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Dr. Stephen G. Sligar letter from the director It is again a pleasure to update our alumni and friends with an introduction to the 2010 MCB Newsletter. This has been an eventful year for the University of Illinois, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology. Each of our four departments and the two research programs and centers that we administer have enjoyed numerous successes, despite the fiscal challenges presented by the state. Most discussions “around the water cooler” have centered on budget and leadership issues. Initially, there was some fear related to manning the ship’s helm (following the resignation of both the university president and chancellor, and the departure of the provost) as we sailed into an unprecedented state budget maelstrom. These concerns have proven unfounded due to the outstanding interim leadership provided by President Ikenberry, Chancellor/Provost Easter, and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Wheeler. A new permanent president, Dr. Michael Hogan, comes on board July 1, 2010, and there is rapid movement for long-term appointments to the other higher administrative positions. In the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, we have weathered the immediate financial challenges. Roughly 94% of the operating costs for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences comes from tuition income. Hence there is a smaller percentage dependent on the troubled state financial position. Thanks to the size of the MCB undergraduate educational mission, and the outstanding productivity of our research faculty, we are in an excellent position to continue to grow as the center of biological efforts on campus. Nevertheless, land-grant universities face a serious challenge in their mission to support and fund higher education in an environment of constantly declining state revenues. For many years, the shortfalls have been made up through increased tuition and fees. But we are now entering into the realm where university access threatens to take an unacceptable fraction of the average American’s wage. MCB is participating in campus-wide efforts to seek economies of scale and avoid duplication, while maintaining excellence in preparing our students for the great adventures that await. In this issue of the magazine, you will find numerous examples, from discussions of pre-medical tracts to the latest research advances and scholarship, where MCB continues to lead in providing solutions to critical societal challenges in curing disease, ensuring efficient delivery of health care, and the great need to understand the global environment and find means to ensure the supply of abundant energy, water, and natural resources. Stephen G. Sligar Director
table of contents Letter from the Director by Stephen Sligar Pre-Med at MCB | 2 MCB is the University of Illinois’ most popular pre-med curriculum by William Gillespie Breast Cancer Research at MCB | 4 MCB breast cancer researchers are focusing on the estrogen pathway by Deb Aronson Faculty Portrait: Maria Spies | 10 A rising professor receives myriad accolades by Alex Crofts and William Gillespie Undergraduate Portrait: Angela Bizzarri | 11 Athletic and academic achievement fuse in a star undergrad by William Gillespie Roger Adams Lab Renovations | 12 An important phase of ongoing renovations of historic buildings is completed by Dan Ozier and William Gillespie Synthetic Biology of Cellular Systems | 13 A new university center engineers biological machines by Martha Gillette Faculty News | 14 Updates, promotions, awards, honors, retirements, and obituaries mcb is published by tHE SCHOOL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY MCB DIRECtOR Dr. Stephen G. Sligar MANAGING EDItOR AND DESIGNER William Gillespie COVER PHOtO Milu Cherian is a 5th-year Ph.D. student in Molecular and Integrative Physiology working with Professor David Shapiro. She is shown with a tissue culture media used to grow cells. Photo by Nick Burchell. PHOtOGRAPHY Nick Burchell William Gillespie Biophysical Society James Galen MCB COMMUNICAtIONS OFFICE 393 Morrill Hall, MC-119 505 South Goodwin Avenue Urbana, IL 61801 phone | 217.265.6594 fax | 217.265.6595 mcbcommunications@illinois.edu www.mcb.illinois.edu Produced by the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology Communcations Office. the University of Illinois is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. Printed on recycled paper with soy-based ink. 08.062 SCHOOL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY . 1
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