Chernobyl Liquidator Medal

Faculty note: Professors McIntire and Luczaj journal publication

UW-Green Bay’s Michael McIntire (Associate Professor, Chemistry) and John Luczaj (Professor, Geoscience) had an article published in the journal J (MDPI, Switzerland). The article, “Chernobyl’s Lesser Known Design Flaw: The Chernobyl Liquidator Medal—An Educational Essay” was published on August 9, 2019 and is available online.

Chernobyl Liquidator Medal design analyisis
Chernobyl Liquidator Medal design analysis.

The article presents a mathematical analysis of the famous Chernobyl Liquidator Medal, which was awarded to workers who cleaned up the region after the radiological disaster in 1986. The authors note how “This article documents the unfortunate misrepresentation of a famous scientific experiment on an honorary medal and illustrates the importance of better communication between artists and scientists.” Luczaj discovered the medal’s error while teaching the UWGB course “Radioactivity: Past, Present, and Future”, at which point he sought out the expertise of McIntire who conducted the mathematical modeling and analysis of the radiation pathways depicted on the medal.

See the article

Makenna Pucker

Manitowoc Campus student Makenna Pucker named ‘Promise Scholar’

Congratulations to Manitowoc Campus student Makenna Pucker ’20, who has been selected as a 2019 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship designated for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society members.

Pucker outlined her future plans in this video. The Rosendale, Wis. native, plans to transfer to UW-Green Bay and is looking into a double major in Human Biology and Environmental Sciences. Eventually she hopes to become a psychiatrist or enter a medical field such as genetic counseling.

Associate Prof. Amy Kabrhel (Chemistry) is the advisor of Phi Theta Kappa on the Manitowoc Campus.

The Leaders of Promise Scholarship, sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, recognizes 200 Phi Theta Kappa members with awards totaling $200,000. Recipients were selected by a panel of independent judges from nearly 900 applicants. Promise Scholars are selected based on outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated leadership potential.

The Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program was launched in 2001 to assist new Phi Theta Kappa members in obtaining an associate degree and encourage participation in Society programs.

Phi Theta Kappa is an honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations. Learn more at ptk.org.

 

WRFV segment covers upcoming ‘Cool Chemistry’ events at UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus

Check out this fun segment of “Cool Chemistry” at the UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus from WFRV. Two free “Cool Chemistry” shows will be held on the Manitowoc Campus on Thursday, May 2, 2019. At 4:30 p.m., Ages three through eight are welcome, and then starting at 6:30 p.m., ages nine and up are welcome.

 

Faculty note: Assistant Prof. Mandeep Singh Bakshi ‘Biofuels’ publication

Assistant Prof. Mandeep Singh Bakshi (Chemistry, Natural and Applied Sciences) published recent article “Biodiesel as a non-aqueous medium for the synthesis of nanomaterials: relevance to metallic particulate suspensions in biofuels and their removalin” in Biofuels. This work highlights the synthesis and characterization of nano materials in Biodiesel medium for removing metallic particulates from aqueous contaminations to achieve environmental sustainability.

‘Cool Chemistry’ event at UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus on Thursday, May 2

Two free shows, a 4:30 p.m. show for young scientists between the ages of three and eight and a 6:30 p.m. show for big kids ages nine and up, will be taking place at the UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus in the University Theatre on Thursday, May 2, 2019. These ‘cool’ events will give attendees the chance experience explosions, color-changing solutions, solid foams, dry ice fog, fire and even more explosions. Attendees can also make their own slime after the show. Doors will open 45 minutes prior to the show, with only 350 people to be admitted. For more information, contact UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus Associate Prof. Amy Kabrhel (Chemistry) at 920-683-2746 or kabrhela@uwgb.edu.

Research in the Rotunda 2019

Marinette, Green Bay and Manitowoc Campuses represent at Research in the Rotunda

On Wednesday, April 17, 2019, the annual Research in the Rotunda was held in the Capitol Rotunda in Madison. Undergraduate researchers from across the state, together with their faculty advisors, shared their research findings on a variety of important topics with state leaders and legislators. Take a look at this impressive list of UW-Green Bay participants:

Water Research Fellows: 

  • The Absorptive and Adsorptive Capacity of Cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa) Exopolysaccharide Sheath for CR(VI): Environmental and Health Implications,” Becky Berry (Marinette), and Sarah Klemp (Green Bay), Green Bay and Marinette Campuses
  • “Walleye, Lake Whitefish, and Yellow Perch Predation on Round Goby in Green Bay,” Alexandria Keiler-Klein (De Pere), Green Bay Campus

Green Bay Campus students:

  • “Chloroplast DNA Sequencing Reveals the Presence of Two Exotic Phragmites Haplotypes in Northeast Wisconsin,” Rebecca Malcore, Brussels
  • “Discovery of Antibiotic-Producing Soil Bacteria with Broad-Spectrum Activity,” Halee Behrens, Waubeka, WI and Katlyn Tappy, Green Bay
  • “Do You Seriously Care About the Environment? Perceived Underlying Motives Can Impact Customer Relations,” Noah Redfearn, De Pere
  • “Exploring Reflectacles as Anti-Surveillance Glasses and for Adversarial Machine Learning in Computer Vision,” Ryan Jackson, Green Bay
  • “From Good to Great: The Qualities of Effective Coaching,” Austyn Everingham, Noblesville, IN and Nicholas Livingston, Two Rivers
  • “The Criminalization of Sex at the Wisconsin Industrial Home for Women, 1920-1933,” Jacqueline Grabowski, Sheboygan, WI, Whitlee Neuens, Niagara, WI and Megan Schoenauer, Green Bay

Manitowoc Campus students:

  • “Monitoring of Water Quality Restoration Area at Centerville Creek in Manitowoc County,” Nicholas Geiger, Manitowoc; Meghan Jackson, Two Rivers and Josh Steckmesser, Two Rivers

Faculty Advisers:

  • UW-Green Bay Associate Prof. Patrick Forsythe (Natural and Applied Sciences)
  • UW-Green Bay Prof. Patricia Terry (Natural and Applied Sciences)
  • Marinette Campus Associate Prof. Mark Klemp (Chemistry)
  • Marinette Campus Assistant Prof. Renee Richer (Biological Sciences)
  • UW-Green Bay Assistant Prof. Lisa Grubisha (Natural and Applied Sciences)
  • UW-Green Bay Associate Prof. Brian Merkel (Human Biology)
  • UW-Green Bay Associate Prof. Gaurav Bansal (Business Administration)
  • UW-Green Bay Assistant Prof. Ankur Chattopadhyay (Natural and Applied Sciences)
  • UW-Green Bay Associate Prof. Timothy Kaufman (Education)
  • UW-Green Bay Assistant Prof. Kimberley Reilly (Democracy and Justice Studies)
  • UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus Associate Prof. Rebecca Abler (Biological Sciences)
  • UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus Prof. Richard Hein (Biological Sciences)

Click to advance slideshow or view the album on Flickr

Posters in the Rotunda 2019

– Photos by Janet Bonkowski, Marketing and University Communication

Reminder: ‘Cool Chemistry’ event at UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus, Tuesday (April 23)

A free show for young scientists ages five and up will be taking place on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at the UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus in the University Theatre at 6:30 p.m. At this “cool” event, attendees are invited to experience explosions, color-changing solutions, solid foams, dry ice fog, fire and even more explosions. Attendees can also make their own slime after the show. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the show, with only 350 people to be admitted. For more information, contact UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus Associate Prof. James Kabrhel (Chemistry) at 920-663-7334 or kabrhelj@uwgb.edu.

‘Cool Chemistry’ event at UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus, Tuesday, April 23

Young scientists ages 5 and up are invited for a free educational, exciting and explosive evening of Cool Chemistry! The event will be taking place at the UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. in the University Theatre. Come and experience explosions, color-changing solutions, solid foams, dry ice fog and fire. After the show, you can make your own slime. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the show. Only 350 people will be admitted. For a chance to be a volunteer participant, pick up a ticket at the door. Questions may be directed to UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus Associate Prof. James Kabrhel (Chemistry) at 920-663-7334 or kabrhelj@uwgb.edu. Check out the event on Facebook. 

WiSys Quick Pitch set for Wednesday, April 3, Green Bay Campus

The WiSys Quick Pitch will be taking place in UW-Green Bay’s Mary Ann Cofrin Hall (MAC) Room 224 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Attendees will be able to listen to seven three-minute innovative and entrepreneurial pitches from students and learn how their research will impact the community and may one day benefit the local economy and/or society.

The students and presentations:

  • Nahida Akhtar (Chemistry) and Ben Fredeen (Chemistry) presenting on: “Magnetic Nanoparticles”
  • Alison Bahena (Psychology) presenting on: “Executive Function in a Normative Population with Psychosis-like Symptoms using ERP”
  • Halee Behrens (Biology) and Katlyn Tappy (Natural and Applied Sciences) presenting on: “Discovery of Antibiotic-Producing Soil Bacteria with Broad-Spectrum Activity”
  • Daijana Carrasco (Psychology, Human Development) presenting on: “Senior Center Cruise”
  • Akanshka Gurtu (Chemistry) presenting on: “Potable Water”
  • Charity Joy (Business Administration) presenting on: “Team Building Yoga”
  • Noah Redfearn (Business Administration) presenting on: “Do you Seriously Care About the Environment?”
  • Zach Zeutzius (Business Administration) presenting on: “Bookbates”

Judges:

  • Associate Prof. Bryan Carr (Communication, Information Science)
  • Assistant Prof. Vallari Chandna (Management)
  • Dean John Katers (College of Science, Engineering and Technology)

Winners of the Quick Pitch competition will receive a cash prize ($250 for first place and $125 for second place), with the first place winner qualifying to present their pitch and compete in the state final at the 11th annual WSTS Symposium at UW-Stout from July 22-23, 2019.