Notebook - Spring 2018

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

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“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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