NEWSLETTERC O L L E G E O F N A T U R A L S C I E N C E S / / V O L U M E 2 / / I S S U E 5
Dean's MessageDR. CHARLENE WOLF-HALL
In addition to fond farewells to graduates
and retirees, we say welcome to new
students, faculty and staff. We are
welcoming new students through
summer orientation and have several
faculty and staff searches in progress.
This week, we announced the next
Department Head for Biology &
Microbiology. Please congratulate Dr.
Radhey Kaushik who starts on June 22.
Dr. Kaushik will relinquish the role of
Associate Dean for Research; more
information about that position coming
soon.
Campus is in bloom as we transition from
spring to summer. It is a bit surreal to
walk around campus and smell the
flowers after this last year. I hope you all
enjoy a wonderful summer.
Commencement 2021: Dr. Hildreth (pictured left sideof front row) was an HonoraryMarshall for the CNS andCAFES ceremoney
Celebrating WorkAnniversaries
---May 2021
Jay Shore - 26 yearsMatt Miller - 22 yearsGreg Heiberger - 18 yearsBishnu Karki - 9 yearsPatrick Danielson - 7 years
Congratulations to our graduates! What a
pleasure to see many walk at our outdoor
commencement ceremony. Student
speaker, Keri Pappas, and Marshall, Dr.
Hildreth, were amazing. It was chilly and
windy that morning, but oh so joyful. Please
remember us warmly and stay in touch.
Semester end brings the recognition of
Dean’s List students. Please see that list
later in the newsletter. Congratulations for
achieving this recognition during a
particularly challenging year.
In this issue, we highlight recent
retirements and thank these CNS family
members for their many years of service.
We wish them the best.
STUDENT MEDALLION RECIPIENTSHailey Axemaker, Biotechnology & Microbiology
Avori Bastemeyer, BiochemistryKelsey Bender, Human Biology
Monique Bunkers, Chemistry & BiochemistryAbby Burkhart, Human Biology
Courtney Cameron, Biotechnology & MicrobiologyNicholas Carlson, Physics
Jerrod Fedorchik, BiochemistryMoriah Flanagan, Biotechnology & Microbiology
McKenzie Gaspar, BiochemistryWes Genant, Biochemistry
Gabbie Gervais, Human BiologySusie Grabenstein, BiochemistryThane Henschel, Human Biology
Josh Loecker, BiochemistryKatie Lucas, Biology
Josh Mohs, Human BiologyAbigail Morgan, Chemistry & Biochemistry
Collin Olevson, Human Biology Keri Pappas, Human Biology & Microbiology
Timothy Paris, Chemistry, Biochemistry, & Psychology Bailey Pickering, Human BiologyJessica Scheer, Human Biology
Sarah Schweitzer, Human BiologyEric Sundall, Chemistry & Biochemistry
Cheyenne Trautmann, ChemistryKaylan Untiedt, Biology
Awards & Recognition
Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College 2021 Honors Medallion Ceremony
2021 Commencement Ceremony
Honorary Marshall: Dr. Michael Hildreth, Biology & MicrobiologyStudent Speaker: Keri Pappas, Human Biology
American Oil Chemists SocietyePoster Pitch Competition:
Ahmad Alhomodi, 1st placeBiology & Microbiology
FACULTY RECOGNITIONSDon Auger (deceased), Biology & Microbiology
Kevin Cope, Biology & MicrobiologyNicole Grove, Chemistry & BiochemistrySurtaj Iram, Chemistry & Biochemistry
Robert McTaggart, PhysicsJess Mediger, Biology & MicrobiologyMark Messerli, Biology & MicrobiologyMatt Miller, Chemistry & BiochemistryMadhav Nepal, Biology & Microbiology
Scott Pedersen, Biology & MicrobiologyDoug Raynie, Chemistry & Biochemistry
Marjoanne Thompson, Biology & MicrobiologyRachel Willand-Charnley, Chemistry & Biochemistry
Natural Sciences undergraduates make up less than 10% of the student body at SDSU, but represented 37% of the graduating Honors Students earlier this month!
Society of Physics StudentsOutstanding Undergraduate
Research Award:Abdullah al Maruf, Physics
Awards & Recognition, Cont.Sigma Pi Sigma - National Physics Honors Society
The following Physics students were initiated into Sigma Pi Sigma on April 30, 2021:
Nicholas CarlsonZachary LehmannAbdullah al Maruf
It was a special evening as several past inductees were able to join the ceremony via Zoom. Special guestsincluded George Duffey and LaVon (Doner) Hall, who were both inaugural inductees from the chapter's firstinstallation class in 1947, pictured below. Dr. Duffey would go on to become a faculty member in the PhysicsDepartment here at SDSU, and LaVon and Harold (deceased) Hall remained involved with SDSU throughout
the years, including establishment of their scholarship.
Sigma Xi Research Awards
M.S. PAPER CATEGORY1st place: Camille Massmann, Biology & Microbiology
Faculty advisor: Dr. Bishnu Karki
PH.D. PAPER CATEGORY3rd place: Subrata Bhadra, Chemistry & Biochemistry
Faculty advisor: Dr. Brian Logue
PH.D. PROPOSAL CATEGORY1st place: Ahmad Alhomodi, Biology & Microbiology
Faculty advisor: Dr. Bishnu Karki
Our research activities focus on the investigation of land surface dynamics and climate impacts using multiple spatiotemporal
resolution satellite data from regional to global scales. The research topics mainly involve the followings four fields.
Third, we develop novel algorithms to
produce an operational global biomass
burning emissions product in near real time
by integrating active fires observed from a
network of geostationary sensors and
polar-orbiting satellites. The related
algorithms and computer codes have been
integrated in NOAA for operational product
generations of hourly and daily biomass
burning emissions. With the update of
satellite observations and the change of
NOAA air quality models, we will continue
to refine the algorithms and computer
codes and to improve the product accuracy.
Research Spotlight: Dr. Xiaoyang Zhang XIAOYANG ZHANG • PROFESSOR/SENIOR SCIENTIST • GEOSPATIAL SCIENCES CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
Finally, we investigate the impacts of
environmental change and human
activities on terrestrial ecosystems. This
research topic is mainly concentrated on
the long-term trends and extreme
anomalies of vegetation phenology and
biomass burning emissions in responses to
climate change, environmental variation,
and human activity across regional and
global scales.
First, we develop innovative algorithms
for the generation of long-term global land
surface phenology (seasonal vegetation
dynamics) products at a spatial resolution
of 0.05 degree (~5 km) and 500 m,
separately, which services as a NASA’s
standard product for the study on long-
term global environmental change and
carbon cycle. The 5-km phenology product
is produced from satellite instruments of
Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer
(AVHRR, since 1982), Moderate Resolution
Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS, since 2000), and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS, since 2012), and the 500-m product
is generated from MODIS and VIIRS. The VIIRS, as the successor of MODIS, is the new-generation optical sensor in the middle resolution,
which will continue to provide Earth surface observations at least during next decade. We will continue to refine the algorithms to
reproduce the long-term phenology product (over 50 years) with high accuracy and continuity.
Second, we develop systems for monitoring crop progress and growing condition in near real time at field scales by fusing polar-
orbiting and geostationary satellites, which is to support USDA’s capability of monitoring crop growth and yield. This research is to
reconstruct high spatiotemporal dynamics of crop greenness by fusing observations from geostationary satellites (500-m pixels at every 10
minutes), Landsat and Sententil-2 (30-m pixels at every 3 days), and PlanetScope (3-m pixels daily). The system will have the capability of
reporting crop growing conditions weekly at 30-m pixels.
Upcoming RetirementsWe would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to these folks who are retiring from
SDSU. Thank you for your service over the years, and enjoy your next chapter!
Terry McCutcheon, Biology & MicrobiologyTerry started at SDSU in January of '99; the temperature was -29 when
he arrived from Gainesville, TX, where the temperature was 70 when
he left! He coached the rodeo team from 99-09, helping many students
get NIRA National Champion titles: Tabitha Sigman Harris (Goat
Tying), Rachel Tiedeman (Barrel Racing), Andrew Coughlin (Bull
Riding, reserve) and Joe Gunderson (Bareback Riding, reserve). Within
the department, some of his favorite memories include TA meetings
Mike Hildreth, Biology & MicrobiologyMike started at SDSU in 1987 and will retire this August. One of his
favorite memories: "The look on the SDSU policemen faces when
they broke into my old spooky coyote necropsy lab out in the
Wildlife & Fisheries unit while I was working one late night on some
skinned foxes. I was in a full isolation suit covered in fox blood, there
were fox body parts were laying around, and they were completely
confused and scared to death. It took a few minutes to convince
them that they hadn’t stumbled onto a mass murder scene and to get them calmed down
enough to put their guns away." In retirement, he plans to continue working on his acreage
near the Brookings area and continue working on bison parasite issues!
with Dick Whalen and Kendra Hill, as well as hearing non-majors tell him, "I hate Biology but
you made it fun!" His plans for retirement include stuff with family, grandkids, and horses.
Sue Schliinz, Biology & MicrobiologySue started at SDSU in 1989 and retired earlier this May. Stationed
in Berg Ag Hall, she handled lab preparations for 100+ sections per
year and her work has impacted many thousands of students over
the years. "Sue has done so much for the non-majors and majors
intro biology programs over the years and I know coordinating labs
would have been much more difficult without her experience and
knowledge," Dr. Mandy Orth said. "She will be greatly missed!"
Recent Media Coverage
SDSU engineers use satellite images to protect national security: Dr. Hankui
Zhang, Geospatial Sciences Center of Excellence, is part of a team that will work on
using images from remote-sensing satellites to protect national security. The full
four-year contract would bring more than $1.8 million in research funding to SDSU!
GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
Celebrating service to the City of Brookings: Keith Corbett, alum of the
Chemistry & Biochemistry Department, recently retired as mayor of Brookings, SD.
“Keith Corbett began his professional life in service to his country, and then he
returned to the state of South Dakota and spent at least a few decades in service to
his state,” Bacon said.
Eye on KELOLAND: Mentoring matters: Lauri Sohl, online instructor for the
Geography & Geospatial Sciences Department, has been a longtime mentor. “I
knew I wanted to offer something to somebody who might need me,” Sohl said.
“One of the things I think we all tend to forget about is we think about ourselves
and our own needs but we don’t always think about what someone else might
need or that act of kindness.”
Backhaus (Human Biology B.S.) has been making big plays throughout his career for SDSU & Spirit Lake:
"'We saw a skinny, athletic high school player. The thing we didn’t see that we’ve come to know and love is,
number one, a great leader, and then number two one of the best football minds I’ve ever been around,' SDSU
Head Coach John Stiegelmeier says. Which came from another passion that Logan discovered in high school -
orthopedic surgery. 'I always thought it was kind of a cool goal is to help people that love the sport get back
to playing it as soon as possible because I know that’s what I’d want my surgeons to do for me as well,' Logan
says."
SDSU Qualifies 10 for College National Finals Rodeo:
Ten members of the South Dakota State University Rodeo
Team have qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo
(CNFR), including two students from Natural Sciences!
Colton Carlson, Human Biology major pictured top left, will
compete in team roping and Allison Pauley, Biochemistry
major pictured bottom left, will compete in barrel racing.
The women’s SDSU Rodeo Team has earned the title of
2020-2021 Great Plains Region Champions and the men’s
SDSU Rodeo Team has earned the title of 2020-2021 Great
Plains Region Reserve Champions. Congratulations to all!
Anchoring the line: Veteran center Wes Genant (Biochemistry
B.S., pictured left) leads Jackrabbit blocking unit:
"'He’s kind of 23 going on 43,' said Jason Eck, who is the Jacks'
offensive line coach and offensive coordinator. 'He’s a mature guy,
he’s married, and his personality is really a stabilizing factor for our
offense. One of his best qualities is that he’s seen just about
everything so he doesn’t get rattled. That really helps with some of
the younger guys who might have more emotional peaks and valleys.
He keeps those guys steady. He’s been a good leader for us.'”
Softball team claims first Summit League Championship Title in program history:
Media, cont.: Athletics Highlights
Chiara Bassi, Biology
Kendra Conard, Human Biology
Olivia Douglas, Human Biology
Mia Elliott, Biology
Cheyanne Masterson, Biology
Emma Osmundson, Biochemistry
Summit League Championship Title on May 15th
and put up a strong showing during the NCAA
tournament. Special congratulations goes to:
We are proud to have six Natural Sciences students on the Jackrabbits Softball team! They secured their first
Grants Awarded in CNS APRIL 2021
Bruce Millett, PI • Geography & Geospatial Sciences • SD
Department of Health / Department of Health & Human Services -
Centers for Disease • FY21 Geocoding and Mapping Services to the
Cancer Registry at SD Department of Health
Open PRAIRIE Data What is "Open PRAIRIE"?
The Open Public ResearchAccess InstitutionalRepository & InformationExchange trackspublications from withinNatural Sciencesthroughout the year,showing where and whenarticles were opened allaround the world.
3,165 downloads at 345 institutions in 116 countries9 new works posted, for a total of 917A Study of African Savanna Vegetation Structure, Patterning,and Change was the most frequently downloaded piece at177 downloads. This dissertation is by past PhD studentChristoffer R. Axelsson, who was an advisee of Dr. Niall P.Hanan.
Data across the whole College of Natural Sciences:
APRIL 2021
Spring 2021 Dean's ListFULL-TIME (12+ CREDIT) STUDENTS WITH A 3.5 OR HIGHER GPA
Javi Adividya
Aliza Ahrendt
Karlee Albert
Claire Alt
Mara Andersen
Sarah Anglin
Hailey Axemaker
Ann Babits
Kailey Bak
Gavin Baker
Joshua Balster
Dayne Bartels
Arene Barwari
Chiara Bassi
Avori Bastemeyer
Jaidyn Bauman
Tacey Baustian
Brady Beck
Kelsey Bender
Donovan Bentz
Katelyn Bettin
Jenna Blogg
Austin Bonn
Jaiden Boomsma
Elise Braswell
Cassidy Bridges
Caitlin Bright
Cheyloh Brockel
McKenzie Brown
William Brown
Laney Brown
Kaila Brudelie
Cayden Budd
Zachary Budden
Logan Burket
Callie Bursing
Brooke Buthe
Cassidy Carda
Kenzie Carlson
Nicholas Carlson
Colton Carlson
Regan Carlson
Abigail Carson
Kyerra Carter
Alyssa Casper
Andrew Christiansen
Kayla Christopherson
Clara Conner
Deirdre Cross
Mason Crow
Kallie Crowl
Courtney Currier
Jackson Dana
Joseph Dembouski
Erin Denevan
Kaylee Derickson
Steven Dewaide
Nichole Dial
Rachel Dieckmann
Sam Diemer
Dhalten Dirks
Lindsey Dockendorf
Nathan Doering
Joshua Donahoe
Olivia Douglas
Ava Dreessen
Marissa Driesen
Thomas Ebrahem
Kayla Egenes
Mitchal Eichacker
Hunter Eide
Evan Ekstrum
Alexis Elfstrand
Matias Erickson
Sarah Erickson
Katherine Erickson
Peyton Evans
Hannah Even
Mary Fanta
Jerrod Fedorchik
Alexis Fickbohm
Harley Fischer
Julie Fischer
Chase Flickema
Aubrie Franken
Michael Frick
McKenzie Gaspar
Taylor Geffre
Megan Gerhart
Megan Gilk
Elizabeth Gillingham
Lucas Goetz
Luke Gorski
Clara Greenhagen
Libby Gregg
Tatum Gregston
Paige Haakenson
Cooper Haaland
Tseganesh
Hailemariam
Mackenzie Hanisch
Miah Hansen
Tyffani Hanson
Caleb Harthoorn
Taylor Hastings
Emily Hedge
Mollie Heinen
Riley Hellmann
Thomas Hennen
Kelli Henricks
Thane Henschel
Madisyn Heyn
Madison Higbee
Nicole Hintz
Clara Hipp
Abigail Hobbs
Madison Hodgdon
Halle Hoekstra
Rylee Honomichl
Samantha Hunsecker
Morgan Huntington
Thad Indermuhle
Tylee Irwin
Amanda Jacobs
Haley Jahnke
Deann Jelsma
Emma Jensen
Caden Johnson
Abigail Kastens
Amanda Kerr
Connor Klinkhammer
Riley Klueber
Luke Knutson
Isaac Kovash
Robert Kowitz
Mackenzie Krcil
Brady Kruse
Peyton Kuchenbecker
Jackson Kunz
Nicholas Kurtenbach
Abygail Lang
Angela Louise Lansang
Maxwell Larsen
Jenell Linne
Spring 2021 Dean's List, cont.FULL-TIME (12+ CREDIT) STUDENTS WITH A 3.5 OR HIGHER GPA
Timothy Paris
Peyton Parker
Jenna Parliament
Himesh Parmar
Jacob Paulson
Jessica Pedelty
Ryan Peldo
Jadyn Perry
Allison Peters
Olivia Pfeifle
Bailey Pickering
Gabrielle Pietila
Kristen Poppen
Jack Rabern
Megan Rambo
Anna Rauber-Ramos
Cale Reeder
Jessica Reinhardt
Jonathan Ricke
Morgan Ridley
Amanda Roesler
Kennedy Roland
Tiana Rupp
Darratu Salesa
Devindi Samarasinghe
Nathan Sangster
Alexis Saunders
Brett Schamens
Matthew Schmit
Sierra Schofield
Sidney Schroeder
Lauren Schueler
Brandon Schuldt
Megan Schulte
Sarah Schweitzer
Michael Schwinghamer
Wyatt Seagren
Brayden Selchert
Katelyn Severson
Hattie Shaffer
Meg Sheehan
Kushagra Singh
Saloni Singh
Jessica Skare
Sheridan Skinner
Braden Skow
Joseph Slama
Logan Smith
Landon Smith
Tanner Smith
Althea Spencer
Quenton Steffen
Hailey Stengel
Kristin Stoltenberg
Kassy Strable
Rylee Stromer Iversen
Abigail Swenson
McKayla Tegethoff
Thomas Teigen
Ellie Thein
Marcie Thomas
Jordan Thompson
Kylee Thorpe
Riley Thorpe
Brittany Todd
Tommi Toft
Cassandra
Townsend
Cheyenne
Trautman
Jada Tschetter
Nathan Tuttle
Kaylan Untiedt
Sarah Urevig
Taylor Videen
Emma Von Hagel
Kayla Washington
Brittney Weber
Gohan White Bull
Emily Wilde
Rachel Wilner
Sydney Wilson
Alexander Withrow
Cole Withrow
Jax Wysong
Jorie Ziegeldorf
Morgan Logue
Kristina Long
Katherine Lucas
Hannah Markman
Nicole Matter
Mary Matya
Carson Max
Caitlynn McGregor
Marie McLaughlin
Emory McManimon
Wyatt Meendering
Jaclyn Meier
Emily Miller
Alana Moe
Victoria Moe
Joshua Mohs
Morgan Moon
Hannah Moran
Namra Mubashar
Whitney Muck
Abigale Muller
Laura Munger
Cassie Munsterman
Elijah Myers
Ethan Noble
Tarek Nour
Kyra Obermeyer
Christina O'Bryan
Austin Odland
Collin Olevson
Shelby Olson
Kayla Olson
Brynn Olson
Insaf Omar
Emma Osmundson
Keri Pappas
Spring 2021 Academic RecognitionsPART-TIME (<12 CREDIT) STUDENTS WITH A 3.5 OR HIGHER GPA
Kathryn Long
Sienna Mahan-Deitte
Emma Martin
Zachary Mehlberg
Brett Mogen
Kenneth O'Neil
Thomas Ott
Eliza Peters
Bronson Pond
Jessica Scheer
Kaihlen Smith
James Speck
Eric Sundall
Makayla Swancutt
Brooklyn VanDerWolde
Andrew White
Mary Willrodt
Aaron Yam
Jayda Zemlicka
Amel Abdalla
Kaylee Athey
Logan Backhaus
Justin Balicki
Tanner Berg
Rachael Bingham
Sophie Bisgard
Regan Blackwell
Camryn Blackwell
Connor Borgos
Sidney Brower
Marshall Brown
Cole Brown
Monique Bunkers
Abigail Burkhart
Courtney Cameron
Cole Conard
Hanna Cummins
Jacob Devine
Abigail Dressen
Ty Dunse
Gage Fenski
Alissa Findley
Moriah Flanagan
Wesley Genant
Raina Grimsley
Maggie Heezen
Devon Hegdahl
Justin Hoogestraat
Kara Jueckstock
Anne Knoff
James Krall
Mitchell Lack
Jacqueline Laddusaw
Cassidy Laidlaw
Tana Lick
Over 53% of our Natural Sciences students appear on one of these lists! We
are proud of their drive for academic excellence, especially during a uniquely
challenging semester of navigating pandemic restrictions.
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