From the Dean

Once in a while something happens to take us out of our day-to-day routine and make us realize how blessed we are to have our families, homes, schools, and jobs. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have been just such events—times to reach out to fellow human beings whose lives are devastated and whose futures are threatened by these unprecedented natural catastrophes.

The Purdue community is responding on every level. An expedited enrollment process is helping students get back to class. Schools and Colleges are opening their doors so that faculty, research staff, and postdoctoral researchers who have been displaced by the storms can continue their work. Space in Purdue residences is being offered at no charge for the Fall semester to the families of Purdue students from the hurricane-damaged areas. Student volunteers from about a dozen groups have so far collected more than $16,000 for hurricane relief. Even kids from the Purdue Child Care Program have pitched in to send health kits and kids’ kits to the Church World Service for disaster relief!

As I write this, Purdue has enrolled 12 undergraduate students and 3 graduate students for this semester and is still accepting applications for the Spring 2006 semester. Eight individuals and one family have found temporary homes in Purdue housing. Here in Science, we set up a special Web clearinghouse site to collect and field requests from displaced researchers, and our faculty have been generous in their willingness to share lab space with their colleagues from affected universities. In this issue of Science @ Purdue, you’ll read about one of our visitors, Dr. Mohammad Qasim, a former Purdue research scientist who had started his new job as a chemistry professor at Xavier University of Louisiana in August just before Katrina hit. He and his family are now living in Purdue Village, and he is collaborating with our Chemistry faculty while they wait for Xavier’s reopening.

You’ll also read in this issue about Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Professor Matt Huber’s public lecture “In the Wake of Katrina: The science of hurricanes past, present, and future,” presented to an audience of some 350 university and community members on September 13. You can watch video of the talk by clicking on the video link in the article. Matt is a member of the Purdue Climate Change Research Center, a collection of some of the brightest minds in the country who study the impact of climate change and new ways to adapt to and control it.

Rebuilding the Gulf Coast and the lives of its people is a long-term challenge that will require long-term resolve from all of us. The Purdue community has rallied to the challenge, and together we’re making a difference.

Best regards,
Jeff Vitter

SPOTLIGHT ON NEW FACULTY

Eric Bakker, Professor, Chemistry. Eric is one of the leading scientists in the field of chemical sensors. His research has led to new ways to assess the true selectivity of an electrode and new design and measurement techniques to produce highly sensitive detectors for clinical, bioanalytical, and environmental applications. Eric received the Diploma of Chemistry and Doctor of Natural Sciences from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich.

Jennifer Haase, Assistant Professor, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has been used for many years to help us when we’re lost, but Jennifer is interested in GPS as a meteorological tool. She has been involved in the development of ground-based as well as space-based GPS receivers for providing measurements like air pressure, temperature, and water vapor content of the atmosphere. Jennifer received her B.S. from the California Institute of Technology and the Ph.D. from the University of California at San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She was a research associate in the Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department for four years before joining the faculty.

Krista Nichols, Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences and Forestry & Natural Resources. Krista studies the genetic architecture of life history and physiological traits in rainbow and steelhead trout. She is looking to identify the evolutionary forces that shaped variations within and among fish populations and to provide information that can help shape conservation decisions. Krista received her B.S. in Marine Science at the University of South Carolina, an M.S. in Fisheries & Wildlife from Michigan State University, and a Ph.D. in Zoology from Washington State University.

Ken Ritchie, Associate Professor, Physics. Ken’s research interests are in biophysics, particularly the study of membrane dynamics in living cells. He uses single molecule imaging techniques to observe the motion and interactions of individual membrane molecules to understand how the machinery in the membrane is organized to carry out critical tasks. His work has applications in medical sciences and in the development of active soft materials. Ken received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Waterloo and the Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia.

Michael Roeckner, Professor, Mathematics and Statistics. Michael’s research interests are primarily in probability theory, but also in analysis and mathematical physics. He also does research in statistics related to aeronautical engineering, astronomy, civil engineering, and environmental science. He received his Ph.D. from Bielefeld University, Germany and was a professor at Bonn and Bielefeld University before coming to Purdue.

SCIENCE PEOPLE

We knew Katrina would happen, says Huber

Every year, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Professor Matt Huber gives a lecture in his classes titled “How New Orleans is going to be destroyed by a category 4 or 5 hurricane.” Huber explained the science of hurricanes in a public lecture on September 13, using computer simulations to show the audience how a storm like Katrina had been predicted by climate researchers for years. Full story.

Hurricane-displaced researcher is back home again in Indiana

Mohammad Qasim, a former Purdue research scientist, started his new job as chemistry professor at Xavier University of Louisiana in August just before Katrina hit, forcing him to flee the New Orleans area with his wife and their 14-year-old daughter. They now are living in Purdue Village while they await the reopening of Xavier, and Prof. Qasim is continuing his work with faculty in the Chemistry department. Full story.

Science alum brings hurricane relief donation from Taiwan

Tan-Sun (Mark) Chen, Foreign Minister of Taiwan and Science alumnus, donated $2 million on behalf of the government of Taiwan to the United States for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Chen also expressed the government’s sympathies to families affected by the hurricane. Dr. Chen will visit Purdue and give a public lecture on “A New Framework for US-China-Taiwan Relations” on October 14. Dr. Chen received his Ph.D. in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and worked for the Department of Commerce for 20 years before returning to Taiwan. He was appointed Foreign Minister in 2004. Full story.

Another award for Igal Szleifer

Professor Igal Szleifer can add another award to his growing list: the 2005 American Chemical Society Akron Section Award. The award recognizes young scientists who show great promise in their profesional careers. Igal is a physical/theoretical chemist who studies the properties of complex fluids, which is important in the design of biomaterials and drug carrier systems.

Ernie Agee working with Indiana on wind power

The State of Indiana is taking advantage of Ernie Agee’s considerable expertise in atmospheric science by appointing him to the Indiana Wind Working Group (IWWG). The group’s task is to evaluate the wind data collected by five towers throughout the state and evaluate the potential for wind power in Indiana. “Wind energy as a source of power for electricity in Indiana has not really been understood and has been under-valued,” Agee says. The Department of Energy is providing partial funding for the IWWG project.

Robots, start your engines!

The College of Science will be rooting for two of the entries in this year’s $2 million DARPA Challenge, a robotic vehicle race sponsored by the military to speed the development of unmanned vehicles for combat. DARPA, or Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, is the research arm of the Pentagon. ENSCO, Inc., headed by Science alum Greg Young, has entered its robotic vehicle DEXTER, and the Indy Robot Racing team (partially sponsored by the College of Science and involving Purdue students) is fielding IRV, an unmanned vehicle created by Indiana innovators Scott Jones and Doug Traster. Qualifications will go on through October 6 and the race will be run on Saturday, October 8. Visit the DARPA Grand Challenge website for live updates on race day. Full story.

Kauline Davis to help map Purdue diversity plan

Purdue Provost Sally Mason has appointed Dr. Kauline Davis to the new position of assistant to the provost to help with addressing diversity issues. Kauline was assistant director of Women In Science Programs for three years. Full story.

SCIENCE NEWS AND RESEARCH

Scientists see biochemistry’s future—with quantum physics

Physics professor Jorge Rodriguez studies the quantum property of electrons called “spin,” and he has discovered that “spin” is an essential factor in getting a complete picture of how many biochemical reactions take place. His work will aid chemists who have trouble predicting how some large, complex biological molecules will react with one another. Full story.

Baby, you can drive my car—with new fuel cells

Chemistry associate professor Mahdi Abu-Omar is leading a group of researchers that has discovered a new technique for producing hydrogen from water and organic material. The discovery must still be evaluated for economic feasibility on a large scale, he says, but it could offer solutions to several problems that face developers of fuel cells, which are a potential replacement for fossil-fuel burning engines in automobiles. Full story.

Meteorites tell the story of Earth’s history

By examining the chemistry of 29 chunks of rock that formed billions of years ago, Michael Lipschutz, Professor of Chemistry, and researcher Ming-Sheng Wang are getting important clues about the environment of the early Earth. Lipschutz and Wang are studying meteorites that are formed of matter similar to the early Earth, before the planet was hit by a giant object that forever altered its geochemical makeup. “They might be the last remaining pristine bits of the material that became the planet beneath our feet,” Lipschutz says. Full story.

PURDUE NEWS

Expert offers tips to help children cope with Katrina's devastation

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, special attention should be given to children, both the victims of the storm and those who have only watched the tragedy on television, says Jean Peterson, an associate professor of educational studies in the College of Education, who is an expert in counseling school-age children. “Kids are resilient, but we have to recognize that they grieve losses,” she says. “Their grief is often expressed differently from adult grief.” Full story.

Purdue scientists treat cancer with RNA nanotechnology

Using strands of genetic material, Purdue researchers have constructed tiny delivery vehicles that can carry anticancer therapeutic agents directly to infected cells, offering a potential wealth of new treatments for chronic diseases. The research team leader is Peixuan Guo, professor of molecular virology with joint appointments in Purdue’s Cancer Research Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, and Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. Full story.

Purdue engineers create new way to drive fuel cells for portable electronics

Engineers at Purdue have developed a new way of producing hydrogen for fuel cells to automatically recharge batteries in portable electronics, such as notebook computers, and eliminate the need to use a wall outlet. The researchers envision a future system in which pellets of hydrogen-releasing material would be contained in disposable credit-card-size cartridges. Full story.

SCIENCE EVENTS AND CALENDAR

Dean Vitter joined the Purdue Actuary Club to celebrate its 20th anniversary on September 9 with a reception and dinner. Guest speakers were Carl Cowen, Dean of the IUPUI School of Science, and Keith Schwingendorf, Professor of Mathematics and Chair of the Mathematics, Statistics and Physics Department at Purdue North Central. Both Carl and Keith were early supporters of the Purdue Actuary Club and the Actuarial Science program. The event also marked the kickoff of the Actuarial Science Scholarship Campaign. Read more.

Public lecture: “GOD, the MULTIVERSE and the GOLDILOCKS ENIGMA” by Professor Paul Davies, Monday, October 3, 8:00 pm, Fowler Hall, Stewart Center. Part of the "Science and the 'Big Questions'" lecture series on the interface of science, religion and philosophy, sponsored by the College of Science and Department of Physics.

What’s it like to be a woman scientist out in the real world? Seven women from Roche Diagnostics will talk to students during a special panel discussion on October 4. More information.

College of Science Dean’s Leadership Council meeting, October 6-7

Department of Chemistry Symposium honoring Prof. Pete Kissinger: “Advances in Bioanalytical Chemistry and the Changing Climate for Academic Engagement with Commercial Entities”
October 6.

“A New Framework for US-China-Taiwan Relations”: Special lecture by Dr. Mark Chen, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan), October 14, 5:00 p.m., Krannert Auditorium.

Science Alumni Board meeting, October 14

Homecoming, October 15

Next Generation Telecommunications: Demand Side Strategies, October 25

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences birthday celebration and alumni gathering in honor of Professor Bill Hinze, November 4-5

Intel Distinguished Lecture by Ralph Kling, Nov. 10

Science Women of Purdue meeting, November 11

Science Events

Science Seminars

Purdue Events

SCIENCE ALUMNI NEWS

Science alumni: We want to hear from you! Update your information and share your professional news as well as your personal and family milestones with your classmates and the Science community. Click here.

Click here for this month’s Alumni News.

The votes are in for Favorite Science Professor

Science alumni voted for their favorite science professor through the summer, and the results are in! The winners are: Al Chiscon and Dennis Minchella, Biological Sciences; Derek Davenport, Chemistry; Buster Dunsmore, Computer Science; Phillip Smith, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences; Stephen Weingram and Bob Zink, Mathematics; Don Schlueter, Physics; and David Moore, Statistics.

Many of the winners will ride on the Purdue Science Student Council’s Homecoming parade float on October 14 and will be at the Science Homecoming tent near the bell tower on October 15 to chat with former students and friends!

Stay connected!

Join the Purdue Web Community and stay connected to your alma mater. This interactive site will help you keep in touch with your Purdue family—your friends, faculty and staff, and fellow alumni. Click here to sign up and get started.

RESEARCH FUNDING REPORT

Science researchers received funding totaling more than $5.6 million in August 2005. Complete list of funded proposals.


October 2005
From the Dean Once in a while something happens to take us out of our day-to-day routine and make us realize how blessed we are to have our families, homes, schools, and jobs. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have been just such events—times to reach out to fellow human beings whose lives are devastated and whose futures are threatened by these unprecedented natural catastrophes. The Purdue community is responding on every level. An expedited enrollment process is helping students get back to class. Schools and Colleges are opening their doors so that faculty, research staff, and postdoctoral researchers who have been displaced by the storms can continue their work. Space in Purdue residences is being offered at no charge for the Fall semester to the families of Purdue students from the hurricane-damaged areas. Student volunteers from about a dozen groups have so far collected more than $16,000 for hurricane relief. Even kids from the Purdue Child Care Program have pitched in to send health kits and kids’ kits to the Church World Service for disaster relief! As I write this, Purdue has enrolled 12 undergraduate students and 3 graduate students for this semester and is still accepting applications for the Spring 2006 semester. Eight individuals and one family have found temporary homes in Purdue housing. Here in Science, we set up a special Web clearinghouse site to collect and field requests from displaced researchers, and our faculty have been generous in their willingness to share lab space with their colleagues from affected universities. In this issue of Science @ Purdue, you’ll read about one of our visitors, Dr. Mohammad Qasim, a former Purdue research scientist who had started his new job as a chemistry professor at Xavier University of Louisiana in August just before Katrina hit. He and his family are now living in Purdue Village, and he is collaborating with our Chemistry faculty while they wait for Xavier’s reopening. You’ll also read in this issue about Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Professor Matt Huber’s public lecture “In the Wake of Katrina: The science of hurricanes past, present, and future,” presented to an audience of some 350 university and community members on September 13. You can watch video of the talk by clicking on the video link in the article. Matt is a member of the Purdue Climate Change Research Center, a collection of some of the brightest minds in the country who study the impact of climate change and new ways to adapt to and control it. Rebuilding the Gulf Coast and the lives of its people is a long-term challenge that will require long-term resolve from all of us. The Purdue community has rallied to the challenge, and together we’re making a difference. Best regards, Jeff Vitter *SPOTLIGHT ON NEW FACULTY* Eric Bakker, Professor, Chemistry. Eric is one of the leading scientists in the field of chemical sensors. His research has led to new ways to assess the true selectivity of an electrode and new design and measurement techniques to produce highly sensitive detectors for clinical, bioanalytical, and environmental applications. Eric received the Diploma of Chemistry and Doctor of Natural Sciences from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich. Jennifer Haase, Assistant Professor, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has been used for many years to help us when we’re lost, but Jennifer is interested in GPS as a meteorological tool. She has been involved in the development of ground-based as well as space-based GPS receivers for providing measurements like air pressure, temperature, and water vapor content of the atmosphere. Jennifer received her B.S. from the California Institute of Technology and the Ph.D. from the University of California at San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She was a research associate in the Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department for four years before joining the faculty. Krista Nichols, Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences and Forestry & Natural Resources. Krista studies the genetic architecture of life history and physiological traits in rainbow and steelhead trout. She is looking to identify the evolutionary forces that shaped variations within and among fish populations and to provide information that can help shape conservation decisions. Krista received her B.S. in Marine Science at the University of South Carolina, an M.S. in Fisheries & Wildlife from Michigan State University, and a Ph.D. in Zoology from Washington State University. Ken Ritchie, Associate Professor, Physics. Ken’s research interests are in biophysics, particularly the study of membrane dynamics in living cells. He uses single molecule imaging techniques to observe the motion and interactions of individual membrane molecules to understand how the machinery in the membrane is organized to carry out critical tasks. His work has applications in medical sciences and in the development of active soft materials. Ken received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Waterloo and the Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia. Michael Roeckner, Professor, Mathematics and Statistics. Michael’s research interests are primarily in probability theory, but also in analysis and mathematical physics. He also does research in statistics related to aeronautical engineering, astronomy, civil engineering, and environmental science. He received his Ph.D. from Bielefeld University, Germany and was a professor at Bonn and Bielefeld University before coming to Purdue. *SCIENCE PEOPLE* We knew Katrina would happen, says Huber Every year, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Professor Matt Huber gives a lecture in his classes titled “How New Orleans is going to be destroyed by a category 4 or 5 hurricane.” Huber explained the science of hurricanes in a public lecture on September 13, using computer simulations to show the audience how a storm like Katrina had been predicted by climate researchers for years. Full story. Hurricane-displaced researcher is back home again in Indiana Mohammad Qasim, a former Purdue research scientist, started his new job as chemistry professor at Xavier University of Louisiana in August just before Katrina hit, forcing him to flee the New Orleans area with his wife and their 14-year-old daughter. They now are living in Purdue Village while they await the reopening of Xavier, and Prof. Qasim is continuing his work with faculty in the Chemistry department. Full story. Science alum brings hurricane relief donation from Taiwan Tan-Sun (Mark) Chen, Foreign Minister of Taiwan and Science alumnus, donated $2 million on behalf of the government of Taiwan to the United States for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Chen also expressed the government’s sympathies to families affected by the hurricane. Dr. Chen will visit Purdue and give a public lecture on “A New Framework for US-China-Taiwan Relations” on October 14. Dr. Chen received his Ph.D. in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and worked for the Department of Commerce for 20 years before returning to Taiwan. He was appointed Foreign Minister in 2004. Full story. Another award for Igal Szleifer Professor Igal Szleifer can add another award to his growing list: the 2005 American Chemical Society Akron Section Award. The award recognizes young scientists who show great promise in their profesional careers. Igal is a physical/theoretical chemist who studies the properties of complex fluids, which is important in the design of biomaterials and drug carrier systems. Ernie Agee working with Indiana on wind power The State of Indiana is taking advantage of Ernie Agee’s considerable expertise in atmospheric science by appointing him to the Indiana Wind Working Group (IWWG). The group’s task is to evaluate the wind data collected by five towers throughout the state and evaluate the potential for wind power in Indiana. “Wind energy as a source of power for electricity in Indiana has not really been understood and has been under-valued,” Agee says. The Department of Energy is providing partial funding for the IWWG project. Robots, start your engines! The College of Science will be rooting for two of the entries in this year’s $2 million DARPA Challenge, a robotic vehicle race sponsored by the military to speed the development of unmanned vehicles for combat. DARPA, or Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, is the research arm of the Pentagon. ENSCO, Inc., headed by Science alum Greg Young, has entered its robotic vehicle DEXTER, and the Indy Robot Racing team (partially sponsored by the College of Science and involving Purdue students) is fielding IRV, an unmanned vehicle created by Indiana innovators Scott Jones and Doug Traster. Qualifications will go on through October 6 and the race will be run on Saturday, October 8. Visit the DARPA Grand Challenge website for live updates on race day. Full story. Kauline Davis to help map Purdue diversity plan Purdue Provost Sally Mason has appointed Dr. Kauline Davis to the new position of assistant to the provost to help with addressing diversity issues. Kauline was assistant director of Women In Science Programs for three years. Full story. *SCIENCE NEWS AND RESEARCH* Scientists see biochemistry’s future—with quantum physics Physics professor Jorge Rodriguez studies the quantum property of electrons called “spin,” and he has discovered that “spin” is an essential factor in getting a complete picture of how many biochemical reactions take place. His work will aid chemists who have trouble predicting how some large, complex biological molecules will react with one another. Full story. Baby, you can drive my car—with new fuel cells Chemistry associate professor Mahdi Abu-Omar is leading a group of researchers that has discovered a new technique for producing hydrogen from water and organic material. The discovery must still be evaluated for economic feasibility on a large scale, he says, but it could offer solutions to several problems that face developers of fuel cells, which are a potential replacement for fossil-fuel burning engines in automobiles. Full story. Meteorites tell the story of Earth’s history By examining the chemistry of 29 chunks of rock that formed billions of years ago, Michael Lipschutz, Professor of Chemistry, and researcher Ming-Sheng Wang are getting important clues about the environment of the early Earth. Lipschutz and Wang are studying meteorites that are formed of matter similar to the early Earth, before the planet was hit by a giant object that forever altered its geochemical makeup. “They might be the last remaining pristine bits of the material that became the planet beneath our feet,” Lipschutz says. Full story. PURDUE NEWS Expert offers tips to help children cope with Katrina's devastation In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, special attention should be given to children, both the victims of the storm and those who have only watched the tragedy on television, says Jean Peterson, an associate professor of educational studies in the College of Education, who is an expert in counseling school-age children. “Kids are resilient, but we have to recognize that they grieve losses,” she says. “Their grief is often expressed differently from adult grief.” Full story. Purdue scientists treat cancer with RNA nanotechnology Using strands of genetic material, Purdue researchers have constructed tiny delivery vehicles that can carry anticancer therapeutic agents directly to infected cells, offering a potential wealth of new treatments for chronic diseases. The research team leader is Peixuan Guo, professor of molecular virology with joint appointments in Purdue’s Cancer Research Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, and Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. Full story. Purdue engineers create new way to drive fuel cells for portable electronics Engineers at Purdue have developed a new way of producing hydrogen for fuel cells to automatically recharge batteries in portable electronics, such as notebook computers, and eliminate the need to use a wall outlet. The researchers envision a future system in which pellets of hydrogen-releasing material would be contained in disposable credit-card-size cartridges. Full story. *SCIENCE EVENTS AND CALENDAR* Dean Vitter joined the Purdue Actuary Club to celebrate its 20th anniversary on September 9 with a reception and dinner. Guest speakers were Carl Cowen, Dean of the IUPUI School of Science, and Keith Schwingendorf, Professor of Mathematics and Chair of the Mathematics, Statistics and Physics Department at Purdue North Central. Both Carl and Keith were early supporters of the Purdue Actuary Club and the Actuarial Science program. The event also marked the kickoff of the Actuarial Science Scholarship Campaign. Read more. Public lecture: “GOD, the MULTIVERSE and the GOLDILOCKS ENIGMA” by Professor Paul Davies, Monday, October 3, 8:00 pm, Fowler Hall, Stewart Center. Part of the "Science and the 'Big Questions'" lecture series on the interface of science, religion and philosophy, sponsored by the College of Science and Department of Physics. What’s it like to be a woman scientist out in the real world? Seven women from Roche Diagnostics will talk to students during a special panel discussion on October 4. More information. College of Science Dean’s Leadership Council meeting, October 6-7 Department of Chemistry Symposium honoring Prof. Pete Kissinger: “Advances in Bioanalytical Chemistry and the Changing Climate for Academic Engagement with Commercial Entities” October 6. “A New Framework for US-China-Taiwan Relations”: Special lecture by Dr. Mark Chen, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan), October 14, 5:00 p.m., Krannert Auditorium. Science Alumni Board meeting, October 14 Homecoming, October 15 Next Generation Telecommunications: Demand Side Strategies, October 25 Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences birthday celebration and alumni gathering in honor of Professor Bill Hinze, November 4-5 Intel Distinguished Lecture by Ralph Kling, Nov. 10 Science Women of Purdue meeting, November 11 Science Events Science Seminars Purdue Events SCIENCE ALUMNI NEWS Science alumni: We want to hear from you! Update your information and share your professional news as well as your personal and family milestones with your classmates and the Science community. Click here. Click here for this month’s Alumni News. The votes are in for Favorite Science Professor Science alumni voted for their favorite science professor through the summer, and the results are in! The winners are: Al Chiscon and Dennis Minchella, Biological Sciences; Derek Davenport, Chemistry; Buster Dunsmore, Computer Science; Phillip Smith, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences; Stephen Weingram and Bob Zink, Mathematics; Don Schlueter, Physics; and David Moore, Statistics. Many of the winners will ride on the Purdue Science Student Council’s Homecoming parade float on October 14 and will be at the Science Homecoming tent near the bell tower on October 15 to chat with former students and friends! Stay connected! Join the Purdue Web Community and stay connected to your alma mater. This interactive site will help you keep in touch with your Purdue family—your friends, faculty and staff, and fellow alumni. Click here to sign up and get started. *RESEARCH FUNDING REPORT* Science researchers received funding totaling more than $5.6 million in August 2005. Complete list of funded proposals. .	In this Issue: Spotlight on New Faculty Science People We knew Katrina would happen, says Huber Hurricane-displaced researcher is back home again in Indiana Science alum brings hurricane relief donation from Taiwan Another award for Igal Szleifer Ernie Agee working with Indiana on wind power Robots, start your engines! Kauline Davis to help map Purdue diversity plan Science News and Research Scientists see biochemistry’s future—with quantum physics Baby, you can drive my car—with new fuel cells Meteorites tell the story of Earth’s history Purdue News Expert offers tips to help children cope with Katrina's devastation Purdue scientists treat cancer with RNA nanotechnology Purdue engineers create new way to drive fuel cells for portable electronics Science Events and Calendar Science Alumni News Research Funding Report Contact us Science alumni: We want to hear from you! Share your professional news and your personal and family milestones by clicking here. Past issues of Science @ Purdue College of Science Purdue News Purdue University