NOTEBOOK P u b l i s h e d f o r A l u m n i a n d Fr i e n d s o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f U t a h C o l l e g e o f S c i e n c e
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Crocker Science Center Opens to Students STUDENT PROFILE
Scott Neville, Churchill Scholar ALUMNI PROFILE
Raymond B. Greer, BS’86
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Notebook • Volume XX VI • 2018
NOTEBOOK PUBLISHER
College of Science DEAN
Henry S. White EDITOR
James R. DeGooyer PHOTOGRAPHY AND ILLUSTRATION
Trevor Muhler Della Rae Riker Michael Schoenfeld University of Utah Marketing and Communications CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jana Cunningham Ann Floor Michele Swaner GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PRINTING
IC Group NOTEBOOK IS PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH COLLEGE OF SCIENCE DIRECT CORRESPONDENCE TO:
University of Utah College of Science 1430 Presidents Cir. Rm. 220 Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0140 Office: (801) 581-6958 Fax: (801) 585-3169 office@science.utah.edu Visit the College of Science at www.science.utah.edu ON THE COVER
L–R: University President Ruth V. Watkins, David Pershing, Pierre Sokolsky, Spencer Eccles, Dinesh Patel, Gary and Ann Crocker, Governor Gary R. Herbert, Mary Jane O’Connor-Ririe, and Kirk Ririe dedicated the Crocker Science Center on Friday, April 20, 2018.
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Dean’s Corner
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Crocker Science Center Dedication
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Crimson Laureate Society
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Student Profile – Scott Neville, Churchill Scholar
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Alumni Profile – Raymond B. Greer, BS’86
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Coley-Kursar Endowment in Biology
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Donor Recognition and Appreciation
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Hacon Receives Presidential Endowed Chair
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János Kollár Endows Lecturer in Mathematics
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Student Advising Hive
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Fighting Superbugs with Super Drugs
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James M. Sugihara Turns 100
Notebook • Volume XX VI • 2018
Dean’s Corner Henry S. White
Dear Alumni and Friends, This issue of Notebook shares the stories and experiences
The College continues to provide outstanding opportuni-
of the people who make the College of Science extraordinary.
ties to undergraduate and graduate students. For the third year
People just like you. Today’s students, faculty and friends
in a row, a science student has been chosen for the prestigious
become tomorrow’s alumni, leaders, and supporters.
Churchill Scholarship to study at Cambridge University. Scott
The College will face many challenges and opportunities
Neville, who earned a mathematics degree in December, is one
in the next academic year. Student enrollment at the University
of just 15 students in the United States to receive the Churchill
is nearly 32,000 and is projected to grow significantly in the
Scholarship this year.
The College of Science is committed to student education, scientific discovery, and economic impact in Utah and around the world. next few years. We are working on several initiatives to meet
This issue of Notebook also features an outstanding alum-
the needs of the growing student population. Your financial
nus from the College. Raymond B. Greer, BS’86 in Mathematics,
support and personal participation will be the measure of our
is the CEO of Omnitracs, a billion-dollar company that provides
success in the years ahead. If you are not yet a member of the
telematic devices and logistics to support the transportation
Crimson Laureate Society, I urge you to consider making an
industry. In 2011, Ray established the Sandra J. Bromley schol-
annual gift to the College.
arship – in honor of his mother – to support undergraduate
The Gary and Ann Crocker Science Center on Presidents Circle is now open to students and researchers and the College
students in the College of Science. The College of Science gratefully acknowledges our
celebrated the building dedication on April 20. We are pro-
alumni, friends, and donors. People just like you. Thank you
foundly grateful to Gary and Ann Crocker and their family for
for your support!
their leadership gift that will benefit students, faculty, and staff at the U for generations to come. I invite you to visit campus and see this world-class education and research center.
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Henry S. White – Dean, College of Science
Notebook • Volume XXVI • 2018
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Notebook • Volume XX VI • 2018
GARY AND ANN CROCKER SCIENCE CENTER
Opening the Doors to a New Gener ation of Scientists A new era of scientific education and research is dawning. In April, University of Utah President Ruth V. Watkins and
an engine of creativity that will bless and enrich the lives of
College of Science Dean Henry S. White, along with Gary and
Utahans for generations to come,” says Gary Crocker. “It isn’t
Ann Crocker and Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert, celebrated the
often that a facility is created that will have such a tremendous
opening of the new Gary and Ann Crocker Science Center on
impact on the entire university community, with interdisciplin-
Presidents Circle.
ary instruction, research and commercialization focus areas
Housed in the historic and newly renovated George Thom-
throughout this historic building. We applaud the University of
as Building, the Crocker Science Center will be the new home
Utah for its leadership and vision in establishing this national
to the Henry Eyring Center for Cell and Genome Science, the
center of STEM excellence.”
Center for Science and Math Education, modern classrooms and
The project also received $34 million from the State of
laboratories for interdisciplinary science and math education,
Utah, as well as generous donations from additional benefac-
and a technology incubator space.
tors, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
Gary and Ann Crocker provided a personal lead gift of $10
6
“Ann and I are confident that this science center will be
the Sorenson Legacy Foundation, Kirk Ririe and Mary Jane
million toward the renovation and expansion of the George
O’Connor-Ririe, Harris Simmons and Amanda Pahnke Simmons,
Thomas Building.
the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, the
Notebook • Volume XXVI • 2018
Lawrence T. & Janet T. Dee Foundation, The Semnani Family
University classes started in the Crocker Science Center on
Foundation, Dinesh and Kalpana Patel, Grandeur Peak Global
Jan. 8, 2018 for Spring semester. The building now contains 10
Advisors, and numerous other friends of the College of Science.
flexible classrooms including two large teaching spaces in the
The Crocker Science Center will have three main purposes:
historic Great Hall. Each of the Great Hall classrooms can accom-
research, education and commerce. The research component
modate more than 100 students. In addition, a total of seven
will draw on faculty and students from all four departments in
new teaching laboratories are available to students.
the College – Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics & Astronomy – to study the basic machinery of living cells. The educational component will provide undergraduate students
Instrumentation Observational research requires a wide range of special-
with abundant laboratory opportunities, smaller classrooms
ized devices, precision instruments, and controlled spaces. The
and regular interaction with faculty. A commercial “incubator”
Crocker Science Center features state-of-the-art microscopes
will bring scientists in the College together with people in local
and observation rooms, supporting many research initiatives
industry to develop ideas with commercial potential.
at the U.
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Notebook • Volume XX VI • 2018
These core facilities will address the diverse needs of research faculty across the University campus. Scientists in physical science, life science, medicine, and engineering will find use for these important tools. A newly acquired $5.9 million cryo-transmission electron microscope (cryo-TEM) was installed in December 2017 and is one focal point of research instrumentation in the building. The cryo-TEM will allow researchers to observe and construct images of three-dimensional structures of important biomolecules with atomic resolution, providing insights into their biological functions in humans. “This technology will provide unprecedented views into the workings of cellular nano-machines, which is essential to understand the architecture and function of cells,” says Markus Babst, Interim Director of the Henry Eyring Center for Cell and Genome Science.
Gary and Ann Crocker Gary Crocker has been recognized locally and nationally for his successful business pursuits in life science companies over a career that spans more than four decades. The Crockers’ donation stems from proceeds of four science-based companies in which Crocker has either been a founder and operator or early investor and principal, including heart surgery device firm Research Medical which was sold to Edwards Life Sciences. Crocker’s career extends to all areas of the life science industry, including developing groundbreaking medical devices, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals. He currently serves as president of the life science investment firm he founded, Crocker Ventures, and as chairman of Boston-based cancer research firm Merrimack Pharmaceuticals and Utah-based medical implant developer Nexus Spine. He has twice been named Utah Entrepreneur of the Year. Ann Crocker, a graduate of the University of Utah, serves as a board member of the Sorenson Legacy Foundation and the Utah Shakespearean Festival, and is a long-time supporter and donor to the Utah Youth Village.
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Notebook • Volume XXVI • 2018
CRIMSON Laureate Society
Crimson Laureate Society Continues to Grow The Crimson Laureate Society celebrated its first anniversary
Education and outreach programs in the College provide
on May 1, 2018. The Society was created to provide alumni and
transformative student experiences and promote student
friends more opportunities for direct involvement in the College
success. In fact, with help from the Crimson Laureate Society,
of Science, as
the College awarded $388,500 in student scholarships last year.
well as incentives
And that’s just one area of impact.
for their charitable support of
members. If you are currently a member, we would like to ex-
science.
tend our gratitude and appreciation for your support! For those
Over the past year, a total of 753 alumni and friends Jeff Martin, Executive Director for Institutional Advancement
Our goal for 2018 is to grow the Society to more than 1,000
have joined the
who have not yet joined, we encourage you to get involved and help support this worthy endeavor.
Your financial support and personal participation in the College will be the measure of our success
Crimson Laureate Society! Your enthusiastic
response to our invitation has provided gifts and pledges that have made a great impact in the College and its departments.
By pledging your support to the advancement of science education and research, you can have a direct impact with your personal involvement and philanthropic support. Contact Jeff Martin in the College of Science at (801) 581-
In February, the Society members attended a special sneak
4852 or martin@science.utah.edu with any questions or com-
preview event of the new Crocker Science Center.
ments. You can also explore our website science.utah.edu/cls/.
As a member, you will receive a number of exclusive benefits: • VIP invitations and seating at featured College of Science events • Recognition on the Donor Wall in the new Crocker Science Center • Opportunities to engage with our talented and accomplished faculty • Recognition in the Notebook magazine and on College of Science website • Venues for networking with College of Science alumni and friends • Special tokens of appreciation that signify your membership level
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Notebook • Volume XX VI • 2018
The University of Cambridge, founded 1209
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Notebook • Volume XXVI • 2018
Student Profile
Scott Neville CHURCHILL SCHOLAR
Scott Neville of Clearfield, Utah, who graduated from the
While attending the U, Neville presented his work in Japan,
University of Utah in December with a degree in mathematics
completed advanced courses in modern algebra and number
and in computer science, has received a prestigious Churchill
theory, and took second place in the ASFM national collegiate
Scholarship to study at the University of Cambridge in the
mathematics championship in 2017. He also has co-authored
United Kingdom.
three publications with university faculty.
He is one of only 15 students in the U.S. to receive the
Neville credits many U faculty for helping him through his
award this year and is the third Churchill Scholar from the U,
undergraduate career. Suresh Venkatasubramanian, Tommaso
all of whom are mathematicians.
de Fernex, Duncan Metcalfe, Arjun Krishnan, Aditya Bhaskara,
“Having three Churchill scholars in the last four years is truly remarkable,” said Ruth Watkins, president of the University of Utah. “There is no doubt that Scott will continue to successfully represent the U at Cambridge.” Neville was drawn to math when he was introduced to the Collatz Conjecture in high school. “The conjecture is interesting for its simplicity and difficulty, as well as its lack of consequence,” said Neville. “I proved via enumeration and equation manipulation that
Peter Trapa and Gordan Savin were each instrumental in helping him with research, presentations, course work and advising. Neville aspires to become a professor at a research university so he can continue working on math and sharing it with others. “I want to give back to a community that’s given so much to me. I want to continue learning and pushing the limits of what mathematics, and hence humanity, can do,” said Neville. The Churchill Scholarship, established in 1963 at the
there was only one cycle with exactly one odd number, and
request of Winston Churchill, provides undergraduates with
none with exactly two odd numbers. This was a known result,
outstanding academic achievement in the science, technology,
but I was ecstatic. I realized there were unsolved problems in
engineering and math fields the opportunity to complete a
math and I could answer them.”
one-year Master’s program at the University of Cambridge. The
Neville enrolled at the U because he was already involved in an applied mathematics project with professor Duncan Metcalfe in the Anthropology department. The objective was to
award is worth about $60,000 in U.S. dollars, depending on the exchange rate. Candidates go through a rigorous endorsement process
investigate infeasible years in radiocarbon dating. The work was
in order to apply, but only after their home institution has been
funded by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
vetted with the Churchill Foundation. The U was added to the
“This was a good learning experience in both research and communicating mathematics, since the senior researcher had only passing familiarity with the math involved,” says Neville. The project resulted in a poster given at the Undergraduate
Foundation in spring 2014. The Churchill Scholarship has been called “the most academically challenging of the U.K. scholarships.” Neville will begin his studies at Cambridge in October 2018.
Research Symposium in 2016. “In addition, I knew the U had a rigorous mathematics and computer science program, but I hadn’t actually met any of those professors,” says Neville.
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Notebook • Volume XX VI • 2018
Alumni Profile
R aymond B. Greer BS’86, MATHEMATICS
When Ray was 12 years old, his mother, Sandra J. Bromley,
“Her requirement was she would support me as long as
moved her young family from Texas to Utah. The year was 1976.
I didn’t quit school,” says Greer. “That is why the Bromley
Sandra was promptly hired at the University of Utah and
scholarship requires continuous attendance.”
enjoyed a successful career as a technical illustrator in the
The Bromley scholarship is designed to provide financial
College of Mines and Earth Sciences, under the direction of
support to undergraduate students who stay enrolled and make
Frank H. Brown.
steady progress towards a science degree. The award covers full
Ray spent his teenage years in Midvale and attended Hillcrest high school. “My mother was the single greatest influence in my life,”
tuition for up to four years. Four students currently hold the scholarship – Lauryn Angell, Faye Porter, Cindy Liao, and Michelle White. Greer visited
says Greer. “She taught me the value of hard work and persever-
campus in January and was able to meet and encourage the
ance. She also insisted that college was not optional. It was like
student recipients.
going from junior high to high school – you just did it!” Ray enrolled at the U for Fall semester 1981 and was initially interested in computer science and engineering. However,
Greer has more than 30 years of experience in logistics
computer science was highly competitive at the time so
and transportation industries. He has held senior management
available classes were scarce.
positions for Greatwide Logistics Services, Newgistics, Ryder
“Fortunately, Hugo Rossi, a math professor, convinced me that if I majored in mathematics I could get as much course work in computer science as I wanted. The rest is history,” says Greer. After receiving his math degree at the U, Greer went on to earn a Master’s of Science in Information Systems and Telecom-
Logistics and FedEx. He served as president of BNSF Logistics, headquartered near Dallas, Texas, from 2011 to 2018. “Math allows me to think critically about situations and problems generally. Not just numerically but logically, to find patterns and trends that point to likely outcomes,” says Greer. In February, he was selected as CEO of Omnitracs, the
munications from Christian Brothers University, a small private
leading company in onboard technology for the trucking
college in Memphis.
industry. Omnitracs is an international billion-dollar company
In 2000, after retiring from the U, Ray’s mother, Sandra, moved back to Texas for the remaining years of her life. She passed away in 2011. Shortly thereafter, Ray established the
that provides telematic devices and logistics to support drivers and their organizations to be compliant, safe and efficient. “Math is universal and most importantly teaches you
Sandra J. Bromley scholarship in the College of Science to honor
discipline and persistence to work a problem until it is solved.
his mother by providing a way for deserving students to earn a
That has served me more throughout my career than anything,”
college degree.
says Greer.
“She worked hard to provide for her family, but her greatest
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On the Move
Greer has high hopes and expectations for today’s college
regret in life was not attending college, hence the vision behind
students. His advice: “Connecting with people, not apps and cell
the Bromley scholarship,” says Greer.
phones, will differentiate you from the competition.”
Notebook • Volume XXVI • 2018
L–R: Michelle White, Lauryn Angell, Ray Greer, Yimin (Cindy) Liao and Faye Porter.
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Notebook • Volume XX VI • 2018
Coley-Kursar Honored with Named Endowment
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Notebook • Volume XXVI • 2018
Biology professors Phyllis “Lissy” Coley and Thomas “Tom”
findings, but to use our skills to give back to society,” says Paul
Kursar have taught more than 6,000 students in their 30-year
Fine, who earned his doctorate in 2004. “I am proud of Lissy for
careers at the U. They also have conferred 20 doctorate degrees
her scientific achievements, and her dedication to her students,
and five Master’s degrees and trained numerous postdoctoral
but I am especially proud of the tangible results for conserva-
fellows in tropical rainforest ecology.
tion that Tom and Lissy achieved in Panama.” Fine is now an
Along the way, Coley and Kursar have become world
associate professor at UC-Berkeley.
renowned leaders in tropical ecology and rainforest conservation and helped transform the scientific culture of Panama.
Anyone may contribute to the endowment. If you would like to make a gift, or a pledge, please visit biology.utah.edu or contact Jeff Martin, martin@science.utah.edu.
By Students, For Students To commemorate Coley’s and Kursar’s remarkable legacy of education and research at the University of Utah, and around
Building a Legacy Coley and Kursar arrived in Utah in 1982, shortly after
the world, a named endowment has been created to support
completing a shared postdoctoral fellowship at the Smithsonian
biology graduate students in perpetuity.
Tropical Research Institute in Panama.
“It is my great pleasure to announce the newly established
“We believe this was the only time the Smithsonian split
Coley-Kursar Endowment in the Department of Biology,” says
one postdoc position in half for two recipients,” says Coley.
Denise Dearing, Distinguished Professor and chair of Biology.
“That six-month experience launched our life-long collabora-
The purpose of the endowment is to provide critically needed funding for graduate students while they are conducting field studies. The initial phase, with a minimum base of
tion, combining Tom’s expertise in biophysics and plant physiology and my work in ecology.” They were recruited to the U by then-chair David Wolsten-
$50,000, will be used to provide students with funds for supplies
holme, a successor to K. Gordon Lark who had built a world
and travel for ecologically focused studies. Later, when the
class Biology Department during the 1970s. Coley was hired as
endowment grows beyond $250,000, the funds will be
an assistant professor and Tom obtained a NIH postdoctoral
dispersed as direct stipends to students engaged in fieldwork.
appointment in Gordon Lark’s research group.
“Conservation is a cause that has no end. There is no point at which we will say our work is finished.” – Rachel Carson
“For several decades, Tom and Lissy have had a profound
By 1984, Tom and Lissy had established a robust research
influence on and commitment to the training of the next
group at the U and were traveling regularly to their principal
generations of ecologists, particularly tropical biologists,”
research site in Panama.
says Dearing. “I’m proud to see their legacy solidified with a permanent endowment.” In fact, the concept and planning of a named Coley-Kursar
In 1990, while Lissy was on sabbatical, they travelled around the world and spent a year working and camping in remote rainforests in Africa and South East Asia, and conducted
Endowment was developed by the current and former graduate
extensive research at the Smithsonian Tropical Research
students and postdocs of Tom and Lissy.
Institute in Panama.
“Lissy taught me that being a scientist meant engaging with the larger society, not just to communicate research
“During the 1980s and 1990s, we would spend two to three months per year working in rainforests along with several
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Notebook • Volume XX VI • 2018
Tom and Lissy extracting young leaves in their lab at the Smithsonian field station on Barro Colorado Island, Panama in 1995.
assistants and grad students. The graduate students in our
Lissy felt that the reward to the host country must be immediate
program often spend six months a year in foreign countries,
and guaranteed. To address the issue, they carried out as much
for several years, doing their PhD research,” says Coley.
of the research as possible in Panama by local scientists.
Then something miraculous happened.
“It took 10 years to launch the project since our expertise is not drug discovery, however, it ended up being successful
Bioprospecting Coley’s and Kursar’s efforts to conserve rainforests by
Because most conservation focuses on benefiting rural
fostering basic research and developing local industry began
areas, the most surprising and probably most important
to work. With direct guidance and training by Tom and Lissy,
outcome was that bioprospecting was effective in promoting
scientists in Panama realized the economic benefits of
conservation among the urban leaders, including educators,
ecologically-guided bioprospecting.
business people and politicians in Panama.
“Tom came up with the idea to search for medicines in
As a result of their work, bioprospecting has become an
the rainforest using our basic science information about plant
important part of Panama’s economy and conservation efforts,
toxins,” says Coley. “We knew that young, expanding leaves
even surpassing logging in annual revenues.
invested 50% of the leaf dry weight in toxins, much more than in
“In Panama, the project conducted tests to detect
tough mature leaves, yet drug biodiscovery projects all focused
effectiveness against cancer, HIV, malaria, Trypanosoma cruzi
on mature leaves.”
(the causative agent of Chagas’ disease), leishmaniasis and
The other key concept was to recognize the standard approach of promising royalties to biodiverse nations, like Panama, was unlikely to produce real benefits. Instead, Tom and
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beyond our wildest dreams,” says Kursar.
agricultural pests,” says Kursar. The scientists on the Panama project now have numerous patents or provisional patents for plant and microbial products
Notebook • Volume XXVI • 2018
that have activity against cancer, leishmaniasis and African sleeping sickness. This “insourcing,” as Dearing calls it, serves as a model for drug discovery in other countries.
Drug discovery, economic development and conservation in Panama (1998-2014)
Tom and Lissy have now conducted research in Indonesian Borneo (Kalimantan), Malaysian Borneo (Sarawak, Sabah), mainland Malaysia, Kenya, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Madagascar, Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, French Guiana, Suriname, Venezuela, and Panama. Tom and Lissy remain fully committed to their students and their fundamental research on plant-herbivore ecology. The Coley-Kursar Endowment in Biology will enhance their legacy for generations to come.
Phyllis D. “Lissy” Coley and Thomas A. “Tom” Kursar initiated an $11 million NIH-funded International Cooperative Biodiversity Groups Program (ICBG) in Panama to preserve biodiversity by using drug discovery as a conservation tool. The project provided immediate benefits to the source country because most of the research was conducted in Panama by local scientists. This created jobs dependent on intact rainforests, built infrastructure, and provided training and educational opportunities for Panamanians. The program included dozens of undergraduates,
Tom Kursar and his Ph.D. student Brett Wolfe measuring leaf damage caused by herbivores on an Inga sapling in Panama’s rainforest.
technicians, field workers and PhD-level scientists from Panama and the U.S. In fact, it created more jobs than logging and helped to establish modern labs for cell biology, microbiology, parasitology and natural products chemistry in Panama. The project also provided superb training opportunities. More than 75 Panamanian students gained research experience on the project, 25 of whom have continued postgraduate study in North America and Europe. The ICBG also was instrumental in obtaining World Heritage Status for Panama’s Coiba Island, a region with spectacular marine and terrestrial biodiversity, and for creating a management plan for Coiba National Park. In 2012, in recognition of the ICBG’s role, the Global Environmental Facility of the United Nations provided Panama $1 million, the first award for effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing, and heralded it as a model for bioprospecting. Although the ICBG project ended in 2015, drug discovery research continues in Panama, completely under the direction of Panamanian scientists.
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Notebook • Volume XX VI • 2018
Donor Recognition
The following list represent gifts of at least $250 made to any area in the College of Science, including Departments, Centers, and Programs, between July 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018. Standard University group designations are used. We are extremely grateful for each of these generous supporters.
BENEFACTORS Gifts totaling $1 Million or more
PRESIDENT’S CLUB Gifts of $2,500 to $9,999
DEAN’S CIRCLE Gifts of $1,000 to $2,499
Gary L. and Ann Crocker
Anatbooks
American Endowment Foundation
Mark W. and Judith Anderson
Charles H. and Judy J. Atwood
Scott L. Anderson and Cynthia J. Burrows
Patrick Brennan and Carol D. Blair Brennan
Carlos* and Ann Bowman
David and Susan Carlebach
Rodney H. and Carolyn Hansen Brady Foundation
Victor John Cee and Holly Rausch
Dennis M. and Jean C. Bramble
Ryan J. and Charlotte Conlon
Cardinal Health Foundation, Inc.
Carleton DeTar and Laurel Casjens
Willard L. and Ruth P. Eccles Foundation
Kathleen K. Church
EDA Architects, Inc.
George R. Riser
Joseph G. and Susan G. Daines
George and Lissa Elliot
Harris H. and Amanda P. Simmons
Sue M. Durrant
Cecelia H. Foxley
Eastman Chemical Company
Robert J. and Marianne Hollis Gubler
Naomi C. Franklin
Xiaodong Jiang and Jia Wang
Denice Fujimoto
Kaizen Investments LLC
Anthony F. and Carolyn Glauser
David B. and Lisa G. Kieda
Kenneth M. Golden
Paul C. and Darice Fong Koo Family Trust
Val A. and Edith D. Green Foundation, Inc.
Jacobsen Lake Foundation
Jim Hanson
Max R. and Mildred Lund
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE Gifts of at least $10,000
David and Karen Imig
Scott C. and Karol Jean Miller
Craig V. and Linda M. Lee
Mission Math Utah
Frederick R. Adler and Anne Collopy
George H. Lowe III
Eric and Lora B. Newman
Chevron USA, Inc.
Frank G. and Sharon R. Meyer
Clifford W. and Susan A. Nichols
Raymond B. Greer
Joel S. and Elaine J. Miller
Christopher D. Hacon and Aleksandra Jovanovic-Hacon
Baldomero M. and Lourdes L. Olivera
ASSOCIATES Gifts of $100,000 to $499,999 The Shaw Foundation Hong Kong George D. and Camilla Smith Jr. FOUNDER’S CLUB Gifts of $50,000 to $99,999
DESERET CLUB Gifts of $25,000 to $49,999 BioFire Diagnostics, Inc. Lawrence T. and Janet T. Dee Foundation Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Victoria J. Rowntree and Jon Seger
Mitchell T. and Diana M. Johnson Koc Universitesi Thomas Kursar and Phyllis D. Coley Orbital ATK Ozkan Hamit Batubay Dinesh and Kalpana Patel Foundation Gail T. Rushing Revocable Trust Marvin Tuddenham Living Trust
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Charitable Flex Fund
Timothy J. Purcell and Jessica Shepherd Purcell Kenneth A. Savin and Lisa A. Wenzler
Susan K. Rushing
The Schwab Fund for Charitable Giving
Brian T. Saam
Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society
The Skolnick Foundation
Tempiute Development Company
Peter J. and Christine S. Stang
William B. and Vivien G. Terzaghi
Thaddeus B. Eagar and Rebecca A. Uhlig
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
Jiang-Hua and Hanju Wang
Derek C. Walter and Ena Ladi
Ryan J. and Jennifer Warner Watts
Christopher Waters Doju Yoshikami Xiao-rong Zhu and Ping Hou
Notebook • Volume XXVI • 2018
CRIMSON Laureate Society
DEAN’S CLUB Gifts of $500 to $999
Michael L. Taylor
Allen K. and Anne Kitamura Oshita
Lucy Irene Terry
James L. and Bonnie D. Parkin
D. Wain and E. Rebecca Allen
Neil and Tanya Vickers
J. Joseph Perry and Meredith Filson-Perry
William Chen and Chwen-Mei Chen
Warner Wada
Ilya Borisovich Reznik and Riley Lorimer-Reznik
COLLEGIATE CLUB Gifts of $250 to $499
Lee K. and Dawn L. Roberts
Dawn Aoki
Shauna Frances Roman
Ntsanderh C. Azenui
Dennis B. and Barbara H. Sagendorf
Zlatko and Vesna Bacic
Robert Anselmo Sclafani and Christine M. Roberts
Robert Churchwell and Shelley D. Minteer Mark G. and Linda L. Conish Cris G. Cowley and Joan Abele John E. and Sally P. Crelly Jr. Kenneth Reid and Angie Dibble Thomas M. and Carol G. Dietz Leslie and June Glaser Byron L. and Judy C. Hardy Chen C. Hsu and Nancy Lai R. Kent and Terri N. Jex Ki Joon and Akiko Shin Stephen D. Kasteler Dennis L. and Patricia A. Lombardi Noel and Rosemary* Marquis Clifton D. McIntosh and Terrie T. McIntosh David S. and Janna McKinney David S. and Viera I. Moore William R. Mower Anita M. Orendt Richard R. and Alise Orlandi Jack B. and Itha W. Rampton Thomas G. Richmond and Cynthia Squire Carl L.* and Kathryn S. Robinson Gary J. Rose James W. Sewell Frederick J.* and Karoline J. Sheffield Mark H. Sherwood Cameron J. and Melanie T. Soelberg David P. and Kimberly K. Sorensen Dean J. and Samantha Stoker Streeper, LLC
Phillip Jerome and Michelle Raidy Barry Jerald S. and Marilyn B. Bradshaw Justin Cassell and Monica S. Cassell Brian R. and Melinda Chase Roy and Elaine Corsi Ruggiero S. Costanzo Vicky Dahn Kevin P. Dockery and Kelly Reynolds Berton A. and Tiraje Earnshaw Arthur and Katherine Edison Jordan M. Gerton and Brenda K. Mann Karla Jean Gilbert Theodore and Elizabeth Gurney
Peter E. Rogers Living Trust
Robert A. Sklar and Brenda L. Moskovitz Michael Richard and Karen T. Steele David Suehsdorf and Janet Elizabeth Muir Douglas J. N. Taylor Sabri Alper Tekin Jacob T. Umbriaco and Erin L. Umbriaco Zeev Valentine Vardeny Lane J. and Rhonda L. Wallace Sarah Warnick Paul T. and Beverly Watkins Michael A. Weibel Steven L. and Patricia Ann Evans Weighall
Cristopher Handley R. Bradley and Vangie Jensen Michael and Jocelyn Kelleher
*Deceased.
Ed and Marsha Kilgore
The College of Science apologizes for any inadvertent omissions.
Jason A. and Linda E. Lillegraven Greg and Kaylene Lindley Jeffrey M. and Allison J. Martin Nicole L. Mihalopoulos Lindsay G. Miller
If your name has been listed incorrectly, please contact the Development Office (801) 581-6825 or giving.utah.edu, so we may correct any error. Thank you for your continued support.
Graeme Milton Ceanne Mitchell William L. and Jane Ehardt Moore Robert A. Sklar and Brenda L. Moskovitz
19
Notebook • Volume XX VI • 2018
Hacon Receives McMinn Presidential Endowed Chair of Mathematics Christopher Hacon, Distinguished Professor of Mathematics at the U, has been interested in math for as long as he can
Chair of Mathematics has been awarded to Professor Hacon. He
remember. As a child, he would spend hours on a calculator
is an internationally-recognized mathematical scientist of the
trying to count and figure out things—such as how much all the
highest caliber, whose work will motivate and deeply affect the
books in his house cost, or the number of seconds in a year or in
next several generations of brilliant algebraic geometers,”
a lifetime. He particularly enjoyed finding patterns and seeing
says Khoshnevisan.
relationships between numbers. Today, Hacon has established himself as one of the world’s top mathematicians and has been recognized with numerous awards for his outstanding teaching and research. In January, Hacon was selected as the first recipient of the
Hacon studies birational algebraic geometry. He is particularly interested in two topics: TOPIC ONE The classification of higher-dimensional “complex projective varieties.” These are geometric objects that are described
McMinn Presidential Endowed Chair of Mathematics at the U.
by one or more polynomial equations in many variables, and
This is a 5-year endowed chair that will provide Hacon with
that typically exist in more than three dimensions. For compar-
additional research support.
ison, consider that a simple geometric object like a sphere can
“The McMinn Endowed Chair allows us to further sup-
be described by just one polynomial equation in three variables,
port and promote some of the world-class, groundbreaking
and therefore exists in three-dimensional space.
mathematics research that is currently being undertaken in our
TOPIC TWO
department,” says Davar Khoshnevisan, a professor and chair of the Math Department.
20
“It is befitting that the first McMinn Presidential Endowed
Questions arising from the “minimal model program.” This is a large-scale effort by a large number of preeminent
Notebook • Volume XXVI • 2018
University President Ruth V. Watkins and Past President David Pershing bestowed the Presidential Endowed Chair Medal to Christopher Hacon.
mathematicians whose ultimate goal is to understand the prop-
sciences. There are tens of thousands
erties of complex projective varieties. This is a very active field
of amazing scientists out there. It’s
of research with origins that date back to the Italian algebraic
difficult to point out how the work of any single
geometers at the beginning of the 20th century.
one of them will change our lives; however, on the whole,
“One of the things I love about math is that it allows me to find patterns and explain the reasons behind a certain behavior,”
science and technology affect and shape our society.” “While I have been inspired by many people, I have four
says Hacon. “This is really the essence of scientific discovery. All
mentors who have made a distinct impact in my life. They are
of these patterns are described by numbers. I’m fascinated by
Fabrizio Catanese and Fabio Bardelli at the University of Pisa,
them, regardless of their origin. I’m constantly surprised by the
Robert Lazarsfeld at UCLA, and János Kollár, my postdoctoral
power of math and abstract thought in general.”
advisor at the University of Utah, who now teaches at
Hacon admits that the problems he works on and solves typically don’t have immediate practical applications. But he
Princeton,” says Hacon. Hacon hopes to inspire the next generation of mathemati-
believes that polynomial equations are the most natural equa-
cians. He wants to see his students surpass his own efforts and
tions to study and that proving complex theorems can help us
continue to make strides in further exploring and expanding
figure out and understand solutions to concrete problems.
our understanding of algebraic geometry.
“We do a lot of abstract thinking in my field that the average layperson probably wouldn’t understand,” says Hacon.
Editor’s Note: Hacon also was awarded a 2018 Breakthrough Prize in mathematics
“But on a basic level, I hope people care about the general
and colleague, James McKernan, Professor of Mathematics at the University of
health of our research communities in mathematics and basic
in December 2017. Hacon shared the $3 million award with his collaborator California San Diego.
21
Notebook • Volume XX VI • 2018
János Kollár Endows Lecturer in Mathematics János Kollár, a Hungarian mathematician specializing in algebraic geometry and a former professor of mathematics at the University of Utah, is a co-recipient of the 2017 Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences. Established in 2002 in Hong Kong, and first awarded in 2004, the Shaw Prize honors outstanding contributions in astronomy, life science and medicine, and mathematical sciences. Kollár has donated a significant portion of his half of the Shaw Prize to the U’s Department of Mathematics to establish the János Kollár Endowed Assistant Professor Lecturer at the U. Kollár says he was motivated to make the gift because the U provided such excellent working conditions during the 12 years he was here, and because several of the results that the prize committee recognized were developed while he was at the U. “The dedication of the department and the students, the friendliness of the Shaw Prize recipient and mathematician János Kollár
people, and the beautiful mountains and deserts are so memorable,” says Kollár, of his time at the U. Algebraic geometry – what exactly is it? Kollár defines it as the study of geometric objects that can be described by equations, the simplest examples being lines, circles, and ellipses. “I very much
22
Notebook • Volume XXVI • 2018
liked that one can use geometry and
recruited in 1987 and at the time, he was
geometry or related fields in the depart-
algebra—which are usually thought
recognized as one of the top algebraic
ment, continuing a legacy of excellence
of as opposites—to solve problems
geometers in the world. He and his
in mathematics research and education
together,” he says. “Then, as the subject
department colleagues at Utah were
at the U. It will provide young faculty
advances, it brings in other
members with the financial
areas of mathematics, like
flexibility to explore and
analysis, differential
advance scientific research
equations, and topology.”
and education at their
Davar Khoshnevisan,
discretion. This measure of
chairman of the math
academic freedom is import-
department, says, “What
ant in the formative years
makes this whole story
of a faculty career and for
compelling is that it’s directly
the long-term success of the
related to the fact that
math department.
algebraic geometry in the
“The university has a
math department at Utah
rich history in mathematics
has a long and distinguished
teaching and research,” says
history, and János Kollár is an important
instrumental in recruiting graduate
Khoshnevisan. “We owe a debt of grati-
part of that history.”
students and postdoctoral scholars to
tude to János Kollár for his contributions
the U.
to that legacy.”
In 1970, when the College was formed, the Math Department was
The new endowment will help
The first János Kollár Lecturer will
already one of the top research
support the research activities of
be selected by fall semester to coincide
programs in the country. Kollár was
postdoctoral instructors in algebraic
with the new academic year.
Algebr aic Geometry at the U. In the 1970s and 1980s, strategic faculty hires were made at the U in algebraic geometry, including Herb Clemens, Hugo Rossi, Jim Carlson and Domingo Toledo. János Kollár was recruited to Utah in 1987 and spent 12
is well-known for his contributions to algebraic geometry. In particular, Christopher Hacon first came to Utah in 1998 as a postdoctoral scholar to work with Kollár. Hacon completed his postdoctoral work in 2000, moved to UC-Riverside for two
productive years at the U working with these and other
years and then returned to Utah to accept a tenure-track faculty
distinguished algebraic geometers, including Shigefumi Mori,
position. He achieved the rank of Distinguished Professor in
who was a frequent visitor to the Math Department both before
2010. Hacon was recently named the first McMinn Presidential
and after being awarded the Fields Medal in 1990. Kollár was
Endowed Chair of Mathematics at the University and he won
likewise recognized as one of the top algebraic geometers in the
the 2018 Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics for his work in
world at that time.
algebraic geometry.
“The presence of Janos Kollár, Herb Clemens and Shigefumi
The current group of University faculty members specializ-
Mori in Utah was an incredible draw, attracting and retaining many
ing in algebraic geometry consists of Aaron Bertram, Tommaso
talented graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to the U,”
de Fernex, Christopher Hacon, Yuan-Pin Lee, Karl Schwede, and
says Aaron Bertram, a Professor of Mathematics at the U who also
Domingo Toledo.
23
Notebook • Volume XX VI • 2018
SCIENCE ADVISING HIVE The College of Science has launched a new Academic Advising Hive. It’s a one-stop shop for student success. The Advising Hive is located in the Crocker Science Center,
FIRST-YEAR MILESTONE Students admitted as new freshmen and who are in their first semester of enrollment at the U are required to meet with
room 240, and it’s open Monday through Friday. Advisors rotate
an advisor before registering for their next semester (students
on a weekly schedule, which is posted online at science.utah.
who begin in the summer are seen in the fall).
edu/students/advising.php.
SECOND-YEAR MILESTONE
The College now employs nine full-time advisors.
Students with two or three prior terms of enrollment, and
Previously, the four science departments – Biology, Chemistry,
90 or fewer credit hours, are required to meet with their major
Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy – had just one faculty
advisor. Students who have not yet decided on a major will
advisor each.
meet with a Major Exploration advisor in the Advising Hive.
“To have nine advisors, all focused full-time on student success, is a great improvement for advising in the College,”
UNDECLARED STUDENTS Students with 60 or more credit hours and at least two
says Angie Gardiner, advising coordinator. In fact, the College of
prior terms of enrollment, who have not yet declared a major,
Science has surpassed the guidelines given by the University to
are required to meet with their major advisor to declare the
have one full-time advisor for every 300 students.
major, or with a Major Exploration advisor in the Hive if they
During spring semester, the College also partnered with Career and Professional Development, the Honors College, Pre-professional Advising, and Student Success Advocates so that representatives and advisors from each program could assist students in the Hive.
have not yet decided on a major. GRADUATION Students applying for graduation must meet with their advisor. “The College of Science is committed to the evolution and growth of its students. The transition to centralized, more
Road M AP The Mandatory Advising Program, or MAP, recognizes key academic milestones in a student’s career and helps them plan.
24
personal advising is one of the ways we continue to improve the undergraduate experience,” says Janis Louie, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Notebook • Volume XXVI • 2018
Fighting Superbugs with Super Drugs Curza, a privately-held small-molecule
Chemistry in 2002, will serve as principal
drug development company, has been
investigator. Funding will be used to
an exciting addition to the CARB-X
awarded a grant of up to $4 million from
optimize the lead series using structural
portfolio as it has been decades since
CARB-X, a global non-profit partnership
biology and rigorous biological and
the last new class was approved for
dedicated to accelerating the develop-
biochemical characterization to ensure
Gram-negative bacteria. The world
ment of antibiotics, vaccines, diagnostics
safety in humans. The project will
urgently needs new antibiotics, rapid
and other products to combat the rising
advance Curza’s first-in-class antibiotics
diagnostics, vaccines and entirely new
threat of drug-resistant bacteria.
through pre-clinical development
approaches to protect us from drug
culminating in IND preparation to
resistant bacteria,” said Kevin Outterson,
initiate a Phase I clinical trial.
Executive Director of CARB-X.
Curza’s technology originates from the University laboratories of Ryan
“Curza’s new class of antibiotics is
Looper, in the Department of Chemistry, and Dustin Williams in Medicine. Under the funding agreement, Curza will receive an initial award of up to $2.2 million, with the possibility of $1.8 million more from CARB-X based on the achievement of certain project milestones. Ryan Davies, CEO of Curza, said, “We are honored to receive this prestigious CARB-X award to help advance our novel antibiotic program. It not only recognizes the potential of our Gram-negative antibiotic program, but it will help fund its development through pre-clinical research stages.” Curza’s lead program is designed
With original technology
to kill bacteria with known resistance to other ribosomal antibiotics by binding
licensed from the University of According to the World Health
to a clinically un-drugged and highly
Organization (WHO), an estimated
conserved site on the bacterial ribosome.
700,000 people die each year around
These new antibiotics’ unique mechanism
the world from bacterial infections.
of action allows maximum penetration of
In the U.S. alone, an estimated 23,000
bacterial cells leading to potent activity
people die each year from drug-resistant
against drug-resistant pathogens.
bacterial infections, according to the
Dr. Chad Testa, who earned a doctorate degree in the Department of
Utah, Curza is in the early stages of developing two novel classes of antibiotics.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
25
Notebook • Volume XX VI • 2018
James M. Sugihar a turns 100 A LIVING LEGEND
James M. Sugihara earned the first doc-
approval signatures: Walter D. Bonner,
torate degree in Chemistry at the Univer-
Lloyd E. Malm and Elton L. Quinn. Henry
sity of Utah in 1947 and this represented
Eyring had not yet started work as dean
one of the first two doctorates granted
of the Graduate School by that date.
in the history of the University. Interest-
Sugihara accepted a faculty position
ingly, the other degree that year went to
at the U and taught chemistry in Utah
Ewart Swinyard who later became the
until 1964. He later moved to North
dean of the College of Pharmacy
Dakota State University and became
at the U.
dean of the College of Science and
This year, Sugihara is celebrating
Mathematics. He was named Dean of
another milestone – his 100th birthday.
the Graduate School and Director of
When asked for his secret to longevity,
Research in 1974. In 1998, he retired as
he simply replied, “keep moving.”
Professor Emeritus.
And so stepping stones turn into milestones.
“Be not afraid of going slowly. Be afraid of standing still.” – Japanese proverb
A Brief History Sugihara holds an important place
“Scientific progress has moved in ways that one could not expect. Research in genetics has become paramount, leading to improvements in medicine and human health that one
in the University’s history, as well as
could not imagine just 10 or 20 years
Utah’s history.
ago,” says Sugihara.
In 1942, shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, when Sugihara was just
Scholarship – a permanent named
24, he and his family were relocated
scholarship – was established in the
from California to the Topaz Mountain
Chemistry Department at the U. It
internment camp in Utah. The family lost
provides financial support for an under-
their home and business.
graduate who is studying chemistry and
However, Sugihara was granted a
who is living on campus in the Crocker
leave from Topaz Mountain to pursue an
Science House located on Officers Circle
education, since he had already earned a
in Fort Douglas.
bachelor’s degree in chemistry at UC-Berkeley in 1939. He enrolled at the U in 1944 and studied chemistry, although there was no graduate school at the time. In 1946, Sugihara’s 84-page dissertation on “The Reactions of Mercaptans on Sucrose and Molasses,” included only three
26
In 2010, the James M. Sugihara
“I envy today’s students for the wonderful opportunities they have,” says Sugihara. “I have lived by the principle that one ought to give back more than they receive,” says Sugihara. And so stepping stones turn into milestones.
Class of
2018
Bachelor’s Degrees
364
Honors Bachelor’s Degrees
30
M aster’s Degrees
43
M aster’s of Science & Technology Degrees
9
M aster’s of Statistics Degrees
4
Doctor al Degrees
80
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