Dr. Louisa Tabatabai was unanimously chosen to receive lifetime membership from the International Brucellosis Society!  Dr. Tabatabai’s extensive publications concerning brucellosis are cited continually, and her impact on the understanding of the organism and the disease cannot be understated.  Dr. Tabatabai is a shining example of a dedicated scientist with continuous achievements and an undying curiosity of the role bacterial proteins play in pathogenesis of disease. A quote from the Secretary-Treasurer of the International Brucellosis Society “I am honored to share this monumental announcement with you. I can think of no one more deserving of lifetime membership. I look forward to your continued attendance at future conferences so that the new wave of brucellosis researchers learn from your wisdom and knowledge.”

[BBMB Professor Dr. Alan] Myers’ team is studying what enzymes affect polymer architecture in corn kernels, using tools such as CRIPSR gene editing to test adjustments. While improving quality with an optimal balance between starch and glucose is the primary goal, charting new methods for growing corn with a sugary snap has an important added benefit. The currently narrow genetic basis for sweet corn leaves the vegetable susceptible to new pest and disease threats.  

“Finding different changes in the biochemical process to produce sweet corn would secure the crop against future challenges. We may never need to deal with that, but we want to be prepared,” Myers said.

Claire Kruesel recognized with P&S CYtation award

Congratulations to Claire Kruesel, BBMB Undergraduate Program Coordinator! Her work was recognized at the CYtation Award Ceremony held on March 23 at the Alumni Center’s Reiman Ballroom. The Professional and Scientific Council CYtation Awards recognize Professional and Scientific employees, particularly those who might not otherwise receive public recognition, who go above and beyond the call of duty; do something extraordinarily well; and act in such a way as to make a real difference in the institution.

Gerald Carlson, professor emeritus in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at the annual College of Liberal Arts and Sciences alumni awards ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 3. The award recognizes outstanding alumni from the department.

Since earning a doctorate in biochemistry from Iowa State in 1975, Carlson’s career has focused on researching the interplay in skeletal muscle between glycogen catabolism and contraction, especially their simultaneous regulation by calcium ions. A study by Carlson on this topic was selected as the 2012 Paper of the Year by the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Mark Hargrove, who has been named the next chair of the Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology.

Hargrove has been a member of BBMB since 1998, and was honored with the title of Morrill Professor in 2020. He conducts research on protein structure-function relationships and has been conferred several teaching awards.

“I am honored to be selected as the next chair for BBMB and grateful for the support and trust of my colleagues,” Hargrove shared. "I am excited to work with the Iowa State community to advance our contributions to education and scholarship.”

Congratulations to Dr. Keith Yamamoto, who will serve as President-Elect for the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Dr. Yamamoto, a Des Moines native, earned a B.S. in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Iowa State University in 1968 and worked in the lab of Dr. Jack Horowitz. He earned a Ph.D. at Princeton and then joined the faculty at University of California, San Francisco in 1976, where he became their first vice chancellor of science policy and strategy. Dr. Yamamoto is currently Vice Chancellor for Research, Executive Vice Dean of the School of Medicine, and Professor of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology at UCSF.

Dr. Yamamoto was awarded the ISU Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award in 1997 and the LAS John V. Atanasoff Discovery Award in 2013.

The 16th Annual Stupka Undergraduate Research Symposium was a great success--and you can read all about it in this LAS article!

Mark your calendars now for the 17th Stupka Symposium: Thursday, March 30, 2023.