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Biology Department Newsletter
Volume 6 Number 3 October 22, 2002
Letter from the Editor (menu)
If you've taken a walk in the woods lately you have probably noticed the incredible variety of fungi. Our wet summer and fall have resulted in a fantastic year for mushroom pickers. I know the pickers have been out in great numbers this year because I've already had four calls about the edibility of wild mushrooms. One person called because he and his pregnant wife had eaten what they assumed was a Lepiota or Parasol mushroom. The next morning they were both feeling a little queasy so he gave me a call. The pickers were worried that they had mistaken this choice edible for the dangerous and usually fatal Amanita. Fortunately, they hadn't. Two other individuals called about eating puffballs - which are generally okay to eat so long as it's not the immature stage of the dangerous and usually fatal Amanita. Another person called to ask about the bright orange-colored mushroom she found and wondered if her son could take it to 3rd grade for "show-and-tell." We decided it wasn't a good idea since she had found Amanita muscaria, the fly mushroom, which is both toxic and hallucinogenic. If the kids in the class had eaten it, his teacher would certainly have had a memorable afternoon.
Perhaps the one lesson from these stories is that if you collect mushrooms for the table, be sure that you have positively identify it and be sure to save a specimen in case it is poisonous and has to be identified later by an expert. Lastly, you should only eat a little bit of any new mushroom just to insure that you are not allergic or have a bad reaction. Happy mushroom hunting.
As always, I welcome contributions to the newsletter. See ya next issue.
Student News (menu)
Sara Meyering Carlberg (CSB ‘99) is currently working as a Food Scientist with FMC BioPolymers in Princeton, NJ. She will be working with the R&D team in the Dairy Group.
Kristina Everson-Kaehler (CSB ’92) writes that she is currently with SurModics, a biotech company that specializes in surface modification of medical devices.
Faculty News (menu)
Dr. Marcus Webster recently attended the North American Ornithology Conference in New Orleans. He reported seeing Noah Whiteman (SJU '98) who gave a presentation on Galapagos hawks and their feather lice.
Dr. Stephen Saupe lead a noon nature walk for the CSB/SJU Health at Work program. The topic of the walk was "Edible and Poisonous Wild Plants."
Curriculum News (menu)
Undergraduate Physical Education Requirement for Graduation
Effective Immediately, the Physical Education Requirement for Graduation is: CSB and SJU students who began Fall 2000 or after are required to complete PHED 117. CSB students who began prior to Fall 2000 are required to complete PHED 117. SJU students who began prior to Fall 2000 have no PHED requirement for graduation. Transfer students should consult with Academic Advising regarding the Physical Education requirement. already begun for the Annual Student Employment Appreciation Carnival!
Spring Registration
It will soon be time to register for spring classes. The full version of the schedule with instructions, descriptions, etc., is available on line.
Calendar of Events (menu)
| Oct 16 | "Bald Eagles in Montana" - Central Minnesota Audubon meeting; 7:00 pm; Heritage Nature Center, St. Cloud |
| Oct 22 | "What Can I do with a Biology Major?" 7:00 pm, TRC, CSB |
| Oct 22 | Chem Dept Seminar: "Forensic Applications of Laser Desorption Mass Spectroscopy"; ASC 142, 4:30 pm |
| Oct 25 | Biology Dept. Seminar: Tim Craig (Biology; University of Minnesota - Duluth) - “Testing the Ecological Speciation Hypothesis with a Gall-forming Fly, Eurosta solidaginis"; NEWSC 140; 4:00 pm |
| Oct 29 | Chem Dept Seminar: "Measuring Neurochemistry" ASC 142; 4:30 pm |
| Oct 30 - Nov 14 | Spring Registration |
| Nov 20 | Biology Dept. Seminar: Gordon Brown (Biology; CSB/SJU) - title tba; NEWSC 140; 4:00 pm |
Biology Club News (menu)
Taste of Saints
Once again, the Biology Club sold brats and burgers at Homecoming. A large contingent of club members came to help. Dr.'s Brown, Poff, Reagan and Saupe were cooked up the greasy gut bombs. Although it was rainy and cool, everyone had a great time, we made lot's of money, and we're already looking forward to the Taste of Saints at next year's Homecoming festivities.
Buckthorn Slaughter Day
On Saturday, October 19th, a herd of biologists descended upon the Big Woods Natural Area associated with Oak Hill School in St Cloud. Using chainsaws, loppers, pruners, chemicals, stump pullers and bare hands, the group destroyed as much of the invasive European buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) as possible. After a few hours, we had a huge pile of this nasty invader that is choking out our native vegetat.ion. Afterward, we shared pizza (many thanks to the Biology Club) and stories about our escapes at Godfather's. Many thanks to the "Buckthorn Busters" - Greg Dukinfield, Mary Cox, Luke Healy, Dusty Schuett, Katie Furniss, Nick Bancks, Jon Ploeger, Ashley Korbel, Melissa Cottew, Joey Nelson, Dr's. Janet and Michael Reagan, Dr. Mani Campos and his helpful assistants - Isabel and Aiden. Dr. Stephen Saupe and Guy Schafer helped organize the event. The group was so focused on ripping up buckthorn that they nearly destroyed the hedge outside of Godfather's thinking that it was buckthorn, rather than the innocuous Black chokeberry shrub (Aronia melanocarpa).
Biology Club Officers:
Scholarships/Graduate Study (menu)
The External Scholarship Programs Office
If you want money, a great place to visit is the external scholarship office. The staff is available to assist you in finding sources of scholarship funding and to answer questions about scholarship who, what, why, and wherefores. As a part of the service, ESP will send out email notices as scholarship applications come into the office. Be sure to check out the ESP WebPages to find links to scholarship search sites, descriptions of applications currently available in the ESP office, and loads-o-other valuable and interesting scholarships.
The Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest 2003
This annual contest -- now in its 14th year -- was created to challenge college students to contemplate various ethical issues facing them in today's complex society and to analyze their own perception and thoughts on ethics. Full-time juniors and seniors are encouraged to compete for awards of up to $5,000. In 3,000 to 4,000 words, students are encouraged to raise questions, single out issues and identify dilemmas. Applications, which are due by 2 December, and information are available online or from the External Scholarship Programs office, HAB 103 - CSB.
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship & Excellence in Education Program
For more info visit their web site or the External Scholarships Program office, HAB 103 - CSB.
Floyd Forsberg Environmental Scholarship –
For resource conservation and solid waste management. For more info visit the CSB/SJU External Scholarship Office.
The Truman Foundation Scholarship – for "public service".
Contact Dr. Phil Kronebusch, who serves as the Truman Faculty Representative for SJU students, and Dr. Nick Hayes, who serves as the faculty representative for CSB students, will be there to answer questions about the process. Additional information and copies of the application are available on line.
William L. Brown Plant Genetic Resources Fellowship
The Missouri Botanical Garden invites applications from suitably qualified, highly motivated graduates for the William L. Brown Plant Genetic Resources Fellowship. This fellowship supports graduate study in some aspect of economic botany and plant genetic resources for students from South Asia. Successful applicants will receive stipend and tuition support for 2 years of M.S. study or 5 years of study towards a Ph.D.
The purpose of the William L. Brown Plant Genetic Resources Fellowship is to educate botanists who will become active researchers and decision-makers in their home countries. The fellowship is designed to attract and support individuals from South Asian countries who will return to their country or region following graduation and make a significant difference in economic botany and in the development, application, and conservation of plant genetic resources. To this end, fellowship recipients will be encouraged to do thesis and dissertation research in South Asia. Applicants for the William L. Brown Plant Genetic Resources Fellowship must have a bachelor’s degree in biology/plant sciences and be able to demonstrate strong scientific and leadership potential in plant genetic resources. These fellowships are open to students from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Nepal. For more information, contact Manager of Graduate Studies at the Missouri Botanical Garden, Dr. Mick Richardson
Scholarship Opportunities - for more info contact the External scholarship Programs office, HAB 103 - CSB.
Blandin Paper Company Scholarships
Forum of Executive Women (FEW) scholarship – for a non-traditional student from one of the St. Cloud area colleges or universities.
The Wasie Scholarships – for U.S. &/or Polish citizens of 100% Polish ancestry
The Horace Mann Scholarship Program – for children of teachers and school employees
The Foundation of the National Student Nurses' Association Scholarships
Glamour’s Top Ten College Women Competition – for any woman who is currently a full-time junior
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship Program – for current sophomores
Links for Scholarships/Grants/Fellowships for graduate study
University of Minnesota School of Public Health Information Sessions
Wed, Oct 30; 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Fri, Nov 1; 11:30am – 1:00pm
Thurs, Nov 7; 4:00pm – 5:30pm
For more information or to register visit the web site.
What Can I Do With a Biology Major?
7:00 P.M.; Tuesday, October 22nd, 2002; Teresa Reception Center – CSB. It is s Sponsored by the CSB (#5557) & SJU (#3383) Career Resource Centers. Panel members will include:
| April Bogard, R.S., MPH | Epidemiologist | Minnesota Department of Health |
| Glenn Skuta | Supervisor of Watershed Support Unit | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency |
| Jim A. Merickel, PhD | Aquatic Ecologist | Natural Resources Group, Inc |
| Amy McBroom | Chemist | Ecolab |
| Dana Olson | Quality Assurance Associate | Protein Design Labs |
Web Sites:
DNR Volunteer Activities
The Minnesota DNR offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. Check out their website or the publication posted outside PENGL 329.
Graduate Research Assistantship - Texas and Alaska
I am seeking a graduate student interested in arctic plant ecology and arctic ecosystems to work with me at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). I currently have funding for two years of a GRA beginning in Fall 2003, and anticipate additional support after that. Summers will be spent in residence at the Toolik Field Station, location of the Arctic Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site, while the academic year will be spent in Arlington, located between Dallas and Fort Worth. You must be physically able to work at a remote, climatically harsh field site for weeks at a time to apply for this position. For a brief description of my research interests, please visit my web site or our department and graduate program. For further information, please contact me via e-mail or phone as listed below. Dr. Laura Gough, Department of Biology; Box 19498; University of Texas at Arlington; Arlington, TX 76019; phone: 817-272-1453; FAX: 817-272-2855; e-mail: gough@uta.edu
Internships/Research (menu)
The CSB/SJU Internship Office
This office is available to help with internships. Visit them in their office or on-line.
Health Related Summer Activities
Check out the web site at Swarthmore.
Links for Undergraduate Research
The 17th National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR)
This conference takes place March 13-15, 2003 at the University of Utah (Salt Lake City). Stuents interested in presenting their research must submit an abstract by November 15. This is a great opportunity for undergraduate students to experience a national conference devoted to research, scholarship, and creativity from a wide variety of disciplines. LIMITED FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO CSB/SJU STUDENTS TRAVELING TO THE CONFERENCE. If you have students engaging in research, creative projects, or other scholarly activity, please inform them of this opportunity.
Mini-grants available for students doing research or creative projects
Funds are available for students who are engaging in research, creative projects, or other scholarly activities. There are two types of "mini-grants" available: research and creative project grants to help defray the cost of the student's project, and travel grants for students traveling to a conference or other forum in which they will be publicly presenting or exhibiting their work. Please inform your students of these funding opportunities. Contact Mary Tamm, Office Coordinator for Undergraduate Research or Dr. Steve Stelzner, Director of Undergraduate Research, regarding the application process.
Internship Opportunities
CSB/SJU - New Internship Opportunities page
Environmental Internships - Student Conservation Association, Inc. – Charlestown, NH
Science Research - Ocean Mammal Institute – Reading, PA
Women's Issues - Women’s Sports Foundation – East Meadow, NY
Seminars/Symposia/Field Trips (menu)
Bald Eagles in Montana
Bald eagles are the featured topic at the monthly meeting of the Central Minnesota Audubon Society on Wednesday October 16. The meeting starts at 7:00 pm at the Heritage Nature Center in St. Cloud (across from Cub Foods). Everyone is welcome. If you need a ride, contact Dr. Saupe (x2782). The Audubon group meets on the third Wednesday of the month.
Biology Department Seminars
The Biology Department will host several seminars this semester (listed in the Calendar). The seminars all begin at 4:00 pm. and are held in NEWSC 140. Refreshments and meeting the speaker is held before the seminar at 3:30 PM in NEWSC 150 (Hall Museum).
Chemistry Department Seminars
The Chemistry Department seminar series has been announced for this semester. Some of the seminars that would be of particular interest to a biologist are listed in the Calendar of Events. All start at 4:30 pm in ASC142. Refreshments and meeting the speaker at 4:00.
Effect of Interferon-Stimulated Gene Products on Reovirus Replication - by Jennifer Kruse (CSB; First Year; Biology Major)
This presentation, given by Jennifer A. Smith from the Microbiology Department at the University of Minnesota, was both interesting and informative. Reovirus is given its name from Respiratory Enteric Orphan. It is a prototype member of the Reoviridae family, is non-enveloped with three capsid layers, is non-pathogenic humans, and has a genome composed of 10 segments of double-stranded RNA. The virus makes its own mRNA and relies on the cell to synthesize viral proteins. The Jones strain of the virus causes translational shutoff in the cell. The S4 gene determines the extent of shutoff and encodes for the sigma 3 protein which is capable of bonding to double-stranded RNA. Since Type 1 interferon is synthesized by double-stranded RNA, if the sigma 3 protein bonds to double-stranded RNA, then it cannot bond to form Type 1 interferon, and translational shutoff occurs. PKR and RNaseL also play a role in host shutoff, though it is unclear as to their specific roles. Both are induced by strains Jones and clone 87 and are known to restrict growth of several viruses.
Travel to exotic locations and present your research! - by Dr. Michael Reagan (CSB/SJU Biology Dept)
A science meeting is a wonderfully exhausting experience that is not to be missed. If you have enough data to put together a poster, there are a couple of meetings this year that are specifically inviting undergraduate students to present. Both of these organizations have poster sessions specifically for undergraduates in the course of their regular meetings. The American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) is having its annual meeting April 11-15 in San Diego and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is having its annual meeting February 13-18 in Denver. The ASBMB is specifically for biochemistry and molecular biology research, the AAAS meeting has a much broader scope – anything in the natural sciences is appropriate for this meeting.
CSB/SJU has travel money for students to attend meetings; in addition, both organizations have competitively awarded travel stipends for undergraduates and the AAAS will allow you to work at the meeting in exchange for free registration. Check out the ASBMB homepage or the homepage for the AAAS meeting. See you in Denver or San Diego!
The deadline to submit poster abstracts for both is around November 1. See the web sites and talk to Dr. Reagan for more information.
Miscellaneous (menu)
Free MCAT Practice test at St Cloud
The Kaplan Educational Center in St Paul will hold a Free Practice MCAT at St Cloud State on October 23 from 5 to approx 9pm. It will be held in the Math Sciences room 122. For more information contact Dr. Mani Campos, Dr. David Mitchell or Ms Katie Shaw, Marketing Manager; KaplanTest Prep; 2610 University Ave. W.; St. Paul, MN 55114; P: 651-641-1200; F: 651-641-1221
St. John’s Forests Received SmartWood Certification
Arboretum Director Tom Kroll reports that Saint John’s forests and forest management were audited and certified as “well-managed” in July by FSC accredited certifier, SmartWood. Click here for more information. Click here for more info on the forest certification process. Since Saint John’s met those standards, we may all feel even more reassured about the health of the forest that produced the wood for the Abbey Woodshop’s beautiful oak desks, tables, chairs, or the woodwork that we all use and enjoy.
UVP Imaging Demonstration
Dr. Michael Reagan has arranged for a demonstration of an imaging and analysis system from UVP on Monday, Oct. 28 at 1:30 or so. This system can detect chemiluminescence, fluorescence, and colorimetric images. EtBr stained gels, Coomasie stained gels, western blots, microarrays, microscope slides, counting colonies – this machine does everything but grade tests! For more information contact Dr. Reagan.
Arboretum Fire Activities
The St. John’s Arboretum is plan to do controlled burns this fall on a section of the prairie and 4 parcels of oak regeneration near the deer exclosure. For more information and to learn dates/times/volunteer possibilities, visit their web site.
GIS Coming Soon
The St. John’s Arboretum has obtained a grant to develop the capability of doing geographical information systems work here on campus. We hare purchased ArcView and are developing maps that will be available for students and faculty. For more information contact Br. Christian in the St. John’s Arboretum
Web Sites Worth A Visit (menu)
(have you visited any cool sites lately? Send us your suggestions)
Puzzler of the Week (menu)
(Do you know any good puzzlers? Please send us your ideas)
New Puzzler
Name a plant in the CSB/SJU Biology Department Greenhouse that is bat pollinated.
Puzzler from the last issue: Consider a garden. Have you ever noticed that once the soil is turned over a new crop of weeds develops quickly? Why? Answer: A new crop of weed develops in a garden when the soil is turned over because the seeds are exposed to light. Many weed seeds are light-sensitive and require exposure to light in order to germinate. These seeds are usually small which means that they do not have much stored nutrients. Thus, they must be near the soil surface to germinate so that they can photosynthesize soon after germination. They are patiently waiting in the soil. There were no entries and hence, no winners.
To enter the competition, simply send your answer (anyone can participate!) 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 Herbarium Magnet. Entries are due November 15.
Joke of the Week (menu)
(Have you heard any good jokes? Please share them with us)
The snake and the bunny
(thanks to Darren K. Dookeeram for sharing this one)
Once upon a time in a quiet little forest a bunny and a snake were born. The surprising coincidence was that both were blind from birth. One day, the bunny was hopping through the forest and the snake was slithering through the forest, when the bunny tripped over the snake and fell down. This, of course, knocked the snake about quite a bit. "Oh, my," said the bunny, "I'm terribly sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I've been blind since birth so I can't see where I'm going. In fact, since I'm also an orphan, I don't even know what I am."
"It's quite okay," replied the snake. "Actually, my story is much the same as yours. I, too, have been blind since birth, and also never knew my mother. Tell you what, maybe I could kinda slither over you, and figure out what you are, so at least you'll have that going for you."
"Oh, that would be wonderful," replied the bunny.
So the snake slithered all over the bunny, and said, "Well, you're covered with soft fur; you have really long ears; your nose twitches; and you have a soft cottony tail. I'd say that you must be a bunny."
"Oh, thank you! Thank you," cried the bunny in total joy. Then the bunny suggested to the snake, "Maybe I could feel you with my paw, and help you the same way you've helped me." So the bunny felt the snake all over and remarked, "Well, you are smooth, cold, and you have a forked tongue, no backbone and no testicles. I'd say you must be a politician."
Frequently Asked Questions (menu)
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); ssaupe@csbsju.edu