The $50,000 award will be distributed over two years, and is intended to help students initiate careers in cardiovascular and stroke research by providing research assistance and training. Research topics may be broadly related to cardiovascular function and disease and stroke, or to related clinical, basic science, bioengineering or biotechnology, and public health problems, including multidisciplinary efforts.
Andrew earned his BA in Biochemistry in 2011at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO., and entered the UO Chemistry doctoral program in the fall of that year. He is currently doing his thesis work in the Nolen lab, and his proposal, “WISH/DIP1/SPIN90 (WDS) Proteins Seed Assembly of Branched Actin Networks,” was selected for funding by the AHA. His research is focused on investigating the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, a protein framework that provides a physical scaffold for cells. Actin molecules polymerize into helical filaments that undergo dynamic rearrangements to allow changes in cell shape during motility and provide tracks for material transport. Striated tracks of actin filaments play a fundamental role in muscle contraction like those of the heart.
After completing his PhD, Andrew plans to continue to lead a research driven career investigating mechanisms in biochemistry and cell biology in diseased and non-diseased states.
Biochemistry major Ian Rinehart and Simon Ewing, a Chemistry and Math major, were selected as the recipients of two summer research awards funded by the UO chapter of the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society (SAACS).
Simon Ewing, a sophomore from Springfield, Oregon, will be working in the Prell lab. The Prell lab’s research examines the structure of proteins at the nanoscale in order to understand the relationship between structure and function. Simon describes his research as computational and theoretical, and works to develop computational tools for use with ion mobility experiments. His interest in analytical chemistry began in high school, where his chemistry teacher was an analytical chemist. He enjoys looking in depth at molecular interactions to see how they affect the system as a whole. Simon’s post-graduate plans include earning his PhD and working in research, with the goal of someday having his own research lab.
Ian Rinehart is a junior from Portland, Oregon. He works in the Tyler lab on research that is seeking a solution for a problem confronting the natural gas industry – too much nitrogen in the wells. Purifying the gas by removing the unwanted nitrogen is difficult and expensive. The project Ian is working on endeavors to design a small molecule that can purify the natural gas at a cost-effective rate. Ian has known that he wanted to do science from an early age, and was particularly inspired by his organic chemistry studies. He sees both science and art in the opportunity chemistry offers to explore the laws of the universe, and then to create something new and see what happens. Ian plans to continue on to grad school to pursue a PhD after completing his undergrad degree. He has a strong interest in working in a national lab on small molecule synthesis.
This is the first time that UO SAACS has offered research awards for undergraduate researchers. The purpose of the awards is to support chemistry and biochemistry majors’ ability to engage in research during the summer term.
Two University of Oregon Phi Beta Kappa Chemistry grads met up last week at the American Medical Association (AMA) Annual meeting.
Dr. James (Jay) Gilbaugh MD, Class of ’83, is President of the Kansas Medical Society and Dr. Robert Wah MD, Class of ’79,is Immediate Past President of the American Medical Association.
The American Medical Association was founded in 1847 and is the largest association of physicians and medical students in the US. The AMA’s mission is to promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.
Aidan Grealish and Mary Earp have been chosen as recipients of the 2015 UO Chemistry and Biochemistry department’s annual undergraduate scholarships. The Faith Van Nice Scholarship has been awarded to Aidan Grealish, and the Kuntz-Swinehart Memorial Scholarship to Mary Earp.
The Faith Van Nice Scholarship is dedicated to the legacy of alumna Faith Van Nice, and recognizes exceptional UO undergraduate students majoring in Chemistry or Biochemistry. This year’s recipient, Aidan Grealish, is from Tualatin, Oregon, and is a sophomore in the Clark Honors College. Majoring in Chemistry and Digital Arts, she chose UO for the flexibility in schedule that would allow her to explore her diverse interests. Aidan finds inspiration by dipping her toes into lots of fields, and feels that her interdisciplinary scholarship is an advantage as she applies her creative abilities to her approach to science.
Aidan will begin doing research in the Page lab this summer, working on the synthesis of thin films and their applications for electronics. She is excited to explore the chemistry behind new and developing technology. Her long-term goals include an MD/PhD combined graduate program. She would like to settle into a career that will engage both her creative and scientific sides, perhaps in healthcare, bioinformatics, or scientific visualization. She is passionate about increasing access to knowledge, and the potential for new media and technology to promote the democratization of information.
The Kuntz-Swinehart Memorial Scholarship, meant to recognize and encourage academic excellence in our majors, was established by former UO Chemistry students in honor of two professors whose instruction, influence and inspiration had a significant impact on their career paths. Our 2015 recipient, Mary Earp, is a sophomore from West Linn, Oregon, majoring in Biochemistry. She was drawn to the UO for the resources it has to offer as a large university, and the opportunities for research. She credits her organic chemistry courses with opening up a whole new world for her, offering an opportunity to discover how things work on a molecular level, and the reactions that occur when molecules are combined.
Mary is currently doing research in two UO laboratories, chemistry in the Pluth lab, and psychology in the Sereno lab. The Pluth lab research is focused on hydrogen sulfide detection in biological systems. Hydrogen sulfide has shown importance in many different biological processes, and has a great deal of medical relevance. Mary’s work involves examining fluorescent molecular probes to see if they behave as described in the literature, and comparing them to each other. In the Sereno lab, her psychology research examines visual perception and how people perceive 3-D objects. She finds that working in multiple labs rounds out her approach to research, and offers opportunities to pursue her varied interests. After earning her undergraduate degree, Mary plans to continue on to grad school in a MD/PhD combined program. She hopes to work in research, and eventually have a lab of her own.
Both Mary and Aidan would like to express their appreciation for being chosen for these awards, and for the department’s investment and belief in their potential as scholars and scientists.
UO Chemistry and Biochemistry alumna Dana Garves, Class of 2010, started her own beer business, BrewLab, after working as a lab tech for Ninkasi Brewing Company.
UO Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty Michael Harms is among 22 promising early-career researchers named as Pew Scholars in the Biomedical Sciences by The Pew Charitable Trusts. He was chosen for his research focused on the relationship between the biophysical properties of proteins and their evolution.
“By peeling back the layers of history one by one,” Harms said. “We can better understand the logic of this complicated system, hopefully revealing avenues to treat disease.”
Calden Carroll, Class of 2011, President of SupraSensor Technologies
Calden Carroll’s PhD work under Professors Michael Haley and Darren Johnson resulted in the creation of SupraSensor Technologies. But, as the article from UO Research and Innovation explains ~
The route from basic research to innovation can be a long and winding road, but the payoffs can be big. That was the case for one University of Oregon startup, which began with a failure in the laboratory.
UO Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty Marina Guenza has been honored with a 2015-16 UO Fund for Faculty Excellence Award. The award recognizes faculty for their research, teaching and leadership.
