Spring 2010 Volume 3, Issue 1

The

B u l l e t i nD i v i s i o n o f B i o l o g y K a n s a s S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

I n s i d e :

Division’s First Williams Scholar -Jacob Elder, senior in microbiology and pre-medicine from Hooker Oklahoma, is the

first recipient of the Larry G. Williams scholarship. Page 4

Thinking Ahead and Leaving a Legacy Dr. Clay Harvey plans for substantial gift to the Division of Biology. His

generosity helps many K-State students. Page 2

Saying Goodbye - Dr. George Marchin passes on at age 68. Those who knew him in the Division of Biology share their favorite

Marchin memories. Page 5

Undergraduate Research Aids Student’s FutureSophomore Aaron Deeds takes advantage of K-INBRE Research Support

Scientific research is no longer a foreign subject to Aaron Deeds, sophomore in biology pre-med. Although he admits he is still learning, he is amazed at how much knowledge he has gained from hands-on experiences outside the classroom over last three semesters at K-State. Deeds is one of several undergraduate students that has taken advantage of undergraduate research opportunities available within the Division, thus furthering his knowledge of the scientific process and enhancing his problem-solving abilities. “Research was very confusing for me at first, but this will be my third semester in the lab, and I’m starting to make some real progress,” Deeds said. “I actually understand a lot more of what I’m doing.” Deeds is investigating the effects of lymphocytes on hemorrhage-induced intestinal injury under the guidance of Sherry Fleming, assistant professor of immunology. He explains that T and B cells may play a role in activating complement protein that leads to the immune system attacking cells in the intestines after a physical trauma to the body. “You learn so much more in the lab than you would just going to classes for your major,” Deeds said. Deeds’ progress is evident in his recent successes. In January, he presented a research

poster at the 8th Annual Kansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (K-INBRE) Symposium in Kansas City, Missouri. Out of 88 students presenting posters at the symposium, Deeds’ poster was awarded one of six Awards of Excellence. In addition, he was also awarded a K-INBRE Scholarship to help with tuition and research expenses. Like many students involved in research, the support from the K-INBRE program has contributed to giving students the knowledge and encouragement to do and continue their research, which not only benefits the student but the community as well. “K-INBRE benefits the community by allowing students to contribute basic knowledge that might be useful for translating techniques and knowledge into some sort of clinical application,” said Keith Chapes, professor of biology at K-State and director of the undergraduate support office for K-INBRE. “And even if they don’t go into a scientific career, they become better critical

thinkers and better informed consumers.” Supported by an infrastructure development grant from the National Institute of Health, K-INBRE is only one of many programs that assist undergraduates in research. From Deeds’ point of view, performing research on autoimmunity and intestinal damage caused by hemorrhage will help him better understand topics in his classes as well as become a highlight on his resume when he applies for medical school. “Getting involved in research really struck me as something interesting to do during a campus

tour with the biology undergraduate coordinator, Dr. Kent Kerby,” Deeds said. “It especially got me excited when he said that they’ve had students that have actually published papers and been the lead author. Then i attended the K-INBRE symposium and I think it definitely broadened my mind

to areas of the medical field that I wouldn’t necessarily have been exposed to otherwise.”

Aaron Deeds at the microscope

Thinking Ahead and Leaving a Legacy

Dr. David RintoulInterim Director of the Division of Biology

Photo Courtesy of the KSU Foundation

At age 57, Clay Harvey, diagnostic radiologist in Topeka and alumnus of the Division of Biology, is thinking ahead and leaving a legacy. Harvey has included the Division of Biology, and nine other K-State entities in his trust, with an extraordinary donation in the event of his death. However as Harvey will certainly be the first to let you know, he has not given these gifts to try and get anything in return, he doesn’t even need a thank you, he said. “I’ve acquired those assets from my work; my work is based upon my education. So everything I own, everything I have, everything I’ve acquired, is due to the education I have received, primarily at Kansas State University,” Harvey said. “And trying to return some of that benefit to the university and to future students is what I am trying to do. It’s just a payback. I’m doing it because the action itself is my innate sense of reward.” As Harvey recalls when he was going to K-State, the State of Kansas contributed over 50% of the total operating budget. Now, he said, it is closer to 26%. “Private donations are just more and more important these days,” Harvey said. “If individuals are not willing to step forward to make a commitment to the future of higher education in the State of Kansas, there are

some dangers involved here and I’m not for sure a lot of people can fully appreciate it.” “Dr. Harvey is an outstanding alumnus of K-State Biology and a wonderful friend of the university,” said Brian Spooner, University Distinguished Professor and Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “The incredible combination of commitment and generosity that shine through by his inclusion of K-State and, in particular, the Division of Biology in his planned gift trust, will benefit students and faculty well into the future. He is a treasured member of the Division of Biology family and the K-State community.” Harvey’s generosity did not begin recently. In 2007, he established the University Distinguished Professors Scholarship to honor those professors in the Division of Biology. The scholarship awards a total of $1000, $500 per semester, to a deserving biology student to assist them with tuition and other college related expenses. This year the fund had enough to provide awards to two students; Luke Frager, junior in biology and pre-medicine from Morrowville and Joseph Houlik, senior in biology and pre-medicine from Wichita. “I would just like to thank Dr. Harvey for the support,” Frager said. “It is promising to see that someone wants to give back because they’re happy with what they’ve done. I just hope I’ll be able to do that someday.”

Join us on Facebookkeep up to date on current research •look up long lost colleagues •findscholarships•see the latest seminar schedule•tell us about your own research•seek tips for research solutions•post pictures & videos of research•

http://www.k-state.edu/biology/facebook.html

  This  fiscal  year  has brought to the Division of  Biology  some interesting  changes.  Brian Spooner, Director of  the Division  for  the past 15 years accepted the position of interim dean  of  the  College of  Arts  and  Sciences, 

therefore Dave Rintoul, has agreed to serve as Interim Director. As the interim director of the Division of Biology, I probably should introduce myself in this issue, and then use subsequent issues to keep you abreast of all the good things that are happening in the Division. I am a native of the state of Kansas, born and raised in Garden City, where I graduated from Garden City High in 1968. I have been at KSU since 1981, coming here fresh from a postdoctoral

stint in Biochemistry at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO. Prior to that I was at Stanford University, where I obtained my Ph.D. in November 1977. And now I get to the difficult admission; I graduated with a BA in Biology from the University of Kansas in 1972. Yes, I was a Jayhawk, but since I have been here for nearly 30 years, I’ve come to appreciate purple and wildcats. I can also claim another link to KSU, my father graduated from here in 1942 with a journalism degree. So I’m sorta like a second-generation Wildcat! Our Division is going through some difficult budgetary times, but the faculty and students are as dedicated as ever to science and science education. We continue to be the leading research unit at KSU, and we continue to educate and graduate excellent students. In the upcoming newsletter issues, I can tell you more about those good things, such as our new Division of Biology at Kansas State University Facebook page. Stay tuned!

2 Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodiaPhoto by David Rintoul

In his spare time Dr. Rintoul enjoys photography and ornithology

3

Earthworms will soon be wiggling their way into Kansas classrooms to help a Kansas State University biology instructor with a statewide biological research project. Bruce Snyder, instructor in K-State's Division of Biology, is teaming up with collaborators throughout the state for the project "Earthworms Across Kansas: A Citizen Science Approach to an Invasive Species Survey." The project is funded by a grant from the K-State Center for Engagement and Community Development. The project calls on assistance from middle school and high school teachers and students across the state to become citizen scientists by collecting earthworms from their local areas as part of a curriculum designed to meet state academic benchmarks. "The idea behind this project is that teachers will be given a free kit of educational materials and all items necessary for preserving earthworms, including pre-paid postage and shipping materials," Snyder said. "In exchange, we ask them to collect one or more earthworms and return the specimens to us with the collection information, such as location and date collected." Earthworms are one of the most ubiquitous and commonly encountered soil-dwelling animals, but relatively little is known about the biology and ecology of many earthworm species, Snyder said. They are commonly thought of as good for gardens and agricultural fields, but one-third of earthworm species currently found in the United States are actually exotic and were introduced from other continents. Some of these exotic earthworm species are considered invasive and are capable of causing harm to the ecosystem, he said.

"By recruiting students and teachers to collect earthworms, we will engage them in the issues of invasive species and biodiversity while gaining a valuable set of specimens and distribution data for native and invasive earthworms in Kansas," Snyder said. Snyder and collaborators will send letters to all Kansas middle and high school teachers at the end of the spring semester to recruit volunteer classrooms. Teachers who are interested should respond to the letter so the free educational kits can be sent to them prior to the fall 2010 semester. Results of the project will be posted on a publicly accessible Web site, allowing teachers, students and community members to access information on the particular earthworm species that were collected in their area as well as the information collected throughout the state. The Web site also will have a mapping feature that will display the range of the species within the state. Along with Snyder, project collaborators include Christopher Lavergne, K-State instructor of communications; Greg Zolnerowich, K-State associate professor of entomology; Sam James with the University of Kansas Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Institute; and Mac Callaham from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, Southern Research Station. Snyder received a $13,650 Engagement Incentive Grant from K-State's Center for Engagement and Community Development and is seeking additional funding for more kits and to hire and train undergraduate students in processing the returned worms. More information on how to become involved in the project is available at http://www.k-state.edu/earthworm or by contacting Snyder at basnyder@k-state.edu.

Earthworms: From Soils to SchoolsKSU Biology Instructor brings research to Kansas classrooms

New Graduate Student

Fellowships

Ecology, Evolution, and Genomics in Changing Environments

http://www.k-state.edu/eeg/

Multiple interdisciplinary graduate training fellowships are available to individuals seeking education and research training at the doctoral level that links the complementary disciplines of ecology, evolution, and genomics.

The KSU GAANN program features:Integrative research opportunities in •

Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Genomics Diverse interdisciplinary coursework • Development of teaching skills • Competitive stipend of up to $30,000 per •

year, plus tuition and other expenses Instrumentation, core facilities and •

resources needed to perform quality research

Evidence-based inquiry into the distant, remote, or past (EIDRoP)http://www.k-state.edu/gk12

Biology graduate students with established research projects are invited to apply for fellowships in KSU’s EIDRoP graduate training program, part of NSF’s GK-12 program. EIDRoP is an interdisciplinary program to enhance the communication and collaboration skills of outstanding graduate students in the biological sciences, geosciences and physical sciences. EIDRoP fellows collaborate across departments and with K-12 educators, and each fellow serves as a “resident scientist” to a high school classroom throughout their fellowship year.

Bruce Snyder holds worm for camera

Williams Scholarship

Jacob Elder, senior in microbiology, Hooker, Oklahoma, is the first recipient of the Larry G. Williams Scholarship. The scholarship was awarded for his performance in biological courses, lab work and interest in parasitology and genetics. “A wonderful student. Jacob was a great asset and joy to have in class last semester,” said Kristin Michel, assistant professor of human parasitology. “He is fully deserving of this honor.” A K-State honors student, Elder also participates in many different recreational sports and works in the research lab under Juergen Richt, Regents Distinguished

Professor in K-State’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Elder plans to graduate in May and attend graduate school or pharmaceutical school. The Williams Scholarship was created in honor of Larry Williams, a university teaching scholar and, until his retirement in 2008, the associate director of undergraduate studies for the Division of Biology. With more than 38 years of service to K-State, Williams assisted countless undergraduates in achieving their academic and professional goals. His dedication was the inspiration for establishing the scholarship, which is funded by donations from former students and advisees.

Larry Williams congratulates

Jacob Elder with a handshake for being awarded

the first Williams Scholarship.

(To donate to the Williams

Scholarship fund use fund number

Q95240)

8th Annual K-INBRE Symposium Awards  Research Poster Award of ExcellenceAaron Deeds, junior in biology, pre-medicineDiane Hylton, senior in microbiology, nutritional sciences, and pre-medicineStacy Littlechild, junior in biology  Award of Excellence Oral PresentationSterling Braun, freshman in microbiology

2009 Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association National Scholar Athlete - Whitley Jackson, junior in biology, modern languages, pre-medicine

Blue Key President Award - Erin Gettler, senior in biology

American Society of Mammalogists Hartley H. T. Jackson Award (lifetime service award) - Glennis Kaufman, research assistant professor

Audubon of Kansas, Greater & Lesser Prairie-chicken Lifetime Conservation Award - Robert Robel, emeritus professor

The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Silver Fellow - Gary Conrad, professor of biology

Award Announcements

The Division of Biology is spreading its influence more than a half a world away. Jesse Nippert, assistant professor in the Division of Biology, along with Colorado State University faculty members Gene Kelly, professor of soil and crop sciences and Alan Knapp, professor of biology, recently completed a research trip to South Africa to collect preliminary samples and begin planning research designed to better understand the mechanisms controlling the southern distributional limit of Colosphospermum mopane, a widespread African tree. Ultimately, their goal is to assess the potential for additional encroachment of this ecosystem

to the south with global warming. 4

Kruger National Park in northeastern South Africa is the crown jewel of the South Africa National Parks system. It is home to most of the major wildlife species in Africa including elephant, giraffe,

white and black rhino, African buffalo, kudu, impala and all the charismatic species that prey on them – lion, cheetah, leopard, w i l d dog and hyena. At present, most of these animals reside in the southern half of the park

in savanna ecosystems dominated by Acacia and Combretum species. To the north is a widespread savanna ecosystem dominated by Mopane. This ecosystem type has lower plant diversity, less grass biomass for grazers and much lower animal diversity.

Elephants, already considered to be at non-sustainable population levels, are the primary large herbivores that utilize the Mopane ecosystem type. Based on climate correlations with existing boundaries of the distribution of Mopane across Africa, this species is thought to be relatively cold intolerant and there is a distinct boundary between Mopane in the warmer north and Acacia- Combretum ecosystems in the cooler south within Kruger National Park. Local anecdotal observations suggest that this boundary may be shifting south with global warming however. This would have severe consequences for the conservation of the animals in the park since the

park is finite in size and surrounded by private land to the south. Thus any expansion of

Mopane will lead to less Acacia-Combretum habitat – and a likely overall reduction in diversity in Kruger National Park. Nippert, Kelly, and Knapp are working with Dr. Tony Swemmer of the South African Ecological Observatory Network. The Institute for Grassland Studies at KSU provided travel funds for Nippert.

Researching Global Warming Half a World Away

Photos Courtesy of Jesse Nippert

The Division of Biology lost a dear friend, colleague and mentor. Dr. George L. Marchin died unexpectedly in his home, the morning of June 19, 2009, at the age of 68. Dr. Marchin joined the K-State Faculty in 1978 and was a professor of Microbiology until his death. Despite his absence, his wonderful sense of humor, intellectual and scientific contributions, teaching and kindness continue to be positive influences among those that knew him in the Division. Paul Ragusa and Greg Scott, graduate students in Marchin’s lab, remember him as a well-versed and incredibly talented scientist. They describe him as a chemist in the biology department, since his formal training was in inorganic chemistry yet his research was centered on bacteriology and phage biology. The most recent work in the Marchin Lab was directed at using various nanoparticle preparations essentially as powerful disinfectants; using various strategies

to determine the origin of non-point source pollution; and finally, isolation of phage against Enterococcus faecalis for possible therapeutic use. His talents, however, went way beyond science. “Sometimes when you get to know someone you may learn that they may know a little about a lot of things or perhaps a lot about one or two things,” Ragusa said. “However, this was not true for Marchin. Marchin knew a lot about a lot of things. He not only knew an immense amount of microbiology and chemistry but also about different cultures, travels, languages, music in multiple languages, food (he was a part of culinary club), brewing, mechanical work, and politics.” “On numerous occasions, he would come into the lab speaking Czech, Russian, German, or maybe French,” Scott said. “He would sing a song or recite a poem. Paul and I would laugh at him and ask him what it meant, and then he would return the favor and laugh at us. He was a great man, a great friend and a great mentor. All in

all, George was a guy who was incredibly cool.”

One of the unique aspects of the Division of Biology is the diverse group of faculty, staff and students who gather in the break room for crossword puzzles over lunch; in which Marchin was a frequent attendant. He is remembered during those lunch hours for using his vast knowledge to answer tough clues on a wide variety of subjects as well as his unique lunches. “George and his sardine lunches would always make me laugh,” said Stephanie Jacques, assistant to the director. “He would just peel open a can of sardines and dig right in. He was a really intriguing person who would randomly say or do something to get you to laugh.” Marchin was also a very active man throughout his life. He enjoyed running, camping, sailing and playing the accordion. Gary Conrad, University Distinguished Professor of Biology, has fond memories of playing soccer with Marchin on the departmental soccer team.

“Neither George nor I ever developed great skill in handling the ball with our feet,” Conrad said. “We just loved to chase the other players and take the ball away! It was like a return to childhood! We often finished games with hyper-extended knees from the abrupt starting and stopping.” “One of my favorite memories was from the day before he died,” said Tari Philips, accounting specialist. “After a clue about Napoleon was read in the crossword puzzle, George started folding a piece of newspaper to make a hat then acted like he was Napoleon.” Survivors include his wife Anne, of the home, four daughters, Melissa Perchellet and her husband, Antoine, Katherine Marchin-Tomlin and her husband Ed, Madelaine Gogol and her husband Peter, all live in the KC area, Marjorie Marchin and one son George Marchin; both currently attend KU. He is also survived by 2 granddaughters, 2 brothers, John Marchin of Shawnee, KS and Larry Marchin of Kansas City, KS

and a large extended family.

5

Saying Goodbye to Dr. George Marchin

Photos Courtesy

of the Marchin

Family

Division of BiologyKansas State University116 Ackert HallManhattan, KS 66506-4901

Functional Genomics Consortium 2010 Spring SymposiumDate: March 10, 2010 Location: K-State Student Union Big 12 Room, Manhattan, KS

All University Open HouseDate: April 24, 2010 Contact Info: http://consider.k-state.edu/openhouse/ Location: K-State Manhattan Campus

GROW Summer WorkshopDate: June 9-11, 2010 Contact Info: www.ksu.edu/grow Location: K-State Manhattan Campus

4th Annual Arthropod Genomics SymposiumDate: June 10-13, 2010 Contact Info: http://www.k-state.edu/agc/symp2010/Location: Kansas City Marriott on the Plaza, Kansas City, MO

Konza Prairie Visitor’s DayDate: September 25, 2010 Contact Info: kpbs.konza.ksu.edu Location: Konza Prairie Biological Research Station

Functional Genomics Consortium 2010 Fall SymposiumDate: October 5-6, 2010 Location: K-State Student Union Room 212, Manhattan, KS

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Sunflowers at the KSU Gardens, Family - Asteraceae, Genus - Senecio