USC CHEMIST
A Newsletter for Alumni and Friends of the Department
Fall 2006
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry • College of Arts and Sciences • University of South Carolina
Keck Foundation grant funds open lab at USC
Courtesy of the USC Times
With an $800,000 grant from the W.M.
Keck Foundation, a leading supporter
of high-impact medical research, science, and engineering, USC is creating
an open laboratory in its NanoCenter
to develop new technologies in tissue
engineering, sensing, drug delivery,
vaccine manufacturing, and other biomedical applications.
The W.M. Keck Open Laboratory
for Bionanoparticle Technology Discovery and Development is a partnership between USC and the Scripps
Cathy Murphy
Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif.
Qian Wang
Two faculty members in USC’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Qian
nanoparticles, which is a fairly new research
Wang, assistant professor of chemistry, and
area. Mechanical and chemical engineering,
Cathy Murphy, Guy F. Lipscomb Professor
biology, pharmacy, physics, and other disciof Chemistry, have teamed with Scripps chemplines likely will be a part of this research in
istry professor M.G. Finn to pursue this cuttingthe future.”
edge research.
For some time, Wang has been conduct“We want this lab to provide a platform for
ing research with the turnip yellow mosaic
collaborators across several disciplines,” Wang
virus—a common plant virus that’s harmless
said. “Scientists from chemistry and medicine
to humans—focusing on the virus’ shell as a
at USC already are working together with bio­
potential vehicle for transporting nano-sized
bits of cancer-fighting drugs. That
research has yielded promising results,
and the plant virus turns out to be an
ideal structure for other nanotechnology
research.
“The plant viruses used in our laboratories are very stable and uniform
in size, so you could use them to create a grid for screening, filtering, or
detection. You also could conceivably
combine the virus with metal particles
to create a photonics application: using
light instead of electrons to send information,” Murphy said.
Murphy’s research team has developed new
techniques for making nano-sized particles of
gold and silver. Attaching those metal particles
to the plant virus opens the door to creating biomedical agents, hybridized materials, vaccines,
and new agents for drug delivery.
“Nanoscience is about making stuff, and
we’re finding that the traditional boundaries of
materials science, biology, physics, and chemistry are blurring in the nano world,” said Tom
Vogt, professor of chemistry and director of the
Grant cont. on pg. 6
Young Scientists Compete at
Science and Engineering Fair
USC held the 50th Annual Central South Carolina Region II Science and Engineering
Fair. More than 700 students from Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington,
Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, and Sumter counties participated in this year’s event.
The students and their projects filled the Carolina Coliseum on March 31, 2006.
The fair is held each year for students in grades 5–12 who have placed in their
school’s science fair. There were eight categories in this year’s fair: Biology, Chemistry, General Science, Math and Computer Science, Physics, Behavioral Science,
Engineering, and Team Projects.
The students competed for more than $30,000 in scholarships, savings bonds, and
cash prizes. There were fifty-two different awards categories, including Chemistry,
Vision Science, U.S. Air Force, Veterinary Science, and Women in Science. Most of
the categories awarded first, second, and third places as well as an honorable mention.
Additionally, sixty students were nominated for the Discovery Channel Young ScienScience Fair cont. on pg. 7
From the Chair
John Baynes retired. These three faculty
retired with a total of more than 100 years
of service to USC—no one keeps such
records, but that may be one for the books.
I used the term “official” because Tom is
back teaching organic chemistry and working on his “green” chemistry in the laboratory; Jerry has become the director of USC
Foundations, a major position; and John has
Dr. Daniel Reger
extracted himself from administrative duties
and wandered back into the laboratory, along
with his wife, Suzanne Thorpe, to continue their well-funded and
internationally recognized research into diabetes and aging.
Also retiring this winter was Dr. Betty Griffith, who served our
undergraduates faithfully and provided expert advice and course
advisement. She was also assistant chair, and she has been missed.
We were lucky to be able to replace her with a 1979 graduate of our
Ph.D. program, Dr. Mike Dukes, who retired early from the Savannah River plant. Mike is an outstanding teacher in our introductory
program and has done very well at attempting to fill Betty’s shoes in
advising our undergraduate majors. We also welcomed LaShawn Jett
as our Webmaster/database coordinator this year, and her addition to
our already outstanding support staff has had an important impact.
Our exceptional record of quality research and training of graduate students continues. This year our faculty were recognized for
the follow awards: Hanno zur Loye—USC Educational Foundation
Award for Research in Science, Mathematics and Engineering; Roy
Wuthier—2006 South Carolina Section of the American Chemical
Society’s Chemist of the Year Award; Cathy Murphy—appointed
senior editor of The Journal of Physical Chemistry; and Qian
Wang—appointed to the editorial board of the journal Experimental
Biology and Medicine for the Bionanoscience Section.
In many ways, the 2005–2006 academic year was a time to consolidate many changes that occurred the previous year. With five
new assistant professors and a full professor as part of our team, we
certainly had lots of welcome new blood in the building. As always
happens, renovations for some of the laboratories of the new faculty were painfully slow, but by spring, all of our new faculty were
actively building research programs, all with new graduate students
working in their research groups. They have also brought new ideas
and energy to our teaching programs.
New teachers are very important as over the past few years our
undergraduate enrollment has increased dramatically. USC is growing by taking in larger freshman classes, interestingly enough, while
also increasing the quality of the student body. These two factors
have increased the number of students taught in our service courses
(biology majors, nursing and pharmacy students, etc.) and also led to
a doubling of our number of chemistry majors. We had 60 students
this past year taking physical chemistry laboratory, an all-time record.
I am pleased to report that student evaluations of our teaching were
also at a record high level, demonstrating our long-term commitment
to quality undergraduate teaching.
As part of this program, we have initiated a new course over the
past couple of years, CHEM 107 Forensic Chemistry. This course
has turned out to be very important for criminal justice majors, as
well as popular with liberal arts majors. The course is lead by Dr.
Bill Brewer, a 1991 graduate directed by Jim Durig, a previous dean
of our college. Bill is recognized as one of the top forensic scientists
around, and I am happy to report that we have just hired him full
time to teach both 107 and a senior-level forensics course for chemistry majors, as well as run our upper-level laboratories. With Dr.
George Handy in charge of our organic labs and Dr. Dan Freeman
and Lori Amato (both USC graduates) in charge of the first-year labs
and computer-based homework system, we have outstanding support
for our undergraduate program.
The year also saw the official retirement of some of our most
effective and long-term faculty. Tom Bryson retired at the end of the
fall semester, also stepping down as graduate director, a post he had
handled expertly for 20 years. In the spring, both Jerry Odom and
The USC Chemist is written and edited by Rebecca Yates, with help on
this issue from the USC Times and Kathy Henry Dowell of University
Publications. To contribute alumni news or to submit feedback, go to our
Web page, www.chem.sc.edu/news/alumni/alumniinfo.html, or follow the
links from the chemistry department homepage, www.chem.sc.edu. You may
also e-mail chemgradoffice@mail.chem.sc.edu or write to USC Chemist,
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina,
Columbia, SC 29208.
Graduate Symposium Showcases Student Research
Each year, the Department of Chemistry and
presentation skills. “I feel that the opportunity
Biochemistry holds the Graduate Student
to discuss my research was great preparation
Symposium. The event is a time for three of
for both my dissertation defense and future
the department’s top senior graduate students
presentations at conferences,” said Robert
to give a seminar on their current research.
Osborne, winner of this year’s Oakwood
The participants are chosen through the
Products award. “Obtaining a job or postdoc
annual Poster Competition, traditionally held
position usually requires presentations on
on visitation weekends.
your work as well.”
Though there are prizes involved in the
The symposium also inspires other graduPoster Competition, it is primarily a recruitate students and promotes quality research.
ing tool used to inform potential graduate stu“Since my first year as a graduate student,
dents of the variety of high-caliber research
I have desired to be a part of the Graduate
being conducted in the department. There are
Student Symposium,” says Guy F. Lipscomb
two categories in the competition: the general Oakwood Products Award winner Robert Osborne discusses
award winner William Gemmill. “I realized
his poster with Dr. Stephen Kistler at the Poster Competition.
competition for all graduate students and
that the only way to participate was to get my
the senior competition for those in their last
research moving and present a poster that had
year of study at USC. The symposium participants are chosen from those
the potential to win.” Seeing the success and research capabilities of fourthcompeting in the senior division. Eight senior and six general posters were
and fifth-year graduate students can help those in the beginning stages of
entered in the 2006 competition. Several of the competitors participated
the program become conscious of what they can achieve.
and placed in The Graduate School’s annual Graduate Student Day poster
Toby Nelson, the IRIX Pharmaceuticals award winner, commented on
and oral competitions that were held in April.
the benefits of the whole department coming together for events such as
Approximately two weeks after the participants are chosen from the
the poster competition and symposium. “The competitions bring together
poster competition, the Graduate Student Symposium is held. The finalists
scientists from different disciplines to experience high-quality gradupresent their research in seminar fashion during twenty-minute time slots
ate research.” During the competitions, students are able to discuss their
to faculty, staff, and students. The department faculty members then vote
research and learn about other experiments being conducted in the departby ballot to determine the top prize winner. First prize is the $1,000 Guy F.
ment with their peers from other areas, an opportunity that may only hapLipscomb Award for Excellence in Chemistry and Biochemistry. The other
pen at these events.
participants receive either the IRIX Pharmaceuticals or Oakwood Products
“The symposium is a time to recognize our senior graduate students and
awards in the amount of $500 each.
reward them for their outstanding research,” says Dr. John Dawson, direcThe benefits of the symposium go far beyond monetary prizes. The
tor of graduate studies. “Participating in the symposium is an important
speakers are given the chance to speak publicly about their research, allow- addition to a student’s list of accomplishments and is helpful to them when
ing them to become more experienced and comfortable in that situation.
searching for a job or postdoc position. The symposium presentations also
They also get feedback from faculty members on ways to improve their
set a strong example of the level of performance in our department.”
Assistant Chair Retires
Dr. Elizabeth Griffith retired in December 2005 after
many years of service. She originally came to USC as
a Ph.D. student after completing her bachelor’s degree
at Pfeiffer University and her master’s at Duke University, which she attended on an NSF Fellowship.
Under the direction of Dr. Elmer Amma, Dr.
Griffith received her Ph.D. in 1970 after completing
Dr. Elizabeth Griffith her dissertation, The Crystal and Molecular Structure
of Some Complexes Between Silver Perchlorate and
Aromatic Moieties. She then went on to a postdoctoral fellowship at the
University of Saskatchewan in Regina. However, something kept calling
her back to USC. Dr. Griffith returned to Dr. Amma’s labs and continued
her work as an X-ray Crystallographer. She eventually became his lab
manager and helped to train his graduate students and other researchers on
the lab machinery. She also taught several sections of general chemistry
during and after her Ph.D. studies at USC.
Dr. Griffith’s research focused on several areas of chemistry, but mainly
synthesis. “Synthesis is as much an art as a science,” says Dr. Griffith. As
a crystallographer, her focus was on growing single crystals. One of her
projects involved investigating the interactions between copper and other
metals. Another project, described by Dr. Griffith in lay terms, focused on
cadmium and the fact that it has similar properties and a similar structure
to calcium, which does not register on the NMR. Substituting cadmium
helped her to research the role of calcium in certain compounds.
Around the time Dr. Amma retired, Dr. Odom, then department chair,
asked Dr. Griffith to assume the responsibilities of assistant chair. She also
became the undergraduate director when Dr. Bly retired from the position.
Her duties included advisement and registration of undergraduate students
and graduate teaching assistant assignments, as well as problem-solving for
the undergraduates. “I enjoyed working with the kids,” says Dr. Griffith.
“The undergraduates did not have an advocate, and I was happy to represent them with the faculty.”
Even after her retirement, undergraduates still come by the office seeking Dr. Griffith’s advice. Though she will be missed by the faculty, staff,
and students, she plans to enjoy her retirement by spending time in her
garden, reading, and caring for her two cats, Squeak and Tux.
Professor in the Spotlight: Dr. Donna Chen
Since joining USC in 1999, Dr.
Donna Chen has attracted attention
nationally and internationally. Her
research, laboratory, and dedication
to her role as a faculty member
have more than proven that she is
an asset to the department and the
scientific community.
Dr. Chen’s research is rooted
in nanoscience, focusing on the
development of superior commercial heterogeneous catalysts.
“Our goal is to improve catalysts,
making them more efficient or
cost-effective,” says Chen. One
project involves growing metal
nanoparticles on oxide surfaces and
studying the chemical reactivity of
those nanoparticles as a function of
their size, shape, and interactions
with the oxide substrate. The effects
of this research are far-reaching,
impacting areas such as catalytic converter
reactions in automobiles for the removal of
toxic exhaust gases, petroleum-refining reactions, and the synthesis of plastics. Another
project focuses on the decomposition of
dimethyl methyl phosphonate, which is used as
a simulant for chemical warfare agents.
This research would not be possible without
Dr. Chen’s exceptional lab facilities, worth
more than one million dollars. Consisting of
three ultrahigh vacuum chambers, the Chen lab
was one of the first high-technology facilities at
USC and was featured in The State newspaper
in 2001. In 2002 the lab was toured by the premier of Queensland, Australia.
Dr. Chen uses the ultrahigh vacuum chambers and her expertise in scanning tunneling
microscopy to create and study model systems
to gain fundamental information on individual
molecules and the reactions they stimulate.
“We vary each parameter of an experiment one
by one, using an ultrahigh vacuum chamber
to create extremely low pressure, P<1x10-10.
This allows us to control every molecule that
touches the metal surface within a fixed window of time. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,
low-energy ion scattering, low-energy electron
diffraction, temperature programmed desorption, and other surface analysis techniques
provide information on surface structure, atomic
composition, chemical bonding, and reaction
product identification.”
Grants are essential in creating a successful lab and conducting research. Dr. Chen
has received more than two million dollars in
research funding from more than a dozen grants
during her years at USC; seven of these were
from federal agencies. She is a recipient of the
National Science Foundation CAREER Award
and the Army Research Young Investigator
Award and was a finalist for a Presidential Early
Career Award for Scientists and Engineers for
her studies on the catalytic destruction of chemical warfare agents. Her work with nanoparticlebased chemistry has received additional support
from the Petroleum Research Fund, Army
Research Office, National Science Foundation,
and Department of Energy. Dr. Chen was a key
member of a $2 million Catalysis Nanoscale
Interdisciplinary Research Team grant awarded
by the National Science Foundation and has
strong, funded collaborations with faculty in
chemistry and chemical engineering.
On the departmental level, Dr. Chen has
proven herself to be one of the top teachers in
the department. She developed a new recitation
class to supplement the undergraduate physical
chemistry lectures in order for the students to
gain more experience with problemsolving. She also created two new
graduate classes in surface science
and kinetics. Dr. Chen has directed
the work of four graduate students,
six postdoctoral researchers, and
eight undergraduate students. Being
an active seminar speaker herself,
she helped to initiate the departmental seminar exchange program,
in which faculty from regional universities give seminars at USC, and
USC’s faculty members visit and
present their research at participating universities. She has published
more than sixteen papers in highquality journals. Additionally, Dr.
Chen helped introduce nanoscience
to USC and to South Carolina.
Research has brought Dr. Chen
international acclaim. She has
already been recognized as one of
the leading young nanoscientists in the United
States, and she was one of five sponsored by
the National Science Foundation to speak at the
Young Chemists Workshop on Nanoscience in
Gothenburg, Sweden, in 2003. The workshop
was organized by the chair of the Nobel Prize
Committee. Dr. Chen has also been invited to
speak at international meetings featuring the
premier scientists in her field, the inaugural
meeting of one of the Department of Energy’s
national centers for nanoscience, and meetings
of the American Chemical Society and National Academy of Sciences, which recognized her
as among the nation’s top sixty young scientists
in 2004.
In 2005, Dr. Chen was promoted from
assistant professor to associate professor with
tenure. The superior quality of her lab and
research, her grant funding, and her many contributions to the department’s goals in research
and academia prove that this promotion was
well deserved. Dr. Chen’s first years in the
department have been more than successful,
and her future strides and accomplishments in
her field are greatly anticipated.
Professor Wins Prestigious Award
The department congratulates Dr. Roy Wuthier,
Guy F. Lipscomb Professor Emeritus, for winning the 2006 South Carolina Section of the
American Chemical Society’s Chemist of the
Year Award. The award was presented at the
S.C. section’s Annual Awards Meeting on April
26, 2006 at Charleston Southern University.
According to Dr. Goode, who also attended the
meeting, “Dr. Wuthier gave a wonderful presentation about his life as a biochemist. His career
spanned many changes, and he talked about not
only the science, but the ways that some of his
decisions affected his life.”
Dr. Wuthier’s research at USC over the last
three decades has focused on the calcification
of developing bones. With continuous funding
through the National Institutes of Health, his
research has lead to many important discoveries
in the area of mineral deposition, which is essential to the skeletal development of all vertebrate
species, including humans. This work led to the
discovery that there is a direct role of matrix
vesicles in the initiation of de
novo mineral formation in most
vertebrate calcifying tissues. A
reviewer of his recent NIH grant
application wrote, “Dr. Wuthier
is a world-renowned investigator of growth plat calcification
and is responsible for most of
the current knowledge of the
ways matrix vesicles initiate
calcification of the growth plate.
He has trained many of the current investigators … and could
Dr. Roy Wuthier
be considered the ‘father of the
field.’”
Through his research, Dr. Wuthier has
recently discovered an anti-cancer agent. The
knowledge that tumor growth requires the development of a vascular support system directed
him and his team to the concept that FC101
should provide a novel and highly useful way to
block tumor growth. Studies led to the discov-
ery that FC101 acts as a direct,
potent inhibitor of a variety of
human cancer lines in vitro.
Melanomas, small-cell lung cancer cells, and lymphocytic leukemia cell lines are particularly
sensitive to the drug. The Drug
Development Branch of the NCI
recommended that the drug be
tested in clinical trials.
“This is such a nice honor,
and I appreciate it very much,”
says Wuthier about the award.
“I have been very blessed. This has
been fascinating work over the years, and I still
continue to be fascinated.” He also realizes that
he would not be where he is today on his own.
“No one lives in a vacuum. I am appreciative to
everyone who has supported and helped me.”
Wuthier attributes his success in life to his faith.
Dukes Appointed Assistant Chair
Dr. Michael D. Dukes began his position as
assistant department chair in 2006. Dr. Dukes
was born and raised in Florida. He received his
bachelor’s degree in chemistry at the University
of South Florida in 1973. In 1977 he received his
Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of South Carolina under the direction of Dr.
Daniel Reger.
Most of Dr. Dukes’ career in chemistry,
from his USC graduation until 2005, was at the
Dr. Michael D. Dukes
Savannah River Site, which is a 300-square-mile
federal government facility where special nuclear materials are produced and purified for the National Defense Program.
He spent several years as a researcher in what is now the Savannah River
National Laboratory and then moved into supervisory and management
positions.
In 2000, Dr. Dukes returned to USC as an adjunct instructor, teaching
one evening course of Chemistry 111 or 112 each semester. He has always
enjoyed teaching. In fact, he won four Bouknight Awards for Excellence in
Teaching when he was a teaching assistant at USC. “It is really rewarding
when someone thanks you for teaching them something,” he says. Even
in his new administrative position in the department, Dr. Dukes continues
to teach freshmen-level chemistry classes. “Chemistry gives you a different perspective of the world and makes you a better problem solver. Every
student should have to take chemistry!” He also instructs sections of Uni-
versity 101, which introduces freshmen to the University and teaches them
important life lessons.
In addition to teaching, Dr. Dukes serves as the ACS student affiliate
advisor for USC’s chapter, helping them to plan activities and increase
student participation. He is the director of undergraduate studies for the
department. “It is fun to talk with incoming freshmen because they are not
sure of their options in chemistry, and I like to help them see what is out
there in the field.” His administrative and business experience at Savannah
will definitely benefit our department. “I enjoy being here to help students
and faculty do what they do. There are so many interesting projects going
on in this department.”
“We are very excited to have an outstanding teacher with considerable
administrative experience in this position,” says Dr. Daniel Reger. “He
was an excellent research chemist here as a Ph.D. student and great in the
lab.” Dr. Dukes has already proven to be an asset in the first few months as
undergraduate director and assistant chair.
Dr. Dukes lives in Aiken, S.C., with his wife, Nancy. He has two
daughters, Melanie, a pharmacist in Columbia, and Meredith, who is
involved with international business in Washington, D.C. In his free time,
Dr. Dukes enjoys renovating houses.
Alumna Receives Governor’s Award
Dr. Rebecca Bullard-Dillard received the 2006 Governor’s Award for
Excellence in Scientific Awareness. The award was established in 1985
by the Drug Science Foundation to recognize an individual or team who
has significantly contributed to science in South Carolina. The governor’s
office and the South Carolina Academy of Science have sponsored the
award since 1989.
“Dr. Bullard-Dillard’s efforts to build research capacity in the sciences
at Claflin University have led to several significant grants that benefit South
Carolina, her college, and students in South Carolina,” says Dr. Don Jordan,
director of the Center for South Carolina Academy of Science.
“She is deeply committed to the need to increase the participation of
underrepresented groups as contributing scientists. Dr. Bullard-Dillard is
dedicated to increasing the number of minority researchers and scientists
for the nation and particularly South Carolina. She has a profound influence on the culture of Claflin University,” says Dr. Don Jordan. “She has
worked hard to bring research activities and research resources to the
campus so that faculty and students might participate more fully in the scientific enterprise of the state.”
“There are two underlying ideas in my philosophy of teaching,” says
Dr. Bullard-Dillard. “The first is that I never assume from the outset that
any particular student, no matter their level of previous preparation, is
incapable of learning to be a scientist. The second is that you learn to be
a scientist by doing what it is that scientists do. So, research is essential
for all students.” The success of students is what inspires her as a professor. Seeing students achieve their goals, especially those who struggle and
must work very hard, makes all of her efforts worthwhile.
Dr. Bullard-Dillard completed her Ph.D. studies at USC in 1996
under the direction of Dr. Kim Creek after earning her B.S. from North
Governor Mark Sanford and Dr. Rebecca Bullard-Dillard
Carolina State University. She is now a professor at Claflin University
in Orangeburg, S.C., where she also serves as chair of the Department
of Biology. Dr. Bullard-Dillard’s current research is focused on two
genome projects in collaboration with researchers at USC. “One project,
with Dr. Vicky Vance, is an effort to sequence the small RNAs present
in rice and maize,” she says. “A second project, with Dr. Mike Dewey,
is an effort to produce an intermediate density genome map of Peromyscus, the white-footed deer mouse.”
Grant, from pg. 1
USC NanoCenter. “That’s why we’re creating an open lab—anyone can
use it, and we expect to welcome people from many different disciplines.”
Vogt believes USC was successful in competing for the Keck Foundation funding because of the professional recognition Wang, Murphy, and
Finn have received for their previous research in nanoscience. Another
asset for USC is its NSF-funded research group, headed by philosophy
professor Davis Baird, which studies the societal and ethical implications
of nanotechnology.
“You can’t develop any field of research too far without putting it in a
societal context,” Vogt said. “The result could be public rejection, and that’s
exactly what happened when people voiced opposition to genetically modified foods in Europe and protested nuclear energy in the United States.”
The Keck Foundation–sponsored open laboratory could lead to
future funding from the National Institutes of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency as the science of making bionanoparticles
more fully develops.
Meanwhile, development of the 1,500-square-foot bionanoparticle laboratory has begun in the USC NanoCenter in Sumwalt College. The facility
will include separate rooms for ultracentrifuges, incubators, liquid chromatography systems, and other specialized equipment such as a state-ofthe-art ICP-OES, DSC, and NIR fluoriphotometers. As part of its matching
funding for the Keck grant, USC will support two postdoctoral fellows to
manage the lab’s equipment and operations. That support infrastructure is
important, Vogt said, because instrumentation is valuable only if an institution has qualified research scientists.
Most importantly, the W.M. Keck Open Laboratory for Bionanoparticle
Technology Discovery and Development will provide exciting educational
opportunities for high-school, undergraduate, and graduate students. Some
will be trained to use the lab’s high-tech instruments, and many more will
be exposed to the possibilities of bionanoparticle research.
“Dr. Murphy and I ran a high-school camp this past summer that
trained students how to harvest, analyze, and modify the plant virus, and
we will continue this effort in the future,” Wang said. “This helps them to
better understand the research related to biotechnology and nanoscience
and to consider choosing a career in this exciting emerging field.”
Industrial Advisory Board Partners
Industry and Academics
The Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) was brought
to life in 1998 at the DuPont Nylon Plant in Camden, S.C., in discussions between then department
chair Dr. Bruce Dunlap; Gary Hassan, USC development officer; and DuPont managers Gordon
Maynes and John Strait. A group of department
faculty and industry representatives met in April
2000 to plan and form the IAB. The first official
meeting was held in November of 2000.
Focused on strengthening education and
industry, the IAB’s goal is to provide support and
advice for activities that involve the business needs
of industry, career development, entrepreneurial
opportunities, and student and faculty needs. This
includes training opportunities, consulting, facilitating jobs for students, internships, and much more. Dr. Saadia ElTayeb
To meet their goals, the IAB has worked to
establish relationships between the department
and industries across the Southeast. They also advise the department chair and faculty on curriculum,
and they help to form new scholarships, programs, and fellowships through the USC Educational
Foundation.
“The varied backgrounds of the members that comprise the IAB allow them to provide advice
to the college’s faculty and staff on academic programs and cooperative efforts with industry, in
addition to assisting the dean with strategic planning,” says new IAB chair and department alumna,
Saadia ElTayeb. “They also bring to the department the latest concerns and challenges of industry,
information that is vital in preparing graduates for their careers.”
Since its first meeting in 2000, the IAB has contributed much to the department. They have
sponsored competitions, such as the poster competition and Graduate Symposium, and funded undergraduate student research and awards. The IRIX Pharmaceuticals David Coffen Memorial Endowed
Scholarship funds were created to aid the department in the recruitment of quality graduate students.
Upon IAB recommendation, an industrial chemistry capstone course was created to inform students
of the variety of career opportunities available in the fields of chemistry and biochemistry.
In 2006, Dr. Saadia ElTayeb began her two-year tenure as IAB chair. She received her Ph.D.
from USC in 1995 under the direction of Dr. James Durig after receiving her BS and MS from the
American University in Cairo, Egypt. She is currently a manager of the Raw Materials/Analytical
Group at Fuji Photo Film Inc. in Greenwood, S.C., where she has been employed since 2000.
Dr. ElTayeb hopes to see many things, academic and financial, accomplished in the next two
years. “We want to provide beneficial internship opportunities for students, mainly juniors and
seniors, in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and better prepare students for attending
career fairs.” The IAB also plans to continue aiding the department by establishing even more funds
for recruiting purposes in order to compete with other top-notch schools for outstanding students.
They also hope to discover ways to market the department’s available research and instrumental
resources, while not competing with local analytical testing labs. This project would also help to generate funds. By helping the department generate and implement ideas, the IAB has and will continue
to increase the quality of students in the department and the education they receive.
Science Fair, from pg. 1
tist Challenge, and six were nominated to attend
the Intel International Science and Engineering
Fair in Indianapolis, including the chemistry
division’s senior first prize winner.
In the past ten years, five winners from the
S.C. Region II Fair have placed in the national
event. Last year, Patrick Hankins, now a USC
chemistry undergraduate student, won third
prize in the chemistry division for his project,
“pH-Triggered Assembly of Gold Nanorods,”
directed by Dr. Cathy Murphy, Guy F. Lipscomb Professor of Chemistry.
This year’s projects were judged by college
professors and deans, medical scientists and
doctors, military officers, and individuals from
other various fields. Dr. Hans-Conrad zur Loye,
David W. Robinson Palmetto Professor of
Chemistry, judged the senior division chemistry
projects, and Dr. Michael Dukes, director of
undergraduate studies, judged the junior division. 104 of 706 total projects were submitted
in the chemistry category.
Dr. Don Jordon of USC’s Center for Science Education has served as the fair’s director
for the last ten years. Since he began judging
projects in 1978, he has seen participation grow
from 200 to more than 700. “Science fairs are
important so that every student is provided with
the opportunity to participate in the scientific
process on a scale where they can compete with
students on national and international levels,”
says Jordan. He also notes that science fairs
help to support the state’s curriculum standards.
Dr. Jordon believes that the benefits to the
students who participate go beyond cash prizes
and certificates. “Science fairs enhance each
student’s communication skills. Each student
will be interviewed by a University professor
or skilled professional from industry or government. This interview is the single most important event at the fair.”
Calvin Bowman of Chapin Elementary
School won the Chemistry Junior Division First
Place Award for his project, “The Golden Red
Secret.” Harvey Jessup of Summit Parkway
Middle School and Kate Tringali of St. Joseph
Catholic School won second- and third-place
prizes, respectively.
Gina Noh of Spring Valley High School
took the first prize in the Chemistry Senior
Division for her project, “The effect of various
anti-corrosive coatings on the corrosion process
of iron.” The second-place winner was Anita
Shah, also of Spring Valley High School, and
Jenny Thompson of Dutch Fork High School
won third place.
Looking Back—Leon Shechter
Leon Shechter places great importance on
the first chemistry course he took at USC.
After all, the course introduced him to the
science and changed the course of his life.
“Dr. Guy Lipscomb was my professor for the first year of general chemistry,
and in class he talked about the careers of
chemists and it interested me,” Shechter
said. “I applied for a job as a lab assistant
and bottle washer in the chemistry department and I knew then that I would continue in chemistry.
“In my sophomore year, I began working as a lab assistant in organic chemistry
with Dr. James Copenhaver, and I worked
in his lab with him until I graduated
three years later. He was an important part of my education, and I learned
so much from him. I owe him a lot because he helped form me and my
research ideas in many ways.”
After graduating from USC, Shechter moved to the University of Cincinnati, where he received a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. He thought he
might pursue scientific study in pharmaceuticals until a friend suggested
an emerging area—plastics.
“After receiving my Ph.D., I looked into the plastics industry and the
pharmaceutical industry,” he said. “I applied for jobs in both areas, and
I had offers in both areas. I went into plastics research because what I
knew of it was fascinating. It was a new area, and there was a lot to do
and learn.”
That Shechter remembers those early days with such clarity is no mean
feat. He completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees in chemistry in
the early 1930s, earned a Ph.D., and then spent his career involved in the
research and development of plastics.
Now in his 90s, Shechter is known in the industry for his cutting-edge
work at Union Carbide, and at USC for his continued support of chemical
research. He enjoys talking about his work—that is, the work that wasn’t
classified—and how he thinks he made a difference.
“I began my professional life in the laboratory at Union Carbide,” he
said. “There were many intriguing projects. Among the most important
was the application of new plastics and styrene materials used to coat a
variety of items, including battleships.”
When his job expanded to include administrative duties, he became
responsible for the hiring decisions that brought some of the best and
brightest chemists and chemical engineers to Union Carbide.
“I was fortunate to work with several young men who later became
Nobel Prize recipients,” he said. “That tells you the quality of work
and the innovative work we were doing.” At retirement, Shechter was
vice president of research and development for the operations division at
Union Carbide.
Ever the progressive scientist, Shechter continues to look for ways to
foster high-quality research and innovation. He also wants to promote
collaboration between the chemistry and chemical engineering departments
at USC.
To reach those goals, he has maintained communication with the
University throughout the years, sharing his scientific vision and making
significant contributions. Most recently, he made a significant bequest
jointly to the chemical engineering and the Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry through the through the Center for Economic Excellence for
Nanotechnology at USC.
Shechter is a member of two of USC’s recognition and giving societies—the Horseshoe Society and the Guardian Society.
The Horseshoe Society was established in 1998 to pay tribute to the
heritage of the University by honoring those alumni, donors, and special
University supporters who have made cumulative gifts of $100,000 or
more. Today, thanks to charter members like Shechter, there are more than
400 members of the Horseshoe Society. Shechter is a member at the Rutledge Society level, in which supporters have contributed $1 million and
more to the University.
The Carolina Guardian Society also was established in 1998. It honors
donors of deferred gifts such as trusts, bequests, insurance policies, and
annuities. There are currently 564 individuals in this society, including 29
anonymous members. Members of the Carolina Guardian Society represent more than $166 million in future gifts to the University and its affiliated foundations.
Reading about Leon Shechter and his devotion to the University is
inspiring, but realizing the reach his generosity will have is awe-inspiring.
“Dr. Shechter’s joint gift to the chemistry and chemical engineering
departments is very important,” said Daniel Reger, chair of the Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “His gift will provide unrestricted money
to further collaborative research between both departments and to create
new projects with significant benefit in the area of nanoscience.”
The impact of an introductory chemistry course will reverberate
through the University for many years, thanks to a grateful, generous alumnus who is helping to ensure the future of chemistry research at USC.
Contribute to
“Looking Back”
If you’re an alumnus of the chemistry
department and would like to share the
story of your life in chemistry beyond
USC, please feel free to write us at
USC Chemist,
c/o Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry,
University of South Carolina,
Columbia, SC 29208.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Three Professors Retire in 2005–2006
Dr. John Baynes retired in
June 2006 after 30 years of
service to the department.
While at USC, Dr. Baynes
served as department chair
of chemistry and biochemistry from 1991 to 1995, and
he also served as the director
of medical biochemistry at the School of Medicine from 1991 to 1996.
In 1962, Dr. Baynes received a bachelor
of science degree from Loyola College. His
master’s degree, focusing on organic chemistry,
was directed by Dr. Arthur Lepley at Marshall
University. He earned his Ph.D. in 1973 at Johns
Hopkins University with Dr. Edward Heath.
His studies there focused on the biosynthesis of
glycoproteins with emphasis on the role of lipid
intermediates in the enzymatic glycosylation of
mammalian glycoproteins (1–3). As a postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Baynes researched at the University of Minnesota with Dr. Finn Wold.
At USC, Dr. Baynes’ research, with the
help of his wife and coresearcher, Dr. Suzanne
Thorpe, has focused on four major areas: 1)
studies on the role of glycation of proteins and
subsequent Maillard or browning reactions of
glycated proteins in the development of pathology in diabetes and aging; 2) development of
residualizing labels for studies on tissue and
cellular sites and mechanisms of regulation of
plasma protein catabolism; 3) studies on the role
of reactions between protein and lipid peroxidation products in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and chronic inflammatory diseases; and 4)
the general role of oxidative stress and oxidative
chemical modifications of proteins and lipids in
aging and disease.
As a member of the department’s biochemistry faculty, Dr. Baynes has directed the research
of 36 Ph.D. and M.S. students, as well as numerous postdoctoral researchers. He has authored
and co-authored hundreds of publications,
secured millions of dollars of grants for USC,
served on the editorial boards of several journals, and received numerous awards. Dr. Baynes
is a member of ACS, the American Diabetes
Association, the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and several other
professional societies.
Upon his retirement, Dr. Baynes was
awarded the title Carolina Distinguished Professor Emeritus. He and Dr. Thorpe will continue
their research in his labs here at USC even
after retirement.
After more than 30 years of
service to the Department of
Chemistry and Biochemistry, Dr. Thomas A. Bryson
retired in December 2005.
Dr. Bryson was born in
Pittsburg, Pa. He attended
Washington and Jefferson
College and earned a B.A. in Chemistry in 1966.
He finished his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry
at the University of Pittsburgh in 1970 under
the direction of S.J. Danishefsky. From 1970
to 1971, he was an NIH postdoctoral fellow at
Stanford University with W.S. Johnson.
Dr. Bryson began as an assistant professor
in the department in 1971. He revitalized the
organic division with grants from numerous
sources, including the NIH, the NSF, Sea Grant,
and the Department of Defense. A grant from
the National American Cancer Society was the
first of its kind in South Carolina. Dr. Bryson
authored more than 80 publications, and he
directed 41 M.S. and Ph.D. graduates. He is a
member of ACS, the New York Academy of Sciences, Sigma Xi, and Phi Lambda Upsilon.
While at USC, his research mainly focused
on “green,” or environmentally friendly, chemistry. Dr. Bryson’s studies of natural products
centered around unraveling, modifying, and
reconstructing the unique structures found in
naturally occurring plants to find compounds
that could be used as medicinal agents or
drugs. Later, as the need arose, he worked
to focus his synthetic medicinal research to
develop natural insect control chemicals that
were nonpolluting. An increase in pollution
and hazardous waste prompted Dr. Bryson
to begin exploring new ways of conducting
organic reactions and new green chemical
technologies that can eliminate or substantially
reduce the use of organic solvents while effecting needed chemical transformation.
In addition to his teaching and research, Dr.
Bryson played a major role in the programs
of all graduate students from 1982 until his
retirement by serving as the director of graduate
studies. In this capacity, he greatly influenced
the recruiting of new students and the success
of enrolled students. He also helped the department to secure several fellowships for minority
students, including Graduate Assistance in Areas
of National Need (GAANN) and the A.P. Sloan
Foundation. Dr. Bryson was involved with the
Graduate School’s Graduate Council and Graduate Student Day.
In June 2006 Dr. Jerome
Odom retired from the
Department of Chemistry
and Biochemistry. Dr.
Odom was born in Greensboro, N.C. He received his
BS in Chemistry in 1964
from the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He then went to
Indiana University, where he earned a Ph.D. in
Inorganic Chemistry in 1968. Dr. Odom went
abroad to complete his postdoctoral research at
the University of Bristol in Bristol, England. He
then joined the University of South Carolina as
an assistant professor in 1969.
During his tenure at USC, Dr. Odom conducted research as an inorganic chemist, focusing his work on the organometallic compounds
of the main group elements, multinuclear NMR
studies, 77Se NMR studies in organoselenium
compounds and selenium containing biological
systems, as well as the use of selenium and tellurium as X-ray and NMR probes in biomacromolecules. He taught numerous courses at USC,
ranging from general chemistry to graduate inorganic courses. Additionally, Dr. Odom taught in
National Science Foundation Summer Institutes
for both high-school and college teachers.
Dr. Odom co-authored more than 155
refereed publications and five textbooks. He
also directed the graduate studies of 26 Ph.D.
and M.S. recipients. He has received some of
the University’s highest awards, including the
Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching
Award, the Amoco Foundation Outstanding
Teacher Award, and the Russell Research Award
for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering.
Though much of Dr. Odom’s time at USC
was spent teaching and researching, he served
as the department chair from 1985 to 1991 and
dean of the College of Science and Mathematics from 1994 to 1997. From 1997 to 2004, Dr.
Odom left his duties as instructor and researcher
to become the executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. In this position, he
was able to improve our undergraduate student
body in quantity and quality.
Dr. Odom will still be seen around campus
even after his retirement from the department.
He joined the Office of University Foundations
in July 2006 as executive director.
New Staff Join Department
Dr. Brewer is pleased that the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is dedicated to supporting an instrumental analysis lab. Although this
type of laboratory requires much attention to maintain, it provides students
an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and apply these analytical
skills in real-world applications. Employers most often seek experience,
especially in analytical chemistry, and students of this laboratory course
should qualify for many of these analytical positions upon graduation.
Dr. Brewer received his BS from North Carolina State University. He
then earned his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry in 1991 from USC. His graduate studies were directed by Dr. James Durig. He has taught at several
universities, including the University of Louisville, the College of Charleston, and USC, where he teaches the popular freshman-level forensics
course. He also has worked for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and Clemson University’s Clemson Veterinary Diagnostic Center. Dr.
Brewer has received more than $700,000 in grant funding, has authored
nearly 20 papers, and has two patents.
LaShawn Jett joined us in March 2006
as Webmaster and database coordinator. She
designs and maintains the department’s Web
site and various databases. LaShawn also provides training and assistance to our faculty and
staff in problem solving and software usage.
LaShawn is originally from Florence, S.C.
She received her BS in Technical Support and
Training Management from the University of
South Carolina in 2004. During her time as
a student at USC, LaShawn interned in the
department to fulfill part of her degree requirements. During that time, she
helped design the database that is used for graduate applicants. Reading,
traveling, and spending time with family and friends are pastimes that
LaShawn enjoys in her free time.
Lana Branham joined the Department of
Chemistry and Biochemistry as administrative
assistant in September 2006. She assists with
graduate admissions and department publications. Lana is originally from Columbia,
graduated from USC with a BA in History, and
worked at CSC as a technical writer, trainer,
and senior account rep. Spending time with
family, reading, and scrapbooking are Lana’s
favorite pastimes.
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry welcomes four new staff members. Lori
Amato was named general chemistry laboratory manager in March 2005. She oversees
all freshman chemistry labs, directs and trains
the teaching assistants in those labs, and is in
charge of monitoring inventory and writing
new labs each year. She has organized and
inventoried the Jones Physical Science Center
first floor stockroom, removed old chemicals through USC’s Environmental Health and Safety Hazardous Waste
Disposal System, and transformed a storage closet into a well-deserved
teacher assistant lounge.
After receiving her BS in Chemistry from the University of Tampa,
Lori joined the USC as a graduate student. She received her MS in 2002
under the direction of Dr. Lukasz Lebioda. Lori consistently won the
department’s Bouknight Teaching Award for Outstanding Performance as
a Teaching Assistant. From 2002 to 2005, she was the assistant for freshmen laboratories. In her free time, Lori enjoys outdoor activities such as
hiking, camping, running, and traveling.
Dr. William Brewer joined the department
in fall 2006 as laboratory director of the Quantitative Analysis and Physical Chemistry labs. The
position involves teaching, training of graduate
teaching assistants, and writing new labs. He
will also maintain the instrumentation in the labs,
which includes spectrophotometers, one of his
specialties.
Dr. Brewer manages the analytical and
physical chemistry laboratories, as well as
teaching forensic chemistry and forensic analytical chemistry. His main
goal this semester has been to set up the instrumental analysis lab for both
chromatography and spectroscopy experiments. The chromatography
instrumentation includes two GC/MS instruments, two GCs (with FIDs),
and one HPLC (with UV/Vis). One of the GC/MS instruments is new
with chemical ionization capabilities, and the other was kindly donated by
Dr. Baynes. One of the GC instruments is equipped with a fast GC module that permits separations in seconds; this module was donated by the
manufacturer (Gerstel) and will permit students to record numerous chromatograms in a single lab period. The spectroscopy lab is equipped with
a flame AA, a graphite furnace AA, a new LIBS instrument, and a Raman
instrument. Also, FT-IR instrumentation will also be made available.
Looking for up-to-date alumni news?
Interested in faculty research? Want to attend a seminar?
Visit our Web site: www.chem.sc.edu
10
ALUMNI NEWS
Anindya Dasgupta (Ph.D., 2004) is now a
postdoctoral fellow in the School of Medicine at
Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. Anindya was a
member of Dr. Dawson’s group.
Kelly Hefner (MS, 2004) and her husband,
Chris, welcomed their daughter, Cameron Blair,
into the world on October 14, 2005. Kelly was a
member of Dr. Ferry’s lab.
Emily Homer (MS, 2004) is a forensic chemist
for the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department in
Lexington, S.C. She is in charge of the Forensic
Drug Lab, and she is happy to combine her law
enforcement and chemical backgrounds in her
profession. Emily was a student of Dr. Scrivens.
Xiaoyou Xu (Ph.D., 2004) is now employed
with nanoComposites Inc. in Houston, Texas,
as a senior research scientist. Xiaoyou was a
member of the Scrivens lab.
Kenneth Brown (Ph.D., 2003) and Christine Little (Ph.D., 2001) were married on May 27, 2006.
Both were students in Dr. Reger’s labs at USC.
Maribeth Coleman (BS, 2003) received an MT in
Secondary Science in 2004. She teaches physical
science at Fort Mill High School in Fort Mill, S.C.
Nicole Munns (BS, 2002) is currently running
clinical operations for SleepMed in N.C. She
ran her first Chicago Marathon in 2005. Nicole
resides in Raleigh, N.C.
Maria V. Schiza (Ph.D., 2001) is an assistant
professor of chemistry at Millersville University in
Millersville, Pa. Maria lives in Lancaster, Pa. Her
graduate work at USC was directed by Dr. Angel.
Christopher Scott Lancaster (MS, 2000) is
currently a clinical team pharmacist with Preferred Homecare in Phoenix, Ariz. He resides in
Chandler, Ariz.
Muhammed Yousufuddin (BS, 2000) accepted
an offer to join the Research Collaboratory for
Structural Bioinformatics with Professor Helen
Berman at Rutgers, the State University of New
Jersey. He is a bioinformatics specialist for the
Protein Data Bank.
Ian Fernandopulle (MS, 1999) is a medical student at The Brooklyn Hospital Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was a member of the Kistler group
during his time at USC.
Loni Stewart Gardner (BS, 1999) graduated
from a dual degree program with Pace Law
School and Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies in 2005. After receiving her JD
and Master’s of Environmental Management, she
began working as an attorney in Harford, Conn.,
at Murtha Cullina, LLP, practicing environmental
law and business litigation.
K’Shaun Sanders (MAT, 1999) is the lab
manager for the chemistry department of Claflin
University in Orangeburg, S.C.
Alexander B. Morgan (Ph.D., 1998) joined
the University of Dayton Research Institute
as a senior research scientist. He is setting up
research capability on polymer flame retardancy
focused on military and aerospace applications.
He is currently the editor of a book on the flame
retardancy of polymer nanocomposites. At USC,
Alexander worked with Dr. Tour.
Angela Williams Peters (Ph.D., 1998) is now
the chair of the chemistry department at Claflin
University in Orangeburg, S.C. She received
the 2005 S.C. Governor’s Professor of the Year
award. Angela was a student of Dr. Dunlap.
Chainey Patrick Singleton (Ph.D., 1998) is an
intellectual property attorney with Chalker Flores
LLP in Dallas, Texas. He was a member of Dr.
Murphy’s group at USC.
Alethea M. Kontis (BS, 1996) is an author,
editor, and publisher of speculative fiction. Her
publishing company released its first publication
in early 2006, and her first work as an author is
scheduled for release in September 2006.
Laura Starr Sremaniak (BS, 1991) received her
Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill in 1996, specializing in physical and theoretical
chemistry. She is now a professor at North Carolina
State University, and she lives in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Andrea Drew Gounev (BS, 1990; Ph.D., 1994)
and Todor Gounev (Ph.D., 1995) announce the birth
of their first son, Troy, born on August 27, 2005, in
Overland Park, Kan. Both Andrea and Todor are
employed at the University of Missouri–Kansas
City. Todor is an assistant professor of chemistry,
and Andrea is the director of academic advising.
11
Gene Dunbar Godbold (BS, 1989) and his wife
Kristen (BS, pharmacy, 1989) welcomed their
seventh child in January 2006. Gene was recently
promoted to principal research scientist in the
International Technology Assessments division
of the Battelle Memorial Institute.
Rajiv Berry (Ph.D., 1986) is a federal employee
at the Polymer Branch of the Air Force Research
Laboratory. Rajiv resides in Ohio. His advisor
while at USC was Dr. Durig.
James E. Audia (Ph.D., 1985) was recently
promoted from executive director of discovery
chemistry research and technologies to Distinguished Lilly Scholar of Lilly Research Laboratories for Eli Lilly & Company. He was a student
of Dr. Marshall.
Fred McLean (MS, 1985; MD, 1989) is a
radiologist in Knoxville, Tenn. He serves on the
board of directors for Vista Radiology, P.C. He
and his wife, Laura, have two children. Fred was
a member of the Wuthier lab at USC.
Mark Moore (Ph.D., 1985) is the director
of product development at LifeNet. He lives
in Chesapeake, Va. Mark was a student of
Dr. Dunlap while at USC.
David Mitchell (MS, 1982) is married with six
children. He was the 2004–2005 president of the
S.C. Orthopedic Association and the 2002 president of the S.C. Spire Society. David’s graduate
study at USC was directed by Dr. Sodetz.
Marc Weininger (Ph.D., 1972) is an associate
professor at Florida A&M University. He has
been with the university since 1990. He was a
student of Dr. Amma at USC.
In Memorium
Goodwyn Rhett Taylor (BS, 1938) passed
|away on December 15, 2003. He was a resident
of Jacksonville, Fla.
Robert Cecil Meeks (BS, 1936) was a resident
of Blythewood, S.C. He passed away on October
22, 2005.
Student Highlights
Undergraduate Awards
American Institute of Chemists
Foundation, Inc. Award:
Blake Hodges
American Chemical Society,
Division of Analytical Chemistry
Award: Anne Ellefson
College of Arts and Sciences Rising Senior Award: Travis Deason
CRC Press Freshman Chemistry
Award: Hamer Manning
CRC Press Freshman Chemistry
(Honor) Award: Samantha Myers
Discovery Day 2005 Awards:
Rachel Hipp, Heather Taylor,
Meredith Tershansy, Vivek Thakur,
Jennifer Yiu
Harper Award: Michael Coggins
Hiram and Lawanda Allen
Scholarship for Excellence
in Chemistry: Jason Wheeler
Victor W. Laurie Junior Year
Scholarship: Kevin Yehl
Victor W. Laurie Senior Year
Scholarship: Rachel Hipp
Magellan Scholars: Michael
Coggins, Natalia Hall, Jennifer Yiu
Merck Index Award:
Vaughn Braxton
Outstanding Senior Award:
Anne Ellefson
Sigma Xi AAAS Award
for the Outstanding Male
Undergraduate Scientist:
Michael Coggins
Sigma Xi Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award in
Chemistry and Biochemistry:
Rachel Hipp
South Carolina Section of the
American Chemical Society Outstanding Undergraduate Senior
Chemistry Major Award:
Anne Ellefson
The Outstanding Achievement
and Student Triumph Award
(TOAST): Daniel Cain, Anne
Ellefson, Perry McGriff, Tiana
Melton, Leah Stavish
Allyson Wells
Jason Wheeler
Jonathan Wooten
Jennifer Yiu
Undergraduate
Scholarships
2005–2006
2005–2006 ACS Officers
Daniel Cain, President
Lynn Melton, Vice President
Brittney Parlo, Treasurer
Leah Stavish, Secretary
Alaska Sea Services Scholarship:
Emily Peyton
Alpha Kappa Alpha Scholarship:
Rosline Sumpter
Chemistry BS Graduates
August 2005
Christopher Anderson
Deena Bayoumi
Kimberly Hubbard
Heather Steffy
Christina Young
Alumni Scholarships:
Anne Ellefson, Samir Patel,
Meredith Tershansy
Athletic Grant: Gregory Reece
Robert C. Byrd Scholarship:
Jonathan Wooten
December 2005
Alicia Arnold
Julie Brown
Kara Catron
Kathryn Fouts
Tasia Hilton
Jacob Minskey
Jason Neal
B.L. Riley
Da’Trice Sims
Jane Tuten
Carolina Scholar: Patrick Hankins
Chemistry Discretionary
Scholarship: Benjamin Garrett
Chick-Fil-A Scholarship:
Rosline Sumpter
Cotter High School Scholarship:
Tessa Londre
Danaher Corporation
Scholarship: Heather Filck
May 2006
Ashley Avinger
William Baehr
Levi Boudreau
Alison Bush
Dana Corum
Erin Cosme
Anne Ellefson
Jennifer Guard
Daniel Heenan
Lane Henderson
Andy Hicks
Duan Lockhart
Tessa Londre
Kathleen Mahan
Jeffrey Nassif
Katherine Nix
Nathan Paulich
Gregory Reece
Matthew Skiles
Leah Stavish
D.G. Sweetapple
Colleen Tabasco
Ebenezer Alumni Association
Scholarship: Rosline Sumpter
Elks Scholarship: Emily Peyton
Engineering Scholarship:
Byron Farnum, Whitney Meek
Faculty/Staff Dependents Scholarship: Patrick Hankins, Nathaniel
Krueger, Samir Patel, Allyson
Wells, Jennifer Yehl, Kevin Yehl
Governor’s Scholarship:
Vaughn Braxton
Honors College Scholarship:
Thomas Styslinger
Hope Scholarship:
Cedric Johnson, Ya Lin
James A. Hicks Scholarship:
Christina Lockhart
12
Fred and Mary Koch Foundation: Amanda Agrawal,
Rosline Sumpter
Legacy Scholarship:
Heather Taylor
Library Scholarship:
Jacob Gogola, Andrew Hicks, Lynn
Musgrove, Emily Peyton, Julie
Richardson
Lieber Scholar: Vaughn Braxton
LIFE Scholarship
Ashley Aylesworth
Alison Bush
Dana Corum
Travis Deason
Brent Dial
Thomas Edwards
Drew Ernandez
Heather Flick
Leighton Gelders
Daniel Heenan
Rachel Hipp
Heidi Houghton
Elizabeth Jeter
Latonya Jones
Nathaniel Krueger
Christina Lockhart
Lisa Lovett
Amanda Lowe
Shada McCurry
Kenneth Nesbitt
Berry Roberts
Tyler Roberts
Dorekia Schultz
Kathryn Seward
Jonathan Snipes
Kristen Sprouse
Rosline Sumpter
Phu Tran
Amber Wilkins
Kimberley Wright
Marsc/Odom Scholarship:
Alexander Jester
McKissick Scholarship: Alexander Jester, Bradley Schmidt
McLeod Health Scholarship:
Ya Lin
McNair Scholarship: Kyle Raker
Student Highlights
Midland Valley Athletic Club
Scholarship: Amber Moore
Science and Math Scholarship:
Allyson Wells
Music/TFW Scholarship:
Jonathan DeGange
Summer Recruitment Program
Fellowship: Patrick Hankins
North Augusta Scholarship
Fund: Samantha Myers
Trustees’ Endowment Scholars:
Matthew Skiles
National Merit Scholars:
Vaughn Braxton, Benjamin Garrett
Tuomey Foundation Scholarship:
Rosline Sumpter
Navy ROTC Scholarship:
Matthew Keidel
University Scholars
Asma Baig
Alison Bush
Travis Deason
Byron Farnum
Heather Flick
Leighton Gelders
Melanie Hough
Elizabeth Jeter
Nathaniel Krueger
Alexander Krupenko
Pierre Laferriere
Whitney Meek
Samantha Myers
Kimberly Painter
Karenben Patel
Mark Sturkey
Heather Taylor
Allyson Wells
Katie Wilson
Jennifer Yehl
Kevin Yehl
Non-University Scholarship:
Alexander Jester, Kyle Raker,
Mark Sturkey
Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
Amanda Agrawal
Asma Baig
Vaughn Braxton
Anne Ellefson
Byron Farnum
Brandon Floyd
Benjamin Garrett
Patrick Hankins
Melanie Hough
Alexander Krupenko
Pierre Laferriere
Perry McGriff
Whitney Meek
Amber Moore
Samantha Myers
Kimberly Painter
Karenben Patel
Samir Patel
Matthew Skiles
Mark Sturkey
Heather Taylor
Allyson Wells
Katie Wilson
Jonathan Wooten
Jennifer Yehl
Kevin Yehl
SC Business Professional
Women’s Scholarship:
Amanda Agrawal
SC Commission for the Blind
Scholarship: John-Michael Mayer
SCAMP Grant: Brent Dial,
Perry McGriff, Berry Roberts,
Rosline Sumpter
Graduate Student
Highlights
Organizations
Students for the Advancement
of Chemical Sciences (SACS)
2005–2006
Officers
Luisa Profeta, President
Brian Furmanski, Vice President
Lydia Gibson, Secretary
Bryn Reinecke, Treasurer
Mitch Weiland, Safety Officer
Graduate Fellowships
Hoechst Fellowship: Nin Dingra
IRIX Fellowship: Elizabeth
Tucker Foley
Murtiashaw Fellowship:
Christopher Cooper
Odom Fellowship: Patrick Purcell
Sloan Fellowship: Shana Williams
Teague Fellowship: Patrick Sisco
2006 Copenhaver Scholars:
Rebecca Frey
Christopher Gordon
Jing Du
Victor Laurie Summer
Fellowship: Lauren Kimberley
Guy F. Lipscomb Summer
Fellowship: Benjamin Englehart
Hargobind Khalsa
Valedictorian Scholars: Amanda
Agrawal, Amber Moore, Rosline
Sumpter, Jonathan Wooten
Murtiashaw Summer Fellowship
Jessica Slack
Watson Brown Foundation
Scholarship: Amber Moore,
Allyson Wells
Jerome D. Odom Summer
Fellowship: Tao Li
2006 Science and Engineering
Fair Winners
Junior Division:
Calvin Bowman, 1st place
Harvey Jessup, 2nd place
Kate Tringali, 3rd place
Other Awards
The Outstanding Achievement
and Student Triumph Award
(TOAST):
Jasmine Ervin
Brian Furmanski
Lydia Gibson
Robert Osborne
Luisa Profeta
Bryn Reinecke
Senior Division:
Gina Noh, 1st place
Anita Shah, 2nd place
Jenny Thompson, 3rd place
Thomas Maney, Honorable
Mention
ACS Division of Biological
Chemistry Travel Award:
Robert Osborne
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African American Professors
Program: Toby Nelson
Coblentz Society Student Award:
Luisa Profeta
E.I. Dupont Fellowship Award:
Toby Nelson
GK–12 Fellowship:
Shana Williams
NIH Fellowship: Ryan Kinloch
NSF SEAGEP Fellowship:
Jasmine Ervin, Shana Williams
Ometric Travel Award for J.A.
Woollam Advanced Ellipsometry
Course: Luisa Profeta
Pi Fellow: Shana Williams
SC EPSCoR/IDeA Travel Award
to attend the 56th Meeting of
Nobel Laureates and Students:
Sam Mugavero
Society for Applied Spectroscopy
Best Student Poster: Luisa Profeta
Graduate Student Competitions
2006 Graduate Student Research
Symposium
Guy F. Lipscomb Award:
William Gemmill
IRIX Pharmaceuticals Award:
Toby Nelson
Oakwood Products Award:
Robert Osborne
Graduate Student Day 2006
Oral Presentation:
Toby Nelson, 2nd Place,
Physical Sciences
Robert Osborne, 3rd Place,
Life Sciences
Scholarly Posters Competition:
Heather Brooke, 2nd Place
Dana Broughton, 3rd Place
J.R. Durig Graduate Student
Travel Awards 2005–2006
Tara Hansen
Su Long
Marc Maynor
Student Highlights (cont.)
Cancer Research Travel Award Winners
2005–2006
Monica Bhatia
Heather Brooke
Michael Bruckman
Mahender Dewal
Robert Osborne
Voridian Analytical Travel Award Winners
2005–2006
Jessica Clark
Brandi Clelland
Justina Fisher
Camila Urbanek
Xiangyang Wu
Bouknight Teaching Award
Fall 2005
Lisa Brodhacker
Jasmine Ervin
Lydia Gibson
Theppawut Israsena Na Ayudhya
Roger Rasberry
James Ruff
Spring 2006
Bryan Knuckley
Marc Maynor
Patrick Purcell
Amy Taylor
Elizabeth Foley
Jacob Horger
Yagang Zhang
May 2006
Brittanie Bell
Jonathan Brock
Judith Lavin
Poster Competition Winners
Derek Elgin
William Gemmill
Toby Nelson
Robert Osborne
MS Graduates
August 2005
Brandon Cash
James Garrison Reese
Maxcy Stroman
Ph.D. and M.S. Graduates
2005–2006
December 2005
Shana Burnett
Angela “Chrissy” Powell
Ph.D. Graduates
August 2005
Paula Colavita
Christopher Dockery
Linfeng Gou
Nathaniel Greene
Leslie Lovelace
David Perkins
Ryan Priore
Ashish Tiwari
May 2006
Amanda DeMarco
John Stone
MAT Graduate
Spring 2006
Esther Amanda Wilkes
December 2005
Brian Chiswell
Daniele Andreatta
Charity Brannen
Dongling Fei
2005–2006 Academic Year Highlights (cont.)
Department of
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Faculty Appointments
Dr. Donna Chen, associate professor
Dr. Jerome Odom, director of USC Foundations
USC NanoCenter Appointments
Dr. Hanno zur Loye, scientific leader of
the Polymer Nanocomposite Thrust
Dr. Qian Wang, scientific leader of the
NanoBiology Thrust
Distinguished Professor Appointments
Dr. Richard Adams, Carolina Distinguished
Professor
Dr. John Baynes, Carolina Distinguished Professor Emeritus
Dr. Jerome Odom, Distinguished Professor
Emeritus and Provost Emeritus
2006 State Service Awards
Dr. W. Stephen Kistler, 30 years of service
Michael Walla, 20 years of service
Reappointments of Distinguished Professors
Dr. Catherine Murphy, Guy F. Lipscomb
Professor of Chemistry
Dr. James Sodetz, Carolina Distinguished
Professor
Dr. Qian Wang was appointed to the editorial
board of the journal Experimental Biology and
Medicine for the Bionanoscience Section.
Editorial Board Appointments
Dr. Catherine Murphy was appointed senior
editor of The Journal of Physical Chemistry
effective January 2006.
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Faculty Awards and Honors
Dr. Roy Wuthier won the 2006 South Carolina
Section of the American Chemical Society’s
Chemist of the Year Award.
Dr. Hanno zur Loye received the University
of South Carolina Educational Foundation
Award for Research in Science, Mathematics,
and Engineering.
Dr. Michael Dukes and Dr. Scott Goode were
awarded the student-nominated Two Thumbs
Up Award. It is given to faculty members whose
efforts have made a difference in the success of
students with disabilities.
2005–2006 Donors
Friends of Chemistry and
Biochemistry
$500—Corporation
$150—Individual
$50—Retiree
Aques Chemical Consulting Group LLC
Ms. Jane T. Dana and Mr. David Aufhauser
Dr. William D. Bailey
Ms. Caroline Dixon Bartman and
Mr. Thomas R. Bartman
Mr. Steven Beckham
Dr. Ruta K. Bly and Dr. Robert S. Bly
Dr. Anthony M. Boccanfuso
Ms. Julia L. Bouknight
Mr. and Mrs. P. Carey Brazell
Dr. W.H. Breazeale Jr.
Dr. William E. Brewer
Ms. Janet B. Brooker
Dr. William E. Bucy
Dr. Frank O. Cox
Dr. James R. Durig
Dr. Daniel G. Dyer
Eastman Chemical Company
Dr. and Mrs. John L. Edwards
Dr. Donald F. Elias
Mr. William T. Fetner
Dr. Thomas J. Geyer
Dr. Benjamin M. Gimarc
Dr. and Mrs. Scott R. Goode
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Grey
Ms. Norah T. Grimball
Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc.
Mr. Fred Edward Hickman III
Mr. Tommy L. Hickman
Dr. Gregory L. Hillhouse
Hoffman-La Roche Incorporated
Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Holter
Hope Grey N. C.
Dr. Patricia Wood and
Dr. William J.M. Hrushesky
IRIX Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Dr. Stephen K. Kerr
Mrs. Mary Cooper Kochansky
Mrs. Donna S.K. Laurie
Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Leverenz
Mr. Rowland L. Matteson Jr.
Dr. Warren A. McAllister
Dr. Frederick M. McLean
Dr. Edward E. Mercer
Dr. M. David Mitchell
Dr. William J. Natter
Oakwood Products Incorporated
Dr. Jerome David Odom
Dr. Caryn and Mr. Franklin Outten
Para-Chem Southern Inc.
Dr. Harris Pastides
Dr. Karen L. Pompeo and
Dr. Michael Paul Pompeo
Mrs. Virginia H. Rogers
Dr. Tomoo Shibata
Dr. Suzanne R. Thorpe
USC Research Foundation
Dr. Shiping Xie
Dr. John H. Yamamoto
Other Donors
Dr. Richard D. Adams
Dr. Elisabeth T. Bell-Loncella
Mr. and Mrs. James B. Black III
The Honorable and
Mrs. Benjamin Blakely Boyd
Dr. Patricia A. Brletic
Mrs. Ann C. Cameron
Ms. Mary C. Cely
Mr. and Mrs. A. Crawford Clarkson Jr.
Clariant Corporation
Ms. Helga J. Cohen
Dr. William E. Cotham
Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Dana Jr.
Dr. John H. Dawson
Dr. Christopher R. Dockery
Dr. Thomas M. Duncan
Mr. and Mrs. R.B. Dunovant
Dr. W. Cary Eaton
Mr. and Mrs. James D. Faherty
Mrs. Jacquelyn L. Ford
Mr. and Mrs. David B. Fuller
Mr. John P. Glass Jr.
GlaxoSmithKline Foundation
Mr. Christopher T. Hamilton
Mrs. Frank H. Hedden
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Mrs. Susan B. Heyward
Dr. and Mrs. Todd James Hizer
Ms. Angela H. Hu
Mr. Derrick E. Huggins
Ms. Tammy P. Hyatt
IBM Corporation
Dr. William Edward Kemnitzer
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Arrington Kinard
Dr. Wilson S. Kistler Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Guy F. Lipscomb Jr.
Lorman Education Services
Ms. Madge G. Major
Ms. Mary Richardson Major and
Mr. William R. Horton Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Elias N. Makhuli
Mr. Jay A. Markwalder
Mr. J. Terrell May
Dr. Elaine S. Mayhall
Mr. Tom Morgan
Dr. William A. Munroe
Mr. and Mrs. Isaac P. Pitts
Dr. Patricia C. Plese and Dr. Charles F. Plese Jr.
The Procter & Gamble Fund
Dr. Vitaly A. Rassolov
Dr. Daniel L. Reger
Dr. James E. Saunders
Dr. Edward M. Schlaefer Jr.
Ms. Ellen Douglas Schlaefer
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Scott Schultz
Dr. Harry E. Shealy, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. James Farr Sims Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Slovic
Mrs. Charles T. Smith
Dr. James V. Snider
Dr. James M. Sodetz
Mrs. Sangeeta S. Sohoni
Ms. Carol C. Stork
Mr. Robert I. Upshur
Dr. Richard L. Veazey
Dr. Michael D. Walla
Ms. Edna Greene Watson
Dr. Marc S. Weininger
Dr. James N. Willis Jr.
Mrs. Marie U. Wolfe
Dr. and Mrs. Frank J. Wyman
Experience the Inn at USC:
History and Luxury in the Heart of Gamecock Country
In the early 1900s, neighborhood development in downtown Columbia began
to thrive, and the University Hill Neighborhood, adjacent to campus, became
one of the premier locations to build a home. This growth attracted John J.
Cain, a builder and renowned architect, to the area. In 1912, Cain would purchase a vacant lot, located at 1619 Pendleton Street, to build his dream home,
now the location of the Inn at USC.
After only a decade, in 1931, Mary Elizabeth Murray Tompkins and her
husband, Arthur, purchased this beautiful 8,000-square-foot home and settled
in to raise their two children. Three generations of the family would call Pendleton Street home, and over the centuries, Columbia’s social elite would enjoy
countless celebrations at the home and see history take place throughout the
University campus.
In 2003 the University of South Carolina Development Foundation, with
the support of Mary Murray Black, the Historic Columbia Foundation, and
the University Neighborhood Association, acquired the home and undertook a
massive reconstruction, in partnership with E.L. Bert Pooser and IMIC Hotels.
In September 2005, exquisitely restored and expanded upon, the home
reopened as the Inn at USC, providing luxurious accommodations for visitors to
the University and the Columbia area, as well as providing needed capacity for
the National Advocacy Center. Incorporating the refined charm of an upscale inn
with the latest technologies for comfort, pleasure, and business, the Inn at USC
welcomes guests from around the globe who seek quality accommodations at
competitive rates.
With the warmth of a bed and breakfast and the stylish comfort of a
stately Southern home, the Inn at USC has become a sought-after accommodations destination. The Inn boasts of 117 rooms, including 31 tworoom suites and three luxury suites in the old house. Many rooms throughout the Inn feature private balconies overlooking USC’s campus, vaulted
ceilings, garden or whirlpool tubs, walk-in showers, and wet bars. All
guests to the Inn will enjoy amenities in abundance, including:
• complimentary high-speed wired/wireless internet access
• triple-sheeted, pillow-top beds
• TV’s, including HBO
• an in-room safe
• refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker
• hair dryer and iron/ironing board
• free local telephone calls.
A complimentary, hot, cooked-to-order breakfast is served in the
Palmetto Room daily.
Guests can also enjoy the Inn’s other special features, including:
• concierge lounge
• fitness center
• library
• dry cleaning services and guest laundry
• daily newspaper
• free parking
• access to USC’s Strom Thurmond
Wellness and Fitness Center
To book your stay at the Inn at USC, visit them online at www.innatusc.com, or call the Inn at 803-779-7779.
06528 University Publications 9/06
The University of South Carolina provides equal opportunity in education and employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
NON PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Columbia, SC 29208
PAID
PERMIT #766
COLUMBIA, SC
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