College of Sciences E-newsletter

October 2005

In this issue:

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Your College E-Newsletter

This electronic newsletter is an attempt to enhance communication within the College of Sciences. We plan to include brief announcements, notices, and information of interest to faculty, staff, students, and friends of the College of Sciences and the larger university community.

In order to succeed, this publication will rely upon your submissions, suggestions, comments, and ideas. Please submit brief notices of research and teaching accomplishments, awards and presentations, grants and donations, alumni news, hirings and promotions, publications, guest lecturers, and other events, activities, and news of interest to the College of Sciences family.

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Invent the Future

On September 15, 2005 University of Nevada, Las Vegas President Carol C. Harter announced the public launch of UNLV’s first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign, a $500 million effort designed to take the young university to a new level of academic excellence, while strengthening and deepening its role as an engine for economic diversity and innovative research. During her 11th annual State of the University address, Harter discussed the role philanthropy has played in UNLV’s short history, and announced several key initiatives which will contribute to an exciting future as one of the nation’s premier research universities.

Harter's speech officially launched the public phase of the university’s campaign, titled "Invent the Future." The campaign, anticipated to be the largest such effort in state history, will culminate in 2008 as UNLV completes its 50th anniversary year. More than $263 million has been raised through the "quiet" or nucleus gifts phase of the campaign.

Fundraising priorities for the "Invent the Future" campaign include endowments to assist with recruitment and retention of top students and faculty; funds to provide enhanced learning opportunities through scholarships, fellowships and other programs; and funds toward innovative learning environments, through new and renovated facilities and special equipment.

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Mural Contest

The College of Sciences is looking to commission two 7 x 7 foot murals for walls in MPE a, near the Dean's Office. The subject of the murals must be related to the sciences and be appropriate for all audiences. The winning entry(s) will receive the paint and related materials necessary to complete the project and a $100 prize.

All College of Science students, staff, and faculty are eligible. Please submit mural designs to the Dean's Office, MPE-a, Room 100 (MS 4001), no later than October 24, 2005.

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UNLV Magazine

The new issue of UNLV Magazine (Fall 2005) focuses on the new comprehensive campaign, "Invent the Future," designed to raise some $500 million for UNLV by July 1, 2008. To date, generous donors and supporters have committed some $ 263 million in gifts and pledges to this campaign. For more information please explore the campaign web site at: http://campaign.unlv.edu/

The issue includes an article on biologist Michelle Elekonich's research relating to the long-term effects of heat stress on bees, a discussion of technology patents including work by Stephen Carper and Byron Bennett, and Carryn Bellomo's work with "math-phobic" students. Some of you may recognize the photo of undergraduate geosciences major Rachael Johnsen (inside front cover) at work in the Lilly Fong Geosciences Building. On a related note Geosciences faculty member Cathy Snelson was one of the UNLV community highlighted by President Carol Harter at the Campaign Kick-Off Dinner honoring university donors, held in the Thomas and Mack Center, on September 15th.

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New Web Sites

Congratulations on the launch of two revised departmental web sites. Be sure to check these two informative and interesting web sites:

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Fourth International Symposium on the Cambrian System in Nanjing, China

Paleontologist Steve Rowland, along with graduate students Melissa Hicks and Robyn Howley, attended the 4th International Symposium on the Cambrian System in Nanjing, China, August 13 - 24, 2005. Steve, Melissa and Robyn each presented their original work at the meeting and they also attended a pre-meeting field excursion to view the Sinian and Cambrian succession in the Yangtze Gorges region, Hubei Province.

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Landscaping Rocks in Las Vegas, Nevada: The Need For Regulation

At the fall 2004 meeting of the American Geophysical Society, University of Nevada-Las Vegas geoscientists Stephanie Mrozek, Brenda Buck, and Amy Brock presented a paper titled "Heavy Metal Contamination and Salt Efflorescence Associated with Decorative Landscaping Rocks, Las Vegas, Nevada: The Need for Regulations." The paper gives results of analyzing two decorative landscaping rock products, soil under the rocks, and associated salt crusts at three Las Vegas locations; preliminary results showing copper compounds that are a "potential health hazard" in the crusts "demonstrate the need for regulations controlling the geochemistry of decorative rocks used for urban landscaping." An article in the January 15, 2005 issue of Science News 167(3), p. 45, "Landscaping Stones May Pose Risks to the Environment," refers to this important study.

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49th Annual Wind River Conference on Prokaryotic Biology

Five UNLV students, undergraduates, Tim Foley and Jason Navarro, who work with assistant professor Brian Hedlund; and undergraduate Liza Rios and graduate students Linh Nguyen and Rowena Manalang, who work with assistant professor Eduardo Robleto, received funding to attend the 49th Annual Wind River Conference on Prokaryotic Biology, from Jun 1-5, 2005, in Estes Park, Colorado. Students reported on their microbial research projects to a national audience of scholars and students.

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Presentation on Embryonic Stem Cell Research, November 21st

The College of Sciences is joining with CSUN (student government) to host a lecture and panel discussion on Embryonic Stem Cell Research. Dr. John Gearhart, Johns Hopkins University, is the featured speaker and is recognized as one of the foremost researchers and authorities on this subject. Dr. Gearhart has testified before Congress, foreign governments, and international organizations. He is a forceful advocate for embryonic stem cell research and an excellent communicator. The panel discussion will involve individuals representing divergent views on this subject. The lecture and follow-up discussion will be held in the early evening of November 21st. It is anticipated that there will be interest in this event from both the UNLV community as well as the general Las Vegas Community. Additional information will follow.

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College of Sciences Day at UNLV Football Game

Please join fellow faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends from the College of Sciences at the November 19, 2005 UNLV Running Rebels Football game versus the Colorado State Rams at Sam Boyd Stadium. The College of Sciences has reserved a block of end zone seats at a special price of $ 10 per ticket.

Kick off time for the game is not yet scheduled. We will let you know as soon as a time is announced. Please order your tickets by contacting Rychelle Tomlin or Margie Markarian in the College of Science Dean’s Office. Cash or checks are needed to reserve your tickets. If you are interested in contributing food or refreshments to the Tailgating Party, please let Rychelle or Margie know what you plan to bring.

Bring your family and friends to Sam Boyd Stadium and join with our College of Science family to cheer the Rebels on to victory. The College of Sciences will also organize a tailgate party prior to the game. If you already have season tickets, stop by and join the fun. There will be food and surprises for everyone.

The College of Sciences will be recognized during the game, and Cathy Snelson, assistant professor of Geosciences at UNLV, will be honored for her 2003 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on young scientists at the outset of their careers. The award, which is given by the Executive Office of the President of the United States, was conferred upon Snelson at a ceremony and reception at the White House.

Please reserve seats by October 15th, so that we can secure the best seats possible for our group.

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Submit Your News Stories

The College of Sciences E-Newsletter is published on or about the first of each month. Please submit news items via email by the fifteenth of each month, for consideration. You may send your submissions to: Bill Brown, Director of Development (william.brown@unlv.edu).

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