CSB/SJU Biology Department Newsletter
Volume 3    Number 15
February 22, 2000

1. Message from the Chair

This issue of the newsletter is one of the longest ones ever – largely because we didn’t send out a newsletter last week and there have been many great opportunities for jobs, internships, etc. that have come in since the last issue.

Well, I’m going to keep this short so I can finally send this off. Have a great week!

Amy Haupert (CSB ‘99) writes that she will be at the Ecolab booth at the Minnesota Private Colleges Job Fair on Feb. 22. She said that "If you know of any students going, send them my way"
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Patrick Breen (SJU ’99) is now teaching 10th grade biology at Willmar Sr. High

3. Faculty News:

Drs’ Manuel Campos and Marcus Webster gave a presentation on using multimedia in the classroom at a Learning Enhancement Service program.
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Dr. Larry Davis gave a presentation on water for the LES Faculty Development Colloquium.
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Dr. Stephen Saupe shared his South African experience at the St. Cloud Unitarian Universalistic Fellowship on January 16, 2000. The program touched on the natural history, and environmental and social issues in modern South Africa.

4. Curriculum News:

Mathematical Biology
   Dr. Tom Sibley in the CSB/SJU Math Department will teach a new course during fall 2000 semester called Mathematical Biology. It will be cross-listed as an upper division biology course and will course toward the major (as an elective).
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Biology of Insects (Biol309)  -   Sadly, this course won’t be offered Fall 2000 because Dr. Poff will be on sabbatical.

5. Biology/Geology/Arboretum Club News:
Wolf Excursion at the Wildlife Science Center in Forest Lake – by Lyz Anderson
       The Arboretum Club is going to take a field trip to study wolves at the Wildlife Science Center in Forest Lake on Saturday, February 26.  Meet at the bell banner at 2:00 p.m. There will be 2 SJU vans (30 places) available for transportation. This activity is free to students, because of student activity funding, but a cost of $10 for non-students is in effect. (But we would love to have any fun faculty members there, too). We will talk with the people who work there and then observe and listen to the wolves howl, and learn fun facts, and maybe eat s’mores. We should get back at around 8:30 pm. People can sign up at Sexton Commons, and can contact Lyz Anderson @ 5760 or Ken Graeve @ 2479. This is a function of the Arboretum Club.
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Got Rocks?
   A Geology Club is in the formative stages. For more details contact Kelly Deutsch, Chris Condon or Dr. Larry Davis.
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6. Calendar of Events:

Feb 22, 23 Learning Communities Meeting – contact Dr. Poff
Feb 28 "Feminist Therapies for Low-Birth Weight Babies" – Schirber Lecture; 7:30 PM; Alumnae Hall, HCC; College of Saint Benedict.
Feb 29 "Applications of Biology: Patent Attorney" Seminar; 4:00 pm, NSC 140.
Feb 29 Plant Puzzler Entries due
Mar 1 Summer Jobs/Internship Fair, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Alumnae Hall, Haehn
Mar 8 Forensics Seminar; ASC 142; 430 pm
Mar 8 Student Employee Job Fair – Bro. Willie’s Pub
Mar 10 Lil’ Sibs Weekend
Mar 10 Registration Deadline for April 8 MCAT exam
Mar 14 Careers in Science Panel; 7 pm; Teresa Reception Center
Mar 16 Dr. Paula Hicks – Metabolic Engineering of Bacterial Cells; Biology Department Seminar – 4:00 pm
Mar 18 MN Native Plant Symposium – Restoration Issues
Mar 31 CSB Senior Parent Weekend
Mar 7 Internship Workshop – 7:30 pm. HAB 009
April 1 SJU Mother-Son Dance
April 8 Biology Subject Test – GRE
April 11 St. Cloud State Undergraduate Research Conference
April 15 MCAT Exam
April 28, 29 Minnesota Academy of Science Meeting – Moorhead
April 29 Pinestock
May 2 Stearns County Environmental Education Day – want to help? contact Dr. Saupe (x2782)
May 6 Greening the Campus Conference

7.Internships/Scholarships/Jobs:

• A chance to do full-time summer research in a lab at CSB/SJU with Biology Department professors.
• The program will last 10 weeks for most students.
• Designed for students with an interest in exploring experimental research, especially (but not exclusively) those students who think they might be interested in graduate school.
• You need no prior research experience to apply or be accepted.
• Preference will be given to students in their sophomore or junior year, although students of other standing may be considered.

• Students will receive a stipend of $2,500 for the summer.
• Students will receive free room and board on campus for the summer.

• Graduates with full-time lab experience are much more attractive to employers and professional schools than those with a Biology degree but no practical experience in any field of biology.
• If you are interested in attending graduate school in any kind of biological research, conducting independent research as an undergraduate is probably the most important thing that you can do.
• If you are wondering whether or not you are interested in research, this is a perfect, relatively low-pressure way to find out. One of the goals of the program is to help you define your career interests.

Who can I work for?

• Dr. Gordon Brown
• Dr. Elizabeth Wurdak
• Dr. Michael Reagan
• Dr. Manuel Campos
• Dr. David Mitchell
• Dr. Phillip Chu
• Dr. Marcus Webster (possible)
• Dr. James Poff (possible)
• Dr. William Lamberts

• Go to the Summer Research Program Web site http://employees.csbsju.edu/MCAMPOS/summer2000/announcement.htm for more details and an online application form.
• Or link to this page from the Biology Department web page.
• The deadline for applications is March 1!
• Contact Dr. Reagan (NSC216) for more details

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High Arctic Graduate Research Assistantship
   A graduate student assistantship is available for a highly motivated and qualified graduate student to carry out research in the Canadian High Arctic as part of a NSF-funded study of arctic plant and ecosystem responses to simulated climate change. The focus of the project will be to quantify growing season carbon and water vapor flux of three ecosystems found in a polar oasis at Alexandra Fiord, Ellesmere Island. The successful candidate will be expected to qualify for admittance to the University of Wyoming Graduate School. Funding is currently available for up to three years. Please send by March 10th a letter of interest describing experiences which are relevant to the research area, copies of any published works, and the name, email address and phone number of three references to: Jeff Welker; Dept. of Renewable Resources; University of Wyoming; Laramie, WY; 82071 or visit their web page at http://sif.uwyo.edu.
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MN DNR Burn Crew - full time temporary employment from Apr 10 – May 19. For more information contact Ms. Ellen Fuge at 1- 888-646-6367. Applications are due Feb 22.
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Dauphin Island Sea Lab - Research Experiences for Undergraduates
Alabama's Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) will offer seven undergraduate fellowships in marine science during the Fall Semester, 2000 as part of the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. This program is for undergraduate students interested in pursuing careers or graduate studies in Marine Sciences. Students selected for the program will participate in an intensive 12-week research experience in which they work within a faculty research group and develop and complete their own independent research project. In addition, participants will participate in a series of workshops on professional skills, and attend lectures by outstanding visiting speakers. The Sea Lab will award academic credit for this experience with prior approval from the student's home campus. Applications are invited from undergraduates in their junior and senior years with interests in biology, chemistry, geology and environmental sciences. Students cannot have already graduated at the time of the fellowship. Participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and its possessions. Stipends of $3,000 will be provided for the 12-week full-time program. In addition, students will be provided on-campus housing and a food allowance, by the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Students from outside the Mobile, Alabama area may also apply for limited travel assistance. For Applications and Additional Information Contact: Mrs. Jenny Foster, Registrar; Dauphin Island Sea Lab; 101 Bienville Blvd. Dauphin Island, Alabama 36528; Office: (334)861-7502; E-Mail: jfoster@disl.org. Application Deadline: March 1, 2000
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Yanmar/Sae Scholarship
      Eligible applicants will be citizens of North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) and will be entering their senior year of undergraduate engineering or enrolled in a postgraduate engineering or related science program. Applicants must be pursuing a course of study or research related to the conservation of energy in transportation, agriculture & construction, and power generation. Applications are due by 1 April and are available from the External Scholarship Programs office, HAB 103 - CBS, or on-line at www.sae.org/students/yanmar.htm.
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Receive A $1000 Scholarship For Your Essay Or Poem
   CSM Education, Inc. is offering $1000 scholarships to students who write the best essays in February 2000. Essays and poems will be carefully reviewed for spelling, punctuation and grammar, originality, creativity, and interest. All essays must contain three paragraphs only. Poems must not exceed twenty lines. While all entries must be submitted directly on the CSM Education, Inc. website, http://www.csmeducation.com, on or before 29 February 2000, additional information is available at the External Scholarship Programs office, HAB 103 - CSB. The list of winners will be posted on the CSM website starting 5 March 2000.
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Fellowships in Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation- Willowbrook Wildlife Foundation - Email: Spihera@dupageforest.com
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Student Employee Job Fair- Wed, March 8, 2000 @ Br. Willies Pub, SJU; 10:30 A.M to 2:30 P.M.
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Summer Internships Available- the Pelican Watershed District student internships for the summer months in the Detroit Lakes area. Internship activities may include: lake sampling, calculations of pollutant loadings, GIS, and mapping land use and aquatic plants. Email: rhecock@lakeesnet.net
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Youth in Natural Rescources-2000 Summer Job Announcement Position: Metro YINR Coordinator. Applications are due April 3,2000. www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/mcc/mccyinr.html
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MCAT Information – from Dr. Manuel Campos
The MCAT exam will be administered April 15 and August 19. Registration deadlines are March 10 and July 14, respectively. Students planning to apply to the class of 2001 are strongly encouraged students to take the April test.
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CSB/SJU Biology Department Student Worker Positions for 2000 – 2001.
The Biology is currently hiring student workers for the 2000-2001 academic year. Applications are available from me (NSC 218), and must be submitted to me by March 17. Students who are hired will be notified by their prospective supervisors by April 7. All applications will be kept on file in case other positions become available later. Positions available include: (1) Teaching Assistants in Human Anatomy and Physiology, Biochemistry, Comparative Anatomy, Concepts of Biology, and Physiology; (2) Lab Assistants in Microbiology, Histology/Cell Biology, and the Learning Communities Project; (3) Lab Assistant/Clerical Assistant in ecology; and (4) Research Assistant for Dr. Poff and Dr. Webster.
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Careers in Science
Panel presentation to be held on Mar 14 at 7 p.m. in Teresa Reception Center, CSB
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Pfizer Summer Research Fellowship – by Dr. Michael Reagan
This year, for the first time, CSB/SJU have been invited to nominate students for the Pfizer Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship for Molecular Biology. This fellowship allows a student to do research in the general area of molecular biology in a lab here at CSB/SJU for the summer. The fellowship will pay $3,500 to the student for the summer, and the student and faculty mentor will visit Pfizer Central Research in the fall for an award ceremony and to present the results of their research project in a poster session. Pfizer will give preference to juniors. The Biology department will nominate up to two students to Pfizer for this fellowship. Awards will be announced March 29. Interested students should pick up information from Dr. Reagan (NSC 216) and should contact and discuss potential projects with a faculty mentor. The student will have to submit to Dr. Reagan: 1) a short (one-page) statement describing the importance of this opportunity to your personal and career plans and a brief explanation of the project, 2) a letter of recommendation from the faculty mentor, and 3) a copy of your transcript. A Biology Department committee will decide the nominees from the department, and the student will then complete the application process.

The application to Pfizer, due March 1, will have to include, in addition to the material described above, a description of the proposed research project written in collaboration with your faculty mentor. Contact Dr. Reagan for due dates.
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Field Assistant in Ecological Restoration- Minnesota DNR
The Field Assistant in Ecological Restoration will be primarily responsible for monitoring the progress of upland ecological restoration projects throughout the Metro Region. Duties will include plant surveys at numerous ecological restoration sites in the Conservation Partners program (Metro Region), assessing the success on the basis of select criteria and project goals/objectives; entering field data into a relational database; and conducting interviews with grant. The starting date is somewhat flexible, but the internship period will be 10 to 12 weeks during the summer of 2000. Pay will be negotiable between $9 and $11/hour. To apply: contact Meredith Cornett, DNR Forestry, 1200 Warner Road, St. Paul, MN 55106 or call (651) 772-7574 or 772-7925, for more information.
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"A Feeling For The Organism: Undergraduate Summer Research In Organismal Biology"
Baylor University offers an outstanding educational opportunity for college sophomores and juniors to spend a summer working closely with a faculty mentor in the Department of Biology on an independent research project involving whole organisms. The program aims to foster "a feeling for the organism" by introducing participants to the diversity of life and the works of great naturalists like E. O. Wilson and Barbara McClintock, as well as by immersing them in a specific research question in organismal biology.

Each participant will receive a $3000 stipend for the 10-week program that will begin on May 30. Apartment housing will be provided and the use of Baylor's library, computer facilities, and student life center will be available to all participants. Travel will be reimbursed up to $500.

For additional information check their web page at: http://www.baylor.edu/~Biology/Home_Page.html. Additional questions may be directed to one of the program co-directors via email: Dr. Ann E. Rushing (Ann_Rushing@baylor.edu) or Dr. Wendy E. Sera (Wendy_Sera@baylor.edu). Applications are due March 20.
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Summer! Job?- www.greatsummerjobs.com
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Southwestern Research Station American Museum of Natural History Volunteer Program

Thirty or forty volunteer positions are opening in 2000 at the museum n Portal, Arizona. The program is run annually and offers students in biological sciences outstanding opportunities to observe and become involved with scientists doing field research. For applications: swrs@amnh.org
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Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Molecular Biotechnology @ Iowa State University. email:reu@iastate.edu
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Resident Children’s Naturalist working with children ages 3 through 9 at the Lost Lake Lodge on the Gull Lake Narrows. Lost Lake Lodge is a small family owned resort with 10 cottages and private located 140 miles north of Minneapolis. For further information email: nature@lostlake.com

8. Seminars/Lectures/Symposia:

Applications of Biology: Patent Attorney
Our first CSB/SJU Biology Department Seminar speaker will be Dr. Mark Skoog, J.D., from Merchant & Gould Law Firm, Minneapolis, MN. On Tuesday, February 29, at 4:00 p.m., in NSC 140, he will give a presentation entitled, "Applications of Biology: Patent Attorney". There will be refreshments available and students will have an opportunity to meet with Dr. Skoog at 3:00 before the presentation. For more information contact Dr. David Mitchell.
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Biology Department Seminar
Dr. Paula Hicks, from Cargill, is our second scheduled seminar speaker. Her seminar will be held on Mar 16 at 4:00 pm. and she will metabolic engineering of bacterial cells.
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St. Cloud State Undergraduate Student Research Conference
This conference will be held April 11^th and students from all disciplines are invited. Funds are available to support your attendance at this meeting. Several students from the Biology Department are planning to present the results of their research.

The goal for this colloquium is to bring together students, faculty, and alumni involved in scholarly and artistic activities representing a range of disciplines, including Creative Arts, Mathematics, Business, Social Science, Education, Humanities, Physical and Life Sciences, and Engineering, among others. Additional goals involve promoting research, scholarship, and creative activity in collaboration with faculty as a vital component of higher education. Oral and performance presentations will start at around 11 a.m. Janis Tweedy, a forensic science supervisor will be the keynote speaker at 1:00 p.m.

For more information contact Dr. Marcus Webster, Biology Department (MWebster@csbsju.edu), or Mary Jo Waggoner, Academic Affairs, Office of the Dean (MJWaggoner).
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Minnesota Academy of Science Annual Spring Meeting
This meeting will be held on April 28 & 29 in Moorhead, MN. It will be a joint meeting of the North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota State Academies. For more information check out their web site at www.mnacadsci.org or contact Dr. Reagan or Dr. Saupe.
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"Greening the Campus" – 6 May, 2000
This conference sponsored by the University of St. Thomas and the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance will feature how to "green up" all elements of the campus, including building design, maintenance and purchasing, and the general curriculum. You can review the program and agenda by going to the UST-ES website at: http://department.stthomas.edu/scs/Environment/default.htm.
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Native Plant Restoration Symposium
The MN Native Plant Society’s annual spring symposium will be held Saturday, March 18, 2000, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM, at the Minnesota Valley Refuge Visitor Center on your calendars today! The title of day-long symposium is" Rare plants and local ecotypes: Emerging Issues in Native Plant Restoration". The morning's keynote speaker is Dr. Kayri Havens, Manager of Endangered Plant Research at the Chicago Botanical Garden, followed by a panel discussion of the legal framework for rare plant protection and seed certification in Minnesota. Afternoon sessions include an overview of Minnesota landscape ecoregions, development of ecoregionally appropriate species lists, a presentation on the Iowa Ecotype Project, and a discussion examining several case examples of Minnesota restorations. For more information on the symposium call (651) 772-7574 after January 28. To volunteer call (612) 721-4803 and leave a message on the answering machine.

9. Miscellaneous:

Extending the Classroom Walls

Biology of the Southeast

During the Spring Term 2001, the Biology Department will be offering students a unique opportunity to become part of a biology learning community, mixing course work, travel, and exciting field research opportunities. This program will be offered as part of the Learning Communities Project sponsored by CSB/SJU and the Bush Foundation.

Students who enroll in the program will spend the first half of the term on campus studying evolutionary ecology, field research methods, writing, and a related Upper Division Humanities or Senior Seminar. During the second half of the term we will travel to the southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina where we will spend five weeks at the Highlands Biological Station doing field research in this ecologically fascinating area. We will also spend a week on the coastal islands of the Carolina’s or Georgia, examining a very different ecological setting.

If this program sounds interesting but you can’t attend the Meetings?

If this program sounds interesting, it is important to let Dr. Poff know as soon as possible. (Phone 3179; email jpoff). This is a truly unique course offering and although it is nearly a year away planning has to begin now. We are now putting together a student list, so we must know now if you are interested.

Update: In response to several student inquiries about cost, we are pleased to be able to tell you that because of the generous support of the Bush Grant, the cost of this program should be the same as the cost of a semester spent on campus.
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Stearns County Environmental Education Day – May 2, 2000
The First Annual Stearns County Environmental Education Day is scheduled for May 2^nd from 9:00 – 3:00 p.m. The current plan is to set up 8 different stations at the farm of John and Linda Peck in Rockville and allow local 5^th graders to visit the various stations. Volunteers are needed to help staff the stations, with registration, etc. Dr. Saupe has been involved in discussions concerning this activity. If you are interested in helping for all or part of the day, please contact Dr. Saupe (ssaupe@csbsju.edu; 2782).
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Plant Puzzler: The Case of the Rapidly Appearing Weeds.
The Puzzler: Consider a garden. Have you ever noticed that once the soil is turned over a new crop of weeds develops quickly? Why?

To enter the competition, simply send your answer (anyone can participate!) to Dr. S. Saupe via email (ssaupe@csbsju.edu, 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 February 29, 2000.
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Science Fair Judges Wanted
The 50th Annual Central Minnesota Regional Science Fair and Research Paper Program will take place on Saturday, February 26 in the Atwood Center Ballroom at St. Cloud State University. Approximately 500 central Minnesota students in grades 6-12 will be participating. Judges are welcome in all areas. If you are able to volunteer, contact Dr. Anna McKenna, CSB/SJU Chemistry Department asap

10. Web Sites Worth a Visit: (have you visited any cool sites lately? Let us know so we can post them here!)

CSB/SJU Pre-Med Web Site: http://www.users.csbsju.edu/~premed/

CSB/SJU Summer 2000 Research Program: http://employees.csbsju.edu/MCAMPOS/summer2000/announcement.htm

The CSB/SJU External Scholarships Program: http//:www.csbsju.edu/scholarships

DNR Volunteer Opportunities: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us

CSB/SJU Library News: http://www.csbsju.edu/library/news/news.html

Summer Research at various institutions: (see websites in previous edition of newsletter; only new entries are provided here):

• CSB/SJU - http://employees.csbsju.edu/MCAMPOS/summer2000/announcement.htm
• Baylor University - http://www.baylor.edu/~Biology/Home_Page.html.

11. Joke of the Week: (we welcome your jokes and other contributions! )

• Save the whales. Collect the whole set.
• A day without sunshine is like, night.
• On the other hand, you have different fingers.
• I just got lost in thought. It was unfamiliar territory.
• 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
• I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe.
• You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted, then used against you.
• I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges.
• Honk if you love peace and quiet.
• Remember half the people you know are below average.
• Despite the cost of living, have you noticed how popular it remains?
• Nothing is fool-proof to a talented fool.
• Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
• He who laughs last thinks slowest.
• Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
• Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
• The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
• I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol.
• I intend to live forever - so far so good.
• Borrow money from a pessimist - they don't expect it back.
• If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?
• My mind is like a steel trap - rusty and illegal in 37 states.
• The only substitute for good manners is fast reflexes.
• Support bacteria - they're the only culture some people have.

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