Grain & Chaff

Research and development

Fred Byron, interim vice chancellor for Research, took part in a panel on "Biotechnology - An Engine of Regional Economic Development" at a symposium on biotechnology at Central Connecticut State University on May 9. Others on the panel were Peter Bakal, deputy director for economic development with the Republican Ways and Means Committee in the New York State Assembly; Joseph Bronzino, president of the Beacon Alliance; and Bruce Carlson, special assistant to the president for economic development at the University of Connecticut.

Blues singer

New UMass Police officer Luis Antonmarchi celebrated his graduation from the police academy in Agawam last week by singing the National Anthem at the opening of the ceremony held at Westfield State College. Forty-eight new officers received their badges after completing the 21-week training at the state Criminal Justice Training Center.

Lovley to look at

The May 10 issue of Science featured a profile of the career and contributions to the field of geomicrobiology by Microbiology Department head Derek Lovley. In the article by Elizabeth Pennisi, William Ghiorse, a geomicrobiologist at Cornell University said Lovley churns out scientific discoveries like "a big rolling stone that you can't stop." Former Lovley postdoc Tim Magnuson, now a microbial physiologist at Idaho State University, remembered that when he worked with Lovley, the motto was "Finish an experiment a day and at least one publishable figure a week. ... I thought it was a joke, but it was what he expected from his people." As the profile noted, "That workaholic drive has paid off. Lovley has had a long string of publications in Nature and Science, and he continues to discover new organisms and metabolic pathways."

Positive reaction

Chemistry professor Julian Tyson has been selected to receive the Society for Applied Spectroscopy's 2002 Lester W. Strock Award for his "outstanding work in atomic spectroscopy." The award will be presented at a meeting of the Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies in Providence in October.

Doctor, doctor

The University of Colorado Boulder recognized one of its favorite sons May 10 as Fine Arts Center director Willie L. Hill, Jr. was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters for his life-long commitment and contributions to the musical arts and music education.

Hill earned his master's and Ph.D. in music education at CU Boulder and later served as a professor of music education and assistant dean of the university's college of music. On the previous day, Hill was honored as the CU College of Music's Distinguished Alumnus of the Year and spoke at its commencement.