News Archive: 2011 - 2012
Fall 2011 | Spring 2012 | Summer 2012
Summer 2012
Frogs’ Bright Colors Cue Scientists to Diversity August 21, 2012
Tiny poison dart frogs living wild in Panama may provide clues about relatively rapid biodiversification, says Tulane University evolutionary biologist Corinne “Cori” Richards-Zawacki. Her team of students has spent most of the summer at two field sites on an archipelago studying natural selection.
Photo: E=mc2 August 14, 2012
Sally Friedman, a senior majoring in ecology and evolutionary biology, listens to a lecture at an introduction to physics class offered during the summer. To the left is Tova Weiss, a student in the Tulane School of Continuing Studies.
Migratory Birds May Reveal Further Impact of Oil Spill July 31, 2012
The full impact of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill has yet to reveal itself, say researchers in the Tulane Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. The largest-ever accidental release of oil into marine waters could impact earth’s ecosystems for years to come — and not just along the 650 miles of the northern Gulf of Mexico coastline directly affected by the spill.
Photo: Campus Geometry July 20, 2012
A view of the Tulane University uptown campus is marked by geometric patterns as the construction of Flower Hall rises above the sculpture “Arcs in Disorder.” The four-story research facility is targeted to be completed in the fall.
Pilot Plant Designed by Students, for Students July 16, 2012
A pilot chemical plant on the campus of Nunez Community College in St. Bernard Parish, La., is helping students from both Nunez and Tulane University develop their skills and gain real-world experience.
NASA's Final Space Shuttle Mission — Where Are They Now? July 10, 2012
Computer Science An Essential Program, Says Dean July 6, 2012
Computer science was one of the programs cut in the restructuring of the Tulane University post-Katrina Renewal Plan. Now School of Science and Engineering dean Nick Altiero is aiming to have a full department back on campus sooner rather than later.
Dean's Message Summer 2012
On May 19, Tulane University celebrated its 178th Commencement. Among the nearly 2700 undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees conferred on that day were 395 undergraduate and 141 graduate degrees to students enrolled in programs offered by the School of Science and Engineering. The School has experienced astonishing growth since its creation six years ago and all indications are that there will again be a record number of incoming science and engineering students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels this coming fall. In addition, June 30 marks the end of Tulane's 2011-2012 fiscal year and, while the numbers are not yet finalized, it is clear that School of Science and Engineering research funding, scholarly publications, and patent disclosures will all surpass record levels.
Geralyn Caradona: Mathematical Constant Summer 2012
When Geralyn Caradona first joined the Tulane University Department of Mathematics in 1984, mathematical equations were still being hammered out on mechanical typewriters, with secretaries tediously changing out the keys by hand for each symbol that needed to be typed. Nearly three decades later, technology has transformed the way the department functions, but Caradona's devoted oversight has remained an unchanging part of the equation.
Songbirds Rise Above the Din to Learn the Right Notes June 26, 2012
Noise, whether from the city or nature, may be enough of a nuisance to convince birds to change their tune over time, according to a new study co-authored by a Tulane University evolutionary ecologist.
The Pleasure of Discovery June 22, 2012
Are physicists like the rest of us? Recently, New Wave caught up with physics professor John Perdew to pose a few questions about his life and work. Last year, he was elected a member of the prestigious National Academy of Sciences. He is a leader in the development of density functional theory, which is now widely used in many fields to calculate fundamental properties of materials.
Researchers Test Treatment for Late-Stage Cancer June 13, 2012
At Tulane University this summer, researchers led by Damir Khismatullin begin the second phase of studies geared at developing a minimally invasive technique for treatment of large primary tumors and metastases to the liver and kidneys.
Biomed Engineer Invents Easier IUD Insertion Device June 12, 2012
As a foolproof method of birth control, intrauterine devices are unsurpassed. In fact, IUDs are 20 times more effective than oral contraceptive pills, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine. However, there’s a catch: IUDs are difficult to put in and the procedure can lead to complications. But Tulane University alumnus Ben Cappiello has invented a solution to the problem.
Introduction to Tulane June 7, 2012
A delegation of 50 education officials from China arrived at the Tulane uptown campus on Friday (June 1) for a tour and presentations about the schools of business, architecture and science and engineering. The U.S. Department of Commerce asked Tulane to host the group, which included representatives from academia and from the Ministry of Education.
Why Louisiana Is Sinking May 30, 2012
Goldwater Scholar Making the Most of Summer Break May 22, 2012
Volunteering in East Africa, writing a cookbook, designing medical equipment — these all add up to making a difference for Angela Czesak, a biomedical engineering undergraduate student at Tulane University who received a 2012 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship.
Spring 2012
Ceremony Celebrates Alumni Achievements May 2, 2012
The Tulane University School of Science and Engineering celebrated the diverse achievement of alumni at an awards ceremony in the Lavin-Bernick Center on April 12.
Tulane Student-scientists Lead Breakthrough Discoveries May 2, 2012
From environmental protection to health and well-being, projects presented at the recent Tulane University School of Science and Engineering poster session tackled a wide range of issues. The annual event, held at the Lavin-Bernick Center on April 12, allows students to illustrate their latest research outcomes on paper posters affixed to portable walls.
New Approach Needed for Oil Spill Research April 20, 2012
Inadequate knowledge about the effects of deep-water oil well blowouts such as the Deepwater Horizon event of 2010 constrains scientists’ ability to help manage and assess comparable events in future, according to an article that Tulane University scientists and colleagues will publish in the May issue of BioScience.
Photos: Outstanding Alumni April 18, 2012
U.S. surgeon general Dr. Regina Benjamin was among Tulane alumni receiving awards from the Tulane Alumni Association at the annual awards celebration on Sunday (April 15) at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans.
Physicist Has Key to Greener Polymer Manufacturing April 16, 2012
Tulane University physicist Wayne Reed says he wants to revolutionize the polymer manufacturing sector, an important component of the global economy. Through his patented technology, Reed and colleagues see a $100 billion opportunity in the $1.2 trillion polymer industry, and the key to helping this industry become greener and more efficient.
Sun’s Rays Fuel Bright Idea for Cleaner Drinking Water April 11, 2012
Jerrycans — 20-liter plastic containers ubiquitous in third-world countries — are a favorite for relief organizations because they’re so versatile for storing water or fuel and easily transportable. What if they could be adapted to work double-duty as a cheap disinfection device in areas with scant access to clean water? A medical student and a graduate student at Tulane University have a novel idea.
Gulf Coast Sea Level Rise in Overdrive, Study Says April 5, 2012
The rate of sea level rise along the U.S. Gulf Coast has increased dramatically this past century compared to that of the preindustrial millennium (600-1600 A.D.). This sobering news for residents from the Florida panhandle to east Texas is just one part of the findings by Tulane University researchers in a study published March 30 in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters.
Sparrows Twittering Louder to be Heard April 3, 2012
Scientists Find Slow Subsidence of Earth's Crust Beneath the Mississippi Delta
April 2, 2012
Read the Full Story on Science Daily »
Read the Full Story on e! Science News »
Earth’s Crust Beneath Mississippi Delta Sinks Slower Than Previously Thought
April 2, 2012
Dean's Message Spring 2012
Learn. Discover. Collaborate. Innovate. These four words on the home page of the School of Science and Engineering web site encapsulate the spirit and the mission of the School. Learning is an obvious component as we are, after all, a university and the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge is at the core of what we do. And Tulane is a research university so discovery and innovation (the objectives of basic and applied research) are also central themes. But what distinguishes us among our peer institutions is the extraordinary emphasis that we place on collaboration and, in particular, on collaboration among scientists and engineers toward the goal of making more immediate the impact of scientific discovery on technological innovation.
Dr. Irwin Frankel (E '42) A Place to Thrive Spring 2012
In 1942, Irwin Frankel earned his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Tulane University. After serving in World War II as an aircraft maintenance officer with the Army Air Corps, he earned a master's degree from Case Institute of Technology and a doctorate from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. When he retired as a chemical engineer in 1995, he held three U.S. patents.
Mac Hyman Brings His Passions Home Spring 2012
When a young Mac Hyman first stepped on Tulane's campus more than 40 years ago, it immediately felt like home. Now—after a career that has put him at the forefront of the world's most pressing scientific problems—Mac has come home again.
"I’ve always sought places where I can have an impact and be engaged in the community. After Katrina, Tulane kept pulling me back to New Orleans." Mac said.
John Drwiega, Administrator of Cell and Molecular Biology Spring 2012
John Drwiega sees his job as administrator of the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology as a perfect fit for his skills and interests. The department, however, sees John as simply indispensible.
Spotlight on Undergraduate Research Spring 2012
Undergraduates in the School of Science and Engineering continue to immerse themselves in exciting research projects under faculty guidance, such as investigating the ongoing effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, modeling genetic diversity in humans, and working with local companies to implement new technology.
Prof-in-Residence Helps Create Unique Community March 22, 2012
A unique community exists at Wall Residential College, where students and faculty members gather to exchange ideas about academics, sports, music, life after graduation or whatever is on their minds. W Godbey, an associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, joined the community as the Wall professor-in-residence this academic year, along with his family.
Jungleland: The Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans Gives New Meaning to ‘Urban Growth’ March 21, 2012
High Honor for Philanthropists March 21, 2012
In honor of total giving to Tulane University of at least $1 million, 31 individuals and organizations were inducted into the Paul Tulane Society at a ceremony on March 15 in the Freeman Auditorium at the Woldenberg Art Center.
Green Wave Alumnus vs. Robots at Regional Contest March 21, 2012
Johnny Arthurs, a former Green Wave player whose basketball jersey (#31) was retired in 1993, joined the FIRST Robotics Bayou Regional on March 16 to test his skill against robots designed by high school students as part of the FIRST Robotics program supported by the Tulane School of Science and Engineering. Arthurs won.
Exploring the Cellular Mechanisms of Autism March 19, 2012
Causes of neuro-developmental disorders such as mental retardation, schizophrenia and autism continue to challenge the medical community, but researchers at Tulane University potentially have found a key. They demonstrated how a particular gene is essential to the healthy development of infant brains, and if it’s missing, may lead to disorders.
A Fish Story from Prehistory March 14, 2012
Fish biologists have named a newly identified genus of fossil anglerfishes after Tulane ichthyologist John H. Caruso. “It’s a tremendous honor having a taxon named after you, especially a genus,” says Caruso. “It’s one of the top honors one can get in systematic biology.”
Robinson Invested as Boh Professor of Engineering March 13, 2012
Anne Skaja Robinson belongs to a core group of women who are changing the face of scientific research. A ceremony on Friday (March 9) celebrated Robinson’s accomplishments and honored her investment as the Catherine and Henry Boh Professor of Engineering in the Tulane School of Science and Engineering.
Boh Family Enhances Tulane Engineering March 13, 2012
Anne Skaja Robinson said she was drawn to Tulane because of the opportunity to enhance her research and teaching as the Boh professor and at the new Donna and Paul Flower Hall for Research and Innovation, opening this fall.
EPA Administrator Speaks About Hurricane Katrina, Pollution Standards
March 12, 2012
EPA’s Lisa Jackson to address Tulane Commencement March 12, 2012
Lisa Jackson, the New Orleans native whose life journey has taken her from the Ninth Ward to the White House, will deliver the keynote address at the Tulane University Commencement 2012, which will take place at 9 a.m. on May 19 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Photos: Custom-made March 6, 2012
A standing support system for a child with cerebral palsy, a guitar-playing aid for a person affected by stroke, a one-hand wheelchair lock for a nursing home resident — these are the kinds of devices developed by Tulane biomedical engineering students to help individuals with disabilities.
Science Fair: Training Ground for Young Thinkers March 5, 2012
Organizing a regional science fair for 350 secondary school students may seem like a daunting task, but for Annette Oertling, it’s all part of her job as assistant dean for K-12 outreach in the Tulane School of Science and Engineering. Working with young scientists and their teachers is “a pleasure,” she says, and important community outreach.
Tulane Engineering Students Invent Special Devices to Help Disabled March 4, 2012
Photo By: Chris Granger,
The Times-Picayune
Article By Katy Reckdahl, The Times-Picayune
Because of a neurological condition called ataxia, Bennett Curran, 8, likes to hold the back of a kitchen chair and rock back and forth. But if the chair rocks too far, it tips over and Bennett tumbles to the floor.
Researchers Use Crawfish Shells and Sugar Cane to Clean Contaminated Groundwater FEBRUARY 27, 2012
On WGNO’s News With a Twist, graduate student Bhan Sunkara, explains how composite particles are made from Louisiana sugarcane and crawfish shells. These particles absorb chemicals in contaminated groundwater and naturally degrade reducing clean-up time from decades to months.
View Video and Read the Full Story »
IHMC CEO Ford Joins Defense Sciences Board February 22, 2012
Dean meets with President Obama February 14, 2012
Nick Altiero, dean of the Tulane School of Science and Engineering, joined his colleagues from around the country for a reception at the White House at which President Obama announced his support for an effort to increase the yearly number of engineering graduates nationwide by 10 percent within a decade.
Lab Probes Stem Cell Potential February 3, 2012
Tulane researchers are developing new nanomaterials to study how adult stem cells grow and might be used to treat central nervous system disorders. Leading this research is Michael Moore, the Paul H. and Donna D. Flower Early Career Professor in Engineering, director of the Neural Micro-Engineering Laboratory, and the most recent winner of the Oliver Fund Scholar Award at Tulane University.
Photos: Crawfish Tales January 23, 2012
Henry “Hank” Bart Jr. is an expert in astacology, the study of crawfishes. Thanks to Bart, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Tulane, a group of alumni is now well informed about astacology. He was guest speaker at a gathering celebrating crawfish that was hosted by Alumni Affairs on Thursday (Jan. 19).
A Quest to Improve Treatment of Lung Disease January 23, 2012
For 250,000 patients in the U.S. suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), mechanical ventilation is a necessary part of treatment. But the life-saving treatment also can cause great damage to the lungs. Tulane researchers Donald Gaver and Will Glindmeyer are investigating a new strategy that could improve the outcomes for ARDS patients.
Students Give Year of Service Before Med School January 12, 2012
Most third-year students heading to medical school can’t volunteer on a full-time basis, but Adil Yousuf, Adrienne Roth and Brian Templet can because they are part of the Tulane Accelerated Physician Training Program. The program allows these students to participate in a year of service that is aiding the New Orleans community.
Photo: Scientific Framework January 11, 2012
Steel girders are in place for a new $7.4 million science building on the uptown campus, the Donna and Paul Flower Hall for Research and Innovation. The 24,000-square-foot building will house labs, study rooms and offices.
Tackling the Riddle of Putting a Zebra in Your Tank January 9, 2012
Early Humans Loved Living Near Water, too January 9, 2012
The lure of waterfront property goes back a long way in human history, according to researchers. Ardipithecus ramidus, one of the earliest known ancestors of modern humans, preferred to live close to the water’s edge rather than in the interior regions of East Africa where previous research suggested the ancient hominins resided.
Chocolate-based Toothpaste Debuts January 6, 2012
As CEO and president of New Orleans-based company Theodent, Tulane alumnus Arman Sadeghpour and his partners debuted a chocolate-based toothpaste that is a safe alternative to fluoride at a news conference on Wednesday (Jan. 4).
New Toothpaste Derived from Cocoa Extract Heralds Sweet Potential for N.O. January 1, 2012
Photo By: Chris Granger,
The Times-Picayune
Article By Kimberly Quillen, The Times-Picayune
Is chocolate good for your teeth? Probably not, but a certain extract of cocoa might be. A team of university researchers in Louisiana made the discovery and used their findings to develop a new toothpaste that hits retail shelves around the country this week.
Fall 2011
Message from the Dean Winter 2011
Community engagement is an important element of the mission of any great university. At Tulane, community engagement has taken on particular significance in the wake of Hurricane Katrina as that experience has transformed the relationship between the University and the New Orleans community.
The Burk-Kleinpeter Early Career Professorship Winter 2011
With the establishment of the Burk-Kleinpeter Inc. Early Career Professorship, the School of Science and Engineering will soon add yet another bright young tenure-track scientist or engineer to its faculty — thanks to the generosity of one of the school’s most loyal and longstanding supporters.
Research into Heavy Metals Makes Social Impact Winter 2011
With her latest research highlighted in the leading scientific journal Nature, Professor Karen Johannesson is receiving wide acclaim for her important discoveries about the origin of cancer-causing toxins in the drinking water in India, but her next step will be applying those findings right in Tulane’s backyard.
Michael Drenski, Building Answers to Cutting-Edge Questions Winter 2011
While Michael Drenski’s day-to-day work as Associate Director for Instrumentation at Tulane’s PolyRMC center places him on the cuttin-edge of materials science, he credits his widely-praised talents to lessons learned growing up on a small family farm in Ohio.
Spotlight on Student Research Winter 2011
Converting newsprint to gasoline, the evolution of the strawberry poison frog, autism and red blood cells are all among the research interests that have recently drawn attention to current students in the School of Science and Engineering.
12th Annual Tulane Engineering Forum Winter 2011
The 12th Annual Tulane Engineering Forum will be held Friday, March 23, 2012, in New Orleans. Session topics this year will include infrastructure, energy, petroleum and natural gas, coastal restoration, and levee protection.
Joseph Sullivan, former S&WB leader, dies at 85 December 18, 2011
Photo By: Ted Jackson,
The Times-Picayune
Article By Katie Urbaszewski, The Times-Picayune
G. Joseph Sullivan, who was general superintendent of the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board for 36 years and led the effort to pump floodwaters out of the city after Katrina, died on Saturday. He was 85.
Hi-Tech Photos Track Amazonian Tree Loss December 15, 2011
The functioning of tropical rain forests, particularly the vast Amazonian forest, is a crucial factor for global climate, and accurately calculating deforestation is important for understanding relationships between the forest and trends in climate. Tulane ecologists monitoring tree losses in Amazonia rely on spectral images taken by Landsat satellites orbiting overhead.
When Science Becomes Art December 6, 2011
When Tulane scientists take their research and use it to generate computer art, it makes quite a creative display. The images, some colorful, others with complex graphics, illustrate research from such fields as biology, physics, genetics and engineering.
Professor Enjoys Pairing Science and Service November 16, 2011
She’s a lifelong teacher and a cheerleader for the sciences who has led service-learning courses for more than a decade. It’s no surprise that Beth Wee, whose enthusiasm inspires her students, is the 2011 recipient of the Barbara E. Moely Service Learning Teaching Award.
Tulane Leads Group to Design New Dispersants November 1, 2011
A consortium of research institutions led by Tulane University is slated to receive a $10.34 million grant from the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative to help develop new dispersants that more favorably balance effectiveness and toxicity in combating deep-sea drilling accidents.
Spiders: What’s the fear factor? October 31, 2011
Each Halloween, huge “spider webs” with hairy spider figures appear on houses, fences and trees. In the popular imagination, spiders are partners in evil with the vampires and zombies that come alive on All Hallow’s Eve. “I remember spider movies from the ’50s. In film, being attacked by a giant spider with dripping jaws is not a good thing!” says Terry Christenson, a Tulane expert on evolution of behavior in spiders.
Alumnus Has a Hauntingly Ghoulish Job October 31, 2011
Upon entering a haunted house at Halloween, you may experience the hairs on your forearms rise in anticipation of the frights ahead. Those frights are the result of months of design by individuals such as Harold Bufford, a Tulane computer engineering alumnus and owner of the New Orleans–based Dead House Designs.
Conflicting Studies Fuel Arsenic Debate October 25, 2011
Tulane EENS Professor Karen Johannesson’s arsenic research contributes to understanding the origins of groundwater arsenic contamination in South Asia.
Photos: From Space to Homecoming October 25, 2011
Students, parents and alumni give a warm welcome to alumnus and astronaut Doug Hurley during homecoming events. He was pilot of the final mission of the space shuttle Atlantis earlier this year.
Hurley talks about his experience on the shuttle mission at the Dean’s Colloquium of Newcomb-Tulane College on Thursday (Oct. 20) as part of homecoming festivities.
Zafgen Appoints Business Development Veteran Frances K. Heller to Board of Directors October 13, 2011
Ms. Heller is currently Executive Vice President of Business Development at Exelixis and has more than 15 years experience as a corporate development and legal executive. Ms. Heller has now joined Zafgen, Inc. to help advise and lead the company's business and legal division.
BME Graduate Featured in Electrical Engineering Website October 10, 2011
Jeff Crystal '96 (on the right) was the featured engineer on today's EEWeb.
Jeff is Chief Operating Officer of Voltaic Systems, which makes products that produce and store their own power to run personal electronics devices anywhere. He's had previous careers as a Consultant at McKinsey & Co., COO at NetBeans and as a Fellow at the Environmental Defense Fund.
Graduate Student Awarded Prize at HENAAC Conference October 8, 2011
Jose Martin Sosa, a BME graduate student, was awarded an $800 cash prize in the Graduate Level Math/Science Technical category for a poster presentation at the 2011 The Hispanic Engineers National Achievement Awards Corporation (HENAAC) Conference. Sosa, a student in Dr. Sergey Shevkoplyas' lab, was first author of "The relationship between measures of RBC deformability and their ability to perfuse an artificial microvascular network."
Program Awakens Young ‘Sleeping Scientists’ October 3, 2011
“This program awakened the sleeping bear of a scientist within me,” said one high school student after attending the Tulane Science Scholars Program. Designed to excite young students about science and research, the program allows them to get a jump on the college experience by attending classes at Tulane.
Researchers Track ‘Where the Mud Goes’ September 27, 2011
A major river event occurred this past spring: The Mississippi and Atchafalaya became the two largest rivers on earth. It was an extraordinary time to be a scientist who is interested in what rivers do to oceans, says Alex Kolker.
Flashy Wrens Buck Fashion Trends September 19, 2011
Tiny female wrens commonly found in gardens of Papua New Guinea are the subjects of intense scientific interest. Jenny Hazlehurst, a doctoral student in the Tulane Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, has received a National Geographic Young Explorer grant to study a specific species of fairy wren.
Candy Guedry: Building a Community Fall 2011
Out of Candy Guedry's many years working at Tulane, she says the most exciting by far have been the last four, reaching out to multiple generations of scientists and engineers to help build the identity of the School of Science and Engineering.
The Marko Family Scholarship Fall 2011
One year ago, during the School of Science and Engineering's Advisory Board reception (homecoming weekend), Bill and Marta Marko found themselves deeply and unexpectedly moved as they listened to a young Cell and Molecular Biology student describe the world of opportunity that a Tulane scholarship had opened for her.
BME Junior Chosen as Jean Danielson Memorial Scholar September 15, 2011
Angela Czesak BME ’13 has been chosen as one of three inaugural Jean Danielson Memorial Scholars. Last Summer she volunteered in Tanzania through Engineering World Health. While there, she repaired valuable medical equipment in local hospitals and received intensive language training in Swahili.
“I have loved my experiences in Africa so far,” Csezak says. “It’s a place I know I can really help out in. Why not do it where it’s needed most?”
Hard Hats September 13, 2011
On Friday (Sept. 9), Tulane University held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $7.4 million Donna and Paul Flower Hall for Research and Innovation.
Links Between Sexual Signaling, Immune-Endocrine Functions Focus of NSF Grant to IU Anthropologist September 8, 2011
Michael Muehlenbein, Assistant Professor at Indiana Bloomington Department of Anthropology, has been granted $304,000 to study rhesus macaques' health and behavior at Tulane National Primate Research Center. The study conducted will help researchers better understand the links between immune-endocrine interaction and sexual signaling in primate behavioral ecology.
University of Miami To Lead One of 8 Research Groups to Study Effects of the BP Oil Spill on Gulf of Mexico August 31, 2011
Professor Tamay Özgökmen will serve as the team’s Lead Investigator. More than $15 million has been allocated to study hydrocarbon transport as a result of the BP Oil Spill on Gulf of Mexico.
School of Science and Engineering, 201 Lindy Boggs Center, New Orleans, LA 70118 504-865-5764 sse@tulane.edu