Science M A G A Z I N E O F V I R G I N I A T E C H C O L L E G E FALL ISSUE 2009 BALANCING Science, Technology, and the LAW ALSO Alumnus sets the bar for instruction in unique law program Department of Statistics receives record donation School of Medicine certified, new research funded NIH funds new anti-Malaria research CONTENTS F E AT U R E S Balancing Science, 2 Technology, and the Law Alumnus sets the bar for instruction in unique law program On the cover: 1969 College of Science alumnus Kimbley Muller combines his education in science with his experience as an attorney to help students learn about intellectual property law. 10 School of Medicine Certified 11 New medical research projects funded 11 Beating Malaria National Institutes of Health funds research to reduce malaria transmission OTHER STORIES 5 Two COS alumni honored 6 Statistics receives record gift 8 VT-STEM inspires next generation College of Science Virginia Tech Mail Code 0405 Blacksburg, VA 24061 540/231-5422 editor.cosmag@vt.edu www.science.vt.edu 12 16 Former professor establishes essay competition endowment College of Science offers help to parents with difficult children Managing Editor/Writer Catherine Doss Contributing Writers Alyssa Haak, Albert Raboteau, Susan Trulove, Liz Crumbley, Cheryl Valentine Copy Editor Richard Lovegrove Photographers Michael Kiernan, John McCormick, Jim Stroup Designer Nathan Skreslet Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants for admission or employment on the basis of race, gender, disability, age, veteran status, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equity and Inclusion. College of Science Magazine Fall 2009 Read past issues of the College of Science Magazine at www.science.vt.edu/news/magazine/index.html 1 MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN I have been working closely with Rich Sorenson, dean of the university’s Pamplin College of Business, to develop ways to foster sharing of science and business expertise among faculty and students in our two colleges. Scientific breakthroughs happen when boundaries are pushed — boundaries of ideas, questions, hypotheses, investigation techniques, and methods of exploration. The vast array of new products and inventions that are developed from pushing these limits will be part of an extraordinary enterprise in the 21st century. We can be proud that the College of Science is at the forefront of this adventure. Lay Nam Chang Dean, College of Science ISSUE NO. 7 FALL 2009 Another example of bringing science to market is the partnership between researchers in the Department of Chemistry and Molsoft LLC who are developing a new class of insecticides to reduce malaria transmission (see article, page 11). Once again, this is an excellent example of products developed through scientific research that meet critical world needs. M A G A Z I N E Our college proudly includes many strong examples of discoveries that will ultimately lead to global benefits once they are fully developed and can interface with society’s marketplace. Several such examples are featured in this issue of the College of Science Magazine. The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute supports researchers focusing on some of today’s toughest medical challenges: cancer, obesity, falling risks, and treatment and prevention of infectious diseases to name a few (see article page 10). This research is underway by faculty members in several colleges within the university. Discoveries in these areas will ultimately lead to better health around the globe once they are available on the market. S C I E N C E In this issue, the College of Science Magazine features our unique joint degree program in intellectual property law. This endeavor will be educating some of the best and brightest young minds who will eventually help bring science to market by offering expert counsel on such issues as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and industrial design rights. Our enhanced joint degree program is a brainchild of Rodney Smolla, dean of the Washington and Lee School of Law and former dean of the law school at the University of Richmond, and enables science majors to pursue a law degree at one of two partnering universities for a J.D. with a specialty in intellectual property (see cover story, page 2). We are pleased and honored to have Kimbley Muller, senior counsel for Shell Oil Company and 1969 alumnus of the college, as one of our first instructors for the program. O F Our society is becoming increasingly dependent on discoveries as well as forward-thinking individuals who combine their knowledge of science and business to bring new technologies to market. Science entrepreneurs are agents of change. Their “business” is to predict critical societal needs, recognize marketable ideas, and build businesses based on scientific breakthroughs on demand. C O L L E G E The Business of Science BALANCING Science, Technology, and the ISSUE NO. 7 FALL 2009 C O L L E G E O F S C I E N C E M A G A Z I N E 2 ALUMNUS SETS THE BAR FOR INSTRUCTION IN UNIQUE LAW PROGRAM When Kimbley “Kim” Muller (general sciences ’69) was approached in 2002 about teaching an introductory law class as part of a new, joint science/ law degree program in the College of Science, his first thought was, “I don’t know a thing about teaching college students!” But having spent most of his 40-year career as a patent and trademark attorney, he did know intellectual property (IP) law. In true Hokie Spirit, Muller, senior counsel and manager of trademarks and intellectual property for Shell Oil Company, took on the challenge and has continually demonstrated teaching excellence within this innovative program, which prepares students to study law and learn about intellectual property law. “In 2003, I was surprised at how hard it was to be a really good professor,” Muller humbly acknowledged. “But faculty and staff from the College of Science patiently helped me become a good professor.” His teaching skills have consistently improved. In fact his most recent class, IP Law for Scientists and Engineers, has had a waiting list, and he regularly receives excellent student reviews. “I’ve changed as a teacher, and it has made a big difference in my life,” Muller said. MAKING A GOOD THING EVEN BETTER The IP law program originally was a joint effort between the College of Science and the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond (UR). It was the brainchild of Rodney Smolla, then dean of the UR law school and now dean of the law school at Washington and Lee (W&L), and Lay Nam Chang, dean of the College of Science. The program enabled qualified students majoring in science or engineering to enter law school after their third or fourth year as an undergraduate and complete their J.D. in another three years. Recently, the initiative expanded to include a similar partnership with the W&L School of Law. Three professors from the school will be teaching a new course on the Virginia Tech campus in spring semester 2010 (see inset page 3). “The College of Science is proud to be involved in one of only a handful of joint degree programs offered at Virginia Tech,” Chang said. “All three schools will benefit, as will society, from well-educated students who have a strong academic grounding in the intersection of science and law.” Upon completion of law school, students will have both a B.S. and a J.D. degree with a certificate of specialization in intellectual property law. “We anticipate this joint collaboration will enhance the quality of Washington and Lee law school’s intellectual property program by bringing a critical number of highly qualified science students with a keen interest in intellectual property issues,” Smolla, a First Amendment scholar, said. Rodney Smolla University School of Law First Amendment Scholar Associate Professor of Law; Director, Frances Lewis Law Center Regulation of e-commerce and videogames expert Partner in Latimer, Mayberry, and Matthews IP Law, LLP Blacksburg, Va. Kimbley “Kim” Muller Senior Counsel and Manager of Trademarks and Intellectual Property “Whether our science students pursue careers in law after graduating from Virginia Tech or they enter professions in the sciences, Professor Muller is preparing them to become engaged citizens who will ensure that scientific advances work for the betterment of society,” said Jill Sible, associate dean for curriculum, instruction, and advising in the College of Science. Shell Oil Company UT PROSIM…THAT I MAY SERVE Sean Seymore Assistant Professor of Law and Alumni Faculty Fellow Now in his sixth year of bi-monthly commuting from his home in Houston, Texas, to Blacksburg to teach, Muller says he has high regard for the caliber of students who enroll in his course, which is offered each spring semester. A remote distance-learning classroom allows Muller to teach some of the classes from Houston. “These students are extremely dedicated and want to begin a career Adjunct Professor, Virginia Tech Balancing continued next page ISSUE NO. 7 FALL 2009 Michele Mayberry IP rights usually cover new products and ideas that can be used and enjoyed by many consumers. Examples especially relevant in today’s society include MP3 players, iPods, Blackberries, and cell phones. Questions arise as to who can download music. What are the legal considerations and consequences regarding replication of electronic music and videos? Who owns copyrights for such property? How far do royalties extend? These are among the many debatable questions in an IP law classroom. M A G A Z I N E Joshua Fairfield Holders of patents, for example, have exclusive rights to exclude all others from the practice of their claimed invention and can reap large financial rewards from licensing or assigning their patent rights. IP rights also have an intrinsic economic value. It is estimated that twothirds of the value of large businesses in the U.S. can be traced to intangible assets (Economic Effects of Intellectual Property-Intensive Manufacturing in the United States, Robert Shapiro and Nam Pham, July 2007). S C I E N C E Dean, Washington and Lee Intellectual property law deals with product and property protection for discoveries, scientists, and universities that conduct research and development. It is the fastest growing field of law in today’s technology-driven society. Common types of intellectual property include copyrights, trademarks, patents, industrial design rights, and trade secrets. O F THE EXPLOSION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 3 C O L L E G E The intellectual property law joint degree program between the College of Science and the Washington and Lee University School of Law offers pre-law classes for undergraduates majoring in science or engineering. A distinguished group of instructors leads the way in ensuring that bright students have the introductory knowledge and skills to succeed in law school. Who are they? ISSUE NO. 7 FALL 2009 C O L L E G E O F S C I E N C E M A G A Z I N E 4 Balancing continued and use their degree,” he said. “They are really nice kids with good intentions, and they are very smart.” With technology developing at an explosive pace in today’s society, it is imperative that IP lawyers have strong knowledge about science and technology and how to monetize investments that are successful. Will Frey, a junior physics and mathematics major from Fairfax, Va., has taken both of the program’s two course offerings so far. (In addition to “You can’t be a patent attorney unless you have a science background,” Muller Muller, Michele Mayberry, a partner with the firm Latimer, Mayberry, and said. “In fact, without this background, you would miss crucial facts in every Matthews, teaches an introduction to IP law class, which is offered each fall.) case . You must have the ability to assimilate the law with a scientific mind.” “The instruction is outstanding, and I’m really excited about the new class to be offered in the spring,” he said. Frey became interested in the program because he was looking for new and different ways to put his science degree into practice. “I didn’t really want to pursue a career as a researcher or teacher after graduation,” he said. “A law degree would allow me to practice patent law, interact with people, and perhaps work for the federal government at some point.” Muller and his wife Shari live in Houston, where they enjoy the theater and the symphony. Muller swims up to two miles every morning for relaxation. He attends functions sponsored by the Houston-area Virginia Tech alumni group and serves on the alumni roundtable advisory group for the College of Science. Muller encourages his students at Virginia Tech to consider how they might make a difference with a degree in IP law while developing a good career for themselves. “I open up possibilities in the field of IP law to students and let them determine if it is a career they might wish to pursue,” Muller said. “I want them to “I believe we have a much better society when inventions are protected and see there are opportunities available that they might be unaware of at this rewarded,” he said. “Patent protection offers fertile ground for even more stage of their studies. I don’t consider myself a true college professor; I’m inventions, and more inventions create more opportunities and ultimately simply presenting opportunities, knowledge, and experience.” more jobs. Your mind is the only thing that limits you in this profession. If Muller entered Virginia Tech in 1964 as a chemistry major. He switched to you have an expansive and inquisitive mind, this field is right for you.” general sciences in order to get a more rounded and diverse science education and pursued a minor in history. Graduating in 1969, he took his first job at Universal Oil Products in Des Plaines, Ill., working in the company’s mass spectrometer laboratory. He also started taking classes at John Marshall Law School to earn his law degree, specializing in patent law. In 1974 Muller graduated from law school, passed the Illinois bar, and transferred to his company’s Washington, D.C., office as a patent and trademark attorney. After earning a master’s of law degree (LLM) at George Washington University, he went to work for Shell in 1985 and has been there ever since. Muller has continually advanced his career within the oil giant and now oversees more than a dozen staff lawyers at Shell’s Houston headquarters. “It’s been a good career; Shell is a wonderful company to work for,” he said. “I feel like I am adding something to society by capturing and rewarding creative minds for their inventions and authorships. That is what I get out of this profession personally, but teaching students to appreciate the basics of IP law has also been very fulfilling.” It is imperative that IP lawyers have strong knowledge about science and technology. By Albert Raboteau She also has held leadership roles with the Virginia State Bar, the Arlington County Bar Association, Legal Services of Northern Virginia, the Virginia Women Attorneys Association, and the VWAA Foundation. An active participant in her community, Byrum serves on the board of Horizons Theatre of Equality Virginia — a nonpartisan advocacy group that seeks equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Virginians. She also is a former president of the Virginia 4-H Foundation. PATRICIA CALDWELL Caldwell, of New York, N.Y., has more than 30 years experience in commercial and investment banking. She founded Gordian Group LLC with three other partners in 1988. With a nationwide practice spanning across all industry lines, Gordian Group provides financial advisory services in distressed and complicated situations. She was formerly with Citibank, where she founded the Corporate Finance and Analysis Department. During her 13 years at Citibank, Caldwell also spent nine years as a lending officer, including several years as a senior member of the Petroleum Caldwell serves as director and treasurer of the New York Service Program for Older People, director of Friends and Relatives of the Institutionalized Aged, and as a member of the State University of New York at Albany University Council and School of Business Advisory Board. Caldwell graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1971 and holds an M.B.A. from the State University of New York at Albany. This story can be found on the College of Science news site www.science.vt.edu. In Memorium Irving John “Jack” Good Dec. 9, 1916- April 5, 2009 Irving John “Jack” Good, 92, a retired Virginia Tech statistician who helped break the Nazi Enigma code for his native England during World War II, died April 5, 2009, of natural causes in Radford, Va. Good had been a professor of statistics at Virginia Tech since 1967 and one of the most renowned statisticians worldwide. Look for a tribute to Good in a future issue of the College of Science Magazine. ISSUE NO. 7 FALL 2009 Byrum has remained involved at her alma mater by serving on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, the President’s Advisory Committee, and the Economic Development Advisory Board. She chaired the Dean’s Roundtable for the former College of Arts and Sciences and received the first Distinguished Alumni Award from the new College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. She currently serves on the College of Science Roundtable. Byrum is a member of the Northern Virginia Regional Campaign Committee and the Pylon Society. M A G A Z I N E Byrum, of Alexandria, Va., earned her bachelor’s in political science from Virginia Tech in 1976. She is an attorney in private practice with emphasis on labor, employment, and personnel law, whose law degree is from Pepperdine University. Byrum often lectures on labor and employment issues and was an adjunct faculty member at Washington College of Law at American University. She is a member of the Boyd Graves Conference and a master of the George Mason Inns of Court. Caldwell is a fourth generation Hokie. Her great grandfather, Daniel Franklin Hale, was a member of the first class of Virginia Tech. She has maintained a strong commitment to the university as a long-time member of the former College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Roundtable and as past chair and current member of the College of Science Roundtable. She has served on the Virginia Tech Foundation board (currently chairing the Development Committee), the Women in Leadership and Philanthropy Council, the Mathematics Department Advisory Board, and the Quiet Phase Campaign Steering Committee, and is currently a member of the university’s College of Science campaign steering committee. Among other things, Caldwell endowed a scholarship that is awarded to out-of-state female undergraduate students majoring in mathematics. In recognition of her exceptional service, she was the recipient of the first-ever Distinguished Alumni Award from the college. S C I E N C E MARNI BYRUM Metals and Mining Department. Prior to joining Citibank, she spent two years as a financial analyst with AT&T Bell Labs. O F The Virginia Tech Alumni Association honored two prominent College of Science supporters with Alumni Distinguished Service Awards for 2009 last spring. Marni Byrum (PSCI ’76) and Patricia Caldwell (MATH ’71) were recognized for outstanding service to the university and the Virginia Tech Alumni Association. Also recognized was John Higgenbotham (ENG ’77). 5 C O L L E G E TWO COLLEGE OF SCIENCE ALUMNI HONORED WITH PRESTIGIOUS UNIVERSITY AWARD FOR SERVICE ISSUE NO. 7 FALL 2009 C O L L E G E O F S C I E N C E M A G A Z I N E 6 STATISTICIAN BLAZES TRAILS, PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS By Albert Raboteau Jean Dickinson Gibbons has made the largest ever pledge to the Department of Statistics, which will name its graduate program for her when the $6 million bequest is realized. Gibbons, a retired professor from the University of Alabama who now lives in Florida, earned her Ph.D. in statistics from Virginia Tech in 1962. She says she made the gift as an effort to enable the university to recruit the nation’s best doctoral candidates in her field, and to help the United States remain the global leader in the discipline. “Statistics is my love,” Gibbons said. “It’s my vocation, as well as my avocation. I was so delighted when I discovered statistics … and I think that it is a field that will always be of utmost importance.” The gift — which ultimately will come from the estate of Gibbons and her husband, John Fielden — will establish a fellowship program for statistics Ph.D. candidates who are U.S. citizens and have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. Gibbons Fellows will be able to have up to $100,000 of non-tuition academic and living expenses reimbursed over a three-year period. This will allow them to undertake research, attend conferences, or purchase materials related to their education that they might not otherwise be able to afford. Tuition funding will come from other sources. The department will be able to offer six Gibbons Fellowships at a time, a valuable asset in what can be fierce competition for the best students in the country. Jean Dickinson Gibbons with husband John Fielden. “This gift basically will allow us to compete on a national level with universities like Stanford, Harvard, N.C. State, Iowa State, and Texas A&M for the top American students in statistics,” said Department Chair Eric Smith. She has published 10 scholarly books in statistics. Her first, entitled Nonparametric Statistical Inference, was published in 1970 and will soon be released in its fifth edition. Since her retirement in 1995, she has also co-authored two books with her husband. Gibbons and Fielden already have given funds to establish the Jean Dickinson Gibbons Statistics Award, which is providing a $5,000 grant to a different candidate each year for the next six years. Mark Seiss (mathematics ’03, M.S. ‘05) is the first recipient. One book is on writing and is called Throw Me the Bottom Line – I’m Drowning in E-Mail. The other, a novel called Two Lives, One Love, is based on their personal story and was recently given the 2008 President’s Award by the Florida Publishers Association for best adult fiction. Seiss, an Alpha, N.J., native said, “It’s a very generous gift.” The support has created several opportunities for him, including buying a more powerful computer for research and attending the annual Joint Statistical Meetings of the American Statistical Association. In addition to teaching and research, Gibbons has testified about statistical evidence before congressional committees and served as a consultant and an expert witness in multiple legal cases involving statistics. Gibbons had a very active career and was elected a Fellow of the American Statistical Association at age 34; she has served four terms on their board of directors. Her primary field of expertise is nonparametric statistics, which deals with small sample sizes and data that do not follow a normal statistical curve. “You can’t even imagine the various uses statistics has,” she said. As a female statistician starting her career in the early 1960s, Gibbons was a rarity in a predominantly male field. She had to push to be taken seriously at times. She still recalls presenting a paper at Johns Hopkins University a few years after graduating, while she was a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania. Gibbons Bequest continued next page 7 Gibbons Bequest continued Jean Dickinson Gibbons engagement. “We want to improve the statistical literacy of all members of the university community,” said Eric Vance, director of LISA. “The breadth and depth of what we offer is significant,” Vance said. “Our collaborators are trained to help design experiments, analyze and plot data, run statistical software, interpret results, and communicate statistical results to non-statisticians.” Those who use the service usually come away with a stronger research component to their project or grant. LISA assists with designing experiments, using appropriate statistical terms “I found the consultation eye opening to statistics overall,” said Courtney Culp, and tests in grant proposals, and analyzing data. It also assists with preparagraduate student in biological sciences. “It enabled me to think more about my tion of grant proposals, particularly by providing expert advice on the design experiment and understand my data more in depth. It gave me great insight.” of experiments and data collection, as well as suggesting proper tests and analyses. “We help clients learn about good statistical tools and assist in making research results defensible,” Vance said. “It’s also an opportunity for our graduate students to apply proper methods on real data and write better research papers.” LISA provides walk-in services as well as more in-depth collaborative assistance. The LISA walk-in service is staffed by graduate statistics students for two hours every day that classes are in session. Here, clients can have quick statistical questions answered, or they may be referred to a faculty member for more specialized assistance. To learn more about LISA’s consulting services, see www.lisa.stat.vt.edu or www.science.vt.edu/ department/index.html. ISSUE NO. 7 FALL 2009 Created in 2008, the Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis (LISA), “We collaborate with faculty from every college in the university and have assists Virginia Tech faculty, staff, and graduate students with the statistical room to assist even more,” Vance said. “The best time to consult us is before a components of their research and dissertations. Last year, the service was researcher starts collecting data so that we can advise them on sound methoffered to more than 300 clients, most of them within the Virginia Tech com- odologies.” munity. LISA also provides consulting services to clients outside the university, LISA also offers free statistical short courses designed to teach practical statistiacross the state, and even around the world for a nominal fee. cal tools to graduate students and staff for use in their research. M A G A Z I N E LISA OFFERS STATISTICAL EXPERTISE ACROSS CAMPUS … AND AROUND THE WORLD S C I E N C E “I’m proud that I’ve been able to serve as a role model for a lot of female students in statistics — and women in other scientific professions,” she said. LISA grew out of the Statistical Consulting Center, established by the university’s Department of Statistics in 1976. Most of its projects are supervised by statistics faculty but led by graduate students, thus fostering learning through O F Gibbons said she was pleased that one of the biggest changes she had seen in statistics over the decades was the increasing number and prominence of women in the field. “You can’t even imagine the various uses statistics has.” C O L L E G E “I went down there and presented the paper and we went to the faculty club to have lunch afterward and, lo and behold, women weren’t allowed in the faculty club. The situation had never arisen before. So my hosts had to sneak me in.” ISSUE NO. 7 FALL 2009 C O L L E G E O F S C I E N C E M A G A Z I N E 8 VT-STEM HELPS INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS By Liz Crumbley “Our national economic prosperity and security require that we remain a world leader in science and technology. Precollege education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is the foundation of that leadership and must be one of our highest priorities as a nation.” Steven C. Beering, chairman of the National Science Board in a letter to newly elected President Barack Obama, January 2009. While STEM is championed by national science and political leaders, it also has become an educational tool at Virginia Tech. Faculty members in the College of Science currently hold more than $1.2 million in STEM education grants from the National Science Foundation. The college continues to support scholarship in the area of STEM education, with particular emphasis on serving underrepresented and financially needy students. “VT-STEM is a collaborative project,” said Llyn Sharp, coordinator of Geosciences Outreach in the College of Science. Sharp and Mike Rosenzweig, a research scientist in the Department of Biological Sciences and director of the Science Outreach Program, served as co-coordinators of VT-STEM for the 2008-09 academic year. Nearly a decade ago, John Dooley, then associate provost for outreach and now vice president of Outreach and International Affairs at Virginia Tech, convened a group of faculty and researchers interested in promoting STEM education. Today, the VT-STEM K-12 Outreach Initiative encompasses a network of more than 150 university faculty who, with countless undergraduate and graduate students, reach out to schools across Virginia with more than 50 distinct educational programs in the areas of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Faculty and students at the university who have developed kindergarten through 12thgrade (K-12) programs in STEM disciplines are invited to join a listserv and participate in monthly meetings managed by Sharp and Rosenzweig. A frequent topic of discussions via e-mail and at meetings involves how and where to engage K-12 teachers and their students. One success story from the VT-STEM initiative is Kid’s Tech University, an educational research series for children ages 8 to 12, which premiered in 2009. The VT-STEM program attracted hundreds of children to the four days of lectures, hands-on learning activities, and labs during the 2009 spring semester. “A big part of this effort is the university’s land-grant mission, which, of course, connects Virginia Tech to the community,” Sharp said. “The VT-STEM network acts as a pipeline that helps funnel the conversation between the university and public schools. In addition to VT-STEM continued next page More than 150 faculty members and countless students reach out to schools across Virginia to foster interest in science, technology, engineering, and math among school-age children. 9 University to present a full-day STEM conference for 600 to 800 sixth-grade girls from area schools. Virginia Tech Southwest Center in Abingdon, Va., for example, has become a vital regional STEM education source. Each November, the Virginia Tech Southwest Center partners with the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, businesses in Virginia and Tennessee, and faculty from Virginia Tech and Radford WHY JOIN? HNN is a free online social and professional networking site designed to connect Hokies around the globe. • Connect with friends, classmates, alumni, and students. Quick steps to register: • Find Hokies by locality, career, interests, class year, or major, and get involved with local Alumni Association chapters. 1. Go to www.alumni.vt.edu/hnn • Post your résumé, create new business contacts, start a discussion on a topic of your choice, and advertise opportunities for other Hokies. 3. Create your profile and start networking! 2. Login with your VT PID and password COS HOMECOMING '09 Virginia Tech vs University of North Carolina 7:30 p.m. Mark your calendar for the College of Science Homecoming! Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 Join alumni, family, and friends beginning at 4:30 before the Hokies take on the Tarheels for a pre-game tailgate picnic, college displays, entertainment, and kids’ games. Tailgate Picnic is $15/per person. Children ages 5-11: $10; Children ages 4 and under: Free Current Virginia Tech Students: $10 Smith Career Center Career Services Building (corner of Washington Street and West Campus Drive near the stadium) Game tickets per paid registrant are $48 each. Everyone attending the game must have a ticket, including infants. For more information, contact Robin Jackson at 540/231-8706 or rhjackson@vt.edu. To register, go to www.alumni.vt.edu/reunion/cos. ISSUE NO. 7 FALL 2009 GET CONNECTED WITH THE HOKIE NATION NETWORK! M A G A Z I N E Successful VT-STEM programs aren’t limited to the Blacksburg campus. The “Teachers are hungry for professional development programs that provide new content information and new methods and strategies for teaching STEM subjects,” McCallum said. “Many of them have not taken a curriculum-specific class since receiving their college degrees. The teachers know what they need, and we try to deliver that.” S C I E N C E the Fralin Life Science Institute’s Biotech-in-a-Box program. O F One reason STEM programs are sought after is the need for teachers and “We adopted STEM as our signature program about four years ago,” said Penny students to master the Standards of Learning (SOLs). “VT-STEM people know McCallum, the center’s director. For three years, the center has hosted the the national and state SOLs, and most things taught in our programs can be Summer STEM Institute, a three-day program for pre-kindergarten to 12thgrade teachers who want to motivate students to consider careers in STEM related to the standards,” Sharp said. disciplines. Workshop topics for the 2009 institute range from using model Some of the university’s STEM programs have been drawing K-12 fans for many rockets in the classroom to conducting hands-on soil science experiments. years, including the annual Wood Magic Show, presented by the College of Natural Resources’ Department of Wood Science and Forest Products; the The Virginia Tech Southwest Center also collaborates on an annual STEM conferCollege of Engineering’s Imagination and C-Tech2 summer camps; the Physics ence for the region’s sixth-grade girls and hosts several one-day workshops for Outreach Program; the 4-H State Congress; the Museum of Geosciences; and teachers throughout the year. C O L L E G E VT-STEM continued educating K-12 students, STEM programs help teachers learn to stay current in their fields.” ISSUE NO. 7 FALL 2009 C O L L E G E O F S C I E N C E M A G A Z I N E 10 SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AWARDED CRITICAL CERTIFICATION 11 NEW MEDICAL RESEARCH PROJECTS FUNDED By Cheryl Valentine and Susan Trulove The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute (VTC) received certification from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) in the summer. Certification gives the planned school degree-granting authority and makes it eligible to apply for scholarship and grant funding, such as tuition assistance grants. “We are bringing to bear assets from two top-notch organizations,” said Cynda A. Johnson, president and dean of the school. “That is why this school is going to be of such a high caliber.” SCHEV certification means VTC complies with the requirements of the Virginia Administrative Code in such areas as: maintenance of student records, faculty qualifications, and student admission standards. “This will be a truly transformative project for the region.” Charles Steger President, Virginia Tech “This will be a truly transformative project for the region,” said Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger at a groundbreaking ceremony last year. VTC is a public-private partnership that leverages Virginia Tech’s world-class strength in basic sciences, bioinformatics, and engineering with Carilion Clinic’s highly experienced medical staff and rich history in medical education. The school is located on the Carilion Clinic campus in Roanoke, Va. It will be housed in a 150,000-square-foot education and research facility currently under construction. The school’s first class of 40 students will begin studies in the fall of 2010. The unique curriculum combines research and medical disciplines throughout the four-year educational experience. Students will graduate with an M.D. degree. “It’s going to be a great thing for the future of this region,” Virginia Gov.Timothy M. Kaine said. “It’s an important step forward in health care in Roanoke and the entire state of Virginia.” EARLY RESEARCH GRANTS Virginia Tech Carilion will improve human health and quality of life by providing leadership in medical education and biomedical and clinical research. The institute has awarded 11 seed grants, each valued at $30,000, to support collaborative research between Virginia Tech and Carilion Clinic researchers. The Construction on the new medical school is proceeding quickly. The architectural rendering above shows the final appearance. By Susan Trulove These grants include several research projects involving the College of Science. The project and researchers are: • David Popham, professor, and Stephen Melville, associate professor of biological sciences, will work on a team that addresses the challenge of controlling disease by improved decontamination of spores that cause disease. This happens when antibiotics kill beneficial bacteria in the gut. The researchers will then learn if adding their environmental conditions into established hospital decontamination methods improves their effectiveness. “In 2005, we had a great multidisciplinary team and a promising new idea,” said Carlier. The team combined chemists, entomologists, and biologists in the United States with malaria mosquito control experts in Kenya. The focus was to develop insecticides that strongly interfere with acetylcholinesterase (AChE), a key enzyme in the mosquito brain, while leaving the related human enzyme untouched. The promising new idea was that the malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae, would pick up two inactive molecules from a bed net that would then bind to AChE within the mosquito and thus disable it. “That initial concept has not yet been realized,” said Carlier. However, the team made two important advances that form the basis for the NIAID grant for “Development of vector-specific, resistance-breaking insecticides to reduce malaria transmission.” • David W. Harrison, associate professor of psychology and director of the Behavioral Neuroscience Lab, and Joseph E. Carmona of Queens, N.Y., a doctoral student in psychology, will conduct neuroscience research that addresses how the body receives and processes information in order to maintain balance. The researchers hope to determine methods for decreasing falls among the elderly. “First, we discovered we could modify the chemical structures of existing AChE-targeting insecticides in a way that should significantly lower their toxicity to mammals,” said Carlier. Since these compounds still retain significant insecticidal activity against the malaria mosquito, they could prove ideal for deployment on ITNs. Two patent applications have been filed, and commercial interest has been expressed in the potentially safer compounds, he said. Along with Carilion Clinic faculty and researchers, other colleges involved in the initial grants are Agriculture and Life Sciences, Engineering, Natural Resources, and the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. “Second, we figured out how to inhibit target site-resistant mosquito AChE and demonstrated this effect in vitro,” said Carlier. “The challenge now is to modify these inhibitors so that they can make their way into the mosquito’s brain and thus exert the desired insecticidal action.” For more, see www.vtc.vt.edu or www.science.vt.edu/news/releases. Malaria continued page 13 ISSUE NO. 7 FALL 2009 • J.R. Heflin, professor of physics, is involved in a collaborative project to develop nanoscale optical fiber biosensor assays. The NIAID award builds on results from three years (2005-08) of research funded by the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health through the Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This earlier project was led by Jeffrey R. Bloomquist, professor of toxicology and pharmacology in the entomology department of Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. M A G A Z I N E funded projects include research about such medical challenges as heart care, cancer, prevention and treatment of infectious disease, obesity, use of technology, falling risks, and development of a patient simulator. S C I E N C E images courtesy of AECOM At present, the first line of defense against the malaria mosquito in sub-Saharan Africa is insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). However, growing resistance to the pyrethroid insecticides used on the nets threatens to render this protection ineffective. The research team led by Paul Carlier, professor of chemistry in the College of Science, is striving to develop a new class of insecticides that will be safe for use on nets and effective against pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes. O F Researchers from Virginia Tech and Molsoft LLC have received a five-year, $3.5 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to continue their promising work on a new class of resistance-breaking insecticides to reduce malaria transmission. 11 C O L L E G E NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH FUNDS RESEARCH TO REDUCE MALARIA TRANSMISSION NEWEST CLUSTER-HIRE FACULTY MEMBERS NAMED ResearchCluster Eric Bahel Ph.D. Economics, Université de Montréal, Canada Energy and the Environment S C I E N C E Bethany C. Bray Ph.D. Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University Developmental Science Yili Hong Ph.D. Statistics, Iowa State University, Ames Computational Science Seong Ki Mun Ph.D. Physics, State University of New York (SUNY) Neuroscience Vito Scarola Ph.D. Physics, The Pennsylvania State University Nanoscience ISSUE NO. 7 FALL 2009 Name O F The College of Science is pleased to welcome five new faculty members who were hired as part of its innovative cluster-hire initiative whereby faculty are recruited to work collaboratively across departments in specialized research groups. This enables diverse expertise from some of the best and brightest minds to contribute to important research areas. The latest cluster-hires who joined the faculty in August 2009 are: C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E 12 For more information about cluster-hire faculty in the College of Science and specifics about their research, see: www.science.vt.edu/research/ research-clusters.html Left to right: Bethany C. Bray, Yili Hong, Seong Ki Mun, Vito Scarola Eric Bahel not pictured FORMER PHYSICS PROFESSOR ESTABLISHES ESSAY COMPETITION ENDOWMENT By Albert Raboteau In 1996, after 33 years as a member of the physics faculty at Virginia Tech, Bob Bowden became an emeritus professor. But he has not let that small fact stop him from helping students in science. After his retirement, Bowden mentored high-school science teachers. He wrote a computer program that makes it easier for high-school students to visualize the special theory of relativity as it might be viewed by Aristotle, Galileo, Newton, Maxwell, and Einstein. He taught occasional physics classes at the university, most recently in 2005. Now, Bowden and his family have ensured his legacy of service by making a significant philanthropic commitment to the department to which he dedicated his career. They created an endowment to provide a generous prize to winners of the new Robert Lee Bowden Jr. Physics Essay Competition. Rising juniors and seniors who are majoring in physics can submit essays on a physics topic of their choice, which are judged by a select jury on how eloquently and clearly they make their points. The inaugural prize was presented in April at the physics department’s annual awards ceremony to Justin Bangerter, a native of Lynchburg, Va., Bowden Essay continued next page Emeritus Professor of Physics Bob Bowden left, speaks with Justin Bangerter, the first winner of the Robert Lee Bowden Jr. Physics Essay Competition Writers wanted Entries for the second Robert Lee Bowden Jr. Physics Essay Competition are expected to be due on or around Feb. 1. Physics majors should e-mail schmittm@vt.edu to find out how to participate. Along with the cash prize, winners have their work published in Quanta, the Department of Physics newsletter. The first winning essay, by recent physics graduate Justin Bangerter, will appear in the fall 2009 issue. Quanta is online at www.phys.vt.edu/Newsletters. Malaria continued Bowden Essay continued who received his bachelor’s degree the following month. His essay focused on how the variational principle of calculus applies to physics. “Basically it was a rundown of the idea, broken down into more easily digestible terms for the general public, and I presented a few simple philosophical implications,” said Bangerter, who is considering becoming a teacher and plans to mention the prize when applying to graduate schools. Bangerter said the contest is a good opportunity for physics students to “show something they don’t normally show to the department, and maybe combine various skills that they’ve gained during their education.” Along with physics, writing is one of Bowden’s passions. He writes essays on a wide variety of topics to share with friends and family. Bowden believes physics students should be able to communicate their ideas to the general public, not just to other physicists. By establishing an essay contest for physics majors, he said, “We’re trying to encourage people to write well and, if they can, write beautifully.” Bowden Essay continued page 16 ISSUE NO. 7 FALL 2009 www.science.vt.edu. Carla Finkielstein, assistant professor of biological sciences (right) and Seong K. Mun, professor of physics and research fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study in the College of Science, accept a $300,000 award to support research on an environmental risk of breast cancer. The award was made possible by the Seventh Annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Washington, D.C., earlier this year. The walk drew more than 3,000 participants and raised more than $6.8 million for breast cancer care and research. Virginia Tech was one of six organizations receiving research awards. The study will investigate the mechanisms through which the circadian clock acts as a tumor suppressor in the biology of estrogen-dependent breast cancer. M A G A Z I N E Read more about recent research grants in the College of Science at UNIVERSITY’S BREAST CANCER RESEARCH SUPPORTED BY AVON WALK S C I E N C E Carlier, Bloomquist, and Li are members of the Vector-Borne Disease Research Group at Virginia Tech, whose mission is to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms involved in the transmission and pathogenesis of vector-borne infectious organisms, deepen the understanding of the nature of infectious disease, and lead the search for novel approaches to disease mitigation. Chemistry post-doctoral student Ming Ma working on new insecticide compounds in Paul Carlier’s lab. O F In addition to principal investigator Carlier and co-investigator Bloomquist, other co-investigators on the NIAID-funded research team are Jianyong Li, associate professor of biochemistry in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, and Maxim Totrov, principal scientist at Molsoft LLC of La Jolla, Calif. 13 C O L L E G E The new insecticides should also be less likely to cause the emergence of new target site-resistant strains, he said. And the team has developed a number of other strategies to ward against metabolic resistance mechanisms in the Anopheles gambiae mosquito. NEWS For more news from the College of Science, visit www.science.vt.edu/news Anne McNabb John Simonetti Roger Chang Ann Stevens Barbara Bekken Chris Thomas ISSUE NO. 7 FALL 2009 C O L L E G E O F S C I E N C E M A G A Z I N E 14 COLLEGE FACULTY MEMBERS RECOGNIZED FOR DIVERSITY, OUTREACH, TEACHING Anne McNabb, John Simonetti, Roger Chang, Ann Stevens, Barbara Bekken, and Chris Thomas were among the many College of Science (COS) faculty and staff members who were recognized for excellence last year. Anne McNabb, professor of biological sciences and associate dean of the Graduate School, was awarded the 2009 COS Diversity Award for outstanding contributions to fostering and enhancing diversity awareness within her department, the college, and the university. John Simonetti, associate professor of physics, received two awards for teaching excellence, the COS Certificate of Teaching Excellence and the university’s prestigious Wine Award for his history of teaching excellence. In addition, Simonetti received the 2009 College of Science Outreach Award for his efforts in engaging the community in astronomy through the media, community organizations, the university’s Martin Observatory, and the public school system. Barbara Bekken, assistant professor of geosciences, also received a COS Certificate of Teaching Excellence. Ann Stevens, associate professor of biological sciences, was recognized for outstanding teaching with the 2009 Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching. Roger Chang, instructor of physics, received the university’s Sporn Award for Excellence in Teaching. Chang teaches introductory physics classes for engineering majors. Chris Thomas, graduate program coordinator for the Department of Physics, was honored with a prestigious President’s Award for Excellence. DESIMONE NAMED UNIVERSITY’S GRADUATE ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER COS alumnus Joseph DeSimone (Ph.D . Chemistry ’90) received the 2009 Graduate Alumni Achievement Award for his accomplishments as a scholar and an innovator. He currently holds two chaired professorships: the Chancellor’s Eminent Professor of Chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Chemical Engineering at North Carolina State University. Joseph DeSimone ROSSO AND BERRY NAMED COLLEGE OF SCIENCE OUTSTANDING RECENT ALUMNI Each year, the Alumni Association honors recent alumni from each academic college who have graduated in the past 10 years. The College of Science recently selected Kevin M. Rosso (Geosciences ’98) and John F. Berry (Chemistry ’00) as its Outstanding Recent Graduate Alumnus and Outstanding Recent Undergraduate Alumnus, respectively. STUDENTS EXCEL IN ACADEMICS AND LEADERSHIP A number of COS undergraduate and graduate students were recognized for excellence last year. The following are among some of the winners. Laura Freeman, a graduate student in statistics, was selected as the university’s 2009 Graduate Woman of the Year for her involvement in professional organizations, campus activities, and contribution to knowledge through research, teaching, and scholarship. Two students from the College of Science will serve as student representatives on the board of visitors during the 2009-10 academic year. Rebecca French, a graduate student in geosciences, was named as the graduate student representative, and Kristina Hartman, a junior majoring in biological sciences, will serve as the undergraduate representative. Each year, two student representatives are appointed to one-year terms on the board. Each sits on a committee of the governing board and serves as ex-officio members on the Commission of Student Affairs. They are nonvoting members of the board. Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships last spring. They were Shiv Dutt Kale (biochemistry and biological sciences), Laura Hamm (geosciences), Bradley Shapiro (mathematics and economics), and David Abrams (physics and computer science). Jessica Lu, a graduate student in chemistry, received a Fulbright Scholarship to spend an academic year at the Weizmann Institute in Israel. She will work closely with preeminent researchers in the study of aerosols and their effect on the environment. Yuriko Renardy, professor of mathematics Pengtao Yue, assistant professor of mathematics Edward Valeev, assistant professor of chemistry John Hole, associate professor of geosciences George Hagedorn, professor of mathematics Alexander Elgart, assistant professor of mathematics Daniela Cimini, assistant professor of biological sciences Zhijian (Jake) Tu, professor of biochemistry and a member of the Vector Borne Research Group Carla Finkielstein, assistant professor of biological sciences Judy Riffle, professor of chemistry Michel Pleimling, associate professor of physics Michal Kowalewski, professor of geosciences CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM RANKED NATIONALLY The Department of Psychology recently received a national ranking in the U.S. News & World Report “America’s Best Graduate Schools 2010” survey. The department was named the nation’s 33rd best in clinical psychology and is consistently ranked among the best in the nation. Chris Lawrence, associate professor of biological sciences John E. Barrett, assistant professor of biological sciences Giti Khodaparast, assistant professor of physics Martha Ann Bell, associate professor of psychology Dana Hawley, assistant professor of biological sciences FACULTY AWARDED NUMEROUS RESEARCH GRANTS Among the dozens of faculty members in the college who were awarded competetive grant money last year were three from the Department of Chemistry. Edward Valeev, Theresa Reineke, and Lou Madsen received CAREER Awards from the National Science Foundation. CAREER awards are made to outstanding young faculty members who present career develop- Camille Harris, graduate student in biological sciences Michael Klemba, assistant professor of biochemistry David G.I. Kingston, University Distinguished Professor of Chemistry ISSUE NO. 7 FALL 2009 Four students from the college were awarded prestigious National Science Richard Turner, professor of chemistry and director, Macromolecules and Interfaces Institute M A G A Z I N E Ashley Morgenstern and Kevin Finelli have been awarded the highly competitive Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship for the 2009-10 academic year. Morgenstern is a junior majoring in human nutrition, foods, and exercise in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and biochemistry in the College of Science as well as pursuing a minor in chemistry. Finelli, who received his bachelor of science degree in physics and mathematics last spring, will be attending graduate school at Duke University. Finelli was also named the 2009 COS Outstanding Senior. S C I E N C E Kristina Hartman, Bradley Shapiro, and David Abrams not pictured O F Left to right: Laura Freeman, Rebecca French, Ashley Morgenstern, Kevin Finelli, Shiv Dutt Kale, Laura Hamm, Jessica Lu. At press time, 21 COS faculty members and graduate students were among more than two dozen across the university to be awarded a total of $21.3 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The economic stimulus aspect of these grants takes the form of providing dozens of people with summer-time, part-time, or full-time employment. The support means opportunities for students to pursue their studies. A number of postdoctoral researchers are also being employed. Among the COS ARRA award winners were: 15 C O L L E G E ment plans that effectively integrate research and education, with an emphasis on combining the excitement of research with inspired teaching. In addition, Valeev received an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Research Fellowship. One of only 23 chemists to receive this award in 2009, Valeev was recognized for his research contributions and for exceptional promise of his ongoing and future research activities. ISSUE NO. 7 FALL 2009 C O L L E G E O F S C I E N C E M A G A Z I N E 16 COLLEGE OF SCIENCE OFFERS HELP FOR PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN ARE HARD TO MANAGE Oppositional-defiant disorder (ODD) in children refers to a disorder characterized by a recurring pattern of negativity, defiance, disobedience, and hostility toward authority figures, especially parents and teachers. ODD is estimated to occur in 2 to 16 percent of children. The Child Study Center, part of the Department of Psychology and the College of Science at Virginia Tech, is offering free assessment and treatment for parents and children who meet the following criteria, as specified by the American Psychiatric Association: frequent arguing significant oppositional behavior irritability temper outbursts persistent stubbornness aggressiveness “To date, the predominant approach to the treatment of ODD has been parent management training (PMT),” said Thomas Ollendick, University Distinguished Professor of Psychology and director of the Child Study Center. In recent years, experts in the field have proposed an alternative model of the treatment of ODD. This model of intervention is called Collaborative Problem-Solving (CPS). “CPS emphasizes identification of the specific psychological and biological factors underlying a child’s oppositional behavior and addressing these factors through application of diverse psychosocial behavioral treatment methods,” Ollendick said. “A critical feature of the CPS is the involvement of parents in the training of children’s affective modulation and self-regulation skills so as to better regulate and control their behavior.” The study will be the first in the nation to compare the two types of treatment for ODD. Children must be between 8 and 12 years old and exhibit all or most of the behavior characteristics listed above. For more information or to determine if your family is eligible to participate, please contact the Virginia Tech Child Study Center at 540/231-8276 or visit www.psyc.vt.edu/centers/csc/. Bowden Essay continued Professor Beate Schmittmann, the physics department chair, agrees that communication skills are essential even – and especially – in highly technical disciplines like physics. “As a physicist, no matter what role you have in your work life, you always have to communicate with people from very different backgrounds,” she explained. “Only part of your audience will be fellow physicists. The other part will be business partners, the general public, your co-workers, and your boss. You need to be able to communicate with these people what it is that you are doing and why it is important.” Bowden spent much of his youth in Kentucky. He enrolled at what is now Murray State University, in Murray, Ky., intending to become an architect or engineer. “When I took my first physics course I was hooked,” Bowden said. “It was just one of those things I could do well. It was mathematical. It tickled my interest, my curiosity. I love all those things physicists love. We love puzzles. We love discovery. We love to learn.” In 1956, Bowden moved to Blacksburg to get his master’s in physics. More than a half-century later, he is still here. After completing his Ph.D. at Virginia Tech in 1963, he got a postdoctoral appointment, which later converted to a tenure track position. Getting Virginia Tech degrees has become a tradition in Bowden’s family. His sons Todd and Brent both have bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the school. Brent returned to the university as a laboratory specialist in biological sciences after spending some years at the National Institutes of Health. Todd is expected to complete his doctorate in instructional design and technology this year. He recently won Governor Tim Kaine’s Learning Apps Development Challenge by creating an Apple iPhone app – called Number Line – to help middle-schoool students learn about fractions, decimals, and percentages. Bowden continues to attend weekly colloquia run by the physics department, in which speakers present on topics in their fields. For a retired professor like him, he said, it’s natural to stay involved with a university that has played such a major role in one’s life. “I would recommend it to any [emeritus professor] who thinks he or she has the time,” Bowden said. “In fact, I would recommend taking the time. It’s just one of those things that keeps you alive. The brain doesn’t stop just because you’re retired.” What’s Up in the College of Science? Visit www.science.vt.edu and find out! VT/0930/23M/100157 Say hello to the future. Professor of Geological Sciences Michael F. Hochella Jr. Help explore tomorrow’s universe and improve life on earth. Your future gift for the College of Science can help train tomorrow’s scientists and support research that will touch everything from nanoparticles to the stars – and beyond. From the water we drink to the air we breathe to the galaxies we explore, you can make a difference for generations to come. Simply name the Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc. as a beneficiary of an estate gift in your will or trust or as a beneficiary of your IRA or other retirement plan, and continue to fully enjoy your assets throughout your lifetime. Or create a charitable gift annuity or charitable trust that will pay you lifetime income and provide tax and other benefits. Either way, you will have the pleasure of knowing your gift to the future is already in place. Invent the future. Begin today. Learn more. Contact Jenny Orzolek Email: jorzolek@vt.edu Phone: 540/231-2801 or 800/533-1144 Visit www.givingto.vt.edu NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID BLACKSBURG, VA 24060 PERMIT #28 College of Science College of Science Administration (0405) Blacksburg VA 24061 Invent the Future DRIVE YOUR HOKIE SPIRIT TO SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS Did you know that with more than 18,000 university plates in circulation, Virginia Tech is No. 1 in college license plate sales in Virginia? Better yet, each new tag and annual renewal generates $15 for university scholarship funds. Visit www. vt.edu/techtags for more information about Tech Tags. If you live out of state, there are plenty of opportunities to show us your Hokie license plate spirit and win prizes as well. Become a fan COLLEGE OF SCIENCE Be a fan of Virginia Tech Tags on Facebook. Follow on Twitter Follow @techtags on Twitter. The winner will be announced on Twitter on Nov. 21, 2009. ADMINISTRATION Lay Nam Chang Dean ADVANCEMENT Catherine Doss Communications Manager Jack Finney Associate Dean for Administrative and Faculty Affairs Nancy Ross Associate Dean for Research, Graduate Studies, and Outreach Janet Sanders Director of Finance and Business Affairs Jill Sible Associate Dean for Curriculum, Instruction, and Advising Tim Howland Associate Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations DEPARTMENT HEADS Biochemistry Peter Kennelly Biological Sciences Robert Jones Chemistry Joe Merola Robin Jackson Director of Alumni Relations Economics Hans Haller Jenny Orzolek Director of Development Mathematics Peter Haskell Geosciences Ken Eriksson Physics Beate Schmittmann Jerry Via Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Instruction Deborah Wilson Career Services Coordinator Tweet a picture of your Tech Tag using Twitpic to enter to win a $100 gift card to the Virginia Tech University Bookstore. Psychology Robert Stephens Statistics Eric Smith www.science.vt.edu