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3 Is ANnatusweethe? CREATIVE WRITING PAGE 16 SCIENCE, SCHOLARSHIP & THE ARTS AT THE MEDICAL RESEARCH PAGE 20 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS FORENSIC SCIENCE PAGE 36 A Student-Focused Public Research University Jonathan Reynolds Doctoral student Kristina Clemons works with the nanomanipulator developed by Guido Verbeck, associate professor of chemistry. A small-scale version of the device is being deployed to Afghanistan this summer, allowing military investigators in the field to identify chemical signatures on the nanoscale. Read more about Verbeck and other UNT forensic experts on page 36. staff box UNT Research is published for (where reasonable accommodations RESEARCH OFFICE Editors the Office of the Vice Presi dent can be made), disabled veteran status Julie Elliott Payne Vice President for Research and Randena Hulstrand for Research and Economic or veteran of the Vietnam era status Economic Development Jill King Development by the Division in its educational programs, activities, Geoff Gamble Writers of University Relations, admissions or employment policies. Senior Associate Vice President Ernestine Bousquet Communications and Marketing, In addition to complying with federal for Research Jessica DeLeón University of North Texas. The and state equal opportunity laws and Ruthanne Thomas Nancy Kolsti Adrienne Nettles research office can be reached regulations, the university through Associate Vice President Buddy Price at 1155 Union Circle #310979, its diversity policy declares harass- for Research Ellen Rossetti Kenneth Sewell Denton, Texas 76203-5017, 940- ment based on individual differ- Julie West Leslie Wimmer 369-7487. The publication is mailed ences (including sexual orientation) URCM Alyssa Yancey periodically from Denton, Texas. inconsistent with its mission and Articles may be reprinted in their educational goals. Direct questions Vice President for University Designers Relations, Communications Steven Altuna entirety with acknowledgment unless or concerns to the equal opportunity and Marketing Amy Hillberry they are published in UNT Research office, 940-565-2759, or the dean of Deborah Leliaert Nola Kemp Kit Young by permission of another source. students, 940-565-2648. TTY access Associate Vice President Sean Zeigler Requests for photographs or illustra- is available at 940-369-8652. for University Relations, tions should be addressed to the edi- Communications and Marketing Photographers Marty Newman Michael Clements tors at URCM, University of North The UNT System and the Jun Ma Texas, 1155 Union Circle #311070, University of North Texas are the own Assistant Vice President Gary Payne Denton, Texas 76203-5017, 940- for University Relations, Jonathan Reynolds ers of all of their trademarks, service Communications and Marketing Angilee Wilkerson 565-2108. marks, trade names, slogans, graphic Kelley Reese It is the policy of the University images and photography and they may Online Communications Senior Director Michelle Hale of North Texas not to discriminate not be used without permission. of Communication Systems Eric Vandergriff on the basis of race, color, religion, and Digital Marketing 3 [sex, 2013 age, national unt Researchorigin, disability |unt.edu/untresearch 01/13 (13-058) Kenn Moffitt Project Traffic Erica Blount Laura Robinson Contents 2013/ Vol. 22 ON THE COVER At the new Research Greenhouse Complex at UNT’s Discovery Park, Stevens Brumbley, associate profes- sor of biological sciences, is engineering grasses such as sugarcane to create more environmentally friendly FEATURES plastic. Bioplastics or their precursors are made in the cells of the plants, accumulating there until harvested. 16 Creative Writing UNT’s program makes a name for itself with renowned faculty and talented student writers. By Julie West Medical Research 20 Nanoparticles, nerve networks and mutant worms help battle disease. By Alyssa Yancey Jonathan Reynolds 26 Sustainability Researchers use ideas from nature and design with nature in mind to keep the planet green. By Ernestine Bousquet Forensic Science 36 From battlefields to campus laboratories, faculty use mass spectrometry and forensic insights to help solve crimes. By Ellen Rossetti DEPARTMENTS 44 NSF Graduate Fellows President’s Note // 4 Students in chemistry, engineering and environmental At the forefront of new ideas science earn prestigious support. Initiatives // 5 By Adrienne Nettles Excellence in plant science, decade-long partnership Peace Studies News Briefs // 8 48 Autism research, Fulbright winners, new NSF funding Faculty in the Castleberry Peace Institute study the factors Faculty Books // 24 that influence political violence and human security. Police in Rome, endangered languages, zooarchaeology By Nancy Kolsti Student Researchers // 32 Computer algorithms, postpartum depression, sustainable tourism, novel solar cells Faculty Researchers // 39 Titanium alloys, machine learning, new media, immune suppression, systems maturity assessment End Note // 51 Collaborative research and new facilities unt.edu/untresearch | unt Research 2013 ] 3 PRESIDENT’S NOTE « V. Lane Rawlins is the 15th president in the 123-year history of the University of North Texas. he University of North Texas has a long history of nationally recognized excellenceT in the arts, education and humanities. In recent years — encouraged by the state’s efforts to support emerging research universities — we also have put more empha- web links and info sis on fast-growing, innovative programs in engineering and science. UNT is making good progress. Since the creation of our College of Engineering in FOR MORE INFORMATION 2003, the college has made incredible gains in enrollment, innovative degree programs For more information about the and research. It has world-class programs such as materials science and mechanical and energy engineering. And it is establishing itself as a pacesetter in the areas of energy- projects and researchers featured efficient materials and green building technologies and practices. in UNT Research, visit us online Capitalizing on long-held strengths in the sciences — which include a century-old at unt.edu/untresearch, email chemistry program, a nearly 90-year-old biological sciences program and a more than [email protected] or contact: 75-year legacy in the environmental sciences — the university is fast becoming one of the nation’s preeminent research hubs in plant science research. The scientists in our University of North Texas Signaling Mechanisms in Plants research cluster are studying how plant cells communi- Office of the Vice President for cate, finding solutions for energy, agriculture, nutrition and medicine. Guided by our four bold goals, we are focused on high quality in every area — educa- Research and Economic Development tion, research, student support, workplace operations and community engagement. Our 1155 Union Circle #310979 emphasis on students and student success includes a more intense focus on research per- Denton, Texas 76203-5017 formance and scholarship. 940-369-7487 We strive to be a university that is at the forefront of new ideas and new technologies. Having innovative faculty who are at the leading edge improves the quality of education. FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES OF And it means our students are taught in an environment that instills the knowledge and skills that are necessary to excel in their careers. THE MAGAZINE, CONTACT: University of North Texas Division of University Relations, Sincerely, Communications and Marketing 1155 Union Circle #311070 Denton, Texas 76203-5017 V. Lane Rawlins 940-565-2108 President [email protected] 4 [ 2013 unt Research |unt.edu/untresearch INITIATIVES Plant Signaling A new era of scientific research is evolv- ing at UNT, and it is being led by the Signaling Mechanisms in Plants research cluster. The most mature of the univer- sity’s initial collaborative research groups created in 2008 to strengthen the state’s economy, bolster research and develop technology vital to societal needs, the clus- ter has made strides in hiring faculty and developing infrastructure. New Faculty Hires World renowned plant scientists Ron Mittler, Vladimir Shulaev and Rajeev Gary Payne Azad all joined the university in 2010. Together with six founding plant cluster researchers, they have helped bring more UNT’s Signaling Mechanisms in Plants research cluster is home to a new lab named a Center of Innova- than $15 million in research funding to tion by the Waters Corp. The Metabolomics and Metabolic Signaling Pathway Research Labora tory is UNT in the last three years. overseen by Vladimir Shulaev, professor of biological sciences, center, shown with lab researchers. Joining the group in February 2013 is Richard A. Dixon, a specialist in meta- bolic engineering of plants and a National Metabolomics Laboratory novel plant-derived chemicals with poten- Academy of Sciences member. He has In addition to successes in faculty hir- tial benefits for health and nutrition. served as the director and founder of ing, the cluster also has made strides in Shulaev’s lab is one of about 20 world- the plant biol- creating new state-of-the-art laborato- wide to be selected for the Waters Corp. ogy division ries. In fall 2012, the Metabolomics and Centers of Innovation program, which at the Samuel Metabolic Signaling Pathway Research recognizes analytical scientists facilitating Roberts Noble Laboratory overseen by Shulaev opened breakthroughs in health and life science, Foundation since and was named a Center of Innovation by environmental protection