Department of Biology

EDMUND R. BURKE, 1949-2002

Ed Burke, professor of biology, died of an apparent heart attack Thursday 7 November 2002 while bicycling with friends on Gold Camp road. News spread rapidly of Ed's death and it was reported on the front page of the Gazette. Notes of remembrance and condolence were posted (still there as of May) at www.Velonews.com, a web site devoted to competitive bicycling. A memorial was also recently published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Reseach, a publication of the National Strength & Conditioning Association. A memorial service was held at the Lodge on campus 13 November. The service was attended by Ed's family, former and current students, faculty, and friends. Chris Carmichael, cycling coach to Lance Armstrong, spoke. He referred to Ed as "an author, researcher, educator, husband and friend". He also presented to Ed's wife, Kathleen, one of Lance Armstrong's yellow jerseys with "we lost a good man" written on it. Ed had written numerous books and articles, most recently publishing the 2nd edition of Optimal Muscle Recovery. The Department of Biology has established the Ed Burke Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Department has contributed $5000. When contributions reach $25,000, the Department can convert the fund into a self-sustaining endowment. Students interested in exercise science and biomechanics will then be able to compete annually for these funds. The Recreational Sports and Fitness Department Coordinator Matt Gaden donated the proceeds of nearly $3000 from the 2nd annual UCCS Bash the Bluffs (5k and 10k) race to the fund. The races were held Saturday 26 April. The weather was perfect and about 200 students and local runners turned out for the events. Matt did a wonderful job lining up sponsors and receiving donations: there were free massages, plenty of food and drink, and numerous door prizes. We still need $10,000 to reach our goal! Contributions in remembrance of Ed are still being collected (checks written to CU Foundation) and should be sent to the Department.

5th ANNUAL BIOLOGY GALA LAUNCHES 'COLORADO ON THE MOVE' IN COLORADO SPRINGS

The annual Gala, originally scheduled for Saturday 26 October, was moved to Friday 28 February.

Dr. Jim Hill

Dr. Jim Hill, Director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the CU-Health Sciences Center was the keynote speaker at a luncheon held in the Lodge. His talk was entitled, "The Role of Exercise in the Obesity Epidemic". This talk was followed by a second presentation to launch Colorado Springs on the Move. This is a program that was designed by Dr. Hill to help people stay fit and lean and involves only a simple walking program that is monitored by wearing a pedometer. Dr. Hill's research has determined that if people walk about 2000 extra steps per day (above their baseline/average), they will not add the extra pound that most Americans gain annually. Dr. Hill launched the program on the steps of the state Capitol in October and collected baseline data on Coloradoans in Pueblo. Currently, 24% of Coloradoans walk 2500-5000, 31% walk 5000-7500 and 20% walk 7500-10,000 baseline steps per day. Colorado Springs Is the 4th community to support this program. Introduction of this program was held in the Science Auditorium and was open to the public. The only requirement for the program is a pedometer. More information about the program, and for ordering pedometers is at: www.coloradoonthemove.org. Dr. Hill has received national attention from this program. He has been interviewed by USA Today and Good Morning America. He plans to launch 'America on the Move' sometime this summer. Proceeds from the luncheon also went towards the Ed Burke Memorial Scholarship Fund.

INSTITUTE OF BIOENERGETICS

31 January 2003 marked the inauguration of the CU-Institute of Bioenergetics. This is the first research Institute to be housed at UCCS. The purpose of the Institute is to build a multidisciplinary approach to understanding cellular metabolism and communication with the intention of eventually treating or curing serious diseases. The Institute's brainchild and Chief Executive Scientific Director is Dr. Karen Newell, of biology. The Co-Director is Dr. Robert Camley, of physics. The opening was held at the Lodge and was attended by Chancellor Pamela Shockley, VCAA Tom Bellamy and Deans Haefner and Nolan. Short scientific talks, presented by Drs. Zawada of CU-HSC, Burkhart and Celinksi, of UCCS physics, and Benight and Qualls, of UCCS pyschology, illustrated current and potential interdisciplinary research carried out by Institute researchers. Four well known researchers also spoke. Dr. Barbara Osborne, of the University of MA presented a talk entitled, "Cell Death-Why do we care?", Dr. Richard Goldsby, of Amherst College spoke on " A Cow Could Save your Life". This was followed by " A Vaccine Could Save your Life", presented by Dr. Peter Bretscher of the University of Saskatchewan. Lastly, Dr. Luis Benitez-Bribiesca, of Instituto Medical Seguridad, in Mexico presented a talk on 'The Death of Cancer Cells". A reception was held at the conclusion of the scientific program, with music provided by the local 'physics' band. Currently the Institute sponsors research for postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and undergraduate students. The Institute's web site is: web.uccs.edu/cubioenergetics.edu. Congratulations! We look forward to hearing about future successes in research.

CONGRATULATIONS STUDENTS

Patrick Reischling was voted the top MBS student this year. He graduated from UCCS in 2001 with a BA in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. His course work included Analytical Techniques in Exercise Physiology, Advanced Nutrition and Biomechanics. His current thesis work involves biomechanical testing at the Medical Education and Research Institute of Colorado. He is doing in vitro testing of fixation techniques for three-part proximal humeral fractures. Fracture fixation integrity is being evaluated in both bending and shear loading conditions, simulating common upper extremity loading situations. Data from this research will hopefully be used to direct future surgical management techniques and strategies for these serious upper arm fractures.

The Annual Biology Department End-of-the-Year Awards picnic was held on Wednesday, 7 May. Top students in our required classes received their choice of CU-related gifts. These students included : Matt Rice for Biol 302, Allison Wood for Biol 383, Rasha Barsoum for Biol 481. Several students graduated with Departmental Honors this spring, including Rafael Vega, working with Dr. Melamede, and Cecily DuPree, working with Dr. Berry-Lowe. They both graduated with High Distinction in Biology. In addition Gayle Wilson, working with Dr. Newell was awarded Highest Distinction. The Zaebst Scholarship for next year has been awarded to 3 students: Darah Evans, Sara Stroud and Bethany Whitehorn. Cecily DuPree was awarded the Berthrong Scholarship. At the LAS Awards ceremony held on 1 May, Gayle Wilson received recognition as the top undergraduate student in Biology and it was announced that biology majors Olivia Rudolphi and Bethany Whitehorn were selected as LAS Academic Scholarship recipients. Congratulations, students!