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Biology Department Newsletter

Volume 8    Number 8    December 14, 2004

 

Letter from the Editor

Hi...we hope that you enjoy this issue of the newsletter and have a terrific holiday and New Year.  If you have any contributions for future editions of the newsletter, please submit them to S Saupe or W Lamberts.  

Student News 

John Compton, Matt Coyle, Helena Hoff, Dave Neitzke, Janell Satt, and Josh Suckow recently attended the UM Graduate School Forum/Symposium in Plant Science.  They were accompanied by Dr. S Saupe and the group made up the largest contingent from any school.

Brad Matuska, a St. John's alum, was recently named, AURI "Ag Innovator of the Year" for his work with composting. Congratulations Brad!

Faculty News

Dr. M Webster was AWOL from the department for a few days as he underwent surgery for his "swallower." He reports that his recent surgery at Mayo Clinic, to relieve a blocked esophagus, was 100% successful.  For the medically minded (and not too squeamish!) the procedure was a Laparoscopic Heller Esophagomyotomy and Toupet Fundoplication.  What a mouthful! (get it?)  Profs. Saupe, Lamberts, Chu, Jansky, and others who took over his classes and labs.  Dr. Webster will serve on a panel of reviewers for the National Science Foundation in February, reading (and reading and reading) proposals to the Graduate Research Fellowship Program in Physiology, Microbiology, and Neurosciences.   These fellowships support graduate students at research universities who are studying for their doctoral degree.

One of the time-lapse movies produced by students in Dr. S Saupe's Plant Physiology course will be used by the the Texas Education Agency in developing a Gr. 8 science test that will be administered online to students throughout the state. 

Father Gunther Rolfson, OSB, who once taught in the Biology Department recently died.  For more information you can read the St. John's Abbey obituary or profile in the CSB/SJU Bailey Herbarium

Curriculum News

Heath & Wellness Requirement Eliminated.
On December 1st, 2004, the faculty approved the following motion: The JFA votes to eliminate the HW requirement, effective immediately and retroactive to students who entered Fall 2004 and after.  Students who entered prior to Fall 2004 are still required to complete PHED 117 for graduation. If you have questions about this change, please contact the Academic Advising Office. 

Advisors for Pre-Professional Programs

Pre-Chiropractic Ed McIntee
Pre-Dental Manuel Campos, David Mitchell
Environmental Studies Derek Larson
Pre-Forestry Stephen Saupe
Pre-Medicine Manuel Campos, Dave Huber, Jeffrey Anderson, David Mitchell
Pre-Occupational Therapy Manuel Campos, David Mitchell
Optometry David Mitchell, Manuel Campos
Pre-Pharmacy Ed McIntee
Pre-Physical Therapy Julie Deyak, Scott Bierscheid, Don Fischer
Pre-Physician Assistant Manuel Campos, David Mitchell
Veterinary Medicine Ronald Henry
Forensic Science Michael Reagan
Genetic Counseling Michael Reagan

Calendar of Events

Jan. 19 - "Archaeology of the Orkney & Shetland Islands" - Audubon meeting; 7:00 pm, Unitarian fellowship building St. Cloud
Jan. 25 - Faculty Scholarship Day
Feb. 1 - Science-Related Careers - TRC; 7:00 pm

Biology Club News

Biology Club Officers:

Co-presidents: Jen Tarmann, Jeremy Eisenschenk (fall), Ryan Kroschel (spring)
Treasurer: Lindy Watanaskul
PR-Secretary - Jake Theis

 

Scholarships/Graduate Study

The Garden Club of America - They have seventeen scholarships and fellowships available to undergraduate and doctoral students ranging from $1,500 to $8,000 for research, field work or laboratory work in the areas of botany, ecology and wetland conservation among others. Deadlines for applicaitons are as early as Dec. 31 for summer 2005 awards. Applications and information on the scholarships and fellowships can be seen online.

Yucatan Cultural Ecology - The Wild Rockies Field Institute is offering a one-week field-based course, "Yucatan Cultural Ecology," March 13-19 adn March 20-26, 2005. For more information, visit their Web site.

Links for Scholarships/Grants/Fellowships for Graduate Study 

Jobs/Volunteer

St. John's Arboretum Fellowships
The St. John's Arboretum will be hiring two, full-time fellowship positions to begin in May 2004.  One will be an Environmental Educator and the other will be focused on Writing, Marketing, Communications, and Office Management.  Applications are due February 25th.  Applicants must be graduates of Saint Ben's or Saint Johns within the last 4 years.  For more information visit the web sites or contact Mr. Thomas Kroll; Land Manager and Arboretum Director; Saint John's Abbey and University; New Science 108; Collegeville, MN 56321-3000; 320-363-3126.

Spring/early Summer Employment Opportunity!
Sequoia-Kings Canyon Field Station (USGS, Biological Resources Division) is currently hiring Biological Science Technicians who will work out of San Diego, CA. Positions will start in late March and will last 3 to 4 months.  They want people with an interest in plant ecology and who want to work outdoors.  If interested, you must hurry, the deadline is December 17, 2004. For more information, call Anne at (559) 565-3172.

Green Industry Career Fair 
The Green Industry Career Fair will be held Jan. 7, 2005 in conjunction with the Minnesota Green Expo at the Minneapolis Convention Center.  The Career Fair is hosted annually by the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association and the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation with the intent of matching quality students with local green industry employers.  This is a great opportunity for your students to meet many of the state’s finest horticultural employers!  Admission for students is FREE on Friday, January 7.  The student’s free admission on Friday includes the Career Fair, trade show, and all Expo educational seminars.  Registration is available online.  For more details on educational seminars and other information visit their website.

Botanist - Research Associate 3, Dept of Biol Sciences; Louisiana State University
A Research Associate 3 position is available to conduct a floristic inventory of Jean Lafitte and Gulf Islands National Parks. Extensive field work at sites in coastal Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida is involved. Minimum qualifications: Master’s or equivalent degree in a Biological Science, Botany, Wildlife and Fisheries or related field. Must be able to travel to field sites several times a year, and must be able to write detailed reports.  Deadline is SOON.  Contact Dr. Diane M. Ferguson for more information.

CSB/SJU Fast Forward Youth Program Seeks Tutor Volunteers
For more information, visit their web site.

Career Tips - Job References 101
Many of you have probably realized that along with the cover letter and resume, employers often want a list of 3-5 references included in your application materials.  Below are a few basic tips from the UM Campus Career Center related to references are below.  For more information, contact the CSB/SJU Career Resource Centers.

  1. Reference lists should be an individual page, not part of your resume

  2. Include name, title, organization, address, phone, email and the length/nature of the relationship for each contact person on your list

  3. Select individuals who you are confident will say positive things about your work 

  4. Ideally, select individuals from an academic or employment setting rather than friends or family members

  5. Always ask individuals for permission to include them on your reference list

  6. Give all references a copy of your resume so they can easily address your other activities and recall the time of your interactions - keep them posted on your job search!

Web Sites:

Internships/Research

Internships at the Minnesota Zoo 
Visit their web site for more details.

Conservation and Land Management Mentoring Program
The Chicago Botanic Garden's conservation and land management mentoring program is seeking to place twenty outstanding college graduates for five-month paid internships to assist professional staff at Bureau of Land Management (BLM) state and field offices or National Parks.  Each intern will receive training on the Endangered Species Act and related conservation issues at a one-week course.  Travel and lodging for the course will be provided.  After training, interns will be assigned to work with a mentor at priority BLM or NPS sites throughout the United States; most offices are in the western states.  The stipend for the internship is $1650 per month. To apply, send a letter of interest, transcripts, resume, and three letters of recommendation to Dr. Lara Jefferson; Chicago Botanic Garden; 1000 Lake Cook Road; Glencoe, IL  60022; web site.

Baylor College of Medicine Summer Research Program
The Dept. of Molecular & Cellular Biology at Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, TX) is offering the SMART Program, a summer research program for undergraduates interested in research careers.  This is a paid research experience.  Application deadline is Feb. 1, 2005.  Click here for more information and on-line application.

Berry College's NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduate (REU) Program. 
They will be hosting eight students for 10 weeks in the summer of 2005 (starting June 1 and ending August 5).  The REU program focuses on ecology and environmental biology, taking advantage of our considerable scientific resources. For more information, visit their web site.  Or contact Dr. Martin Cipollini.

The Wilderness and Civilization Program
The Wilderness and Civilization program is offered by the University of Montana College of Forestry and Conservation in cooperation with the College of Arts and Sciences.   The program combines classroom and field learning, small class size, and internship experience for an in-depth exploration of wild land issues and human/land interactions.  The program begins with a 10-day wilderness trip in the Bob Marshall and ends with a 10-day float down the Missouri River.  Shorter field trips include Yellowstone National Park, the Yaak Valley, the Flathead Reservation and more.  More information and a brief description of the program can be obtained on line. 

U of Wisconsin - Summer Research Program in Biology
The UW Center for Biology Check invites undergraduates interested in exploring research in the biological sciences.  Their nine-week program features projects in various areas including biological chemistry, genetics, environmental biology, plant science and neuroscience.  For more information, visit their website. 

Internship Links

Links for Undergraduate Research at CSB/SJU

Links to Summer Research

Seminars/Symposia/Field Trips 

Virology Poster Session
Dr. Ellen Jensen's virology class recently presented posters summarizing their research during the semester. 

Environmental Science students Present Research Projects.
Dr. Webster's environmental science students recently held a poster session to present the result of their semester research projects.  The topics included "Fish or Cut Bait: Can artificial lures ever really replace exotic earthworm species?," "The use of prescribed burning as a management tool at CSBSJU," "Flying carp and other fishy tales," "Coal burning for heat and its local environmental effects," and other topics. 

AAAS Meeting
The annual meeting of the largest US scientific society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is Feb. 17-21 in Washington, D.C. and you can attend and present a research poster for cash prizes!  This is a great meeting, with a huge variety of different lectures, posters, and workshops on all fields of science and all aspects of science, from research to teaching to public policy.  There is an undergraduate student poster competition at this meeting, where you can exhibit your research and be judged with other undergraduates.  The submission deadline for your poster abstract is Sunday, November 14.  You must register for the meeting to submit a poster, but CSB/SJU have funds available to send students to meetings and there is the possibility of free registration in return for being a student session worker.  Check out their web site for more information.  Nicole Pagliacetti attended this last year to present her research.

2005 11th International Interdisciplinary Conference on the Environment
This conference, which will be held in Orlando, Florida, June 23 - 25 at Sheraton Studio City, welcomes scholarship in cross-disciplinary or interdisciplinary environmental studies in any academic field.  Students are also encouraged to present their research with a nomination by a faculty member.  Registration begins after January 1, 2005, and the closing date to receive abstracts for participation is April 30, 2005. Submitted papers may be evaluated for possible publication in the Interdisciplinary Environmental Review. For more information, please visit visit their web site. 

Central Minnesota Audubon Society
The Central Minnesota Audubon Society meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month in the Unitarian Fellowship Building in St. Cloud (south of Walmart, click here for directions and more info).   Everyone is invited to attend Audubon meetings.  If you need a ride to this, or other, Audubon program, contact Dr. S Saupe.  CMAS presentations for the remainder of the semester include: 

Dec - Annual Xmas Bird Count
Jan. 19 - "Archaeology of the Orkney and Shetland Islands" - Dr. B Scott

Miscellaneous 

News from the Melancon Greenhouse

The CSB/SJU Biology Department Greenhouse is located in the SE corner of PENGL and is open daily from about 9 - 4.

News from the CSB/SJU Bailey Herbarium - by Stephen Saupe

Remember, the herbarium is always open from about 8 - 5 daily and is open to anyone to study, relax and/or use the networked computer.  For more information, visit the herbarium website.

Web Sites Worth A Visit

Puzzler of the Week

(Do you know any good puzzlers?  Please send us your ideas.)

New Puzzler. 
In 1847, at the age of 24, Louis Pasteur looked down his microscope at the crystalline material from the bottom of wine bottles. This lead him to one of the defining moments in science that was:

  1. pasteurization

  2. the germ theory

  3. stereochemistry

  4. vaccination

To enter the competition, simply send your answer to Dr. S. Saupe via email or snail mail (c/o Biology Department, St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN 56321), campus mail, or simply slide the entry under my office door, SC335). The winner will be selected randomly from among the correct entries.  The winner will receive an official CSB/SJU Bailey Herbarium Magnet. Entries are due Jan 21, 2005.

Puzzler from Last Issue - Erin Lindeke was the winner of our last puzzler for knowing that a fungus is currently considered to be one of the largest, heaviest and oldest organisms on the planet.  The image shows Erin with her fabulous prize - a Bailey Herbarium magnet.  Congratulations Erin! 

 

Joke of the Week

(Have you heard any good jokes?  Please share them with us.)

So the preacher was dissatisfied with how little his congregation put in the collection plates on Sunday so he learned hypnosis.  He preached his sermon in a monotone and swung a watch slowly in front of the lectern and at the end of the sermon he said "Give!" and the collection plate was full of twenty dollar bills.  It worked for weeks.  The congregation sat mesmerized during the sermon, staring at the watch swinging, and when he said "Give!" they gave everything they had.

Then one Sunday, at the end of the sermon, the chain on the watch broke, and the preacher said "Crap!"

- - - - - - - - - - -

Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet.  He also ate very little, which made him rather frail and, with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath.  This made him....what? 

A super calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

     none submitted

For more information, contact:

Dr. Stephen G. Saupe
Professor & Herbarium Curator
Biology Department
College of St. Benedict/St. John's University
Collegeville, MN 56321
(320) 363-2782; (320) 363-3202 (fax)



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