A University of Utah - School of Biological Sciences Publication | 2 0 2 3
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KEEPING THE PAST ALIVE B iology is a historical science. Our job is to understand life, and life is the product of a long process of evolution that happened in the past, mainly the distant past, beyond our direct observation. Even when we study the process as it unfolds in the present, as with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, many mysteries remain: Why was there so little evolution in 2020? What are the effects of past infections on how sick people became? And where exactly did the virus come from?
As this issue of OUR DNA makes clear, the past is the key to the future. Understanding the future consequences of climate change that our faculty study today only makes sense in the context of the history of climate, encoded in the soils, tree rings, and the satellite images we have had the wisdom to collect. The power of archiving history as it happens is exemplified by Vicky Rowntree's careful
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cataloging and sharing of images of the Southern Right Whale. (See pg. 4) Much like the history taken and understood by a good physician, this record situates what is happening today in the context of the past.
The people of the School of Biological Sciences also link the past with the future. The faculty, with what they hope is seasoned wisdom, bridge past knowledge to present questions. Through collaboration across academic generations, our students carry this history into the future, building the future of science and of society. Meditations on history often converge on two famous quotations. George Santayana said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Biology does not repeat itself. The climate has been very warm before, but not in quite the way it is now. The lessons of the past are
rather more complicated, a set of principles and guideposts rather than a simple prediction. Careful application of these principles is at the heart of the critical thinking we seek to convey to our students. More ominously, George Orwell stated, "Who controls the past controls the future." Orwell meant this in the political realm, about the power of historical myths and those who create them. Education is about a very different sort of power, the power to understand, to predict, and intuit the future of an open society. As William Faulkner said, "the past is never dead. It's not even past." Biology, and the study of biology, is about keeping the past alive. Sincerely,
Director Fred Adler
Credit: Marco Lozzi | The Daily Utah Chronicle
RETIREES
3
MICHAEL BASTIANI
JON SEGER
DON FEENER
Professor | 1987
Professor | 1986
Professor | 1989
Read more about our faculty retirees at biology.utah.edu/news
Cover: Female southern right whale and calf. Courtesy of Instituto de Conservación de Ballenas.
Our DNA is the official magazine of the School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, published in partnership with Marketing & Communications, College of Science.
Associate Director of Marketing & Communications: Bianca Lyon Writer & Editor: David Pace Designer/Photographer: Todd Anderson Follow us on social media @uofu_biology or UBiologySchool
Prefer only a digital version of Our DNA? Send us an email. info@biology.utah.edu
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15 FROM THE DIRECTOR | 2023
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MORE THAN 50 YEARS AGO,
GIANT SEA CREATURES
of individual whales would allow the
VICTORIA "VICK Y" ROWNTREE,
When the PV right whale project
population size and birth intervals
RESEARCH PROFESSOR OF
began, little was known about the
and other important demographic
BIOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSIT Y
giant sea creatures which average
parameters to be estimated,” says
OF UTAH, WAS INVITED BY THE
43 to 56 feet in length and weigh
U Emeritus Professor of Biology Jon
ANIMAL BEHAVIORIST ROGER
up to 176,000 pounds. Inspired by
Seger, Rowntree’s husband and
PAYNE TO VISIT HIS THEN-
the British ethologist Jane Goodall
frequent research collaborator.
NEW RIGHT-WHALE RESEARCH
and other researchers who were
PROJECT AT PENÍNSUL A VALDÉS
closely observing animals in the
What Rowntree and her colleagues
(PV) IN PATAGONIA , ARGENTINA .
wild, Payne realized that tracking the
look for are distinctive patterns in the
lives of individual whales, especially
whale’s callosities, rough patches of
Payne, who died earlier this year
reproducing females in their natural
thickened skin on the whale’s head.
at age 88, was already famous
habitat for long periods of time,
Within the circles of callus tissue
for discovering (together with his
was likely key to understanding
are sensory hairs that may help the
wife Katy Payne) the “Songs of the
their reproduction, ecology and
whales find their prey. Callosities
Humpback Whale”—probably the
demographics.
appear white against the whale's
most famous nature album in history.
black skin and are covered with living
A few years later Rowntree joined
Each year, in the months of July
blankets of light-bodied crustacean
the right-whale project as a full-time
through October, southern right
passengers or “whale lice."
researcher and began a long career
whales (Eubalaena australis) arrive
during which she played leading roles
at bays on the shores of PV to calve
Using photos of the whale’s heads,
in shaping and then sustaining, what
and raise their young in the safety of
Rowntree and her colleagues have
has become the most important study
the shallow waters. “Roger realized
identified more than 4,000 individuals
of its kind.
that repeated photo-identification
to date; many have been seen over
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spans of two-to-five decades and in many different years, with and without calves. A HALF CENTURY OF DATA
Early on, the researchers used a light plane which would circle low over groups of whales while a photographer snapped frames on 35mm-black-and-white and later, color film. Today, quadcopter drones are primarily used to photograph the whales. With a drone, researchers can hover over the water and wait for a whale to surface directly below, as opposed to flying in slow, tight circles over the water, hoping to be above a whale when it finally surfaces to breathe. The wide range of data forms posed a challenge for ongoing work. When Rowntree moved to Utah, she found herself managing five filing cabinets with tens of thousands of 35mm film photos covering the first 34 years of the project. At risk of fire or other
Library Information Resources, the
tourists going out on a boat,” Seger
disasters, the collection had limited
U’s Marriott Library has digitized
says. “There’s a naturalist [on board]
access, especially for her Argentine
the irreplaceable foundation of the
who knows all this stuff.”
colleagues. Now, with the help of a
project’s ever-growing database for
grant from the
scientists worldwide, (see sidebar).
Committee on
At its core, the project is a labor of love for local students. “Vicky saw early
TOURIST WHALE WATCHING
on,” says Seger, “that these wonderful
Before the right whale project,
young college-age volunteers who
there was only one whale watching
would show up to work for a few
company at Valdes Peninsula. Now
weeks should be raising their sights
there are five. The project has drawn
and thinking about getting PhDs and
increasing numbers of tourists
starting their own research projects.
worldwide to the area, as there is no
Now,” continues Seger, “… five or six
other place to predictably see whales
have come to the States for graduate
up close in their natural habitat. “This
study with Vicky's encouragement
study contributes hugely to tourism
and help in finding labs.”
because of the added value for the
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Two of these students earned
A LIVING LEGACY
The involvement and education of
their PhDs at the U, and most are
With the digitization of the project’s
local students are crucial for the
now faculty at different Argentine
analog photos and supporting data,
longevity of the project because,
universities. They and their volunteers
Seger stresses that “this isn’t just a
Rowntree says, “... [T]hey’re the ones
and students are now responsible for
historical archive of some wonderful
that can affect the conservation
most of the front-
study that’s now
of the right whales.” In addition to
line research work
fading back
keeping the research project running,
and represent the
into the mists of
these young scientists advocate for
PV right whales
history. It’s an
the PV right whale population at
nationally and
ongoing research
International Whaling Commission
internationally.
project that we
meetings and influence policy
The project
all want to go
changes that will conserve whales and
is now directed by the Instituto
on for another 50 years, at least.” As
de Conservación de Ballenas, an
data accumulate each year, they show
Argentine non-profit founded in
more and more clearly how the PV
Far from a relic, the research gets its
the 1990s, in collaboration with the
right whale population has continued
power directly from its continuity,
American non-profit Ocean Alliance,
to grow, despite serious ecological
which has been sustained in large
which was founded by Payne in the
challenges.
part by Vicky Rowntree’s unflagging
1970s.
their marine habitats.
curiosity and dedication for over half a century. < All photos in this story are courtesy of Instituto de Conservación de Ballenas.
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ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF
installed as the College of Science’s
is driven by concerns that drought,
BIOLOGY WILLIAM ANDEREGG IS
first Senior Fellow, SBS’s own Fred
insects, and wildfire may devastate
A 2023 RECIPIENT OF THE
Adler and Amy Luers, Global Director
forests in the coming decades. “We
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION’S
for Sustainability Science at Microsoft.
study how drought and climate change affect forest ecosystems,
(NSF) WATERMAN AWARD.
Presentations from the five finalists
including tree physiology, species
The nation’s highest honor for early-
competing for the historic $1.5
interactions, carbon cycling and
career scientists and engineers,
million Wilkes Climate Prize were also
biosphere-atmosphere feedback,”
the award was presented to him
staged for the gathering of more
writes the forest ecologist. “This
and other recipients in May at a
than 400. The winner, Seattle-based
research spans a broad array of spatial
ceremony during the NSF meeting
Lumen Bioscience, was announced in
scales from xylem cells to ecosystems
in Washington, DC. He is also one of
September at a special event hosted
and seeks to gain a better mechanistic
three national laureates to receive
at the Natural History Museum of
understanding of how climate change
this year’s Blavatnik Award for Young
Utah. The winning entry proposes
will affect forests around the world.” <
Scientists as well as acknowledged,
dosing all dairy cows and beef cattle
with his mentor John Sperry, emeritus
with a methanogen-inhibiting,
faculty member, by Clarivate as being
genetically engineered microbe called
one of the most cited scientists in the
spirulina by 2040, which they estimate
world.
would reduce methane emissions from livestock by 40%. To achieve this,
As Director of the Wilkes Center for
they estimate they will need 1,540,000
Climate Science & Policy, Anderegg
tons a year of spirulina, which requires
also oversaw the inaugural Wilkes
a spirulina pond that is 14 x 14 miles
Climate Summit (May 16-17) at the U.
in area in an area spread globally via
The summit offered scores of panelists
local spirulina farms.
and keynote speakers including Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson, former
The Wilkes directorship is a natural
state legislator Tim Hawkes, recently
role for Anderegg whose research
Anderegg receives Waterman Award. Courtesy of NSF
COVER STORY & RECOGNITION | 2023
8
Transplanting seedlings of Inga for an experiment at the Tiputini field station in the Ecuadorian, Amazon. Credit: Maria Jose Endara “I FIRST STEPPED FOOT IN A
of herbivore has evolved counter
Furthermore, the project has
TROPICAL RAINFOREST IN 1975
adaptations that allow it to feed
established the island of Coiba as a
AND HAVE BEEN BACK EVERY
on only plant species with similar
protected World Heritage Site and
YEAR DOING RESEARCH ON HOW
defenses.”
created a new voice of Panamanian scientists helping to shape
PL ANTS DEFEND THEMSELVES AGAINST GETTING EATEN BY
It turns out that plant species with
government policy and appreciation
INSECTS,” says Phyllis “Lissy” Coley,
different defenses do not share
of their natural treasures.
distinguished professor emerita of
herbivores and therefore can co-exist,
biology at the U. She is newly elected
promoting high local diversity. The
“When it comes to understanding
member of the National Academy of
concept that the high biodiversity
the complexity of ecosystems and
Sciences (NAS).
of tropical forests is due to these
the risks they face in today’s world,”
antagonistic interactions is now
says current Director of the School
Coley’s signature work on
widely accepted by her colleagues
of Biological Sciences Fred Adler
understanding the complexity of
in the forest ecology sector and now
“Distinguished Professor Lissy Coley is
ecosystems is due to her focus on why
acknowledged by the NAS.
the expert I turn to get to the heart of the question.” <
tropical forests are so spectacularly diverse. “How can 650 tree species–
“I am happy that the young scientists
more than in all of North America–live
I have mentored are continuing to
together in a single hectare of tropical
explore the many remaining questions
forest?” she asks.
in evolutionary ecology,” she says. With her late partner Tom Kursar,
Another question related to the first
Coley set up their project with the
includes what drives speciation.
majority of the work being done by
“We have shown that the arms
local scientists. It has led to promising
race with insect herbivores leads
patents, research experiences for
to extraordinarily rapid evolution
hundreds of students, and the
of a battery of plant defenses,” she
creation of more jobs than the country
continues, “particularly chemical
of Panama's ubiquitous and potentially
toxins, such that a given species
destructive industry of logging.
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by JULIA ST. ANDRE Holding a high-precision GPS unit to support drone flight in Norway. Credit: Brian J. Enquist BORN AND RAISED IN
the planet. And that’s causing what
it, you know, working and trying to
CALIFORNIA , JON WANG’S
we call a biome shift,” explains Wang.
pay off student loans. I decided that
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE TOOK
By utilizing decades of satellite data
I wanted to try to understand that
HIM ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO
from sources such as NASA, Wang
whole issue a lot better.”
BROWN UNIVERSIT Y WHERE HE
is able to observe changes to these
STUDIED BIOLOGY AND GEOLOGY.
ecosystems over long periods of time
Wang began his career by researching
by combining machine learning and
urban heat islands and forestry in
“It was the major that had the most
data science to transform the satellite
an effort to understand the role that
field trips,” jokes Wang. “It really set
information
trees play in
me down on this path of trying to
into useful
urban ecology,
understand the Earth system overall,
datasets. Having
carbon capture,
and how biogeochemical cycles like
a big-picture
and human
the carbon cycle or nutrient cycles
view of these
health. Though
interact and form the world as we
ecosystems
there are fewer
know it today.”
helps inform
trees in cities,
these scientists
they play an
Wang is now an Earth systems
about where, when, and why certain
important role in the absorption of
scientist who recently joined the
ecosystems have changed and what
carbon emissions. “We were working
faculty of the School of Biological
that means for addressing climate
towards a better understanding of
Sciences as an assistant professor.
change.
urban ecology so we can account for the urban forest part in this carbon
Wang’s current research revolves
As he began his PhD at Boston
budget, and that can in turn improve
around understanding environmental
University, climate change was at the
our ability to evaluate these carbon
changes to ecosystems in places like
forefront of global conversation. Wang
emissions programs that cities are
Canada and Alaska, where rapidly
says he felt compelled to be more
trying to implement,” says Wang.
warming temperatures are reshaping
involved with research surrounding
Closer to home, Wang also studied the
the variety of plant life that grows
climate solutions. “Things were
California wildfires and their impact
in those areas. “In the far north, it’s
starting to feel pretty serious, and I
on both urban and wild areas.
warming faster than anywhere else on
felt like I was really outside of all of
RECOGNITION & RESEARCH | 2023
10
Wang is excited to teach a new
Related to his experience with
the broader culture about how these
generation of scientists as they
airborne data collection, Wang is
systems work, and there’s a better
explore everything Earth science
planning on using unmanned aerial
understanding of how everything’s
has to offer. During his undergrad
systems (UAS), to generate very high
connected. We’re worried that this
years, he was an intern in NASA's
resolution maps of forest structure
biospheric carbon sink is vulnerable
Student Airborne Research Program
and stress for calibrating space-borne
to climate change, but it’s there, and
(SARP) which uses the fleet of aircraft
satellite data. UAS’s, commonly known
there’s a capacity for the Earth to
maintained for studying Earth system
as “drones,” can help measure the
take the carbon back, to mitigate this
processes, calibration/validation
temperatures of leaves to understand
climate change, and to give us some
of space-borne observations, and
climate-induced stress and mortality
ability to reverse the damage.
prototyping instruments for possible
or measure greenness to track the
satellite missions. After returning to
changing of the seasons at a tree-by-
“There’s a really neat hub of carbon
the SARP program as a mentor, Wang
tree level. “It’s fun,” he says, “because
cycle and Earth science research that
was compelled to start teaching. “I
it’s like playing video games, but
I knew I wanted to be part of. And
loved that experience where I just got
outside and for science!”
so I feel really lucky that I have the
to meet a lot of different young minds.
opportunity to join this department
They don’t know what they want yet,
As his work deals heavily with climate
and really plug into that whole world
but it’s really cool to see that they
change, Wang is careful to remain
of research.” <
have this whole world of Earth science
optimistic when it comes to the
open to them. It was really inspiring.”
future. “I think there is a big shift in Wang catching a drone. Credit: Brian J. Enquist
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JODY REIMER MAT HE M AT I CAL BI OLOG Y A DDS UP by CJ SIEBENECK
THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN
Fred Adler and Ken Golden before
on a terrestrial-like substrate.” As an
BIOLOGY AND MATH MAY SEEM
joining the faculty of both academic
environment, sea ice is very dynamic.
LIKE A L ARGE DIVIDE, BUT IN
units in 2022.
If the air temperature changes by ten degrees, the physical characteristics
REALIT Y, THESE DISCIPLINES GIVE RISE TO FASCINATING
“My work is very interdisciplinary,”
of the ice changes as it melts or
RESEARCH APPROACHES.
Reimer says. “I typically collaborate
freezes in response to the change in
with biologists, but it was harder to
temperature. That also changes the
Jody Reimer, an assistant professor
meet folks in biology while working
fluid permeability of the ice, thus
at the U, has double appointments
strictly in the math department.”
changing the microbial habitat in
in biology and math. “Biology is very
Reimer works on ecological research
dramatic ways.
messy,” Reimer states. “There’s this
projects, associated with sea ice.
feeling of wanting to find universal
“What the environment looks like
principles or general theories. There’s
Sea ice is considered the “soil of the
determines what can grow there,”
nothing that refines your thinking
ocean,” as Reimer puts it. The algae
Reimer states. “The little algal cells in the
better than having to write something
within sea ice are “more similar to a
ice are also ecosystem engineers. They
down as an equation.”
terrestrial system of plants growing
secrete these exopolymer substances
than they are to a marine system.
to protect themselves, and that ‘goo’
So marine organisms are growing
changes the physics of the ice.”
Reimer is from a small town in Manitoba and completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Manitoba. From there, she completed her master’s degree at the University of Oxford. “It’s like the Disneyland of academics,” she jokes, referring to the prestigious university, the oldest in the Englishspeaking world. “It feels like you’re in a movie about being an academic.” She then moved back to Canada and completed her PhD at the University of Alberta before coming to the U as a postdoctoral researcher to work with
Reimer measures a polar bear's head in the field. Credit: Jody Reimer
RESEARCH | 2023
12
Since change in temperature affects
Reimer had
environments like sea ice in such
her work on ringed
significant ways, it’s an important
seals in Alaska used in a court
area of research in regards to climate
case when Alaska attempted to appeal
change. Research into how remote
the placement of ringed seals on the
areas are impacted by climate
Endangered Species List. “It’s kind of
change is important, especially for
unprecedented,” she says, in regards
polar regions like Antarctica and the
to why ringed seals were placed on
Arctic. Reimer is using mechanistic
the list. “I think polar bears are the
models, which are well-suited to
first species that were listed, not
understanding climate change and
because they're currently in danger,
environmental change as they allow
but because climate change forecasts
us to explore the implications of
suggest future population decline.”
previously unobserved environmental
Reimer continues, saying their listing
conditions.
“was partially based on mathematical modeling work actually showing our
The policy implications of research
best understanding of how polar
like this includes knowing what is
bear populations respond to Arctic
vulnerable to climate change and
warming. This is how climate change
needs protecting. “It’s hard to push
is going to influence them. And it was
for protections for areas if you don't
enough to get them listed.” Ringed
know what you're protecting,” Reimer
seals are listed for the same reason,
says. “Which areas are ecologically
and Reimer was encouraged to see
important and which areas are
her own modeling work contribute to
ecologically vulnerable?”
that decision.
Today, Reimer has found a home in Salt Lake City as she gets settled into her new lab in the Biology Building. The challenge of being posted in two different departments as a tenure-line faculty member, even in the same college, is having extra administrative duties, including attending two different faculty meetings and increased committee work. With research that relates to both biology and math, things become comparable and quantifiable when they take the form of a mathematical equation, arguably a necessary tool for the great steamship of science to keep plowing the waters of knowledge and understanding. <
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ANDY THLIVERIS
13
'REM E M BER T H E UN DERGRADS'
first department chair of Biology,
majored in biology as well as geology
had a profound impact on him. “He
and geophysics, and later attended
changed my life,” reported Thliveris
the U’s medical school where he
whose main message to the faculty
earned his MD, prepared him well.
and friends who had gathered was
Following his ophthalmology
“Remember the undergraduate
residency at Wisconsin in 1998, he
students.”
was a postdoctoral research fellow as a launch to his auspicious 28-year
IN DECEMBER 2022 , ANDREW "ANDY" THLIVERIS BS’83 MADE A SPECIAL TRIP TO SALT L AKE CIT Y WITH HIS WIFE L AUREN. THEY JOINED THE SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES IN A BELATED (DUE TO THE PANDEMIC) REMEMBRANCE OF K. GORDON L ARK WHO HAD PASSED AWAY MORE THAN TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS EARLIER IN APRIL 2020.
Vice Chair and Ophthalmology Residency Training Program Director at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Thliveris, until his retirement in September, was also Chief of Ophthalmology at the W.S. Middleton VA Hospital and holds the rank of Professor at the School of Medicine in Madison. At the event Thliveris remembered that as an undergraduate he worked in the Lark Lab for five years and that Lark, the
Thliveris also surprised many by
career. After joining the faculty in
announcing that through his affiliation
2000, he took on the position of
with the Carl & Mary Ann Berg
Veterans Affairs Hospital service chief
Charitable Remainder Trust he had
and later, in 2014, vice chair of resident
arranged to fully fund the K. Gordon
education and residency director—
Lark Endowed Chair. The Lark fund
roles he held until his retirement
was established in 2017, followed in
and during which time he trained
July 2022 with a campaign to “reboot.”
countless physicians, including many
The ambition was to achieve the level
of the department’s own faculty.
of endowed professorship through an anonymous, matching donation of
At the announcement of his
$250,000. But with Thliveris’s brokered
retirement, Thliveris said, “Our
gift—added to many others from
residents are beyond amazing, and
generous individual donors—the Lark
the dedication from the faculty to
Endowment was elevated to the more
our program has made short work
prestigious level of endowed chair.
for our education team. We have a very proud tradition here and are
With his characteristic humor, Thliveris
poised to continue for generations to
was eager to recall his time in Lark’s
come.” In hearing the news, many in
Lab. He confessed to being that “pesky, nerdy undergrad—highmaintenance—known to call Gordon at 11 pm on several occasions, [until] finally, Gordon, then speaking to his post-doc Paul Keim, [said], ‘You’ve got to get this guy under control because I have no idea what the hell I told him last night.’” Clearly, Thliveris's sojourn at the U as an undergraduate where he
RESEARCH & ALUMNI | 2023
14
Wisconsin responded with memories
To recognize Thliveris’s lasting legacy,
Whatever Gordon Lark said during
of his meticulous teaching, patience,
the department dedicated its new
those 11 pm phone calls to Andy
wisdom, and, of course, his delightful
Surgical Skills Training Facility in
Thliveris must have been memorable.
sense of humor.
his honor. The new space, which
And now with the K. Gordon Lark
expands the department’s training
Endowed Chair poised to announce its
Thliveris will also be remembered
capacity by providing 10 training
first recipient soon, the undergraduate
for his work as director of the
pods, each outfitted with state-of-the-
has made sure the legacy of the
department’s cataract extraction
art equipment, will be instrumental
founder of the School of Biological
phacoemulsification course. In this
in training the next generation
Sciences will continue. <
three-year progressive course, medical
of eyecare specialists. “While the
and veterinary ophthalmology
decision to retire was a very emotional
residents, UW and visiting medical
one,” says Thliveris. “It comforts me
students, and pre-residency fellows
greatly to know that I am leaving
from around the country learn the
things in such capable hands. Full
latest cataract surgical techniques.
steam ahead.”
Read more about Dr. Thliveris's retirement on the UW-Madison website from which some of this article was taken.
KAREN ZUNDEL
HE RE COM ES T R OU BLESHO OTING pretty much seen it all. But to talk to
Perhaps it’s the nature of the job, like
her about her work, her contributions
a forest ranger taking care of hectares
and her stamina is like pulling a sequoia
of Douglas Fir: have your influence be
out by the roots (not that anyone
immeasurably felt but don’t ever be
would dream of doing that these
heard or seen; you aren’t the one to
days). Ask her about her critical legacy
take that bow. That’s what it means to
in making the School run, and she
be the personification of the shrubs,
reflexively refers to the faculty as the
small trees, vines, and saplings of the
reason for SBS’s functionality and fame.
more visible canopy trees. And Zundel wouldn’t have it any other way. <
Zundel isn’t about to give away the hows, whys and wherefores of ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR K AREN ZUNDEL IS THE EPITOME OF WHAT’S CALLED IN FORESTRY THE “UNDERSTORY.”
Winner of this year’s College of Science Outstanding Staff Award, the twenty-year veteran in what is now the School of Biological Sciences has
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what it’s like to be the kingpin of a celebrated understory as large as that of SBS’s. The operational nexus for not only a large community, but a complex one as well, with a single admin like her supporting as many as 16 faculty members at a time while managing a team of other admins simultaneously.
Read a more detailed version of this article at biology.utah.edu
RECOGNITION
15
DYLAN KLURE
JOANNA VARNER PhD’15
SOPHIE CARON
Outstanding Graduate Student
Finalist for XPRIZE Rainforest Prize
Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring
Read more about our distinguished students and faculty at biology.utah.edu
ACCORDING TO STRUCTURAL
yet, shrouded in mystery ever since
BIOLOGIST VENK ATRAMAN
the discovery of the double-helix
"VENKI" RAMAKRISHNAN,
structure of DNA 50 years earlier.
“WE ALL HAVE IMPOSTER SYNDROME,” A PHENOMENON
“Everything in the cell is either made
DESCRIBED AS SELF-DOUBT
by the ribosome or made by enzymes
OF INTELLECT, SKILLS, OR
that are themselves made by the
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AMONG
ribosome,” he said. The event was co-
HIGH-ACHIEVING INDIVIDUALS.
sponsored by the U's Department of Biochemistry, U Health, and NHMU. His
In a much-anticipated lecture at
presentation ended with a spectacular
the College of Science’s Frontiers
animation which is featured in a new
of Science on September 27,
exhibit dedicated to the ribosome on
Ramakrishnan detailed “My
the fourth floor of the NHMU.
Adventures in the Ribosome.” It was a stirring finish for Venki With a warm reminder to the
Ramakrishnan, co-recipient of the
standing-room-only crowd at the
Nobel prize in chemistry, who brought
Natural History Museum of Utah
it all up to scale when he closed the
(NHMU) he explained that there were
evening by saying, “During the time
setbacks, re-directs, and moments
you've been listening to me, the
of doubt for the structural biologist
thousands of ribosomes in each of your
who helped solve the structure of
cells have been churning out tens of
biology's most important molecule
thousands of proteins as we speak." <
ALUMNI & RECOGNITION & EVENTS | 2023
T
hank you to all of our alumni
To meet the tremendous demand for
activities, and will be matched dollar-
and friends who contribute to
STEM graduates in Utah, the School
for-dollar. Every gift counts!
the School of Biological Sciences.
of Biological Sciences’ top priorities
Your support enables us to provide
include support for Undergraduate
We are grateful for your investment in
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Students and Graduate Students.
our students, faculty, and staff. We’d
groundbreaking research, and
love to hear from you or have you stop
prepare the next generation of
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by campus for a visit. You are always
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impact on student success rates.
welcome here at the University of Utah!
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