STEM II Initiative-Updates from Participating Institutions (Part 2)

STEM II Initiative – Updates from Participating Institutions (Part 2) is made up of a series of “sampler sessions” so that interested individuals can get an overview but not comprehensive coverage. Dr. Pamela Gore will begin this session by discussing the STEM II Initiative at Georgia Perimeter College. Second, Dr. Dabney Dixon will talk about the STEM II Initiative at Georgia State University. Third, Dr. Charles Kutal will provide information concerning the STEM II Initiative at the University of Georgia. Fourth, Dr. Farooq Khan and Dr. Myrna Gantner will discuss what is happening with the STEM II Initiative at the University of West Georgia

Prevention of poxvirus infection by tetrapyrroles

BACKGROUND: Prevention of poxvirus infection is a topic of great current interest. We report inhibition of vaccinia virus in cell culture by porphyrins and phthalocyanines. Most previous work on the inhibition of viruses with tetrapyrroles has involved photodynamic mechanisms. The current study, however, investigates light-independent inhibition activity. METHODS: The Western Reserve (WR) and International Health Department-J (IHD-J) strains of vaccinia virus were used. Virucidal and antiviral activities as well as the cytotoxicity of test compounds were determined. RESULTS: Examples of active compounds include zinc protoporphyrin, copper hematoporphyrin, meso(2,6-dihydroxyphenyl)porphyrin, the sulfonated tetra-1-naphthyl and tetra-1-anthracenylporphyrins, selected sulfonated derivatives of halogenated tetraphenyl porphyrins and the copper chelate of tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine. EC(50 )values for the most active compounds are as low as 0.05 µg/mL (40 nM). One of the most active compounds was the neutral meso(2,6-dihydroxyphenyl)porphyrin, indicating that the compounds do not have to be negatively charged to be active. CONCLUSIONS: Porphyrins and phthalocyanines have been found to be potent inhibitors of infection by vaccinia virus in cell culture. These tetrapyrroles were found to be active against two different virus strains, and against both enveloped and non-enveloped forms of the virus, indicating that these compounds may be broadly effective in their ability to inhibit poxvirus infection

STEM II Initiative at Georgia State University

The availability of funding from the State of Georgia has allowed significant advances in STEM education at Georgia State University. The largest fraction of the funds are dedicated to a series of mini-grants that are allowing faculty and students to make strides in a number of areas including laboratory courses, integration of material across disciplines, and new developments in teacher education. We have also focused on enhancements of our administrative structure, including changes in advising, ways of enhancing faculty productivity, and academic support for students in the STEM disciplines

STEM Education at Georgia State University: Innovation and Administration

The availability of funding from the State of Georgia has allowed significant advances in STEM education at Georgia State University. The largest fraction of the funds are dedicated to a series of mini-grants that are allowing faculty and students to make strides in a number of areas including laboratory courses, integration of material across disciplines, and new developments in teacher education. We have also focused on enhancements of our administrative structure, including changes in advising, ways of enhancing faculty productivity, and academic support for students in the STEM disciplines

New Directions in STEM Education at Georgia State University

Georgia State University continues to make advances in STEM education. Mini-grants have been an effective mechanism of change. Other efforts include changes in the teaching of mathematics and administrative changes to support our students more effectively

Undergraduate faculty enhancement in chemistry : a series of regional workshops

Issued as Final project report, Project G-33-625Final project report has author: Dabney White DixonFinal project report has title: Undergraduate faculty enhancemen t in chemistry : a series of regional workshop

Signature Research Experiences for STEM Undergraduates

We are developing Signature Research Experiences at Georgia State University to help students establish critical thinking and technical skills. Fewer than 9% of STEM majors at Georgia Southern University engage in research each year. We seek to broaden exposure via cooperative, team-based projects. Our model for scaling up research experiences to our large student body taps leadership by all the faculty, but particularly non-tenure track faculty. Examples of specific projects and an analysis of student perceptions will be presented