to town hall meetings on April 4 and 9 to discuss the work so far in our four Pillar areas.  Please also visit our College of Science strategic planning website to share your thoughts and submit ideas.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Finally, we are getting very excited about the grand finale to our Centennial Celebrations: the March 29 Elliott Hall appearance of legendary primatologist Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE!  Please note that tickets go on sale February 18.  We anticipate a sell-out crowd, so please visit the Centennial website to purchase your tickets.

All the best,

Jeff Vitter

SPOTLIGHT ON NEW FACULTY

Yuk Fai Leung

Yuk Fai Leung joins the Department of Biological Sciences as assistant professor. Leung's research looks at how eye development is orchestrated by scores of genetic pathways and gene families that control cell proliferation, specification, and differentiation processes.

 

 

Hao Zhang

Professor Hao Zhang has joined the Department of Statistics and has a secondary appointment with the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. His current research is primarily in the analysis of spatial and space-time data. These kinds of data are being observed in many fields such as climatology, geophysics, geology, natural resources, agriculture, health sciences, economics and marketing.

SCIENCE PEOPLE

SCIENCE NEWS

Physics professor helps reveal new details of cosmic jets

Matthew Lister, assistant professor of physics, is part of an international team of researchers involved in a long-term study of the motions of cosmic giant jets, using the super-sharp imaging capabilities of the National Science Foundation's Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). Full story.

Purdue-designed Alzheimer's treatment completes first phase of testing

Arun Ghosh, a Purdue professor with a dual appointment in the Departments of Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, designed the molecule that could allow for intervention in Alzheimer's early stages. Full story.

Zwier interfaces between chemistry and physics

In a recent physics colloquium, Professor Timothy Zwier, M. G. Mellon Distinguished Professor and head of the Department of Chemistry, spoke to a physics audience about his physical chemistry research group’s studies in laser spectroscopy and chemical dynamics. Full story.

Cell phone sensors detect radiation to thwart nuclear terrorism

Physics professor Ephraim Fischbach is part of a Purdue University research team working with the State of Indiana to develop a system that would use a network of cell phones to detect and track radiation to help prevent terrorist attacks with radiological "dirty bombs" and nuclear weapons. Full story.

De Hoop's journey to the center of the Earth

Using techniques from microlocal analysis and statistics Maarten de Hoop, professor of mathematics and earth and atmospheric sciences, has produced stunning new images of one of the least-understood parts of Earth—the region where the molten outer core interfaces with the solid lower mantle. Full Story.

 

Chemistry professor part of company that went public

Graham Cooks, Henry B. Hass Distinguished Professor of Analytical Chemistry, is serving as a scientific advisor for Purdue Research Park firm, Griffin Analytical ("Griffin"), whose parent company, ICx Technologies, Inc., is now being traded on NASDAQ. Full Story.

PCCRC announces its 2008 fellowship competition

The Purdue Climate Change Research Center (PCCRC) announced its 2008 competition for graduate fellowships. The fellowships include a stipend and remission of fees for the 2008/2009 academic year. For more information, contact Rose Filley, managing director of PCCRC: rfilley@purdue.edu, 765-496-3209.

SCIENCE ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Alumna Anne Carpenter to be featured in television special

Anne Carpenter (BS '97, Biological Sciences) will be featured in a television special, Bold Visions: Women in Science and Technology. Full Story.

SPOTLIGHT ON NEW STAFF

Cameron Smith, Systems Administrator

Cameron Smith, formerly Web communications manager, was promoted to the newly-created systems administrator position. Previously, Cameron had the opportunity to develop Web applications and redesign Web pages and sites that enhanced the College of Science Web presence. In his new role, Cameron is responsible for managing the desktop computers, servers, and IT service delivery for science administration, overseeing the science IT helpdesk student team, and collaborating with science departments on new infrastructure initiatives. Cameron received his Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership and supervision from Purdue University in 2005. On February 6, Cameron received a College of Science customer service award.

PURDUE NEWS

Course designed to help with MCAT prep

Class of 1937 scholarship offered to Purdue undergraduate students

Purdue president to host online chat, visit cities nationwide

Students to play chef for a day at Rube Goldberg contest

Provost invited discussion on scholarly communication

Scholarships available for quantitative physiology program

 

SCIENCE EVENTS AND CALENDAR

Feb. 7, 3:30 p.m.: Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, CIVL 1252. "Geodynamic Modeling of Mantle Flow in the Western United States," Professor Joya Tetreault, University of New Mexico. More information.

Feb. 7, 4:30 p.m.: Centennial Distinguished Science Series, PHYS 114. "The Potential of Nanostructured Materials to Address the Challenge of a Sustainable Energy Resource," Mildred Dresselhaus, Institute Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. More information.

Feb. 7, 8:00 p.m.: Women's basketball vs. Ohio State, Mackey Arena. More information.

Feb. 8, 4:30 p.m.: Department of Mathematics Special Colloquium, BRNG 1254. "A Seminar on the Teaching of College Algebra: Pre-service Teachers' Mathematical and Pedagogical Experiences," Professor Angela Hodge, North Dakota State University. More information.

Feb. 8, 5:30 p.m.: CERIAS Information Security Seminar, STEW G52. Carlos Solari, vice president, Security Solutions, and director, Bell Labs Security Solutions Research Center, will be the guest speaker. For more information, contact Joel Rasmus, corporate relations manager: jrasmus@purdue.edu, 765-494-7806.

Feb. 8, 6:00–7:30 p.m.: Bioethics Seminar Series, MRGN 121. "Nanotechnologies and Environmental Concerns," Dr. Barbara Karn, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; National Center for Environmental Research; head of the Research Grant Program for Nanotechnologies in Office of Research and Development; member of the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies with The Wilson Center, will be the guest speaker. For more information and to register: http://www.purdue.edu/bioethics.

Feb. 9, 8:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.: President's Council "Back to Class," Naples, FL. For reservations contact the special events office: events@purdue.edu, 800-213-3044 or 765-494-0900. More information.

Feb. 10, 8:00 a.m.: Meet the Dean, Naples, FL. For more information, contact John Fisher, director of alumni relations and special events: jrfisher@purdue.edu, 765-494-0586.

Feb. 10, 6:30 p.m.: President's Council Annual Appreciation Dinner, Naples, FL. For reservations contact the special events office: events@purdue.edu, 800-213-3044 or 765-494-0900. More information.

Feb. 12, 4:30 p.m.: Department of Mathematics Colloquium, MATH 175. Professor Leonid Beryland, Penn State University. More information.

Feb. 12, 7:00 p.m.: Men's basketball vs. Michigan State, Mackey Arena. More information.

Feb. 13, 1:30–3:30 p.m.: Department of Biological Sciences, WSLR 116. "The RNA Structural Basis for Translational Initiation of a Viral IRES," Professor Jeff Kieft, University of Colorado at Denver. More information.

Feb. 13, 4:00–5:30 p.m.: Department of Biological Sciences, MJIS 1001. "Microtubule Dynamics and Array Organization in the Arabidopsis Hypocotyl Cell," Professor Sidney Shaw, Indiana University. More information.

Feb. 13, 4:30 p.m.: CERIAS Information Security Seminar, STEW G52. Myron Cramer, Essex Corporation/Northrup Grumman, will be the guest speaker. For more information, contact Joel Rasmus, corporate relations manager: jrasmus@purdue.edu, 765-494-7806.

Feb. 14, 1:00 p.m.: Women's basketball vs. Iowa, Mackey Arena. More information.

Feb. 14, 3:30 p.m.: Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, CIVL 1252. "Super-Greenhouses and Middle East Oil," Professor Jim Ogg, Purdue University. More information.

Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.: The John Jorgenson Quintet, Loeb Playhouse. More information.

Feb. 16, 9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.: Regional Mathcounts Competition, STEW. Student teams representing 14 schools will participate in what will be the largest in the history of the AA Potter Chapter competition. For more information contact Jerry Woodward: jwoodwar@purdue.edu, 765-494-9578.

Feb. 16, 11:00 a.m.: Purdue Climate Change Research Center seminar, PFEN Auditorium. "Ecological Impacts of Climate Change," Professor Shannon LaDeau. For more information call 765-496-3209.

Feb. 18: NSF Limited Submission Competition. Visit the Office of the Vice President of Research Web site for more information on Purdue policy and deadlines. More competition information.

Feb. 18, 10:00 a.m.: Tickets go on sale for “Reason for Hope” with Jane Goodall, Elliott Hall of Music. More information.

Feb. 18, 3:00–4:30 p.m.: Department of Biological Sciences, STEW 202. "Detection of Domestication Genes and Other Loci Under Selection," Professor Bruce Walsh, University of Arizona. More information.

Feb. 19, 4:30 p.m.: Department of Mathematics Colloquium, MATH 175. Professor Claudio Canuto. More information.

Feb. 20, 1:30–3:30 p.m.: Department of Biological Sciences, WSLR 116. "Unique Properties of Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Implications for Rhodopsin Function," Professor Scott Feller, Wabash College. More information.

Feb. 20, 4:00–5:30 p.m.: Department of Biological Sciences, MJIS 1001. "The Genomics of Thermotolerance in Drosphila," Professor Theodore Morgan, Kansas State University. More information.

Feb. 20, 4:30 p.m.: CERIAS Information Security Seminar, STEW G52. "Reading the Disclosures with New Eyes: Bridging the Gap Between Information Security Disclosures and Incidents," Ta-Wei (David) Wang, Purdue University, will be the guest speaker. For more information, contact Joel Rasmus, corporate relations manager: jrasmus@purdue.edu, 765-494-7806.

Feb. 21, 3:30 p.m.: Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, CIVL 2201. "Experimental Modeling of Convergent Tectonics," Professor Saad Haq, Purdue University. More information.

Feb. 21, 4:30–5:30 p.m.: Department of Statistics Special Colloquim, HAAS 101. Dr. Guang Cheng, Postdoctoral Fellow at SAMSI. More information.

Feb. 23, 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.: Regional Science Olympiad Competition, WTHR & BRWN. For more information contact Mindy Hart: mhart@cs.purdue.edu, 765-494-7802.

Feb. 24, 1:00 p.m.: Women's basketball vs. Michigan State, Mackey Arena. More information.

Feb. 24, 5:00 p.m.: Annie, Elliott Hall of Music. More information.

Feb. 26, 4:30 p.m.: Department of Mathematics Colloquium, MATH 175. Professor Mike Field, University of Houston. More information.

Feb. 27, 9:00 p.m.: Men's basketball vs. Minnesota, Mackey Arena. More information.

Feb. 27, 1:30–3:30 p.m.: Department of Biological Sciences, WSLR 116. Professor Swapna Apte, Purdue University. More information.

Feb. 27, 4:30 p.m.: CERIAS Information Security Seminar, STEW G52. Buzz Walsh, PhD, Booz Allen Hamilton/IATAC, will be the guest speaker. For more information, contact Joel Rasmus, corporate relations manager: jrasmus@purdue.edu, 765-494-7806.

Feb. 28, 3:30 p.m.: Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, CIVL 2201. "Seismotectonics of South-Central Alaska," Professor Diane Doser, University of Texas El Paso. More information.

Feb. 29, 8:00 p.m.: Ben Folds Five, Elliott Hall of Music. More information.

Mar. 3, 6:00–7:30 p.m.: Bioethics Seminar Series, MRGN 121. "Nanotechnologies and Medical Ethics," Dr. Nigel M. de S. Cameron, president of the Institute on Biotechnology and the Human Future; director of the Center on Nanotechnology and Society; research professor of Bioethics; and associate dean at the Chicago-Kent College of Law in the Illinois Institute of Technology, will be the guest speaker. For more information and to register: http://www.purdue.edu/bioethics.

Mar. 5, 4:30 p.m. : CERIAS InformationSecurity Seminar, STEW G52. "Hacking the Mobil Workplace," Daniel Hoffman, Fiberlink Communications, will be the guest speaker. For more information, contact Joel Rasmus, corporate relations manager: jrasmus@purdue.edu, 765-494-7806.

March 19–20: 9th Annual CERIAS Symposium. For more information, contact Joel Rasmus, corporate relations manager: jrasmus@purdue.edu, 765-494-7806.

Mar. 23, 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.: Mathcounts State Final, WTHR & BRWN. For more information contact Mindy Hart: mhart@cs.purdue.edu, 765-494-7802.

Mar. 27, 4:30–5:30 p.m.: Centennial Distinguished Lecture Series, MATH 175. "On Coincidences," Persi Diaconis, Mary V. Sunseri Professor of Statistics and Mathematics, Stanford University. More information.

Mar. 29, 1:00 p.m.: “Reason for Hope” with Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, Elliott Hall of Music. More information.

Apr. 4, 1:30–3:30 p.m.: Town hall meeting, hosted by Engagement and Learning Pillar groups, LWSN Commons. For more information, contact Mary Franklin, 765-494-9517.

Apr. 7, 5:00 p.m.: Centennial Distinguished Lecture Series, Fowler Hall. Margaret Wright, chair and Silver Professor of Computer Science, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University. More information.

Apr. 9, 2:30–4:30 p.m.: Diversity and Discovery Pillar groups town hall meeting, LWSN Commons. For more information, contact Mary Franklin, 765-494-9517.


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