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Academy Students, Alumni Honored at KAS Conference

December 1, 2010 | Academics, Alumni, News, People, Research, Student Success, Students, WKU | No Comments

Gatton Academy students and alumni were honored for their research at the 2010 Kentucky Academy of Science (KAS) Annual Meeting. WKU hosted the conference Nov. 12-13.

The group’s 96^th annual meeting broke a record with 775 registered attendees. This year’s meeting focused on Careers in Science — what students need to know to be prepared and how faculty can help with the preparation.

Dr. Cheryl Davis, a WKU biology professor, was elected vice president of the Kentucky Academy of Science.

Derick Strode, the Academy’s coordinator for research, internships, and scholarships, explained that Academy students shared their findings alongside other undergraduate students, graduate students, and professionals from across the Commonwealth.

“These students have taken on the additional challenge of research out of their passion for mathematics and science,” Strode noted. “To be honored among the best undergraduate scientists in the state of Kentucky is a true compliment to the level of commitment and hard work that these young students put forth in their research projects.”

Research, Strode explained, is a central component of the Gatton Academy experience. In all, three-out-of-every-four Academy students participate in a sponsored research project. Students are encouraged to share their findings at student and professional conferences.

“By sharing their research work at academic conferences and meetings such as the Kentucky Academy of Sciences, our students have a chance not only to share their findings but they also get to see and learn from other students and professional scientists from around the state,” Strode said. “These meetings give our students a chance to see the larger world of science and mathematics research and make valuable connections in the state’s STEM community.”

The following Gatton Academy students received awards for their paper and poster presentations:

2010 Undergraduate Paper Presentation Competition

Agricultural Sciences: Clarice Esch of Somerset, third
Ecology and Environmental Science: Victoria Gilkison of Lawrenceburg, second;
Geography: David Evans of London, England, first; Lee Campbell of Paducah, second
Mathematics: Anthony Bombik of Louisville, second; Justine Missik of Danville, third
Physics and Astronomy: John M. Wilson (Academy alumnus) of Hickman, third

For more information, contact Derick Strode at (270) 745-6565.

By Corey Alderdice

16 Academy Students to Participate in Sustainability Leadership Retreat

November 3, 2010 | News, People, Staff, Student Life, Students, WKU | No Comments

The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky has teamed up with WKU’s Center for Environmental Education and Sustainability(CEES) to bring Academy students a progressive retreat opportunity focused on sustainability leadership.

Sixteen Gatton Academy students have been selected to participate in the inaugural Sustainable Leadership Retreat, which is slated for Thursday-Saturday (Nov. 4-6) at Loucon Training and Retreat Center in Leitchfield.

The mission of the retreat is to foster the development of students’ ability to be sustainability leaders who choose to engage in the process of creating transformational change with others and aimed toward building a sustainable future. Students will also enjoy outdoor activities like zip lining, hiking, canoeing, and other activities that promote teamwork and leadership.

“We’re ‘taking it up a notch’ and getting the brightest minds engage with the global urgency and opportunity for sustainable development,” said Nancy Givens, Sustainability Programs Development Coordinator with the CEES.

As co-chair of the WKU Education for Sustainability Steering Committee, Givens worked with Tim Gott, director of the Academy and a member of the committee, to begin the process to make this first sustainability leadership retreat happen for the Academy.

Also, on board from the Gatton Academy is Assistant Residential Life Coordinator Melissa Schultz. Schultz served as a graduate intern for the CEES this past summer and helped to bring the idea of a sustainability leadership retreat to life.

“Through various seminars, activities, clubs and programs, we have worked closely with academy students on developing leadership skills and making decisions with both the environment and people in mind,” Schultz said. “The retreat is an outstanding way to seamlessly connect these messages. I think the retreat will be a memorable and educational experience for everyone.”

This retreat is truly a collaborative effort as WKU staff and faculty have donated their time to share a message of leadership and sustainability.

“We hope this retreat will serve not only our students but also inspire more education across campus, state, and nation around the topic of sustainable leadership,” Schultz said.

Throughout the retreat, students will engage in various interactive discussions and activities on topics like environmental law, leadership theory in practice, building a sustainable community, and defining the meaning and practice of sustainability.

Sydney Combs, a Gatton Academy senior from London and Green Club co-president, described sustainable practices as “taking responsibility for our actions and everyday habits with the future in mind.”

Students will work to make that potential future a reality through a variety of featured workshop sessions with experts in leadership and sustainability at WKU: John Baker, Education Coordinator from the Office of Leadership Excellence; Dr. John All, Department of Geography and Geology; Christian Ryan-Downing, Sustainability Coordinator from the Office of Sustainability; Cristin Lanham, WKU Recycling Coordinator; Terry Shoemaker, Program Coordinator for the Institute for Citizenship and Social Responsibility; andNadia Denov De Leon, Community Engagement Coordinator of the WKU ALIVE Center for Community Partnerships.

Also joining the roster of session leaders are members of CDP Engineering, a Kentucky enterprise committed to sustainable practices in business and industry. Lewis Newton, chief executive officer, and Scott Southall, Vice President of Landscape Architecture and Planning Group Manager, will discuss the physical manifestation of green design and explore holistic approaches to community design and redevelopment.

The Gatton Academy has sought to cultivate students’ interests in sustainability across the program’s living and learning environments. A variety of programmatic opportunities have assisted students in learning more about green initiatives while also putting those ideas into practice. The Gatton Academy Green Club has participated in a local sinkhole clean-up, reduced their waste through a “Bring Your Own Cup” program during academy social events, and piloted building-wide recycling initiatives in Schneider Hall.

Tejas Sangoi, a Gatton Academy senior from Owensboro and Green Club co-president, views the decision to adopt sustainability practices as a choice that affects not only the individual but others as well. “To me, sustainability is living a balanced life in which you only use the resources that you need so that they will be conserved for future generations,” Sangoi said. “Being a sustainable leader is important because by demonstrating and leading a sustainable lifestyle, you are inspiring others in the community to do the same.”

Contact: Melissa Schultz, (270) 745-4755.

By Corey Alderdice

Join Us for Parents’ Weekend on Saturday, October 16

October 12, 2010 | News, Parents, People, Staff, Student Life, Students, WKU | No Comments

On Saturday, October 16, 2010, Gatton Academy students and staff will be honored at the start of the second quarter of the WKU/Louisiana-Monroe football game.

As it happens, Saturday is also Parents’ Weekend on campus. In celebration of both events, the Academy will hold a cookout at 4 p.m. on the Schneider Hall patio. We cordially invite parents, friends, and other family members to join us for burgers, hotdogs, and the trimmings and stay for the football game.

Parking will not be available in the Schneider Hall Lot for the event. We suggest Parking Structure 1 or the lots across from Cherry Hall. A full tailgating and parking map is available at the following link:

http://parking1.wku.edu/dnn/Parking/ParkingMaps/2010TailgatingMap/tabid/154/Default.aspx

Kick-off is slated for 6 p.m. at Houchens-L.T. Smith Stadium. Tickets may be purchased at the gate for $6 or in advance by telephoning 1-800-5-BIG-RED.

Parents are asked to RSVP online at http://gattonparents10.eventbrite.com no later than Noon on Thursday, October 14, 2010.

For more information, contact Corey Alderdice at academy@wku.edu.

By Corey Alderdice

Gatton Academy First-Year Students Eager for Research Experiences

August 27, 2010 | Academics, News, People, Research, Staff, Students, WKU | No Comments

Dr. Claus Ernst discusses his research with an Academy first-year student.

by Michael Phillips, Academy Avatar

Derick Strode, Coordinator of Research, Internships, and Scholarships at the Gatton Academy, knows the subjects and conversations that get students excited about math and science.

Earlier this week, Strode invited a group of Western Kentucky University faculty members from Ogden College of Science and Engineering and the College of Education and Behavioral Science to the Academy to discuss with students their latest scientific discoveries. The conversations were meant to serve as a springboard for opportunities to participate is sponsored research throughout the coming year.

When students arrived at the research fair they quickly moved toward professors who taught subjects in which they shared an interest. A few students took a short break to explain why they were in such a rush.

Gabby Canant (Daviess, ’12) said she was very interested in research because she found it to be an outlet for her to learn new things.

Claire Croley (Whitley, ‘12) believed research would give her the ability to explore new ideas.

Nicholas Zolman (Montgomery, ’12) loves astronomy. He can’t wait to begin research and find out more about the universe.

Rachel Metcalf (Henry, ’12) thinks research will be an opportunity to explore her interests outside of the classroom.

The research fair marked the first occassion many student had to meet WKU faculty members.

Many seniors at the Gatton Academy were glad to see juniors taking such an interest in research. Sean Freeman (Boone, ’11) views research as a critical part of the Academy experience. “I enjoyed research because I was able to narrow down my interests to a specific area and tailor my Gatton academy experience accordingly,” he said. “I did research my first semester and I’m happy to see juniors to have the same opportunity.”

Dr. Cathleen Webb, head of the Department of Chemistry, worked with many Academy students during the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) on campus this summer. She was to praise Academy students and their contributions. “Gatton students are very eager,” Webb noted. “I have a hard time keeping them busy.”

Dr. Webb also mentioned that the students’ abilities to learn new concepts were well above average.

Dr. Peter Hamburger, head of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, along with Dr. Bruce Kessler, Associate Dean of the Ogden College of Science and Engineering and a professor of mathematics, also emphasized traits that make Academy students an asset to faculty members’ labs and projects.

Dr. Hamburger emphasized how unique Gatton students are in how open they are to ideas. He suggested that Gatton students also know how to utilize their natural talents in order to creatively approach problems. Dr. Kessler agreed that Gatton students were excellent students to work with.

Dr. Albert Meier and Dr. Scott Grubbs of the WKU Biology department have had multiple research experiences with Gatton students. While Dr. Meier acknowledged Academy students are only available for a limited time, he praised their commitment to research. “We can only expect the majority of students to be with us for two years but, they have outstanding dedication,” he said.

Overall the staff, faculty, and students counted the research fair as a success. Students left the session very eager to begin research this semester.

By Corey Alderdice

[Video Blog] Gatton Academy First-Years Discover Research Opportunities During Fair

August 24, 2010 | Academics, News, People, Research, Staff, Students, WKU | No Comments

[Video Blog] Gatton Academy First-Years Discover Research Opportunities During Fair from Gatton Academy on Vimeo.

Faculty from Ogden College of Science and Engineering and the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences at WKU met with Class of 2012 students to discuss opportunities to engage in research.

By Corey Alderdice

Summer 5Q: Michael Phillips Develops Code for WKU Chemistry Research

August 12, 2010 | 5Q, News, People, Research, Students, Summer, WKU | No Comments

Michael Phillips (Marshall, ’11) is spending two months of his summer working full-time on a research project in the WKU Department of Chemistry under the direction of Dr. Matthew Nee.

Phillips has worked independently to code and test a computational kinetic model of reactions that occur when light hits snow and tracking the associated compounds. Through this project, Phillips has helped set up future experiments in Dr. Nee’s lab while gaining an enriched programming acumen, and learning lessons about chemical kinetics and modeling. Along with this project, Phillips has also been assisting a graduate student in building a temperature-controlled infrared sample cell.

Phillips is one of eleven students from the Gatton Academy’s class of 2011 who received a Research Internship Grant from the Academy for this summer. The Research Internship Grants are available to Gatton Academy students in the summer between their junior and senior years to support students during summer research experiences.

Recently, we caught up with Phillips in his Snell Hall lab to get a picture and see how his summer research was going:

1. Tell us a little about the project or program in which you are participating this summer that the Research Internship Grant is funding.

I’m collaborating with Dr. Nee on a project in which we are studying the chemical reactions that occur when light hits snow. Specifically, I am programming a kinetic model that shows the approximate concentration of each molecule at any given time. This program will be a very good gauge to use during lab work to determine if the kinetic model is accurate.

2. What is the part of the summer experience you are enjoying most?

The part that I am enjoying the most about this summer experience is getting to see some of the highly mathematical and computational portions of chemistry.

3. How is this different from the way you think most high school students spend their summers?

Most of my friends are staying home this summer. They are going to the drive-in, hanging out, and just having fun. Others are going to GSP and beginning to understand the college experience. I have already had a taste of the college experience and am now going on to experience what it is that professionals in academia do outside of the classroom.

4. Will you be using this research experience as a launching point for any particular applications, competitions, or scholarships?

I am currently discovering the possibilities that my summer research experience could lead to. Although, the skills that have been learned and applied will be necessary for any research project in the future.

5. How does this research experience or internship fit into your educational and professional goals?

I plan on furthering my education to being a professional theoretical physicist. Not being able to observe all of your work, it is frequently helpful to create computer models of what you want to observe and running simulations. The skills I have been applying in this project match perfectly with those required for such a task.

6. What are you looking forward to the most about your second year at the Academy?

I am looking forward to furthering my education in physics while taking University Physics II next semester. I also can’t wait for my friends to return to campus from their summer breaks.

By Corey Alderdice

Gatton Academy Alumni Among Participants in WKU Research Experience for Undergraduates

July 29, 2010 | Academics, Alumni, News, People, Research, Summer, WKU | No Comments

Maggie Matheny, a 2010 graduate of the Gatton Academy, is leaning more toward research in graduate school after a 10-week summer program at WKU. (WKU photo by Bryan Lemon)

Via the WKU News Blog

Nine students from across the United States have been conducting research and preparing for graduate school as part of a National Science Foundation program this summer at WKU.

The WKU Biology Department’s first NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates program will wrap up Aug. 6. Dr. Shivendra Sahi and Dr. Rodney King are directing the grant-funded program focusing on the interdisciplinary field of investigative biotechnology.

Maggie Matheny of Lincoln County, a 2010 graduate of the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky, said the 10-week summer experience has helped her determine the direction she wants to take for graduate school. “Before I was between research or med school but now I’m definitely leaning more toward research,” Matheny said.

Getting students excited about research and providing hands-on laboratory experience is one of the goals of the NSF-REU program, according to Dr. King, associate professor of biology. “We want to encourage them and get them excited about graduate school,” Dr. King said.

Matheny also has enjoyed the freedom in the program. “I like the fact that the project really is your own,” she said. “If there is a mistake or something doesn’t come out right, it’s your fault and I like the responsibility.” Matheny has been working with Dr. Sigrid Jacobshagen on a project to see which photoreceptor starts the domino effect that resets the circadian clock.

Amanda Nolan, a student from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas, also has used the experience to prepare for graduate school. “ I’m coming away from this with knowledge that I probably wouldn’t have until graduate school, so I’ll have a heads up on people going into grad school,” said Nolan, who has been working with Dr. King on two projects that deal with bacteriophages.

Other students participating in the June 1-Aug. 6 program are: Melena Agyemang, Norfolk State University in Virginia (Mentor: Dr. Rajalingam Dakshinamurthy); Mark Callaghan, California State University Monterey Bay (Mentor: Dr. Keith Philips); James Forshee, a Gatton Academy graduate from Simpson County (Mentor: Dr. Claire Rinehart); Alexander Hare, a Gatton Academy graduate from Rowan County (Mentor: Dr. Richard Schugart); Hillary Jones, Georgetown College (Mentor: Dr. Carl Dick); Stephanie Robey, Kentucky Community and Technical College System (Mentor: Dr. Kevin Williams); and Shandrea Stallworth, Fort Valley State University in Georgia (Mentor: Dr. Shiv Sahi).

Students were assigned to a research project based on their interests. The projects have been directed by WKU faculty mentors from Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics and the research topics encompassed broad areas of biotechnology, including animal physiology, plant gene expression, microbiology, virology, biochemistry, protein structure and modeling, bioinformatics, neurophysiology and mathematical biology.

In addition to working closely with faculty mentors and interacting with graduate students, fellow undergraduates and research technicians, students have participated in a series of Office of Scholar Development-sponsored workshops that provided guidance on graduate school applications and grant writing and in a series of faculty-led seminars on reading professional literature and giving scientific presentations.

For more information, contact Rodney King at (270) 745-6910.

By Corey Alderdice

Summer 5Q: Justine Missik Pulls Double Duty with Research Projects

July 29, 2010 | 5Q, News, People, Research, Students, Summer, WKU | No Comments

Rising senior Justine Missik (Boyle, ‘11) is having quite a summer! Justine is one of eleven recipients of the Gatton Academy’s Research Internship Grant, which is available to Gatton Academy students in the summer between their junior and senior years to support students during research experiences.

Missik split her award on two separate experiences. In the early summer, she traveled to Portland, Oregon to attend the Santa Fe Institute’s course on Exploring Complexity in Science and Technology from May 19 -21. This course directly benefits the research work that Justine is performing in theoretical systems ecology and network analysis while at the Gatton Academy with Dr. Albert Meier of WKU’s Department of Biology. Later this summer, she’ll be presenting this research at the Ecological Society of America’s (ESA) Annual Meeting in Pittsburg, PA.

Before that meeting, Missik is spending the rest of her summer working with Dr. Stuart Campbell with the Department of Energy’s Spallation Neutron Source at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)–the world’s most powerful pulsed spallation neutron source. Missik is benefiting from access to world-renowned facilities and experts as she interns at ORNL. She is the first Gatton Academy student to perform research directly with the ORNL.

Justine recently took a break from her research work with the ORNL to answer some questions on her research experience.

1. Tell us a little about the project or program in which you are participating this summer that the Research Internship Grant is funding.

This summer I am working at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. I am working on developing a user interface for numerical analysis code on protein dynamics. I will then use this to analyze some data.

2. What is the part of the summer experience you are enjoying most?

I have really enjoyed being at Oak Ridge and meeting people who work there. It has been a great opportunity to be able to work at world-class laboratory! I have also really enjoyed working on a project that I know will be useful to the scientists there.

3. How is this different from the way you think most high school students spend their summers?

Most high school students don’t usually have the kind of opportunities for summer research that the Academy provides, so they aren’t usually involved in research projects. The Academy has provided me with the unique opportunity to work at Oak Ridge, which I would not have been able to do otherwise.

4. Will you be using this research experience as a launching point for any particular applications, competitions, or scholarships?

I’m not currently planning on using this project to enter any competitions, but I am sure the skills and experience I will gain will greatly benefit me.

5. How does this research experience or internship fit into your educational and professional goals?

Though I’m not quite sure yet about what particular field I will want to work in, I know that I want to go into science. I also know that I enjoy working with computers, and this is useful in a variety of different fields. I also plan on continuing to do research. The experience I will gain this summer will help me with all of these things.

6. What are you looking forward to the most about your second year at the Academy?

In my second year at the academy, I am looking forward to being able to take more higher-level classes, such as Computer Science II and Discrete Math. I am also looking forward to continuing my research project from last year.

By Corey Alderdice

Gatton Academy Students Shine Under the Microscope, Under the Spotlight

July 27, 2010 | Academics, News, People, Student Life, Students, WKU | No Comments

by Suzanne Van Arsdall, Academy Avatar

Contrary to what can sometimes be prevailing misconceptions, the Gatton Academy student body is not solely a group of human calculators and chemistry whizzes.

In fact, when they aren’t busy calculating integrals and writing methods in Mathematica, you can find many members of the Academy’s Class of 2011 stretching a different part of their minds: the right hemisphere of their brain. Individuals who are considered “right-brained” tend to have greater strengths and passions for arts and humanities, subject matter that is mistakenly perceived by some to be uncharted waters for Academy students.

Wait, what’s that? A chemistry whiz can play the cello? An expert computer programmer spends their free time writing poetry? It’s can be a hard concept to accept, but–believe it or not–many Academy students are more than just one-trick ponies.

Take Blake Welsh (Daviess ’11), for example. Blake has been playing the violin since he was six years old. Welsh’s interests were first piqued when his class took a field trip to a culture festival in Whitesville and he laid eyes upon the fiddle. Eleven years later, Welsh is still heavily involved in music, despite his busy schedule at the Academy. In fact, Blake is a member of the WKU orchestra and string quartet and manages to squeeze private lessons into his schedule.

“Being here makes it harder to find time to practice, but being in a college music atmosphere is better for me as a musician,” Welsh admits. “As long as you have passion, it isn’t very hard to manage.”

When David McChesney (Boyle ’11) is not busy studying for chemistry exams, most anyone will tell you that he’s likely in a practice room at FAC, bending the strings on his cello. This is David’s seventh year playing the cello, and his accomplishments with this instrument are quite remarkable.

This summer will be David’s third consecutive year attending the Steven Collins Foster music camp at Eastern Kentucky University. In Danville, his hometown, David has been a member of the Heritage Area Strings Program for six years. To top off all his accomplishments, he plans on bringing his talents to WKU by auditioning with Welsh for the WKU Orchestra this fall.

Madeline Lauzon (Daviess ’11) is another multifaceted member of the Academy student body. who displays strong artistic abilities outside the scope of her talents in math and science. Mad, as her peers call her, is truly a unique and artistic asset to the Gatton community and has been involved in theater productions for years.

Lauzon is the first student at Gatton to be cast in multiple theater programs at WKU. She has been cast for both a stage reading and as a member of the ensemble of the play Beauty and the Beast, which will be performed during the Fall 2010 semester.

“It’s really great to be able to come here and not have to just focus on math or the arts but to be able to have both of these in my life,” Lauzon noted. “The Academy gives you ample opportunity to be as well-rounded as possible.”

Allowing students to pursue their passions in all subject areas is a central component of the Academy’s approach to student learning.

“I suppose my situation really does hold true to the saying that Gatton provides you with infinite possibilities,” she added.

By Corey Alderdice

Courtney Howard Represents WKU at HHMI Science Education Alliance Symposium

July 9, 2010 | News, People, Students, Summer, WKU | No Comments

Courtney Howard (Hardin, ‘11) recently returned from the 2nd Annual Science Education Alliance Symposium at the Janelia Farm campus of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) in Ashburn, Virginia. There, she presented her research work and the research work of the inaugural class of WKU’s HHMI’s Science Education Alliance National Genomics Research Initiative course.

After a full-year experience in the nationally-sponsored research program that is overseen at WKU by Drs. Rodney King and Claire Rinehart from WKU’s Department of Biology, Howard was asked by her instructors to represent WKU, since it was her virus that was completely sequenced and annotated.

Last fall semester, Howard isolated a novel bacterial virus from a soil sample she collected from her home in Radcliff, KY, naming the virus “Backyardigan” after a television show she used to watch as a kid.

Dr. King described the research work Howard undertook during the fall semester after this initial collection. “She grew large numbers of the virus in the lab and examined its structure using an electron microscope. She then isolated the DNA from the virus and characterized it by cutting it with special enzymes called restriction endonucleases. The pattern of DNA fragments generated from this treatment was then examined and compared to other viruses isolated by her classmates and by other NGRI participants located throughout the country. Courtney’s viral DNA preparation passed rigorous quality control tests and it was chosen to have its DNA sequence determined,” he said.

During the spring semester, the WKU Genome Discovery class identified all the genes contained in the DNA sequence of the virus.

Howard is already looking forward to what may happen next. “I had a wonderful experience at the conference. It renewed my interest in research. As a matter of fact Dr. Rinehart and I are currently discussing ways to extend my phage research. Listening to the presentations opened our eyes to other possibilities and things we can do to learn more about my phage,” she said.

The slides from Howard’s talk, titled 007: A Lysin to Kill in my Backyardigan, are available at the following weblink: http://www.hhmi.org/seawiki/download/attachments/11993294/23_WEKU.pdf

For more information, contact Derick Strode at (270) 745-6565.

By Corey Alderdice

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