May 29, 2007:

Dr. Marcia Pierce's grant to EKU's University Research Committee was fully funded to conduct bacterial research through the use of RNA molecules. Participating in this research project will be Jeremiah Alexander.

The following is the abstract of Dr. Pierce's proposal:

Our hypothesis is that short interfering RNA molecules will lead to a significant decrease in the level of resistance proteins produced by Streptococcus pyogenes, leading to a loss of that resistance in the bacteria. Previously in my lab, we have identified more than 20 strains of S. pyogenes that carry resistance genes that allow them to escape the effect of the antibiotic erythromycin, a member of the macrolide drug group. We plan to use a new technology to interfere with the resistance of the bacteria through the use of short, interfering RNA molecules. In order to do this, we must first choose one strain of S. pyogenes from our collection for DNA sequencing. After we have the complete genetic sequence for the strain, we will determine the protein sequence of the resistance gene (either ermB, ermTR, or mefA) using bioinformatics sites such as NCBI Sequence or Swiss-Prot. We will then design siRNA (small interfering RNA) sequences that will reduce translation of the resistance protein made by Streptococcus pyogenes. Using delivery systems including but not limited to nanoparticles (100 nm in diameter), we plan to deliver siRNA into the cytoplasm of the bacterium. We will then determine whether there is any sort of change in the antimicrobial resistance of the strains, using a simple plate diffusion assay. We also intend to develop an ELISA system to detect levels of proteins produced in the bacteria. Finally, we will use RT-PCR to detect measurable messenger RNA levels in the bacteria.

Congratulations to Dr. Pierce and Jeremiah!!

May 29, 2007:

Dr. Ross Clark's grant to EKU's University Research Committee was fully funded to conduct forest ecology research through the use of systematic botany and tree ring analysis. This research project will make up the majority of Kacie Tackett's masters thesis. Kacie is conduting her research under the guidance of Drs. Ross Clark and Neil Pederson.

The following is the abstract of Dr. Clark's proposal:

We have a unique and time-limited opportunity.  Forest disturbance and climate change are crucial influences on the composition, structure and change of forests through time.  The old-growth forest remnants we propose to study (Kentucky mixed-mesophytic forest) are among the world’s most complex and diverse temperate forests.  Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is one of the few dominant conifer trees in these forests.  Hemlock fulfills a unique ecological role:  it is long-lived (250-450 years), extremely shade-tolerant, slow growing, and provides irreplaceable habitat for many plant and animal species.  However, hemlock is becoming critically endangered throughout its range because of an introduced Asian insect, the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA).  This insect already has decimated hemlock forests from Maine to Georgia.  Mortality of untreated trees is 100%, and most wild trees cannot be treated because of their inaccessible locations.  The HWA was reported recently in far southeastern Kentucky, and is spreading westward.  This study will investigate the forest composition (through sampling), and age structure, climatic influences, and disturbance history of two of Kentucky’s hemlock-dominated old growth forest remnants prior to the arrival of the HWA.  The study will include the establishment of permanent sample plots, so the original condition and composition of the forest can be compared later to changes which will occur after the loss of hemlock.

Congratulations to Dr. Clark and Kacie!!

May, 2007:

Participants of the Marine Biology and Coral Reef Ecology field trip to Belize soaking in the tropical atmosphere.

The Marine Biology (Bio 340) and Coral Reef Ecology (Bio 802) classes embarked May 13 - 20 on a trip to the barrier reef of Belize.  A total of 14 students went on the trip as did Dr. Nick Santangelo.  The trip was coordinated by Guenter Schuster, the instructor of the courses.  We joined a similar group from the University of Illinois (led by Dr. Chris Taylor) while we were there, which made for nice cross-university experiences.  We stayed the week on the Island of Ambergris Caye at the marine educational station Belize Marine Trec, which is operated by Dr. Ken Mattes and his wife Maureen.  The week’s activities included daily trips to the coral reef, on the boat Goliath captained by Capt. Norman.  Usually we were able to snorkel at three or more locations each day.  One night we had pizza on board and then did a night snorkel on the reef to observe the changes of the reef at night.  We also visited a mangrove forest and did a night beach seine, and one night Dr. Mattes lectured to us on the history and culture of Belize.  It wasn’t all work, most evenings students were able to enjoy the night life of San Pedro Town, the only city on the caye.  The main highlight of the trip was studying the glorious diversity of life on the reef, not the least of which included close encounters with sea turtles, a manatee, dolphins, moray eels, sharks and rays, in addition to the hundreds of coral reef fish species and invertebrates and marine plants of many phyla.  Another delight of the trip was the world famous Chicken Drop, recently highlighted on the Travel Channel.  Our own Rachel Rowe and Tyler Hansen won the event and treated us with beverages afterwards at Fido’s.

This link is to albums of photos taken throughout the week, including many underwater shots of various marine life.

May 1 , 2007:

Dr. Pat Calie was honored as a Distinguished Educational Leader for his teaching by the Student Government Association (SGA) for Fall 2006 making him the second SGA award winner from the Department of Biological Sciences during the '06-'07 yr! Only four are selected thius making the Department of Biological Sciences one-half of the Fall '06 winners. The SGA allows students to nominate professors every semester to be chosen as a Distinguished Educational Leader (DEL). An awards banquet was held in April to honor DEL recipients. The Student Government Association and Department of Biological Sciences thank Dr. Calie for being a positive role model in your class and making an impact on student's lives at Eastern Kentucky University.

Visit Dr. Calie's web site for more information on his work.

April 25, 2007:

Through the efforts of Drs. Sherry Harrel, Geunter Schuster, Marcia Pierce and others, the Department of Biological Sciences gained $135,000 in capital equipment funds from EKU's $8,000,000 available. Approximately $105k of the DBS' funds will go to the Aquatic Biology Field Program. The Aquatic Biology Field Program consists of Drs. Harrel, Nick Santangelo, and Schuster.

April 16, 2007:

Through the efforts of the Department of Biological Sciences' Dr. Pat Calie, Eastern Kentucky has been selected to receive a grant from LI-COR's Genomics Education Matching Funds program in the amount of $52,152.00 toward the Sequencing, Microsatellite, and AFLP¨ Package. This package will enable EKU to conduct the following research:

Sequencing - DNA Sequencing of single stranded, double stranded, or
PCR products. Labeled infrared primers are the primary chemistry for
most of your reactions, with infrared terminators available for
special situations (e.g. single pass sequencing of a particular
region).

Microsatellites - Microsatellite genotyping of diploid organisms for
biodiversity, forensic, mapping, or association analysis research.
This technique requires knowledge of microsatellite regions for the
target organism.

AFLP - AFLP genotyping of diploid and/or polyploid organisms for
biodiversity or mapping research. AFLP does not require knowledge of
genomic sequence of the target organism.

"This item of equipment will be a major enhancement of our undergraduate teaching and research experience." said Dr. Calie, "The vision that LI-COR is demonstrating is quite remarkable, and most welcome."

Visit Dr. Calie's web site for more information on his work.

April 2007:

Jeremiah Alexander, a senior Honors Student in the Department of Biological Sciences, was awarded the College of Arts & Sciences Dean's Award of Merit for 2007. While focusing on microbial, cellular, and molecular biology in his studies, Jeremiah recently attended two professional development workshops in St. Louis hosted by Sigma Aldrich entitled "Synthetic and Viral-based Systems for Gene Silencing", and "Knockdown Quantitation Technologies". Mr. Alexander was the only undergraduate attendee in the U.S. to attend the March workshops.

A 2006 KAS annual meeting presentation award winner, Jeremiah is currently being mentored in the laboratory of Dr. Stephen Richter.

April 4, 2007:

Dr. Nicholas Santangelo has been selected as a recipient of the 2006-2007 College of Arts and Sciences Junior Faculty Summer Research Awards. Previous recipients of this research award for the Department of Biological Sciences include Assistant Professors Drs. Stephen Richter and Neil Pederson.

Dr. Santangelo also was honored as a Distinguished Educational Leader for his teaching by the Student Government Association (SGA)for Fall 2006. The SGA allows students to nominate professors every semester to be chosen as a Distinguished Educational Leader (DEL). Only four are selected. The student who nominated Dr. Santangelo nominated him for Exceptional Classroom Performance.  An awards banquet will be held in April to honor DEL recipients. The Student Government Association and Department of Biological Sciences thank Dr. Santangelo for being a positive role model in your class and making an impact on student's lives at Eastern Kentucky University.

Visit Dr. Santangelo's web site for more information on his work.

February 2007:

Dr. Ron Jones recently received a $45,747 grant from the Kentucky Division of Forestry to conduct a biological survey in the new Knobs State Forest in Bullitt County and a $7,000 grant from the Kentucky State Parks to survey a historic site in Monroe County. You can learn more more about Dr. Jones, author of "Plant Life of Kentucky", by visiting his web site.

November 2006:

Six Department of Biological Sciences students win awards at 2006 Kentucky Academy of Science Meeting

Congratulations to the following students for their outstanding performance at the 2006 Kentucky Academy of Science Meeting!!!

2006 Undergraduate Research Competition Winners
(* = Honors Program student)

Ecology & Environmental Science
Poster: Jeremiah Alexander*

Science Education
Poster: Emily Jean Hicks

2006 Graduate Research Competition Winners

Botany
1st: Amy McIntosh

Zoology
1st: Jodi Stacy
2nd: Jason Fisher
3rd: Gabe Jenkins

Learn more about these awards and the Kentucky Academy of Sciences here.