Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology

Biochemistry - IACC Building (3rd fl oor) North Dakota State University Chemistry - Ladd Hall

Volume 4 Number 1 Spring 2008

Professor Sibi Announces COBRE Grant Award News Release August 2007

Dr. Mukund Sibi, Dale junior faculty in attaining independent status by obtaining Hogoboom Professor in the their own NIH grant funding. The research focus of the Department of Chemistry previous COBRE was identifi cation and synthesis of pro- and Molecular Biology, is tease inhibitors related to several disease states, includ- pleased to announce the re- ing cancer. The aims of the new COBRE are related, but a ceipt of a COBRE (Centers greater emphasis will be placed on understanding the bio- Of Biomedical Research logical mechanisms of disease initiation and metastasis. Excellence) grant award from the National Institutes of Health. The grant, en- “New Strategies for Targeting titled, “New Strategies for Targeting Protease in Disease” Protease in Disease” is funded is funded for a 5-year period, with a total budget of $10.5 for a 5-year period, with a total million. The grant will support faculty and staff in three de- budget of $10.5 million. partments and colleges at NDSU, with the Administrative Center located in the Chemistry Department. The COBRE is a renewal of a previous 5-year grant which began in Dr. Sibi serves as the Program Director for the Center, 2001 and established the multidisciplinary Center for Pro- which also encompasses four subprojects, two core fa- tease Research here at NDSU. cilities, and numerous advisors, mentors, and collabo- In general terms, the purpose of a COBRE award is to rators. PIs of the subprojects include Dr. Glenn Dorsam promote biomedical research, help research institutions (Biochem.), Dr. Greg Cook (Chemistry), Dr. Bin Guo establish biomedical research infrastructure, and assist (Pharm. Sci.), and Dr. Jane Schuh (Vet./Micro. Sci.). Dr. Cook also serves as the manager of the Core Syn- thesis Facility, and the Core Biology Facility is man- aged by Dr. Sheri Dorsam (Biochem.). Rose Nichols recently joined the group Glenn Dorsam as the new Administrative Coordinator for the Center. There are also plans to re- cruit a new faculty member who has expertise in biolog- ical sciences and can serve as a mentor to junior PIs.

Rose Nichols Left to Right: Mukund Sibi, Greg Cook, Jane Schuh, Bin Guo, Sheri Dorsam. Missing from photo - Glenn Dorsam. Student New Faculty & Staff Jeff Scholl Recognition Jeff accepted the position of Computer Technician with the depart- ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ment in February 2007. He comes to us from Bismarck, where he spent the last seven years with Computer 1, Inc. a local pc service Hayashi Awarded and repair shop. Dissertation Fellowship His interest in technology started at a young age with a Nintendo that was successfully taken apart, but not so successfully put back togeth- Ryuji Hayashi, a fourth-year graduate er. Since then the technology bug has been in his system. Today he student in the group of Prof. Greg has more than 10 years of experience in pc and network confi guration, troubleshoot- Cook, has been awarded a Graduate ing, and repair. He currently holds several industry certifi cations including ones from School Doctoral Dissertation Award. Microsoft and Comp TIA, and has a degree as a computer support specialist. This competitive award will provide When not in the offi ce Jeff’s hobbies range from, big surprise, pc and console gam- $18,000 for one year beginning in ing, to reading the occasional book, and no they’re not all tech manuals. On special August 2007. occasions you may even fi nd him in the kitchen cooking or as he calls it “causing trouble.” In the category of getting out of the house Jeff enjoys woodworking, and is Funk Wins Graduate currently involved with the Big Brother Big Sister program. School Research Award Shamus Funk, graduate student in Justin “Jack” Foster the group of Prof. Uwe Burghaus, is In March 2007, Justin “Jack” Foster accepted a position with North the recipient of the Graduate School Dakota State University in the Department of Chemistry and Molecu- Research Award. This award is made lar Biology as a Forensic DNA Analyst of the Forensic DNA Facil- annually to one student in each ity. Mr. Foster was previously employed at the North Dakota State college and recognizes outstanding Veterinary Laboratory as a Laboratory Technician from 2003-2007 contributions made to research by where he was responsible for integration and performance of new graduate students. Shamus will molecular biology tests for the laboratory. Prior to his employment with receive a $1,000 cash award for this the North Dakota State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, no molecular diagnostics honor. were performed in-house. During the course of his employment at North Dakota State Veterinary Laboratory, seven different diagnostic tests had been implemented Goering receives with numerous other protocols in various stages of development. Previous to that A. Rodger Dennison Award position, Mr. Foster was employed in the private sector as the Production Manager/ John Goering, fi rst-year graduate GIA Manager of Aldevron, LLC, Fargo, North Dakota from 2000-2003. Aldevron, LLC student in the group of Prof. Uwe produces and tests genetic vaccines. Mr. Foster was involved in all aspects of the Burghaus, received a third place daily operation of the company from customer relations to production of vaccine to award in the A. Rodger Dennison testing of vaccine in rabbit models. Competition Graduate Division. His Jack received his BS in Microbiology from NDSU in 2000. Although Jack did spend conference talk entitled “Anatase fi ve years of this life in Texas, he considers himself to be a North Dakotan as he (001) Thin Film: A Molecular Beam graduated high school from Rolla, ND. In his free time, Jack enjoys spending time Scattering Study” at the 99th with his wife, Maggie and their beautiful daughter, Ava. He enjoys (or endures) golf- Annual Meeting of the North Dakota ing and do-it-yourself projects in and around the house. Academy of Sciences (NDAS) earned him this award. Minot State Pinjing Zhao University hosted this conference in Assistant Professor of Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry, April 2007. Pinjing Zhao, joined the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology in August 2007. A native of Southeast China, Pinjing grew up in the beautiful city of Hangzhou and graduated from Beijing (Peking) The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology University in 1997. He then came to the states for graduate study and earned his Ph.D. at Cornell University (2003). Before coming to North Dakota State University PO Box 5516 • Fargo, ND 58105 NDSU, Pinjing completed his postdoc training at Yale University and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Phone (701) 231-8694 FAX (701) 231-8831 Since his arrival at Fargo, Pinjing has been enjoying the peaceful and friendly at- mosphere of the local community, as well as the nice weather of late summer. While Wendy Leach, Editor Dr. John Hershberger, Chair getting ready for the famed winter of North Dakota, Pinjing has been teaching an inorganic course and putting his new labs in order. In his spare time, Pinjing likes to To obtain a copy or submit comments, play basketball, read history and culture, and enjoy family time with his wife, Pan. e-mail: [email protected]

The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology 2 Spring 2008 New Faculty & Staff Megan Palmer I have always been an energetic person who am applying the knowledge acquired from my biotech degree tries to maintain a balance between work, towards my duties and tasks as a DNA analyst. The job has extracurricular activities and personal time to been a rewarding experience and I am learning more and spend with my family and friends. I grew up in more each day. Being able to gain valuable work experience Rochester, MN where I graduated high school in a fi eld I am enthusiastic towards has been a huge blessing. in 2002 and thereafter decided to move away The foundation of my family, hard work, and a little luck has from home to attend NDSU to obtain my col- contributed to where I am today and makes me excited about legiate education. My enthusiasm for the sciences has been the prospects that lay ahead. a life long interest of mine and is why I chose biotechnology as my major at NDSU. Obtaining an interdisciplinary degree Guodong Liu allowed me to receive a foundation in the basic sciences while Assistant Professor of Analytical Chemistry, accruing nascent scientifi c knowledge that the fi eld of bio- Guodong Liu, joined the department of Chem- technology presents. My family and relatives live in the Twin istry and Molecular Biology in August 2007. Cities and Rochester area so I see them infrequently, but the Prior to arriving in Fargo, Dr. Liu was working friends and relationships I developed while at NDSU make me in Pacifi c Norwest National Laboratory (PNNL, feel right at home. While attending NDSU I worked part time Richland, Washington State) as research scien- at PRACS Institute and at Olivieri’s Salon and Day Spa (a girl tist. He earned his Ph.D. from Hunan University, has got to treat her hair right) to fund my collegiate expenses. China (2001), and his B.S. at Hunan Normal University, China I also joined the chemistry club where I formed relationships (1995). Dr. Liu’s scientifi c background is in the areas of Ana- with my peers who shared similar interests and also had the lytical Chemistry and Bioanalytical Chemistry. He has been opportunity to travel to Anaheim, CA to represent NDSU’s actively working on the interfaces of analytical chemistry, Chemistry Club and Atlanta, GA to present my undergraduate material chemistry and nanotechnology to develop nanostruc- research. In the rest of my free time, I enjoy sewing, painting tured chemical sensors and biosensors for homeland security, and cooking. Through working two jobs, studying biotechnol- environmental and biomedical monitoring applications. Dr. Liu ogy, conducting research in the chemistry department, and received PNNL’s Outstanding Performance Award in 2006 and spending time with my friends, I had a very busy yet very 2007 for his research work. He also obtained Environmental fulfi lling collegiate experience. Business Journal’s 2007 Technology Merit Award. His biosen- After graduating NDSU in the spring of 2006 I spent time sor work published in Analytical Chemistry is one of the most working and researching the opportunities that lay ahead. cited articles at 2006. Since arriving in Fargo, Dr. Liu has been I was fortunate enough to gain acceptance for my current busy preparing his laboratory for research; his laboratory is lo- position of Forensic DNA Analyst in a new department that cated in room 56 of the Dunbar building. He will teach Instru- was inaugurated last fall. Now that I am in the “real” world I ment Analysis and Analytical Chemistry Courses.

LAB GROUP UPDATES News from Dr. Sun’s Group Dr. Wenfang Sun visited China from world-famous Tai Mountain to enjoy the This past summer, undergraduate May 28 to June 22, 2007. She spent beautiful scenery. She spent the follow- student, Adam Wolfe, and high school one week in Wuhan, one of the hottest ing week in Yuncheng, Shanxi Province student, Andrew Sand, who will join cities in China to attend the 3rd Sino-US to enjoy a family reunion with her parents NDSU as a freshman major fall semes- Symposium on Organic Chemistry and and sister and was able to spend valuable ter 2007, joined the group to do some presented a seminar in Wuhan University. time with them. In the last week in China, fun research. Currently, there are three She then visited Shandong University she presented a seminar at one of the graduate students, Iswarya Mathew, as a visiting professor for a week. She most prestigious universities in China- Tian Lu and Zhiqiang Ji as well as three presented three seminars in Shandong Tsinghua University and discussed the post docs, Dr. Bingguang Zhang, Dr. Li University and discussed their collabora- development of opto-electronic materials Yunjing and Dr. Pin Shao working in Dr. tive project with Prof. Xiyou Li at Shan- with peers at Tsinghua University. Overall, Sun’s group. In October 2007, Hui Zhang dong University. At the end of her visit to her China trip was very fruitful and enjoy- joined the group as a visiting student Shandong University, she climbed the able. from Nanjing University, China. She will spend one year in the group to conduct research on optical sensors. L to R: Hui Zhang, Dr. Bingguang Zhang, Dr. On the 4th of July, Dr. Sun’s group had a Wenfang Sun, Dr. Li Yunjing, wonderful picnic in Detroit Lakes. Every- Iswarya Mathew, Dr. Pin Shao, body relaxed and had a wonderful time. Tian Lu, Zhiqiang Ji

The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology 3 Spring 2008 LAB GROUP UPDATES

NDSU Forensic DNA Analysis Laboratory by Berch Henry

(July 2007) Extensive renovations to the NDSU Forensic DNA Facility have been completed as has the purchase and instal- lation of all major equipment. In addition, the laboratory is technically operational in that biological samples can be car- ried through the complete process of DNA profi ling. The next three month period will be primarily devoted to fi nal prepa- rations for ISO accreditation which will involve completing required validations, fi nalizing laboratory manuals, completing necessary training of laboratory personnel and undergoing L to R: Tom Wahl, Jack Foster, Megan Palmer and external pre-audits. An additional critical aspect necessary Dr. Berch Henry to successfully become accredited is the establishment of a comprehensive Quality Assurance/Quality Control program. To immediately as required by national guidelines for forensic this end, the NDSU Forensic DNA Laboratory began in March laboratories and to date approximately half of the required of this year the implementation of those QA/QC procedures tasks have been successfully completed. necessary to satisfy the national guidelines as set forth in the During the past several months senior laboratory personnel “DNA Advisory Board Quality Assurance Standards for Foren- have been contacted by several local and out of state at- sic DNA Testing Laboratories” document. The QA/QC program torneys requesting that forensic DNA consulting services be is well underway and should be completed by early fall of offered. Therefore, a Cost Center Account was set up through 2007. Based upon these factors Forensic Quality Services, the University so that funds that have and will be generated by an international accreditation organization, has been con- this process can be used to help support the future operation tacted and available dates for the required external ISO audit of the NDSU Forensic DNA Laboratory. In addition, once the have been discussed. At present, it is planned that the NDSU laboratory is fully accredited then actual forensic DNA case- Forensic DNA Facility will undergo an accreditation site visit in work analysis can also be performed on a fee for service in the fall of 2007. order to generate additional operating funds. A second important goal of expanding the personnel comple- Another important aspect of the NDSU Forensic DNA Program ment of the laboratory to four individuals was successfully is to establish a teaching component which will train graduate completed by hiring two additional entry level analysts. An level students in practical aspects of modern forensic DNA open recruitment for two trainee level DNA positions resulted analysis. A big step was taken in satisfying this goal when in a total of thirty-seven applications. Following extensive North Dakota State University approved the creation of a new preliminary testing and evaluation the top six candidates tenure-track faculty position at the Associate/Assistant Profes- were chosen to undergo an on-site written test and an oral sor level in the area of Forensic DNA Analysis. Recruitment interview. Following completion of this process the top two began in November, 2006 but after the interview process no individuals were offered positions of employment which were suitable candidate was chosen. The position will be reopened accepted. The two trainees began work in the laboratory in in August 2007 and it is hoped that the position will be fi lled by early spring of this year. An intensive training process began the end of the year.

What’s Cooking? Cook Group Lab News It has been a while since the last Cook Group update and there have been lots of changes. The group has grown to twelve people now; seven graduate students and fi ve undergraduate researchers. Ryuji Hayashi and Robert Kargbo, the old timers in the lab, will be fi nishing their Ph.D. degrees in spring 2008. This will free up some much needed lab space. More importantly it will give them a boost on their career paths. Ryuji will be moving to the University of Wisconsin to do post- doctoral work with Prof. Richard Hsung. Ryuji is a recipient of the Graduate School Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship. Robert will be moving a bit further away. He will travel to Albany, New York, where he has a job at Albany Molecular Research, Inc.. Robert has also received fellowships during his time here including a Pfi zer Diver- Front L to R: Miho Kaneko, Danielle Vaughn; sity Fellowship and an EPSCoR Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship. Yoko Takahashi, Middle L to R: Jina Park, Robert Kargbo, a third year student, continues to work diligently toward her Ph.D. Last year Xixi Yoko Takahashi; Back L to R: XiXi Song, Dr. Song joined the group. And the newcomers this year are Don Anton and Greg Cook, Ryuji Hayashi Cook Group continued on page 5 The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology 4 Spring 2008 LAB GROUP UPDATES

Cook Group continued from page 4 Narayananganesh Balasubramanian. Undergraduate research- ed allylation reactions. He has recently rendered these enanti- ers currently in the group are Danni Vaughn, Miho Kaneko, oselective as well, accomplishing a feat that has never before Panjun Kim, Yassine Elhassani, and Matt Thompson. Miho was been reported. The chiral amine products that we make are awarded a prestigious Pfi zer Undergraduate Research Award valuable synthetic precursors to a host of biologically relevant last summer and had the opportunity to travel to Groton, CT compounds. this fall to present the results of her research. As members of the Center for Protease Research we have a The science in the group couldn’t be better. Our recent paper signifi cant amount of more applied research as well. We are in the Journal of the American Chemical Society on catalytic heavily involved in developing inhibitors for a class of enzymes asymmetric allyl indium reactions has achieved international called Histone Deacetylases (HDACs). These are enzymes recognition. Together with a collaborator in the UK, Prof. Guy involved in the regulation of gene transcription and modify the Lloyd-Jones, we have achieved the highly effi cient catalysis of histone proteins that DNA is bundled with in the nucleosome. hydrazones to produce chiral amines using environmentally This has impacts in cancer chemotherapy as well as potential benign metal catalysts. Results are pouring in and we should applications for long term chronic illnesses such as Lupus be reporting even more breakthroughs in the near future. In and Huntington’s disease. We have already discovered some addition to our indium chemistry, graduate student Xixi Song unique small molecule inhibitors for HDACs and hope to ren- has made some breakthroughs in the area of bismuth-mediat- der them selective for specifi c enzymes in this class.

News from the Tallman Laboratory (July 18, 2007) After 36 years in the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology at NDSU, Professor Dennis Tallman accepted a new position as Research Professor in the De- partment of Coatings and Polymeric Materials (CPM), begin- ning January, 2007. It’s not a major transition for Professor Tallman since his research has been closely aligned with that department for almost 15 years and he held an appointment as Adjunct Professor in CPM from 2002 to 2006. Additionally, his main offi ce and research laboratories have been located in CPM in the Research Technology Park since the spring of Front L to R: Dr. Kerry Allahar, Professor Dennis Tallman, Dr. 2002. Professor Tallman’s research continues in the general Hosup Jung; Middle L to R: Professor Mark Jensen, Jun Nie, area of corrosion electrochemistry, with emphasis on mea- Travis Bjordahl, Dr. Jae Hoon Huh; Back L to R: Dr. Jie (Jim) He, surement, mechanisms, instrumentation and electrochemi- Dr. Danta Battocchi, and Chris Heth cally active polymer coatings, such as conducting polymers and metal-rich coatings. He has published approximately 140 Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES) at the Univer- referred journal articles and book chapters and has presented sity of Wollongong in Australia, where he spends the month numerous invited lectures around the world. One particularly of February most years. While visiting in February, 2007, he noteworthy publication appearing in December, 2006, was a presented three invited lectures (entitled Corrosion of Metals, chapter in the third edition of the “Handbook of Conducting Corrosion Control Coatings Based on Electromaterials, and Polymers.” In this chapter, Professor Tallman critically evalu- Scanning Probe Techniques for the Study of Electromaterials) ates the fi eld of conjugated polymers as applied to corro- at the 2nd International Electromaterials Science Symposium sion control. He continues to co-direct (along with Professor held at the University of Wollongong. He has been invited to Gordon Bierwagen of CPM) the NDSU Corrosion/Coatings be a keynote speaker at the 3rd International Electromateri- Research Center and continues as editor of the Journal of als Science Symposium to be held in Melbourne, Australia in Solid State Electrochemistry. His group currently consists of February 2008. Other conferences at which he gave invited two graduate students, one undergraduate student and fi ve talks during the past year include the International Conference Ph.D. researchers. on Synthetic Metals, July 2-7, 2006, held at Trinity College in One of the Ph.D. researchers is Professor Mark Jensen, a Dublin, Ireland, and the symposium “Critical Factors in Local- Professor (and past Chair) of the Department of Chemistry ized Corrosion 5: A Symposium in Honor of Hugh Isaacs” at at Concordia College of Moorhead, MN. Professor Jensen the 2006 Joint International Meeting of the 210th Meeting of spent the 2005-2006 academic year with our group while on The Electrochemical Society and the XXI Congreso de la So- sabbatical leave and continues to spend time in our laboratory ciedad Mexicana de Electroquimica, October 29 - November both during the academic year and full time in the summers. 3, 2006, held in Cancun, Mexico. Professor Tallman continues his collaboration with the Intelli- Professor Tallman continues to compete in local and regional gent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) and the ARC Centre of (and occasionally national) 4-wall handball tournaments, although he is temporarily sidelined with a knee injury.

The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology 5 Spring 2008 LAB GROUP UPDATES

Dorsam Lab News Standing L to R: Ashley Sandy, by Ashley Sandy Travis Vander Steen, (August 2007) It has been an exciting year of fi rsts here in the Jarrett Failing, Erich Dorsam laboratory! The current lab is well equipped with a Wilkerson, Emilie courageous leader (Glenn Dorsam, Ph.D.), four graduate DeKrey, Keith students (Becky, Keith, Emilie, and Travis), and three under- Benton; Kneeling: Rebecca Herman; graduates (Ashley, Erich, and Jarrett). Laying: Dr. Glenn Coming into the lab running, Emilie DeKrey is a fi rst author Dorsam on a paper regarding T-cell receptor pathway regulation of vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor-1 (VPACR-1) that will be The undergraduates are working hard as well. Ashley recently resubmitted to the Journal of Neuroimmunology for publica- interviewed at the Mayo Graduate School this past month tion. as she wishes to receive an assistantship there for graduate Becky Hermann, Keith Benton, and Emilie DeKrey all passed school beginning in fall, 2008. Currently, Ashley is embarking their cumulative exam for doctoral candidacy earlier this sum- on a project involving an Ikaros Null mouse T-cell line and will mer through much sweat but with great reward and anticipa- attempt to ectopically overexpress Ikaros back into these cells tion! I know they are looking forward to their mini and maxi to determine whether it plays a role regulating VPACR-1 expres- presentations! sion. Jarrett, a quick learner of new techniques and skills, is researching the lifetime fl uorescence of an orange fl uorescent Continuing to be intrigued by NIH-3T3 mouse fi broblast cells protein which may be used to tag Ikaros in future experiments. as a scientifi c tool, Becky continues to research the epigenetic Erich, an entertaining and intelligent member of the lab, began regulation of VPACR-1 by Ikaros. Becky has perfected tran- the orange fl uorescent protein project and enjoyed his summer sient and stable protein overexpression and quantitative PCR in the Clearwater, MN area. techniques that will enable her to begin collecting data. Keith is dedicated to determining the occupancy of the VPACR-1 Glenn, who continues to support us all and keep us on the right research path, is attending the American Association of Immu- promoter by Ikaros as well as epigenetic chemical modifi ca- nologists’ meeting in Minneapolis, MN this weekend as partial tions through a technically challenging chromatin immunopre- fulfi llment for his NIH CAREER Award. In addition, Glenn is a PI cipitation (ChIP) assay. He has recently collected novel data on the COBRE grant and plans on hiring a technician. utilizing this ChIP technique and is in a great position to fi nish his fi rst major study for publication. Travis, who has become Moreover, thanks everybody who participated in the First Annu- enveloped by the world of two-dimensional electrophoresis, al Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology Poster Ses- is working hard to determine the phosphorylation states of sion, on May 31, 2007. It was a smashing success. The poster Ikaros in different cellular phenotypes. Travis is spear-heading session, which included spectacular refreshments and delicious a collaboration with Dr. Steven Meinhardt. To his credit, the hors-d’oeuvres, included compelling research from all corners two-dimensional electrophoresis method has been worked out of the department (see photos below). This was defi nitely a fi rst and he will be able to test the “proof of concept” this fall. that will be continued for years to come. The Dorsam lab is look- ing forward to another year of brilliant fi rsts!

The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology 6 Spring 2008 LAB GROUP UPDATES

Surface Chemistry News – Srivastava’s Group News Burghaus Lab This year has been reasonably productive for our group. We by Wendy Leach received research funding of $1.2 million from National Insti- The University of Minnesota sponsored the 29th Annual tute of Health, and funding of $400 thousand from National Symposium on Applied Surface Analysis in June 2007. Science Foundation to pursue our collaborative research with Post-doc, Dr. Evgueni Kadossov attended and spoke on Dr. Sanku Mallik of Pharmaceutical Sciences department. TDS and Molecular Beam Scattering Studies of CO and Our collaborative team has been currently investigating basic/ CO2 Interaction with FeOx Clusters Supported on Graphite. fundamental aspects of enzyme catalyzed reactions from the point of view of designing their specifi c inhibitors as potential In June 2007, Dr. Uwe Burghaus traveled to Boise, Idaho drugs and their targeted delivery. In addition, we have recently to attend the Pacifi c Northwest National Laboratory ACS initiated studies on diagnostics of various marker proteins meeting and to present a seminar related to his lab’s work via formulating fl uorophoric liposomes. The latter studies are on nanotubes. Fall 2007, Uwe got involved with the ND geared toward utilizing nanoparticles and quantum dots. EPSCoR Tribal Colleges Programs, namely, Nurturing American Tribal Undergraduate Research and Education Presently, seven graduate students are working in our group, (NATURE). He participated in the NATURE Sunday Acad- of which four are from Chemistry and Molecular Biology, one emy program. On Sundays, he traveled to different tribal is from Cellular and Molecular Biology, and two are from Phar- colleges to assist a tribal college instructor in leading a lab maceutical Sciences. Shakila Tobwala, Sumathra Manokaran, exercise (experiments) with their undergraduate students. and Bratati Ganguly completed their third year of graduate studies in my group, and all of them passed their written com- Graduate student, Shamus Funk and his prehensive exams. Nitesh Sule, second year graduate stu- wife, Christy, were blessed with a new baby dent, also passed his written comprehensive exam this year. boy. Abraham Sol arrived on July 24th at Of these students, Shakila is the only one who presented and 7:24 pm, weighing in at 7 lbs 7 oz and was passed her oral exam. Her research project is geared toward 20 inches long. He joins sister, Baela completing Ph.D. Raushan Singh, Cellular and Molecular Biol- Reese (3 years, 10 months), and brother, ogy student, is in the early stages of his training in the lab. Charles Ross (15 months). Last year, I was invited to give a series of talks in India, Graduate student, John Goering, joined Abraham Sol Funk including one at an International conference. During my visit, the Burghaus lab in December 2006. I initiated collaboration with Dr. U. N. Dwivedi of Lucknow Already, he has coauthored three peer-refereed papers. University. We wrote a short joint project which received The Burghaus lab hosted Native American student, Shan- funding from the Department of Biotechnology India, and that non Weidman, in July 2007 for three weeks of hands-on grant supported Dr. Dwivedi’s visit to our department for three research in the lab. This contact was developed as a result months (April – July 2007). Besides cloning a few enzymes of Shamus working as a TA at a Native American College involved in lignin biosynthetic pathway Dr. Dwivedi performed spring semester 2007. several experiments which subsequently led to develop- Lisa Hilleren, high school student from Watford City, par- ing transgenic plants having lower lignin contents for paper ticipated in the lab for six weeks over the summer through industries. the Governors School program. She worked on a fuel cell project while here. Senior undergraduate student, Brian Hokkanen, said good- bye to the Burghaus lab in May 2007 as he graduated and accepted a job in Texas.

L to R: Bratati Ganguly, Nitesh Sule, Sumathra Manokaran, L to R Front: Lisa Hilleren, John Goering; Back: Shannon Raushan Singh, Shakila Tobwala, Dr. D.K. Srivastava Weidman, Dr. Uwe Burghaus and Shamus Funk

The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology 7 Spring 2008 LAB GROUP UPDATES Rasmussen Lab News by Christopher Heth As charge fl ows through a conducting polymer fi lm, so too do faces in an academic research group. Dr. Hong Mo completed his postdoctoral work with the group in July, after which he returned to China to take a professorship at Nanjing Normal University, where he is teaching inorganic chemistry. Scott Rothstein successfully defended his M.S. thesis and is cur- rently employed by Segetis, a startup company in Plymouth, MN specializing in renewable bio-based polymers. Adam Wohl completed his undergraduate studies and began his graduate Sitting L to R: Jon Nietfeld, Li Wen, Sean Evenson; Standing work at the University of Minnesota under the mentorship of L to R: Cole Larsen, Dr. Seth Rasmussen, Chris Heth, Brett Prof. Marc Hillmyer in the fall. Undergraduate Kelli Jo Syltie Erpelding, Chad Amb has also left the group in order to focus more of her ener- gies on her medical studies. Their contributions to the lab will tion here at NDSU in the fall and is continuing his work in the certainly be missed, and we wish them all well. group. Cole, another freshman chemistry major, is our new- Reinforcing the ranks are new members Jon Nietfeld, Brett est addition, joining the group just this December. This past Erpelding, and Cole Larsen. Jon is a graduate student who summer, Governor’s School student Tyler Swenson spent fi ve joined the group in December 2006 following his rotations. weeks with the group learning to make bipyridine complexes. Brett fi rst joined the group as a Governor’s School student pri- Tyler is currently in his junior year at Dickinson High School. In or to his senior year at Fargo South High School. He enjoyed addition, graduate students Chad Amb and Li Wen success- the experience so much he continued to work part time in the fully completed their original research proposals and compre- lab throughout his senior year. He began his higher educa- hensive exams, and thus are offi cially Ph.D. candidates.

The Sibi Group Jasperse from Minnesota State University, Moorhead was also by Brandon Gustafson with us again for another summer of research and teaching. It’s been awhile since the Sibi group and its “Siblings” have The graduate students in our lab haven’t undergone as much surfaced in the Chem News articles, but here we are. As with any change however. Levi Stanley is in his fi fth year and is getting group in this department, many people have come and gone from ready to defend his thesis. Digamber Rane, Arvin Yu and Brandon our group. The largest turnover has been among the post docs. Gustafson are all still around and about to start their fourth year. Sukanya Nad and Masayuki Hasegawa left for the spring ACS The relative newcomer to the group is Wilfredo Cruz (Jr.) who is meeting in Chicago and never came back! Masa took a post doc about to start his third year. Nathan Brager and Stacie Lilliquist position at Boston College with Professor Hoveyda and Sukanya spent a year with us as fi rst year grad students. Third year grad left for California to be with her husband. Our third in an exodus student Sunggi Lee from Korea spent 6 months here “on loan.” of post docs was Takahiro Soeta who joined Professor Smith’s Lastly, we had undergraduate Jessica Shackleford from the Uni- group at the University of Pennsylvania. To replace the departed, versity of Southern Mississippi working for us during the summer. we gained three more post docs who joined the remaining (and Dr. Mukund Sibi has kept himself busy during the year as well. In lonely) Dr. Yonghua Yang who became a new daddy in July. Their addition to coordinating about a dozen students and post docs, names are Dr. Keisuke Kawashima and Dr. Hiroshi Yanagita, both guiding projects within the group and much chemistry discussion, from Japan, and Dr. Julien Coulomb from France. Professor Craig he taught the 342 organic chemistry lecture. Dr. Sibi also was a world traveler, giving lectures and seminars in Norway, Korea, and Japan. Also, as mentioned earlier, some of our group went to the national meeting in Chicago this spring—Levi, Taka, Sukanya and Masa all joined Dr. Sibi for a week of presentations and seminars. Our group has also seen quite a bit of research progress. In 2006-2007, we have published approximately 15 papers in proj- ects ranging from conjugate radical additions to cycloadditions (both Diels Alder and 1,3-dipolar) and from Lewis acid catalysis to organocatalysis. Levi and Dr. Sibi also submitted a book chap- ter on copper Lewis acids for Lewis Acids in Organic Synthesis volume II. L to R: Front row - Jessica Shackleford, Dr. Mukund Sibi, Dr. Feel free to stop by and check us out on the web at www.ndsu. Hiroshi Yanagita, Digamber Rane; middle row - Dr. Yonghua Yang, nodak.edu/sibi_research and read more about who we are and Brandon Gustafson, Wilfredo Cruz, Jr.; back row - Arvin Yu, Dr. what we do. Julien Coulomb, Dr. Keisuke Kawashima, Levi Stanley, Don Anton

The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology 8 Spring 2008 Special Awards and Recognition

Chemistry Faculty Receive College Awards Two faculty members from the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology have received awards from the College of Science and Mathematics.

Dr. Seth Rasmussen, Associate Professor, has received the 2007 College Award for Excellence in Teaching. Dr. Rasmussen teaches all levels of inorganic chemistry and has developed a new course at NDSU in Science History. In addition, he serves as the faculty mentor for the Undergraduate Chemistry Club. Dr. Wenfang Sun, Associate Professor, has been awarded the 2007 College Award for Excellence in Research. Dr. Sun has developed cutting edge research in the area of pho- Dr. Seth Rasmussen Dr. Wenfang Sun tofunctional organoic and metallo-organic materials for applications in optical limiting and photodynamic therapy. She has received a National Science Foundation Career Award and is also funded by the Army Research Lab and the USDA.

Greg Cook to Chair 2008 Gordon Srivastava to Serve 4-Year Term Research Conference on Organic on NIH Study Section Reactions and Processes (February 2007) Dr. D.K. Srivastava, Professor of (February 2007) Associate Professor of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry and Mo- Chemistry, Gregory Cook, has been lecular Biology has been invited to serve a four elected to chair the 2008 Gordon year term on the Macromolecular Structure and Research Conference on Organic Re- Function A Study Section for the National Insti- actions and Processes to be held July tutes of Health. His term will begin July 1, 2007 13-18 in Smithfi eld, RI. He will serve and he will serve through June 30, 2011. NIH Study Sections as Vice-Chair for the 2007 meeting. For 75 years, are the backbone of the Center for Scientifi c Review to evaluate the Gordon Research Conferences have been the research grant applications submitted to the NIH. Study Section premiere scientifi c meetings. Initiated by Dr. Neil E. members make recommendations on the scientifi c integrity of Gordon, of the Johns Hopkins University, in the late proposals to the NIH institutes. Members are selected on the ba- 1920s, the Gordon Research Conferences promote sis of their demonstrated competence and achievement in their discussions and the free exchange of ideas at the scientifi c discipline as evidenced by the quality of research ac- research frontiers of the biological, chemical and complishments, publications, and other signifi cant achievements. physical sciences. Scientists with common profes- Being asked to serve in the NIH peer review process is an honor sional interests come together for a full week of and recognition of Dr. Srivastava’s scientifi c contributions. intense discussion and examination of the most advanced aspects of their fi eld. Today the GRC runs Mukund Sibi Named University about 180 conferences a year. The conference on Distinguished Professor Organic Reactions and Processes brings together (October 2007) Professor Mukund Sibi has been honored as a Uni- organic chemists from around the world working versity Distinguished Professor by President Joseph Chapman. in academia and industry from around the globe. This award recognizes outstanding achievements of Dr. Cook will chair the 55th Organic Reactions and high quality faculty. The professorship comes with a Processes conference which focusses on process $20,000 pay raise and $5,000 annually to be used research for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, for academic teaching or research endeavors. Sibi synthesis of complex natural products, organic reac- joins six other professors from across the campus tion mechanisms, new synthetic methods, and new being honored by this new initiative. Distinguished developments in the catalysis of organic reactions. Professors will be charged with recognizing up Organic Reactions and Processes is traditionally to two new professorships each year. Prof. Sibi also received the one of the most popular and prestigious of the GRC James A. Meier Professorship earlier this year. (See article on conferences every year. page 11.)

The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology 9 Spring 2008 Special Awards and Recognition

Greg Cook Named Chemistry Club Receives National Award Walter F. and Verna from the American Chemical Society Gehrts Professor (November 2007) The NDSU Chemistry club, a student affi liate chapter of the American (October 2007) Greg Cook, Associ- Chemical Society (ACS), has been selected by the ACS to receive an “Honorable Men- ate Professor of Chemistry, has tion” award for its chapter activities conducted during the 2006-07 academic year. received the 2007-2009 Walter F. The NDSU chapter activities consistently include community service and education, and Verna Gehrts Endowed Pro- fundraising to support chapter events, and strong participation at national meetings. fessorship from the University. The Approximately 10-15 students each year give research presentations at the national meetings, with over 50 undergraduate research presentations presented in the last Gehrts Endowed Professorship is seven years. awarded to a faculty member at the rank of Associate Professor Of the more than 980 student chapters nationwide, only 175 institutions received awards this year. This is the seventh consecutive national award for the chapter. While the NDSU who has demonstrated a balanced Chemistry Club was originally founded in 1897, it did not become a student affi liate academic record demonstrating chapter of the ACS until 1968. Since that time, it has received 12 national awards from excellence in teaching, research, the ACS. and service. In addition to society recognition, the NDSU chapter will be acknowledged in two nationally distributed publications; Chemical and Engineering News, the society’s offi cial Rasmussen appointed weekly magazine, and In Chemistry, a bimonthly magazine for ACS student affi liates. HIST Program Chair Award-winning chapters will also be recognized at an awards ceremony during the soci- of ACS ety’s annual meeting in April 2008. Dr. Seth Rasmussen, Associate Professor of Chem- istry, serves as the faculty advisor for the NDSU Chemistry Club. (November 2007) Seth C. Rasmussen, Department contributes to national guide for Associate Professor of Chemistry, has high school chemistry teachers been appointed by by Seth C. Rasmussen the Division of the (July 2007) The American Chemical Society (ACS) is in the process of publishing an History of Chemistry (HIST) to be updated edition of Chemistry in the National Science Education Standards, a text that its next Divisional Program Chair. serves as a teaching guide for both high school educators and university faculty that Founded in 1927, HIST is one of educate pre-service teachers. The new edition consists of 16 chapters covering various aspects of national content standards and how to successfully incorporate material and the 33 technical divisions of the activities in the classroom to meet these desired standards. Professor Stacey Bretz of American Chemical Society (ACS) Miami University serves as the text’s editor, while the individual chapters are co-written and seeks to advance knowledge by teams consisting of a minimum of one recognized leader of the topic fi eld and one and appreciation of the history high school teacher. of the chemical sciences among NDSU’s Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology is contributing to this text with chemists, students, historians of Chapter 9, History and Nature of Science Content Standards, which focuses on how science, and the broader public. to properly and successfully incorporate science history and the underlying nature of Prof. Rasmussen will join the science into high school chemistry courses. The writing team for Chapter 9 is led by Division’s executive committee in Associate Professor Seth Rasmussen, who has been active in the study of the history 2008 as Assistant Program Chair of chemistry for over ten years. The ACS recognized Prof. Rasmussen as a leader in the and succeed the current Program application of history to chemical education due to two national symposia he co-orga- Chair Joe Jeffers (Ouachita Bap- nized on the subject along with Prof. David Lewis of the University of Wisconsin - Eau tist University) in 2009. As Pro- Claire. In addition to Prof. Rasmussen, the writing team also includes Misty Tomchuk, a gram Chair, Prof. Rasmussen will former graduate of the department (B.S. Chem, 2002) and now a high school teacher be responsible for the technical at Fargo North, as well as Professor Carmen Giunta of Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY. Prof. Giunta is a longtime contributor to research in the history of chemistry whose programming of HIST at national expertise nicely compliments that of Prof. Rasmussen. ACS meetings including symposia and general sessions as well as The 2nd edition of Chemistry in the National Science Education Standards is scheduled to be published this fall by the Chemical Education Division of the ACS in both print and workshops, tutorials, and demon- online pdf forms. A companion website for the text with further resources is also in the strations. planning stages.

The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology 10 Spring 2008 Special Awards and Recognition

NDSU Chemistry and Molecular Biology Receives Gift from dents in the lab. Those qualities go well together, and we are Abbott Laboratories delighted that the ACS has selected Dr. Sibi for this interna- tional recognition.” (September 2007) The Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology at North Dakota State University has received a gift The department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology will be of $10,000 on behalf of Abbott Laboratories Global Pharma- holding a reception for NDSU Alumni and friends in honor ceutical Research and Development. The gift is designated of Dr. Sibi’s award at the 236th American Chemical Society to aid the department to continue to identify, educate, and National Meeting in Philadelphia on Monday, August 18th. All graduate students that excel both in the classroom and the are welcome to attend. Watch for more information. laboratory. Toward this end, the money will be used to sup- port two programs in the department. The Abbott Laboratory Sibi Named Meier Professor Graduate Fellowship helps to support talented M.S. and Ph.D. from It’s Happening, June 13, 2007 graduate students working in the broad area of pharmaceuti- Mukund Sibi, professor of chemistry and molecular biology, cal research. Additionally, part of the money will be used to has been selected for the Dr. James A. Meier Senior Profes- bring scientists from outside NDSU to campus through the sorship Award for the College of Science and Mathematics. Abbott Laboratories Lectures in Organic Chemistry series. “You are most deserving of this award,” wrote Kevin McCaul, This gift is part of an on-going annual commitment by Abbott dean of science and mathematics, in a letter informing Sibi Laboratories to support organic chemistry at NDSU that has of his selection for the prestigious honor. “Your dedication to been fostered by Profs. Mukund Sibi and Greg Cook over the teaching, research and the department are evident in your last six years. record. This award can be thought of as a ‘thank you’ from the college.” Mukund Sibi to Receive the Gregory Cook, associate professor of chemistry and molecu- Prestigious 2008 Arthur C. Cope lar biology, wrote in a letter of nomination that Sibi’s research Scholar Award in organic chemistry has provided insights into controlling chemical reactivity that have a far-reaching impact in organic (August 2007) Mukund P. Sibi, a James A. Meier chemistry, particularly pharmaceutical development. professor of chemistry and molecular biology at North Dakota State University, will receive a Cook wrote that Sibi “has endeavored to promote our depart- 2008 Arthur S. Cope Scholar Award, consid- ment and our university around the world. His outstanding ered to be a top honor in organic chemistry. service and outstanding accomplishments are a testament to The Cope Scholar Award, issued by the NDSU and I can think of no one more deserving of this honor.” American Chemical Society (ACS), recognizes scientists from Marvin J. Miller, George and Winifred Clark Professor of across the globe who have distinguished themselves in the Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame, broad fi eld of organic chemistry. Through the Cope Scholar wrote in a letter of support, “Prof. Sibi deserved recognition for Award, Dr. Sibi will receive a $5,000 certifi cate and a $40,000 his innovative, productive research, but he is also the ‘com- unrestricted research grant. He also will deliver an invited talk plete package’-an excellent researcher, teacher, mentor and on his research and be recognized at a special ceremony in professional who loves his profession and has passionately April 2008 at the ACS National Meeting in New Orleans, La. dedicated his life to serving as a positive role model as he “Dr. Sibi’s achievement and distinguished role in the fi eld of advances our profession in every way possible.” organic chemistry is remarkable,” said NDSU President Jo- Currently the Dale Hogoboom Professor in chemistry, Sibi has seph A. Chapman. “NDSU is honored to have faculty like Dr. published more than 140 papers in peer-reviewed journals. Sibi guiding us along the journey that has brought us to the He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Bangalore next level of excellence.” University, India, and his doctorate at City University of New “The Cope Scholar Awards are considered to be one of the York. Sibi was a postdoctoral fellow at Dartmouth College, the most prestigious awards in the fi eld of chemistry and this University of Waterloo and Florida State University. award refl ects the signifi cant contributions Dr. Sibi makes to The professorship is effective July 1, and continues for three his fi eld of study,” said Dr. Philip Boudjouk, vice president for years. It carries a stipend of $3,500 per year. research, creative activities and technology transfer. The professorship is supported through an endowment gift The dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at from alumnus Meier, B.S. ’59, Ph.D. ’71, who held several NDSU, Kevin McCaul, also noted the honor. “Dr. Sibi is clearly leadership roles at Pittsburgh Paints and Glass during his ca- a superb researcher, and he is also a wonderful teacher, reer. Meier received an honorary doctorate from NDSU during whether in a formal classroom setting or working with his stu- May commencement ceremonies.

The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology 11 Spring 2008 Alumni News

Does the Alumni Association know your email address? If not, consider sharing it with them at [email protected]. When CHEM News was looking for alumni articles and updates, the alumni association was there to help! They assisted us in sending a broadcast email message to our chemistry and biochemistry alumni. (Your email address is secure with the alumni association.) A special thank you to those who replied! Read and enjoy! 

Anderson, Eugene ’78 – Eugene Anderson (BS 78, MS 82) just traveled to Fargo in July to help celebrate the 60th wedding an- celebrated his tenth anniversary of ordination in the Evangelical niversary of John’s parents, Robert and Verna Hanish of Fargo. Lutheran Church in America. He is presently serving a congrega- John’s parents attended NDSU and Robert Hanish was a mem- tion in Jasper, MN. ber of the 1946 and 1947 Bison football teams. Anderson, Julie A. K. ’81 – Julie A. K. Anderson (BS 81) gradu- Lawrence, Park W. ‘66 – I retired from the North East Inde- ated from Luther Seminary in St Paul, MN with a Master of Divin- pendent School District of San Antonio Texas in 2003. I was a ity degree. She was ordained and installed as a pastor on May Chemistry teacher for 31 years. My wife, Kathy, also retired from 20, serving the Winds of the Prairie Ministry, an association of NEISD and we are involved in St. Marks Episcopal Church. I am fi ve congregations in the Lincoln, Lyon and Pipestone counties of on the BOD for our 7600 Condominium Association while my wife Southwestern Minnesota. is the offi ce manager and book keeper. We travel to LA, Atlanta, Garlie, Dave ’96 – M.S. (Boudjouk). Employer: Cargill Inc. (12 and Somerset Pa every year to visit family and friends. We are yrs); Job title: Business Development Mgr - Industrial Starches; planning to visit Fargo for Homecoming and then on to Salem Married to Maria Garlie (NDSU graduate 1995 BS); Two chil- Oregon to visit my sister. In June of 2005 we took a cruise of the dren (Garin 5 and Gracen 3); Residence: Eau Claire, WI; Career Baltic and visited nine countries including St Petersburg Russia. development: Continue to commercialize and develop biobased It was an outstanding vacation. Our next cruise will probably be to products and technologies for Cargill under the direction of the Mediterranean Area. I am also interested in Old Time Radio former NDSU alumni Kevin Anderson - Global Technical Director from the 30’s to 1962. “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts (M.S. 198? ,Boudjouk). of men, The Shadow knows”, CBS Radio Mystery Theater, Our Miss Brooks and hundreds of other programs. The computer Grow, Elnore ’61 – Chemical Technology, BS (NDSU); 1966, makes it all possible. We are both Mac computer users, take lots Seattle University, Seattle, MSNS – Retired now for 7 years and of pictures, and have visited over 125 National Parks all over the enjoying it a lot. I mentor new young high school chemistry teach- country, and play a lot of bridge. Don’t know where I found the ers, write a newsletter for Colorado chem teachers and send to time to work! Hope to see some of you in October. PArK W & 640 of them. I teach a class at Colorado School of Mines each KAtHY LaWReNCe summer for new chemistry teachers. We travel often. The big trip this year is Croatia, Slovenia, and Montenegro in September. Nugent, Patrick ’70 – I have moved from Fargo to Bemidji in late Looking forward to 50 years in 2011. May. My new address is: Patrick Nugent, 12468 Irvine Ave NW, Bemidji, MN 56601, Tel: 218-243-3314, e-mail: patypat@charter. Haeuser, Lee W. ’96 – I am a Regional Sales Manager for Ener- net. I retired from MeritCare Medical Group in March 2007. I will con Industries in Menomonee Falls, WI. I am responsible for 12 be teaching a clinical chemistry course at UND this fall. Representatives and all 3D plasma surface treating sales in 75% of the U.S. and all of Canada. As the surface energy of a sub- Schurr, Gar ’40 – I have moved to: GARMOND G SCHURR, strate is increased, then wettabily is increased and materials like 1035 Madison Street, Apt 627, Belmont Assisted Living, Oak inks, paints and adhesives will spread out better and in results Park, IL 60302. My phone number is: 708 660 9416. Gar in enhanced product quality and production effi ciency. Within 2 Zerull, Lynn J., Col USAF (Ret) ’70 – I graduated in 1970, spe- weeks, we will be shipping two never created before products cializing in Polymers and Coatings. Three days after graduation, for major customers in emerging technologies. One is a 300L/ I was in the Air Force. There was still a draft and ROTC seemed min. fl ame plasma unit with 2 1000mm water-cooled burners. the way to go. I had intended to do my 4 years and get out, but, at The other is a variable chemistry plasma system which will use the 4 year point the Air Force offered a promotion to Captain and a mixture of several different ionized gases to treat fl uorinated an assignment to Germany. I couldn’t turn it down. I was still hav- polymers. I also have 2 children, William 10 and Emma 8. Lee W. ing fun. So I ended up doing 28 years and retired as a full Colo- Haeuser, 1033 12th Ave., Grafton, WI 53024 nel. My assignments include a year in Southeast Asia, a year in Hanish, John P. ’86 – John P. Hanish, (B.S. ‘86, Chemistry with Korea, 8 years in Germany, and nearly 10 years fl ying in AWACS. Biochemistry option and History) joined the law fi rm I live in Tucson, our fi nal home. My oldest son has graduated from of Heller Ehrman on June 1, 2007 as a Sharehold- the U of Arizona as an EE with a computer science minor. My er in the Intellectual Property Litigation Practice younger son is a business major at ASU with about a year to go. Group. His practice emphasizes patent litigation, He is fl uent in German and hopes to tie that in. My wife, Mari- patent licensing and pre-litigation strategies related lyn, attended NDSU and is now running for the AZ State House to patents and trade secrets. John and his wife, Margaret, have (2008). All in all, life has been good to me. Regards to all of you. two young children and live in Scarsdale, NY. The whole family

The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology 12 Spring 2008 Alumni News

Department Graduates Dec. 2006 - May 2007

Michelle Toutges Ph.D. (December 2006) Scott Rothstein M.S. (December 2006) Lance Doeden B.S. (May 2007) Ankit Gupta B.S. (May 2007) Brian Hokkanen B.S. (May 2007) Joel Kooren B.S. (May 2007) David Schultz B.S. (May 2007) Adam Wohl B.S. (May 2007) Dan Eiler B.S. (May 2007) John R. Sander B.S. (December 2006)

L to R: Dan Eiler, Brian Hokkanen, Dr. John Hershberger, Adam Wahl, Dr. Seth Rasmussen, David Schultz, Lance Doeden, and Joel Kooren

2007 Undergraduate Alumni Survey Some of our 2007 undergraduate majors were asked to tell (secretary), College of Science and Mathematics Ambassa- us about themselves. We asked them: (1) where they were dors (President), Student Government and Biotechnology Club from (hometown/HS year graduated), (2) what major, minor, (President). Future plans: Chemistry Ph.D. program at Yale or honors did they receive at NDSU, (3) what college activi- University. Favorite memory of NDSU: doing chemistry club ties they were involved in, (4) what are their future plans, demos at area schools. and (5) what was their favorite memory of NDSU or what will Kooren, Joel ’07 – Fargo, ND – Graduate of Fargo North High they miss the most about the NDSU-Chemistry department? School in 2003, received a Chemistry/Chemistry with Biochem Here’s a compilation of their replies: Option degree. College Activities: Chemistry Club, Undergrad- Wohl, Adam ’07 – Minot, ND – Graduate of Minot HS in uate research in Hershberger, Mallik and Srivastava labs, TA 2003, received an ACS-certifi ed Chemistry degree, minor in (teaching assistant) for Biochem 461. Future plans: Graduate Zoology, graduated Summa Cum Laude. College Activities: School in Biochemistry at the University of Minnesota. Favorite Chemistry Club, College of Science and Mathematics Am- memory of NDSU: Professor Dorsam’s quotes from Biochem bassadors, Organic SI instructor, Undergraduate Research 461 such as “I’m going to sound like a broken window” and in Rasmussen lab. Future plans: Graduate school in chem- “That’s a Protease, and those are teeth.” istry at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Favorite Doeden, Lance “07 – Fargo, ND – Graduate of Fargo South memory of NDSU: 2006 Rasmussen/Dorsam labs camping High School in 2002, received a Chemistry degree. College trip! Activities: Bison Ambassadors, Ask Me Campaign, Club Hokkanen, Brian ’07 – Anoka, MN – Graduate of Anoka Soccer, Intramural Hockey, Jazz Band, Phi Kappa Phi Honor HS in 2003, received a Chemistry degree. College Activi- Society, Golden Key International Honour Society, Who’s Who ties: Chemistry Club, Student Government, Undergraduate Among American College Students. Future plans: Attend medi- Research in Burghaus lab. Future plans: Working in indus- cal school…will apply in August. Favorite memory of NDSU: “I try - Process Chemist with Celanese Chemicals based in think I will miss the friendships the most at NDSU.” Dallas, Texas but he’ll be working at their Pampa, TX plant Schultz, David ’07 – Fargo, ND – Graduate of Fargo South (panhandle region). Favorite memory of NDSU: All of the High School in 2002, received Chemistry and Chemistry ACS conferences! The people in the department! Education degree, graduated with honors. College Activities: Eiler, Daniel ’07 – Fargo, ND – Graduate of Fargo South Chemistry Club, ATOMS (Aspiring Teachers of Math and Sci- High School in 2003, received a Chemistry and Biotechnol- ence), College of Science and Mathematics Ambassadors. ogy degree, minor in Microbiology, graduated with honors of Future plans: Teaching chemistry and biology at Fargo South Phi Kappa Phi, Mortar Board National Honor Society, Golden High. Favorite memory of NDSU: Attending national meetings Key Honour Society. College Activities: Chemistry Club with the chemistry club and doing school visits.

The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology 13 Spring 2008 ✩✩✩ Thanks to our Donors! ✩✩✩ Donors make important contributions to scholarship programs and other activities that enhance the student ex- perience. Below is a summary of donors to the department for the calendar years 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. We applaud you for your continued support!

CHEMISTRY– BIOCHEMISTRY FUND DONORS

ORGANIZATIONS Thomas DeRung Donald and Julie Klosterman Robert Price 3M Company Landis and Janet Doner Lawrence and Sandra Klosterman Francis and Christa Rajendram Abbott Laboratories Jon and Marijean Eggen Lisa Klosterman and Waller Crenshaw Aaron and Phyllis Rash Alcoa Foundation Daniel and Kristen Ehresmann Mary A. Klosterman Thomas and Susan Renner Altria Group Inc - Employee Dennis and Elizabeth Erickson Brian and Janet Knowles Daniel and Cindy Richter Involvement Programs Earl Evenstad Dennis and Bonita Knudsen Reuben and Loretta Rieke Ashland Inc Mary A. Farley Francis and Kay Koch Lynnette Riggio The Bertholf Trust Alvin and Lois Fasching Donald and Evelyn Koenecke David J. Rislove BP Matching Fund James and Diane Fasching Culver Ladd James and Charlotte Robbins Chevron Phillips Chemical Company Joseph and Dorothy Fischer Gerald and Carole Lamoureux Duane and Trinka Rogne Chevron Texaco Corp Julian and Nijole Fossen Arthur and Vivien Landau Robert and Elaine Rohloff District 45 Democratic - NPL Party Dr. D. S. Frear and Ms. Clotine Frear Oreste and Beulah Lantero Stephen and Bonita Ronshaugen Dow Chemical Co Ronald and Pauline Fredrickson Gerald and Jeanne Larsen Joe and Cheryl Schmit ExxonMobil Foundation Robert and Mary Friese John and Sarah Larson Nick Schmit Ford Motor Co Jack Gale Park and Kathy Lawrence Mary B. Schwehr General Electric Company John Gilmore Arthur and Alice Leadbetter Mukund P. Sibi HSBC - North America James J. Glaser Paul and Susan Lemke Dean and Tammy Sletten SC Johnson Fund Inc Dixie and Richard Grossman Victor and Betty Lindelow Gregory and Diane Slotten Medtronic Foundation Lawrence and Shirley Grossman Sharon and Neal Lockwood James and Karen Smith Osmonics, Inc Elnore and Ronald Grow James and Phyllis Lofgren Susan M. Snyder P P G Industries Marc and Rita Gustafson Maxwell R. Lucci Jacque and Louise Stockman Pfi zer Foundation Matching Gifts Program Vernon and Joanne Guyer John and Nancy Ludwig Deidre and Steven Strand Sanofi -Aventis Harold Haag Robert J. Ludwigsen Florence and Lawrence Strohmeyer Shell Oil Company Foundation Roger and Deborah Hagen Roald and Janet Lund James and May Sugihara Richard and Kathy Haisch Wayne and Barbara Lunsetter Jeffrey and Nancy Suttle INDIVIDUALS Walter and Moerlinah Hall Charles L. Lunsford Lara K. Tebelius John and Susan Altenburg Edward and Karen Handel Michael and Barbara Magelky Gary and Rachel Thompson Joseph and Marjorie Anderson Jennifer Harvester Glenn and Judy Martin Lewis J. Thompson Joan and Steven Axdal Hope C. Heaster Gregory and Denise McCarthy Thomas and Jean Tsai Helen and James Bastian Scott and Kim Henry Kevin and Harriette McCaul Bob and Mary Ann Tucker Tom and Diane Beck John Hershberger Lynn McHarness Frederick and Helen Turner Frank and Aldine Bender Clarence and Jane Hildebrand Allan and Maureen Meath Mark and Sue VanBenthem Thomas and Pingrong Bendetto Loren and Norma Hill Roxane F. Meidinger David and Teresa Vaske James and Debra Billigmeier Paul and Madonna Hipps Christopher and Jennifer Meyer Brady and Julie Vick Donald and Lynne Boerth Ronald and Marit Hoff Marvin and Patricia Miller Peter Walls Philip and Gertrude Boudjouk Clarence and Jeanette Hottman David Naegeli Irvin Wangsness Edward and Agnes Boulger Fu and Fung-Hwei Huang Amelia R. Nash Roger and Sherryl Wedel Michael and Judith Bourdeau Eleanor and Frank Hung Curtis H. Nelson Duane Weisshaar Bradford and Georgia Brakke Earl and Jane Hutchins Scott and Marna Nelson Jennifer and Aaron Whitcomb Jan Branthaver Morris and Catherine Johnson Timothy and Linda Nelson Michelle M. Wiest Charles and Elizabeth Buck Milton and Constance Johnson Robert and Elaine Newman Royce Winge Elizabeth D. Bushell Uruthirapasu and Bhavani Kalapathy Grant Olson and Gabrielle Vencel-Olson Doris M. Wischow Benjamin and Gladys Chan Craig and Debra Kapfer Robert and Mary Olson Willard and Jean Witteman Yenson E. Chin Michael and Elizabeth Kaytor Stephen Olson Richard and Laura Wohl Carisa and Terry Christensen Charles and Maxine Keefe Wendell and Carole Ostlie Mark and Joan Wolters Armin and Juanita Clobes Michael and Anne Klinkhammer Paul Otto Roy and Janelle Wong Downey and Verna Cunningham Steven Kloos Les and Bernice Pavek Wayne and Kathie Worner Daniel DeChaine Amy Klosterman Steven Petersen James and Marie Young William F. Deissler Bruce Klosterman Carl and Jerri Pfi ffner Susan L. Zimmerman

The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology 14 Spring 2008 Scholarship Information

■ Donald Bolin Memorial ■ Dr. Harold and Mary Ann ■ Roy Milde Fellowship Award Scholarship Klosterman Merit Scholarship A scholarship presented to an outstand- Awarded to outstanding student majors A newly created fund in 2007, which is ing graduate student who has been in chemistry or biochemistry. awarded to incoming freshman enrolled enrolled in the chemistry program for 2006-07 Recipients in the College of Science and Math- more than one year. Preference is given Travis Bjordahl, Millbank, SD ematics based on scholastic achieve- to graduates of high schools and col- Laura Haselhorst, Byron, MN ment. Preference is given to biochemis- leges in ND and the upper Midwest. Jennifer Klemond-Brottlund, Fargo, ND try or biotechnology majors. 2006-07 Recipients 2007-08 Recipients 2007-08 Recipients Darci R. Block, Jamestown, ND Laura Haselhorst, Byron, MN Katrina Gellerman 2007-08 Recipients Kristin Keller, Barney, ND Landon, Bladow, Hankinson, ND Erich Wilkerson, Clear Lake, MN ■ James & May Sugihara Scholarship ■ ■ Undergraduate Research Chemistry Department A scholarship presented to outstanding Fellowships in Chemistry Honor Scholarship students majoring in chemistry. These mentorships are awarded to Scholarship presented to chemistry or 2006-07 Recipients freshmen majoring in chemistry who biochemistry majors on the basis of Kelli Jo Syltie, Brookings, SD demonstrate strong potential for chemi- scholastic achievement. Adam R. Wohl, Minot, ND cal research. The award includes a 2006-07 Recipients 2007-08 Recipients research position in a faculty research Scott Jungwirth, Redfi eld, SD Robert Haaland, Mandan, ND laboratory and a $1200 stipend. Erich Wilkerson, Clear Lake, MN Andrew Sand, Jamestown, ND 2006-07 Recipients 2007-08 Recipients Kelli Jo Syltie, Brookings, SD Frances P. Bouret, Sheyenne Jarrett Failing Taylor P. Essen, Watertown, MN Miho Kaneko, Ube, Japan ■ Richard Glenn Wedel Samantha D. Houle, Williston, ND Memorial Scholarship Krystal D. Kalliokoski, Gardena, ND ■ Lawrence M. Debing A scholarship presented to an outstand- Natalie Lekang, Pelican Rapids, MN Memorial Scholarship ing student majoring in chemistry. Tara N. Slominski, Ardoch Scholarship presented to students in 2006-07 Recipients chemistry and biochemistry. Michael C. Nokelby, Fargo, ND ■ Graduate Student 2006-07 Recipients 2007-08 Recipients Fellowship Fund Samantha Houle, Williston, ND Anoklase Ayitou This fellowship helps to support gradu- Krystal Kalliokoski, Gardena, ND ate students in synthetic chemistry. 2007-08 Recipients Krystal Kalliokoski, Gardena, ND Andrea Rader, Fergus Falls, MN If you would like to donate to the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, please use this form. ------_ ■ Ralph Dunbar Memorial CHEMISTRY, BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY Scholarship DEVELOPMENT FUND Scholarships awarded to chemistry ma- Included is my gift of $______Please apply my gift to: (pick from the following selections) jors on the basis of scholastic achieve- ment and character as exemplifi ed by Ƒ Chemistry Department Honor Scholarship Ƒ Lawrence Debing Memorial Scholarship Ralph E. Dunbar, Dean of the College of Ƒ Ralph Dunbar Memorial Scholarship Ƒ Donald Bolin Memorial Scholarship Chemistry and Physics, 1945-1960. Ƒ James & May Sugihara Scholarship Ƒ Roy Milde Fellowship Award 2006-07 Recipients Ƒ Richard Glenn Wedel Memorial Scholarship Ƒ Graduate Student Fellowship Fund Joshua Swoyer, Andover, MN Michael Teubner, Roseau, MN Ƒ Dr. Harold and Mary Ann Klosterman Merit Scholarship Ƒ General Chemistry Department Fund (any unspecified gifts will be applied to this fund) 2007-08 Recipients Payment Options: Brett Erpelding, Fargo, ND Check enclosed (please make checks payable to NDSU Development Foundation). Bridget Kilen, New Salem, ND Credit card: Visa Mastercard Discover Ƒ Ƒ Ƒ Detach this form and send Amber Simpson, Finley, ND Card No ______Expiration Date ______with your gift to: Joshua Swoyer, Andover, MN Billing Address ______Development Foundation ______PO Box 5144 Phone: ( _____ ) ______Signature ______Fargo, ND 58105-5144 (required)

The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology 15 Spring 2008 North Dakota State University Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology Non-Profi t Org P. O. Box 5516 U. S. Postage Paid Fargo, ND 58105-5516 Permit No. 818 Fargo, ND 58105

Greetings from the Chair It has been a busy year in the department, a major 5-year, $10.5M grant involving faculty from several with several new personnel arriving, as well departments, with Dr. Mukund Sibi as center director. On a as multiple ongoing faculty searches. related note, we congratulate Dr. Sibi for his recent appoint- In August 2007, we welcomed two new ment as an NDSU Distinguished Professor, a new program tenure-track faculty to our department: Dr. honoring NDSU’s top faculty. Pinjing Zhao, assistant professor, special- Ongoing facility improvements include a complete renovation izes in organometallic chemistry, and Dr. of one of our general teaching laboratories, Ladd 309. The Guodong Liu, assistant professor, special- current room had extremely old and decrepit wooden fl oor- Dr. John Hershberger, Chair izes in bioanalytical chemistry. Both of their ing and benchwork, which are being torn out and replaced labs are off to great starts. In addition, we with a modern fl oor and an island bench layout, similar to that welcome Dr. Angel Ugrinov, staff crystallographer in the mate- used in the nearby Ladd 307. I expect that once completed rials characterization laboratory, and Rose Nichols, adminis- in summer 2008, this room will provide a greatly enhanced trative coordinator for the Center for Protease Research. laboratory environment for Chem 121L and 122L general A long range goal for many years has been to increase our chemistry students. Because of a more effi cient layout, it will research presence in biochemistry and molecular biology. As also increase our enrollment capacity for these courses, in a result, we are in the process of making faculty offers for four anticipation of expected enrollment increases over the next biochemistry/molecular biology positions, one of which is in few years. the area of biochemistry education. Two of these positions are partially funded by major center grants, and the biochemistry education position is part of a new NDSU initiative in STEM education. We are very hopeful that by Fall 2008 semester Front L to R: or shortly thereafter, we will be able to offer several new Rebecca Ober, research opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate Dr. Vaishali Samant; students in biochemistry. Back L to R: Dr. A major milestone was achieved last year in the renewal of John Hershberger, our NIH grant for the Center for Protease Research. This is Richard Wienhold