I SSU E
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The Independent Student Voice of Boise State Since 1933
Volume 22
First Issue
F R E E
SEPTEMBER 28, 2009
ARBITERONLINE.COM
t. Oc h ug g thro omin te. 8 c 2 e t. Sta m Sep is ho Boise ter for 2 rbi for ek The A ates. e w ck upd e t h n C eve
Learn about what every sexually active student should know page 4
BOWLING
GRANTS
GREEN
KILLERS 5
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Boise State professors receive major academic grants TONY RODGERS Journalist
Are you protected?
BIG
B
oise State professors have been receiving one grant after another for research in their field of study. Like wildfire, the grants are spreading from department to department, with new awards springing up almost every week. One of the major grants to come into the spotlight is one awarded to associate professor Cheryl Jorcyk. A member of the Biological Sciences Department, Jorcyk was awarded $720,000 for her reasearch project, “Breast Cancer Metastasis in Bone: The Role of Oncostatin M.” Oncostatin M is in a way, a messenger body that is produced by breast cancer cells and tumor cells in the immune system. According to Jorcyk, it could play a key role in the progression and spread of Brest Cancer. "About 70-75 percent of metastatic breast cancers metastasize to bone, so what I'm doing is studying the potential process that Oncostatin M undergoes, and if I can find a connection, then the next step will be finding a way to stop it," Jorcyk said. To recieve a grant from the American Cancer Society takes skill, and the research must impress the reviewers, which is exactly what Jorcyk's project did “The project was selected by a panel of expert peer reviewers as part of the Society’s nationwide competitive review process,” said T.J. Koerner, director of research information management at the national office of the American Cancer Society. “Fewer than 15 percent of the applications were approved for funding, thus giving a sense of how highly regarded the proposal by Dr. Jorcyk was deemed by the stringent review process.”
The grant will be disbursed over a period of four years. There are some limitations however, much of the money will go to pay staff that she will hire for her lab, including a post-doctoral member. Other funds will go to buying cells, such as antibodies, while other funds will go to buying supplies. "We will need a lot of plastic, enzymes and analytical kits," Jorcyk said. On the other hand, no money is alotted for buying equipment to conduct the experiments. This is the largest grant Jorcyk has received. She has also recieved grants from the National Institute of Health. "I feel great! It's a privilege to receive
DVD and imagers in your digital camera LCD display.” Wan heads a cluster of scientists called The Nanophotonics Group. He works in close collaboration with professors Bill Knowlton, Bernie Yurke and Will Hughes to discover new ways to further the study of Nanophotonics. The National Science Foundation grant is Wan Kuang’s first major grant. “I’ve gotten grants before in the past, but this is the largest one I’ve received to date,” Wan said. The money is allotted to be disbursed during the next five years, and the majority will go into researching nanophotonics. Some of the money is being specialized into an outreach program. The program will focus on high school students, and will try to spark interest in energy conservation. Department chair, Thad Welch, considers Wan Kuang a valuable asset. "Wan has been a very productive member of the faculty for a number of years," said Welch. "This is a nationally competed process, and he won this award, which says alot about his capabilities now, and into the future." Kuang currently advises both graduate and undergraduate students. With the grant money, Kuang hopes to expand the doctoral program at Boise State with new opportunities to study electrical and computer engineering. Kuang received his Masters in electrical engineering from Chongqing University of Post and Telecom in China.
“I feel great! It’s a privilege to receive funding from the ACS, and I’m very excited,”
Another Boise State football triumph
funding from the ACS, and I'm very excited," she said. An engineering professor has also been awarded a large grant. Wan Kuang, assistant professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, has been recognized by the National Science Foundation for his promising research and his teaching abilities. He was awarded the CAREER grant, the most prestigious award for early career faculty. Kuang received $400,000 for his proposal on the advancement of Nanophotonics. “Nanophotonics in a nutshell is to make optical device as small as we possibly can,” said Kuang. “Examples of optical devices for consumer products are laser in your
The Broncos rolled Bowling Green to move into the No. 5 spot page 5
PHOTO COURTESY CAMPUS PROMOTIONS
BSU professor Cheryl Jorcyck has been awarded a $720,000 grant.
A killer show Look inside to find out what The Arbiter thought of Friday’s concert page 8
Senators seek barbecue bill KIM KING Journalist
S
en. Pro Tempore Justin White ended the chocolate candy bar incentive Tuesday. He made the offer at an ASBSU meeting earlier this month hoping to inspire new legislation. “I want to clear up any possible misunderstanding,” he said. “To think that would be our motivation would be ridiculous.” Candy bars were distributed to senate members and gallery guests
in attendance. “Why do I do what I do?” White said. He challenged each senator to examine his or her motivation for serving in student government. “Now should be a time of reflection. Helping students should be the number one priority.” White is drafting a bill designed for students to have the opportunity to meet senators at a barbecue and discuss the issues. “There is no formal process or legislation for events like this in place now,” said Chase Johnson, senator-at-large. “I’m willing to
discuss student issues at any time. I am approachable and it is important that students know me as that - not just as someone that creates a lot of legislation.” Johnson said he supports offering free food in an informal setting. White is calling his proposed barbecue a meet and greet. “Students need to meet their senators,” he said. “It helps us and other students realize the importance of what we do.” “I have met other people and it has been a good influence,” said Cara Mia De Marco, senator for the College of Education. “I didn’t even know there was a payment offered when I began in 2007.” “I took a 50 percent pay cut when I quit my other job,” said Laura Rogers, senator for the College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs, “but it has been much more rewarding. I enjoy working with students and I am now more involved with Boise State.” In other business Johnson’s Freshman Bill - proposing the creation of appointed senate positions for immediate occupancy by two first-year students - has been ruled unconstitutional by the judicial branch. Vice President Joseph Bunt is encouraging each senator to join four committees on campus. There are more than 60 committees that specify student representation and these positions are rarely filled, Bunt said. Any student can apply. ASBSU meetings are open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4 p.m. in the SUB Forum.
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