Department of Biology

6th ANNUAL DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

NEWSLETTER

 CU-COLORADO SPRINGS

 Spring/Summer 2001

http://www.uccs.edu/~biology

Colorado Springs, CO 80918

(719) 255-3266

Kellie Goforth

Kellie Goforth was awarded one of the first Gates Millenium Scholarships. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation donated a sizeable amount of money to the United Negro College Fund to administer this prestigious scholarship. The purpose of the scholarship is "aimed at expanding access and opportunity to higher education to those citizens who will help reflect the diverse society in which we live. The Foundation established this initiative to encourage and support students in completing college and in continuing on to earn masters and doctorate degrees in disciplines where ethnic and racial groups are currently under-represented." The scholarship pays all of Kellie's loans and workstudy for one year; there is also the potential of renewal. She is married and is raising an energetic two year old boy. This semester Kellie is enrolled in 16 hours of upper division biology courses. In addition to her studies, Kellie is also teaching one Anatomy & Physiology laboratory section and is working in Dr. Newell's research laboratory on a project on the Leishmania parasite. Kellie is an exceptional student with a GPA of 3.7. After graduation next fall Kellie plans to attend medical school. Congratulations Kellie!

The Annual Biology Department End-of-the-Year Awards picnic was held at lunch on Wednesday, 25 April. The picnic was held on the lawn behind the Science building. Luckily, the weather was beautiful with temperatures reaching into the 70s. Outstanding students in our required courses were recognized: Olivia Rudolphi for Biol 110, Christopher Smith for Biol 115, Aimee Melton for Biol 302, Penny Stevens for Biol 383 and Deanna Ward for Biol 481.

Sarah Danti presented her Honors Thesis to the Department faculty 2 May. She will be graduating with High Distinction in Biology. She will be moving to Atlanta after graduation where she hopes to work in a research laboratory at Emory University.

Marie Moeller was awarded both the top Biology undergraduate and outstanding Natural Science undergraduate in LAS. Marie is graduating this spring and will attend Medical School at the University of Iowa in the fall. Lisa Villalobos-Menuey received the award for top MBS student this year. Lisa is presently completing her MBS thesis under the supervision of Dr. Karen Newell. Both Lisa and Ileana Vargas, another MBS student, have been awarded NIH minority supplements to Dr. Newell's grants. These awards will fund Lisa's and Ileana's research. Dr. Newell also obtained money from the Stevenson Foundation for a new MBS student, Jacki Reeves-Pepin. Her thesis work will involve plant derivatives and their effects on immune recognition. Marie, Lisa and Jacki were recognized at the LAS Awards Ceremony held 26 April. The Dean of LAS presided over the ceremonies; both Vice- Chancellor Pierce and Chancellor Shade were in attendance. A reception followed the ceremony.

Brad Stoehr is another graduate student enrolled in the MBS program in Biology. His thesis work involves "the investigation of docosahexanoic acid & docosapentanoic acid metabolism in Schizochytrium". Brad's thesis advisor is Dr. Guerra. Brad's research is being funded by OmegaTech, a biotech company in Boulder, and by a graduate student grant funded by CIRB. Congratulations, Brad!

The Zaebst Scholorship for next year was awarded to Debra Stirling. This fellowship was established by the parents of Dr. Fred Zaebst in memory of Fred, a faculty member in the department in the 1980s. Zaebst Fellows receive $3000 toward their tuition and are expected to do some kind of service for the department in return for the funds.

Dr. James Mattoon announced his retirement last fall. The faculty have nominated him for Emeritus status. Dr. Mattoon maintained an active research laboratory for many years, frequently collaborating with researchers around the globe. Biology students could meet and interact with researchers from Europe, Asia, and South America in Dr. Mattoon's laboratory. Dr. Mattoon had an impact on many students since for many years he taught Genetics, a course required for graduation. Many other students will also remember Dr. Mattoon's interest in biotechnology and brewing technology and his willingness to help any student interested in research. He supervised many MBS students and several Ph.D students, including Al Plummer, an African-American, who received his Ph.D from CU-Health Sciences Center. Dr. Mattoon and Dr. Swartzendruber were also the co-founders of the CU-Colorado Springs Biotechnology Center. Because Dr. Mattoon will remain the Director of the Biotechnology Center, we know that he is not really retiring!

Last summer Dr. Douglas Swartzendruber resigned his post as Chair of the Department of Biology, a position he held for about 12 years. During his tenure as Chair he successfully guided the Department through the many changes taking place on campus. In December Dr. Douglas Swartzendruber suprised everyone with the announcement that he was retiring as soon as the semester was completed and moving to California. We wish him luck in his new endeavors! Former students wishing to contact him may continue to use his CU email address (dswartze@mail.uccs.edu).

On Saturday evening, October 28, 2000, over 65 friends, alumni, staff and faculty of the Department gathered in the Gallery for Contemporary Art for the third Dinner Gala and Fundraiser. This year's Gala honored Dr. Jim Mattoon's retirement. The dinner, auction and donations totaled over $3,000, which were added to the Biotechnology Center Endowment.