FALL 2017 WHERE DISCOVERY AND INNOVATION MEET VOLUME 3, NUMBER 2 THE RESEARCH CHRONICLE OF THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS insights Jellyfish Invasion Researchers study the toxins, tentacles and DNA of New Jersey’s newest annoyance INSIGHTS | COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS FROM THE DEAN contents VOLUME 3, NUMBER 2 I FALL 2017 The Creative Scientist Stereotypes of scientists abound – but rarely does the description of “a creative type” conjure up the image of a scientist. A creative person has originality of thought and expression, and is open to transcending traditional ideas, rules and patterns to create meaningful new ideas or interpretations. Of Jellyfish course, scientists are creative! We work to put the pieces together, to ask the right questions and perform experiments that lead to more questions. Astronomer Carl Sagan once noted that, “It is the tension 6 between creativity and skepticism that has produced the stunning and unexpected findings of science.” Invasion It is indeed these unexpected findings that nudge science forward, sometimes in small increments and Researchers study the toxins, sometimes in major “eureka” leaps. In fact, modern science has become so large and so complex that tentacles and DNA of New many of the biggest challenges require scientific teams that extend their creativity by combining fields of Jersey’s newest annoyance expertise and approaches in new ways. College of Science and Mathematics (CSAM) scholars embrace the call to be creative and keep their minds open to the unexpected, unusual or unpredicted result. In this issue of Insights, scientists, Microbes to the Rescue mathematicians and educators explore important questions and answers, adding to the body of scientific Researchers harness healthy soil for the “greening” of 2 brownfields. knowledge that continues to evolve and change over time. Questions like: How did those tiny-but-painful insights jellyfish native to the Pacific Ocean wind up in New Jersey and just what are they packing in those little The Research Chronicle of stinging cells? How does the complex microbiological community of microscopic organisms found in The College of Science and Mathematics Connecting the Dots soil actually perform a controlling role within the entire ecosystem? How can hyperspectral imaging and 4 …from the economy to the environment super-computers keep us safer? How do we know gravitational waves exist and why should we care if we Insights is collaboratively produced by the College can’t physically feel them here on Earth? And how can we harness creativity in STEM to produce better of Science and Mathematics’ research faculty and scientists and citizens? members of the dean’s staff in an effort to broaden More Than Meets the Eye awareness and understanding of the scope and Supercomputing gives researchers a chance to “see 5 the unseen” CSAM is drawing upon its depth of creativity to address these challenges and many others. For the last relevance of the College’s research initiatives as well 16 years, CSAM was led by Robert Prezant, a creative scientific thinker in his own right, who grew the as the critical role research plays in preparing the college into one fitting of a designated national research doctoral university. Now the Provost at Southern next generation of scientists. Getting Creative in Science and Math Professors work to open students’ minds to the power Connecticut State University, Prezant leaves behind a thriving scientific community. I am proud of all our Acting Dean: 8 of creativity CSAM scholars and excited that together, we will build on our strong foundation of research, community Lora Billings involvement and academic achievement. Science Advisor: Lynn Schneemeyer Taking Geology to New Heights Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Field camp gives student researchers hands-on experience 10 in the Rocky Mountains Editor: Laura Griffin Lora Billings Listening to the Universe University Communications, Advancement Division Acting Dean Scientists proving Einstein’s theories usher in new field of College of Science and Mathematics Designer: 12 gravitational-wave astronomy Samantha Spitaletta University Communications, Advancement Division Expanding for Science Copy Editor: A renovated Mallory Hall is scheduled for opening in Robert Gano 14 fall 2018 University Communications, Advancement Division | 1 INSIGHTS | COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS Biology and biochemistry professors and students have been working at the brownfield Microbes to site at Liberty State Park, transferring microbes to the soil to aid in ecosystem restoration. Restoring soil function in degraded, often soil health,” says Goodey. “High-functioning describe the ecological system in the area urban or post-industrial sites, will also restore and healthy soils will be the foundation by collaborating with Montclair State ecosystem health and plant growth, bringing upon which phytoremediation can succeed Mathematics Professor Eric Forgoston. back green areas to the state, and enabling the and healthy ecosystems can build.” the Rescue use of phytoremediation techniques to remove “The implications of this work are far contaminants from these soils. Building on Goodey and Krumins, together with Earth reaching,” says Montclair State’s Krumins. Researchers harness healthy soil for the their earlier findings, biology Professor Jennifer and Environmental Studies Professor “Not only will the work inform restoration Krumins and Biochemistry Professor Nina Mike Kruge and students Diane Hagmann practices, but also it will increase “greening” of brownfields Goodey, along with students and other faculty, and Mathew Chung, are characterizing our understanding of the health and are collaborating to develop new practices of organic contamination in the fenced area functionality of urban ecosystems.” soil microbial community “transplants” that of Liberty State Park. In the Krumins lab, may increase soil functioning and ultimately aid students Jay Singh, Fathima Idris and Since urban land cover is growing rapidly in ecosystem restoration. Jennifer Balacco are cultivating test plants globally, the often unique ecosystems ontaminated soils Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, a fence and is still heavily contaminated and characterizing microbes on the roots and communities of urban areas will be that are a legacy of is a brownfield that was once a railyard with heavy metals and unknown organic With a three-year grant of $330,000 from the of plants. Microbial characterization is also important to the health of human habitats. industrial use are often built on landfill of debris and soils from pollution. Nonetheless, in most areas the National Science Foundation, the group has being examined through a collaboration Thus, says Goodey, “this project that Ca characteristic of urban development in New York City. A portion soils behind the fence have supported a shown that microbial communities in the park’s with Valdis Krumins of Rutgers University. informs basic ecology within the context of environments. The New York metropolitan of what is now the park along the Hudson diverse successional forest. In some areas, soil can be surprisingly healthy and functional In addition, Jennifer Krumins’ students urban environments also answers questions area is such a case, but contaminated River was remediated by removing the however, the contaminated soil functions despite the presence of contaminants. collaborate heavily with Bhagashree Vaiyda, about the microbiome of these habitats and sites within it can surprisingly support a contaminated soil and replacing it with clean poorly as demonstrated by limited “The microbes in the highly functional soils a student of Goodey’s who is carrying out their stability in the face of climactic and seemingly healthy ecosystem. soil. A large portion of the park lies behind enzymatic activities and low plant cover. will be transplanted or seeded into lower- enzyme assays. In the future, the project other environmental change.” l functioning sites with the aim of increasing will develop mathematical models to Professors Jennifer Krumins and Nina Goodey contributed to this article. 2 | | 3 INSIGHTS | COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS Connecting the Dots More Than …from the economy to the environment Meets understanding of these complex issues and the ways through which agricultural and forest- based biofuel and the bio-product industry the EyeWaiting for photo approval before starting layout can develop in a sustainable manner,” Lal says. His work presents an excellent opportunity for Supercomputing gives researchers complementary, cutting- edge research between a chance to “see the unseen” academic universities, government think tanks, and private and nonprofit simple child’s decoder toy of past sense, the use of hyperspectral imaging allows as Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar) or organizations. decades was a picture that, us to “see the unseen.” higher resolution imagery collected with when covered by a sheet visible or infrared cameras. Simple computing His research portfolio A of transparent red plastic, Since joining Montclair State University in techniques are no longer suitable to support or Pankaj Lal, an Earth – especially against the includes nearly $10 revealed a hidden message – like magic. Today, 2003, Robila, with the help of his students, processing of such big data collections. and Environmental Studies backdrop of volatile oil million in grants and through hyperspectral imaging, otherwise has developed