Dr. Robert Bardon
Associate professor of forestry can discuss this year’s fall foliage. Will we see red leaves or brown trees?
September, 2009 Releases and Features
Dr. William Boettcher
Associate professor of political science who can discuss the Obama administration’s security agenda, executive decision-making and the United Nations.
Dr. Andrew Taylor
Professor of political science can discuss three hot topics facing Congress: the energy/climate change legislation, overhaul of finance system regulations and immigration.
DeSimone Receives NIH Pioneer Award
Dr. Joseph M. DeSimone, William R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering at North Carolina State University and Chancellor’s Eminent Professor of Chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has been awarded a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Pioneer Award, one of only 18 such honors handed out this year.
The Pioneer Award supports individual scientists of exceptional creativity who propose pioneering – and possibly transforming – approaches to major challenges in biomedical and behavioral research. Awards are for up to $500,000 per year for five years.
A recognized chemist and polymer expert, DeSimone develops groundbreaking solutions in “green” manufacturing and promising applications in gene therapy, drug delivery and medical devices.
DeSimone will use the award to develop new methods for delivering promising biological therapeutics – such as proteins, antibodies and nucleic acids – to specific locations in the body in a safe and effective fashion. Such methods and therapies could be used to treat many different diseases – including cancer, autoimmune, inflammatory, metabolic, cardiovascular, ophthalmologic and numerous infectious diseases – as well as neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and for the treatment of pain. The research will build on DeSimone’s existing work, including his invention of techniques for mass-producing “custom made” micro- and nanoparticles tailored to have specific sizes, shapes and surface properties.
DeSimone joined the NC State faculty in 1994 and the UNC-Chapel Hill faculty in 1990. He received his Ph.D. in chemistry from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1990.
- 30 -
Astronaut Scholarship Awarded to NC State Senior
North Carolina State University senior Brittany Boudreaux has been awarded a $10,000 scholarship from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF). The scholarship will be presented to Boudreaux by Apollo 16 astronaut and moonwalker Charlie Duke during a free public ceremony to be held on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 12:30 p.m. in 210 Park Shops on the NC State campus.
Boudreaux is completing double majors in civil engineering and applied mathematics. After Hurricane Katrina, she spent the summer of 2006 as an engineering aide at the New Orleans District Corps of Engineers assisting project managers overseeing reconstruction on non-invasive techniques for evaluating non-porous materials. She co-authored an article accepted for publication in Inverse Problems in Science and Engineering. Boudreaux plans to pursue a Ph.D. and aspires to forestall future disasters such as the levee failure in New Orleans.
Boudreaux is one of 17 students nationwide to receive this scholarship. The Astronaut
Scholarships are awarded annually to students who show exceptional performance in the fields of science, engineering or mathematics. Recipients must exhibit motivation, imagination and intellectual daring, as well as exceptional performance, both in and outside the classroom.
The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit organization established by the Mercury Astronauts in 1984 with the goal of aiding the United States in retaining its world leadership in science and technology. The ASF has awarded more than $2.8 million in scholarships to date, including $188,000 to NC State students.
- 30 -
NC State Hosts Janet Cowell for Series Talk
NC State Preview
What: In the inaugural session of its new “Conversations with State Leaders” series, North Carolina State University will host a talk by State Treasurer Janet Cowell.
Who: Presented by NC State’s School of Public and International Affairs.
When: Thursday, Oct. 1, from 4 to 5 p.m.
Where: Caldwell Hall Lounge on the NC State campus.
Cost: The talk is free and open to the public.
Contact: Dr. Andrew Taylor, professor and department chair of political science, 919/515-8618 or andrew_taylor@ncsu.edu
- 30 -
NC State’s 18th Annual Dog Olympics to be Held Oct. 3
What:
North Carolina Sate University’s Dog Olympics is a charitable event that is open to dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes. Medal events include athletic and non-athletic competitions such as doggie limbo, musical sit, best beggar, best pet trick, Frisbee toss, doggie high jump, longest tail, wiener toss, “Roll over Beethoven,” and the howling contest. College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) faculty members will oversee the events and award prizes to gold, silver and bronze medalists.
The “Olympic Village” will feature information booths sponsored by various breed and shelter rescue groups, refreshments for dogs and their human companions, and a free microchip clinic sponsored by the Raleigh Kennel Club. In addition, the American Kennel Club will host an agility demonstration and will sponsor a Canine Good Citizen testing program.
Dog attendees should be kept on a leash at all times and must be at least four months old and current on vaccinations in order to participate.
Who:
Sponsored by the CVM Student Chapter of the American Animal Hospital Association (SCAAHA).
When:
Saturday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In the event of rain, Dog Olympics will be held on Oct. 31.
Where:
Moore Square, located in downtown Raleigh.
Cost:
Admission is $1 for spectators and owners,$7 for dogs, and free for children five and younger. The cost of canine admission covers an entry fee for one event and a photo of your dog in the winner’s circle. Each additional event or photo is $1. There will be a $5 fee payable to the AKC for those who would like to participate in the Canine Good Citizen testing program.
Contact:
Bobbi McQuown at blkeslin@ncsu.edu or call 919/513-6662.
-30-