From the Dean

It seems impossible but the 2007–2008 academic year has come to a close. The students have finished their exams. We wish all of them well, especially the graduating seniors who have a world of opportunities at their fingertips.

The College’s Centennial celebrations have been tremendously invigorating. We’ve been celebrating the achievements of stellar scientists and trumpeting the message about the excitement and importance of science to broad audiences. On March 29, Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, provided the Centennial’s grand finale and touched us all with her gentle and deep humanity. She is a remarkable role model for young people, particularly girls, and shows what an amazing life science can enable. You can view Dr. Goodall’s Centennial presentation on our website.

Purdue celebrated another scientist on April 11 with the inauguration of President France Córdova. Three former Purdue Presidents—Martin Jischke, Steven Beering, and Arthur Hansen—bestowed upon her the symbols of office: the seal from Purdue, university mace, and presidential medallion. President Córdova captivated the audience with her vision and three-pronged charge for Purdue: launching tomorrow’s leaders, discovery with delivery, and meeting global challenges.

The College of Science strategic planning effort continues to move forward at breakneck speed. In April the Pillar groups presented ideas regarding goals, strategies, and metrics at two town hall meetings for faculty, students, and staff in the College and across campus. Real time feedback from the audience provided useful insight into what our stakeholders think is important and how we can work together to achieve common goals. The town hall presentations are online, and we welcome your feedback.

Members of my Dean’s Leadership Council (DLC) were on campus for a unique strategic planning workshop with our steering committee. The DLC is comprised of highly successful individuals—alumni and friends of the College—who are united in their passion to support and elevate the College. Workshop discussions produced five “themes” that are key to the successful implementation of the plan. The importance of close alignment with the University’s plan was also highlighted. The steering committee will meet on May 27 to review and order the plan’s goals and strategies before work on the draft begins.

The College of Science fared well in the latest rankings for "America's Best Graduate Schools" in the April 2008 U.S.News & World Report. All seven of our departments ranked nationally, with some very exciting new rankings; visit our website for more information.

The College of Science honored 11 distinguished science alumni (DSA) during a ceremony on April 11 to recognize outstanding career achievement. The DSAs illustrate the many ways a Purdue science education fuels success in a wide variety of professions, and they serve as invaluable role models to our students.

Finally, we are delighted to welcome the Purdue Science Student Council as regular contributors to e-news beginning this month. We look forward to receiving regular updates about the Council’s activities. Please contact PSSC President Kelly Sinak for more information and opportunities to get involved.

All the best,

Jeff Vitter

SPOTLIGHT ON NEW FACULTY

Chitteran Das

Chitteran Das joins the Department of Chemistry as assistant professor. Das's research looks at the functional role of deubiquitinating enzymes in cellular pathways, particularly those in diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Ralph Kaufmann

Ralph Kaufmann joins the Department of Mathematics as associate professor. His research interests include topology, geometry, and algebraic geometry. Kaufmann is particularly interested in string topology, quantum cohomology, and stringy phenomena for orbifolds.

SCIENCE PEOPLE

Professor receives Microsoft Research Award

Computer science and statistics professor Yuan (Alan) Qi has been selected by Microsoft Research as one of the 10 recipients of the 2007 A. Richard Newton Breakthrough Research Award. Full story.

Computer science undergraduate receives research award

Rob Gevers, a senior in computer science and mathematics, received the Best Abstract Award for Mathematics and Computational Science at the Undergraduate Research and Poster Symposium on March 31, 2008. Full story.

EAS and chemistry professor presidential candidate

Joseph S. Francisco, William E. Moore Distinguished Professor of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and Chemistry, has been selected as one of two finalists for the position of president of the American Chemical Society. Full story.

Computer science professor joins Computing Research Association board

Susanne Hambrusch, professor and former head of computer science, was elected to the Computing Research Association (CRA) board of directors. Full story.

NSF grant goes to science and agronomy faculty

Tim Filley, associate professor and associate head of earth and atmospheric sciences, and Cliff Johnson, professor of agronomy, were awarded an NSF grant for their work on investigating the soil-earthwork-litter system controls on the stabilization of organic matter in Eastern deciduous forests.

Computer science professors win government award

Computer science professors Elisa Bertino, Chris Clifton, Ninghui Li, and Gene Spafford are representing Purdue as part of the multi-university team that won a 2008 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) award. Full story.

Discovery Park seed grant awarded to biological sciences professor

Dorothea Thompson, professor of biological sciences, was awarded one of six $50,000 Discovery Park seed grants for 2008 for a collaborative study of microbial biodiversity. Full story.

Biological sciences professor wins Seed for Success Award

Daoguo "Joe" Zhou was awarded the Seed for Success Award this year for his research grant, "Host actin Cytoskeleton Rearrangements Induced by Salmonella." Zhou received a bronze acorn inscribed with his name for receiving a research grant of over $1million. Full story.

Two science professors share top research award

Richard Kuhn, professor and head of biological sciences and director of Bindley Bioscience Center, and Scott A. McLuckey, professor of analytical chemistry, will share the 2008 Herbert Newby McCoy Award. Full story.

Student team wins at entrepreneurship competition

Computer science first-year student John Bohlmann and team members Amit Pahwa, a sophomore in management, and Daniel Poynter, a senior in philosophy, took second place in the 21st Annual Burton D. Morgan Entrepreneurship Competition on April 8 for their idea for a Digital Literacy Contest. Full story.

Science students choose outstanding undergraduate teacher

Peter Hollenbeck, professor and associate head of biological sciences, was selected by science undergraduate students to receive the Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher Award. Full story.

SCIENCE NEWS

Jane Goodall video is available online

The College was honored to host world-renowned primatologist and humanitarian Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, on March 29. View Dr. Goodall's presentation through the month of May.

Science programs rank among the best

2007 News and World Report Emblem The Chronicle of Higher Education's 2007 Top Research Universities Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index ranked information technology/information systems (CERIAS) number 2, computational science number 5, and computer systems and software engineering number 17.

In the most recent U.S.News & World Report survey of the top graduate schools, analytical chemistry maintained its number 2 rank with statistics moving up to number 10. Computer science, computer systems, programming languages, and applied mathematics were each ranked in the top 20. Full story.

CERIAS ranked as nation's top information security program

Purdue's Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security has been ranked the top program in information security among universities in the nation by a private company that measures faculty productivity. Full story.

Biological sciences professors reveal how virus matures

A research collaboration led by Michael Rossmann, Hanley Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences, and Jue Chen, assistant professor of biological sciences, reveals why dengue virus particles undergo structural changes as they mature in host cells. Full story.

Earth and atmospheric sciences professor leads CO₂ project

Kevin Gurney, assistant professor of earth and atmospheric sciences and agronomy and associate director of the Purdue Climate Change Research Center, led a research team that developed a method to map fossil fuel emissions tracked by the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, and other governmental agencies. Full story.

Professor provides testimony on Preservation Pathway

Kevin Gurney, assistant professor of earth and atmospheric sciences and agronomy and associate director of the Purdue Climate Change Research Center, provided testimony on Earth Day to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee about the proposed deforestation and climate change policy. Full story.

Chemistry professor's research uses DNA as building blocks

Professor Chengde Mao's research shows how the DNA double-helix molecule serves as an excellent construction manual for life as we know it. Full story.

Earth and atmospheric sciences head discusses April earthquake

Larry Braile, professor and head of the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, said earthquake activity in the Midwest has been moderate in recent years, but the area has a history of much more powerful quakes. Full story.

Data reveal more science and engineering graduates in U.S.

The latest data from the National Science Foundation reveals that there were more science and engineering graduates in the U.S. in 2006 than there were in 2003 and that there are plenty of opportunities for those graduates in the workforce. Full story.

SCIENCE ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Eleven are honored as distinguished alumni

Purdue's College of Science honored 11 of its alumni as distinguished science alumni on April 11 during a ceremony at the Buchanan Suite in the Ross-Ade Pavilion. Full story.

SPOTLIGHT ON NEW STAFF

Sandy Howarth, director of development

Sandy Howarth was appointed the director of development for the Departments of Biological Sciences and Statistics. Sandy was most recently executive director for the Perry Township Education Foundation. She also served as director of development, and gifts and grant director for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis. Sandy earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology and human resource management from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana.

Javier Magallanes, director of development

Javier Magallanes was appointed the director of development for the Departments of Physics and Computer Science. Javier was most recently the director of development for the President’s Council and the Latino Cultural Center. He received his Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership and supervision from Purdue in 2005.

SCIENCE STUDENTS

Purdue Science Student Council is expanding role

Purdue Science Student Council is increasing their activities in the College of Science. The organization is working closely with Associate Dean Chris Sahley to plan events and revise the New Student Orientation program and Science Week. More information.

PURDUE NEWS

Inaugural launches new efforts for students, 'discovery with delivery'

Students to benefit from $5.6 million in gifts

Randy Woodson, dean of Purdue Agriculture, named provost

Purdue launches $304 million drive for scholarships and programs

President Córdova to give life sciences presentation on May 16

RESEARCH GRANT AWARDS

Each edition of the Research Review contains a monthly listing of the projects that have been funded at Purdue University. Between 100 to 150 awards (resulting from proposals) are made to Purdue each month, many from the College of Science. The Research Review announces the awards to give recognition to these faculty achievements and to inform readers of the different kinds of research, teaching, and service projects that are conducted at Purdue.

Web page: http://www.purdue.edu/Research/vpr/publications/researchreview.shtml

SCIENCE EVENTS CALENDAR

May 1–2: Dean's Leadership Council Spring Meeting. Events begin at 8:00 a.m. in Lawson 3102 A&B. For more information, contact John Fisher, director of special events: jrfisher@purdue.edu, 765-494-0586.

May 2, 10:30–11:30 a.m.: Department of Computer Science Colloquium, HAAS 111. "Truthful Adaptive Sponsored Search Mechanisms," Dr. Rica Gonen, Yahoo!. More information.

May 2, 3:30–4:30 p.m.: Department of Physics Condensed Matter and Biological Physics Seminar, PHYS 223. "Novel Quantum Criticality and Emergent Particles in Trapped Cold Atom," Professor Kun Yang, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and Florida State University. More information.

May 5, 1:30–5:00 p.m.: Department of Chemistry, WTHR 104. Retirement symposium for Dale Margerum. More information.

May 8, 12:30–1:30 p.m.: Department of Chemistry Special Organic/Materials Seminar, WTHR 201. Professor George John, The City College of New York. More information.

May 10, 9:30 a.m.: College of Science Spring Commencement Ceremony, Elliott Hall of Music. More information.

May 10, 11:30 a.m.: College of Science Graduation Reception, Lawson Commons. For more information, contact John Fisher, director of special events: jrfisher@purdue.edu, 765-494-0586.

May 19–20: Energy Center 2008 Biofuels Symposium, STEW 218. More information.

June 10–July 3: College of Science Day on Campus 2008 for incoming freshmen and parents. More information.

Share your memories! If you have a favorite story or memory from your College of Science experience, we'd like to share it with others.

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

College of Science Seminar Calendar

Alumni and Friends

Purdue Events



From the Dean It seems impossible but the 2007–2008 academic year has come to a close. The students have finished their exams. We wish all of them well, especially the graduating seniors who have a world of opportunities at their fingertips. The College’s Centennial celebrations have been tremendously invigorating. We’ve been celebrating the achievements of stellar scientists and trumpeting the message about the excitement and importance of science to broad audiences. On March 29, Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, provided the Centennial’s grand finale and touched us all with her gentle and deep humanity. She is a remarkable role model for young people, particularly girls, and shows what an amazing life science can enable. You can view Dr. Goodall’s Centennial presentation on our website. Purdue celebrated another scientist on April 11 with the inauguration of President France Córdova. Three former Purdue Presidents—Martin Jischke, Steven Beering, and Arthur Hansen—bestowed upon her the symbols of office: the seal from Purdue, university mace, and presidential medallion. President Córdova captivated the audience with her vision and three-pronged charge for Purdue: launching tomorrow’s leaders, discovery with delivery, and meeting global challenges. The College of Science strategic planning effort continues to move forward at breakneck speed. In April the Pillar groups presented ideas regarding goals, strategies, and metrics at two town hall meetings for faculty, students, and staff in the College and across campus. Real time feedback from the audience provided useful insight into what our stakeholders think is important and how we can work together to achieve common goals. The town hall presentations are online, and we welcome your feedback. Members of my Dean’s Leadership Council (DLC) were on campus for a unique strategic planning workshop with our steering committee. The DLC is comprised of highly successful individuals—alumni and friends of the College—who are united in their passion to support and elevate the College. Workshop discussions produced five “themes” that are key to the successful implementation of the plan. The importance of close alignment with the University’s plan was also highlighted. The steering committee will meet on May 27 to review and order the plan’s goals and strategies before work on the draft begins. The College of Science fared well in the latest rankings for "America's Best Graduate Schools" in the April 2008 U.S.News & World Report. All seven of our departments ranked nationally, with some very exciting new rankings; visit our website for more information. The College of Science honored 11 distinguished science alumni (DSA) during a ceremony on April 11 to recognize outstanding career achievement. The DSAs illustrate the many ways a Purdue science education fuels success in a wide variety of professions, and they serve as invaluable role models to our students. Finally, we are delighted to welcome the Purdue Science Student Council as regular contributors to e-news beginning this month. We look forward to receiving regular updates about the Council’s activities. Please contact PSSC President Kelly Sinak for more information and opportunities to get involved. All the best, Jeff Vitter SPOTLIGHT ON NEW FACULTY Chitteran Das Chitteran Das joins the Department of Chemistry as assistant professor. Das's research looks at the functional role of deubiquitinating enzymes in cellular pathways, particularly those in diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Ralph Kaufmann Ralph Kaufmann joins the Department of Mathematics as associate professor. His research interests include topology, geometry, and algebraic geometry. Kaufmann is particularly interested in string topology, quantum cohomology, and stringy phenomena for orbifolds. SCIENCE PEOPLE Professor receives Microsoft Research Award Computer science and statistics professor Yuan (Alan) Qi has been selected by Microsoft Research as one of the 10 recipients of the 2007 A. Richard Newton Breakthrough Research Award. Full story. Computer science undergraduate receives research award Rob Gevers, a senior in computer science and mathematics, received the Best Abstract Award for Mathematics and Computational Science at the Undergraduate Research and Poster Symposium on March 31, 2008. Full story. EAS and chemistry professor presidential candidate Joseph S. Francisco, William E. Moore Distinguished Professor of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and Chemistry, has been selected as one of two finalists for the position of president of the American Chemical Society. Full story. Computer science professor joins Computing Research Association board Susanne Hambrusch, professor and former head of computer science, was elected to the Computing Research Association (CRA) board of directors. Full story. NSF grant goes to science and agronomy faculty Tim Filley, associate professor and associate head of earth and atmospheric sciences, and Cliff Johnson, professor of agronomy, were awarded an NSF grant for their work on investigating the soil-earthwork-litter system controls on the stabilization of organic matter in Eastern deciduous forests. Computer science professors win government award Computer science professors Elisa Bertino, Chris Clifton, Ninghui Li, and Gene Spafford are representing Purdue as part of the multi-university team that won a 2008 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) award. Full story. Discovery Park seed grant awarded to biological sciences professor Dorothea Thompson, professor of biological sciences, was awarded one of six $50,000 Discovery Park seed grants for 2008 for a collaborative study of microbial biodiversity. Full story. Biological sciences professor wins Seed for Success Award Daoguo "Joe" Zhou was awarded the Seed for Success Award this year for his research grant, "Host actin Cytoskeleton Rearrangements Induced by Salmonella." Zhou received a bronze acorn inscribed with his name for receiving a research grant of over $1million. Full story. Two science professors share top research award Richard Kuhn, professor and head of biological sciences and director of Bindley Bioscience Center, and Scott A. McLuckey, professor of analytical chemistry, will share the 2008 Herbert Newby McCoy Award. Full story. Student team wins at entrepreneurship competition Computer science first-year student John Bohlmann and team members Amit Pahwa, a sophomore in management, and Daniel Poynter, a senior in philosophy, took second place in the 21st Annual Burton D. Morgan Entrepreneurship Competition on April 8 for their idea for a Digital Literacy Contest. Full story. Science students choose outstanding undergraduate teacher Peter Hollenbeck, professor and associate head of biological sciences, was selected by science undergraduate students to receive the Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher Award. Full story. SCIENCE NEWS Jane Goodall video is available online The College was honored to host world-renowned primatologist and humanitarian Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, on March 29. View Dr. Goodall's presentation through the month of May. Science programs rank among the best The Chronicle of Higher Education's 2007 Top Research Universities Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index ranked information technology/information systems (CERIAS) number 2, computational science number 5, and computer systems and software engineering number 17. In the most recent U.S.News & World Report survey of the top graduate schools, analytical chemistry maintained its number 2 rank with statistics moving up to number 10. Computer science, computer systems, programming languages, and applied mathematics were each ranked in the top 20. Full story. CERIAS ranked as nation's top information security program Purdue's Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security has been ranked the top program in information security among universities in the nation by a private company that measures faculty productivity. Full story. Biological sciences professors reveal how virus matures A research collaboration led by Michael Rossmann, Hanley Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences, and Jue Chen, assistant professor of biological sciences, reveals why dengue virus particles undergo structural changes as they mature in host cells. Full story. Earth and atmospheric sciences professor leads CO₂ project Kevin Gurney, assistant professor of earth and atmospheric sciences and agronomy and associate director of the Purdue Climate Change Research Center, led a research team that developed a method to map fossil fuel emissions tracked by the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, and other governmental agencies. Full story. Professor provides testimony on Preservation Pathway Kevin Gurney, assistant professor of earth and atmospheric sciences and agronomy and associate director of the Purdue Climate Change Research Center, provided testimony on Earth Day to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee about the proposed deforestation and climate change policy. Full story. Chemistry professor's research uses DNA as building blocks Professor Chengde Mao's research shows how the DNA double-helix molecule serves as an excellent construction manual for life as we know it. Full story. Earth and atmospheric sciences head discusses April earthquake Larry Braile, professor and head of the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, said earthquake activity in the Midwest has been moderate in recent years, but the area has a history of much more powerful quakes. Full story. Data reveal more science and engineering graduates in U.S. The latest data from the National Science Foundation reveals that there were more science and engineering graduates in the U.S. in 2006 than there were in 2003 and that there are plenty of opportunities for those graduates in the workforce. Full story. SCIENCE ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Eleven are honored as distinguished alumni Purdue's College of Science honored 11 of its alumni as distinguished science alumni on April 11 during a ceremony at the Buchanan Suite in the Ross-Ade Pavilion. Full story. SPOTLIGHT ON NEW STAFF Sandy Howarth, director of development Sandy Howarth was appointed the director of development for the Departments of Biological Sciences and Statistics. Sandy was most recently executive director for the Perry Township Education Foundation. She also served as director of development, and gifts and grant director for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis. Sandy earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology and human resource management from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana. Javier Magallanes, director of development Javier Magallanes was appointed the director of development for the Departments of Physics and Computer Science. Javier was most recently the director of development for the President’s Council and the Latino Cultural Center. He received his Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership and supervision from Purdue in 2005. SCIENCE STUDENTS Purdue Science Student Council is expanding role Purdue Science Student Council is increasing their activities in the College of Science. The organization is working closely with Associate Dean Chris Sahley to plan events and revise the New Student Orientation program and Science Week. More information. PURDUE NEWS Inaugural launches new efforts for students, 'discovery with delivery' Students to benefit from $5.6 million in gifts Randy Woodson, dean of Purdue Agriculture, named provost Purdue launches $304 million drive for scholarships and programs President Córdova to give life sciences presentation on May 16 RESEARCH GRANT AWARDS Each edition of the Research Review contains a monthly listing of the projects that have been funded at Purdue University. Between 100 to 150 awards (resulting from proposals) are made to Purdue each month, many from the College of Science. The Research Review announces the awards to give recognition to these faculty achievements and to inform readers of the different kinds of research, teaching, and service projects that are conducted at Purdue. Web page: http://www.purdue.edu/Research/vpr/publications/researchreview.shtml SCIENCE EVENTS CALENDAR May 1–2: Dean's Leadership Council Spring Meeting. Events begin at 8:00 a.m. in Lawson 3102 A&B. For more information, contact John Fisher, director of special events: jrfisher@purdue.edu, 765-494-0586. May 2, 10:30–11:30 a.m.: Department of Computer Science Colloquium, HAAS 111. "Truthful Adaptive Sponsored Search Mechanisms," Dr. Rica Gonen, Yahoo!. More information. May 2, 3:30–4:30 p.m.: Department of Physics Condensed Matter and Biological Physics Seminar, PHYS 223. "Novel Quantum Criticality and Emergent Particles in Trapped Cold Atom," Professor Kun Yang, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and Florida State University. More information. May 5, 1:30–5:00 p.m.: Department of Chemistry, WTHR 104. Retirement symposium for Dale Margerum. More information. May 8, 12:30–1:30 p.m.: Department of Chemistry Special Organic/Materials Seminar, WTHR 201. Professor George John, The City College of New York. More information. May 10, 9:30 a.m.: College of Science Spring Commencement Ceremony, Elliott Hall of Music. More information. May 10, 11:30 a.m.: College of Science Graduation Reception, Lawson Commons. For more information, contact John Fisher, director of special events: jrfisher@purdue.edu, 765-494-0586. May 19–20: Energy Center 2008 Biofuels Symposium, STEW 218. More information. June 10–July 3: College of Science Day on Campus 2008 for incoming freshmen and parents. More information. Share your memories! If you have a favorite story or memory from your College of Science experience, we'd like to share it with others. Are you interested in leaving a lasting legacy for future students or faculty at Purdue? If so, please visit our planned giving home page. College of Science Seminar Calendar Alumni and Friends Purdue Events	May 2008 In this issue Spotlight on New Faculty Science People Science News Science Alumni Spotlight Spotlight on New Staff Science Students Purdue News Research Grant Awards Science Events Calendar Science Seminar Calendar Science alumni: We want to hear from you! Share your professional news and your personal and family milestones by clicking here. Contact us Past issues of Science@Purdue Insights, the College of Science Magazine Scientific Notation, a publication by Purdue Science Student Council College of Science Home Alumni and Friends Purdue News Purdue University Opt out of future mailings Subscribe to newsletter Note that If you have a comment or question about a story, or if you would like to unsubscribe to this list or add someone to the list, please contact us at ScienceNews@purdue.edu. Thanks for reading Science@Purdue.