Science Alliance Annual Report
2008–2009
Other Ventures
Support for Students
Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT)
IGERT is the National Science Foundation’s flagship interdisciplinary training program, designed to improve graduate education and research in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. IGERT funding establishes innovative model programs, introducing graduate students to a research environment that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. Students accepted in an IGERT program receive a $30,000 per year stipend for two years.
The Science Alliance contributes to two UTK IGERT projects, one of which trains future biologists to make the most of a seamless computing and experimental environment; the other explores the use of hydrogen as a sustainable energy resource. Respectively, professors Cynthia Peterson, UTK biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, and David Keffer, UTK chemical and biomolicular engineering, are principal investigators on the projects. A description of each follows.
Scalable Computing and Leadership Edge Innovative Technologies for Biology
For decades scientists typically gave little thought to collaborating with researchers outside their immediate fields. Over time, UT Knoxville has become a leader in the effort to change that mentality. And the payoff has been tremendous, says SCALE-IT’s leader Cynthia Peterson.
Graduate students in the SCALE-IT project integrate advanced computer science and mathematical tools into molecular biophysics and systems biology research. Trainees can use UTK and ORNL resources to attack the most challenging problems in biology, from atoms to ecosystems. Their projects integrate UTK faculty from genome science and technology, chemistry, molecular biology, ecology and evolutionary biology, computer science and others as well as researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the NSF-sponsored National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS) at UTK.
SCALE-IT had one graduate trainee in FY09 and has recruited seven students for FY10. Also, two new graduate trainee projects are confirmed for FY10. The first will process large data sets from the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) to create images of protein-to-protein interaction. The results are aimed at the engineering of biodetoxification enzymes for bioremediation. The second will create a computer model of enzymatic reactions.
Harry Richards directs the SCALE-IT IGERT.
Sustainable Technology through Advanced Interdisciplinary Research
While STAIR research specifically deals with the hydrogen fuel cycle, the skills being developed in the classroom and in the laboratory will find application in a broad range of alternative energy sources. The STAIR project’s interdisciplinary curriculum combines faculty from molecular biology, chemistry and three engineering departments. STAIR graduate students earn a PhD in one of three areas of sustainable energy: hydrogen production through biological pathways; nanoporous materials for hydrogen storage; and structure/property relationships in hydrogen-based fuel cells.
Claudia Rawn, a UTK joint faculty member and senior research member in ORNL’s materials science and technology, co-directs the project. At the end of this fiscal year the program had 12 graduate students.
Summer Fellows: Undergraduate Research Experience in Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics
The Science Alliance co-sponsors an NSF summer program to provide Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU). It attracts top-performing students in mathematics, physics, and chemistry from around the country and is highly competitive. (In 2009 there were an astonishing 100 applicants for the 12 positions available in mathematics alone.) Many of these students come from high-quality colleges too small for substantial research programs. REU mentors are faculty with active research agendas who work with the students on projects and in associated mini courses over a nine-week session. 
Many forge relationships and secure reputations with students that later bring them back to UTK to continue their studies as graduate students. One of the best students from the 2008 program recently accepted an assistantship in the mathematics department beginning fall 2009.
In one highly popular Math REU exercise, undergraduates work through two famous papers with graduate students. Going beyond the basics, the student-scholars come to appreciate how understanding deepens and expands with multiple readings and discussion. Without this program, these talented undergraduates would not have the opportunity to study and conquer such challenging mathematical papers in a classroom until graduate school. The road to professional research in mathematics is a long one, and so the students’ intensive engagement with graduate teaching assistants also helps them understand and welcome the demands of life as a math graduate student. The 2009 summer Math REU projects are listed with their mentor-professors and described in detail at http://web.utk.edu/~utkreu/2009projects.html. The Math REU is directed by Conrad Plaut.
Lest one worry that such gifted students were confined to work, they also went on several excursions, including hikes (a first for many) and mild/wild rafting trips (a first for even more). We expect that many will be back at UTK—sooner or later—for both the science and the scenery.
Tennessee Science Olympiad State Tournament and Tennessee Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
The Science Alliance contributes to two academic outreach programs as part of national and state initiatives to increase the number and caliber of students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The programs reinforce ongoing recruitment efforts and serve to give Tennessee’s brightest young students the opportunity to get to know, first hand, about the exceptional reputation of the university’s scientists and research facilities.
Elton Banks (r) and Lan Tran (l) from Memphis Central High School compete in the Tennessee Science Olympiad "Disease Detectives" event. (Courtesy of the 2009 Tennessee Science Olympiad)
On March 28, 2009, UT was host to 34 middle school and high school Olympiad teams with approximately 800 participants. Held at the Knoxville campus since 1994, this state tournament brings winners from six regional Olympiads to compete for trophies and medals. The winning teams in each division also receive travel support to advance on to the national competition. Not unlike the Summer Olympics athletic games, the trials intrigue and challenge talented students and are well distributed over a wide range of scientific disciplines.
Placing first at UTK in their respective divisions of high school and middle school were Oak Ridge High School and Bearden Middle School of Knoxville. Both teams went on to perform well in the stiff competition of the 2009 National Science Olympiad at Augusta State University in Georgia. The Bearden team won the gold medal in the “Write It—Do It” event and was the first place team in the exploratory “Bottle Rocket” event.
The Tennessee Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (TJSHS) requires top-notch students to 1) conduct original research in collaboration with a scientist at UT, or another research facility in the state, who serves as their mentor and 2) summarize their research findings in a formal paper that is then submitted for review by a faculty jury. Selected papers are presented at a state symposium held at UTK. The top three at the state level are invited to present their papers at the national symposium, where they may win scholarship awards.
Tennessee’s 44th Annual TJSHS was held on the Knoxville campus March 5-6, 2009, with 68 students and 18 teachers representing 16 Tennessee high schools. Twenty five young scholars submitted original research papers, spanning a variety of topics and scientific disciplines. Students visited a number of laboratories at both UTK and ORNL and consulted with scientists in a wide range of fields. Over the many years of this outstanding program, previous students have gone on to win signal achievements in several other advanced competitions—including invitations to work in notable laboratories and to submit papers for presentation and publication with full-fledged scientific societies.
Headed up by TJSHS award-winning teacher Kristin Baksa, the winning delegation of top five students from the Knoxville round traveled to the 47th National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, held April 29-May 3, 2009, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. First place Knoxville winner Chris King won first place in the engineering competition. For this outstanding accomplishment, he received a $16,000 scholarship for college and will be representing the United States at the London International Youth Science Forum scheduled for July 29-August 12, 2009, at Imperial College, London, UK.
Harrison Emery, Ross N. Robinson Middle School, competing in the Tennessee Science Olympiad "Wright Stuff" event.
(Courtesy of the 2009 Tennessee Science Olympiad)