Department of Chemistry
& Molecular Biology
Biochemistry - IACC Building (3rd floor)
North Dakota State University
Volume 4 Number 1
Chemistry - Ladd Hall
Spring 2008
Professor Sibi Announces COBRE Grant Award
News Release August 2007
Dr. Mukund Sibi, Dale
Hogoboom Professor in the
Department of Chemistry
and Molecular Biology, is
pleased to announce the receipt of a COBRE (Centers
Of Biomedical Research
Excellence) grant award
from the National Institutes
of Health. The grant, entitled, “New Strategies for Targeting Protease in Disease”
is funded for a 5-year period, with a total budget of $10.5
million. The grant will support faculty and staff in three departments and colleges at NDSU, with the Administrative
Center located in the Chemistry Department. The COBRE
is a renewal of a previous 5-year grant which began in
2001 and established the multidisciplinary Center for Protease Research here at NDSU.
In general terms, the purpose of a COBRE award is to
promote biomedical research, help research institutions
establish biomedical research infrastructure, and assist
junior faculty in attaining independent status by obtaining
their own NIH grant funding. The research focus of the
previous COBRE was identification and synthesis of protease inhibitors related to several disease states, including cancer. The aims of the new COBRE are related, but a
greater emphasis will be placed on understanding the biological mechanisms of disease initiation and metastasis.
“New Strategies for Targeting
Protease in Disease” is funded
for a 5-year period, with a total
budget of $10.5 million.
Dr. Sibi serves as the Program Director for the Center,
which also encompasses four subprojects, two core facilities, and numerous advisors, mentors, and collaborators. PIs of the subprojects include Dr. Glenn Dorsam
(Biochem.), Dr. Greg Cook (Chemistry), Dr. Bin Guo
(Pharm. Sci.), and Dr. Jane Schuh (Vet./Micro. Sci.).
Dr. Cook also serves as the
manager of the Core Synthesis Facility, and the Core
Biology Facility is managed by Dr. Sheri Dorsam
(Biochem.). Rose Nichols
recently joined the group
as the new Administrative
Glenn Dorsam
Coordinator for the Center.
There are also plans to recruit a new faculty member
who has expertise in biological sciences and can serve
as a mentor to junior PIs.
Rose Nichols
Left to Right: Mukund Sibi, Greg Cook, Jane Schuh, Bin Guo,
Sheri Dorsam. Missing from photo - Glenn Dorsam.
Student
Recognition
◆◆◆◆◆◆◆
Hayashi Awarded
Dissertation Fellowship
Ryuji Hayashi, a fourth-year graduate
student in the group of Prof. Greg
Cook, has been awarded a Graduate
School Doctoral Dissertation Award.
This competitive award will provide
$18,000 for one year beginning in
August 2007.
Funk Wins Graduate
School Research Award
Shamus Funk, graduate student in
the group of Prof. Uwe Burghaus, is
the recipient of the Graduate School
Research Award. This award is made
annually to one student in each
college and recognizes outstanding
contributions made to research by
graduate students. Shamus will
receive a $1,000 cash award for this
honor.
Goering receives
A. Rodger Dennison Award
John Goering, first-year graduate
student in the group of Prof. Uwe
Burghaus, received a third place
award in the A. Rodger Dennison
Competition Graduate Division. His
conference talk entitled “Anatase
(001) Thin Film: A Molecular Beam
Scattering Study” at the 99th
Annual Meeting of the North Dakota
Academy of Sciences (NDAS)
earned him this award. Minot State
University hosted this conference in
April 2007.
The Department of
Chemistry & Molecular Biology
North Dakota State University
PO Box 5516 • Fargo, ND 58105
Phone (701) 231-8694
FAX (701) 231-8831
Wendy Leach, Editor
Dr. John Hershberger, Chair
To obtain a copy or submit comments,
e-mail: wendy.leach@ndsu.edu
The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology
New Faculty & Staff
Jeff Scholl
Jeff accepted the position of Computer Technician with the department in February 2007. He comes to us from Bismarck, where he
spent the last seven years with Computer 1, Inc. a local pc service
and repair shop.
His interest in technology started at a young age with a Nintendo that
was successfully taken apart, but not so successfully put back together. Since then the technology bug has been in his system. Today he
has more than 10 years of experience in pc and network configuration, troubleshooting, and repair. He currently holds several industry certifications including ones from
Microsoft and Comp TIA, and has a degree as a computer support specialist.
When not in the office Jeff’s hobbies range from, big surprise, pc and console gaming, to reading the occasional book, and no they’re not all tech manuals. On special
occasions you may even find him in the kitchen cooking or as he calls it “causing
trouble.” In the category of getting out of the house Jeff enjoys woodworking, and is
currently involved with the Big Brother Big Sister program.
Justin “Jack” Foster
In March 2007, Justin “Jack” Foster accepted a position with North
Dakota State University in the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology as a Forensic DNA Analyst of the Forensic DNA Facility. Mr. Foster was previously employed at the North Dakota State
Veterinary Laboratory as a Laboratory Technician from 2003-2007
where he was responsible for integration and performance of new
molecular biology tests for the laboratory. Prior to his employment with
the North Dakota State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, no molecular diagnostics
were performed in-house. During the course of his employment at North Dakota
State Veterinary Laboratory, seven different diagnostic tests had been implemented
with numerous other protocols in various stages of development. Previous to that
position, Mr. Foster was employed in the private sector as the Production Manager/
GIA Manager of Aldevron, LLC, Fargo, North Dakota from 2000-2003. Aldevron, LLC
produces and tests genetic vaccines. Mr. Foster was involved in all aspects of the
daily operation of the company from customer relations to production of vaccine to
testing of vaccine in rabbit models.
Jack received his BS in Microbiology from NDSU in 2000. Although Jack did spend
five years of this life in Texas, he considers himself to be a North Dakotan as he
graduated high school from Rolla, ND. In his free time, Jack enjoys spending time
with his wife, Maggie and their beautiful daughter, Ava. He enjoys (or endures) golfing and do-it-yourself projects in and around the house.
Pinjing Zhao
Assistant Professor of Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry,
Pinjing Zhao, joined the Department of Chemistry and Molecular
Biology in August 2007. A native of Southeast China, Pinjing grew up
in the beautiful city of Hangzhou and graduated from Beijing (Peking)
University in 1997. He then came to the states for graduate study
and earned his Ph.D. at Cornell University (2003). Before coming to
NDSU, Pinjing completed his postdoc training at Yale University and
the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Since his arrival at Fargo, Pinjing has been enjoying the peaceful and friendly atmosphere of the local community, as well as the nice weather of late summer. While
getting ready for the famed winter of North Dakota, Pinjing has been teaching an
inorganic course and putting his new labs in order. In his spare time, Pinjing likes to
play basketball, read history and culture, and enjoy family time with his wife, Pan.
2
Spring 2008
New Faculty & Staff
Megan Palmer
am applying the knowledge acquired from my biotech degree
towards my duties and tasks as a DNA analyst. The job has
been a rewarding experience and I am learning more and
more each day. Being able to gain valuable work experience
in a field I am enthusiastic towards has been a huge blessing.
The foundation of my family, hard work, and a little luck has
contributed to where I am today and makes me excited about
the prospects that lay ahead.
I have always been an energetic person who
tries to maintain a balance between work,
extracurricular activities and personal time to
spend with my family and friends. I grew up in
Rochester, MN where I graduated high school
in 2002 and thereafter decided to move away
from home to attend NDSU to obtain my collegiate education. My enthusiasm for the sciences has been
a life long interest of mine and is why I chose biotechnology
as my major at NDSU. Obtaining an interdisciplinary degree
allowed me to receive a foundation in the basic sciences while
accruing nascent scientific knowledge that the field of biotechnology presents. My family and relatives live in the Twin
Cities and Rochester area so I see them infrequently, but the
friends and relationships I developed while at NDSU make me
feel right at home. While attending NDSU I worked part time
at PRACS Institute and at Olivieri’s Salon and Day Spa (a girl
has got to treat her hair right) to fund my collegiate expenses.
I also joined the chemistry club where I formed relationships
with my peers who shared similar interests and also had the
opportunity to travel to Anaheim, CA to represent NDSU’s
Chemistry Club and Atlanta, GA to present my undergraduate
research. In the rest of my free time, I enjoy sewing, painting
and cooking. Through working two jobs, studying biotechnology, conducting research in the chemistry department, and
spending time with my friends, I had a very busy yet very
fulfilling collegiate experience.
Guodong Liu
Assistant Professor of Analytical Chemistry,
Guodong Liu, joined the department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology in August 2007.
Prior to arriving in Fargo, Dr. Liu was working
in Pacific Norwest National Laboratory (PNNL,
Richland, Washington State) as research scientist. He earned his Ph.D. from Hunan University,
China (2001), and his B.S. at Hunan Normal University, China
(1995). Dr. Liu’s scientific background is in the areas of Analytical Chemistry and Bioanalytical Chemistry. He has been
actively working on the interfaces of analytical chemistry,
material chemistry and nanotechnology to develop nanostructured chemical sensors and biosensors for homeland security,
environmental and biomedical monitoring applications. Dr. Liu
received PNNL’s Outstanding Performance Award in 2006 and
2007 for his research work. He also obtained Environmental
Business Journal’s 2007 Technology Merit Award. His biosensor work published in Analytical Chemistry is one of the most
cited articles at 2006. Since arriving in Fargo, Dr. Liu has been
busy preparing his laboratory for research; his laboratory is located in room 56 of the Dunbar building. He will teach Instrument Analysis and Analytical Chemistry Courses.
After graduating NDSU in the spring of 2006 I spent time
working and researching the opportunities that lay ahead.
I was fortunate enough to gain acceptance for my current
position of Forensic DNA Analyst in a new department that
was inaugurated last fall. Now that I am in the “real” world I
LAB GROUP UPDATES
News from Dr. Sun’s Group
Dr. Wenfang Sun visited China from
May 28 to June 22, 2007. She spent
one week in Wuhan, one of the hottest
cities in China to attend the 3rd Sino-US
Symposium on Organic Chemistry and
presented a seminar in Wuhan University.
She then visited Shandong University
as a visiting professor for a week. She
presented three seminars in Shandong
University and discussed their collaborative project with Prof. Xiyou Li at Shandong University. At the end of her visit to
Shandong University, she climbed the
world-famous Tai Mountain to enjoy the
beautiful scenery. She spent the following week in Yuncheng, Shanxi Province
to enjoy a family reunion with her parents
and sister and was able to spend valuable
time with them. In the last week in China,
she presented a seminar at one of the
most prestigious universities in ChinaTsinghua University and discussed the
development of opto-electronic materials
with peers at Tsinghua University. Overall,
her China trip was very fruitful and enjoyable.
L to R: Hui Zhang,
Dr. Bingguang Zhang, Dr.
Wenfang Sun, Dr. Li Yunjing,
Iswarya Mathew, Dr. Pin Shao,
Tian Lu, Zhiqiang Ji
The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology
This past summer, undergraduate
student, Adam Wolfe, and high school
student, Andrew Sand, who will join
NDSU as a freshman major fall semester 2007, joined the group to do some
fun research. Currently, there are three
graduate students, Iswarya Mathew,
Tian Lu and Zhiqiang Ji as well as three
post docs, Dr. Bingguang Zhang, Dr. Li
Yunjing and Dr. Pin Shao working in Dr.
Sun’s group. In October 2007, Hui Zhang
joined the group as a visiting student
from Nanjing University, China. She will
spend one year in the group to conduct
research on optical sensors.
On the 4th of July, Dr. Sun’s group had a
wonderful picnic in Detroit Lakes. Everybody relaxed and had a wonderful time.
3
Spring 2008
LAB GROUP UPDATES
NDSU Forensic DNA Analysis Laboratory
by Berch Henry
(July 2007) Extensive renovations to the NDSU Forensic DNA
Facility have been completed as has the purchase and installation of all major equipment. In addition, the laboratory is
technically operational in that biological samples can be carried through the complete process of DNA profiling. The next
three month period will be primarily devoted to final preparations for ISO accreditation which will involve completing
required validations, finalizing laboratory manuals, completing
necessary training of laboratory personnel and undergoing
external pre-audits. An additional critical aspect necessary
to successfully become accredited is the establishment of a
comprehensive Quality Assurance/Quality Control program. To
this end, the NDSU Forensic DNA Laboratory began in March
of this year the implementation of those QA/QC procedures
necessary to satisfy the national guidelines as set forth in the
“DNA Advisory Board Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories” document. The QA/QC program
is well underway and should be completed by early fall of
2007. Based upon these factors Forensic Quality Services,
an international accreditation organization, has been contacted and available dates for the required external ISO audit
have been discussed. At present, it is planned that the NDSU
Forensic DNA Facility will undergo an accreditation site visit in
the fall of 2007.
L to R: Tom Wahl, Jack Foster, Megan Palmer and
Dr. Berch Henry
immediately as required by national guidelines for forensic
laboratories and to date approximately half of the required
tasks have been successfully completed.
During the past several months senior laboratory personnel
have been contacted by several local and out of state attorneys requesting that forensic DNA consulting services be
offered. Therefore, a Cost Center Account was set up through
the University so that funds that have and will be generated by
this process can be used to help support the future operation
of the NDSU Forensic DNA Laboratory. In addition, once the
laboratory is fully accredited then actual forensic DNA casework analysis can also be performed on a fee for service in
order to generate additional operating funds.
A second important goal of expanding the personnel complement of the laboratory to four individuals was successfully
completed by hiring two additional entry level analysts. An
open recruitment for two trainee level DNA positions resulted
in a total of thirty-seven applications. Following extensive
preliminary testing and evaluation the top six candidates
were chosen to undergo an on-site written test and an oral
interview. Following completion of this process the top two
individuals were offered positions of employment which were
accepted. The two trainees began work in the laboratory in
early spring of this year. An intensive training process began
Another important aspect of the NDSU Forensic DNA Program
is to establish a teaching component which will train graduate
level students in practical aspects of modern forensic DNA
analysis. A big step was taken in satisfying this goal when
North Dakota State University approved the creation of a new
tenure-track faculty position at the Associate/Assistant Professor level in the area of Forensic DNA Analysis. Recruitment
began in November, 2006 but after the interview process no
suitable candidate was chosen. The position will be reopened
in August 2007 and it is hoped that the position will be filled by
the end of the year.
What’s Cooking?
Cook Group Lab News
Front L to R: Miho Kaneko, Danielle Vaughn;
Middle L to R: Jina Park, Robert Kargbo,
Yoko Takahashi; Back L to R: XiXi Song, Dr.
Greg Cook, Ryuji Hayashi
The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology
It has been a while since the last Cook Group update and there have been lots
of changes. The group has grown to twelve people now; seven graduate students
and five undergraduate researchers. Ryuji Hayashi and Robert Kargbo, the old
timers in the lab, will be finishing their Ph.D. degrees in spring 2008. This will free
up some much needed lab space. More importantly it will give them a boost on
their career paths. Ryuji will be moving to the University of Wisconsin to do postdoctoral work with Prof. Richard Hsung. Ryuji is a recipient of the Graduate School
Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship. Robert will be moving a bit further away. He will
travel to Albany, New York, where he has a job at Albany Molecular Research, Inc..
Robert has also received fellowships during his time here including a Pfizer Diversity Fellowship and an EPSCoR Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship. Yoko Takahashi,
a third year student, continues to work diligently toward her Ph.D. Last year Xixi
Song joined the group. And the newcomers this year are Don Anton and
Cook Group continued on page 5
4
Spring 2008
LAB GROUP UPDATES
Cook Group continued from page 4
Narayananganesh Balasubramanian. Undergraduate researchers currently in the group are Danni Vaughn, Miho Kaneko,
Panjun Kim, Yassine Elhassani, and Matt Thompson. Miho was
awarded a prestigious Pfizer Undergraduate Research Award
last summer and had the opportunity to travel to Groton, CT
this fall to present the results of her research.
ed allylation reactions. He has recently rendered these enantioselective as well, accomplishing a feat that has never before
been reported. The chiral amine products that we make are
valuable synthetic precursors to a host of biologically relevant
compounds.
As members of the Center for Protease Research we have a
significant amount of more applied research as well. We are
heavily involved in developing inhibitors for a class of enzymes
called Histone Deacetylases (HDACs). These are enzymes
involved in the regulation of gene transcription and modify the
histone proteins that DNA is bundled with in the nucleosome.
This has impacts in cancer chemotherapy as well as potential
applications for long term chronic illnesses such as Lupus
and Huntington’s disease. We have already discovered some
unique small molecule inhibitors for HDACs and hope to render them selective for specific enzymes in this class.
The science in the group couldn’t be better. Our recent paper
in the Journal of the American Chemical Society on catalytic
asymmetric allyl indium reactions has achieved international
recognition. Together with a collaborator in the UK, Prof. Guy
Lloyd-Jones, we have achieved the highly efficient catalysis of
hydrazones to produce chiral amines using environmentally
benign metal catalysts. Results are pouring in and we should
be reporting even more breakthroughs in the near future. In
addition to our indium chemistry, graduate student Xixi Song
has made some breakthroughs in the area of bismuth-mediat-
News from the Tallman Laboratory
(July 18, 2007) After 36 years in the Department of Chemistry
and Molecular Biology at NDSU, Professor Dennis Tallman
accepted a new position as Research Professor in the Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials (CPM), beginning January, 2007. It’s not a major transition for Professor
Tallman since his research has been closely aligned with that
department for almost 15 years and he held an appointment
as Adjunct Professor in CPM from 2002 to 2006. Additionally,
his main office and research laboratories have been located
in CPM in the Research Technology Park since the spring of
2002. Professor Tallman’s research continues in the general
area of corrosion electrochemistry, with emphasis on measurement, mechanisms, instrumentation and electrochemically active polymer coatings, such as conducting polymers
and metal-rich coatings. He has published approximately 140
referred journal articles and book chapters and has presented
numerous invited lectures around the world. One particularly
noteworthy publication appearing in December, 2006, was a
chapter in the third edition of the “Handbook of Conducting
Polymers.” In this chapter, Professor Tallman critically evaluates the field of conjugated polymers as applied to corrosion control. He continues to co-direct (along with Professor
Gordon Bierwagen of CPM) the NDSU Corrosion/Coatings
Research Center and continues as editor of the Journal of
Solid State Electrochemistry. His group currently consists of
two graduate students, one undergraduate student and five
Ph.D. researchers.
Front L to R: Dr. Kerry Allahar, Professor Dennis Tallman, Dr.
Hosup Jung; Middle L to R: Professor Mark Jensen, Jun Nie,
Travis Bjordahl, Dr. Jae Hoon Huh; Back L to R: Dr. Jie (Jim) He,
Dr. Danta Battocchi, and Chris Heth
Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES) at the University of Wollongong in Australia, where he spends the month
of February most years. While visiting in February, 2007, he
presented three invited lectures (entitled Corrosion of Metals,
Corrosion Control Coatings Based on Electromaterials, and
Scanning Probe Techniques for the Study of Electromaterials)
at the 2nd International Electromaterials Science Symposium
held at the University of Wollongong. He has been invited to
be a keynote speaker at the 3rd International Electromaterials Science Symposium to be held in Melbourne, Australia in
February 2008. Other conferences at which he gave invited
talks during the past year include the International Conference
on Synthetic Metals, July 2-7, 2006, held at Trinity College in
Dublin, Ireland, and the symposium “Critical Factors in Localized Corrosion 5: A Symposium in Honor of Hugh Isaacs” at
the 2006 Joint International Meeting of the 210th Meeting of
The Electrochemical Society and the XXI Congreso de la Sociedad Mexicana de Electroquimica, October 29 - November
3, 2006, held in Cancun, Mexico.
One of the Ph.D. researchers is Professor Mark Jensen, a
Professor (and past Chair) of the Department of Chemistry
at Concordia College of Moorhead, MN. Professor Jensen
spent the 2005-2006 academic year with our group while on
sabbatical leave and continues to spend time in our laboratory
both during the academic year and full time in the summers.
Professor Tallman continues to compete in local and regional
(and occasionally national) 4-wall handball tournaments,
although he is temporarily sidelined with a knee injury.
Professor Tallman continues his collaboration with the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) and the ARC Centre of
The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology
5
Spring 2008
LAB GROUP UPDATES
Dorsam Lab News
Standing L to R:
Ashley Sandy,
Travis Vander Steen,
Jarrett Failing, Erich
Wilkerson, Emilie
DeKrey, Keith
Benton; Kneeling:
Rebecca Herman;
Laying: Dr. Glenn
Dorsam
by Ashley Sandy
(August 2007) It has been an exciting year of firsts here in the
Dorsam laboratory! The current lab is well equipped with a
courageous leader (Glenn Dorsam, Ph.D.), four graduate
students (Becky, Keith, Emilie, and Travis), and three undergraduates (Ashley, Erich, and Jarrett).
Coming into the lab running, Emilie DeKrey is a first author
on a paper regarding T-cell receptor pathway regulation of
vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor-1 (VPACR-1) that will be
resubmitted to the Journal of Neuroimmunology for publication.
The undergraduates are working hard as well. Ashley recently
interviewed at the Mayo Graduate School this past month
as she wishes to receive an assistantship there for graduate
school beginning in fall, 2008. Currently, Ashley is embarking
on a project involving an Ikaros Null mouse T-cell line and will
attempt to ectopically overexpress Ikaros back into these cells
to determine whether it plays a role regulating VPACR-1 expression. Jarrett, a quick learner of new techniques and skills, is
researching the lifetime fluorescence of an orange fluorescent
protein which may be used to tag Ikaros in future experiments.
Erich, an entertaining and intelligent member of the lab, began
the orange fluorescent protein project and enjoyed his summer
in the Clearwater, MN area.
Becky Hermann, Keith Benton, and Emilie DeKrey all passed
their cumulative exam for doctoral candidacy earlier this summer through much sweat but with great reward and anticipation! I know they are looking forward to their mini and maxi
presentations!
Continuing to be intrigued by NIH-3T3 mouse fibroblast cells
as a scientific tool, Becky continues to research the epigenetic
regulation of VPACR-1 by Ikaros. Becky has perfected transient and stable protein overexpression and quantitative PCR
techniques that will enable her to begin collecting data. Keith
is dedicated to determining the occupancy of the VPACR-1
promoter by Ikaros as well as epigenetic chemical modifications through a technically challenging chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. He has recently collected novel data
utilizing this ChIP technique and is in a great position to finish
his first major study for publication. Travis, who has become
enveloped by the world of two-dimensional electrophoresis,
is working hard to determine the phosphorylation states of
Ikaros in different cellular phenotypes. Travis is spear-heading
a collaboration with Dr. Steven Meinhardt. To his credit, the
two-dimensional electrophoresis method has been worked out
and he will be able to test the “proof of concept” this fall.
The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology
Glenn, who continues to support us all and keep us on the right
research path, is attending the American Association of Immunologists’ meeting in Minneapolis, MN this weekend as partial
fulfillment for his NIH CAREER Award. In addition, Glenn is a PI
on the COBRE grant and plans on hiring a technician.
Moreover, thanks everybody who participated in the First Annual Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology Poster Session, on May 31, 2007. It was a smashing success. The poster
session, which included spectacular refreshments and delicious
hors-d’oeuvres, included compelling research from all corners
of the department (see photos below). This was definitely a first
that will be continued for years to come. The Dorsam lab is looking forward to another year of brilliant firsts!
6
Spring 2008
LAB GROUP UPDATES
Surface Chemistry News –
Burghaus Lab
Srivastava’s Group News
This year has been reasonably productive for our group. We
received research funding of $1.2 million from National Institute of Health, and funding of $400 thousand from National
Science Foundation to pursue our collaborative research with
Dr. Sanku Mallik of Pharmaceutical Sciences department.
Our collaborative team has been currently investigating basic/
fundamental aspects of enzyme catalyzed reactions from the
point of view of designing their specific inhibitors as potential
drugs and their targeted delivery. In addition, we have recently
initiated studies on diagnostics of various marker proteins
via formulating fluorophoric liposomes. The latter studies are
geared toward utilizing nanoparticles and quantum dots.
by Wendy Leach
The University of Minnesota sponsored the 29th Annual
Symposium on Applied Surface Analysis in June 2007.
Post-doc, Dr. Evgueni Kadossov attended and spoke on
TDS and Molecular Beam Scattering Studies of CO and
CO2 Interaction with FeOx Clusters Supported on Graphite.
In June 2007, Dr. Uwe Burghaus traveled to Boise, Idaho
to attend the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory ACS
meeting and to present a seminar related to his lab’s work
on nanotubes. Fall 2007, Uwe got involved with the ND
EPSCoR Tribal Colleges Programs, namely, Nurturing
American Tribal Undergraduate Research and Education
(NATURE). He participated in the NATURE Sunday Academy program. On Sundays, he traveled to different tribal
colleges to assist a tribal college instructor in leading a lab
exercise (experiments) with their undergraduate students.
Presently, seven graduate students are working in our group,
of which four are from Chemistry and Molecular Biology, one
is from Cellular and Molecular Biology, and two are from Pharmaceutical Sciences. Shakila Tobwala, Sumathra Manokaran,
and Bratati Ganguly completed their third year of graduate
studies in my group, and all of them passed their written comprehensive exams. Nitesh Sule, second year graduate student, also passed his written comprehensive exam this year.
Of these students, Shakila is the only one who presented and
passed her oral exam. Her research project is geared toward
completing Ph.D. Raushan Singh, Cellular and Molecular Biology student, is in the early stages of his training in the lab.
Graduate student, Shamus Funk and his
wife, Christy, were blessed with a new baby
boy. Abraham Sol arrived on July 24th at
7:24 pm, weighing in at 7 lbs 7 oz and was
20 inches long. He joins sister, Baela
Reese (3 years, 10 months), and brother,
Charles Ross (15 months).
Last year, I was invited to give a series of talks in India,
including one at an International conference. During my visit,
I initiated collaboration with Dr. U. N. Dwivedi of Lucknow
University. We wrote a short joint project which received
funding from the Department of Biotechnology India, and that
grant supported Dr. Dwivedi’s visit to our department for three
months (April – July 2007). Besides cloning a few enzymes
involved in lignin biosynthetic pathway Dr. Dwivedi performed
several experiments which subsequently led to developing transgenic plants having lower lignin contents for paper
industries.
Abraham Sol Funk
Graduate student, John Goering, joined
the Burghaus lab in December 2006.
Already, he has coauthored three peer-refereed papers.
The Burghaus lab hosted Native American student, Shannon Weidman, in July 2007 for three weeks of hands-on
research in the lab. This contact was developed as a result
of Shamus working as a TA at a Native American College
spring semester 2007.
Lisa Hilleren, high school student from Watford City, participated in the lab for six weeks over the summer through
the Governors School program. She worked on a fuel cell
project while here.
Senior undergraduate student, Brian Hokkanen, said goodbye to the Burghaus lab in May 2007 as he graduated and
accepted a job in Texas.
L to R: Bratati Ganguly, Nitesh Sule, Sumathra Manokaran,
Raushan Singh, Shakila Tobwala, Dr. D.K. Srivastava
L to R Front: Lisa Hilleren, John Goering; Back: Shannon
Weidman, Dr. Uwe Burghaus and Shamus Funk
The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology
7
Spring 2008
LAB GROUP UPDATES
Rasmussen Lab News
by Christopher Heth
As charge flows through a conducting polymer film, so too do
faces in an academic research group. Dr. Hong Mo completed
his postdoctoral work with the group in July, after which he
returned to China to take a professorship at Nanjing Normal
University, where he is teaching inorganic chemistry. Scott
Rothstein successfully defended his M.S. thesis and is currently employed by Segetis, a startup company in Plymouth,
MN specializing in renewable bio-based polymers. Adam Wohl
completed his undergraduate studies and began his graduate
work at the University of Minnesota under the mentorship of
Prof. Marc Hillmyer in the fall. Undergraduate Kelli Jo Syltie
has also left the group in order to focus more of her energies on her medical studies. Their contributions to the lab will
certainly be missed, and we wish them all well.
Sitting L to R: Jon Nietfeld, Li Wen, Sean Evenson; Standing
L to R: Cole Larsen, Dr. Seth Rasmussen, Chris Heth, Brett
Erpelding, Chad Amb
tion here at NDSU in the fall and is continuing his work in the
group. Cole, another freshman chemistry major, is our newest addition, joining the group just this December. This past
summer, Governor’s School student Tyler Swenson spent five
weeks with the group learning to make bipyridine complexes.
Tyler is currently in his junior year at Dickinson High School. In
addition, graduate students Chad Amb and Li Wen successfully completed their original research proposals and comprehensive exams, and thus are officially Ph.D. candidates.
Reinforcing the ranks are new members Jon Nietfeld, Brett
Erpelding, and Cole Larsen. Jon is a graduate student who
joined the group in December 2006 following his rotations.
Brett first joined the group as a Governor’s School student prior to his senior year at Fargo South High School. He enjoyed
the experience so much he continued to work part time in the
lab throughout his senior year. He began his higher educa-
The Sibi Group
Jasperse from Minnesota State University, Moorhead was also
with us again for another summer of research and teaching.
by Brandon Gustafson
The graduate students in our lab haven’t undergone as much
change however. Levi Stanley is in his fifth year and is getting
ready to defend his thesis. Digamber Rane, Arvin Yu and Brandon
Gustafson are all still around and about to start their fourth year.
The relative newcomer to the group is Wilfredo Cruz (Jr.) who is
about to start his third year. Nathan Brager and Stacie Lilliquist
spent a year with us as first year grad students. Third year grad
student Sunggi Lee from Korea spent 6 months here “on loan.”
Lastly, we had undergraduate Jessica Shackleford from the University of Southern Mississippi working for us during the summer.
It’s been awhile since the Sibi group and its “Siblings” have
surfaced in the Chem News articles, but here we are. As with any
group in this department, many people have come and gone from
our group. The largest turnover has been among the post docs.
Sukanya Nad and Masayuki Hasegawa left for the spring ACS
meeting in Chicago and never came back! Masa took a post doc
position at Boston College with Professor Hoveyda and Sukanya
left for California to be with her husband. Our third in an exodus
of post docs was Takahiro Soeta who joined Professor Smith’s
group at the University of Pennsylvania. To replace the departed,
we gained three more post docs who joined the remaining (and
lonely) Dr. Yonghua Yang who became a new daddy in July. Their
names are Dr. Keisuke Kawashima and Dr. Hiroshi Yanagita, both
from Japan, and Dr. Julien Coulomb from France. Professor Craig
Dr. Mukund Sibi has kept himself busy during the year as well. In
addition to coordinating about a dozen students and post docs,
guiding projects within the group and much chemistry discussion,
he taught the 342 organic chemistry lecture. Dr. Sibi also was a
world traveler, giving lectures and seminars in Norway, Korea,
and Japan. Also, as mentioned earlier, some of our group went to
the national meeting in Chicago this spring—Levi, Taka, Sukanya
and Masa all joined Dr. Sibi for a week of presentations and
seminars.
Our group has also seen quite a bit of research progress. In
2006-2007, we have published approximately 15 papers in projects ranging from conjugate radical additions to cycloadditions
(both Diels Alder and 1,3-dipolar) and from Lewis acid catalysis
to organocatalysis. Levi and Dr. Sibi also submitted a book chapter on copper Lewis acids for Lewis Acids in Organic Synthesis
volume II.
L to R: Front row - Jessica Shackleford, Dr. Mukund Sibi, Dr.
Hiroshi Yanagita, Digamber Rane; middle row - Dr. Yonghua Yang,
Brandon Gustafson, Wilfredo Cruz, Jr.; back row - Arvin Yu, Dr.
Julien Coulomb, Dr. Keisuke Kawashima, Levi Stanley, Don Anton
The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology
Feel free to stop by and check us out on the web at www.ndsu.
nodak.edu/sibi_research and read more about who we are and
what we do.
8
Spring 2008
Special Awards and Recognition
Chemistry Faculty Receive College Awards
Two faculty members from the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology have received awards from the College of
Science and Mathematics.
Dr. Seth Rasmussen, Associate Professor, has received the 2007 College Award for
Excellence in Teaching. Dr. Rasmussen teaches all levels of inorganic chemistry and has
developed a new course at NDSU in Science History. In addition, he serves as the faculty
mentor for the Undergraduate Chemistry Club.
Dr. Seth Rasmussen
Dr. Wenfang Sun, Associate Professor, has been awarded the 2007 College Award for
Excellence in Research. Dr. Sun has developed cutting edge research in the area of photofunctional organoic and metallo-organic materials for applications in optical limiting and
photodynamic therapy. She has received a National Science Foundation Career Award and
is also funded by the Army Research Lab and the USDA.
Greg Cook to Chair 2008 Gordon
Research Conference on Organic
Reactions and Processes
(February 2007) Associate
Professor of
Chemistry, Gregory Cook, has been
elected to chair the 2008 Gordon
Research Conference on Organic Reactions and Processes to be held July
13-18 in Smithfield, RI. He will serve
as Vice-Chair for the 2007 meeting. For 75 years,
the Gordon Research Conferences have been the
premiere scientific meetings. Initiated by Dr. Neil E.
Gordon, of the Johns Hopkins University, in the late
1920s, the Gordon Research Conferences promote
discussions and the free exchange of ideas at the
research frontiers of the biological, chemical and
physical sciences. Scientists with common professional interests come together for a full week of
intense discussion and examination of the most
advanced aspects of their field. Today the GRC runs
about 180 conferences a year. The conference on
Organic Reactions and Processes brings together
organic chemists from around the world working
in academia and industry from around the globe.
Dr. Cook will chair the 55th Organic Reactions and
Processes conference which focusses on process
research for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals,
synthesis of complex natural products, organic reaction mechanisms, new synthetic methods, and new
developments in the catalysis of organic reactions.
Organic Reactions and Processes is traditionally
one of the most popular and prestigious of the GRC
conferences every year.
The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology
Dr. Wenfang Sun
Srivastava to Serve 4-Year Term
on NIH Study Section
(February 2007) Dr. D.K. Srivastava,
Professor of
Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology has been invited to serve a four
year term on the Macromolecular Structure and
Function A Study Section for the National Institutes of Health. His term will begin July 1, 2007
and he will serve through June 30, 2011. NIH Study Sections
are the backbone of the Center for Scientific Review to evaluate
research grant applications submitted to the NIH. Study Section
members make recommendations on the scientific integrity of
proposals to the NIH institutes. Members are selected on the basis of their demonstrated competence and achievement in their
scientific discipline as evidenced by the quality of research accomplishments, publications, and other significant achievements.
Being asked to serve in the NIH peer review process is an honor
and recognition of Dr. Srivastava’s scientific contributions.
Mukund Sibi Named University
Distinguished Professor
(October 2007) Professor Mukund Sibi has been honored as a University Distinguished Professor by President Joseph Chapman.
This award recognizes outstanding achievements of
high quality faculty. The professorship comes with a
$20,000 pay raise and $5,000 annually to be used
for academic teaching or research endeavors. Sibi
joins six other professors from across the campus
being honored by this new initiative. Distinguished
Professors will be charged with recognizing up
to two new professorships each year. Prof. Sibi also received the
James A. Meier Professorship earlier this year. (See article on
page 11.)
9
Spring 2008
Special Awards and Recognition
Greg Cook Named
Walter F. and Verna
Gehrts Professor
Chemistry Club Receives National Award
from the American Chemical Society
(October 2007) Greg
Chemical Society (ACS), has been selected by the ACS to receive an “Honorable Mention” award for its chapter activities conducted during the 2006-07 academic year.
Cook, Associate Professor of Chemistry, has
received the 2007-2009 Walter F.
and Verna Gehrts Endowed Professorship from the University. The
Gehrts Endowed Professorship is
awarded to a faculty member at
the rank of Associate Professor
who has demonstrated a balanced
academic record demonstrating
excellence in teaching, research,
and service.
Rasmussen appointed
HIST Program Chair
of ACS
(November 2007) The NDSU Chemistry club, a student affiliate chapter of the American
The NDSU chapter activities consistently include community service and education,
fundraising to support chapter events, and strong participation at national meetings.
Approximately 10-15 students each year give research presentations at the national
meetings, with over 50 undergraduate research presentations presented in the last
seven years.
Of the more than 980 student chapters nationwide, only 175 institutions received awards
this year. This is the seventh consecutive national award for the chapter. While the NDSU
Chemistry Club was originally founded in 1897, it did not become a student affiliate
chapter of the ACS until 1968. Since that time, it has received 12 national awards from
the ACS.
In addition to society recognition, the NDSU chapter will be acknowledged in two
nationally distributed publications; Chemical and Engineering News, the society’s official
weekly magazine, and In Chemistry, a bimonthly magazine for ACS student affiliates.
Award-winning chapters will also be recognized at an awards ceremony during the society’s annual meeting in April 2008. Dr. Seth Rasmussen, Associate Professor of Chemistry, serves as the faculty advisor for the NDSU Chemistry Club.
(November 2007) Seth
C. Rasmussen,
Associate Professor
of Chemistry, has
been appointed by
the Division of the
History of Chemistry (HIST) to be
its next Divisional Program Chair.
Founded in 1927, HIST is one of
the 33 technical divisions of the
American Chemical Society (ACS)
and seeks to advance knowledge
and appreciation of the history
of the chemical sciences among
chemists, students, historians of
science, and the broader public.
Prof. Rasmussen will join the
Division’s executive committee in
2008 as Assistant Program Chair
and succeed the current Program
Chair Joe Jeffers (Ouachita Baptist University) in 2009. As Program Chair, Prof. Rasmussen will
be responsible for the technical
programming of HIST at national
ACS meetings including symposia
and general sessions as well as
workshops, tutorials, and demonstrations.
The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology
Department contributes to national guide for
high school chemistry teachers
by Seth C. Rasmussen
(July 2007) The American Chemical Society (ACS) is in the process of publishing an
updated edition of Chemistry in the National Science Education Standards, a text that
serves as a teaching guide for both high school educators and university faculty that
educate pre-service teachers. The new edition consists of 16 chapters covering various
aspects of national content standards and how to successfully incorporate material and
activities in the classroom to meet these desired standards. Professor Stacey Bretz of
Miami University serves as the text’s editor, while the individual chapters are co-written
by teams consisting of a minimum of one recognized leader of the topic field and one
high school teacher.
NDSU’s Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology is contributing to this text with
Chapter 9, History and Nature of Science Content Standards, which focuses on how
to properly and successfully incorporate science history and the underlying nature of
science into high school chemistry courses. The writing team for Chapter 9 is led by
Associate Professor Seth Rasmussen, who has been active in the study of the history
of chemistry for over ten years. The ACS recognized Prof. Rasmussen as a leader in the
application of history to chemical education due to two national symposia he co-organized on the subject along with Prof. David Lewis of the University of Wisconsin - Eau
Claire. In addition to Prof. Rasmussen, the writing team also includes Misty Tomchuk, a
former graduate of the department (B.S. Chem, 2002) and now a high school teacher
at Fargo North, as well as Professor Carmen Giunta of Le Moyne College in Syracuse,
NY. Prof. Giunta is a longtime contributor to research in the history of chemistry whose
expertise nicely compliments that of Prof. Rasmussen.
The 2nd edition of Chemistry in the National Science Education Standards is scheduled
to be published this fall by the Chemical Education Division of the ACS in both print and
online pdf forms. A companion website for the text with further resources is also in the
planning stages.
10
Spring 2008
Special Awards and Recognition
NDSU Chemistry and Molecular
Biology Receives Gift from
Abbott Laboratories
dents in the lab. Those qualities go well together, and we are
delighted that the ACS has selected Dr. Sibi for this international recognition.”
(September 2007) The Department of Chemistry and Molecular
The department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology will be
holding a reception for NDSU Alumni and friends in honor
of Dr. Sibi’s award at the 236th American Chemical Society
National Meeting in Philadelphia on Monday, August 18th. All
are welcome to attend. Watch for more information.
Biology at North Dakota State University has received a gift
of $10,000 on behalf of Abbott Laboratories Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development. The gift is designated
to aid the department to continue to identify, educate, and
graduate students that excel both in the classroom and the
laboratory. Toward this end, the money will be used to support two programs in the department. The Abbott Laboratory
Graduate Fellowship helps to support talented M.S. and Ph.D.
graduate students working in the broad area of pharmaceutical research. Additionally, part of the money will be used to
bring scientists from outside NDSU to campus through the
Abbott Laboratories Lectures in Organic Chemistry series.
This gift is part of an on-going annual commitment by Abbott
Laboratories to support organic chemistry at NDSU that has
been fostered by Profs. Mukund Sibi and Greg Cook over the
last six years.
Sibi Named Meier Professor
from It’s Happening, June 13, 2007
Mukund Sibi, professor of chemistry and molecular biology,
has been selected for the Dr. James A. Meier Senior Professorship Award for the College of Science and Mathematics.
“You are most deserving of this award,” wrote Kevin McCaul,
dean of science and mathematics, in a letter informing Sibi
of his selection for the prestigious honor. “Your dedication to
teaching, research and the department are evident in your
record. This award can be thought of as a ‘thank you’ from the
college.”
Mukund Sibi to Receive the
Prestigious 2008 Arthur C. Cope
Scholar Award
Gregory Cook, associate professor of chemistry and molecular biology, wrote in a letter of nomination that Sibi’s research
in organic chemistry has provided insights into controlling
chemical reactivity that have a far-reaching impact in organic
chemistry, particularly pharmaceutical development.
(August 2007) Mukund P. Sibi, a James A. Meier
professor of chemistry and molecular biology
at North Dakota State University, will receive a
2008 Arthur S. Cope Scholar Award, considered to be a top honor in organic chemistry.
The Cope Scholar Award, issued by the
American Chemical Society (ACS), recognizes scientists from
across the globe who have distinguished themselves in the
broad field of organic chemistry. Through the Cope Scholar
Award, Dr. Sibi will receive a $5,000 certificate and a $40,000
unrestricted research grant. He also will deliver an invited talk
on his research and be recognized at a special ceremony in
April 2008 at the ACS National Meeting in New Orleans, La.
Cook wrote that Sibi “has endeavored to promote our department and our university around the world. His outstanding
service and outstanding accomplishments are a testament to
NDSU and I can think of no one more deserving of this honor.”
Marvin J. Miller, George and Winifred Clark Professor of
Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame,
wrote in a letter of support, “Prof. Sibi deserved recognition for
his innovative, productive research, but he is also the ‘complete package’-an excellent researcher, teacher, mentor and
professional who loves his profession and has passionately
dedicated his life to serving as a positive role model as he
advances our profession in every way possible.”
“Dr. Sibi’s achievement and distinguished role in the field of
organic chemistry is remarkable,” said NDSU President Joseph A. Chapman. “NDSU is honored to have faculty like Dr.
Sibi guiding us along the journey that has brought us to the
next level of excellence.”
Currently the Dale Hogoboom Professor in chemistry, Sibi has
published more than 140 papers in peer-reviewed journals.
He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Bangalore
University, India, and his doctorate at City University of New
York. Sibi was a postdoctoral fellow at Dartmouth College, the
University of Waterloo and Florida State University.
“The Cope Scholar Awards are considered to be one of the
most prestigious awards in the field of chemistry and this
award reflects the significant contributions Dr. Sibi makes to
his field of study,” said Dr. Philip Boudjouk, vice president for
research, creative activities and technology transfer.
The professorship is effective July 1, and continues for three
years. It carries a stipend of $3,500 per year.
The professorship is supported through an endowment gift
from alumnus Meier, B.S. ’59, Ph.D. ’71, who held several
leadership roles at Pittsburgh Paints and Glass during his career. Meier received an honorary doctorate from NDSU during
May commencement ceremonies.
The dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at
NDSU, Kevin McCaul, also noted the honor. “Dr. Sibi is clearly
a superb researcher, and he is also a wonderful teacher,
whether in a formal classroom setting or working with his stu-
The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology
11
Spring 2008
Alumni News
Does the Alumni Association know your email address?
If not, consider sharing it with them at association@ndsualumni.com. When CHEM News was looking for alumni articles
and updates, the alumni association was there to help! They assisted us in sending a broadcast email message to our
chemistry and biochemistry alumni. (Your email address is secure with the alumni association.) A special thank you to
those who replied! Read and enjoy!
Anderson, Eugene ’78 – Eugene Anderson (BS 78, MS 82) just
celebrated his tenth anniversary of ordination in the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America. He is presently serving a congregation in Jasper, MN.
traveled to Fargo in July to help celebrate the 60th wedding anniversary of John’s parents, Robert and Verna Hanish of Fargo.
John’s parents attended NDSU and Robert Hanish was a member of the 1946 and 1947 Bison football teams.
Anderson, Julie A. K. ’81 – Julie A. K. Anderson (BS 81) graduated from Luther Seminary in St Paul, MN with a Master of Divinity degree. She was ordained and installed as a pastor on May
20, serving the Winds of the Prairie Ministry, an association of
five congregations in the Lincoln, Lyon and Pipestone counties of
Southwestern Minnesota.
Lawrence, Park W. ‘66 – I retired from the North East Independent School District of San Antonio Texas in 2003. I was a
Chemistry teacher for 31 years. My wife, Kathy, also retired from
NEISD and we are involved in St. Marks Episcopal Church. I am
on the BOD for our 7600 Condominium Association while my wife
is the office manager and book keeper. We travel to LA, Atlanta,
and Somerset Pa every year to visit family and friends. We are
planning to visit Fargo for Homecoming and then on to Salem
Oregon to visit my sister. In June of 2005 we took a cruise of the
Baltic and visited nine countries including St Petersburg Russia.
It was an outstanding vacation. Our next cruise will probably be to
the Mediterranean Area. I am also interested in Old Time Radio
from the 30’s to 1962. “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts
of men, The Shadow knows”, CBS Radio Mystery Theater, Our
Miss Brooks and hundreds of other programs. The computer
makes it all possible. We are both Mac computer users, take lots
of pictures, and have visited over 125 National Parks all over the
country, and play a lot of bridge. Don’t know where I found the
time to work! Hope to see some of you in October. PArK W &
KAtHY LaWReNCe
Garlie, Dave ’96 – M.S. (Boudjouk). Employer: Cargill Inc. (12
yrs); Job title: Business Development Mgr - Industrial Starches;
Married to Maria Garlie (NDSU graduate 1995 BS); Two children (Garin 5 and Gracen 3); Residence: Eau Claire, WI; Career
development: Continue to commercialize and develop biobased
products and technologies for Cargill under the direction of
former NDSU alumni Kevin Anderson - Global Technical Director
(M.S. 198? ,Boudjouk).
Grow, Elnore ’61 – Chemical Technology, BS (NDSU); 1966,
Seattle University, Seattle, MSNS – Retired now for 7 years and
enjoying it a lot. I mentor new young high school chemistry teachers, write a newsletter for Colorado chem teachers and send to
640 of them. I teach a class at Colorado School of Mines each
summer for new chemistry teachers. We travel often. The big trip
this year is Croatia, Slovenia, and Montenegro in September.
Looking forward to 50 years in 2011.
Nugent, Patrick ’70 – I have moved from Fargo to Bemidji in late
May. My new address is: Patrick Nugent, 12468 Irvine Ave NW,
Bemidji, MN 56601, Tel: 218-243-3314, e-mail: patypat@charter.
net. I retired from MeritCare Medical Group in March 2007. I will
be teaching a clinical chemistry course at UND this fall.
Haeuser, Lee W. ’96 – I am a Regional Sales Manager for Enercon Industries in Menomonee Falls, WI. I am responsible for 12
Representatives and all 3D plasma surface treating sales in 75%
of the U.S. and all of Canada. As the surface energy of a substrate is increased, then wettabily is increased and materials like
inks, paints and adhesives will spread out better and in results
in enhanced product quality and production efficiency. Within 2
weeks, we will be shipping two never created before products
for major customers in emerging technologies. One is a 300L/
min. flame plasma unit with 2 1000mm water-cooled burners.
The other is a variable chemistry plasma system which will use
a mixture of several different ionized gases to treat fluorinated
polymers. I also have 2 children, William 10 and Emma 8. Lee W.
Haeuser, 1033 12th Ave., Grafton, WI 53024
Schurr, Gar ’40 – I have moved to: GARMOND G SCHURR,
1035 Madison Street, Apt 627, Belmont Assisted Living, Oak
Park, IL 60302. My phone number is: 708 660 9416. Gar
Zerull, Lynn J., Col USAF (Ret) ’70 – I graduated in 1970, specializing in Polymers and Coatings. Three days after graduation,
I was in the Air Force. There was still a draft and ROTC seemed
the way to go. I had intended to do my 4 years and get out, but, at
the 4 year point the Air Force offered a promotion to Captain and
an assignment to Germany. I couldn’t turn it down. I was still having fun. So I ended up doing 28 years and retired as a full Colonel. My assignments include a year in Southeast Asia, a year in
Korea, 8 years in Germany, and nearly 10 years flying in AWACS.
I live in Tucson, our final home. My oldest son has graduated from
the U of Arizona as an EE with a computer science minor. My
younger son is a business major at ASU with about a year to go.
He is fluent in German and hopes to tie that in. My wife, Marilyn, attended NDSU and is now running for the AZ State House
(2008). All in all, life has been good to me. Regards to all of you.
Hanish, John P. ’86 – John P. Hanish, (B.S. ‘86, Chemistry with
Biochemistry option and History) joined the law firm
of Heller Ehrman on June 1, 2007 as a Shareholder in the Intellectual Property Litigation Practice
Group. His practice emphasizes patent litigation,
patent licensing and pre-litigation strategies related
to patents and trade secrets. John and his wife, Margaret, have
two young children and live in Scarsdale, NY. The whole family
The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology
12
Spring 2008
Alumni News
Department Graduates
Dec. 2006 - May 2007
Michelle Toutges
Ph.D. (December 2006)
Scott Rothstein
M.S. (December 2006)
Lance Doeden
B.S. (May 2007)
Ankit Gupta
B.S. (May 2007)
Brian Hokkanen
B.S. (May 2007)
Joel Kooren
B.S. (May 2007)
David Schultz
B.S. (May 2007)
Adam Wohl
B.S. (May 2007)
Dan Eiler
B.S. (May 2007)
John R. Sander
B.S. (December 2006)
L to R: Dan Eiler, Brian Hokkanen, Dr. John
Hershberger, Adam Wahl, Dr. Seth Rasmussen,
David Schultz, Lance Doeden, and Joel Kooren
2007 Undergraduate Alumni Survey
Some of our 2007 undergraduate majors were asked to tell
us about themselves. We asked them: (1) where they were
from (hometown/HS year graduated), (2) what major, minor,
or honors did they receive at NDSU, (3) what college activities they were involved in, (4) what are their future plans,
and (5) what was their favorite memory of NDSU or what will
they miss the most about the NDSU-Chemistry department?
Here’s a compilation of their replies:
Wohl, Adam ’07 – Minot, ND – Graduate of Minot HS in
2003, received an ACS-certified Chemistry degree, minor in
Zoology, graduated Summa Cum Laude. College Activities:
Chemistry Club, College of Science and Mathematics Ambassadors, Organic SI instructor, Undergraduate Research
in Rasmussen lab. Future plans: Graduate school in chemistry at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Favorite
memory of NDSU: 2006 Rasmussen/Dorsam labs camping
trip!
Hokkanen, Brian ’07 – Anoka, MN – Graduate of Anoka
HS in 2003, received a Chemistry degree. College Activities: Chemistry Club, Student Government, Undergraduate
Research in Burghaus lab. Future plans: Working in industry - Process Chemist with Celanese Chemicals based in
Dallas, Texas but he’ll be working at their Pampa, TX plant
(panhandle region). Favorite memory of NDSU: All of the
ACS conferences! The people in the department!
Eiler, Daniel ’07 – Fargo, ND – Graduate of Fargo South
High School in 2003, received a Chemistry and Biotechnology degree, minor in Microbiology, graduated with honors of
Phi Kappa Phi, Mortar Board National Honor Society, Golden
Key Honour Society. College Activities: Chemistry Club
The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology
(secretary), College of Science and Mathematics Ambassadors (President), Student Government and Biotechnology Club
(President). Future plans: Chemistry Ph.D. program at Yale
University. Favorite memory of NDSU: doing chemistry club
demos at area schools.
Kooren, Joel ’07 – Fargo, ND – Graduate of Fargo North High
School in 2003, received a Chemistry/Chemistry with Biochem
Option degree. College Activities: Chemistry Club, Undergraduate research in Hershberger, Mallik and Srivastava labs, TA
(teaching assistant) for Biochem 461. Future plans: Graduate
School in Biochemistry at the University of Minnesota. Favorite
memory of NDSU: Professor Dorsam’s quotes from Biochem
461 such as “I’m going to sound like a broken window” and
“That’s a Protease, and those are teeth.”
Doeden, Lance “07 – Fargo, ND – Graduate of Fargo South
High School in 2002, received a Chemistry degree. College
Activities: Bison Ambassadors, Ask Me Campaign, Club
Soccer, Intramural Hockey, Jazz Band, Phi Kappa Phi Honor
Society, Golden Key International Honour Society, Who’s Who
Among American College Students. Future plans: Attend medical school…will apply in August. Favorite memory of NDSU: “I
think I will miss the friendships the most at NDSU.”
Schultz, David ’07 – Fargo, ND – Graduate of Fargo South
High School in 2002, received Chemistry and Chemistry
Education degree, graduated with honors. College Activities:
Chemistry Club, ATOMS (Aspiring Teachers of Math and Science), College of Science and Mathematics Ambassadors.
Future plans: Teaching chemistry and biology at Fargo South
High. Favorite memory of NDSU: Attending national meetings
with the chemistry club and doing school visits.
13
Spring 2008
✩✩✩ Thanks to our Donors! ✩✩✩
Donors make important contributions to scholarship programs and other activities that enhance the student experience. Below is a summary of donors to the department for the calendar years 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006.
We applaud you for your continued support!
CHEMISTRY– BIOCHEMISTRY FUND DONORS
ORGANIZATIONS
3M Company
Abbott Laboratories
Alcoa Foundation
Altria Group Inc - Employee
Involvement Programs
Ashland Inc
The Bertholf Trust
BP Matching Fund
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
Chevron Texaco Corp
District 45 Democratic - NPL Party
Dow Chemical Co
ExxonMobil Foundation
Ford Motor Co
General Electric Company
HSBC - North America
SC Johnson Fund Inc
Medtronic Foundation
Osmonics, Inc
P P G Industries
Pfizer Foundation Matching
Gifts Program
Sanofi-Aventis
Shell Oil Company Foundation
INDIVIDUALS
John and Susan Altenburg
Joseph and Marjorie Anderson
Joan and Steven Axdal
Helen and James Bastian
Tom and Diane Beck
Frank and Aldine Bender
Thomas and Pingrong Bendetto
James and Debra Billigmeier
Donald and Lynne Boerth
Philip and Gertrude Boudjouk
Edward and Agnes Boulger
Michael and Judith Bourdeau
Bradford and Georgia Brakke
Jan Branthaver
Charles and Elizabeth Buck
Elizabeth D. Bushell
Benjamin and Gladys Chan
Yenson E. Chin
Carisa and Terry Christensen
Armin and Juanita Clobes
Downey and Verna Cunningham
Daniel DeChaine
William F. Deissler
Thomas DeRung
Donald and Julie Klosterman
Robert Price
Landis and Janet Doner
Lawrence and Sandra Klosterman
Francis and Christa Rajendram
Jon and Marijean Eggen
Lisa Klosterman and Waller Crenshaw
Aaron and Phyllis Rash
Daniel and Kristen Ehresmann
Mary A. Klosterman
Thomas and Susan Renner
Dennis and Elizabeth Erickson
Brian and Janet Knowles
Daniel and Cindy Richter
Earl Evenstad
Dennis and Bonita Knudsen
Reuben and Loretta Rieke
Mary A. Farley
Francis and Kay Koch
Lynnette Riggio
Alvin and Lois Fasching
Donald and Evelyn Koenecke
David J. Rislove
James and Diane Fasching
Culver Ladd
James and Charlotte Robbins
Joseph and Dorothy Fischer
Gerald and Carole Lamoureux
Duane and Trinka Rogne
Julian and Nijole Fossen
Arthur and Vivien Landau
Robert and Elaine Rohloff
Dr. D. S. Frear and Ms. Clotine Frear
Oreste and Beulah Lantero
Stephen and Bonita Ronshaugen
Ronald and Pauline Fredrickson
Gerald and Jeanne Larsen
Joe and Cheryl Schmit
Robert and Mary Friese
John and Sarah Larson
Nick Schmit
Jack Gale
Park and Kathy Lawrence
Mary B. Schwehr
John Gilmore
Arthur and Alice Leadbetter
Mukund P. Sibi
James J. Glaser
Paul and Susan Lemke
Dean and Tammy Sletten
Dixie and Richard Grossman
Victor and Betty Lindelow
Gregory and Diane Slotten
Lawrence and Shirley Grossman
Sharon and Neal Lockwood
James and Karen Smith
Elnore and Ronald Grow
James and Phyllis Lofgren
Susan M. Snyder
Marc and Rita Gustafson
Maxwell R. Lucci
Jacque and Louise Stockman
Vernon and Joanne Guyer
John and Nancy Ludwig
Deidre and Steven Strand
Harold Haag
Robert J. Ludwigsen
Florence and Lawrence Strohmeyer
Roger and Deborah Hagen
Roald and Janet Lund
James and May Sugihara
Richard and Kathy Haisch
Wayne and Barbara Lunsetter
Jeffrey and Nancy Suttle
Walter and Moerlinah Hall
Charles L. Lunsford
Lara K. Tebelius
Edward and Karen Handel
Michael and Barbara Magelky
Gary and Rachel Thompson
Jennifer Harvester
Glenn and Judy Martin
Lewis J. Thompson
Hope C. Heaster
Gregory and Denise McCarthy
Thomas and Jean Tsai
Scott and Kim Henry
Kevin and Harriette McCaul
Bob and Mary Ann Tucker
John Hershberger
Lynn McHarness
Frederick and Helen Turner
Clarence and Jane Hildebrand
Allan and Maureen Meath
Mark and Sue VanBenthem
Loren and Norma Hill
Roxane F. Meidinger
David and Teresa Vaske
Paul and Madonna Hipps
Christopher and Jennifer Meyer
Brady and Julie Vick
Ronald and Marit Hoff
Marvin and Patricia Miller
Peter Walls
Clarence and Jeanette Hottman
David Naegeli
Irvin Wangsness
Fu and Fung-Hwei Huang
Amelia R. Nash
Roger and Sherryl Wedel
Eleanor and Frank Hung
Curtis H. Nelson
Duane Weisshaar
Earl and Jane Hutchins
Scott and Marna Nelson
Jennifer and Aaron Whitcomb
Morris and Catherine Johnson
Timothy and Linda Nelson
Michelle M. Wiest
Milton and Constance Johnson
Robert and Elaine Newman
Royce Winge
Uruthirapasu and Bhavani Kalapathy
Grant Olson and Gabrielle Vencel-Olson
Doris M. Wischow
Craig and Debra Kapfer
Robert and Mary Olson
Willard and Jean Witteman
Michael and Elizabeth Kaytor
Stephen Olson
Richard and Laura Wohl
Charles and Maxine Keefe
Wendell and Carole Ostlie
Mark and Joan Wolters
Michael and Anne Klinkhammer
Paul Otto
Roy and Janelle Wong
Steven Kloos
Les and Bernice Pavek
Wayne and Kathie Worner
Amy Klosterman
Steven Petersen
James and Marie Young
Bruce Klosterman
Carl and Jerri Pfiffner
Susan L. Zimmerman
The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology
14
Spring 2008
Scholarship Information
■ Donald Bolin Memorial
Scholarship
■ Dr. Harold and Mary Ann
Klosterman Merit Scholarship
Awarded to outstanding student majors
in chemistry or biochemistry.
A newly created fund in 2007, which is
awarded to incoming freshman enrolled
in the College of Science and Mathematics based on scholastic achievement. Preference is given to biochemistry or biotechnology majors.
2006-07 Recipients
Travis Bjordahl, Millbank, SD
Laura Haselhorst, Byron, MN
Jennifer Klemond-Brottlund, Fargo, ND
2007-08 Recipients
Laura Haselhorst, Byron, MN
Kristin Keller, Barney, ND
Erich Wilkerson, Clear Lake, MN
■ Chemistry Department
Honor Scholarship
Scholarship presented to chemistry or
biochemistry majors on the basis of
scholastic achievement.
2006-07 Recipients
Scott Jungwirth, Redfield, SD
Erich Wilkerson, Clear Lake, MN
2007-08 Recipients
Jarrett Failing
Miho Kaneko, Ube, Japan
■ Lawrence M. Debing
Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship presented to students in
chemistry and biochemistry.
2006-07 Recipients
Samantha Houle, Williston, ND
Krystal Kalliokoski, Gardena, ND
2007-08 Recipients
Krystal Kalliokoski, Gardena, ND
Andrea Rader, Fergus Falls, MN
■ Ralph Dunbar Memorial
Scholarship
Scholarships awarded to chemistry majors on the basis of scholastic achievement and character as exemplified by
Ralph E. Dunbar, Dean of the College of
Chemistry and Physics, 1945-1960.
2006-07 Recipients
Joshua Swoyer, Andover, MN
Michael Teubner, Roseau, MN
2007-08 Recipients
Brett Erpelding, Fargo, ND
Bridget Kilen, New Salem, ND
Amber Simpson, Finley, ND
Joshua Swoyer, Andover, MN
2007-08 Recipients
Katrina Gellerman
■ James & May Sugihara
Scholarship
A scholarship presented to outstanding
students majoring in chemistry.
2006-07 Recipients
Kelli Jo Syltie, Brookings, SD
Adam R. Wohl, Minot, ND
2007-08 Recipients
Robert Haaland, Mandan, ND
Andrew Sand, Jamestown, ND
Kelli Jo Syltie, Brookings, SD
■ Richard Glenn Wedel
Memorial Scholarship
A scholarship presented to an outstanding student majoring in chemistry.
2006-07 Recipients
Michael C. Nokelby, Fargo, ND
2007-08 Recipients
Anoklase Ayitou
■ Roy Milde Fellowship Award
A scholarship presented to an outstanding graduate student who has been
enrolled in the chemistry program for
more than one year. Preference is given
to graduates of high schools and colleges in ND and the upper Midwest.
2006-07 Recipients
Darci R. Block, Jamestown, ND
2007-08 Recipients
Landon, Bladow, Hankinson, ND
■ Undergraduate Research
Fellowships in Chemistry
These mentorships are awarded to
freshmen majoring in chemistry who
demonstrate strong potential for chemical research. The award includes a
research position in a faculty research
laboratory and a $1200 stipend.
2006-07 Recipients
Frances P. Bouret, Sheyenne
Taylor P. Essen, Watertown, MN
Samantha D. Houle, Williston, ND
Krystal D. Kalliokoski, Gardena, ND
Natalie Lekang, Pelican Rapids, MN
Tara N. Slominski, Ardoch
■ Graduate Student
Fellowship Fund
This fellowship helps to support graduate students in synthetic chemistry.
If you would like to donate to the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, please use this form.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------_
CHEMISTRY, BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
DEVELOPMENT FUND
Included is my gift of $__________ Please apply my gift to: (pick from the following selections)
Ƒ Chemistry Department Honor Scholarship
Ƒ Ralph Dunbar Memorial Scholarship
Ƒ James & May Sugihara Scholarship
Ƒ Richard Glenn Wedel Memorial Scholarship
Ƒ Dr. Harold and Mary Ann Klosterman Merit Scholarship
Ƒ Lawrence Debing Memorial Scholarship
Ƒ Donald Bolin Memorial Scholarship
Ƒ Roy Milde Fellowship Award
Ƒ Graduate Student Fellowship Fund
Ƒ General Chemistry Department Fund
(any unspecified gifts will be applied to this fund)
Payment Options:
Check enclosed (please make checks payable to NDSU Development Foundation).
Credit card:
Ƒ
Visa
Ƒ Mastercard
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Card No _________________________________________Expiration Date ________
Billing Address ________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Phone: ( _____ ) _____________ Signature __________________________________
D e ta ch th is fo rm and send
w i t h y o u r g if t t o :
Development Foundation
PO Box 5144
Fargo, ND 58105-5144
(required)
The Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology
15
Spring 2008
North Dakota State University
Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology
P. O. Box 5516
Fargo, ND 58105-5516
Non-Profit Org
U. S. Postage Paid
Permit No. 818
Fargo, ND 58105
Greetings from the Chair
It has been a busy year in the department,
with several new personnel arriving, as well
as multiple ongoing faculty searches.
In August 2007, we welcomed two new
tenure-track faculty to our department: Dr.
Pinjing Zhao, assistant professor, specializes in organometallic chemistry, and Dr.
Guodong Liu, assistant professor, specialDr. John Hershberger,
izes in bioanalytical chemistry. Both of their
Chair
labs are off to great starts. In addition, we
welcome Dr. Angel Ugrinov, staff crystallographer in the materials characterization laboratory, and Rose Nichols, administrative coordinator for the Center for Protease Research.
A long range goal for many years has been to increase our
research presence in biochemistry and molecular biology. As
a result, we are in the process of making faculty offers for four
biochemistry/molecular biology positions, one of which is in
the area of biochemistry education. Two of these positions are
partially funded by major center grants, and the biochemistry
education position is part of a new NDSU initiative in STEM
education. We are very hopeful that by Fall 2008 semester
or shortly thereafter, we will be able to offer several new
research opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate
students in biochemistry.
A major milestone was achieved last year in the renewal of
our NIH grant for the Center for Protease Research. This is
a major 5-year, $10.5M grant involving faculty from several
departments, with Dr. Mukund Sibi as center director. On a
related note, we congratulate Dr. Sibi for his recent appointment as an NDSU Distinguished Professor, a new program
honoring NDSU’s top faculty.
Ongoing facility improvements include a complete renovation
of one of our general teaching laboratories, Ladd 309. The
current room had extremely old and decrepit wooden flooring and benchwork, which are being torn out and replaced
with a modern floor and an island bench layout, similar to that
used in the nearby Ladd 307. I expect that once completed
in summer 2008, this room will provide a greatly enhanced
laboratory environment for Chem 121L and 122L general
chemistry students. Because of a more efficient layout, it will
also increase our enrollment capacity for these courses, in
anticipation of expected enrollment increases over the next
few years.
Front L to R:
Rebecca Ober,
Dr. Vaishali Samant;
Back L to R: Dr.
John Hershberger,
Richard Wienhold