The magazine of the College of Science at the University of Notre Dame Winter 2010

COLLABORATE Working together in a joint intellectual effort Letter from the Dean

this edition of notre dame science focuses on collaborations. The acceleration of breakthrough discovery in science is a direct result of the acceleration in collaboration. We are more than a century away from Nobel’s requirement that no more than three scientists could receive his prize, and light years away from the days of the white-coated scientist working alone in a laboratory. Hundreds of scientists in such laborato- ries as Fermilab and CERN are investigating the origins of the universe. Notre Dame researchers among them have participated in the discovery of single quark production. Laboratories where faculty, postdoctoral asso- ciates, graduate students, and undergraduates collaborate on the Notre Dame campus are studying protein pathways and mathematical logic. Some of these collaborations are within departments. Some are across the University, such as the Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Bio- complexity (ICSB). Some bring researchers together with clinicians, such as gregory p. crawford the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute and the Ara Par- William K. Warren Foundation Dean seghian Medical Research Foundation. Still other collaborations form when of the College of Science, instructs our scientists partner with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy. science-business interns. The new ESTEEM—Engineering, Science, Technology and Entrepreneur- ship Excellence Master’s—program and a new Scientific Entrepreneurship course for undergraduates expose students to the breadth of knowledge they will need in the modern world. New leaders on campus, including the deans of the Graduate School, the College of Engineering, the College of Arts and Letters and the director of the Office of Technology Transfer share our emphasis on collaboration, and we will see more joint ventures with them in the future. The world is an increasingly complex place, and the problems we seek to solve with science are huge. We need each other—all of us collaborating in every way possible—to confront and overcome the challenges of disease, energy, and environment that affect the well-being of millions of people in the world. We want to understand the world where we live as fully as we can, and we want to move that understanding into commercial appli- cations that will benefit all of humanity. This is how we fulfill our mission to care for creation and to serve our brothers and sisters across the globe.

We are ND!

Yours in Notre Dame,

dean Gregory Crawford editor Marissa Runkle associate editor Bill O’Hayer writers Gene Stowe, Bill Schmitt photo credits Matt Cashore, gregory p. crawford Cheryl Kelly, Steve Toepp William K. Warren Foundation Dean Copyright © 2009. All rights reserved. College of Science 168 Hurley Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 science.nd.edu [email protected] (574) 631-4465 cold spring harbor laboratory collaboration The College of Science has partnered with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) to offer one outstanding Notre Dame Science student an undergraduate research position at CSHL in New York. Katie Washington ’10 who conducted research on campus with Professor David Severson at the Eck Institute for Global Health was selected to be one of about twenty undergraduates from across the nation to participate.

The magazine of the College of Science at the University of Notre Dame Winter 2010 Contents Undergraduate News + Research 26 Notre Dame’s Vision for Undergraduate Education 72 Science Education Opens the Door to Discovery and Service Feature Stories 82 Energy and Environment Class Addresses U.S. 2 Notre Dame Joins Clinical Translational Energy Policy Sciences Collaboration 92 Scientific Entrepeneurship 4 Irish Ingenuity 03 Undergraduates Publish Research with 6 New Leaders Bring Fresh Visions for IU School of Medicine Faculty Interdisciplinary Work 32 MySpace Study Warns Teens of Risky Behavior 8 Core Research Facility Forms Out of Collaborations 43 Medical School Admissions 01 Notre Dame Launches ESTEEM Program 11 Biomedical Workshop Brings Clinicians and New Titles + New Faces Researchers Together 63 Faculty Spotlight: Steven Corcelli 21 Group Discovers Compound that Prevents 73 Graduate Student Spotlight: Stacy Hoehn Cancer Metastasis 73 Undergraduate Spotlight: Andrew Manion 41 Physicists Discover Top Quark and Narrow 73 Alumnus Spotlight: Keith Sherin Higgs Boson Range 83 Kenneth W. Henderson Named Chair of Department of 61 Genomics Research Facility Opens Chemisty and Biochemistry 81 Parseghian Receives Honorary Doctorate 12 American Midland Naturalist Celebrates a Centennial Year College News 39 New Faculty 22 Notre Dame Particle Physicists Have Strong Connection to Nobel Prize-Winning Research 04 And They’re Off! (The Lights, We Mean) 42 Research Training in Mathematical Logic 14 Faculty and Student Researchers Recognized at Notre Dame Games 14 Student Athlete Spotlight: Tara Enzweiler and Justine Stremick 24 A Green Light for More Work on Sustainability 34 Nanotechnology for Next Generation Solar Cells 44 Standing Ovations: Faculty, Students, Alumni 84 Alumni Offer Research Mentorship Feature

Notre Dame Joins Clinical Translational Sciences Collaboration

Notre Dame has become a full partner of the Indiana participate in Pasteur’s Quadrant, where Anantha Shekhar, Clinical Translational Sciences Institute (Indiana CTSI), fundamental science is driven by medical director of Indiana CTSI a new organization with $25 million from the Nation- needs and applications.” Crawford says Notre Dame’s involve- al Institutes of Health and nearly another $25 million ment will lead to more collaboration in from other agencies and groups in the state. The Indi- the region, recognition for tangible con- ana CTSI is a collaborative effort of Indiana and Pur- tributions to healthcare and the economy, due universities, Clarian Health, private industry, state opportunities for NIH grants, new avenues of research and engagement with faculty in and local government, BioCrossroads, and others to other colleges, such as Engineering, Busi- implement a new program of translational research— ness, Law, Arts and Letters, and Architec- the process of turning basic science discoveries into ture. It will contribute to broad biomedical new medical treatments and business opportunities. sciences research proposals relevant to the Indiana CTSI. Bernhard says the Univer- “the indiana ctsi has the unique ability to sity’s increased involvement in addressing shape an entire state’s biomedical educa- social needs reflects an evolving role for the tion; to access and study most of the state’s institution: “Universities are the places in population health data through medical the United States where the hardest prob- informatics capabilities; and to innovate lems are going to be solved.” and influence both public and private Twelve Notre Dame research teams, along health services through partnerships with with researchers at other Indiana CTSI mem- the governor’s office, state legislature, state ber institutions, submitted research propos- service agencies, and health insurance pro- als to the Indiana CTSI in December 2008. grams, as well as through partnership with Brian Baker, an associate professor in the WellPoint, the state’s—and the country’s— Department of Chemistry and Biochemis- largest commercial health insurer,” says try, has already received a small grant to Greg Crawford, dean of the College of Sci- help advance his research into improving T ence, who worked with Robert Bernhard, cells that could be part of using the immune vice president of research, to bring Notre system to fight cancer. Baker is collaborat- Dame into the group late last year. “This is ing with a researcher at IUPUI and with the a unique opportunity for Notre Dame and National Cancer Institute, whose research Notre Dame Science, in particular, to grow involves making weak T cells stronger. its translational research. It will provide The Indiana CTSI aims to accelerate Notre Dame Science with a mechanism to the availability of discoveries by bridging

2 Undergraduates Conduct Biomedical Research with Indiana CTSI

Five University of Notre Dame under- graduates conducted research at IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis) this past summer, an early examplef o the benefits of Notre Dame’s rolen i the Indiana Clinical Translational Sciences Institute (Indiana CTSI). Marita Neidecker, Scott Barton, Maureen Early, Meg Griffin, and Jason Miller conducted research that has medical applications. the historical gap between basic science Brian Baker in the Department of Chemistry and Neidecker, a junior biology major, did researchers and clinical scientists. Both Biochemistry has received a grant from Indiana research aimed to gain further under- CTSI to advance his research into improving T cells. fields have developed to such a degree that standing into which pathway is respon- advances in one domain may rapidly inform sible for regulating bone formation. The or precipitate advances in the other. In the databases, and disease modeling that can work involved three colonies of genetical- past, discovery often languished or was lead to further discovery and more precise ly-altered mice to test different candidate long delayed before it could be applied to treatment of individuals’ illnesses. The pathways. Barton’s research on the role the disease management or population health. emerging field of pharmacogenetics, for orexin system plays in adaptive respons- Indiana CTSI Director Anantha Shekhar, example, can identify from genomic evi- eso t hypercapnia could have application in a talk this year at Notre Dame, said the dence which patients would not benefit to sleep-related disorders such as sleep number of university intellectual property from certain drugs. apnea, sudden infant death syndrome licenses to startup companies is growing Clinical translation science institutes (SIDS) and Ondine’s curse. Early, a junior rapidly. About 15 percent of licenses now will foster collaboration among basic sci- chemistry major, experimented with rats go to such companies, with 55 percent to entists of different backgrounds—clinicians, to evaluate the role of the orexin system small companies and 30 percent to large such as physicians, nurses, dentists and on anxiety and panic, a largely unexplored companies. Still, out of some 400 new dis- veterinarians; health professionals, such potential connection for the system that coveries a year, about 200 new patents are as pharmacists and others in allied health is known for its role in appetitive behav- filed but only about 100 patents are issued. fields; biomedical engineers; sociologists; iors and sleep and wakefulness. Griffin and “You have a large number of disclosures that epidemiologists, and others. Biomedical Miller’s research also had applications to sit in someone’s office, someone’s file cabi- research is undergoing a paradigm shift human health. net, for years,” he said, adding that the pro- that will integrate the interaction among gram aims to develop a statewide laboratory scientists working at every level of analysis. for transforming health sciences research Basic scientists provide clinicians with new and health care delivery. Shekhar said early tools for patients’ use and for assessment projects in Indiana likely will focus on can- of their impact, and clinical researchers cer and orthopedics. make novel observations about the nature Indiana CTSI will work to streamline and progression of disease that often stimu- a process that often requires $600 million late basic investigations. The University of to $700 million and 11 to 16 years to take a Chicago and Northwestern, among others, discovery to market. The clinical and trans- have similar grants, and a national con- lational research cycle starts with studies sortium could set some common strategic on human subjects and includes system- goals, such as streamlining regulations atic reviews, long-term studies, wide use and training the next generation of trans- Marita Neidecker in healthcare practices that develop large lational researchers. 

3 Feature

Irish Ingenuity Science-Business Interns Plan Research Translation to Commercial Application

new initiative for science-busi- business leaders and prominent, accom- science-business interns ness students this summer plished Notre Dame alumni to help them Six interns worked with faculty from across the college with the aim of translating basic accelerated research discover- flesh out the ideas. In addition, several of science research into possible commercial ies toward commercial devel- the interns participated in an intellectual applications. Aopment as six students met with nearly 50 property workshop in Chicago for individ- professors and composed proposals for uals interested in technology transfer. The possible applications. The proposals also next stop for these projects could be Inno- provided incoming Engineering, Science, vation Park.” Technology, Entrepreneurship (ESTEEM) Students in science-business take a Program master’s students with plans for host of science and mathematics courses their year-long projects. The science-busi- during their academic career and supple- ness students, mentored by Dean Gregory ment the science background with cours- Crawford, focused on seven of the ideas for es from the Mendoza College of Business more in-depth business opportunity sur- in marketing, finance, management and veys—conducting technology and intel- other applicable fields. This undergraduate lectual property due diligence, developing program, which was cutting-edge when it financial statements, and developing clever started in 1987, has doubled in size since Michael Dean Annie Kotz company names. the year 2000 and now involves more than The interns in the science-business 200 students.  degree program—Michael Dean (’10), Pat- rick O’Brien (’11), Rachel VanderGenugten (’10), Annie Kotz (’10), Katie Schenkel (’11) and Lauren Fowlkes (’11) —worked with professors in Physics, Chemistry, Biochem- istry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering, with the aim of translat- ing basic research ideas developed in the laboratories at Notre Dame into possible commercial opportunities. In the first four weeks of the internship, they interviewed professors to understand the science and its possible applications. Then they devel- oped three-page proposals on the science concepts and the most promising areas where they might enter the marketplace. “The students did a wonderful job at understanding our science and technol- ogy at Notre Dame and translating it into commercial plans,” Crawford said. “From particle physics detectors to drugs to a bed- side genetic test and mathematical algo- rithm, they did it all. They also met with

4 “Having the opportunity to work with professors from all different science disciplines opened my eyes to the research being conducted at Notre Dame. Combining this scientific research with business plans allows for a whole new career path. My favorite part of the internship was being exposed to all the different career opportunities that science-business has to offer. Before this summer, I had no idea about careers such as non-profit marketing for hospitals,

Katie Schenkel Patrick O’Brien Rachel Lauren Fowlkes commercialization of VanderGenugten scientific inventions or other related fields. Being exposed to so many differ- The Science-Business interns developed in-depth business opportunity surveys ent types of careers really for the following projects: helped me to understand my options as I look at

NANOEXPERIOR BIOLIGHT graduate school.” Premier Nano Materials Biotesting Laser-Based Sensing Technology —rachel vandergenugten with Professor Paul Huber with Professor Carol Tanner and Professor Steve Ruggeo SUPERIOR SEPARATIONS Small Molecule Separations with EPICS THERAPEUTICS Professor Ken Henderson Technology for Bone Marrow Transplants with Professor Paul KAMAT SOLAR ENERGIES Helquist Novel Solar Cell Technology with Professor Prashant Kamat ALGO BUECHLER DIAGNOSTICS Genetic Algorithm for Breast SAVING STROKE SOLUTIONS Cancer Prognosis with Professor Novel Stroke Compounds with Steven Buechler Professor Shahriar Mobashery and Dr. Mayland Chang

5 Feature

New Leaders Bring

right Dean of the Fresh Visions for College of Arts and Letters John McGreevy speaks with Interdisciplinary Work undergraduates.

ncreasingly, the College of Sci- GREG STERLING, the RICHARD COX, who ence is finding new support dean of the Graduate became director of School, sees a key role the Office of Technol- and opportunities for collab- for the College of Sci- ogy Transfer at the end oration with other colleges, ence in his effort to of 2008, is passionate Ioffices, and institutions on campus. increase the amount of about helping faculty The University’s mission of teaching, sponsored research at recognize when their Notre Dame. At the same new discoveries may be research, and service leads to more time, he expects to boost practical support commercially valuable, and then helping and more convergence and common for graduate students, both in their studies identify an effective way to put useful new initiatives as we together attack the and in preparation for entering industry or technologies to work for the benefit of soci- big issues that face human society. the academy—including a well-grounded ety. The College of Science is an important approach to ethics that will continue to source of those discoveries, he says. While Greg Sterling, dean of the Gradu- guide their decisions as they do research. some faculty, especially those who work ate School; John McGreevy, dean of “The University wants to double the regularly with companies, easily recognize the College of Arts and Letters; and sponsored research on campus,” Sterling the commercial possibilities of their new Richard Cox, director of the Office says. “In order to do that, we’re going to technologies, others might not; for instance, have to expand the graduate programs in a researcher that develops a novel tool to of Technology Transfer are among Science and in Engineering. The long-term help address a problem in the lab might not our colleagues in the effort. goal is to create a distinctive stamp for a recognize that other researchers would find Notre Dame PhD,” including excellence it useful, too, and could be willing to pay a in research, intellectual rigor, breadth of reasonable price to purchase such a tool. knowledge, good relationships with other The office, part of the Office of Research, disciplines, an ability to think ethically, focuses on licensing and looks for both tech- and a thorough preparation for a career in nologies that could be patented and compa- industry or the academy. nies that can take bench-scale technology One of Sterling’s goals is to provide a and develop it into a marketable product sufficient nine-month stipend, increased or service. “It’s not a trivial investment,” he support for healthcare insurance for grad- says. “These are very early-stage, nascent uate students, and additional support for technologies. They’ve got to be scaled. There professional development. Another is to are varying degrees of follow-on research. foster a holistic view of doctoral educa- Very few companies do the kind of basic tion, with solid training in the student’s research that goes on in Universities and field and expertise in the area of research national laboratories. These have become as well as preparation to enter industry or the incubators for that kind of research.” the academy, such as how to write grants, Cox and his two staff members already manage a budget, and run a lab. Anoth- work with various College of Science faculty. er involves training in ethics, beginning They expect to increase awareness of their with legal requirements for grants but also work through informal meetings, conver- reaching far beyond. “Next year, I want to sations with department heads and depart- come back to the question of values and mental meetings. They also work to establish ethics,” he says. relationships with corporations, informing

6 them of potential technologies and leverag- programs. He is particularly excited about ing the licensing efforts to attract research a new undergraduate initiative in Science, Intersection sponsors. Technology and Society that will result in a “We straddle the divide between aca- course of study that combines deep immer- of Art and Life demia and industry,” Cox says. “We want sion in one field of science with broad train- Sciences to strike deals that make good sense for ing in the liberal arts. “We think we can the companies and for the university. It produce the kind of graduates,” he explains, has to be win-win. There are things that “who are able to explain and understand sci- a collaboration between the depart- come out of this beyond just the money,” entific developments in a variety of careers, ments of Biological Sciences and Art, Art such as the prestige of patents and pres- from scientific journalism to venture capital.” History & Design brought the remarkable ence in the marketplace, employment for Pre-professional programs for Arts and artwork of Patricia Olynyk to the Jordan Notre Dame graduates, relationships with Letters and Science undergraduates is anoth- Hall of Science in September 2009. Olynyk, companies that could provide future busi- er area where collaboration can strength- director of the graduate school of art at ness or research funding, and—especially ened—and the education of Notre Dame Washington University in St. Louis, cre- in the case of Innovation Park—significant students enriched. “The science education ates large installations that combine her impact on the local and regional economy. of liberal arts students shouldn’t end with photographs of sense organs, taken with “Working with industry can be quite stimu- one course in the first year, and science an electron micrograph, with her photo- lating. It can also take a significant amount majors need the perspectives and skills graphs of Japanese gardens designed to of time. Our focus is on seeing technologies that are developed in a liberal arts educa- excite the senses. The displays, including successfully commercialized.” tion,” McGreevy says. “You have to be able sounds recorded at the gardens, reveal to think, speak, and act intelligently about an intersection between art and the life JOHN MCGREEVY, the all great issues of the day.” sciences. became dean of the Col- New opportunities for such cross-college Jean Dibble, associate professor of art lege of Arts and Letters in programs also include a planned BS in psy- and art history, who organized Olynyk’s July 2008—and quickly chology, one of the Arts and Letters fields visit said, “It is our hope that by provid- identified collaboration most integrated with science. “We need to ing this opportunity for interdisciplin- with the College of Sci- build more connections in cognitive sci- ary exchange and cooperation, we can ence as one of his key ence—especially in the study of the mind broaden the intellectual horizons of both priorities. “This leaps and the brain,” McGreevy says. artists and scientists at Notre Dame and to near the top of the list of things we need At the graduate level, greater collabora- create new bonds between them of com- to accomplish, and there are a lot of great tion can come in fields such as philosophy, mon interest, insight, and collaboration.” possibilities,” he says. which have a natural connection with cog- Indeed, the 20-year-old Reilly Center for nitive science, and history, where research Science, Technology, and Values already crosses traditional academic lines as medi- serves as a natural platform for joint projects. evalists work to date documents by the DNA “The center is a place where the College of of animal hides in parchment. Arts and Letters and the College of Science “Intellectual questions are driving more can meet both to promote new scientific and more people toward collaboration,” research and to explore how such technol- McGreevy says. “So we need to respond with ogy affects human society,” McGreevy says. more projects that draw on the strengths of McGreevy sees the center as the natu- both colleges.” ral vehicle for new cross-college degree

7 Feature

Core Research renovation in the Stepan Hall Facility Forms Out of Chemistry and Biochem- istry has signaled that Notre of Collaborations Dame’s already substantial Acapacity in mass spectrometry now boasts a new facility for state-of-the-art equipment. This change goes hand in hand with a new The Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility is the result identity as the “Mass Spectrometry and of collaborations in the colleges of science and engineering Proteomics Facility,” offering new proof of the Univervsity’s commitment to bold to provide both instrumentation and expertise in the investments in interdisciplinary collabora- emerging field of proteomics—the analysis of proteins— tions and new possibilities for teaching and as well as spectrometry. biomedical research that could save lives. “These new resources enable us to do analytical biochemistry at the cutting- edge,” says Rich Taylor, associate dean of the College of Science. He traced the facil- ity back to a major funding application to the University’s Strategic Academic Plan- ning Committee (SAPC) in 2007. The ini- tial SAPC competition included several proposals with substantial overlap in the need for and utilization of advanced mass spectrometric-based methodologies. This overlap underscored the fact that a critical mass of investigators was coming togeth- er in both proteomics and metabolomics, fields important to the research mission of Notre Dame. Meanwhile, thanks to a National Science Foundation (NSF) equip- ment purchase grant of $350,000 and oth- er pending changes, Notre Dame’s Mass Spectrometry Facility was indeed on the cusp of substantial advancements. The result, Taylor says, was that the University stepped up with funds for renovations and equipment to supplement the funding from the NSF and from other faculty-generated research support in such fields as environ- mental science and in both the colleges of science and engineering. bill boggess, The prospective advancements were director of the Mass well-timed with two new pieces of equip- Spectrometry and ment becoming available, new research Proteomics Facility and teaching personnel coming on board, promising growth in the still-burgeoning fields of proteomics and metabolomics, and

8 right Michelle Joyce, Assistant Professional Specialist, and Nonka Sevova, Senior Technician, analyze samples submitted to the Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility.

opportunities to participate more fully in collaborations like the Indiana Clinical and Translational Science Institute, the Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases and the Harper Cancer Institute, Taylor explains. Proteomics is an exciting field because it raises the study of proteins, which are essential to many biological processes, and relates to the large-scale information gathering and analysis opportunities of genomics. “From a biological sample, you want to see the effect you’ve had on a cell or Boggess estimates that some 60 research Two scientists, Amanda Hummon and a process and how you’ve changed the out- groups from various disciplines, including Matt Champion, who have recently joined put in terms of proteins being created,” says up to 300 graduate and undergraduate stu- the faculty in the Department of Chemis- Taylor. Equipment that can determine the dent assistants, had utilized the services of try & Biochemistry will provide substantial structure of individual molecules, includ- the Mass Spectrometry Facility. Before the expertise for advanced proteomics proto- ing proteins, is also invaluable for studying newest package of equipment, much of the cols and will facilitate the formal classroom biological transformations, a field called more demanding proteomics work had to instruction and training of students work- “metabolomics,” and other chemically be farmed out to other institutions. ing in the facility. related questions unrelated to medicine— The Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics “from cancer studies to synthetic organic “This is a beautiful Facility has already proven its worth to a chemistry,” he explains. growing number of research faculty mem- The SAPC dialogue about proteomics example of the cost- bers at the Indiana University School of and metabolomics “got people to think big- sharing protocol of a Medicine-South Bend, many of whom have ger,” says Taylor, who is convinced that “the adjunct appointments at Notre Dame. As atmosphere is in place to target opportuni- research university” Harper Hall rises adjacent to the medi- ties.” Suddenly, with nimble responsive- cal school’s Raclin-Carmichael Hall and ness among both funders and researchers, becomes home to the Mike and Josie Harper the Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics But with the expansion of instrumenta- Cancer Research Institute, scientists from Facility had the financial, administrative, tion and expertise, that work can now be Notre Dame and Indiana University will be and grass-roots support to come to life, effi- done in-house, integrating this field more collaborating on cancer research and wel- ciently and effectively, says Taylor: “This deeply into Notre Dame’s research program coming the advanced proteomics facility is a beautiful example of the cost-sharing as well as its teaching curriculum. Indeed, even more. “There’s a great synergy there protocol of a research university,” where a this combination of benefits—work hav- that we hope to expand,” says Taylor. dialogue about shared priorities and inter- ing clear intellectual merit and broader It will be easier to find more kinds of disciplinary synergies is always ongoing— impacts such as helping to train the next expertise, equipment, and cooperative and where a variety of parties and partners, generation of scientists—is a requirement engagement concentrated in the one facil- including the host institution itself, invest for NSF grants. ity, says Boggess. Generations of students jointly to pool resources and benefits. “Notre Dame is a perfectly sized insti- and scientists—as well as entrepreneurs Both Taylor and Bill Boggess, director tution to balance both of these criteria,” waiting for a break and hospital patients of the new facility, credit Graham Lappin, says Boggess, because it has well-funded waiting for a cure—will benefit from this former chair of the Department of Chem- research projects that require significant new symbol of “research in the service of istry and Biochemistry, with understand- contributions of our time and services but humanity,” Boggess says.  ing the scientific stakes and aiding in the there still exists an opportunity to invite advocacy that allowed the College of Sci- graduate and undergraduate students— ence to take this “quantum leap” beyond and even advanced high school students— the status quo of mass spectrometry. close to the action.

9 Feature

Notre Dame Launches ESTEEM Program

ollaboration among the College of Science, the College of Engi- neering, and the Mendoza Col- lege of Business has created the Cnew master’s degree program ESTEEM: Engineering, Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Excellence Master’s. The program teaches students with a bachelor’s degree in science or engineering how to develop a new product and process concepts from basic science, engineering, and high have the skills to develop them. “I think knowledge. “The best part of ESTEEM is technology knowledge—all critical skills for this program is a natural advancement for that students will be immersed in emerg- translating research in the modern world. Notre Dame,” says Carolyn Woo, dean of ing technologies while learning and using The ESTEEM program’s mission is “to the Mendoza College of Business. “It brings business leadership skills that will bring provide, within the framework of a premier together science, business, and engineering these technologies to fruition,” says Bob Catholic research university, a singular in a collaborative effort that allows the stu- Alworth, associate dean in the colleges of learning experience in which science and dents to take their education, their knowl- science and engineering. engineering knowledge and discovery are edge…to create something tangible. You “We will build upon Notre Dame’s great- transformed into societal and economic achieve the most leverage when you have est assets—an overarching desire to be a value.” The program’s primary goal is to all the disciplines working together.” force for good in the world; a strong ethical prepare students for a lifelong engagement Science, engineering, and business fac- and moral environment; a tradition of sci- with innovation that is wholly congruent ulty with interests and experience in busi- ence, engineering, and business working with the University’s distinctive Catholic ness and technology management will lead collaboratively in a liberal arts environ- character, fostering a culture of excellence, the program, based on dynamic, small ment; and the collective intellectual capi- inclusion, collaboration, respect for diverse group interaction among faculty, students, tal of extraordinary students, faculty, and ideas, and care for the common good.” and technology leaders. The program will external constituencies,” says Greg Craw- From small start-ups to Fortune 500 prepare students with entrepreneurial ford, dean of the College of Science, who companies, businesses demand techno- skills, and the ability to manage human, partnered with Peter Kilpatrick, dean of logically-grounded entrepreneurs who can financial, and technological capital, as the College of Engineering, to gain rapid identify new business opportunities and well as expertise in their specific field of approval for the program. “High-technology innovation is the key to success for our nation's economy, and ESTEEM fills an important need for skilled, entrepreneurial scientists and engineers,” Kilpatrick says. “I think ESTEEM will lead cross platform to additional cross-college projects in bio- With classes such as medical sciences and engineering, envi- Technical Marketing, ronmental sciences and engineering, and Research and Devel- in energy, all incorporating innovation and opment Management, Finance and Strategy, entrepreneurship.”  ESTEEM students are learning valuable skills.

10 Feature

Biomedical Workshop Brings Clinicians and Researchers Together

n March, the Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Biocomplexity held a workshop on biomedical research which brought together researchers Iin biomedicine, bioengineering, compu- tational and mathematical biology, and biophysics to discuss recent developments in biomedical modeling as well as current and resources,” organizers said. The cen- Electrical and Computer Engineering, and possible future collaborations. Top- ter focuses on research, education, com- Opthalmology and Visual Sciences and ics included development, neurobiology, munication, and the development of other Radiation Oncology at the University of thrombus formation, osteoporosis, bioim- resources. Iowa spoke about medical image analy- aging, and bioinformatics. Anantha Shekhar, director of the Indi- sis methods and applications. A highlight “Complex biomedical modeling efforts ana Clinical and Translational Sciences of the workshop was a six-member panel include predictive multiscale simulations Institute (I-CTSI) and associate dean for discussion on biomedical technology and consisting of different submodels at each translational research at the IU School connection to industry that included Rob- scale, scalable parallelism for heteroge- of Medicine spoke about the clinical and ert Bernhard, vice president for research; neous dynamical simulations, a data-rich translational research cycle and utilizing Gregory Crawford, dean of the College of environment with experimentally deter- a complex biomedical modeling approach Science; David Brenner, president and CEO mined model parameters and, finally, dis- to human diseases. During the three-day of Innovation Park at Notre Dame; Peter tributed multidisciplinary research teams workshop, Milan Sonka, a professor of Kilpatrick, dean of the College of Engineer- ing; Mayland Chang, assistant director of the Walther Cancer Research Center, and during the workshop Keith March, director of the Indiana Cen- David Brenner (top), ter for Vascular Biology and Medicine. president and CEO of Participants agreed that the urgent need Innovation Park, spoke for sophisticated answers to highly com- on transforming an idea into a marketable plex modern problems calls for levels of invention. Gregory cooperation among fields and institutions. Crawford (left), Brenner said that Innovation Park, “an dean of the College innovation ecosystem,” is designed to fos- of Science, shared ter such arrangements. “This whole build- information on starting a biotech ing is being designed for collaboration,” he company from a said, including a large open “greenhouse” university invention. with desks on wheels for easy re-arrange- ment when groups gather for brainstorm- ing. The old division between basic and applied research is also breaking down, panelists said. “Doing applied research makes you a better basic researcher,” Kilpatrick said. 

11 Feature

Group Discovers Compound that Prevents Cancer Metastasis

left to right otre Dame researchers affiliated with the Mijoon Lee, Mark Suckow, Shahriar Mobashery, Walther Cancer Research Center, collabo- Mayland Chang rating with other researchers, have synthe- sized a compound that can inhibit the activity of gelatinases (also known as MMP-2 and MMP-9), enzymes associated with the spread of cancer, a process known as metastasis. The group led by Mayland Chang in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry announced the breakthrough earlier this year in the journal of Chemical Biology & Drug Design. Presently, there are no drugs available that target cancer metastasis.

12 Cancerous Growth Leads to Metastasis in Malignant Disease

left Malignant human HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells (stained in blue) invade a filter coated with extracel- lular matrix (ECM). The cancer cells migrate through the ECM-coated pores (round openings) in a process that depends on gelatinase activity. The selective gelatinase inhibitor (structure in the upper left corner) effectively inhibits HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells in this assay of tumor cell invasion.

Effect of the Gelatinase the compound is more potent, more Notre Dame researchers are testing Inhibitor on the Invasiveness metabolically stable, and more water sol- the novel compound in animal models to of Human Tumor Cells uble than a progenitor compound that advance to preclinical development and ulti- showed promise when tested in mouse mod- mately clinical trials. “We hope that these els of prostate cancer metastasis to bone, new inhibitors eventually will translate into lymphoma metastasis to liver, and breast an effective therapy for gelatinase-depen- cancer metastasis to lung. More than 90 dent diseases, including cancer metastasis,” percent of metastatic tumors are fatal, far said Chang, who was in the pharmaceuti- higher than the mortality rate from origi- cal industry for 15 years. “We’re just trying nal cancer tumors that can often be man- to bring some of the discoveries here at the aged and treated by surgery, chemotherapy bench closer to the bedside.” or irradiation. Participants in the published study, Gelatinases are members of the matrix in addition to Chang were Mijoon Lee, metalloproteinase (MMP) family. Pharma- Giuseppe Celenza, Bill Boggess, Jennifer ceutical companies in the past have put Blase, Qicn Shi, Marta Toth, William R. broad-spectrum inhibitors of MMPs into Wolter, Mark Suckow, Dusan Hesek, Bruce clinical trials, but because they were deal- Noll and Shahriar Mobashery from Notre ing with broad spectrum inhibition of the Dame’s Walther Cancer Research Center 26 classes of MMPs, the trials failed. The and M. Margarida Bernardo and Rafael compound in this study is a highly selec- Fridman from Wayne State University and tive inhibitor of gelatinases, MMP-2 and the Karmanos Cancer Institute.  MMP-9, and does not inhibit other MMPs.

Control 10 µM

13 Feature

Physicists Discover Top Quark and Narrow Higgs Boson Range

otre Dame researchers, includ- “I am thrilled that CDF and DZero achieved ing some on each of the teams this goal. The two collaborations have been at the Fermi National Accel- erator Laboratory (Fermilab) searching for this rare process for the last Nin Batavia, Ill., played important roles in fifteen years, starting before the discovery discoveries announced earlier this year, including the breakthrough discovery of of the top quark in 1995. Investigating single top quark production and two discov- these subatomic processes in more detail eries that narrow the possible range where the Higgs boson could be found. may open a window onto physics phenom- Kevin Lannon, assistant professor of ena beyond the Standard Model.” physics and member of the CDF (Collider Detector at Fermilab) team analyzed data —fermilab director pier oddone from the Tevatron, the world's highest-ener- gy particle collider located at Fermilab near Chicago. Lannon did the final combination of six other analyses that demonstrated Researchers in 1995 first observed the that the result met the scientific standard presence of top quarks produced in pairs by Theories suggest for a definitive observation, known as five the strong nuclear force. A theory from the that the Higgs sigma. CDF and another team at Fermilab, mid-1980s predicted that top quark would production occurs only DZero, which was analyzing another set of also be produced singly by the weak force. once in approximately data with slightly different techniques, inde- A single top quark is produced only once in pendently reached the same conclusion and approximately 20 billion collisions, and a 200 BILLION submitted their papers simultaneously. large number of other processes can mimic collisions. “You have to do a very sophisticated the signature of single top production. analysis using as much information from According to our current understand- these particles as you can,” Lannon says. ing, there are three generations of quarks: “At CDF, we had six different analyses. I up/down, charm/strange, and top/bottom. took those six pieces and came up with a However, theories that allow for the pos- technique to combine them. The result is sibility of one or more additional genera- the definitive observation of the produc- tions predicted that the single top quark tion of single top quarks.” production would occur less frequently.

14 Randy Ruchti (center) instructs high school students in research at the forefront of particle physics through the QuarkNet program, a national program which he started.

Observation of single top production con- left to right In order to arrive at a value firms the idea that there are only three Department of Physics generations. “We really do understand the faculty Kevin Lannon, for the W mass, analysts Mitch Wayne (chair of basic building blocks of the world around the department) and must understand every other us,” Lannon says. Randy Ruchti This discovery also establishes tech- component of the collision niques needed in the search for the Higgs to calculate the neutrino’s boson. Researchers face many of the same challenges. Theories suggest that momentum. the Higgs production occurs only once in approximately 200 billion collisions, and similar-looking processes must be dis- counted. “We’ve observed something by As part of the search for the Higgs, the new model for the hadronic recoil, work these sophisticated analysis techniques,” DZero team announced its measurement that will be the subject of her thesis. The Lannon says. “There’s a path forward to of the W boson mass, which is theoretical- finding will narrow the range of possibili- do this for Higgs as well. It’s a challeng- ly related to the Higgs, on March 12, 2009. ties for the Higgs mass, already constrained ing problem, but we could see the Higgs Graduate student Jyotsna Osta, advised by by earlier experiments to a range between in the next two or three years.” Hildreth, associate professor of Physics, was 114 and 185 GeV/c^2. (This means the Higgs The CDF group included 635 physicists, a key contributor to the analysis that led to boson could be approximately 114 to 185 some 40 of which focused on the single the result, a process that involves careful times as massive as a proton.) top data. “My contributions to the analy- understanding of each result of a collision The day after that announcement, a joint sis depended completely on the work of and an exacting calibration of the particle announcement by DZero and CDF, the other the rest of the team,” says Lannon, who detector performance. group working at Fermilab, showed that the earned his PhD in physics at the University “W mass is an extremely difficult mea- Higgs cannot have a mass between 160 and of Illinois and spent five years as an Ohio surement,” Hildreth says. “Here, the W, 170, an important constraint as the search State University postdoctoral researcher at when it decays, decays to an electron and continues for the particle. Leo Chan, a post- Fermilab before he came to Notre Dame a neutrino.” In order to arrive at a value doctoral researcher also working with Hil- last year. Other Notre Dame researchers for the W mass, analysts must understand dreth, was an analyst on the DZero team that including Randy Ruchti, Mitch Wayne, every other component of the collision to achieved the result. The Tevatron experi- Leo Chan, Mike Hildreth, Dmitri Smirnov, calculate the neutrino’s momentum. This ments will continue to add more data in and Jadwiga Warchol have been part of the requires a detailed understanding of any their quest to find the Higgs boson before DZero team. other particles or energy in the event, known the LHC begins producing results.  as the hadronic recoil. Osta developed a

15 Feature

Genomics Research Facility Opens

a genomics core facility that opened earlier this year is supporting on-campus labs and attracting attention from outside researchers. The facility, which performs DNA sequencing and microarray experi- ments, is equipped with a Sanger sequenc- er and the latest Roche 454 sequencer. It is housed in 1,500 square feet in the Galvin Life Sciences Building. The Genomics Core Facility and its sister Bioinformatics Core Facility in the Depart- ment of Computer Science in the College of Engineering both provide critical support for experiments, says John Tan, managing director of the genomics facility. “We gen- erate the data and they’re responsible for analyzing the really large data sets we’re gen- erating,” he says. “We’re trying really hard to work together. There’s lots of cross-talk.” The goal of expanding the investment in genomics and bioinformatics is to pro- vide university-wide access to technical and computational resources for high throughput, computationally intensive genomics and bioinformatics projects, as well as to recruit new scientific users to these powerful technologies. Michael Pfrender became the faculty director of the Genomics Core Facility in July. At the same time, Scott Emrich became the facul- ty director of a related facility based in the College of Engineering, the Bioinformat- John Tan, managing director of the Genomics ics Core Facility which offers researchers Core Facility, examines DNA sequencing data consultation, data analysis and manage- with Michael Ferdig, who uses the facility. ment, custom development, and access to computing resources. Already, the Genomics Core Facility is others interested in our services. Our focus sequencing for multiple labs every week is Notre Dame’s research community, but and running microarray experiments at we intend to eventually accept jobs from least once a week, Tan says. “It’s really off-campus.”  open to all departments,” he says. “People have experiments they want to run, and we can support them. We regularly run sequencing for people and consult with

16 Understanding the genes in their dynamic contexts opens more opportunities for attacking a web of targets that could help defeat malaria.

Using Genomics to Discover Drug Resistance

combining classical genetics with cutting-edge genomic methods, Professor of Biological Sciences Michael Ferdig has recently uncovered new informa- tion on drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum, the most severe malaria parasite responsible for hun- dreds of thousands of deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. Ferdig takes the emerging “systems biology” approach, focusing on the whole genome rather than seeking a single gene responsible for the para- site’s agile resistance to drugs. New tools enable the discovery of the gene’s network and background, allowing a multi-pronged approach to the problem. Understanding the genes in their dynamic contexts opens more opportunities for attacking a web of tar- gets that could help defeat the disease. “We have to recognize biological complexity,” he says. “With genomic tools, we can begin to put mean- ing to this complexity and use it to redefine drug tar- gets. It will redefine how we go after this parasite in a rational way. You essentially get an architecture of the controlling elements of the genome that deter- mine drug resistance.” The genomic study maps the expression level of each of the parasite’s 5,300 genes. Research has discovered “hot spots” of regulation in the genome, such as a region of Chromosome 5 that can regulate hundreds of genes. 

17 honors Rev. John Jenkins, CSC, (left) and Chair- man of the Board of Trustees Richard Notebaert present Cindy Parseghian an honorary doctorate of science at the University of Notre Dame commence- ment in May 2009.

niversity of Notre Dame graduate and president of Parseghian the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation (APMRF), Cindy Parseghian, received an honorary Receives doctorate at the University of Notre Dame’s com- Umencement in May 2009. Parseghian and her husband Michael, Honorary an orthopedic surgeon and son of the legendary Notre Dame football coach, started the foundation in 1994, two months after Doctorate three of their four children were diagnosed with a fatal child- hood disease, Niemann-Pick Type C (NP-C). Parseghian, who graduated from Notre Dame in 1977 and earned an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at North- western, said she considers the honorary Notre Dame degree an honor for researchers, volunteers, donors, and the memory of all Niemann-Pick children. “It was not until my family experienced this tragedy that I totally understood the closeness of the Notre Dame community,” she said. “This is an honor by a community that I hold so dear in my heart.”

18 Feature

Cindy’s Story Finding a Cure: when a parent outlives a child once, it’s heartbreaking. Twice is Ara Parseghian unthinkable. A third time is unimaginable. How does a mother con- Medical Research tinue to survive when three of her four children are stricken by a dev- Foundation astating neurological disorder, debilitating to a point that they can no longer speak or eat on their own? researchers in the college fo sci- FAITH ence are working closely with the Ara On the wall of Cindy Parseghian’s office Specialists at Columbia University cited Parseghian Medical Research Foundation hang photographs of her children, Michael, two telltale symptoms—abnormal eye to find a treatment for Niemann-Pick Type Christa, Marcia and Ara, greeting cards movement and an enlarged spleen—and C.n I the process, discoveries could assist filled with quotes about faith and a napkin diagnosed Michael with Niemann-Pick. breakthroughs in treating other cholester- with the messy hand-scribbled note: “Love Cindy and Michael knew their other chil- ol-related diseases. U More.” Michael, Christa and Marcia are dren also had enlarged spleens and were Professors of Chemistry and Bio- now in the loving arms of God after suf- likely affected. All four were tested, reveal- chemistry Paul Helquist and Olaf Wiest fering from a rare disease with no known ing that only Ara was spared the disease. and director of the Center for Rare and cure, Niemann-Pick, a neurological disor- Using her business acumen, her father- Neglected Diseases, Kasturi Haldar, are der that leaves victims unable to process in-law’s Notre Dame connections, and her involvedn i research with the Foundation. cholesterol effectively. One can only image husband’s medical associations, Cindy Haldar recently taught a class where stu- what a mother might do when she gets the launched the APMRF two months after the dents looked at the disease from a patient news that her children will not be normal, diagnosis. Cindy has served as President of management standpoint, helping an NIH that they will never grow up to be adults. the Foundation from the beginning. As her research team in Indianapolis standardize She might cry or scream. Cindy did some- children’s health declined, Cindy set out in the scoring of examinations of children thing different. search of a cure. in his study and use the examinations to gain more information on the disease’s SOMETHING DIFFERENT THE FOUNDATION progression. Among all this personal misery and heart- The APMRF is a non-profit organization The Foundation fosters extensive col- ache, Cindy and Michael Parseghian, did dedicated to funding medical research laboration between researchers. Helquist something very different. They turned death projects to find a treatment for NP-C and and Haldar were among presenters at its into a celebration of life. They focused on related neurodegenerative disorders. A 15th annual conference that drew some their children’s hopes and dreams. Their dedicated army of volunteers, including 100 researchers this year. The urgency of children remained in school, always in leading biomedical scientists and clinicians the disease, which ravages and kills chil- regular classes, even though their learning on its scientific advisory board, drive the dren before they become adults, inspires was slowed. They continued karate, dance operations. The board works diligently to a high degree of cooperation, Parseghian and other activities that normal, healthy recruit top scientists into the field, to help said: “People tend to hold back on their kids enjoy. It was important to Cindy and formulate the direction of Foundation- research unless the article is about to be Michael that their kids enjoy life to the sponsored research and to evaluate grant published. We’ve tried to work around fullest extent, interacting with kids their proposals. that. The children’s lives are at stake.” age, loving life, and making friends—even As president, Cindy’s passion for the cure though their lives would end early. and her talent in raising money to fund basic biological and biochemical research has THINKING OF THE FUTURE had a tremendous impact worldwide. The OF OTHER CHILDREN Foundation currently funds 26 medical Cindy and Michael noticed signs that research projects and since its inception something was not quite right with their has raised more than $32 million. Vol- son Michael’s behavior—he was not able unteers, including members of the Notre to keep up with other children his age; he Dame family, keep administrative costs to had balance issues. Pediatricians wrote off a minimum. the problems as clumsiness, but an oph- Nearly 90% of all money raised goes to thalmologist noticed that Michael could fund basic research, helping not only those at work Kasturi Haldar (left) guides researchers in the Center for Rare and not raise his eyes without raising his head. (continued on page 20) Neglected Diseases.

19 (continued from page 19) Cindy Parseghian’s faith and fighting spirit transformed her personal tragedy into a passion to support science in search of a cure.

suffering from NP-C but also those with other cholesterol-related diseases such as stroke, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. The link between NP-C and Alzheimer’s is becoming more and more apparent each day as a result of Cindy’s strategic funding.

ENABLING SCIENCE In addition to her work for the Foundation, her experience and knowledge in rare dis- ease is greatly valued at the National Insti- top of the class Valedictorian tutes of Health (NIH) where she serves on Brennan Bollman, Biological Sciences the Council of the National Institute of class of 2009 Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Major Brennan Due to her efforts and Foundation fund- ing, there has been great progress made in Bollman Delivers basic science. Researchers have tracked down the gene that causes the disease— Valedictory Address a monumental step toward discovering a cure. Research determining the gene’s nucleotide sequence is now yielding early in her commencement address as valedictorian Brennan Boll- clues to the function of its protein, which man urged her classmates to take the tradition of courageous senses a cell’s level of cholesterol and helps service from the University to society. Bollman’s own experi- shuttle it from one location of the cell to ence included field work in the Haiti Program, 10 summer another. Researchers have also found that BRENNAN BOLLMAN weeks in a Catholic Worker women’s emergency shelter, an identical gene is at fault in a mouse model Biological Science and teaching courses on world affairs. She coordinated of the disease, which should open the way major; 4.0 GPA; Glynn Family Honors Scholar; the Pathos Project Humanistic Medicine Program, a stu- for detailed study of how the Niemann-Pick Attending Harvard dent-organized course now offered through the Depart- protein causes disease. Medical School Fall, ment of Preprofessional Studies. 2009 The APMRF helped to fund the devel- Bollman, who had a major in biological sciences and a opment of the drug Zavesca, which was minor in peace studies, earned a 4.0 grade point average and approved in Europe for the treatment of was a scholar in the Glynn Family Honors Program. She will patients with NP-C disease, and is hoping be attending Harvard Medical School in the fall. Last year, she that the US Food and Drug Administration received the Yarrow Award form the Kroc Institute for Interna- will also approve the drug. tional Peace Studies for her academic performance and service. Additionally, the APMRF is funding a Bollman also served as the student representative on the boards study through the NIH that may determine of the Dooley Society and the Center for Social Concerns. a biomarker which is central for drug test- “From our education, we expect to seek tough challenges, ing. The study is now in trials; two com- even if we fail,” she said in her address. “From our community pounds are being examined. we expect to not fit in, to lead as strangers. And from our con- Cindy’s story illustrates the impact that science we expect to feel forever unsettled, because our distress an individual can have on the lives of so gives each of us power. We can transform our world.”  many people. 

20 But the journal taps into this more detailed The American Midland knowledge while welcoming the broadly trained observer who can find “the con- Naturalist Celebrates nections to other disciplines” and the sur- prises or insightful generalizations within Centennial Year a site’s dynamics. Subjects selected for publication, he reported in the January 2009 edition of the t’s axiomatic in ecology that every- quarterly journal, include “issues of diver- thing is connected to everything else. sity in plants and animals, animal and plant The University of Notre Dame, which ecology, conservation measures to support for 100 years has been publishing the damaged habitat, invasive species, impacts Ischolarly journal, The American Midland of land use, and finally an essay on ethics Naturalist: An International Journal of Ecol- and science in the 21st century.” ogy, Evolution, and Environment, is using In a congratulatory preface to the jour- this anniversary year to celebrate the pub- nal’s centennial edition, University Presi- lication’s aptitude for making and describ- dent Rev. John I. Jenkins, CSC, and Provost ing connections—relationships out in the Thomas Burish called it “a relatively rare field and inside academe. This is also the example of a scholarly journal published time to link past and future as the editor- under the aegis and with the financial ship changes hands. support of a university, as opposed to a The journal’s history connects directly learned society.” back to one of Notre Dame’s most noted They added a note of gratitude to Father faculty members, who was a priest in the Nieuwland “for producing a journal that Congregation of Holy Cross. Rev. Julius demonstrates the commitment of a Catho- Kenneth Filchak and William Evans examine a Nieuwland, CSC, botany professor and specimen at the Museum of Biodiversity in the lic university to scientific investigation and PhD chemist whose experiments led to the Jordan Hall of Science. publication at the very highest levels.” They development of synthetic rubber, estab- continued, “Faith and reason, religion and lished The American Midland Naturalist in is a professor emeritus in marine biology science are not incompatible, but comple- 1909 as an antidote to the realization that from Texas A&M University who previously mentary. That conviction has animated United States scholars of flora and fauna served as Undersecretary of the U.S. Com- Notre Dame’s commitment to The Ameri- tended at that time to concentrate on the merce Department overseeing the National can Midland Naturalist for 100 years.” East and West Coasts. Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. University President Emeritus Rev. The- “He was always out in the field, collect- Evans, now ready to retire after modern- odore M. Hesburgh, CSC, commented in a ing specimens,” says Kenneth Filchak, an izing the journal’s outlook and procedures separate foreword that he hopes the jour- associate professional specialist in the and updating its title with the extension “An nal “will continue and expand its service Department of Biological Sciences, who international Journal of Ecology, Evolution, to the environmental sciences” in the com- serves as assistant-editor of the Naturalist. and Environment,” succeeded Robert P. ing century. “In these times of increasing “That was most of what biology was back McIntosh, who had been editor since 1970. environmental threats, better environmen- then; you didn’t do biology in the lab.” It was during McIntosh’s tenure that the job tal knowledge is needed to help resolve Indeed, as Nieuwland demonstrated description of “naturalist” became tied to conflicts for scarce resources and to make with his vast collection of plants still trea- newer, closely related terms like “ecologist” people’s lives better... The time to expand sured today in the Museum of Biodiversity and “student of evolutionary biology.” our environmental knowledge and employ in Jordan Hall, the practice of observing, The field itself has continued to evolve, it to better the world has never been more identifying, and describing the countless advancing from descriptions of nature to important, and The American Midland species of plants and animals to be found studies of how every resident species is Naturalist is responding to this call.” in the “Midlands” from Michigan to Texas interacting, says Filchak: “How does this Filchak says, “All science starts with was an ongoing feat of discovery, integrat- squirrel interact with these plants, which noticing something.” For the journal that ing biological and geographical knowledge can have an effect on these insects, and has been noticing and identifying connec- in the pages of the journal. vice versa? This is the level that’s the fron- tions for 100 years, the next 100 years may Filchak, whose grandfather is a cousin tier today.” bring a higher profile and even more possi- to Rev. Nieuwland, will continue his role Evans notes that the trend among the bilities for interactions like those personi- with the Naturalist after Notre Dame Bio- scholars from various fields and various fied by Father Nieuwland and amplified by logical Sciences adjunct professor William states and countries now likely to be sub- Notre Dame.  E. Evans retires as managing editor. Evans, mitted to The American Midland Natural- who has served as the editor since 2002, ist is toward ever-narrower specialization.

21 Feature

Notre Dame Particle Physicists Have Connection to Nobel Prize- Winning Research

ollege of Science researchers “The signif- played key roles in the work of icance of the demonstrating experimentally observation of the violation of CP symmetry, CP violation Cbetween matter and antimatter, that Makoto in B mesons Kobayashi and Toshihide Maskawa, both is that it helps of Japan, had suggested in a 1973 paper. explain why Kobayashi and Maskawa won a share of the universe the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physics for their is made of mat- work, which reconciles CP violation with ter rather than the Standard Model. anti-matter,” Jes- Ikaros Bigi, professor of physics, and sop says,explaining Tony Sanda, who were working together that matter and anti- at CERN, published a paper in 1981 that matter exist equally at suggested an experimentally feasible way the Big Bang, but CP vio- to study the concept in the laboratory. The lation provides the mechanism approach involves studying the properties by which anti-matter is converted to of B mesons, quarks and antiquarks bound matter as the universe evolved at early together by the strong nuclear force. The times.” American Physical Society co-awarded Bigi says, “The strength of CP violation Bigi and Sanda the 2004 J.J. Sakurai Prize observed is actually insufficient to explain for the work. the preponderance of matter and the next John LoSecco and Colin Jessop, both pro- generation of experiments aims to find research fessors of physics, were founding members the missing piece, possibly in the interac- Notre Dame physics of the BaBar collaboration, a team of 550 tions of neutrinos.” faculty played early key physicists which began forming in 1994. James Cronin and Val Fitch discovered roles in the work that They contributed to the design, construc- the CP violation in the decay of neutral led to the 2008 Nobel Prize, a share of which tion and operation of the experiment which kaons in 1964 and won the 1980 Nobel Prize was awarded to Makoto observed CP violation for the first time in B for their work. Kobayashi and Maskawa Kobayashi and Toshihide meson decays produced in electron-positron theoretically reconciled the phenomenon Maskawa. collisions from the PEP-II collider at SLAC with the Standard Model. At the time, most ® The Nobel Foundation National Accelerator Laboratory at Stan- physicists believed there were four quarks, ford University. A rival team achieved the although only three had been observed. same results at the same time in 2001 with Kobayashi and Maskawa hypothesized six the BELLE experiment at the KEK lab near kinds of quarks, in three families, because Tokyo, Japan. Both teams used Bigi & San- that would allow the CP violation to fit into da’s approach which was realized because the Standard Model. The fourth quark was of significant advances in accelerator and discovered in 1974, the fifth in the early detection technology in the interim. 1980s, and the sixth in the mid-1990s. 

22 John A. Lynch Lecture Series Brings Two Nobel Laureates to Notre Dame

John C. Mather shares the 2006 Nobel Prize Mario R. Capecchi, who was awarded the in Physics with George F. Smoot for their discovery of Nobel Prize in Physiology & Medicine in 2007, spoke to the blackbody form and anisotropy of the cosmic micro- the campus and local community on April 7, 2009 in the wave. Mather delivered a Lynch lecture titled, "From the Jordan Hall of Science as part of the John A. Lynch Lec- Big Bang to the Nobel Prize and on to the James Webb tureship in Life Science. Capecchi has conducted pio- Space Telescope" on April 23, 2009 to the campus and neering work in both genetics and cancer research. He local community. He also shared NASA’s plans for the is best known for the development of "knockout mice" next great telescope in space, the James Webb Space Tele- technology, a gene-targeting technique that has revolu- scope which will look even farther back in time than the tionized the study of mammalian biology and allowed Hubble Space Telescope. Mather was Project Scientist the creation of animal models for hundreds of human for NASA’s Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) satel- diseases, including the modeling of cancers in the mouse. lite, which measured the spectrum (the color) of the heat Capecchi is the distinguished professor of human genet- radiation from the Big Bang, discovered hot and cold ics and biology at the University of Utah's Eccles Institute spots in that radiation, and hunted for the first objects of Human Genetics. that formed after the great explosion. Mather is a Senior Astrophysicist in the Observational Cosmology Labora- tory at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

23 Feature

“Undergraduates, graduates, Research Training in and postdoctoral associates Mathematical Logic gain a sense of belonging to the worldwide community he University of Notre Dame “We bring a lot of people in to collaborate. of researchers in their field Logic Group has received a $1.2 We try very hard to expose our students to as they collaborate with million National Science Foun- a lot of people outside the University,” said dation Research Training Grant Peter Cholak, a professor of mathematics each other…” Tfor 2009-2014, continuing a successful pro- who is one of the four leaders of the Logic gram that has received support since 2004. Group. Experts have come from such insti- The grant will provide support for graduate tutions as City University of New York, the students, postdoctoral associates, and visi- University of Florida, the University of Texas, Evidence shows that undergraduates tors. In addition, it will support an under- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the who collaborate with a mix of graduate graduate mathematics seminar aimed at University of Michigan, Second University of students, postdoctoral associates and attracting talented, non-honors mathemat- Naples, the University of Paris, Wellington faculty—participating in seminars, col- ics majors to enter careers in mathematics. University in New Zealand and Novosibirsk laborative research and meeting experts “Our observations suggest that graduate State University in Russia. Reed Solomon, from other places are more likely to apply students who are involved early in collab- a former Notre Dame undergraduate, now to strong graduate programs in mathemat- orative projects, who have opportunities to a tenured faculty member at University of ics, the group says. Also, non-honors math interact with visitors and to participate in Connecticut, will be visiting for the year, on majors attracted to participate often bring a workshops and conferences, and who have sabbatical. Rebecca Weber, a Notre Dame broad interest in interdisciplinary work. sufficient time to read mathematical litera- PhD, now on the faculty at Dartmouth, In addition to Cholak, who works in ture and pursue their own research while will be here for the fall semester, also on computability theory and other areas of they are students continue to be active in sabbatical. mathematical logic, the group includes research after they graduate,” the group Notre Dame students and researchers professors of mathematics Julia Knight, explains. have traveled to the Association of Sym- who works in computable structure theory; Undergraduates, graduates, and postdoc- bolic Logic meetings and to other events Steven Buechler, who supervises students toral associates gain a sense of belonging located at sites from Hawaii to Heidel- in model theory; and Sergei Starchenko, to the worldwide community of research- berg, Germany. “It certainly exposes our who specializes in model theory. The grant ers in their field as they collaborate with students to the people who are doing the also increases the number of postdoctoral each other, attend research conferences best work in the field,” Cholak said. “Their associates working with the group. Peter and participate in sessions with experts in ideas are sharpened. The more conversa- Gerdes joined last year. Joseph Flenner the field who are visiting Notre Dame. The tions you have, the better possibility your will join later this year, and another post- grant will help pay for such travel, among results are going to be interesting to other doctoral associate is expected to join in a other things. people. Our students are known.” few years. 

24 Five Graduate Students

Chad Meyer Win Summer Physics Research Competition

the college of science and the graduate school recently held a summer stipend com- petition for graduate students in the College of Science. The college received 35 very strong applications and selected five outstanding recip- Stephen Flood ients based on the description of their proposed Mathematics research, academic qualifications, and detailed plans to submit and secure an external grad- uate fellowship. The competition was created to increase the number of external fellowship applications submitted by Notre Dame gradu- ate students. Those who received the summer stipends are then required to submit at least one external student fellowship application. The recipients were Chad Meyer (Physics), Stephen Flood (Mathematics), Kevin Tvrdy (Chemistry and Biochemistry), Candice Lumi- Kevin Tvrdy bao (Biological Sciences), and Jeffrey Bertke Chemisty and (Chemistry and Biochemistry). Meyer’s research Biochemistry aimed to better understand turbulence in star and planet formation by comparing compu- tational models of the earliest stages of plan- et formation and experimentally obtained observational data. Flood’s work centered on two complementary projects in applied math- ematics and computability theory that have a number of potential applications in science and engineering research, as well as commercial processes. Tvrdy sought to identify an alterna- Candice Luminbao tive to silicon-based solar cells by studying the Biological Sciences mechanism of electron transfer in quantum dot metal oxide assembles. Lumibao evaluated the genetic impact of human land-use against the backdrop of exotic disease and climate change. Her studies will help identify and define future conservation practices and management objec- tives. Finally, Bertke’s research characterized and evaluated the properties of high connec- tivity materials for use in several applications, including gas sorption, optics, and molecule Jeffery Bertke exchange.  Chemisty and Biochemistry

25 Undergraduate News + Research

notre dame’s vision for undergraduate education

otre Dame is a vibrant aca- education rooted in the fundamental in their understanding of complex demic community dedicat- belief that all truths participate in the human realities, and we call them to ed to scholarship and the Divine Truth, a belief that motivates respond to the needs of the world with advancement of knowledge, the vigorous search for knowledge. compassion and committed action. Nwhere students find opportunities on Notre Dame inspires students to By educating students to be engaged campus and abroad to develop ini- pursue learning as a good in itself by both their intellectual labors and tiative and leadership, and to learn and to see that pursuit as involving their faith, we aspire to offer an edu- by being fully engaged in our class- the whole person. We cultivate each cation that is Catholic in the broadest rooms, libraries, research labora- student’s capacity to think creatively sense of the word, both in welcoming tories, studios, and residence halls and critically while valuing the rich all persons of good will to our univer- among other venues. Notre Dame inheritance that comes from our sity community and turning outward seeks to nurture in its students intel- shared past. We expect our graduates to embrace the larger world. lectual passion and a keenly devel- to be conversant with and equipped to Formed by a rich liberal educa- oped moral sense, goals attainable contribute to the best thinking across tion and possessed of mature faith only where freedom of thought and the disciplines. Notre Dame helps in service to others, our graduates expression flourishes in a culture students acquire the virtues neces- leave Notre Dame prepared to take built on respect, responsibility and sary for living a good human life and their places at the forefront of dis- integrity. prepares them to become leaders in covery, innovation, and human Drawing on our Catholic intel- their professions, for their commu- achievement. lectual tradition, which fosters the nities, the Church, and the world. __ integration of faith and reason, As a community committed to ser- ratified by academic council on Notre Dame offers an undergraduate vice, we challenge students to grow march 23, 2009 Undergraduate News + Research

Science Education Opens the Door to Discovery and Service

What makes a Notre Dame undergraduate education distinctive? those who know the university of “The University is a dynamic place of can enhance our understanding of what Notre Dame have pointed to the superb inquiry, discovery and reflection, where is known by reason. teaching, the opportunities for creative col- students are integral participants in and The Catholic social tradition helps stu- laboration between students and faculty, beneficiaries of this broader institutional dents discern a life vocation in which their the holistic pursuit of truth informed by mission,” Jacobs said in a recent interview. talents and energies are directed around the Catholic intellectual tradition and the This shared engagement in addressing ques- principles of social justice and concern for commitment to service that adds meaning tions of significance and pushing back the the common good. That echoes the vision and responsibility to learning. frontiers of knowledge has helped to foster statement’s pledge to help students “acquire But now, the University has an official “a culture of collaboration within science,” the virtues necessary for living a good answer to the question—in the form of a where undergraduate students often join human life and [prepare] them to become “Vision for Undergraduate Education” that project teams comprised of faculty, gradu- leaders in their professions, for their com- was crafted with input from many mem- ate students and/or postdoctoral research munities, the Church, and the world.” This bers of the Notre Dame family, approved associates. really does make a Notre Dame education by the Academic Council and issued last Faculty-mentored undergraduate distinctive, says Jacobs, who leads a class spring by the Office of the Provost. research helps students develop sophisti- that conducts lead-based paint testing for The vision statement is a powerful cation as they “transition from apprentice houses in the local area: “We are the ben- reminder that Notre Dame’s unique educa- investigators into valued contributors.” “I eficiaries of a wonderful Catholic social tional experience has multiple components, can’t think of a more authentic learning tradition that helps animate the larger set must be reflected in many places beyond environment Notre Dame could provide of goals and aspirations behind service the classroom and relies on many people for a student of science,” says Jacobs. As through fundamental research and its including the undergraduates themselves, faculty, the dual privilege of exploring the applications.”  in order to be realized, says Dennis Jacobs, frontiers of knowledge and “seeing the light vice president and associate provost. bulb turn on” in young minds is “what gets Jacobs, who is also a professor of chem- us up in the morning.” istry and biochemistry, adds that the Col- In addition to advancing new discover- lege of Science strongly embodies the ies, Notre Dame draws upon the wisdom vision statement by “inviting students to of the ages. The Catholic intellectual tra- critically explore the natural world in a dition is built on, among other things, the way that engages their mind, heart, and fundamental principle that truths revealed spirit.” Nature presents herself to students through faith cannot be in conflict with in “very direct and accessible ways,” and truths uncovered through rational study almost instinctively, Notre Dame under- of the natural world. Said in a different graduates begin to imagine how science way, the discoveries of reason can enhance can serve humanity. our understanding of faith, just as faith

27 Undergraduate News + Research

Energy and Environment Class Addresses U.S. Energy Policy

professor of physics ani aprahamian’s course, concepts top Professor of of Energy and Environment, developed an energy policy for the Physics Ani Aprahamian United States that calls for a smart energy grid, use of dramatically instructs students in the Concepts of Energy and less coal and more nuclear and other alternative energy sources, Environment course. more strict energy requirements for houses and cars, and a cap- bottom Divided into and-trade system for industry, among other things. teams, class members The goal, Aprahamian says, was to engage the students, most- reported on specific ly business majors, in real-life issues that involve science so energy resources such as petroleum, natural gas, they will be prepared to consider such issues in society. “Today, coal, nuclear energy, solar nobody can afford not to be involved in the deep science issues. energy, wind power, geo- It affects all of us. It is so timely. There are new policies and a new thermal and bio-fuels. administration.” The popular course, based in the Department A 10-person policy of Physics, fulfills the University’s science requirement for non- committee checked regu- lations and a 10-person physics majors. panel drafted conclusions. Students had to take into account resource availability; past, present and projected future uses of the resource; costs; security; workforce; political and environmental risks; benefits; interna- tional context and efficiency issues. The class voted on the final policy. “You see what you can negotiate on, and what you can’t negotiate on,” Aprahamian says. “It’s not just a one-sided issue. I think this kind of learning you never forget.” 

28 notre dame science notre dame science insight Using a personal media viewer compatible with an iPod, students in the Scientific Entrepreneurship course experienced some of the latest technology that could revolutionize mobile entertainment.

Scientific Entrepreneurship

a new course, titled scientific entrepreneurship, introduced some 40 undergraduate science majors to the process of translating research discoveries into com- mercial applications. Greg Crawford, dean of the College of Science, taught the course and brought experts into the class from business startups, technology transfer and team- building to provide details about critical elements of the process. Topics included intel- lectual property protection, due diligence, prototyping and marketing. Students formed teams and received information about research discoveries by Notre Dame faculty, especially in the fields of energy, environment and health that could be the basis of new businesses. They composed mission statements, developed business plans and presented attention-grabbing elevator pitches aimed at attracting investors. Some students expect to continue their research and explore the possibility of starting companies. The increasing complexity of science calls for researchers familiar with discovery to move ideas across an “innovation gap” between the laboratory and the marketplace, Students in the Scientific Entrepreneur- Crawford said. “You see all these neat ideas,” said student Kate Lambert, whose group ship course brainstormed new product worked with a product to help doctors discover infections more quickly, “and wouldn’t ideas, created mission statements and presented engaging elevator pitches on it be cool if you could actually bring it out there?”  their proposed companies.

notre dame science notre dame science 29 Undergraduate News + Research

Undergraduates Publish Research full scholarship). “A lot of the med schools with IU School of look for a research component” in an appli- cant’s background, Kreimier notes. The impact from research also included Medicine Faculty important human elements. Kreimier cred- its project partner Nate Whitfield, simul- taneously an IUSM medical student and Notre Dame PhD student, with helping him absorb a bit of the medical school dynam- “By doing science, ics going on around him at the Raclin-Car- michael lab where the team worked. you better understand it,” But Kreimier offers special kudos to the leader of the team, Notre Dame biological says research assistant professor Dominic Chaloner, who is the under- sciences adjunct professor Kenneth Olson, graduate research program coordinator in the College of Science. More who has been a full-time physiology pro- fessor at IUSM-SB since 1975. Kreimier’s undergraduate students are doing research every year, he adds, and there’s adviser had sent him, as a sophomore, to a growing understanding not only of the facts being explored, but of the meet with Olson, and this well-respected impact of this research being enjoyed by students, faculty and others. researcher invited the pre-med aspirant into his constant flow of research work. ne venue that spotlights the widespread Olson says he always brings undergrad- impact is Raclin-Carmichael Hall, where uates into his teams because “it’s a delight a number of Notre Dame undergradu- having them around.” Another invitee from ates have collaborated in research proj- the Notre Dame Class of ’09 was Michael ects with professors and facilities that are Healy, who participated in a physiology shared by the University and by the Indi- project published in 2008 as “Hydrogen ana University School of Medicine-South sulfide as an oxygen sensor in trout gill Bend (IUSM-SB). chemoreceptors.” That accomplishment Eddy Kreimier ’09, who majored in biol- not only became part of his medical school ogy at Notre Dame and is now preparing applications—he’s starting this autumn at for a career in rural medicine at Michigan Columbia University—but also expanded State University’s College of Human Medi- his own aspirations. “I’m interested in doing cine, recalls the lab project in which he and research next year, too, in medical school,” Francys Verdial ’09 participated that led to says Healy. publication in a peer-reviewed physiology Suzanne Bohlson, an assistant profes- journal. sor of immunology at IUSM-SB who teach- The published research, “A reappraisal es advanced cell biology as an adjunct at of H2S/sulfide concentration in vertebrate Notre Dame, says giving undergraduates blood and its potential significance in isch- solid research experiences is “one of my emic preconditioning and vascular signal- priorities,” and finding students who are ing,” was surely helpful in both students’ driven to generate new knowledge is a par- applications to medical school (Verdial is ticular satisfaction. She sees the powerful attending Vanderbilt medical school on a motivation of service at Notre Dame, too.

30 notre dame science notre dame science left to right Sarah Sullivan, Michael Healy, Francys Verdial, Kenneth Olson, Eddy Kreimer and Suzanne Bohlson

“To emphasize that humanitarian side of and between doing and understanding medicine is essential,” says Bohlson. “That at the College of Science, says Chaloner. makes a person a good physician—when Likewise, the IUSM campus is just one of Undergraduate they genuinely care about their patients.” the resources that make those connections Research Journal She adds that exposure to research is a more meaningful; other resources, Chalon- practical plus because “we need physicians er notes, include courses that incorporate Scientia who can apply current knowledge to treat- research, an undergraduate research jour- ing patients.” nal, many internships and other research Raclin-Carmichael Hall—and the adja- opportunities on campus or in organiza- in spring 2009, the college of science cent Harper Hall now under construction tions around the country. launched a new journal of undergraduate to house the Mike and Josie Harper Cancer Faculty members are energized in their research, Scientia. Latin for knowledge, Sci- Research Institute—represent “a wonder- own research when they bring students entia, is predominately an online publication ful environment for faculty and students,” into the learning process, Chaloner says: with rolling submissions and a proposed annual combining research, medicine and values. “Students make me think more about what print edition. Senior Matthew Reagor and Junior Bohlson credits Rudolph Navari, MD, PhD, I’m doing.” For students and faculty alike, Melissa Harintho serve as editors-in-chief of IUSM-SB director and director of the Wal- research becomes a special pathway for the peer-reviewed journal while Nancy Paul, ther Cancer Institute at Notre Dame, with mentoring and sharing inspiration. Jimmy Rudloff, Cody Borgstrom, Alex Brescia maintaining that environment. “The average Notre Dame student and Brett Shannon serve as section editors for Of course, not all the students in that could easily be a leader of tomorrow,” says their respective departments. In total, nearly setting do pursue an MD degree. Sarah Chaloner, but that demands research expe- 20 undergraduate students in the college are Sullivan ’09, who worked with Bohlson riences that “change the way people feel responsible for the publication, serving as on a research project whose results were about information” and about the intrinsic reviewers, editors and news writers. set to be published this summer, is com- value of the learning process. “I want stu- The publication recognizes and encourages mencing immunology studies as a gradu- dents coming out of Notre Dame who are high-quality undergraduate research, provides ate student at Duke University. She won’t passionate about what they want to do.”  a forum through which students can gain essen- be a physician, Sullivan says, but the link- tial writing and reviewing skills and contributes ages to good medical care for people and to the advancement and cohesiveness of Notre societies are clear. Dame's scientific community. These students and faculty members are Scientia is supported by the College of Sci- just a sampling of the connections that are ence, the Notre Dame Journal of Formal Logic, growing between research and the class- and the Balfour Program. Visit scientia.nd.edu. room, between service and scholarship,

notre dame science notre dame science 31 Undergraduate News + Research

MySpace Study “Research encourages intellectual curiosity” Warns Teens of —tara brito ’09 Risky Behavior

tara brito ’09, a science preprofessional published in 2009 in the peer-reviewed must have circulated Brito’s resume far and major from Washington state, became a journal Archives of Pediatrics & Adoles- wide, indeed to her home state, because crucial part of a research team headed cent Medicine. Moreno recalls that, when she put out a call by University of Washington pediatrician Brito, who was accepted to several medi- for research help, “someone knew someone Megan A. Moreno, MD, that spotlighted the cal schools, chose to attend the University who knew Tara.” large percentage of risky behaviors—such of Washington. Besides the enjoyment of Brito thanked chemistry professor Xavier as sex, alcohol, and drug use—referenced co-authorship credit, she said such research Creary for priming her interest in research in 18-year-olds’ profiles on the social net- experience makes better medical school and for being one of the Notre Dame fac- working site MySpace. applications—and makes better doctors. ulty who mentored her. She has seen more Brito spent the summer after her soph- “Research encourages intellectual curios- classmates pursuing an expanding range of omore year gathering data to track some ity,” and a physician is committed to be “a research opportunities in the past couple 500 public profiles as the project got under lifelong learner,” she said. of years, with the college’s encouragement. way. In the beginning, a total of 270 (54 per- Moreno, who had never worked so closely The results of the study have been wide- cent) of the profiles contained references with an undergraduate in a research proj- ly publicized in national and international to risky behaviors including 120 (24 per- ect before, confirmed that Brito’s passion media including U.S. News & World Report, cent) that mentioned sexual behaviors and for learning was matched in its value by her USA Today, New York Times, the Boston 205 (41 percent) that referenced substance enthusiasm for utilizing the Notre Dame Globe, ABC News, CBS News and over 50 abuse. After receiving a single email from network as part of her career preparation. other media outlets.  “Dr. Meg” warning them of the potential As a sophomore, still unsure whether medi- —— trouble from the references in their pro- cal school was her destiny, Brito said she visit science.nd.edu / brito file and providing a website address with had approached the Dr. Tom Dooley Soci- information about sexually transmitted ety, an association of Domer doctors who diseases, a significant number of the teens serve as mentors for students. The alumni reduced their references to risky behavior and switched their settings to “private.” Brito says she was surprised at how unaware most people seem about the pub- lic nature of their postings. “I think one of the things people don’t realize is how eas- ily the information they put online can be accessed by other people,” she says. “I was floored at how easily I could access personal information about people online,” includ- ing address, school, contact information and details of life that show up in notes, comments and blogs. “They think it’s not going to affect them.“ Moreno said, “by the end of the project, I was viewing Tara as a collaborator” who helped to choose and interpret the most significant findings. The report carried Brito’s name as a co-author when it was

32 Katherine Dorociak Genetics Students Receive Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships

thirty-three college of science Kyle Dempsey students received Summer Undergraduate Financial Economics Research Fellowships to conduct research in summer 2009, almost twice the num- ber of students who received the summer fellowships from the college in 2008. The selective fellowships included a generous stipend of $4,000 or more as well as up to $500 for supplies. Mentored by a College of Science faculty member, the students typically worked full-time for 9–10 weeks on their research. Priscilla Do The awardees will continue to work with Biochemistry the same faculty mentor for at least one academic year, and are expected to give a formal presentation of their research at an undergraduate research symposium or scientific conference. Support for the fel- lowship program is provided by the College of Science endowment funds, Clare Boothe Luce Foundation through the Center for Undergraduate Scholarly Engagement, and the Indiana University School of Med- Justin Browne icine-South Bend. Nuclear Physics The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program demonstrates the col- lege’s commitment to the education and training of undergraduate students. These fellowships provide funding for students to focus on their research over the summer, under the continued direction of their fac- ulty mentors. As part of a broader program to increase participation in undergradu- ate research, the college has significantly increased the number and size of the fel- Jose Alfredo Blackey-Ruiz lowship awards in the last two years.  Genetics

33 Undergraduate News + Research

Medical School Admissions

edical school admissions rates have never looked A Selection of better than what they did for the Notre Dame class Medical School Acceptances of 2009. This year, many graduating seniors were not only accepted into more than one school, Boston University School of Medicine 13 Mbut they were also accepted in higher-ranked schools and more Dartmouth Medical School 7 top-10 schools. In fact, the director of the Center for Health Sci- Duke University School of Medicine 2 ences Advising Fr. James Foster, CSC, MD said, “Somebody was Emory University 7 accepted into each of the top 10 schools.” Georgetown University School of Medicine 18 According to the US News & World Report ranking of graduate Harvard Medical School 3 schools, the top ten medical schools, in order of research rank- Indiana University School of Medicine 83 ing include: Harvard, Johns Hopkins, University of Pennsylva- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine 5 nia, Washington University St. Louis, University of California Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine 29 San Francisco, University of Washington, Stanford University, New York University 4 Duke University, Yale and tying for tenth place Baylor College Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine 14 of Medicine and Columbia University. When ranked by primary Saint Louis University School of Medicine 14 care score, schools such as the University of Washington and the The Ohio State University College of Medicine 22 University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill rise to the top. University of Michigan Medical School 11 All of the University of Notre Dame’s best students were accept- University of Washington School of Medicine 2 ed into multiple schools. The very top students were accepted Vanderbilt University School of Medicine 13 into 10 or 11 schools. Three students—Reid Merryman, David Yale University 4 Nemer and the 2009 valedictorian Brennan Bollman—have all chosen to attend Harvard University School of Medicine. Visit nd.edu/~prepro/ for further information on acceptances. Both Foster and Assistant Dean Kathleen Kolberg are excited about the progress that the Center for Health Sciences Advis- ing has made towards accomplishing their strategic goals. The Center has reached all of its 2006 goals including increasing 85% of Notre Dame the overall acceptance rate of students, increasing the total students were accepted number of students accepted to top schools, increasing the number of scholarships and the number of students accepted into medical school last at more than one school. Even schools which have not tradi- year, one of the highest tionally accepted Notre Dame students are now offering stu- acceptance rates of any dents admission.  school in the nation.

34 Top 10 Tips for Getting into Medical School

1 Know yourself. Take the self-assessment tool available at the Center for Health Sciences Advising. Recognize your strengths and weaknesses; know your sense of purpose and motivation for attending medical school. This will help you as you prepare for application essays and medical school interviews.

2 Start preparing now. Get to know your professors and advisors early.

3 Start getting experience in a healthcare setting.

4 Study hard.

5 Get involved in extracurricular or leadership activities. These activities will distinguish your application from many others.

6 Consider research either in a lab, clinical setting, or out in the field.

7 Challenge yourself. Consider studying abroad or participating in the Center for Social Concerns’ International Summer Service Learning Program.

8 Get involved in service, such as the Summer Service Learning Project, Urban Plunge, or Appalachia service projects.

9 Read the latest news in the field of medicine. It’s important to start developing your knowledge now. Later, this information will prepare you for interview questions.

10 Practice interviewing.

fr. james foster, csc, md is the director of the Center for Health Sciences Advising.

35 New+ Titles New Faces

Faculty Spotlight

* * * * Steven Corcelli

in his peer-reviewed proposal to the NSF. “By integrating research into the course through a computational mod- ule, the students will learn how math- ematical and computational skills can be utilized in the context of an exciting multidisciplinary research problem.” spotlight Corcelli has also received a Sloan Assistant Professor of Fellowship, a $50,000 grant from a pri- Chemistry and Biochem- vate foundation that, like the CAREER istry, Steven Corcelli has Award, aims to support professors received an NSF CAREER award as well as a Sloan early in their careers. The money will Fellowship. be used for research that, using a new method called transition path sampling (TPS) to model chemical systems, will study charge transfer reactions. Cor- celli expects to develop a new method, nonadiabatic transition path sam- pling (NAPS), that will provide more information about the reactions. The steven a. corcelli, assistant pro- the major- and minor-grooves of DNA study could have application in solar fessor in the Department of Chemis- exhibits dynamics that are different fuel cells and other materials used to try and Biochemistry, has received a from the bulk, which will advance the help meet energy needs. National Science Foundation CAREER fundamental understanding of water Corcelli, who earned a bachelor’s Award worth more than $500,000 for at DNA interfaces. Discoveries could degree at Brown University and a PhD 2009-2014. The Faculty Early Career have therapeutic applications. at Yale University, was a postdoctor- Development Program is designed to The new course will focus on prob- al research associate at the Univer- support the integration of research ability and statistics, differential equa- sity of Wisconsin before he came to and education. Corcelli’s team will tions, and linear algebra, core topics Notre Dame in 2005. His research work to characterize water dynamics critical for success in upper-level chem- has included “New Theoretical and at DNA interfaces, and a new required istry courses. Students will gain great- Computational Methods for Studying course, “Mathematical Methods for er mathematical sophistication and Electron and Proton Transfer in Con- the Chemical Sciences,” will be add- aptitude, an appreciation for the role fined Environments,” “Computational ed to the curriculum for sophomore of mathematics in chemistry, and Studies of Hydrogen-Bond Dynam- Chemistry and Biochemistry majors. increased confidence to address chemi- ics in Methanol and Ethanol Probed Corcelli’s team, which includes cal problems with mathematical tools. by Ultrafast Infrared Spectroscopy,” two post-doctoral students, three “The proposed mathematical meth- “Towards Simulating Chemical and graduate students and four under- ods course will have a substantial Photochemical Reactions for Clean graduates, will conduct two comple- impact on the training of chemistry Energy: Methodologies for the Solid- mentary studies that will elucidate and biochemistry majors at the Uni- Aqueous Interface” and “Biological the extent to which water confined in versity of Notre Dame,” Corcelli wrote Water at DNA Interfaces.” 

36 Graduate Student Student Alumnus Spotlight Spotlight Spotlight

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Stacy Hoehn Andrew Manion Keith Sherin stacy hoehn, who received her PhD in Honors math major andrew manion ’09 The General Electric Co., a multinational Mathematics in May, has been awarded a received a Churchill Scholarship from the technology and services conglomerate, National Science Foundation (NSF) Post- Winston Churchill Foundation. He is one was the 2009 recipient of the Rev. Theodore doctoral Fellowship to study at Vanderbilt of only 12 winners this year nationwide. M. Hesburgh, CSC, Award for Exemplary University for two or three years. She will The scholarship is tenable at the Univer- Ethical, Environmental, Social and Gov- continue her research in topology, investi- sity of Cambridge and covers all tuition and ernance Practices given by the University gating mathematical objects, called high- fees as well as a generous living stipend, of Notre Dame. dimensional manifolds that do not have totaling approximating $50,000. Manion keith sherin ’81, senior vice president boundaries. will complete Part III of the Tripos, which and chief financial officer for GE, accept- Hoehn became interested in topology is essentially a master’s degree in math- ed the award on behalf of the company at Xavier University, where she earned a ematics at Cambridge University. He then on April 1 in the Jordan Auditorium of BS in Mathematics and Computer Science plans to pursue a PhD in Mathematics. the Mendoza College of Business. Sherin in 2004. At Notre Dame, where she earned Established in 1959, the Winston earned a bachelor’s degree in mathemat- an M.S. in Mathematics in 2006, she was Churchill Foundation was founded by ics from the University of Notre Dame and advised by Bruce Williams, professor of American friends of Churchill, who wanted an MBA from Columbia University. Sherin mathematics. Her research has included to fulfill his wish of always having young joined GE in 1981 through the GE Financial Siebenmann’s end theorem, surgery theo- American graduate students at Churchill Management Program in Medium Steam ry, algebraic K-theory and automorphisms College at the University of Cambridge. The Turbine. In the fall of 1995, Mr. Sherin of manifolds. Foundation’s scholarship program offers joined GE Medical Systems as manager In 2005, Hoehn received a three-year American citizens of exceptional ability of Global Finance and Financial Services, Graduate Research Fellowship from the and outstanding achievement the oppor- and less than a year later he was promoted NSF, which among other things support- tunity to pursue graduate studies in engi- to vice president of Finance and Financial ed a trip to Germany to give a presenta- neering, mathematics, or the sciences at Services Operation. tion on microbundles at a workshop on Cambridge. “GE has a long-standing reputation for high-dimensional manifolds and to attend This is the 35th national fellowship its strong code of ethics and its training a conference on surgery theory in Scot- received by a Notre Dame honors math programs in ethics,” said Patrick Murphy, land. She met Bruce Hughes, who will be major since 1990; 33 of these students professor of marketing and co-director of her mentor at Vanderbilt, at a conference including Manion have been members of the Institute for Ethical Business World- a few years ago. SUMR (Seminar for Undergraduate Math- wide. “The company also established its ematics Research). Manion completed an well-regarded Ecomagination sustainabil- honors senior thesis with Jeff Diller, asso- ity initiative and recently became a signa- ciate professor of mathematics. tory of the United Nations Global Compact.” NSF Postdoctoral Two important Ecomagination initiatives Fellowship recipient are the use of wind energy and energy-effi- cient light bulbs. Churchill Scholarship Recipient

37 New Titles + New Faces

Kenneth W. Henderson Named Chair of Department of Chemisty and Biochemistry

kenneth w. henderson, who became available at the University. He is one of chair of the Department of Chemis- the leaders of the Energy Center SAPC, try and Biochemistry on July 1, will an example of growing collaboration oversee growth in the department’s with the College of Engineering. faculty, a continued commitment to Chemistry is in a period of trans- excellent undergraduate education, formation. Unlike the past, when a and an increase in research produc- single investigator often worked in iso- tivity and collaboration within the lation from other researchers, modern college and across the University at chemistry increasingly involves inte- a time when, he says, the focus of the grated collaboration in order to deal field is increasingly moving towards with pressing national and worldwide challenges requiring interdisciplin- challenges such energy sustainability, ary solutions. providing a clean global environment Henderson, a native of Scotland, and improving human health, he says. and Fellow of the Royal Society of However, basic research remains cen- Chemistry, conducted postdoctoral tral in the search for realistic answers research at Brown University and com- to those challenges. pleted his first academic appointment “The discovery is still an impera- at Strathclyde University in Glasgow. tive for scientists,” Henderson says. He came to Notre Dame in 2002— “Providing solutions for many of attracted, he says, by the outstand- today’s complex problems requires ing faculty and excellent resources the creation of new knowledge. We are now in a time where we are able to take full advantage of the expertise in areas outside of our own to really push forward the boundaries of sci- ence and technology.” 

38 College patricia digiuseppe champion shaun lee became an assistant News became an assistant professor of professor in the Department of biological sciences. Her work has Biological Sciences. Most recent- applications to the treatment of ly, Lee was a postdoctoral fellow in tuberculosis which kills roughly the Department of Pharmacology two million people every year. She at the University of California San specializes in the study of molec- Diego’s School of Medicine. His Robert Alworth ular genetics of mycobacterial research at UCSD led to the dis- protein secretion and pathogen- covery of a new class of bacterio- esis. The majority of the Cham- cins that are produced by a diverse pion laboratory experiments will array of organisms, including combine molecular, genetic and several important human bac- biochemical approaches to bet- terial pathogens such as Group ter understand mycobacterial A Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, pathogenesis. Understanding how Listeria, and Clostridium botuli- mycobacteria cause disease will nun. Bacteriocins are ribosomally New Faculty lead to better anti-tuberculosis synthesized toxins that func-

vaccine development. tion as antibiotics. Research on Elizabeth Archie * * * * Champion came from the Uni- these bacteriocins holds valuable versity of California San Francis- promise for new classes of anti- robert alworth was appointed co where she was a postdoctoral biotics, and as targets for vaccine associate dean of entrepreneur- fellow. She received the Ruth L. research. Lee also analyzed over ship and innovation programs in Kirschstein National Research 8 million genomic sequences col- the colleges of science and engi- Service Award Fellowship from lected as part of the Global Ocean neering beginning Aug. 15. He the National Institute of Aller- Survey initiative. serves as the interim director of gy and Infectious Disease from Lee holds a PhD in Molecular the ESTEEM program. Former- 2006-2009. She earned a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology ly, he was senior vice president Molecular Biology from Princeton from Oregon Health and Science of international operations and University in 2003. University. global sourcing for S&C Elec- Patricia Digiuseppe Champion tric Co. in Chicago and has been amanda hummon was appointed michael pfrender became an appointed director of the Inte- as the Walther Junior Professor associate professor of biologi- grated Engineering and Business in the Department of Chemistry cal sciences and director of the Practices Program in the College and Biochemistry. The Hummon Genomics Core Facility. His inter- of Engineering. Research Group will develop high- est lies in a broad range of topics throughput methods to evaluate in the area of evolutionary and elizabeth archie was appointed both the transcriptome and the ecological genomics. These top- as an assistant professor of bio- proteome in colorectal cancer ics range from detailed investi- logical sciences. She studies the cells. The group will develop and gation of the molecular genetic evolution of animal social behav- adapt current mass spectrometric basis of adaptive traits and phe- ior and seeks to understand how and sampling protocols for global notypic plasticity, to the relation- Amanda Hummon social behavior influences an indi- molecular profiling to understand ship between genetic diversity and vidual’s exposure and suscepti- cancer systems. Tandem measure- ecosystem function. He studies bility to infectious disease. She ments of mRNA and protein equi- the relationship between short- conducts research on two popu- libria obtained following silencing term organismal responses to lations of social animals: the wild of individual genes with RNA environmental stresses and long- elephants and baboons living in interference-mediated pertur- term adaptive changes in novel Amboseli National Park, in Kenya. bations will elucidate the genetic environments. Ultimately, the Archie came to Notre Dame regulation of cancer-associated Pfrender lab seeks to connect from Fordham University, where signaling pathways. Hummon genome structure, quantitative she was an assistant professor of will use a powerful approach to genetic architecture, and patterns biology. While she was a postdoc- comprehensively and synchro- of gene expression and gene evo- Shaun Lee toral fellow with the Smithsonian nously probe the gene and protein lution, with the process of, and Institution’s Center for Conserva- expression changes underlying limits to, adaptation in changing tion and Evolutionary Genetics the colorectal cancer phenotype environments. in Washington, DC, she served while inferring gene function. He previously was an associ- on the Committee on Elephant Hummon was previously a ate professor at Utah State Univer- Science and Conservation Priori- Sallie Rosen Kaplan Postdoctor- sity, where he joined the faculty ties at the National Zoo. Archie al Fellow at the National Cancer in 2001. Pfrender earned a PhD in earned a PhD in Biology from Institute. She received her PhD Biology at the University of Ore- Duke University in 2005. in Analytical Chemistry from the gon in 1998. University of Illinois, Urbana- Champaign in 2004. (continued on page 40) Michael Pfrender

39 College News

(continued from page 39) And They’re Off! (The Lights, We Mean)

New Faculty

urely, Notre Dame’s push for energy savings through sustain- * * * * able resource management deserves the maximum amount of cross-campus collaboration. But, especially at a University with a spirit like ours, what’s the harm in a little friendly competition? S College of Science Dean Greg Crawford demonstrated that spirit—and sparked a year-long competition—on February 2, 2009, when he issued sustainability challenges both to his own college and to the Main Build- ing. Now, many minds are at work, behaviors are changing, assessments are multiplying and the clock is ticking, with a deadline of February 2010. Crawford said he wants the College of Science to save as much energy as possible during the one-year period. Half of the college’s electricity savings will be converted into science scholarship funding by the University admin- istration. Crawford went beyond that to challenge the Main Building to see Zachary Schultz Zachary Schafer which could reduce energy use by the largest percentage—a challenge accepted by Provost Thomas Burish. The Office of Sustainability took zachary schultz became zachary schafer, a 2001 on the dual role of contest judge and an assistant professor in the graduate of Notre Dame, provider of energy metrics to both Department of Chemistry and became an assistant professor sides. In its support role, the office is Biochemistry. His research in the Department of Biological providing “energy audits” that “give individuals feedback on how to achieve focuses on understanding how Sciences. Schafer’s laboratory the greatest energy savings while still achieving the goals they have for the spatial organization of mol- is focused on understanding their space, whether it’s a lab or an office,” says Rachel Novick, education ecules affects their behavior. He the cell biology of cancer as and outreach coordinator for the Office of Sustainability. is interested in understanding improvement of preventative In its monitoring role, the office compares each building to a baseline how the organization of mole- and therapeutic approaches derived from energy use over the past several years, adjusted to account for cules in biomembranes impacts requires a better understand- any renovations or other factors that could bestow unfair advantages, says biomedical issues such as dys- ing of the basic biological pro- Novick. More dramatically, the office began providing month-by-month functional cellular pathways cesses governing tumor cell updates on the contest. that cause disease, viral and behavior. He seeks to under- As of this writing, the “Energy Challenge” results were good for the bacterial infection, and drug stand how cancer cells can College of Science. For the first three months of the year-long competition, delivery. These interactions survive outside their natural the College of Science was ahead with an overall energy savings of 3.76% occur at the nanometer length niches and how changes in through April. The Main Building was slightly below its baseline perfor- scale, necessitating the devel- cellular metabolism can pro- mance, but you might say ESPN pundits (the Energy Savings Predictors’ opment of new methods by mote survival or induce cell Network?) were speculating that energy audits might help some Main the Schultz labs. His research death. His previous research Building suites bounce back during the summer. will utilize laser spectroscop- has uncovered evidence that Hurley and Hayes-Healy were the top-performing buildings, with respec- ic methods such as Raman oxidative stress can be tumor tive energy savings of 32% and 23% compared to their baselines. The Office near-field scanning optical suppressive by killing cells of Sustainability reported that those buildings had performed low-cost effi- microscopy. that are not in their natural ciency renovations, reduced heating and cooling hours, and were educating He was a National Research environment. building users to turn off lights and computers when not needed. Council Postdoctoral Fellow at Schafer was previously a Bill O’Hayer, business manager in the Office of the Dean, reported that the National Institute of Stan- postdoctoral fellow at Har- the college, too, was finding additional opportunities to save energy. For dards and Technology. Most vard Medical School, where very little cost, the college installed weather stripping and eliminated waste. recently, he was a research he received the Ruth L. In some cases, older buildings simply had had wasteful practices built into fellow at the National Insti- Kirschstein National Research them, like doors with wide gaps at the bottom, display lights that couldn’t tute of Diabetes and Digestive Service Award Fellowship from be turned off and a heater that ran all the time. and Kidney Diseases. Schultz the National Cancer Institute. One promising area has been the fume hoods in laboratories. The col- earned his PhD from Universi- He earned a PhD in Molecu- lege has been placing stickers on this equipment, reminding users to “win ty of Illinois at Urbana-Cham- lar Cancer Biology from Duke the fight” and “shut it tight.” Closing a fume hood, the stickers point out with paign in Analytical Chemis- University in 2006. reference to carbon dioxide emissions, is “like taking three cars off the road.” try in 2005. Place your bets on who will win when February arrives, and expect the collaborative/competitive model set by the College of Science to be emu- lated elsewhere on campus. 

40 Student Athletes

Faculty and Student Justine Stremick Researchers Recognized & Tara Enzweiler at Notre Dame Games

The promise of a full life—one that integrates academics, athletics and faith—attracted jus- tine stremick of North Dakota and tara enz- weiler of North Carolina to Notre Dame. It’s a promise kept, the volleyball players and Col- lege of Science students say. “I knew their volleyball program was pretty good,” says Stremick, a senior math major with a concentration in life sciences who expects to go to medical school. “I like the spiritual side, and the academics are just superb. I’ve always liked math and science. Going into college, I knew I wanted to do science.” “For me, Notre Dame was the perfect combi- nation of athletics, academics and the spiritual life as well. It works out perfectly,” says Enzwei- ler, a Science Business major who expects to go to veterinary school. “In the Notre Dame athletic department, we have so much support.” During the fall volleyball season, the team college of science faculty and practices four days a week for several hours and students who conduct cancer-related does lifting two or three days a week in addi- research were honored at the Notre Dame Women’s basketball game against DePaul, tion to competing on weekends. Practices and Feb. 8, 2009 at the Joyce Center. The game conditioning continue in the spring, along with raised awareness and funding for breast some games scheduled with other teams just to cancer research as fans learned about the keep in practice. Juggling the schedule with a number of faculty and students engaged in rigorous academic program is a challenge the cancer research at Notre Dame. student-athletes welcome. “It’s definitely tough at times,” says Stremick, * * * * a starter for the past three years who plays mid- dle. “I like my classes, and I like volleyball. I think you should like the stuff you’re doing. provost tom burish recognized You get done with practice, and you go do Professor of Physics Ani Aprahamian during your homework.” Enzweiler, a middle block- the third quarter of the Notre Dame vs. U of er, agrees. “I think it comes down to if you love Pittsburgh football game on Nov. 1, 2008. your sport and you love what you’re studying, A member of the Notre Dame faculty since you make it work,” she says. “I love sports in 1989, Aprahamian was one of six faculty general. I couldn’t imagine not doing science, recognized for their research accomplish- which is what I’m going to be doing for the rest ments during the last academic year. From of my life.”  an early age, Ani Aprahamian has been intrigued by “star stuff,” particularly the nuclear reactions at the heart of stars, supernovae and other cosmic events. And that passion has led to groundbreaking faculty and students whose research, and a leading role in shaping research has applications to Niemann Pick physics higher education. Type C disease were recognized at the Gold vs. Silver baseball game on April 7, * * * * 2009 at Coveleski Stadium where the Notre Dame baseball team played the South Bend SilverHawks. Several of the faculty and students conduct research for the Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases.

science and sport * * * * Tara Enzweiler (l) and Justine Stremick (r)

41 College News

A Green Light for More

Work on GreeND is a student organization that coordinates energy and environmental efforts at Notre Dame Sustainability such as Recyclin’ Irish. one challenge to be faced during the Research on Green Energy (SURGE), a Reilly Center for Science, Technology, and 2009–10 academic year is to make Notre forum at which more than a dozen Notre Values sponsored a conference on the eth- Dame’s campus-wide emphasis on “sus- Dame undergraduates presented original ics of nanotechnology, another field with tainability” worthy of its name—that is, research last fall. Brown says he hopes that energy and environmental implications. A to keep the green dynamics going follow- SURGE might grow in 2009-10 and encom- more light-hearted event occurred in April, ing the big launch in 2008–09. Early in that pass research from other universities, just when Recyclemania hosted a Recyclable academic year, after the 2008 Notre Dame as GreeND has reached out to many other Art Show, where residence halls presented Forum on sustainability featured an expert universities’ student groups by joining the original artwork made entirely form recy- panel discussing energy sustainability, Collegiate Energy Association. clable items. the duty to “meet the needs of the present There are plenty of other wellsprings of The possibilities for collaborations among without compromising the ability of future encouragement on and off campus that will people and among campus organizations generations to meet their own needs” has make Notre Dame and the world manage are increasing. Striving for sustainability remained with administrators, faculty and energy and the environment more sustain- “is probably the ultimate interdisciplin- students all across campus. ably. During the Notre Dame vs. Syracuse ary endeavor,” comments Rachel Novick, The story of students like Patrick Brown football game last fall, the University won education and outreach coordinator in the ’09, who is continuing his work on solar a $10,000 prize from NBC for winning an University’s Office of Sustainability. cell technology while pursuing graduate “eco-competition.” An outside organization In the context of such cooperation and studies in physics at MIT, can serve as an tracked the number of carbon reduction creativity from so many sectors, it looks inspiration to the whole University. Brown, commitments made by students, faculty, like sustainability is here to stay.  who was a chemistry and physics double staff and alumni of both schools. Syracuse —— major, became interested in solar power registered 1,446 commitments, but Notre learn about notre dame’s during his three years of research with Dame topped that with 1,932 pledges. sustainability initiatives at Prashant Kamat, a professor in the Depart- Last February, the second annual Green green.nd.edu ment of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Summit brought together some 200 stu- lead scientist at the Notre Dame Radiation dents, staff and faculty from a wide range Laboratory. of Notre Dame organizations and generat- His interest in sustainable energy led ed a list of recommended actions ranging him to be an early member of GreeND, a from green purchasing to transportation student group that oversees several ongo- to recycling initiatives. Also in February, ing projects or programs, including Recy- Notre Dame hosted a conference on the clemania and Recyclin’ Irish. Brown also future of electrical power. In March, the served on the student advisory board of the Notre Dame Energy Center and organized the first Symposium of Undergraduate

42 College News

Nano- technology for Next Generation Solar Cells

rashant V. Kamat, senior scientist at the Radiation Laboratory and professor of Chemistry and Bio- chemistry, recently reported on Pdevelopments in the utilization of semicon- ductor quantum dots for light energy con- above Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry version in an article titled, “Quantum Dot Prashant Kamat works with a graduate student in Solar Cells. Semiconductor Nanocrystals as the Radiation Laboratory. Light Harvesters.” The article was the cover story of the Journal of Physical Chemistry C separation and electron transfer processes for the December 2008 edition of the journal. for improving the overall efficiency of light The paper was part of a collection of energy conversion. “Capture and transport articles commemorating the centennial of charge carriers within the semiconduc- anniversary of the journal. Kamat, who has tor nanocrystal network to achieve efficient published more than 350 peer-reviewed charge separation at the electrode surface journal papers, review articles and book remains a major challenge,” Prashant wrote. chapters is the journal’s executive editor. The “Directing the future research efforts toward article also appears in the inaugural August utilization of tailored nanostructures will 2009 edition of a virtual series of the journal be an important challenge for the develop- titled, “Nanotechnology for Next Genera- ment of next generation solar cells.” tion Solar Cells,” an online compilation of This summer, the American Chemical the top 40 journal articles published in the Society named Kamat deputy editor of the past two years within the subdiscipline of forthcoming publication Journal of Physical physical chemistry. Chemistry Letters which addresses the most “As the quest for energy Kamat, who is also a concurrent pro- urgent research results across all areas of fessor in the Department of Chemical and physical chemistry. To be launched in Jan- solutions continues, we can Biomolecular Engineering, described three uary 2010, the journal will publish reports expect many new exciting major ways to utilize semiconductor dots exclusively online. Kamat joined the Notre in a solar cell: metal-semiconductor or Dame Radiation Laboratory in 1983 after discoveries to aid in the Schottky junction photovoltaic cell; poly- earning undergraduate and doctoral degrees capture and conversion of mer-semiconductor hybrid solar cell; and in physical chemistry from the Bombay Uni- quantum dot sensitized solar cell. Modula- versity and conducting postdoctoral research light energy economically tion of band energies through size control at Boston University and the University of and efficiently.” offers new ways to control photoresponse Texas at Austin. The solar cell research at –prashant kamat and photoconversion efficiency of the solar the Notre Dame Radiation Laboratory is cell. The article discussed various strate- funded by the Department of Energy.  gies to maximize photoinduced charge

43 Standing Ovations

experiences, and assist students in their successful application for Faculty Faculty post-baccalaureate fellowships. Promotions Accolades

* * * * * * * *

In the Department of Biological Sciences, mary ann mcdowell was promoted to associate pro- fessor with tenure. kenneth fil- chak was promoted to associate  patricia l. clark, associate professional specialist. professor of chemistry and bio- chemistry, has been selected as In the Department of Mathemat- a member of the Editorial Board ics, mark s. alber was promot- of the Biophysical Journal for a  francis connolly, profes- ed to an endowed professorship, three year term beginning July sor of mathematics, was cho- the Duncan Family Professor of 1, 2009. Members of the Editorial sen to receive the Dockweiler Applied Mathematics. brian c.  ani aprahamian, professor Board act as editor for submitted Award for Excellence in Under- hall was promoted to full profes- of physics, has been named a fel- manuscripts to the journal, and graduate Advising. Established sor. claudia polini was also pro- low of the American Association make all the editorial judgments in 2007 through a gift from the moted to full professor. masaru for the Advancement of Science leading (or not) to acceptance Julia Stearns Dockweiler Char- kenneth kuno was promoted to (AAAS) for “distinguished con- for publication. The journal has itable Foundation, the award associate professor with tenure. tributions to understanding the a current impact factor of 4.247 annually recognizes members structure of atomic nuclei and and a print and online circu- of the full-time faculty or exempt In the Department of Physics, the origin of elements and for lation of approximately 9,000. staff who have demonstrated a philippe a. collon was promoted communicating the excitement Clark was elected to serve a sustained commitment to Notre to associate professor with tenure. of science to diverse audiences.” three-year term as a member of Dame undergraduates through morten r. eskildsen was also A fellow of the American Physical the Council of the Biophysical outstanding mentoring, academ- promoted to associate professor Society, Aprahamian is chair of Society. Council members make ic advising or career counseling with tenure. edward j. stech the scientific council of GANIL, a all major policy decisions rele- services. was promoted to associate pro- prominent nuclear physics labo- vant to Society activities, includ- fessional specialist. ratory in France. ing development and approval stephen corcelli, assistant of the Society’s Annual Meeting professor of chemistry and bio- seth brown, professor of chem- program. The Biophysical Society chemistry, has been selected as a istry and biochemistry; gary was founded in 1957 to encourage 2009 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fel- lamberti, professor of biological development and dissemination low. He has also been named the sciences; paul helquist, profes- of knowledge in biophysics. recipient of a 2009 National Sci- sor of chemistry and biochem- ence Foundation CAREER Award. istry; dennis snow, professor frank collins, a professor of (See page 36.) of mathematics; and michelle biological sciences and former whaley, associate professional director of the Eck Institute for malcolm fraser jr., professor specialist, were chosen to receive Global Health, has been named of biological sciences, has been the Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, CSC, an ambassador in Research Amer- selected as a fellow of the Ento- Award for Excellence in Under- ica’s Paul G. Rogers Society for mological Society of America graduate Teaching. Established Global Health Research. He is one (ESA). Fraser and the other 2009 in 2007, the Joyce Award for excel- of 25 experts named to the soci- ESA fellows will be recognized lence in Undergraduate Teach- ety who will advocate for greater on Dec. 13 to 16 in Indianapolis. ing annually recognizes faculty U.S. investment in global health Fraser established the currently members who have had a pro- research. accepted model for baculovirus found influence on undergradu- assembly, elaborated the genetics ate students through sustained philippe collon, associate pro- of transposon mutagenesis of bac- exemplary teaching. These five fessor of physics, was named asso- uloviruses, and developed the pig- faculty members were chosen ciate director of the Center for gyBac transposon vector system. from 160 nominations from across Undergraduate Scholarly Engage- the University. ment effective July 1. The center, jacek furdyna, professor of which was launched in Fall 2009, physics, was awarded the Coper- provides programming and men- nicus Medal by the Polish Acad- toring experiences that encourage emy of Sciences in a ceremony on students to develop as scholars, July 3, 2009 in Warsaw, Poland. promote undergraduate research The medal is the Academy’s

44 highest honor. Furdyna holds the Cauchy problem for nonlinear Social Justice. Father Streit has the Aurora and Thomas Mar- evolution equations. dedicated himself to research and quez Chair of Information The- teaching on campus, and around Undergraduate ory and Computer Technology david hyde, Memorial Director of the world—especially in Haiti, Accolades in the Department of Physics. He the Center for Zebrafish Research, where he serves through his pas- is world-renowned for the design has been named a regular member toral presence and achievements * * * * and development of new semi- of the National Institutes of Health in discovering ways to help end conductor materials, including Center for Scientific Review Biol- the scourge of lymphatic filariasis. alison buch, caroline green, magnetic semiconductors aimed ogy and Diseases of the Posterior megan rybarczyk and david at performing new and extremely Eye Study Section for the term zoltan toroczkai, professor of nemer received the Outstand- fast functions in computers. 2009 to 2013. physics, was named a recipient of ing Biological Scientist award in a two month long fellowship at the May 2009, which is given to the alex hahn, professor of mathe- prashant kamat, professor Alfred Renyi Institute of Mathe- seniors who have demonstrated matics and director of the honors of chemistry and biochemistry matics of the Hungarian Academy outstanding scholarship in the program in the College of Science, and senior scientist at Radiation of Sciences. Toroczkai’s research biological sciences as evidenced has been appointed to the adviso- Laboratory, was named by the involves network science and its by both academic performance ry board of the Center for Teaching American Chemical Society as the applications. and participation in independent and Learning at the University of deputy editor of the forthcoming research. Vienna. His appointment comes publication Journal of Physical at a time of significant transfor- Chemistry Letters to be launched patrick brown, matthew lucia mation for the university. in January 2010. Responding to and jake skrabacz received the the demand for rapid dissemina- Outsanding Physics Major award kasturi haldar, the Julius Nieu- tion of results that are of imme- from the Department of Physics in wland Chair and director for the diate interest to researchers in May 2009. kyle neary received Center for Rare and Neglected physical chemistry, the new jour- the Paul Chagnon Award in Phys- Diseases, is working in the Grand nal will publish concise reports ics for establishing a great esprit Challenges Explorations project. exclusively in an online format. de corps among physics students, The $100 million project funded Kamat also serves as executive and krystyna traudt received by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foun- editor of the Journal of Physical the Outstanding Undergraduate dation will explore new ways to Chemistry A/B/C, a leading pub-  anthony m. trozzolo, the Research Award from the Depart- improve global health in 17 coun- lication of the American Chemi- Charles L. Huisking Professor ment of Physics in May 2009. tries over the course of five years. cal Society. Emeritus of Chemistry, has been named a recipient of the 2009 Illi- benjamin hechler received the greg hartland, professor in the leticia llarrull, a postdoc- nois Institute of Technology Pro- outstanding biochemist award, Department of Chemistry and Bio- toral research associate in the fessional Achievement Award for and Dominic Vernon received chemistry, was appointed Senior Department of Chemistry and a long career full of articles, pat- the outstanding biochemistry Editor of The Journal of Physi- Biochemistry, was named a 2008 ents, lectures, and honors across research award from the Depart- cal Chemistry beginning Aug. 1, Pew Latin American Fellow in the nation and the world. ment of Chemistry and Biochem- 2009 for two years. The journal, Biomedical Sciences. Llarrull’s istry in May 2009. christo sevov with separate weekly issues on research has applications to Meth- was awarded the outstanding dynamics and spectroscopy, soft icillin-resistant Staphylococcus chemist award, and jonathan matter and biophysics, and nano- aureus (MRSA). stefely received the outstand- materials and interfaces, is the ing chemistry research award. premier journal for publishing david severson, professor of bio- patrick brown was awarded the research in physical chemistry. logical sciences and director of the William R. Wischerath outstand- Hartland is also on the edito- Eck Institute for Global Health, ing chemistry major award. rial advisory board of Physical will lead a three year study with Chemistry Chemical Physics. His the University of Pune in India, brennan bollman, christo- research involves understanding funded by the recently received pher mariani and david nemer how optical properties of nano- Fogarty International Research received the Dr. Lawrence materials depend on size, shape Collaboration Award from the  pit-mann wong, professor of Baldinger Award from the Depart- and structure. National Institutes of Health. The mathematics, was chosen to be the ment of Preprofessional Studies study will focus on the midgut recipient of the College of Science in May 2009. mark quaresima alex himonas, professor of math- bacteria in Aedes aegypti mosqui- Shilts/Leonard Teaching Award and amanda musto received the ematics, received the 2009 Out- toes, and may aid in fighting the at the dean’s award luncheon in Dr. Samuel J. Chmell Award, and standing Mathematics Alumnus dengue virus transmitted through May 2009. The award recognizes thomas mader received the Pat- from Purdue University. He was the mosquitoes. outstanding teaching in memory rick Niland, MD award. The Rev. recognized during a reception of Rev. James L. Shilts, CSC. Joseph L.Walter, CSC award was on September 25, 2009 at Purdue. rev. thomas streit, csc, awarded to tara brito. Himonas is interested in the reg- research assistant professor of bio- ularity of solutions to linear par- logical sciences, received the Rev. tial differential equations and in William A. Toohey, CSC, Award for

45 Standing Ovations

daniel peck and saad saffo awarded the Winston Churchill collaborator with researchers at michael brady, MD, pediat- were awarded the Science-Busi- Scholarship. the University of Notre Dame. ric infectious disease physician, ness award in May 2009. Leiner wrote the proposal that founder of Family AIDS Clinical daniel rodgers, a 2009 gradu- won a fellowship for the National and Educational Services, and ate and a double major in theol- Science Foundation’s East Asia Notre Dame alumnus, received ogy and pre-professional studies, and Pacific Summer Institute. the Dr. Thomas Dooley Award for received the Ray Siegfried Award his service to HIV-affected fami- for Leadership Excellence after chris porter, a graduate stu- lies in central and southern Ohio. his year as a resident assistant in dent in the Department of Math- Siegfried Hall, and participating ematics, was one of two students john callaghan, MD, an ortho- in many activities inside and out- awarded the Outstanding Gradu- paedic surgeon who earned his side of the dorm, including Ben- ate Student Teacher award by the bachelor’s degree from Notre gal Bouts. Kaneb Center for Teaching and Dame, was elected to the Board of Learning. Directors of the American Acade- megan rybarczyk and char- my of Orthopaedic Surgeons and  david nemer, a senior in the lotte crowley, co-presidents will serve as First Vice-President. Department of Biological Scienc- of the Biology Club, led the Biol- es, won an Honorable Mention ogy Club in receiving Club of the joe gallian who received his PhD Award at the American Society for Year from the Club Coordination in Mathematics from the Univer- Biochemistry and Molecular Biol- Council. The club volunteered sity of Notre Dame, has just com- ogy Conference in New Orleans at the Humane Society, tutored pleted a two-year term as President in April. Nemer also received the local children in science, held an of the Mathematical Association Paul F. Ware, MD, Excellence in internship night, organized Best of America. Research Award at the dean’s Buddies science night, assisted awards luncheon in May 2009. with the Domer Doggy Walk and aparna pradhan higgins, who many other events. earned her PhD in Mathematics samuel hovland, michelle  bennett streit, a graduate from the University of Notre Dame, maurin, daniel moeller and eric riedl, honors mathematics student in the Department of will become the new director of the alex toth received the Norman major, and jack enyeart, math- Chemistry and Biochemistry, has Mathematical Association of Amer- and Beatrice Hasser Mathematics ematics major, were named Robert received the American Chemical ica Project NExT in August 2009. Scholarship in September 2009. P. Balles Notre Dame Mathemat- Society’s Division of Inorganic ics Scholars in September 2009. Chemistry award. He presented john e. macor, executive director daniel moeller, john par- his research on the enzyme chlo- of Neuroscience Discovery Chem- do, brooks smith, and sam rite dismutase at the Young Inves- istry at Bristol-Myers Squibb, has hovland, honors mathematics tigator Symposium during the been selected as the 2009 Robert M. majors, scored exceptionally well American Chemical Society meet- Scarborough Memorial awardee. in the 2009 William Lowell Put- Graduate Student ing in August in Washington, DC. This award, endowed by Portola nam Competition in Mathematics, Accolades Pharmaceuticals and conferred by placing in the top 500 students. demirhan tunc, a graduate stu- the Division of Medicinal Chemis- andrew manion ’09 placed 86th * * * * dent in the Department of Math- try of the American Chemical Soci- in the competition out of 3,617 stu- ematics, was awarded the 2009 ety, recognizes scientists that have dents. Their scores are notable as tiancong chen, a second year Outstanding Graduate Student documented success in the discov- each university or college only graduate student in the Depart- Teacher Award for Excellence in ery of pharmaceutical entities and/ sends the best mathematical tal- ment of Mathematics, received Teaching by the Kaneb Center. or a substantial body of significant ent to the competition. the Richard Sady Prize for 2008. research contributions in medici- nal chemistry. stacy hoehn, who earned a PhD in Mathematics in 2009, was one of two students awarded the Out- Alumni Accolades standing Graduate Student Teach- er award by the Kaneb Center for * * * * Teaching and Learning. She also received the 2009 Shaheen Gradu- svilen bobev, former graduate ate School Award. student, now assistant professor of solid-state and inorganic chemis- jonathan leiner, a graduate stu- try at the University of Deleware, dent in the Department of Phys- has been chosen to recieve the 2009  andrew manion, a 2009 grad- ics, received an NSF Fellowship ExxonMobil Solid-State Chemistry uate with a bachelor’s degree in summer 2009 to study in Korea Faculty Fellowship during the fall for a double major in honors with Sanghoon Lee, a professor at ACS national meeting in Wash- mathematics and music, was Korea University and longtime ington, D.C.

46 Where innovation happens.

   ,           have collaborated to form a new master’s degree program, integrating technology innovation with entrepreneurship. The Master of Science in Engineering, Science and Technology Entrepreneurship degree program challenges science and engineering students to be technologically innovative leaders ENGINEERING committed to delivering solutions to the problems of today’s changing world. SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY & ENTREPRENEURSHIP EXCELLENCE To learn more about the ESTEEM Program, please visit esteem.nd.edu or call (574) 631-1364 MASTER’S PROGRAM mentorship Alumna Megan Frost (l) mentored sophomore Alumni Offer biochemistry major Lucia Qi (r) in her lab Research at Michigan Techno- logical University Mentorship over the summer.

support from college of science alumni means more opportunities for undergrad- uate researchers to gain valuable experi- ence with researchers on other campuses, hospitals, and centers across the nation. of biomedical engineering at Michigan Alumni explain that they are eager to give Technological University who mentored back to the University that made such a her throughout her experience. Sophomore difference in their lives. biology major Alex Metoxen was paired with Recently, Michelle Whaley, who serves alumnus Michael Munks at the Nation- as the undergraduate research coordinator al Jewish Medical and Research Center in the Department of Biological Sciences, in Denver. recruited alumni to mentor undergradu- Daniel Funk ND‘89, associate professor ates by providing career advice and offer- at Vanderbilt University, mentored Charley ing research experiences in their labs. Fifty Spear in the field of evolutionary ecology alumni offered to give one-on-one career and evolutionary genetics of adaptation and advice to students, and 20 alumni have speciation in herbivorous insects. Recent above Through the Alumni Mentor- offered to mentor students in their own graduate, Laura Frazek ND’05, currently a ship Program, sophomore biology research labs. The support helps fill a need graduate student at the University of Iowa, major Alex Metoxen received guidance for more research opportunities. “There are mentored John Yerkes in improving the from alumnus Michael Munks to study the immune response to bacterial so many students who want to do research,” efficiency of the influenza virus vaccine. infection at the National Jewish Medi- Whaley says. “It’s opened up some possi- All four alumni—Frost, Munks, Funk and cal and Research Center. bilities that aren’t available on campus. We Frazek—utilized National Science Foun- know they will have a good experience.” dation grants to pay the students. their primary mentor and me as their sec- Because of alumni connections, bio- Still other alumni mentors such as Tom ondary mentor.” chemistry major Lucia Qi spent the sum- Kelley have enriched the research of doz- Kelley’s own research deals with cystic mer working on polymeric materials that ens of students on campus. Kelley, who fibrosis. When researchers identified cho- are used to fabricate a wide variety of bio- earned his PhD in Chemistry and Biolo- lesterol synthesis as a problem connected medical devices such as implantable sen- gy from Notre Dame in 1993 and is now a with the disease, they checked the effects sors and catheters. She was connected with professor at Case Western Reserve Univer- of already-approved cholesterol-lowering alumna Megan Frost, assistant professor sity, has been mentoring undergraduates drugs on cystic fibrosis, potentially an easy in Whaley’s cell biology course for more application. New pharmaceuticals spe- than 10 years. “He donates supplies for the cifically addressing the disease must go group,” she says. “He sends them a good through a lengthy FDA process that can amount of supplies every year, and men- take years and cost billions. tors them through weekly phone meetings, Kelley said students interested in medical and makes a trip to campus to mentor them research should be sure to pursue research in person.” This past summer, a team of opportunities at the undergraduate level to four students continued their research on gain experience and develop their skills. campus. “It’s potentially a new model for Regardless of the topic of research, students undergraduate research,” she says. “They should use these undergraduate research would stay a team and work with Kelley as opportunities to learn how to develop a full understanding of the goals, approach,

‹ Alumnus Tom Kelley mentored four results, and potential of the research. “I’m undergraduates in cell biology research glad there is so much interest in medical over the academic year and during the research,” he said.  summer at Notre Dame.

48 you don’t expect to unlock the secrets to human health.

Unless you’re a student in the College of Science, where research is becoming central to the undergraduate experience. Sara Fossum (’10) spent her summer with faculty mentor David AtHyde in the20, Center for Zebrafish Research, investigating the mechanisms by which adult stem cells regenerate dying retinal neurons to restore sight to the fish. Their work has important applications for human diseases such as macular degeneration. For Sara, it has the potential to change the way she sees the world. “Students don’t always consider research as a viable career path,” says Hyde. “But get them into the lab, and suddenly, they see that they can do research, that it’s exciting, that it can do a whole lot of good.” Currently, the college has the means to support only 30 undergraduates with paid research positions each summer. Your gift to the Spirit of Notre Dame campaign can change that—by 2 0 0 4 – 2 0 1 1 bringing more students into the lab and giving them the keys to a future full of possibility. The Spirit of Notre Dame. Pass It On.

Notre Dame Development Department • Supporting.nd.edu/spirit • 574.631.7164 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Office of the Dean Notre Dame, IN College of Science Permit No. 10 168 Hurley Hall University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN 46556 science.nd.edu

collaborative research Through a partnership with the Indiana Clinical Translational Sciences Institute, five College of Science undergraduates were selected to conduct biomedical research over the summer at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis.