Fall 2009
Message from the Dean
This academic year marks the 40th anniversary of The University of Texas at Dallas. The roots of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, however, reach back almost a decade earlier, when the founders of Texas Instruments created the Graduate Research Center of the Southwest (GRCSW) in 1961. The founders invited Lloyd Berkner to organize the GRCSW as a major research facility, hoping to turn it into the “MIT of the Southwest.”
A geologist, Berkner brought together geologists, biologists and relativists to form the roots of the current departments of geosciences, molecular and cellular biology, chemistry, physics and mathematical sciences. You’ll be pleased to know that the school that formed from those initial research units—your school—is thriving.
Myron B Salamon, Ph.D.
Dean
More than 2,200 students are enrolled this fall, up 12 percent from last year. The test scores of incoming freshman are as high as those of any other Texas public university, and our graduates go on to careers in the health professions and sciences at impressive rates. Along with the growth in enrollment, the school has increased the size of its faculty by almost 10 percent for the coming academic year, including a distinguished chaired professor of systems biology and a new head of the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
For many years, the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics focused only on graduating top-notch students and performing great research. It’s time we told our story a bit more broadly, and it’s time we reached out to our friends and alumni. I hope that this electronic format will be interesting and informative. It contains live links to Web sites that list school news, accomplishments and activities. I hope you will visit those sites and attend seminars and colloquia throughout the year. There will be many events commemorating our 40th anniversary, and I also urge you to return to UT Dallas to see what we have built and are building, and to reconnect with your school. Come say hello sometime.
Warmest regards,
Myron
Science Building on Track to Boost Learning
With less than a year until it opens, construction on the Math, Science and Engineering Teaching-Learning Center (MSET) is halfway finished and progressing at a steady clip.
MSET, which broke ground in fall 2008, is being built to meet the rapidly growing enrollment in science and engineering at UT Dallas. The exterior of the building is nearing completion, as crews continue to outfit the interior. The 47,000 square feet of class space is on schedule for completion in June 2010 and will be ready for classes for the fall semester in 2010.
The facility, which was funded with $27 million from the UT System, breaks from usual practices by combining undergraduate instructional laboratories in biology, chemistry, geosciences and physics in the same building. The design emphasizes the increasing overlap between these fields. MSET was designed with a larger-than-usual amount of common space, providing places where students and faculty can meet and work in informal settings. The lecture halls have been designed as “wide-angle” rooms, bringing students down front in large classes. The building more than doubles the number of undergraduate laboratories, includes two conventional lecture halls, and boasts one novel classroom that breaks from the standard lecture theater design in favor of round tables that encourage students to work in teams.
Dr. Michael Q. Zhang
Dr. Wieslaw Krawcewicz
Dr. Phillip Kisunzu
NS&M Welcomes New Faculty
Scientist Strengthens Systems Biology Initiative
Dr. Michael Q. Zhang, a leading scientist in computational biology and genomic research, has joined UT Dallas as Cecil H. and Ida Green Distinguished Chair of Systems Biology Science. Zhang’s chaired position in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics begins establishment of a new Center for Systems Biology. read more
Respected Math Scholar to Lead Department
Dr. Wieslaw Krawcewicz, known for a multidisciplinary research emphasis, is the new head of the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Under his leadership, M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs in actuarial mathematics and biostatistics are expected to be added. read more
Department of Science/Mathematics Education Hires Assistant Professor
Dr. Philip Kisunzu received his Ph.D. in Mathematical Sciences in 2008 from Northern Illinois University. He holds an master’s degree in mathematics/operations research from California Polytechnic State University-Pomona and worked for some years as financial analyst. Following his Ph.D. work, Kisunzu held a post-doctoral appointment at the University of Illinois at Chicago working with the Center for the Mathematics Education of Latinos/as. read more
Alumna Pioneers Cancer Research
Dr. Samina Khan is no stranger to the long and complicated path to uncover new cancer treatments.
A senior scientist for Biogen IDEC in San Diego, Calif., Khan is credited with shepherding two cancer treatments from the discovery stage to human trials. A clinical researcher since 2002, Khan helps discover treatments for diseases ranging from cancer to disorders of the brain and immune system.
Dr. Samina Khan, Senior Scientist, Biogen IDEC, San Diego, CA
She grew-up in Pakistan and obtained her Ph.D. in bioanalytical chemistry from The University of Karachi (UOK). She immigrated to the United States in 1995 to marry her husband in Dallas Khan enrolled at UT Dallas and earned a master of chemistry degree in 1999.
“UT Dallas is a highly respected university, and I am so proud whenever I tell people that is where I began my career in the U.S.,” Khan said.
Khan credits her experience at UT Dallas with providing insight into the varying business models of health sciences in the United States. Her favorite professors were Dr. Paul Pantano, Dr. Michael Biewer, Dr. Lynn Melton and Dr. Inga Holl Musselman.
“They were very knowledgeable and hardworking. They made the research enjoyable and were an inspiration for us students,” Khan said.
Not one to sit idle, Khan began her master’s education when her son was just 8 days old. His little sister followed a year and a half later. Today, the children are 13 and 12 years old, and each seems to have inherited Khan’s ambitious nature. Her son aspires to a career in law, while her daughter plans to be an aeronautical engineer.
Khan, a lifelong learner, is pursuing an MBA with one more year to go. Her husband doubts this degree will be her last.
“She hasn’t tried law yet,” he teases.
Physics Summer Camps Inspire Young Women
“I could not be more proud of the hard work of the Women in Physics, and this year's camp leader, Ms. Kelly Zehr. Each year, teams of dedicated UT Dallas students share their talent and passion for physics with middle school girls from around the Metroplex. The camps were originally created to encourage girls to develop a love of science and consider physics as a future career path. The success of that goal is reflected in the enthusiastic return of participants for the advanced camp, and the number of these girls who return yet again as team helpers.” —Dr. Mary Urquhart, WiP advisor and associate professor of science/mathematics education
The Women in Physics (WiP) camp helped inspire another group of young women this summer. Camps of young scientists met June 8-11 and June 15-18. The summer learning experience was geared toward middle-school girls. During the first week, the advanced camp welcomed returning campers who attended the regular camp the summer before.
The advanced camp builds on concepts the girls learn from camp the previous year. Lessons range from a review of mechanics to a hands-on experiment in electronics and optics. The advanced camp is more interactive than the regular camp and gives the girls an opportunity to learn how to solder, build Morse code boards and understand basic concepts in circuits.
The second week of camp is oriented toward new WiP campers, who get a crash course in basic mechanics, electricity and magnetism and waves. This camp encourages the girls do the majority of their work in groups.
New NS&M Annual Fund
As our exciting research and educational programs gain notice and national prestige, our financial needs also rise. State resources are also increasingly scarce, which means our needs for support are now far greater than ever before.
NS&M alumni and friends now have a great way to support their school and enhance the burgeoning reputation for scientific excellence at UT Dallas. In the next two weeks, Dean Myron Salamon will send letters to NS&M alumni announcing the new Annual Fund and the many ways you can benefit from supporting your alma mater (e.g., special events and recognition on our website and in printed materials).
By giving, alumni and friends enjoy a more active role in their school. Best of all, the new NS&M Annual Fund will provide current-use funds that directly benefit today’s students. Please look for the letter from Dr. Salamon and consider how you might help. In the meantime, you can give directly through the NS&M website.
- Updated: May 20, 2010
