C^ornell UWL Cxhemistry February 1992 Issue 53

An Essay on Teaching Science

by Professor Bruce Ganem room for exploring and evaluating the allied physical Professor Ganem joined the Cornell sciences, or investigating faculty in 1975. He has taught potential interdisciplinary 104, 251, 357, 358, 359, 360, options. Therefore our and 498, and will teach Chemistry 203 department has taken steps to in the Spring 1992 semester. Professor attract a greater number of Ganem won the Clark Distinguished scientifically minded students Teaching Award for 1985-86. to the field by offering the alternative chemistry major. To paraphrase Ezra Cornell's now- Designed around the notion classic words, the mission of the that chemistry truly is "the Chemistry Department is to provide central science,"* the instruction to any student in any aspect alternative major encourages of chemistry. Each fall around 1500 undergraduates to consider students, mostly first-year, enroll in one dual concentrations by of our general chemistry courses (i.e., combining a core curriculum Chemistry 103, 207, or 215). That count in chemistry (often the same has fallen somewhat over the past 15 prerequisite courses as for years; however, the number of students other science majors) with some highly Until now, this aspect of our mission has taking organic chemistry (i.e., Chemistry flexible electives to complement the remained largely unfulfilled. The problem 251, 357-360) has remained steady, interdisciplinary program. The alternative is how to teach nonscientists about indicating continued interest in career major has become quite popular among science. More specifically, how can we choices favoring the biological sciences biology, biochemistry, and premedical inform the next generation of and health-related professions. Thus, students. nonscientists about the major scientific while the health of our teaching program and technological issues that will affect remains strong, these statistics belie the Alongside the specialized training of our personal and national welfare? This situation in two important respects. and other scientists, which has complex question has many college and a long and successful tradition at university faculty deeply divided. Since First, only about 40-50 of those general Cornell, we have a second very science education is "vertical" and builds chemistry students graduate as chemistry important teaching imperative. Liberal upon preexisting knowledge, some majors, and perhaps 30-40% of those arts students and other nonspecialists faculty members want to add more students pursue graduate study in need to gain a more general under- general science courses to the core chemistry or biochemistry. In part this is standing and appreciation of science and curriculum. After all, science and due to the rigorous demands of the technology. Recent studies at the engineering majors at Cal Tech and major, which requires that over 60 credit national level document the lackluster M.I.T. commit 20% of their coursework hours of chemistry and related subjects performance of American students on to the humanities, so why shouldn't be crammed into an already crowded science aptitude tests. Compared to other liberal arts students devote the same time Arts & Sciences core curriculum. Many developed countries we rank at the to science? Perhaps this makes sense, but of our courses have carefully structured bottom of the pack in scientific literacy. it isn't quite so easy to design effective prerequisites, and latecomers to the Clearly, science education in our country science courses for the nonspecialist. major may find it a challenge to catch is in deep trouble. Many survey courses for nonscientists up. Moreover, the schedule leaves little emphasize factual memorization but do semester and spoke with students to find absent-minded or inept, sometimes little to explain the scientific process. out their impressions of the course. helpless in the face of our own They shed almost no light on the creations. With a large, captive audience scientist's way of thinking or working. Not surprisingly, some of the liberal arts of nonscientists one may be tempted to students I met had been discouraged by turn courses like Chemistry 203 into a Everyone should understand the concept, their first science course in high school. tirade in defense of science; however, woven into the fabric of all research, I was impressed that, despite such this tactic can easily backfire. A better that scientific theories are never proved, negative experiences, many seemed to way to help improve current attitudes they are instead deduced from impartial approach the course material with an toward science is for each of us to experimental observations. These theories open mind. As they reach out, we must explain more skillfully what we do (and may then gain wide acceptance, or be meet these students halfway, both by why we do it). We must write more disproved, but they can never be proved. doing a more effective job as teachers clearly in our textbooks, teach more Scientists know implicitly that theories and by recognizing that the needs of the enthusiastically in our classes, and are always subject to further testing, and nonscientist require innovative changes interact more positively and effectively that many theories will wither as better in our curriculum. Much in the format with one another on matters of science ones come along. This is the essence of and protocol of our current courses and public policy. the scientific method, and the relentless remains the familiar drill of homework questioning in search of better and exams, problem sets, and test Chemistry 203 represents a promising explanations is an integral part of the questions. This approach may be fine for new step in this direction for our way science works. the promising scientists in our department Judging from end-of-term classrooms, but it is not very meaningful questionnaires, the course was an During the Spring 1991 semester our to other elements of the student unqualified success, and we plan to department offered a course for population who are more interested in continue offering it on a regular basis. nonscientists entitled The World of understanding and appreciating the major Unfortunately, the problem will not be Chemistry, which was taught by intellectual methods of science. We must solved by our efforts alone at the Professor David Harpp from McGill be careful not to confuse one challenge university level. The entire educational University. Chemistry 203 aroused quite — the job of inspiring and training system in the United States places too a lot of interest when it was first young science students for math and low a priority on understanding science announced, and its enrollment of nearly science careers — with the equally at a time when we as a society are 400 students was gratifyingly large. The important but much different job of called upon increasingly to make course curriculum was broadly based and educating nonspecialists in the scientific informed and intelligent decisions on a included such topics as the chemistry of process. Just as a proper balance of fact variety of important technological issues. food and nutrition, the development of and method must be reached, so must Rather than stress the barriers imposed additives and sweeteners, the history of we balance the needs of those learning by the vertical nature of classical science drugs and their sources, household to do science with those being educated education, educators should devise an chemistry, the chemistry of plastics and about science. innovative and exciting curriculum polymers, biotechnology, the scientific starting in high school (or better yet, publication process, and ethics in Another obstacle that affects the teaching grade school) to help young people science. Slides and other visual aids of science to nonscientists is the rather understand the discipline and were used extensively, and several in- tarnished image we scientists enjoy. methodology that is central to science. class demonstrations by Professor Harpp Scientists are usually regarded as a breed were particularly well received. I apart, and people are suspicious of what * Reference to most recent National attended many of the lectures during the we do. We are often portrayed as Academy of Sciences Report on Chemistry.

Cornell Science Connection

The Cornell Science Connection is an principal about the school's science system established to help them answer organization of Cornell undergraduate curriculum. Brad was invited to attend those questions was cumbersome; and graduate students and faculty an "in-service" session for elementary students often lost interest in the volunteers whose goal is to foster interest teachers sponsored by the Ithaca Science question by the time the answer came in science among elementary school Center. He discovered that many back to the classroom. pupils. elementary school teachers did not teach physical science because they felt At this same time, Brad became The group got its start two years ago. uncomfortable with the subject matter. acquainted with Baiba Woodall, a Brad Pendley, then a graduate student in They were frustrated by their inability to Trumansburg elementary school teacher Hector Abmfta's group, asked his son's answer the questions raised by their who had received the Presidential Award kindergarten teacher and the school naturally curious pupils. The support for Excellence in Science and Math Teaching. Brad heard a similar story willing to volunteer as resources for The CSC is now helping teachers to from Woodall — primary school teachers answering questions. The group develop and perform their own need support in order to teach good identified four primary subject areas for demonstrations. The group continues to classroom science. which they would develop activities: meet regularly and to visit area schools. properties of matter, energy, forces, and Our instrument shop recently donated six Brad, together with Mark Banaszak Holl, states of matter. They put together balances to the CSC (see Issue 52), a member of the Wolczanski group, went simple science activity projects and took adding to the hands-on activity to Trumansburg Elementary School and them to each school, explaining the repertoire. The students enjoy doing the to Ithaca's Belle Sherman Elementary activities and the ideas behind them. The visits because "the enthusiasm level is School to conduct demonstrations teachers were delighted, and in late fall still high" in elementary school. 'The designed to captivate both children and 1990, the students, calling themselves kids are the best part, especially when teachers. Brad and Mark recruited several The Cornell Science Connection, began they ask really good questions," said of their fellow graduate students to the to go out in teams of two to classrooms Kimberly Lawler, a third-year grad effort. Asked how the students could in Ithaca and Trumansburg. From the student in 's group. help, the teachers had answers ready. outset, each team consisted of one "First of all," they said, "we need a female and one male, a conscious effort Brad Pendley is now an assistant phone number we can call when our to teach something besides science. professor at Rhodes College in pupils ask questions we can't answer, Memphis, Tennessee. Mark Banaszak and we need to know that the answer Carol Kappel, a fourth-grade teacher at Holl is a postdoctoral associate at the will come back to us the same day or Trumansburg, comments, "It's good for TJ. Watson Research Center in the next day. We need to know how best children to see young adults who are Yorktown Heights, New York. More to teach physical science: How do we get really involved with math and science. I students, including undergraduates, have the message across? How do we get our think it's so important for scientists to joined the CSC. Although most will pupils really involved in science? What get involved with the community, es- leave Cornell and the Ithaca area as they activities can we use?" pecially at the beginning of their careers, launch their careers, their contribution to and to share their knowledge with the science and to education will endure. The graduate students set up a network children: they have so much to give." of Cornell students and faculty who were

Chemistry Lecturer Wins Clark Teaching Award

Saundra McGuire, Associate Director of the Learning Skills Center at Cornell, and an LSC Senior Lecturer for Chemistry, has received the 1991 Clark Distinguished Teaching Award in the lecturer category.

McGuire received her BS in chemistry from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1970 and the MAT in chemical education from the following year. While a graduate student at Cornell, she received the DuPont Teaching Prize. She received her PhD in chemical education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1983. Her academic career has included teaching positions at the State University of New York at Brockport, The University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and Alabama A&M University.

McGuire's most recent teaching assignment has been Chemistry Oil, the support course for Chemistry 211. While reviewing concepts relevant to the 211 lectures and emphasizing study skills, she also aims to get the students to the point where they can solve the problems themselves. Students who wisely signed up for her Monday night classes gained confidence and an understanding of chemistry as well as a sense of "personhood." Her friendly manner, accessibility, and high standards were cited by her students in their nominating letters. We are proud and grateful that Dr. McGuire teaches chemistry at Cornell. Richard F. Porter 1928-1991

All of us were deeply saddened by the with appointments as a visiting professor at universities, and with scientists at the death of Professor Richard F. Porter on the University of Florida, as a visiting laboratories he visited. In recent years he September 1,1991. We all miss his gentle, scientist at Exxon Research and Develop- developed a new technique, referred to as friendly smile and his clear insight. The ment Corporation, and as a visiting "neutralized ion beam spectroscopy," for following remembrance was written by his collaborator at the Brookhaven National preparing and studying unstable radicals good friend, Professor W. Donald Cooke. Laboratory. and metastable states. He was a distinguished scientist and remained an Dick was born on February 8,1928 in While Dick was an excellent active researcher even into his final illness. Fargo, North Dakota. He attended experimentalist who used the most Marquette University, graduating with a sophisticated techniques, his primary Dick was a dedicated and enthusiastic Bachelor of Science degree in 1951. He research goal was the exploration of the teacher and adviser to his undergraduate received his PhD from the University of basic characteristics of matter. His students. Last July, he fully intended to California in 1954, under the direction of interests focused on mass spectrometric, continue teaching, and looked forward to Professor Leo Brewer. His postdoctoral electron diffraction, and spectroscopic greeting his class in September. When that days were spent at the University of studies of gaseous systems at high no longer appeared possible, he was Chicago under the tutelage of Professor temperatures. These included thermo- deeply concerned about what would Mark Inghram. It was at Chicago, working dynamic studies of vaporization reactions, happen to his course and his students. with Inghram and Cupka, that Dick high temperature boron chemistry, the acquired his lifelong association with mass photochemistry of boron molecules, and He was a mentor and friend to his graduate spectrometry. He joined the faculty at studies of the ionization of inorganic students and postdoctoral associates, who Cornell in 1955, and spent the rest of his compounds. His work spanned a broad will feel the loss all the more keenly career with us. range of science, as evidenced by the fact because of the close relationships he had that his bibliography includes 144 articles with many of them. Recognition by his peers came early for in 35 different periodicals. Dick. From 1960 to 1964 he was an Alfred Dick was a modest, kind, generous, and P. Sloan Fellow. In 1964 he was named a Dick served as a scientific catalyst for straightforward colleague. We will miss John Simon Guggenheim fellow by the others. He co-authored papers with him. National Research Council. In 1970 he was colleagues in the Department of Chemistry a NATO Senior Postdoctoral Fellow at the and in Cornell's College of Engineering, as W. Donald Cooke University of Freiburg. He was honored well as with faculty members at other Faculty News

Hector D. Abruiia has edited Electro- Meinwald and his frequent research on this occasion. These awards are given chemical Interfaces: Modern Techniques collaborator, Cornell biology professor only once each decade. Japanese scientists for In-Situ Interface Characterization, , received Silver Medal who also received honorary membership published by VCH in 1991. awards from the International Society of on this occasion were: Professor in July 1991 for their Motoham Tanaka of Nagoya University, The National Science Foundation recently pioneering research in insect chemical Professor Shigeru Ohashi of Kyusho announced that Barbara A. Baird has ecology. University, and Professor Masakichi won a grant of $50,000 for five years, Nishimura of Hokaido University. under the Faculty Awards for Women Fred W. McLafferty is the co-author, Professor Morrison presented lectures at Scientists and Engineers program. with Doug Stauffer, PhD '84, of Important The Japan Society for Analytical Professor Baird's project is entitled Peak Index of the Registry of Mass Chemistry, the University of Hiroshima, "Dynamic Studies on Individual Cell Spectral Data published by John Wiley and Osaka University. Surface Receptors." and Sons. The book was released in the summer of 1991. Ben Widom won the 1992 Joel Henry Jerrold Meinwald has been selected as a Hildebrand Award in the Theoretical and Sigma Xi National Lecturer by the Sigma In commemoration of its fortieth Jubilee, Experimental Chemistry of Liquids from Xi Scientific Research Society. The the Japan Society for Analytical the American Chemical Society. Sigma Xi National Lectureships Program Chemistry granted honorary membership arranges for researchers who are at the to a limited number of distinguished Professor Widom was also honored by the leading edge of scientific inquiry to foreign analytical chemists. George H. University of Wisconsin by being named communicate their insights and Morrison of Cornell University and the Inaugural Lecturer in the Joseph O. enthusiasm to the general public and to Professor Bert L. Vallee of Harvard Hirschfelder Lecture Series, established by groups not otherwise able to attract such Medical School were given this honor on the Theoretical Chemistry Institute in speakers. Meinwald will participate in the November 22,1991 at Keio University, 1991. In addition, he received an program for two years, beginning in July Tokyo, and received a diploma and medal honorary DSc from the University of 1992. Chicago in October 1991.

Student News Graduate Students palasonin, a plant nor-terpenoid that may Tom Petersen, a fifth-year graduate play a role as a defensive agent and sex student in the research group of Barry Third-year graduate student Kathryn pheromone for a species of pyrochroid Carpenter, is the Dow Fellow for 1991-92. Uhrich, known as "Penny" to her beetle. He is now working on a synthesis Tom is working on a project involving colleagues in the FrSchet research group, of enantiomerically pure inhalational fundamental aspects of organic reaction has been chosen to receive the 1991 anesthetics for use as chiral probes in mechanisms and kinetics. Sherwin-Williams Student Award in studying the molecular mechanisms of anesthesia and its side effects. Applied Polymer Science. Penny The 1991-92 Robert W. Work Award was presented a paper entitled "Silicon- awarded to Uday Kumar, a fifth-year Assisted Synthesis of High Molecular Brad Pendley and Maria Weetall were student in Jean Fr6chet's research group. Weight Polyethers" at the ACS meeting in Mobil fellows for Fall 1991. Brad Uday received the award for his excellent New York last August. She will receive completed his graduate study with Hector academic performance, dedication to research in the field of polymers, and his the award at the next ACS Division of Abrufla, and is now on the faculty at creativity in research. The award was Polymeric Materials Science and Rhodes College in Tennessee. His established by Robert W. Work, PhD '32, Engineering meeting in San Francisco. research at Cornell involved the a polymer who is now an emeritus Penny's research work is supported by the preparation, characterization, and use of professor of textiles at North Carolina National Science Foundation and by a ultramicroelectrodes. He also carried out State University. fellowship provided by The Johnson's experimental work and computer Wax Fund. simulations on the use of those electrodes for kinetic studies of electrode reactions. Michael Badding is the IBM Fellow for David Rydberg, a fifth-year student in the Maria is a fifth-year student with Barbara 1991-92. Michael is a fourth-year student Baird. She is investigating the structure of in the DiSalvo research group. He is Meinwald group, was named the 1991 a cell surface immuno-receptor and the working on the synthesis and Procter and Gamble Fellow. David's molecular mechanism by which it characterization of novel cluster materials. research has involved the synthesis of mediates signal transduction. continued on backpage Alumni News 1950-1959 David L. Hoof, AB '69, took his doctorate 1930-1939 at Purdue in 1974, then was a postdoc at Burt Belden, PhD '31, is secretary of the R. Channing Johnson, AB '50, was lead Georgetown before going to the Retired Chemists Association of New scientist at MITRE Corporation in Department of Energy in 1977. Retiring York. The group, sponsored mainly by development of EPA's new hazard from DOE in 1989, he turned to full-time the Chemists Club, meets monthly in New ranking system for the "Superfund." He writing, producing three novels. The York. now lives in Glendale, Arizona, training Spike Halleck suspense novels, Sight state and federal agencies in how to use Unseen (Signet, 1990) and Blind Man's the new regulations, and reviewing sites 1940-1949 Bluff (Signet, in press) have been optioned considered for the NPL. Charles A. Brown, PhD '48, and Emily by Saaban Entertainment for development B. Brown, MS '48, write from Gates as motion pictures. The Last Prisoner was Constance S. Kreshtool, MS '50, now Mills, Ohio, to say, "Retirement is good, published by Avon Books in December lives in Wilmington, Delaware. but tennis is even better." Charles retired 1991. from General Electric in 1983 as Manager James R, Michael, PhD '57, has retired of Engineering in the GE Lamp Group. from Exxon Chemical Company and lives 1970-1979 They support the Cleveland Museum of on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Brent A. Burdick, PhD '74, is the Natural History's research and education director of research and development with programs. Robert A. Stairs, PhD '55, is a professor Pharmacia P-L Biochemicals in emeritus at Trent University in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Peg Conan, BChem '45, writes, "It was Peterborough, Ontario. fun to see a name or two that I recognized Rawls Frazier, PhD '76, is a research from the early 40's. My Freshman associate with Chevron Research and Advisor was Prof. Laubengayer. His We heard from Edward S. Wheeler, PhD Technology Company in Richmond, advice was, 'Pick a different major; '52, who lives in Clinton, Connecticut. California. women are not much wanted in He says Vincent Keenan, PhD '42, chemistry.' I gather things have changed reached the 50-year mark with ACS in Paul B. Goldberg, AB '71, MD '75, somewhat. It wasn't a very useful major, 1991. Wheeler also says he saw Harry completed his training in Internal but I never regretted the choice. ** Scheifele, MS '50, last summer. Scheifele is retired from Rohm & Haas and lives in Medicine and Gastroenterology at the San Diego. University of Pennsylvania in 1980 and is Attending their 50th reunion last June the senior partner in a three-physician were Jack Weikart, Duke Ramsey, John gastroenterology practice in Daytona Borst, Bob Herrmann, John Powers, 1960-1969 Beach, Florida. He lives in Ormond Julian Smith, Norman Ryan, Bill Shyam S. Chibber, PhD '61, is Head of Beach. He is co-chairman of the Orlando/ Robinson, Herb Hinrichs, and Bob the Chemistry Department at the Daytona Campaign Committee for the Finn. Jack Weikart tells us he got the University of Delhi in India. His elder Cornell Campaign. next to last BChem degree, and Art son, Sumat, is studying for a PhD in Wessles got the last one. After that, it was mechanical engineering at UCLA. AB for chemistry majors or BChE for David S. Kliger, PhD '70, was recently engineers. Jane Jernow, postdoc '64-'65, is manager appointed Dean of the Natural Science of bulk pharmaceutical chemical Division at the University of California at Robert S. Weisz, AB '39, PhD '42, wrote registration with Hoffmann-La Roche in Santa Cruz, where he is also a professor of to add to our list of Cornell alumni who Nutley, New Jersey. chemistry. recently celebrated their 50th anniversary as members of the American Chemical Alfred A. Hagedorn III, AB '69, is with Karen P. Madsen, AB '73, received her Society. He names himself and George E. Berlex Laboratories in Cedar Knolls, New Master of Natural Science degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Tabet, John C. Tallman, Norman Jersey. "After graduating, went to Parnell, George Bodamer, and Donald Michigan State. Then a postdoc at R.Whitlock, Columbia. Rutgers Univ. 1976-1982, then Fred Maxfield, PhD '77, is a professor in Berlex, where I worked in drug discovery, the Departments of Pathology and Physiology at the Columbia University John F. Whitney, PhD '45, has retired molecular modeling, and process College of Physicians and Surgeons. from DuPont and lives in Hockessin, chemistry. I'm now managing the process Delaware. He thinks the unidentified man chemistry and anlytical groups at Berlex." in the mystery photo in Issue 50 is Henry Thomas P. Radus, PhD '77, is a senior Taube, who was an instructor under Lauby scientist with Westinghouse in West in the early 1940s. Mifflin, Pennsylvania. Charles Randall Robinson, AB '78, He now works for Microsoft Corporation Attention Alumni — received his MD degree from the in Redmond, Washington. Much of the University of Pennsylvania, and is a administrative work of our department is Chemistry Days, Fall 1992 board-certified ophthalmologist in Bristol, now done with computers, as you might Connecticut He is married to the former have surmised. It was therefore extremely Plan to attend Chemistry Days in Ann Murray, and they have a son, Charlie, helpful to us when Steve made a generous November 1992! We're planning three who is three years old. and practical gift of almost $3,000 worth days of events during which alumni can of software, which was matched by interact with faculty and current students. Microsoft Corporation. In addition to the 1980-1989 Thursday, November 19 A Chemistry Carleton J. Barbour, AB '86, received administrative software, several professors have enjoyed using software to produce Careers Panel for undergraduates at his PhD in analytical chemistry in 1991 4:40 p.m. in 200 Baker Lab. PhD and AB from the University of North Carolina at slides and overheads for lectures. Thanks, Steve! Alumni who graduated with a chemistry Chapel Hill. He now works with Rohm & major will talk with current majors about Haas. Michael Trolier, PhD '88, is now at the the many ways to use their special training in the "real world." Any volunteers to Joseph Dinnocenzo, PhD '85, won the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) at the University of Colorado serve on the panel? Arthur C. Cope Award 1992 from the at Boulder. American Chemical Society. Joe is on the Friday, November 20 Spend a day in faculty of the University of Rochester. chemistry classes, have lunch with 1990-1991 chemistry majors, tour department and Charles Goss, AB '85, and his wife, university facilities. Dinner at the Statler. Karen, AGR '85, have a daughter, Jessica Mark R. Witmer, PhD '90, wrote to Vessal Goss, born March 4,1991. Charles remind us we had omitted his name from Saturday, November 21 Faculty received his PhD in chemistry from the the list of PhD recipients in Issue 52. seminars 10 until noon: what would you University of California at Berkeley, and Mark is now a postdoctoral associate at like to hear about? Cornell plays Penn at is now a research associate at the The Pennsylvania State University in Schoellkopf Field at 2 p.m. University of North Carolina at Chapel University Park, Pennsylvania. Hill. Send us your ideas about what you'd like Alumni Deaths to see, hear, and do. A registration form John S. Hallock, PhD '86, is a research will be included in the next Newsletter. chemist with W.R. Grace and Company's Alma Verwiebe, BChem '22, Nov. 5, Washington Research Center. He lives in 1990. Ellicott City, Maryland. Milton Byron, BChem '24, MChem '26, Patricia M. Kane, PhD '87, was awarded July 30,1991. a 1991 Petroleum Research Fund Grant Pat is on the faculty of the College of Robert M. Lintz, BA '24, MD '27, April William and Mary in Williamburg, 23,1991. Virginia. Elmer J. Toole, BChem '43, July 7,1991. William A. Levinson, MS '81, is a staff engineer with IBM Corporation, and lives Patricia Roth Mclntosh, AB '57, in Wappingers Falls, New York. Dec. 19,1990. The Society of Cornell Chemists asks you to support the cost of Wendy Raymond, AB '82, received her Norman T. Notley, Postdoctoral printing and mailing this Newslet- PhD from Harvard and is a postdoctoral Associate, 1952-54, July 19,1991. ter with your voluntary annual fellow at the University of Washington in dues of $10. Please make your the Department of Genetics. 1992 check payable to "Cornell Chemistry" and mail it to The Steven Sinofsky, AB '87, received a MS in Computer Science from the University Society of Cornell Chemists, G-03 of Massachusetts after leaving Cornell. Baker Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853-1301. Student News, Confd Distinguished Lecture Undergraduate Students Series, Spring 1992

Nataki Douglas, a member of the class of an NSF Minority Graduate or Graduate Miles Inc. Lectures March 9-11, 1993, has been awarded a $1,000 National Fellowship, the NSF automatically gives Gunter Wulff, Heinrich-Heine-Universitat, Science Foundation Incentives for to the undergraduate institution $1,000 in Dusseldorf - Template-Induced Control of Excellence Scholarship Prize for the that person's honor, to be regranted to a Stereochemistry for the Synthesis of academic year 1991-92. She was chosen sophomore or junior who is a member of Polymers with Functions Imitating for the award because of her outstanding an underrepresented minority group. This Biological Processes. academic record in chemistry. year's regrant award was made in honor of Ralph Jiminez '91, who is now a Debye Lectures April 20,22, and 23 Nataki, a College Scholar, is currently graduate student at the University of Paul Schimmel, Massachusetts Institute of working on polypeptide synthesis in the Chicago. Technology - Decoding Genetic laboratory of Professor Dotsevi Sogah. Information by Protein Recognition of She has a strong interest in chemistry and ACS Breakfast RNA Mini helices; Protein Motifs that biochemistry, and plans to attend medical Discriminate Between Transfer RNAs; Deducing and Manipulating Structural school when she completes her Please join us for the Cornell Chemistry Motifs in Proteins with Unsolved undergraduate studies at Cornell. continental breakfast during the ACS Structures. national meeting in San Francisco on The NSF incentives for Excellence Tuesday, April 7 at 7:45 aan., in the Scholarship Prize is part of the Minority Westin-St. Francis Hotel. Tickets will be Graduate Fellowship Program. When a $5, and can be obtained at the registration graduating senior successfully applies for desk or from Earl Peters (607) 255-8105.

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