Finalists are then judged on a presentation of their work at during a session sponsored by the Water and Electrolyte section at the national meeting. This is the second time Zimmerman has been a finalist for the award. Zimmerman graduated from MSUM in 2010 with a major in Biochemistry and Biotechnology.

Elizabeth Austin-Minor
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and The Large Lakes Observatory
University of Minnesota – Duluth
Monday, Feb. 18
1:30 p.m., Room SL102
Organic matter in Lake Superior

Abstract:

Natural aquatic organic matter (NOM) plays significant roles in regional and global carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles. Because NOM interacts with with trace metals and organic pollutants (e.g., via chelation and absorption), it impacts toxicology as well. It is believed that these roles can be better predicted if we know the chemical structures of NOM constituents and how they vary in different aquatic environments. The major component of NOM in many aquatic systems, including Lake Superior, is dissolved organic matter (DOM). I will discuss ways in which DOM can be characterized. In particular, I will focus upon the application of solid phase extraction and electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectroscopy (FT-MS) to characterize samples from the Lake Superior watershed. Lake Superior’s extractable DOM contains a large number of lignin-like and reduced hydrocarbon formulae and relatively few protein, lipid, and carbohydrate-like signatures.

Abstract:
Carbon-centered free radicals and carbocation intermediates are commonly presumed to exhibit poor stereochemical control, and this is considered an impediment to synthetic applications. Our program challenges this notion, focusing on the discovery and application of new synthetic methods which expand the scope of asymmetric synthesis using radicals and carbocations. For example, we have discovered and developed a remarkably versatile and stereoselective Mn-mediated free radical addition reaction of alkyl iodides and N-acylhydrazones for preparation of chiral amines. The lecture will include applications of the Mn-mediated radical addition in synthetic routes to the natural products quinine (antimalarial agent) and tubulysin D (antimitotic agent), discovery of a new type of radical–polar crossover reaction, and implementation of a new strategy for 1,5-polyol synthesis.

Notable outcomes of this planning effort include:

1. The establishment of strong partnerships with two-year institutions, regional service cooperatives, and local school districts
2. The development and piloting of a recruitment plan for STEM majors to consider teaching
3. The design of mentoring, administration, and evaluation plans with the expectation of our submission of a five-year phase I teacher scholarship proposal in 2014

http://nsfnoyce.org/

Residential students stayed in the dorms, ate in Kise and participated in various activities around campus – in effect having a mini-college experience. The camp, in its fourth year of operation, is run by faculty, staff and MSUM undergraduates – providing rich experiences for STEM majors, as well as education majors.

MSUM individuals participating in the camp: Anita Bender, Women’s Center; Rebecca Andres, Andrew Marry, Patricia Wisenden and Alison Wallace, Biosciences Dept.; Shawn Garrett, Chemistry Dept.; Steve Lindaas, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy; Tony Bormann, Regional Science Center.
MSUM students: Cassandra Anderson, Austin Branch, Jennifer Dobis, Staci Dryer, Benjamin Forsythe, Evangeline Holley, Ryan Huber, Kaleb Kosak, Sarah Peper, Nehemiah Thurston, Rose Zawislak, Patrick Zimmerman.

In addition, there were three area high school students assisting in workshops this year. To learn more about the Discovery Science Camp visit our website.

A residential camp is being offered at MSUM for students entering grades 7-10. Students will work with college science faculty doing a variety of hands-on science activities, use specialized equipment, go on field trips, and complete a research project. Classes include:

• BioTimeBandits (time lapse photography of living organisms)
• Spineless Creatures and Slime (sampling aquatic organisms)
• Energy Explorers (alternative energies)
• Crime Scene Science (forensic science activities)

Cost:
Residential students $550
Day students [9 a.m. to 5 p.m.]  $300
Extended day [7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.] is an additional $100

There will be a Science Camp open house on Wednesday, April 11 from 5-7 p.m. in MSUM’s Hagen Hall room 324.

Registration information:
Registration deadline is April 15, 2012
http://web.mnstate.edu/sciencecamp
wallacea@mnstate.edu
218‐477‐2843

Erin Geissler

Gabe Sauvageau

The Tri-College University vaccinology program has awarded the first ever vaccinology scholarships to eight students who enrolled in the newly established program. This past fall 2011, Tri-College University partners Concordia College,

Nicholas Kohles

Alane Korf

Minnesota State University Moorhead and North Dakota State University, in collaboration with the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation and Sanford Health, launched a first-in-the-nation undergraduate academic minor in vaccinology.

The following MSUM students were selected as worthy recipients who show promise in contributing to the field of vaccine research, production, or in the biological and medical industries:

Erin Geissler, a senior from Fargo, N.D., will graduate with a degree in Biology with an emphasis in Health and Medical Services, and minors in Chemistry, Psychology and Vaccinology.

Nicholas Kohles, a senior, is from Aberdeen, S.D., and will graduate with degrees in Biochemistry, and Biotechnology with emphasis in cellular and molecular sciences. His minors are Vaccinology, Health and Medical Technologies, and Chemistry.

Alane Korf, a senior from Frazee, Minn., will receive a degree in Biology with minors in Vaccinology and Chemistry.

Gabriel Sauvageau, a senior from Fargo, N.D., will receive a degree in Biology with an emphasis in Health and Medical Sciences, with minors in Vaccinology, Chemistry and Psychology.

This program and the scholarships are made possible by many important contributors, including: Sanford Medical Center Fargo, Forum Communications, Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation, US Bank, Xcel Energy Corporation and the Tri-College University collaborative grant program.

The MSUM vaccinolgy program coordinator is Dr. Michelle Malott, Dean of the College of Social & Natural Sciences Department.

Their work found an important new relationship between a hormone found at high levels in lung cancer patients and the control of acid levels in and around cells. The students work was supported by an NIH grant to better understand how proteins that regulate pH contribute to aggressive lung cancer metastasis.

The reviewers found the results are timely findings of particular interest to the readership of Cellular Oncology, in light of the recent renewed interest in the role of the tumor cell extracellular environment in driving metastasis. The results have far-reaching potential for better understanding the mechanisms underlying the regulation of cancer progression by local acidic pH environment and this ‘activation’ system, therefore, is likely to be important in the promotion of invasion and represents a possible important future therapeutic target to block metastasis.

The program allows students to complete an entire MSUM B.S. degree at the NHCC campus, giving them the benefit of an MSUM quality education without having to leave the Twin Cities area. Courses are taught by MSUM faculty members at NHCC as well as Moorhead-based MSUM faculty via ITV. This cooperative program is unique in the biochemistry and biotechnology field and will serve as a model for continued developments in biotechnology education.

MSUM also offers Operations Management and Construction Management courses and degrees at NHCC. Congratulations to the Biochemistry and Biotechnology faculty at both campuses for their dedication to all of our students.

Students and faculty from as far away as Minot State University, South Dakota State University and Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (Winona) enjoyed two days of stimulating scientific discussions and debate. The 110+ participants took part in oral and poster presentations of undergraduate research efforts, as well as hearing from a number of keynote speakers from academia and industry. There were also breakout sessions focused on success after graduation. URMS is sponsored by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) and the American Chemical Society (ACS), and is organized locally by a group from MSUM, Concordia and NDSU including Jeff Bodwin, Glenn Dorsam, Stuart Haring, Don Krogstad, Joe Provost and Mark Wallert. Hosting responsibilities rotate through MSUM, Concordia and NDSU; next year’s meeting is scheduled to be held at NDSU.

A physics seminar on “Lasting Media Based on Novel Vitreous Rare Earth Phosphates:  High Energy X-Ray Diffraction and X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy Studies” will be held Friday, Sept. 23 from 2:30 to 3:20 p.m. in Hagen Hall 325. The speaker is Dr. Kanishka Marasinghe from the University of North Dakota.

High energy/power lasing media based on vitreous rare earth phosphates (VREPs) are the materials of choice for a wide range of applications including fusion energy research and directed energy weapons. However, lasing efficiency of REPG depends heavily on their atomic structure, especially the coordination environment of rare earth ions, which is highly dependent on many factors including concentration and type of are earth ions and processing conditions. We have studied the atomic-scale structure of a series of rare earth doped sodium phosphate glasses with compositions (R2O3)x(Na2O)y(P2O5)1-x-y where R = Nd, Eu and Dy, 0.04 < x < 0.13, and x + y ~ 0.4 using high energy X-ray diffraction (HEXRD) and X-ray absorption (XAS) techniques. Structural features such as inter-atomic distances and coordination numbers and their dependence on the concentration and type of the rare-earth ion have been obtained by analyzing pair and radial distribution functions. Emission spectra of these materials have also been measured. Our studies suggests that the [O]/[P] ratio of these materials is primarily responsible for dictating the coordination environment of rare earth ions. When this ratio is in the 2.9-3.0 range, rare-earth coordination environment undergoes a significant change. Emission spectra show that their florescence efficiency decreases with increasing rare-earth content even at relatively low concentrations (0.05 < x < 0.25) suggesting that concentration quenching of lasing action may be present even at these concentrations.

Provost is a professor of Biochemistry and Biotechnology. He is dedicated to his teaching as well his research, involving many of the students of CBC. Provost’s leadership focus is on member involvement and committee formation. This unique style means that all members have an opportunity to take part in a leadership role. He has also had a significant role in this year’s club fundraising, helping to set up drop-in tutoring in the chemistry department as well as keeping the day-to-day business of the club running smoothly. As an advisor, Provost leads with limited intervention, allowing the club to run by the needs and passions of its members and stepping in when needed to make sure that the mission statement is followed at all times. The MSUM Chemistry club is run by the students, for the students; yet it could not be so without the help of Joe Provost.
He is always available for his students as well as his club. His approachable manner makes students feel at ease around him and his dedication and passion for the sciences is contagious to those around him. Congratulations once again Joe Provost!

The Office of Student Activities is now accepting nominations for Student Organization of the Month, Student Organization Leader of the Month, and Student Organization Advisor of the Month awards for the month of February. Go to www.mnstate.edu/osa to nominate.