From the Dean

It’s beginning to feel like Fall in Indiana. The air is cooler, the leaves are beginning to turn, and football season is in full swing. In Science, we’re working hard to meet the goals set forth in our Strategic Plan, which has been in place for about a year now. We’re making strong progress, as you'll read about in this newsletter. We've hired some exceptional new faculty this year:

Biological Sciences

Henry Chang, Assistant Professor
Michael Gribskov, Professor
Zhao-Qing Luo, Assistant Professor
Dorthea Thompson, Assistant Professor (starts 2005-06)

Chemistry

Sergey Savinov, Assistant Professor
Kavita Shah, Associate Professor

Computer Science

Robert Skeel, Professor

Earth & Atmospheric Sciences

Noah Diffenbaugh, Assistant Professor
Lucy Flesch, Assistant Professor (starts 2005-06)
Dev Niyogi, Assistant Professor (starts 2005-06)
Jeremy Pal, Assistant Professor
Wen-wen Tung, Assistant Professor

Mathematics

Edray Goins, Assistant Professor
Yi-Jen Lee, Associate Professor

Physics

Yuli Lyanda-Geller, Associate Professor
Jiangping Hu, Assistant Professor
Norbert Neumeister, Assistant Professor

Statistics

Bowei Xi, Assistant Professor

In the next few issues of Science @ Purdue, we'll introduce these faculty in a lead-off section called "Spotlight on New Faculty." During the coming academic year, we're embarking on what we expect will be the largest faculty search season to date. So you can look forward to many more introductions to come in the years ahead!

We are also advancing our Strategic Plan by increasing our number of distinguished professors, building a more diverse culture, initiating new ways to reach out to the community at large, both in providing services and in educating the public, and celebrating new facilities that will increase our effectiveness in both discovery and learning, such as the Computer Science Building that begins construction this very week.

One of our priorities this year in the School of Science is the Undergraduate Task Force headed by Associate Dean Chris Sahley and Assistant Dean Alan Welch. The goal of the task force is to take a hard look at what the educational process is all about so that we can better prepare our undergraduates to succeed in today's technological world as well as adapt to and lead tomorrow's. Our mission for undergraduate education remains one of providing core competencies in the sciences. However, over the last 40 years, the academic environment has changed: our student body has different skills and needs, and the methods available for instruction and discovery are different. It is imperative that we review our goals and practices so that we continue to be leaders in providing students with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are the hallmark of a quality science education. Those skills will serve our students well no matter which career path they choose—whether research, teaching, medicine, law, business, journalism, or entrepreneurship.

At the same time as we prepare for the future, we also honor the past with a celebration of the 100th birthday of the Department of Physics at Purdue. Later this month the Department will kick off events commemorating its centennial; you can read about the plans for the year in the article in this newsletter.

For the latest information about Science and Purdue, be sure to check our Web site (www.science.purdue.edu). As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments. Please feel free to send them to me at dean@science.purdue.edu.

Best regards,
Jeff Vitter

SPOTLIGHT ON NEW FACULTY

Professor Michael Gribskov joins the Bioinformatics COALESCE group, with a home appointment in the Department of Biological Sciences. Before coming to Purdue, Prof. Gribskov was Lead Scientist in Computational Biology at the San Diego Supercomputer Center and Adjunct Associate Professor of Biology at the University of California, San Diego.
Prof. Gribskov’s research interests fall into three main areas: the relationship between patterns in macromolecular sequences and the structure and function of corresponding molecules, the development of databases and computational tools for functional genomics, and the development of systems that federate knowledge across multiple electronic resources. More recently, he has focused on efforts to implement and federate electronic data resources. He received his Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Professor Norbert Neumeister is the newest member of the Nanotechnology COALESCE group, and his home appointment is in the Department of Physics. Prof. Neumeister, a high energy particle experimentalist, received his doctorate from Vienna University of Technology, Austria. From 1999-2001, he was a CERN research fellow, and most recently was Research Physicist at the Institute for High Energy Physics of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. As a member of the CMS experiment at CERN, his current research interests include event reconstruction and selection, development of object-oriented trigger simulation software, and design and implementation of muon reconstruction algorithms.

Professor Robert Skeel has joined the Computational Science COALESCE group, with his home appointment in the Department of Computer Science. Professor Skeel comes to Purdue from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He received his Ph.D. in Computing Science from the University of Alberta in 1974 and his M.S. in Mathematics from the University of Toronto in 1970.
His research primarily involves physics-based models, numerical algorithms, and massive computation in collaboration with biophysicists. Professor Skeel is also a developer of NAMD, a parallel molecular dynamics program, which received a Gordon Bell Award for high performance computing in 2002. Professor Skeel has held positions at the University of California-San Diego, Universidad de Valladolid in Spain, and at the University of Manchester.

SCIENCE PEOPLE

Tim Zwier appointed Chemistry Department Head

Professor Timothy S. Zwier will assume the role of Head for the Department of Chemistry, effective October 1, 2004. He is replacing Richard A. Walton, who has been acting department head since May 2004 following the tragic death of Ian Rothwell.

Professor Zwier received his B.S. in Chemistry from Calvin College in 1977 and his Ph.D. in chemical physics from the University of Colorado-Boulder in 1981. After a two-year appointment as post-doctoral research associate at the James Franck Institute of the University of Chicago, he joined the faculty at Calvin College in 1983. He moved to Purdue as an assistant professor of chemistry in 1988, rising through the ranks to Full Professor in 1997. He served as Associate Head of the Department of Chemistry from 2001-2003. Full story.

Nick Giordano named Distinguished Professor of Physics

Professor Nicholas Giordano was named a Distinguished Professor of Physics by the Board of Trustees on September 24. Prof. Giordano has been teaching in the Department of Physics at Purdue since 1979 and served three years as an Associate Dean of the School of Science.

He has an international reputation for his work in the field of mesoscopic physics, a branch of the general field of nanoscience. His research focuses on the properties of metallic nanostructures, the behavior of liquids in nanoscale systems, noise and fluctuations in condensed matter systems, musical acoustics and the physics of the piano.

Prof. Giordano has received numerous awards, including the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Research Fellowship, American Physical Society Fellowship, and the U.S. Department of Energy Computational Science Education Award. From Purdue, he earned the Charles B. Murphy Award for outstanding teaching and the Herbert Newby McCoy Award, which is presented annually to the faculty member who made the greatest contribution of the year to science. He also is a Fellow of the Purdue Teaching Academy.

Science Professors Atallah and Konieczny inducted into Teaching Academy

Mikhail Atallah, Computer Science, and Stephen Konieczny, Biological Sciences, are the latest Science faculty members to be named to the Purdue University Teaching Academy. They join 25 other Science faculty members in the Academy.

The Academy is comprised of a dedicated and dynamic network of scholar-teachers committed to the continual improvement of teaching and learning at Purdue University. Under the auspices of the Office of the Provost, the Teaching Academy sponsors programs and activities fostering educational creativity, innovation, and effectiveness both in and outside the classroom.

New Associate Director joins Diversity Office

Zenephia E. Evans has been named Associate Director of the School of Science Diversity Office, where she will lead the Multicultural Science Programs as Director.

Dr. Evans received her B.S. degree from Talladega College in Biology and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Purdue. She has taught several courses in Biology, advised many students, and served on numerous committees, including the Graduate Admissions committee. Her strong background in science and her work with multicultural students in the Department of Biological Sciences and across campus make her well qualified for this position.

Kauline Davis assumes the responsibilities of Assistant Director of Multicultural Science Programs, and continues as Assistant Director for Women in Science Programs. Science Diversity Office

Purdue engineer-chemist named to MIT list of top 100 young researchers

Albena Ivanisevic, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering and chemistry at Purdue University, has been included in a list of "100 top young innovators" by Technology Review, a magazine published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She will be honored with a TR100 award on Sept. 29, during the 2004 Emerging Technologies Conference at MIT. Full story.

Physics Professor named to national committee

Physics Professor Ian Shipsey was recently appointed vice chair of the American Physical Society Panofsky Prize Committee for the 2005 Panofsky Prize and chair of the Prize Committee for the 2006 prize. The Panofsky Prize is the highest prize for experimental elementary particle physics awarded by the American Physical Society.

Professor Shipsey’s research involves searches for CP violation and studies of parity violation in the weak interactions of elementary particles. As a graduate student, he was a member of the NA31, the only experiment to have observed direct CP violation. He has been a member of the CLEO collaboration since 1986. He built the muon detector for the CLEO II, and since 1994 he has been leader of the mechanical design and fabrication group for the silicon microstrip detector for CLEO III. He is one of the leaders of CLEO IV a proposed new experiment that would succeed CLEO III in about 2004. He is also involved in the development of microstructure gas detectors for future high energy physics experiments.

Science women receive achievement awards

Julie Conlon, Outreach Coordinator in the Department of Physics, and Yuni Xia, a graduate student in Computer Science, received 2004 Leading Light Awards from Women & Hi Tech, an non-profit organization established in 2000 to address the specific needs of women in high tech industries in Central Indiana and to encourage more women to consider careers in technology. The annual Leading Light Awards recognize women of achievement in science and technology who have set an example to others by demonstrating expertise, professionalism, leadership, service, courage, and tenacity in pursuing their chosen career. More information.

Science Alumna named to Trusted Computing Group Advisory Council

Moira Gunn, M.S. 1972, Computer Science, is one of five experts named to the Trusted Computing Group’s newly formed advisory council. The Trusted Computing Group is an open industry standards organization whose specifications help vendors build products that let users protect critical data and information. Full story.

New staff members join Science Advancement team

Bente Fein has been named director of development for the Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Statistics. Bente was previously director of development at the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation in Indianapolis. She has also served as the Educational Programs Coordinator, and Collegiate Leadership Consultant for the Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity. Bente earned a MA from The Fundraising School and her BS from Ball State. She is a member of AFP, and has volunteered for several community services.

Tony Vidmar has been appointed director of development for the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Physics, beginning on October 15. Tony comes to Purdue from Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho, where he was Director, Scholarship & Endowment Development. He has worked extensively with Campus Crusade for Christ International Inc. in several different capacities, including Development. Tony is a graduate from Ohio State University and an MBA candidate for Northwest Nazarene University.

Bente and Tony join Suzy Garner, director of development for the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, and Mary Jo Bartolacci, Director of Advancement and Major Gifts for the School of Science. Advancement on the Web.

SCIENCE NEWS AND RESEARCH

100 Years of Physics Accomplishments

The Department of Physics, created in 1904, will celebrate 100 years of accomplishments during the 2004-2005 academic year. The Physics Centennial Celebration will kick off the year’s activities on October 22 with award-winning author, historian, and Purdue Physics alumnus David Cassidy’s talk on “The Birth of the Modern Physics Department.” The department will host its Centennial Banquet that evening, and alumni are invited to join old friends, retired professors, and current faculty for an evening of fun and reminiscence.
During the anniversary celebration year, the Physics Department will host the 51st Midwest Solid State Conference on October 30 and 31. Also being planned is a reception at the March 2005 meeting of the American Physical Society, and a “Grande Finale” symposium in the spring of 2005. Complete details on the Physics 100th anniversary celebration.

CERIAS offers free information security course materials online

In an effort to make the nation's computer networks less vulnerable, a Purdue University center has made materials for a course in information security available online to the public for no cost. Purdue's Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security (CERIAS) has partnered with Symantec Corp. to provide the materials, which are available for download online.

Pascal Meunier, an assistant research scientist at CERIAS, said security practices detailed in the course materials could help stem the tide of computer security breaches if used conscientiously by software developers. Full story.

Chemistry Department presents 2004 Amy-Mellon Lecture

“Twenty-Two Years of Teaching ‘THE Course from Hell’” will be the topic presented by Professor Fred Lytle at the Department of Chemistry’s Amy-Mellon Lecture on October 14 at 4:30 p.m. in Wetherill 104.

Professor Lytle, who has taught CHM 621, Advanced Analytical Chemistry since 1980, will discuss the people and events in the 1970s that made a graduate-level course on signal-to-noise enhancement both necessary and possible, and how lecture topics have changed over the last 22 years. Prof. Lytle describes CHM 621 as “different than any other course I have taught due to the high level of scholarship required to master the diverse material and translate it into some form usable by the average student. This constant study is responsible for the fact that I am neither tired of teaching the material nor particularly stale in the classroom.”

The Amy-Mellon lectureship was established by the analytical faculty to assist their students in perceiving the origins of their subject through personal encounters with some of its pioneers. Full story.

Purdue researchers tackle environmental fate of nanoparticles

Materials made from particles one-millionth the size of a fine-point pen tip are touted daily for their current uses and dreamed of possibilities, but a pressing question remains as to the environmental impact of manufactured nano-sized materials.

Researchers in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences are working with other Purdue scientists to investigate the interactions between these tiny, many-sided structures and the environment. To further this research, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have awarded grants totaling nearly $2 million to the Purdue Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Team and a colleague from the University of Minnesota. Full story.

E-voting machines both unreliable and 'hackable,' warns Purdue expert

Electronic polling machines could result in many votes being miscounted, lost or stolen, says a Purdue University computer scientist.

As much as 40 percent of all votes this fall will be cast on a Direct Recording Electronic polling machine. But according to computer security expert Eugene Spafford, it is easy to hack some DRE machines to alter the tally – and the problems do not end there. Full story.

Connecting the Purdue family forever - Are you a member of PAA?

You’re proud to be a Purdue Boilermaker---and you should be! You graduated from one of the best universities in the world. Show your pride and become a member of the Purdue Alumni Association. You’ll receive the Purdue Alumnus magazine, be able to network with Purdue alumni worldwide, and $2 of your membership dues will go to the School of Science alumni association. Enroll today at (800) 414-1541 or online at www.purdue.edu/paa.

PURDUE NEWS

Purdue freshman class up, quality best ever

Purdue's freshman class is up at its main campus, while overall undergraduate enrollment hit its mark at 30,747 and student quality remains high.

“We enrolled 461 more first-time students, 7,128 in all, to offset our large graduating classes this past year,” said Douglas Christiansen, assistant vice president for enrollment management and dean of admissions.

Purdue’s Graduate School and professional programs, such as pharmacy and veterinary medicine, remained stable, adding 7,906 students to the overall enrollment for a total of 38,653 students at the West Lafayette campus. Systemwide enrollment is estimated at 68,762, compared with 69,050 a year ago. Full story

Another Center approved for Discovery Park

The Purdue Board of Trustees on September 24 voted to approve planning and construction of the Discovery Learning Center in Discovery Park. The center will focus on new approaches to teaching and learning science, technology, engineering, and math. The building's $10 million cost will be paid for with Purdue funds set aside for capital projects. Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2005 and be completed by spring of 2007. Associate Dean of Science Jon Harbor serves as Co-Director of the Discovery Learning Center. Full story.

RESEARCH FUNDING REPORT

Science researchers received funding totaling nearly $5 million in August 2004. Complete list of funded proposals.

CALENDAR

SAVE THE DATE — October 16, Homecoming Celebration
11 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., Purdue Mall

Be sure to stop by the Science tent (look for us by the Bell Tower) on Homecoming, October 16. Participate in fun hands-on activities like the Computer GUTS Root Beer Float Boat Float competition. At 11:00, Noon, 1:00 and 2:00, watch ice cream being made with liquid nitrogen (and get a free sample!). Enjoy a Science Serenade from the Purdue Band at 2:00. Collect fun door prizes, re-connect with faculty and alumni, and visit with students. More Homecoming details.

School of Science Alumni Association Board meeting: October 15

Computer Science Building Dedication: October 15

Homecoming: October 16

School of Science Dean's Leadership Council Fall meeting: October 21-22

President's Council Annual Weekend: October 22-23

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