Department News
Departmental Activities
Nikon Instruments donation to help start new core microscopy facility
Nikon Instruments Inc. has provided an in-kind donation of microscopy equipment to help Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences biological sciences department start a new core microscopy facility. Read more about this by viewing the Clemson News Release and also the press release at MidlandsBiz.com. For a 360 degree view of the facility, visit this page on the Microsoft Photosynth site (PC platform only, some software download may be required).
Departmental Seminar
The Fall 2009 Seminars are currently in the planning stages but most of the upcoming events are now listed on the Department Seminars page.
Students in the News
Chelsea Woodworth, Bio Sci Junior spends summer internship in Alaska (select the picture to see the slideshow and Chelsea's reflections)
"My opportunity as a biological sciences intern with Arctic National Wildlife Refuge stemmed from the Student Conservation Association (SCA). SCA provides students across the nation with first-hand experience in conservation, ranging from environmental education to ecosystem restoration. I found out about SCA through a representative, who came to visit Clemson’s campus last January. For those interested in learning more about SCA, representatives will attend our next career fair on September 30th." – Chelsea Woodworth
Watch a slideshow of pictures and reflections provided by Chelsea.
Bio Sci Undergraduates Audrey Thompson and Jordan Burbage Intern at National Laboratory
Two students from the Department of Biological Sciences participated in an internship at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Savannah River National Laboratory this past summer. Audrey Thompson, a senior in Microbiology and Jordan Burbage, a junior in Biological Sciences, were paired with a mentor from SRNL’s research staff and given one or more projects to work on. These projects support the Laboratory’s work on behalf of DOE and the nation, while preparing the students to eventually take their place as the future of science and technology. “We have two objectives,” says Dr. Rich Dimenna of SRNL’s Process Modeling and Computational Chemistry Department, who is mentor to one of the interns. “The principle one is to challenge and help develop an student. The second objective – which is lesser, especially with beginning students – is to get some useful work out of them. We’re accomplishing both.”
The students also appreciate the immersion in research at SRNL. “We’re more than getting our feet wet,” says Jordan Burbage, a Clemson undergraduate in biological sciences from Barnwell. “We’re diving in to see what it’s about.”
Burbage and Thompson worked with SRNL’s biotechnology group on separate but interrelated projects related to the development of non-food crops like switchgrass to produce ethanol. Jack Goodell, an engineering undergraduate from the University of Michigan who is working with SRNL’s alternative energy group, is pursuing a related project. Goodell pretreats the switchgrass to extract lignon, the subject of his task. What is left goes to Burbage, who are each studying how to break down one of the sugars to make ethanol. “I try to see how much bacteria we want, how much sugar, what temperature to make it the happiest and to make the most ethanol,” Burbage says.
“I read a paper that says xylose (one of the sugars) can be easily degraded, but it’s not easy to replicate that data,” Thompson says. “You learn that in real research, things don’t always work, and you go back to the drawing board, read more papers, and find another way to go at it.”
Dr. Chuck Turick, who is mentor to Burbage and Thompson, says that the group produces results needed for the program, but that the implications of their work at SRNL are bigger than that. “We get data from them. We get work done,” he says. “But what’s more important is to allow the students to focus on something they’re interested in. Do that, and give them the equipment to use, and the data takes care of itself.” (posted on August 21, 2009)
Jeremy Michael Loberger Receives Medical School Scholarship
Jeremy M. Loberger, a Spring 2009 graduate from the department of Biological Sciences is a recipient of The Fullerton Medical Scholarship. The Fullerton Medical Scholarship is awarded by the Fullerton Foundation of Gaffney, SC. They are a philanthropic organization that focuses mainly on healthcare related initiatives. The Fullerton Scholarship is awarded to 3 students annually that are accepted to a medical school in North or South Carolina. Each medical school selects a nominee and those nominees participate in a panel interview in Charlotte. In total, there are six nominees. There is one from the entering class at each of the following schools: Duke, East Carolina, Wake, University of South Carolina, Medical University of South Carolina, and UNC. The award is based on academic excellence, service, leadership, and the ability to be an excellent physician. The amount is $20,000 per year for four years of medical school. In Jeremy's case, USC will pay the remaining balance of his tuition for the next four years. As a result, he has a full tuition scholarship to the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. (posted on May 18, 2009)
Thabe "Moss" Matsebatlela Wins Graduate Level in Ethics Essay Competition
Moss Matsebatlela won the graduate division of the 8th Annual J.T. Barton Jr. Ethics Essay Scholarship Competition in the essay topic area "Family Ethics and Rights." The competition is hosted by the Clemson University Rutland Institute for Ethics and the winner of the graduate and undergraduate tracks each receive $1,500. See more details about the essay competition. Moss also recently received the Mu Beta Psi (National Honorary Music Fraternity), Department of Performing Arts award for musical excellence in Choralan. (posted on May 18, 2009)
Gabe Rivera Receives Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Gabe Rivera, a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Biological Sciences has received an NSF Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. The fellowship provides Gabe with three years of support to conduct research on the evolutionary processes producing phenotypic divergence between flow regimes in turtles. Rivera will be working with Dean Adams in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology at Iowa State University.
Four Students Receive Reruitment Fellowships for Graduate Studies in Biological Sciences
The Department of Biological Sciences has been notified that four graduate students have received Recuitment Fellowships from the Clemson University Graduate Fellowship Program. Below is a list of each student and the faculty they will be working with in their studies.
- Karen Rebecca Clark. Karen previosuly earned a B.S. from Clemson and will be working with Dr. Sam Sparace.
- Jonathan Gravgaard. Jonathan previousy earned a B.S. from Kennesaw State and will be working with Dr. Tamara McNealy.
- Emily Kane. Emily earned a B.S. from Long Island University and an M.S. from Texas A&M and she will be working with Dr. Tim Higham.
- Paul Korchari. Paul has earned a B.S. from Fairfield University and an M.S. from Cornell and he will be working with Dr. Tim Higham.
Margaret Bellows Spends Summer on Research Program in Alaska (click on picture below for slideshow of her activities)
Margaret Bellows, a senior in Biological Sciences, spent the past summer conducting research on a small island in Alaska. Here are some of Margaret's reflections about her activities:
"This summer I lived on St. Lazaria, a tiny island (65 acres) off the coast of Sitka, Alaska. There were just two other girls there, no electricity, and no running water. The island is home to about half a million seabirds which nest in burrows, on cliffs, or in the rocks in the center of the island. I helped with data collection for a long term study (US FWS) of the populations and productivity of nine species that nest there: fork-tailed storm petrels, Leach’s storm petrels, glaucous-winged gulls, tufted puffins, rhinocerous auklets, pigeon guillemots, pelagic cormorants, common murres and thick-billed murres. The idea is that change in the seabird populations will be a good indicator of environmental health, like a thermometer for the Earth. During free time, I went out on the skiff to fish where I often saw our harbor seal neighbor, Mikey, or an otter or sea lion rolling through the surf. Other times we would hike around the island, and I especially loved looking at the amazing tide pool life."
Watch a slideshow of pictures and reflections provided by Margaret.
Gallagher Serves on National Board of Directors
Jeffrey S. Gallagher, a doctoral student in the Department of Biological Sciences, has recently served as the student representative on the Board of Directors of the North American Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC). While serving, Gallagher received support from his Advisor, Steve Klaine, to attend 2 regional (Athens, GA and Morehead City, NC), 2 North American (Montreal, Canada and Milwaukee, WI), 1 European (Porto, Portugal), and 1 global SETAC meeting (Sydney, Australia).
Christopher Awttaway Receives Honors
Christopher Attaway, a rising junior in Biological Sciences, has been awarded an ASM Undergraduate Research Fellowship to study the human parasite, Entamoeba histolytica. This pathogen is the causative agent of amoebic dysentery and infects 50,000,000 people annually. Christopher will carry out his research project in the laboratory of Dr. Lesly Temesvari. The award provides funds that will be used to support a summer stipend, travel to the National ASM Meeting in Philadelphia in 2009, and membership in the ASM. The Department of Biological Sciences wishes Christopher well as he undertakes this research endeavor.
Attaway & Patel Awarded Killam Fellowships
Two Biological Sciences students are the first to be awarded prestigious Killam Fellowships to study abroad in Canada. Christopher Attaway, a rising junior in Biological Sciences, will spend the Spring 2009 semester at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. Mansi Patel, a rising junior in Microbiology, will spend the Spring 2009 semester at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. The Killam Fellowships Program allows undergraduate students to participate in a residential exchange program between Canada and the USA during their junior year. The program is managed by The Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the United States of America. For more information about this program please visit www.killamfellowships.com or contact Dr. Lesly Temesvari (LTEMESV@clemson.edu) or Dr. Teresa Wise (TWISE@clemson.edu). The Department of Biological Sciences congratulates Christopher and Mansi on this achievement.
Rivera Wins Distinguished Achievement Fellowship
Gabe Rivera has won the Distinguished Achievement Fellowship Award from the Graduate School.
This is given to a Doctoral Student who has distinguished themselves in research, professional service and teaching during their doctoral career. The successful candidate must at a minimum have presented papers at meetings, had papers accepted for publication in journals and attended professional development workshops. Other criteria include being nominated for academic or research awards, giving guest lectures, mentoring students, performing service and making significant contributions to sponsored research and grant proposals.
Gabe is the first student nominee from Biological Sciences to win this award.
Faculty/Staff in the News
Dr. Timothy Higham's Gecko Research Continues to Gain International Attention in Second Paper
Dr. Timothy Higham, an Assistant Professor in Biological Sciences and his colleague at the University of Calgary, Dr. Anthony Russell, published the second paper in weeks that is receiving national and international attention. “Flip, flop and fly: modulated motor control and highly variable movement patterns of autotomized gecko tails,” was published in the September (2009) issue of Biology Letters. “Autotomy is the process by which an appendage is voluntarily shed by animal. A number of reptiles, amphibians, mammals and many invertebrates developed the defense mechanism over time,” said Higham. “Some geckos’ severed tails can move repeatedly, allowing the gecko to escape and grow a replacement. It’s like a gecko’s personal injury insurance policy.” The paper is being discussed 
by the Discovery Channel, Science Daily, The New York Times, Yahoo News, MSN, Wired, and approximately 80 other websites in the world. “The autotomized gecko tail may be an excellent model for understanding the spontaneous activity that is sometimes observed following partial and complete spinal cord injury,” conclude the Higham and Russell. Please see the details below about a related article published by Higham and Russell.
Dr. William Surver Honored with Clemson's Alumni Distinguished Professor Award
Dr. William M. Surver, a Professor in Biological Sciences and the current VicePresident/President-elect of the Clemson Faculty Senate has been honored with the Alumni Distinguished Professor award. A limited number of Alumni Distinguished Professors are selected from those Clemson University faculty holding the rank of Professor who have been employed by Clemson University for at least five years. This year, only six faculty members were honored with the award. Selection is based primarily on dedication to and excellence in teaching, and a continuing commitment to Clemson University and Clemson students. Evaluation criteria encompass all achievements in teaching, research, public service, and other professional activities. (posted on August 21, 2009)
Dr. Timothy Higham's Research on Geckos Receives Widespread Coverage
Timothy Higham, an Assistant Professor in Biological Sciences and his colleague at the University of Calgary, Anthony Russell, have discovered what causes Geckos to deploy their adhesive system, which allows them to climb on highly smooth surfaces. Their recent findings were initially published in the Aug. 5 online edition of the Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Following this article, their research has been discussed in other high-impact publications, including the article titled Gravity Governs the Gecko's Strong Grip in the Washington Post; another titled Do Geckos Always Have Sticky Feet? in PhysicsWorld.com and also in the Discovery Channel's DiscoveryNews in an article titled Gravity Cues Geckos When to Use Sticky Feet. (posted on August 14, 2009)
Lesly Temesvari
Brenda Welter
Dr. Lesly Temesvari Article Featured in July 2009 Issue of Eukaryotic Cell
Entamoeba histolytica is a protozoan parasite that infects 50,000,000 people world-wide annually causing amoebic dysentery and liver abscess. Using state-of-art molecular and cellular techniques, Dr. Temesvari and Brenda Welter have been conducting research to understand the molecular mechanisms that govern vesicle trafficking and cell-cell interactions of this organism. Rab GTPases are proteins whose primary function is to regulate vesicle trafficking; therefore, understanding the function of Rabs in this organism may provide insight into virulence.
Insight gained through these studies may lead to rational design of novel anti-Entamoeba agents.
Results of this research are the cover story for this month’s issue of Eukaryotic Cell, the journal of the American Society for Microbiology. (posted on July 20, 2009)
Dr. Stephen Klaine Receives the Clemson Alumni Award for Outstanding Achievement
Stephen J. Klaine, Professor of Biological Sciences and Interim Director of Clemson’s Institute of Environmental Toxicology, received the 2009 Alumni Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research, given annually by the Clemson Alumni Association to a faculty member who demonstrates outstanding ability and commitment to research.
Klaine’s research focuses on characterizing the effects of human activities on ecosystem health, particularly on aquatic ecosystems. He conducts research that examines the effects pharmaceuticals and nanomaterials can have on fish and they water they live in. Klaine also is researching the ways land development impacts aquatic ecosystems and how it can be minimized. (this excerpt copied from the Clemson University Newsroom; posted on May 20th, 2009)
Dr. Lesly Temesvari Receives Sigma Xi Outstanding Researcher of the Year Award
Lesley Temesvari, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences has received The 2009 Outstanding Researcher of the Year award from The Clemson Chapter of Sigma Xi - The Scientific Research Society. The award recognizes outstanding accomplishments of the researcher. Temesvari's work has focused on the molecular mechanisms that govern cell motility, actin cytoskeletal dynamics, vesicle trafficking, cell-cell adhesion, and the biogenesis and function of endosomes and lysosomes cells. (this excerpt copied from the Clemson University Sigma Xi Annual Awards page; posted on May 20th, 2009)
Dr. Gene Eidson Featured in Clemson World
Dr. Gene Eidson, Professor of Biological Sciences and the Director of the Clemson University Center for Watershed Excellence and the ecology focus area of the Restoration Institute highlighted the risk that watersheds are facing in the Spring 2009 issue of Clemson World. (posted on May 20, 2009)
Dr. Ed Pivorun's Photogrphy to be Displayed at The Fran Hanson Discovery Center
Dr Ed Pivorun, a Professor Emeritus in Biological Sciences, has been invited to display a series of his photographs at the The Fran Hanson Discovery Center. His work includes macrophotographs of common and rare wildflowers and images of birds associated with wetlands.
These photographs will be on display during the month of February and are located in the gallery on the second floor of the Discovery Center which is located at the South Carolina Botanical Garden. Watch a brief slideshow that includes some of Dr. Pivorun's photography.
Gauthreaux Honored with Second Ornithological Award in Three Years
Dr. Sid Gauthreaux, a Professor Emeritus in Biological Sciences will soon be recognized with the second ornithological award in three years. The Wilson Ornithological Society will bestow the 2009 Margaret Morse Nice Medal on Sid Gauthreaux in April. The Margaret Morse Nice Medal is the premiere ornithological award bestowed by the Wilson Ornithological Society. The medal recipient gives the Plenary lecture at the WOS annual meeting, this year it will be held in Pittsburgh. Dr. Gauthreaux was also awarded William Brewster Memorial Award of the American Ornithologists' Union in 2006.
Dr. Richard Blob's Research Featured in Science News Magazine
Dr. Richard Blob, an Associate Professor in Biological Sciences, is featured in the January 5th Web Edition of the Science News Magazine in an article titled "Rock-climbing fish caught in evolution tug-of-war ." Dr. Blob's research focuses on the Sicyopterus stimpsoni goby, a species of fish found in Hawaii. Be sure to visit the article as it includes interesting details about Blob's study as well as a video clip.
Dr. Lisa Rapaport's Research Featured in Evolutionary Anthropology: Issues, News and Reviews
Dr. Lisa G. Rapaport, an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Biological Sciences, recently had her research featured in Evolutionary Anthropology: Issues, News, and Reviews in an article titled "Social Influences on Foraging Behavior in Young Nonhuman Primates: Learning What, Where, and How to Eat." Dr. Rapaport co-authored the article with Dr. Gillian R. Brown, a faculty member in the School of Psychology at the University of St Andrews. Read the abstract on this article and learn how to access the complete text. Visit Dr. Rapaport's Department Web page for more details on her research.
Dr. Amy Moran Featured in Clemson World
Dr. Amy Moran, an Assistant Professor in Biological Sciences, is featured in the Spring Edition of Clemson World in an article titled "Extreme Biology." Dr. Moran is featured for her research in the Antarctica. She was also interviewed on NBC's Today Show in the Fall of 2007. Read more about Dr. Moran's research on her lab site.
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