Ron Krippner. Ron teaches at Chippewa Valley Tech. in Eau Claire. He stopped by in January 2006 to get the official guided tour of the department from Fred King. Ron is involved with nano-tech. and teaching chemistry/biochemistry.

Russell Klisch. Russ visited us in Spring '07 to tell us what the life of a brewer and entrepreneur. His Lakefront Brewery's gluten-free beer , New Grist has made quite a beer-scented splash in the brewing world. We wish him luck!

Danah Holmen says “Hey Dr. Carney. Quick email, but I wanted to say that I matched in Pediatrics at the U of MN. I'm so excited!!! Anyway, I hope all is going well in EC. “

Kristy McNitt (Chem 2006) writes “So, just thought I'd let you know that I am engaged!  I guess you were right- if the boy followed to Indiana we were going to get married.  I have no clue about when or where yet, just thought I'd pass on the news.”

Judy Therond (Adams) , a 1995 BMB graduate, writes ”I never when into strict research, but have used my strong background in science first at the Mayo Clinic (in clinical lab), then in a small biologic company working on a vaccine-like treatment for prostate cancer.  However, I've changed to the "other side" and now work in Regulatory Affairs as a consultant.  (Handling submissions to the FDA and other Regulatory agencies worldwide, and working with project teams to get an investigational drug up and running...leading to a new drug application and hopefully approval to market.)   I married a French man.  I think I was the only one with a French major besides my BMB status.  We've been married almost 10 years now and have one little girl (Margaux) who is 16 months old.”

Emily Bauer and Megan Clarey (2002 BMB) write: “Here's a bit of alumni news - "The original Smith College Girls, Bauer & Clarey, continue to be wildly inappropriate".  Or, "Maple Manor saw wild/crazy time for first time in years after UWEC biochem. reunion 2006. In “real” news Megan writes : ”Just a quick note to let you know I (finally) got my first publication ("and there was much rejoicing...").  It's out this month in NSMB (Nature).  We co-published with the Berger lab (aka our paper wouldn't have been nearly as interesting without their paper).  The idea even got the cover!” Emily continues to live la vida loca in NYC as a PhD student at Cornell.

Amy (Karl) Hamilton (1997 Chem) writes:  “Hello!  Hope all is well there in Eau Claire.  I have not had a chance to look at the e-newsletter you attached but did want to pass along some great news of mine.  I delivered twin boys on Dec 21, 2006.  Everything wen twell and we are very busy these days.  We named them Austin Karl (6 lb 3 oz, 19.25") and Colin Mitchell (4 lb 8 oz, 18.75") and they are growing like weeds.  It is incredible to me that they are already 1 month old!!!  I am taking a one year child care leave of absence from my job at P&G which is a wonderful thing that they offer.  Say hello to everyone and pass the word on.

Christina (Tia) Hodge (1992 BMB) has quite a lot of catching up for us for her eventful life. She says: ” while finishing my Doctorate at U of Michigan I decided that the sad state of the world is not due to lack of knowledge but to the choices people make. After participating in several programs with the local schools, I found myself appalled by the inability of the kids to think. So...somewhere in
there I decided to become a teacher. After graduating, I moved to Austin TX
where my parents are and lived at home while I found a job. I worked 2 1/2
years as a textbook editor for Holt Reinhart and Winston. During that time
one of my skydiving aquaintances from MI came down for a visit, we fell in
love and got married. He is a Michigan State Trooper so he dragged me back
to MI with him.

We live on the west side of the state (which is beautiful) in a tiny town
about 1 1/2 hours North of Grand Rapids. We have 35 acres, 5 horses, and 4
dogs and 2 cats (barn cats). It didn't start out that way, but somehow
animals have a way of making it to our home--we joke about being on the
canine runaway safehouse list. My husband is an avid horseman that should
have lived out west 100 years ago. Three of our horses are wild mustangs
adopted from out west and my husband makes saddles and other tack (riding
stuff)in his free time.

Shortly after we married, I went back to school for a year and got my MI
teaching certificate. Amazingly, both of the HS science teachers in my town
retired that year and myself and another young woman were chosen to replace
them. This is my 3rd year teaching in Hesperia. I teach General Bio,
Advanced Bio, Comparative Anatomy, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Forensic Science and Chemistry. On the up side, I enjoy the variety and having
students multiple times so that I really get to know our students interested
in science. The downside of trying to teach 4 different classes in a day is
obvious. We are undergoing cuts and changes in administration and I am
hopeful that some of the problems and stresses will be sorted out.

My biggest challenge is getting kids and parents to adopt higher standards.
Our best kids are big fish in a small pond and often have not been
challenged. Needless to say, many don't see the need for more rigor and
critical thinking in their coursework. I think many have a love/hate
relationship with me. But its wonderful to see the self-confidence that
grows in them after meeting challenges.” Tia, we need more teachers like you!

Marie Lowe (1999 Chem) says: “Here's the latest on what I've been up to.  I'm still living in Phoenix, Arizona working at Honeywell in R&D.  I'm working on new products for the semiconductor industry and adjacent markets, continuing to ride the waves of the industry with its many ups and downs.  After completing the Grandma's Marathon in June and missing my desired race time, I decided to take a few months off from running to re-energize for a new season.  I've started back to running but will stick to 1/2 marathons or shorter distances for the time being.  My latest endeavor is training for a 190-mile relay race from Wickenburg to Scottsdale in Arizona.  I'm a part of a 12-member relay team who will cover the distance (running 3 legs of ~ 6 miles each...including some crazy hills!) in about 30 - 32 hours.  30+ hours of running, sleeping and riding in a van with other sweaty runners - talk about a bonding experience!  Just hope I don't get attacked by any javelina along the way!  I would love to hear from my fellow Blugolds - feel free to email me at loweml@hotmail.com “

In case you were not aware, Shanna Berger (Chem-Bus - 2006) has been named a second team (volleyball) Academic All-American for 2006.  The award, given to only a handful of students nationally, recognizes Shanna for excelling academically and athletically during her UW-Eau Claire career.  The All-American team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA volleyball players throughout the country and is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America. Shanna will graduate this December and begin medical school in the fall of 2007.

Paul Reinhard (Chem 2003) writes:  “After graduation I became the rental text manager for the bookstore.  I wish I could have stayed longer, but my wife obtained a very good job in Wausau, where I currently live.  After I moved I got a job in business and found I really missed lab work.  I am now enrolled at UWSP as a clinical lab scientist major.  I am studying to become a medical technician.  It is tough but very rewarding.”

Brad Baas (BMB1999)  has gotten his PhD in Biochemistry from Illinois and is now in Contract Protein Manufacturing at the Invitrogen Corporation in Madison.

Karen Albrecht (BMB 1997) writes: “Jamil and I have been hermetically sealed.  I think he gained 2 pounds since the day I met him. Although, I have more grey hairs than he does ( and he is four years older).  I'll be 31 in another month.  That is just  crazy. “

Derek Fox (Chem 2003) says: ”I have accepted a tenure track teaching position at Rainy River Community College in International Falls, where I will be teaching both chemistry and physics.  Not really where imagined myself, but after visiting, the area grew on us both.  Theresa (Hopp) of course was easily able to find and job and she will be working at the Hospital in the Falls.  The super low cost of living has us both excited about possibilities of buying acreage, and I'm even going to get started on the walleye fishing.  For now we're renting a nice house on the river south of town.”

Suzannah Sundby (BMB 1994) is an attorney and biotechnology and sciences  patent law specialist at Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. Mail her at ssundby@sgrlaw.com

Chava (Bader) Pocernich (BMB 1996) writes to Dr. Hartsel: ”I wanted to let you know that this spring I accepted a tenure track position at Eastern Kentucky University in the Department of Chemistry.  I start in August.  I will be teaching nursing general chemistry and undergraduate and graduate biochemistry.  EKU currently has 12 full time faculty and is nationally known for their chemistry forensics major.  I will be developing a fornesic molecular biology lecture and lab course for this major.

Here is an update from Dr Carney concerning Nick Robertson (Chem 2004):

1.  He passed his courses and his oral "A-exam," which means he's right on track towards his PhD at Cornell.
2.  His first publication with G. Coates was submitted to JCS Dalton in June.  Project involved using double-metal cyanides to effect CO2/epoxide polymerization.
3.  When he returns to Cornell, he's starting a new project: using transition metal catalysts to prepare polymeric materials for fuel cell membrane applications.
4.  He received an outstanding teaching award on the basis of student evaluations.  The TA supervisor says she has not seen such positive evaluations in her 20 year career.
5.  He's leaning toward a teaching career at a PUI.
6.  He's engaged to be married.  She's an EC Memorial grad (like Nick) - apparently they were non-romantic acquaintances in high school and something clicked when they met again during their 5-year reunion.  She was teaching in Omaha, NE and is now moving to Ithaca.  No official wedding date yet.
7.  He's still a good road biker as he kicked my rear end on Saturday (in the rain!).

Paul Erdman (Chem 2003) has decided to get a Masters at University of Minnesota,  has already  successfully defended, and has an offer to work at Pfizer in Ann  Arbor, MI.  He will be in drug discovery, working with a combination  of robotics, combinatorial chemistry, and HPLC.  He's very excited  about the prospect and glad to stay in the Midwest

Dave Larson (honorary member of the 4th floor – did research with Fred) visited the Department. Dave serves as an external consultant on the materials science initiative at UWEC. If you want to buy an atom probe instrument, Dave is the man to call.

Ken Dykema (Chem 1985) made a brief visit to the Chemistry Department during the Thanksgiving Break. Ken continues his research on operator algebras as a Professor in the Mathematics Department at Texas A&M University. He reports his family is doing well.

Lori Campbell (Chem 1980) visited the Chemistry Department with her daughter Maggie. She reports she is doing great.

Jim Brandes (Chem 1981) visited the Chemistry Department during the summer. He had the opportunity to reminisce with his old p-chem instructor about the good old days.

Matt Feldmann (honorary member of the 4th floor – did research with Fred) visited the Chemistry Department over the Xmas break. He has given up his position as a staff scientist at UW-Madison to take a position at Los Alamos National Lab. Matt is an expert on superconductors.
 
Brian Dalke (Chem 1982) reports that he has now made the switch from polymer chemist to high school math/science teacher in Michigan. He also reports doing some nice hikes in Wisconsin and the upper peninsula.

Nick Manesis (Chem 1980) visited the Chemistry Department in the fall, and gave a nice presentation on the contact lens industry. Nick reports he is doing well, but does manage to keep himself busy.

Hudson Leung, Pete Reed and Jeff Melcher (Chemistry 1984) were in Chicago in October to cheer on Ray Skwierszynski (Chemistry 1984) who ran the Chicago marathon, his first.  They tried to get Dr. Eierman to join them in their revelry, but the plans did not work out.  Ray’s run was a success.

Kathy (Klimovitz) Schauss (Chemistry 1984) is a doctor in Chippewa Falls, WI and routinely competes in and occasionally wins local road races.

Franco Basile (1985) is an assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Wyoming.  He visited UWEC and gave a seminar on his research in Fall 2006.

Kristen (Benedict) McBrien (Chem-Ed 2001) is teaching high school chemistry at Rosemont High School in the Twin Cities.  She recently had her first baby and is working on a masters degree at UW-River Falls in her “spare” time.

Jared Jankowski (1998) is a brewer at New Glarus Brewing Co. (New Glarus, WI). Why does this seem like a perfect match?

Nathan Wells (2002) is on track to finish his PhD in p-Chem  (in the next 18 months). He is at Minnesota working for David Blank.