UO CHEMISTRY NEWSUNIVERSITY OF OREGON • COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES • DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY • 1999

INSIDE:DRAPER WINS

ALUMNI

AWARD, P9

RICHMOND

APPOINTED TO

STATE BOARD, P5

JACOBS

ENDOWMENT, P11

The Patent ScientistGetting inventions to market

Continued on page 2

Back in the 1950’s, John Keana and his buddies invented a marble launcher bycombining the explosive properties of calcium carbide and water with a metalpipe, watching the round orbs fly over the fields of rural southwestern Michi-

gan. Keana never patented that invention and probably missed the opportunity tomake millions. Fortunately, the UO Chemistry Professor has had numerous opportu-nities since then to invent and patent his work. With over 40 patents in hand andmore than 10 pending, the highly regarded scientist holds more patents than anyother academician in the state.

Keana’s patents include neuroprotective drugs used to minimize brain damage dueto stroke, head injury or heart attack; processes that may lead to the development ofmicrobiosensors to monitor plasma levels of drugs and drug metabolites in theblood; and novel amplifier molecules useful in the diagnosis and treatment of dis-ease.

Getting his inventions and ideaspatented wasn’t always easy. Inthe late 60’s, he and fellow UOchemistry professor HayesGriffith published a paper on aparamagnetic polymer paint thatcould potentially make planesinvisible to radar. They tried topatent their idea. But Griffith admits, “we didn’t try very hard.” Unable to findanyone in the University who knew much about applying for patents, the busyyoung academics let the idea die.

Years later, Keana became involved in therapeutic drug discovery by combiningforces with Professor Eckard Weber, a pharmacologist who, at that time, was atOregon Health Sciences University in Portland. Together, they identified a novelmolecule with potential as a new treatment for schizophrenia. They teamed up witha fledgling company in Cambridge, Massachusetts called Cambridge NeuroSciencewith an eye toward optimization of the drug. With the potential of a major drugdiscovery came the urgent need to patent any discoveries. “Without protection, nocompany would invest the hundreds of millions of dollars necessary to see a drug tomarket,” says Keana.

While the university still didn’t have many resources devoted to patents and market-ing, Cambridge NeuroScience was willing to pay for the worldwide patents costingtens of thousands of dollars in exchange for an exclusive license for the discoveries.The project eventually led to Cerestat, a stroke drug currently in the final phase (III)of clinical trials. Subsequently, Keana and fellow researchers founded two compa-nies to develop and promote their ideas: Acea (bought out by CoCensys), to developand market neuroprotective drugs and Advanced Microbotics (now, Ikonos) to market

“Without protection, no companywould invest the hundreds of millionsof dollars necessary to see a drug tomarket,” says Keana.

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the technology that will hopefullylead to microbiosensors.

Today, universities and researchersrecognize that patents can be a bigsource of revenue.Companies arewilling to buy theright to use thetechnology Keanaand others developand the Universityand its inventorsstand to gainroyalties if thoseinventions help thecompany turn aprofit.

The University ofOregon opened itsTechnology TransferOffice in 1992, adecision promptedby the promise ofprofits, and thepassage of the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980,which allowed universities title toinventions funded with federaldollars. The office is responsible forfinding a market for the inventionsof UO faculty and students. Incomefrom licensing agreements is divided

Continued from page 1 between the inventor, the department,and the university. Todd Sherer washired as the first full-time director in1997. He has two office staff.

Licensing agreements have made

significant contributions to researchat some universities. StanfordUniversity’s Office of TechnologyLicensing was founded in 1970 andhas successfully licensed 298 tech-nologies, producing $61.2 million inroyalty income in the fiscal year

1997-98 and employing 20 staffers.The UO Tech Transfer office is smallby comparison, but the potential isthere. In the last five years, incomehas grown from $50,000 to over$300,000.

“Industry has certain objectives fortheir company. If that need is closeto the research that a faculty memberis doing in the lab, it can be a won-derful partnership for both of them,”says Keana. Though modest, incomefrom the licensing of patents heholds has helped fund furtherresearch in Keana’s lab and the UO’sDepartment of Chemistry.

While Keana and other inventors filemany patent applications for tech-nology that never gets licensed or iflicensed, never makes any money,one successful patent can meanmillions of dollars for the university.Before their patents expired in 1998,Stanford enjoyed $30 million inrevenue from patents on recombi-nant DNA technology alone. “Un-less you have a crystal ball, youdon’t know which ones will workand which won’t,” says Sherer. Inthe meantime, Keana’s busy thinkingup more inventions.

- L. Ritzow

KLEMM REMEMBERS

EARLY DAYS AT UOThe Chemistry Departmentcelebrated Dr. LeRoy Klemm's80thbirthday with refresh-ments on Friday, July 30, a dayearly. Klemm, recently namedOutstanding Scientist of theYear by the Oregon Academyof Sciences, gave us a glimpseof what the Chemistry Depart-ment was like when he arrived at the UO in September,1952. He was the only organic chemist in a faculty of six.The others were Adolph Kunz (department head), PierreVan Rysselberghe, Donald Swinehart, Frank Reithel ,and George Gorin.

The Chemistry Department had just moved out ofMcClure Hall and into new offices and laboratories inthe new Science Building, now called Pacific Hall.Adolph Kunz told Klemm, "I don't see how we are ever

going to fill this building." Since then, seven morescience buildings have been constructed. Kunz didneither teaching nor research; Van Rysselberghespecialized in electrochemistry, especially polarogra-phy, and Swinehart, in gas kinetics, especially asmeasured on his home-built mass spectrometer. Intune with the cut-and grind biochemistry of the time,Reithel extracted lactase from fresh cows' udders andstudied its catalytic properties. Gorin used UV-visiblespectrometry to study molecular associations in solu-tion, while Klemm worked on synthesis of potentialanticancer drugs and correlation of geometry of or-ganic molecules with reactivity on surfaces.

Two graduate students moved from Indiana Universityto work on these projects. One, Herman Ziffer, becamethe first person to receive a Ph.D. in organic chemistryfrom the UO, in 1955. University enrollment was 5,500and Eugene had a population of 35,000. Predentistrywas a popular program at that time with 100-200regularly pursuing it at the UO. Klemm was the headadvisor for predentistry for some 20 years.

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From THE DEPARTMENT HEAD

September 1999

Dear Chemistry Alumni & Friends,

It is a pleasure to write to you for the first time as chair of theChemistry Department. I am happy to report that the depart-ment continues to be in good health.

The graduation ceremonies last June showcased one of the largestgraduating classes in our history. Some of the increase was dueto the inclusion of the Biochemistry majors. This formal pro-gram, that started two years ago has begun to produce itsgraduates. As usual, our majors are some of the most giftedstudents in the university with seven Phi Beta Kappa, threeGoldwater Scholarship winners, and two members of the eliteOregon Six.

There have been some long-awaited changes at the state systemlevel. For the first time, tuition and fees generated by the university will stay at the University of Oregonrather than being distributed throughout the state system. After a phase-in period, this should result insignificantly more funds for the university, and ultimately, the Department. We continue to be gratefulfor your generous contributions to the Chemistry Endowment Fund. These unrestricted funds continueto provide us with the flexibility we need to meet the challenges we face. Combined with increasedfunding from the university, we plan to move forward with faculty recruitment, space renovation, andcurriculum updates.

One of the teaching innovations we plan to enhance this year is our “Green Organic Lab.” This course,initiated by Jim Hutchison and Ken Doxsee last year, minimizes the use of organic solvents and othermaterials that represent a potential environmental and disposal problem. The course was given to a smallgroup last year and received rave reviews from students and from educators at a recent conference. Thisyear we will increase the number of students taking this course and produce the first laboratory manualfor the course. We hope to eventually convert the large organic laboratory to this “green” version.

In addition to her numerous professional honors, Professor Geri Richmond has been appointed to the StateBoard of Higher Education. She is the first university faculty member to serve on the board. She willprovide a much needed faculty perspective for this group.

Besides the enjoyment of greeting the graduating class and their family members at this year’s commence-ment, we had the great pleasure of hosting Charles Jacobs, class of 1934. For the occasion, he gave awonderful short speech to the graduates and among other things reminded them of the importance ofregular donations to the Chemistry Department. Who am I to contradict such a distinguished alum?

Sincerely Yours,

Rick Dahlquist.

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Mortar Board AwardsChemistry Instructors win Lion’s Share

UO students selected chemis-try faculty as their favoritefaculty on campus three

months in a row. Instructors RalphBarnhard, Deborah Exton, and JamesLong received the Professor of theMonth Award from the campuschapter of the National Mortar Boardduring the ’98-’99 academic year.

Instructor Deborah Exton was aboutto launch into the exciting details ofacid-base titration when committeechair AndreaSieg came tothe front of herclass andpresented her with the award. “Iwas surprised and very honored,”she said. And a little embarrassed byall the attention.

Exton was praised as an “excellentteacher,” who is “always willing tohelp,” and is generous with her time.Students see her as someone whocares about them and advocates ontheir behalf.

The award, presented by the seniorhonor society, recognizes scholar-ship, leadership and service. Votingis open to all students two days eachmonth an award is given. Theelection is write-in only and allfaculty are eligible to win. The

Instructors Jim Long, Deb Exton and Ralph Barnhard

faculty member with the most voteswins. Chemistry faculty won threeout of seven awards this year.

“To receive the award in the class-room is a real kick”, says Long, whoalong with Barnhard, has receivedthe honor three times. Studentsnoted that Long is passionate aboutteaching and he’s “good at convey-ing difficult ideas in a fun and easyway.” An instructor at Oregon since1978, Long finds teaching fulfilling

all by itself. Buthaving someonerecognize yourefforts is extra

special - like frosting on the cake.“And it’s really good frosting, too.”

Barnhard was lauded as one who“leads a crowd of 400 unlike anyoneI’ve ever seen, keeping everyoneawake and engaged.” He was alsopraised for his enthusiasm and hisability to stimulate interest in thesubject matter. Thrilled to win theaward yet again, Barnhard had this tosay about the department’s success:“We’re doing something right.”

Four other chemistry faculty re-ceived votes from students: PaulEngelking, Michael Haley, JamesHutchison, and Mark Lonergan.

- L. Ritzow

“We’re doing something right.”

A symposium honoring the 80th

birthday of Professor VirgilBoekelheide was held Monday,June 21st in Portland.Boekelheide, who has been withthe department since 1960, waspraised as a leader in chemistryand the department. He was aninstrumental figure in the rapiddevelopment of the chemistry ofnovel aromatic molecules overthe past forty years. “I couldthink of no better tribute to theman and his immense scientificcontributions than a symposiumof lectures from his contempo-raries, collaborators, colleagues,and friends,” said AssociateProfessor Michael Haley, whoorganized the event.

Sponsored by Fuji Silysia Chemi-cal, a long-time supporter of thedepartment, the symposium waspart of the Northwest RegionalMeeting of the American Chemi-cal Society. The line-up featuredeleven world-renowned chemistsincluding Reg Mitchell, TetsuoOtsubo and Victor Snieckus.Long-time friends Klaus Hafner,Henning Hopf, Emanuel Vogelalso took to the podium. Somespeakers came from as far awayas Europe, Canada and Japan topraise the work and the manthey’ve known for years.

“It was a very nice occasion andit was great to see all thosepeople again,” said Boekelheide.Lectures were mixed withdiscussions of chemistry andanecdotal tales and pictures ofBoekelheide, which added to thecelebratory atmosphere.

- M. Haley/L. Ritzow

BIRTHDAY

BASH

AN

HONOR

5

Chemistry Professor Appointed to State BoardGeri Richmond gets the honor

UO Chemistry Profes-sor Geraldine Richmond has been

selected by Oregon GovernorJohn Kitzhaber to become thefirst active faculty memberon the State Board of HigherEducation. Richmond willreplace Esther Puentes ofSalem, who recently vacatedher seat. Her term wouldexpire in one year.

Richmond’s pioneeringresearch has focused onusing laser techniques tostudy chemical bonds andreactions. She is currentlychair of the physical chemis-try division of the AmericanChemical Society and chair ofthe Department of EnergyBasic Energy Sciences Advi-sory Committee. She hasbeen a mentor and rolemodel for women in science.“She’s well-respected in herfield and I think she willbe a good addition to theBoard,” said Katy Coba,Director of ExecutiveAppointments for thegovernor’s office.

Richmond’s 14-year tenureat Oregon has been filledwith awards and honors and she hasearned the respect of students andfaculty as a gifted scientist andteacher. Last year she was namedKnight Professor of Liberal Arts andSciences. She received the Presiden-tial Award for Excellence in Science

and Engineering Mentoring in 1997.In 1996, the American ChemicalSociety awarded her the Francis P.Garvin - John Olin Medal, a greathonor in the science community.

“I’m terribly honored to be the first

active faculty member toserve on the Board,” saidRichmond. Legislationpassed two years ago allowsthe governor to nominatefaculty to the Board. As thefirst, Richmond is aware thateveryone will be watching tosee what she does. “Therehave been concerns abouthaving an active facultymember on the Board,” saidRichmond. Concerns thatwill likely be put to restduring her tenure.

A true team player andstalwart believer in educa-tion, Richmond hopes to be apositive influence on theBoard and looks forward toworking with its members.“I’m not sure I would haveaccepted this position if itweren’t for the great respect Ihave for all the peopleinvolved.” Being on the

Board presents a hugetime commitment.Although the Boardmeets once a month, thepreparation is consider-able. “There’s a tremen-dous amount of readingmaterial,” said Rich-mond. But like all the

responsibilities she has, Richmond isexcited and honored to be a part ofsomething larger than herself. Andthe system of higher education inOregon will be better for it.

- L. Ritzow

Jack

Liu

“She’s well-respected in her field and I thinkshe will be a good addition to the Board,”said Katy Coba, Director of Executive Ap-pointments for the governor’s office.

TELL A TALE

to your classmates in Chemistry News.lynde@oregon.uoregon.edu

6

Remembering Dick

RICHARD MACY NOYES

APRIL 6, 1919 - NOVEMBER 25, 1997

BY RICHARD J. FIELD AND JOHN A. SCHELLMAN

“Having absolutely no imagination,I majored in chemistry.”

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This story is adapted from the full-textversion, published in “BiographicalMemoirs,” Vol 77, The National Acad-emy Press, Washington, D.C., 1999.Chemistry News would like to thankDick Field and John Schellman forsharing this tale.

R ichard Macy Noyes was anexceptional physical chemist,who dedicated his abundant

personal and intellectual abilities tomaking the world a better place.He directed his scientific worktoward understanding thedetails of how chemical reactionsoccur, making seminal contribu-tions in isotopic-exchange processes,the theory of molecular diffusion insolution, treatment of complexkinetics and reaction mechanisms,and most memorably, pioneeringwork on the mechanisms of oscillat-ing chemical reactions and nonlineardynamics in chemistry. He partici-pated actively in public affairs,mainly to protect the natural worldhe loved, promoted internationalcooperation, and served in adminis-trative and leadership roles here atthe University of Oregon.

Dick was born in Champaign, Illinoison April 6, 1919, the son of WilliamAlbert Noyes Sr. and Katharine MacyNoyes. He was the fifth of sixchildren of his father, then nearly 62years old and Chairman of theDepartment of Chemistry at theUniversity of Illinois. It is rumoredthat the senior Noyes respondednear his 65th birthday to the Dean’sdiscreet inquiry concerning his

retirement plans with an invitation tothe christening of Dick’s youngerbrother, Pierre, born in 1923, anddestined to become a prominenttheoretical physicist.

William A. Noyes Sr. was a domi-nant figure in American chemistryfrom 1890 to 1930, and Dick becamethe fourth descendent of the Massa-chusetts Puritan leader NicholasNoyes (1615-1701) to be elected tothe National Academy of Sciences in1977. The other three, all professors

of chemistry, being his father, hishalf-brother, W. Albert Noyes Jr., anda distant cousin, Arthur AmosNoyes. Dick and his father were alsoelected to the American Academy ofArts and Sciences. The familytradition of scientific excellence andservice is further exemplified bynoting that all three older Noyeseswere president of the AmericanChemical Society, something Dick

himself never aspired to, beingsomewhat shy personally andpreferring to quietly “ThinkGlobally-Act Locally.”

Dick entered Harvard College in1935, shortly after his sixteenthbirthday, where, as he occasionallyquipped, “Having absolutely noimagination, I majored in chemistry.”He and Pierre, who also enteredHarvard at 16, both started with“bonehead” chemistry because theirfather advised them not to take highschool chemistry in Champaign, butto wait for Harvard to do it. Dickwas one of the top students in theclass of ’39, graduating summa cumlaude and a member of the SeniorSixteen elected to ΦBK.

7Continued on page 8

Dick chose to do his graduate workat California Institute of Technology,feeling that it had the strongestdepartment in physical chemistry inthe country at that time. He chosenot to work with Linus Pauling, thedominant Cal Tech figure in physicalchemistry because, “I was interestedin chemical reactions rather thanstructure.” Dick instead did his Ph.D.with Roscoe Gilvey Dickinson, whohad followed A. A. Noyes from MITand pioneered X-ray crystallographyat Cal Tech. Dickinson was inter-ested in chemical kinetics andmechanism, and worked in closecontact with W.Albert Noyes, Jr., apioneer in photochemical reactions.

Dick finished his Ph.D. in 1942 underthe pressure of WWII, working mainlyon the kinetics of the simultaneous cis-trans isomerization of diiodoethyleneand its exchange with iodine. Hemade some of the very first radioiso-tope exchange-kinetics experiments,carried out using very small samplesof unknown isotopes of iodine ob-tained from a Berkeley cyclotron.

The war kept Dick at Cal Tech until1946 as Temporary Instructor andResearch Associate, mainly involvedwith the analytical and physicalchemistry of nitrocellulose smokelesspowders. He also systematicallyexpanded personal and socialinterests during his seven years inPasadena, developing an interest infolk dancing, and focusing hisintense devotion to the outdoors. Hejoined with friends to buy an ancientFord for trips to the mountains,made a number of climbs in theSierra-Nevada, and became deeplyinvolved with the Sierra Club. Hemet, and in 1946 married, WinninetteArnold, a chemist and daughter of aprominent geologist.

The newlyweds left California forNew York City to begin his indepen-dent academic career as Instructor ofChemistry at Columbia University.His early work there was built uponI2-exchange kinetics. This pathquickly led him to consideration ofthe fundamentals of molecular

diffusion and diffusion-controlledreactions in solution. He and gradu-ate student Fred Lampe concluded in1954 that two geminate radicalsproduced in a primary photochemi-cal event must initially be lodgedwithin a “solvent cage,” and that acompetition must exist between theirrecombination and diffusion out ofthe cage in order to participate insecondary reactions. He then ex-tended the cage concept by askingwhether it exists if two radicals areclose, even if not geminate, leadinghim to fundamental new insightsinto the process of diffusion insolution. The capstone of this workwas his 1961 review of moleculardiffusion in the first volume ofProgress in Reaction Kinetics. Itremains today a fundamental re-source, receiving about 20 citationsannually, 36 years after its appearance.

Dick returned in the mid ‘50s toRoscoe Dickinson’s photochemicalspace-intermittency suggestion. In1957 he became among the first tosolve numerically a reaction-diffu-sion equation on a digital computer,and to undertake (prior to lasertechnology) the very difficult experi-mental problem of projecting sharplyfocused leopard and tiger patterns of

light into a reactive solution. Thiseffort was continued at the UO andinitiated his long collaboration withDick Field.

Dick and Win were warmly regardedat Columbia. They were notable fortheir friendly social manner, closeinteractions with and concern forstudents, a broad array of scientificvisitors, and an interest in travel andworldwide customs and affairs.Dick had an abiding commitment toworld peace, acquired from hisfather. He was a charter subscriberto the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

and a regular participant at theannual meetings of the NAS Com-mittee on International Security andArms Control. He and Win spent asabbatical year on a GuggenheimFellowship at Leeds, UK in 1955-6after being tenured at Columbia.

But New York City did not succeedin urbanizing the young couple.They took up backpacking in theAppalachian Mountains long beforeit was fashionable, and thus requiredWin’s homemade equipment. Theymade a systematic effort to reach thehighest geographical point of each ofthe contiguous 48 states, an RMN-like endeavor if there ever was one.They missed the influence andactivities of the Sierra Club, so Dickdecided to bring the Sierra Club toNew York. He was instrumental inthe founding of the Atlantic Chapterof the Sierra Club (now the NewYork Chapter). Later he chaired theNorthwest Chapter (now split intostate chapters) and establishedEugene, OR as the first local subdivi-sion of the Sierra Club.

Despite these efforts, life in NewYork City was confining. Happily forall, the University of Oregon at thesame time was undertaking theconstruction of a world-class Depart-ment of Chemistry and had identi-fied a group of outstanding youngerpeople to build that department, fourof whom went to Oregon and wereeventually elected to the NationalAcademy of Sciences. Dick was oneof these, and in 1958 eagerly acceptedthe position of Professor of Chemistry.

At Oregon, Dick continued his workon various aspects of moleculardiffusion and isotopic-exchangekinetics, as well as mechanisticstudies in related systems. He begannew fundamental work on the ther-modynamics of ion-formation andmade a major thrust into the reactionsof diatomic molecules. But much ofhis time and energy in the ‘60s wasspent in administration of a rapidlygrowing department. He was actingHead of the department in 1960-61and Head in 1963-4 and 1966-8.

They took up backpackingin the AppalachianMountains long before itwas fashionable.

8

Dick Noyes SymposiumSATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1998

Clockwise from left:

Speaker DickFields, Pat Noyes,the symposiumlunch crowd, andSpeaker JohnTyson.

By 1969 the combination of adminis-trative work, the steady deteriorationof Win’s health from diabetes (lead-ing to her death in 1972), the devel-opment of fast direct methods inchemical kinetics, a global and localshift of interest to modern spectro-scopic investigation of biochemicalsystems, some bad luck, and perhapseven his independence, left hisresearch running down. The reac-tions of diatomic molecules hethought to be concerted turned outto be mainly orbital-symmetryforbidden and probably radical oreven heterogeneous in nature,making them of less theoreticalinterest. Photochemical space-intermittency is excruciatinglydifficult to apply broadly, and he hadpushed the diffusion work about asfar he could without taking intoaccount the discontinuous nature ofsolvents. Dick and Win were puttingincreasing time and effort into SierraClub activities, especially the eventu-ally successful effort to have French

Pete Valley incorporated into theThree Sisters Wilderness.

But a scientific challenge appeared in1969 which Dick’s 30 years of workin complex reaction mechanisms andreactive diffusion had perfectlysuited him to meet: the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) Reaction. Startingwith elucidation of the BZ chemicalmechanism in 1972, he pioneeredand solidified an entirely new area ofphysical chemistry over the next 25years: oscillating chemical reactions.His introduction of the Oregonatormathematical model of the BZreaction in 1974 forged the connec-tion between oscillating chemicalreactions and the burgeoning theo-retical area of nonlinear dynamics,and it allowed the BZ reaction tobecome and remain today the work-horse and center of focus of researchin both areas. Over half of his 208scientific publications are in this areaand appeared after his 50th birthday.

In January 1973, Dick married PatriciaHarris, a well-known developmentalbiologist who shared his devotion toscience and to environmental matters.She was working as faculty at OregonState University when they met. Dickserved a final long term as head of hisdepartment in 1975-8. He and Patspent 1978-9 and 1982-3 (Alexandervon Humboldt Fellowship) at theMax Planck Institute fürBiophysikalische Chemie, Göttingen,a center where they both could followtheir scientific interests. He formallyretired in 1984, but he and Pat contin-ued to travel around the world asDick continued to serve as an interna-tional leader in nonlinear dynamicsuntil near the end of his life. AFestschrift issue of The Journal ofPhysical Chemistry dedicated to Dickand his work marked in 1989 hisseventieth birthday. Sadly, a series ofstrokes beginning in 1992 left himincreasingly incapacitated, despite hisheroic efforts to keep going. Hepassed away on November 25, 1997.

9

David Draper1999 Alumni Achievement Award

W inners of the Alumni Achieve-ment Award are a select groupchosen for this honor in

recognition of professional and personalachievements that exemplify the Oregonspirit and traditions of leadership andexcellence. The award, in the College ofArts and Sciences, was established in1989 by Dean Donald R. Van Houten.This year’s award will be presented atthe Arts and Sciences’ Profiles inAchievement Banquet in November.

Johns Hopkins Professor DavidDraper is the recipient of this year’sAlumni Achievement Award inChemistry and he has the UO andRNA to thank for it. Draper, agraduate student in Pete vonHippel’s lab, received his Ph.D. in1977. He joined the faculty at JohnsHopkins in 1980 and continued toresearch the elusive RNA he beganstudying at Oregon.

While at Oregon, Draper tookadvantage of the flow of ideasbetween labs and disciplines. “Itwas a good time to be in chemistryand in the Institute (of MolecularBiology)”. He began working withRNA and found it easy to begincollaborating with faculty andstudents in nearby labs. “In ScienceII [now Klamath Hall] there werepeople from chemistry, biology andphysics all in one place thinkingabout the same problems.” Collabo-rations just happened. “It was apretty unusual place,” Draper said.Seeing the benefits of such jointresearch, Draper sought to continueresearch across disciplines when heset up his own lab at Johns Hopkins.“I consciously tried to develop myown career in the same way.”

Though few chemists were studyingRNA in those days and techniques tostudy it were limited, Draper wasdetermined to unlock some of themysteries of its structure. During his

18 years at JohnsHopkins, Draper hasfocused his researchon the structure ofRNA, how it func-tions, and howproteins bind to it.Exciting research hascentered on theprotein L11, whichbinds to RNA andlooks similar tohomeodomainproteins in DNA.Draper’s findingssuggest that DNAmay have adoptedbinding proteins fromRNA, with slightmodifications.

More recent work inthe Draper lab hasfocused on detailingthe tertiary structureof RNA from theribosome (the piece ofcellular machinerythat carries outprotein synthesis). Draper andfellow researchers published an

article in the May issue of Sciencedetailing the first three-dimensionalpicture of ribosomal RNA tertiarystructure. Draper’s lab worked tocreate a stable RNA crystal and

capture its image with the help ofxray crystallographer EatonLattman, a fellow professor in abiophysics lab at Johns Hopkins.The image represents the first atomiclevel look at a ribosomal protein -RNA complex.

Draper has enjoyed a distinguishedcareer at Johns Hopkins, where hehas served as faculty, departmenthead and teacher over the years. Hisresearch has been supported largelyby the National Institutes of Health(NIH). In 1996 NIH honored himwith the MERIT award. The presti-gious award provides flexiblefunding for ten years and has al-ready allowed him to focus on hisfavorite subject - RNA.

- L. Ritzow

“In Science II there werepeople from chemistry,biology and physics all inone place thinking aboutthe same problems.”Collaborations just hap-pened. “It was a prettyunusual place.”

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Internship Master’s ProgramEnjoys Fruitful First Year

’m 22 and I make more thanmy parents,” JenniferPetersen reflected recently.

Recently hired as a Process Engineerat Hyundai, Petersen owes a certainamount of her success to an innova-tive internship program at theUniversity of Oregon thatcombines academics and on-the-job training. She graduatedthis June with a master’s degreein chemistry, job experience -and a new job in a competitiveindustry that pays over $40,000per year.

Launched by the MaterialScience Institute (MSI) lastsummer, the Industrial Intern-ship Master’s Program com-bines classroom instruction andlaboratory work with a six- tonine-month industrial intern-ship. Students can expect toearn 30 credits and $2,000 to$3,000 a month during theinternship portion of the pro-gram. With the addition of 12credits in physics or chemistry,students receive a master’sdegree. Participating compa-nies include Mitsubishi Silicon,LSI Logic, Hyundai, ForrestPaint, Planar and Intel. Begin-ning this summer, students canchoose to study semiconductorprocessing or polymer science.A doctoral version of the pro-gram was launched in June.

It’s a mutually beneficial arrange-ment for companies and students,says Chemistry Professor DaveJohnson, one of six MSI faculty whoput the program together. Compa-nies see the students as potentialemployees they get for nine monthson a trial basis. While industry is inneed of qualified applicants, stu-dents have the opportunity to gethands-on experience and a step up inthe job market.

The MSI program was developed inresponse to feedback from recentgraduates as well as from regionalindustrial partners. Johnson saysthis feedback defined the need toaugment the basic science curriculato include course modules that more

specifically prepare students inphysics and chemistry to becomeeffective problem solvers in semicon-ductor manufacturing and polymersynthesis. “Our focus is not teachingthem exactly what they need toknow; our focus is teaching themhow to apply the fundamentalsthey’ve been taught as undergradu-ates to solve problems in industry,”said Johnson.

Jessica Daniel, a chemistry studentwho’s interning at Planar in Port-land, says the program helped herget into the R&D department at theflat-panel display manufacturer. Shetried job hunting first and foundmost companies weren’t interested in

someone with a chemistrydegree and no experience. Moststudents could learn the jobeventually, says Johnson, but thejob-specific training they re-ceived in the MSI program cutsdown on the financial commit-ment companies have to makebefore workers are productive.Getting your foot in the doormay be the most important stepto getting a job later. “It’s not somuch what I learned in theprogram as the connections Imade,” says Daniel.

Petersen, the process engineer,said one of the best things abouther internship was Hyundai’swillingness to give her responsi-bility early on. “They weren’ttreated as students, they weretreated as new hires,” saysJohnson. And sometimes there’sa big difference, as physicsintern Lucas Wilms found outwhen he was asked to run hisdepartment at Hyundai for aweek while his supervisor wasout of town. But the responsi-bility didn’t phase him. “Thatwas fun,” he said. Problem

solving was an important part ofsurviving the week. “It’s one of thebest things physics teaches you.”

“When we first approached industry,they were excited but cautious,” saidJohnson. “We originally received eightoffers for internship positions. Nowour partners in industry are willing toabsorb as many as 30 interns. We’vehad an incredible response fromindustry and we’ve only solicitedOregon companies so far.”

“I

“We’ve had an incredible responsefrom industry and we’ve only solicitedOregon companies so far.”

Student at work in the MSI lab.

11

Charles Jacobs, a chemist andmember of an Oregon pio-neer family has established a

$100,000 endowment to provide asource of income to support therecruitment and retention of facultyin the UO Chemistry Department.The Charles J. and M. Monteith JacobsFaculty Fellowship Fund in Chemistryis one of the largest cash gifts everreceived by the Department. “Thesefunds are particularly hard to comeby and, because of their flexibility,are often worth much more thantheir dollar amount in terms of theirimpact in achieving the necessaryresults” noted Peter H. von Hippel.The endowment will be adminis-tered by the UO Foundation.

The gift preserves three names in thefuture of the department: Charles,his brother, Malcolm Monteith“Monty” Jacobs, and their mother’smaiden name, Monteith. TheMonteiths are Oregon Pioneers whosettled in the Willamette Valley andfounded the city of Albany in the1840’s. Monty Jacobs was born inPortland and attended the UO in thelate 1920’s. He died in 1998 (see InMemoriam).

Charles Jacobs was also born inPortland in October 1912, and wasraised there. In 1930 and 1931 heattended the UO. At that time therewas little research in science at theUO, so Charles transferred toStanford University where hemajored in chemistry and math. Hereceived his BA in 1933 and his MAin 1934 at the age of 21. Based on hisscientific publication and scholar-ship record, he was elected fullmember of Sigma Xi in 1934.

Charles worked his way throughschool as an instructor, tutor, andpaper grader, but he doesn’t remem-ber those years as a grind. Heenjoyed his classes and campusactivities and has fond memories of

classmates and professors. ProfessorOrin F. Stafford (1906-1941) was hisfavorite teacher at UO and becamean influential advisor.

Charles started his professionalcareer in 1934 at Shell Oil Co. inMartinez, California, as a researchchemist. Several industrial positionsfollowed in technical development,marketing, and engineering, includ-ing two years as an analytical chem-ist at Western Sugar Refinery in SanFrancisco and two years with aprinting company, George H. Morrel

Inc. in South San Francisco. He spentseven years (1939-1946) with PacificCan. Co., as a Chief Chemist. Hemoved east in 1946 and worked until1964 for a company which eventuallybecame a chemical division of W.R.Grace & Co. He was involved in thedevelopment of materials and pro-cesses for the packaging industry. Heand his wife, Margretta, whom hemet at Stanford in 1934 and marriedin 1937, lived in the Boston area. Hiswork involved technical sales andmarket development, which requiredextensive travel, in the U.S. andabroad. In 1964 Charles andMargretta moved to Connecticut and

Charles worked for four years as aNew Product Manager for AmericanCan Co. in New York City.

When he was 55 years old, Charlesdecided to establish a consultingbusiness in the packaging industryon an international basis, benefittingfrom his previous years of experi-ence and contacts in overseas mar-kets. The venture proved to be asuccess and he continued in it until1998. In 1980 he moved his home andbusiness to San Diego, California.

Even before retiring, Charles foundtime to participate in civic affairs andis still active. Two organizations ofparticular interest to him are theCommunity Planning Board, wherehe served for seven years, including

a term as BoardChairman, and theAdult EducationCenter, an affiliateof San Diego StateUniversity, wherehe served on theboard for eightyears.

When he returnedto Eugene for his65th Class Reunion,Charles brieflyaddressed theChemistryDepartment’sgraduating seniors.“I have two piecesof advice for you:first, spend less

than you earn, and second, to ensurethat future students have the advan-tages that the University has pro-vided you, make a habit of annualdonations to the UO, particularly theChemistry Department. Give whatyou can, and be sure to do it everyyear.” He also presented the Ameri-can Institute of Chemists FoundationAward to Pamela Tsuruda at thecommencement. After a meetingwith the faculty and a tour of thelaboratories, Charles noted, “Mostalumni don’t know that the state ofOregon provides only fifteen percentof the UO operating budget. Wereally need to get the word out.”

Jacobs EndowmentFamily gives $100,000 to department

Charles Jacobs presented Pamela Tsuruda with the AmericanInstitute of Chemists Foundation Award at the CommencementCeremony June 12, 1999.

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News from All Over

1930sCharles Jacobs, class of ‘34, drove toEugene to attend his 65th UO re-union after a morning round of gulfin San Diego. Jacobs, a benefactor ofthe Department, participated in theChemistry commencement (see p.11)

1940sMarion E. Hill, BS ’48, MS ’49, isformer Director of Stanford ResearchInstitute Chemical Laboratories andwinner of the UO alumni Achieve-ment Award in Chemistry. Hillretired in ‘84 and lives in Palo Alto,CA.

Marion filled this year with familyevents and trips to see his threechildren and many grandchildren.He attended four of their gradua-tions from college, including that ofhis daughter, Diane, who receivedher Ph.D. from UC Berkeley.

1950sGerald G. Ohlsen, B.A. ‘55. Afterleaving the UO, Ohlsen completedhis Ph.D. in physics and pursued acareer at Los Alamos National Labuntil he left to become a lawyer andland developer. He lives in Santa Fe,New Mexico.

1970sPeter H. Bickert, a Rotary Scholarwith Virgil Boekelheide ’79-’80,completed his Ph.D. in organicchemistry at the Technical Universityat Darmstadt, Germany in 1983. Thefollowing year, he was a researchscholar at Stanford University. Hecompleted an MBA degree in 1988 atRutgers. Professionally, Bickertworked for Hüls AG, a chemicalcompany, in Germany and the U.S.until 1998, when he took over as

president of Phenolchemie Inc. inAtlanta, Georgia.

Since 1990, Bickert has been marriedto Sabine, an architect. The couplehas two children, a son, Yannic (7)and a daughter, Kerstin (4). Theyattend Atlanta International Schooland are studying German andEnglish in addition to their othersubjects. Beyond family and work,Bickert enjoys an occasional game ofgolf. (He gave up skydiving in favorof more earthly pursuits). He enjoysreading, and takes particular interestin military history, foreign politics,leadership and decision theory.

Before returning to the U.S. last yearto take his new job, Bickert wasactive in the German Army Reserveas a Lieutenant Colonel.

Christopher Dubay, B.S. ‘79, re-ceived his Ph.D. in medical geneticsfrom OHSU in 1990 after spendingsix years in the computer industry.He completed postdoctoral researchprojects on complex genetic disease(e.g. hypertension and diabetes)using animal models in France andEngland. Dubay returned to the U.S.to develop information systems tosupport genetic analysis under aNational Library of Medicine spon-sored fellowship in medicalinformatics. He is currently anAssistant Professor in the Division ofMedical Informatics and OutcomesResearch at OHSU, with a jointappointment in the Department ofMolecular Medical Genetics. Hisfocus at OHSU is in the field ofbioinformatics and genetic informa-tion management systems for bothresearch and clinical applications.

Jing-Jer Jwo, Ph.D. ‘74 with RichardNoyes, is a Senior Professor in theChemistry department at NationalCheng Kung University in Taiwan.

Susan Rottschafer, Ph.D. ‘70 withJohn Keana and Hayes Griffith, ranthe department’s MicroanalyticalLaboratory. She worked underChuck Klopfenstein until 1975. After

leaving the UO, Rottschafer spentalmost 20 years working in thepharmaceutical industry beforebecoming Associate Director ofInternational Regulatory Affairs atBlock Drug Co. in Jersey City, NewJersey. The company manufacturesdental and other personal health-careproducts. Eventually, she retiredfrom Block Drug and is currently apart-time consultant in pharmaceuti-cal regulatory affairs. (E-mailaddress: susanr@dplus.net).

Diane Simmons, B.S. ‘73, is workingin pharmaceutical R&D forYamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.of Tokyo. She works in Palo Alto,California.

Brad Wright, B.A. ‘79. Received hisPh.D. in Organic Chemistry at OhioState in 1983 and went on to apostdoc position at Yale with JerryBerso for one year. Wright has beenat 3M in St. Paul since leaving Yaleand has worked in a number ofdifferent positions, including front-line development and research anddesign. His work has focused onimaging and adhesives. Currently,he is an Intellectual Property Special-ist and spends most of his timeworking on patents.

1980sRandy Mrsny, a research associate inHayes Griffith’s lab from 1985 -1987visited campus in March ‘99 topresent his seminar titled,“Pseudomonas Exotoxin: A NewApproach for the Targeted MucosalDelivery of HIV Antigens.” Mrsnywas head of the Peptide BiologyGroup for ALZA Corporation from1987-1990 and is now head of theDrug Delivery/Biology Group forGenentech, Inc. (E-mail address:mrsny@gene.com)

William Houle, Ph.D. ‘82 withHayes Griffith, has recently beenpromoted to Project Manager, InkJetSupplies Business Unit with Hewlett

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Packard Company in San Diego. Hehasn’t taken up surfing yet, but hedoes spend a lot of time at the beachtrying to recover from his newresponsibilities. (E-mail:bill_houle@hp.com).

Costi Sifri, B.S. ‘89, received his M.D.from the University of Rochester in1995 and then completed his intern-ship and residency in internal medi-cine at the Hospital of the Universityof Pennsylvania. Since July of ‘98, hehas been a clinical fellow in theInfectious Disease Divisions of theMassachusetts General Hospital andBrigham & Women’s Hospital. Thisyear, he is a research fellow atHarvard Medical School and Massa-chusetts General Hospital. He plansto study bacterial pathogenesis. “I’vegrown to tolerate the East, but I missOregon terribly,” he writes.

Michael Scherz, Ph.D. ‘89 with JohnKeana, stopped by recently whilevacationing on the Oregon Coast.Scherz studied medicinal chemistrywhile at Oregon and has recentlybeen promoted at Procter & GamblePharmaceuticals to Section Head ofCardiovascular Research. He isresponsible for P&GP's researchprograms in arrhythmia and conges-tive heart failure. Scherz, his wifeSandy, and their children Mark andHeidi, are living in the endlesssuburbs of Northern Cincinnati.

1990sMike Ansell, Ph.D. ‘98 with CathyPage, is working as a postdoc inProfessor Michael Sailor’s Lab at UCSan Diego. Ansell’s research focuseson determining the nature of thechromophore in a photoluminescentsilicone polymer discovered in thelab a few years before. The materialhas the potential to replace phos-phors containing toxic and expensiveactivator metals. In the coming year,Ansell plans to apply for teachingpositions in a small college.

Chia-Liang Charlie Cheng, Ph.D.Physics ‘93, with Tom Dyke, is nowan Assistant Professor at NationalDong Hwa University in Taiwan.

Cheng was recently reunited with hiswife (Professor Yuh-Yao Lyda Wan,Ph. D. in Art Education at the UO in‘93) after both found jobs at NDHU.

Cheng’s current research focuses onspectroscopy, surface and materialsscience using FTIR and Ramanspectroscopy. He is particularlyinterested in single crystal diamond,nano-meter scale diamond anddiamond like carbon (DLC).

After completing his Ph.D. in ‘93,Cheng served as a Research Associ-ate in the Chemistry Department forone year before working as apostdoctoral fellow at the Institute ofAtomic and Molecular Sciences inTaiwan and Berkeley. After complet-ing his studies, he accepted a posi-tion as an Assistant Professor in thePhysics Department at NationalTaiwan Normal University in Taipei,before moving to Hua-Lien, Taiwanto accept his current position.

Gregory K. Friestad, Ph.D. ‘95 withBruce Branchaud, is an AssistantProfessor of Chemistry at the Univer-sity of Vermont. His lab is studyingnew synthetic methods and asym-metric synthesis of natural products.

Derek Gragson, Ph.D. ‘97 with GeriRichmond, completed his postdoc atHarvey Mudd before accepting aposition as an Assistant Professor atCalifornia Polytechnic State Univer-sity in San Luis Obispo, California.Gragson recently received fundingfrom Research Corporation to set upa laser system for second harmonicstudies of polyelectrolyte absorption.He’s been working to set up his laband teach classes. He and his wife,Grace Ann Neff (Page ‘98), live fiveminutes from the beach and greatlyenjoy living in San Luis Obispo.

Wai Leung Lau, BS '95, undergradu-ate research with Hayes Griffith,stopped by for a visit on August 23,1999. Wai is currently a Ph.D.student in the Department of Bio-chemistry and Molecular Biophysics,University of Pennsylvania.

Jirong Lu, Ph.D. ‘92 with FrederickDahlquist, is working as a ProjectLeader and Senior Scientist at Eli

Lilly & Company in Indianapolis,Indiana.

Grace Ann Neff, Ph.D. ‘98 withCathy Page, completed a shortpostdoc at Harvey Mudd. She iscurrently working in a summerinstitute for grade school teachersand spends the regular school yearworking as a lecturer in the chemis-try department at California Poly-technic State University in San LuisObispo, California. She resides therewith husband and fellow alum,Derek Gragson (Richmond ‘97).

Thomas S. Rush, Ph.D. ‘95 withWarner Peticolas, completed hispostdoctoral work at Princeton in1998. He is now an Assistant Profes-sor of Chemistry at the University ofMontana. He teaches physicalchemistry and is doing research inprotein folding.

Jonathan Sowins, B.S. ‘98, is work-ing as a Research and DevelopmentAssistant at Forrest Paint in Eugene.Sowins spends his time in thepowder paint lab, developing betterpowder paints. He says he feelsfortunate to have found such a goodjob right out of college and enjoyswhat he does.

Amir Tamiz, Ph.D. with John Keana,‘98, is working as a postdoc inProfessor Alan Kozikowski's labora-tory at the Georgetown UniversityMedical Center in Washington D.C.He is currently working on thedesign and synthesis of compoundsas drugs for their potential use asantidepressants. The work is donethrough a collaboration with theNational Institute on Drug AbuseNIDA, and Zebra pharmaceuticals,Boston, MA.

Paul Wash, B.S. ‘91, finished hisPh.D. at the University of Nevada atReno in the spring of ‘98. He is nowa postdoc for Professor Julius RebekJr. at the Scripps Research Institute inSan Diego working on molecularrecognition.

Shuanhbo Yang, Ph.D. Physics ‘99,with Mike Kellman, will be acceptinga new faculty position at the Univer-sity of Nanjing this fall.

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UndergraduateResearch ProjectsA record number of undergraduatesparticipated in research groups this year.We can only feature a sampling here.

Django AndrewsGraduated 6/99Ashland, ORProfessor Paul Engelking, Supervisor

Research Project:My research has focused on thedetermination of energy level distri-bution in CS2 via laser-inducedfluorescence. We are using the 248nmline of a KrF excimer laser to pump adye laser, which is then passedthrough the sample. The subsequentfluorescence is focused into amonochromometer and the signalread with a photon detector.

I will pursue a Ph.D. at the Univer-sity of Colorado, Boulder.

Todd BlevinsGraduation date: 6/00

McMinnville, ORProfessor Mark Lonergan, Supervisor

Research Project:My current research project involvescharacterizing a specific conductingorganic polymer - poly(3-Octylpyrrole). The Lonergan groupfocuses on finding creative ways ofcombining such polymers with eachother and more classical materials(metals and semiconductors) to forminterface devices of unusual orenhanced character. The as-synthe-sized polypyrrole polymer used inLonergan’s tunable diode devices isunfortunately insoluble and, there-fore, difficult to characterize (solu-tion phase UV-Vis, GPC and NMRwould be advantageous). By addingthe Octyl- side chain to the conju-gated polymer backbone, polymersolubility in organic media can beincreased.

I plan to extend my examination ofthis conducting polymer system tothe nanometer scale.

Matthew CliftonGraduated 6/99Evergreen, COProfessor Rick Dahlquist, Supervisor

Research Project:Research in the Dahlquist lab focuseson several signal transductionproteins in E.coli. My research isconcerned with the interactionsbetween two of the proteins, CheAand CheY. By synthesizing 15Nlabled CheA, I can measure itsinteractions with CheY by usingmultidimensional NMR. As CheY isadded slowly to the reaction, I can

observe chemical shifts that arecharacteristic of the interactionsbetween the two proteins. By usingE.coli as a model system, we canhope to understand the complexprocess of signal transduction better.

Next year I will be attending PurdueUniversity in their Biochemistry andMolecular Biology Program. I willbe pursuing my interests of struc-tural biochemistry in relation toviruses.

Elizabeth CoganGraduated 6/99Eugene, ORProfessor O. Hayes Griffith, Supervisor

Research Project:My work in the Griffith lab is mainlyconcerned with the kinetics ofPhospholipases C. I have beenworking mainly on the developmentof novel assay methods for studyingthese kinetics. Phospholipases playan important role in cellular signaltransduction. I have been looking attwo different approaches to thedevelopment of simpler, less expen-sive assays. The first was a solution-based phosphate assay, which I alsoautomated. The second is a fluores-cence based thin layer chromatogra-phy assay.

Following graduation, I’ll be enter-ing the M.A. program at the UO inFrench so that I can be accepted tothe doctoral program in Chemistry atthe Universite de Paris VI.

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April DowdyGraduated 6/99Pleasant Hill, ORProfessor Bruce Branchaud, Sup.

Research Project:Deoxypancratistatin is anamaryllidacae alkaloid that showspromising anti-tumor activity. It is anatural product that is isolated inlow yields from Hawaiian Daffodilbulbs. Because of pancratistatin’spromising medicinal properties,there is interest in trying to synthe-size it for use in clinical trials andperhaps for clinical use in the future.Several groups have undertaken thistask. However, the syntheses thathave been completed are not practi-cal or cost effective. We have pro-posed a convergent route to the totalenantiospecific synthesis ofdeoxypancratistatin starting from D-glucose, an inexpensive, readilyavailable starting material.

I will attend the University of NotreDame in the fall and eventually planto go into the pharmaceutical indus-try and make more drugs.

Tyler Grassman

Graduation date: 6/00McMinnville, ORProfessor Andrew Marcus, Supervisor

Research Project:I’m studying the dynamics of a novelnew drug delivery system developedby Alkermes, Inc., which makes useof water-soluble polymericmicrospheres encapsulating lyo-philized drug particles. We wish tounderstand the correlation of thedynamics of the polymer matrix withthat of the diffusing drug particlesthemselves. To do this we areemploying specially synthesizeddrug delivery devices containingfluorescent dye tagged protein inplace of the drug, and using bothvideo fluorescence microscopy andfluorescence recovery afterphotobleach (FRAP) methods ofanalysis.

I plan on going to grad school after Igraduate, and eventually pursuing acareer in research industry.

Mark JohnsonGraduated 6/99Salt Lake City, UTProfessor Dave Johnson, Supervisor

Research Project:I have been measuring the param-eters (layer thickness and nucleationenergy vs. composition) in the binaryiron antimonide FeSb3. Now I havebeen adding a filler element, La, toobserve the effects it has on nucle-ation energy vs. composition.

My future plans are to take a year offto go skiing in Vail, Colorado andthen attend medical school. I am

looking into M.D.-Ph.D. programsbecause I would like to be involvedin medical research in the future as apracticing physician. My researchexperience has definitely influencedmy plans to pursue research in myfuture profession.

Nisha MakadiaGraduation date: 6/00Professor Alice Barkan (Biology),Supervisor

Research Project:I have been conducting research inthe Barkan lab since the fall of ’97.During this time I have worked ontwo projects. My first project in-volved investigating the role inbacteria of a highly conserved genethat functions in a novel proteintranslocation mechanism in chloro-plasts. My job was to “knock out”the homologous gene incyanobacteria in order to observewhat effect it would have on theorganism.

The project I am currently workingon involves using reverse genetics toprobe the role of a gene that func-tions in the targeting of proteins tothe thylakoid membrane. Twoversions of this gene exist within themaize genome. I am currentlyperforming an RNAse-protection todetermine the levels of active tran-scription of the two versions of thisgene. I will then use this informationto search for a mutant plant in maizecontaining a transposon insertionwithin the more actively transcribedversion of this gene.

Continued on page 16

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Joseph RossGraduation date: 6/00Albany, ORProfessor Diane Hawley, Supervisor

Research Project:I’m researching the interactionsbetween wild-type and mutant RNAPolymerase II TATA-Binding Pro-teins (TBPs) and both consensus(TATA) and nonconsensus sequences(TGTA, etc.) on DNA which arebound by the TBP to initiate tran-scription. My summer project,funded by an HHMI Grant, will be toattempt to determine the role of theN-terminal domain of the TBP inregulating transcription. I’m reallyintrigued by transcription andtranslation, and the production ofgenetic mutations which lead tocertain conditions.

I plan to attend medical school for ajoint degree (MD/PhD) and eventu-ally do research on genetic diseases.

Rachel SmithGraduated 6/99Eugene, ORProfessor Jim Hutchison, Supervisor

Jeffrey SalernoGraduated 6/99Eugene, ORProf. Brian Matthews (Physics), Sup.

Research Project:In our lab we use x-ray crystallogra-phy to determine the three dimen-sional structure of proteins. I havebeen working with the DNA replica-tion machinery from the bacterioph-age T4. This includes the enzymeshelicase, primase, and the loadingclamp. Recently I was able to crys-tallize a truncated version of theprimase enzyme. Four crystal formshave been characterized and prelimi-nary data has been collected for oneof these crystal forms. I found thisparticular project interesting becauseit investigates processes that arecentral in the replication of all life.After graduation I plan to ride mybicycle across the country or live likeThoreau somewhere in Oregon.

Research Project:I’ve been working with a quartzcrystal microbalance (QCM) to studythe stability of self-assembled mono-layers (SAMs) on gold. I’ve beenworking on two aspects of SAMstability: how they behave whenexposed to high temperatures anddifferent solvents. I became inter-ested in studying the stability ofSAMs because SAMs have suchpromise in materials science; thus, Iwanted to fully explore the physicalbehavior of a material that can beemployed in technological applica-tions.

In the fall, I will be attending gradu-ate school at Penn State University,working in materials chemistry.

In Memoriam

Joel E. Keizer died May 16, 1999.Born August 31, 1942, Keizer re-ceived his Ph.D. under the directionof Terrell Hill in 1968. After leavingOregon, Joel accepted a postdoctoralposition with Battell Institute inColumbus, Ohio and later moved onto join the faculty at UC Santa Cruz.Keizer is remembered for his contri-butions to chemistry and the passionand joy he brought to his work.

Owen Meredith Wilson, UO presi-dent from 1954 to 1960, created theInstitute of Molecular Biology duringhis tenure. He died November 7,1998 of a malignant brain tumor.Born in Mexico in 1909, Wilsonreceived his B.A. from BrighamYoung University and his Ph.D. fromthe University of California. He wasa faculty member at Brigham Young,the University of Utah and theUniversity of Chicago. He laterworked for the Ford Foundation assecretary for the Fund for the Ad-vancement of Education and thencame to the UO to serve as the ninthpresident. Wilson is credited withmandating racial integration ofGreek system on campus, openingthe UO Museum of Art to the public,and restructuring the graduateschool. Wilson left Oregon to be-come president of the University ofMinnesota, leaving that post sevenyears later to move to StanfordCalifornia and become director of theCenter for Advanced Studies ofBehavioral Sciences. He retired toEugene in 1975.

Malcolm Monteith “Monty” Jacobsdied after an extended illness onMarch 27, 1998 in Santa Cruz,California. Monty Jacobs was bornon June 18, 1909 in Portland, Oregon.He attended the UO for two yearsand was a member of the UO tennisand basketball teams. He finishedhis studies at the University ofNebraska before returning to Port-land where he established a beautysalon supply business. In 1936 he

17

Faculty News& AwardsKenneth Doxsee was promoted toFull Professor. Doxsee will continuehis work this year as the NSF off-siteprogram officer for the OrganicChemistry programs.

Michael Haley was promoted toAssociate Professor.

Jim Long, Deborah Exton, andRalph Barnhard all won MortarBoard Professor of the MonthAwards last year. See related story,pg. 4.

LeRoy Klemm was named as Out-standing Scientist of the Year by TheOregon Academy of Sciences. Dr.Klemm was recognized for newapplications of the intramolecularDiels-Alder reaction, a techniqueused to prepare complex com-pounds. Klemm’s research hasfocused on thienopyridine chemistry,which may lead to drugs that willfight malaria and Alzheimer’sdisease. Dr. Klemm has been at theUO since 1952 and has published 175papers in his career, 37 since his“retirement” in 1985.

Jim Hutchison, was recently selectedas an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow(April ’99). Hutchison, an assistantprofessor with the department, wasawarded the two-year, $35,000fellowship for his work with minia-ture electronic circuitry. Cutting-edge technology in the Hutchison labfocuses on minute circuits that couldmake electronic devices, such ascomputers, smaller and more por-table. The fellowship allows recipi-ents the flexibility to fund researchthey deem important.

Hutchison was also nominated as aCamille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar andawarded $60,000. The award recog-nizes the recipient’s dedication toteaching while continuing to demon-strate outstanding contributions toscience.

The UO Student Affiliates Chapter ofthe American Chemical Societyreceived honorable mention from theACS for its 1997-98 program. Assis-tant Professors Jim Hutchison andMike Haley were honored for theirwork as faculty advisors.

Andy Marcus, assistant professor,was awarded a $255,000 NationalScience Foundation’s CAREERAward for continuing research on thebehavior of confined complex fluidsand his proposal to broaden chemis-try education at the University levelthrough the use of multidisciplinarythemes. The award will be fundedover three years. Marcus alsoreceived a Petroleum Research Fundgrant from the American ChemicalSociety. The $25,000 grant wasdesigned to help young facultymembers with self-conductedresearch.

The Exceptional Opportunity Grantby the M.J. Mudock Charitable Trustwas awarded to Marcus this year.The $50,000 grant will help pay forinstrumentation and a postdoctoralstudent to support research todevelop novel optical approaches tostudy metabolism inside living cells.

Marina Guenza, senior researchassociate, has received a $183,000grant from the National Science

Foundation and a $25,000 grant fromthe American Chemical Society tofund her research in correlatedmany-chain dynamics.

Professor Cathy Page recentlyreceived a National Science Founda-tion grant through the ProfessionalOpportunities for Women in Re-search and Education Program. The$33,000 supplement to her regularNSF grant ($288,000 for three years)was one of just 37 of the 138 POWREproposals that were funded this year.Page will use the funds for her workwith thin films. Her grant is titled"Self-Assembly of Inorganic/Or-ganic Multilayer Thin Films: NovelChemical Systems for Self-Assemblyand Incorporation of NonlinearOptical Properties."

Geri Richmond, faculty at the UOsince 1985, was recently appointed tothe State Board of Higher Education.Richmond is the first active facultymember to serve on the Board. Seestory pg. 5

Professors Jim Hutchison and KenDoxsee recently implemented anundergraduate sequence, GreenOrganic Chemistry Laboratory. Thenew lab emphasizes environmentallybenign (green) chemical synthesis andtakes into account environmentalconsiderations in the selection ofreactants and reaction conditions.Green chemistry is growing in impor-tance as industrial and academicresearchers become aware of theenvironmental and economic benfitsof environmentally benign methods.

The goals of the lab are to teachstudents core laboratory skills whiledemonstrating, first hand, the benefitsof green chemistry. Green experi-ments will improve safety, allow forthe routine use of macroscale tech-niques, and provide an ideal contextfor the discussion of chemical safety.

The first class was offered last fall to24 students, with enrollment beingpushed to 40 students this fall. Formore details on this innovative newcourse go to the class website athttp://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~hutch/ch337g/

married Esther Jackson, who prede-ceased him in 1996.

In 1942 Monty joined the US Armyand served in the Railway Battalionin Europe. He saw action in theBattle of the Bulge and earned threecombat ribbons. After the conflictended, Monty served briefly as anarmy courier in Europe beforereturning to his business in Portland.He retired in the 1970s and moved toSanta Cruz. Monty retained aninterest in the UO and was a benefac-tor of the department. His name willbe remembered in perpetuity by theCharles J. and M. Monteith JacobsFaculty Fellowship Fund in Chemistry,an endowment established recentlyby his brother, Charles Jacobs (seerelated story, pg. 11).

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1998-99 DonorsPrevious donors are listed in past Newsletters, which can be found on the Chemistry Web Page.

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Corporate Donors & Grantors

Abbott Laboratories FundAir Products & Chemicals, Inc.American Chemical SocietyArnold & Mabel Beckman FoundationBend Research, Inc.Dow Chemical CompanyCamille & Henry Dreyfus FoundationDuplicate699Eli Lilly & Company FoundationElsa U. Pardee FoundationFrontier Geosciences, Inc.Georgia-Pacific CorporationHewlett-Packard CompanyM. J. Murdock Charitable TrustRohm & Haas Company

Individual Donors

Timothy Aukett MS’93Cathy & George Bettoney Ph.D.’69Leona & Curtis Borchers Ph.D.’56George MS’54 Ph.D.’57 & Dorothy Bower ’53Doris & John Brown ’58John BujakeJoanne & Ernie Bush ’75 MS’76Dianne ByrdRichard Chadwick Ph.D.’86Catherine ’77 & Anthony Chanin ’77Frank & Laurie Chaplen ’89Sharon & David Chasko MS’72Sue & Gary Christian ’59Carol & Lawrence Cohn MA’72Lisa Durham Coutts ’85Harold Davidson MA’49 Ph.D.’51Jennifer & Christopher de Groot ’81Sara MA’63 & Manuel Debono Ph.D.’63Max Deinzer Ph.D.’69Henry Desler ’64

Brandon Doyle ’96Sean ’89 & Alice Edwards ’89Claire Elliker-Vagsberg ’72Shervin Esfandiari Ph.D.’70 & Zahra RezaeiMS’70Sandra & Nestor Fedoruk Ph.D.’66Pamela Fischer Ph.D.’95Frances ’93 & John Fitzgerald ’82Kathy & Glen Frerichs Ph.D.’77Gregory Friestad Ph.D.’95Lucia & Stanley Gill Ph.D.’89Miriam & Samuel Greenschlag MS’63O. Hayes Griffith &

Karen Griffith-Hedberg ’75 Ph.D.’80Michele GunnessCarolyn & Steven Hadley ’63Carol & Michael Hahn ’74 BS’74William Hammer ’84Thomas HarrisLucas Hawkins ’94Patricia & Gary Hedden ’67Teresa & William Herzog ’70Meagan Hessel ’95Marion Hill ’48 MA’50Pricilla & James Hofrichter Ph.D.’71Thos Crooks & Carol Houk MS’93 Ph.D.’95Margretta & Charles Jacobs ’34David Jensen Ph.D.’74Eva & Robert Johnson ’80Yeh-Hsin & Jing-Jer Jwo Ph.D.’74Clyde Kaneshiro Ph.D.’75Kwang-Yee & Hee-Chol Kang Ph.D.’82Thomas Kingzett ’68Judy & Herbert Kopperman ’65Jocelyn & Ralph LaMar ’77Wai Lau ’95Wai Lee ’90Lefford Lowden Ph.D.’72Julius & Mary LowmanLisa Markov & Richard Ludescher Ph.D.’84Susan ’69 MA’70 & Michael Magic MS’69

Kathleen MalekzadehGwen & David McCoy Ph.D.’67Mark Meier Ph.D.’88Yoon Hwang Merrill MS’73Russell MolyneuxThomas & Junaita MoninMargaret & William Nolan MA’65Harry Noller Jr. Ph.D.’65Patricia Harris NoyesJoseph Owens Ph.D.’76U. Scott III ’57 & Barbara Page ’57Wayne Parpala ’52Carole & Thomas Patapoff Ph.D.’84David & Joanne PaxtonDonald PenfieldMarilyn & Robert Pinschmidt Jr. Ph.D.’71Peter Rasco ’86Karen RogersTerrone Ph.D.’69 &

Carolyn Rosenberry MA’68 Ph.D.’78Ardie & Robert Runckel ’67Diane ’88 & Michael Ryan ’88Sandra SaltonstallJohn & F. Charlotte SchellmanMaurice '62, Ph.D. '65 and Sandra Schwarz '63Catherine Smith ’69Claibourne Smith Ph.D.’64Janet Reis & Wayne Solomon Ph.D.’63Pamela & Ronald Swisher Ph.D.’76Dennis Taylor Ph.D.’67Sanford & Bertha TepferMarian & Timothy Thomas Ph.D.’64David Ph.D.’68 & Gayle Tompkins ’66James Tyburczy Ph.D.’83Kathryn & Michael Uhler Ph.D.’82Nancy & William Weare ’71Kurt Ph.D.’88 & Theresa Wilson ’85Richard Ph.D.’68 & Carolyn Wolf MLS’68Pancras Wong ’76John & Janna Wyman

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF!We want to know what you’ve been up to since you left the UO.We’ll publish your story in Chemistry News.

Contact Lynde Ritzow - 1-800-782-4713 or lynde@oregon.uoregon.edu

19

SATURDAY, JUNE 12

Commencement ‘99GRADUATESChemistry

Django AndrewsEric BercotRyan BishopJeffrey ChoateElizabeth CoganJesse DambacherOssama DarwishJoshua GoldbergAthena KlockThomas LauLay Min LeeThomas NorthcuttAlexander RajeffMollie Wynveen

BiochemistryWilliam BirdsongMichael BradenMatthew CliftonRichard CookJennifer Ann DavisManuel DeLeonApril DowdyDerek GregoryJoshua HannaTracy HardwickSawan HurstTony HuynhMark JohnsonJesse KeicherBoaz LeviLeland MasonAlison MecklamHao NguyenEric PaciniSteven ParkJulie RichmanDavid RubinJeffrey SalernoRachel SmithPamela TsurudaJames Tung

Masters of ScienceDarsi AdamsChristopher CooneyMichelle KnowlesJennifer PetersonBrooke Taylor

Master of ArtsDavid Kimball

DoctorateMichael AnsellLara BaxleyLeif BrownCory BystromRobert DavenportCharles FouldsNadine GassnerRobert GilbertsonLana GrubbBritt LindforsEdward MicheliniTracy NorrisPeter Rupert

AWARDS

Chemistry Majorwith Honors

Django AndrewsElizabeth CoganRichard CookTracy HardwickThomas LauPamela TsurudaJames Tung

UniversityAcademic Honors

Summa Cum Laude“Highest Honors” (top 2%)

Tony HuynhEric Pacini

Magna Cum Laude“High Honors (top 5%)

Pamela Tsuruda

Cum Laude“Honors” (top 10%)

Eric BercotElizabeth CoganRichard CookJoshua HannaTracy HardwickJeffrey Salerno

Phi Beta Kappa - Oregon SixTodd BlevinsEric Pacini

Phi Beta KappaElizabeth CoganJohn CondieTracy HardwickJeffrey SalernoPamela Tsuruda

Biochemistry AchievementAward

Jeffrey Salerno

Inorganic ChemistryAchievement Award

Elizabeth Cogan

Organic ChemistryAchievement Award

Eric Pacini

Richard M. Noyes PhysicalChemistry AchievementAward

Tony HuynhAndrea Sieg

American Chemical SocietyAnalytical Chemistry Award

Thomas Northcutt

American Institute ofChemists Foundation Award

Pamela Tsuruda

Bill Bowerman FundScholarship named forProfessor Mark Lonergan

Todd Blevins

ACS Certified DegreeAthena Klock

Goldwater ScholarshipsTodd BlevinsNish MakadiaBenjamin Paxton

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