>newground
The Warner Lake Valley in southeastern Oregon
In the world of science, these are the Oscars. In the past year, members of IU's science faculty have received some of the most prestigious honors in the scientific world, among them the National Medal of Science and membership to the Academy of Arts and Sciences.
In June, Ernest Davidson, distinguished professor and the Robert and Marjorie Mann chair in computational quantum chemistry, received the National Medal of Science from President George W. Bush. Davidson was the first IU scientist to receive what many regard as the nation's highest honor for scientific achievement.
The Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the most respected academic organizations in the world, welcomed three IU scientists as new members this year: Rudolf Raff, professor of biology and director of the Indiana Molecular Biology Institute; and professors of biology Howard Gest and Michael Lynch. Distinguished Professor Jeffery Palmer, chair of the IU Department of Biology, admits to being "extremely proud," and he notes that "this gives our department a total of five faculty who have been elected to the American Academy in just the past four years."
Palmer received a significant honor himself in recognition of his extensive accomplishments. The Institute for Scientific Information named him as one of the top 15 researchers worldwide in the field of plant and animal science.
In a similar vein, David Clemmer, chair of the Indiana University Department of Chemistry, was named one of Popular Science magazine's "Brilliant 10" scientists. Researchers were selected based on comments from the nation's science department heads, academic think tanks, and award-givers. The magazine recognized Clemmer for his inventor's prowess and his expertise in proteomics -- a new, multidisciplinary field that seeks uses for data produced by the Human Genome Project.
Honors such as these acknowledge the significant work done by scientists, and awards help insure that important research and teaching continues. Andrew Feig, assistant professor of chemistry, was named a 2002 Cottrell Scholar by Research Corporation, a private foundation created in 1912. The award, which targets scientists who are beginning their careers and who wish to excel in both teaching and research, includes $75,000 to fund research and teaching projects.
Pursuing Life's Origins: An Interdisciplinary Venture
"Funding is both the fuel and the lubrication of the engine of research," says Don Burke, assistant professor of chemistry. Burke, along with geology professor Lisa Pratt, and biology professor Carl Bauer, will have plenty of fuel and a well-lubricated engine for the next five years thanks to a $1 million award from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. The three researchers share one of the Packard Foundation's Interdisciplinary Science Awards for 2002, the first award of this type ever granted to anyone at IU.
Burke, Pratt, and Bauer will join forces to tackle questions concerning the origins of life. The purpose of their research is to study a few particular lakes in southeastern Oregon, which are so alkaline that almost nothing can live there. By studying the organisms that do survive in such a harsh environment, the trio hopes to learn about some of the first life forms on earth, which also survived in extreme conditions.
The Packard Foundation uses this award to find people who would not necessarily collaborate and bring them together, so that their combined talents can be focused on a single problem. "All three of us working separately could not make the advances that we can make working together," Burke says. "By working collaboratively, each of us is better able to organize our efforts in ways that increase the impact the results will have."
The project serves as one more example of the remarkable work being done by IU scientists. Officially started on October 1, it will run for five years and promises to produce some fascinating results. Don Burke adds, "I cannot imagine getting to the other end of this project with anything other than a significant body of new knowledge and understanding."
>Bruce Lilly
Go to Popular Science magazine to see the feature on chemistry professor David Clemmer. Learn more about IU's biology, chemistry, and geology departments. Find out about the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.