tag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:/news-events/newsBiophysics at Notre Dame | News2024-01-05T12:32:00-05:00tag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:News/1590372024-01-05T12:32:00-05:002024-01-05T12:32:37-05:00Immeasurable Benefits<div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a"> <div dir="auto">If Schnell has a mathematician’s mind, he also has a philosopher’s heart and a theologian’s soul. He distributes a motto for the college on bookmarks: <em>Spes in caelis, pes in terris.</em> Hope in heaven, feet on earth</div>
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<div dir="auto">If Schnell has a mathematician’s mind, he also has a philosopher’s heart and a theologian’s soul. He distributes a motto for the college on bookmarks: <em>Spes in caelis, pes in terris.</em> Hope in heaven, feet on earth . . .</div>
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<div dir="auto">"As a leader, Santiago is actually showing us how to simultaneously be excellent at our individual research fields and, at the same time, move away from compartmentalization of these disciplines," says Notre Dame philosopher of science Nicholas Teh. 'In a way <a tabindex="-1"></a>that’s not just small talk or social, but in a way that actually flows from our research.'</div>
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<p><a href="https://magazine.nd.edu/stories/immeasurable-benefits/" class="btn btn-cta">Read the Notre Dame Magazine Article</a></p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Jason Kelly '95</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://science.nd.edu/news-and-media/news/immeasurable-benefits/">science.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">January 05, 2024</span>.</p>Jason Kelly '95tag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:News/1590322023-12-14T10:35:00-05:002024-01-05T12:41:04-05:00Understudied cell in the brain could be key to treating glioblastoma<p>In a <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41525-023-00381-w">new study in NPJ Genomic Medicine</a>, researchers at the University of Notre Dame have found that a largely understudied cell could offer new insight into how the aggressive, primary brain cancer is able to resist immunotherapy.</p><p>Glioblastoma is one of the most treatment-resistant cancers, with those diagnosed surviving for less than two years.</p>
<p>In a <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41525-023-00381-w">new study in NPJ Genomic Medicine</a>, researchers at the University of Notre Dame have found that a largely understudied cell could offer new insight into how the aggressive, primary brain cancer is able to resist immunotherapy.</p>
<p>“A decade ago, we didn’t even know perivascular fibroblasts existed within the brain, and not just in the lining of the skull,” said <a href="https://engineering.nd.edu/faculty/meenal-datta/">Meenal Datta</a>, assistant professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering at Notre Dame and senior author on the study. “My lab’s expertise is examining tumors from an engineering and systems-based approach and looking at the novel mechanical features in rare cancers that may have been understudied or overlooked.”</p>
<p>Using standard bioinformatics and newer AI-based approaches, Datta’s <a href="https://timelab.nd.edu/">TIME Lab</a> began analyzing different genes expressed in the tumor microenvironment related to the extracellular matrix — or the scaffolding cells create to support future cell adhesion, migration, proliferation and differentiation — and other various cell types. What they found was a surprising, fairly new cell type: perivascular fibroblasts. These fibroblasts are typically found in the blood vessels of a healthy brain and deposit collagen to maintain the structural integrity and functionality of brain vessels.</p>
<p>“It was a serendipitous discovery,” said Maksym Zarodniuk, graduate student in the TIME Lab and the bioengineering doctorate program, and first author on the study. “We started in a completely different direction and stumbled upon this population of cells by using a combination of both bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing analyses of patient tumors.”</p>
<p>In their data, researchers were able to identify two groups of patients: those with a higher proportion of perivascular fibroblasts and those with significantly less. They found that brain cancer patients with more perivascular fibroblasts in their tumors were more likely to respond poorly to immunotherapies and have poor survival outcomes.</p>
<p>When exploring how this is possible, the researchers found that perivascular fibroblasts support the creation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, allowing the cancer to better evade the immune system. The fibroblasts may also help the cancer resist therapies — such as chemotherapy that targets dividing cells — by promoting stem-like cancer cells that rarely divide, which are believed to be a major source of tumor relapse and metastasis.</p>
<p>“Moving forward, we want to do new experiments to confirm what we found in this paper and provide some good ground to start thinking about how to improve response to immunotherapy,” Zarodniuk said.</p>
<p>Because perivascular fibroblasts are a part of a healthy brain’s vasculature, Datta believes that these cells are breaking off and getting close to or infiltrating the glioblastoma tumor. However, instead of supporting healthy brain function, these fibroblasts are getting reprogrammed and helping the tumor instead.</p>
<p>“Most people think about the brain as being very soft, with soft cells and a soft matrix. But by putting down these fibroblasts and making these very fibrous proteins, it gives us an entirely different perspective on the structure of the brain and how it can be taken advantage of by cancer cells originating in the same organ,” Datta said.</p>
<p>In addition to Datta and Zarodniuk, other Notre Dame collaborators include <a href="https://acms.nd.edu/people/jun-li/">Jun Li</a>, professor of applied and computational mathematics and statistics, who developed deep learning algorithms in support of this work; <a href="https://biology.nd.edu/people/xin-lu/">Xin Lu</a>, the John M. and Mary Jo Boler Collegiate Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Notre Dame; and Xander Steele, undergraduate student in the TIME Lab and a <a href="https://engineering.nd.edu/departments-programs/grand-challenge-scholars-program/">Grand Challenges Scholar</a>.</p>
<p>Datta is an affiliated member of Notre Dame’s <a href="https://precisionhealth.nd.edu/">Berthiaume Institute for Precision Health</a>, <a href="https://globalhealth.nd.edu/">Eck Institute for Global Health</a>, <a href="https://harpercancer.nd.edu/">Harper Cancer Research Institute</a>, <a href="https://lucyinstitute.nd.edu/">Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society</a>, <a href="https://nano.nd.edu/">NDnano</a> and <a href="https://drugdiscovery.nd.edu/">Warren Center for Drug Discovery</a>. Datta is an assistant professor in the following doctorate programs: <a href="https://ame.nd.edu/graduate/phd-in-aerospace-and-mechanical-engineering/">aerospace and mechancial engineering</a>, <a href="https://bioengineering.nd.edu/">bioengineering</a> and <a href="https://mse.nd.edu/">materials science and engineering</a>.</p>
<p>This work was funded by the National Cancer Institute.</p>
<p><em><strong>Contact:</strong> Brandi Wampler, associate director of media relations, 574-631-2632, <a href="mailto:brandiwampler@nd.edu">brandiwampler@nd.edu</a></em></p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Brandi Wampler</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/understudied-cell-in-the-brain-could-be-key-to-treating-glioblastoma/">news.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">December 12, 2023</span>.</p>Brandi Wamplertag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:News/1590382023-12-14T10:30:00-05:002024-01-05T12:39:27-05:00Too much like us? Researchers uncover key reason a promising cancer therapy is often unsuccessful<p>Neoantigens, which are molecules found on tumor cells that incorporate mutations, help our immune system fight cancers and could be the most promising components of future cancer vaccines—if only scientists knew with a high degree of certainty which neoantigens work.</p> <p>A collaboration of scientists…</p><p>Neoantigens, which are molecules found on tumor cells that incorporate mutations, help our immune system fight cancers and could be the most promising components of future cancer vaccines—if only scientists knew with a high degree of certainty which neoantigens work.</p>
<p>A collaboration of scientists led by <a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/people/brian-baker/">Brian Baker</a>, Coleman Professor of Life Sciences in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame, successfully identified features of different neoantigens and discovered why most don’t yield anti-cancer immune responses even when they are expected to: They look and act too much like us.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2312057120">Results from his recent paper</a> were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.</p>
<p>“One of the routes that we've taken this paper, which surprisingly much of the field has ignored, comes back to basic biology: Your immune system is trained to ignore you,” said Baker, who is affiliated with the <a href="https://harpercancer.nd.edu/">Harper Cancer Research Institute</a> at the University of Notre Dame. “So what we did is a simple thing: We started with the basic question of, what is a neoantigen’s difference from ‘self’?”</p>
<p>Human T cells are part of our immune system, and attack cells infected by intruders like viruses or bacteria. T cells recognize foreign antigens found on diseased cell surfaces—the “non-self.” They also will attack transplanted organs and tissues because those are also non-self. Cancerous cells are also diseased, but the neoantigens on cancer cells are often too much like ourselves to alert our T cells to take action against them. It’s one reason that, once established, cancer can spread unchecked. However, successful neoantigens can lead to natural anti-cancer immune responses, or serve as the basis for future cancer vaccines.</p>
<p>To determine which neoantigens that T cells might successfully target, clinicians sequence a patient’s tumor genome and compare that to the wild type genome, which is the genome as it appears in nature, Baker said. They might find many mutations and use a variety of tools to predict which neoantigens are the most optimal. Unfortunately, T cells target very few of the many hundreds to thousands of neoantigens that are present. The prediction tools in general perform poorly at identifying these, Baker said, so most neoantigens that are identified don’t lead to tumor killing. </p>
<p>“That’s where the field has been stuck,” he said. “How do you go from these big lists of all the mutations that are present to find those rare neoantigens that are actually any good at eliciting anti-tumor immune responses?” he said.</p>
<p>To reach a potential solution, Baker’s lab examined different neoantigens from mouse models of cancer. Prior work had identified all neoantigens from the mouse tumors, and the researchers decided to study three in more detail, including an inactive neoantigen, a moderately active neoantigen, and a highly active neoantigen that protected against cancer growth in all mice studied. Previous work had identified these, but researchers didn't know how or why the different antigens acted the way they did.</p>
<p>“We learned a variety of things, but the underlying theme was that neoantigen activity was best understood when we compared each neoantigen to its wild-type, self counterpart. The active neoantigens were different from self in various ways, whereas the inactive neoantigen, despite containing a mutation, was almost indistinguishable from self,” Baker said. “So it's the kind of mutation, and how it distinguishes the neoantigen from its self counterpart that seems to play a large role.”</p>
<p>Additionally, neoantigen activity was associated with differences that are linked to T cell recognition.</p>
<p>“Many current algorithms, or prediction approaches, would have selected the inactive neoantigen,” Baker said. “But again, most approaches are not considering something: These neoantigens are not different enough from self.”</p>
<p>The reason this hadn’t been discovered before is because neoantigens from cancer cells work differently than how antigens from viruses or other pathogens work, Baker said. T cells are not tolerized to viruses like they are to our own tissues and cells, of which tumors are derived from.</p>
<p>“These results will have an immediate impact on building and refining new classes of immunotherapies for cancer patients. In particular, these data will aid in prioritizing which neoantigens to include in personalized cancer vaccines,” said <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/christopher-klebanoff">Dr. Christopher A. Klebanoff, </a>associate member and attending physician, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City<strong> </strong>and one of the world’s experts in the field of cancer immunotherapy.</p>
<p>Next steps would be to test the findings in more detail. If supported, the results could be incorporated into new prediction tools, and impact the decisions on which neoantigens that clinicians would use to develop a personalized medicine plan, Baker said.</p>
<p>In addition to Baker, other researchers involved in the work include; postdoctoral fellows Jean Custodio and Chad Brambley; research assistant professor Cory Ayres; graduate students Tatiana Rosales and Grant Keller; and undergraduate students Alyssa Arbuiso and Lauren Landau. The other researcher, Dr. Pramod Srivastava, collaborated from the University of Connecticut, where he is a professor in the Department of Immunology and the Eversource Energy Chair in Experimental Oncology.</p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Deanna Csomo Ferrell</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://science.nd.edu/news-and-media/news/too-much-like-us-researchers-uncover-key-reason-a-promising-cancer-therapy-is-often-unsuccessful/">science.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">December 12, 2023</span>.</p>Deanna Csomo Ferrelltag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:News/1582752023-11-08T14:02:00-05:002023-11-27T14:04:11-05:00Looking back in time: Saurja DasGupta investigates the origins of life on Earth<p>Saurja DasGupta, <a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/people/saurja-dasgupta/">assistant professor</a> in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, attempts to pull back the curtain on four-plus billion years of history to investigate the origins of life itself.</p><p>Saurja DasGupta, <a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/people/saurja-dasgupta/">assistant professor</a> in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, attempts to pull back the curtain on four-plus billion years of history to investigate the origins of life itself.</p>
<p>“My lab is interested in studying RNA structure, function, and evolution, and how they relate to each other,” said DasGupta, who will start at Notre Dame in January 2024 after completing his postdoc at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Center of Computational and Integrative Biology. “But more specifically, my lab has this really ambitious goal, which is to understand how life emerged on Earth.”</p>
<p>Although most probably know RNA from its famous role in the latest COVID-19 vaccines, DasGupta investigates some of its other, less heralded, functions. Specifically, RNA can carry out biological processes as enzymes in addition to carrying genetic information — which makes it a promising candidate for running the biology of the earliest living cells on Earth. DasGupta’s research, meanwhile, replicates conditions found on the early Earth to see how RNA molecules could have laid the foundation of life.</p>
<p>“We recreate the crime scene, so to speak,” DasGupta said. “We try to assemble non-living matter, or chemicals that would have been present on the early Earth, and mix them in the correct order to create models of primordial cells that would behave in a lifelike manner.”</p>
<p>This field of study was an easy choice for DasGupta, who has always been interested in the origins of things. His interest developed through studying biology and chemistry in college, but didn’t really crystallize until he read Richard Dawkins’ “The Selfish Gene,” which revealed to him evolution’s power to make extremely complex things from humble beginnings. He thinks that his line of work is one of the most fascinating fields a scientist can study.</p>
<p>“When people…ask you what you work on, it’s a very easy answer,” said DasGupta. “You can always tell them, ‘Look, I want to create life in the lab.’ ”</p>
<p>The origins of life may be a difficult topic for many to tackle, but DasGupta believes that Notre Dame is the optimal place for him to carry out his research. To him, the University’s biggest selling point was its size – small enough to still contain a close-knit community that could collaborate easily, but still big enough to have all the scientific infrastructure that he needed to do his work. Additionally, he described how Notre Dame’s campus and its dedication to investigating fundamental truths impressed him immediately.</p>
<p>“I really fell in love with the beautiful campus, even though it was winter,” DasGupta said. “Here you have this feeling…that you can really pursue intellectual questions on campus. Notre Dame has this tradition of going after really foundational questions in science and philosophy.”</p>
<p>Even though his career is still young, DasGupta has already received several honors and awards for his work, such as a fellowship with the Sigma Xi honor society. He was also named as a finalist in iBiology’s Young Scientist Series.</p>
<p>While not tackling questions on the origins of life, DasGupta described how he likes to write both science articles and songs — which he believes makes him a more effective communicator.</p>
<p>“It gives me a lot of satisfaction and fulfillment,” he said. “And I think all of this has influenced my science in a good way.”</p>
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<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">John LeSage</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://science.nd.edu/news-and-media/news/looking-back-in-time-saurja-dasgupta-investigates-the-origins-of-life-on-earth/">science.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">October 25, 2023</span>.</p>John LeSagetag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:News/1571362023-10-10T13:28:00-04:002023-10-10T13:28:46-04:00Schnell receives SACNAS Distinguished Scientist Award<p>Santiago Schnell, the William K. Warren Foundation Dean of the College of Science, will receive the <a href="https://www.sacnas.org/diversity-news/sacnas-2023ndistem-distinguished-awardees?hsCtaTracking=67cbaabc-70e2-46fe-8d5f-94b2cb472710%7C264b394a-216d-42c7-82c8-b0f4c1d309f6">Distinguished Scientist</a>…</p><p>Santiago Schnell, the William K. Warren Foundation Dean of the College of Science, will receive the <a href="https://www.sacnas.org/diversity-news/sacnas-2023ndistem-distinguished-awardees?hsCtaTracking=67cbaabc-70e2-46fe-8d5f-94b2cb472710%7C264b394a-216d-42c7-82c8-b0f4c1d309f6">Distinguished Scientist Award</a> from the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (<a href="http://sacnas.org/">SACNAS</a>) at its National Diversity in STEM Conference in Portland, Oregon, on October 28, 2023.</p>
<p>The SACNAS Distinguished Scientist Award, initiated in 1997, honors the highest levels of excellence in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics research field.</p>
<p>Schnell is internationally renowned for his pioneering research, which has significantly advanced our quantitative understanding of enzyme-catalyzed reactions. His most notable achievement is the formulation of the Schnell-Mendoza equation, a streamlined method for determining the physical constants of enzymes in both basic science and clinical laboratories. Furthermore, he has made significant contributions to the foundational enzymological quantitative model of the Polymerase Chain Reaction, an indispensable technique in the fields of life sciences, medical diagnostics, and forensic science.</p>
<p>Schnell earned his bachelor's degree in biology from Venezuela before completing his doctoral studies in mathematical biology at the University of Oxford in 2002. Subsequently, he secured two prestigious research fellowships at the same institution before taking an assistant professorship at Indiana University in 2004. Santiago was appointed associate professor in the Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology of the University of Michigan Medical School in 2018. He was promoted to full professor in 2015, followed by his appointment as department chair of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, a role he held from 2017 to 2021. Notably, in 2021, Santiago was appointed the William K. Warren Foundation Dean of the College of Science at the University of Notre Dame.</p>
<p>Throughout his career, Schnell has garnered numerous accolades for his research and teaching endeavors. These include the Arthur Winfree Prize and the Emerging Leader in Health and Medicine Award bestowed by the US National Academy of Medicine. His distinguished status is underscored by his membership as a fellow of the Society for Mathematical Biology, the Royal Society of Biology, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.</p>
<p>Since the SACNAS Distinguished Awards program has honored <a href="https://www.sacnas.org/honor-excellence/archive">over 130 scientists, mentors, educators, and program directors</a> for their commitment to and personification of the spirit of the SACNAS mission: to foster the success of Chicano/Hispanic and Native American scientist—from college students to professionals—in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM.</p>
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<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Tammi Freehling</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://science.nd.edu/news-and-media/news/schnell-receives-sacnas-distinguished-scientist-award/">science.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">October 06, 2023</span>.</p>Tammi Freehlingtag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:News/1571382023-10-03T13:31:00-04:002023-10-10T13:31:17-04:00Schnell joins inaugural statewide rare disease advisory council<p><a href="https://science.nd.edu/about/office-of-the-dean/santiago-schnell/">Santiago Schnell, William K. Warren Foundation Dean of the College of Science at the University of Notre Dame,</a> has been appointed to a new statewide advisory council to explore new directions for assisting patients with…</p><p><a href="https://science.nd.edu/about/office-of-the-dean/santiago-schnell/">Santiago Schnell, William K. Warren Foundation Dean of the College of Science at the University of Notre Dame,</a> has been appointed to a new statewide advisory council to explore new directions for assisting patients with rare diseases in Indiana.</p>
<p>The 12-person advisory council, formed by the Indiana General Assembly in 2023, will conduct public meetings to survey the needs of patients with rare diseases, then will make recommendations for connecting patients to specialists, affordable and comprehensive health care coverage, diagnostics, treatments and other needed services.</p>
<p>“This signifies Notre Dame’s leadership in finding solutions for rare diseases, which rarely receive the funding and attention required to find therapies and potential cures,” said Schnell, who is the interim director of the Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases. “I look forward to collaborating with the other committee members.”</p>
<p>Rare diseases in the United States are classified as those in which fewer than one in 1,500 people are affected. Each disease affects fewer than 200,000 people in the country, and about 30 million people have a disorder classified as a rare disease. Of the 7,000 rare diseases identified, only five percent have some type of therapy.</p>
<p>The committee’s first responsibility will be to examine and make recommendations for pediatric cancers. Each year, about 16,000 younger than 20 will develop cancer, and 400 of those children and young people are Indiana residents. In contrast, 1.9 million adults will be diagnosed with cancer annually.</p>
<p>The committee, hosted by the Indiana Department of Health, will meet at least monthly until September 2024. After next year the committee will convene at least quarterly.<strong id="docs-internal-guid-9c138cb1-7fff-df9c-26cd-43988a39645f"><br></strong></p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Deanna Csomo Ferrell</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://science.nd.edu/news-and-media/news/schnell-joins-inaugural-statewide-rare-disease-advisory-council/">science.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">September 29, 2023</span>.</p>Deanna Csomo Ferrelltag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:News/1559932023-09-06T13:01:00-04:002023-09-07T17:03:07-04:00Notre Dame tops $200 million in annual research funding for third straight year<p>During fiscal year 2023, the University of Notre Dame received nearly $216 million in new research award funding, topping $200 million for the third year in a row.</p>
<p>This total includes 824 separate awards, the largest number the University has ever received.</p><p>During fiscal year 2023, the University of Notre Dame received nearly $216 million in new research award funding, topping $200 million for the third year in a row.</p>
<p>This total includes 824 separate awards, the largest number the University has ever received.</p>
<p><a href="https://research.nd.edu/people/jeffrey-rhoads/">Jeffrey F. Rhoads</a>, vice president for research and professor in the <a href="https://ame.nd.edu/">Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering</a>, said, “We are grateful to all of the agencies, foundations, industry partners and others who have supported research at the University — research that is not only leading to new discoveries, but is helping to create a safer, healthier, more sustainable and more equitable world.”</p>
<p>Rhoads added, “Credit ultimately belongs to the dedicated Notre Dame faculty members and students who received the awards and are committed to using every dollar to have the greatest possible impact.”</p>
<p>A few highlights from across the University include the following:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;"><strong><em>Using data to feed the world</em></strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">The largest new award to a research institute was to the <a href="https://lucyinstitute.nd.edu/">Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society</a>. The award of nearly $5 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will support a collaborative effort to create evidence-based approaches to agriculture and help alleviate global hunger.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">Learn more about this project <a href="https://research.nd.edu/news-and-events/news/using-data-to-feed-the-world/">here</a>.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;"><strong><em>Theological education for a new generation</em></strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">Nearly $8 million went to the <a href="https://theology.nd.edu/">Department of Theology</a> within the <a href="https://al.nd.edu/">College of Arts and Letters</a>. The funding, which comes from Lilly Endowment Inc., will support <a href="https://haciendocaminos.nd.edu/">Haciendo Caminos</a>, a new partnership of 18 Catholic graduate schools of theology that seeks to identify and form the next generation of U.S. Latino/Latina Catholics. The program brings together Catholic institutions of higher education, advocates and other entities in the wider Church to expand opportunities for U.S.-born or U.S.-raised Hispanic students to enroll and flourish in graduate programs of theological and ministerial formation.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">Learn more about this project <a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/lilly-endowment-makes-7-9-million-grant-to-help-notre-dame-and-boston-college-grow-us-hispanic-catholic-pastoral-leaders/">here</a>.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;"><strong><em>Solving the mystery of blood vessel formation</em></strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">An award of $1.5 million from the National Science Foundation went to the Department of <a href="https://ame.nd.edu/">Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering</a> in the College of Engineering. The award will support a new platform for discovering how stem cells differentiate and form patterned blood vessels. Solving this mystery could lead to improved implantable tissues and organs.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;"><strong><em>Machine learning to predict chemical reactions</em></strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">The National Science Foundation will fund the <a href="https://ccas.nd.edu/">Center for Computer Assisted Synthesis (C-CAS)</a> in the <a href="https://science.nd.edu/">College of Science</a> with $4 million per year, initially for five years. Led by Notre Dame, 21 researchers at 14 universities will use machine learning to discover new chemical reactions at C-CAS. C-CAS also works with 18 partners from the chemical and pharmaceutical industry to apply its predictive methods to the synthesis of new pharmaceuticals and materials. More than 80 students and postdoctoral fellows in C-CAS will receive training in the emerging field of data chemistry. They will also work with the public to discuss the rapidly increasing use of artificial intelligence in science.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;"><strong><em>Serving as a trusted partner in the peace process</em></strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">Within the <a href="https://keough.nd.edu/">Keough School of Global Affairs</a>, the <a href="https://kroc.nd.edu/">Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies</a> received $600,000 from Humanity United to support its <a href="https://peaceaccords.nd.edu/barometer">Barometer Initiative</a>, which works in real time to monitor and support the implementation of Colombia’s historic 2016 Peace Accord.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">Learn more about this project <a href="https://magazine.nd.edu/stories/peace-can-happen/">here</a>.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;"><strong><em>Training ethical business leaders</em></strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">In the <a href="https://mendoza.nd.edu/">Mendoza College of Business</a>, $80,000 in new funding from the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation will help support a new undergraduate <a href="https://businesshonorsprogram.nd.edu/">Business Honors Program</a>. The program will help students take a deep look at the moral purpose of business and how it can contribute to human flourishing.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;"><strong><em>Building for sustainability</em></strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">The <a href="https://architecture.nd.edu/">School of Architecture</a> received $225,000 — part of a total $20 million production grant — from the U.S. Department of Energy. The funding will support the development and manufacturing of a super wood siding that sequesters carbon, reduces emissions and is resilient to climate change.</p>
<p>The largest portion of the new funding — nearly $120 million — came from federal agencies. The largest single sponsor was the National Science Foundation, which contributed nearly $43 million to research at Notre Dame. Another $38 million came from private foundations, while $24 million came from industry partners and the remainder came from other non-federal sources.</p>
<p>In addition to increasing its number of funded projects, the University expanded its global footprint. Of the new funding, nearly $38 million across 49 awards will support international research. In total, Notre Dame researchers are now conducting projects in 62 different countries around the world.</p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Brett Beasley</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/notre-dame-tops-200-million-in-annual-research-funding-for-third-straight-year/">news.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">September 05, 2023</span>.</p>Brett Beasleytag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:News/1554272023-08-30T11:38:00-04:002023-08-30T11:38:04-04:00Fighting Irish, Fighting Cancer: University of Galway signs a cancer research agreement with the University of Notre Dame<p>Cancer researchers at the University of Galway and Notre Dame’s Harper Cancer Research Institute have come together to establish the <a href="https://kylemore.nd.edu/research/cancer-research-biseach-initiative/"><em>Biseach Initiative</em></a>, a strategic cancer research collaboration, which aims…</p><p>Cancer researchers at the University of Galway and Notre Dame’s Harper Cancer Research Institute have come together to establish the <a href="https://kylemore.nd.edu/research/cancer-research-biseach-initiative/"><em>Biseach Initiative</em></a>, a strategic cancer research collaboration, which aims to build on the ideas, talent, and infrastructure of both Universities for global cancer impact.</p>
<figure class="image-right"><img src="https://harpercancer.nd.edu/assets/528681/largebiseach_2406.jpg" alt="Largebiseach 2406" width="600" height="252"></figure>
<p>Thousands of Notre Dame alumni and fans are visiting Ireland this week for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Notre Dame and US Navy. With a tagline of “Much more than a Game”, the event aims to strengthen existing relationships and form new ones between Ireland and the US. It is fitting then that this week Professor M. Sharon Stack, Director of the University of Notre Dame Harper Cancer Research Institute, and Professor Michael Kerin, Director of the Saolta-University of Galway Cancer Centre signed a memorandum of understanding at University of Galway to build interdisciplinary cancer research collaborations and strengthen links between both institutions through student and faculty exchange programmes.</p>
<p>To date there have been collaborative successes with joint <em>Naughton Fellowships</em> in the areas of bone metastasis and kidney cancer. Further research collaborations are planned with researchers in the Lambe Institute, Centre for Chromosome Biology, and the Apoptosis Research Centre at University of Galway. Notre Dame undergraduates are hosted annually by research academics in the Colleges of Science and Engineering, and Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, as part of the <em>Study Abroad in Galway</em> Programme. These students help to form a collaborative bridge between both institutions.</p>
<p><em>“ We know research cures cancer and we are stronger together. There is a wealth of scientific and clinical research expertise at the Harper Cancer Research Institute and University of Galway. The Biseach Initiative, enabled by the Notre Dame Kylemore Global Centre, harnesses the appetite for collaboration, to further translational cancer research and provide educational and development opportunities for our students and research leaders.” <br></em><strong><em>Professor M. Sharon Stack</em></strong><em>, Director, University of Notre Dame Harper Cancer Research Institute</em></p>
<p><em>“</em><em>The west and northwest of Ireland have some of the worst outcomes from cancer nationally. We aim to change this by developing a comprehensive, research-led cancer centre for our region. This research collaboration with the University of Notre Dame will allow us to make a real difference to cancer outcomes.”<br><strong>Professor Michael Kerin</strong></em>, Director, Saolta-University of Galway Cancer Centre</p>
<p><em>“The Kylemore Global Centre situated in the heart of Connemara is a place where the University of Notre Dame engages with the landscape and the wider Irish community in meaningful and authentic ways. Together with our local partners such as the University of Galway - we strive to provide multi-disciplinary programming for leaders, thinkers, and creators with a focus on advancing research, forming community, and nourishing collaborations such as the Biseach Initiative.”<br><strong><cite>Lisa Caulfield, </cite></strong></em><cite><em><strong>Director</strong></em>, University of Notre Dame Global Centre at Kylemore</cite></p>
<p>The Biseach Initiative began in 2019 when a delegation from the Harper Cancer Research Institute visited University of Galway. Students and academics from both Universities have visited each other to develop the collaboration, supported by the University of Galway International Office and the Notre Dame Kylemore Abbey Global Centre. In 2021 both Universities hosted online research symposia, and this was followed up by a cancer research retreat at the Kylemore Global Centre in 2022.</p>
<p><cite> </cite></p>
<p><strong>Further Information:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Biseach Initiative</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://cancer-centre-galway.shorthandstories.com/biseach/index.html#article">https://cancer-centre-galway.shorthandstories.com/biseach/index.html#article</a></p>
<p><a href="https://harpercancer.nd.edu/research-programs/">https://harpercancer.nd.edu/research-programs/</a></p>
<ul>
<li>Study Abroad Programme</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLNjRgJujKI">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLNjRgJujKI</a></p>
<ul>
<li>Kylemore Global Centre</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://kylemore.nd.edu/research/cancer-research-biseach-initiative/">https://kylemore.nd.edu/research/cancer-research-biseach-initiative/</a></p>
<ul>
<li>University of Galway Cancer Centre</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.universityofgalway.ie/cancercentre/">https://www.universityofgalway.ie/cancercentre/</a></p>
<ul>
<li>College Football Classic</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/fighting-irish-come-home-to-dublin-for-aer-lingus-college-football-classic/">https://news.nd.edu/news/fighting-irish-come-home-to-dublin-for-aer-lingus-college-football-classic/</a></p>
<p><strong><br>Photos:<br></strong><strong>Credit - Martina Regan Photography</strong></p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Emer Hennessy</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://harpercancer.nd.edu/news-events/news/fighting-irish-fighting-cancer-university-of-galway-signs-a-cancer-research-agreement-with-the-university-of-notre-dame-2/">harpercancer.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">August 25, 2023</span>.</p>Emer Hennessytag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:News/1552582023-08-23T10:32:00-04:002023-08-23T10:33:00-04:00Holly Goodson Elected as Fellow of The American Society for Cell Biology<p><a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/faculty/holly-goodson/">Holly Goodson</a>, Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, has been selected as a <a href="https://www.ascb.org/society-news/nineteen-distinguished-scientists-recognized-as-2023-ascb-fellows/">Fellow of The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB)</a>. She joins 18 other distinguished scientists from across the globe in the 2023 cohort of fellows. Her formal recognition will take place in Boston later this year at Cell Bio 2023, the joint meeting of the ASCB and the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO).</p><figure class="image-right"><img src="https://chemistry.nd.edu/assets/528173/300x/goodsonnews.jpg" alt="Goodsonnews" width="300" height="375">
<figcaption>Holly Goodson</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/faculty/holly-goodson/">Holly Goodson</a>, Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, has been selected as a <a href="https://www.ascb.org/society-news/nineteen-distinguished-scientists-recognized-as-2023-ascb-fellows/">Fellow of The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB)</a>. She joins 18 other distinguished scientists from across the globe in the 2023 cohort of fellows. Her formal recognition will take place in Boston later this year at Cell Bio 2023, the joint meeting of the ASCB and the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO).</p>
<p>Goodson commented that she “is honored to be included in this notable group of scientists. I have long been inspired by the combined breadth and depth of both scientific questions and perspectives exhibited through the ASCB.”</p>
<p>Goodson’s research centers on biological self-organization, focusing on the microtubule cytoskeleton. The cytoskeleton is the structure that helps cells maintain their shape and internal organization, while also providing mechanical support. It is composed of multiple types of filamentous proteins, the largest of which are microtubules. Microtubules organize the cell’s cytoplasm, pull chromosomes apart at mitosis, and direct intracellular transport. Goodson uses a multifaceted approach to determine how the microtubules assemble, what governs their turnover, and how they interact with other parts of the cell. One of the key areas of focus in her lab is the development, alongside collaborators in applied mathematics, of agent-based computational models. These models have allowed Goodson to make connections across dimensional scales, a task that is very difficult to do with experiments alone, that show how kinetic characteristics of the subunits impact such parameters as stability and population level changes linked to disease states and abnormal cell functions.</p>
<p>Beyond research, Goodson serves the ASCB in advocating for sound research policies, currently as the Chair of the ASCB Public Policy Committee. Working with the ASCB Public Policy Director, she organizes and directs the work of the committee, which includes drafting and providing policy advice to Congress, the National Institutes of Health, and other pertinent organizations. She also broadly serves the cell biology community through educational initiatives, such as co-founding and leading the <a href="https://ibms.nd.edu/">Integrated Biomedical Sciences</a> Ph.D. program at Notre Dame, co-directing an NIH funded post-baccalaureate program (<a href="https://graduateschool.nd.edu/degree-programs/nd-prep-prep---grad-school-prep/">ND-PREP</a>) to prepare researchers from under-represented groups for biomedical Ph.D. programs, providing summer research opportunities and support for high school teachers, and serving as the Science Director for the <a href="https://glynnhonors.nd.edu/">Glynn Family Honors Program</a>.</p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Rebecca Hicks</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/news/holly-goodson-elected-as-fellow-of-the-american-society-for-cell-biology/">chemistry.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">August 23, 2023</span>.</p>Rebecca Hickstag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:News/1546212023-07-14T13:30:00-04:002023-07-17T17:32:53-04:00Seven Notre Dame faculty receive Early Career Awards from the National Science Foundation<p>During the 2022-2023 academic year, seven researchers at the University of Notre Dame received prestigious early career awards from the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/">National Science Foundation (NSF)</a>.</p> <p>The <a href="https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/faculty-early-career-development-program-career">Early</a>…</p><p>During the 2022-2023 academic year, seven researchers at the University of Notre Dame received prestigious early career awards from the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/">National Science Foundation (NSF)</a>.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/faculty-early-career-development-program-career">Early Career Development (CAREER) awards</a> provide support to early career faculty members who exhibit the potential to “serve as academic role models” and “lead advances in the mission of their department or organization.” Since 2014, Notre Dame faculty have earned 68 of these nationally competitive awards.</p>
<p>Each awardee receives at least half a million dollars in funding over five years to support innovative research. Through their projects, awardees “build a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research.”</p>
<p>“These seven faculty members help highlight the bright future of Notre Dame Research. Each investigator will play an important role in shaping the direction of their field,” said <a href="https://research.nd.edu/people/jeffrey-rhoads/">Jeffrey Rhoads</a>, vice president for research and professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering. “We congratulate them on this awesome achievement and sincerely thank the National Science Foundation for recognizing them and supporting their work.”</p>
<p>Below are the awardees who made this year’s list:</p>
<p><a href="https://engineering.nd.edu/faculty/paola-crippa/">Paola Crippa</a>, an assistant professor in the <a href="https://ceees.nd.edu/">Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences</a> with a joint appointment in the <a href="https://acms.nd.edu/">Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics</a>, will develop a new modeling framework to improve predictions of atmospheric processes and events with high societal impacts. Crippa’s framework will integrate numerical simulations with data from field experiments to better understand how atmospheric conditions vary over smaller distances and shorter time intervals than existing models can capture. Crippa will also develop new course materials, including atmospheric science lesson plan kits to support education in local elementary and middle schools.</p>
<p><a href="https://engineering.nd.edu/faculty/adam-czajka/">Adam Czajka</a>, an associate professor in the <a href="https://cse.nd.edu/">Department of Computer Science and Engineering</a>, will conduct research on biometric recognition technologies. Computers often use biometric data—sensing a user’s voice, eyes, or face—to confirm a user’s identity. However, these systems do not always generalize well to attack types never seen during training. Czajka’s project seeks to improve their ability to detect unknown forms of fraudulent data using human-machine cooperation. Czajka will also develop an educational program to help K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students learn about biometric technologies and the ethics and security questions they raise.</p>
<p><a href="https://physics.nd.edu/people/yi-ting-hsu/">Yi-Ting Hsu</a>, an assistant professor in the <a href="https://physics.nd.edu/">Department of Physics & Astronomy</a>, will focus on theory-guided material design for topological superconductivity. These exotic quantum materials conduct electrical currents with zero resistance and are candidates for error-free quantum computation platforms. Hsu will develop a material-designing framework that integrates mathematical theory, machine learning techniques, and numerical analyses, focusing on few-layer Van der Waals materials. Hsu will launch a public multimedia channel to provide answers in toddler friendly language to physics-related questions children ask. Hsu will also form support groups for female students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty who are of child-bearing age, are expecting, or have children in the South Bend area.</p>
<p><a href="https://math.nd.edu/people/faculty/felix-janda/">Felix Janda</a>, an assistant professor in the <a href="https://math.nd.edu/">Department of Mathematics</a>, will work toward solving several difficult mathematical problems inspired by string theory. Janda will develop two techniques for counting curves in geometric spaces to rigorously prove mathematical predictions arising from string theorists’ efforts to model the universe. Janda will also organize a yearly workshop for graduate students along with other events aimed at countering stereotypes within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.</p>
<p><a href="https://engineering.nd.edu/faculty/jonathan-macart/">Jonathan MacArt</a>, an assistant professor in the <a href="https://ame.nd.edu/">Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering</a>, will create a mathematical and software framework to help develop high-efficiency, low-emission engines. MacArt’s software will improve combustor modeling and design with the aim of more cleanly utilizing limited energy resources. MacArt will also organize a summer symposium on data and modeling for turbulent combustion as well as a high-school program to stimulate interest in energy science among a diverse group of students.</p>
<p><a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/people/arnaldo-serrano/">Arnaldo Serrano</a>, an assistant professor in the <a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/">Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry</a>, will focus on understanding protein structures. By developing new spectroscopic tools, Serrano will shed light on how proteins—including toxic, disease-causing proteins—fold and separate. Serrano will also create an open-source web-based chemical kinetics software platform for undergraduate students.</p>
<p><a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/people/katharine-white/">Katharine White</a>, the Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of <a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/">Chemistry & Biochemistry</a>, will examine how proteins sense changes in pH (acidity or basicity) within cells. White will use new tools developed in her lab to manipulate the pH within single cells to understand the molecular mechanisms that drive pH sensitive cell biology. White will also create activity-based learning modules for use in middle school classrooms, working initially with Edison Intermediate, a local middle school.</p>
<p>The NSF selects CAREER projects based not only on their intellectual merit but also “<a href="https://cbi.nd.edu">broader impacts</a>,” or benefits to society, which might include efforts to make research more inclusive, to educate the public about key topics, or to develop a diverse, well-trained workforce.</p>
<p><a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/people/patricia-l-clark/">Patricia Clark</a>, associate vice president for research and the O’Hara Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, noted that broader impacts align well with Notre Dame’s mission.</p>
<p>“Researchers at Notre Dame make new discoveries not just to advance a scholarly conversation but also to contribute to the common good. Broader impacts projects serve as a prime example,” Clark said, “and through Notre Dame Research’s <a href="https://research.nd.edu/our-services/research-development/">Proposal Development Team</a> and our new <a href="https://cbi.nd.edu">Center for Broader Impacts</a>, all faculty members have a world-class support system available to help them brainstorm these projects, identify campus and community partners with similar interests, and measure the social impact of this work.”</p>
<p>Established in 1995, NSF CAREER awards currently support 34 active research projects at the University of Notre Dame. To learn more, please visit <a href="https://beta.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/faculty-early-career-development-program-career">https://beta.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/faculty-early-career-development-program-career</a>.</p>
<hr>
<p>Contact:</p>
<p>Brett Beasley / Writer and Editorial Program Manager</p>
<p>Notre Dame Research / University of Notre Dame</p>
<p>bbeasle1@nd.edu / 574.631.8183</p>
<p>research.nd.edu / @UNDResearch</p>
<p>About Notre Dame Research:</p>
<p>The University of Notre Dame is a private research and teaching university inspired by its Catholic mission. Located in South Bend, Indiana, its researchers are advancing human understanding through research, scholarship, education, and creative endeavor in order to be a repository for knowledge and a powerful means for doing good in the world. For more information, please see research.nd.edu or @UNDResearch.</p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Brett Beasley</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://research.nd.edu/news-and-events/news/seven-notre-dame-faculty-receive-early-career-awards-from-the-national-science-foundation/">research.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">July 12, 2023</span>.</p>Brett Beasleytag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:News/1546202023-07-13T14:30:00-04:002023-07-17T17:23:07-04:00Champion appointed Associate Dean; Gezelter and Kolberg receive promotions<p>Patricia A. Champion, Ph.D., has been appointed the next Associate Dean for Research, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies effective July 1, 2023. She replaces Michael Hildreth, who transitions to his<a href="https://science.nd.edu/news-and-media/news/physicist-michael-hildreth-appointed-vice-president-associate-provost-and-dean-of-notre-dames-graduate-school/"></a>…</p><p>Patricia A. Champion, Ph.D., has been appointed the next Associate Dean for Research, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies effective July 1, 2023. She replaces Michael Hildreth, who transitions to his<a href="https://science.nd.edu/news-and-media/news/physicist-michael-hildreth-appointed-vice-president-associate-provost-and-dean-of-notre-dames-graduate-school/"> new role</a> as vice president, associate provost and dean of the <a href="https://graduateschool.nd.edu/">Graduate School</a> after seven years of leadership in the Office of the Dean.</p>
<p>“I am excited about taking on this new role in the College of Science,” says Champion. “I am looking forward to continuing my work with the postdoctoral scholars, as well as contributing to the graduate programs, and the research enterprise.”</p>
<p>“Dr. Champion has demonstrated excellence in her career at Notre Dame,” says Santiago Schnell, the William K. Warren Foundation Dean. “She is respected by peers, postdoctoral fellows, and students alike. She has a thriving research lab. She is ready to take on this new challenge to elevate our research and postgraduate training programs to the next level.”</p>
<p>Building upon the exemplary contributions of Michael Hildreth, who graciously served as Interim Dean during the pandemic, Champion is focused on oversight of both the postdoctoral fellows and the graduate student programs in the college, oversight of the research enterprise in the college, and strategic planning.</p>
<p>A microbiologist, Champion’s research interests focus on how mycobacteria cause disease, including Tuberculosis. In particular she is interested in how these pathogens modify and transport proteins across cellular membranes. Ultimately, her research seeks to provide a basic understanding of mycobacterial biology which could result in workable strategies to fight disease. </p>
<p>Champion earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Carnegie Mellon University in 1998, and a Doctoral Degree in Molecular Biology from Princeton University in 2003. She was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California San Francisco. Champion joined the Department of Biological Sciences in 2009 as an assistant professor. She was promoted to associate professor in 2015 and the rank of professor in 2021. She was elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2022. In 2023, Champion received the <a href="https://graduateschool.nd.edu/policies-forms/graduation/graduate-school-awards/burns-award/past-winners-burns-award/">Burns C.S.C. Award</a> for Sustained Mentoring from The Graduate School. Since 2022, Champion has served as Director of Postdoctoral Studies in the College of Science.</p>
<p>Other faculty promotions in the College of Science Office of the Dean include Dan Gezelter to Senior Associate Dean for Education and Undergraduate Programs and Kathleen Kolberg to Associate Dean for Advising and Academic Affairs. </p>
<p> </p>
<figure class="image-left"><img src="https://science.nd.edu/assets/478825/300x300/600x600_dan.jpg" alt="Dan Gezelter" width="300" height="300"></figure>
<figure class="image-default"><img src="https://science.nd.edu/assets/478831/300x300/600x600_kathleen.jpg" alt="Kathleen Kolberg" width="300" height="300"></figure>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Tammi Freehling</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://science.nd.edu/news-and-media/news/champion-appointed-associate-dean-gezelter-and-kolberg-receive-promotions/">science.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">July 06, 2023</span>.</p>Tammi Freehlingtag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:News/1541752023-06-21T11:15:00-04:002023-06-21T15:18:17-04:00STIR grants energize new science/engineering research projects at Notre Dame<h4>The first Seed Transformative Interdisciplinary Research (STIR) grants, announced in early 2023 by the Notre Dame College of Science and College of Engineering, have been awarded to four new research projects led by multidisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers.</h4> <p>The one-year seed grants…</p><h4>The first Seed Transformative Interdisciplinary Research (STIR) grants, announced in early 2023 by the Notre Dame College of Science and College of Engineering, have been awarded to four new research projects led by multidisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers.</h4>
<p>The one-year seed grants are designed to jumpstart new “high-risk, high-reward” science and engineering research projects that may lead to new discoveries or applications — especially in human health, the environment, and information technologies. The grants may be renewed for a second year.</p>
<p>The four projects selected for the first STIR grants are:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<strong><em>Reprogramming the electrical tumor microenvironment to improve immunotherapy outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer.</em> </strong>This study will be led by <a href="https://engineering.nd.edu/faculty/meenal-datta/"><strong>Meenal Datta</strong></a> (aerospace and mechanical engineering) with co-investigators <a href="https://biology.nd.edu/people/xin-lu/"><strong>Xin Lu</strong></a> (biology), <a href="https://engineering.nd.edu/faculty/thomas-osullivan/"><strong>Tom O’Sullivan</strong></a> (electrical engineering), and <a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/people/katharine-white/"><strong>Katharine White</strong></a> (chemistry and biochemistry).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
<strong><em>Atomic scale analog computing and physical neural networks.</em> </strong>This study will be led by <a href="https://physics.nd.edu/people/xiaolong-liu/"><strong>Xiaolong Liu</strong></a> (physics and astronomy) with co-investigator <a href="https://engineering.nd.edu/faculty/xiangliang-zhang/"><strong>Xiangliang Zhang</strong></a> (computer science and engineering).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
<strong><em>Reprogramming the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) against cancer with smart combinatorial therapeutic exosomes.</em> </strong>This study will be led by <a href="https://engineering.nd.edu/faculty/yichun-wang/"><strong>Yichun Wang</strong></a> (chemical and biomolecular engineering) with co-investigators <a href="https://engineering.nd.edu/faculty/hsueh-chia-chang/"><strong>Hsueh-Chia Chang</strong></a><strong> </strong>(chemical and biomolecular engineering), <a href="https://biology.nd.edu/people/xin-lu/"><strong>Xin Lu</strong></a> (biology) and <a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/people/juan-del-valle/"><strong>Juan Del Valle</strong></a> (chemistry and biochemistry).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
<strong><em>Wireless implantable light-based device (WILD): a versatile biomedical technology platform.</em> </strong>This study will be led by <a href="https://engineering.nd.edu/faculty/thomas-osullivan/"><strong>Tom O’Sullivan</strong></a> (electrical engineering) with co-investigator <a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/people/bradley-d-smith/"><strong>Bradley Smith</strong></a> (chemistry and biochemistry).</li>
</ul>
<p>“Collaborations among scientists and engineers are so essential for sparking transformative new ideas and solutions and moving them from the laboratory into the world and improving lives,” said <a href="https://engineering.nd.edu/faculty/patricia-culligan/"><strong>Patricia J. Culligan</strong></a>, Matthew H. McCloskey Dean of the College of Engineering. </p>
<p>“At the same time, obtaining funding for new ideas that cross disciplines can be challenging. The STIR grants are designed to ‘stir up’ early-stage discovery and innovation, enabling exceptionally creative researchers to generate high-quality preliminary data that may lead to opportunities for long-term funding support.”</p>
<p>“Scientists and engineers must work together to solve our world’s most significant problems. In this spirit, we are ‘stirring the research pot’ so-to-speak, to create environments where new scientific understandings, particularly in the life sciences and information technology arenas, can flourish,” said <a href="https://science.nd.edu/about/office-of-the-dean/santiago-schnell/"><strong>Santiago Schnell</strong></a>, William K. Warren Foundation Dean of the College of Science.</p>
<p>“These interdisciplinary research projects have high potential to move the needle forward, and we are removing the barriers to funding that often accompany bold proposals.”</p>
<p><em>Originally published by Joan Fallon at <a href="https://engineering.nd.edu/news/stir-grants-energize-new-science-engineering-research-projects-at-notre-dame/">engineering.nd.edu</a> on June 13, 2023. </em></p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Joan Fallon</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://science.nd.edu/news-and-media/news/stir-grants-energize-new-science-engineering-research-projects-at-notre-dame/">science.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">June 13, 2023</span>.</p>Joan Fallontag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:News/1539692023-06-07T13:15:00-04:002023-06-12T15:27:02-04:00Collaboration leads to discovery of how ovarian egg cells may develop<p>Groundbreaking science can happen where disciplines intersect, and scientists team up.</p><p><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">When Lei Lei was an assistant professor at the University of Michigan studying the way germ cells—the precursors to human reproductive cells—form physical “bridges” that help determine their fate, she realized there were no wet-lab experiments that could yield convincing results. </span></span></p>
<figure class="image-right"><img alt="Santiago Schnell" height="300" src="https://science.nd.edu/assets/478821/300x/600x600_santiago.jpg" width="300">
<figcaption>Santiago Schnell</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"></span></span><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">So she turned to a senior member of the faculty, Santiago Schnell. <a href="https://biology.nd.edu/people/santiago-schnell/" target="_blank">Schnell, who is now William K. Warren Foundation Dean of the College of Science at the University of Notre Dame</a>, is a computational biologist who at that time chaired the Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology at the University of Michigan Medical School. Together, the research teams discovered a new molecular mechanism for how cells in ovaries, called oocytes, are made available for sustaining ovarian function during the development of fetal ovaries.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">Their paper was published recently in </span></span><a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2219683120"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">“We wanted to see if the outcome on a larger scale matched the snapshot we saw in the lab,” said <a href="https://medicine.missouri.edu/faculty/lei-lei-phd">Lei, now an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Missouri School of Medicine</a>, describing how the mathematical-based computer code contributed to the research: Schnell used his computational skills to help her determine that cell death inside fetal ovaries does not take place randomly. </span></span></p>
<figure class="image-left"><img alt="Lei Lei 11" src="https://science.nd.edu/assets/518877/300x/lei_lei_11.jpg">
<figcaption>Lei Lei</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"></span></span><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">“This is something we couldn’t do just by doing experiments,” Lei said. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">In mammals, there is a large-scale “death” of germ cells in the ovaries of fetuses. This results in only a small proportion of those cells becoming oocytes. Lei’s lab discovered that the germ cells form branched cyst structures, where about 20 percent of the germ cells are connected by three or four physical bridges. In female cysts, the individual germ cells share cellular materials from their sister germ cells. The more connections they make, the better their chance of becoming an oocyte.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">“Female cells are all about ‘nursing’ to make a few good oocytes,” Lei said, adding that with male cells, “if one saw something was wrong, the whole cyst structure would collapse.”</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">Schnell’s model was key to cementing the results Lei had seen. “His lab laid out a really nice computer program, and as we worked on this we found this is a beautiful, and not random process, with how cells decide their fate,” she said. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">Other collaborators include first author Kanako Ikami, who was Lei’s postdoctoral researcher and is now at the University of California, Davis; Suzanne Shoffner-Beck, at University of Michigan; Malgorzata Tyczynska Weh, now at the University of South Florida; Shoshei Yoshida, of the School of Life Science in Kanagawa, Japan; and Edgar Andres Diaz Miranda and Sooah Ko, both of the University of Missouri School of Medicine.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">Lei appreciates working collaboratively and noted that all areas of the research for this paper took different skill sets, but in working together they can achieve a broader goal. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">“Today, science addresses incredibly complex questions conducting research collaboratively,” Schnell said. “Team science is leading to scientific discoveries that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise, resulting in greater scientific impact, innovation and productivity than the single investigator approaches.”</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Deanna Csomo Ferrell</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://science.nd.edu/news-and-media/news/collaboration-leads-to-discovery-of-how-ovarian-egg-cells-may-develop/">science.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">June 05, 2023</span>.</p>Deanna Csomo Ferrelltag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:News/1538612023-06-06T17:47:00-04:002023-06-06T18:47:17-04:00Notre Dame selected to join Association of American Universities<p>The University of Notre Dame has been selected for inclusion in the Association of American Universities (AAU), a consortium of the nation’s leading public and private research universities, Notre Dame’s president, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., announced today.</p><figure class="image-default"><img alt="Nd Grad Student Research 1200" height="800" src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/518605/fullsize/nd_grad_student_research_1200.jpg" width="1200"></figure>
<p>The University of Notre Dame has been selected for inclusion in the <a href="https://www.aau.edu/">Association of American Universities</a> (AAU), a consortium of the nation’s leading public and private research universities, Notre Dame’s president, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., announced today.</p>
<p>“While Notre Dame has long been known for its undergraduate education, we have striven to be a preeminent research institution with superb graduate education, all informed by our Catholic mission,” Father Jenkins said. “We are honored to be invited to join the AAU and heartened by the AAU Board’s recognition of our progress as a research university, and we look forward to participating in this august organization.”</p>
<p>“This is a major milestone in the history of Notre Dame,” said John J. Brennan, chair of the University’s Board of Trustees. “Much credit goes to Father Jenkins, his administration and, especially, to the University’s superb and dedicated faculty who engage in teaching and research that make a difference in our world.”</p>
<figure class="image-right"><img alt="Aau Logo" height="233" src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/518603/aau_logo.jpg" width="600"></figure>
<p>Founded in 1900, the AAU seeks, according to its mission statement, to “collectively help shape policy for higher education, science and innovation; promote best practices in undergraduate and graduate education; and strengthen the contributions of leading research universities to American society.” Membership is by invitation only and based on an extensive set of quantitative indicators and qualitative judgments that assess the breadth and quality of a university’s research and graduate and undergraduate programs.</p>
<p>Five other universities — Arizona State University; George Washington University; the University of California, Riverside; the University of Miami; and the University of South Florida — also were added to the AAU membership roll today, joining the association’s previous 65 U.S. and Canadian members. </p>
<p>“We are very proud to have these six distinguished universities from across the United States join AAU,” AAU President Barbara R. Snyder said. “We are particularly proud that two of our new members — Arizona State and UC Riverside — are designated as Hispanic-serving institutions because significant shares of their student bodies are composed of individuals from Hispanic backgrounds. We look forward to working with all of these universities to continue advancing higher education and laying the scientific foundation that helps keep our economy strong and our nation healthy and safe.”<br>
<br>
“I’m excited to invite these six diverse institutions to AAU,” AAU Board Chair and University of Southern California President Carol L. Folt said. “AAU members are distinguished by the quality of their education and research. It is a testament to our higher education system that we have this many leading research universities in every corner of our country. Congratulations to the faculty, staff and students for this recognition of their hard work and their leadership in research and education. We look forward to our joint efforts to continue to transform lives through higher education.” </p>
<p>Long recognized as one of the nation’s leading undergraduate universities, Notre Dame has made significant strides in recent years as a research institution. Since 2007, research awards received by Notre Dame have grown 194 percent. Among the awards were:</p>
<p>● <a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/notre-dame-awarded-transformational-lilly-endowment-grant-to-accelerate-regional-innovation-and-workforce-and-economic-development/">$42.4 million from Lilly Endowment Inc.</a> to form the Labs for Industry Futures and Transformation (LIFT) Network with industry, community and education partners throughout the region. The program links and enhances cutting-edge expertise, technologies and workforce development programs with local manufacturing and advanced technology sectors</p>
<p>● <a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/notre-dame-receives-its-largest-research-award-to-study-spatial-repellents-against-mosquito-borne-diseases/">$33.7 million from Unitaid</a> to study new approaches to preventing mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue and Chikungunya</p>
<p>● <a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/notre-dame-receives-40-million-federal-award-to-improve-global-education-outcomes/">$40 million from the U.S. Agency for International Development</a> to improve global education outcomes</p>
<p>● <a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/notre-dame-to-lead-25-million-spectrumx-project-first-nsf-spectrum-innovation-initiative-center/"> $25 million to the Wireless Institute from the National Science Foundation</a> to establish SpectrumX, a wireless spectrum innovation center</p>
<p>Additionally, Notre Dame has served as the home to several national centers supported by the Semiconductor Research Corporation, been the recipient of over $10 million in Department of Defense support for hypersonic research facilities, and over the past 20 years, has been awarded more National Endowment for the Humanities fellowships than any other private university. Other areas of research excellence include theology, philosophy, chemical engineering, astro and nuclear physics, and sacred music.</p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Dennis Brown</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/notre-dame-selected-to-join-association-of-american-universities/">news.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">June 01, 2023</span>.</p>Dennis Browntag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:News/1536062023-05-23T17:23:00-04:002023-05-23T17:23:54-04:00Awards honor Notre Dame faculty excellence<p style="margin-top:16px"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">On Tuesday (May 23), <a href="https://provost.nd.edu/about/charles-and-jill-fischer-provost/">John T. McGreevy</a>, the Charles and Jill Fischer Provost at the University</span></span>…</p><p style="margin-top:16px"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">On Tuesday (May 23), <a href="https://provost.nd.edu/about/charles-and-jill-fischer-provost/">John T. McGreevy</a>, the Charles and Jill Fischer Provost at the University of Notre Dame, announced the winners of several awards as part of a broader recognition of all those Notre Dame faculty members who have</span></span><a href="https://provost.nd.edu/faculty-recognitions/faculty-promotions/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> </span></span><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">achieved career milestones</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> this spring.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top:16px"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">Celebrating excellence in research, teaching and other important work supporting Notre Dame’s academic mission, these annual</span></span><a href="https://provost.nd.edu/faculty-recognitions/faculty-awards/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> </span></span><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">awards</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> are coordinated by the Office of the Provost, with the exception of the <a href="https://provost.nd.edu/faculty-recognitions/faculty-awards/research-achievement-award/">Research Achievement Award</a> and the Toohey Awards, which are presented by <a href="https://research.nd.edu/">Notre Dame Research</a> and the <a href="https://campusministry.nd.edu/">Office of Campus Ministry</a>, respectively.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top:16px"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> </span></span><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">The 2022-23 recipients are:</span></span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://provost.nd.edu/faculty-recognitions/faculty-awards/faculty-award/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Faculty Award</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> —</span></span><a href="https://law.nd.edu/directory/paolo-carozza/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> </span></span><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Paolo Carozza</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Law School</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://provost.nd.edu/faculty-recognitions/faculty-awards/niebuhr-award/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Reinhold Niebuhr Award</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> —</span></span><a href="https://ftt.nd.edu/people/faculty/anton-juan/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> </span></span><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Anton Juan</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of Film, Television, and Theatre</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://provost.nd.edu/faculty-recognitions/faculty-awards/clark-award/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Grenville Clark Award</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> —</span></span><a href="https://americanstudies.nd.edu/faculty/jennifer-huynh/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> </span></span><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Jennifer Huynh</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of American Studies</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://provost.nd.edu/faculty-recognitions/faculty-awards/research-achievement-award/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Research Achievement Award</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> —</span></span><a href="https://economics.nd.edu/faculty/william-evans/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> </span></span><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">William Evans</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of Economics</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://provost.nd.edu/faculty-recognitions/faculty-awards/foik-award/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Rev. Paul J. Foik, C.S.C., Award</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> — </span></span><a href="https://directory.library.nd.edu/directory/employees/akrieger"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Alan Krieger</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Hesburgh Libraries</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://provost.nd.edu/faculty-recognitions/faculty-awards/madden-award/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Thomas P. Madden Award</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> — </span></span><a href="https://engineering.nd.edu/faculty/andrew-bartolini/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Andrew Bartolini</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, College of Engineering</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://provost.nd.edu/faculty-recognitions/faculty-awards/toohey-awards/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Rev. William A. Toohey, C.S.C., Award for Preaching</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> — </span></span><a href="https://theology.nd.edu/people/michael-connors-csc/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Rev. Michael Connors, C.S.C.</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of Theology</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://provost.nd.edu/faculty-recognitions/faculty-awards/toohey-awards/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Rev. William A. Toohey, C.S.C., Award for Social Justice</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> — </span></span><a href="https://history.nd.edu/people/daniel-graff/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Daniel Graff</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of History and Center for Social Concerns</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://provost.nd.edu/faculty-recognitions/faculty-awards/presidents-award/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">President’s Award</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> — </span></span><a href="https://pls.nd.edu/people/stephen-m-fallon/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Stephen Fallon</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Program of Liberal Studies and Department of English</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://provost.nd.edu/faculty-recognitions/faculty-awards/provost-award-for-teaching-excellence-in-the-core-curriculum/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence in the Core Curriculum</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> — </span></span><a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/people/j-daniel-gezelter/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Daniel Gezelter</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry</span></span>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-top:16px"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">Twenty faculty members from across the University have been awarded the</span></span><a href="https://provost.nd.edu/faculty-recognitions/faculty-awards/joyce-award/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> </span></span><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C., Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">: </span></span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://english.nd.edu/people/laura-betz/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Laura Betz</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of English</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://romancelanguages.nd.edu/people/faculty/kathleen-boyle/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Kathleen Boyle</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of Romance Languages and Literatures</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://politicalscience.nd.edu/people/david-campbell/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">David Campbell</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of Political Science</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://americanstudies.nd.edu/faculty/annie-gilbert-coleman/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Anne Coleman</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of American Studies</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://biology.nd.edu/people/crislyn-dsouza-schorey/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Crislyn D’Souza-Schorey</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of Biological Sciences</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://ftt.nd.edu/people/faculty/anne-garcia-romero/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Anne </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">García</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">-Romero</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of Film, Television, and Theatre</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://history.nd.edu/people/daniel-graff/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Daniel Graff</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of History</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://history.nd.edu/people/james-jake-lundberg/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">James (Jake) Lundberg</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of History</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/people/bahram-moasser/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Bahram Moasser</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://theology.nd.edu/people/margaret-pfeil/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Margaret Pfeil</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of Theology</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://acms.nd.edu/people/michael-pruitt/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Michael Pruitt</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://mendoza.nd.edu/mendoza-directory/profile/jason-reed/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Jason Reed</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of Finance</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://engineering.nd.edu/faculty/brian-smith/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Brian Smith</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://engineering.nd.edu/faculty/robert-stevenson/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Robert Stevenson</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of Electrical Engineering</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://biology.nd.edu/people/david-j-veselik/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">David Veselik</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of Biological Sciences</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://engineering.nd.edu/faculty/kevin-walsh/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Kevin Walsh</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://engineering.nd.edu/faculty/patrick-wensing/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Patrick Wensing</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://biology.nd.edu/people/rebecca-a-wingert/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Rebecca Wingert</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of Biological Sciences</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://mendoza.nd.edu/mendoza-directory/profile/katie-wowak/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Kaitlin Wowak</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of IT, Analytics, and Operations</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://psychology.nd.edu/people/faculty/johnny-zhang/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Zhiyong (Johnny) Zhang</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Department of Psychology</span></span>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-top:16px"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> </span></span><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">Three faculty members were honored with</span></span><a href="https://provost.nd.edu/faculty-recognitions/faculty-awards/dockweiler-award/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> </span></span><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Dockweiler Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> </span></span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://mendozaugrad.nd.edu/about-us/lisa-heming/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Lisa Heming</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, Mendoza College of Business</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://africana.nd.edu/people/maria-k-mckenna/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Maria McKenna</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, College of Arts and Letters</span></span>
</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">
<a href="https://engineering.nd.edu/faculty/troy-vogel/"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Troy Vogel</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">, College of Engineering</span></span>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-top:16px"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">The Joyce and Dockweiler awards are presented by the Office of the Provost, and the recipients are selected through a process that includes peer and student nominations. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top:16px"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">For more information, visit</span></span><a href="http://provost.nd.edu/awards"><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"> </span></span><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">provost.nd.edu/awards</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant:normal; font-weight:400; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-style:normal">.</span></span></p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Kate Garry</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/awards-honor-notre-dame-faculty-excellence/">news.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">May 23, 2023</span>.</p>Kate Garrytag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:News/1530972023-05-08T12:59:00-04:002023-05-08T12:59:58-04:00Sanders named associate director of Genomics and Bioinformatics Core Facility<p><a href="https://research.nd.edu/people/sheri-sanders/" target="_blank">Sheri Sanders</a> considered becoming a veterinarian, but after one semester of coursework she realized she preferred working in a laboratory and tinkering with programming.</p>
<p> </p><p><a href="https://research.nd.edu/people/sheri-sanders/" target="_blank">Sheri Sanders</a> spent her high school and undergraduate years preparing for a career in medicine, and eventually attended veterinarian school.</p>
<p>That lasted one semester.</p>
<p>“I realized I missed all the research,” said Sanders ’16 Ph.D., now the associate director of Bioinformatics for the <a href="https://genomics.nd.edu/" target="_blank">Genomics and Bioinformatics Core Facility (GBCF)</a> at the University of Notre Dame, with an appointment in the <a href="https://biology.nd.edu/" target="_blank">Department of Biological Sciences</a> as an associate professor of the practice in bioinformatics. “I was working in a neurobiology lab at the time, and was looking forward to going to that every day rather than school…so I thought, maybe I should reconsider becoming a veterinarian.”</p>
<p>Her mother worked as a computer-aided design engineer, designing car parts, and her dad was an airplane mechanic, so Sanders had a lifetime of exposure to computer programming and engineering, though she did it for fun. After pivoting from veterinary school, she began in genomics but soon discovered how she could meld her programming interest with biology.</p>
<p>After taking a bioinformatics class—and after listening to some career advice given to her by <a href="https://biology.nd.edu/people/michael-pfrender/" target="_blank">Michael Pfrender,</a> professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and director of the GBCF in whose lab she conducted her doctoral research—Sanders knew she had found her future career.</p>
<p>“When I took the bioinformatics intro class, it was the first time I had done programming in years, and I absolutely loved it, and it was just a lot of fun,” she said. “I found it to be a really nice compliment to biology.</p>
<p>“When working in biology, it can be chaos; anything could be driving your problems, since it’s not a manufactured system. It could be the environment, the experiment, or whatever, but with computer science we can make the chaos into a solvable problem.”</p>
<p>She also began to enjoy pedagogy, with its intricacies of teaching biologists and people without a programming background how to leverage data. While earning her doctorate at Notre Dame, she taught six courses and wrote a 200-page textbook that introduces biologists to computational biology.</p>
<p>A Michigan native, Sanders landed at Indiana University in Bloomington after completing her doctoral degree, and worked as a bioinformatic analyst for the National Center for Genome Support. She worked her way up to being principal investigator for the center. When the center was disbanded because of decentralization, she worked as a consultant for a year before recently being named the associate director of the core facility at Notre Dame.</p>
<p>She enjoys both the genomics and bioinformatics halves of her job. On one side, she trains graduate students in the use of data and computer programming so they can do their own data analyses. On the other side, she supports research and the research infrastructure for the GBCF. She said she hopes to procure some higher-end computational machines and software as the core pushes more research boundaries.</p>
<p>“In a dream world, I would like to build out a program to help train up biologists in data science and bioinformatics, because it’s such an important consideration to genetics now, and increasingly for ecology,” she said. “It would be nice to offer a grad certification or an undergraduate minor; I’m kicking around things that would be a good fit for the community.”</p>
<p>Sanders said she’s been impressed with the level of interest undergraduate students have in the field of bioinformatics, which is something that surprised her. “I even had a student come up to me and ask, how do we get more? I said—just wait!”</p>
<p>Sanders graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in zoology and ecological science and management, and earned her master’s degree at the University of Texas at Tyler where she studied the morphological, ecological, and genetic phylogenetics of map turtles. During her doctoral studies at Notre Dame with Pfrender, she learned how to do RNA sequencing at the dawn of that technology, focusing on a female line of salamanders that “pilfer” genes from the males in an unusual way.</p>
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</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Deanna Csomo Ferrell</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://science.nd.edu/news-and-media/news/sanders-named-associate-director-of-genomics-and-bioinformatics-core-facility/">science.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">May 03, 2023</span>.</p>Deanna Csomo Ferrelltag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:News/1526212023-04-12T13:31:00-04:002023-04-20T13:31:35-04:00Twenty-six Notre Dame students, alumni awarded NSF Graduate Research Fellowships<p>More than two dozen University of Notre Dame students have been named National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellows, the most since 2016.</p><p style="margin-bottom:13px; text-align:justify">More than two dozen University of Notre Dame students — 16 undergraduate students (six current and 10 alumni) and 10 graduate students — have been named National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellows, the most since 2016. Another eight — six undergraduate alumni and two graduate students — were singled out for honorable mention for the award.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:11px; text-align:justify"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">Established in 1952, the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF-GRFP) helps students in NSF-backed STEM disciplines pursue research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited U.S. institutions. Fellows receive more than $40,000 in annual financial support. They also benefit from professional development and research opportunities through the program. </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:11px; text-align:justify"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">Generally, applicants work in conjunction with their advisers to create compelling personal statements and research plans. Notre Dame students can also consult experts with the </span><a href="https://cuse.nd.edu/"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">Flatley Center for Undergraduate Scholarly Engagement (CUSE)</span></span></span></a><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> <span style="white-space:pre-wrap">or the</span></span> <a href="https://graduateschool.nd.edu/graduate-training/research-communication/the-office-of-grants-and-fellowships/"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">Graduate School’s Office of Grants and Fellowships</span></span></span></a><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">.</span></p>
<blockquote>
<p style="margin-bottom:11px; text-align:justify"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">“The GRFP is one of the National Science Foundation’s marquee programs. To have so many of our students succeed in such a competitive program says great things about the trajectory of Notre Dame’s graduate programs and the reputation of our students, our research and our faculty.”</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p style="margin-bottom:11px; text-align:justify"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="background:white">“Congratulations to the 34 Notre Dame students and alumni who are being recognized by the</span></span><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> <span style="background:white"></span><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">National</span></span><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> <span style="background:white"></span><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">Science</span></span><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> <span style="background:white"></span><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">Foundation this year. This success can be attributed to the hard work and long hours they spent conducting research, the effort they put into enhancing their communities through their work, and the support they receive from dedicated faculty and staff,” said Emily Hunt, student engagement program manager with CUSE.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="background:white">Tom Fuja, interim dean of the Graduate School, said, </span></span><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">“The GRFP is one of the National Science Foundation’s marquee programs. To have so many of our students succeed in such a competitive program says great things about the trajectory of Notre Dame’s graduate programs and the reputation of our students, our research and our faculty.”</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:13px; text-align:justify"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><strong>The 26 fellows are:</strong></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:13px; text-align:justify"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">Undergraduate</span></p>
<ul>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Nolan Fey — electrical and electronic engineering</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Colin McDonald — formal methods, verification and programming languages</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Audrey Miles — nuclear chemistry</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Alexa Mogan — cognitive psychology</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Jackson Vyletel — chemical engineering</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-bottom:13px; margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Austin Wyman — quantitative psychology</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-bottom:13px; text-align:justify"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">Undergraduate alumni <span style="white-space:pre-wrap"></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> AnneMarie Bryson — economics <span style="white-space:pre-wrap"></span></span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Carolyn Davin — economics <span style="white-space:pre-wrap"></span></span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Molly DeLuca — nuclear physics</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Emily Doyle — chemical engineering <span style="white-space:pre-wrap"></span></span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Neila Gross — bioengineering</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Mark Legendre — chemical engineering</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Marie McCusker — cognitive neuroscience</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Kimberly Riordan — chemistry of life processes</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Noah Springer — chemistry of life processes</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-bottom:13px; margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Honoka Suzuki — quantitative psychology</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-bottom:13px; text-align:justify"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">Graduate</span></p>
<ul>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Cade Dembski — nuclear physics</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Emily DeWolf — chemical engineering</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Isabella Gimon — bioinformatics and computational biology</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Donghyun Jeong — bioengineering</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Martin Kilbane — mechanical engineering</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Bethany Oceguera — environmental engineering</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Manuel Rodriguez — sociology</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Connor Schmidt — chemistry of materials</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Simona Spiegel — medical anthropology</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-bottom:13px; margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Emma Thrift — environmental biology</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-bottom:13px; text-align:justify"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><strong>The eight honorable mentions are:</strong></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:13px; text-align:justify"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">Undergraduate alumni</span></p>
<ul>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Aidan Cook — bioinformatics and computational biology</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Robert Gipson — chemical structure, dynamics and mechanism</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Leah Harmon — neurosciences</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Nicole Lukesh — biomedical engineering</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Tess Marvin — bioinformatics and computational biology</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-bottom:13px; margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Trent Robinett — hydrology</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-bottom:13px; text-align:justify"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">Graduate</span></p>
<ul>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Gregory Durling — chemical synthesis</span></span></span></li>
<li role="presentation" style="margin-bottom:13px; margin-left:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> Patrick Heffernan — ecology</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-bottom:11px"> </p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Erin Blasko</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/twenty-six-notre-dame-students-alumni-awarded-nsf-graduate-research-fellowships/">news.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">April 06, 2023</span>.</p>Erin Blaskotag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:News/1526202023-04-12T13:30:00-04:002023-04-20T13:28:56-04:00Arnaldo Serrano and Katharine White Receive NSF CAREER Awards<p><a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/people/arnaldo-serrano/">Arnaldo Serrano</a>, Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, and <a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/people/katharine-white/">Katharine White</a>, Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, have been selected as recipients of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award. The award is given to recognize outstanding research and its integration with education, and it is one of NSF’s most prestigious awards for junior faculty members.</p><p><a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/people/arnaldo-serrano/">Arnaldo Serrano</a>, Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, and <a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/people/katharine-white/">Katharine White</a>, Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, have been selected as recipients of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award. The award is given to recognize outstanding research and its integration with education, and it is one of NSF’s most prestigious awards for junior faculty members.</p>
<figure class="image-right"><img alt="Serranosquare3" height="150" src="https://chemistry.nd.edu/assets/458596/serranosquare3.jpg" width="150"></figure>
<p>Serrano was selected for his proposal entitled “Nonlinear Infrared Studies of Biomolecular Coacervation.” Coacervation, also known as liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), is a key factor in understanding how biological systems are organized. Protein-dense droplets that are formed during LLPS are an important part of the mechanism of cellular organization. Improper organization and proliferation of toxic proteins have been implicated as potential causes of disease. However, little is known about the nature of phase separation at the level of protein secondary structure and hydration. Building on recent findings from his lab, Serrano will develop spectroscopic tools for in-situ characterization of protein structure, dynamics, and solvation with these phase-separated droplets in order to better understand protein folding and behavior. In addition, he will be creating online coding modules and other educational materials for undergraduate students and conducting workshops to teach advanced spectroscopic and optics topics to graduate students.</p>
<p>Serrano joined the faculty at Notre Dame in 2017 after completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He received his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania and his B.A. in chemistry from Rutgers University. He is also the recipient of the 2015 ACS Division of Physical Chemistry Postdoctoral Research Award and the 2015 Hans Neurath Outstanding Promise Award.</p>
<figure class="image-right"><img alt="Whitesquare" height="150" src="https://chemistry.nd.edu/assets/286659/whitesquare.jpg" width="150"></figure>
<p>White was selected for her proposal entitled “Molecular Mechanisms of pH-Sensitive Proteins, Pathways, and Cell Behaviors.” In mammalian cells, intracellular pH (pHi) is typically maintained between 7.0 and 7.2. However, transient increases can trigger or enable various cellular processes, including cell-cycle progression, migration, and loss of polarity. Even though the overall effect of pHi on these processes is known, the pH-sensitive proteins that sense and mediate these responses are largely unknown. White will use new molecular tools her lab has developed to manipulate pHi in single cells and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of pH-sensitive proteins. Along with this research, White plans to develop project-based learning modules for a graduate course in chemical tools for studying biology and disease. She will also create one-hour activity-based STEM learning modules for use in middle school classrooms, initially for use at Edison Intermediate, a local middle school.</p>
<p>White joined the faculty at Notre Dame in 2019 after completing a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. She received her Ph.D. in chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her B.S. in chemistry from Saint Mary’s College. She is also the recipient of an NIH Director’s New Innovator Award.</p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Rebecca Hicks</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/news/arnaldo-serrano-and-katharine-white-receive-nsf-career-awards/">chemistry.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">April 07, 2023</span>.</p>Rebecca Hickstag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:News/1526242023-04-06T13:35:00-04:002023-04-20T13:35:10-04:00South Bend high school students represent the Harper Cancer Research Institute at regional, state, and international science fairs<p>This spring, students from South Bend area high schools who took part in the Harper Cancer Research Institute's Research Cures Cancer Corps (RC3) program shared their research at both regional and state science fairs—and came home with a long list of awards.</p>
<p class="align-left"><a class="btn btn-large alt2" href="https://harpercancer.nd.edu/news-events/news/south-bend-high-school-students-represent-the-harper-cancer-research-institute-at-regional-state-and-international-science-fairs/">Learn more</a></p><figure class="image-right"><img alt="Lucinda Flanagan (second from left), a senior at St. Joseph High School in South Bend, Indiana, received second place overall for 12th grade participants at the 2023 Northern Indiana Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Elijah Gorski (second from right), a junior at Washington High School in South Bend, Indiana, receives the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps Office of Naval Research Award at the event." height="300" src="https://harpercancer.nd.edu/assets/511276/rc3_photo.jpg" width="600">
<figcaption>Lucinda Flanagan (second from left), a senior at St. Joseph High School in South Bend, Indiana, received second place overall for 12th grade participants at the 2023 Northern Indiana Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Elijah Gorski (second from right), a junior at Washington High School in South Bend, Indiana, receives the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps Office of Naval Research Award at the event.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This spring, students from South Bend area high schools who took part in the Harper Cancer Research Institute's Research Cures Cancer Corps (RC3) program shared their research at both regional and state science fairs—and came home with a long list of awards.</p>
<p>Seven out of the ten participants in RC3's inaugural student cohort presented at the 2023 Northern Indiana Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Three of the students then advanced to the 35th Annual Hoosier Science and Engineering Fair, held on Saturday March 25, 2023 at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).</p>
<p>Lucinda Flanagan, a senior at St. Joseph High School in South Bend, Indiana, received the Leslie A. Willig Founders Scholarship, the Data Visualization Award, and the Regeneron Biomedical Science Award. As the second place winner overall for 12th grade participants, Flanagan will advance to the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair held in Dallas, Texas, in May, 2023.</p>
<p>Elijah Gorski, a junior at Washington High School in South Bend, Indiana, who also works part time conducting research for Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry <a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/people/katharine-white/">Katharine White</a> received the Best Abstract Award. Gorski also received the Society for In Vitro Biology Award, the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps Office of Naval Research Award, and the IUPUI School of Science 3rd Place Scholarship, which includes a $1,000 award renewable for four years.</p>
<p><a href="https://harpercancer.nd.edu/people/m-sharon-stack/">Sharon Stack</a>, the Ann F. Dunne and Elizabeth Riley Director of the Harper Institute, said, “We are delighted to see the RC3 students’ work recognized in this way. It speaks to their potential to advance scientific knowledge—and it is also a testament to the value of programs like RC3 that aim to equip and inspire budding scientists and build a broader pipeline to careers in cancer research."</p>
<hr>
<p><strong>About the Research Cures Cancer Corps</strong></p>
<p>The Research Cures Cancer Corps at the Harper Cancer Research Institute aims to inspire high school students to consider undergraduate degrees and careers in biomedical and cancer-related research. In this program, current high school first year students, sophomores, and juniors in good standing can receive hands-on lab experience, individualized mentoring, strengthen problem-solving and leadership skills, build confidence, and gain marketable work experience. To learn more, please visit <a href="https://harpercancer.nd.edu/opportunities/research-cures-cancer-corp-rc3-for-high-school-students/">https://harpercancer.nd.edu/opportunities/research-cures-cancer-corp-rc3-for-high-school-students/</a></p>
<p><strong>About the Harper Cancer Research Institute</strong></p>
<p>Investigators in the Harper Cancer Research Institute (HCRI) are dedicated to conducting innovative and integrative research that confronts the complex challenges of cancer. Our programmatic structure fosters multidisciplinary cancer research by promoting interactions among research groups with distinct expertise and by training early career scientists to work across scientific fields. Clinical partnerships provide key translational insight and strengthen the mission of discovery.</p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Brett Beasley</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://harpercancer.nd.edu/news-events/news/south-bend-high-school-students-represent-the-harper-cancer-research-institute-at-regional-state-and-international-science-fairs/">harpercancer.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">April 03, 2023</span>.</p>Brett Beasleytag:biophysics.nd.edu,2005:News/1522892023-03-24T13:04:00-04:002023-04-06T20:52:41-04:00Notre Dame Biochemist Patricia Clark receives the 2023 Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Award<!-- Output copied to clipboard! --><!-- Yay, no errors, warnings, or alerts! --> <p><a href="https://www.proteinsociety.org/">The Protein Society</a>, the premier international society dedicated to supporting protein research, <a href="https://ps.memberclicks.net/protein-society-awards">announced today</a>…</p><!-- Output copied to clipboard! --><!-- Yay, no errors, warnings, or alerts! -->
<p><a href="https://www.proteinsociety.org/">The Protein Society</a>, the premier international society dedicated to supporting protein research, <a href="https://ps.memberclicks.net/protein-society-awards">announced today</a> that <a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/people/patricia-l-clark/">Patricia L. Clark</a>, the Rev. John Cardinal O'Hara Professor in the University of Notre Dame's <a href="https://chemistry.nd.edu/">Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry</a>, is the recipient of the 2023 Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Award.</p>
<p>Named in honor of Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin, a Nobel laureate and founder of protein crystallography, the Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Award recognizes "exceptional contributions in protein science which profoundly influence our understanding of biology."</p>
<p><a href="https://provost.nd.edu/about/charles-and-jill-fischer-provost/">John T. McGreevy</a>, the Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History and Charles and Jill Fischer Provost at Notre Dame, said, "We are grateful to the Protein Society for recognizing Patricia Clark and her work. Her groundbreaking research has deepened our understanding of protein structures as well as protein folding-related diseases. Her mentorship and her ability to lead advancements in science that also serve the greater good are a powerful example for faculty, both at Notre Dame and elsewhere around the world."</p>
<p>Clark received her B.S. in Chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology and her Ph.D. in Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. She joined the faculty at Notre Dame in 2001, after completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.</p>
<p>Clark is known for pioneering new techniques for analyzing protein folding. Her work investigates how and why protein folding mechanisms fail, leading to diseases such as cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer's disease, juvenile cataracts, and many forms of cancer. She collaborates extensively with computer scientists, statisticians, and computational biologists. The Hodgkin Award specifically acknowledges Clark’s pioneering discoveries regarding the contributions of the cellular environment, including the roles of synonymous codons, to support proper protein folding and function.</p>
<p>In 2018, Clark founded Notre Dame's graduate program in <a href="https://biophysics.nd.edu/">Biophysics</a>, and in 2021 she was <a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/university-of-notre-dame-announces-new-associate-vice-president-for-research-development/">appointed</a> associate vice president for research. She also supports biophysics education and research broadly at Notre Dame as director of the <a href="https://bic.nd.edu/">Biophysics Instrumentation Core (BIC) Facility</a>, a core facility of <a href="https://research.nd.edu/">Notre Dame Research</a>.</p>
<p>Throughout her career, Clark has received many awards, including a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award, the Barany Award from the Biophysical Society, and a <a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/patricia-clark-awarded-nih-pioneer-award-the-first-in-indiana/">Pioneer Award</a> from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Her research is or has been funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the American Heart Association and the W.M. Keck Foundation.</p>
<p>Clark will officially receive the award at the 37th Anniversary Symposium of the Protein Society on July 13 to 16, 2023, in Boston, Mass., where she will deliver a plenary lecture.</p>
<p>The previous winners of the Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Award are:</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px">2022 — Sun Hur (Harvard University)</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px">2021 — Janet Smith (University of Michigan)</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px">2020 — Catherine Drennan (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px">2019 — Hao Wu (Harvard University)</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px">2018 — Susan Marqusee (University of California, Berkeley)</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px">2017 — Juli Feigon (UCLA) and Manajit Hayer-Hartl (Max-Planck Institute of Biochemistry)</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px">2016 — Rachel Klevit (University of Washington)</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px">2015 — Eva Nogales (University of California, Berkeley)</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px">2014 — Judith Frydman (Stanford University)</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px">2013 — Christopher Hill (University of Utah) and Cynthia Wolberger (Johns Hopkins University)</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px">2012 — Mark Lemmon (Yale University)</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px">2011 — Brenda Schulman (St. Jude Children's Research Hospital) and Wei Yang (National Institutes of Health)</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px">2010 — Lila Gierasch (University of Massachusetts Amherst)</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px">2009 — Janet Thornton (European Bioinformatics Institute)</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px">2008 — Douglas Rees (California Institute of Technology)</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px">2007 — Leemor Joshua-Tor (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)</p>
<p><strong>Contact:</strong></p>
<p>Brett Beasley / Writer and Editorial Program Manager</p>
<p>Notre Dame Research / University of Notre Dame</p>
<p>bbeasle1@nd.edu / +1 574-631-8183</p>
<p>research.nd.edu / @UNDResearch</p>
<p><strong>About Notre Dame Research:</strong></p>
<p>The University of Notre Dame is a private research and teaching university inspired by its Catholic mission. Located in South Bend, Indiana, its researchers are advancing human understanding through research, scholarship, education, and creative endeavor in order to be a repository for knowledge and a powerful means for doing good in the world. For more information, please see research.nd.edu or @UNDResearch.</p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Brett Beasley</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://research.nd.edu/news-and-events/news/notre-dame-biochemist-patricia-clark-receives-the-2023-dorothy-crowfoot-hodgkin-award/">research.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">March 22, 2023</span>.</p>Brett Beasley