Division of Sciences 2000-01
BIOLOGY
Charles Chester
Attended:
International Conference of Problem-Based Learning in Undergraduate and Professional Education, Birmingham, Alabama
Visiting scientist, Hillsborough Community College Pigeon Key Trip led by Dr. Ken Thomas, May 2000
Developed new elective course for upper-level biology majors: BIO 310 Animal Behavior
Judge for 12th annual Alabama Statewide Computational Science ASPIRE EXPO, May 2001
Works in progress:
Manuscript: “Diet-Induced Changes in the Life History of the Estuarine Nudibranch, Tenellia adspersa” with Bonnie J. Ripley and Larry G. Harris
Collaboration with colleague at Florida International University on research project in Florida Bay
Conversion of room in Yancey Hall into a laboratory and culture facility
Continued collaboration with research laboratories at the University of South Alabama (in conjunction with these activities, was re-appointed Adjunct Assistant Professor in their Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience):
Preparing a paper for publication on the relationship of the protein Collagen IV to embryonic gastrointestinal smooth muscle development
Collaborator on research proposal (“Prostate Epithelial Cell Gene Regulation by Specific Interactions of Nkx 3.1 with Serum Response Factor”) submitted March 2001 to the U.S. Department of Defense
Preparing an additional proposal for June 2001 submission to the National Institutes of Health
Involved three students in supervised research in laboratory – one successfully demonstrated a variety of gene products, microscopically, in prepared tissues using some of the new equipment purchased with Crampton and Farley monies
Placed two students in a University of South Alabama laboratory internship during the school year – one will participate in an internship there this summer
Co-recipient of $65,212 Crampton Trust grant for purchasing new equipment and establishing an undergraduate research program
Involved in development of undergraduate student research aspects of the recently funded Teagle Foundation proposal
Submitted proposal to Verizon Foundation for development of an Upward Bound-associated summer program for K-12 teachers
Working with Melisa Yeend (SHC Development Office) on proposal to be submitted to the National Science Foundation (CCLI: A&I) in June 2001
Planned and coordinated acquisition and expenditure of funds (approximately $52,000 now; up to $75,000 or more anticipated from ongoing fundraising) for development of the Patrick Farley (SHC 1967 alum) Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology
Awarded sabbatical for fall 2001
Attended:
Alabama Advisors for the Health Professions annual meeting at the McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Samford University
Heartland/Delta Conference, Creighton University, May 2000
Converted Mechanisms of Disease lectures to PowerPoint format for spring 2001
SHC contact for the National Science Foundation
Adult literacy tutor with the Goodwill/Easter Seals Adult Literacy Program
Volunteer with Southern Care Hospice (visitation of hospice patients)
Publications:
“The Sella Turcica of the Spinner Dolphin.” With Cheryl King. Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science 71:10 (not refereed)
Presentations:
Slide-supported explanation of research on dolphins in Alabama at a Marine Science Day Symposium organized by the Environmental Education Department of the Mobile County Public Schools
Participated in research on the head of a juvenile sperm whale in Panama City, Florida, led by Dr. Darlene Ketten of the Harvard University School of Medicine and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, February 2001
Consulted with counterparts in Galveston, Texas, in the study of marine mammals (October break, 2000)
Attended:
SHC workshops: Teaching Using Technology, Electronic Reserve, Sexual Harassment
Instructor at Dauphin Island Sea Lab (an operation of the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium) for a course on dolphins and whales (8th consecutive offering)
Interviews:
FOX 10 TV regarding manatees
Coordinator for Alabama of the Southeastern U.S. Marine Mammal Stranding Network (14th consecutive year)
Correspondent to a newsletter of the Southeastern U.S. Marine Mammal Stranding Network, sponsored by NOAA Fisheries
Moderator, Alabama Dolphin Research and Rescue Volunteers
SHC liaison, Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium
Took U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary short course: Boating Safely
Works in progress:
Research: Methods of studying ear bones of various dolphins and whales
CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, AND DUAL DEGREE ENGINEERING
Lectures/presentations given:
“Total Synthesis of Vitamin B12” – Science Division
Attended:
Faculty Conversations, Heartland/Delta Conference, Loyola New Orleans
“Technology in Teaching” workshop
Member:
Minority Affairs Committee, southeast regional chapter of the American Chemical Society
Asked to present a seminar on minorities and women in sciences in Savannah, Georgia, in September 2001
Asked to serve on a committee that develops questions for the American Chemical Society’s general chemistry exams (requires nomination from two former committee members)
Developed:
New curriculum for biochemistry major
Developed biochemistry course (CHM 462) with accompanying lab
Will audit a graduate-level biochemistry course in summer 2001 in preparation for teaching biochemistry in fall 2001
Works in progress:
Adapting organic chemistry labs to a new laboratory format
Larry Brough
Attendee and discussant:
Local meetings of the American Chemical Society
Three-day summer workshop focused on textbook Chemistry in Context which was recently adopted for CHM 100
Member: American Chemical Society and its Divisions of Chemical Education and Inorganic Chemistry
Began one-year term as Counselor for the Mobile section of the American Chemical Society
Remained current in field by reading:
Chemical and Engineering News
Chemical Abstracts Selects: Organosilicon Chemistry
Developed new internet-based assignments for CHM 100 Chemistry in the Modern World
Co-recipient of Crampton Trust grant for establishing an undergraduate research program
Attended:
Heartland/Delta Conference: Faculty Conversations IV: “Justice Issues in Jesuit Higher Education”
SHC Karen Desotelle workshop: “The Context for Teaching and Learning in Jesuit Colleges and Universities”
SHC Barbara Walvoord workshop: “Using Technology Effectively to Enhance Student Learning and Motivation”
Reviewer for two articles for the journal Sensors and Actuators B
Works in progress:
Revising article for submission to Physical Chemistry – Chemical Physics
Consulting project involving quality control problem for Acordis Cellulosic Fibers Inc.
John Cunningham, S.J.
Lectures/presentations given:
Chemistry Seminar presentation
Science fair preparation for two public school students
Member: American Association of Physics Teachers
Remained current in field by reading:
Physics Today
The Physics Teacher
MATHEMATICS
Participated in Advanced Placement Calculus exam grading at Colorado State University; served as table leader for fourth consecutive year
Works in progress:
Revising paper presented in March at the Science and Culture Symposium 2000 on the subject of mathematics in the work of Oswald Spengler; plan on finding publication venue for it in the future
Publications:
“Two Charged Particles in a One-Dimensional Well.” American Journal of Physics, February 2001. (refereed)
Reviewer, Mathematical Association of America: Mathematics Magazine, The College Mathematics Journal
Read Visual Complex Variables and found techniques there that are valuable to ongoing research in vector interactive fields
Works in Progress:
Article for Ocean Navigator Publications
Paper for Mathematics Magazine
Continuing research in the area of vector interactive fields
Member: Mathematical Association of America
Attended:
“Teaching Well Using Technology” workshop
Implemented some technology workshop ideas in classes
Tutor residents of St. Mary’s Children’s Home in mathematics
Continuing mathematics education