CSB/SJU Biology Department Newsletter
Volume 3    Number 14
February 4, 2000


1. Message from the Chair

Welcome to the new school year. I hope that everyone had a great January and term break. My January was relatively quiet – I spent the month preparing for spring classes and conducting the very demanding business of the department. I must admit that I’m a little jealous of some of the students to whom I’ve spoken who spent January in more exotic sites like Joshua Tree National Monument, Saguaro National Monument, ski slopes of Montana, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Trinidad/Tobago to name just a few. Nevertheless, I’m energized and looking forward to a great semester teaching Concepts and Plant Physiology.

If you want to check out any back issues of the newsletter they are now available on the web. Check them out: http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/ssaupe/Newsletters/biology_department_newsletters.htm

To close, I want to thank Dr Dennis Keenan from the Philosophy Department at Fairfield University. Dennis graduated from SJU in 1983 (Biology major) and very gently pointed out to me an error I made in the last issue. To quote Dennis, "Leibniz said that this was the best of all possible worlds; Voltaire questioned whether Leibniz was correct." Thanks much Dennis! Next January I’d better spend some time re-reading the classics instead of x-country skiing and walking the dog.

2. Student News:

Erik Burr (SJU Biology, ’00) gave a presentation to the Biology Department in December concerning the results of his summer research project. The title of his excellent presentation was, "Butterflies of the Roscoe Prairie, the St. John’s Prairie and the St. John’s Inner Campus".

3. Faculty News:

January was Science Fair month and several faculty members served as judges at local fairs. Dr.’s. G Brown, M Campos, W Lamberts, L Davis, C Jansky J Poff, and S Saupe, judged a sixth grade science fair at Cold Spring Elementary School. Davis, Poff and Saupe also judged a 5th/6th science fair at Richmond Elementary School and Saupe judged yet another at John Clark Elementary School (Rockville).
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Dr. Larry Davis was busy during January "tidying-up" the Geology Lab. He has installed a series of new shelves and various displays. Be sure to pay him a visit – the lab looks great!
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Dr. Elizabeth Wurdak spent part of January attending the International Rotifer Conference that was held in Thailand. She reports that the meetings were outstanding and that she even had a chance to taste a durian – a fruit that supposed has an odor like sewer-gas but tastes sweety and creamy.

4. Curriculum News:

Interested in Wildlife Management? Don’t forget your botany courses. Amy Forsland writes that federal jobs at the professional level require nine credits of botany!

5. Biology Club News: none reported

6. Calendar of Events:

Feb 9 Careers in Chemistry; ASC 142, 4:30 pm
Feb 10 Internship Workshop – 4:30 Q247
Feb 14 Pfizer Summer Workshop Applications Due
Feb 15 Deadline for Claire Booth Luce Scholarship Applications
Feb 16 Genetic Instability and Human Diseases- Chemistry Seminar; ASC 142; 4:30 pm
Feb 28 "Feminist Therapies for Low-Birth Weight Babies" – Schirber Lecture; 7:30 PM; Alumnae Hall, HCC; College of    Saint Benedict.
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 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 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 15 MCAT Exam
April 29 Pinestock
May 2 Stearns County Environmental Education Day – want to help? contact Dr. Saupe (x2782)

7.Internships/Scholarships/Jobs:

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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Summer Jobs/Internship Fair
    A variety of organizations will attend this fair, including some temporary laboratory/science" organizations, on Feb 10, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Alumnae Hall, Haehn Campus Center, CSB
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Graduate Student Fellowships – Alternatives in Scientific Research.
      Up to $15,000 available per year for three years. Applications open to students in the sciences, humanities and psychology. Application deadline – March 15. For more information check the web site – www.ifer.org.
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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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Laboratory Instructor/Coordinator & PreMedicine Coordinator – Gustavus Adolphus College - Position open starting fall 2000. For more information, check out their web site at www.gustavus.edu/oncampus.academics/bio/. Master’s degree required.
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Summer Research Fellowship Opportunity! – 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 by Monday, Feb 14: 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.
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NIKE Scholarship 2000
This award will provide one $2,500 to an undergraduate student with disabilities enrolled in an undergraduate degree program that focuses on sports or recreation management, marketing, medicine, or retailing sports or recreation equipment at a four-year college or university in the United States. Each candidate must be a current high school senior, or undergraduate who is a US citizen. Applications must be received by 11 May. Applications are available at the External Scholarship Programs office, HAB 103 - CSB.
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Christopher Video Contest
The Christophers have announced their Thirteenth Annual Video contest for college Students. The contest includes cash awards of $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000 for the top three entries. Winners will also have their work featured on the syndicated television program Christopher Closeup. The program reaches millions of people throughout the United States as well as 166 foreign countries via the Armed Forces Network.

To enter, students must interpret the theme, "One Person Can Make A Difference." Past winners have used a variety of styles and genres that include drama, comedy, documentary, news format, music video, and animation.

Entries may be created using film or video, but must be submitted on VHS tape only, and must be five minutes or less in length. The contest is open to all currently enrolled college students, on both the undergraduate and graduate level. Students may enter more than once, but an official entry form must accompany each video. The deadline for entries is 16 June.

Applications are available at the External Scholarship Programs office, HAB 103 - CSB, or on-line at www.christophers.org/vidcon2k.html
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The CSB/SJU External Scholarships Program now has a web site.
The scholarship office is pleased to announce a new web-site. Information on currently available scholarship applications, links to scholarship search sites, advice on scholarship hows, whys, and wherefores are all there. Take a few minutes and check in out at www.csbsju.edu/scholarships

8. Seminars/Lectures/Symposia:

Biology Department Seminar
Dr. Paula Hicks, from Cargill, is our first 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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CSB/SJU Chemistry Department Seminar Series – the spring 2000 seminar series features several programs that will be of interest to biologists. The seminars meet at 4:30 pm in ASC142. Mark them on your calendar!

Feb 9 Careers in Chemistry (certainly there will be something of interest for biologists!)
Feb 16 Genetic Instability and Human Diseases
Mar 8 Forensics

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"Feminist Therapies for Low-Birth Weight Babies" – Schirber Lecture by Hilde Lindemann-Nelson, Mon. Feb. 28, 7:30 PM; Alumnae Hall, HCC; College of Saint Benedict.

A brief abstract: Socially disadvantaged women in the United States die in childbirth at twice the rate of middle-class women; they bear more than twice as many low-birth weight babies; and the chances that their babies will die are twice as great, although this figure is decreasing. The problem is that women living in poverty lack access to primary prenatal care. But because of the way health care is financed in the U.S., their babies do have access to neonatal intensive care units, which can substantially reduce infant morbidity and mortality. Since proper prenatal care prevents low birth weight and is considerably cheaper than the intensive care required once damage to the infant has been done, it's often argued that we have our health care spending priorities backwards - we should concentrate on providing better access to care for impoverished pregnant women. I make a feminist argument that this way of thinking about the problem is dangerous, because it holds us captive to the picture of pregnant women as untrustworthy fetal containers who must be subjected to the medical gaze. This picture in turn justifies forms of medical monitoring that can be harmful to both the women and the fetuses they carry. I propose a de-medicalized, democratized, view of health care resource allocation that empowers women rather than dis-empowering them, by meeting their needs and affirming their moral agency.
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Restoration Ecology Symposium - The MN Native Plant Society’s annual day long symposium this year is titled, " Rare plants and local ecotypes : Emerging Issues in Native Plant Restoration". It will be held Saturday March 18, 2000, 8:30 AM -4:00 PM, at the Minnesota Valley Refuge Visitor Center. Co-sponsors include the USFWS, Great River Greening and the University of Minnesota's Institute for Sustainable Natural ResourcesCosts for the symposium, including a box lunch, are approximately $20. For more information on the symposium call (651) 772-7574 after January 28.
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The 17th North American Prairie Conference

The North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, Iowa is hosting the first North American Prairie Conference of the new millenium, July 16-20. 2000. Prairie heritage is rich in Iowa considering their state was once 80% covered with prairie. Any questions contact: schutcar@niacc.cc.ia.us
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9. Miscellaneous:

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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Extending the Classroom Walls: A Unique Biology Course/Research/Field Experience. During the Spring Term 2001, the Biology Department will be offering students a unique opportunity to mix course work with a field research opportunity. 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 you are interested, contact Dr. Poff (Phone 3179; email jpoff).
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Stearns County Environmental Education Day – May 2, 2000
The First Annual Stearns County Environmental Education Day is scheduled for Thursday, February 10th at 1 p.m. in Room 105 of the Midtown Office Building, 3400 1st St. North, St. Cloud (in the four story brick building behind the mall which houses the Old Country Buffet). The current plan is to set up 8 different stations at the farm of John and Linda Peck in Rockville and allow local 5th 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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Looking for a good place to study?
Check out the Herbarium or Natural Science Museum. You are welcome to sit and relax or study in a wonderful biological atmosphere.
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Want to Join the Audubon Society?
The National Audubon Society is one of the premier environmental organizations. Founded by individuals with an interest in birds, the NAS is now involved in many areas and has many local chapters, including one in Central Minnesota. Audubon is now offering a great deal for students who want to join - $15.00 per year! This includes a subscription to the beautiful magazine as well as membership in the local chapter. Best of all, the local chapter receives $15 back from each new membership that they generate. Thus, your entire dues to national will be used for local environmental activities. If interested in joining, contact Dr. Saupe (x2782; ssaupe@csbsju.edu).
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Summer 2000 at Lake Itasca – looking for a field course to take during the summer? Check out the University of Minnesota Lake Itasca Biological Station. They offer a variety of interesting classes, including Plant Systematics that will be taught by Dr. Saupe during the first session. For more information, check out their web site at: www.csb.umn.edu/itasca
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Biodiversity Institute – Summer 2000
Interested in biodiversity, desert biology, Sea of Cortez? Check out the summer program at Columbia University’s Biosphere 2 Center near Tuscon, AZ. For more information visit their web site at: www.bio2.edu/education/edu_entry.htm.
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The Academy Of Natural Sciences Research Experiences For Undergraduates - Summer 2000
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia will sponsor eight undergraduate research fellowships during the summer of 2000, through the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Research Programs for Undergraduates (REU). The Academy's REU program is dedicated to training students in research based on the Academy's world-renowned collections in botany, ichthyology, ornithology, entomology, malacology, and paleontology.

The program offers a diverse array of research experiences, which will include field trips, workshops, and seminars. Each student will work on a project with an academy scientist. Example research areas include: revisionary systematics or taxonomy of a group of organisms, evolutionary and systematic studies using morphological or molecular techniques, biogeography, aquatic ecology, and the history of natural science. The projects for summer 2000 include:

For more detailed information, check their website (http://www.acnatsci.org/research/reu.html) or contact: REU Coordinator; Academy of Natural Sciences; 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway; Philadelphia, PA 19103 (http://www.acnatsci.org/). Students planning graduate study and careers in systematic and evolutionary biology will find this REU program especially valuable.

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

Biology Department Newsletter: http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/ssaupe/Newsletters/biology_department_newsletters.htm

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

CSB/SJU Biology Dept. Web Site: http://www.csbsju.edu/biology/.

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

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

Claire Booth Luce Scholarship: http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/hjakubowski/cblucehomepage.htm

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

Summer Research at various institutions:

UM - http://biosci.cbs.umn.edu/summerresearch/.

Assorted: http://www.nsf.gov/home/crssprgm/reu/reubio.htm

Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayo.edu/mgs/surf.htm

University of Texas-Houston: http://www.uth.tmc.edu/ut_general/ research_acad_aff/eae/general/sumresprog.htm)

University of Wisconsin: http://www.wisc.edu/cbe/bioprog/.

University of Iowa – http://www.biology.uiowa.edu/.

Washington State University - http://www.wsu.edu/~plph/pbrtc/summerres.html .

Hope College, MI - http://www.hope.edu/academic/biology/reu00/application.html

Pfizer Summer Research – contact Dr. Reagan

Academy of Natural Sciences – Philadelphia http://www.acnatsci.org/research/reu.html

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

A Short History of Medicine (from Society for Economic Botany Newsletter, Fall 1999)

"Doctor, I have an ear ache…."

2000 B.C. – "Here, eat this root".
1000 B.C. – "That rot is heather, say this prayer".
1850 A.D. – "That prayer is superstition, drink this potion".
1940 A.D. – That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill".
1985 A.D. – "That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic".
2000 A.D. – "That antibiotic is ineffective. Here, eat this root".

For more information, contact:

Faculty Editor:
Dr. Stephen G. Saupe
Chair & Professor
Biology Department
College of St. Benedict/St. John's University
Collegeville, MN 56321
(320) 363-2782; (320) 363-3202 (fax); ssaupe@csbsju.edu
Student Editor:
Ms. A. Wawra
Biology Major
College of St. Benedict
St. Joseph, MN 56374

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