John Ruffin, KSU Biology PhD graduate speaks at Provost Lecture Series - Dr. Ruffin, Director of National Center on

Minority Health and Health Disparities. Page 2

Spring 2009 Volume 2, 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 22nd Goldwater Scholar -Ryan Gallagher, senior in microbiology and premedicine from

Olathe is K-State’s newest Goldwater Scholar. Page 3

Konza Barn Remodeled to Fit Current Needs In Memory of Dr. John Van Zandt Cortelyou, the Cortelyou Family’s

donation supports Konza Barn Remodel. Page 5

Economic Stresses Lead to Student Hardships As tough economic times creep further into the heartland of America, Universities such as Kansas State brace for impact in response to state funding difficulties. The Kansas Legislature passed the budget on May 11, cutting 10 percent from K-State’s general fund, a reduction of $18 million for the University. Increased costs for fringe benefits, classified payment-plan adjustments, promotions and utilities add an additional $6-7 million in general use costs, bringing the total unfunded costs to $24-25 million for the 2010 fiscal year beginning in July 2009. Although student retention is a key priority at K-State, some students have already seen a glimpse of hard times to come. “One impact that we’ve seen so far has been the hit on student employment at K-State,” said Amy Schultz, chair of K-State student senate and senior in biology. “The three percent budget cuts last semester forced the registrar’s office to lay off 17 students. However a lot of the problems are going to come in the next fiscal year when we see the 10 percent budget cut.” The Division of Biology returned more than $100,000 to the College of Arts and Sciences as a result of budget cuts last December and will take an additional cut of $176,000 the first of July. Those funds were specified for graduate student salary, temporary faculty

salary, teaching equipment and faculty research funding. “These reductions are already very negatively impacting K-State. We now have more than 200 vacant positions, we have reduced our student employee labor force; and we have cut non-salary expenditures. An important source of funds would come from a tuition rate increase – if we are allowed by the Board of Regents to increase tuition,” President Jon Wefald said. Without an increase in tuition the University faces cutting programs that could affect the daily needs to prepare students for the future. K-State administration has proposed a modest 3.9 percent tuition increase to the Board of Regents, which would generate $5.5 million in resources. However the Board of Regents will meet in late June to decide if the increase will be allowed. Currently K-State is one of the cheapest universities in the Big 12 Conference with a

resident tuition of $2,778 per 14 credit hour semester. Even though a proposed four percent tuition increase would keep K-State on the cheaper side of the Big 12, increases may make already struggling students even more at risk for dropout. “There has been a decrease in number of the students that are already enrolled in K-State, offset a little bit by our influx of international

students. But in the following year they are predicting more students to dropout and the number one reason is, they just can’t afford it,” Schultz said. University offices such as Student Life and Career and Employment Services have been key players in assisting students that are faced with losing their jobs and increased cost. Decreases in financial aid and scholarships will be the next major concern, Schultz said. It is becoming increasingly difficult to award endowed

scholarships due to the volatile markets. The KSU Foundation’s investments, which typically earn interest that is distributed to a specified purpose, experienced a decline of 25 percent last calendar year. . . . Continued on Page 2

Photo Courtesy of K-State Collegian

The first of July will bring many challenges for our institution. Extensive budget cuts and market losses have created a financial crisis, in this institution, this state, nationally and globally. The combination of financial crisis and a K-State leadership vacuum has produced a perfect storm that we must survive. Dean Steven White, College of Arts and Sciences, will retire at the end of this fiscal year, June 30, along with University President Jon Wefald. Provost Duane Nellis will also be leaving us as he has been offered a position as president at the University of Idaho. These critical perfect storm circumstances within the university led me to apply for, and be offered, a one year term as Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. I do plan on returning to the Division as Director when I finish my time as Interim Dean and look forward to continuing the progress that we have made within the Division. It has never been a goal of mine to become Dean, although I believe that I will be able to offer leadership and experience for the College during this time of crisis. My interpretation of the mission of the College of Arts and Sciences is “to generate and disseminate new and existing knowledge to students, disciplinary professionals and citizens of Kansas, the nation and the world through scholarship, instruction and service, overlain with a commitment to diversity and multiculturalism.” My vision is that we meet, exceed and expand our success in meeting

this mission. It will not be without c h a l l e n g e s . However we must survive these challenges and move on. We cannot stand still or we will fall into a downward spiral. No matter how many times people say there isn’t any money; it should never mean that we shouldn’t start thinking about resource initiatives that can help us. It is absolutely clear that you don’t get what you don’t try for. During my 38 years at K-State I have seen two to three of these kinds of budget hits per decade. It always happens. We start short and get hammered each time. Due to this I would like to focus on expendable funds that I would call “weather the storm” funds. I would also like to seek private funding to develop more endowed professorships, increase student scholarships and research scholarship funding. It should be a common goal to elevate our research, scholarship, and creative endeavor profile that would allow us to attract and retain the individuals that will keep K-State competitive with other institutions. If we address these challenges I am convinced that there are no limitations for this college.

Dr. John Ruffin, Biology Ph.D. in ‘71 and Director of the NIH National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, spoke in March at K-State’s Provost Lecture Series about programs in place to help eliminate health inequalities. Health Disparities are best defined as the difference in the incidence, prevalence, mortality and burden of disease and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups in the United States. “We have learned over time that many disparities that are experienced by ethnic minorities also exist among poor whites,” Ruffin said. “Even though we may have grown out of a history of trying to address inequalities of certain populations, such as ethnic minorities, the programs that we run in our center are for everyone.” Ruffin discussed many programs that aid in meeting NIH’s mission of uncovering new knowledge that will lead to better health for everyone. Among some of the programs discussed was the Loan Repayment Program, which promotes research careers in basic, clinical and behavioral research for young scientists. “A candidate for loan repayment could be a person in sociology, nursing, or political science. I can’t think of a discipline, where we cannot talk about ways in which that individual could qualify,” Ruffin said. The center also supports a research endowment program, a community based participatory research

program and many more listed on their website http://ncmhd.nih.gov/our_programs/programs.asp. 2

Student Hardships . . . continued from page 1

. . . In fact, 49 percent of Foundation endowments are underwater; meaning that the principal invested balance has dropped below the original contribution made to establish the fund and restricting or even, in some cases, eliminating interest earned. “Our undergraduates need more scholarship help now, precisely at a time when current resources are decreasing,” said Brian Spooner, university distinguished professor and director of the Division of Biology. The KSU Foundation is working in conjunction with the Division of Biology and donors to ensure that donations made during these hard times may be applied to the expendable portion of underwater accounts which would allow for immediate availability for scholarships to assist hardworking students with difficult times.

Solutions to a Perfect Storm: Dr. Brian Spooner

University Distinguished Professor & Division Director

Eliminating Health Disparities

White-tailed buck in velvet on Konza Prairie

Walter Dodds Awarded

University Distinguished

Professor

3

Walter Dodds, professor of biology is the Division’s newest university distinguished professor, a lifetime title that represents the highest honor K-State can bestow on its faculty. Dodds and agronomist Charles W. Rice were recognized nationally and internationally for their contributions to their fields this spring by the office of the provost. “These two faculty members are known worldwide for their expertise and achievements in their respective fields,” said M. Duane Nellis, K-State provost and senior vice president. “Both have made significant contributions to their individual disciplines and have enhanced K-State’s reputation as one of the nation’s top 100 research universities.” Dodds, professor of biology, has studied the effects of nutrient contamination in streams and lakes and how prairie stream drying and flooding influence the species that live there. In 2008, he was a coauthor of a study of nitrogen runoff in small streams that was published in Nature. An earlier related publication appeared in Science in 2001. He coordinates aquatic and hydrological research at the Konza Prairie Biological Station, and is co-principal investigator on the Long Term Ecological Research Grant, funded by the National Science Foundation. Its goal is to describe how fire, grazing and climatic variables are essential factors in a functioning prairie ecosystem. He also has had grants from the

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of the Interior and others. Dodds has published more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles; two books, “Freshwater Ecology: Concepts and Environmental Applications” and “Humanity’s Footprint: Momentum, Impact and Our Global Environment”; with another book in press, “Laws, Theories and Patterns in Ecology.” He received the Commerce Bank Distinguished Graduate Faculty Award in 2008 from K-State’s Graduate School. He is a member of the editorial board for the journal “Freshwater Biology” and associate editor for several other journals. Dodds joined K-State in 1990 and was promoted to full professor in 2002. His research areas include aquatic ecology, water quality and conservation. He received a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from the University of Denver in 1980 and a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Oregon in 1986. University distinguished professors are appointed following a university-wide competition held by the provost. In addition to Dodds, six other current Division of Biology faculty have been selected as university distinguished professors: John Blair, ‘06; Dave Hartnett, ‘04; Larry Takemoto, ‘01; Robin Denell, ‘00; Brian Spooner, ‘99; and Gary Conrad, ‘98. Faculty that were selected but are no longer with K-State include Alan Knapp, ‘02 (at Colorado State); Terry Johnson, ‘89 (deceased) and Richard Consigli, ‘85 (emeritus).

Ryan Gallagher, senior in microbiology and premedicine from Olathe, is Kansas State University’s 64th Barry M. Goldwater scholar. Since 1990, 22 students in the Division of Biology have won the Goldwater Scholarship. The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship was established by the United States Congress in 1986 in honor of the former United States Senator and is known as one of the most prestigious awards for undergraduates in mathematics, science and engineering. The 2009 Goldwater scholars were selected based on academic merit from a field of 1,097 students nationwide. Gallagher is among 278 Goldwater scholars selected this year. The scholarship provides up to $7,500 annually for the scholar’s final one or two years of undergraduate studies. In the Goldwater competition, K-State ranks first nationally among all 500 state universities and is tied for third place nationally among the 2,000 four-year colleges and universities, said Jim Hohenbary, K-State assistant

dean for nationally competitive scholarships. Gallagher plans to attend medical school and earn a doctorate in immunology. He would like a career that balances teaching and patient responsibilities with continued involvement in research. Over the past three years he has worked under Stephen K. Chapes, professor of biology, performing immunology research. Gallagher is studying the effects of a protein, CD81, in the survival rates of mice and CD81’s role in cell development. He also has conducted research at an immunology lab at the University of Kansas Medical Center and will have an article in the June 2009 Journal of Comparative Medicine regarding the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model, which is a model of multiple sclerosis. At K-State, Gallagher is a member of the Alpha Epsilon Delta premedicine honorary society and a University Experience peer mentor. He also is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Undergraduate Research Scholar and received a Most Promising Student award from the Division of Biology in 2008. Gallagher is a recipient of K-State’s Henry J. Putnam Scholarship and has received funding from the Kansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence.

Biology’s Newest Goldwater

Scholar

4

Faculty Awards

Two Kansas State University students received an unexpected gift for the spring semester. Hospira, the largest employer in McPherson, gave $1,000 to the Division of Biology for undergraduate scholarship support to students that have demonstrated outstanding academic performance in Microbiology. Senior Maureen Ty, Manhattan, and junior Hailey Petersen, Overland Park, each received a $500 Hospira Scholarship in Microbiology. Ty and Petersen were chosen based on their outstanding grade point average, course load and extracurricular activities by Division of Biology administrative faculty. “The generosity of Hospira makes an enormous difference in the lives of these exceptional students. All of us in the Division of Biology are grateful for the support of companies like Hospira who provide wonderful opportunities for our students,” said Kent Kerby, associate professor and coordinator of undergraduate studies for the Division of Biology. Ty is involved in the Kansas State University Philippine Student Organization, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the National Scholars Honor Society while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. She is also active in the Division of Biology Undergraduate Research

Program applying molecular techniques to the genetic diversity of plants in the Phlox family. “This scholarship is very helpful and I am honored that I have been chosen to receive such a privilege,” Ty said. Petersen is highly active in her undergraduate research in haplotyping of the capybara, a large rodent native to South America while maintaining a 3.8 grade point average. Petersen expressed

her gratitude to Hospira for supporting students like herself so that she may

further her career goals by developing expertise in a research environment. “I would love to thank Hospira for realizing how important it is to support students in the research field. The support we get in the

way of scholarships is invaluable to our ability to continue to work in labs on campus instead of getting a job at a restaurant that might pay us more,” Petersen said. Hospira, Inc. is a global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company dedicated to advancing wellness. Hospira’s McPherson branch also funds the Hospira Chemistry Scholarship at K-State. The recipient of this scholarship is a junior or senior properly enrolled in Chemistry who holds a minimum 3.25 GPA with preference given to students with an interest in industrial Chemistry.

Hospira Scholarships

Graduate Awards Undergraduate Awards

BGSA Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award - Brett Sandercock *

Presidential Distinguished Faculty Award for the mentoring of

Undergraduate Students in Research - Brett Sandercock

William L. Stamey Outstanding Advisor Award - Kent Kerby

University Distinguished Professor - Walter Dodds

* Pictured Above

Peter Wong presents Most Promising Student Award to Mark McHaney.

Larry Williams presents Most Promising Student Award to Jamie Ball.

Brian McCandless accepts Most Promising Student Award from Mike Herman.

Kent Kerby presents Most Promising Student Award to Erin Gettler.

Larry Williams awards Haymaker Outstanding Senior to Nathan Harms.

Brett Sandercock presents Most Promising Student Award to Antoinette Tau’a.

Alyssa Riley, on left, accepts the James Ackert Award for Outstanding Presentation by a Graduate Student from Walter Dodds. She was also presented with the Chris Edler award for Outstanding Research on Konza.

Tonia Von Ohlen presents the Michael Scott Watkins Award for Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching to Alison Fedrow, on right. She has also been awarded the Golden Key GRA of the Year.

Lance Thurlow, on left, accepts the Haymaker Award for Outstanding Presentation from Lynn Hancock.

* Not Pictured

Andrea Severson was also awarded the Ackert Award for Outstanding Presentation by a Graduate Student.

*

Bart Byant was awarded the L. Evans Roth Award for Superior Graduate Student Research in Cellular Biology.

*

Danny Vu was awarded the Rotary Club Scholarship.Vinai Chittezham Thomas was awarded the Saracheck Award.

*

*

Surrounded by rolling hills of tallgrass prairie is an old 10,000 square foot limestone barn, rich with historic value and over the past 35 years, ecological importance. The barn, built in 1910 as part of the Dewey Ranch, was recently renovated into a conference center and meeting facility for Kansas State University’s Konza Prairie Biological Station. Konza Prairie, managed by the K-State Division of Biology, unveiled the first stage of the barn’s renovation at the September 26 dedication for the Cortelyou Lecture Hall. The Cortelyou family is a key contributor to the renovation. Their donation of $300,000, in honor of the late John Van Zandt Cortelyou, a K-State faculty member from 1904 to 1934, is the largest single donation to Konza since its original acquisition. Rushton Gardner Cortelyou, son of John Van Zandt Cortelyou,

willed the funds to K-State upon his death in 2004, to honor his father’s name at K-State. However it was Rushton Cortelyou’s interest in nature, especially birding, which led to the gift coming to Konza. His two daughters, Carol Cortelyou and Helen Cortelyou Linger along with her husband, Jim Linger and a cousin, Alice Rushton, represented the Cortelyou family at the dedication. “As part of the Konza Prairie Biological Station we always had the desire to maintain the historical characteristics of the buildings while at the same time modernize and equip them for functional use as modern scientific facilities,” said Dave Hartnett, university distinguished professor of biology and past director of Konza Prairie. The cost of the barn’s first phase was more than $700,000. Additional funding came from the National Science Foundation, College of Arts and Sciences, the Division of Biology and the university. The Kansas State University Foundation is currently seeking funding for the next stage of the barn’s renovation on the second floor.

“The barn now provides a large lecture/meeting hall for c o n fe r e n c e s , smaller rooms for workshops and a great room for educational displays. The second floor will provide research space for sample storage, a computing facility and a library,” Hartnett said. Ken Ebert of Ebert Mayo Design Group, Manhattan and Kent Francis of Francis Construction Inc, Rossville, worked together on the renovation and to preserve the barn’s rustic character and special features such as the original limestone exterior walls and cottonwood interior structure. Various photos of grassland birds taken by Loren “Bub” Blake and framed

Cortelyou Family’s Generous Gift Helps Fund Konza Barn Renovation

in the old barn wood have been donated in the memory of Rushton Courtelyou’s wife, Margaret Manley Cortelyou and hang on the walls of the great room. “We would like to thank the Cortelyou family for their generous contribution, allowing this building to become the central hub of grassland science and education in the United States,” Hartnett said. Konza Prairie was developed as an ecological research site in 1971 and is located on 8,600 acres of native tallgrass prairie preserve jointly owned by the Nature Conservancy

and K-State. The station is dedicated to a three-fold mission of long term ecological research, education and prairie conservation. Currently the station is host to over 130 registered research projects by over 150 scientists from all over the world.

5

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

Biology Seminar SeriesDate: Fridays at 4pm Aug. 24 - Dec. 4 Schedule Info: http://www.ksu.edu/biology/news.htmlLocation: KSU Ackert 221, Manhattan, KS

GROW WorkshopsDate: Various Dates Contact Info: www.ksu.edu/grow Location: K-State Manhattan Campus

7th Annual Ecological Genomics SymposiumDate: November 13-15, 2009 Contact Info: http://ecogen.ksu.edu/Location: Downtown Marriott, Kansas City, MO

8th annual K-INBRE Symposium Date: January 16-17, 2010 Location: Kansas City, KS

Graduate Student Research ForumDate: March 6, 2010 Location: K-State Student Union Big 12 Room, Manhattan, KS

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

Graduate Student Award CeremonyDate: April 23, 2010 Location: K-State Campus, Ackert 324, Manhattan, KS

Contact Us: Phone: 785-532-6615 e-mail: kbiology@ksu.edu website: www.ksu.edu/biology

Upcoming Events

To make a gift, visit our website at www.ksu.edu/biology

/makeagift.html

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. Postage

PAIDManhattan, KSPermit No. 580

A Polyphemus Moth rests on a Hosta leaf

308