Frontier s · 2019-03-29 · Cover photo: Nevin Young, professor of plant biology and pathology, and Kate VandenBosch, FRONTIERSSPRING 2002 3 professor and head of plant biology,

FrontiersSpring 2002

M A G A Z I N E O F T H E C O L L E G E O F B I O L O G I C A L S C I E N C E SM A G A Z I N E O F T H E C O L L E G E O F B I O L O G I C A L S C I E N C E S

Evolution in a test tubepage 7

Cedar Creek NaturalHistory Area page 10

Inside

Eco-friendly

crop plants

With a $3 million

NSF grant, plant

biologists are study-

ing how legumes

harvest their own

nitrogen. The

research could help

make agriculture

more environmen-

tally friendly.

201599 Frontiers Spring 02 4/15/02 8:09 PM Page 2

When the Nobel Prizes are awarded in Sweden every December, most Swedes

stop what they’re doing to watch the live broadcast on television. And the

next day every angle, from who wore or said what to more scholarly topics,

is covered by the media—tabloids as well as daily newspapers. The ceremo-

ny is a very formal affair, not unlike a coronation. The king and queen preside

over the event, which is held in the national opera house. And everyone, from

spectators in the back row to the recipients on stage, is dressed to the gills.

You might say the American equivalent isthe Academy Awards or perhaps the SuperBowl. To be sure, we have many awardsand ceremonies for honoring entertainersand athletes, but our society just doesn’tvalue scholarly achievements in the sameway. It’s unfortunate, because our academ-ic stars are the people who will find solu-tions to our most pressing problems, notour movie stars and athletes.

Perhaps the only time academia gets a lit-tle limelight in the U.S. is every spring, ascolleges and universities nationwide holdcommencement ceremonies. Of coursemost of these ceremonies aren’t broadcaston network television, but they may merita few seconds on local airwaves. And thereis a kind of pause, at least for graduates,faculty, and parents, as we proudly send anew group of graduates into the world.

Here at the College of Biological Sciences,commencement means a lot. You mightsay it’s our own version of the Nobel Prizesor the Academy Awards. Diplomas are nothanded out by a king and queen, guestsdon’t wear tails, and there are no paparazziwaiting on the steps of Northrop Auditori-um to snap photos of graduates. But it’sthe most important day of the year for fac-ulty, students, and their families. It’s also atime when we pause to take a look atwhere we’ve been and where we’re going asa College, and how we can better addressthe problems of the day and of the future.

This year, Bachelor of Science degrees willbe awarded to 261 students. We’re veryproud of this group of young men and

Fromthe dean

Dean Robert Elde

women. Thirty are eligible to graduatewith honors. Many have been acceptedinto competitive professional and graduateprograms around the country. In additionto their studies, they have been active infaculty research laboratories and havefound time for involvement in studentgovernance, music programs, varsity ath-letics, and service to refugees and innercity children. Many have had enrichingexperiences through exchange programs incountries from Costa Rica to Denmark,Kenya to Japan. They represent our bestefforts and hopes for the future of biology.Added to that, we will present three Out-standing Alumni Awards, an honorarydoctorate, and recognize several facultymembers for distinguished teaching. Youcan read more about these awards andtheir recipients inside this issue.

I don’t know if any of our graduates will goon to win a Nobel Prize (or a Crafoord orKyoto award for science). But I do knowthat they, along with other bright youngpeople of their generation, will inheritresponsibility for solving critical biologicalproblems, from cancer and infectious dis-eases, to environmental threats, to feedingthe world’s growing population. They aretruly deserving of our admiration andapplause.

Robert EldeDean, College of Biological Sciences

John

Nol

tner

And the Academia Award for Best Biologist goes to…


2 From the dean

4 CBS newsNew degree in Biology, Society, and the Environment;

Benefits of biocatalysis; Faculty teaching and research awards;

Remembering Magnus Olson and Thomas Morley.

7 Evolution in a test tubeClaudia Schmidt-Dannert is speeding up evolution to create new drugs.

8 Eco-friendly crop plantsYou know legumes are good for you. But did you

know they’re good for the environment?

10 Living laboratoryCedar Creek Natural History Area, a living laboratory for ecologists, celebrates

its 60th anniversary.

12 It’s a small worldPlankton, algae, and bacteria play big roles in freshwater

ecosystems.

14 Dynamic, durable DNAA team of researchers looks at how the human genome

replicates and repairs itself each time a cell divides.

16 Celebrating excellenceThis spring the U will present Outstanding Alumni Achievement awards to three

CBS alums and an honorary doctorate to Emeritus Professor Margaret Davis.

16 Alumni News

17 Class Notes

Contents FrontiersSpring 2002Volume 4 Number 4

Dean

Robert EldeEditor

Peggy RinardAdvisers

Janene Connelly, Director of Development and External RelationsJudd Sheridan, Associate Dean Paul Germscheid, Development CoordinatorEmily Johnston, Alumni RelationsCoordinatorLija Greenseid, Development AssistantIssue Design and Layout

Shawn Welch, U of M Printing ServicesOriginal Design

Elizabeth Longhurst

Frontiers is published three times a yearby the University of Minnesota Collegeof Biological Sciences for alumni, faculty,staff, and friends of the college. It isavailable in alternative formats uponrequest; please call 612-624-0774 or fax612-624-2785.

Address correspondence to:Frontiers Editor College of Biological Sciences 123 Snyder Hall, 1475 Gortner Ave. St. Paul, MN 55108 e-mail: [email protected]

For information on College of BiologicalSciences programs and services, visit ourWeb site at www.cbs.umn.edu.

The University of Minnesota is committedto the policy that all persons shall haveequal access to its programs, facilities, andemployment without regard to race, color,creed, religion, national origin, sex, age,marital status, disability, public assistancestatus, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

Printed on elementally chlorine-free recycled paper containing 20 percent post-consumer waste.

F RO N T I E R S S PR I NG 2002 3Cover photo: Nevin Young, professor of plant biology and pathology, and Kate VandenBosch, professor and head of plant biology, study a model legume plant in a laboratory growth chamber.


Volunteer opportunities.

CBS News

4 F RO N T I E R S S PR I NG 2002

CBS will offer a B.S. degree in

Biology, Society, and the Envi-

ronment beginning fall 2002.

The interdisciplinary major

combines training in biology

with an examination of its

relationship to society and the

relevance of biology to social

and environmental problems.

Students may choose a theme

to integrate their studies.

Examples include the global

environment; the ethics, eco-

nomics, and politics of health

care; biology and the U.S.

government; and communi-

cating biology to the public.

Students and advisers will

design a program drawing

from courses offered through-

out the University. This new

option is offered jointly by

CBS and the College of Liber-

al Arts and replaces the CLA

B.A. degree in biology. For

more information, contact

John Beatty, program director,

a t 6 1 2 - 6 2 4 - 6 7 4 9 o r

[email protected].

Tom Soulen, who retires thisspring, will end his tenure at theCollege of Biological Scienceswith one of the U’s highest honors—the John Tate Award for Excel-lence in Undergraduate Advising.The award is given for sustainedand substantial contributions toundergraduate advising.

Soulen, who earned B.A.,M.S., and Ph.D. degrees at theUniversity of Wisconsin, Madi-son, came to the University ofMinnesota as an assistant profes-sor of botany in 1964. He headedthe plant biology departmentfrom 1985 to 1988, and has directed under-graduate studies since 1976. Previous honorsfor teaching include the Horace T. Morse–Min-nesota Alumni Association Award for Out-standing Contributions to Undergraduate Edu-cation (1991) and the Stanley Dagley–SamuelKirkwood Undergraduate Education Award.

“Tom has had a huge impact on under-graduate programs during his 37 years here,”says Kate VandenBosch, head of plant biology.“Being new, I have benefited greatly from hisknowledge and feel fortunate to have been hiscolleague. His value among longtime colleagues

and students is reflected in many comments I’veheard about his integrity, concern for qualityeducation, and emphasis on putting the stu-dents' needs first.”

Soulen says he doesn’t plan to vanish onthe day he retires, but will still be on campussome. He plans to spend more time with fami-ly, including several grandchildren who live intown, and will enjoy having more time for read-ing, concerts, theatre, and bird watching.

“Nothing glamorous,” he says, but withmy wife, Marillyn, retiring about the same timewe’re surely looking forward to having morechances to do the things we enjoy.”

Tom Soulen, professor of plant biology

Soulen retires summa cum laude

The College of Biological Sciences and Institute of Technology recently pub-lished a paper summarizing discussion and conclusions from the November, 2001program “A Forum on a New Science and New Industry in Minnesota: Biocatalysisand its Synergy with Healthy Ecosystems.” The paper shows how biocatalysis (use ofrenewable resources and biological processes)can support the ecological health of the Earthand launch a profitable new industry forMinnesota. For a copy of the paper, call 612-625-7705.

Biodegradable products made by Cargill-Dow, Inc. from a polymer derived from corn arecited as an example of biocatalysis in the paper.The polymer, called PLA, was recently approvedby the federal government as a new fiber, join-ing the ranks of nylon, rayon, and polyester.

Good for the Earth, good for the economy

CBS offers new

B.S. degree


Tony Starfield, ecology, evolution,and behavior, and Leslie Schiff, microbi-ology, are among 22 U of M faculty hon-ored at the Distinguished TeachingAward ceremony on April 22. Starfieldwas recognized for his contributions tograduate education. A mathematical biol-ogist in the Department of Ecology, Evo-lution, and Behavior, he teaches DecisionAnalysis and Modeling in ConservationBiology. Schiff, director of undergraduatestudies in the Department of Microbiol-ogy, received the 2002 Horace T.Morse–University of Minnesota AlumniAward for Outstanding Contributions toUndergraduate Education.

Bianca Conte-Fine was named oneof two Distinguished Women Scholarsfor 2002 by the Office of UniversityWomen. Conte-Fine, a professor of bio-chemistry, molecular biology, and bio-physics, conducts basic research onautoimmune diseases. The award is co-

sponsored by the Office of the Vice Pres-ident for Research and Dean of theGraduate School, the Office for Univer-sity Women, and the Office for Multi-cultural and Academic Affairs.

Gary Nelsestuen, biochemistry,molecular biology, and biophysics,received an Outstanding MinnesotaInventor award from the MinnesotaIntellectual Property Law Association.His design of an anti-clotting protein hasbeen licensed to Eli Lilly as a treatmentfor septic shock. He has also designed animproved version of clotting factor VII, adrug that could potentially reduce treat-ment costs for hemophilia.

Pete Snustad, plant biology, andMichael Simmons, genetics, cell biology,and development, will publish the thirdedition of their textbook, “Principles ofGenetics” in June. The book is in useworldwide as a standard text.

F RO N T I E R S S PR I NG 2002 5

Professor David Tilman honored David Tilman delivered a lecture on biodiversity at the Bell Museum in February to

celebrate his appointment as McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair of Ecology. The lec-ture, titled “Biodiversity: Optimizing Ecosystem Services on a Human DominatedEarth,” focused on the importance of supporting ecosystems so they will continue to pro-vide essential services—such as clean air, water, and food—to meet needs of the Earth’s

growing population. Tilmanand his colleagues havedemonstrated that biodiversity,threatened by nitrogen pollu-tion, is key to healthy ecosys-tems. Known for elucidatingmathematical principles thatgovern ecosystem dynamics,Tilman is one of the most citedecology authors worldwide.There are only five McKnightPresidential Endowed Chairsat the University. The well-attended lecture was followedby a reception.

David Tilman (center) is joined by Dean Elde and

Robert Sterner, head of ecology, evolution, and

behavior, at the reception following Tilman's lecture.

Faculty achievements

Magnus Olson, emeritus professor ofzoology, died March 2 at age 92. BornJune 29, 1909 in Sor Fron, Gudbrands-dal, Norway, he immigrated to Minneso-ta with his parents, Ole and Elen Olson,in 1921. Olson earned his bachelor’sdegree at St. Olaf College in 1932, andreceived his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees fromthe U of M in 1934 and 1936. He was amember of the zoology department from1938 until his retirement in 1977, head-ing the department for 10 years. In 1976,he was awarded the Horace T. Morse-Uni-versity of Minnesota Alumni Award forOutstanding Contributions to Under-graduate Education. Olson is survived byNorma Moe Olson, his wife of 62 years,daughter Ellen Stannard, son StephenOlson, two granddaughters and a great-granddaughter. Olson was a gentle manheld in high regard by all who knew himand a talented illustrator, card designerand watercolorist, wood carver, and furni-ture builder. A memorial service was heldat Prospect Park Community MethodistChurch on Saturday, March 9.

Magnus Olson

In memoriam

Magnus Olson

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homas Morley, who diedon February 2 at age 85,was a quiet presence around the Bio-

logical Sciences Center, but one who wasalways keenly aware of his surroundings andworked tirelessly to preserve the naturalenvironment. He enjoyed canoeing and wasa generous contributor to the Friends of theBoundary Waters Wilderness.

Morley, a professor of plant biology,knew virtually everything there was to knowabout local and rare plants, including whereto find them. During his University of Min-nesota tenure, Morley developed an exten-sive firsthand knowledge of Minnesota’snative flora. He revised and updated Freder-ic Clements’ original Guide to Spring Flow-ers, which is now used as a standard text.With Gerald Ownbey he wrote VascularPlants of Minnesota: A Checklist and Atlas,another seminal work for the state.

Morley made his name as a planttaxonomist, one who classifies plantsaccording to their evolutionary relation-ships, but he may have made his greatestcontributions by working with theNature Conservancy to help protect planthabitats, says George Weiblen, an assis-tant professor of plant biology.

“He was deeply concerned about cli-mate change and the disappearance of rareplants and the arrivals of exotic plants,”Weiblen says.

A charter member of the Minnesotachapter of the Nature Conservancy, Mor-ley served on its board during the 1970s.He was also active in the MinnesotaNative Plant Society. He advocated forprotective measures on behalf of rareplants, including the eradication of buck-thorn, a nonnative invasive plant, in nat-ural areas of Minnesota.

Morley was born and raised in Berke-ley, California. He was active in Boy Scouts,and loved loved to hike and camp in nearbymountains. During World War II, he was acivilian airplane mechanic.

After receiving bachelor’s, master’s,and doctoral degrees in botany from theUniversity of California, Berkeley, Morleyjoined the University of Minnesota botanydepartment (now plant biology) in fall1949 to share in the teaching of taxonomywith Gerald Ownbey, who was then theherbarium curator. Morley was successfulin helping recruit ecology professor EvilleGorham and other distinguished faculty,and he advised several graduate studentswho went on to successful careers in plantbiology. He retired in 1987.

In retirement, Morley maintainedan office adjacent to the herbarium in theBiological Sciences Center. He is remem-bered for his daily walks to work across theexperimental fields, even in the coldest win-ters, and climbing the eight flights of stairsto his office, which he did until the daybefore his death. People who knew himdescribe him as a soft-spoken, kind manwho will be missed by his colleagues.

In recent months, Morley had takenWeiblen, a new member of his depart-ment, under his wing. “He constantlytyped me letters suggesting interesting top-ics for plant taxonomic studies in Min-nesota,” recalls Weiblen. “He opened hislibrary to me and said I should take what-ever I wanted. I took 40 or 50 books.”

The day before his death, Morley wentto a seminar in his department andremarked to Weiblen afterward, “I’d have tostart all over again to understand a word ofthat.” It was a comment on how much plantbiology has changed over his lifetime, withthe new emphasis on molecular genetics.

Memorials can be directed to theLake Itasca Biological Station FuturesFund and should be made out to the Uni-versity of Minnesota Foundation. Send toJanene Connelly, College of Biological Sci-ences, Room 123 Snyder Hall, 1475 Gort-ner Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108.

—Deane Morrison


Plant biologist Thomas Morley, who joined the faculty in 1949, was an expert on Min-

nesota’s native flora and an advocate for preservation.

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I N M E M O R I A M

1917–2002Thomas Morley T



magine watching the evolution of theworld through time-lapse photogra-phy. You’re not likely to see that onPBS any time soon, but something of

the kind is going on in Claudia Schmidt-Dannert’s laboratory.

Schmidt-Dannert is using what shecalls “gene shuffling” or “evolution in a testtube” to speed up evolution and createmetabolic pathways that produce new bio-molecules for use as drugs and other prod-ucts.

Although her approach is new to sci-

in nature. Microbes, plants, and animalsproduce a rich diversity of chemicals, someof which have been used as medicines forhundreds of years. Isolation and synthesisof chemicals for medicinal and other pur-poses has only been practiced during thepast century. Natural biochemicals are amuch better source for new drugs thanmanmade chemicals, she says, and usingbiotechnology is also much less complicat-ed and cheaper than chemical methods.

In cells, she explains, biochemicalsare created by an “assembly line” or meta-bolic pathway where enzymes trigger aseries of chemical reactions. In naturegenes for these pathways recombine ran-domly over time to produce new charac-teristics or activities. But Schmidt-Dan-nert stirs them up in a test tube andplaces the new sequences into E. coli cells,which then produce new biomolecules.Using a process called high-throughputscreening, she quickly evaluates tens ofthousands of biomolecules to find thosewith useful activities.

Presently, she’s using the method tocreate new carotenoids – natural pigmentsknown to have anti-cancer properties.

While plants and microbesproduce more than 600 vari-eties, only a few are availablein useful quantities. In herexperiments, she shuffles ormixes up genes for enzymesthat make carotenoids, thenplaces them in E. coli cells.

“It’s the molecular equiv-alent of human reproduc-tion,” she says. “Like humansiblings, each pathway gets adifferent shuffle, so the newmolecules are similar but notidentical.”

Because she is using genesfor these pigments, the “new-born” biomolecules turn theE. coli bacteria a variety ofshades of red, pink, yellow,and orange. She’s also workingwith prophyrins, a biochemi-cal that makes blood red andleaves green, and with ter-penoids, a large biochemicalfamily that includes cholesterol, plant oils,and taxol.

Dannert, who was named a young sci-entist to watch last year by U.S. News &World Report, came to the College of Bio-logical Sciences a year ago from CaliforniaInstitute of Technology, where she was avisiting scientist for two years. She wasdrawn to CBS by the expertise of other fac-ulty in the Division of Microbial Biochem-istry, which complements her own skillsand knowledge.

“The University of Minnesota is oneof the few academic research institutionsin the U.S. with a strong focus on micro-bial biotechnology,” Schmidt-Dannertsays. “It has many well equipped research

facilities and as one of the big researchuniversities offers expertise in a variety ofareas. Also, Minnesota appealed to mebecause of its people and nature.”

A native of Germany, Schmidt-Dan-nert earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry at theTechnical University of Braunschweig, andheaded the molecular biotechnology groupat the University of Stuttgart for a fewyears. Since she arrived at the University ofMinnesota, she has won a $1 millionequipment grant from the National Sci-ence Foundation and a Packard Fellowshipfor Science and Engineering, which carries$625,000 in funding over five years.

—Peggy Rinard

I

Claudia Schmidt-Dannert came to CBS from

California Institute of Technology.

EvolutionClaudia Schmidt-Dannert, named a rising scientific star by

U.S. News & World Report, is using in vitro evolutionary

techniques to create new biological drugs and other prod-

in a test tube

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Claudia Schmidt-Dannert, named a rising scientific star by

U.S. News & World Report, is using in vitro evolutionary tech-

niques to create new biological drugs and other products.

ence, it’s a logical extension of what happens

f your mother used to tell you to eatyour peas, she was in good company.Mothers around the world have longtold their children to eat peas and relat-

ed leguminous vegetables. Whether soy-beans, cowpeas, lima, navy, or pinto beans,legumes are defi-nitely an importantfood. They supplya third of humani-ty’s dietary protein,plus high-qualityoils and “phyto-chemicals” likeisoflavones, whichmay promote hearthealth.

But did youknow that legumesare also good for the environment? That’sbecause they have the unique ability to pro-vide their own supply of nitrogen through asymbiotic relationship with soil microbes—aprocess called nitrogen fixation. Legumesgrow root nodules that house the microbes,which reciprocate by making nitrogen.That’s significant because the use of nitrogenfertilizers in agriculture is creating a surplusof this nutrient in the environment that’sthreatening the stability of the Earth’s ecosys-tems.

Recognizing the value of understandingnitrogen fixation, the National ScienceFoundation last year awarded researchers atthe University of Minnesota and three otherinstitutions nearly $6 million to study thegenome of the barrel medic (Medicago trun-catula), a close relative of alfalfa, as a model

legume. Half of that amount, $3 million,was awarded to an intercollegiate team of sixUniversity of Minnesota researchers in theCollege of Biological Sciences, the College ofAgricultural, Food and Environmental Sci-ences and the Academic Health Center.

Nevin Young, professor of plant biologyand plant pathology, is coordinating theeffort. Co-investigators are Kate Vanden-Bosch, head of plant biology; Carroll Vance,agronomy and plant genetics; DeborahSamac, plant pathology; Stephen Gantt,plant biology; and Ernest Retzel, director ofthe Center for Computational Genomicsand Bioinformatics.

One goal is to compile an inventory ofthe barrel medic’s genes and how they worktogether to shape the plant’s interactionswith its symbiotic bacteria and pathogens. Asecond goal is to construct a detailed map ofthe plant’s chromosomes and compare it tothe maps of other legumes. The barrelmedic, a plant native to the Mediterraneanregion, was chosen to represent legumesbecause its relatively small and simple

genome makes it easier to work with thanalfalfa, peas, soybeans or other legume crops.Insights gained from this and a similar U ofM project on soybean genomics will betranslated to other economically importantcrops, leading to more efficient legume culti-vation to feed a growing population.

Each researcher will work on someaspect of how legume genes express them-selves at different stages of development,under different conditions or in differentplant tissues. For example, if an interestinggene is discovered in peas, the correspond-ing Medicago gene could be found and stud-ied. Such cooperative interactions havealready begun.

“Kate [VandenBosch] and others haveidentified genes specific to legumes,” saysGantt. “Those genes may be involved in theprocess of nitrogen fixation or interactionswith microbes. We’ll try to mutate some ofthose genes and isolate mutant plants thatdon’t express them properly.” Then, saysSamac, “I will look at changes in the waysmutants interact with microbes to get anidea what the genes do.”

Young’s lab has found a gene in Medica-go that confers resistance to powdery mildew,an important fungal pathogen of peas. Someday, such findings could guide traditionalbreeding efforts to improve current croplines. Alternatively, some crops may begenetically engineered with new genes forresistance or hardiness.

The interaction between Medicago andRhizobium, its bacterial partner, will receivemuch attention, says Young.

“This interaction teaches us about how


crop plants

“We hope to find ways to put together

agricultural systems that are more eco-

friendly,” says Young. “We’re constantly

aware that this matters for the environ-

ment, nutrition, and quality of life issues.

It really has an impact.”

I

Eco-friendly

Legumes are not just good for people—they’re good for the environment. A team of University scientists has won

a $3 million federal grant to study the genomics of how these plants interact with soil microbes to supply their own

nitrogen. This is a valuable trait because nitrogen fertilizers are expensive and can be harmful to ecosystems.



other organisms communicate,” he says.“Similar types of communication occurbetween organisms living in symbiosis andbetween hosts and infectious agents in dis-ease.”

Gantt, a molecular biologist, willinvestigate the function of the root nodulesafter they form. Much is already knownabout this unique cooperative arrangement,including the chemical used by Rhizobiumas its “calling card.” But plenty remains tobe learned about the roles of specific genes.

If Medicago is to serve as a true model ofthe legume family, its relation to otherlegumes must be understood, says Young. Tothat end, he is pursuing the evolutionary his-tory of Medicago, soybeans, and peas, look-ing for gene “families” and similarities inhow genes are organized on chromosomes.He hopes to reconstruct the genetic charac-

ter of the common ancestor(s) of legumesthat lived 50 or 100 million years ago.

The task of sorting through the reamsof data on DNA sequences and organizingthem into genes, mapping the genes, anddetermining their functions rests largelywith bioinformaticist Retzel and his assis-tants. Using sophisticated computer algo-rithms, he compares raw DNA sequencesto sequences of known genes to get an ideaof their function. DNA sequences aremapped to chromosomes by finding over-lapping parts and fitting them together asone would fit overlapping text on scraps ofnewspaper to reproduce the original page.With 160,000 Medicago DNA sequences todeal with, the logistical challenges are for-midable. But Retzel also has ways of visual-izing the data that not only make relation-ships among DNA sequences visible, but

indicate the strength, and therefore reliabil-ity, of match-ups and comparisons. All thedata will be made public through publica-tions and in Web databases.

If the project seems huge, it is. “The major objective is to inventory as

many genes as possible to generate aresource for anyone interested in legumebiology,” says VandenBosch. “We want toget as many cards on the table as we can.”

“We hope to find ways to put togetheragricultural systems that are more eco-friendly,” says Young. “We’re constantlyaware that this matters for the environ-ment, nutrition, and quality of life issues. Itreally has an impact.”

—Deane Morrison

Nevin Young and Kate VandenBosch, professor and head of plant biology, examine the model legume Medicago in a growth chamber.

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f you’ve ever been to Cedar CreekNatural History Area, you know whythere’s so much pride surrounding thecelebration of its 60th anniversary

this September. Cedar Creek’s nine squaremiles of preserved bogs, fields, andforests—a microcosm of North America’sbiological heritage—is where modern

ecosystem theory was launched in the early1940s and continues to thrive today.

Located just 35 miles north of theTwin Cities, Cedar Creek is situated at theconvergence of three vast North Americanecosystems: hardwood forests, evergreens,and prairies. And within its boundariesthere is a wealth of natural features andspecies, including a rare black spruce bog, awhite cedar forest, never-plowed prairiessurrounded by oak savannas, and a mile-wide lake.

“There is no place with comparablebiological diversity so close to the TwinCities,” says Clarence Lehman, associatedirector of CCNHA and chief planner forthe celebration.

Cedar Creek began to generate excite-ment when it was spotted from the air inApril of 1930 by botany professor William

S. Cooper, who vis-ited the area onfoot that summer.Cooper laterworked with theMinnesota Acade-my of Sciences toacquire and pre-serve the land. Oneof the most zealoussupporters wasacademy memberCora Corniea, whobought up parcelstotaling hundredsof acres over several

years. Corniea also visited local farmers andpersuaded them to give or bequeath boglands to the academy. In 1940, the acade-my began formal planning to preserve the

sity. And in December, 1942, the academyand the University signed an agreement

natural history research and education. Over the past 60 years, the University

has more than kept its promise. RaymondLindeman, one of the first University sci-

entists to conductresearch at CedarCreek, in 1942published a land-mark study inEcology on ener-gy and nutrientcycling in CedarBog Lake. Titled“The TrophicDynamic Con-cept in Ecology,”it is the basis formodern theoryabout energy flowamong plant andanimal species within ecosystems.

Sadly, Lindeman, whose health wasfrail, died the year of publication – onlyone year after he received his doctorate inzoology. Although he never saw the sciencehe founded develop, his legacy lives on.Today, Cedar Creek is a living laboratoryfor scientists around the world, includingDavid Tilman, McKnight PresidentialEndowed Chair in Ecology, who is a leaderin his field. Tilman is celebrating anotheranniversary – the 20th year of the Long-Term Ecology Research Project, which isfunded by the National Science Founda-tion. Over the past two decades Tilmanand colleagues have conducted a series offield experiments to learn how our planet’secosystems function.

One of their key findings is that a plotof land with many species is more produc-


I

In 1942, Raymond Lindeman (

David Tilman (below right) ca

generation of ecologists.

Living

Cedar Creek Natural History Area, a living laboratory for ecological study,

will celebrate its 60th anniversary in September. The celebration will

include tours of the area, a history display, and demonstration of telemetry.

laboratory

Raymond Lindeman David Tilman

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area and transfer it into the care of the Univer-

specifying that the University use the area for

tive and resistant to drought, pests, andother stresses than a comparable plot withonly a few species. That’s an important dis-covery because excess nitrogen in the envi-ronment is reducing biodiversity world-wide. Although nitrogen is an essentialplant nutrient, too much of it allows a fewspecies to take over, which crowds othersout and weakens ecosystems.

Because of this and other discoveries,Tilman has become one of the most influen-tial ecologists in the world and Cedar Creekone of the most well known ecology “labs.”According to Essential Science Indicators,Tilman was the most cited environmentalauthor of the decade for 1900-2000. He andhis colleagues continue to conduct fieldexperiments at Cedar Creek to learn moreabout the value of biodiversity and the glob-al consequences of declining biodiversity.

Cedar Creek is also known around theworld as the place where telemetry, orradio-tracking, was developed to study ani-mal behavior. In the early 1960s JohnTester, then Cedar Creek director, and engi-neering professor Larry Kuechle used asmall transmitter to track movement ofdeer within the preserve. The transmitter,placed around the animal’s neck, relayedsignals via 100-foot towers to computers atthe station. The information showed eachdeer’s home range and movement patternswithin that range.

As electronics grew more sophisticatedand compact, the technology was adaptedfor tracking a variety of animals around theglobe, including big game in Africanwildlife parks, wolves, dolphins and whales,seals in the Antarctic, birds, and even bum-blebees. The method is used for measuring

environmental parameters from oceans torain forest canopies as well as studyingbehavior.

But there’s more to celebrate than thehistory of Cedar Creek. As a trainingground for the next generation of ecolo-gists, its future is equally promising. Eachsummer 50 or more ecology students serveresearch internships, learning about fieldstudy techniques and how to conductresearch. The program concludes with asymposium where students present researchprojects. Several have published papers injournals or made presentations at nationalmeetings.

“Ecology is no longer just a pure sci-ence, but has world-wide relevance to thefuture of our planet,” says Lehman. “We atCedar Creek are committed to safeguardingthat future.”

—Peggy Rinard


man (below left) launched modern ecological theory at Cedar Creek. Today, world renowned ecologist

ht) carries on his legacy. And every summer Cedar Creek serves as a training ground for the next

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You're invited to

Cedar Creek's 60th

Anniversary party.

Saturday, September 21

1:30 p.m.Commemorative Program,

2:30 to 5:00 p.m.Tours, Research Update, Radio-

Tracking Demonstration, Chil-

dren's Nature Adventure.

For further information, contact

Emily Johnston at 612-624-4770 or

[email protected]


Refreshments, and History Display


hat if dust mites ran yourhousehold? That’s kind ofthe way it works in lakes.Minute algae, bacteria, crus-

taceans, and other creatures do most ofthe work—capturing energy from thesun, providing food for other livingthings, and recovering nutrients fromwastes. To know how a healthy lakefunctions—and how to heal an ailingone—we need to understand the littleliving things that play a big role in fresh-water ecosystems.

Cruising for copepods

Most people who cruiseLake Superior with a fish finderare anglers in pursuit of the BigOne. When Robert Megardgoes out with his Lowrance X-16 Echosounder, he’s lookingfor the Tiny Ones. A professorof ecology, Megard is exploringthe relationship between watertemperature and distribution ofcopepods—aphid-sized animalsthat are a key source of food formany of the fish that inhabitthe great lake.

In the past, scientists study-ing the distribution of copepodsand other zooplankton—smallcreatures suspended in bodies ofwater—have been limited tolowering fine-screened nets intothe water at various locationsand depths, then counting whatcomes up. Wanting more accu-rate measurements than this

tedious and relatively imprecise processprovides, Megard began a dozen yearsago to explore the use of high-frequencysonar to map populations.

He’s had great success. Combiningsonar data on copepod distribution withwater temperature measurementsbeamed down from earth-orbiting satel-lites, he’s been able to prove that the twoare closely linked; with each of the threespecies he’s studying favoring a slightlydifferent temperature range.

The results have allowed Megard toponder potential impacts of globalwarming on the Lake Superior ecosys-tem. The species that prefer cooler waterwould become less abundant, he pre-dicts, while the smallest of the three—“amuch poorer food morsel for a hungryfish”—would prevail. “So there’ll be amajor shift in the abundance and pro-portion of the major species,” he says.

Divvied chemicals

Lake Superior is the subject of studyfor other researchers in the Departmentof Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior aswell. Among them is department headRobert Sterner.

“Lake Superior holds 10 percent ofthe world’s fresh water, and we know solittle about it,” Sterner says. He’s doinghis share to change that with a long-termstudy of physical and biological traits atseveral sites along the North Shore. Heand graduate student Tanya Smutka arealso looking at the influence of tracemetals (such as aluminum and zinc) onphytoplankton—the tiny plants zoo-plankton graze on.

These studies have practical impli-cations for those who monitor and regu-late pollution, manage fish, and so on.But the real appeal to Sterner is whatthey say about how life-sustaining chem-icals are divvied up among living thingsand their nonliving environment, theeffect that allocation has on species dis-tribution—and, conversely, the effect of

To understand freshwater ecosystems, scientists begin with

the smallest members of these communities. Zooplankton,

algae, bacteria, and other little living things play big roles in

lakes and other bodies of water.

CBS students and faculty collect plankton sam-

ples from Lake Superior while aboard the RV

Lake Explorer, operated by the EPA lab in Duluth.

small worldIt’s a

W


species distribution on which chemicalsend up where.

“What gets me up in the morning isthe understanding that different organ-isms are made of different chemicalrecipes, and having different chemicalrecipes, or elemental signatures, shapestheir ecology,” Sterner says.

Sterner and others in the depart-ment are studying the concept, known asecological stoichiometry, at a variety oflevels, from glass beakers to entire lakes.

Last summer he led a study of keynutrient distribution in six very differ-ent lake districts in Minnesota, Iowa,Michigan, North Dakota, and SouthDakota. Data he gathered is providinga clearer picture of how factors such asphosphorus and light combine to fuelaquatic ecosystems.

Graduate student Rebecca Formanis using water-filled tubes to look at howzooplankton move in response to thepresence of phytoplankton with varyingphosphorus contents.

“There’s been a lot of work on howthey react to food quantity, light, tem-perature,” Forman explains. “I’m study-ing their migratory response relative tofood quality.” The results, she says, mayshed light on migratory patternsobserved in zooplankton in nature—important to understanding lake life.

Love handles

Small as they are, zooplankton aresea monsters compared to James Cotner’sstudy subjects. Holder of the MoosChair in Limnology, Cotner focuses on

bacteria. It would take about 100 millionbacteria to equal the weight of a singlecopepod. But don’t confuse size with sig-nificance: They also are responsible forthe bulk of the metabolic goings-on inlakes.

“It doesn’t take a brain surgeon tofigure out that, because they are so abun-dant and their metabolism is so high,they have a huge impact in terms of car-bon cycling and nutrient cycling on ourplanet,” Cotner says.

The nature and extent of thatimpact is the focus of much of Cotner’scurrent research. In lower Lake Michi-gan, he’s found that, although bacterialdecomposers remain active during win-ter, they tend to let organic matter buildup—much as Minnesotans tend to puton a few pounds during the cold season.The result—soon to be published in apaper titled “Love Handles in AquaticEcosystems”— is a large sequestration ofcarbon in winter, followed by a releaseduring summer months.

In other studies, Cotner is lookingat how bacteria affect the movement ofmercury out of lake sediments in north-ern Minnesota. He’s also assessing thebacterial role in the accumulation ofPCBs in trout and other predators inLake Superior. In both instances, thebacteria seem to play a large role in mov-ing the pollutant into the food web,which eventually includes humans.

“They’re fundamental to a lot ofwhat goes on in lakes and food webs ingeneral,” Cotner says. “That’s my soapbox.”

— Mary K. Hoff


Graduate student Rebecca Forman, right, uses water-filled tubes to study zooplankton

movement in Robert Sterner’s laboratory.

Daphnia obtusa (microscopic

water flea)

A Lake Superior copepod Aquatic bacteria

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t this moment, some-where in your body, astrand of chromosomalDNA is breaking clean in

two. In another cell, the tightlywound DNA double helix is com-ing apart and unwinding. But notto worry. Both events happen moreoften than you might think in therich and complex life of a chromo-some, as do DNA repair and repli-cation.

Given the dynamic characterof the average chromosome, it’s nowonder four members of theDepartment of Biochemistry, Mol-ecular Biology and Biophysics fac-ulty have devoted themselves tounlocking its secrets. Taken togeth-er, their work gives a glimpse into howDNA and chromosomes manage – andsometimes fail – to perform the brutallyexacting tasks evolution has ordained forthem.

A chromosome exists for one purpose:to have its genes “read,” or transcribed. Butthe cellular machinery that transcribesgenetic messages can’t just float up to achromosome and go to work, says assistantprofessor Julio Herrera. Chromosomes aremore than simply naked DNA; instead, theDNA winds around regularly spaced com-plexes of proteins called histones, like astring winding around a series of balls.These structures, called nucleosomes, pro-tect DNA, but they also make it hard to getat and transcribe.

“The fact that you limit access to DNA bythe nucleosome structure implies a regula-tory function for it,” Herrera says. “I’minterested in transcriptional regulation andhow the DNA-histone structure isinvolved.”

In eukaryotes, prying DNA loosefrom its associated histones is accomplishedby molecular “crowbars” composed of largemultiprotein complexes These complexescontain enzymes that chemically modifyhistones, breaking their grip on DNA. Her-rera studies various components of theseenzyme complexes in order to understandhow they work and how they might bemodified to fine tune their function. Forexample, drugs that keep the enzymesactive may also keep their target genes openand working. And, when the target gene isone that suppresses tumors in humans,

“this could represent another target foranti-neoplastic [cancer] treatment,” Her-rera says.

When a cell is getting ready to divide,it must make a copy of its DNA so eachdaughter cell will have a complete set ofgenes. The DNA double helix unwinds,and an enzyme, DNA polymerase, useseach of the two separated strands as a tem-plate to reconstruct the other strand. Theprocess starts at particular locations, calledorigins, along the length of a chromosome,and assistant professor Anja-Katrin Bielin-sky wants to know how they work. Sheknows that when replication is to begin, acomplex of proteins—an origin recogni-tion complex, or ORC—attaches to theorigin. It then brings in other molecules tohelp get the replication going.


A team of four researchers is

learning how chromosomal

DNA replicates and repairs

itself as cells divide.

Eric Hendrickson, Anja-Katrin Bielinsky, Julio Herrera, and Dennis Livingston are working to

understand how DNA unwinds, separates, replicates, and repairs itself as cells divide in healthy

and abnormal cells.

durable DNADynamic,

AR

icha

rd A

nder

son


“The ORC probably helps to recruitDNA polymerase, and presumably alsothe enzyme that unwinds the helix,” shesays.

In both yeast and people, some originsalso are the sites where factors that triggerDNA transcription bind. “Origins func-tion better when they have transcriptionfactor binding,” Bielinsky explains. “Julio[Herrera] and I look at the structure ofthese sites. The goal is to understand howbinding sites for the ORC or transcriptionfactors contribute to the initiation of DNAreplication.”

Bielinsky says that a better under-standing of origins may one day help in thefight against cancer. In most cancer cells,the ability to turn off DNA replication hasbeen lost, and this commits the cells toendless rounds of division. Disrupting thefunction of originscould short-circuit thisdeadly loop.

Sometimes chro-mosomes suffer breaksin both strands of theDNA double helix andmust be put backtogether. ProfessorDennis Livingston andassociate professor EricHendrickson are inves-tigating the myriadrepair proteins that healsuch breaks, which canbe caused by everything from the wear andtear of living to exposure to X-rays. Genesfor repair proteins merit intense scientificinterest because malfunctions can causesevere diseases that kill early in life, as wellas cancer.

Working with human colorectal can-cer cells, Hendrickson is studying one ofthe complexes of repair proteins, called

DNA-PK, whichapparently stabi-lizes broken endsof chromosomesand helps activaterepair enzymes.He has found that,unlike the casewith other repairproteins, no cellscan live withmutations in theirDNA-PK genes.

“We think it’s because DNA-PK pro-tects not only broken chromosomes, butthe ends of normal chromosomes, andkeeps them from fusing to other chromo-somes in an attempt to repair themselves,”he says. His work has implications formany disorders, including some of the

immune system, which must routinelybreak and rearrange chromosomes to createnew antibody genes.

Everyone has both “maternal” and“paternal” copies of each chromosome, andrepair enzymes use the intact copy to guiderepair in the injured copy, says Livingston.

“When the strands come together toget repaired, they cross,” he says. “The

same thing happens in crossing over.” Inthe phenomenon of “crossing over,” mater-nal and paternal chromosomes exchangeparts just before the cell divides on its wayto producing an egg or sperm cell. Suchexchanges result in new combinations ofgenes.

Whether the chromosome fragmentsrejoin with their original partners or newones, several proteins help bring it about.Livingston has found differences in thefunctioning of one such protein, depend-ing on whether the process is taking placein cells of the germ (egg and sperm) line orother cells. He is examining its role, as wellas those of related proteins, because theyplay an important role in cancer. But evenmore, “because I just want to understandhow double-stranded breaks are repaired,”he says.

This brief sketch barely scratches thesurface of these four researchers’ work. Thecare of chromosomes involves an army ofproteins and other factors, and sorting it allout takes a huge effort. But with obviousenthusiasm and dedication, Livingston,Herrera, Bielinsky and Hendrickson arestaking out their places in the grand adven-ture.

—Deane Morrison

In most cancer cells, the

ability to turn off DNA

replication has been lost,

and this commits the cells

to endless rounds of divi-

sion. Disrupting the func-

tion of origins could short-

circuit this deadly loop.


Anja-Katrin Bielinsky with graduate student Zhenyi Xue and

junior scientist Robin Rieke.

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Ruth Shuman, biotech entrepeneur

Even while she was earn-ing her Ph.D. in biology fromthe University, trekkingthrough bogs at Cedar Creekto study biological iron oxida-tion, Bernice Folz nursed agrowing interest in computerscience. “The broader the edu-cation you have, the better pre-pared you are for the workadayworld,” says Folz, whose inter-est in biology arose from adesire to pursue applied math.

By the time she earned herdoctorate in 1973, Folz hadalready earned an M.S. in busi-ness and mathematics and had

worked as a systems designengineer for IBM in Milwau-kee. She went on to work as amanager at UNISYS beforereturning to academia to teachsoftware engineering at St.Thomas University. By 1984,when Folz founded St.Thomas’ innovative graduateprogram in software designand development, she had longbeen considered a leader in thefield.

Today, the program isamong the largest of its kindanywhere in the world. Knownfor its responsiveness to chang-

ing business and technologicalclimates, it draws 950 studentseach year, most of whom workfull-time in related fields.

Folz has fostered a globalperspective, leading trips tomeet with software engineersin India, China, and Cuba.Thanks in part to contactsFolz has made during her trav-els, 43 percent of the studentsnow enrolled in the St.Thomas program are from for-eign countries.


Bernice Folz

Entrepreneur Ruth Shuman has beendescribed by colleagues as a scientist atheart who is making it in the world of busi-ness. Her Plymouth-based company, Gen-tra Systems, Inc., employs 80 workers todevelop and manufacture kits for DNA andRNA purification. Lauded by industrypublications for its innovative products andincreasing market share, Gentra’s high techventure has its roots in Shuman’s experi-ence at the University, where she earned aB.S. in animal science and an M.S. andPh.D. in genetics.

Gentra now sells its kits to clients in37 countries and expects the market togrow rapidly in the coming years. Helpingthe company grow is Shuman’s friend and

colleague Ellen Heath, Gentra’s vice presi-dent of research and development. Heathalso earned a Ph.D. in genetics at the Uni-versity, where she and Shuman first met asgraduate students.

The College of Biological Sciences hasan important role to play in the field ofgenetics, says Shuman. “CBS has beeninvolved in molecular biology from itsbeginning and that basic research has beenthe foundation for research that is beingdone today,” she says.

This spring, Shuman will share her per-spective with the newly minted graduates ofCBS when she delivers the College’s com-mencement speech—a fitting way to launchthe class of 2002 on its own path to discovery.

Ruth Shuman

Bernice Folz, software design pioneer

Three CBS graduates will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award at commencement this year: Bernice Folz, soft-

ware engineering pioneer and St. Thomas professor; Ruth Shuman, founder and head of Gentra Systems; and Franklyn

Prendergast, Mayo Clinic pharmacologist and role model. In addition, Margaret Davis, Regents

Professor emeritus and former head of ecology, evolution, and behavior, will receive an honorary doctorate.

C E L E B R A T I N G E X C E L L E N C EC E L E B R A T I N G E X C E L L E N C E



Franklyn Prendergast exemplifiesexcellence at all levels of research, teach-ing, and service. “He is a true star amongour graduates,” says David Bernlohr, Head

Biophysics. Born in Jamaica, Prendergast earned a

medical degree from the University of theWest Indies in 1968, and continued hiseducation at Oxford University as a RhodesScholar, earning a master's degree in physi-ology. Thereafter, he was a resident in inter-nal medicine at the Mayo Clinic and final-ly a graduate student of Mayo/University ofMinnesota. After earning a Ph.D. in Bio-chemistry from the University of Minneso-ta in 1977, Prendergast joined the faculty ofthe Mayo Medical School. Since then, hehas served in numerous faculty and admin-istrative positions, including Director ofResearch, Director of the Mayo Clinic Can-cer Center, Member of the Mayo RochesterBoard of Governors, and Member of theMayo Foundation Board of Trustees. Pren-dergast has also been very active nationally,with numerous National Institutes ofHealth assignments and service on a variety

of scientific advisory boards and boards ofdirectors. His current academic appoint-ment is Edmond and Marion GuggenheimProfessor of Biochemistry and MolecularBiology and Director of the Mayo ClinicCancer Center.

As a researcher, Prendergast has madenotable contributions in applying fluores-cence spectroscopy to the study of proteinstructure and dynamics, linkages betweenoptical and magnetic spectroscopy, and pro-tein lipid interactions.

Prendergast also earns high praise forpersonal qualities.

“On a personal level, he is a delight tobe with,” says Leonard Banaszak, DietrichProfessor of Bioechmistry. “He is a warm,friendly individual who wears his successwell hidden.”

“As a minority scientist he has influ-enced countless students as a role model andmentor,” Bernlohr adds. “He is a tirelessworker on behalf of students of color.”

Franklyn Prendergast, researcher and role model

Franklyn Prendergast

Margaret Davis, groundbreaking paleoecologistFor Regents Professor Emeritus Mar-

garet B. Davis, the most thrilling fossil dis-coveries lie not in the skeleton of themighty T. Rex but in humble grains ofpollen. By focusing her efforts on the tini-est of fossils, Davis’ groundbreakingresearch helped a generation of scientists tounlock the secrets of sweeping ecologicalchange.

By examining the fossil record ofpollen, Davis pioneered a method forreconstructing the species composition anddistribution of ancient plants. She trackedmigration and routes of the tree species thatspread across the landscape after glacialretreat. She shed new light on the role ofdisease and disturbance in forest dynamics.And—in a discovery that impacts one ofthe most pressing issues in contemporaryecology—Davis showed how changing cli-mates cause shifts in the geographicalranges of plant species. Today, this work is

considered a vital component in efforts topredict the effects of global warming.

“As the world wakes up to the socio-logical, economic, and political implica-tions of ecological disasters, over-exploita-tion of resources and human-induced cli-matic change, Margaret Davis’ work, andthat which she has stimulated the worldover, takes on a new kind of importance,”says Dr. D. Walker of the AustralianNational University’s Institute of AdvancedStudies.

When Davis came to head the Univer-sity’s Department of Ecology, Evolution,and Behavior in 1976, no one could havepredicted the impact her work would havetoday, not only on science but also on theUniversity. During her years of leadershipin the college, Davis is credited withrecruiting top faculty and serving as a dis-tinguished teacher and role model. Inrecognition of these achievements, she has

been awarded an honorary Doctor of Sci-ence degree.

—Jennifer Amie

Margaret Davis


of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and


AlumNews“I’d like to volunteer, but I don’t

have a lot of time.” This is a commondilemma for many CBS Alumni. Wehave the perfect solutions—the CBSCareer Fair, CBS at the State Fair, andthe Alumni Speakers bureau.

This year for the first time, CBSalumni helped out at the CBS CareerFair. They were such a hit we’re alreadythinking about next year. We’re hopingyou’ll mark your calendars and plan tojoin us on February 28, 2003 for this vol-unteer opportunity. Whether you’reavailable for the entire day or just onehour over your lunch, this is the perfectopportunity for you to share your experi-ences with undergraduates and coachthem about resumes, job-search strate-gies, careers, and life after college.

CBS is hosting a booth at the Min-nesota State Fair from August 22 throughSeptember 2, 2002. Volunteers are neededto staff the booth in three-hour shifts from9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Each volunteerwill get free admission to the fair, a T-shirt,and the opportunity to interact with thecommunity and be an ambassador for CBSand the U of M.

The new Alumni Speakers Bureauneeds alums willing to speak to CBS stu-dents about their careers. Volunteers areneeded for monthly programs. You canchoose to serve on a panel or give an indi-vidual presentation.

If you’re interested in any of these vol-unteer opportunities please contact EmilyJohnston at [email protected] or(612) 624-4770.

Phil Lawonn (B.S. 1997 Microbiology)

volunteers time at the CBS Career Fair

When you think about what makes the

comes to mind? Perhaps it’s the dedicationof an inspiring professor, the reputation of agreat department, the impact of cutting-edge research, the memory of an education-al opportunity that you experienced, or therelationships you formed as a student.Whatever triggers that feeling for you, a giftto CBS will help insure that future studentswill be able to share a similar experience.

Last fiscal year, approximately 600alumni and friends made a financial invest-ment in the College of Biological Sciencesstudents, programs, and faculty. Even smallgifts, when combined with others, can makea tremendous difference. For example,alumni and friends who designated theirindividual gifts to CBS scholarships last yearprovided twenty-three $1000 awards.

Here are some other examples of howsmall gifts can help:

$60 covers the materials fee studentspay for each biology lab course

$125 covers registration for a studentto attend the National Confer-ence on Undergraduate Researchto present their research

$180 covers the average cost per creditfor an in-state student

$350 covers the average cost of booksfor a semester

$500 provides a modest scholarship

$850 covers the cost of room andboard for the summer programat the Lake Itasca Forestry andBiological Station

$1000 provides a meaningful annualscholarship

$2500 provides a significant annualscholarship

$5000 provides a highly competitivescholarship

Your gift, small or large, enables theCollege to recruit and retain talented stu-dents who may consider attending otherinstitutions. Gifts also strengthen our pro-grams and enable the College to makestrides in strategic areas.

Consider establishing a legacy gift or a named endowment. Become a donor to the College through Campaign Minnesotaby contact ing Janene Connel ly at 612-624-7496 ([email protected]) orPaul Germscheid at 612-624-3752([email protected]). To list your namein the CBS Annual Honor Roll, published inthe September issue, we must receive yourgift before June 30, 2002. Every gift of cash,credit card, stock, etc., is valued, put to gooduse, and is very much appreciated.

Even small gifts make a big difference

Fun, rewarding, and easy volunteer opportunities


ty of Minnesota great institutions, whatCollege of Biological Sciences and the Universi-

Elaine Eggleston (B.S. 2001) is a first-yearstudent at the University of Minnesota’s Collegeof Veterinary Medicine.

Carrie Wade (B.S. 2001) spent 18 monthstraining in the pain research program with theDepartment of Pharmacology at the University ofMinnesota and is currently working at AbbottLaboratories, Division of Neuroscience, as anassistant scientist on the Pain Research andDevelopment team. Her future plans includepursuing a Pharm. D. in Fall 2003.

John Michael Zylka (Ph.D. 1976) recently lefthis position with the county health departmentin St. Louis to open his own practice for HIVpatients. He is working with half-way houses inMissouri and Illinois as well as setting up hisnew practice. John visits Minnesota regularlyand spends a few weeks each summer at Itasca.

Kyle Baron (B.S. 1998) is currently a Pharm.D.student at the University of Minnesota.

Dick Osgood (B.S. 1977, M.S. 1979), LakeMinnetonka Association executive director, wasnamed “Producer of the Quarter” by the LakeMinnetonka Communications Commission. Dickis also president of the Biological SciencesAlumni Society.

Deanna Cross (B.S. 1992) is working forIngenix, Inc. as a clinical research associate.Ingenix, Inc., based in Eden Prairie, one of theindustry’s largest health information companies,provides the most comprehensive matrix ofproducts and services to the largest and mostdiverse customer base in the health care com-munity.

Mark Kaster (B.S. 1979, M.S. 1982) is prac-ticing law at Dorsey & Whitney LLP in Min-neapolis. He represents clients in federal andstate agencies and before local governments, isinvolved in the firm’s mergers and acquisitionspractice, and advises clients on environmentalissues arising in corporate and real estate trans-actions and commercial lending. The practiceincludes all facets of government regulation inthe health and environmental field, includingpermitting, compliance, auditing, risk manage-ment, public health issues, and litigation.

Jerald Barnard (B.S. 1978, M.D. 1983) hasopened his own practice in Woodbury. This is thefirst time a private practice has opened in theMinneapolis area in 18 years! Woodbury Obstet-rics & Gynecology specializes in high-risk obstet-rics, healthy pregnancy, gynecology, preventativewomen’s health, pelvic surgery, ultrasound diag-nosis and care management.

Nancy Stark (Ph.D. 1975) owns Clinical DeviceGroup Inc., a small company located in Chicagothat specializes in regulatory, statistical, clinicalresearch, and biological safety consulting tomedical device manufacturers. Nancy says thatthe solid biochemistry foundation gained at CBSis key to her business and that she uses it everyday. She has written several books on medicaldevice clinical research, one of which is beingtranslated into Japanese. Her responsibilitiesrequire lots of travel. This March she was inBerlin, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. andshe has plans to travel overseas this summer.

Michael Polzin (B.S. 1996) is a product devel-opment scientist at General Mills in NortheastMinneapolis, where he is helping to create newfood lines.

Kris Bettin (B.S. 1973), Jeff Carpenter (Ph.D.1991), Mike Coyle (B.S. 1972, B.C.E. 1979),Jennea Dow (B.S. 1999), Curt Henry (B.S.1996), Sandra Horn (B.S. 1988), Kim Kuhn(B.S. 1985), Phil Lawonn (B.S. 1997), BeckyMarrs-Eide (B.S. 2001), Dick Osgood (B.S.1977, M.S. 1979), Bev Schomburg (B.S.1967), Steve Schulstrom (B.S. 1984), andRuth Semlak (B.S. 1986) volunteered theirtime and experience at the 2002 CBS Career Fairon March 1. Many thanks to them. Because oftheir help the Career Fair was a huge success!

Class notes


Would you like to

submit an Alumni Note?There are four easy ways to let yourclassmates know what you’re up tothese days.

1. Visit www.cbs.umn.edu and click onthe Alumni & Friends section whichwill lead you to Alumni News andClass Notes.

2. E-mail Emily Johnston, Alumni Rela-tions Coordinator, [email protected]

3. Call Emily at 612-624-4770

4. Mail a written update to College of Biological Sciences123 Snyder Hall1475 Gortner AveSt. Paul, MN 55108

Jennifer Seffernick (Ph.D. biochemistry, 2001)is a post-doctoral associate in the Department ofBiochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics atthe University of Minnesota. She is looking for-ward to serving on the board and plans to focuson the BSAS Mentor Program.

Jennea Dow (B.S. Biology, 1999) is working as asales rep for a small drug company specializing inwomen’s health products and completing adegree in genetics at CBS. As a board member,she would like to help undergraduates withcareer-related issues.

Jane Johnson (B.S. Biology, 1976) is working asa nurse case manager with Health Partners andpursuing a master’s degree in trans-cultural nurs-

ing at Augsburg College. As an undergraduateJane was president of BSSA and served on theCBS Educational Policy Committee. She also wasa TA for the General College biology course, andhelped set up Biology Colloquium.

Joan Schroeder-Dale (B.S. Biochemistry, 1997)works at Lifecore Biomedical with past BSASBoard president Kip Thacker (B.S. 1976, Ph.D.1984). Joan worked full-time at Pillsbury whilecompleting her B.S. degree on a part-time basis.She plans to be involved in career developmentactivities for students.

Jeff Carpenter (Ph.D. Cell and DevelopmentalBiology, 1997) works in the University’s Office ofPatents and Technology Marketing, focusing on

new business applications. Jeff has remainedactive with CBS, participating in the State Fair andworking with Dean Elde on new business initia-tives. He is interested in working with the boardon student development areas.

CBS thanks all of this year’s BSAS board

members, particularly outgoing members JeraldBarnard and Adrienne Kari, student representa-tive, who is graduating this spring. We extend aspecial thanks to BSAS President Dick Osgood,who has agreed to stay on for an additional yearas past president. New board members will begintheir three-year term on June 8, 2002.

—Emily Johnston

Welcome to the new BSAS Board MembersMeet the new members of your Biological Sciences Alumni Society board.


College of Biological SciencesUniversity of Minnesota123 Snyder Hall1475 Gortner AvenueSt. Paul, MN 55108

Nonprofit OrganizationU.S. Postage

P A I DPermit No. 155Minneapolis,Minnesota

More than 700 students from CBS,other U of M colleges, local colleges,and area high schools attended theCBS Career Fair on March 1 at theMcNamara Alumni Center. Exhibitorsincluded U of M graduate and profes-sional programs; private companiessuch as Gentra Systems, R & D Sys-tems, Peterson Environmental Consult-ing, Pace Analytical Systems, and Dia-Sorin. Other participants were the Sci-ence Museum of Minnesota, WildlifeRehabilitation Center, Student Conser-vation Association, U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers, U.S. Army Health CareRecruiting, Anoka County Parks, andHennepin County Medical Center.

Career Fair draws 700 students All-College Picnic

May 10, 2002, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m., lawn infront of Snyder Hall. Alumni, faculty, staff,retirees, and students welcome. Contact:Lija Greenseid at 612-625-7705 [email protected]

CommencementMay 18, 2002, 7:30 p.m., Northrop Audito-rium, Dr. Ruth Shuman, founder and Presi-dent of Gentra Systems, speaker. Contact:Student Services at 612-624-9717.

Rock Around the Block UMAA 2002 Celebration

June 4, 2002, 5:30 p.m., Gateway Plaza.Dinner, live music, entertainment, andplaza grand opening. Tickets are $42 forUMAA members, $57 for nonmembers,and $21 for students.

St. Paul Saints Game

Cedar Creek 60th Anniversary Event

Commemorative program, refreshments,history display, tours, and children’snature adventure.

CBS at the State FairAugust 22 through September 2, 2002.Come visit the new and improved CBSexhibit in the University of Minnesotabuilding.

Second Annual Homecoming Picnic

Food, prizes, games, hayride around St.Paul campus.

Contact Emily Johnston at 612-624-4770 [email protected] for information aboutany of the above events.

U P C O M I N G E V E N T SU P C O M I N G E V E N T S

More than adozen CBS alumsfrom the Biologi-cal SciencesAlumni Societyvolunteered byreviewingresumes, offeringinterviewing tips,and sharing infor-mation abouttheir careers withCBS students.Ph

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June 27, 5:30 p.m. $13 covers one ticket and two drinks at Gabe's-by-the-Park. Free parking.

September 21, 2002, 1:30 - 5:30 p.m.

October 11, 2002, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Documents

Frontier s · 2019-03-29 · Cover photo: Nevin Young, professor of plant biology and pathology, and Kate VandenBosch, FRONTIERSSPRING 2002 3 professor and head of plant biology,