Annual Progress Report


Current Faculty Development Program Map Template



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Current Faculty Development Program Map Template

www.washjeff.edu/uploadedFiles/Academic_Affairs/Academic_Departments/Biology/HHMI/ProgramMapforCurrentFacultyDevelopment.pdf
Progress:

Total Faculty Supported by HHMI Grant in YR1 (Current and Future Faculty)

4

Future Faculty Supported by HHMI Grant

1

Total HHMI Expenditures for Faculty Development

$65,319

Matching Funds—Internal (Faculty Travel)

$1,218

Matching Funds—External (Keystone Innovation Starter Kit (KISK) Grant)—EXTENSION

$150,000


Evidence of Progress:

  • Lee. ESRI UC 2010 Abstract http://www.washjeff.edu/uploadedFiles/Academic_Affairs/Academic_Departments/Biology/HHMI/ESRI%20UC%202010%20Abstract.pdf

  • Lee. 2009. J. GISAK Publication http://www.washjeff.edu/uploadedFiles/Academic_Affairs/Academic_Departments/Biology/HHMI/Location%20Based%20Concierge%20Service%20.pdf

  • Lee. 2009. J. Geography and Geology Publication http://www.washjeff.edu/uploadedFiles/Academic_Affairs/Academic_Departments/Biology/HHMI/JGG_3574.pdf

  • March et al. Ecological Society of America 2010 Poster http://www.washjeff.edu/uploadedFiles/Academic_Affairs/Academic_Departments/Biology/HHMI/March%20ESA%202010Abstract.pdf

  • Kilgore and Higginbottom. EOE2010 Poster http://www.washjeff.edu/uploadedFiles/Academic_Affairs/Academic_Departments/Biology/HHMI/EOE2010%20-%20Kilgore+Higginbottom%20Poster%202010%20-%20HHMI.pdf

  • Kilgore and Higginbottom. EOE2010 Abstract http://www.washjeff.edu/uploadedFiles/Academic_Affairs/Academic_Departments/Biology/HHMI/EOE2010%20-%20Kilgore-Higginbottom%20Abstract%202010%20-%20HHMI.pdf


1. Future Faculty Development:

Dr. Byoungjae (“B.J.”) Lee began work upon his arrival in summer 2009. His current CV is linked, above. Dr. Lee’s YR2 research centered around the development of a Web-Based LEM System, including: 1) constructing the GIS database (geodatabase) by using pre-collected LEM data; 2) setting up the Web mapping site (http://lem.washjeff.edu:8399/WebLEM/) through the ArcGIS Server; 3) and creating a customized mobile GIS project (ArcPad) for field data collection.


Dr. Lee submitted four manuscripts for publication; two have been published. In addition, Dr. Lee made oral presentations at three conferences, gave three invited talks, and attended five training sessions/workshops.
Publications

Lee, B. 2009. Location-based concierge service with spatially extended topology for moving objects. Journal of GISAK. 17(4).


Lee, B., 2009. Spatial pattern of uncertainties: an accuracy assessment of the TIGER files. Journal of Geography and Geology. 1(2).
Manuscripts Submitted:

Lee, B. 2010. Capturing person-spatial behavior near boundaries through spatio-temporally extended topology. Submitted to International Journal of Geographical Information Science.


Lee, B. 2010. U-City: New trends of urban planning in Korea based on pervasive and ubiquitous geotechnology and geoinformation. Submitted to Future Internet (ISSN: 1999-5903).
Presentations at Meetings:

Lee, B., North, M., and T. Contreras. 2010. WebLEM: Web-Based Long-Term Ecological Monitoring System Development. ESRI International User Conference, San Diego, California.


March J., Contreras, T., Kilgore, J., East, R., North, M., Lee, B., and A. Toomey. 2010. Incorporating Long-term Ecological Monitoring Across Undergraduate Science, Mathematics, and Information Technology Curricula. Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Lee, B. and M. North. 2009. Web-Based Long-Term Ecological Monitoring System Development. Pennsylvania Geographical Society Annual Meeting, West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Invited Talks:

Capturing Person-Environment Behavior near Boundaries through Spatio-Temporally Extended Topology. Division of Environmental Science & Ecological Engineering, Korea University, August 31, 2010. Seoul, Korea.
Context Awareness for Ubiquitous Geographic Information Service. Department of Geoinformatics, University of Seoul, August 23, 2010. Seoul, Korea.
Knowledge Representation about Person-Environment Behavior near Boundaries for Context Aware Location-Based Service. Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements (KRIHS), August 20, 2010. Ahnyang, Korea.
Other Meetings and Conferences Attended:

Digital Nation Land Expo, Ilsan, Korea, September 1-2, 2010.

ESRI International User Conference, San Diego, California, July 12-15, 2010.

ArcPad 8 GPS Correct Training, Ambridge, Pennsylvania, November 19-20, 2009.

URISA-CAC Workshop, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 13, 2009.

Pennsylvania Geographical Society Meeting, West Chester, Pennsylvania, October 26-18, 2009.


Dr. B.J. Lee’s teaching responsibilities during his first year (YR2 of the grant) included Information Technology & Society (ITL 100), the development of a new course in Geovisualization (ITL 345) for Intersession 2010, the planning of a new course in Ecological Monitoring Information System Management (ITL 244) for Intersession 2011, and preparation for teaching Introduction to GIS (ITL 346) in Spring 2011. His service to the College during YR2 also included ArcPad 8.0 training for Watershed Management (EVS 330) students, a guest lecture in Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences (BIO/MTH 245), and a WebLEM workshop for the LEM On-campus summer research team.
W&J has been fortunate to have Dr. B. J. Lee with us as his experience with database development and GIS have allowed us to get our long-term ecological monitoring data system in an outstanding working form. He has constructed a GIS database, set up our Web Mapping Site through an ArcGIC server, and has created a customized mobile GIS project (ArcPad) for the field data collection. This year, in addition to teaching, Dr. Lee will be training faculty and students on maintenance of the system so that we can continue to expand it when his position is over. Also, two Biology faculty involved in the LEM research will audit the ITL 244 course in January.
Dr. Lee has adeptly split his time between developing the web-based data repository to support ongoing ecological research, teaching, and mentoring students and faculty who are developing bioinformatics research projects. He has received active teaching and research mentoring by members of the ITL and Biology Departments. Dr. Lee’s courses in Information Technology & Society (ITL 100) and Geovisualization (ITL 345) have been extremely well received. He will teach a new course on ecological monitoring information system management and Introduction to GIS (ITL 346) in Spring 2011. When Dr. Lee leaves W&J, he will have gained more experience working with undergraduates both in and out of the classroom. In addition, the HHMI grant has supported Dr. Lee’s professional development to attend three conferences: The ESRI International User Conference (2010); the Pennsylvania Geographical Society Annual Meeting (2009); and the 105th Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting (2009). Dr. Lee also attended other meetings (see above). This fall, Dr. Alice Lee and ITL faculty have been pleased to have the opportunity to write letters of recommendation for Dr. Lee for tenure-track faculty positions.
2. New Faculty Development:

A search conducted during YR2 for a new tenure-track position in molecular biology/bioinformatics attracted more than 97 applicants. Five finalists were brought to campus for interviews and two offers were made but the search failed. Members of the Biology Department rewrote the job description and conducted the search during the summer and early fall of 2010. We screened 104 applications over the summer and interviewed 3 candidates. An offer was accepted by Dr. Claire Burns on October 21, 2010; she will begin YR3.


While the basic necessities for teaching courses are already in place, significant new equipment purchases will be required to support new teaching and research programs implemented by the new faculty member. To that end, we (Dean Czechowski, Dr. Lee, and Dr. DeBerry) were pleased to be funded for a KISK (Equipment for Keystone Innovation Starter Kit) grant from the State of Pennsylvania for $150,000 for the new position. When the search failed, Dr. Tori Haring-Smith, President of the College, acting on our behalf, applied for and received approval from the State of PA for the KISK start-up equipment grant for this position to be extended until Dec. 31, 2010. Dr. Burns submitted her equipment list to Dr. Lee on Nov. 15, 2010 so that equipment can be ordered and invoiced, allowing us to use the $150,000 KISK grant funds for Dr. Burn’s start-up equipment for student/faculty research and curriculum development in the area of molecular bioinformatics.
The HHMI grant will help support the renovation of an office/research space for the new hire. Planned renovations supported by the HHMI grant include: 1) converting an existing storage room to a molecular bioinformatics laboratory ($55,000); 2) converting a storage room to a research lab for the new molecular bioinformaticist ($18,000); 3) converting a cold storage room to a field ecology suite ($32,000); and 4) converting a storage room into a student data analysis room ($8,000). These renovations were scheduled to commence and be completed during 2010-11 (Year 3 of the grant, $113,000 total). However, the larger renovations of the Dieter-Porter Life Science Building are delayed until sufficient funds can be acquired, so we will not be using the HHMI funds for renovation until after YR 3. Fundraising continues; recently, the college was awarded a $1,000,000 grant from the State of Pennsylvania toward the overall renovation project.
Supplies for the initial support of bioinformatics integration will come from the 2008 HHMI grant. Funding provides Biology, Neuroscience, Psychology, and Biochemistry faculty with supplies to integrate bioinformatics projects into existing courses in 2008-2012 for a grand total of $28,400. Funding also supplies microarrays (gene chips and analysis) for W&J’s participation in GCAT in 2009-12. Supplies for ongoing work in bioinformatics will come out of the Biology Department budget, which will need to be increased after the grant ends.
Of note: Dr. Burns and a member of the ITL faculty are applying to attend the GCAT Synthetic Biology Workshop June 16-19, 2011.
3. Current Faculty Development:

  1. EOE2010: Education on the Edge: A Conference on Innovative Undergraduate Education at the Interface of Mathematics and Biology (Drs. Kilgore and Higginbottom)

Dr. Jason Kilgore, Assistant Professor of Biology, and Dr. Ryan Higginbottom, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, attended EOE2010: Education on the Edge: A Conference on Innovative Undergraduate Education at the Interface of Mathematics and Biology from July 9-11, 2010 at the University of Delaware (sponsored by Emory University’s HHMI grant) where they presented a poster entitled, “Cross-Disciplinary Co-Teaching of an Applied Biostatistics Course: Equipping Pre-Health and Biology Students with More Relevant Quantitative Skills.” Their expenses were largely covered by the HHMI. Our W&J HHMI grant covered mileage and food. The focus of the meeting was to explore strategies for incorporating mathematics into the biology programs at the undergraduate level and to use more biological examples in mathematics courses. One specific result of the workshop is that our newly revived Applied Statistics for the Life Science (BIO/MTH 245) course (covered by HHMI funds during YR1 and co-taught by Drs. Kilgore and Higginbottom in YR2) will be modified for Spring 2011 (YR3). See Curriculum Development section for the revised Program Map and narrative.
b. The Ecological Society of America Meeting (Dr. March)

Dr. James March, Associate Professor of Biology, was supported to attend the annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America, in Pittsburgh August 1-6, 2010 where he presented a poster entitled, “Integrating Long-term Ecological Research across the Undergraduate Science Curriculum” by J. March, T. Contreras, J. Kilgore, R. East, M. North., B. Lee, and A. Toomey (EVS and Biology ’12). The content of the poster focused on the conceptual idea of our LEM project and superficially covered what we have accomplished to date. Dr. March attended the entire conference in order to network with people at other institutions who are currently doing something similar or are interested in collaborating in the future. Networking at this point is important given that one of the goals of the LEM project is to develop a consortium of other schools that are also doing LEM and to share methods and data. Also, because the meeting was in Pittsburgh this year the cost was low. Dr. Contreras and the three summer LEM interns joined Dr. March for the scientific portion of the meeting. The YR2 Summer On-Campus Student Research budget for the LEM team covered the students’ expenses; Dr. Contreras’ expenses were paid by the W&J Faculty Travel Fund. Dr. Alice Lee, Program Director, presented this LEM poster at the HHMI Program Directors’ meeting in October 2010.


Administration and Assessment of Faculty Development:

Day-to-day oversight of the grant administration of grant programs falls to the Program Director, Dr. Alice Lee, Professor and Chair of Biology, who also served as program director for our 1996 and 2000 HHMI grants. Dr. Lee is assisted by an Internal Advisory Board, with annual assessment by an External Advisory Board. The HHMI Internal Advisory Board met six times during YR2. The HHMI External Advisory Board conducted their formal annual site visit on April 9, 2010. (See below.)



  • Advisory Board Members

http://www.washjeff.edu/uploadedFiles/Academic_Affairs/Academic_Departments/Biology/HHMI/HHMI%20Advisory%20Board%20Members%2010-10.pdf

  • External Advisory Board Meeting Agenda

http://www.washjeff.edu/uploadedFiles/Academic_Affairs/Academic_Departments/Biology/HHMI/HHMI%20External%20Advisory%20Meeting%20on%204-9-10-agenda%20(2).pdf

  • Report of the HHMI External Advisory Board’s site visit of April 9, 2010

http://www.washjeff.edu/uploadedFiles/Academic_Affairs/Academic_Departments/Biology/HHMI/Assessment%20Report%20from%20the%20HHMI%20EAB%20Visit%20April%209%202010.pdf

  1. CURRICULUM, EQUIPMENT, AND LABORATORY DEVELOPMENT NARRATIVE:

Objectives: To develop curriculum in areas of long-term ecological monitoring (LEM) and molecular bioinformatics/computational biology and related areas. To integrate LEM research and molecular bioinformatics (in particular, microarray analysis) into the curriculum. To acquire equipment to support and develop existing facilities for LEM and molecular bioinformatics.

Program Maps for YR2 Curriculum, Equipment, and Laboratory Development:

Course Program Maps for YR2: add link

  • Curriculum Development Program Map Template

  • BIO 288 Conservation Biology-Revised 2010

  • BIO/MTH 245 Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences-Revised 2010

  • CHM 270 Analytical Chemistry-Revised 2010

  • ITL 310 Systems Analysis-Revised 2010

  • ITL 345 Geovisualization-Intersession 2010

  • BIO 215 Microbiology-Fall 2009

  • Microarrays in Courses (BIO 149/249, BIO 201, BIO 392)-Intersession and Spring 2010

  • PHL 232 Bioethics-for Fall 2010

  • BIO 101/292 Tutorial for implementation in General Biology-Spring 2010 for Fall 2010

  • BIO 215 Microbiology-Fall 2009

Equipment Program Map and Link to the Server:

  • LEM EQUIPMENT www.washjeff.edu/uploadedFiles/Academic_Affairs/Academic_Departments/Biology/HHMI/LEMequipmentlogicmodel9-09.pdf

  • ArcGIS Server http://lem.washjeff.edu (Currently available on campus or via Virtual Private Network)


Progress:

Total Number of Students Impacted (by YR2 Implementations)

230

Total Number of Faculty Participants

11

Total HHMI Expenditures

$43,119

Courses Developed (10)

Name

No. of Faculty:

Faculty Collaboration

When Taught

No.

Students

Stipend/

Supplies

BIO 101/292

(new module)

General Biology

(implemented in fall 2010)



1

Biology

Spring 2010

(Fall 2010)



1/(127)

Stipend and supplies

BIO 149/249

(revised course)

Freshman Gene Expression WS

1

Biology

Intersession 2010

8

Stipend and supplies

BIO 201

(new module)

Genetics

1

Biology

Spring 2010

18

Stipend and supplies

BIO 215

(new module)

Microbiology

1

Biology

Fall 2009

15

Stipend and supplies

BIO/MTH 245

(revised course)

Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences

2

Mathematics & Biology

Spring 2010

17

Stipends in YR1

BIO 288

(new course)

Conservation Biology

1

Biology

Spring 2010

9

Stipend in YR1

BIO 392

(revised course)

Tutorial in Biology

1

Biology

Spring 2010

2

Stipend and supplies

ITL 244

(new course)

Ecological Monitoring Info. System Mgt.

1

ITL/Biology

Intersession

2011


Planned

15 seats


Postdoc: part of teaching load

ITL 345

(new course)

Geovisualization

1

ITL

Intersession 2010

15

Postdoc: part of teaching load

PHL 232

(new course)

Bioethics

1

Philosophy/

Biology


Fall 2010


18

Stipend

Evidence of Progress:

Course Syllabi for YR2: add link

Posters:

  • CHM 270 Poster at 239th National ACS Meeting http://www.washjeff.edu/uploadedFiles/Academic_Affairs/Academic_Departments/Biology/HHMI/Water%20poster%20(Smith%20%20Piko).pdf

  • BIO 201 (one of eight posters) at W&J spring poster session add link

  • BIO 292/101 at W&J spring poster session add link

Link to the ArcGIS Server:

  • ArcGIS Server http://lem.washjeff.edu


Summary of Progress in and Plans for Revision:

BIO 101 General Biology (Tutorial in Biology BIO 292)

Dr. Jane Caldwell, Adjunct Instructor of Biology, developed a bioinformatics laboratory exercise for General Biology (BIO 101). Dr. Caldwell selected six published exercises and supervised a W&J sophomore, Liann Correia (Biology ’12), who carried out each exercise as a tutorial (BIO 292). She developed a rubric by which to evaluate each exercise. Two laboratory exercises were selected as challenging for first year biology students. One exercise teaches students to use and apply bioinformatic tools online; the other requires they apply that knowledge to the results of a simple molecular biology investigation of maize. These exercises are being implemented in BIO 101 laboratories this fall (127 students). Assessment will be via student performance on quizzes and comments on course evaluations. Liann presented a poster of her work at the 2010 W&J spring poster session.


BIO/MTH 245 Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences

With HHMI support in YR1, Dr. Jason Kilgore, Assistant Professor of Biology, and Dr. Ryan Higginbottom, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, developed an interdisciplinary course, Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences (BIO/MTH 245). Students from four different majors (Biology, Environmental Studies, Math, and English) participated in the course in Spring 2010 to learn theory and applications of statistical methods in primary research, with an emphasis on research design. Students explored probability models, descriptive statistics, and fundamental statistical methods while evaluating methods from primary literature. They developed original research projects exploring student success data from the Dean’s office, creatine effects on muscle development, survey methods used by ornithologists, and other topics, and presented these posters to faculty across departments. CURE surveys and post-course evaluations indicated that the course was rigorous, focused on statistical methods from primary literature, relied on both manual and computational (SPSS) approaches, and allowed students to explore a statistical problem through original research. Students appeared to understand experimental design, participated in discussions, and could digest primary literature. External feedback from our External Advisory Board and EOE2010 conference participants indicated that the approach used in this course was appropriate for modern scientific research. Coteaching was valuable because of the two different perspectives and strengths of the professors as well as instant in-class feedback and adjustment. The instructors revised the course for Spring 2011 where a 65-min recitation period will be added for software use and quizzes, and the new RISC (Research on the Integrated Science Curriculum) survey will be employed for assessment purposes.


BIO 215 Microbiology

During Fall 2009, Dr. Anupama Shanmuganathan, Assistant Professor of Biology, implemented a soil bacterial diversity research project in the laboratory component of the course, Microbiology (BIO 215). HHMI funding provided the faculty stipend and research supplies. Students working in teams assessed the diversity of soil bacteria at the Abernathy Field Station (AFS), employing techniques in basic microbiology, molecular biology and bioinformatics. As a result of this project, students identified and catalogued 40 soil bacterial isolates and also obtained valuable experience in presenting their results as a research poster as well as a full-length scientific paper. The effectiveness of integrating the research project in the laboratory curriculum was assessed via CURE surveys. Based on the survey results and personal communication with the students, in Fall 2010 Dr. Shanmuganathan is continuing to implement the same project in the BIO 215 course; however, this time, it is offered with a writing (W) emphasis since the project makes it possible for students to practice and hone their scientific writing skills.


BIO 288 Conservation Biology

Dr. Thomas Contreras, Assistant Professor of Biology, received a stipend to develop a new course, Introduction to Conservation Biology (BIO 288) for Spring 2010.  This course examined: 1) how this scientific discipline has evolved; 2) the basic theory and methodologies used by conservation biologists to assess biodiversity loss over multiple spatial and temporal scales; and 3) current social attitudes and governmental policies concerning the loss of biodiversity in the US and abroad.  The laboratory portion of the course utilized case studies, current methodologies used in the field (including GIS and GPS), and the development of a management plan for W&J’s AFS which incorporated aspects of the LEM research program for adaptive management purposes.  The course was approved for the environmental studies and biology majors.  Student groups researched and developed management plans for important taxa and ecological systems at the station. The group management plans will be compiled and developed into a single comprehensive adaptive management plan for the station. CURE surveys were also used to assess student attitudes towards conservation research and the research required to develop a management plan for the AFS.


CHM 270 Analytical Chemistry

Funding was provided to support Dr. Jennifer Logan, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Ashley Smith (Chemistry ‘11), and Bridget Piko (Chemistry ‘11) in traveling to the 239th national meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Francisco, CA (March 21-25, 2010). The objective of this activity was to present a poster on water analysis results obtained by the 2009 Analytical Chemistry (CHM 270) lab course in YR1-supported curriculum development. Ashley and Bridget compiled their classmates’ findings and analyzed the levels of hardness, alkalinity, iron, phosphorus, and sulfur in groundwater from the Abernathy Field Station. The meeting also provided the students with the opportunity to experience a national conference and network with representatives from various graduate schools and industries. Participating in this conference will help both women stand out in their applications to graduate and professional schools and so an anticipated outcome is acceptance to at least one program, if not more. In addition, attending the conference helped further several objectives outlined in the program map for CHM 270 water analysis. These objectives were specifically: 1) students learn about strategies for collaboration when working in pairs; and 2) students learn how to present scientific posters and communicate their findings to a diverse audience. Based on Ashley and Bridget’s experience at the national conference, Dr. Logan hopes to continue encouraging students to present their research at conferences. She is also continuing the water analysis project as students seem to have enjoyed the experience (based on CURE and W&J course evaluation comments).


ITL 310 Systems Analysis Course

The Systems Analysis (ITL 310) course, which was revised using HHMI funds in Spring 2009 by Dr. Amanda Holland-Minkley, Associate Professor and Chair of Information Technology Leadership (ITL), was taught again in Fall 2010 with changes prompted by the CURE assessment and W&J course evaluations. These assessments confirmed the positive effect of having students participate in a semester-long team-based research project that forwarded a larger, on-going research initiative. Students reported high engagement with the class and many students continued on with further research related to the course after its end. In Fall 2010, the same structure to the course is being pursued, with all course work centering around a single class research project.


ITL 345 Geovisualization

Dr. Byoungjae Lee, Postdoctoral Fellow, developed a new course in Geovisualization (ITL 345) for Intersession 2010. Students reviewed cartographic design, production, and visualization in the context of geographic information systems (GIS). The core of this course was a laboratory project where students located data on the Web, processed the data so they could be mapped in ArcGIS (GIS and mapping software), and designed and produced a series of maps based on the data. Students learned how to develop and understand the intellectual and visual hierarchies by collecting appropriate data, constructing the map, and evaluating the map. Lab work was informed by lectures which focused on the concepts, frameworks, and technical issues of cartographic design, production, and visualization.


Microarrays in Courses

BIO 149/249 Freshman Gene Expression Workshop

Using knowledge and skills acquired from attending the GCAT workshop, Dr. Candy DeBerry developed a new version of a freshman laboratory-intensive course based on DNA microarray analysis. Freshman Gene Expression Workshop (BIO 149/249—with a new theme) was taught for the first time during January 2010 Intersession. GCAT surveys were completed. Dr. DeBerry concluded that microarrays would be better implemented in more advanced courses over a full semester.


BIO 201 Genetics

Using knowledge and skills acquired from attending the GCAT workshop, Dr. Alice Lee had eight project groups Genetics (BIO 201) laboratories in Spring 2010 investigate gene expression in yeast in the diauxic shift from anaerobic to aerobic metabolism, repeating the experiment of DiRisi et al. 1997. Science 278: 680-686.The projects culminated in eight posters being presented at our spring poster session. GCAT surveys were completed. Although the experience was valuable for teaching students how to trouble-shoot research projects, and to gain valuable skills in data assessment, poster preparation, and presentation, it was too labor- and cost-intense for implementation in our typical 200-level course. Dr. Lee will go back to using less complex projects in Genetics in Spring 2011.


BIO 392 Tutorials in Biology

Also armed with skills from attending the GCAT workshop, during Spring 2010, Dr. Ronald Bayline used Drosophila microarrays in tutorial (BIO 392) projects with two students from his Fall 2009 Developmental Biology (BIO 202) class. His goal was to implement microarray work in two different areas—student research and developmental biology courses. For student research, Dr. Bayline planned to develop research projects investigating different patterns of gene expression during muscle development in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. For curriculum development in developmental biology courses, he planned to develop laboratory exercises exploring changes in patterns of gene expression during embryonic development in Drosophila, focusing on early regulatory genes such as Hox genes. Dr. Bayline determined that although the students benefitted from their experiences with microarrays (one is using the experience to enhance her applications to graduate programs in Genetics; the other’s performance doing related molecular techniques has vastly improved), microarrays did not fit his current research goals. He also concluded that applying the method to a 200-level class, especially one like Developmental Biology where molecular techniques are not the only techniques that need to be taught, would be time-consuming and difficult. GCAT surveys were not completed—an oversight.


Future Plans for Microarrays in Courses

Dr. DeBerry will implement human microarrays in Spring 2011 in Experimental Biology (BIO 412), a research course where 6-8 students will study gene expression as cells undergo apoptosis. GCAT surveys will be used.


PHL 232 Bioethics

Dr. Michael P. Wolf, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, received a stipend for the development of Bioethics (PHL232), a philosophy course devoted to debates in applied ethics related to health care and biotechnology. The course will be a regular offering beginning in Fall of 2010, with regular use of CURE surveys. The course will include visits from guest speakers; the inaugural offering of this class included a visit from Shannon Brownlee of the New America Foundation. Rather than the usual poster sessions and research fairs familiar to instructors in the sciences, outstanding students will be encouraged to submit their work to undergraduate philosophy conferences.


Equipment Purchased: No major equipment was purchased in YR2.
Laboratory Development: None was performed during YR2.
Plans for Revision:

The HHMI grant helps support the renovation of an office/research space for Dr. Burns. Renovations supported by the HHMI grant will include: (1) converting an existing storage room to a molecular bioinformatics laboratory ($55,000); (2) converting a storage room to a research lab for the new molecular biologist ($18,000); (3) converting a cold storage room to a field ecology suite ($32,000); and (4) converting a storage room into a student data analysis room ($8,000). These renovations were originally scheduled to commence and be completed during 2010-11 (Year 3 of the grant, $113,000 total). However, comprehensive renovations of the Dieter-Porter Life Science Building are delayed until funds are acquired, so we may not use HHMI renovation funds until after YR 3. The delays continue to negatively impact planned curriculum development and other grant activities.


Administration and Assessment of Curriculum Development:

Day-to-day oversight of the grant administration of grant programs falls to the Program Director, Dr. Alice Lee, Professor and Chair of Biology, who also served as program director for our 1996 and 2000 HHMI grants. Dr. Lee is assisted by an Internal Advisory Board, with annual assessment by an External Advisory Board. The HHMI Internal Advisory Board met six times during YR 2. The HHMI External Advisory Board has been sent agendas of meetings and important documents and messages for comments throughout YR1. They conducted their formal annual site visit on April 9, 2010 (See below.)



  • Advisory Board Members

http://www.washjeff.edu/uploadedFiles/Academic_Affairs/Academic_Departments/Biology/HHMI/HHMI%20Advisory%20Board%20Members%2010-10.pdf

  • External Advisory Board Meeting Agenda

http://www.washjeff.edu/uploadedFiles/Academic_Affairs/Academic_Departments/Biology/HHMI/HHMI%20External%20Advisory%20Meeting%20on%204-9-10-agenda%20(2).pdf

  • Report of the HHMI External Advisory Board’s site visit of April 9, 2010

http://www.washjeff.edu/uploadedFiles/Academic_Affairs/Academic_Departments/Biology/HHMI/Assessment%20Report%20from%20the%20HHMI%20EAB%20Visit%20April%209%202010.pdf

  • Assessment Tools

CURE Surveys for HHMI-Supported Courses: http://www.washjeff.edu/content.aspx?section=15465&menu_id=857&crumb=844&id=15618
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