CBS NEWS

Meet Robin Wright, new CBS associate dean
Welcome to Robin Wright new CBS associate dean for academic

and faculty affairs. Wright, who arrived January 6, comes to CBS from the University of Washington, where she was an associate professor of zoology and director of the Hughes Program for Undergraduate Education. Wright received her Ph.D. from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh in 1985 and completed her postdoctoral training at the University of California, Berkeley, in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. Her research focuses on yeast genetics. In her new role, Wright will be responsible for leading educational planning at CBS. She will continue her research as a professor in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development. “I couldn’t be more pleased that Robin has joined us,” says Dean Elde. “The search committee did a great job of identifying excellent candidates around the country and recruiting Robin to help the College achieve its goals.” Receptions will be held on the Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses to welcome Wright to CBS. Stay tuned to CBS News for details.

CBS 2003 Compact – your voice is needed
Your voice is needed at two upcoming forums to develop the CBS Compact for 2003. The first is on Thursday, January 16, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in MCB 2-120. This forum precedes the dean’s first meeting with the provost about the compact, so it provides an early opportunity for your input. The second is on Tuesday, February 4, from 3 to 4 p.m. in 239 Gortner Laboratories. In addition, departments will hold meetings to plan and prioritize operations within their units. “I encourage you to participate in all of these meetings,” says Dean Elde. “With the budget challenges facing the state and the University, budget decisions will likely be aligned with priorities. CBS has a great case, but we must make it more effectively this year than ever before.” The University requires each college to submit a compact that outlines goals for the year. CBS goals for the upcoming year will grow out of last year’s compact. To read the 2002 CBS compact go to http://www.evpp.umn.edu/compact/compact02/ and click on College of Biological Sciences.

Legislative Briefing and Reception
Find out how you can become an advocate for the University of Minnesota at the Legislative Briefing and Reception on Tuesday, January 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at McNamara Alumni Center. President Bob Bruininks and UMAA President Deborah Hopp will preview and discuss the University’s 2004-05 budget request and proposed partnership with the state, which calls for $96 million in new funds from the state matched by $96 million in reallocation and tuition increases from the University. Because of the state’s budget deficit, support from faculty, staff, alumni, and friends is more important this year than ever before. A buffet meal will be served and parking is provided. Please RSVP by January 16 at www.alumni.umn.edu/legnetwork. Dean Elde provided an overview of the request and budget challenges the state, University, and CBS face at the December All-College Meeting. The January 22 issue of CBS News will include detailed information on these budget challenges. For more information on the U’s biennial budget request visit www.umn.edu/govrel.

CBS Scholars Program
In today’s increasingly competitive funding environment, creative, interdisciplinary research is more important than ever. But it’s also risky. To make that risk a little easier to take, the College of Biological Sciences announces the CBS Scholars Program, which will foster scholarship that may not be ready for NSF or NIH support. The ultimate goal of the program is to identify highly creative research that has the potential to generate a “knowledge leap.” A formal solicitation for applications with full details will be distributed shortly. Following are some basic features of the program:
·       All tenured and tenure-track faculty will be eligible.
·       The proposal deadline will be March 31, 2003.
·       Proposals will be submitted to Judd Sheridan, associate dean for research.
·       Evaluation will be based on scientific merit and broader impact, including involvement of undergraduate and graduate students.
·       A committee composed of tenured faculty appointed by department heads and the dean will evaluate proposals; the dean will make the final selection.
·       Between two and four faculty will be selected.
For more information contact Judd Sheridan, sheri012@umn.edu, or 624-2244.

Tilman named most cited environmental scientist again
David Tilman,

Regents Professor of Ecology, was cited more often than any other environmental scientist during the past ten years, according to a report by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI). Tilman was also the most cited environmental scientist for 1990 to 2000. ISI surveyed nearly 2000 environmental scientists to measure their influence. Peter Reich, Department of Forest Resources, was the 13th most cited environmental author. Harvard was the only other school with two scientists in the top 20; they ranked 9th and 10th.

Study finds animals can be induced to cooperate
David Stephens, associate professor of ecology, evolution, and behavior,

published a study in the December 13 issue of Science suggesting that animals may be induced to cooperate when their opponents reciprocate by tit-for-tat behavior and rewards accumulate over a sequence of plays. The finding suggests that these are among the factors guiding evolution of some animals--including humans--toward cooperative behavior. The Star Tribune, United Press International, National Geographic, Science Daily,and Science News are among the news outlets that carried the story.

Career and Internship Fair
Don’t miss the CBS Career and Internship Fair on Friday, February 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the McNamara Alumni Center. Students, alumni, and employers can all benefit. Students can learn about career options, get resume and interviewing advice, and connect with alumni. Alumni can help students, represent their companies, or even learn about new job opportunities. Employers can showcase their organizations and industries to prospective biologists. For more information contact Maggie Kubak, mkubak@cbs.umn.edu, or visit www.cbs.umn.edu/careerfair.

Come see successful CBS grads
The February installment of “Exploring Careers in the Life Sciences“ will feature Cheryl Neudauer (B.S. Biology ‘91), research associate in the Cancer Center; Jean Regal (B.S. Biochemistry ‘73), a professor of pharmacology at the University of Minnesota, Duluth; Christine Schoenbauer (B.S. EEB ‘94),an environmental analyst for the Minnesota Department of Health; and Marc von Keitz (Ph.D '00 Civil Engineering) program director of the Biotechnology Institute. The series is a great opportunity for students, but also gives faculty an excellent chance to reconnect with former students. The program is at 5 p.m. in 150 Ecology, February, 5. For more info or to register visit http://www.cbs.umn.edu/career/student/CCWorkshop.html.

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Alumna Mary Kemen, M.D., and her husband, Brian, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa have established a scholarship endowment honoring Douglas Pratt, professor emeritus of plant biology. Kemen earned B.S. degrees in botany and biochemistry at CBS in 1978 and 1979, and earned an M.D. at the University of Minnesota in 1984.

Vu Huynh, a junior biology major, received the Student Leader of the Semester Award from the Biology Colloquium Program for fall 2002. The award is given each term to a student who demonstrates excellent leadership skills.

Vivian Bardwell, associate professor of genetics, cell biology, and development, received the Basic Science Award from the Cancer Center for her research on the role the BCL6 protein plays in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Dale Krueger, resident manager of Cedar Creek Natural History Area, and Lija Greenseid, development assistant in the Dean’s Office, received Hats Off Awards from Dean Elde at the All-College Meeting on December 19. The two were recognized for leadership, dedication, creativity, and outstanding contributions to the College. Lija left CBS January 3 to spend six months in Australia, where she plans to work on the thesis for her master’s degree in education while her husband, Andrew, pursues graduate studies at the University of Melbourne.

January 21
Legislative Briefing and Reception
5:30 to 7:30 p.m., McNamara Alumni Center

February 12
NSF Workshop
7:30 a.m., rooms 135 B and D, Earle Brown Center

February 28
CBS Career and Internship Fair
11:00 McNamara Alumni Center
For more info contact Maggie Kubak,

March 6
Presentation of Outstanding Achievement Award to Douglas DeMaster,
Ph.D. '78 EEB, Director of Alaska Fisheries Science Center.
Lecture "Impossible Problems, Improbable Solutions: The Life of a Wildlife Biologist in a Federal Regulatory Agency," to follow.
4 p.m., Earle Brown Center

CBS seminar listings