Alumni Advisory Board Members

Dr. John Atkinson St. Louis, Missouri Dr. James Bredfeldt Seattle, Washington Dr. Michael Breed Boulder, Colorado Welcome Letter Dr. David Brown Wichita, Kansas he grassroots “ Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science ” worked in collaboration F. Nicholas Franano with professional science organizations to designate 2009 as the “ Year of Science .” Kansas City, Missouri T The impetus for this celebration of scientific achievement was the shared 200th birthdays Dr. Ben Hall of , author of “ The Origin of Species ,” and , who founded Bellevue, Washington the U.S. National Academy of Sciences on March 3rd, 1863. Darwin and Lincoln were born Dr. Curtis Harris on the same day, 12 February 1809. Our BioHawk theme builds on this Year of Science Garrett Park, Maryland celebration and shows how the KU Biological Sciences promote the public appreciation Dr. John Howieson and understanding of contemporary science, and how we collectively contribute to Portland, Oregon research and education about science. Dr. Joan Hunt Kansas City, Kansas In addition to this theme, we also bring you news of major achievements at the and in the KU Biological Sciences. Despite the recent economic downturn, KU has Dr. Cindi Johnson Shawnee, Kansas sustained strong enrollments for the 2009-2010 academic year. KU was ranked number 43 in the U.S. News and World Report list of Best Colleges in the United States, and within the Dr. Irving Johnson Sanibel Island, Florida Biological Sciences, our graduate program has been ranked 30th among public universities. Moreover, the Departments of Ecology and Evolutionary and Molecular Biosciences Dr. Simon Kuo maintained strong extramural grant support during 2009. Overland Park, Kansas Michael Linenberger On pages 2-8, the Director of the Undergraduate Biology Program (KUUB), and the Chairs Seattle, Washington of the Departments of Ecology and and Molecular Biosciences Drew Masters highlight the events and achievements of their respective academic units. On pages 9-12, Montclair, New Jersey we celebrate the Year of Science and focus on how the Biological Sciences at KU relate to Dr. Ray Meyn the year’s events. Linking past, present, and future, this section consists of essays written Houston, Texas by KU graduate students who interviewed Drs. Thomas Taylor and Edward Wiley at KU and Dr. Richard Morgan distinguished alumnus Dr. David Hillis, currently on the faculty at the University of Texas. Lenexa, Kansas Drs. Taylor and Hillis, both members of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, provide perspectives on this important national resource. Dr. Wiley discusses Charles Darwin’s Dr. Ken Nelson Wichita, Kansas remarkable contributions to understanding evolutionary biology. Dr. Gard Otis Ontario, Canada Highlighting excellence in graduate and undergraduate education, pages 16-18 include personal profiles of six current students. On page 20 we introduce KU’s new Chancellor, Dr. Paul Payne Dr. Bernadette Gray-Little, who joined the University of Kansas in August 2009. Wilmington, North Carolina We are especially indebted to all of the Biological Sciences contributors listed on page 21. Dr. Scott Porter Your thoughtful support is deeply appreciated by all of us, and we urge you to stay in touch Andover, Kansas and to return to the KU campus frequently! Our next meeting of the Biological Sciences Dr. Randy Scott Alumni Advisory Board is scheduled for April 9, 2010, and we will update you with new Los Altos Hills, California information from the Board and other alumni in the next issue of the BioHawk . Dr. Terry Wall Shawnee Mission, Kansas Val Smith Robert Cohen Christopher Hau/er Gregory Burg Liaison & Coordinator, Acting Chair, Chair, Director, Dr. Michael Webb Biological Sciences Alumni Department of Molecular Department of Ecology Undergraduate Biology and Wellesley, Maine Advisory Board Biosciences and Evolutionary Biology Human Biology Programs 2010 Calendar • Alumni Spring Lecture - April 8, 2010

• Alumni Board Meeting - April 9, 2010

• Recognition Ceremony - May 15, 2010

• Commencement - May 16, 2010

CO NTENTS S 10 -15 Building on the Foundations E of the Pa st and Meeting the R Challenges of the Future

U by Annalise Nawrocki, David McLeod and Francine Abe T

A 20 New Chancellor E F

DEPARTMENTAL

2 KU Undergraduate Biology by Greg Burg Chris Hau/er 4 Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Editor, by Chris Haufler vulgare @ku.edu 7 Molecular Biosciences Kandi White by Robert Cohen Editor, 16 The Next Generation of Graduate Students [email protected]

BioHawk is published annually from private funds, and produced by the Biological Sciences, Gil Ortiz 1200 Sunnyside Ave., Lawrence, KS 66045-7600 for Alumni and Friends. Articles may be Graphic Designer, reprinted with special permission by contacting Kandi White, telephone (785) 864-5882 or Photography e-mail [email protected]. [email protected] The University of Kansas is committed to providing programs and activities to all persons, regardless of race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital or parental status and, to the extent covered by law, age or veteran status. Jenna Goodman We would like to thank everyone who contributed to making this issue of BioHawk a success. Without Development Director, your support it would not be possible. A special thanks to all of those who contributed material and College of Liberal Arts images. and Sciences [email protected] Greg Burg Director, Undergraduate Biology [email protected]

KU Undergraduate Biology mong the many things we cele - As with the changing of the seasons, there Abrated during 2009, one that was are ongoing events on campus that we come of particular note to biologists world - to expect and look forward to--the new faces wide was the celebration of the 200th of incoming students in the Fall, the farewell anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth and the to those who leave Mt. Oread in May, and the 150th anniversary of his publication of On the opportunity to celebrate achievements in the Origin of Species, in which Darwin describes and classroom and research laboratory. KU’s “Always bear in presents evidence for natural selection as the Undergraduate Biology Program welcomed operating force in the evolution of species. In two new BioScholars into the class of 2013, honor of Darwin, the KU Natural History Museum Alex Rippberger and Daniel Simon, both from threw a birthday party and the KU Libraries Olathe, Kansas. Alex’s long-term goal is to engage mind that your displayed some of its natural history holdings in research related to human biology while Daniel (including a first edition of Origin). There is a hopes to pursue a career in medicine. Alex and growing need for science education and science Daniel join a growing list of BioScholars who have own resolution literacy among the American public, including been successful at KU. Two BioScholars complet - increased awareness of Darwin’s theory as a cor - ed their KU biology requirements in May 2009-- nerstone of modern biology. In recognition of Kyle Clifton (B.S. Biology – Organismal Biology), this demand, KU’s new chancellor, Dr. Bernadette who is interested in pursing graduate education to succeed is Gray-Little, was invited to the White House to take in animal behavior, and Will Pass (B.S. Biology - part in the "Educate to Innovate" event, which Neurobiology), who is completing his second honored excellence in science, technology, degree in Business at KU. engineering, and math education. Chancellor more important Gray-Little and three of her fellow university presi - Once again Undergraduate Biology dents delivered a letter from 79 universities to recognized the outstanding achievements of President Obama pledging to address the nation - our students – those who received departmental than any other.” al shortage of math and science teachers. Key to honors and those who were awarded scholarships KU’s effort towards this goal is the Center for and awards. We recognized the following accom - Science Education’s UKanTeach Program, a new plishments during the 2009 Undergraduate collaborative effort between the College of Liberal Biology Graduation Recognition Ceremony. - Abraham Lincoln Arts and Sciences and the School of Education Receiving Biology Honors were Ashrita Abraham that prepares and supports secondary mathemat - (advisor: Kristi Neufeld), Preston Alltizer (advisor: ics and science teachers. The UKanTeach certifi - Kristi Neufeld), Katelyn Deckert (advisor: Yoshi cate program is designed to be completed along Azuma), Patrick Dolan (advisor: Matthew with an approved B.S. or B.A. degree in mathe - Buechner), Julia Gutkin (advisor: Scott Hefty), matics, biology, chemistry, earth and space sci - Ali Nabavizadeh (advisor: Larry Martin), Rebecca ence, or physics. At the request of the UKanTeach Reed (advisor: Edward Auer, Jr.), Shelbi Russell Program, Undergraduate Biology developed a (advisor: Kirsten Jensen), Thornton Thompson new B.S. Biology Major option – Teaching Biology. (advisor: David Davido), and Jason Weber (advisor: Starting with the Fall 2009 semester, KU students John Karanicolas). were able to declare the B.S. Teaching Biology These dedicated young scientists covered a Major. A number of students already in breath of research activities including the charac - UKanTeach were satisfying the course require - terization and stabilization of tumor suppressor ments in anticipation of this option. We are APC in mouse embryo cells, multiple effects in excited about the prospects of educating a new HeLa S3 cells on Chlamydia infection, mapping a generation of biology teachers. 2 KUUB Favorite Professor Award

Dr. Stephen Dr. Paulyn Benedict Cartwright suppressor to PKD-2 in C. elegans , using computational engaging students in class and encouraging class participation. methods to predict cyokine-rector complexes, the functional She pushes students to do well by rewarding those who truly analysis and role in feeding of the predentary-dentary bone study and prepare. I have learned more under her teaching than articulation in duck-billed dinosaurs, the taxonomy and any other professor at KU and feel that it was those things I attachment of elasmobranch tapeworms, and the influence learned from her that will stay most steadfast in my mind.” The of visual speech information on the perception of foreign Class of 2009’s favorite professors were Dr. Stephen Benedict, accented speech. Department of Molecular Biosciences, and Dr. Paulyn Cartwright, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. The comments We also recognized the classroom and service learning that accompanied their nominations reflected the excellence Drs. success of several students with various scholarships or Benedict and Cartwright bring to the classroom each and every awards. Cassandra Lamar (Lance S. Foster Outstanding Junior day. Congratulations to the 2009 Biology favorite professors. in Biology), Nicole Schmidt (Ida Hyde Scholarship for women in science to study in a non-KU research lab), Brenna Barger Undergraduate Biology is beginning to grow into its (Pauline Kimball Prize for an outstanding woman senior in new role as an independent program in partnership with the Biology), Robert Wiggin (Paul A. Kitos Award for Excellence Departments of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Molecular in Undergraduate Biochemical Research), Andrew McShan Biosciences. Our successes to date are directly attributed to (Jenna Robinson Memorial Scholarship), and Sam Eftekhari the diligent guidance of interim Director, Dr. Val Smith. His (Del & Carol Shankel Biomedical Scholarship) were all recog - experience and tireless efforts on behalf of Undergraduate nized at the Graduation Recognition Ceremony in May. Biology will be reflected in our successes for years to come. Dr. Smith stepped down as interim Director on July 1, 2009. Thanks to the generous support of Dr. John Howieson, KU Undergraduate Biology owes him a debt of gratitude for we are able to support travel opportunities for undergradu - his efforts during the first year of Undergraduate Biology’s ates to off-campus research sites or conferences. Last year “independence.” Dr. Smith has not entirely left the fold we helped with travel costs for Yyonne Kamau (Biomedical however. He will continue as the program’s liaison to our Research Conference for Minority Students, Orlando, FL), Undergraduate Biology Alumni Advisory Board. Grey Gustafson (Maryland and Venezuela insect collecting trips), Karanda Hildebrand ( C. elegans International Finally, one area of Undergraduate Biology that does not Conference, Los Angeles, CA), and Nicole Schmidt (field receive deserved attention or praise is the preparation and work on Alliaria petiolate , Slovenia). execution of biology laboratory courses, from introductory labs for non-science majors to senior-level labs in biochem - As you may recall, each year we ask graduating biology istry, physiology, and ecology (to name just a few). All told, majors to nominate their favorite professor, and we are always more than 4,500 students enroll in our biology laboratory pleased with the enthusiastic and thoughtful responses we courses each year, courses that are expertly managed by our receive. It is clear from the comments that many KU biology well-qualified staff members. Our lab sections would not be professors are doing an outstanding job in the classroom. successful without the assistance of such dedicated individu - Two biology professors, Drs. Deborah Smith and Audrey Lamb, als. 2009 saw a change in personnel in the introductory each received one of only 20 University-wide Kemper biology lab group with the departure of Erin Rogers, who Teaching Awards. The following quotes from two biology left to begin her family. We wish Erin much success as she seniors nominating their favorite professor epitomizes the begins another chapter in her life. We were quite fortunate teaching excellence of KU’s biology faculty: to welcome Robyn Grayson as an excellent replacement. “Strongly supports students in their academic and personal Robyn completed her B.S. Biology (Ecology & Evolutionary endeavors, and makes a personal effort to ensure they succeed. Biology) degree at KU and has returned to assist with the He is passionate about his field and relays this enthusiasm. He is operations of the BIOL 152 laboratories. the perfect balance embodied by educators of highest distinction: Please know that we value our alumni, we want to know a coach who both pushes his students hard and runs alongside what you are up to, and we would like to hear of your success - them to make sure they have every element needed to thrive.” es. Please keep in touch. Visit us on Facebook (KU Biological “She has been my mentor for several years and has always Sciences Alumni) and join our growing list of members. N been supportive of student needs, even when she is at her most busy. She is always ready to listen to students and to explain whatever is needed; has always done a wonderful job of BIO HAWK 2009 3 Chris Haufler, Chair of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology [email protected]

Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

hroughout the past few years, the creative “outside the box” thinker, and resulted Tscientific community has recog - in his appointment to the National Academy nized the need to reinvigorate public of Sciences, a group of about 2000 scientists interest in science, especially in our that was initiated by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. “I have called country, and designated 2009 as the “Year of Professor Hillis has also been active in the Science.” The Department of Ecology and politics of science education in Texas, and he Evolutionary Biology (EEB) at KU contributed to has contributed his time and expertise to pre - this principle, by this effort through publications by students and venting the anti-science members of the Texas faculty members and through community out - State Board of Education from weakening state reach. In addition, members of EEB have research standards in public schools. By championing and which each and service connections to the two central incorporating the discoveries of Charles Darwin celebrities of the Year of Science—Charles in their research agendas, by guiding the fund - Darwin and Abraham Lincoln—both born on ing priorities of federal agencies and providing slight variation, 12 February 1809. In this BioHawk, we personify advice to political leaders, and by being part of these connections by profiling three individuals the scientific leadership and ensuring that future who demonstrate the direct links between EEB generations of biologists will be well educated, if useful, is to the promotion of science as a way of knowing EEB researchers and teachers demonstrate well about the world. Professor Edward Wiley long the remarkable opportunities that are available has been associated with the science of evolu - for biologists (and all scientists!) to give back to preserved, by tionary biology, and his views on Charles Darwin, the community. through his conversation with EEB graduate Beyond those profiled in this BioHawk, student Francine Abe, are both revealing and faculty and students in EEB have made signifi - the term of insightful on the contributions that Darwin cant contributions to science research and made to understanding how processes of evolu - education. In 2008, EEB faculty members tionary change contributed to the of authored more than 200 published or in-press, Natural the planet. Distinguished Professor Thomas peer-reviewed papers, and our graduate Taylor talked with EEB graduate student students authored about 75 peer-reviewed Annalise Nawrocki about his connection to the papers in the course of pursuing their degrees. Selection” nation’s science agenda. Professor Taylor is a Faculty members also contributed about 150 member of the National Science Board, a group papers at national and international meetings of about 25 prominent scientists who govern the and performed research on grants in excess of - Charles Darwin National Science Foundation and provide policy $42 million. Using the “research engagement” advice to the President. His views on scientific measure of involvement in research activities progress in the U.S. and at KU reveal the ways in employed by the KU Center for Research, EEB which all of us can help to invigorate and con - was once again among the top five units at KU, tribute to the future. Professor David Hillis (KU meaning that a greater percentage of our faculty Ph.D. in 1985) revealed in his conversation with members and graduate students are making EEB graduate student David McLeod how the contributions to research than other such units work that he began at KU propelled him as a on the campus. 4 EEB New Faculty

Dr. Andrew Short

In 2009, EEB faculty members were also celebrated for EEB faculty members have made to research, teaching, their work and excellence. Joy Ward was chosen to receive a and public outreach by the University of Kansas. Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a Our graduate students have also had impressive young scientist or engineer in the United States. She recently achievements in 2009. Seven of them received highly joined other PECASE recipients and President Obama in competitive Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Awards Washington to celebrate their awards. Deborah Smith from the National Science Foundation: Bastian Bentlage, received a Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence, in a student working with Paulyn Cartwright; Matthew Davis, recognition of her achievements as a KU educator, the 10th working with Edward Wiley; Charles Linkem, working with of these prestigious annual awards to be earned by mem - Rafe Brown; Julius Mojica, working with John Kelly; bers of EEB. Orley (Chip) Taylor was part of a team that Annalise Nawrocki, working with Paulyn Cartwright; launched monarch butterfly larvae into space, studied the Andrew Schwendemann, working with Thomas Taylor; and effects of microgravity on their transition to adult, flying Lisa Tiemann, working with Sharon Billings . These coveted insects, and engaged nearly 600 classrooms in a simultane - awards represent the gold standard for supporting graduate ous observation of monarch development. Michael Engel student work and demonstrate well the high quality of our was awarded the Bicentenary Medal of the Linnean Society. graduate students and their research. In addition to these The medal is awarded annually and was instituted in 1978 awards, Bastian Bentlage (working with Paulyn Cartwright ) to mark the Bicentenary of the death of Carolus Linneaus, received a Smithsonian Institution Predoctoral Fellowship; the father of our current system for naming species. Cathy Collins (working with Bryan Foster ) received the Leonard Krishtalka was elected Chair of the Global Argersinger Dissertation Prize recognizing the high quality Biodiversity Information Facility Science Committee by the of her graduate work (the names of dissertation prize member nations. Val Smith was part of an interdisciplinary awardees are fixed to a plaque in the Kansas Memorial KU team that has received funding to develop sustainable Union); Steven Davis (working with Michael Engel ) received methods for generating biodiesel using algae grown on a Foreign Language Area Scholarship to support him for the effluents from the Lawrence wastewater treatment plant; academic year; Jamie Oaks (working with Rafe Brown and this has been called the "Feedstock to Tailpipe" initiative. Mark Holder ) received the Henri Seibert Award for best A consortium of interactive and cooperative faculty mem - paper in /Evolution at the Joint Annual Meetings bers, including from EEB Ford Ballantyne, Sharon Billings, of the Herpetological Societies; Patricia Ryberg (working Leonard Krishtalka, Edward Martinko, Town Peterson, and with Edith Taylor ) received the Isabel Cookson Award for Jorge Soberón, contributed to the successful funding of a delivering the best paper in paleobotany at the annual project involving colleagues at the University of Oklahoma, meeting of the Botanical Society of America; Andrew Oklahoma State University, and Kansas State University Schwendemann (working with Thomas Taylor ) received to construct a “cyberCommons” for forecasting ecological the J. S. Karling Graduate Student Research Award from change. Emeritus Professor Kenneth Armitage was the Botanical Society of America; and Cameron Siler elected an Honorary Member of the American Society of (working with Rafe Brown ) received a Fulbright-Hayes Mammalogists, which is the highest award that the society Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship. gives, in recognition of his many contributions to the field Recognizing the quality of teaching of our graduate of mammalogy. Paulyn Cartwright received the Louise Byrd students; and Patricia Ryberg (working with Edith Taylor ) Graduate Educator Award, for “exemplifying the kind of was awarded the Kenneth B. Armitage Award for Excellence mentoring that allows her students to flourish.” Dr. in Teaching. These awards recognize not only the individual Cartwright also received a 5-year, highly competitive achievements of our students but also demonstrate the high NSF "CAREER" award to investigate evolution in the quality of the graduate training program that we offer in hydrozoans, a group that includes the corals and jellyfish. preparing the next generation of creative scholars. These awards showcase the remarkable contributions that article and photos continued on page 6 BIO HAWK 2009 5 KU and EEB have both felt the impact of the global economic downturn. We are in the midst of a faculty hiring freeze, and did not recruit new colleagues in 2009. Nonetheless, Andrew Short officially joined us; he earned his Ph.D. from Cornell University in 2007 and successfully competed for a position at KU in the same year. Dr. Short received support from the National Science Foundation to conduct research as a “visiting scientist” prior to officially going on the KU payroll in August 2009. His research focus - es on revisionary systematics and global surveys of aquatic insects (particularly beetles) and he emphasizes developing hypotheses of evolutionary history for these groups as well as using them for water quality assessment. Dr. Joy Ward In the space available, only the highlights of the was recognized at a achievements of the students and faculty in EEB can be White House ceremony shared. Our department remains the largest in the College for her PECASE of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and based on recognition of award. She was also our “Research Engagement” by the Center for Research, promoted to associate professor this year. we are also one of the most active units on campus. Our continued partnership with the Biodiversity Institute and the Kansas Biological Survey generates a triumvirate of even larger proportions, and expands the dimensions of EEB in productive and creative directions. Even as we face new economic challenges, we are looking at ways to enhance the research opportunities for the Department, the quality of our student body, and the interdisciplinary links we can forge in both teaching and research. Our participation with both students and faculty members in the IGERT (Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship) program, a federally funded initiative that focuses on scientific and social challenges of climate change, further expands our cross-disciplinary involvement and prepares our students for a future that sees greater emphasis on the synthesis of knowledge about our planet. We hope to continue these advances and activities in 2010, and invite our alumni to visit and witness the success of our efforts. N

Dr. Sharon Billings promoted to associate professor. (above)

Dr. Deborah Smith received the Kemper Award for 2009 Dr. Orley (Chip) Taylor worked with a team that launched monarch and was promoted to full butterflies into space. professor. (left) 6 EEB Robert S. Cohen, Acting Chair of Molecular Biosciences [email protected]

Department of Molecular Biosciences reetings from the Department For the second straight year, we sponsored a Gof Molecular Biosciences (MB) Summer Undergraduate Research Program for It is not the at KU. In completing my first full year non-KU students. We had three students in the as acting chair of the department, program this past year, but with your help would I am pleased to have this opportunity to update like to increase the program, which offers free strongest of the you on key events and accomplishments over room and board to all student participants, in the past year. I also thank the many of you who coming summers. have generously donated to the department in species that this time of economic challenge. Your support Graduate Student Program has allowed us to continue several key programs We also continue to enjoy the success of our and activities that we would be unable to do Graduate Program, which currently has 63 survives, nor the otherwise. students enrolled, including 23 who entered the program last year. Most of our graduate Undergraduate Teaching and students are supported by grants awarded most intelligent, Research to their faculty mentors and it is largely through Our undergraduate research program continues the student’s research efforts and accomplish - to flourish under the dedication and creativity ments that faculty are able to successfully but rather the of Drs. Yoshi Azuma and Jim Orr, as well as the renew their grants. Last year, most of our many talented students and mentors who par - graduate students presented their work at ticipate in the program. Last year more than 50 one or more scientific meetings, and more than one most undergraduates were involved in research in MB 20 had primary authorship on research articles faculty labs, with nearly half presenting posters published in peered reviewed journals. Way at national and/or local meetings. A smaller, but to go students! Graduate students who won responsive to equally impressive, number of students gave special recognition for their achievements last talks at scientific meetings and several earned year include: Jamie Chapman (Lundquist lab), authorship on research articles published in who won the William King Candlin Memorial change. peer-reviewed journals. As you know, many of Fellowship and the Cassandra Ritter Memorial our undergraduates use their research experi - award; and Fernando Estrada (DeGuzman lab) ences as stepping stones to pursue advanced who won the Carr Research and Paretsky - Charles Darwin degrees in biomedical research and/or to enroll travel awards. Additional travel awards went in medical or other professional schools. Their to: Rafael Demarco (Lundquist lab), Kelly experiences in the Undergraduate Research Grussendorf (Buechner lab), Adam Norris Programs at KU serve them well in their post- (Lundquist lab), Sudharsan Parthasarathy graduate studies and we take great pleasure in (Kuczera lab), and Kellen Voss (Gamblin lab). monitoring their (your) future successes. article continued on page 8

MB 7 This past year’s large number of travel awards a past winner of the Kemper and Mortar Board reflects a philosophical change in our administra - teaching awards and is truly one of the universi - tion of awards in that we are trying to use ties finest educators. Dr. Audrey Lamb became the associated funds to improve our student’s the Department’s ninth winner of the prestigious training and experiences as research scientists. Kemper award, and Jim Orr won an Outstanding Our faculty One of our major goals for this coming year Mentoring award from Kansas-INBR, a large is to find the space and resources to build NIH-sponsored program that promotes under - lounge/conference room, where graduate graduate research. continue to students can meet informally with one another to discuss science, relax and make new colleagues I am pleased to tell you about our newest and friends. faculty member, Dr. Mizuki Azuma , who comes pile up awards to us from the National Institutes of Health. Faculty Research Although this is Dr. Azuma’s first faculty appoint - I am very pleased and proud to report that ment, she brings with her a well-developed in recognition the world’s economic woes did not dampen the research program that nicely complements research efforts of our faculty. Indeed, last year ongoing efforts to form a bi-campus, NCI-desig - proved to be one of our most productive. The nated center for cancer research at the University of their faculty published 58 research articles and present - of Kansas. Mizuki’s research utilizes tiny zebra fish ed their work at meetings and universities (similar to guppies) to unravel the genetic basis of all over the world. Our faculty also submitted Ewing’s sarcoma, the second most common form outstanding a record number of grants. At one point this year, of childhood and adolescent bone cancer. Mizuki’s 90% of our faculty had either active or pending most recent paper was recently published in the research grants, significantly above the goals set journal Cancer Research and was highlighted by accomplishments by the Vice Provost’s office of Research and her peers (the Faculty of 1000 Medicine group) as Graduate Studies. Drs. Brian Ackley, Yoshi a “highly recommended paper.” Dr. Azuma also Azuma, Matthew Buechner, David Davido, has a strong commitment to teaching, and has as mentors, Scott Hefty, Wonpil Im, Audrey Lamb, Erik already gotten involved in teaching a portion of Lundquist, Stuart Macdonald, Berl Oakley, one of the core courses in our neurobiology Jim Orr, Ilya Vakser, and Liang Tang all received degree program. advisors and major new funding from extramural agencies last year and/or were awarded significant supple - ments to outstanding grants. I’d also like to extend congratulations to Dr. Chris Gamblin , who

teachers. C

was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure h u c

and to Dr. Susan Egan , who was promoted to Full k F r Professor. The dedication and resourcefulness of a n c e

our faculty truly make KU a great place to study / K biology. U U n i v e r s

Our faculty continue to pile up awards i t y R

in recognition of their outstanding accomplish - e l a t i

ments as mentors, advisors and teachers. o n Dr. Matthew Buechner won this year’s HOPE s award, the only award given exclusively by Dr. Matthew Buechner won this year’s HOPE award, the students recognizing teaching excellence. only award given exclusively by students recognizing As many of you know, Dr. Buechner is also teaching excellence.

8 MB New Faculty Dr. Mizuki Azuma

I am happy to report that we have two new Promoted Faculty faculty searches underway this year. The first search is for a tenure-track assistant professor in the general area of bioinformatics and computational biology. This person will have a joint appointment in the Center for Bioinformatics and MB and will join Man is not one of the most productive and rapidly expanding science communities on campus. The second search is in the area of cancer biology, broadly defined, and the only animal is targeted at mid-career scientists, who already have established high profile research programs. This posi - tion has the potential to receive significant financial Dr. Susan Egan to full Dr. Chris Gamblin to who labors; backing from the Kansas Biosciences Authority. professor associate professor As always, our department has experienced but he is the some turnover. Dr. Joe Steinmetz, who was both Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and A a Distinguished Professor of MB, left for Ohio State n t h

o only one who

University, where he is currently serving as Executive n y

Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Yang M a t t i Zhang, who held a joint faculty appointment in MB n g l

y improves his and the Bioinformatics Program, took a faculty / K position in the Center for Computational Medicine U U n i and Bioinformatics at the University of Michigan. v e r

s workmanship. i

And finally, Dr. Jack Brown retired this past year t y R after a long and distinguished career as a research e l a t i scientist. Dr. Brown was also one of MB’s most o n dedicated, respected and liked teachers. We wish s - Abraham Lincoln all of them great success in their future endeavors Dr. Audrey Lamb received the Kemper Award for 2009 and thank them for all they did while members of MB.

In closing I would again like to thank our many alumni/ae for their generosity throughout the year. In addition to the programs described above, a criti - cal new effort will be the establishment of endowed professorships to recognize our most accomplished faculty members. You can be a major and lasting part of these traditions by your contributions, large and small. Information on how to donate is included both later in the newsletter and at our website: http://www.molecularbiosciences.ku.edu. Please browse the site. N

Zebra Fish studied in Dr.Mizuki Azuma’s Lab BIO HAWK 2009 9 Building on the Foundations of the and Meeting the ChallePnga ests of the Future

To celebrate 2009 as the Year of Science and link historical accomplishments, current successes, and challenges yet to come, we asked graduate students (our future generation of scholars) to interview two current KU faculty and one alumnus who have perspectives on the legacies of Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln. The contribution that Darwin made to modern science is obvious – his magnum opus, “,” is one of the most influential books ever written, and scientists are still testing the hypothesis of Natural Selection as a process that results in evolution. Lincoln’s contribution to the Year of Science is less celebrated – he founded the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), which today represents the core group of eminent scientific scholars and contributes valuable advice and perspectives to US citizens, educators, and politicians. We are fortunate at KU to have a member of the NAS (Distinguished Professor Thomas N. Taylor) and several scholars (such as Professor Edward Wiley) who have studied the life and works of Charles Darwin. Further, we have alumni who are NAS members, and one of them (Professor David Hillis, now on the faculty at the University of Texas) agreed to be interviewed for this BioHawk issue. What follows are pieces that were written by three graduate students after interviewing Professors Taylor, Wiley, and Hillis. Analise Nawrocki (currently a graduate student with Dr. Paulyn Cartwright) spoke with Dr. Taylor, Francine Abe (a student working with Drs. Edward Wiley and Bruce Lieberman) spoke with Dr. Wiley, and David McLeod (working with Dr. Linda Trueb) interviewed Dr. Hillis. We hope that this attempt to stand on the foundations provided by Darwin and Lincoln, gain insights from the current generation of scientists, and look to the future as expressed by the next generation of scientific professionals will give you a prescient outlook on some of the science and the opinions of KU connections. Graduate student Annalise Nawrocki interviews Professor Thomas N. Taylor:

his year marks the Research Council (NRC), a group within NAS T 200th birthday of both created specifically for this purpose. The NRC and Abraham Lincoln, the 16th NAS work outside the boundaries of government, president of the United States, which ensures unbiased advising on issues of and Charles Darwin, the science, technology, and medicine. author of the Origin of Species. Membership in the NAS is limited and These contemporaries both prestigious, and an invitation for membership had a remarkable influence on is considered one of the highest accomplishments the trajectory of science in the for a scientist or engineer in the USA. KU’s own US and beyond. Dr. Thomas N. Taylor, Distinguished Professor of While Lincoln is best known for his role in the Paleobotany in the Department of Ecology and Civil War and emancipation, he also founded the Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Institute , National Academy of Sciences (NAS), an honorific has been a member of the NAS since 1994, and society dedicated to the promotion of science and also currently serves on the National Science technology. This society, initiated in March of Board (NSB). Biohawk sat down with Dr. Taylor to 1863, is composed of accomplished scientists and hear his thoughts on scientists' involvement in engineers from around the world. The Academy policy making. consists of 2,100 members from the USA and 380 BioHawk: You have been a member of the foreign members; 200 NAS members are also National Academy of Sciences since 1994. How Nobel Prize winners. does a scientist come to be a member of NAS? Since 1863, the NAS has served as an advisory Dr. Taylor: The process is very complex, and board for our nation's leaders, offering advice on you never know that you have even been nomi - policy decisions that involve science and technolo - nated. Needless to say there are many more quali - gy issues. Policy work is handled by the National fied people that could (should) be in the NAS than 10 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we Building on the Foundations think of it; the tree is the real thing. - Abraham Lincoln of the and Meeting the Pa st there are spaces each year. As people are States (and conferred by Congress) there is scientists and engineers, when compared Challenges of the Future nominated, and don’t get in, they get a very lengthy process that involves FBI to other countries in the world. dropped off the list since there are new interviews and associations that date back 2. There must be significant attention nominations coming forward each year. to high school days! directed to changing the public’s under - The new number of inductees each year standing of science in the world and its is about 65. When you spread 65 individu - BioHawk: Straddling the line between science and politics is not easy. It has been impact on society. als into 6 classes that may include up to 10 3. To some extent the “attention grab - different sections per class (e.g., biochem - said that no science steeped in policy is objective. As a scientist, how do you bing” one-liners about this and that istry, cellular and developmental biology, (e.g., climate change, fresh water supply, plant biology, genetics, evolutionary biol - remain objective when formulating policy recommendations? disease) result in public opinion in which ogy, economic science, computer and it becomes commonplace to assume that information sciences, physics, etc.) the Dr. Taylor: This is difficult because as there are simple solutions. These “reports” number of new members per class is usu - a Board member you obviously have opin - sometimes result in little appreciation ally only one or two each year. The system ions about the science on the one hand, of cause and effect relationships and operates so that not only are you voting and the politics of the day on the other. the necessity of basic research. for individuals within your The National Science Board is the largest 4. Long term goals in science education discipline, broadly speaking biology and of the PAS (Presidentially-appointed and are not achieved in a short time frame, but geology in my case, but also for individu - Senate confirmed) non-advisory bodies of political implications remain a constant. als who have been nominated in mathe - the Federal government. One of the very 5. Attitudes about national policy in matics, physics, etc. Obviously this also positive aspects of this is that although science can’t always be shaped by adding means the same process took place when the work-load is extensive, the term is 6 more money to the equation. you were elected. I mention this because years and 6 new members are added it underscores there is a certain amount every two years. This results in a relatively 6. Political expediency too often trumps of luck involved in getting elected to “untouchable position” for the science scientific judgment. the NAS. In a very real sense it means board members, and thus insures that 7. Science innovation requires taking (or should mean) that there are many politics do not impact decisions. On the chances; and sometimes existing account - extraordinary individuals who do not get personal level, one is obviously influenced ability measures simply don’t work. This elected to the NAS because there are by various factors that have accumulated means taking chances on the “chance simply not enough slots in any single year. over an entire career. I try to remain objec - takers”. BioHawk: You are also a member of tive, be especially intent as a listener to 8. Our indicators of achievement in the National Science Board (NSB), a board “another point of view,” and then try to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering established with the founding of the examine all issues from a community and Mathematics) relative to the next National Science Foundation in 1950, perspective, that is, science community, generation of STEM innovators have whose goal is to make recommendations national community, and world communi - not kept pace with our accountability for national policies on research and edu - ty. I generally feel good about Board deci - standards that have been developed cation in science and engineering. Did sions because of the thoroughness with in focused, research-driven areas. your membership in NAS position you for which we study issues and because of article continued on page 12 appointment to the NSB? the incredible breadth of backgrounds, opinions, and science policy focus that is Dr. Taylor: NAS membership does not represented around the Board table. As necessarily qualify you for membership on a result any real or apparent conflict of the NSB. However, I suppose that because interests get quickly diluted from the I have been doing science for a long time, discussion. There are also a host of specific and am an academic, that the “seasoning” I issues that relate to conflict of interest so have had in my career does provide some that Board members are excused from perspective on policy issues that relate to certain deliberations and votes. science. I have also spent a lot of time on various national committees and boards BioHawk: What insight have you of various types and those activities prob - gained about science in the USA as a result Dr. Taylor ably helped to expand my portfolio of sci - of your participation in NAS and on NSB? collects plant fossils in the ence policy awareness, and was the rea - Dr. Taylor: Antarctic. son I was nominated (by whom I don’t 1. We are lagging behind in the training know). Because appointment to the NSB is and preparation of the next generation of made by the President of the United BIO HAWK 2009 11 9. To a large extent US academic institu - Dr. Taylor: Not a great deal except that as Dr. Taylor: I’m certain the Darwin scholars tions continue to award advanced degrees a member of the NAS I believe that I have among us would be quick to point out based on requirements and procedures to work harder each day to prove that I that most of what we do is influenced by put in place 50 years ago. belong. In my opinion you don’t do sci - Darwin, certainly within our department 10. As in most things in life, there are no ence because you are working to be and broadly speaking in science in gener - rewarded, acknowledged, granted tenure, al. That includes not only the research we quick fixes based on science policy. • It is interesting to note that , who helped form the NAS, is one of Hillis’ academic “ancestors” (see: http://www.zo.utexas.edu/faculty/antisense/Labphylo.html). or elected into some special society, you do, but also in our roles as educators. In 11. Many departments and universities do it because of your passion for asking the absence of a National Science have well-thought-out research funding and sometimes answering questions Foundation or the National Institutes of strategies that are designed to more about a discipline that you truly love. Health, Darwin did have resources avail - effectively and efficiently garner research able for his studies, including collaborators BioHawk: Do you view your involve - support—whether it be the single investi - and those with interdisciplinary interests. ment in scientific policy making a natural gator or large collaborative proposals that The critical thinking that is done at KU extension of your role as a scientist? span multiple disciplines and engage today is not really different from the way Should all scientists be involved in policy? several institutions and/or departments. Darwin looked at some facets of the bio - In this regard there are institutions like Dr. Taylor: By all means yes to both logical world. Perhaps President Lincoln KU and departments like my own (EEB) questions. Regardless of the level, we all was looking past the horizon when he that have not developed strategies to must take the time to provide opinion, established the NAS as an honor society maximize science policy decisions in order expertise, and guidance both within our for distinguished scholars of the time. to support their research agenda(s). They disciplines, but also within the wider com - Much as Darwin’s influence has continued are simply doing business like they have munity in which we work. Science policy is to expand in science today (even in for years. Like the science we all do, even just one of these, as is serving as a review - Kansas!), the NAS has also expanded in in a discipline like my own (paleobotany), er or editor, an NSF panel member, or par - its role as a source of scientific and tech - advancement requires new approaches, ticipating in some capacity on a Saturday nological advice to the government. Only analyses, and the ability to look past the with K-12 students about your research. As within an historical context are we able present horizon. Because these institu - someone once noted “service is the rent to judge the accomplishments of these tions continue to practice and reinvent we pay to be living on Earth”. I guess I two individuals who in hindsight were the same science education they have would modify that slightly to read “service able to see around for years, the impact they may have on is your acknowledgement of having the the corner—one the next generation of STEM students may opportunity to be engaged in science.” in science and the produce little change in attitude, innova - other in policy. tion, and/or the interface between science BioHawk: Lincoln and Darwin were History will be and society. contemporaries who both had strong the judge of how effects on the trajectory of science BioHawk: How has your involvement well any of us research in the world. How do you think in NAS changed how you do science? has fulfilled the work of scientists at KU fulfills the their visions. P vision of both of these leaders?

Graduate student David McLeod interviews alumnus Professor David Hillis: ou wouldn’t necessarily expect to find biology and its application to topics rang - Ya member of the National Academy of ing from viruses to frogs to cattle ranching. Sciences sleeping out under the stars on his own cattle ranch, but that’s exactly David Hillis had the good fortune of where you might go to find Dr. David Hillis. growing up the child of scientists. Portions Knowing that Hillis has a long-term interest of David’s childhood were spent living in genetics research helps to explain the abroad as his father, an epidemiologist, name of his ranch, The Double Helix. The conducted research in places such as Double Helix isn’t your average Texas cattle (where David was born), The ranch, but rather a working laboratory Democratic Republic of the Congo, and where Hillis applies his knowledge of . These experiences, especially in genetics to the development and mainte - tropical Africa and India, exposed David to nance of desirable traits in his herds of an extraordinary amount of biodiversity Texas Longhorn cattle. I recently had the and introduced him to the subject of much privilege of visiting with Hillis, a remark - of his work, amphibians and reptiles. Early on, David developed an interest in reptiles, Dr. Hillis at his ranch, “The Double Helix ” able KU alumnus, who has had a tremen - dous influence in the field of evolutionary particularly, snakes, that later grew into a broader interest in evolutionary biology 12 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES Interesting Facts :

r Darwin didn't invent the phrase "Survival of the Fittest". That was Herbert Spencer, a philosopher and contemporary of Charles Darwin. e c n

e After reading Darwin's On the Origin of Species, Spencer wrote Principles of Biology in 1864. Darwin himself used the phrase in his 5th p S t r

e edition of The Origin and gave full credit to Spencer. b r e H

• It is interesting to note that Louis Agassiz, who helped form the NAS, is one of Hillis’ academic“ancestors” (see: http://www.zo.utexas.edu/faculty/antisense/Labphylo.html).

and herpetology (the study of amphibians about his pursuits, was at first somewhat health, welfare, and education. David has and reptiles). Though his parents weren’t skeptical of the results he was getting from found being one of the 2100 members of particularly fond of David’s herpetological his molecular data. “As an example,” Hillis the NAS to be “exciting, especially since I passions, they tolerated his snake chasing recalls, “[Bill Duellman and I] worked like service and applying my interests to and encouraged him to pursue his inter - together on a project on marsupial frogs in the problems of the country and the ests in this field. As early as high school Ecuador. The lab work that I did showed world. I’ve become much more involved in David was already publishing and giving some very clear divisions that did not fit science education issues in Texas as well as talks about his research with snakes. Bill’s initial view of how the diversity was nationally. I think we can do a much better divided into species. The species bound - job teaching people about science, in high David completed an undergraduate aries that I found did not fit the morpho - schools as well as in universities, and I’ve degree at Baylor University, then attended logical characters that Bill had looked at to been working to improve the science cur - KU from 1981–1985 during which time he that point. But he looked deeper, and soon riculum and science education in general.” earned two Master’s degrees and a Ph.D. found that osteological characters fit the for his studies in evolutionary biology. His results I had found perfectly, and that When asked about his thoughts on choice to attend KU was greatly influenced some of the other characters that he had the future of science, Hillis foresees the by former KU herpetologist Henry Fitch been relying on were highly variable even advent of technology that would use with whom David traveled to Central within populations.” genomic data to allow for identification of America for a semester of field research. organisms in the field and link and this to Though Fitch was retiring at that time, he Upon graduation, David took a previously published information. encouraged David to apply. At KU, Hillis position at the for Technology like this will transform our was mentored by Drs. William (Bill) two years, then moved to the University approaches to research and rapidly accel - Duellman and John Frost. Duellman, a of Texas in Austin. His research career has erate our ability to address questions of herpetologist and emeritus faculty mem - taken him down a variety of pathways, ecology, evolution, and systematics. ber is still exceptionally active at KU, con - ranging from the evolution of asexuality Having so much biological information at tinuing to publish his research on neotrop - to the molecular mechanisms of evolution our fingertips might even invite increased ical amphibians. Together with former KU (such as those responsible for concerted interest in biodiversity on a global scale. geneticist, Dr. John Frost, Hillis’ advisors evolution of multigene families). In 1999, As one passionate about understanding offered him opportunities to pursue David received the prestigious MacArthur the natural world and making it known to research in both molecular phylogenetics Fellows Award. Rather than using this others, the increased attention to these and its application to amphibians and rep - unique award to simply continue research topics would be welcomed. “I just hope” tiles. in the areas in which he had already commented Hillis, “that society remains proven himself to be successful, Hillis stable enough and the world remains As a graduate student, Hillis was very embarked on novel paths of exploration, peaceful enough to allow this to happen, forward-thinking. KU herpetologist Dr. citing that his “biggest successes have and that we start doing a better job of Linda Trueb describes David as one whose come from trying something new.” A cur - protecting what is left of biodiversity.” A ability to “think outside the box” distin - rent project involves the development of guished him from his peers. In his own a new approach for rapidly sequencing of words, “I made some good guesses about a large number of homologous genes from a few things in biology as a graduate stu - distantly related species. Hillis comment - dent, and that was fortunate for my ed “I think this approach will change the career.” Most notably, David was at the kinds of questions we can ask about evolu - forefront of the field of molecular phyloge - tion and phylogeny.” netics, that is, the use of genetic data to create hypotheses about how organisms In 2008, Hillis was inducted into the are related to one another. National Academy of Sciences (NAS), an honorific society of scholars and As a graduate student, David found researchers established by Abraham that his ideas weren’t always accepted Lincoln in 1863. Members of the NAS immediately. At the time, the scientific serve as advisors to the government, serve community was wary of the application the scientific community in various capaci - and interpretation of molecular data. Even ties, and serve their country by inspiring David’s advisor, though open-minded and influencing policies that affect our BIO HAWK 2009 13 Graduate student Francine Abe interviews Professor Edward Wiley:

he single illustration organisms rather than through special creation. TCharles Darwin chose to In his book, Darwin marshalled the evidence include in his seminal book together to support evolution, and he also was not that of iconic provided a mechanism by which things would Galápagos turtles or fossils change, which would be natural selection. He of an extinct giant sloth provided the evidence to convince a significant or fancy pigeons. It was portion of the scientific community that there a simple diagram of a was a natural explanation for diversity, and branching tree. that’s where evolution really took off. There had been a lot evolutionary theories—Lamarck had The tree represents new lineages arising one, Darwin’s own grandfather had one—but from a common ancestor, with expanding there had been a lack of marshalling the evi - branches of diversity—some going extinct, dence necessary to accept it, and there was a some persisting to diverge into further branch - lack of a really believable mechanism by which es. This depiction showed not only that all of it would occur. life was descended from a common ancestor, and we were thus all related, but it was a repre - BioHawk: And how did people react to sentation of evolutionary history. The study of “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural phylogenetics seeks to uncover this tree of Selection”? relatedness, and with this information, shed Dr. Wiley: I think there many people light into the evolution of organisms—how in Western science that read the evidence they’ve come to speciate and processes that of The Origin and were certainly convinced have pushed their divergence. that the species were mutable and evolved KU has been at the forefront of phylogenet - from other species. The interesting thing is ic systematics studies for some 30 years and that the mechanism of natural selection was to this day remains as one of its strongholds, certainly not uniformly accepted by everyone sculpting well-trained systematists from right away, in fact, probably not by most peo - students. Dr. Ed Wiley, Curator of Ichthyology ple. Instead, there was a variety of evolutionary and a renowned authority in phylogenetics, theories that flourished during the later part has offered his views on the year of Darwin’s of the 19th Century and early part of the 20th bicentenary and 150 years since the publication Century until the rise of population genetics of On the Origin of Species. which provided a mathematical theory of natural selection and showed mathematically BioHawk: What is your take on Darwin’s how natural selection worked on populations. main contribution to science? That is when as we know it, Dr. Wiley: Darwin is one of those transfor - Neo-Darwinism, really took off as a theory mative figures who moved science in the direc - of evolution. tion from what I call the Mythos to what I call the Logos. That is to say, by taking some signifi - cant part of nature and trying to explain it with natural mechanisms, rather than explaining it through supernatural mechanisms. So when you look back, you see various figures in history that have done this. Most people would remember Isaac Newton. Before Newton, people thought that the reason the planets didn’t fly off their orbits was because God’s love kept them circling around the sun. Newton suggested a natural explanation—which we now call gravity. Well in biology, Darwin did essentially the same thing. He said that there is a natural explanation, evidence that all organ - isms share a common ancestor and that there From Darwin’s notes used in formulating his really is descent in a natural way between hypotheses about evolutionary history. 14 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES “As buds give rise by growth to fresh buds, and these, if vigorous, branch out and overtop on all sides many a feebler branch, so by generation I believe it has been with the great Tree of Life, which fills with its dead and broken branches the crust of the earth, and covers the surface with its ever branching and beautiful ramifications.” -“On the Origin of Species”, 1859, Charles Darwin

BioHawk: And how has the study of ness at the University of Kansas. If we are more complicated problems were able to evolution changed since then? going to use systematics, the study of the be solved. One of the first places in which diversity and the organization of that that was done, was at KU. Not the only Dr. Wiley: When you look at modern diversity of life, then we should base our place, but one of the first places. evolutionary theory there is much, much studies on the genealogy of organisms. more to modern evolutionary theory than So, Darwin wanted to make everything as BioHawk: Why would modern day Darwin’s original ideas. Yes, natural selec - genealogical as possible, to form things evolutionary biologists be interested in tion does occupy an important place, but like biological classification on the basis of these trees? we also know that random chance occu - ancestors and their descendents. Now pies a special place. Darwin’s theories of Dr. Wiley: The answer is that these interestingly—like many of our ideas in genetics were rudimentary at best, and trees provide very powerful ways of science—this took a hundred years to in fact, wrongheaded. This has been studying the evolutionary process itself. become incorporated into our normal replaced by modern theories of genetics Evolution is an unfolding of diversity, and scientific thought. So Darwin gave us which have been integrated with other all the processes that result in diversity are these ideas in 1859, but it was not until evolutionary ideas—concepts such as highly correlated with the tree of descent the 1960’s with the discipline known as mutation—which form physical bases for of the species. And so, if we ask a ques - phylogenetic systematics, fostered by the the kinds of change that Darwin required tion, for example, do mutations speed up German entomologist Willi Hennig, that for his theory. Then there is a whole other in some groups or slow down in some we were finally provided with the philoso - aspect of speciation; Darwin talked about groups? Is the evolution of genes mostly phy and the tools to actually take advan - geographic isolation giving rise to diversi - neutral over time or is there some selec - tage of what Darwin had suggested. The ty. This has really been fleshed out into tion pressure? These are questions you tools we use to reconstruct genealogical full-blown theories of speciation, for which can study by looking at a phylogeny—a relationships. The philosophy informs us of we have several different kinds of mecha - tree of relationships. If you look back fifty what kinds of relationships we seek when nisms, most of which require geographic years ago, evolutionary biology didn’t use we reconstruct evolutionary history and isolation for which ancestral species give trees, and the reason is because there real - what kinds of evidence we need to do the rise to daughter species. ly weren’t any reliable trees. Most trees work. The result is that we can formulate were completely made up, which is not to BioHawk: You mention several times good solid testable scientific hypotheses say that they were wrong, but they were this notion of descent from an ancestral about that genealogy. So it’s really inter - not empirically testable. Nowadays, evolu - form. esting it took over a hundred years before tionary biologists use trees in almost every Darwin’s original ideas finally became the aspect of their research. With the ideas Dr. Wiley: Well, before Darwin, one of normal course of science. laid down by Darwin, the philosophy laid the most popular ideas was built around down by Hennig, and the hard work of “the great chain of being,” which is a kind BioHawk: How is phylogenetics relat - modern phylogeneticists, we have ways of chain of perfection. In fact, back in ed to KU? of analyzing data that result in reliable medieval times they had very complicated Dr. Wiley: KU played a very impor - evolutionary trees. diagrams that went from mud [scaling up] tant role in developing formal methods w to angels. Instead, Darwin had a very mod - to do this kind of research. For example, ern concept of what evolution should look we have methods called parsimony like—that is, as a branching tree—a tree algorithms. And with those, you ask the arising from a single source but with many question, “What is the minimum number branches radiating out of that single of steps that you need to produce a phylo - source. There were many people that genetic tree?” Well, one of the first of drew trees before Darwin, but the mean - those algorithms was actually produced ing of the trees was different. Darwin’s by Bob Sokal and Joe Camin at KU in the trees were trees of ancestors and descen - 60’s. Parsimony methods became the first dents through the process of bifurcation. generation of computer algorithms to It is the only illustration in the Origin, this solve phylogenetic problems. Before that, unfolding tree. So he saw this process not we had to solve phylogenetic problems of going towards one point, but as a with pencil and paper, which is how I did process of going out or towards many my thesis. But with the development of Dr. Edward Wiley at the Museum of Natural points. Packed into that was also a con - more sophisticated methods, more and History. cept that really affects how we do busi - BIO HAWK 2009 15 nEXT GENERATION OF GRADUATE STUDENTS D. Fernando Estrada Mentor: Dr. Roberto DeGuzman completed a B.S. in Biochemistry use, perhaps the most powerful is Nuclear Magnetic from Kansas State University in Resonance (NMR). This technique uses MRI technology I1999 before accepting a com - to help us piece together the three dimensional structure of mission into the U.S. Army, where viral proteins. My long term goal is to use the techniques I spent the next seven years. In I’ve learned here and the techniques I will learn as a 2006, I took the opportunity post-doctoral researcher to work for the Department of to continue my studies in the Defense as a researcher on infectious pathogens. Molecular Biosciences Department A major step to my professional development has at the University of Kansas. been my involvement in the Madison and Lila Self Graduate Going from a career in the military to a career in Fellowship. The Self fellowship helps its members develop research has had its unique challenges. Overall, things leadership, communication and entrepreneurship skills while couldn’t have turned out better. So far I’ve been able to providing an environment where we can network with other acquire new techniques, develop professionally as a scientist, PhD students from very different backgrounds. and even start a family all while contributing research of my Even though my coursework, my thesis project and own. a family keeps me busy, I’ve been lucky to find time on Since joining the lab of Dr. Roberto DeGuzman in 2007 the weekends to work with an organization called the I’ve been involved in researching the structural biology of Kansas City Kansas Urban Academy. The academy organiz - Hantaviruses. We’re interested in answering basic questions es a “Saturday Science Academy” that gives minority students about the virus life cycle: specifically how do Hantaviruses an opportunity to conduct hands-on science experiments in assemble? What are the molecular recognition sites that allow preparation for college. The academy has a near 100% the virus to form? How does the virus manage to evade the high school graduation rate and a 90% college enrollment host cell immune system? Among the biophysical tools we rate. I’m very proud of the work the people do in this organization. 

Laci Gerhart Mentor: Dr. Joy Ward orn in Hutchinson, KS, I was that all have interests in how climate change is influencing our always interested in science. world, our society, and our future. S BAs a child, my interests My research focuses on the effects of historic changes in ranged from meteorology to atmospheric CO2 concentrations on plant physiology. For this archeology and everything in work, I have the unique opportunity to analyze fossil remains

D between. I graduated from of Juniper trees preserved in the Rancho La Brea tar pits in Los Hutchinson High School in 2002, Angeles, CA and Kauri trees preserved in peat bogs in New and then attended KU on a Watkins Zealand, some of which are over 50,000 years old. Tissues A Berger Scholarship. In 2006, I earned a B.S. degree in preserved in these fossils provide evidence of the concentra - Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB). Following gradua - tions of CO2 in ancient atmospheres that can be tracked over tion, I took some time off from school, working as an adminis - time and can be compared to current conditions. In addition

R trative associate for the Institute for Educational Research and to research and coursework, I am also a science educator for Public Service (housed in the School of Education at KU) Discover Technology and Career Horizons, summer programs managing payroll, invoices and other fiscal matters for for area middle school students run by Talent Search.

G numerous federal and state funded research grants. Upon completing my degree, I plan to become involved In the fall of 2007, I began my Ph.D. program in EEB, in policy work, possibly through a Science and Technology working with Dr. Joy Ward. In my first year of the program, I Policy Fellowship from the American Association for the was nominated for and awarded a Self Graduate Fellowship. Advancement of Science. Through this program, I would be During my second year, I also became a fellow in KU’s first able to use my scientific expertise to inform policymakers on NSF IGERT (Integrative Graduate Education and Research science-related issues. My long-term goals include developing Traineeship) program named C-Change: Climate Change, a non-profit research organization that focuses on climate Humans and Nature in the Global Environment. This interdisci - change and emphasizes public education on scientific issues plinary program brings together students from diverse fields as well as involvement in the research process.  16 GRADS I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end. - Abraham Lincoln

Peter Hosner Mentor: Dr. Robert Moyle began my research career as a natural - Since joining the KU Division of Ornithology, I have continued ist, learning to identify organisms that field work on collecting expeditions to Mongolia, Peru, and the Icould be found around me in my native Philippines. The University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute has Michigan. I pursued this interest and went an ongoing collaboration with the Philippine National Museum to Cornell University. The opportunities to conduct biodiversity surveys throughout the country. One striking there led me to field studies from upstate observation through our work is how grossly underestimated New York, to the Canadian arctic, to the bird diversity is in current taxonomy in the Philippines. Uruguay. My interests focused on the Our research suggests that most widespread “species” of birds diversity and geography of birds, and after I graduated with a are actually composed of many different forms that are distinct in degree in Environmental Science I spent four years preparing myself morphology, behavior, and genetics. This paradigm shift is critical by continuing field studies. I spent springs and summers working to the conservation of Philippine bird life, as several range-restricted, temporary research jobs on breeding birds in the Rocky Mountains independent lineages are more challenging to protect than single and along the lower Colorado River. In the off-season, I grabbed a widespread lineages, and habitat loss in the Philippines has been backpack, binoculars, a bird song recorder, and traveled to South extreme. America. On several trips I visited Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and The Philippine archipelago is a natural laboratory to study how Argentina, working with researchers and conservation groups. isolation of lineages leads to diversification. My dissertation focuses I also went on one trip to Borneo, where I had my first opportunity on using modern molecular techniques to study patterns of speciation to work with my current advisor, Rob Moyle, and gain my first and fine scale phylogeography of co-distributed lineages of birds research experience in Asia. in the Philippines. After gaining my Ph.D. with KU/EEB, I plan on continuing my career in a tenure-track position at a research University. 

Maged Zein El-Din Mentor: Dr. Kristi Neufeld n 2006, I received a scholarship I have found that APC levels increase in response to cellular from the Ford Foundation for PhD stress. I have also found that some potential anti-cancer drugs can Istudies in the Department of Molecular increase APC levels by inducing cellular stress. Our collaborator, Biosciences. I have a varied background Dr. Brian Blagg from the KU Department of Medicinal Chemistry and experiences. I obtained a medical focuses on design and synthesis of drugs that affect cellular stress degree from Alexandria University, Egypt. response. One drug he designed induces cellular stress response I worked as a family doctor for 2 years with no toxicity to cells. I have tested this drug and found that it and as a medical geneticist for 6 years. Before coming to the increases the level of APC in both cancer cells and mice. Another University of Kansas, I earned a Master’s degree in Human Genetics KU collaborator, Dr. Roger Rajewski at HBC has already demonstrat - and 2 post-graduate diplomas in Information Technology and Eastern ed in rodent models that this drug can be taken orally, is nontoxic, Studies. Although, my plan was to do research in Human Genetics, and has prolonged induction of a cellular stress response lasting 2-3 after working 8 weeks as a rotation student in Dr. Neufeld’s laborato - weeks. Currently, I am determining the best dose of this drug to ry, I decided to study cancer cell biology. safely increase APC levels. I am also testing the efficacy of this drug in colon cancer prevention using various mouse models.  Uncontrolled cellular proliferation is one of the hallmarks of can - cer. Many tumor suppressor proteins function to inhibit cellular prolif - eration and thereby prevent carcinogenesis. In Dr. Neufeld’s lab, we study a tumor suppressor protein called Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC). APC plays a critical role in preventing colon cancer, the sec - ond deadliest cancer in the USA. Mutation of the APC gene is an early step in the development of the majority of colon cancers. In my doctorate dissertation studies, I study both colon cancer cells and mouse models to determine how the level of APC is maintained in cells. My aim is to find a safe way to increase cellular APC levels as a prevention strategy for colon cancer. GRADS 17 Undergrads

Sai Folmsbee rom when I first enrolled at KU, taken courses that have shown me the history of life on earth, the science was my passion. I first began diversity of plants, animals, bacteria, and more, and how the deli - Fmy research career as a sophomore cate balance of cellular and biochemical interactions maintain our under the mentorship of Dr. Yoshiaki own very existence. Azuma. He provided me with the raw But I wanted to expand my involvement beyond laboratory materials and investigative insight to guide research. Due to the inherent complexities of biological research, me as I struggled to be relevant in an aca - it has become increasingly difficult for scientists to communicate with demic field so utterly foreign to me. At the the general public. To bridge that gap, I became a science columnist time, I had only taken a single biology for the KU newspaper, the University Daily Kansan. I have written class, but Dr. Azuma provided to me the intellectual tools I needed to on many topics, from NASA and embryonic stem cells to evolution overcome this challenge. He taught me how meticulous, unrelenting, and the American health care system, illustrating the frontiers and and focused investigation was a key attribute of a good scientist. I controversies of science and their universal impacts. I have learned learned how to work as a team in the laboratory, and how each per - that scientists have an obligation to share the value of scientific son’s project fits like a jigsaw puzzle piece in sculpting a larger, reasoning and research with the rest of society. more significant reflection of the essential biological processes being investigated. Now, as I now work under Dr. Mizuki Azuma, attempting to better understand the nature of the bone cancer Ewing’s sarcoma, It was during my time in Dr. Azuma’s lab when I settled on I find my passion for science only stronger and more refined. majoring in Neurobiology. The degree itself was new, but what I intend to enter an M.D./Ph.D. program after I graduate, not really appealed to me was its diversity of biological coursework. soon forgetting the lessons that KU has provided both in the Through the years, I have been able to pursue my natural fascination classroom and in the laboratory. with the beauty and diversity of life that inhabits the planet. I have 

Ryan Kuster

grew up near Lawrence in the small town My introduction to working with honeybees took place last of De Soto, KS romping through the summer during a NSF research program at the University of North Iwoods and drawing comic books. I Carolina at Greensboro. There I observed worker bee behavior in remember reading the children’s magazines the presence and absence of queens to produce a model of worker Ranger Rick and Your Big Backyard; howev - aging and mortality. This required individual tagging and daily er, beyond those magazines I had surpris - observation of several thousand worker bees. Aside from gluing ingly little exposure to biology or the topic tags to reluctant bees, the project was a lot of fun. It also led to my of evolution, even during high school. Thus, first trip to the Entomological Society of America’s Annual Meeting I began my education at KU with an empha - where I presented a poster that received an award in its category. sis in the fine arts. It wasn’t until my second semester in an introduc - As I’m tying up my loose ends at KU and preparing for tory biology course that I learned the importance and intrigue of graduate school, I’ve also been fortunate enough to be dragged studying life from an evolutionary perspective. I’ve spent the last four along to Thailand as a research assistant. I’m currently working in years attempting to fine-tune my area of study and my primary inter - Chiang Mai with Dr. Deborah Smith as well as UNCG’s Dr. Olav ests are in systematics and honeybees. Rueppell to study reproductive suppression of Varroa mites by the My first research experience at KU was an attempt to reanalyze Asian honeybee, Apis cerana. The project aims to understand the the current understanding of arachnid orders. Under the direction of genetics underlying the close geographic association between Dr. Mark Holder I used statistical software to combine both molecular distinct haplotypes of Varroa jacobsoni and their bee hosts. and morphological studies on the major groups within Arachnida. I’m thankful to be involved and hope to continue working on This independent research stemmed from questions I’d encountered the project when I return home.  in my Biology of Spiders course. The project was a great opportuni - ty for me to expand on my experiences in the classroom and I gained practical application of modern systematic approaches.

18 UNDERGRADS BIO HAWK 2009 19 New Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little highly regarded scholar, teacher and university leader, Bernadette Gray-Little began her tenure as the 17th chancellor of the University of Kansas on August 15, 2009. As KU chancellor, Gray-Little is the chief executive officer Aof the university, overseeing campuses in Lawrence, Kansas City, Overland Park and Wichita in addition to research and educational centers in Topeka, Hutchinson, Parsons and elsewhere in the state. She succeeds Robert Hemenway, who served as KU chancellor for 14 years.

Chancellor Gray-Little previously was executive vice chancellor and provost from 2006 to 2009 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A professor of psychology, Gray-Little rose to the post of UNC's chief academic officer after succes - sive administrative appointments, including dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, executive associate provost, senior associate dean for undergraduate education for the college, and chair of the Department of Psychology. In these roles, she earned a reputation as a superb fundraiser, a relationship builder, a strong advocate for fac - ulty and for research, and a champion for the highest quality educational experience for students.

A native of eastern North Carolina, Gray-Little received her bachelor's degree from Marywood College in Scranton, Pa., and her master's and doctoral degrees in psychology from Saint Louis University. Her postdoctoral research in cross-cultural psychology was funded by a fellowship from the Fulbright Foundation for study in Denmark. She has also been a Social Science Research Council Fellow and a recipi - ent of a Ford Foundation Senior Scholar Fellowship through the National Research Council. Gray-Little has identified enhancing undergraduate education, raising KU's already high scholarly profile, and securing the resources needed for students and the university to succeed as three of her initial goals for KU.

Chancellor Gray-Little and three other leaders of public research universities hand deliver a pledge to address shortage of Math & Science teachers to President Obama.

20 TO THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES Contributors JULY 1, 2008 - J UNE 30, 2009

FRIENDS OF BIOLOGY (Under $100) Scott E. Sellers, DO & Michelle Knight Sellers Meredith Horoszewski Lavery & Hugh J. Lavery Tracy L. Ahrens & Douglas P. Ahrens Samir Shaath, M.D. & Nahed Shaath Brenda S. Magenheimer Helen Miller Alexander & David E. Alexander Krista M. Shipley Anne M. Maglia, PhD Douglas P. Ahrens Kathryn Wolfe Shreves Marjorie Wiley McGough Rosetta D. Arrigo Val H. Smith & Marilyn S. Smith Janis K. McMillen, PhD Mark H. Auerbach, MD Rita L. Sooby Jesse M. McNellis & Frances Hara McNellis Shannon Snyder Bachman Jeffery S. Stadler Mark S. Merriman Martha Jane Baker David K. Stough & Nicole H. Stough Ardella S. Montgomery & Robert K. Montgomery, PhD Rebecca M. Baker Veronique R. Stough Jason N. Neat & Jacquelynn R. Neat David M. Bamberger, MD M. Fred Strauss Marion O'Brien, PhD & W. John O'Brien Robert S. Becker, PhD & Ann Adair Becker Kannan Thirunavukkarasu, PhD Sabah Oney, PhD Randall J. Benson & Valerie A. Benson Susan L. Weddle Carleton J. Phillips II, PhD Robert M. Benson & Jean M. Benson David H. Wedemeier & Kim M. Wedemeier Allen H. Portner, PhD Bradley J. Bergstrom, PhD Shanon L. Westlake & Scott G. Westlake Tom R. Reed, DDS & Deborah Robinson Reed Bradley K. Bloemker, PhD Marvin C. Williams, PhD F. James Rohlf, PhD Elizabeth M. Rombach, PhD Edward L. Bowman Jr. & Suzanne L. Bowman DARWIN CLUB ($100 - $499) Eugenia L. Bryan & William J. Bryan Robert K. Rose, PhD & Aleene Lebo Rose Harold E. Alexander Cara L. Burres Charles S. Schasteen, PhD & Elizabeth J. Schasteen Donald P. Atkinson, MD Aimee J. Campbell Dr. Ronald B. Schifman Lois E. Baker & Jerald L. Baker Lisa Carden-Smith & David E. Smith John R. Schiltz, PhD Charlotte Bell, MD M. Duane Chanay Eldon D. Schriock, MD & Elizabeth A. Schriock, MD Sheldon C. Berger, DO & Molly Tully Berger Chong-Maw Chen, PhD & Gong-Rong Chen Nancy J. Schuldt James D. Bergin, MD Erin M. Coffee David M. Sherry & Kelly Standifer Sherry Herbert E. Bevan III, MD Barbara G. Coler Debra M. Shoger Betsy McCarley Billys, MD Douglas D. Dedo, MD Gaylea Prichard Silvers Arthur L. Buikema Jr., PhD Betty Pelot Defibaugh Bharathi P. Sudarsanam, PhD Patricia A. Burris John A. Devanney, PhD Karen L. Thompson Caroline S. Chaboo & Fernando Luis Merino, MD Sarah E. Dewein Dennis W. Waring, PhD Melvin D. Chaplin, PhD & Marilyn K. Chaplin Mark C. Duster, MD & Carol McQuality Duster Richard B. Williamson & Carol Patton Williamson Christine A. Cheng, MD & Phillip E. Heck, PhD Angela DeSandro Ferguson, PhD & James C. Ferguson Ellen Swift Wilson & Robert O. Wilson Stephen L. Cole, PhD & Cheryl L. Cole Judith E. Follo Tamara K. Woodward & Michael J. Woodward Jimmy C. Cornette, PhD Janice H. Gaston Lauri Colket Youngblood Richard L. Cronemeyer, MD & Alisa J. Cronemeyer Catherine A. Gibbs Marisa Morgan Dallman & Kurt F. Dallman WATSON-CRICK CLUB ($500 - $999) Carolyn B. Hadley, MD Howell V. Daly Jr., PhD & Barbara Bradford Daly Harold E. Alexander, Jr., MD Amy Batchelder Handlin & Jeffrey B. Handlin Joshua R. Dimmick, MD & Cassie Dimmick John P. Atkinson, MD & Andrea J. Atkinson Donald P. Hauber David A. Doll, MD & Sarah Medcraft Doll Mary Lou P. Coulston, PhD Jacqueline Hayworth Patricia M. Donovan & Jon M. Donovan Charles L. Douglas, PhD & Karen S. Douglas John S. Hibbard, PhD & Ann Stingley Hibbard Matthew M. Douglas, PhD & Renee L. Douglas Ilse H. Hardy Linda D. Hogg-Wood Laurence R. Draper, PhD Raymond E. Meyn Jr., PhD & Anne M. Meyn Allen L. Honeyman, PhD Clint A. Dunathan, DDS & Marcia Dunathan Dr. Kristi Neufeld & Jonathan W. Slemmer Anne Rankin Horton Dan L. Eaton, PhD Herbert H. Regier Michelle L. Hoyt, DVM Rachel Lottes Engler & Thomas A. Engler Ronald H. Segal, PhD & Mary Chapman Segal Lawrence E. Jenkins & Kelley L. Jenkins Sheela U. Fadra, PhD Byungse Suh, MD, PhD & YoungJoo Lee Suh Crista L. Johnson LtCol William L. Farrar, USAF, Retired & Thomas N. Taylor & Edith L. Taylor Clinton J. Jones, PhD Velma Gaston Farrar Robert F. Weaver, PhD & Elizabeth S. Weaver Terry E. Jones, PhD & Randall C. Osburn Shelly K. Frank & Kenneth J. Frank, MD Diana S. Katz, PhD Marguerite K. Frongillo, PhD & Edward A. Frongillo, Jr. LEEUWENHOEK CLUB Ruth A. Kava, PhD Kara L. Gardner ($1000 or more) James A. Ko D.L. George, DDS Anne M. Lee James M. Akagi Owen T. Gorman, PhD & Wendy Lair Gorman, PhD Karla McField Malabre & Densil G. Malabre Katie Hart Armitage & Kenneth B. Armitage Dennis A. Gravatt, PhD & Renee R. Gravatt William T. Marshall Paul R. Ehrlich, PhD & Anne Howland Ehrlich Michael C. Griffin Meade P. McFarlane Anne Fraser Janice S. Hagan & Rev. Robin G. Hagan Amy M. McMillan, PhD & Christopher M. Pennuto, PhD Chris C. Haller, MD & Catherine Silva, MD Carole A. Haggard Mary F. Moffett, PhD Richard H. Himes, PhD & Susan V. Himes Scott D. Hamilton, DDS & Mary E. Hamilton Howard T. Moore LTC Willis Harvey Jacob, RET James L. Hamrick III, PhD Monica Michener Mueller & Dr. Michael J. Mueller Bettie Jane Koonse Elizabeth N. Hane Edward A. Nelson, DDS Howard J. Koonse Bonnie Hansen Gail M. Nelson James E. Mason Safet O. Hatic II, D.O. & Anna E. Hatic James H. Oliver Jr., PhD & Susan Shuster Oliver Ronald L. McGregor, PhD & Dorothy Nuffer McGregor Christopher H. Haufler & Marsha Smith Haufler Lisa M. Parsons & Michael P. Parsons Kenneth W. Nelson, DDS & Helen Osoba Nelson Brooks P. Hubbard & Kami Hubbard Jessica M. Phan Thomas W. Pearson Michael L. Judd Martha L. Pippitt, PhD & David D. Pippitt, PhD Dr. David C. Pendergrass Daniel E. Kaercher & Myra J. Kaercher Thadd R. Preisner, PhD & Virginia Kline Preisner Orlando A. Schwartz, PhD Thomas E. Kaminski Carolyn A. Rankin, PhD & Robert Louis Rankin, PhD Delbert M. Shankel, PhD & Carol J. Shankel Harold A. Kerns Nancy Johnson Reedy & Mark V. Reedy M. Lynn Smiley, MD & Peter H. Gilligan, PhD Stephanie R. Killingsworth Carol A. Reifschneider, PhDGaylord S. Rose, MD & Lynne Carole Bishop Smith Young-Woo Kim, PhD & Hai Sook Kim Williams Rose Carrie E. Whitmire, PhD Christopher J. Koster, MD & Aidan L. Koster Linda A. Rothe Thomas Alexander Kriss, DDS ORGANIZATIONS Marjorie Rothschild, PhD Carol Kuhn 3M Foundation Michael K. Rust, PhD Ellen Yoshino Kuwana & Lucas R. Hoffman Deloitte Foundation Anita D. Samek David S. Kyner, PhD & Carol J. Kyner The Pfizer Foundation Roger P. Schmidt, PhD & Linda M. Schmidt Dean H. Langley, DDS & Linda Boese Langley Piersol Foundation, Inc. Gary D. Schnell, PhD & Mary Sue Schnell

We would like to take the opportunity to express our gratitude to all of those who contribute to make this publication possible. Your generosity is deeply appreciated! The BioHawk Staff 21 Whether you choose to give flexible support to the sciences, supplement an existing endowed fund, or establish a fund in honor of yourself, a member of your family, or a KU faculty member, we are very thankful for your loyal support of the sciences at KU. Please visit www.kuendowment.org or contact Jenna Goodman, Development Director for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, at 785-832-7417. See the positive impact you make on our University every day, as well as the variety of ways you can support your passions at KU.