Biology News

2009 Langford-Yates Research Fellows

  
Pictured, left to right: Derek Allison - Chemistry, Brian Burress - Biology, Dr. Oliver Yates, Dr. Paul Langford,
Andrew Hall - Biology, Will Hardeman - Biology, and Rebekah Mylar - Biophysics

Congratulations to the 2009 Langford-Yates Fellowship recipients for the summer of 2009! 
Three of the five fellows are conducting summer research for the Biology Department: Brian Burress, Andrew Hall and Will Hardeman. (07/09)

In May of 2008 professors Jon Lowrance and Kent Gallaher from Biology and professor Matt Hearn from English, led a group of Lipscomb students in the annual field studies course. This year the course focused on arid lands ecology and included a 10 day trip to the Trans-Pecos Region of Southern New Mexico and West Texas. The class studied plant and animal adaptations found in all of the major desert communities of the Southwest from high alpine to desert riparian and included stops at Monahans Sandhills State Park (TX), Guadalupe Mountains National Park (TX), Carlsbad Caverns National Park (NM), Living Desert State Park (NM), and Big Bend National Park (TX). While at Big Bend, students participated in a desert grasslands restoration project with US Park Service personnel. Students also needing sophomore literature credit were able to take a related nature writing course offered through a unique partnership between the LU Biology and English departments. May 2009 will see the field studies course move to Washington State, where students will study conservation biology and biodiversity. (01/09)

 Biomedical Research
Dr. Beth Conway, LU assistant professor of biology, is working on a project to study proteins that encourage blood vessel growth to tumors with student Dylan Addis; previous student research assistants include Ryan Hudson, Jenny Triggs, and Paul Piennette.
Angiogenesis is the new growth of blood vessels from existing vessels. While this process is vital during development and wound healing, it is usually associated with disease progression- particularly, cancer- in adults. In cancer, angiogenesis is not only required for tumor growth, but also for tumor metastasis, or growth of a tumor in a secondary site. Because metastasis is the most common cause of death in cancer patients, understanding the processes that regulate angiogenesis is critical to finding better treatments for metastatic cancers.
Tumors are surrounded by a matrix of proteins that prevent their motility and their ability to recruit new blood vessels; metastatic tumors, however, are able to break down this barrier by expressing a number of enzymes that degrade the matrix. This subsequently encourages tumor cell movement and blood vessel formation. Conway and her student researchers are interested in the products released from the degradation of the matrix proteins (peptides) and their effect on angiogenesis. Their hypothesis is that small peptides released from a particular matrix protein facilitate angiogenesis. Work by Addis, Hudson, Triggs, and Piennette using a mouse model of angiogenesis maintained this hypothesis. Currently, Addis is testing whether these small collagen peptides can rescue angiogenesis that has been blocked by inhibitors of these matrix-degrading enzymes. This would give additional support to the hypothesis that small peptides are regulating blood vessel growth. (01/09)

 
Pictured left to right: Larry Morris, Jay Ramsey, Ben Bailey and Matt Petty

2008 Langford-Yates Research Fellows

The outstanding teaching legacy of Dr. Paul Langford and Dr. H. Oliver Yates lives on in the Langford-Yates Summer Research Fellowship program. Students in biology and chemistry can apply for support to work under the direction of a Lipscomb faculty member each summer. The fellowship includes a $2,500 summer stipend. The 2008 Langford-Yates Fellowship recipients were, Mr. Benjamin Bailey, senior molecular biology major from Lawrenceburg, TN, Mr. Larry Morris, senior professional chemistry major from Ravenna, OH, Mr. Matthew Petty, senior biology major from Kingston Springs, TN, and Mr. Jay Ramsey, senior biology major from North Canton, OH. Congratulations to all of these young men as they begin their careers in science. (01/09)
 

 etsubeth
Fall 2004 ETSU Medical School Lipscomb Graduate Elizabeth McFarlin
(12/04)

memphisclass
2004 Fall UT Memphis Medical School Lipscomb Students

 We had eight students enter UT this fall: (left to right, front row then back) Seth Moseley (Biology), Megan Kiraly (Biology), Kevin Wells (Biology), Brian Jerkins (Biology), Cason Shirley (Biology), Micheal Burkitt (Chemistry), and Matt McAllister (Biology). Not pictured Jill Danford (Biology). (10/04)

Drs. Linda Roberson and Jon Lowrance represented the Tennessee Academy of Science as judges for the Middle Tennessee Science and Engineering Fair.  The Fair was held at Vanderbilt University April 4, 2003. (4/03)

Dr. Phil Choate was awarded the John William Baker Fellowship for the summer of 2003.  This award is made possible by Dr. Alton W. and Mary Baker.  The award allows faculty to have summer support for activities that will enhance their teaching and their academic interest. (4/03)

utmemo2
2002 UT-Memphis Medical School Lipscomb Students

Eight Lipscomb students entered UT Med School in 2002. They are: (left to right) Alex Holt (Chemistry), Ruth East (Biology), Christy Pettes (Biology), Charlie Wright (Biology), Michael Delk (Biology), Sam Crutcher (Biology), Will Costello (Biology), and Rob Nichols (Chemistry)

These 25 new CH30 Olympus microscopes were purchased through the generosity of Dr. and Mrs. Stan Chunn.  Stan and Robin are both graduates of Lipscomb University.  These new microscopes will be used in our plant biology and embryology laboratories.  The faculty and students are very grateful for their kind gift which will be used for years to come and will prepare our students for their future. (5/00)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Position Openings

Lipscomb University invites applications for the following tenure-track, full time faculty position in the Biology department. Applicants must be active, faithful members of a church of Christ with an ability to integrate faith and learning in a liberal arts environment. The position is contingent on funding.
 
BIOLOGY: The Department of Biology seeks candidates for assistant or associate professor level. The position will begin in the Fall 2008 or later with each position contingent on funding. Applicants with a Ph.D. are preferred. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the positions are filled. Candidates should submit a letter of interest, vitae, and three letters of recommendation to: Dr. Kent Gallaher, Chair, Department of Biology, Lipscomb University, One University Park Drive,  Nashville, TN 37204-3951.
 
Positions:
The positions are as follows.
 

1.     A microbiologist to teach our introductory microbiology courses and other related major courses.
 

Each position will be tenure-track full time. The teaching duties may include a non-majors course and other courses in area of specialty. Candidates must demonstrate a strong potential for excellence in undergraduate teaching and a potential for developing a strong undergraduate research program.
 
 
 

Nominations or applications for all positions may be submitted in confidence either electronically
or in writing to: Dr. Ben Hutchinson, Dean, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Lipscomb
University, One University Park Drive, Nashville TN 37204-3951 or
ben.hutchinson@lipscomb.edu.

 
For more information about the Lipscomb University and the Department of Biology, visit our website at http://biology.lipscomb.edu.

Lipscomb University is a faith-based institution that is associated with Churches of Christ. To
be considered, applicants must be active, faithful members of a congregation of the Church
of Christ. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the positions
are filled.

 
 

Lipscomb University does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, sex, color, national or ethnic origin,
or disability in its employment practices except where necessitated by specific religious tenets held by
Lipscomb University.
®

Lighting the Way