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College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics

December 2013December Newsletter Highlights:fNSM-ICC Science and Math Symposium- Save the Date: March 19th-20th, 2014fSeminars and Colloquia-8.

fDimensions- Deadline for Intent to Submit form is due December 13th, final research paper/abstract will be due January 31, 2014. Papers and abstracts from Spring 2013 will also be considered. See pages 21-23.

fASI All Night Study Events and Resources- Page 24.

Best of Luck with Finals and Have a Happy New Year, See You in Spring!

201411th Annual NSM-ICC Science and Math SymposiumWednesday March 19th

Thursday March 20th

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics California State University, Fullerton

Save the Date

NSMICC Details Coming soon...

College of NSM: Office of the DeanActing Dean

Dr. Robert [email protected]

Associate DeanDr. Mark Filowitz

[email protected]

Assistant Dean for Student AffairsAmy Mattern

[email protected] 488 (657) 278-4158

Department of Biological ScienceMH-282 (657) 278-3614

Dr. Kathryn Dickson, [email protected]

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

MH-580 (657) 278-3621Dr. Chris Meyer, [email protected]

Department of Geological SciencesMH-254 (657) 278-8558

Dr. Phil Armstrong, [email protected]

Department of MathematicsMH-154 (657) 278-3631

Dr. Stephen Goode, [email protected]

Department of Physics MH-611 (657) 278-3366

Dr. Jim Feagin, [email protected]

In this Issue:

News from Around the CollegeDepartment of Biological Science.............2Department of Chemistry and Biochem..7Department of Geological Sciences.........9Department of Mathematics....................10Department of Physics..............................14Seminars and Colloquia.........................18(STEM)2...............................................19-20Dimensions................................................21ASI..............................................................24Research and Grants Opportunities.......25

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Natural Sciences & Mathematics, December 2013

Department of Biological Science

Several members of the Department of Biological Sciences attended the annual meeting of the Western Society of Naturalists in Ventura CA, November 7 – 10, 2013. Faculty members, graduate students, and undergraduate students attended and participated in the conference. CSUF students and faculty authored and co-authored 11 posters and 4 talks. Posters: * = CSUF undergraduate, # = CSUF graduate student, underlined = CSUF Biology Faculty Member

Briley, S.K.#, Ware, R.R., Whitcraft, C.R., Zacherl, D.C., Do Oysters Help Eelgrass Perform Better in Bed? Impact of a Constructed Oyster Bed on Zostera Marina Density and Light IntensityChampieux, T.C., Whitcraft, C.R., Zacherl, D.C., Impacts of a Constructed Oyster Bed on Infaunal Invertebrate Communities in Jack Dunster Marine ReserveEckdahl, K.A.#, Zacherl, D.C., Black Abalone (Haliotis Cracherodii) Density and Habitat Availability in Southern CaliforniaFuentes, C.M.*, Whitcraft, C., Zacherl, D. C., Olympia (Ostrea Lurida) and Japanese (Crassostrea Gigas) Oyster Recruitment Onto A Constructed Oyster Bed in Alamitos Bay, CALinnenbrink, J.M.#, Zacherl, D.C., Eernisse, D.J., Genetic Population Structure of the Olympia Oyster, Ostrea Lurida, in Southern CaliforniaMcCune, K.S.*, Eernisse, D.J., Yet Another Cryptic Pair of West Coast Limpet Species: Lottia Fenestrata and its Unrecognized Northern CounterpartParker, T.A.*, Burnaford, J.L., Zacherl, D.C., Growth and Survival of the Olympia Oyster, Ostrea Lurida, as a Function of Tidal HeightRice, C.A.*, Eernisse, D.J., Forsgren, K.L., Morphological and Genetic Identification of California Pipefishes (Syngnathidae)Smith, J.M.*, McCune, K.S*., Eernisse, D.J., When is a Keyhole Limpet a Giant?: A Rapid and Inexpensive Assay to Verify Megathura Crenulata Blood Products in MedicineTronske, N.B.*, Burnaford, J.L., Forsgren, K., Zacherl, D.C., Densities and Habitat Distrubutions of Two Oyster Species in Southern California and the Reproductive Potential of C. GigasWalker, K.M.#, Cisneros, A*., Crossen, S.R.*, Moreno, A.*, Waterston, C.*, Whitcraft, C.R., Zacherl, D.C., Effects of Oyster Restoration Techniques on Olympia Oyster (Ostrea Lurida) Density, Shell Loss, and Invertebrate Community CompositionEernisse, D.J., Pittman, C., Pilgrim, E.M. Siphonaria Progress Goes ‘Boink:’ Hawaii’s Only Recognized Species is Instead Three Separate Clades Elsberry, L.A.#, Burnaford, J.L., The Regional and Seasonal Response of a High Inter-tidal Alga to Low Tide ConditionsNguyen, T.T*, Burnaford, J.L., Henderson, S.Y., Effects of Low Tide Exposure on the Photosynthetic Health of Saccharina SessilsSmith, J.R.*, Vogt, S.C., Creedon, F., Lucas, B., Eernisse, D., Tidal Zone Variations in the Effects of the Non- Native Red Alga Caulacanthus Ustulatus on Native Rocky Inter-tidal Communities

Western Society of NaturalistsVentura, CA, November 7 – 10, 2013

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Department Publications Five abstracts were published in the August issue of the Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences stemming from papers presented at the annual meeting in May.

Cavanagh, J. W., K. M. Martinez, B. A. Higgins and M. H. Horn (2014) Does the beach-spawning grunion eat its own eggs? Eighth graders use inquiry-based investigation to collect real data in a university laboratory. The American Biology Teacher (in press)German, D. P., A. K. Gawlicka and M. H. Horn (2013) Evolution of ontogenetic dietary shifts and associated gut features in prickleback fishes (Teleostei: Stichaeidae). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology B 168: 12-18 (published online 21 November, http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/jcbpb.2013.11.006)Kim, K. H., M. H. Horn, A. E. Sosa and D. P. German (2013) Sequence and expression of an α-amylase gene in four related species of prickleback fishes (Teleostei: Stichaeidae): ontogenetic, dietary, and species-level effects. Journal of Comparative Physiology B published online 18 October, doi 10.1007/s00360-013-0780-1)

Presentations at Scientific MeetingsMembers of the Fish, Seabird and Conservation Biology Lab this year gave 15 presentations at six professional meetings, which ranged from regional to international in scope.

The big trip of the year happened in September when Alyssa Leicht, Chelsea Rankin (former NSM Graduate Assistant), Cassandra Whitcombe, and Dr. Mike Horn attended and gave three presentations at the Waterbird Society meeting in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, with a stop in Amsterdam. We had a great time!

Fish Seabird and Conservation Biology Lab: Kathy Baumberger, Dr. Mike Horn, Chelsea Rankin, Cassandra Whitcombe, Alyssa Leicht, and Justin Smith on 15 October 2013.

Off to Europe! Cassandra, Alyssa and Chelsea ready to depart LAX for Amsterdam on to

Waterbird Society meeting in Wilhelmshaven, Germany 21-28 September 2013(Continued on next page.)

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Whitcombe, C. and M. Horn (2013) Dietary and stable isotope analyses reveal the role of a presumed cryptic prey in the Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans) food web in southern California waters. Annual conference, California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI), La Jolla, California (poster)Rankin, C. J. and M. H. Horn (2013) Colony dynamics of Elegant Terns, Thalasseus elegans, in the southern California Bight in relation to oceanographic conditions and predator disturbance events. Annual conference, CalCOFI, La Jolla, California (poster)Leicht, A. G., D. Robinette, M. Elliott and M. Horn (2013) Comparison of dietary sampling methods for nesting California Least Terns (Sternula antillarum browni) at Alameda Point in San Francisco Bay and Purisima Point on the central California coast. Annual conference, CalCOFI, La Jolla, California (poster) Whitcombe, C. and M. H. Horn (2013) Dietary and stable isotope analyses reveal the role of a cryptic prey in the Elegant Tern Thalasseus elegans food web in southern California waters. Annual meeting, Waterbird Society, Wilhelmshaven, Germany (talk)Rankin, C. J. and M. H. Horn (2013) Colony dynamics of Elegant Terns (Thalasseus elegans) in the Southern California Bight in relation to oceanographic conditions and disturbance events. Annual meeting, Waterbird Society, Wilhelmshaven, Germany (poster)Leicht, A., D. Robinette, M. Elliott and M. H. Horn (2013) Comparison of dietary sampling methods for nesting California least terns Sternula antillarum brownii at Alameda Point in San Francisco Bay and Purisima Point on the central California coast. Annual meeting, Waterbird Society, Wilhelmshaven, Germany (poster) Horn, M. (2013) The Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans), a non-selective, shallow-diving forager, as an indicator of prey availability in the Southern California Bight: a longitudinal study. California Current Predator- Preyscape Workshop, Point Blue Conservation Science, Petaluma, California (invited talk)Whitcombe, C. and M. Horn (2013) Kelp pipefish (Syngnathus californiensis), even though cryptic, are major prey of a visual, shallow-diving seabird. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (JMIH), Albuquerque, New Mexico (poster)Baumberger, K. L. and M. H. Horn (2013) Home range and habitat preference of the western spadefoot (Spea hammondii) in Orange County, California, protected areas. JMIH, Albuquerque, New Mexico (poster)Smith, J. E. and M. Horn (2013) Divergent species yet rare lineages: niche modeling of 20 endangered California taxa and their closest relatives with implications for conservation. Annual meeting, Southern California Academy of Sciences (SCAS), Long Beach (talk, honorable mention award)Whitcombe, C. and M. Horn (2013) Dietary and stable isotope analyses reveal the role of a cryptic prey in the Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans) food web in southern California waters. Annual meeting, SCAS, Long Beach (poster) Stephenson, A. G., D. Robinette, M. Elliott and M. Horn (2013) Comparison of diets and dietary sampling methods for nesting California Least Terns (Sternula antillarum browni) at Purisima Point on the central California coast and Alameda Point in San Francisco Bay. Annual meeting, SCAS, Long Beach (poster)Rankin, C. J. and M. H. Horn (2013) Colony dynamics of Elegant Terns (Thalasseus elegans) in the Southern California Bight in relation to oceanographic conditions and disturbance events. Annual meeting, SCAS, Long Beach (poster)Baumberger, K. L. and M. H. Horn (2013) Uncovering a fossorial species: home range and habitat preference of the western spadefoot (Spea hammondii)in Orange County protected areas. Annual meeting, SCAS, Long Beach (talk) Whitcombe, C., and M. Horn (2013) Stable isotope and dietary analyses reveal the role of a cryptic prey in the Elegant Tern food web. Annual meeting, Pacific Seabird Group, Portland, Oregon (poster)


Department of Biological SciencePresentations at Scientific Meetings (Continued.)

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Ben Higgins (B.A., Pitzer College) won the 2012 Giles Brown Outstanding Thesis Award for his thesis entitled “Suction among pickers, jaw mechanics and dietary breadth in the beach-spawning grunion sisters (Leuresthes) compared to their relatives (Teleostei: Atherinopsidae).” He expects the manuscript derived from his thesis to be published in the Journal of Fish Biology next year. Ben is now a PhD student studying fish ecology and biomechanics at UC Santa Cruz.

Justin Smith (B.S., CSUF) successfully defended his M.S. thesis in Biology entitled “Divergent species yet rare lineages: niche modeling of 20 endangered California taxa and their close relatives with implications for conservation” in August and gave his public presentation in September. He plans to submit a manuscript derived from his thesis to Biological Conservation. Justin is currently employed full-time as a biologist and project manager with Environmental Intelligence, a consulting firm in Laguna Beach.

Kathy Baumberger (B.S., UC Davis) successfully defended her M.S. thesis in Environmental Studies entitled “Uncovering a fossorial species: home range and habitat preference of the western spadefoot, Spea hammondii (Anura: Pelobatidae), in Orange County protected areas” in November. She plans to submit a manuscript stemming from her research to the Journal of Herpetology. Kathy is currently employed full-time as a biologist with the U. S. Geological Survey.

Cassandra Whitcombe (B.S., Chapman Univ) will defend her M.S. thesis in Biology entitled “Dietary and stable isotope analyses reveal the role of a presumed cryptic prey, kelp pipefish, in the Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans) food chain in southern California waters” on December 17th. Lorrayna Snyder, an undergraduate RCP student in the lab last spring, assisted with portions of Cassandra’s field and laboratory work. Cassandra plans to submit a manuscript stemming from her research to Marine Ecology Progress Series.

Alyssa Leicht (B.S., Univ of Maine) is continuing her research on comparing the diets of the endangered California Least Tern (Sternula antillarum browni) at two breeding sites in California along with a comparison of dietary methods using a decade-long data set from each site. She is collaborating with seabird biologists Dan Robinette and Meredith Elliott who work out of Point Blue Conservation Science, a research firm headquartered in Petaluma, California. Alyssa expects to complete her M.S. degree in Biology next spring.

Chelsea Rankin (B.S., UC Santa Cruz, and former NSM Graduate Assistant) is continuing her research on the colony dynamics of the Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans) at its three nesting sites in southern California to determine the basis for the bird’s dramatic fluctuations in nest numbers among those sites. She is exploring oceanographic conditions at the three sites using satellite data and CalCOFI in situ data and investigating disturbance by aerial and terrestrial predators as potential causes of nest failures. Chelsea expects to complete her M.S. degree in Environmental Studies next spring.

Graduate Student Research

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Dr. Misty Paig-Tran arranged for a CT scan of the 250 lb. Oarfish at the UCLA Translation Research Imaging Center. Department Chair Dr. Kathryn Dickson, accompanied Dr. Paig-Tran and scanned three other fish who were also the same fish order known as Lampridiformes, including one from Dr. Dickson’s own research. Excerpt taken from CSUF News. For full article and more images in CSUF News please visit: http://news.fullerton.edu/2013fa/oarfish-scan.asp

CSUF’s Misty Paig-Tran with UCLA’s Michael McNitt-Gray prepare the giant oarfish for a CT scan at UCLA’s Translational

Research Imaging Center. In a collaborative effort, Paig-Tran brought the oarfish to the center for the scan, in order to create a

3-D reconstruction of the deep-water fish for study.

Dr. Kathryn Dickson, chair and professor of biological science, preps the 14-foot oarfish for a

CT scan Nov. 21 at UCLA’s Translational Research Imaging Center. CSUF and UCLA scientists teamed

to study the mysterious deep-sea fish.

Dr. Misty Paig-Tran prepping the giant oarfish for a CT scan.

NSF has recommended for funding a grant, for three years starting February 1, 2014, to Dr. Doug Eernisse (PI): “Collaborative Research: RUI: Timing and molecular origins of recently evolved chiton shell-eyes: Phylogenomics of Chitonina” with two Co-PIs at UCSB, Dr. Todd Oakley and Dr. Dan Speiser.

Department Research and Awards

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Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryNatural Sciences & Mathematics, December 2013

Several students from Dr. Peter de Lijser’s research group attended and presented at the SCCUR meeting in Whittier, CA on November 23, 2013. Aneta Jalowicki presented a poster entitled “Heterocycle Synthesis via One-Electron Oxidation of Nucleophile-Containing Oxime Derivatives” co-authored by Brittany Grassbaugh, Neha Ansari and Dr. Peter de Lijser. Michael Ko presented a poster entitled“Mechanistic Studies of Iminoxyl Radicals and Radical Cations – Intramolecular Cyclization Reactions with Alkene...

Southern California Conferences for Undergraduate Research (SCCUR) 2013 Whittier, CA, November 23, 2013

Aneta Jelowicki presenting her poster at the SCCUR meeting

Aneta Jelowicki presenting her poster at the SCCUR meeting(Continued on next page.)

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Dr. Peter de Lijser was awarded a 3-year research grant from the Petroleum Research Fund administered by the American Chemical Society in the amount of $65,000 for a proposal entitled “Mechanistic Studies of Radical and Radical Ion Intermediates in Oxidative Processes.”

Department Research Grant

Southern California Conferences for Undergraduate Research (SCCUR) 2013 (Continued.)

Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryNatural Sciences & Mathematics, December 2013

Derivatives” with co-authors Wanshin Kim (a former graduate student currently in the PhD program at Dartmouth College) and Dr. Peter de Lijser. Neha Ansari gave a talk entitled “Use of the Carbonyl Group as a Nucleophile in Photosensitized Electron Transfer Reactions of Oxime Ethers” with co-authors Brittany Grassbaugh, Aneta Jelowicki and Dr. Peter de Lijser. Also presenting a talk was Julie Hofstra, who is co-advised by Drs. Peter de Lijser and Paula Hudson. Julie’s talk was entitled “Examining Reaction Pathways of Succinic Acid Photooxidation to Improve Climate Models” and co-authored by Drs. Peter de Lijser and Paula Hudson.

Michael Ko presenting his poster at the SCCUR meeting

Julie Hofstra presenting her poster at the SCCUR meeting

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Department of Geological SciencesNatural Sciences & Mathematics, December 2013

Figure. Upper left: Parham Lab graduate student Gabe Santos presents a poster about a fossil bonebed from Orange County at the SVP meetings in Los Angeles that includes three undergaduate co-authors. Upper right: Parham Lab undergraduate student Katrin Awalt presents a poster about fossil sea turtles from Orange County at at the SVP meetings in Los Angeles.

Lower left: Universidad de Chile graduate student Ana Valenzuela-Toro examines a fossil sea lion at the Cooper Center. Lower right: Researchers from Brazil, New Zealand, and Taiwan examine a fossil marine mammal at the Cooper Center.

Dr. James Parham and seven of his students attended the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology meetings in Los Angeles on October 30th-November 2nd. Dr. Parham gave a platform presentation entitled:Parham, J., R. Wood, R. Salas-Gismondi, H. Thomas, N. Pyenson. New articulated specimens of leatherback sea turtles from the Cenozoic of North and South America elucidate the phylogeny, diversity, global biogeography, and major evolutionary trends of dermochelyids.

Six of his students were involved in the following poster presentations:

Awalt, K., J. Parham, P. Holroyd. New specimens of leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelyidae) from the Miocene of Orange County shed light on morphological trends.Kloess, P., A. Farke, a. Tracks and body fossils preserve different camelid populations in the Barstow Formation (Miocene) of Southern California.Santos, G., C. Cortez, A. Garibay, I. Magallanes, J. Parham, New records of terrestrial vertebrates from an Eocene bonebed in Orange County, California.

Department ResearchOn November 3rd-5th, Dr. Parham arranged for 11 researchers to visit the John D. Cooper Archaeological and Paleontological Center to perform research on the center's vast Orange County fossil collection and to collaborate with Cal State Fullerton students. The researchers (whose studies include marine mammals and birds) were from Chile, Brazil, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, and the United States.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology MeetingsLos Angeles, CA, October 30th-November 2nd

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Department of MathematicsNatural Sciences & Mathematics, December 2013

California Mathematics Council South ConferenceNovember 1-2, 2013, Palm Springs, CA

Cal State Fullerton was extremely well-represented at the annual California Mathematics Council-South Conference that was held in Palm Springs, CA on November 1-2, 2013. The CMC-S Conference is the largest of its kind in Southern California, consisting of more than 3,200 attendees who are K-16 mathematics educators.

Participants from CSUF included more than thirty-five faculty, credential students, graduate students, and MT2 Noyce Fellows. Fourteen 90-minute presentations were given on a ranging variety of topics including technology, pedagogy, and problem-solving.

Below are the list of CSUF presenters at the CMC-South Conference:Ms. Carrie Balmages (MT2 Fellow) and Ms. Guadalupe Saldivas, “CCSSM-& Proportional Relationships: Modeling Mathematics”

Dr. Martin Bonsangue and Ms. Jennifer Clinkenbeard (CSUF adjunct faculty), “What Would Polya Do? Great Problems for Young Minds”

Dr. Todd CadwalladerOlsker, “(Re)Creating an Environment of Mathematical Discovery”

Dr. Cherlyn Converse and Ms. Corissa Riggan, “Not Just Monty Hall: Fun and Intriguing MathQuestions”

Dr. Armando Martinez-Cruz and Mr. Garrett Delk (CSUF credential student), “Parabolas and Their Properties with Geogebra”

Dr. Armando Martinez-Cruz and Mr. Kip Hurwitz (CSUF credential student), “Complex Number Arithmetic with Geogebra”

Dr. Mark Ellis and Ms. Catheryn Yeh, “Attending to Access and Equity During the Transition to the Common Core Mathematics”

Ms. Nancy Garcia (CSUF graduate student) and Ms. Claudia Gutierrez (CSUF graduate student), “Calculus Topics with Geogebra”

Dr. Margaret Kidd, “An Experience of Mathematical Modeling”

Ms. Emily Kuper (CSUF graduate student) and Mr. Joe Torres (CSUF graduate student), “Revisiting Fractions with Manipulatives to Solve Problems”

Mr. Osvaldo Lopez (CSUF graduate student) and Dr. Jose Contreras, “Geogebra as a Tool to Solve and Model Mathematical Problems”Ms. Elizabeth Van Horn (CSUF graduate student), “Compass vs. Computer”

Dr. Sean Yee, Mr. Gilbert Hernandez (MT2 Fellow), and Ms. Sohayla Lejavardi (MT2 Fellow), “Practice Makes Research”

Dr. Sean Yee and Ms. Ashley Thune-Aguayo (CSUF full-time lecturer), “Problem-Solving Metaphors: Listening for Student Experiences”

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CSUF attendees relaxing at the conference hotel.

CSUF graduate students Mr. Joe Torres and Ms. Emily Kuper show physical models for division of fractions.

CMC-South Conference November 1-2, 2013, Palm Springs, CA

(Continued)

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CSUF credential student Mr. Garrett Delk presents a lesson using Geogebra to model parabolic functions.

Dr. Martinez-Cruz and Mr. Delk working together in their Geogebra session.

An attentive and engaged audience at the technology session led by Mr. Delk and Dr. Martinez-Cruz.

Support for this conference was provided by the National Science Foundation, the Office of the Chancellor, the Department of Mathematics, the College of Education, and the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

CMC-South Conference November 1-2, 2013, Palm Springs, CA

(Continued)

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Department of Mathematics

Department Publications


Dr. Bogdan Suceava, professor of mathematics, published “Memoirs From an Ideal Library” in Romanian with Polirom Press. Suceava also co-authored “New Curvature Inequalities for Hypersurfaces in the Euclidean Ambient Space” published in the May issue of the Taiwanese Journal of Mathematics, with four student co-authors — undergraduate students Rebecca Etnyre and Brady Gardener, alumni Charles T.R. Conley, who is pursuing his doctorate at Vanderbilt University, and Lucy H. Odom, who is working on her master’s degree in mathematics at San Francisco State University.

Excerpt from CSUF News. For full article please visit: http://news.fullerton.edu/2013fa/Faculty-Books.asp

On Friday Nov. 22, Dr. Angel R. Pineda was invited to give a research lecture at the Radiology Department of UCLA titled "The Theory Behind IDEAL: Cramér-Rao Bounds for Chemical Species Separation in MRI".

Faculty Guest Lecture

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Department of Physics


Assembly member Diane Harkey and Senator Mimi Walters have sponsored Assembly Resolution No. 752 congratulating Dr. Josh Smith’s recent achievements and commending him on his exemplary record of professional leadership at CSUF.

The resolution recognizes Dr. Smith’s recent NSF award and his efforts to establish the department’s gravitational-wave center GWPAC and his significant leadership in the gravitational-wave LIGO community. In particular, the resolution recognizes Dr. Smith’s community outreach efforts to establish a pathway for students to transfer from nearby community colleges and to join the department and GWPAC research.

NSM Acting Dean Dr. Robert Koch Presents Dr. Josh Smith With State Assembly Recognition Plaque

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Department of PhysicsNatural Sciences & Mathematics, December 2013

Dr. David Sanchez Reports on Possible Thermoelectric Effects in NanostructuresPhysics Colloquium, October 25, 2013

Professor Sanchez is a member of the Institute for Cross-Disciplinary Physics and Complex Systems IFISC at the University of Balearic Islands in Mallorca, Spain.

Dr. Sanchez’s research interests are in mesoscopic transport and spintronics with an emphasis on the physics of quantum dot systems. Dr. Sanchez is on sabbatical leave this fall at a Spintronics KITP at UCSB and visited the department to see Dr. Ionel Tifrea and compare their mutual research interests.

In his presentation, Dr. Sanchez discussed the nano-world of semiconductor devices with a special focus on possible thermoelectric devices that can provide important savings in energy consumption from recovery of waste heat and improved cooling protocols. When described properly as a nano-scale quantum outcome, thermoelectricity is found to be strongly influenced by the symmetry of the system, non-linear effects, and other time-dependent responses.

Dr. Dave Tsang Describes Cutting-Edge Observation and Modeling of Planetary FormationPhysics Colloquium, November 15, 2013

A new era of exoplanetary discovery has begun to allow a statistical understanding of planetary distributions which in turn is advancing our knowledge of planet formation and migration.

Dr. Trang described features of these emerging statistical distributions of observed exoplanets, and possible dynamical mechanisms in the swirl of interplanetary material to produce such features, focusing on disk-material and emerging-planet interactions. In particular, he discussed how material wave resonance may affect the distribution of close-in planets, as well as how the observed “Eccentricity Valley” in the exoplanet distribution around metal-poor stars may be a signature of an eccentricity excitation process related to stellar insolation of giant planets.

Dr. Tsang is a postdoctoral scholar in theoretical astrophysics at McGill University and a former member of the theoretical astrophysics TAPIR group at Caltech.

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Dr. Mats Selen Describes Modern Teaching Innovations in Introductory PhysicsPhysics ColloquiumNovember 8, 2013

Professor Selen highlighted the evolution of teaching introductory physics at the University of Illinois over the past 17 years.

Dr. Selen earned his BS and Master’s degrees in physics in the early ‘80s at the University of Guelph and his PhD in particle physics at Princeton University in 1989. After a four year post-doc at Cornell, Dr. Selen joined the faculty at the University of Illinois in 1993, where he has been since.After 25 years of studying elementary particles, Dr. Selen has shifted his research focus to understanding and improving the way students learn physics. With his Illinois colleagues, he has helped develop the iclicker classroom response system, the smartPhysics learning framework, and most recently IOLab, which features a hand-held affordable gadget for performing physics experiments in the classroom and lab and at home. On Wednesday mornings he brings science to central Illinois viewers as the WCIA WhysGuy.

Some 17 years ago,- Dr. Selen and colleagues began to change significantly the way introductory physics at Illinois was taught. The innovation, which in hindsight seems almost trivial, was to define these courses in terms of their content and associated infrastructure rather than in terms of the faculty assigned to teach them. Having courses rest on a solid departmental foundation rather than on the shoulders of faculty means that faculty have the time and freedom to innovate, making incremental yet significant improvements to these courses over time.

Dr. Selen presented this evolution as well as several resulting innovations, including prelectures, just-in-time teaching, peer instruction, and a new approach to labs. Dr. Selen also demonstrated a variety of physics experiments performed with a prototype of his IOLab gadget, which he hopes to make available to students for ~$50, similar to iclickers.

We met Dr. Selen this past summer at an eAcademy at Cal Poly Pomona sponsored by the CSU Chancellor’s Office on renovating the introductory physics sequence with smartPhysics. Dr. Geoffrey Lovelace will be teaching our Phys 225 in the spring with the smartPhysics curriculum and a set of IOLab prototypes for in-class activities.

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Dr. Jones describes his contributions to positron-annihilation and positron-plasma experiments at UCR.

Ongoing development and improvements in controlling and manipulating large numbers of positrons, (electron antimatter) over the past 20 years has made possible many new experimental investigations, for instance, in the production of antihydrogen at CERN. There remains, however, much that is unknown regarding antimatter, particularly the apparent asymmetry of the ratio of matter to antimatter in the observable universe.

Dr. Jones’ research at UCR involves positronium (Ps), a hydrogen-like pseudo-atom comprised of a bound positron-electron pair. Ps is inherently unstable, prone to matter-antimatter annihilation on nanosecond time scales resulting in the emission of extremely energetic gamma rays. Although the short lifetime of Ps makes it a challenging target for experimental investigation, today we routinely and efficiently produce large numbers of Ps atoms, allowing experimental investigation of many interesting facets of antimatter.

Dr. Jones described their group’s efforts towards producing a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) of Ps, an exotic quantum state of matter that yields large, coherent densities of Ps. Such special states of Ps are expected to exhibit lasing and raise the possibility of creating a gamma-ray laser.

Dr. Jones received his PhD from the Australian National University, where he was primarily responsible for commissioning the Australian Positron Beam Facility (APBF), as a key component of the $8M Australian Government Center for Antimatter-Matter Studies. Dr. Jones met Dr. Leigh Hargreaves during this time when Dr. Hargreaves was involved in commissioning the Positron Reaction Microscope experiment, which uses the APBF as the positron source for its incident beam.

Since completing his PhD in 2011, Dr. Jones has worked at UCSD, undertaking experiments measuring positron binding to atoms and molecules, and this year he moved to UCR as a postdoctoral scholar.

Dr. Adric Jones Reports on Experiments at UCR with PositroniumPhysics Colloquium, November 22, 2013

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Seminars & Colloquia

Date: Wednesday December 4, 2013Speaker: Dr. Celia Churchill (UCSB)Title: TBALocation: MH-513Time: 4:00pm-5:15pmHost: Dr. Doug Eernisse

Department of Biological Sciences

Department of Geological Sciences

Date: Wednesday December 11, 2013 Speaker: Dr. Ken NussearTitle: TBALocation: MH-513Time: 4:00pm-5:15pmHost: SCERP ProgramContact: Dr. Bill Hoese([email protected])

Department of Mathematics

Date: Wednesday December, 4, 2013Speaker: Dr. Michel L. Lapidus (UCR)Title: Can One Hear the Shape of a Fractal Drum?Location: MH-480Time: 2:30pm

Date: Wednesday December 4, 2013Speaker: Dr. Emily Hamecher (Caltech and CSUF)Title: Modeling the Equations of State and Elasticity of Mantle MaterialsLocation: MH-341Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm

Colloquium


Department of Chemistry/BioChemDate: Thursday December 5, 2013 Speaker: Dr. Silvia Cavagnero (HHMI Speaker)Title: TBALocation: MH-468Time: 4:00 p.m. Host: Dr. Maria LinderContact: (657) 278-4253

Problem Solving SeminarDate: Friday December 6, 2013 Speaker: Dr. Bogdan SuceavaTitle: Hate, Love, and Ordinary Differential EquationsTime: 1:00pmLocation: MH-476

Date: Tuesday December 17, 2013 Time: 1:00pmLocation: MH-484

Date: Tuesday December 10, 2013 Time: 1:00pmLocation: MH-484

Date: Tuesday December 3, 2013 Time: 1:00pm Location: MH-484

Analysis Seminar

Department of Physics Date: December 6, 2013Speaker: Michael Campbell Title: Producing an Optimal CanLocation: MH-606Time: 12:00pmHost: Jim Feagin

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Welcomes New Staff to the TEAMWe are pleased to introduce and welcome our newest staff members Diana Serna, Administrative Assistant, and Felipe Salazar, Mentor/Outreach Coordinator. Please take a moment to

read about our two newest staff members via their mini bios. We look forward to working with them, helping our transfer students succeed in STEM!

Diana Serna, B.A -As an Administrative Assistant for (STEM)², I assist in office management. I am responsible for processing essential paperwork that keeps the program running. I also work closely with staff, supporting them in whatever they may need, such as assisting our Director, Dr. Maria Dela Cruz managing (STEM) ²’s budget.

I graduated from CSUF in 2007 B.A. with a degree in Political Science and minor in Criminal Justice. Since graduating I have spent several years working as an administrative assistant in the workers compensation field. My ultimate goal is to continue my education and obtain a Master’s degree in the administration. Eventually, I hope to continue working for CSUF as an administrative assistant.

In my spare time I enjoy reading books from the classics to high fantasy like “Lord of the Rings”. Currently, I am reading about Greek mythology a topic that I have always been interested in. Besides reading I also love discovering new and old music from opera to punk, to jazz and so on. I also have affection for good television, independent films and well-made food.

Felipe Salazar, M.A -As the Mentor/Outreach Coordinator for (STEM)², I work with a great team of STEM Peer Mentors who conduct outreach at partnership institutions - Citrus Community College, Cypress Community College, and Santiago Community College - including organizing workshops and meeting potential transfer students. In addition to supervising the Peer Mentors, I help coordinate the Summer Research Experience - an eight week long summer research program where community college students from our partner institutions are matched with a CSUF faculty members - and organize community outreach activities.

I received my B.A. in Latin American Studies from CSUF. It was here where I found my passion to help others; as a student, I helped organize a variety of

service projects through the Volunteer & Service Center. One of the lasting projects that I was fortunate to be part of was the Social Justice Summit - an annual event that brings together students, faculty, and community members in order to empower them to create positive social change in their communities. After graduating from CSUF, I received my M.A. in Latin American Studies from UCSD where my research centered on indigenous social movements.

Prior to joining STEM2, I have been working as the Director of the Learning Center at a non-profit organization focused on mentoring and preparing at-risk youth for higher education, ensuring their successful entry into 2- and 4-year institutions, and managing a scholarship program that provides continued mentoring and advising throughout the students’ undergraduate experience.

In my spare time, I enjoy watching and playing soccer and trying to be the best dad and husband to Matias and Xiomara.

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Looking to get your research published? You have the opportunity to have your research abstracts and/or papers published in the College of NSM's Undergraduate Research Journal, Dimensions. Final papers will not be due until January 31st, but we just need to know this Friday if you plan to submit your work in January. The form just takes a minute to fill out! What: “Intent to Submit” for the Dimensions Journal of Undergraduate Research When: Due this Friday, December 13th. Where: Turn in to Amy Mattern in MH-488 or to the Section Editors listed in the attachment.

Important Notes:

1) This is NOT the final paper or abstract, just a notification to us that you will be submitting. The actual paper or abstract will be due January 31st. The abstract on the “Intent” form doesn’t need to be complete or final.

2) Research abstracts and papers from last year 2012-2013 will be accepted, so if you are a continuing student or alumni who completed a research paper at CSUF last year, you may submit.

Please see the following pages for: - Name/Contact of Section Editors for each department - Timeline for submission and editing of papers in spring.- Intent to Submit Form (see next page).

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The Journal of Undergraduate Research in Natural Sciences and Mathematic s

California State University, Fullerton

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Titan Student Union-The Titan Student Union will be open 24 hours a day to help students prepare for finals from Monday, December 9 - Friday, December 20. Open areas include all public spaces, study rooms, the computer lounge, and more.

Late Night Events

Party Carts-Stops will be made all over campus starting December 2 and continue throughout finals week delivering snacks, study supplies, and goodies.Meeting Rooms Available-Rooms available for groups of three or more (at least 3 Titan ID Cards required at checkout). Rooms are checked out in 4-hour blocks beginning at 4pm. Open study rooms 7am-3:30pm, as available. Check with building staff for availability. For more information on checking out power strips visit the Info & Services Desk.Mainframe Computer Lounge-Open 24 hours from December 9 at 7am - December 20 at 4pm.Scanning equipment-Color and black and white prints. Tutoring at the Titan Pride Center-The University Learning Center will offer tutoring Monday, December 9; Tuesday, December 10; and Wednesday, December 11 in the Titan Pride Center.Titan Bowl & Billiards- Free Bowling & Billiards in the TSU Underground Dec 17-Dec 20: 10pm-9amStudent Recreation CenterMonday, December 16 - Neck/Shoulder Massages: 9pm-11pm SRC LobbyTuesday, December 17 - Dodgeball: 9pm-11pm SRC GymWednesday, December 18 - Neck/Shoulder Massages: 9pm-11pm SRC Lobby

Monday, December 9All Night Study Giveaway: 10pm Garden CafeTutoring: 7pm-10pm Titan Pride CenterTuesday, December 10Tutoring: 7pm-10pm Titan Pride CenterLaser Tag: 10pm-Midnight TSU PavilionWednesday, December 11Tutoring: 7pm-10pm Titan Pride CenterMonday, December 16Back/Neck Massages: 11pm-2am TSU Fireside LoungeAll Night Study Giveaway: 11:59pm TSU Pavilion

Tuesday, December 17Classic TV Screening: 7pm-1am TSU Titan TheaterCereal and Milk: 10pm TSU PubBack/Neck Massages: 11pm-2am TSU Fireside LoungeWednesday, December 18Classic TV Screening: 7pm-1am TSU Titan TheaterCup of Noodles: 10pm TSU PubBack/Neck Massages: 11pm-2am TSU Fireside Lounge

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Check out the links below for specific opportunities!For Undergraduates: http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/Undergrads.asp

Paid Summer 2014 Undergrad Research Opportunities:More than 650 programs – REU and other summer research opportunities for undergrads

For Financial Support in Graduate School: http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/Grad.asp

Bridge to the Doctorate, IGERT and NSF Grad Research Fellowship programs provide generous stipend and tuition support for students through the National Science Foundation.For Postdoc opportunities: http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/Postdocs_portal.asp

More than 250 openings nationwide.For NASA-supported internships, fellowships and scholarships:

https://intern.nasa.gov/

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Dear Students, CSUF and the CSUs are holding Student Research Competitions. The competitions are for undergraduate and graduate students across disciplines working independently or in collaboration with faculty on research, a creative activity, or an innovative project. This is a wonderful way for you to showcase your work!

Who is EligibleUndergraduate or graduate students currently enrolled at CSUF, as well as alumni who received their degrees in spring, summer, or fall 2013.

How To ApplySee www.fullerton.edu/research/student-resources for application and instructions. To participate:

1) Submit an application form along with a written summary of your project by February 10, 2014 to [email protected]. See website for guidelines.2) Present a 10-minute oral presentation at the CSUF research competition (February 26-28, 2014). Students selected from the CSUF competition will subsequently present at the system- wide CSU competition, held this year at CSU-East Bay (May 2-3, 2014).

Important DatesApplications and written summaries are due February 10th, 2014 by 5:00 pm to [email protected] CSUF competition will be held from February 26th– February 28th, 2014.The CSU competition will be held from May 2nd – 3rd 2014 at California State University, East Bay.

Student PrizesWinners of the CSUF competition can win the following: 1st prize $300; 2nd prize $200; or 3rd prize $100.

WorkshopsThere will be two workshops for students to learn more about the competition and to address questions about presentations, written summaries, or the general process:Wednesday, December 4th 1:00pm-3:00pm MH 141Monday, January 27th 12:30pm-2:00pm EC 605

Not sure if this is the thing for you? Come by the workshop! We’ll help you figure it out.

Travel Costs to CSU East BayTravel costs for students selected to participate in the CSU system-wide research competition will be reimbursed by the CSUF Office of Research Development.

See www.fullerton.edu/research/student-resources for more information Or email Drs. Terri Patchen ([email protected]) or Nathalie Carrick ([email protected]) with any questions.

(See flier on the next page for more information)


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2014 Panetta Congressional Internship ProgramDeadline for applications: Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Apply now for the Panetta Congressional Internship. No matter what major you have chosen, if you’re a Cal State Fullerton student with a strong academic record and a commitment to public service, you should apply for a Panetta Congressional Internship. Learn about the U.S. Congress by working in Congress.

Gain invaluable experience to launch your future career, whether that is in public service, law, business, politics or research. While in Washington, D.C., you’ll attend special seminars held ex-clusively for Panetta Institute interns, in addition to working in the office of a U.S. Representative from the California delegation.

Internship program length: Aug. 11 through Nov. 9, 2014

Cost: All expenses paid, including airfare, tuition, food & housing

Location: Two weeks training at the Panetta Institute for Public Policy, located on the beautiful Monterey Peninsula; 11 weeks in Washington, D.C.

Qualifications: Must be a junior or senior at the beginning of the fall semester, 2013 and demon-strate superior academic achievement, excellent oral communication skills, maturity, and leader-ship skills. U.S. citizenship is required. Must be a California resident. Refer to the position de-scription for all necessary qualifications.

Other Guidelines: Applicants must be willing to submit to a background investigation, have never been sanctioned under the California Code of Regulations (Student Discipline), be willing to live in group housing with other interns during the entire program, and provide a graded student pa-per demonstrating writing proficiency.

Required documents: completed application cover sheet, up-to-date resume, an essay that states reasons for your interest in the Panetta Institute’s Congressional Internship Program, and college/university transcripts (unofficial or official).

Submit complete application packet containing all required documents to:Victor M. Rojas Jr.Office of the Vice President for Student AffairsLH-805California State University, Fullerton800 N. State College Blvd.Fullerton, CA 92831

Questions? Contact Victor M. Rojas Jr. at (657) 278-3137 or [email protected]

For more information about the Panetta Institute, go to:http://www.panettainstitute.org/programs/study-with-us/congressional-intern-training/

(See flier on the next page for more information)


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