DOCSLIB.ORG

Report of Science at Williams 2019

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Report of Science at Williams 2019 Report of Science at Williams College 2018-2019 A record of the professional and academic activites of faculty and students in the natural sciences Williamstown, Massachusetts Front Cover Image: In Computer Science it is often desirable to generate "all possibilities" of one kind or another. For example, when solving a scheduling problem, each permutation of {1,2,3,4,5} represents a different order in which five jobs can be scheduled for completion. Alternatively, when solving a traveling salesman problem, the same permutations repre- sent the orders in which five cities can be visited. When efficiency is a concern, the order in which the possibilities are generated can become important. Typically, we want each possibility to be similar to the previous possibility, so that any associated values can be updated from object to object, rather than being recomputed from scratch for every object. These types of orders are known as minimal-change orders, or Gray codes. The cover illustrates a minimal-change order the 120 different permutations of {1,2,3,4,5}. If superimposed on a clock, the minute hand would move from one permutation to the next every thirty seconds, starting with 12345 at the top each hour, and ending back at 54321. In this order consecutive permutations differ by a suffix-reversal, meaning that some number of the final (i.e. innermost) values have their order reversed, such as 12345 turning into 123_54_, and then 12354 turning into 12_453_, and so on. (This type of change is "minimal" in the sense that only one pair of adjacent symbols is added and removed, making it useful in the context of bonded structures like DNA, or paths in undirected graphs.) Interestingly, there is a simple rule that describes how to change the most recent permutation into the next: Reverse the shortest suffix that doesn't produce an earlier permutation. This rule keeps churning out one permutation after another until reaching 54321, which marks the end of the order. Assistant Professor Aaron Williams has shown that similar greedy algorithms can be used to reinterpret many previously discovered minimal-change orders. In particular, the order shown in the cover was originally discovered by Shmuel Zaks in the 1980s, but using a much different approach. In his most recent work in this area, Williams and his collaborators present a single unified algorithm for generating dozens of well-known patterns including the "original" Gray code for binary strings, and the bell-ringing sequence called plain change order from the 1600's, as well as new patterns for divisions of squares into rectangles known as mosaic floor plans, and many others. The resulting paper Combinatorial Generation via Permutation Languages was accepted at this year's ACM-SIAM Symposium on Discrete Algorithms (SODA 2020) and represents the culmination of a research done with Elizabeth Hartung (MCLA) while visiting Torsten Mutze at the Technical University of Berlin. Rear Cover Image: View of the South Science Center outdoor seating area which has been lanscaped with native plants. This is a peace- ful place to study or just hang out and has been used for the past 2 years for summer science pizza lunches. The Science Executive Committee wishes to express its gratitude to the many contributors to this document and especially to the extensive efforts of all of the administrative assistants in the various science departments. Editor: Norman Bell, Science Center Manager This document is printed on recycled paper. III Williams College admits men and women of any background to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the College. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, or national ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other college administered programs. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex in violation of the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1973, or the regulations thereunder, in the education programs or activities which it operates, including employment therein. The College does not discrim- inate on the basis of handicap in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 1973, or the regulations there- under, in admission or access to its programs and activities. Inquiries concerning the College’s non-discrimination policies may be referred to the Dean of the College, Hopkins Hall, Williamstown, MA 01267. IV Table of Contents The Sciences at Williams College 1 Major Science Center Funding 2 Major Programs in the Sciences 3 Winter Study 2019 Offerings 7 The Science Center 11 In Memorium 11 2018-19 Science Lunch Colloquia 12 Summer Science Research 13 Summer Science Research Colloquia 2019 13 2019 SSR Significant Funding Sources 14 Summer Science Students and their Faculty Advisors 2019 15 Summer Science Research Poster Session: August 9, 2019 18 Pre-First Year Summer Science Program 21 Summer Science Lab Program 22 Williams College Sigma Xi Chapter and 2019 Inductees 23 Department News - Astronomy 24 Biology 28 Chemistry 35 Computer Science 42 Geosciences 49 Mathematics and Statistics 58 Neuroscience 75 Physics 77 Psychology 84 Abstracts from Student Theses 92 Abstracts from Faculty and Student Publications 122 V Top: In the summer of 2019, the science center purchased this new FEI/Thermo Quattro S Field Em- mission SEM with the help of generous external foundational support. This instrument dramatically improves our capabilities in muliple research fields and is already being heavily used. Bottom: One of the first images taken with the new microscope. This image of a geranium petiole was captured by the students Calla Khilnani, Cristina Mancilla and Yang Lee in the Integrative Plant Biol- ogy (BIOL 308) course taught by Professor Claire Ting. VI The Sciences at Williams College Students learn science best by doing science; that is that might not be possible within an individual depart- by formulating and testing their own hypotheses using ment at a small institution. methods capable of producing convincing evidence. Approximately 265 students graduate with a major in This is true at the introductory level, where students be- a science or mathematics discipline each year, and we come interested in further study by encountering science continue to see about half of all students with at least as discovery rather than rote facts. It is even more im- one major in the sciences. The quality of the our science portant at advanced levels, where students are most like- programs has nurtured this interest and this year 56 stu- ly to become interested in science careers by working as dents were inducted into the Sigma Xi Honor Society as fully involved junior colleagues with professionally ac- associate members. Williams has become a leader in the tive faculty on research projects that explore new scien- training of future scientists with more than 50 former tific ideas. The ability to conduct cutting-edge research students entering Ph.D. programs in science each year. at Williams helps to attract talented scientists as facul- As a result of this commitment, Williams has ranked first ty and keeps them at the forefront of their disciplines, among predominantly undergraduate institutions in stu- which in turn allows faculty to bring the excitement of dents receiving NSF pre-doctoral fellowships, averaging their research work to their teaching and course devel- about 7 per year over the past ten years. We attribute opment at all levels. The College has invested deeply in this success to an energetic faculty and staff dedicated this ambitious program of research and teaching through to providing an excellent educational experience and to research funding, modern laboratory space, shared in- the many research opportunities available to Williams strumentation, and technical support. The relatively students at both advanced and introductory levels. large number of faculty in all the science departments A positive undergraduate research experience is the promotes breadth and depth in both research activities single most important inspiration for future scientists. and curricular scope. More than 250 students are engaged in science research In May of 2018 we completed phase I of a major expan- with Williams faculty each year. This year, 86 students sion of the science center complex with the addition of a completed theses and 182 were engaged in full-time re- new facility to house 27 faculty offices and research labs search with science faculty during the summer of 2019. in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Geosciences will Dozens of Williams students participated in conferences also share this space until phase II is complete early in where they presented the results of their research, and 78 2021. The new building greatly expands our microsco- students and recent graduates co-authored publications py and shop facilities to support all of the sciences and in peer-reviewed journals in the past academic year. includes an updated teaching lab for biochemistry. Con- Concurrent with the increased student involvement struction of a second building to house the Geosciences, in science, Williams has attracted talented and vibrant Math/Stats, and Psychology departments is now well science faculty engaged in competitive research and underway. This addition is being constructed on the site dedicated to teaching undergraduates. As a result, the of the Bronfman Science Center which was demolished number of external grants awarded to support faculty in the summer of 2018 after 50 years of faithful service. research or curricular innovation places Williams near This new construction will complete the foundation for the top of all non-Ph.D granting institutions. Williams the sciences at Williams in the 21st century. science faculty currently have 22 active research grants Our model of the entire science division as a cohesive totalling over 3.8 million dollars.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Resource Letter OSE-1: Observing Solar Eclipses Jay M
    Resource Letter OSE-1: Observing Solar Eclipses Jay M. PasachoffAndrew Fraknoi Citation: American Journal of Physics 85, 485 (2017); doi: 10.1119/1.4985062 View online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1119/1.4985062 View Table of Contents: http://aapt.scitation.org/toc/ajp/85/7 Published by the American Association of Physics Teachers RESOURCE LETTER Resource Letters are guides for college and university physicists, astronomers, and other scientists to literature, websites, and other teaching aids. Each Resource Letter focuses on a particular topic and is intended to help teachers improve course content in a specific field of physics or to introduce nonspecialists to this field. The Resource Letters Editorial Board meets annually to choose topics for which Resource Letters will be commissioned during the ensuing year. Items in the Resource Letter below are labeled with the letter E to indicate elementary level or material of general interest to persons seeking to become informed in the field, the letter I to indicate intermediate level or somewhat specialized material, or the letter A to indicate advanced or specialized material. No Resource Letter is meant to be exhaustive and complete; in time there may be more than one Resource Letter on a given subject. A complete list by field of all Resource Letters published to date is at the website <http://ajp.dickinson.edu/ Readers/resLetters.html>. Suggestions for future Resource Letters, including those of high pedagogical value, are welcome and should be sent to Professor Mario Belloni, Editor, AJP Resource Letters, Davidson College, Department of Physics, Box 6910, Davidson, NC 28035; e-mail: mabelloni@davidson.edu.
    [Show full text]
  • Diptera: Syrphidae
    This is a repository copy of The relationship between morphological and behavioral mimicry in hover flies (Diptera: Syrphidae).. White Rose Research Online URL for this paper: http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/80035/ Version: Accepted Version Article: Penney, HD, Hassall, C orcid.org/0000-0002-3510-0728, Skevington, JH et al. (2 more authors) (2014) The relationship between morphological and behavioral mimicry in hover flies (Diptera: Syrphidae). The American Naturalist, 183 (2). pp. 281-289. ISSN 0003-0147 https://doi.org/10.1086/674612 Reuse Unless indicated otherwise, fulltext items are protected by copyright with all rights reserved. The copyright exception in section 29 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 allows the making of a single copy solely for the purpose of non-commercial research or private study within the limits of fair dealing. The publisher or other rights-holder may allow further reproduction and re-use of this version - refer to the White Rose Research Online record for this item. Where records identify the publisher as the copyright holder, users can verify any specific terms of use on the publisher’s website. Takedown If you consider content in White Rose Research Online to be in breach of UK law, please notify us by emailing eprints@whiterose.ac.uk including the URL of the record and the reason for the withdrawal request. eprints@whiterose.ac.uk https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/ The relationship between morphological and behavioral mimicry in hover flies (Diptera: Syrphidae)1 Heather D. Penney, Christopher Hassall, Jeffrey H. Skevington, Brent Lamborn & Thomas N. Sherratt Abstract Palatable (Batesian) mimics of unprofitable models could use behavioral mimicry to compensate for the ease with which they can be visually discriminated, or to augment an already close morphological resemblance.
    [Show full text]
  • Lomonosov, the Discovery of Venus's Atmosphere, and Eighteenth Century Transits of Venus
    Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage, 15(1), 3-14 (2012). LOMONOSOV, THE DISCOVERY OF VENUS'S ATMOSPHERE, AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURY TRANSITS OF VENUS Jay M. Pasachoff Hopkins Observatory, Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. 01267, USA. E-mail: eclipse@williams.edu and William Sheehan 2105 SE 6th Avenue, Willmar, Minnesota 56201, USA. E-mail: William.P.Sheehan@state.mn.us Abstract: The discovery of Venus's atmosphere has been widely attributed to the Russian academician M.V. Lomonosov from his observations of the 1761 transit of Venus from St. Petersburg. Other observers at the time also made observations that have been ascribed to the effects of the atmosphere of Venus. Though Venus does have an atmosphere one hundred times denser than the Earth’s and refracts sunlight so as to produce an ‘aureole’ around the planet’s disk when it is ingressing and egressing the solar limb, many eighteenth century observers also upheld the doctrine of cosmic pluralism: believing that the planets were inhabited, they had a preconceived bias for believing that the other planets must have atmospheres. A careful re-examination of several of the most important accounts of eighteenth century observers and comparisons with the observations of the nineteenth century and 2004 transits shows that Lomonosov inferred the existence of Venus’s atmosphere from observations related to the ‘black drop’, which has nothing to do with the atmosphere of Venus. Several observers of the eighteenth-century transits, includ- ing Chappe d’Auteroche, Bergman, and Wargentin in 1761 and Wales, Dymond, and Rittenhouse in 1769, may have made bona fide observations of the aureole produced by the atmosphere of Venus.
    [Show full text]
  • Trinity Tripod, 2019-09-10
    The -Established 1904- rinity ripod T T Volume CXV “Scribere Aude!” Tuesday, September 10, 2019 Number II Campus Students Taken Off Trinity Ranks #46 Monday saw the announcement of the 2020 US News Renovations Housing Waitlist and World Report College Rankings. Trinity retained JAY PARK ’22 its position at #46 in the National Liberal Arts College KAT NAMON ’22 permit a higher number of NEWS EDITOR students to live off cam- rankings. Trinity also recently ranked #87 in overall NEWS EDITOR colleges and universities in The Wall Street Journal. Triniy underwent pus this academic year. Trinity’s housing lot- Director of Residential page a series of renova- tions on campus, tery annually leaves a Life Susan Salisbury dis- particularly in number of students with- cussed the change with the four year graduation rate Mather. out housing, due to factors Tripod, noting that “Ev- 78% which include shifting cir- erybody got housed, there cumstances, dorm avail- were a few students, not 4 ability, and low lottery very many, that came back avg. starting salary numbers. Last semester, and said they wanted to live $55,400 Trin Fits: due to the closing of the together, and because we Boardwalk and Park Place couldn’t accommodate them fall 2018 acceptance rate dormitories, 50 students during the time of the lot- 34% Fashion were left on the waitlist to tery, the Dean of Students receive their housing as- office permitted us to allow MICKEY CORREA ’20 signments. In past years, them to live off campus.” Whitman College (WA) COLUMNIST as many as 100 students Typically, the Dean Tied Furman University (SC) have been on the waitlist, of Students Office im- Dickinson College (PA) page The Tripod brings however, despite these poses a 175-student lim- Depauw University (IN) back its fashion high numbers, students it on those released from with: Connecticut College (CT) column, high- always end up with a the College’s on-campus Berea College (KY) lighting Bantams housing assignment by the housing requirement.
    [Show full text]
  • Below Is a Sampling of the Nearly 500 Colleges, Universities, and Service Academies to Which Our Students Have Been Accepted Over the Past Four Years
    Below is a sampling of the nearly 500 colleges, universities, and service academies to which our students have been accepted over the past four years. Allegheny College Connecticut College King’s College London American University Cornell University Lafayette College American University of Paris Dartmouth College Lehigh University Amherst College Davidson College Loyola Marymount University Arizona State University Denison University Loyola University Maryland Auburn University DePaul University Macalester College Babson College Dickinson College Marist College Bard College Drew University Marquette University Barnard College Drexel University Maryland Institute College of Art Bates College Duke University McDaniel College Baylor University Eckerd College McGill University Bentley University Elon University Miami University, Oxford Binghamton University Emerson College Michigan State University Boston College Emory University Middlebury College Boston University Fairfield University Morehouse College Bowdoin College Florida State University Mount Holyoke College Brandeis University Fordham University Mount St. Mary’s University Brown University Franklin & Marshall College Muhlenberg College Bucknell University Furman University New School, The California Institute of Technology George Mason University New York University California Polytechnic State University George Washington University North Carolina State University Carleton College Georgetown University Northeastern University Carnegie Mellon University Georgia Institute of Technology
    [Show full text]
  • Expedition Measures Solar Motions Seen During Last Summer's Total Solar Eclipse 7 June 2018
    Expedition measures solar motions seen during last summer's total solar eclipse 7 June 2018 "During the August 21, 2017, solar eclipse, our hidden behind the blue sky. "Only at a total solar dozens of telescopes and electronic cameras eclipse, when the blue sky goes away because collected data during the rare two minutes at which normal sunlight is hidden by the moon, can we see we could see and study the sun's outer the corona at all this well. And because the sun's atmosphere, the corona," reported solar- magnetic field changes over the 11-year sunspot astronomer Jay Pasachoff to the American cycle and erratically as well, each time we look at Astronomical Society, meeting in Denver during the corona—even when we get only a couple of June 4-7. Pasachoff, Field Memorial Professor of minutes to see it every couple of years somewhere Astronomy at Williams College, discussed results in the world—we have a new sun to study, just as a from his team's observations made in Salem, cardiologist-researcher who looked inside Oregon, and measurements that his team has someone's heart in, say, Africa two years ago for a made of extremely rapid motions in the corona. couple of minutes would still have lots to learn by looking at a new patient in the U.S. a couple of "We could see giant streamers coming out of low years later." solar latitudes as well as plumes out of the sun's north and south poles, all held in their beautiful "We are learning about the sun's influence on the shapes by the sun's magnetic field," he said.
    [Show full text]
  • Stem Cells in Cancer Initiation and Progression
    REVIEW Stem cells in cancer initiation and progression Jeevisha Bajaj1,2,3,4,EmilyDiaz1,2,3,4, and Tannishtha Reya1,2,3,4 While standard therapies can lead to an initial remission of aggressive cancers, they are often only a transient solution. The resistance and relapse that follows is driven by tumor heterogeneity and therapy-resistant populations that can reinitiate Downloaded from http://rupress.org/jcb/article-pdf/219/1/e201911053/1396574/jcb_201911053.pdf by guest on 09 February 2021 growth and promote disease progression. There is thus a significant need to understand the cell types and signaling pathways that not only contribute to cancer initiation, but also those that confer resistance and drive recurrence. Here, we discuss work showing that stem cells and progenitors may preferentially serve as a cell of origin for cancers, and that cancer stem cells can be key in driving the continued growth and functional heterogeneity of established cancers. We also describe emerging evidence for the role of developmental signals in cancer initiation, propagation, and therapy resistance and discuss how targeting these pathways may be of therapeutic value. Introduction demonstrated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML; Bonnet and Cancers arise from a series of mutations or genomic alterations Dick, 1997; Lapidot et al., 1994). The identification of malignant that provide a cell with an extensive ability to evade pro- stem cells in leukemia initiated a search for similar populations apoptotic and growth-inhibitory signals and to be self-sufficient in solid tumors, and about a decade later, a small population of ingrowthsignalsthatenablethemtodivideendlessly(Nowell, cells with tumor-initiating properties were identified in mam- 1974).
    [Show full text]
  • Comparison of Gravitational and Light Frequency Shifts in Rubidium Atomic Clock
    universe Communication Comparison of Gravitational and Light Frequency Shifts in Rubidium Atomic Clock Alexey Baranov, Sergey Ermak *, Roman Lozov and Vladimir Semenov The Institute of Physics, Nanotechnology and Telecommunications, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 195251 Saint Petersburg, Russia; 79111700994@ya.ru (A.B.); lozov-rk@ya.ru (R.L.); vladimir_semenov@mail.ru (V.S.) * Correspondence: serge_ermak@mail.ru; Tel.: +7-921-791-9091 Abstract: The article presents the results of an experimental study of the external magnetic field orientation and magnitude influence on the rubidium atomic clock, simulating the influence of the geomagnetic field on the onboard rubidium atomic clock of navigation satellites. The tensor component value of the atomic clock frequency light shift on the rubidium cell was obtained, and this value was ∼2 Hz. The comparability of the relative light shift (∼10−9) and the regular gravitational correction 4 × 10−10 to the frequency of the rubidium atomic clock was shown. The experimental results to determine the orientational shift influence on the rubidium atomic clock frequency were presented. A significant effect on the relative frequency instability of a rubidium atomic clock at a level of 10−12 10−13 for rotating external magnetic field amplitudes of 1.5 A/m and 3 A/m was demonstrated. This magnitude corresponds to the geomagnetic field in the orbit of navigation satellites. The necessity of taking into account various factors (satellite orbit parameters and atomic clock characteristics) is substantiated for correct comparison of corrections to the rubidium onboard atomic clock frequency associated with the Earth’s gravitational field action and the satellite orientation in the geomagnetic field.
    [Show full text]
  • NL#132 October
    October 2006 Issue 132 AAS NEWSLETTER A Publication for the members of the American Astronomical Society PRESIDENT’S COLUMN J. Craig Wheeler, aaspres@aas.org August is a time astronomers devote to travel, meetings, and writing papers. This year, our routine is set 4-5 against the background of sad and frustrating wars and new terror alerts that have rendered our shampoo Calgary Meeting suspect. I hope that by the time this is published there is a return to what passes for normalcy and some Highlights glimmer of reason for optimism. In this summer season, the business of the Society, while rarely urgent, moves on. The new administration 6 under Executive Officer Kevin Marvel has smoothly taken over operations in the Washington office. The AAS Final transition to a new Editor-in-Chief of the Astrophysical Journal, Ethan Vishniac, has proceeded well, with Election some expectation that the full handover will begin earlier than previously planned. Slate The Society, under the aegis of the Executive Committee, has endorsed the efforts of Senators Mikulksi and Hutchison to secure $1B in emergency funding for NASA to make up for some of the costs of shuttle 6 return to flight and losses associated with hurricane Katrina. It remains to be seen whether this action 2007 AAS will survive the budget process. The Executive Committee has also endorsed a letter from the American Renewals Institute of Physics supporting educators in Ohio who are fending off an effort there to include intelligent design in the curriculum. 13 Interestingly, the primary in Connecticut was of relevance to the Society.
    [Show full text]
  • Turf-Times Der Deutsche Newsletter Für Vollblutzucht & Rennsport Mit Dem Galopp-Portal Unter
    Ausgabe 269 • 36 Seiten Freitag, 14. Juni 2013 powered by TURF-TIMES www.bbag-sales.de Der deutsche Newsletter für Vollblutzucht & Rennsport mit dem Galopp-Portal unter www.turf-times.de AUFGALOPP Probably läuft im Derby „Next stop German Derby“ lautete die Nachricht, die Die Bilder, die wir in den vergangenen Tagen in uns Trainer Rune Haugen am Mittwoch aus Norwe- den Medien gesehen haben, werden so schnell nicht gen bezüglich des von ihm betreuten Probably (Da- vergessen werden. Überschwemmte Landschaften, nehill Dancer) übermittelte. Damit wird das Sparda Menschen, die ihr Hab und Gut verloren haben, die 144. Deutsche Derby in jedem Fall international. Im vor den Trümmern ihrer Existenz stehen. Der Ga- vergangenen Jahr wurde der Hengst noch von David lopprennsport hat in der tagesaktuellen Berichter- Wachman für die Besitzergemeinschaft Tabor/Mag- stattung naturgemäß überhaupt keine Rolle gespielt, nier/Smith trainiert, gewann die Railway Stakes (Gr. auch wenn es zwei Rennbahnen betroffen hat, Halle II), war u.a. Dritter in den Beresford Stakes (Gr. II) und Magdeburg, nicht zum ersten Mal. Ausgerech- und Vierter in den National Stakes (Gr. I) in aller- net. Bahnen, die ohnehin nicht gerade mit Reichtum dings stets kleinen Feldern, über Winter wurde er an gesegnet sind, deren Überleben in der Vergangenheit den Stall NOR verkauft. Beim Jahresdebut belegte des Öfteren am seidenen Faden gehangen hat, denen er sieben Längen hinter Nicolosio (Peintre Celebre) schon mehrfach die Existenzberechtigung abgespro- Rang zwei im Derby-Trial in Hannover. Am Dienstag chen wurde, weil sie wirtschaftlich angeblich nicht gewann er im schwedischen Jägersro ein übersichtlich tragfähig sind. Doch wo in diesen Tagen trotzdem besetztes 2400-m-Rennen als 11:10-Favorit mit 22 Menschen arbeiten und alles erdenklich mögliche Längen Vorsprung.
    [Show full text]
  • Orientation 2020 Md1
    NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION 2020 MD1 June 29 – 30 Office of Admissions and Student Affairs NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION 2020 MD1 Dear Morehouse School of Medicine Student: Our school is graced by an overwhelming number of exceptionally well-qualified applicants. You are in good company, and I am delighted to help you begin your journey into the remark- able profession of medicine. Professional school study is a time of exploration and immersion in your desired specialty. It is a time for the free exchange of ideas, acquisition of new skills, and creation of knowledge. It is a time when faculty will change from being your teachers to being mentors and colleagues. Morehouse School of Medicine was founded in 1975 as the Medical Education Program at Morehouse College. In 1981, Morehouse School of Medicine became an independently chartered institution and the first established at a Historically Black College and University in the 20th century. Our focus on primary care and addressing the needs of the underserved is critical to improving overall health care. During the course of my career, I have had the privilege to work in several other major health sciences centers, and I believe our faculty is second to none. Our faculty and staff are commit- ted to exceptional teaching, research, and patient care. We will never lose sight of the respon- sibility to guide, support, and teach. Morehouse School of Medicine has graduated many med- ical students over the years, and we remain the leading educator of primary care physicians in the United States. Our medical school is inextricably linked to our principal teaching hospital, Grady Memorial Hospital, and several affiliates: The Atlanta VA, WellStar Atlanta Medical Center, and Chil- dren’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
    [Show full text]
  • Syrphidae of Southern Illinois: Diversity, Floral Associations, and Preliminary Assessment of Their Efficacy As Pollinators
    Biodiversity Data Journal 8: e57331 doi: 10.3897/BDJ.8.e57331 Research Article Syrphidae of Southern Illinois: Diversity, floral associations, and preliminary assessment of their efficacy as pollinators Jacob L Chisausky‡, Nathan M Soley§,‡, Leila Kassim ‡, Casey J Bryan‡, Gil Felipe Gonçalves Miranda|, Karla L Gage ¶,‡, Sedonia D Sipes‡ ‡ Southern Illinois University Carbondale, School of Biological Sciences, Carbondale, IL, United States of America § Iowa State University, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Ames, IA, United States of America | Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes, Ottawa, Canada ¶ Southern Illinois University Carbondale, College of Agricultural Sciences, Carbondale, IL, United States of America Corresponding author: Jacob L Chisausky (jacob.chisausky@siu.edu) Academic editor: Torsten Dikow Received: 06 Aug 2020 | Accepted: 23 Sep 2020 | Published: 29 Oct 2020 Citation: Chisausky JL, Soley NM, Kassim L, Bryan CJ, Miranda GFG, Gage KL, Sipes SD (2020) Syrphidae of Southern Illinois: Diversity, floral associations, and preliminary assessment of their efficacy as pollinators. Biodiversity Data Journal 8: e57331. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.8.e57331 Abstract Syrphid flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) are a cosmopolitan group of flower-visiting insects, though their diversity and importance as pollinators is understudied and often unappreciated. Data on 1,477 Syrphid occurrences and floral associations from three years of pollinator collection (2017-2019) in the Southern Illinois region of Illinois, United States, are here compiled and analyzed. We collected 69 species in 36 genera off of the flowers of 157 plant species. While a richness of 69 species is greater than most other families of flower-visiting insects in our region, a species accumulation curve and regional species pool estimators suggest that at least 33 species are yet uncollected.
    [Show full text]