Re s e a rc h Re po r t o f the U n iv e rsi t y o f U t a h C o l l e g e o f S c i e n c e 2 0 1 9
Science Research Initiative
t h e
c o l l e g e
A T
A
1 x MacArthur Genius Grant
658 SCIENCE
Established 1970
Physics & Astronomy
92
Mathematics Education, Center for Cell & Genome Science, Global Change & Sustainability Center, Materials Research, Science, & Engineering Center, Center for Quantitative Biology Degrees of Study Bachelor of Arts, B.A.,
graduates
student parity
Master of Arts, M.A., Master of Statistics, M. Stat.,
1x Nobel Prize
166 tenured
491
bachelor graduates
Master of Philosophy, M.Phil.,
science faculty
$35.6 m
external research
Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D.
For more information visit science.utah.edu.
Scholarships
master
49% 51%
Bachelor of Science, B.S., Master of Science, M.S.,
$830,000 Student
2 x Willards Gibbs Awards
Center for Science &
8 x AAAS F
graduates
graduates
Centers:
1 x Breakthrough prize
75 PhD
Departments: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics,
GL A N C E
3 x National Medals of Science
funding
4 x Churchill Scholarships
AS Fellows
2 x Priestly Medals
Re s e arch R e p o r t o f t h e U n ive r s i t y o f U t ah Co lle ge o f Scie n ce 2019
3
Message from Dean Peter Trapa
4
U.S. News & World Report College Rankings
6
Research Roundup - Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics & Astronomy
14 Science Research Initiative - SRI 17 The Association of American Universities 18 Frontiers of Science - Distinguished Alumni Panel 20 Alumni Profile - McKay Hyde ‘97 22 Crimson Laureate Society 24 Research Statistics
Discover Magazine is published by the University of Utah College of Science Editor: Matt Crawley Layout: royter-snow.com Printing: seagullprinting.com On the cover: Undergraduate biology teaching labs at Crocker Science Center. Photo by Matt Crawley
D e an ’ s
M e ssag e
Dear Alumni, Friends, & Colleagues:
Science has a long and sweeping legacy at the University of Utah,
by a rising tide of faculty and student achievement in the College of Science,
helping to drive many of the U’s most significant advances. The University’s
from faculty membership in the National Academies to the most competitive
first Ph.D. was awarded to Jim Sugihara in Chemistry, who studied under the
students awards (including a string of four consecutive Churchill Scholars).
legendary Henry Eyring. Eyring, the inaugural Dean of the Graduate School,
turned his administrative offices in the Park Building into a laboratory where he
content to accept the status quo, we are working to innovatively intertwine our
educated generations of scientists. Among them was Peter Gibbs, who went
research and education missions. The Science Research Initiative (SRI) will, over time,
on to chair the Physics & Astronomy Department and established the longest-
give every incoming College of Science student the opportunity to participate in
running lecture series on campus; Frontiers of Science. The series featured 30 Nobel
discovery-based research in state-of-the-art space on the third floor of the Crocker
laureates, including Mario Cappechi, who originally joined the U as a faculty member
Science Center. The program will help develop high-demand skills in our students,
in the Department of Biology. Elsewhere in the College, graduates from Physics
preparing them for exciting careers in the fastest-growing segments of today’s
and Mathematics, like Alan Ashton (co-founder of WordPerfect), Ed Catmull (co-
STEM economy.
founder of Pixar), and John Warnock (co-founder of Adobe), went on to pioneering
developments in the nascent field of computer science.
remarkable students we serve, the dedicated faculty in our ranks, and the accomplished
alumni that enhance our reputation nationwide. Extraordinary things are happening at
This spirit of excellence is alive and well today. The College’s research
prominence helped propel the U to ever greater heights, including the University’s
Our passion for knowledge extends from the lab into the classroom. Never
As we continue to build on the College’s legacy, it is an exciting time for the
the College of Science. Thank you for being part of our journey.
recently announced membership in the prestigious American Association of Universities. AAU invitations are infrequent: this year’s invitations are the first since 2012. Membership elevates the University to an exceptional category of
Peter Trapa
64 peer institutions of the highest research caliber. This recognition is supported
Dean, College of Science
Dean Peter Trapa in the future home of the Science Research Initiative on the third floor of the Crocker Science Center.
3
U.S. News College Rankings
46
# U.S. News & World Report has
University Rankings. The University of Utah is now ranked No. 1 in Utah, No. 104 nationally, and No. 44 nationally among public universities. The College of Science fared even
better. National rankings for science
Astronomy at No. 37. An aggregate of these rankings puts the College of Science at No. 46 nationally and No. 27 nationally among public universities.
There are many factors used to
determine a school’s final ranking in the U.S. News & World Report but
#46 #54
50K
#57
40K #62
30K 20K
one factor that is not considered is
few universities that challenge the University of Utah.
$9,498 Utah in-state tuition
Utah
cost. When cost is factored, there are
#51
#49 University of Southern California - $58,195
Mathematics at No. 16 and Physics &
60K
Dartmouth College $57,204
Biology at No. 27, Chemistry at No. 18,
National Ranking
Oregon $31,314
departments at public universities put
Notre Dame $55,553
The College of Science in-state tuition is 1/5 the average tutition of other AAU schools.
BEST Science College
released their 2019-2020 National
UC Santa Cruz $43,046
AAU Comparison
Utah In-State Tuition $37,992
Association of American Universities Average out-of-state Tuition $200,000
27
#
BEST Public Science College
Annual Tuition
* U.S. News & World Report does not rank Science Colleges. The rankings published here are an aggregate of the national department rankings.
16
#
18 37
BEST Public Chemistry
#
#
#
BEST Public Physics
BEST Public Mathematics
27
BEST Public Biology
Tui t i o n as l o w as $ 9 4 9 8 / y e ar
5
Biology
D epartment
6
H ighlight
One could argue that the age of genomes is divided
Jamie Gagnon Running with Scissors b y
D a v id
G .
P ace
“Let’s break a gene and see if you’re right about what it
between before CRISPR-Cas9 and after CRISPR-Cas9 (com-
does”, was pro forma.
monly referred to as “CRISPR”). As a Harvard post-doc
studying the genes involved in embryo development,
pick up where others had ended (and published), us-
James (Jamie) Gagnon remembers in 2012 that “pivotal
ing technology in a creative way to mark cells with a
moment” when these “really nice pair of scissors now easy
genetic barcode that could later be used to trace the
to make” came on the scene.
lineage of cells. Suddenly, they were using data sets of
CRISPR-scissor mutations to figure out how cells actu-
“Before CRISPR,” says Gagnon we were all using the earlier
Instead, the developmental biologist decided to
generation of genome editing tools. Even so, we were able
ally developed in zebrafish.
to determine that after making a mutation in a cell, when it
divided, the change that had been made was inherited.”
use the “scissors” in zebrafish, which then got him and his
collaborators thinking about using mutations to tell them
The new “scissors” rapidly scaled up genome editing,
In 2014 Gagnon published a paper describing how to
allowing researchers to more easily alter DNA sequences
how cells are related in embryos.
and modify gene function. At the same time CRISPR
inspired others to move from the research model of small
went from postdoc to principal investigator. In his lab at
organisms like the c. elegans, a transparent worm made
the Center for Cell and Genome Sciences, Gagnon curates
up of approximately 1,000 cells, to much larger ones like
10,000 fish in 1,000 controlled tanks that are carefully
zebrafish. “The power of genetics,” Gagnon says, “is that
labeled for experiments.
zebrafish are now genetically accessible as a model of
all vertebrates, including humans which share seventy
how does biology build an animal with millions of cells,
percent of genes with fish.”
all sharing information and all shape-shifting at the
same time? And how does science then best go about
The impulse for Gagnon’s current work in vertebrate
When Gagnon arrived at the U in January 2018, he
The prevailing question for Gagnon continues to be
lineage and cell fate choice involved the acknowledg-
studying that?
ment that “if we want to study how embryos grow, we
have to do it in a living animal.” At the time, he continues,
cacophony into a symphony that is the marvel of a
“everyone was mutating genes.” Perhaps still to this day,
living organism?
Furthermore, how does science turn chaos and
“ Every time the oboe plays, we want the player [the cell] to make a record and journal entry on it.”
“For thirty years,” says Gagnon, people have been de-
orchestra, “we want the player [the cell] to make a record
ciphering the genome code … one of the worst computer
and journal entry on it.”
codes ever written.” Just how bad is bad? Imagine three
billion letters in one long line with no punctuation
“In early embryos, there are multiple languages or instruments being used by a finite number of cells
or formatting. Perhaps it’s the engineer
to communicate with other cells and
in him, but to get at that unwieldy
to build an animal,” he continues.
code, he sees his task as
To which language/instru-
finding additional tools to
ment does a cell “listen”
regulate CRISPR activ-
and what choices (ex-
ity. These tools include
pression) does it make
doing base-editing and
as a result?
using self-targeting
guide RNAs to facilitate
Gagnon is no longer
cells themselves making
just trying to “decode”
a record of what they’re
the genome, but to use
doing, what they’re listen-
In a sense, Jamie
CRISPR to make a version,
ing to, as it were, as they play
readable to humans, of what
their own “score” of develop-
cells are doing in real time and
ment. “We want to turn the single,
how. In short, he’s looking for the
really good sharp knife of CRISPR,” he explains
creation of a cell-generated Ninth Symphony,
“into a Swiss Army knife” to figure out the score of an
a complex but coordinated record of how development
organism’s symphonic work.
occurred that a Beethoven would be proud to conduct.
The micro-scissors of CRISPR that appear to have
It may be dangerous to run with scissors, something
issued a sea change in genomic studies, he hopes, can
parents routinely warn their children of, but it turns out that
be used to “force cells to make notes along the way” of
a really good pair of them can do more than the obvious:
their own developmental journey. “Every time the oboe
they can inspire other technologies that promise to bend
plays,” he says, returning to the metaphor of a symphony
the arc of science towards even greater aspirations. 7
D epartment
H ighlight
Chemistry
8
From energy storage and generation to nanoscale 3D battery
Henry S. White A Positive Force in Electrochemistry b y
A nne
M arie
students to do high risk and truly innovative research that they
architectures to the transport of drugs through human skin, Henry
wouldn’t otherwise be able to do.
White’s research is pioneering and highly imaginative within the
field of electrochemistry. His work on nanoscale electrochemistry
electrochemistry says White. Research isn’t just about solving a
was groundbreaking and has developed into a significant field of
problem, it’s about learning how to ask interesting and original
research with various applications. Professor of Chemistry Shelley
questions—something White finds a lot of joy in doing.
Minteer commented that White “greatly enjoys complex problems
and is the electrochemist to go to when you have complex mass
very diverse area, comprising many fundamental research topics
transport phenomena to understand.”
in chemistry, materials science, physics, and engineering. It
is also extremely relevant in providing potential solutions to
There’s an obvious reason why Henry White is considered one of
“There are a lot of great questions” in the field of
“Electrochemistry is a fascinating area of science, and a
the most influential and innovative electrochemists of his generation: he
many problems that society faces, especially in providing means
wears his passion and thoroughness for research on his sleeve. White
for developing sustainable energy sources. I’ve been very
maintained a strong research group funded by the National Institutes
fortunate during my career to have had the necessary funding
of Health, National Science Foundation , the Department of Energy, and
and resources to work on very basic science questions in this
the Department of Defense while serving for six years as Chair of
area. And I’ve been even more fortunate to be able to work with
the Department of Chemistry, then five years as Dean of the College of
incredibly talented students and postdocs at the University of
Science. His administrative service was a commitment back to an institution
Utah, many who have continued to work on electrochemical
that allows him to do what he loves most: teaching and research.
problems in both industry and academics.”
Now that he can once again devote all of his time to
Vi v ienne
Dr. Hang Ren, a former postdoc of White’s who is now an
research and teaching, White is thrilled to be immersed in the
Assistant Professor at Miami University in Ohio, focused on
frontiers of electrochemistry—asking relevant and innovative
electrical measurements on individual DNA molecules trapped
questions for our generation’s complex problems. As the Widtsoe
inside a protein nanopore while training with White. They were
Presidential Chair, he continues to train postdoctoral fellows,
able to trap a single DNA molecule for hours, and watch its
undergraduates, and graduate students in electrochemistry. The
motional dynamics, and monitor chemical reactions via the
Widtsoe Chair specifically is valuable in providing funding for
change in electrical current through the protein.
“ Research isn’t just about solving a problem, it’s about learning how to ask interesting and original questions.”
“ Henry’s research approach is very unique. In addition to solving scientific problems elegantly, he is especially great at asking fundamental scientific questions.”
In a second research project, they used platinum electrodes with radii as small as 5 nanometers to measure the nucleation rates of bubbles. They were able to generate a single nanobubble at the electrode surface, measure the nucleation rate, and infer the geometry of the smallest stable bubble that contained as few as 25 molecules. “This is a fundamentally important problem in the field of electrocatalysis, where bubbles are often formed and disrupt the catalytic processes on the electrode,” says Professor Ren.
White trains his students and postdocs on how to be a researcher, to ask
innovative questions, and to be relentlessly rigorous in their approach. As he works with undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdocs, his methods are significantly influencing the next generation of scientists to continue a legacy of research excellence. After training with White for years, Professor Ren affirms that “Henry’s research approach is very unique. In addition to solving scientific problems elegantly, he is especially great at asking fundamental scientific questions. He is also highly innovative and very good at exploring new directions in electrochemistry. I was greatly influenced by my postdoc training with him.”
Henry White’s research is often cited by other researchers and is
foundational in the fields of electrochemistry and analytical chemistry. “Henry has an uncommon disposition for innovation in undertaking both experimental and theoretical challenges in his research,” says Joel Harris,
Postdoctoral associates Dr. Rui Gao and Dr. Koushik Barman are integral to White’s research.
Distinguished Professor of Chemistry. White’s research has been recognized in major awards from the Society of Electroanalytical Chemistry, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry, and the Electrochemical Society. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Chemical Society, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. 9
Mathematics
D epartment
H ighlight
Srikanth Iyengar – What is Commutative Algebra?
What is commutative algebra? Can it help us solve
M ichele
S waner
to study these objects. One of them is to study functions
motivated by questions in physics.
real-world problems?
on the space of solutions, and algebra is a good way to
begin. These functions form a mathematical structure
began under the name “ideal theory” with the work of
solve linear and quadratic equations, generally a single
called a commutative ring. Commutative algebra
mathematician Richard Dedekind, a giant of the late
equation and in one variable,” said Srikanth Iyengar,
is the study of commutative rings and modules, or
19th and early 20th centuries. In turn, Dedekind’s work
Professor of Mathematics at the U. “But most real-world
algebraic structures over such rings.
relied on the earlier work of Ernst Kummer and Leopold
“When we first study advanced math, we learn to
problems aren’t quite so easy—they often involve multiple equations in mul-
“One of the things I
As a subject on its own, commutative algebra
Iyengar’s research
Kronecker. The mathematician responsible for the
focuses on understanding
modern study of commutative algebra was Wolfgang
these structures, which
Krull, who introduced concepts that are now central to
have links to different
the study of the subject, as well as Oscar Zariski, who
tiple variables.”
enjoy about my research is
how commutative algebra
areas of mathematics,
made commutative algebra a foundation for the study
has so many connections
particularly topology and
of algebraic varieties.
representation theory.
Iyengar joined the
how commutative algebra has so many connections
Mathematics Department
to other things,” said Iyengar. “It makes for rich and
in 2014. He grew up in
lively research. Commutative algebra is continually
Hyderabad, India, and
reinvigorated by problems and perspectives from
received a master’s degree
other fields.”
and Ph.D. from Purdue
University. Before joining the
Science Foundation. The Humboldt Foundation and the
U, he taught at the University
Simons Foundation have also provided support.
of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Finding explicit
solutions to such equations is generally not feasible nor useful—it’s
to other things; it makes
much more helpful to look
for rich and lively research.
for overall structure in the collection of all possible
Commutative algebra is
solutions. These solution
continually reinvigorated by
sets are called algebraic
problems and perspectives
varieties. The word algebraic indicates their
from other fields.”
origin is from polynomial
10
b y
“One of the things I enjoy about my research is
Funding for Iyengar’s research is from the National
Commutative rings arise in diverse
equations, as opposed to equations involving things
like trigonometric and exponential functions. Over the
the work of 20th century German mathematician
and computer science,
centuries, mathematicians have developed various tools
David Hilbert, whose work on invariant theory was
among other
The foundation of commutative algebra lies in
contexts in mathematics, physics,
fields. Within mathematics, besides functions on algebraic
article published in 1960 by Eugene Wigner, a Hungarian-
varieties, examples of commutative rings include rings of
American mathematician and theoretical physicist.
algebraic integers—the stuff of number theory. Commutative
“I work by thinking about a piece of mathematics—perhaps it’s
rings also arise, in myriad ways, in the study of symmetries of objects— algebraic topology, graph theory, and combinatorics, among others. One of the areas of physics where commutative algebra is useful is with string theory. In recent years, ideas and techniques from commutative algebra have begun to play an increasingly prominent role in coding theory, in reconstructions, and biology with neural networks.
While not everything Iyengar
does day-to-day (or perhaps even in the span of a few years) has a direct impact in the field, mathematicians have a way of impacting other areas far from their original source, often decades later. There are many striking examples of this phenomenon. The “unreasonable effectiveness of
a research paper or a problem I run into somewhere in a textbook or a talk,” said Iyengar. “This sometimes leads to interesting research projects; at other times, it ends in a dead end. My perspective on research is that it’s more like a garden (or many interconnected
mathematics” is well known.
gardens) waiting to be explored, rather than peaks to be climbed.
The phrase is part of
Sure, there are landmarks but there’s rarely a point when I can say,
a title of an
Well, this is it—there’s nothing more to be achieved.’’ 11
D epartment
Claudia De Grandi Meaningfully Engaging Students in STEM b y
M ichele
S waner
H ighlight
Physics & A
How can we make Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields (STEM) more inclusive and accessible? How can we meaningfully engage students in STEM courses?
The retention rate in STEM fields is low—many students who initially plan to pursue a degree in STEM drop out because they don’t identify with the environment they’re exposed to and they don’t enjoy their STEM courses. How can we keep students excited and interested in staying in STEM?
Claudia De Grandi, assistant professor (lecturer)
of educational practice in the Physics and Astronomy Department, spends most of her time thinking about how to make her courses more inclusive and how to encourage every student, independently of their background, abilities and identities, to participate and engage in STEM fields successfully.
“I love teaching because of its challenges,” said De
Grandi. “Something that worked well in one place may not work in another setting. It’s the role of the teacher to listen to the students and adapt to be in tune with them. My goals are to be equitable and inclusive, although I don’t always achieve it. Unfortunately, we’re all biased, and it’s our responsibility to keep trying to understand how it feels to be someone else.” De Grandi tries her best to consider the hurdles and inequities each student has to overcome to succeed in school. She has taught at Yale University, Housatonic Community College (Bridgeport, Conn.), and now at the U.
Astronomy
Her teaching style relies on the adoption of evidence-
“ The goal is to start a dialogue among STEM faculty and students to identify issues with the STEM environment and develop interventions to help ameliorate these problems.”
condensed matter physics from Boston University. She was
The course combines academic inquiry and community
based teaching practices and is informed by the latest results
at Yale University first as a research postdoc and continued
engagement to investigate diversity and climate within
from Physics Education Research (PER). PER is the field of
as a teaching postdoc through the Yale Center for Teaching
STEM. Students will examine how diverse personal
physics that aims to understand and assess how students
and Learning. She joined the U in July 2018 as an assistant
backgrounds shape the STEM experience both at the U
learn and make sense of physics concepts and identify
professor (lecturer) in the Department of Physics & Astronomy.
and nationally.
successful teaching practices and instructional approaches.
training on teaching for the past five years and has served
and students to identify issues with the STEM environment
has found that using active learning techniques and
as a facilitator and leader for the Summer Institutes on
and develop interventions to help ameliorate these
providing opportunities to promote group work are key
Scientific Teaching (https://www.summerinstitutes.org/)
problems,” said De Grandi. “I look forward to teaching the
to student success. “I started implementing group quizzes
at several U.S. campuses as well as at University College
course, and learning, from and with the students.”
a few years ago—now I also do group exams. I prompt
London. She is currently collaborating with
student reflections (on exam mistakes, performance, and
the U’s Center for Science and Mathematics
preparation) and on their mindset (growth or fixed),” said De
Education to bring a Summer Institute to the U
Grandi. “I do like to surprise my students by asking them to
next spring. Interested faculty from the College
talk about something not related to physics. Learning is not
of Science will be invited to participate.
just about content—I work to make sure my students are
comfortable sitting in class so they can focus on learning.”
Teaching Assistant (TA) Orientation for Physics and
Astronomy graduate students. The training focuses
In support of previous PER research, De Grandi
Here is what one student said about De Grandi’s teaching:
De Grandi has been actively involved in faculty
At the U, De Grandi has redesigned and led the
“Claudia is amazing, and she’s one of the main reasons I enjoy
on preparing incoming graduate students to teach
coming to class. Her drawings are cute, and her examples are
by promoting group work, being aware of student
always fun and silly. She includes everyone and really knows
diversity, and fostering a welcoming environment.
how to make a class fun. I was worried I’d hate physics but she
definitely made me love it. “
“Being Human in STEM,” said De Grandi. “Although
I’ve taught this course before at Yale, this will be
De Grandi grew up in Milan, Italy, where she received
“The goal is to start a dialogue among STEM faculty
“This spring I’ll be teaching a new course called
her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics from the
my first time teaching it here, along with a team of
University of Milan. In 2011, she obtained a Ph.D. in theoretical
colleagues in math, chemistry, and astronomy.”
Original drawing by Claudia De Grandi. 13
Science Research Initiative
At many universities under-
graduates have the opportunity to engage in scientific research only in their junior or senior
The Science has historically faced is that there Research Initiative are many more science majors Gets Students Into than there are openings in faculty research laboratories. The SRI solves Research
years. Yet successful scientists all
have the same core attributes—curiosity, communication
of one-on-one faculty mentorship in the framework of
skills and a willingness to learn interdisciplinary tech-
vertically integrated research streams,” said Peter Trapa,
niques—traits that many students already possess as
dean of the College of Science.
freshmen. In 2020, College of Science will the give hundreds
of undergraduates the opportunity to contribute to real
opportunity to contribute to scientific discoveries, just like
research projects the year that they step onto campus.
Bridget Phillips, a Crocker Science Scholar and sophomore
biology major with a math minor, had this summer.
The Science Research Initiative (SRI) is a team-based
The SRI aims to give 500 undergraduates per year the
program that will connect students to discovery-based
research early in their education to gain valuable scientific
Pigeon Genetics Lab writing code for a project looking for
skills. The vision is to provide an opportunity to do research
genes that determine the birds’ eye color.
for any incoming student in the College of Science.
Additionally, the cohort model makes research opportunities
quantitative trait locus (QTL) peak. She was comparing the
more equitable for students from all backgrounds.
genotypes of two groups of pigeons with different eye
colors. Because pigeons breeds are the same species, their
The initiative is self-sustaining by design with experienced
Phillips was working in biologist Mike Shapiro’s
She was mining mountains of data searching for a
students tasked with training incoming freshman—a model
genetics should look identical except for the gene locus
that could allow hundreds of students to contribute to a
underpinning eye color.
principal investigator’s research for decades. The initiative has
support from the university, the state, and industry partners
be,” she said, smiling. “It was nice. I impressed the postdocs.”
who see the benefit of producing students who are ready to
thrive in Utah’s STEM workforce.
freshman year. She is an alum of ACCESS, a program
where rising freshman in STEM disciplines join a cohort of
“Research opportunities for undergraduates are
transformative experiences. The problem that the college 14
that problem by scaling up the model
“I got a QTL peak that showed where the gene might
Phillips has been working in Shapiro’s lab since her
like-minded undergrads ahead of their first semester in
“ Research opportunities for undergraduates are transformative experiences.”
college. ACCESS facilitated her placement in the lab where she found her passion—coding and genetics, two things she never knew existed in a one career.
“Starting in a lab as a freshman is so useful, but the fear is that
you don’t know what you’re doing. But you learn the skills really quickly,” Phillips said. “The earlier you can start, the better. If you find out your freshman year that you don’t like research, that’s good to know. If you like research, like I do, then you know what to aim for.”
Scaling up discovery
The college based the SRI on a similar program at the
University of Texas-Austin that impressed Henry White, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and former dean of the college who championed the initiative during his tenure. Since starting the program 20 years ago, UT-Austin has increased enrollment and improved student success, particularly among those from underrepresented groups in STEM fields.
“Students from families who’ve been going to college
for generations come to campus recognizing that research opportunities are just as important as the classes themselves,” said White. “This program is meant to promote students who haven’t had the opportunity to be involved in research. We hope to introduce underrepresented, first-generation students to research opportunities, enriching their experience at the U.”
During the first semester, a cohort of students will take a
research course to learn basic lab techniques that will replace 15
a traditional prerequisite
SRI brings benefits beyond campus
Goldwater Scholarship recipient. Also an ACCESS alum,
class. The second semester,
Cantrell has worked in Ryan Looper’s organic synthesis lab
the students begin work
student success. Funding has come from many sources,
since her freshman year. At the time, she thought she wanted
in a lab led by a principal
including corporate, foundation and individual gifts
to be a pharmacist. Instead, she fell in love with research.
investigator. They continue
and workforce development funds from the Utah State
the research for their third
Legislature. ARUP Laboratories, a national
and fourth semesters, and
pathology lab, research facility and a
train an incoming cohort to
nonprofit enterprise of the University of Utah,
create a “steady-state” model.
and BioFire, a medical diagnostics company,
During their third year, the
are sponsoring SRI because they view the
students can do an internship
partnership as mutually beneficial.
or work on an individual
project that resembles a more
qualified people to work in labs. It’s a career
traditional undergraduate
that’s understaffed—graduates have no
Others outside the university see benefits beyond
She is developing a scaffold for new antibiotic
“We are constantly looking for well-
lab experience. The college aims to have different streams
problem finding a job, but there’s not a good
of research in data science, molecular biology and many
awareness of this as a possible career path,” said Sherrie
candidates, a crucial field of inquiry as bacteria are constantly
disciplines across the College of Science.
Perkins, CEO of ARUP Laboratories and professor of
building resistance to current antibiotics. Cantrell’s molecule
pathology at the U School of Medicine. “We’re so pleased
is modeled after a natural product that kills both bacteria and
SRI journey. White, Shelley Minteer, professor of chemistry,
to be a part of this exciting new program and to continue
human cells. Her project focuses on modifying the molecule
Markus Babst, professor of biology, and Braxton Osting,
the pipeline of excellent students coming out of the
so that it will only kill the bacteria and leave human cells
professor of mathematics, have committed to developing
university that we employ.”
alone. She plans to pursue a PhD after graduating this year.
initial projects. The goal is to eventually have 500 freshmen,
Beyond the research, the community and networking aspects
sophomores and transfer students participate every year.
agreed Rachel Cantrell, a senior chemistry major and
In January 2020, a small pilot cohort will begin the
Research opportunities indeed open many doors,
of ACCESS made a big impact on her life.
“I met a lot of great people there that I’m still
friends with. I got to meet faculty and was selected for a scholarship to study in Germany—the community aspect was huge,” she said. To undergrads thinking about whether they want to work in a lab, Cantrell has this advice, “You have to give it a chance. I worked as a pharmacy technician for a while, but I loved being in the lab more. Check out what you like. It can open some huge doors.
” The new SRI aims to do just that.
Utah joins the Association of American Universities
AAU
The University of Utah is one of the newest members of the
academic research and scholarship and undergraduate,
prestigious Association of American Universities, which for more
graduate and professional education.”
than 100 years has recognized the most outstanding academic
Membership criteria are based on a university’s research
institutions in the nation. Utah joined the association with the University of California, Santa
funding; proportion of faculty elected to the National Academies of Science, Engineering
Cruz and Dartmouth College. AAU invitations are infrequent; this year’s are the first since
and Medicine; impact of research and scholarship; and student outcomes. The U has 21
AAU
2012. The new members bring the number of AAU institutions to 65.
National Academies members, with some elected to more than one academy.
The AAU formed in 1900 to promote and raise standards for university research
Leaders of AAU member universities meet to discuss common challenges and future
and education. Today its mission is to “provide a forum for the development and
directions in higher education. The U’s leaders will now join those meetings, which include
implementation of institutional and national policies promoting strong programs of
the leaders of all the top 10 and 56 of the top 100 universities in the United States. 17
F acilit y
F eature
Frontiers of Science
Homecoming 2019 brought a number of
to provide testing and analytics for developers
alumni and friends back to the U this September.
working in the voice app industry. Pulse Labs was
But before the tailgating and the football, the
one of nine companies chosen for the “Alexa
College of Science fielded an All-Star game of
Accelerator,” Amazon’s first startup accelerator.
their own. The Frontiers of Science Distinguished
Alumni Panel, held September 27, featured five
of Ginkgo Bioworks, a Boston-based biotech com-
science alumni currently working in cutting-edge
pany focused on using software and automation to
Reshma Shetty, BS’02 Engineering, Co-Founder
science and technology.
bring rapid iteration, prototyping and
Kirk M. Ririe, BS’05 Chemistry,
scale to synthetic biology and
Founder of Idaho Technology,
organism design.
(now Biofire), a medical
Biology, CEO and
Ririe since developed
Co-Founder of Denali
new methods for rapid
Therapeutics, a
diagnosis of diseases and
biotechnology company
pathogens ranging from
focused on treatments and
the common cold to anthrax.
cures for neurodegenerative
Doon Gibbs, BS’77
illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s
Mathematics and Physics, currently the Director of Brookhaven National Laboratory
18
Thursday, January 23, 2020 Craig Clements San Jose State University Thursday, February 13, 2020 Dan Rubenstein Princeton University Tuesday, March 24, 2020 Ruth Williams UC San Diego
Dean Peter Trapa acted as moderator
for the evening. The mood was warm and friendly
U.S. Department of Energy laboratory with nearly
and surprisingly personal at times. The panel
3,000 employees, more than 4,000 facility users each
brought a huge range of diverse experiences to
year, and an annual budget of about $600 million.
the discussion while consistently crediting their
scientific education and research training as key
and CPO of Pulse Labs, a startup company working
24
and Parkinson’s disease.
in Upton, New York. Brookhaven is a multi-program
Dylan Zwick, PhD’14 Mathematics, Co-Founder
We hope to see you at this season’s Frontiers of Science lectures.
Ryan Watts, BS’00
device and diagnostics.
Schedule
to their success.
Thursday, April 23, 2020 Terry Plank Columbia University
Peter Gibbs The Father of “Frontiers”
Physics Professor Pete Gibbs and his colleagues
established the Frontiers of Science lecture series as a method to bring notable researchers from around the world to Utah to discuss the current “frontiers” in scientific research. The first Frontiers event was presented by Pete Gibbs himself, on April 1, 1967. During the following two years, nine of the twentyone FoS lectures were given by current or future Nobel laureates.
The early success of Frontiers was largely due
to Pete’s personal invitations, and also his family’s skill at hosting prominent scientists in their home near the University campus. The Gibbs family offered lodging, food, and world-class skiing, to sweeten the deal.
Pete Gibbs passed away on July 13, 2019
surrounded by family and friends. He was 94.
Frontiers of Science, now in its 52nd year, continues
to be sponsored by the College of Science and the College of Mines and Earth Sciences. The list of speakers now includes some 280 distinguished scientists. 19
McKay Hyde
A lumni
P rofile
BS’97
b y
M ichele
S waner
McKay Hyde (Honors B.A. Mathematics, B.A. Physics
number of trading desks. (“Strat” is a term that originated
’97) always enjoyed math and science, but it was taking a
with Goldman Sachs to describe individuals that use tools
series of physics classes at the U, between his junior and
from mathematics and computer science to build financial
senior year in high school, that changed his life. “I always
models In his Core Quant Strat role, Hyde led the build out
enjoyed mathematics,” he said. “But physics showed me how
of the Strat teams in Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), India,
mathematics could be used to solve real-world problems.
known as “The Silicon Valley of India.”
That was tremendously exciting to me and still is.”
Photo courtesy of Goldman Sachs.
Today Hyde is managing director in Equities Engineering
Roots in Utah and at the U
for the New York office of Goldman Sachs and is responsible
for building systems to manage securities inventory and
graduating from Woods Cross High School. He met his wife,
collateral, working closely with teams across Engineering, as
Marie, in an “outstanding” honors class taught by Professor
well as the Finance, Operations and Securities divisions. “I like
Emeritus Jack Newell (“Education and Identity”), who served
being part of a cross-functional team, building relationships
as dean and principal architect of the U’s Liberal Education
and working together to find solutions that impact the
Program. In his first two years at the U Hyde was also active
organization and the clients we serve,” he said. “The
in the U’s music program, playing the trumpet in several
combination of using mathematics and computer science
university bands—Concert, Marching, Pep, and Jazz.
applied to practical problems is very rewarding.”
U with helping prepare him for a career in the financial
He joined Goldman Sachs in 2006 and was named
Hyde grew up in Salt Lake City and North Salt Lake,
Hyde gives credit to the education he received at the
managing director in 2010. At Goldman Sachs, Hyde has
sector. “I received a tremendous education in physics and
had a range of responsibilities. He was head of the global
mathematics, including research experience working in
Market Risk Technology team within Finance and Risk
the Cosmic Ray group and in probability theory. The U
Engineering. Before that, Hyde led the Trading Strats team
provides great value as an institution—a quality education
for Interest Rate Products in New York as well as the Core
at a reasonable cost,” he said.
Quant Strats team, which developed models, algorithmic
trading methods, and pricing infrastructure used by a
made a difference for him during his undergraduate years:
He also has great memories of three professors who
“ Engaging and encouraging undergrads to work together in research opportunities provides a far richer educational experience that really pays off in preparing students for demanding careers.”
Davar Khoshnevisan (professor and current chair of the
Math Department), Hyde’s undergraduate research advisor
that encourages a team of people to work toward a
fields applying their skills in the area of finance,” he said.
in mathematics; Martha Bradley, former dean of the Honors
common goal. To that end, a large project or research
“It made me realize the importance of being open to new
College, and the late Professor Gale Dick, whose “physics
problem can be broken down into smaller tasks. A
opportunities—taking the skills and talents you have
lectures were a work of art,” said Hyde.
scrum master or team leader evaluates the special skills
and using them in different fields or industries to build
“It involves developing and supporting a culture
easier transition. “I found smart people from technical
and talents of each individual on the team, assigns
Using Agile Principles in
them to specific tasks, and the team comes together
Undergraduate Research
frequently—typically during a daily stand up —over
focused sprints—typically 2-3 weeks long—to complete
Hyde believes students should be encouraged
to participate in research opportunities early in their
those tasks yielding demonstrable progress at the
undergraduate years, and he applauds the decision of
end of each sprint. By repeating this process, the team
the College of Science to focus on a new program called
improves while building confidence and trust through
the Undergraduate Research Initiative. “Research is very
repeated accomplishment of its goals.”
different from coursework—it’s really a separate skill,” said Hyde. “Engaging and encouraging undergrads to work
Previous Academic Career
together in research opportunities provides a far richer
educational experience that really pays off in preparing
completed a Ph.D. in Applied and Computational
students for demanding careers.”
Mathematics from the California Institute of Technology
relationships with others and do meaningful work. That’s
in 2003. Hyde worked as a postdoc in the School of
really what it’s all about.”
and principles that teams use in Agile software
Mathematics at the University of Minnesota and later
development can effectively be applied to something
joined Rice University as an assistant professor of
and are the parents of four children: a son studying music
like the Undergraduate Research Initiative program.
computational and applied mathematics.
at Berklee College of Music; a daughter at Brigham Young
“Creating an Agile environment—whether in software
University (currently serving a church mission in Peru); and
development or research—is essentially the same,”
Sachs, he wondered if he would need to dress and act like
said Hyde.
a “stereotypical banker.” But he discovered it was a much
To that end, Hyde thinks the same concepts
After earning degrees at the U in 1997 Hyde
When Hyde first left academia to work at Goldman
McKay Hyde and his family
Hyde and his wife, Marie, enjoy living in New Jersey
a son and daughter in high school.
21
CRIMSON
Update: DecEmber 2019 An exciting year for the Crimson Laureate Society and the College of Science
22
In January, Cameron Owen of Boise, Idaho, a senior
and collectively help shape policy for higher education,
Honers student in chemistry, physics, and mathematics,
science, and innovation. Inclusion in AAU is recognition
received the U’s fourth consecutive Churchill Scholarship to
of our unwavering support for science and technology
study at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
and a major achievement for the College of Science.
On May 15, Owen joined 657 of his fellow science
In January 2020 the College will launch the initial
students as they received their degrees. Some of these
streams of the Science Research Initiative (SRI). At
students may have fallen short of this achievement
most institutions, students have to wait until their
without the support of the Crimson Laureate Society.
junior or senior year to get a taste of research, if at all.
The SRI provides every incoming undergraduate the
In July, Dean Peter Trapa assumed the helm of the
College amidst a whirlwind of activity—quickly moving
opportunity to participate in discovery-based scientific
forward with former Dean Henry White’s plans for
research programs. Innovative programs like the SRI
undergraduate research, safety improvements, and a
would not be possible without support from Crimson
new Physical Sciences building. Stay updated on these
Laureate Society members.
projects and more by visiting the new college website
at science.utah.edu.
we will not be resting on our laurels. There are many
new discoveries to be made, and new generations of
On November 6, the University of Utah was invited
While we are overjoyed by our recent accomplishments,
to join the Association of American Universities, an
scientists to be mentored and inspired. Help us continue
exclusive group of 65 universities that University
this journey by joining the Crimson Laureate Society, or
President Ruth V. Watkins calls, “the most prestigious
renewing your membership, today. Your contributions
association in higher education.” AAU member
make a positive impact on our faculty and students.
universities earn the majority of federal research funding
Thank you!
Crimson L e g ac y society
A planned gift is the easiest way to make a
major contribution to help the university advance scientific education and research. Your gift will produce exceptional opportunities for students and faculty.
The Crimson Legacy Society is designed to recognize
those who have made a deep commitment to the future of the college. Members will be recognized on the Crimson Legacy donor wall and in the college’s annual Notebook publication. You will also receive special recognition of your support and be inducted into the University’s Park Society. How do I become a member?
Designate a gift or pledge of $50,000, or more,
in your will or estate to either the University of Utah College of Science, the School of Biological Sciences, or one of the departments of Chemistry, Mathematics, or Physics & Astronomy. What if I already have the college or one of the departments in my will or estate plan? First of all, thank you! Second, please contact us so we can record the details of the gift. Questions? If you have any questions please feel free to contact Jeff Martin at martin@science.utah.edu or 801-581-4852.
23
Research Funding Tops $540 Million
Through the accumulated efforts of University faculty, students and staff, the
In addition to the U’s diverse research portfolio, the institution is also a catalyst for
U achieved its most successful research funding year ever in 2019, passing a $540
economic growth and innovation, creating over 302 spin-out companies—and 16,000
million milestone. The final total is $547 million, composed of grants large and small,
jobs—from the university’s inventions and technologies.
from donors in all 50 states.
of Utah will continue to develop cutting-edge research to enhance the lives of current
Recognized as a Top-Tier 1 research university—The University’s research vision
is to cultivate national and international research community through excellence,
With the determination and support of our research community, the University
and future generations to come.
innovation, and interdisciplinary research at the University of Utah.
2017
$459M State Gov’t 2%
2018
$515M
Industry 14%
2019
Total STEM Degrees
Other 12%
Federal Gov’t 64%
79%
Graduate Stem Degrees
49%
$547M Growth
Sources
DegreEs
Thanks to the extraordinary efforts and quality
Extramural funding comes mostly from federal
The University of Utah produces 49% of total STEM
of faculty, trainees and staff, University of Utah
agencies such as the National Science Foundation
degrees from Utah System of Higher Education
research funding reached $547 million in FY 2019,
and National Institutes of Health.
schools and 72% of STEM graduate degrees.
the highest in the U’s history.
The U’s increase in federal funding builds on the
Funding grew at around 4 percent per year since 2003,
remarkable achievement of Max Wintrobe in 1945
and 7 percent per yer during the past five years. Since
who received the very first grant from NIH to study
2013, funding has consistently increased every year.
muscular dystrophy.
$36.2 $547
Million In Million In Research Funding Science - 2019 Research Awards FY
1600
New Jobs Created - since 1970
- FY2019
56
U.S. Patents - FY2019
25
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