Marvin Miller, BS ’71, receives Henry Bolley Achievement Award

Posted on April 26, 2012 by DrCookNDSU

NDSU Alumni Prof. Marvin Miller (BS ’71), currently the George and Winifred Clark Chair at the University of Notre Dame, received the NDSU Alumni Association’s Henry Bolley Academic Achievement Award.

The North Dakota State University Alumni Association honored five NDSU graduates for their achievements by presenting 2012 alumni awards April 26 at the Fargodome. The awards recognize NDSU graduates compete successfully, nationally and globally.

Henry L. Bolley Academic Achievement Award

Marvin J. Miller, NDSU BS ’71, chemistry, is the recipient of the Henry L. Bolley Academic Achievement Award that recognizes alumni who have attained achievements in academia as instructors, researchers or administrators. Miller serves as the distinguished George and Winifred Clark Chair of the chemistry program at University of Notre Dame. Among his accomplishments are 269 publications, 22 patents, 142 papers presented and 201 invited lectures. He also has directed graduate research for 77 students, most at the doctorate level, and served as a consultant for Eli Lilly and Company. Miller earned his doctorate in chemistry from Cornell University. He lives in South Bend, Ind.

From NDSU News

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Sivaguru (Siva) Jayaraman named 2012-Young Investigator Award from Sigma Xi

Posted on April 18, 2012 by DrCookNDSU

Sivaguru (Siva) Jayaraman named 2012-Young Investigator Award from Sigma Xi

The Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society has named Sivaguru (Siva) Jayaraman, Ph.D., associate professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry as the recipient of the 2012-Young Investigator Award. This prestigious award recognizes excellence in research and alternates yearly between scientists in physical sciences, mathematics and engineering in even years and life and social sickness in odd years. The award is presented for Prof. Siva Jayaraman’s research program that uses light to initiate chemical reactions and control photoreactivity in the excited state using molecular design and nanoconfinement. The Young Investigator Award includes $5,000 and a certificate of recognition.

Prof. Sivaguru Jayaraman was nominated by Prof. Gregory Cook, Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Letters of support from University Distinguished Professor, Mukund Sibi and Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, Kevin McCaul were also provided. In the nomination, Prof. Cook remarked, “Siva is a truly outstanding colleague who makes important contributions to the scientific field as well as towards the mission of the department and the university. Our department considers itself lucky to have Siva as a colleague.” “Siva is an outstanding teacher/researcher who will make important contributions to science as well as train and educate students for the 21st century workforce. In a short span as an independent investigator, Siva has made outstanding contributions to the fields of asymmetric photo-catalysis, nanotechnology & supramolecular photochemistry.” said Prof. Sibi. Dean Kevin McCaul commented, “Dr. Jayaraman makes it easy for us to nominate him for important awards.  He is already a well-known scholar and on top of the national and international recognition he receives for his group’s research, he is also a superb teacher and willing participant in serve to NDSU and the community.  In short, Dr. Jayaraman is the proverbial triple threat!”

Sivaguru Jayaraman joined the faculty at NDSU in 2006. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Columbia University, New York, NY, after receiving his Ph.D. from Tulane University, New Orleans, LA. He received a master’s degree in chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India, and completed a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from St. Joseph’s College, Trichy, India. In 2011 he was promoted to associate professor. His curriculum vitae lists many awards that include the 2008 NSF CAREER award and the 2010 Grammaticakis-Neumann Prize from the Swiss Chemical Society. He was recently named the recipient of the 2011 Young-investigator award from the Inter-American Photochemical Society (I-APS). At NDSU, Prof. Siva Jayaraman been honored with the 2010 Excellence in Research Award and the 2011 Excellence in Teaching award both from the College of Science and Mathematics. Most recently Prof. Jayaraman was names as the winner of the 2012 Peltier Award for Innovation in Teaching. For more information, visit http://sivagroup.chem.ndsu.nodak.edu/, http://www.sigmaxi.org/about/news/2012Awards.shtml and http://www.sigmaxi.org/programs/prizes/young.jayaraman.shtml.

About Sigma Xi (as stated in their website): Founded in 1886, Sigma Xi is the international honor society of research scientists and engineers, with more than 500 chapters at colleges and universities, government laboratories and industry research centers. Membership is by invitation, in recognition of research potential or achievement. Over the years, more than 200 Sigma Xi members have received the Nobel Prize. In addition to publishing American Scientist, the non-profit Society awards hundreds of grants annually to student researchers and sponsors a variety of programs that support science and engineering.

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Sun and Jayaraman Receive Top University Awards

Posted on February 27, 2012 by DrCookNDSU

Two of the three most distinguished NDSU awards sponsored by the NDSU Development Foundation will be given to faculty in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the 15th annual Celebration of Faculty Excellence to be scheduled for later this spring. Prof. Wenfang Sun, Walter F. and Verna Gehrts Professor of chemistry and biochemistry, will be recognized with the Waldron Award; and Sivaguru Jayaraman, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, will be acknowledged with the Peltier Award. Yeong Rhee, associate professor of health, nutrition and exercise sciences, was named to receive the Odney Award.

The Fred Waldron Research Award was established with the NDSU Development Foundation Board of Trustees to recognize outstanding faculty research. Sun was nominated for the honor by faculty members Gregory Cook, Mukund Sibi and Jayaraman.

“She has been an extremely proficient researcher, an excellent educator and outstanding colleague and leader in service,” they wrote in a nomination letter.

Sun’s nomination states she has established a world-renowned research program in the area of new materials for optical sensing, photo limiting devices, photodynamic therapy for cancer and medical imaging. It notes Sun has brought more than $4 million in extramural funding to campus, and she has had more than 15 papers published in the past year.

“Dr. Sun is an outstanding colleague who has made an outstanding impact in her field of research both locally and globally,” wrote Cook, Sibi and Jayaraman.

Sun joined the NDSU faculty in 2001. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Wuhan University in China and her doctorate in chemistry from the Institute of Photographic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing. She also was a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

The Peltier Award was established by Joseph and Norma Peltier to recognize outstanding innovation in teaching. Jayaraman was nominated by faculty colleagues Cook and Sun and graduate student Anoklase Ayitou.

The nominators note Jayaraman teaches with “flair and enthusiasm and brings his extensive computer expertise to help students in classroom.” The nomination states he teaches courses in physical organic chemistry and spectroscopy and a special topics course in photochemistry was carried by the Internet to students at Columbia University and the University of Miami. He also has initiated the Parents Involvement with Children Nurturing Intellectual Curiosity in Science, a collaborative program involving students, parents, high school teachers and NDSU chemistry faculty.

“Dr. Jayaraman has continued to push the boundaries of Internet connectivity by expanding his experience from the class to a new ‘literature literacy’ project connecting students and research labs at four universities to hold super group meetings,” the nomination letter said. The participating institutions include Columbia University, University of Miami, UCLA and Brown University.

Jayaraman, who came to NDSU in 2006, earned his bachelor’s degree at Bharathidasan University, St. Joseph’s College in Trichy, India; his master’s degree in chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras; and his doctorate in chemistry from Tulane University, New Orleans. He also was a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University, New York.

“We had an astonishing array of talent brought forward through the nomination process,” said Provost Bruce Rafert. “The selection committee was clearly impressed by the distinguished records of research and academic ability of our nominees.”

(adapted from NDSU News)

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NDSU Chemistry Researchers receive ACS Young Investigator Awards

Posted on February 7, 2012 by DrCookNDSU

The ACS Young Investigator Award Competition, sponsored by the Red River Valley Section of the American Chemical Society, is open to graduate students and postdocs from NDSU and UND. Presenters competed for four awards to sponsor travel to the spring National ACS meeting to be held in San Diego, CA this March. The postdoc award was given to Michael Mayo, working under the direction of Prof. Svetlana Kilina (NDSU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry). The top graduate student award was given to Ivan Hevus of the NDSU Department Coatings and Polymeric Materials, with the second place award split between Michael Mulholland and Ryan Schwiderski, both working under the direction of Prof. Seth Rasmussen (NDSU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry). The competition was hosted by Mayville State University and included six graduate students and postdocs from the NDSU Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Coatings and Polymeric Materials.

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Jayaraman Receives Award from the Inter-American Photochemical Society

Posted on January 22, 2012 by DrCookNDSU

Sivaguru (Siva) Jayaraman, Ph.D., associate professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at North Dakota State University, Fargo, has been named a recipient of the 2011-Young Investigator Award from the Inter-American Photochemical Society (I-APS). The award will be presented at the 2013 IAPS meeting. The I-APS Young Investigator Award was established in 2002 to recognize outstanding photoscientific contributions by Society members who have held an independent research position for no more than five years at the time of application. His research focus is in the area of photochemistry, supramolecular chemistry and organo- and supramolecular photocatalysis and light driven sustainable chemistry. His bio lists many awards that include the 2008 NSF CAREER award and 2010 Grammaticakis-Neumann Prize from the Swiss Chemical Society. At NDSU, Prof. Siva Jayaraman been honored with 2010 Excellence in Research Award and 2011 Excellence in Teaching award. Prof. Sivaguru Jayaraman joined the faculty at NDSU in 2006. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Columbia University, New York, N.Y., after receiving his Ph.D. from Tulane University, New Orleans, La. He received a master’s degree in chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India, and completed a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from St. Joseph’s College, Trichy, India. In 2011 he was promoted to associate professor. For more info, visit http://sivagroup.chem.ndsu.nodak.edu/ and http://www.i-aps.org/11_iaps_awards/11iaps_awards.html.

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Research on the Prairies

Posted on January 6, 2012 by DrCookNDSU


Research on the Prairies is a 10-week summer research experience for undergraduate students.  Participants will work alongside faculty to engage in cutting-edge research in the molecular sciences.  A list of faculty sponsors and summer research projects can be found here.  Participants will receive a $5000 stipend and on-campus housing. The summer 2012 program will run from May 29 through August 3.

Information and Application Process

Complete application packets must be received by February 15, 2012

NDSU REU WEB SITE

APPLICATION FORM (PDF)

REFERENCE FORM

Women, minorities, and students from other under-represented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Throughout the intensive summer program, participants will learn to think creatively and independently about research and to communicate their results in multiple contexts.  Weekly seminars, informal research meetings, and trips to regional attractions (e.g. The Badlands) are planned. The summer program will culminate in an undergraduate research symposium that showcases participants’ progress throughout the summer.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must meet the following requirements for consideration in the summer research program:

  • Completed at least their freshman year (by May 2012) and have, as a minimum, completed college-level general chemistry and biology.
  • Required minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.
  • Students must be approved to work in the USA.
  • Students are expected to dedicate their time to the research program. Therefore, participants may not enroll for summer courses or accept other employment during the 10 weeks of the program.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

The following application materials should be sent electronically to Dr. Erika Offerdahl [ndsureu (at) gmail (dot) com] no later than February 15, 2012.  You will receive an email when we receive your application, and another email when we have your full packet. Incomplete or late packets will not be considered.

Preference will be given to applicants from non-Ph.D. granting institutions.  Women and underrepresented minorities are especially encouraged to apply.

This program is made possible by a grant from
the National Science Foundation (NSF-CHEM #1062701).

North Dakota State University does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, marital status, national origin, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a U.S. veteran. Direct inquiries to the Vice President for Equity, Diversity, and Global Outreach, 205 Old Main, (701) 231-7708.

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Message in a Bottle: Deconstructing wine from a chemist’s perspective

Posted on December 16, 2011 by DrCookNDSU

Prof. Greg Cook presents Message in a Bottle: Deconstructing wine from a chemist’s perspective (video) at the NDSU Science and Math’s Science Café at the Hotel Donaldson, Tuesday, December 13, 2011.

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NDSU Chemistry Student Adlina Paramarta to deliver commencement address

Posted on December 14, 2011 by DrCookNDSU

(from NDSU News)

NDSU senior Adlina Paramarta is frequently described as a “dynamo,” an outgoing bundle of energy and enthusiasm. Selected to represent the graduating class during NDSU’s commencement ceremony Dec. 16, she also is a proud, dedicated international student who carries a 3.99 grade-point average.

“My message at commencement is to be thankful for the people who have supported us. I believe our success is their success, too,” said Paramarta, who will receive a Bachelor of Science in chemistry. “The other thing is, graduation is not the end – it is just the start. NDSU has given us the power to do good for society, to contribute to positive change.”

Paramarta, a native of the island of Java in Indonesia, and her family came to Fargo in 2006, where she graduated from Fargo North High School. She’s here because her father, Susilo Poromarto, earned a master’s degree in plant pathology at NDSU in 1997, and he wanted his family to also seek opportunity in America.

“When my dad applied to NDSU back in 1994, he did not see a map. He just looked at the agriculture rankings for NDSU and saw it was definitely a top university. When he got accepted, he then saw that North Dakota bordered Canada with a much different climate than Indonesia. So, I want to point out NDSU has a good, global reputation,” said Paramarta, who is graduating in an impressive three and one-half years.

Paramarta has, what she calls, a “Bison family.” Her father is seeking his doctorate and her brother, Dienul, is a sophomore studying computer science. Her mother, Yuni Armawati, lends her strong support.

Besides her studies, Paramarta has been actively involved in campus activities. She has been a College of Science and Mathematics Ambassador and participated in the International Student Association, Chemistry Club, Tennis Club and Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society. In addition, she served as a master of ceremonies for NDSU’s International Night.

She also volunteered to discuss matters of diversity and is an undergraduate research assistant in the Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials, where she works on research focusing on environmentally friendly, bio-based coatings that have the capability to replace harmful chemical components.

This past summer, Paramarta conducted research for International Business Machines (IBM) in San Jose, Calif., that developed a method to desalinate water. The project may provide accessible, cleaner drinking water in the developing world.

“My experience in this country has changed the way I think. There is another side to see. It’s been amazing and it changed my perceptions. Someday, I want to go back to Indonesia to explain the misconceptions of what they see on television and what is the reality of America,” Paramarta said. “There is much more open communication here, which can be both good and bad.”

As she has learned about the United States, Paramarta often has shared information about her home country and her Muslim religion. As she puts it, “positive change comes through understanding.”

Along the way, she has made many friends and left quite an impression.

“Adlina has proven herself to be a highly intelligent, inquisitive and delightful person. Her personality is magnetic, with all the faculty, students and staff enjoying working with her,” Victoria Johnston Gelling, associate professor of coatings and polymeric materials, wrote in a letter of support.

“Adlina is smart,” wrote Kevin McCaul, dean of science and mathematics, noting her success in a demanding program. “She has served as a peer tutor, a “Welcome Week” leader, a member of the college ambassadors, an active Chemistry Club member and an involved international student – all this while simultaneously spending many, many hours doing undergraduate research in the NDSU Research and Technology Park.”

Berlin D. Nelson Jr., professor of plant pathology, said Paramarta also worked in the NDSU greenhouses. “Adlina is without a doubt one of the most responsible, smart and hard working undergraduate students I have ever had work for me,” he wrote.

Following graduation, Paramarta plans to continue her education by entering the doctoral program in coatings and polymeric materials through the NDSU Graduate School. Her long-term goals are to continue research and development of bio-based coatings in industry and become an educator for disadvantaged youth. Eventually, she wants to return to Indonesia to share her American experience.

NDSU commencement ceremonies are scheduled for Friday, Dec. 16, at 4 p.m. in the Bison Sports Arena.

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Message in a Bottle – Science Café with Prof. Cook

Posted on December 12, 2011 by DrCookNDSU

Dr. Gregory Cook, Professor and Chair of the NDSU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry will present the next Science Café on Tuesday, December 13 from 7:00-8:30 pm in the Hotel Donaldson Stoker’s Lounge. The topic will be: Message in a Bottle: Deconstructing Wine from a Chemist’s Perspective.

Dr. Cook was interviewed by Merrill Piepkorn on Prairie Public Radio’s Hear it Now program. 

Our Next Science Café:

Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

Message in a Bottle: Deconstructing Wine from a Chemist’s Perspective

Gregory Cook
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, North Dakota State University

 

In Vino Veritas, in Latin translates as, “In Wine [there is] truth.” The consumption of wine in the US has been rising steadily for at least the last 15 years. This has been partly spurred by recent press touting the health benefits of wine. From heart disease to cancer to Alzheimer’s, wine seems to be a magic elixir to cure all. But what is wine and is it as healthy as we are told? How is wine produced? What are these antioxidants? How do you tell if a wine is corked? Where does that vanilla flavor in my wine come from? How can wine prevent cancer? These are some of the many questions to be explored as we take a journey from grape to bottle from a taster’s and a chemist’s perspective.
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DNA Profiling – Science Café with Dr. Stuart Haring

Posted on October 25, 2011 by DrCookNDSU

The NDSU College of Science and Math’s next Science Café will feature Dr. Stuart Haring from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The event will take place on Tuesday, November 8 at 7:00 pm in the Hotel Donaldson Stoker’s Lounge. Here are more details:

DNA Profiling: Providing Justice … One Molecule at a Time

Stuart Haring
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, North Dakota State University

Question: What do you take with you every day and leave almost everywhere you go? Answer: DNA. Whether in court cases or natural disasters, it is often of critical importance to establish “beyond a reasonable doubt” the ownership of evidence or remains. This can be quite difficult, especially when traditional methods of identification (e.g., video, eyewitness, fingerprints, etc.) are not available. Enter deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). This biological molecule is contained within each cell of the human body, and although everyone’s DNA makeup is very similar, there are many regions of DNA that are unique to each individual. Much like gender, height, weight, hair/eye color, and identifying marks, the variable DNA regions can also be used as unique personal identifiers. Although DNA analysis has been around for over 25 years, it is only recently, as more rigor has been established for evidence collection and handling and more reliable and efficient techniques have been developed, that DNA analysis is becoming the accepted choice to establish identity “beyond a reasonable doubt”. This discussion will address exactly how DNA is analyzed and how this information can be used to convict or exonerate, identify missing persons and victims of disasters, and confirm or deny paternity. From “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit!” to “Who’s your daddy?”, forensic DNA analysis is rapidly becoming THE star witness in identity determination.
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