The BBMB Graduate Learning Community (GLC), which started in Fall 2013, is a peer-led community that focuses on exploring the professional development and careers of graduate students studying in the area of biochemistry and biophysics. The first meeting of the year for GLC will be held on August 30 to help guide new BBMB students with their Individual Development Plan (IDP) assessment tool, with subsequent meetings and events planned around the IDP results.

The diversity of ideas and perspectives students bring is essential to keep research fresh and moving forward.  Awarded the LAS Award for Excellence in Graduate Mentoring, Reuben Peters, a professor in biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, has provided guidance to 17 students who have received graduate level degrees, and his mentoring has led to more than 90 publications and four patents.

Take a look back at 2017 for accomplishments and milestones for Iowa State University.

To add to the growing understanding of CRISPR as an immune system for the benefit of gene editing technique as well as other unforeseen applications, Dipali Sashital, an assistant professor of biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, and Chaoyou Xue (’17 Ph.D. Biochemistry) are working with a new technique, developed by Xue, to visualize how the CRISPR protein searches DNA.  The results have been published in the journal, Cell Reports.

While Coulomb’s Law of opposites attract may have brought Marna Yandeau-Nelson and Scott Nelson together, it is the combination of genetic and biochemical science and teaching at ISU, and a mutually supportive home life that keeps the bond strong.

CALS "Stories About..." article written by Basil Nikolau explains how big science projects are built on small science advancements.

A novel database presented by researchers at ISU will allow scientists to access information on RNA structures encoded within the human genome.  "This will help facilitate basic research into human biology and could pave the way for new medical treatments that target RNA", stated by Walter Moss, assistant professor in the Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology.  

Diane Bassham and Gustavo MacIntosh's current study on a cellular pathway in plants shows a connection to a certain encephalopathy, or the degeneration of neural cells in the brain.

The BBMB scholarship committee is proud to announce Bailey Mooney, Emily Knuth and Jackie Ehrlich as the 2018-2019 Stupka Scholars.  All have been very involved with both the B&B Club and as leaders for the Stupka Undergraduate Research Symposium. 

Bailey Mooney is a senior, with a double major in Biochemistry and Genetics, and was nominated by her research mentor, Dr. Jeff Trimarchi.  She has served as treasurer for both club and Stupka, and is in her second year as a peer mentor for the BBMB Learning Community.

Emily Knuth is a senior majoring in Agricultural Biochemistry, with minors in nutrition and agronomy, and was nominated by her research mentor, Dr. Adam Barb.  Emily has served as the CALS Liaison and as the Fundraising Chair for Stupka 2018.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) held its annual Fall Convocation and Awards ceremony on Tuesday, September 5, 2017.

Three BBMB faculty were among the honorees -- Amy Andreotti received the Institutional Service Award; Gustavo MacIntosh was honored with the Diversity Award; and Reuben Peters was presented the award for Excellence in Graduate Mentoring.

Matthew Cook, a third-year student with majors in Biochemistry and Genetics, has been named a 2017 Goldwater Scholar. In looking toward the future, Matthew's plans include earning a Ph.D. in biochemistry, continuing to conduct research on enzymology with an interest in improving protein engineering, and teaching in academia.

Matthew was one of four students nominated for the award by Iowa State University (ISU). ISU was one of only four institutions in the nation to have all four of nominees named as scholars. Established by Congress in 1986, the Goldwater Scholarship recognizes students of outstanding potential who intend to pursue careers in mathematics, the sciences, or engineering research. The scholarship is considered the nation’s most prestigious award for undergraduates in STEM disciplines.

Sam Schulte has been selected as the LAS Student Marshal for the Spring 2017 Commencement. Sam's academic achievements as well as his strong commitment to service were the deciding factors for this honor.

The Student Marshal leads the procession of LAS graduates with the Dean of the College and is the first graduate to receive a diploma.

Craig Johnson, Executive Director of the Iowa Academy of Science, announced today that Gustavo Macintosh has been selected to receive the Distinguished Iowa Scientist Award. The award will be presented to Gustavo at the President's Banquet during the 129th Iowa Academy of Science Annual Meeting that will be held Friday, April 21, 2017 at the Schindler Education Center at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.

More than 200 undergraduates presented their research at the 21st annual Undergraduate Poster Competition that was held on April 22, 2017, at the ASBMB annual meeting in Chicago. One winner and four honorable mentions were selected in four research categories. ISU student, Cody Lemke, received honorable mention in the Category 3 division, "DNA, RNA, Chromosomes and Gene Regulation".

Cody is a senior at Iowa State University concurrently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Biochemistry, with a minor in Microbiology. Cody conducts research on Class II diterpene cyclases in the Laboratory of Reuben Peters.

Kristen Johansen has been named chair of the Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology effective July 1, 2017. She has been serving as interim department chair since February 2016. BBMB is jointly administered by CALS and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Jacqueline Ehrlich, an Iowa State University sophomore majoring in agricultural biochemistry with a minor in nutrition, was crowned Sunday, August 13th as the 2017 Iowa State Fair Queen.

BBMB faculty and graduate students gathered for a picnic during fall orientation to welcome new graduate students to the biochemistry and biophysics graduate programs. The August 30, 2017 event was held at the Butternut Shelter at Lee Park in Ames.

More BBMB Picnic Photos

Xinyu Fu was selected by the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) as a 2017 ASPB Conviron Scholar. Xinyu was one of only 21 students selected for the inaugural 2017 program. Students who apply to the Scholar Program must be in good academic standing, as verified by their Pl or department head, and must demonstrate a commitment to plant science.

Two awards created at Iowa State University, with support from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust, have been presented to two members of the Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (BBMB). Amy Andreotti, was renewed as the Roy J. Carver Endowed Chair in BBMB, and Kristen Johansen, BBMB Department Chair, has been named a Roy J. Carver Professor in BBMB. Both faculty awards were established to support research by outstanding scholars in the area of biomolecular structure and function.

Iowa State University (ISU) has been named a National Science Foundation Innovation-Corps site (NSF I-Corps). As one of the newest NSF I-Corps sites in the country, the goal of ISU is to build and maintain a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in faculty, students and research staff.

The Office of the Vice President for Research and the Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations (EDIR) have developed the Iowa State’s I-Corps Program. Guru Rao, Associate Vice President for Research, is the principal investigator for this project. Co-principal investigators, Kristine Johansen and William Adamowski, both program managers with EDIR, work to cultivate relationships with industry and run Iowa State’s Startup Factory.

ISU will host two informational meetings: