Attacking Disease Through Plant Science

NEWS

Attacking disease through plant science

SPRING/SUMMER 2003 FROM THE DEAN CONTENTS

COLLEGECLAS OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES NEWS oday, I shook the hands of 800 new Liberal Arts and Sciences’ graduates.As I write Inthisissue CLAS News is published by the this, it’s the end of the academic year and, for these new alumni, the end of their Arizona State University College Tundergraduate experience.The reward for them is the diploma they carry into new of Liberal Arts and Sciences Office careers and new lives.The reward for me, and for all the faculty and staff in the college, is of College Advancement for alumni knowing that our work helps students succeed; that we can make a real difference in their and friends of the college. lives; that we contribute something of value to them, their families, their communities. DEAN: As one of the largest metropolitan research universities in the country,ASU serves David A.Young 3 BATTLING INVISIBLE FOES many, many students every day, every year. One of the most important things we can do DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE Microbiology professor Bert Jacobs and chemistry alumna Michelle Hanna to help those students succeed is to make their experience here intimate and personally ADVANCEMENT: are collaborating on efforts to protect the world from biological terrorism. rewarding—to take all the richness offered by the multitude of opportunities at a big uni- Sandra McKenzie versity and make them individualized and human-sized. One of the most exciting new EDITOR: 5 AROUND THE COLLEGE programs developed this year—CLAS Learning Communities—will do just that.You can Barby Grant CLAS Learning Communities; Islamic studies certificate; Dean’s Advisory Council; read more about the program on Page 5. SUMS Institute Presidential Award; Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict The creation of Learning Communities marks an important new direction for the col- DESIGNER: lege. It serves as the centerpiece of our efforts to make general education at ASU more suited to the Michael Dambrowski 7 ON THE COVER OF NATURE varied learning styles and abilities of students. Learning Communities focus on examining ideas from vari- WRITERS: Recent discoveries by geologist Philip Christensen and astronomer Sumner ous disciplinary perspectives, enabling students to attain a rich, high level of intellectual development and Diane Boudreau Starrfield make the cover of a top science journal in the same month. to quickly grasp the complexity of real-world, modern day issues and events. Results from other schools Lisa Frawley that have created similar programs show that freshmen who participate in learning communities are more Barby Grant 9 RESEARCH BRIEFS likely to stay in college and graduate. DeEtte Person Maureen Roen Creating an artificial calcium pump; testing a promising new cancer drug; con- The college received a $50,000 grant from the Arizona Board of Regents to put the program in place ducting a social survey of Phoenix; discovering young star-forming galaxies; for a cohort of freshmen entering this coming fall. If the program is as successful as we expect it to be, CONTRIBUTORS: advancing knowledge about cochlear implants CLAS Learning Communities will transform the educational experience for many more students in years Sarah Auffret to come. Gary Campbell 11 ATTACKING DISEASE THROUGH PLANT SCIENCE More than anything, great teachers make great students.Another initiative started this year—the James Hathaway Plant biologist Charles Arntzen has launched a new enterprise that promises to Dean’s Distinguished Professors Program—will reward and honor faculty excellence. Keeping our very Keith Jennings make safe, affordable vaccines available to children all over the world. best professors at ASU is essential to student success and, indeed, to the success of the university as a Nancy Neff whole.You can read about Laurie Leshin, the first CLAS Dean’s Distinguished Professor, beginning on Manny Romero 15 A WOMAN ON A MISSION Page 15. Laurie is an ideal example of the extraordinary faculty talent we have at ASU.As you will read PHOTOGRAPHERS: Geologist Laurie Leshin is the college’s first Dean’s Distinguished Professor and is inside, Dee and John Whiteman provided the funding to make Laurie’s professorship possible.As this pub- Dave Tevis vying to become the first woman in the world to head a space mission. lication was going to press, we received a commitment from Dean’s Advisory Council member Franca Tim Trumble Oreffice to fund a second Dean’s Distinguished Professorship. 17 FACULTY NEWS The scholarship and fellowship initiative that I’ve written about before on this page also has begun to Direct comments or questions to: Research, Teaching and Service Awards; In memoriam take shape.This year, alumni and friends of the college have contributed more than $500,000 to support Barby Grant Communications Manager undergraduate scholarship and graduate fellowship awards.This fund-raising effort is perhaps our most College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 19 CLAS ALUMS IN THE INNER CIRCLE critical initiative, because no matter how great our academic programs and professors are, students will Arizona State University not be successful if they can’t afford to attend or stay in school, or if they need to work long hours. PO Box 871701 Among Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano’s top staff and agency heads are, count ‘em, four graduates of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Today, I was inspired and moved, knowing that ASU had made a difference to the hearts and minds of Tempe,AZ 85287-1701 480-965-1441 those 800 students reaching this important milestone. I’m hoping that they, like you, will value their ASU [email protected] experience. I’m hoping that they, like you, will pursue a lifetime of learning.And I’m hoping that they, 21 CLASS NOTES AND ALUMNI PROFILES like you, will want to continue to give back—to support the teachers who have led them and the students Visit the college Web site at Mike Berens, B.S. in zoology, 1976 www.asu.edu/clas Tom Richey, B.S in psychology, 1979 who will follow them.All of us together, and each of us as an involved and caring individual, will continue CLAS News is supported Randy Nelson, Ph.D. in chemistry, 1990 to make ASU great. by the resources of the ASU Alumni Association. 25 STELLAR STUDENTS Collin Raymond and Esther Ellsworth make USA Today’s academic “all-star” team

David A.Young 29 CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS Dean

Cover photo: Plant biologist Charles Arntzen harvests vaccine-containing tomatoes grown at a specially designed greenhouse at ASU East. TOPICAL FEATURE TOPICAL FEATURE

BATTLING INVISIBLE FOES

AMERICA MAY BOAST THE WORLD’S ne of the most frightening poten- host to produce antibodies technology for detecting DNA, RNA and tors when developing a field device,” says tial weapons in the bioterrorist’s against future infection. protein,” explains Hanna. “It’s a core tech- Hanna. GREATEST MILITARY STRENGTH, BUT Oarsenal is smallpox. It is the dead- So far, the vaccine has nology that can be applied to thousands of Hanna originally started her company liest contagious disease known.The main been shown to work in different things.” in 1999 to create early-cancer detection ITS GUNS, MISSILES AND TANKS ARE form of smallpox kills 30 percent of its mice.The next step will be For example, Ribomaker can be used systems, which the company still develops. victims, and some rarer forms are nearly testing in humans. to detect bacteria or viruses. Hanna’s com- She got involved with bioterrorism almost COMPLETELY POWERLESS AGAINST always fatal. “We’ve told NIH that pany has received a grant from the National by accident. Although widespread vaccination we will have material avail- Institute for Allergies and Infectious Dis- “I gave a talk at the Arizona Bioindus- ONE POTENTIAL THREAT—GERMS. efforts eradicated this disease from natural able for clinical trials in a eases to assess viral loads. Hanna will try Expo at Motorola and someone there existence, government officials worry that year and a half,” Jacobs collaborate with Jacobs in this study to heard me speak about what we were do- SINCE SEPT. 11, 2001, AND THE samples from laboratory stocks might have reports. “We did all of our assess his smallpox vaccine and to tweak ing,” Hanna recalls.“That person passed on fallen into the wrong hands. If released, old experiments with a the smallpox-detection process. the information to someone in the govern- ANTHRAX ATTACKS THAT OCTOBER, the disease could have devastating effects strain of virus adapted to Here is where Jacobs’ knowledge of ment who then contacted me for specifics. on an unprotected population. cause disease in mice.We’ve smallpox genetics comes in handy. He He immediately flew out and then found THE UNITED STATES HAS HAD TO The U.S. government has started got to take a strain that knows how to prevent terrorists from suc- seed money for my company.We didn’t vaccinating military personnel and some could be used in humans cessfully mutating the disease to escape compete with anybody—it was a really PREPARE FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF medical professionals against smallpox in and engineer our mutant detection. unusual way of getting money.” case of such a threat. However, the vaccine strains for that.” “If you make a detector that targets a Hanna’s experience may reflect the FUTURE TERRORIST ACTS INVOLVING itself is risky, occasionally causing illness or Once fully developed, particular gene, a terrorist might try to urgency with which the federal govern- even death. Jacobs’ vaccine could offer engineer the virus so that it doesn’t contain ment is addressing biological terrorism. INVISIBLE, MICROSCOPIC BUT ASU microbiology Professor Bert greater hope for mass vacci- that gene,” he explains. “But I know from The Department of Homeland Security Jacobs is working to change that. He is nation programs.Although my research that without the E3L gene, states on its Web site that one of the most INCREDIBLY POWERFUL WEAPONS. President Bush proposed a smallpox becomes harmless.” important missions we have as a nation is one of the world’s foremost experts on ASU microbiologist Bert Jacobs in his lab. vaccinia, the virus used to make smallpox widespread vaccine program By creating a detector that targets E3L, to be prepared for that threat. MANY SCIENTISTS AROUND THE vaccine. Jacobs has studied the vaccinia tions. In about one in 100,000 kids, the for emergency workers such as doctors, Hanna and Jacobs can help thwart terror- virus for nearly two decades.When he virus spreads to the brain and causes en- firefighters and police officers, that pro- ists who might try to engineer the bug. COUNTRY HAVE RALLIED TO THE started his work, he never imagined that cephalitis, which has a 50 percent mortal- gram has fallen far short of its goals. Few RIBOMED also is working with the smallpox would ever again threaten human ity rate. Immune-compromised persons, people are volunteering for the shots due Department of Defense to use Ribomaker CAUSE, HELPING THE GOVERNMENT health. He simply wanted to study how such as those with organ transplants and to the health risks involved. Even without technology for creating rapid, portable viruses, in general, evade the immune AIDS patients, are also at risk from the a severe reaction, the vaccine can produce detection devices for use in the field.The DEVELOP NEW WAYS TO DETECT system. vaccine. some very unpleasant side effects. current “gold standard” for detection is “We realized that vaccinia virus is “The original vaccine is a live virus, “Students in my lab, some of them get called polymerase chain reaction, and it BIOLOGICAL AGENTS AND PROTECT very good at evading the body’s defenses. and it just rips right through these people,” vaccinated,” says Jacobs. “One of them was requires time, electricity and several tem- So it was natural to work with it,” Jacobs says Jacobs. out of work for about a week from the perature levels to function. THE POPULATION FROM THEIR explains. Jacobs and his team have genetically vaccine. He had a big red welt and blister, “These soldiers out in the field are What started out as basic research engineered the vaccinia virus to remove as well as flulike symptoms.” carrying 60 pounds of batteries just to run EFFECTS. AMONG THOSE RESEARCH- took on new meaning after Sept. 11, 2001. the major risks while still producing an all their equipment,” says Hanna. “We Now Jacobs is applying his years of experi- DETECTION AGENTS want to create a portable, instrument-free immune response in people vaccinated RIBOMED CEO Michelle Hanna (foreground) and director of ERS ARE A FACULTY MEMBER AND ence and knowledge to developing a better with it. He works with a gene called E3L. While Jacobs is perfecting his vaccine, he device, similar to a home pregnancy test chemistry Fabiyola Selvaraj analyze data from an abscrip- smallpox vaccine, with funding from the also will be working with CLAS alumna or glucose testing strips.The government tion assay. Selvaraj also is a CLAS alum. She graduated in “We’ve spent 18 years figuring out 1999 with a Ph.D. in chemistry. AN ALUMNA OF THE ASU COLLEGE National Institutes of Health. how vaccinia virus evades your immune Michelle Hanna on methods to detect the hopes that our soldiers can be out there The current smallpox vaccine, though system,” says Jacobs. “Based on that re- virus before it can spread and infect multi- with tiny tubes with a stick and test for Fortunately, scientists like Hanna OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES. effective against the disease, carries its own search, we’ve learned to make a virus that tudes of people. multiple pathogens.You can’t do that with and Jacobs have the flexibility to change dangers. Normal reactions include a red cannot evade your body’s defenses.We Hanna, who earned her B.S. in chem- existing technology.” research directions when the need arises welt and blister, flulike symptoms, sweats, have clearly shown that the E3L gene is istry from ASU in 1978 and is an adjunct Ribomaker is isothermal, meaning it and the creativity to apply existing knowl- fever and fainting. absolutely essential to cause disease. Small- professor, is president and chief executive can be used at one temperature. It relies edge to new and complex challenges. “It’s not like getting a flu shot or a pox has an almost identical gene.” officer of Phoenix-based RIBOMED.The on a novel process called abscription, Their work contributes to keeping all of tetanus shot,” says Jacobs. By disabling E3L, Jacobs has rendered company created the Ribomaker™ Detec- which stands for abortive transcription. us safe. ■ More worrisome are the serious com- the virus unable to cause disease in the tion System. “Abscription appears to be faster and plications that can occur in some popula- host body. However, it still induces the “Ribomaker is a new signal-generation more robust than PCR—two critical fac-

CLASNews | 3 CLASNews | 4 COLLEGE UPDATES COLLEGE UPDATES AROUND THE COLLEGE

“Around the College” features reports on academic, organization- “CLAS Learning Communities will provide the envi- “I expect the Dean’s Advisory Council to become my al and personnel changes, new facilities and other information ronment of a small liberal arts college within the larger most valuable external resource,” says Young. “The DAC university setting,” explains Kyle Longley, associate profes- will help strengthen the college and ensure that it is fully about what’s happening in CLAS. sor of history, who will co-teach the war, culture and integrated into the fabric of the community and posi- memory course cluster.“As a professor, I look forward to tioned to play an integral role in addressing complex ACADEMICS the opportunity to truly know my students and help them issues and advancing the quality of life.” learn and adapt to ASU.” Charter members of the DAC include five CLAS CLAS Learning Communities To further promote a sense of community among par- alumni and six non-alumni community leaders.Alumni ticipants, the college has reserved a block of rooms in Palo members are Barry Aarons, former director of govern- to shrink ASU down to size Verde West residence hall. Students who register for the ment relations and public policy for US West and now Although ASU is a large university, the College of Liberal Learning Communities course clusters also have the option owner of his own consulting firm;Alex Barbanell, a Arts and Sciences is trying to shrink it down to size for of living together. retired insurance-industry executive; Maurice Portley, an a number of freshmen enrolling this fall.The college is Bivona plans to evaluate the pilot program during its Arizona Court of Appeals judge; Jose Ronstadt, news implementing a pilot project called CLAS Learning Com- first year, measuring both student and faculty satisfaction as anchor for the Los Angeles Telemundo station KWHY-TV; munities that will help students ease into university life well as student retention and mastery of subject matter and and John Whiteman, chairman of the Whiteman and get the most out of their freshman year. writing and research skills. If the pilot program is success- Foundation and former chairman and CEO of Empire CLAS Learning Communities are 9- to 12-credit ful, it will be expanded the following year. Southwest.Whiteman chairs the DAC. clusters of courses organized around a common theme and “Our goal for CLAS Learning Communities is to Community members are John Mattox, chair of the taught by a team of faculty from three or four disciplines. provide a more learner-centered environment that allows obstetrics and gynecology department Course material and extracurricular activities will be inte- students to take control of their own education,” says at Good Samaritan Regional Medical grated to enhance students’ intellectual development. Bivona. “We believe the result will be higher retention and Center; Florence Nelson, a member of “We know that many students find it difficult to syn- graduation rates as well as better-educated students.” the ASU Foundation board; Franca thesize material from the variety of courses they typically Oreffice, a Valley philanthropist; Dinky take during their freshman year of college,” says Dan Islamic studies certificate offered Snell, former chair of the ASU Foun- Bivona, associate dean for academic programs, who is Ever since Sept.11, 2001, interest in Islam has surged dation board and co-chair of the ASU spearheading the project. “CLAS Learning Communities throughout the country. Beginning this fall, undergrad- Campaign for Leadership; Bob Staley, are designed so that students address a complex issue or uate students at ASU will be able to earn a certificate owner of S.B. Partners in Illinois and a problem from different disciplinary perspectives.That way, in Islamic studies to supplement their degree program. Phoenix restaurant investor; and Joe they can see how the material fits together.” The department of religious studies will offer the certifi- Zavislak, vice president of Infincom/

Three course clusters are being offered this fall cate, which students in any major can earn by complet- PORTRAIT OF MUGHAL EMPEROR AURANGZEB, COLLECTION THE PHOENIX ART MUSEUM, GIFT GEORGE P. BICKFORD Ikon Office Solutions. on the following topics: war, culture and memory; ing 26 hours of coursework in Islamic studies, including “I feel honored to be part of this multicultural America; and human disease and eight hours in Arabic, Indonesian or another approved with the requirements of any undergraduate major, will group of outstanding community leaders,” says Whiteman. society. Each cluster is limited to fewer than language. receive a certificate and recognition on their transcript. “And I’m excited about the potential we have to make a 100 students and will have a student/fac- “This new certificate program will enable students Earning an Islamic studies certificate will prepare stu- difference at ASU and for the College of Liberal Arts and ulty ratio of 25-to-1. with an interest in the complex, temporally and geo- dents for graduate-school programs in religious studies Sciences in particular.” Faculty members are design- graphically diverse Islamic tradition to demonstrate that or Islamic studies or any professional program, such as ing the classes to include a mix they have taken a range of courses leading to a basic business or law, with a focus on global Muslim societies. OUTREACH of lectures, online content understanding of the religion,” says Joel Gereboff, chair and small discussion sec- of the religious studies department. “Having a certificate EXTERNAL SUPPORT White House honors math, tions, including an program also will help students easily identify all the science mentoring program integrative seminar. courses related to Islam that are taught in a variety of Dean forms advisory council President George W.Bush recently honored a program in They also will focus on academic programs across the university.” CLAS Dean David Young has a new group of advisers. the ASU mathematics and statistics department for its developing students’ writ- The religious studies department has three full-time He recently formed a Dean’s Advisory Council (DAC), a work helping to prepare high school students for math and ing skills, oral presentation Islamic scholars on its faculty as well as a distinguished select group of alumni and other community leaders who science careers.The SUMS Institute (Strengthening the skills and information literacy.The visiting professor and a faculty associate. Relevant cours- will work closely with him to secure financial, political Understanding of Mathematics and Sciences) is one of six low student-to-faculty ratio and es also are offered in the departments of anthropology, and community support for the college.The group held its organizations nationwide to win a 2002 Presidential Award unique course design mean students will geography, history, and languages and literatures, as well first meeting in April.The DAC’s focus for the next six for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering have much more contact with their profes- as the Southeast Asian studies and Russian and East months will be raising funds for the Dean’s Distinguished Mentoring.The awards were presented at the White House sors than they would in regular general-studies European studies programs. Professors program, created to help the college retain its in March. continued on page 27 courses. Students completing the certificate program, along most talented faculty. (See Page 15 for related story.)

CLASNews | 5 CLASNews | 6 RESEARCH NEWS RESEARCH NEWS ASU

Martian Meltings Space to the crest of the rim. If there’s a leak- calculating the star’s distance from Earth. “At the present time, we ing subsurface aquifer, there’s not much Some of the light from the latest don’t know how to make a In the March 6 issue of Nature, Korrick subsurface up there,” he continues. outburst travels to the dust and then model to explain this,” says Presidential Professor of Geological “And, finally, why do they occur gets reflected toward Earth. Because the Starrfield. “It’s a mystery star and Sciences PHILIP CHRISTENSEN provides a Research preferentially on the cold face of the light takes longer to reach the Earth very exciting.” convincing explanation for the existence slope at mid-latitudes? If it’s melting than light coming directly from the star of gullies on Mars—a mystery that has groundwater causing the flow, that’s the itself, scientists are able to estimate the Paleozoic puzzled scientists since the gullies were coldest place, and the least likely place distance of the star from the Earth. discovered three years ago.The gullies Graces for that to happen.” The researchers currently estimate the Plant Sperm indicate the recent presence of liquid The new theory is exciting to biol- star to be about 20,000 light years Another CLAS researcher’s work water on the planet’s surface. Scientists ogists because patches of snow still exist away. was also in Nature the same week have been unable to reconcile this evi- Two in the midlatitudes of Mars. Christensen Starrfield and a colleague from as Starrfield’s cover story. Plant dence with the frigid climate of Mars. suggests that melting could be occurring the University of Arizona used biologist Kathleen Pigg and two Photos from NASA’s Mars Odyssey beneath these mantles today, providing ground-based telescopes to study co-authors from Japan and Australia camera, run by Christensen, have pro- the liquid water necessary to sustain life. the light from the star.They found published findings that will have sig- vided new clues that seem to resolve the Nature nificant implications for the evolution Perhaps the mantles shown in the Odys- that V838 Mon is actually a binary issue.Visible-light photos taken by the sey photos hide thriving communities of star system, with one star smaller of pollination biology.The trio has orbiting spacecraft have enough resolu- bacteria or algae. and hotter than its partner. discovered fossilized pollen tubes and tion to show the gullies clearly and Covers Christensen’s research also gener- The outburst was somewhat swimming sperm from the now-extinct provide enough breadth of view to ated excitement among media outlets similar to that of a nova, which plant Glossopteris. include surrounding terrain as well. around the world. It was featured on the also occurs in binary systems. In a Glossopteris dominated the Christensen noticed mantles of what is HAVING ITS RESEARCH front page of the Los Angeles Times and nova, a star dumps hydrogen onto a Southern Hemisphere during the probably snow next to the gullies. in the New York Times, the Washington compact white dwarf companion star. Permian period (290 to 248 million Christensen suggests that snow fell FEATURED ON THE COVER Post, the Boston Globe, the Boston The hydrogen piles up until it explodes years ago).This extinct seed plant at these latitudes tens of thousands of Herald, USA Today and other newspa- by nuclear fusion, blowing away the is well known for its role in docu- years ago when the planet’s tilt was pers and wire services throughout the surrounding dust and gas to expose a menting continental drift, and leaves right for such an occurrence.As the OF THE ESTEEMED SCIENCE United States and abroad. searing hot core. of Glossopteris were collected near planet turned more “upright,” the area V838 Mon, however, did not the South Pole by Robert F. Scott warmed and the surface snow trapped JOURNAL NATURE IS A Mystery Star expel its outer layers. Instead, it grew and his field party, demonstrating its heat inside.As the lower snow melt- In May 2002, astronomers witnessed an enormously while its surface dropped that Antarctica was not always cov- ed, it ran down the Martian slopes, FEATHER IN ANY amazing phenomenon—a star that to temperatures not much hotter than ered with ice. protected from evaporation by the flashed like a camera bulb, 600,000 a light bulb.This behavior is very The fossil, found in Queens- packed upper crust. times its normal brightness, making it unusual and different from a normal land,Australia, is dated at 250 UNIVERSITY’S CAP. ASU Christensen’s explanation seems briefly the brightest star in the galaxy. nova. million years old.The find includes more plausible than previously posited Now scientists are trying to understand “We don’t know of any other star five fossilized pollen tubes in the theories. Some scientists have suggested WAS BRIGHT WITH PLUMAGE this mysterious outburst. that’s ever done this kind of double- pollen chamber of a single seed. that gullies were formed by runoff from Hubble Space Telescope photos of peaked outburst,” says Starrfield. “We The presence of very simple pollen subsurface aquifers. Others claim that THIS SPRING AFTER CLAS the star, known as V838 Monocerotis, can tell from the picture that this is tubes and fossilized swimming near-surface ice melted during warmer adorned the March 27 issue of Nature. probably a recurring event.The fact sperm indicate the plant had more periods and caused the erosion.These The photos accompanied an article pre- that there’s material around the star primative reproduction than con- RESEARCHERS GRACED theories, however, have significant draw- sented by a multi-agency team that means that it has probably been eject- ifers or flowering plants and more backs. included ASU Regents’ Professor of ed in previous outbursts.” closely resembled cycads and Gink- “The gullies are very young,” says NATURE COVERS TWICE IN A Physics and Astronomy SUMNER The scientists are baffled by V838 go.The pollen tubes differ signif- Christensen. “They’ve always bothered STARRFIELD. Mon’s behavior.They think it could icantly from those of all living seed me, because how is it that Mars has SINGLE MONTH. The stunning flash of light is illumi- represent a transitory stage in a star’s plants and suggest that Glossopteris groundwater close enough to the surface nating, both literally and figuratively.As evolution that is rarely seen. Light echoing believe that this new light echo will be ob- pollen tubes are the simplest known of all to form these gullies, and yet the water light from the outburst spread into off circumstellar dust in our Milky Way servable for the next decade, and they plan gymnosperms and document an early stage has stuck around for billions of years? space, it reflected off of surrounding galaxy was last seen in 1936, long before to study the phenomenon thoroughly using in the evolution of pollination biology. ■ “Second, you have craters with rims rings of dust and gas. Scientists are using Hubble was available to offer exquisite, a variety of space- and ground-based tele- that are raised, and the gullies go almost this “light echo” in a novel approach to detailed images. Fortunately, scientists scopes.

CLASNews | 7 CLASNews | 8 RESEARCH NEWS RESEARCH NEWS Briefs Briefs Explains Thomas Moore, “The para- change shape from flat to round and plug home five years from now. brain-wave responses to sound with the digms for nanotechnology almost all come up the capillaries that feed the tumors, all “Even though it is likely that many responses of children who had been fitted from biology.The things we emulate are the while leaving healthy cells intact. of them actually will move,” points out with cochlear implants at various ages. ready-built.We have to figure out how they “The results during the Phase I trial Harlan, “they seem to be living and estab- What they learned was that follow- work, take the basic principles out of them, for combretastatin exceeded all of our lishing social connections as if they will stay. ing birth there is a rapid development of Hailing the and get down to the nuts and bolts, gears expectations,” says Pettit, who has spent That’s good for healthy neighborhoods.” neurological pathways for several years, and wheels of the way they work.” a lifetime scouring the world for cancer The study found some paradoxes be- leveling off around age 4.The presence of Calcium Cab weapons in plants, marine animals and tween residents’ environmental concerns implants during that critical time period, Since ASU’s Center for the Choking Cancer’s microorganisms. He has more anti-cancer and their actual practices. For example, stimulating the auditory nerve cells of deaf Study of Early Events in Photosynthesis drugs in clinical trial than any other respondents said their number one envi- children in a way that mimics the healthy was launched 15 years ago, its affiliated Supply Lines chemist. ronmental concern is the future water ear, allows them to develop the neural scientists have been scrutinizing the com- Zulu warriors used an extract from the supply, but water usage in their own neigh- pathways needed for interpreting and complex molecular systems that work so South African willow tree, Combretum Feeling at Home in borhood concerns them much less. Similar- prehending speech. elegantly in nature to transform light into caffrum, as a charm to ward off enemies. ly, half of respondents at the fringes of the “With an implant,” says Dorman, energy. Increasingly, they’re finding ways Today, a compound from the root bark Metropolitan Phoenix city said more pristine desert land should “90 percent of kids at the right age would to adapt their understanding to other areas of this willow, identified and isolated at The Phoenix metro area is characterized be preserved but also think that housing have normal pathway development. If you of science. ASU’s Cancer Research Institute, is show- by rapid development, substantial levels density in the Valley is too high. implant under 31/2,you’re catching the In this Hubble Telescope image, arrows point to faint Most recently, a team headed by ing promise for treating some of the rarest of migration and population turnover, and The researchers have secured funding objects thought to be young star-forming galaxies more window of sensitivity. Responses are with- chemistry professors DEVENS GUST, ANA and most difficult cancers. great socio-economic diversity.Would it from the National Science Foundation to than 13 billion light-years away. in the normal range within six months of MOORE and THOMAS MOORE has successfully surprise you to learn that, despite these collect data on climate, vegetation and 13 billion light-years away from us.” implanting. used the principles of photosynthesis to conditions, Phoenix residents feel a sense water use in the surveyed neighborhoods to Scientists theorize that after the big “If you implant between 3 and 7,” activate in artificial cells one of the most of belonging and community among their see how the reality of resource use matches bang created the universe, a time of expan- adds Dorman, “your odds of doing well are important of all biological functions: the neighbors at levels ranking right up there up with the perceptions captured in the sion and cooling led to a billion-year epoch poorer, but still fair. If you implant after 7, pumping of calcium ions across cell mem- with residents of Atlanta and San Francisco? study. Ultimately, they hope to broaden the known as the “dark ages,” when ubiquitous your odds are very slim.Virtually no child branes.Their work was reported in the That most Phoenicians feel strong project to involve the entire Greater neutral hydrogen gas absorbed any ultravio- will develop a normal response if implant- Nov. 28 issue of the journal Nature. ties to their community is just one of the Phoenix area. let light produced by stars.Windhorst,Yan ed after the age of 7.” “The pumping of calcium across mem- unexpected findings of the Phoenix Area A summary of the pilot study results and Cohen estimate it was this enormous branes is critical to so much human biol- The compound, combretastatin A4, Social Survey, a multidisciplinary pilot can be found online at asu.edu/clas/sociol- population of young galaxies they’re now ogy,” says Gust. “In muscle function, for was identified and isolated in 1987 by study undertaken by the sociology depart- ogy/pass.html. seeing that provided the critical mass of example, a large fraction of the energy Regents’ Professor of Chemistry G. ROBERT ment and the Central Arizona—Phoenix candle power, so to speak, to burn through used pushes calcium ions across mem- PETTIT, director of the Cancer Research Long-Term Ecological Research Project at Starry, Starry Night the opaque fog, turning on the lights in branes. It’s also important in vision and in Institute. Recognizing its strong potential ASU. Conducted in 2001-02 by the sociol- Good news travels fast! On Jan. 9, physics most of the universe. as a cancer-fighting agent, Pettit licensed ogy department’s Survey Research Labor- and astronomy Professor ROGIER WINDHORST nerve function and plays some role in “We believe these objects are faint Age 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 immune response in rheumatoid arthritis.” the compound to Oxigene, a small drug- atory, the survey queried 217 residents in and doctoral students HAOJING YAN and young star-forming galaxies,” explains Yan, Explaining how the light energy is development company that specializes in six Phoenix neighborhoods about their per- SETH COHEN announced a spectacular dis- who led the project for his dissertation. used to drive this movement of ions, Gust bringing university-developed drugs to ceptions of community, quality of life, and covery to colleagues gathered in Seattle “But the 26 we’ve observed are merely the uses the example of a taxicab: “The shuttle market.The drug recently entered Phase II quality of the natural and built environ- for the national meeting of the American tip of the iceberg.We think there are prob- molecule is like a taxicab that transports of human testing, following surprising ments. Astronomical Society. Using the Hubble ably on the order of 400 million of these the calcium ion across town.The artificial results in Phase I clinical trials. “Newcomers settle in quickly and Telescope’s new Advanced Camera for objects in the sky.” reaction center is the engine that powers In Phase I trials, Oxigene reported within four years report as many interac- Surveys, they had reached into the far cor- the taxicab, closing and opening its doors, that patients with a variety of tumors tions with their neighbors as longer-term ners of the cosmos, capturing images of Critical Window for Results of the study were first report- and the light is the fuel that makes that showed a statistically significant reduction residents,” says some of the most distant, oldest objects ed in the December 2002 issue of the happen.” in blood flow within the tumors even four associate professor known in the universe.Within hours, the Cochlear Implants journal Ear and Hearing.They also have Beyond keeping cells alive and bodies to six hours after receiving the injection.A of sociology New York Times, the Boston Globe, the For parents of profoundly deaf children, been covered in the national media, in- healthy, this same concept offers promise cancerous tumor in one particpant’s thy- SHARON HARLAN, Miami Herald and major television net- CLAS researchers have very important cluding the New York Times and Family for a host of biomedical and other applica- roid shrunk and then disappeared, and he the project direc- works were abuzz with the news. news: Deaf children who could benefit Circle magazine. tions, such as transferring solar to chemical remains cancer-free nearly four years later. tor.“And despite “The objects we found are in the from cochlear implants should receive “If you’re a parent of a deaf child,” says energy.“In principle,” proffers Gust, “this Phase I trials in humans typically eval- the population epoch when the universe first started to them before the age of 31/2, and the earlier Dorman “this is information that you need kind of pump—with light as the control- uate dosages by injection, explains Pettit. churn that we produce stars in significant numbers— the better. to consider. If you’re a neuroscientist, this ling factor—could allow artificial cells to They aren’t meant nor expected to show know occurs the hard-to-find young galaxies,” says The groundbreaking study—conduct- is the first documentation of the existence be used as nanoscale factories, where significant results. here, seven of 10 Windhorst. “These galaxies date from the ed by speech and hearing science Professor of a critical period for development of the chemicals are shuttled into a cell, they’d Combretastatin works by destroying residents say period when the universe was less than one MICHAEL DORMAN, doctoral student human auditory system.” ■ undergo desired reactions, and then you’d the internal skeleton of the young cells that they plan to be billion years old.They are at the boundary ANTHONY SPAHR and a former ASU col- transport the product back out.” line tumors’ blood vessels.These cells then in their present of the directly observable universe, some league—compared hearing children’s

CLASNews | 9 CLASNews | 10 COVER STORY COVER STORY Attacking Disease Through Plant Science

EVERY 24 HOURS, TRAGICALLY, 40,000 CHILDREN IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES DIE FROM PREVENTABLE INFECTIOUS people who need them.That entails everything from pro- ply ate raw potatoes duct development, testing in clinical trials and dealing that were engineered with regulatory issues, to managing intellectual property to contain the vaccine. DISEASES. CLAS SCIENTISTS ARE LEADING AN INNOVATIVE GLOBAL EFFORT TO HELP REVERSE THIS APPALLING rights and even coordinating distribution. “Our next step,” In the process, proVacs will be developing global explains Arntzen, “is to STATISTIC. THEY’RE PERFECTING THE BIOTECHNOLOGY AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS THAT COULD GIVE ALL OF THE standards for plant-based vaccines, since none currently work out protocols for exists.The researchers will essentially be delivering an producing vaccines in entire technology package that organizations in the devel- other varieties of plants WORLD’S CHILDREN ACCESS TO SAFE, AFFORDABLE VACCINES THAT MIGHT BE DELIVERED IN A FORM AS SIMPLE oping world can use to begin producing vaccines and that can be inexpen- implementing a vaccination program in-country. sively processed— AS A TABLET OF FREEZE-DRIED TOMATO JUICE. “Our aim is to develop stable, edible vaccines that use without heating—and basic agricultural and food-processing technologies avail- will be acceptable to able in any country,” says Arntzen. “We’re going to spend the taste buds of chil- the next six years trying to make it so easy dren across the globe. “Never doubt that a small group of committed people can that anybody can do it.” We know raw spuds change the world,” anthropologist Margaret Mead once are not going to be the STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS said; “indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” It’s this vessel of choice.” philosophy of innovation that has been driving ASU plant ProVacs’ first focus is on aggressively pur- Arntzen says he biologist Charles Arntzen for more than a decade, as he has suing the development of plant-derived oral chose potatoes largely Some tomatoes Nattacked the massive challenge of giving the world’s poor- vaccines to prevent diarrheal diseases— are frozen with for scientific benefits. “The science already existed to est families in remote areas access to life-saving vaccines. including cholera, ETEC and Norwalk liquid nitrogen cause foreign proteins to accumulate in tubers, and pota- to test for the Now he has launched proVacs:The Center for Pro- virus—which annually kill 2.5 million chil- toes were ‘fast,’” he says. “We could put a new gene into a presence of the duction of Vaccines from Applied Crop Science. ProVacs dren under the age of 5. Using basic food- vaccine antigen potato cell, regenerate plants that would yield a pot full of gene. is one of eight research programs that currently make up processing technologies,Arntzen and his potatoes in about four months and be conducting clinical the Arizona Biodesign Institute (AzBio), an interdiscipli- colleagues already have refined the process trials a few weeks later.” nary research facility now under construction on the ASU of converting vaccine-containing tomatoes But the ultimate host fruit,Arntzen believes, might Main campus. into a dry powder that could be packaged be bananas, a favorite of children around the world. Arntzen was the founding director of AzBio (a new in gelatin capsules. They’re grown in almost all tropical or subtropical coun- permanent director was hired recently) and holds the Last fall,Time magazine featured this tries, are eaten uncooked—avoiding vaccine destruction Florence Ely Nelson Presidential Chair in Plant Biology. tomato vaccine as one of the best inventions by heating—and the fruit can easily be processed into a He also is widely credited with pioneering the field of of 2002.Arntzen is now focused on gaining puree or dried “chips” for delivery of uniform doses. plant-based vaccines. Forbes magazine featured Arntzen in government approval to test dosage levels “Banana chips would also be consistent with existing its Jan. 20, 2003, issue, and in 2001 Fortune identified of the vaccine in animal and human clinical health practices in many parts of the world, where dried him as one of five “silver bullet innovators who are attack- trials. plant material is frequently used therapeutically,”Arntzen ing the world’s most per- Simultaneously, proVacs is accelerating points out. “From a research standpoint, however, bananas sistent problems.” the development of an oral vaccine for hep- are difficult. It takes three to four years from the time a “OUR AIM IS TO DEVELOP STABLE, “There are 25 or so atitis B.The deadly liver disease is rampant gene is inserted into a banana cell until the genetically different research teams in impoverished areas with poor sanitation. A lab worker slices a vaccine-containing tomato to prepare it for modified fruit can be harvested.” EDIBLE VACCINES … AND TO MAKE IT around the world that have processing into a dry powder. It causes more than a million deaths each an experimental interest or year, and about 350 million people are persistently infect- LEVERAGING ADVANTAGES, MINIMIZING RISKS SO EASY THAT ANYBODY CAN DO IT.” expertise in plant-derived Food and Drug Administration and Department of ed with the virus. Plant-derived vaccines are especially attractive for disease vaccines,” explains Arntzen. Agriculture, the Centers for Disease Control, the World “A very effective vaccine exists, but it’s essentially control in developing countries for a number of reasons. “But until proVacs was cre- Health Organization, the Vaccine Manufacturers Alliance unavailable to the poor in developing countries,” explains Besides the fact that they are stable at room temperature ated, no single research center had the integrated set of and a number of universities and organizations in develop- Arntzen. “It’s expensive, requires constant refrigeration and do not require injection (happy news for people of all activities in place to be able to attack, in one coordinated ing and developed countries. In all, the partners hail from and needs to be injected by health professionals using ages!), the production process is highly efficient and cost- effort, the scientific and technical hurdles required to gain eight U.S. states and nine countries. sterile needles.” effective. licensing for plant vaccines and to transfer the technology Arntzen and his ASU colleagues will lead and be Arntzen and his colleagues have already made signifi- “Enough hepatitis B antigen to immunize all babies in to developing countries. ProVacs brings us all together involved in every dimension of the international effort: cant progress in the development of the hepatitis B vac- the world each year could be grown on roughly 200 acres under one management team, with ASU at the epicenter.” overseeing the biotechnology, vaccine design and the criti- cine, including successful phase I clinical trials in humans. of land,” reports Arntzen. “All the vaccine required annu- The more than 20 proVacs partners include the U.S. cal business activities needed to get the vaccines to the Volunteers exhibited an immune response when they sim- ally for China could be produced on a 40-acre plot.”

CLASNews | 11 CLASNews | 12 COVER STORY COVER STORY

Western-style pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities Some amazing capabilities are on the horizon that would not be needed; a shipment of seedlings could initi- involve simply switching on or off an enzyme, or boosting ate local production.And Arntzen is confident that the or suppressing a particular trait that a plant already ex- per-dosage cost will be only pennies, likely less than five The proVacs Senior Research Team hibits. Imagine the environmental impact, for example, if cents.That compares to a minimum price of 30 cents per modified plants were capable of cleaning up toxic sites, or Wdose for injectable vaccines now on the market. the amount of lignin in the poplar trees grown for paper Orally administered vaccines have an added biological pulp could be reduced, reducing contamination of streams advantage in that they provide mucosal immunity. Once and waterways. Switchgrass,Arntzen says, may one day harnessed, they may be more effective fighters against the provide a substitute for the petrochemicals we now get many pathogens that invade mucosal surfaces—including, from the oil industry. Clearly, the potential pipeline is in addition to hepatitis B, HIV,STDs and tuberculosis. boundless. But there are risks and possible side effects yet to be “Gradually,” predicts Arntzen, “the power of genet- evaluated before licensing can occur.A phenomenon ics—a sustainable modification of a biological resource— known as oral tolerance is a will replace cost-intensive, environmentally harmful indus- “THE PUBLIC CAN BE CONFIDENT OUR primary concern that will be trial processes.” studied carefully. It’s a revolution that one hundred years from now “Orally administered may conceivably make the information revolution seem VACCINE-CONTAINING TOMATOES ARE vaccines could adapt the like a blip on the radar screen by comparison. CLAS re- immune system to the viral searchers promise to be in the thick of it—and saving NEVER GOING TO SHOW UP IN THEIR or bacterial antigens but tens of millions of lives along the way. ■ leave the body unable to GROCERY STORE.” respond to natural infection,” explains Arntzen. Particular care is also being taken to ensure safe- guards to prevent the genes of vaccine-producing plants from finding their way into the food chain.Arntzen and his colleagues already have made great headway on the genetic containment issue, in a project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. ASU plant biologist CHARLES Institute in Seoul, Korea. He technology and head of the for Plant Research, which is “We’re taking our tomatoes, which now contain ARNTZEN (far left in photo) is has had a distinguished career company’s research facility in affiliated with Cornell Univer- Serving up a biotech vaccine genes for a vaccine, and crossing them into other genetic widely known for being the in international health and San Diego. He holds the three sity. Mason has collaborated varieties that are male-sterile—meaning they don’t pro- “You can picture a virus like a little tennis ball,” explains plant biologist duce pollen,” he explains. “Then we’re crossing these to father of plant-based vaccine vaccines, covering such areas earliest issued patents relating with Arntzen since 1991, Charles Arntzen. “It has a furry outside, and that furry material in the virus is produce seedless tomatoes, so the result is greenhouse- research and development. as vaccine introduction, vac- to the production and delivery when both men worked at a protein. That’s what sticks to a human cell and causes the virus to enter grown tomatoes that produce no pollen and no seeds. But he does not work alone. cine financing, policy research, of vaccines in plants as well Texas A&M University. In 1992, and start the infection process. There’s no way that they can inadvertently escape into the Arntzen has recruited a team intellectual property manage- as eight other U.S. patents. they published the seminal “Non-biotech vaccines use whole viruses—either dead or non-disease-causing environment. of top scientists to ASU to be ment and institutional devel- Cardineau also has extensive paper on plant vaccines and in “It’s going to add a little bit of cost to the produc- strains—to stimulate the immune system, which means they always involve part of proVacs: The Center opment. Mahoney also is a experience in product devel- 1997 conducted the first clini- tion,”Arntzen points out, “because we’ll have to make some degree of risk that the person will contract the disease. cuttings of our tomatoes to get the next generation rather for Production of Vaccines founding member and former opment and research compli- cal trial of a recombinant than collecting seeds. But the public can be confident our from Applied Crop Science. chairman of the International ance with patent law and plant pharmaceutical. Mason “To create plant-based vaccines,” Arntzen continues,“a new gene is added vaccine-containing tomatoes are never going to show up They include (from left, next Task Force on Hepatitis B Im- federal regulations. He earned is considered one of the to all cells in a plant. This gene causes plant cells to produce a protein that in their grocery store.” to Arntzen): munization. He holds a Ph.D. his Ph.D. in molecular and cel- bright stars of his generation holds the ‘fingerprint’ of a human pathogen (virus or bacteria). Subsequent MEDICINE AND BEYOND in chemistry from the Univer- lular biology from the Univer- of molecular biologists work- generations of the plant retain this protein-production capability because RICHARD MAHONEY, a re- sity of California, San Diego. sity of Alabama, Birmingham. ing in this field. He holds a the genes have become part of the plant genome or genetic identity. Further down the road, building on Arntzen’s past research professor in plant bio- search efforts, proVacs has plans to develop vaccines for Ph.D. in cellular and develop- logy, who is a noted authority GUY CARDINEAU, also a re- HUGH MASON, who joined “The protein by itself is harmless, but in the plant cell it assembles to mimic hepatitis C, human papilloma virus, hookworm and rabies. mental biology from the on intellectual property in search professor in plant the ASU faculty as associate the furry tennis ball of the pathogen. When the plant cell is broken open But medicine production is only one area of discovery in University of Arizona. plant biology that will be of wide benefit to humankind, health research. Prior to join- biology, who moved to ASU professor of plant biology last in our digestive system, the virus-like particle triggers a protective response predicts Arntzen. ing the ASU faculty last spring, in January from Dow Agro- fall. He previously was an by our immune system. Since there’s nothing inside it, there’s no capacity “We’re just at the tip of the iceberg in plant sciences he had helped to develop and Sciences. At Dow, he was the associate research scientist at for disease.” of an enormous number of things that will be technically lead the International Vaccine global leader for science and the Boyce Thompson Institute possible,” he says. “And not all of them will require genetic modification.”

CLASNews | 13 CLASNews | 14 F ACULTY F ACULTY

Laurie Leshin leads two lives—one that keeps her feet ﬁrmly planted on the ground and the other that has her head soaring high above the earth’s atmosphere.

s newly appointed director of ASU’s Center for identified her as one of 10 “People to Watch” in 2003. Meteorite Studies, Laurie Leshin spends a great Leshin’s talents also have caught the attention of CLAS Adeal of time in the laboratory, analyzing rocks that Dean David Young, who recently selected her to be the first date from the origins of the solar system. But as an associ- Dean’s Distinguished Professor.Young created the Dean’s ate professor of geological sciences, she is involved with Distinguished Professors program to recognize and reward another project that’s a lot less “down to earth.” Leshin CLAS faculty who have demonstrated exceptional per- leads a team that is designing a potential mission to Mars. formance and whose leadership, innovation and intellect Dubbed SCIM (Sample Collection for Investigation of bring national attention to CLAS and ASU. Mars), the project is one of four proposals NASA is consid- “Laurie Leshin is a perfect example of the type of fac- ering for its first Mars Scout mission. ulty member I had in mind when I created this program,” “My lab work grounds me and keeps me connected says Young.“She excels in her teaching, her scholarly activi- with something tangible, something that I can put my ties and her engagement with the community.” hands on,” says Leshin. “So much of designing this mission The title carries with it a permanent salary increase of is up in the sky that it’s nice to have something that tethers $10,000, provided by the college, as well as $10,000 a year me to earth.” for five years for graduate-student and research assistance, special research materials, travel or other needs.The latter DEAN’S DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR award is funded through private gifts. Leshin’s work has captured some attention from the local In Leshin’s case, the private funding came from CLAS media.The Arizona Republic’s style supplement,Yes, alum John Whiteman and his wife, Dee.Whiteman, a 1963 recently featured her as one of the Phoenix area’s young sociology grad, is the former chairman and CEO of Empire Amovers andWOMAN shakers. In January, the East Valley Tribune Southwest and current chairman of the Whiteman ON Founda- A MISSION tion, a philanthropic organization focusing on health, edu- and junior years as an ASU undergrad that Leshin first got cation and the welfare of children. He also is president of a glimpse of her future career. She was doing an internship the college’s new Dean’s Advisory Council. at Houston’s Lunar Planetary Institute.Working next door “Dee and I are very impressed with Laurie’s excel- to NASA, she got a firsthand look at the world of solar- lence in the classroom,” says Whiteman.“Her teaching system discovery. skills combined with her depth of knowledge and her drive “The realization that you’re learning something about make her simply an outstanding professor.We are extreme- a planet that nobody else knew before, that still amazes ly proud to support someone as qualified as Laurie and me,” she says. “I’d always been fascinated by science and by delighted she is at ASU.” the planets. Planetary surface geology just brought everything together for me.” AT HOME AT ASU Leshin credits the interdisciplinary culture at ASU for Although Leshin has been on the faculty only since 1998, allowing her to pursue her academic interests as an under- her ASU roots run deep. Her family moved to Tempe when grad. Several faculty members in the chemistry depart- she was 9, and she practically grew up on the ASU campus. ment had joint appointments in geology and encouraged Leshin accompanied her mother to classes while her moth- her to undertake a research project that combined the two er was earning her master’s degree in counseling. Leshin’s fields. Later in graduate school in California, where faculty mom also worked at ASU, running an extended-campus in different departments didn’t associate much with each program at Metrocenter mall. other, Leshin realized how unique this situation was and Leshin herself first became an ASU employee—in the how fortunate she was to have been at ASU. registrar’s office—at age 16. She earned her bachelor’s “ASU’s relative youth makes it a place where doing degree in chemistry here in 1987. Except for the years things differently is really possible,” says Leshin. “I didn’t when she was pursuing her master’s and doctoral degrees realize that as a student, but it’s one of the things I like best in geochemistry at the California Institute of Technology about being on the faculty.We take an interdisciplinary and doing postdoctoral work at UCLA,ASU essentially has approach to science that allows students to grow in more been her home since she was a child. than one area.” It was during the summer between her sophomore continued on page 28 Dee and John Whiteman Dean’s Distinguished Professor Laurie Leshin in the mass spectrometer lab.

CLASNews | 15 CLASNews | 16 F ACULTY F ACULTY CLAS Faculty Bring Distinction to ASU

RESEARCH, TEACHING AND SERVICE ARE THE TRADITIONAL “THREE LEGS OF THE STOOL” UPON WHICH UNIVERSITY FACULTY ARE EVALUATED. IN SPRING TheIn College of Liberal Memoriam Arts and Sciences mourns the recent loss of the following emeritus faculty members: 2003, COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES FACULTY EARNED WELL-DESERVED RECOGNITION FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN ALL THREE.

PAO LU ROSS R. RICE Pao Lu, professor emeritus of physics, died Oct. 4, 2002, at Ross Rice, professor emeritus of political science, died Dec. age 68 after a battle with skin cancer. He was born in China 29, 2002, of a heart attack. He was 80 and lived in Tempe. in 1934 and moved with his family to Taiwan when he was Rice was born Jan.13, 1922, in Shenandoah, Iowa. He

Green Honegger Mossman Arreola Iverson Rhodes Lester Longley Ringenbach Smith a teen. served in the U.S.Army Air Corps during World War II. He Lu earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering earned a master’s degree from the University of Chicago and RESEARCH AND CREATIVE ACTIVITIES for the best contemporary nonfiction book. directed to instructional support. in 1956 from National Taiwan University, a master’s degree in was working toward his doctorate when then-Arizona State The John Simon Guggenheim Memorial The Western Writers Association sponsors Associate professor of history CHRIS physics from National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan, in 1958, College President Grady Gammage recruited him to join the Pao Lu Foundation has awarded fellowships to the award. (Iverson used a Guggenheim SMITH has been singled out for his class- and a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Iowa State University, faculty in 1950. He was the institution’s first political scientist. three CLAS faculty members this year, Fellowship he won in 1999 to do research room skills as well. He was among three in 1964. He served in the Chinese Air Force in Taiwan from Rice completed his doctorate in 1956.After the College which ranks ASU behind only Princeton, for the book.) ASU faculty members chosen by students 1958 to 1960. of Liberal Arts and Sciences was created and the department the University of Chicago,Yale, Columbia English Professor JEWELL PARKER to deliver a “Last Lecture” this spring. After earning his doctorate, Lu joined the ASU faculty as of political science was formed, Rice became the depart- and Harvard for 2003 awards.The Guggen- RHODES will pick up two literary awards in Through the annual Last Lecture Series, a visiting assistant professor. In 1966, he became a member of ment’s first chair. He served as chair for three years, from heim Fellowship, perhaps the best-known June for her novel “Douglass’Women,” the university asks students to nominate the regular tenure-track faculty. Lu was promoted to associate 1959 to 1962. During that period, Rice also served on the national award given to support scholarship about abolitionist Frederick Douglass and teachers they would like to listen to one professor in 1968 and to full professor in 1975. He retired Tempe City Council and as mayor of Tempe. Bishan P. Nigam in the humanities, social sciences and natu- the two women who shared his life: his more time.A committee then selects the from ASU on Dec. 31, 1992. During his 281/2 year career at In 1962-63, Rice was a visiting professor at the Univer- ral sciences, is generally given to established wife and his mistress. Rhodes’ novel has best three to give a public lecture, as if it ASU, Lu published more than 60 original research papers in sity of California, Santa Barbara. He returned to ASU the scholars who have achieved prominence in been chosen for the 2003 Josephine Miles were the last appearance they would ever the field of theoretical quantum physics. following year and remained on the faculty until retiring in their fields.The fellowship typically sup- Award presented by the Bay area chapter of make before a class, on a topic close to At the time of his death, Lu lived in Gilbert,Ariz., with 1989. During his nearly 40 years at the university, Rice ports release time for work on a major re- PEN (International Organization of Poets, their hearts. Smith chose the topic “Look- his wife,Yisen. He also is survived by his two children, Jeffrey served under eight of the institution’s 16 presidents. He also search project. Essayists and Novelists.) The Black Caucus ing for History Everywhere and Anywhere Lu and Carol Krupinksy, and two grandchildren. served as president of the Tempe Historical Society. Rice is survived by his wife, Marie; daughters, Marilyn, History Professor MONICA GREEN, of the American Library Association also is I Can Find It: Insights from the American BISHAN P. NIGAM German Professor GITTA HONEGGER and honoring Rhodes’ novel this year as the Material and Popular Culture.” Roxanne,Valerie and Laurie; and nine grandchildren. Memo- Bishan Nigam, professor emeritus of physics and astronomy, rial gifts may be sent to the Ross R. Rice Fund,ASU Political Ross R. Rice microbiology Professor KENNETH MOSSMAN best in adult fiction. Iverson, the “Dine” author, has been died Sept. 21, 2002, at his home in Tempe. He was 74 and are ASU’s 2003 Guggenheim Fellows. honored for his work with students as well Science Department, P.O. Box 873902,Tempe,AZ 85287- suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and acute leukemia. 3902. Checks should be made payable to the ASU Foundation. Green, a medieval historian who specializes TEACHING HONORS as his scholarship this spring. He received Nigam was born July 14, 1928, in Delhi, India. He in the history of medicine, won the fellow- In the teaching arena, also, CLAS faculty the Outstanding Doctoral Mentor Award, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics from JOHN P. WHITE ship to study medicine and culture in 12th are among the very best. Following are just given each year by the Graduate College Delhi University, in 1946 and 1948, respectively. He received Political science professor emeritus John White died Nov. 24, century Salerno, Italy. Honegger, who is a few examples: and the ASU Foundation to the ASU faculty his doctorate in theoretical physics in 1954 from the Univer- 2002, from pneumonia. He was 78 and lived in Glendale,Ariz. also affiliated with the English and theatre Each year the ASU Parents Association member who best exemplifies the qualities sity of Rochester, where he studied under Robert Marshak, White was born March 7, 1924, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He departments, will write a biography of names a “Professor of the Year.”The honor, of fine mentoring of doctoral students. one of the world leaders in quantum field theory. served in the U.S.Army from 1943 to 1946 and received a John P. White Helene Weigel, a prominent German which comes with a $10,000 cash award Nigam spent a year as a postdoctoral research fellow bronze star for his service in World War II.White earned a actress and theatre director who was mar- and $10,000 for a student assistant, is con- SERVICE TO THE PROFESSION at Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland and then three bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1949 ried to the famous playwright Bertolt ferred on a faculty member who has made Iverson demonstrated his all-around excel- years in a similar position at the National Research Council and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Brecht. Mossman, a specialist in radiologi- an outstanding contribution to teaching as lence this spring by garnering yet a third in Ottawa, Canada. He then returned to the University of Chicago, in 1952 and 1953, respectively. From 1952 to 1954, cal health and safety, will undertake a study a profession and who is gifted at guiding honor, in the arena of service. He has been Rochester for one year to work with Marshak as a research White was a management intern and personnel officer in the on risk dimensions and precaution. and inspiring undergraduate students. named president-elect of the Western His- associate before joining the faculty of the State University of U.S. Secretary of the Navy’s office. A trio of CLAS faculty members also English Professor NEAL LESTER is the 2003 tory Association, an organization of history New York at Buffalo. Nigam joined the ASU faculty as a full He joined the faculty at the University of Michigan in has earned recognition this year for their Parents Association Professor.A committee buffs and academic historians that pro- professor in 1964, at age 36, and remained for 36 years, until 1954 and taught there until 1963, when he came to ASU. literary work. Geography Professor DANIEL of parents, students and faculty selected motes the study of the North American his retirement in May 2000. While at Michigan,White was honored with the university’s ARREOLA has won the J. B. Jackson Prize Lester for the honor from 22 nominees. West. Iverson will serve as president-elect Nigam’s research in theoretical nuclear physics, field Distinguished Service Award. for his book “Tejano South Texas,” published The Associated Students of ASU also in 2003-04 and president in 2004-05. theory and particle physics was published extensively. He co- White served as chair of the political science department last year by the University of Texas Press. honors top teachers each year, with a Mossman, one of the Guggenheim authored the graduate-level text “Nuclear Physics:Theory and at ASU from 1964 to 1972, during which time the depart- The Association of American Geographers Centennial Professorship Award for out- Fellows, also earned recognition for his Experiment” and was elected a fellow of the American Physi- ment grew substantially and began offering a Ph.D. program. awards the prize each year for the best standing classroom leadership. CLAS professional service recently. He received cal Society. White also chaired the university’s student conduct commit- popular book about the human geography faculty members KYLE LONGLEY, associate the 2002 Founders Award from the Health He is survived by his wife, Indira; two sons, Sanjay and tee. He retired from ASU in 1986. of the contemporary United States. professor of history; and SHANNON Physics Society.The honor is bestowed on Ajan; a daughter, Shobhna Date, and four grandchildren. White is survived by his son, John Jr.; his daughter, For his book, “Dine:A History of the RINGENBACH, assistant professor of kinesiol- an elite group of individuals for exceptional Karen Hurt; and four grandchildren. ■ Navajos,” Regents’ Professor of History ogy; won that distinction this year. Each continuing service and contributions to the PETER IVERSON has won a 2003 Spur Award will receive $20,000, with half to be health physics profession. ■

CLASNews | 17 CLASNews | 18 ALUMNI ALUMNI

“It’s been a long and winding road, that’s for sure,” says their utilities. Mayes, a Prescott,Ariz., native. “But this is a good fit for me. It’s a “I was getting a little weary of the travel,” Jankofsky says. “It privilege every day that I get to serve this state that I love.” got to the point that I didn’t even consider crossing the Atlantic as travel. It was only when I was crossing the Pacific that I really felt I MARIO DIAZ was going somewhere! My career has taken me all around the DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR URBAN RELATIONS AND BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS world, but it’s landed me right back here in Arizona, and that’s fine by me.” Mario Diaz has come a long way since the day he arrived in Ariz- Being back in Arizona has allowed him to continue his affilia- ona with $25 in his pocket. Now, he is the highest-ranking Latino tion with ASU. He’s currently serving on the board of the Friends in Arizona government, serving as deputy chief of staff for urban of the Center for Latin American Studies. relations and boards and commissions. Diaz is the governor’s liai- “My liberal arts education allowed me to gain knowledge and son to all elected officials, the Democratic Party and various insight into a wide variety of areas that have served me well in my special-interest groups. IT’S ARIZONA’S VERSION OF THE “WEST WING,” ONLY THIS IS REALITY, NOT A TELEVISION SHOW, AND A GROUP OF CLAS ALUMS ARE AT THE career,” Jankofsky says. “It was really the perfect formula for a “Essentially, I’m the governor’s eyes and ears in the communi- career that I never could have predicted.” ty,” he says. “I oversee appointments to hundreds of Arizona boards and commissions—from the Citrus Board to the Arizona Board of HERB GUENTHER Regents.” DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES CENTER OF THE ACTION. ARIZONA CLASGOV. JANET NAPOLITANO’S INNER ALUMS CIRCLE INCLUDES NOT JUST ONE OR TWO BUT A TOTAL OF FOUR ASU In 1988, Diaz transferred to ASU from a community college Water is essential to life.And it’s been essential to former state in California. He completed his bachelor’s degree in political sci- Sen. Herb Guenther’s long and distinguished career.After serving ence in 1991.While at ASU, he did an internship with then-U.S. four terms in the Arizona House of Representatives and two terms Sen. Dennis DeConcini.After graduation, he worked on the cam- LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES GRADUATES. A COUPLEIN OF THEM TOOK THE A RELATIVELY STRAIGHT CAREER PATH. THE OTHERS TOOK A ROUTE in the Senate, Guenther has answered a new call to serve as direc- paign for U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor and then served on Pastor’s staff. tor of Arizona’s Department of Water Resources. Diaz later returned to ASU and completed a master’s degree in In this role, he’s responsible for managing the state’s water public administration. resources, including wells, groundwater and surface water. He also “My internship and early work in politics set the tone for my WITH MORE TWISTS AND TURNS.INNER BUT THE END RESULT IS THE SAME—CLAS CIRCLE ALUMNI ARE MAKING THEIR MARK ON ARIZONA HISTORY. is charged with developing Arizona’s first statewide drought-man- career,” Diaz says. “Both were critical to my understanding of how agement plan. this complex system works.” “I had just been elected to my third term in the Senate when I Shortly after his undergraduate work, Diaz met Napolitano, CLAS alums, from left, Mario Diaz (B.S. in political science, 1991), Herb Guenther (B.S. in wildlife biology, 1971), Kris Mayes (B.A. in political science, 1994), Dave Jankofsky (B.A. in political got a call from Governor Napolitano,” Guenther says. “She wanted science, 1974) in the lobby of the governor’s office who was then working in the U.S.Attorney’s Office in Phoenix. help finding candidates for the departments of Water Resources He’s been at her side ever since, serving as campaign manager dur- and Environmental Quality. In the end, she asked me to head he four inner-circle grads, from the youngest to the most “Fortunately I have an understanding boss, who’s a lawyer herself. ing her run for Arizona attorney general and then for governor. up the water end of things. I decided that I might be able to con- seasoned, are: Kris Mayes, director of communications; It took a lot of flexibility and burned up a lot of cell phone time, “This is the pinnacle of my career, just really such an honor,” tribute more in this area, so I accepted.” TMario Diaz, deputy chief of staff for urban affairs, boards but we made it work.” Diaz says. “I feel responsible to all of Arizona, especially to Hispan- Guenther received his bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology and commissions; Dave Jankofsky, director of the Office of Strate- Mayes, who earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at ics. It’s important to me to make them proud and to serve as a role from ASU in 1971. For 21 years, he worked for the Wellton gic Planning and Budgeting; and Herb Guenther, director of the ASU in 1994, just finished her law degree in May. Now she has model of what anyone can achieve.” Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District in southeastern Arizona. Department of Water Resources. time to “settle down” to the hectic pace of managing the gover- Ten years prior to that, he was with the U.S. Bureau of Reclama- “The fact that Kris, Mario, Dave and Herb all matriculated nor’s daily press activities and the messages coming from her DAVE JANKOFSKY DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF STRATEGIC PLANNING AND BUDGETING tion in Boulder City, Nev. Both responsibilities involved working from Arizona State University is a testament to ASU’s tremendous office on myriad policy and legislative initiatives. with the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental value to this community,” Gov. Janet Napolitano says. “When you According to Mayes, Napolitano is possibly Arizona’s most Dave Jankofsky could be the poster child for liberal arts education. Policy Act and the Clean Water Act. take a close look at Arizona’s leaders, you will see that many of accessible governor. She has been meeting with the press corps Meshing a background in political science, foreign language, busi- Guenther says his liberal arts and sciences education is key them were educated right here in Arizona. In the case of these on a weekly basis, which keeps the communications director ness and math, Jankofsky has carved out a fascinating career that to everything he’s done in his career.“I envisioned myself as a four individuals, they got their start at ASU’s College of Liberal hopping. currently has him in position as one of the governor’s top advisers. research biologist, and I have certainly done that,” he says. “But it Arts and Sciences.We are lucky to have them serving in this Fortunately, Mayes is no novice at juggling a busy schedule. His job as director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting was the broad perspective and communications skills I learned at administration.” While she was an undergraduate at ASU, she served as editor of is to help the governor deal with the state’s billion-dollar deficit. ASU that led to my career in Arizona state government.” While their job responsibilities differ, these dedicated CLAS the State Press and founder and president of the Honors College Jankofsky’s public-service career was launched during his So, how is it that four CLAS alumni are working in the upper alumni have many things in common—a passion for their work, Advisory Council. She also received a coveted Truman Scholarship, junior year at ASU when he had the opportunity to be a legislative reaches of Gov. Napolitano’s administration? Guenther just may commitment to public service and fond memories of time spent which she used to pursue a master’s degree in public administra- intern. He was assigned to the finance committee and then was have the answer. at ASU. Following are brief profiles of the quartet. tion at Columbia University. In between, she worked as a offered a full-time job while still a student. He took the job and fin- “I imagine it’s that little bit of ‘devil’ in all of us,” he jokes. legislative reporter for the Phoenix Gazette and the Arizona ished school at night, receiving his political science degree in 1974. “Seriously, you never can predict which doors may open for you KRIS MAYES Republic. Jankofsky has since made the rounds of Arizona government, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS and which won’t. Our education has given us the power to open But it was during the summer after her first year at ASU’s serving at the departments of Revenue, Commerce and Trans- doors, which might have previously been closed. It was really great It sounds impossible … serving as the governor’s press secretary College of Law that Mayes met Napolitano, then serving as state portation; at the Corporation Commission; and now in the gover- preparation for all of us.” ■ and going to law school at the same time. But according to Kris attorney general, when they happened to be on a plane together. nor’s office. In between some of these stints, he worked in Valley Mayes, Napolitano’s director of communications, it can be done. By the time they landed, Napolitano had convinced Mayes to join National Bank’s Latin American Group and launched his own busi- “How did I juggle it? I have no idea,” Mayes laughs. her gubernatorial campaign. ness to assist developing countries with privatizing and regulating

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1975 1976 ANDREW F. ORTIZ (B.A., polit- 1979 1995 ical science) visited the White In Memoriam DIANE J. (RASMUSSEN) LEWIS CARLY HOLDEN (B.S., psychol- (B.A., English) is a self- Mike Berens a Key Bioindustry Player House last December to re- Tom Richey directs homeland security ogy) is a loan officer for One Georgia K. Shaw (B.A., ClassNotesemployed writer living in Alta ceive a President’s Community Source Mortgage and Invest- psychology, 1965) passed Loma, Calif. Lewis previously As Arizona emerges as a global leader in bioindustry, CLAS alumnus Mike VolunteerAward from George for software giant Microsoft Corp. ments. She lives in Scottsdale, away Aug. 24, 2002, held positions as a securities W. Bush.The award is the Ariz. Berens is leading the way. Berens, who earned his bachelor’s degree in zoology nation’s highest honor for In post-Sept. 11 America, homeland security has from pancreatic cancer. trader, securities broker and from ASU in 1976, recently was named chief executive officer of the Interna- paralegal. volunteering. Ortiz, who is become a household phrase and an overriding con- 1996 She also had bachelor’s tional Genomics Consortium. IGC is a nonprofit medical research foundation project director for Arizona cern for government and citizen alike.And for ASU JUMANA GHORAB CHAGOYA and master’s degrees in MAURICE PORTLEY (B.S., established recently in Phoenix to expand upon the discoveries of the Human Clearing the Air with the nursing from ASU and political science), a Superior American Cancer Society, has alum Tom Richey, it also has become a challenging (B.S., family resources and Genome Project. human development) earned worked as a school Court judge since 1991, has devoted more than 1,000 new career. Prior to his appointment as head of IGC, Berens was a researcher at a D.D.S. degree from Univer- nurse. She is survived by been appointed to the Arizona hours of service to the com- Richey, who graduated from ASU in 1979 with Court of Appeals. Portley Barrow Neurological Institute and was instrumental in bringing the Translational sity of the Pacific in San three daughters, one son munity each year since 1993. a B.S. in psychology, was appointed by Microsoft in earned his law degree from Genomics Research Institute Ortiz also holds J.D. and Francisco and now operates a and seven grandchildren. November to fill the software giant’s newly created private dental practice in the University of Michigan in to Phoenix.TGen, a compan- M.P.A.degrees from ASU. 1978. post of homeland security director. He is based in Gilbert,Ariz. She married ion research institute to IGC, DENISE (LADUCA) RYAN (B.A., Washington, D.C. Abel John Chagoya last June. focuses on translating genetic English) lives in San Diego, Richey’s goal is to help the government lever- (See below.) information into new diagnos- where she is a visiting teacher with the San Diego City age existing investments in Microsoft technology 1997 tic tests and therapies. 1971 Schools. and to help the 22 agencies within the new Depart- ABEL JOHN CHAGOYA (B.S., What does all this mean? ment of Homeland Security take advantage of rapidly evolving Microsoft BARBARA GARRISON (B.S., psychology) is a youth pro- Plenty—especially in the area 1994 physics) has been elected vice capabilities allowing them to talk to one another through the Internet. Because gram supervisor at Florence chair of the American Chemi- of cancer research. PHIL L. MCDONALD (B.A., Microsoft is already firmly established on the government desktop, the chal- Crittenton’s youth home for cal Society’s Physical Chemis- “Essentially, we’re study- psychology) is a safe-schools at-risk teens in Phoenix. crisis counselor for Palos lenge, according to Richey, is getting “existing pistons to fire in a new sequence try Division and will serve as ing the misbehaving genes that RICHARD E. JACOB Verdes Peninsula High School for homeland security.” (B.S., chair of the division in 2005- underlie cancer,” Berens says. physics) earned a Ph.D. in 06. Garrison earned a doctor- in Rolling Hills Estates, Calif. So how did Richey, who describes it as “ironic” that he never took a com- “We’re looking for the reasons He is also completing work puter class in college, end up working for the world’s most important techno- physics from the University of al degree in chemistry from PHOTO: JASON MILLSTEIN / ILLUME PHOTOGRAPHY why cancers exist and why on his second master’s degree. Utah and is now doing post- the University of California at logy company? doctoral work at Washington Berkeley in 1975 and has been 1976 they do what they do.We’re creating the canvas upon which a cure for cancer CHARLES HERNANDO MOLANO “It’s an interesting marriage of need,” Richey says. University in St. Louis. Jacob on the faculty at Pennsylvania MARGIT GARNAK OLSON has the highest likelihood to emerge.” (B.A., Spanish; M.A. in He believes it was his broad experience in government, as well as his and his wife, Connie, also an State University since 1979. (M.S., microbiology; Ph.D. in Berens, a researcher by nature, has stepped forward as one of the driving Spanish, 2001) is an assistant understanding of public policy and Capitol Hill’s innermost workings, that led ASU alum, have two children. She served as chair of Penn microbiology, 1979) is senior professor of foreign languages personalities behind Arizona’s bioindustry boom. His new role will take him Microsoft to seek him out. Indeed, Richey’s experience would seem attractive CHRISTIE POULTON (B.S., State’s chemistry department director of vaccine manufac- at Dodge City (Kansas) Com- away from the lab somewhat, as he focuses on fund raising and lining up key speech and hearing science) is from 1989 to 1994 and cur- turing for Merck & Co. Inc. munity College. In August, he to anyone searching for a government-savvy liaison. a speech pathologist at Cedars rently is Shapiro Professor She lives in Pipersville, Pa. clinical contributors. But he’ll still have plenty of time behind the microscope, at will begin a term as chairman After graduating from ASU, Richey joined the Coast Guard as a commis- of Chemistry.As a physical TGen, where he holds a scientific appointment, and even at ASU, where he has a of the college’s foreign lan- Sinai Medical Center in Los sioned officer. During his 22-year career there, he held several positions, Angeles, where she works chemist, Garrison pioneered 1980 research faculty position in the Arizona Biodesign Institute. guage department. Molano the use of computer modeling including Senate liaison in the congressional and public affairs office.After re- with stroke and brain-injured TOMMY GEETER JR. (B.S., As both an ASU alumnus and a Ph.D. graduate of the University of Arizona, also serves as director of the to simulate and understand Hispanic American Leadership tiring from the Coast Guard in 2001 as a commander, Richey became senior patients. Poulton earned her biology) is a teacher. He lives Berens is in an ideal position to develop partnerships between IGC and the uni- master’s degree in communi- chemical reactions on material in Phoenix. Organization. policy adviser to Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. In that role, he advised the senator surfaces. versities. “In a totally unanticipated way, my ties to both universities have really on major issues ranging from economic policy, health care and education to cation disorders from Cali- ISRAEL TORRES (B.A., political fornia State University, Los 1985 been critical,” Berens notes. “The industry relies upon strong universities, and foreign policy, trade and national defense. 1973 science) has been appointed Angeles, in 2001.1998 ALAN BICKEL (B.A., German) the universities benefit from the strength of the industry.” director for the Arizona Reg- “Microsoft stepped out of their comfort zone when they hired me,” M. PATRICIA CAPIN (B.A., is the author of “The Winds of To say that the work Berens is doing is complex and far-reaching would be istrar of Contractors, the political science) is a retired Richey says. “I’m not a technical person. I’ve lived in the public-policy world. Carpathia,” a historical novel an understatement. Not only can bioindustry change the face of Arizona’s econ- office that licenses and regu- U.S.Army colonel. She joined But I brought with me an understanding of how the Hill works.” set in turn-of-the-century lates construction contractors the Army in 1974 and retired omy, it also has real implications for those facing cancer. For Berens, stories of Richey also credits his liberal arts education at ASU for giving him some Eastern Europe. He lives in how cancer wreaks havoc on the lives of everyone it touches is a real motivator. in the state. in 2001.While in the Army, Schaumberg, Ill., where he of the basic tools he needed to succeed, especially while serving in the Coast Capin served in Kosovo, works in the insurance indus- “It’s what gets me up in the morning,” he says. “I find myself driven by this DAXTON WATSON (B.A., Guard. Mathematics classes enhanced his ability to navigate at sea. Life science Turkey and Germany. She try and is researching addi- unique opportunity to get at this very ugly disease.We can do better at fighting history) is an attorney with currently lives in Harker the Phoenix-area law firm courses provided a valuable knowledge base for the Coast Guard’s broad envi- tional writings about life in this, and it begins with research.” ronmental mission.And everything he learned in his psychology curriculum Heights,Texas. Eastern Europe. Roshka Heyman & DeWulf. Berens points out that while this important work takes a lot of well-honed He recently founded the about human behavior helped him be an effective leader. 1992 scientific knowledge, it also requires much more. It takes the inquisitiveness fos- Associates Club, a nonprofit “The fundamentals came back to me daily,” he says. tered by a liberal arts education and the ability to make connections and open organization made up of local MARC A. CROWLEY (B.A., reli- Undoubtedly, those fundamentals will serve Richey in his demanding new new doors law firm associates who assist gious studies) is a history children and families in the homeland security role as well. He says he is grateful for the challenge and for teacher and department chair “I’ve found that the entrepreneurial gene is functioning in me,” Berens community.The club main- the privilege of working for Microsoft. at the Arizona School for the says. “I’m meeting people I never would have known before, and we’re all tains a strong partnership with “I used to say the Coast Guard was number one; I loved every day of it,” Arts in Phoenix. He is editing working on describing, discovering and delivering the information needed to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. a book of selected readings for Richey says. “Microsoft is my private-sector Coast Guard.There’s a passion and make a real impact in the area of cancer research.” Watson earned his law degree commitment to doing something that’s bigger than just me.” high school history classes. from ASU in 1999.

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1998 2000 1990 CASSANDRA L. (JOHNSON) DANA GLOWIAK (B.S., biolo- LAURA MCKAY (B.A., exercise BYRD 2003-2004 CLAS Alumni Chapter JODI CLEVER (B.A., political science) gy) is a student at Midwestern science and physical educa- (B.S., econom- Board of Directors ics) is a marketing analyst for Randy Nelson a proteomics pioneer is a technologies project coor- University College of Phar- tion) is an administrative Willis of Arizona Inc. in dinator for American Express macy in Glendale,Ariz. She assistant and receptionist for Phoenix. Some day, your doctor may be able to prescribe medications that are known to in Phoenix. also is coordinator for Opera- the Ocotillo Golf Resort. She PRESIDENT be effective for your individual genetic makeup and that won’t cause you side E. CHAD CAFFALL tion Diabetes through one of lives in Gilbert,Ariz. Bart S. Wilhoit KAMERON G.B. KERGER (B.S., (B.A., the student chapters of the B.A. in English, 1996 effects.When that day comes, CLAS alumnus Randy Nelson will have helped biochemistry) lives in San LORI MILLER (B.A., history, history, Russian) is an intelli- American Pharmacists Assoc- Attorney, Fennemore Craig gence officer in the U.S.Air bring it about. Francisco, where he is en- political science) is coordina- iation. PAST PRESIDENT Force. He will graduate this Nelson, who earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from ASU in 1990, is president rolled in the D.D.S. program tor of federal affairs for Salt summer from Officer Intel- at the University of the Pacific ARNOLD ANTHONY GONZALES River Project. She works in Stephen Patterson and chief executive officer of Intrinsic Bioprobes, a company that is staking out a B.S. in sociology, 1991 ligence School at Goodfellow School of Dentistry. He ex- (B.S., exercise science and the power company’s Wash- leadership position in the nascent proteomics field. Considered the successor to Solution center analyst, Snell & Wilmer Air Force Base in Texas. pects to graduate in June physical education) is an exer- ington, D.C., office. SHARON GEYER (B.A., English) the genomics revolution, proteomics is the study of how proteins interact in liv- 2005. cise therapist for North DIRECTORS NATALIE ZOBELL MILLER (B.S., is the author of “Daughter of CRISTINA KARLA MUNOZ ing organisms. It is being used now to help pharmaceutical companies develop Phoenix Health Institute and Jennifer “Addy” Adkins Jerusalem:An American (B.A., political science) is STEPHANIE CHANTRY (B.A., speech and hearing science) is effective drugs and ultimately will economics, political science) is applying to medical school. B.A. in English, 1999 Woman’s Journey of Faith,” a pursuing a master’s degree in a speech therapy assistant for Events coordinator, ASU Barrett Honors College is pursuing a master’s degree He lives in Glendale,Ariz. memoir of her experiences public administration at ASU help doctors diagnose disease and tai- the Gilbert Public Schools. Patrick Anderson in international affairs at LAURA ANN GREEN living in Iran and Israel.As an and works in the Chicana/ lor treatments to individual patients. (B.A., She also is secretary for her B.S. in economics, 1998 American University in Wash- unpublished manuscript en- Chicano studies department. “What we’re doing is analyzing sociology) is involved in the neighborhood homeowners Project manager, Benton-Robb Development ington, D.C. She expects to Big Brothers Big Sisters pro- association board. She lives in Associates titled “Then Sings My Soul,” Munoz, who also earned a human beings,” explains Nelson. Geyer’s book received first B.S. in management in 2001, graduate in December 2004. gram and enjoys spending Mesa,Ariz. Christie Turley “Humans all have a different suscepti- time with her granddaughter, B.A. in Spanish, 2001 prize for narrative nonfiction was recently elected to a two- ERIK DOMINGUEZ (B.A., MAELIN PATRICK (B.S., biolo- hiking and recreational read- Marketing manager, Cultural Experiences Abroad from the San Diego Book year term as president of the bility to disease because of their English) is an English teacher gy) lives in Phoenix, where ing. She lives in Mesa,Ariz. Michael G. Steinkemper Awards in 2000. Geyer cur- Arizona Women’s Political genetic makeup, so knowledge of a and speech and debate coach she and her husband are self- B.A. in psychology, 1998 rently lives on a houseboat in Caucus, Greater Phoenix person’s makeup in the application of for the Tempe Union High A. JOSH HAWKINS (B.A., employed business owners. Case manager, ValueOptions San Diego Harbor with her Chapter. School District. He lives in history) recently moved to Karilyn VanOosten a therapy is very, very important.” NICOLE POISSON (B.S., family husband. She has written a Mesa,Ariz. Rapid City, S.D., where he is M.A. in Spanish, 2001 Nelson has developed propri- resources and human devel- new mystery novel set in Iran 2002 a sales representative for R.J. Enrollment counselor, University of Phoenix etary technologies that can perform BRIAN K. EGGEN (B.A., sociol- opment) works as a nanny in and has begun work on a se- GURAY ALSAC (B.A., philoso- Reynolds. Amy Whatley ogy) is enrolled in the master Phoenix. quel to “Daughter of Jeru- phy) is a computer scientist rapid, sensitive and accurate protein B.S. in psychology, 1998 of public administration pro- KERI HOYER (B.A., anthropol- Marketing associate, Colliers International salem.” for United Space Alliance analysis on up to 2,000 biological JESSICA W. SHEPHERD (B.A., gram at ASU and also works ogy) is an outreach specialist based in Houston and plans to samples a day. He holds eight patents and has submitted applications for 20 history) gave birth to a son, STAFF CONTACTS 1999 on campus, as an office assis- for the Maricopa County enter the Ph.D. program in Jonas Ammon Wade, three Christy Atler more. tant for the bachelor’s of Regional School District. She NATHAN GLONDYS (B.S., computer science at the Uni- days after graduating last Interim CLAS contact interdisciplinary studies pro- works with homeless youth, geology) passed the 2002 versity of Massachusetts this Nelson earned his first patent at age 29, for his doctoral thesis on nucleic- December. She works at 480-965-2344 gram. helping them to find social [email protected] national geologists exam and fall, studying artificial intelli- acid mass spectrometry.After completing his Ph.D., he worked in industry for Sequoia charter school in services, counseling, housing, is licensed as a registered gence. He has a B.S. in com- four years, in Texas and California. He came back to ASU in 1994 to teach and MICHAEL ELLIOTT (B.S., exer- Mesa,Ariz. Linda Raish food and clothing. Hoyer and ASU Alumni Association contact geologist. Glondys works for puter science from ASU in cise science and physical edu- run a chemistry lab.Then in 1997, Nelson left the university to found Intrinsic her husband are in the process MICHELLE SHIELDS (B.A., 480-965-5074 Communication Services Inc. addition to his philosophy cation) is the head athletic Bioprobes. But he didn’t go far.The firm is located less than two miles from of adopting one of the home- chemistry) is a chemist for the [email protected] in Mesa,Ariz., where he degree. trainer for the Greenville less children she has assisted. City of Mesa Compliance Lab- assists with nationwide build ASU’s Tempe campus. Groove, an NBA minor- VERONIKA ASLANIAN (B.S., The couple lives in Phoenix. oratory. She lives in Fountain outs of wireless communica- The venture’s funding comes from nearly $6 million in grants from the league team. He passed the biology) had a baby boy on Hills,Ariz. tion infrastructure, including National Institutes of Health and contracts with clients such as Bayer, Dupont, National Athletic Trainers’ KEITH HURLEY (B.S., chem- May 6. She plans to start job private-sector network proj- Association certification exam istry) is a graduate student at DANA SIMMONS (B.A., hunting after settling in with Glaxo-Wellcome and Merck. Despite his success as a small-business owner, ects and government prog- last June. the University of Illinois. He Spanish) is a sales representa- the baby. She and her husband Nelson says he never set out to be an entrepreneur. rams supporting homeland lives in Urbana, Ill. tive for FedEx Services. He live in Phoenix. TAMMY FELTNER (B.S., security. “I don’t really consider myself an entrepreneur,” says Nelson. “The reason I lives in Scottsdale,Ariz. women’s studies) is an admin- JAMES E. “EDDIE” KIRTLEY STEVE AUSTIN (B.S., psycholo- formed the company was to continue to develop the technologies—at a more JENNIFER OSORIO (B.S., istrative assistant in external (B.S., political science) lives BRANDON WILLEY (B.A., gy) is a teaching assistant and rapid pace than I was doing at the university—and to commercialize them. exercise science and physical affairs for Planned Parenthood in Bowling Green, Ky., and is English) is a teacher at Sun graduate student in psycholo- education) is engaged and Recently, Intrinsic Bioprobes participated in a business-development pilot of Central and Northern considering going to law Valley High School in Mesa, gy at ASU. planning a Sept. 5, 2004, program sponsored by NIH and the National Cancer Institute. It was among 32 Arizona. She lives in Phoenix. school at the University of Ariz. wedding in New York. She is KIRSTIN (MOTE) BANKS (B.A., Miami or starting a career in biotech firms selected nationwide.The companies were matched with business SPENCER R. FISHER (B.A., program director for Health sociology) is a youth care consultants who helped them develop expansion plans. Nelson is now poised to political science) is a law stu- the culinary arts. Fitness Corporation and lives worker for the Youth Devel- scale up his firm by adding marketing and sales personnel. (Among the scientific dent at Georgetown Univer- MATTHEW H. MASON (B.S., in Copiague, N.Y. opment Institute in Phoenix. sity. He lives in Ellicott City, political science) is a legisla- She was married last Septem- staff are four other ASU Ph.D. in chemistry alums.) MONICA (GONZALEZ) RYDEN Md. tive assistant for the U.S. ber to Fred Banks, and the Although Nelson works just a stone’s throw from the university, he doesn’t (B.A., English) is a law stu- House of Representatives couple lives in Scottsdale. dent at ASU. get back to campus as often as he’d like.When he does, he relishes the slower Committee on Rules in She plans to earn her teaching pace. Washington, D.C. He lives in SCOTT EDWARD ZEMOJTEL certification and a master’s “ASU was great,” he recalls. “I get back on campus now and my whole Arlington,Va. (B.A., political science) is a degree in social work. high school teacher in Avon- being will just slow down. It feels real comfortable.The years I spent as a gradu- dale,Ariz. He lives in Litch- ate student there were the best years of my life.” field Park.

CLASNews | 23 CLASNews | 24 STUDENTS STUDENTS STELLAR STUDENTS USA Today picks two CLAS scholars for academic “all-star” team. ollin Raymond and Esther Ellsworth to slow down just a bit this year. Even so, pick of colleges to attend.They chose ASU Though the newspaper citation comes are barely in their 20s, but they he helped edit an undergraduate research partly due to family ties. Raymond’s father with a $2,500 cash award, Raymond finds C could put any seasoned workaholic journal, volunteered as an assistant girl- and Ellsworth’s brother are Arizona State much more satisfaction in the work he does or run-of-the-mill overachiever to shame. scout leader at a school for homeless kids alums. than the recognition that sometimes follows. Since their enrollment at ASU, Raymond and worked on an economic development “I’ve loved my years here at ASU,” says “The recognition is nice,” allows Raymond, and Ellsworth have been well known around project for an inner-city neighborhood in Raymond. “It’s been just wonderful.” “but seeing the fruits of my labor is nicer.” the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as Phoenix, all while taking a full load of class- Raymond says the highlight of his edu- This fall, Raymond plans to enroll at two of the university’s brightest and most- es and finishing his honors thesis. cational experience was the opportunity to the London School of Economics to pursue involved students. In February, they became “Collin is a most engaging, curious and study abroad in Mongolia. History Professor a master’s degree in global market econom- known worldwide as two of the top college insightful student,” says Glenn Hurlbert, Steve Batalden arranged the internship ics. His education there will be financed by a students in the United States.That’s when associate professor of mathematics and sta- through a Phoenix-area contact who had just Marshall Scholarship, which is sponsored by USA Today named them to its 2003 All-USA tistics, “and he always has one eye on some been appointed interim CEO of the largest the British government and awarded to only College Academic Team. real-world application. His breadth of abili- bank in Mongolia. In addition to studying about 40 students each year. He then plans Raymond, who graduated May 15 with ties and interests make for an encouraging World Bank reform, Raymond spent some to return to the United States to earn a doc- math and economics degrees, was named to mix of possibilities in his future.” of his time there laying the groundwork for toral degree. the USA Today first team, which means the a study documenting Buddhist temples that Long-term, Raymond wants to be in- A LOVE FOR LEARNING newspaper chose him as one of the nation’s were destroyed during the Stalinist era. volved in international economic develop- top 20 undergraduate students, out of 500 Ellsworth, too, is unusually committed and “In a 10-year period, the communists ment and reform, working with the World nominated.The selection was based on aca- involved. She has been volunteering at a destroyed all but four of the temples and Bank or the International Monetary Fund. demics, activities and leadership. Ellsworth, Phoenix homeless shelter since she was 7. killed tens of thousands of monks,” explains His goal is to design a better system to assist who graduated with a biology degree and a At ASU, she took on a number of mentoring Raymond. “For a lot of these temples, we developing countries. 4.0 grade point average in December and and leadership roles. She mentored students still don’t know what remains of them, “After working and studying in Mongo- completed her master’s degree in May, was participating in the college’s Scholar-Citizen where they’re located exactly, or what sort lia and Tanzania—these two really under- named to the second team, which makes her Grants program, for example, and helped of relics or oral history have survived in the developed countries—you want to do one of the top 40 students nationwide. to decide on grant awards. She also served surrounding populace. I just found it really something to help them,” says Raymond. Raymond and Ellsworth each engage as a biology teaching assistant for two years, interesting, this lost history that no one “There are lots of problems right now with in a dizzying array of activities, displaying giving lectures, grading exams, tutoring stu- knows very much about.” their transition toward a free-market system brains, talent and a big heart—not to men- dents and leading study sessions. Ellsworth also relished the opportuni- and a developed economy.You wonder,‘Is tion an endless supply of energy.As a fresh- Ellsworth incorporated research into ties to explore her personal interests while there a better way to do this?’” man, Raymond played in a jazz band, edited her undergraduate experience as well. She an undergraduate at ASU. She cites flexibili- llsworth is heading to Washington, a campus literary magazine and organized participated in an interdisciplinary field ty as the university’s biggest asset. D.C., to intern with the U.S. Depart- political education events, while taking 17 to study of the Grand Canyon as a sophomore “People at ASU are willing to tailor re- Ement of Health and Human Services, 18 credit hours each semester and earning a and conducted independent research on the quirements to your own interests and help where she will study science policy. She is 4.0 G.P.A.In his sophomore year, he partici- history of U.S. environmental policy the fol- you find ways to really learn and explore also pursuing an internship with the Depart- pated in student government, founded his lowing year, with support provided by a areas that are exciting to you,” she says. “All ment of Transportation in the area of envi- own jazz combo, helped coach a high school grant from the Howard Hughes Medical sorts of places have wonderful faculty and ronmental policy.While in D.C., she will be debate team and volunteered at a Phoenix Institute. She also attended and presented at wonderful students as peers, but not every pondering what to do next.A Ph.D. degree, food shelter. several national research conferences. school has the willingness to work for what’s law school and medical school are all possi- Tired yet? Not Raymond. He spent his “My whole family probably has a bit of best for each student.” bilities. She does know that she wants to junior year in Mongolia.While there, he did a workaholic tendency,” Ellsworth acknowl- continue teaching and mentoring others and HARVARD, YALE, ASU research on World Bank reform efforts for edges. “I think it’s a question of just loving to being involved in the community. the Agricultural Bank of Mongolia; conduct- learn, having a great curiosity and trying to While Raymond and Ellsworth could hardly “I would love to be in a position that ed data analysis on animal hunting in Mon- understand why the world is the way it is be described as “typical” students, they are has some teaching responsibilities at a uni- golia’s eastern steppe; taught English to and how we can make it better.” not the first from the ASU College of Liberal versity and also active hands-on professional bankers, government regulators and interna- At the tender age of 22, Ellsworth Arts and Sciences to make the USA Today work in a community,” Ellsworth says. “It tional MBA students; and volunteered at a already has done more to improve the world “all-star” team. Since 1991, 10 other CLAS could be something like environmental con- local orphanage. In the summer, he did a than many people do in a lifetime. She spent Ellsworth studied organic agriculture and better place, you know she will.And what- students have been named to the newspa- flict resolution or advising on health-policy research internship for the National Micro- last summer in Africa, working for the Gam- community science education in Costa Rica. ever Esther does, she does with a warmth per’s annual list of top undergraduates. decisions for the state government.” finance Bank in Tanzania. bian Ministry of Health in its malaria control She also has developed math and science and spirit that makes it ‘real.’” Including Raymond, eight ASU under- Whatever Raymond and Ellsworth end “I try to keep busy,” Raymond says, and leprosy/TB programs.The summer curriculum for K-12 school programs. grads—all liberal arts and sciences majors— up doing, it undoubtedly will make the FAMILY CONNECTIONS with just a hint of understatement. “I don’t before, she was a teaching assistant for the “Esther Ellsworth is a remarkable have earned first-team honors in the past world a better place. It also is certain to like to be bored.” National Science Foundation’s Global young lady,” says Jane Maienschein, Regents’ Both Ellsworth, from Prescott,Ariz., and 10 years, a record that is surpassed only by make their alma mater proud and perhaps A parasite he brought back from Tanza- Climate Change and Society research pro- Professor of Biology and Philosophy.“When Raymond, from Eagan, Minn., were high- Harvard and Yale. (Kris Mayes, profiled on inspire others to pursue their own interests nia caused health problems that forced him gram in Boulder, Colo. In summer 2000, Esther says she wants to make the world a school National Merit Scholars and had their Page 19, was a first-team member in 1993.) with equal fervor. ■

CLASNews | 25 CLASNews | 26 COLLEGE UPDATES F ACULTY

AROUND THE COLLEGE A WOMAN ON A MISSION continued from page 16 continued from page 6

The SUMS Institute comprises six separate programs exaggeration to suggest that religious-based conflict exists EXPLORING MARS “As the first mission with a round-trip ticket to that are aimed at increasing the representation of minority in our nation in areas as diverse as foreign policy, interna- Leshin’s career right now seems blessed, but it has not Mars, we would be laying important groundwork for and disadvantaged students in mathematics and science. tional law, teaching and learning in our schools, science been without disappointment.While doing postgraduate later human exploration,” says Leshin. “We hope it will The largest is the Math-Science Honors Program, which and technology research and application, news coverage work at UCLA, she became part of the mission team for help NASA unlock some of Mars’ secrets, like whether brings high school students to the ASU Main campus each and political ideology.” the Mars Polar Lander.The spacecraft was launched in or not the planet could be an abode for life.” summer for an intensive residential academic program. The center, established in January, already has organ- January 1999, during Leshin’s initial year as a faculty Participants live in ASU dorms and take rigorous college- ized and hosted a public conference called “Faces and member at ASU. On Dec. 3, 1999, it was due to become MISSION “GO” OR MISSION “NO” level math and science classes that include lectures, daily Voices of Islam in the Modern World,” held April 29 and the first spacecraft to set down near the edge of Mars’ If the SCIM project is chosen, the mission is set to problem solving sessions, frequent test- 30.The conference featured internationally known scholars southern polar cap. But the mission failed—the Lander launch in 2007, relatively soon in the world of space ing and one-on-one tutoring. in Islamic religion, history, law, politics and contemporary was never heard from. missions.The spacecraft would return in 2011, at which Nearly 1,700 mostly inner-city affairs, including journalist, author and CNN terrorism “The Polar Lander experience was amazing,” recalls time, Leshin says, the “real” science begins.The mission and reservation students have partic- analyst Peter L. Bergen, who gave the keynote address. Leshin. “It was so tough at the end, losing the mission would be the first led by a woman and the first Mars ipated in the Math-Science Honors Bergen has covered Osama bin Laden and the Jihadist like we did, so close to success and yet so far. But being mission run by scientists, rather than NASA staff. Program since its inception in 1985. terrorist network for nearly a decade. He is one of only a part of that team taught me so much.” And if the project is not chosen, Leshin will not be Among them is one student who went few Western journalists to have interviewed bin Laden face Now, Leshin is hoping to get the opportunity to lacking for things to do.There may be offers to work on on to earn a Ph.D. in biomathematics and to face. Bergen’s recent book, “Holy War, Inc.: Inside the launch a spacecraft of her own design.As principal inves- other missions.And she’ll have even more time to de- is now a math professor at the University of Michigan and Secret World of Osama bin Laden,” has been a New York tigator on the SCIM project, she has primary responsi- vote to her students. two students who are currently enrolled in medical school. Times bestseller and is considered by many to be the most bility for all of the creative, technical and scientific “Students are the reason for being at a university,” Many other participants have earned college degrees in authoritative analysis to date on the world of al-Qaeda. aspects of the mission. says Leshin. “Getting to interact with students is one of math and science and are now teaching in inner-city and The goal of the Center for the Study of Religion and The amount of work that goes into a project of this the best parts of the job. It’s what keeps you young.” reservation schools. Conflict is to create a variety of seminars, conferences, lec- magnitude, even before it is chosen, is immense.The No matter what happens with the SCIM proposal, The National Science Foundation created the presi- tures and workshops that bring together scholars from all project team comprises 75 people, including scientists Leshin will continue to be a valuable asset to the college dential awards program in 1996 in an effort to raise the over the world with ASU faculty and students and mem- and engineers from ASU, Lockheed Martin, NASA’s Jet and to ASU. Just ask her department chair. scientific and technological literacy of all Americans and bers of the local community.The center also will support a Propulsion Laboratory, Los Alamos National Lab, Langley “Laurie Leshin is the ideal faculty member,” says to produce the best scientists and engineers for the 21st fellowship program and help develop new courses and new Research and Johnson Space Center. If the SCIM mission Simon Peacock, geological sciences chair.“She is an out- century.ASU mathematics Professor Joaquin Bustoz, who teaching units in existing courses. is chosen, the team numbers will swell to about 400. standing scholar, a superb teacher and a wonderful created SUMS and continues as its director, won an indi- “We plan to bring together the voices of professors “Initially, NASA put out a call for a seven-page con- colleague.” vidual Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Math- from many different disciplines,” says Cady.“We hope to cept paper,” explains Leshin. “We figured we might as Win or lose, Leshin’s students also will continue ematics and Engineering Mentoring during the award establish exchange programs for faculty from other parts of well give it a try. It was when we were presenting our to benefit from the excitement of the SCIM project. program’s inaugural year. the world, so we can explore the different relationships idea that this whole endeavor became real to me. I over- Leshin has created a unique course, which was offered between the religious and secular worlds. Our agenda will heard one of the panel members remark that this was for the first time this spring, called “Designing Spacecraft New center created at ASU be a global one, as ASU has a very strong religious studies ‘really cool.’At that moment, I realized that we could Missions.”The 2-credit graduate-level class was taught to study religion and conflict faculty with expertise in many religions and cultures.” really do this!” jointly at ASU and the University of Arizona, via video- Cady points out that the academic study of religion is SCIM received a perfect score from the initial re- conference link. The growing recognition of religion’s enormous role in an American and western-European phenomenon.As such, view panel and was among 10 projects selected for The course challenged students to design a space conflict and public affairs around the world has led to the Artist’s rendition of SCIM it can be a force for an open discussion and a greater un- further development.Then NASA held an open compe- mission, starting with science goals and then developing creation of a new Center for the Study of Religion and spacecraft traveling to derstanding of religion’s influence in various societies. tition for full proposals and chose four from the 18 the Martian atmosphere scientific and measurement objectives and an instrument Conflict at ASU.Among the first of its kind in the nation, and returning to Earth. “Our failure to recognize how religion shapes identi- submitted. NASA awarded $600,000 grants to each of payload to address those goals.At the end of the semes- the center is designed to enhance research and education ties and values in other parts of the world has contributed those project teams, including SCIM, to work out all the details. ter, the students spent a week at JPL in California, working with on the role of religion in public controversies, from reli- to our lack of understanding of the dynamics of other soci- The winner will be announced in August. staff there on the mission design.The experience culminated with giously sanctioned violence to debates over school prayer eties, and our relationship with them,” says Cady.“This is Essentially, the SCIM proposal calls for a “hit and run” with a presentation to a review board of real JPL project managers. and stem-cell research. ■ an issue of enormous importance.” the Martian atmosphere.A spacecraft would be launched to within “Basically, they got raked over the coals, just like a real mission ASU President Michael Crow initiated the center and 25 miles of the planet’s surface.Traveling at 12,300 mph, it would team,” Leshin laughs. “Not only did they have to develop the sci- cited it in his inaugural address as an example of how the be exposed to the atmosphere of the Red Planet for about five ence goals, they had to figure out how to fit it into the budget. I university can advance “use-inspired” scholarship, or minutes. Using a substance called “aerogel,” the craft would pick wish I would have had a course like this to prepare me!” research in which the social implications are considered. up about 1,000 fine dust particles, enough to offer volumes of data As Leshin mentors the next generation of space explorers, Religious studies Professor Linell Cady is the center’s to those studying it—grain by grain—back here on Earth. SCIM she is mindful of how much impact the SCIM project could have, director. also would gather about a quart of Mars atmospheric gas for study not only on her own students but also on others around the world. “The role of religion in conflict has become especially in labs on Earth. That first sample of dust from Mars could be just what lights the prominent with recent events and continuing disputes in Leshin describes each grain of dust as like a little rock from spark of discovery in someone now too young to have any clue. Indonesia, the Middle East, India, Pakistan, and in our own Mars. From this dust, scientists will be able to see whether or not “I have this vision that 25 or 30 years from now, I could be nation, in New York City,” said Crow at his inauguration the soil on Mars is weathered rock or fresh material.They will be listening to the first scientist to visit Mars talking about being last fall. “Religious-based conflict has occurred throughout able to glean the amount and history of water on the planet and inspired to do so by seeing a sample of our Martian dust in the the world during most of recorded history. It would be no whether the climate is warm enough to sustain life. Smithsonian,” says Leshin. “Now that would be really cool.” ■

CLASNews | 27 CLASNews | 28 EVENTS CALENDAR RESPONSE FORM

JONATHAN AND MAXINE MARSHALL DISTINGUISHED LECTURE MON., SEPT. 15, 2003 s an alumnus of the College Name______Name while at ASU (if different) ______7:30 P.M., Carson Ballroom, Old Main A of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Degree/major ______Graduation year ______Speaker: Playwright Wendy Wasserstein you’re an important part of the Home address ______Topic: “A Life in the Theater” extended CLAS community.We City______State ______Zip ______More information: want to hear from you. Please use clasdean.la.asu.edu/afc/Marshall/ the form on the opposite page to: Phone (h)______(w) ______E-mail address ______■ UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION IN Employer ______Job title ______SOLO VOICES CREATIVE WRITING LECTURE OUR RECORDS FRI., OCT. 3, 2003 Updates also may be submitted online at Work address ______https://clasics.asu.edu/public/afc/alumni/update.htm 7:30 P.M., Scottsdale Center for the Arts City______State ______Zip ______Speaker: Billy Collins, U.S. Poet Laureate Tickets: $20 ■ LET US KNOW ABOUT RECENT ACCOMPLISH- Personal and professional accomplishments______More information: www.scottsdalearts.org MENTS SO WE CAN SHARE THEM WITH FELLOW ALUMS IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF CLAS NEWS ______

FELDT/BARBANELL WOMEN OF THE WORLD LECTURE ______THURS., OCT. 23, 2003

7:30 P.M., Gammage Auditorium ■ OFFER YOUR TIME AND I am willing to help CLAS students with: EXPERTISE TO HELP CURRENT Speaker:Actress Kathleen Turner LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES ■ Job shadowing ■ Career Advice ■ Internships ■ Informational interviewing Topic: “Reel Women and Real Women” STUDENTS MAKE THE TRANSITION FROM COLLEGE TO THE WORKPLACE ■ You may include my contact information on the CLASWorks Web site. More information: ■ clasdean.la.asu.edu/afc/womenoftheworld/ You may not include my contact information on the CLASWorks Web site.

■ HOMECOMING JOIN THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION I want to join the Alumni Association. FRI., OCT. 31–SAT., NOV. 1, 2003 Annual Membership ■ ■ ■ More information: Individual $45 Couple $60 Recent graduate (within 2 years) $25 www.asu.edu/asasu/homecoming/ Life Membership ■ Individual $500 ■ Couple $650 ■ Recent graduate (within 2 years) $300 Installment Life Membership (5 annual payments) ■ Individual $110 ■ Couple $140 ■ Recent graduate (3 annual payments) $120 Checks should be payable to and funds will be deposited with the ASU Alumni Association, a separate nonproﬁt organization that exists to support ASU. AA03.AMNLS

FALL COLLEGE CONVOCATION FRI., DEC. 19, 2003 ■ MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT SCHOLAR- ■ I wish to make a gift of $______for ______. SHIPS OR OTHER CLAS PROGRAMS OR REQUEST 11 A.M.,Wells Fargo Arena INFORMATION ON MAKING A PLANNED GIFT ■ I would like information on planned giving opportunities. THROUGH A TRUST OR BEQUEST. Checks should be payable to and funds will be deposited with the ASU Foundation, a separate nonproﬁt organization that exists to support ASU.

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News CLASNews | 29 CLAS | 30 CONTEMPORARY CHICANA AND CHICANO ART The Hispanic Research Center’s Bilingual Review Press recently published a two-volume coffee-table-quality set of books featuring more than 600 full-color works of art by Chicana and Chicano artists in the United States, Mexico and elsewhere. “Chicana/Chicano art is some of the most vibrant, sexy contemporary art around,” says Gary Keller, director of the Hispanic Research Center and one of the books’ authors. The books sell for $150 for a cloth set or $120 for a paper set and may be purchased online at asu.edu/clas/hrc/bilingual.press/promo/artbook.html.

Jerry De La Cruz, Alma Gómez, Gaspar Enríquez, Xóchitl Cristina Gil, “Failing to Communicate,” 1993, “El Sagrado Corazón,” 2000, “El Mauricio,” 1998, “Scaregrow II,” 1999, acrylic on canvas, oil on canvas, acrylic on paper, serigraph monoprint, 43" x 60" 20" x 16" 29" x 41" 26" x 20"

Non Proﬁt Org. U.S. Postage COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES PAID Ofﬁce of College Advancement Arizona State P. O. Box 871701 University Tempe, AZ 85287-1701