From the Dean

It's that time of year again. Like a maple leaf hanging onto the branch of an old tree, we are caught between the seasons—holding tight to the symbolic branch of summer. Yet, we are forced to face the inevitable and loosen our grip when an occasional cool front sneaks in, reminding us of fall's imminence. Like the leaf, we will be forced to let go soon.

Even though we must let go of summer, we look forward to the excitement that the new school year brings. That excitement was palpable when our students returned to campus two weeks ago. As our freshman settled into their new surroundings, we launched our inaugural Science Teambuilding Leadership and Institute (STALI) program, which I mentioned in the last newsletter. We were honored to have President France Córdova join us for the kickoff dinner, inspiring our students with her own experiences in science as a child, student, and adult. As I listened to President Córdova speak, I couldn't help but wonder if our students realize how fortunate they are to have a Purdue president so deeply committed to their success.

In the College of Science, we have just launched a new initiative to raise $3 million to fund scholarships and programs to provide increased access to many students who may otherwise not have an opportunity to pursue an education at Purdue. One thing is sure: access comes before success! We are ramping up our efforts in the College to expand our population of the gifted, diverse, and deserving young leaders of tomorrow.

We're unveiling our new logo this month for the College of Science Centennial, which features a modernized version of our original pinwheel. I mentioned last month that I would be announcing a special keynote speaker to highlight our 100th anniversary. Actually, I have not only one, but two, phenomenal events to announce: First, I'm excited to tell you that two stars from MythBusters will make an appearance at Elliott Hall on October 28 to kick off our Centennial celebrations.

Second, I'm thrilled to tell you that the extraordinary primatologist and ethologist, Jane Goodall, will be speaking to us on Saturday, March 29 in Elliott Hall. Like you, I grew up enthralled by her research, which helped us learn that chimpanzees have distinct personalities, minds, and emotions. Besides Jane Goodall and the two MythBusters, we will also have an array of exciting talks throughout the year from noted scientists about horizons in science.

This month we'll be honoring our outstanding alumni in the Computer Science and Statistics departments on Friday, September 7. Later we will gather with our students and their families on September 15 for pancakes and the Scholarship and Family Day celebration. I'll also be heading north to Naperville, Illinois for a "Meet the Dean" event at Jing Shyr's home on September 18. Please stop by; you can check the calendar at the end for details.

Sincerely,

Jeff Vitter

 

SPOTLIGHT ON NEW FACULTY

Alex Gluhovsky

Alex Gluhovsky was welcomed by faculty in the Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department as associate professor of earth and atmospheric sciences and statistics. Gluhovsky's research interests include geophysical fluid dynamics, coherent structures in turbulent flows, predictability, resampling methods for atmospheric time series, and statistics of extremes in weather and climate.Visit homepage.

Ramana Kompella

Ramana Kompella joins the Computer Science Department faculty as an associate professor this fall. Kompella taught at the University of Californina, San Diego (UCSD), and Stanford University. He was involved in research at UCSD, AT&T Labs, and Stanford. He also worked at Chelsio Communications as a member of the technical staff and at SwitchOn Networks as a design engineer. Visit homepage.

 

 SCIENCE PEOPLE

Jean Chmielewski named associate dean for graduate education and international programs

Jean Chmielewski, the Alice Watson Kramer Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, has been appointed as Associate Dean for graduate education and international programs for the College of Science. Chmielewski succeeds computer science department head Aditya Mathur, who had served since 2004. Chmielewski earned her bachelor of science degree from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and her Ph.D. from Columbia University.  She joined the faculty in Purdue's Department of Chemistry in 1990. In addition to winning numerous awards for research, Chmielewski won the Arthur Kelly Undergraduate Teaching Award in 2006 and the Outstanding Teacher in the College of Science in 2007. She currently serves on the Chemical Biology and Drug Design editorial advisory board and as managing editor for Biopolymers, Peptide Science.

Science alumnus appointed president and vice chancellor of University of Regina

Jim Tomkins, Purdue statistics alumnus (M.S. '67, Ph.D. 1970), has been appointed interim president and vice-chancellor of the University of Regina. Tomkin's term runs through June 30, 2008, while a search takes place for a new, full-term president and vice-chancellor. Tomkins has served at Regina for 37 years as an administrator and a professor of mathematics and statistics. Full story.

Surya Tokdar presented Leonard J. Savage award

The College of Science extends its congratulations to Surya Tokdar, Morris H. DeGroot visiting assistant professor in the Department of Statistics at Carnegie Mellon University and recent doctoral graduate in the Purdue's Department of Statistics, for earning the Leonard J. Savage Award for best dissertation in theory and methods. The award is given each year to two outstanding doctoral dissertations in Bayesian econometrics and statistics. One award is given to the best dissertation in application methodology, and the other is given to the best dissertation in theory and methods.

Spafford among NetworkWorld's "top 50"

NetworkWorld has named Eugene (Spaf) Spafford, professor of computer science and executive director of the Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security (CERIAS), one of the 50 most powerful people who shape network infrastructures. Spafford joins an elite group of individuals that includes Bill Gates, Larry Ellison, John Chambers, Mark Hurd, Ray Ozzie, and John Thompson. Full story.

Kyle Bauer awarded John Culver Wooddy scholarship

Congratulations to Kyle Bauer, a senior in actuarial science and statistics, on receiving the John Culver Wooddy scholarship for

2007–2008. Scholarship recipients must be nominated by a professor in their school, successfully complete at least one of the actuarial examinations, and rank in the top quartile of their class. The $2,000 scholarship was established by the estate of John Culver Wooddy, a distinguished actuary, who set aside funds to provide scholarships to actuarial students.

Ian Shipsey appointed to Fermilab and Department of Energy committees

Ian Shipsey, the Julian Schwinger Distinguished Professor of Physics, has been appointed as a member of the program advisory committee at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Shipsey has been in the physics department since 1990.  His research interests include experimental elementary particle physics, heavy quark flavor physics, tests of lattice gauge theory with the CLEO-c experiment, the high energy frontier (LHC/LC), nuclear instrumentation (especially silicon and gas based detectors), dark energy and dark matter, science education and outreach, and the natural physiology of hearing and cochlear implantation.

Lynn Bryan elected to NARST board of directors

Lynn Bryan, associate professor of physics, has been appointed to the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST), the leading international organization for science education research. Founded in 1926, NARST promotes research in science education and the communication of knowledge generated by the research, helping all learners achieve science literacy.

Department of Statistics announces Moore scholarship winners

Kyle Bemis of Indianapolis and Angela Hancock of Pekin, Ill. were awarded the Moore scholarship given annually to incoming freshmen majoring in statistics. Bemis is a high honors student at Park Tudor High School and earned a perfect score on the SAT. He also was awarded Purdue's College of Science Distinguished Student Award. Hancock is a high honors student at Pekin Community High School and is the captain of the school's Science Olympiad team. (A photo of Hancock was not available.)

 

SCIENCE NEWS

College of Science participates in Black Expo 2007

College of Science faculty and staff were part of Purdue Day at the Indiana Black Expo in July. The event drew thousands of attendees from business, academic institutions, and community organizations. Dean Vitter is shown here with College of Science multicultural science program director and associate director of diversity, Zenephia Evans, and Purdue President, France Córdova.

A leg up for students in the global job market

Current efforts are underway at Purdue to revitalize undergraduate education in computer and software engineering in an effort to reverse the trend of disinterest among American students in the industry and to give them an edge in the international job market. Fewer students are pursuing computer-related careers, while at the same time industry demands on graduates are increasing. The surge in demand is attributed to a new approach in the design of microprocessors. Full story.

I feel the earth move...

Hersh Gilbert's research in the Sierra Nevada has been highlighted by an National Science Foundation (NSF) advisory committee as significant earth science in NSF's goal for improving research infrastructure. Gilbert, an assistant professor in earth and atmospheric sciences, was recognized along with fellow researchers, including Craig Jones, University of Colorado;Tom Owens, University of South Carolina; and George Zandt, University of Arizona, for their work, using NSF EarthScope Seismic data, to identify a region where the mantle lithosphere is currently being stripped from beneath the Sierra Nevada batholith. Full story.

Bill Walker and Brandon Sorge to oversee I-STEM

Bill Walker, director of K-12 outreach, and Brandon Sorge, director of operations, for the College of Science were selected to lead the Indiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (I-STEM) Resource Network, which aims to improve K-12 student achievement in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.  Purdue was recently selected to serve as the managing partner to initiate the I-STEM network by a task force formed by BioCrossroads, with support from the Lumina Foundation for Education and the University of Indianapolis’ Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning. More information.

Summer science and math camp sweeps the state to stretch students minds

This June, the Frankfort/Shelbyville Mathematics and Science Partnership (MS-RAPs) Summer Institute commenced a two-week summer program that was attended by 45 teachers from Shelbyville and Frankfort and led by College of Science K-12 Outreach staff and faculty. MS-RAPs is part of an ongoing partnership between the school districts and Purdue. The Department of Education awarded a $500,000 grant to the institute with the goal of increasing student achievement in mathematics and science, while increasing teacher content knowledge and the effectiveness of their instructional strategies. Full story.

Purdue helps teacher add science to students' iPod playlists

Students will add iPods to their school supplies list this year thanks to Matt Carlson, a science teacher at Harrison High School in West Lafayette, Ind., who produced 30 podcast episodes.  Podcast episodes are digital video files that are distributed on the Internet and can be played on portable media devices and personal computers. Full Story.

 

Share the knowledge!

What do you know that we don't? The College of Science celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, and we want to hear from you! What amazing things have come out of the College of Science at Purdue (other than you!)? What is your favorite memory of your time at Purdue? We're especially interested in memories from the distant past. Please e-mail us with your remembrances and suggestions.

Photo of the month

Dean Vitter visits with President Cordóva and her husband, Chris Foster, at the Science Teambuilding Leadership Institute (STALI)              during Boiler Gold Rush.

PURDUE NEWS

Click on the title for a link to the full story.

President Córdova’s first commencement

Miniature implanted devices could treat epilepsy, glaucoma

Discovery in plant virus may help prevent HIV and similar viruses  

Purdue to help companies reduce energy use

Purdue Libraries assist student's online fact-finding contest

Purdue aeronautics and astronautics course going to serious gaming format

Engineers perfecting hydrogen-generating technology

Purdue researchers to study emergency text messaging

SCIENCE EVENTS AND CALENDAR

Sept. 7, Noon: Dean's Club Luncheon. Outstanding Alumni in Statistics and Computer Science will be hosted at the Dick and Sandy Dauch Alumni Center.

Sept. 7, 8:00 p.m.: Jim Gaffigan, Elliott Hall of Music. Stand up comedian, writer, and actor, Gaffigan is a regular on TBS hit comedy series My Boys. Ticket information.

Sept. 8, Noon: Football, Purdue vs. Eastern Illinois.

Sept. 15, Noon: Football, Purdue vs. Central Michigan. Band Day/Family Day.

Sept. 15, 8:00–9:00 a.m.: Parents' Weekend Pancake Breakfast.  The event will be held in the Armory and is open to staff and faculty.

Sept. 15, 9:00–11:00 a.m.: Scholarship Celebrations, Lawson Building Commons. This event provides an opportunity for College of Science scholarship recipients to meet with alumni and benefactors.

Sept. 16, 3:00 p.m.: Dan Zanes and Friends. 2007 Grammy award winner for best musical album for children for Catch That Train, Zanes performs American traditional songs, dance classics, and original compositions will be at the Long Center for Performing Arts in Lafayette. Ticket information.

Sept. 18, 7:00 p.m. (CDT): Meet the Dean Event, Home of Jing Shyr, Naperville, IL. Please contact John Fisher, director of alumni relations and special events, for more information at jrfisher@purdue.edu, 765-494-0586.

Sept. 22, 8:00 p.m. CT: Football, Purdue vs. Minnesota at Minnesota.

Sept. 27–29: Dean's Leadership Council. Events begin at 8:00 a.m. in the faculty meeting rooms at the Lawson Building.

Sept. 29, game time TBA: Football, Purdue vs. Notre Dame.

Oct. 5, 9:00 a.m.: Outstanding Alumni Brunch. This event honors outstanding alumni selected by the Departments of Physics, Biological Sciences, Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and celebrates the accomplishments of the over 33 Named and Distinguished Professors in the College of Science. Please contact John Fisher, director of alumni relations and special events, for more information at jrfisher@purdue.edu, 765-494-0586.

Oct. 5–6: President's Council Weekend. This annual event gives us the opportunity to welcome President's Council members back to campus for a host of activities and events, including the ever-popular "Back to Class" sessions. Topping off the "Back to Class" sessions on October 5 is the annual appreciation dinner held that evening honoring the members of the President's Council and thanking them for their generosity and support throughout the year. Please check online for more details about the all of the activities planned for this fun-filled weekend!

Oct. 6, 8:00 p.m.: Football, Purdue vs. Ohio State. PC Brunch/Tailgate Guests: Outstanding Alumni.

Oct. 13, noon: Football, Purdue vs. Michigan at Michigan.

Oct. 19, 2:30 p.m.: Wayne and Mary Hockmeyer Hall of Structural Biology Building Groundbreaking. The building site is located near the corner of Martin Jischke Drive (formerly Intramural Drive) and Nimitz Drive next to the Soil Erosion Lab. Click here for a map.

Oct. 20, game time TBA: Football, Purdue vs. Iowa. Hall of Fame Weekend and PC Brunch/Tailgate.

Oct. 25, 6:00 p.m.: George Mitchell. Former U.S. senator and Nobel Peace Prize nominee George Mitchell will give the keynote address at Purdue University's Krannert School of Management seventh annual Leadership Speakers Series in Purdue Memorial Union. Tickets may be reserved online and also are available by contacting Tim Newton, Krannert School director of external relations and communications, at (765) 496-7271 or (800) 893-4108, tnewton@purdue.edu. The deadline to purchase tickets is Sept. 27.

Oct. 26, 2:00 p.m.: His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, Elliott Hall of Music. The winner of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, the Dalai Lama, will speak. Information about the event is available online or by calling Purdue Convocations at (765) 494-9712 to request a program guide.

Oct. 27, noon: Football, Purdue vs. Northwestern. Homecoming/Varsity P Club Weekend and PC Brunch/Tailgate.

Oct. 28, 1:00 p.m.: MythBusters, Elliott Hall of Music. Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, the hosts of the wildly popular TV show MythBusters on the Discovery Channel, use the basic elements of the scientific method to test the validity of various rumors and urban legends in popular culture. As the official kickoff event for the College of Science Centennial Celebration, they will appear to answer questions about themselves, and fans will have a chance to ask about their favorite myths as part of the Question and Answer segment.

Nov. 3, game time TBA: Football, Purdue vs. Penn State at Penn State.

Nov. 7–9: Science Journalism Laureates. The annual program returns for its second year to honor the important role played by science and technology journalists and communicators. There will be a town hall meeting the morning of Nov. 8 and a convocation later that afternoon that will be open to the public. Details online at

http://www.sciencejournalismlaureates.net.

Nov. 10, game time TBA: Football, Purdue vs. Michigan State.

Nov. 17, game time TBA: Football, Purdue vs. Indiana at Indiana.

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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