Department of Biology

CU-COLORADO SPRINGS

Spring/Summer 2002

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

PO Pox 7150

Colorado Springs, CO

80933-7150

(719) 262-3266

Dr. Malueg

Last year was a busy year for faculty with several searches. Instructor Jill Morin, who had taught many of the introductory biology labs for years decided to take some time off to devote more time to her family. Dr. Kathi Malueg was then hired as an Instructor for some of the introductory labs and as the lecturer for Biol 115. She also took over teaching Biol 110 in the fall for Dr. Berry-Lowe. Dr. Malueg received her Ph.D in Botany at the University of Tennessee in 1998. She taught several botany, biology, and chemistry courses at the University of Tennessee and at Pikes Peak Community College before coming to UCCS. Dr. Malueg has been active in integrating computer technologies into the general biology courses. She and Dr. Berry-Lowe were awarded a Teaching & Learning Partnership Grant to develop computer materials to supplement the general biology course next year (e.g., homework, study modules, on-line quizzes). Dr. Malueg also received a Teaching Enhancement Grant for the purchase of gel electrophoresis equipment for the biology labs.

Dr. Broker

Dr. Jeff Broker just completed his first year as a new faculty member in Biology. Dr. Broker received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University and his MS and Ph.D in Kinesiology from UCLA. He has extensive experience in bio-mechanics. Most recently Dr. Broker was employed by the US Olympic Committee as Senior Sport Biomechanist. This year Dr. Broker taught Biomechanics (Biol 455) and Statistics for Biologists (Biol 300). This fall he'll be introducing a new undergraduate/graduate level course entitled: Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury. In addition to teaching, Dr.Broker supported the US Alpine Ski team at the Olympic Games in Salt LakeCity this winter. His services involved videotaping practice runs for the downhill and downhill combined events, rapidly processing the videos in comparative/ overlay format, and then meeting with coaches and athletes during strategic planning sessions prior to competing. He continues to work with elite athlete programs in Colorado Springs (USA Volleyball, Cycling, and Triathlon) and will be performing an analysis of long and triple jumpers at the US National Track & Field Champion-ships at Stanford University in June. Finally, Dr. Broker's laboratory will be taking shape this summer, with collaborative efforts involving the US Olympic Committee and the Medical Education and Research Institute of Colorado (MERIC), a non-profit orthopedic group here in town.

Dr. Melamede

Also joining the faculty as Associate Professor and Chair of the Department in the fall 2002 semester was Dr. Bob Melamede. Dr. Melamede received his Ph.D in Biochemistry from City University of New York in 1980. Recently, Dr. Melamede has been Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont and Director of the LCCRO Monoclonal Facility. In addition to his Chair duties, he is teaching Microbiology (Biol 203) and establishing his research laboratory. His research interests center around free radicals: the damage that they produce in DNA, the repair of these damages, the use of phage display technology to make monoclonal antibodies to DNA damage and their repair enzymes, the central role that free radicals play in living systems as explored through the perspective of open system thermodynamics, and the mechanisms by which endogenous cannabinoids (marijuana-like com-pounds that our bodies produce) inhibit free radical based disease states such as cancer, auto-immune diseases, cardiovascular disease and neuronal deterioration.

ITS NOW DR. GADDIS

Barbara Gaddis, Director of the Science Learning Center for the past 10 years earned her Ph.D in Educational Leadership from CU-Denver last spring. Her thesis was titled, "Conceptual change in an organic chemistry laboratory: A comparison of computer simulations and traditional laboratory experiments". Dr. Gaddis, known to all as a whirlwind of activity, immediately wrote a successful grant proposal to NSF on, "Developing web-based assessment tools to diagnose mis-conceptions in undergraduate biology classes". Congratulations Barbara!

RECEPTION HONORS DR. NEWELL

A reception was held in the Gallery of Contemporary Art on Friday 17 May to honor Dr. Newell for her role in obtaining grant money to develop a Bioinformatics emphasis at UCCS and in appreciation for her role in fostering interdisciplinary, intra- and intercampus interactions.

THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Although the natural history museum is less than a year old, it has already undergone some renovations. A new skin cabinet was purchased to store the expanding collection, requiring some rearrangements. Several new mounts were also obtained, including a coyote and a 2 year old bear, found electrocuted on the Academy grounds. The museum now has a collection of over 400 specimens.

BIOINFORMATICS COMING TO UCCS

Beginning in the fall of 2001, several faculty, including Dr. Newell, Dr. Mattoon, Director of the Biotechnology Center, Dr. Carlson of Mathematics, Drs. Kalita and Semwal of Computer Science and others in Biology met weekly to discuss the emerging field of Bioinformatics. All agreed that offering courses in bioinformatics could benefit UCCS students seeking to enter graduate school or the biotechnology industry. They discussed bioinformatics from different perspectives and possible courses and course content. Seed money to jump start a bioinformatics emphasis was obtained by Dr. Karen Newell in collaboration with faculty from other campuses, including Drs. Harvey Greenberg, Larry Hunter, and Boris Tabakoff from the Center for Computational Pharmacology at UC-HSC. The grant included funds to hire a Visiting Assistant Professor for one year. Dr. Dana Fields has been hired and will teach two new courses, Biology for Computer Scientists (Biol 206) and Computer Skills for Biologists (Biol 404/504). Michael Place (MBS '00) has successfully constructed a parallel processing computer cluster that will be used by Dr. Fields to do computational research on ribosome structure. Dr.Kalita will teach Bioinformatics (CS509) for students in Computer Science. Grant funds will also provide scholarships for students working on bioinformatics projects.

 TOP MBS STUDENT

Major Dan Lykins was voted the top MBS student this year. He was an MBS student with a US Air Force connection. His thesis, entitled "Laser Bioeffects: Differential Protein Expression Of Cultured Human Melanocytes Treated with 532 nm Picosecond Pulse Laser-Light", used parallel immunologic assays of western blotted protein samples to asses the effects of a pulsed laser on human skin. Important findings included an increase in proteins involved in proteolysis, decreased mitosis, and decreased apoptotic signaling. In English, for those who are not molecular biologists: treatment with green laser light seemed to set human skin cancer cells back on their heels, and though many protein quantities differed from controls, the cells elected not to commit cell suicide. Significance of the work lies in the area of refining laser exposure safety standards and also demonstrating a human model for laser exposure. Dan will be the fall 2002 Course Director for the Air Force Academy's introductory biology course, which is given to over 1,000 cadets each year. He's also enjoying (hard at work!) teaching cadets to fly the sailplanes and motorgliders you see when you drive past the Academy. Dan may be contacted at: dan.lykins @usafa.af.mil.

AWARDS PICNIC

The Annual Biology Department End-of-the-Year Awards picnic was held on Wednesday, 8 May. The picnic was moved into the Science building when rain (the first in months) threatened. Top students in our required classes received their choice of CU-related gifts. These students included : Sara Stroud for Biol 110, Allison Wood for Biol 115, Chong Nguyen for Biol 302, Michele Sampayan for Biol 383, Jana Smith for Biol 481. In addition, Sarah Schroeder received an award for Biol 582. Two students graduated with Departmental Honors this spring. Deanna Ward, working with Dr. Mattoon, and John Dunn, working with Dr. Berry-Lowe, both graduated with Highest Distinction in Biology. The Zaebst Scholorship for next year has been awarded to David Balyeat and The Berthrong Scholarship has been awarded to Christa Ford. Congratulations, students!

FOURTH ANNUAL BIOLOGY GALA HONORS THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

The Biology Gala Dinner was held Saturday evening, October 28, 2001. An innovation this year was the addition of a lecture by an invited speaker. Dr. Henry Harlow from the University of Wyoming gave a lecture on "Muscle protein and strength retention in hibernating black bears during natural denning." Over 100 people attended the lecture and the wine & cheese reception to celebrate the opening of the Natural History Museum. After the reception 50 people attended the dinner, featuring bison meat, and auction. Monies raised from the dinner and auction went to support the Natural History Museum.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

THE FIFTH ANNUAL BIOLOGY DEPARTMENTAL GALA WILL BE SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER 2002. YOU ARE ALL INVITED-CALL DR. PIGAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

bbb HONORARY BIOLOGY SOCIETY

On 20 March, 24 new student members were inducted into the Phi Iota chapter. The induction ceremony, held in the UCCS Gallery of Contemporary Art, was followed by a reception with food supplied by the Biology faculty. Many family members also attended the reception. On 20 April, Tri-Beta co-sponsored the 7th Annual Allied Health Panel. The Medical Society Club and Student Government also sponsored the event. During the presentation, the panelists answered questions prepared by Kathy Reid. Afterwards, students met with individual panel members. Two former students were members of the panel: Susan Bowles, a physical therapist and Bob Andrus, now a dentist in Pueblo.

SEVENTH ANNUAL ROCKY MTN MICROBREWING SYMPOSIUM

The symposium was held on 15 February. It was sponsored by the Biotechnology Center and Brewing-Science Institute. Several outstanding speakers from across the US participated together with individuals from Colorado microbreweries and pub breweries. The emphasis of the sessions was technical. The symposium was attended by 115 registered guests. It is the only such symposium held in the Rocky Mountain region. The Biotech-nology Center also sponsors two laboratory workshops on brewing microbiology during the year.

HEALTH AND FITNESS DAY

THE 2nd HEALTH AND FITNESS DAY was held in January. It was attended by over 100 participants, mostly local educators. Participants could choose to attend sessions focussing on Health-related issues or Coaching-related issues. It was cosponsored by the Biology Department and CU-Cross Country Team.

DID YOU KNOW?

You can get CU license plates for your car. Contact the Alumni Office.

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A double major in Biology and Chemistry is now easier than ever. A course plan is posted on the web page.

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The MBS Program now has an option in Forensics. Approval of an option in Bioinformatics is expected soon.

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Tax-deductible contributions to support the Biology Department or specific faculty are always welcome.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR STUDENTS IN THEIR FUTURE ENDEAVORS!!!

Graduating students will receive a campus questionnaire within the next 18 months. It will include a Biology Department survey. Even if you don't fill out the campus survey, please fill out and return the Biology survey.

KEEP IN TOUCH!

We would like to hear from you. Please contact Dr. Berry-Lowe by email or snail mail with any updates or corrections. In addition, if you would like us to post your address to fellow students, or update them on your activities, let us know and we will publish it here and on our web page.

FACULTY

• Dr. Jackie Berning: jberning@mail.uccs.edu
• Dr. Sandra Berry-Lowe: slblowe@mail.uccs
• Dr. Jeff Broker: jbroker@mail.uccs.edu
• Dr. Ed Burke: eburke@sportscience.com
• Dr. Daniel Guerra: dguerra@mail.uccs.edu
• Dr. Kathi Malueg: kmalueg@mail.uccs.edu
• Dr. James Mattoon, Emeritus: jmattoon@mail.uccs.edu
• Dr. Bob Melamede: rmelamed@mail.uccs.edu
• Dr. Karen Newell: mnewell@mail.uccs.edu
• Dr. Jon Pigage: jpigage@mail.uccs.edu