Science@IUPUI: Ecatalyst April 2014
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In This Issue
News Brief
In the News
Event Calendar
Feature Story: Using Computers to "See" Neurons
Student Feature: Anna Brenneman
Outreach Feature
Alumni Connection
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NEWS BRIEF

Top 100 Students Announced
A record 41 Science students will be recognized for their scholastic achievement, collegiate and co-curricular activities and civic/community service on April 11.
Read more.

 

More Than 125 High School Students Competed at Annual Computer Science Day 

Through tests involving programming and problem solving, students in grades 9-12 came away with a deeper understanding of teamwork, software tools and deadlines associated with today's computer science industry.
See the winners. 

SCIENCE IN THE NEWS

WFYI's No Limits 
Listen to a radio interview with Jesse Stewart, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, discussing his research on depression and heart disease.
Read more.  

 

Phys.org

Study conducted by John Goodpaster, Ph.D., director for the forensic and investigative sciences program, reveals how dogs detect explosives.

Read more

EVENT CALENDAR

Psychology Colloquium: Barriers to and Opportunities for Diversity in the STEM Workplace

Fri, April 11, noon

Lilly Auditorium

Kecia Thomas, Ph.D.,  

professor of psychology at The University of Georgia, will discuss her research focuses on

understanding the psychology of workplace diversity - specifically how individuals and organizations resist or demonstrate readiness for
diversity.
Learn more.

Second Annual
Drs. Arthur & Patricia Mirsky Memorial Lecture
Thurs, April 24, 4pm
Lilly Auditorium

Lonnie G. Thompson, Ph.D., of Ohio State University will visit campus as the keynote speaker presenting  "Climate Change:  Glaciers, Ice Cores and Options." All alumni, students, faculty/staff, and community leaders are invited to come and support the earth sciences department.

Learn more.   

Issue: 21March 2014
A message from Dean Simon Rhodes ...Dean Simon Rhodes, School of Science at IUPUI

 

As incoming freshman receive their acceptance letters, I continue to be impressed by the next generations of School of Science students. We encounter elementary to high school students through many outreach and recruitment programs. By participating in these outreach efforts, we nurture an interest in science to ensure today's inquisitive young people become tomorrow's scientists.

 

In this month's e-catalyst you'll read about Indiana high school students who are doing meaningful research in the Computer and Information Science department that could one day help treat neurological injuries or diseases. You'll also see the impressive Indianapolis IndianaFIRST robotics team sponsored by the School. These students are participating in fun, meaningful experiences that will prepare them to pursue science, technology or engineering degrees.

 

It's an exciting cycle as our current students move toward graduation and summer internships and the next class visits campus to prepare for fall enrollment. We have another impressive group of students named to the IUPUI Top 100, and we continue to attract top students who are ready to make an impact now through research and student leadership.

 

Click Here to Give now Best regards,

 

Simon Rhodes

Dean, School of Science, IUPUI

brainIUPUI Researchers Use Computers to "See" Neurons to Better Understand Brain Function
Gavriil Tsechpenakis and Tiange (Tony) Qu working in the lab.
A study conducted by local high school students and faculty from the computer science department reveals new information about the motor circuits of the brain that may one day help those developing therapies to treat conditions such as stroke, schizophrenia, spinal cord injury or Alzheimer's disease.


"MRI and CAT scans of the human brain can tell us many things about the structure of this most complicated of organs, formed of trillions of neurons and the synapses via which they communicate. But we are a long way away from having imaging techniques that can show single neurons in a complex brain like the human brain," said Gavriil Tsechpenakis, Ph.D., assistant professor of computer science.

Read more.

Biology Senior Serves Others During Her Second Spring Break Trip with Timmy Global Health 

Anna Brenneman

 

A week in the Dominican Republic with Timmy Global Health taught Anna Brenneman a lot about potential careers in health care, whetting her appetite for a return trip to the Caribbean country with the organization during spring break 2014.

 

"Shadowing these physicians, nurses, pharmacists and community health leaders imparted a sense of thankfulness I had never before felt," Brenneman said of her Dominican Republic trip. "What I did not expect was my growing aspiration to study how to provide care on a national and global scale. Public and global health were not disciplines I foresaw myself being interested in, until I saw the inequities in a single community in single country abroad."

 

That has put a master's degree in public health firmly on the radar screen of the IUPUI student, who was a Top 100 student in both 2013 and 2014.  

IndianaFIRST Robotics Team Places at the Crossroads Regional Competition  
The School of Science is proud to sponsor the Indianapolis Boys and Girls Club FRC Team 4690 as part of the IndianaFIRST robotics programs. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is devoted to helping young people discover and develop a passion for science, engineering, technology and math. The team competed March 6 at the Crossroads Regional competition in Terre Haute, with a 7-5 record and placing 19th out of 45 teams.
Team member finishes work on the robot's bumper.
FRC Crossroads Regional 2014 short of team 4690 WD-40 playing agressive defense
VIDEO: Team 4690 plays aggressive defense at the Crossroads Regional.
Alumni Connection
Are you on LinkedIn? Join the Alumni Group
 View our profile on LinkedInMake the most of your LinkedIn account, and connect with nearly 700 alumni by joining the School of Science LinkedIn Group. Also, join the subgroup for your department to find alumni in your area of study.

Want to find other ways to connect with the School? Contact Jon Berg, associate director of alumni relations and events, at 317-274-0772 or [email protected]. Also, watch your inbox next month for our new e-newsletter dedicated to alumni.
Upcoming Professional Development Events
Paying for Professional School

Thursday, April 3, 2-3pm | Hine Hall 138  

David Owen, former director of admissions and financial aid of a top ten medical school, will discuss strategies for financing your professional school education.

Register now

 

Life After IUPUI: Moving Not Leaving 

Thursday, April 3, 6pm | Campus Center Board Room 405 Pursuing a job in another city or even in your current can be a difficult and daunting change. Where are you going to live? How are you going to meet new people? Alumni from Indianapolis and Chicago will discuss their experiences and provide insights about making a smooth transition. Register now.

Information Session with Keck Graduate Institute
Friday, April 4, noon - 1pm | University Tower 200 (PREPs office)

Keck Graduate Institute is interested in students looking for a career in life sciences or biotechnology. Lunch is provided. Register now.