1998-1999

Recipients

New Faculty Projects - Faculty Vitality Projects - Collaborative Vitality Projects

New Faculty Projects

Characterization of Chromosome Ends in Drosophilia and Related Organisms
Jonathan Clark, Zoology
This proposal examines the process by which chromosome ends are maintained in eukaryotes, those organisms whose cells possess a distinct nucleus. An unusual and complicated system for maintaining chromosome ends has been described recently in the fruit fly, Drosophila ,melanogaster. Using a polymerase chain reaction assay, a number of different species of flies will be examined to see if they also possess this unusual system.

Paper Presentation at Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting
Bryan Dorsey, Geography
Support to present "Agricultural Intensification, Diversification and Commercial Production among Smallholder Coffee Growers in Central Kenya" at the Association of American Geographers meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Similarity Capturing Methods in Spectral Analysis
George Kvernadze, Mathematics
Spectral methods are a class of methods for solving differential equations. They are known to be very efficient when solutions are smooth, but suffer large oscillations (the Gibbs phenomenon) when solutions jump discontinuities. A key step in resolving this problem is an accurate approximation of the locations of the singularities of the function. A spectral method which accurately and efficiently approximates the discontinuity locations of non-smooth data is planned to be developed.

The Role of Mycobacterium in Hypersensitivity Pnemonitis in Mice
Karen Nakaoka, Microbiology
This study is designed to ascertain the role that a new strain of mycobacteria isolated from metalworking fluids (MWF) may have in the development of hypersensitivity pnemonitis (HSP) in mice. Interest in this disease is due to recent rpeorts of HSP developing in indiciuals who use MWF. Although direct evidence is lacking for Mycrobacteria sp. causing HSP, there is evidence which implicates them as causative agents in this disease. The study will help determine whether the mycobateria found in MWF could cause HSP.

Molecular Characterization of Proteins in Snail Tissues
Robert K. Okazaki, Zoology
This proposal will characterize snail heat shock proteins HSPs) by molecular protocols using western blot. Proteins will be separated by electrophoretic analysis, transferred by western blot to nitrocellulose membranes, and detected immunochemically. This study will use the pulmonate snail, a locally available snail. The presence and characterization of HSPs in snails have yet to be reported.

Thought and Emotional Coping
Robyn Walser, Psychology
An analogue study designed to investigate the roles of suppression and acceptance as they pertain to the private experiences of thought and emotion. Students will be asked to rate their emotions and thoughts while under instruction to suppress their emotions and thoughts or accept their emotions and thoughts.

Faculty Vitality Projects

Update on Current Trends in Early Childhood Teacher Education
Rosalind Charlesworth, Child & Family Studies
Present working session on "Predictors of the Developmental Appropriateness of the Beliefs and Practices of First, Second and Third Grade Teachers," at the Professional Development Conference of the National Association for the Education of Young Children in Cincinnati.

Participation in the Carolina Institute for Dental Radiology Educators
Sue Dougherty, Dental Hygiene
Attend advanced training in digital radiography sponsored by the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry.

Research Presentation at European Accounting Association
David Durkee, Accounting
Present paper, "Research and Development Arrangements: Factors Influencing Abnormal Returns," at the European Accounting Association in Bordeaux, France.

Paper Presentation at the "VII International Symposium on Mesozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems," Fall 1999
Jeffrey Eaton, Geosciences
Present paper, "Patterns of Extinction and Diversification of Vertebrates in the Cretaceous Western Interior Basin of North America" at International Mesozoic Ecosystems Conference in Buenos Aires.

Origins of Justice: Greece and the Early Definers
Kay Gillespie, Criminal Justice
Travel to Greece to study justice concept origins and lecture on the American Justice Society at the American University.

International Institute of Human Rights
Nancy Haanstad, Political Science and Philosophy
Attend International Center for Human Rights Teaching 4-week seminar on human rights in Strasbourg.

Comparative Mystical Traditions
Ronald Holt, Sociology and Anthropology
Travel to California and Czechoslovakia to compare meditative methods in Taoism to those in Western mysticism. Interview subjects will include Taoist Dragon Gate Master Wang Liping and senior students (California)and board of directors of Univerzalia: The Association of Czech Hermenticists.

Participation in the Bee Course Workshop at the Southwestern Research Station
John Mull, Zoology
Attend workshop on pollination biology sponsored by American Museum of Natural History and U.S. Department of Agriculture in Portal, Arizona.

Implementation of Innovative Materials for the Methods and Technology Courses for Middle and Secondary Mathematics Teachers
Tamas Szabo, Mathematics
Implementation of graphing calculators in mathematics methods courses. The calculators will be used together with video to demonstrate and document innovative approaches to the teaching of mathematics in the public schools.

Preparing Music Students for the Twenty-First Century through the Use of a Multi-Media Piano Laboratory with the Addition of a SVGA Projector
Yu-Jane Yang, Music
Use of a computer projector to incorporate resources from the Internet, and new software in digital piano lab class presentations.

Collaborative Vitality Projects

The Development of an Interdisciplinary Team with Expertise in Osteoporosis
Mary Ann Anderson, Nursing
Stephanie Bossenberger-James, Dental Hygiene
Virginia Vanderford, Radiologic Services
Travel to Rochester, Minnesota to work with Mayo Clinic's Osteoporosis Clinic. Upon return they will educate the campus and community regarding the prevention and early detection of osteoporosis.

A New Approach to Teaching Introductory Mathematics
Dixie Blackinton, Mathematics
Richard Jee, Mathematics
Louise Tate, Mathematics
John Thaeler, Mathematics
A pilot project for a new instructional model for teaching Beginning Algebra and Intermediate Algebra. The number of students needing these courses is increasing rapidly and the failure/withdrawal rate of students in these classes is significant. The approach will include a mandatory lab component, continuous assessment, hands-on learning, and student assistants.

Academic Service Learning Faculty Study Group
Brenda Kowalewski, Sociology and Anthropology
Pam Burton, Nursing
Arthur Caplan, Economics
Patricia Cost, HPHP
Lyall Crawford, Communications
Bryan Dorsey, Geography
Marcy Everest, Political Science
Diane Krantz, English
Kathryn MacKay, History
Marek Matyjaski, Geosciences
Create interdisciplinary faculty group from various colleges to study and experiment with Academic Service Learning. Faculty will implement service learning in their class.

Dealing with Difference: Exploring Cultural and Gender Issues Through Film and Literature
Priti Kumar, English
Kathleen Herndon, English
Attend "Dealing with Difference" Summer Institute sponsored by Western Illinois University. This experience will be used in refining class, Crossing Cultures Through Film and Literature.

Butterfly Concerto Project
Michael Palumbo, Performing Arts
Shi-Hwa Wang, Performing Arts
Yu-Jane Yang, Performing Arts
Accompany university orchestra on performance/education tour in Bejing, China and adjoining provinces. Performance will include the Butterfly Concerto for violin written in collaboration by He Zhan-hao and Chen Gong-Chen.

Cross-Cultural Readings in Literature & Philosophy: A Quest for East-West Understanding
Neila Seshachari, English
Richard Beatch, Philosophy and Political Science
Study by two faculty of each other's disciplines resulting in an integrated curriculum for an interdisciplinary course. The course will examine selected Eastern and Western texts to study how literature emerges from philosophical beliefs in a society.