1997 PBIO Newsletter

BCollege ofArts and Sciences

O 1.i13[ Department ofEnvironmentaland Plant Biology

Athens, Ohio 45701-2979

1822 - 1997: 175 Years of Teaching Plant Biology OfflO UNIVERSITY

eport from the Chair1822-1997: 175 years of teaching botany. A lot in plant biology has changed with

-improvements in technology: We do not have to go all the way back to 1822 to see thechanges. When I wrote my dissertation at Iowa State University in 1969/70, we were the first

group of students permitted to use correction fluids to white out mistakes so that the dissertations could bephotocopied. The year before, dissertations were required to be typed with four carbons—no correctionfluids were allowed. Back in Ames we really thought we were at the cutting edges of technology forreproducing manuscripts. By comparison, after an upgrade to the Department of Environmental and PlantBiology computer facilities this past year with House Bill Funds ($36,000), undergraduate and graduatestudents in our department have their own laboratory with computers that can perform the latest statistical,imaging, and word processing programs. Student papers, theses, and dissertations can be printed on 600dot/inch laser printers (publication quality), and if needed, images reproduced with a dye-sublimationprinter. Students also may submit term papers in digital form by sending them directly to the professorthrough the Internet. It is possible to collect digitized images, process, and send them around the world, ordown the hall, in less than a day. Faculty likewise send manuscripts as attachments to e-mail within theuniversity as well as to granting agencies, editors ofjournals, and collaborators in other countries.

As wonderful as computer technology is for processing and transferring information, we remain agroup of botanists dedicated to researching and teaching about plants, just like our predecessors for 175years. We have come a long way in integrating the latest computer technology into our teaching andresearch on ecology, taxonomy, morphology, physiology, and cellular and molecular biology. With all thenew technology, however, nothing can replace carrying out a well-designed experiment, having datasupport the working hypothesis, collecting specimens from field localities, or showing a group of studentsa 300-year-old oak.

Most of us enjoy getting out in the field, and so do the students in introductory and advancedcourses. Faculty, graduate student, and undergraduate field research is occurring at Dysart Woods inBelmont County (see related story about Dysart Woods and Coal Mining), Waterloo Nature Preserve,Desonier State Nature Preserve, and Stroud’s Run State Park. Courses in which groups of students go onfield trips are Trees and Shrubs (PBIO 248), Systematics and Ohio Flora (PBIO 3 09/509), Mycology(PBIO 310/510), Agricultural Plant Ecology (PBIO 321/521), Freshwater Algae (PBIO 420), and PlantEcology (PBIO 425/525). We have been successfulin using House Bill and other funding sources toupgrade our computer and research facilities inPorter Hall to the best equipment available, but thesame funding sources will not permit the purchase offield vehicles.

That brings us to some well-used, butoutdated technology. The green van used totransport plants from the greenhouse to Porter Hallhas a manual transmission with the shifting lever onthe steering column. We can’t use it off campus forsafety reasons. The department also has a passengervan for taking 14 students on field trips in courses. Itis limited, however, because it does not have spacefor use on outings that require field researchequipment and storage area for plants, fossils, andother collected materials in addition to the students Drs. Vis-Chiasson and BUckle at Awards Ceremony

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and faculty. The bottom line is this: Funding sources are not available to purchase field vehicles. If thedepartment is to obtain a new field vehicle for student and faculty research, we must look elsewhere for thefunds.

This is where we hope that you are able help us. We are fortunate to have a loyal group of donorsto the department. Their generosity in the past has helped us purchase awards for winners ofthe DistrictScience Fair, support scholarships, provide travel funds for graduate students to meetings, and build raisedbeds in the instructional garden. This next year we are going to allow unrestricted donations to accumulatein an attempt to get enough funds to purchase a field van. The vehicle would benefit most of our studentsand help with important research projects such as, among others, Brian McCarthy’s study ofthe oaks atDysart Woods, Morgan Vis-Chiasson’s research on algae in streams and lakes in southeastern Ohio, andour newest faculty member, Harvey Ballard’s, studies ofviolets. We encourage you to join our list of loyaldonors by contributing to the research van project. Ifyou choose to donate to the van project, please sendthe check to the Ohio University Foundation, and clearly specifj in the accompanying letter and on thecheck For The Department of Environmental and Plant Biology.

I have enjoyed working with the faculty, staff, and students in the department this past year. Ourstaffis second to none in Ohio University. Judy Dowler, Mary Louise Trivett, Brenda Ingraham, BettyMoore, Harold Blazier, and Rudy Serbet have made my transition to the chair’s office much easier byperforming their duties with dedication and efficiency, and, in many cases, by going beyond what wasrequired ofthem. The faculty have been very understanding during this year of change: Theirprofessionalism makes representing the department within the university and beyond a pleasure.

With the addition ofHarvey Ballard to our faculty, we continue to maintain traditions that started175 years ago. Our predecessors laid the foundation for a strong department, and as we plan for the nextmillennium, I feel confident that we will continue to be a department that prepares students in the besttradition of a liberal education and in the latest methods for studying plant biology.We hope you enjoy this year’s newsletter. Please feel free to write or send e-mail ifyou have commentsabout it or our programs.

Cheers,James P. Braselton

Professor and Chair

NEW FACULTY MEMBER

The department is pleased to announce theaddition ofRARVEY E. BALLARD to the faculty.Harvey is an evolutionary systematist with researchinterests in the floristics, systematics, phylogeneticrelationships and biogeography of Viola and theViolaceae worldwide. Harvey received his BA inbiology from Kalamazoo College (1980) and his MSfrom Central Michigan University (1992) in botanyand entomology. His doctoral research atUniversity ofWisconsin, Madison (1996) was onphylogenetic relationships and infrageneric groups inViola based on morphology, chromosome numbers,natural hybridization and internal transcribed spacer(ITS) sequences. He arrives from a year’spostdoctoral position with alum DAVIDSPOONER (MS, 1976) where he was involved inphylogenetic analyses ofSolanum sect. Petota usingITS sequence data. Harvey brings to this position

both a strong teaching and research record and it isanticipated that he will be a valued member of thedepartment.

MIDCONTINENT PALEOBOTANICAL COLLOQUIUM

The Biodiversity Resource Group at OhioUniversity hosted the 14th annual MidcontinentalPaleobotanical Colloquium on May 9- 1 1 . TheMPC, the largest and oldest regional paleobotanicalmeeting in North America, was sponsored, in part,by the College of Arts and Sciences, theDepartment ofEnvironmental and Plant Biologyand the Office ofResearch and SponsoredPrograms, and was attended by 46 participantsfrom around the United States and Canada. TheFriday evening reception and mixer was held in therecently completed “Ridges Complex” where

attendees were free to visit the paleobotanical andinvertebrate paleontological repositories and thePaleobotanical Herbarium, home to some of thelargest and most extensively publishedpaleontological collections in North America. Thefacilities were particularly inviting due to the effortsofRAROLD BLAZIER, Greenhouse Manager,and SUSAN CALHOUN (BS, 1985), LandscapeCoordinator for Ohio University, who providednumerous plants as well as their considerableexpertise in decorating the courtyard, hallways andentrances.

On Saturday, a number of papers and posters, manyby students, were presented in the Environmentaland Plant Biology facilities in Porter Hall. AlumsCHARLIE GOOD (PhD, 1974) and JEMMICKLE (PhD, 1983) were particularly delightedto see the changes to Porter Hall. Keynotepresentations were given by two of America’spreeminent paleobotanists, Donald A. Eggert,University of Illinois, Chicago (“Paleobotany in the1960s”), and Aureal T. Cross, Michigan StateUniversity (“Paleobotany in the 1940s”). Eggertand Cross drew on their personal reminiscences andtheir vast slide collections to hold the attention ofthe audience with their numerous, and oftenhumorous, stories about many paleobotanists.

Sunday’s activities included a field trip to the UpperPennsylvanian Steubenville coal-ball locality, thebest known of all late Paleozoic wetland floras, anda digital imaging workshop that was held in thestate-of-the-art Ohio University Scientific ImagingFacility. An additional Sunday activity for many ofthe attendees was a trip back to The Ridges tophotograph the huge ovulate Gnetum in fullpollination-droplet mode that Harold had provided.

The organizers ofthis year’s MPC were: GAR W.ROTHELL, COOKIE TRIVETT, RUDYSERBET, and GENE and ROYAL MAPES.Three undergraduate PBIO majors, MICHELLESCHAFER, AMY FALDER, and MEGHANBLAKE provided outstanding assistance in both theplanning and the running ofthe colloquium.

AWARDS AND HONORS

Once again, the 1804 Lounge ofBaker Centerwas the site ofthe annual awards ceremony heldJune 6. Light refreshments preceded the ceremony

giving the faculty, staff and students a chance tochat and meet the parents of many of theundergraduate awardees. Associate DeanMaureen Weissenrieder ofthe College of Artsand Sciences joined us in honoring the student andfaculty recipients as awards were presented byJOHN P. MITCHELL and JAMES P.BRASELTON. . . .

LITndergraduate Awards .

Each year, the Distinguished Professors of • ..

Ohio University may each name a recipient of aDistinguishedProfessor Scholarship. NORMANS. COHN has again selected ERIKA K.CARLSON, a sophomore in the Honors-TutorialCollege to receive the scholarship. She is agraduate of Twin Valley South High School and isactive in the Society for Creative Anachronism. Hermost memorable event at Ohio University was aflight to Columbus for dinner on a clear night withthree friends aboard a four-seater plane. Herbotanical interests include soil science and waterpollution.

The C. Paul and Beth Stocker Scholarships areawarded each spring to first- and second-yearundergraduates. For the upcoming academic yearthe $1 1 1 8 scholarships are presented to:JENNIFER M. DEAN (Honors Tutorial College),CRAIG H. CONNOR (College ofArts andSciences), JASON J. ZAROS (College ofArtsand Sciences), JOANNA U. SCHAUB (College ofArts and Sciences), and HAROLD F. GILBERT(College ofArts and Sciences). Jennifer is agraduate ofMilford High School near Cincinnatiwith broad interests in environmental issues, forestecology and sustainability. She was attracted toOhio University primarily by the Honors Tutorialprogram but also appreciates the beauty of thecampus and surrounding areas as well as theaffordability ofthe school. Craig is a graduate ofWesterville South High School and is a second-time recipient of a Stocker Scholarship. Craig hasstrong interests in tropical rainforest ecology.Jason graduated from Morgan High School nearStockport. He considers Stalking the WildAsparagus by Euell Gibbons to be the mostinteresting botany book he has read thus far and isparticularly interested in medicinal and edibleplants.

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The Lela A. Ewers Science Scholarship recognizesa full-time undergraduate student on the Athenscampus in any field ofthe natural sciences asselected by the scholarship committee ofthe CollegeofArts and Sciences. BONNIE M. EMERICKhas been awarded $480 for 1997-98. Bonnie is agraduate ofFairview High School near Cleveland.In addition to her botanical interests in therainforests, she is a published journalist and isconsidering combining these two interests at thegraduate and professional level.

The Charles E. Miller Scholarship was instituted inmemory ofthe late Charles E. Miller who was aprofessor and long-time chairman within thedepartment. The scholarship fund provides supportfor plant biology majors. This year’s $645 awardgoes to KATHERINE M. ALERIC. She is fromHighland Heights near Cleveland and is interested inconservation and environmental sciences as well asmedicinal plants. She became interested in botanywhen she discovered how vital plants are to ourexistence and their many uses. She considers Plantsin Our World by Simpson and Connor-Ogorzaly tobe the best botany book she has read.

The Thomas M. Wolfe Scholarship honors Mr.Wolfe, a 1919 graduate of the university, and wasestablished by his wife, Edna. A total of sixmonetary awards are made from the fund each year,three to juniors and three to seniors. Two ofthe sixare awarded to plant biology students with strongacademic records and who show promise in the

areas ofconservation and ecology. This year’srecipients are JESSICA PAGE, a junior, andMICHELLE R. SCHAFER, a senior. Jessica isfrom Columbus and a graduate ofUpper ArlingtonHigh School. She was last year’s MillerScholarship recipient. Jessica was attracted toOhio University because it was a good distancefrom home, had a beautiful campus and wasrelatively affordable. Jessica would liked to havelived during the time ofDarwin and Wallace whenwhole parts ofthe world and their flora and faunawere becoming known. Michelle graduated fromSycamore High School near Cincinnati and was lastyear’s junior Wolfe awardee. She received the LelaEwers Scholarship her sophomore year. She seemsto be following in the footsteps of GRETCHENM. WALTERS (BS 1996) who was last year’ssenior Wolfe recipient; Michelle takes over the one-year internship at Planting Fields Arboretum onLong Island, New York, that was just vacated byGretchen (who has spent part ofthe summerstalking the wild Welwitschia in Namibia and claimsto have ‘captured’ one or more).

utstanding Graduating Seniors

Each year individual colleges within theuniversity honor an outstanding graduating seniorin each department. MICHELLE R. SCHAFER(College ofArts and Sciences) and MEGAN E.BACKUS (Honors Tutorial College) have beenrecognized as the outstanding Environmental andPlant Biology graduates. Megan is a graduate ofHawken School near Mentor and was attracted to

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Ohio University by the Honors Tutorial College.She is interested in physiological plant ecology andregards Perspectives on Plant Competition byGrace and Tilman as the best botany book she hasread.

}:oung Botanists Awards

The Botanical Society of America recognizes,through its Young Botanists Awards, outstandinggraduating seniors who show promise in the field ofbotany. This year, MICHELLE R. SCHAFERand MEGHAN E. BACKUS have been selectedfrom Ohio University.

raduate Awards

This year’s recipient ofthe department’sOutstanding Teaching Award is JEFF SCHMELA,MS student in Dr. McCarthy’s lab. His goals are tobe a high school biology teacher. The award waspresented by Associate Dean MaureenWeissenrieder. DAN MORAN received a PhiDelta Theta scholarship awarded annually to a malegraduate student in “applied research (exceptgenetics).” Dan was not present to receive hisaward because he spent the year as a FulibrightScholar in Australia.

meritus Faculty

ARTHUR H. BLICKLE was presented witha bronze plaque reading:

to be placed with the tricolor beech, Fagussylvatica ‘Roseo-marginata’, previously planted inhis honor in the center ofthe lower Botany Garden.

NORMAN S. COHN was presented with a bronzeplaque reading:

Dr. Cohn chose a yellow-flowered saucer magnolia,Magnolia x soulangiana ‘Elizabeth’ which hasbeen planted in the Botany Garden on the slopenear Scott Quad.

We currently are on a search for the tree requestedby J. HERBERT GRAFFRJS, a winter-hardyvariety (possibly ‘Moscow’) of an Oriental planetree, Platanus orientalis. This is reputed to be thetree under which Socrates taught and one of theparents ofthe London plane tree, Platanus xacerfolia. Both P. acerifolia and its other parent,P. occidentalis occur on campus, and having allthree could be of botanical interest. The P.orientalis trees at Dawes Arboretum have beenremoved because they suffered winter die-back. Ifanyone knows of a source for a hardy variety,

DEDICATED TO

Arthur H. Buckle

ASSOCIATh PROFESSOR OF BOTANY1940-1980

“MENTOR & FRIEND TO THREEGENERATIONS OF OU STUDENTS”

Michelle Schafer andMeghan Backus

DEDICATED TO

Norman S. Cohn

DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR OF BOTANY1959 - 1995

“HIS HUMOR KEEPS OUR INTEREST”

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please contact us with the information. A bronzeplaque reading:

awaits the successfial culmination ofthis search.

GRANTS

GAR ROTHWELL received an OhioUniversity Baker Fund Award in the amount of$4,780 to fund museum studies in Russia as part ofan investigation of Permo/Carboniferousconiferophytes of Texas and Russia.

GAR ROTHWELL and GENE MAPES wereawarded $ 1 0, 1 50 supplemental support to theirongoing $95,000 grant from the National ScienceFoundation to fund data collection in China thiswinter as part oftheir world-wide study of thephylogeny of coniferophytic seed plants.

GENE and ROYAL MAPES received a BakerAward of$8,430 for a multiple test ofa model ofpreservation for terrestrial plants in the marineenvironment based on anoxic events in the DevonianofMorocco.

BRIAN C. McCARTHY received a $5,800supplement to his USDA, Forest Service grant onestimating canopy openness and seasonal solarradiation on the Wayne National Forest usinghemispherical photography, bringing the ongoinggrant total to about $20,000 over three years. Hiscontinuing research on long-term vegetationdynamics and understory survey ofDysart Woodsearned a $500 grant from Ohio Biological Survey.Dr. McCarthy received an Ohio University, Arts &Sciences, Faculty Development grant for $885 toattend the “Annual North American DendrologicalField Week” at the H.J. Andrews ExperimentalForest, Oregon.

JAN SALICK received $4, 1 00 from the OhioUniversity Baker Fund to support her faculty leaveresearch on ecological ethnobotany.

ALLAN M. SHOWALTER received a $6,966Ohio University Research Committee grant to fundhis investigation ofDNA cloning andcharacterization ofthe major plant cell wall proteinextensin P1.

MORGAN VIS-CH1ASSONreceived $500 fromthe Ohio Biological Survey to study the aquaticflora ofthe Hocking River Drainage Basin and wasawarded an Ohio University Faculty DevelopmentGrant for $1 167 to attend a course at the HumboldtField Research Institute, Sternberg, Maine, on thesystematics ofbryophytes and to collect seaweedsfor use in phycology.

GIFTS TO THE DEPARTMENT

In the past year, monetary gifts to thedepartment have been used at the Botany Gardenand Greenhouse to construct two circular walledbeds with included benches in the upper garden,and to construct a low wall for the long bedfronting the greenhouse. Additionally, funds wereused to purchase a Mantis tiller and trimmer tomake maintenance ofthe garden easier. Gifts tothe department provided plaques to the junior andsenior students with the top projects at the DistrictScience Fair as well as plaques to the winners’schools. Contributions may be made to thedepartment in general or may be directed toward aspecific purpose. The following accounts havebeen set up to reflect this:

Arthur H. Buckle Botany Scholarship for women.Charles E. Miller Sholarship for undergraduates.Lee and Irene Roach Graduate Fund for cellular

and molecular biology graduate studentresearch.

Monroe T. Vermilion Scholarship forundergraduates.

Plant Biology Faculty Memorial Scholarship forgraduate students.

The Field Vehicle Project. As mentioned in theChair’ s Report, we are in need of a newfield/research vehicle, and will be settingaside unspecified donations this year towardits purchase.

DEDICATED TO

J. Herbert Graffius

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF BOTANY1962-1996

“WHILE WE TEACH WE LEARN”

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Rev. Paul AshbrookLois Jeanne BartellisTimothy J. BellWilliam L. Jr. & Kathleen BirchMargaret Scaggs & Dustin

BonecutterDavid Marc BrownPaula S. BurlesonRobert

A. CheneveyJohn E. DentiThomas A. DoktorTerrence

K. FoxRobert G. & Bonnie FraschRoger J. FurbeeWilliam Galloway, Jr.Gene & Robert Garn

Barbara J. GrottaDavid I. HallEric Sean HartGary B. HermannHersey Foods Corp.Joyce & John JonesLaurence & Elizabeth LarsonGerry McClellanJames E. MickleWayne A. MiettyPatrick B. MikesellLarry & Cynthia NelsonFrancis & Gloria NussbaumJulianna PageMr. & Mrs. Louis PilchBoyd W. Post

Thaddeus R. PreisnerRichard 0. RatzelJohn RiceMichael D. RossSusan Elaine RothIvan K. & Lynn SmithAndrew & Michele SwansonBertalan L. SzaboMr. & Mrs. Steve TarrIrwin & Ana UngarMartin A. VaughanRev. Arthur G. VermillionThomas L. & Chen Zhao

VierhellerWestvaco FoundationWarren & Jean Wistendahl

Molly Mayo TampkeAssistant Dean for Development

College ofArts and Sciences, Wilson HallOhio University

Athens, OH 45701(614) 593-2843

FACULTY AND STAFF NEWS

HAROLD BLAZIER, Greenhouse Manager,participated in the inaugural meeting oftheInternational Carnivorous Plant Society held at theAtlanta Botanical Garden in May. Although Mr.Blazier has been successful in establishing a raisedbog garden in the lower botany garden and hasbecome quite proficient in propagation andcultivation of a variety of carnivorous plants in thegreenhouse, he was amazed to see many of thenatural stands of pitcher plants encountered on thefield trips. He recently returned from the meetingofthe Association ofEducation and ResearchGreenhouse Curators held at Rutgers University.Mr. Blazier reports that while many universitieshave much larger and more technologicallysophisticated research facilities, the diversity of ourteaching collections is enviable. He also enhancesthe visibility ofthe department at the annualWomen in Science program. Visitors to our displayare evident all over campus as they carry bloomingplants grown from cuttings in the greenhouse.

DR. PHILIP CANTINO has been on FacultyFellowship leave this year, continuing his researchon the systematics ofthe Lamiaceae. He has splithis time between Athens and Harvard where he wasappointed an Associate ofthe Arnold Arboretum forthe year. He has focused on two projects: a regionaltaxonomic treatment ofthe Lamiaceae for theGeneric Flora ofthe Southeastern United Statesand a global treatment ofthe Phrymaceae and 49genera ofLamiaceae for Families and Genera of ;

Vascular Plants (a world flora project administeredin Germany). This research has been supported bygrants from the Ohio University ResearchCommittee, Harvard’s Mercer Fund, and a NationalScience Foundation grant to the Generic FloraProject through the University ofFlorida. In June,Phil presented a paper to the Society of SystematicBotanists in which he used the systematics of thegenus Caryopteris (Lamiaceae) to illustrate theinadequacy of the traditional Linnaean system ofbinomial nomenclature to accommodate uncertaintyabout relationships in a phylogenetic classification.Dr. Cantino is on the Editorial Board ofSystematicBiology. More locally, Dr. Cantino is a member of

We recognize the following alumni and friends who contributed to the department during the past year. Asalways, we respect the wishes of donors who wish anonymity. However, ifyour name should but does not appear onthis list, please call this to our attention so we may correct the omission.

Another venue of departmental support isavailable through planned gifts, such as willbequests and insurance policies. Ifyou would likemore information about these, or other gifts, pleasecontact:

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the Citizen Advisory Committee for the AthensCounty Bike Path and has assisted the OhioDepartment ofTransportation by searching theproposed route ofthe bike path for uncommonnative plants that warrant protection. BENTORKE currently is writing up his research on thesystematics ofSalvia section Ekmania (Lamiaceae)and is expected to complete his MS soon. Hegained a good deal ofteaching experience springquarter, serving as instructor in both Plants andPeople (PBIO 103) on the Athens campus andSpring Flora (PBIO 225) on the Zanesville campus.MEGHAN BLAKE, an undergraduate, completedtwo research projects on Triosteum(Caprifoliaceae): a phenetic analysis ofmorphological variationamong the three Ohiospecies, and a set of artificial pollinationexperiments to see whether the species areinterfertile. She reported the results ofboth studiesat the Pennsylvania Natural History Conference inApril.

DR. JAMES CAVENDER reports that over 300plants were identified while new experiences weretoo numerous to mention for members ofthe week-long Integrative Tropical Plant Biology Class inBelize this year. They enjoyed excellent weatherexcept for a few rainy days at BARC (BelizeAgroforestry Research Center). Dr. Cavenderpresented “Dictyostelid Cellular Slime Molds of theAmazon Basin ofPeru” to the Mycological Societyof America, demonstrating that the reputation ofthe Amazonian Basin for diversity is well supportedby the dictyostelids. He completed a manuscriptwith former students ANDREW SWANSON (MS,1991) and EDUARDO VADELL (MS. 1993) onthe global distribution offorest soil dictyostelidswhich summarizes a lifetime of work. MS student,JIM SPURNEY, continues his research project inconjunction with Eladio Pop, a Mayan farmer, to

, . determine if his slash and mulch technique issustainable.

JUDY BOWLER and BRENDA INGRAHAMcontinue to hone their computer skills, particularlythose pertaining to the wide-world-web, throughclasses and intensive usage, especially with theinclusion of our colloquium program and all coursesyllabi on our departmental home page.

ELIZABETH ‘BETTY’ MOORE remains incontrol ofthe stockroom and general lab prep. In

addition, she has been instrumental in the extensiverevamping ofthe BIOL 101 lab series with Dr.Braselton.

GAR ROTHWELL began using the World WideWeb for teaching as did several other facultymembers this year and is developing interactiveinternet procedures for remote teaching. Theseprocedures will be tested Winter Quarter fromMcMurdo Base, Antarctica. Garcontinues asDirector ofthe Scientific Imaging Facility andconducted the first digital imaging workshop as partofthe MPC. He served on the Scientific OrganizingCommittee for the 1999 International BotanicalCongress and was co-organizer ofa 1997 AIBSsymposium on “Relationships and Fossil History ofFerns.” RUDOLPH SERBET completed his PhDon Upper Cretaceous “dinosaur fodder’ vegetationfrom western Canada and now is paleobotanicalcollections manager at the University ofKansas. Inthe fall, AMY FALDER (BS 1997)joins the lab asan MS student.

JAN SALICK is spending the 1997-98 academicyear on leave at Kew Botanic Garden, Richmond,UK. In addition to working on a book aboutecological ethnobotany, Jan will be active in theSociety ofEconomic Botany, ofwhich she isPresident-Elect. Her research with local, nativeeconomic plants was rewarded this past year by agrant from USDA to Understory,Inc., that willsupport Jan’s, and some ofher students’, researchprojects.

DR. ALLAN M. SHOWALTER and his studentscontinue to use molecUlar and biochemical methodsto investigate the structure, expression, and functionofplant cell wall proteins (i.e., arabinogalactanproteins, peroxidases, proteins involved with thestress-induced oxidative burst, and changes in geneexpression and wall composition in response to salttreatment). Doctoral student MINGGENG GAOis working on the isolation and characterization of anovel tomato arabinogalactan protein (LeAGP-1)from tomato cell cultures and itsimmunocytochemical localization in tomato plants.MELANIE McLOUGHLIN is a summerundergraduate research student (SURF) fromDennison University in a program funded throughthe Molecular and Cellular Biology Program. She isworking with Minggeng on the LeAGP-1 proteinbased on the gene cloning work performed as part

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ofthe dissertation research of SHU-XIA LI (PhD1996). In a related project, BIN SHUI ischaracterizing LeAGP-1 cDNA clones from tomatocell cultures and is expressing these cDNAs in E.coil in order to get the unmodified LeAGP- 1 coreprotein. Using this core protein, it is possible toexamine how plants extensively modify this proteincore by hydroxylation ofproline residues, forminghydroxyproline, and extensive glycosylation(addition ofarabinose and galactose in particular).LILY WANG continues work on a project incollaboration with Dr. Ungar involving salt-inducedphysiological and molecular changes in thehalophyte, Atropiex triangularis. AYYAPPANNAIR completed his PhD dissertation “A Wound-Inducible Peroxidase and Oxidative Burst inCarrots” in April, was married in June in India, andstarted his post-doctoral position at the UniversityofPennsylvania in July. A very busy fellow!

ARTHUR TRESE and his students continue workon the genetics ofnodulation, including a newproject arising from a mutant plant that appeared inone ofLORI SPARGROVE’s experiments. Lorifinished her MS this year and, after working in theDepartment of Chemistry here, is now happilyworking in a position at Children’s Hospital inColumbus. DENNIS BISHOP is enjoying thechallenge ofteaching high school and will submithis thesis for defense this fall. GUO WEI and •

LILI LUI are new doctoral students in the lab.This summer, MARY STANTON was an MCBSURF student working on bean mutants and isconsidering an MS in Plant Pathology.

DR. IRWIN UNGAR and his students maintaintheir interest in the ecology of plants growing inextreme environments, with one oftheir ongoingprojects involving the effects of salinity stress onthe seed germination and growth oftemperate andtropical halophytes. Dr. Ungar remains director ofthe Dysart Woods Laboratory (see related articleelsewhere in newsletter). Doctoral student TODDEGAN has defined the effects of several salt typeson the seed germination and growth of4trzpiexprostrata. He is interested in determining if the levelofbetaine increases in Atripiex under various typesof salt stress. MS student, ROSS McCAULEY, isstudying the demography ofFroeiichiafloridana, arare and endangered species in Ohio. It is restrictedto one small location in the eastern part ofthe state.Ross will determine the effects of competition on its

growth and survival. The number of seeds in theseed bank also will be determined prior to the springgermination period and during the summer.CHRISTY TUCKER CARTER, MSES student isinvestigating the effects of forest plantings on spoilbanks after thirty years ofgrowth. She isdetermining tree survival and the relative cover ofshrubs and herbs at several sites. The relationshipbetween above ground vegetation and the seed bankalso will be assessed. Dr. Ungar would like toacknowledge undergraduates Meghan Backus,Rebecca Mulaney, and Jennifer Dean for theassistance they have given him and his graduatestudents this year. Meghan has enjoyed countingSailcornia and Atripiex seeds in the salt marshinvestigation. ‘Becca’ has quite agreen thumb andwas able to get Poiygonum aviculare to germinatewithout the usual 90 day stratification period. Acidscarification of seeds is just NOT her thing. Jenniferwas very helpful in the spoil bank tree survivalanalysis and as a bonus gained a great deal ofrespect for Rhus radicans.

DR. MORGAN L. VIS-CHL&SSON has had aproductive first year in the department. Shereceived a grant from the Ohio Biological Survey tostudy the aquatic flora ofthe Hocking RiverDrainage Basin and has found numerous taxa in acidmine and pristine streams. MS student, BOBVERB, is documenting the biodiversity along anacid mine drainage-to-pristine stream gradient.AMY STEVENS, MSES student, has begun herresearch on the effects of zinc and manganese on theChlorophyte, Mougeotia. Dr. Vis-Chiasson isconcentrating her research efforts this summer ondeveloping molecular tools (amplified fragmentlength polymorphisms) to investigate stream algalpopulations. In addition, she attended a course onbryophyte systematics in Maine, funded by a facultydevelopment grant. She also collected seaweeds toadd to her teaching collection. She reports that themost important thing she learned from teachingphycology this year is “Don’t use Uncle Ben’s (non-sticky) rice in sushi!”

ECENT PUBLICATIONS

Braselton, J.P., M.J. Wilkinson, and S.A. Clulow. 1996.Feulgen staining of intact plant tissues for

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confocal microscopy. Biotechnic &Histochemistry 71:84-87.

Cantino, PD., R.G. Olmstead and S.J. Wagstaff. 1997.A comparison ofphylogenetic nomenclaturewith the current system: a botanical case study.Systematic Botany 46:313-331.

Greer, O.K., R.M. Lloyd and B.C. McCarthy. 1997.Factors influencing the distribution ofpteridophytes in a mixed mesophytic forest.Journal ofthe Torrey Botanical Society 124(1):1 1—21.

Holt, B. and OW. Rothwell. 1997. Is Ginkgo bilobareally an oviparous plant? American Journal ofBotany 84:870-872.

Keiffer, C.H. and l.A. Ungar. 1997. The effect ofcompetition and salinity on shoot biomass andion accumulation of five inland halophytes.Canadian Journal ofBotany 75:96-107.

Keiffer, C.H. and IA. Ungar. 1997. The effect ofextended exposure to hypersaline conditions onthe germination offive inland halophyte species.American Journal ofBotany 83:104-111.

Khan, M.A. and IA. Ungar 1996. Influence of salinityand temperature on the germination ofHaloxylon recurvum Bunge ex. Bois. Annals ofBotany 78:547-55 1 .

Khan, M.A. and l.A. Ungar. 1997. Effects ofthermoperiod on recovery of seed germination ofhalophytes from saline conditions. AmericanJournal ofBotany 84:279-283.

LePage, B.A., R.S. Currah, R.A. Stockey and OW.Rothwell. 1997. Fossil ectomycorrhizae from theMiddle Eocene. American Journal ofBotany84:355-368.

Li, S. and AM. Showalter. 1996. Cloning anddevelopmentallstress-regulated expression of agene encoding a tomato arabinogalactan protein.PlantMolecular Biology 32:641-652.

Li, S. and AM. Showalter. 1996. Immunolocalization ofextensin and potato tuber lectin in carrot,tomato, and potato. Physiologia Plantarum97:708-718.

Mapes, O.K., OW. Rothwell, and RH. Mapes. 1996.Anatomically preserved Vojnovskyalean seedplants in Upper Pennsylvanian (Stephanian)marine shales ofNorth America. Journal ofPaleontology, 83:1083-1090.

McCarthy, B.C. and DR. Bailey. 1996. Composition,structure, and disturbance history of CrabtreeWoods: an old-growth forest of westernMaryland. Bulletin ofthe Torrey BotanicalClub 123(4): 350-365.

McCarthy, B.C. 1997. Response ofa forest understorycommunity to experimental removal of aninvasive non-indigenous plant (Alliaria

petiolata, Brassicaceae). Pp. 1 17-130. In JO.Luken and J.W. Thieret (eds.) Assessment andManagemeent ofPlant Invasions. Springer-Verlag, New York.

Mutchnick, P.A. and B.C. McCarthy. 1997.Ethnobotanical analysis oftree species in thesubtropical moist forests of Petén, Guatemala.Economic Botany 5 1:158-183.

Nair, AR. and A. M. Showalter. 1996. Purification andcharacterization of awound-inducible cell wallcatiomc peroxidase from carrot roots.Biochemical and Biophysical ResearchCommunications 226:254-260.

Robbins, R.K. and J.P. Braselton. 1997. Ultrastructureand classification ofthe genus Sorodiscus(Plasmodiophoromycetes). Mycotaxon 61:327-334.

Rothwell, OR. 1996. Phylogenetic relationships of ferns:a paleobotanical perspective. Pp. 395-404. InJ.M. Camus, M. Gibby and R.J. Johns (eds.)Pteridology in Perspective. Royal BotanicGarden, Kew.

Rothwell, OW. 1996. Pteridophytic evolution: an oftenunderappreciated phytological success’ story.Review ofPaleobotany and Palynology 90:410-412.

Rothwell, G.W., 0. Mapes and R. Mapes. 1996. LatePaleozoic conifers ofNorth America: Strucutre,diversity and occurrences. Review ofPaleobotany andPalynology 95:95-113.

Sollars, S., D. Wilson, K. Smith, S. Li, and J.P.Braselton. 1997. Using a household juiceextractor for introductory cell biologylaboratories: an example of DNA extraction fromonion bulbs. Journal ofNatural Resources andLfe Sciences Education 26:71-72.

Stockey, R.A. and G.W. Rothwell. 1997. The aquaticangiosperm Trapago angulata from the UpperCretaceous (Maastrichtian) St. Mary RiverFormation of southern Alberta. InternationalJournal ofPlant Sciences 158:83-94 and JournalCover Photograph.

Stockey, R.A., G.L. Hoffman and OW. Rothwell. 1997.The fossil monocot Limhobiophyllum scutatum:Resolving the phylogeny of Lemnaceae.American Journal ofBotany 84:355-368.

Trivett, M.L. 1997. The archaeopteroid model ofbranching. Pp. 57-62. In: R. Leary (ed.) Patternsin Paleobotany: Proceedings ofa Czech-US.Carboniferous Paleobotany Workshop. IllinoisState Museum.

Ungar, IA. 1996. Germination responses of thesubtropical annual halophyte Zygophyllumsimplex. Seed Science and Technology.

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Ungar, l.A. and S.R.J. Woodell. 1996. Similarity of seedbanks to aboveground vegetation in grazed andungrazed salt marsh communities on the GowerPeninsula, South Wales. International JournalofPlant Sciences 157:746-749.

STIJTWNTS COMPLETINGDEGREES

BA: Michelle Corner, Wendy Kepler, MatthewStidham

BS: Kelly Coates, Arny Falder, Julie Matheny, JennyMorrison, Michelle Schafer, David Ward

MS: Wendy Grant, Sanford Kohorst, Edward Pfeffer,Arthur ‘Bill’ Shores, Eon Spargrove, GrattanWelch

MS, Non-thesis: Lonnie DrouhardPhD: Ayyappan Nair

VISITORS TO THE DEPART-MENT

Harvey E. Ballard, University ofWisconsmRobin L. Chazdon, University of ConnecticutBarbara J. Christ, Pennsylvania State UniversityDiane Elam, U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceDavid A. Franko, Miami UniversityFrank Gilliam, Marshall UniversityLinda E. Graham, University ofWisconsmTimothy A. Johns, McGill UniversityDavid M. Johnson, Ohio Wesleyan UniversityKelly Johnson, Michigan State UniversityRex L. Lowe, Bowling Green State UniversityStephen J. Novak, Boise State UniversityChris J. Peterson, University of GeorgiaDavid Somers, Scripps Research InstituteDavid M. Spooner, University ofWisconsmDeborah H. Stinner, OARC, WoosterFrank W. Telewski, Michigan State UniversityE. 0. Wilson, Harvard UniversityCharles R. Werth, Texas Tech University

ALUMNI NEWS

ANN BARTUSKA (MS, 1977) was electedVice President for Public Affairs of the EcologicalSociety of America.

LARRY CRIBBEN (PhD, 1972), first doctoralstudent in our program, is retiring after teaching for

25 years in the Department ofBiology, MontclairState University.

PAUL GOLDSTEIN (MS, 1975) is currentlyProfessor of Genetics in the Department ofBiological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso,and Professor of Anesthesiology at Texas Tech.Medical School. He recently was appointed to theNational Conference ofLawyers and Scientistswhich is comprised of six American Bar Association(ABA) members and six AAAS scientists.Additionally, he was appointed to the ABA Sectionon Science and Technology.

MERI HOLTZMEIER (BS, 1994) recentlycompleted her MS in botany at the University ofFlorida where her thesis concerned the systematicsand anatomy of a tropical genus of orchids. She willpursue her PhD at Florida and will probably choosea research project that combines systematics andeconomic botany.

KONRAD T. KMETZ (BS, 1969) recalls that his“best memories from OU are Herbert Graffius’morphology courses and working for the late M.T.Vermillion who introduced me to plant pathologyand got me a summer job job at OARDC in Woosterwhich laid the foundation for my contacts in plantpath and my eventual advanced degrees.” Konradwent on to receive a MS and a PhD in plantpathology from Ohio State and in 1989 received theDistinguished Alumni Award from the College ofAgriculture. He has had a 21 year career in research,development and registration of agriculturalproducts with E.I. DuPont and presently hasresponsibility for Research and Development in AsiaPacific programs with emphasis on India, China,Pakistan, Vietnam and Indonesia. He and his wife,Marilyn, their son, Brian (15), and daughter Colleen(12) are involved in sports’and scouting.

CURT LEBEN (BS, 1940) writes that in 1940, theDepartment ofBotany was located in the oldAgricultural Sciences Building (Tupper Hall) andhad a faculty ofthree: Dr. Matheny, Dr. Boetbigerand Mr. Vermillion. Curt recalls that “Theprofessor who taught me the most was Mr.Vermillion. He exposed me to plant pathology in acourse that forever changed my life.” Afteracquiring a PhD and his wife of 52 years from theUniversity ofWisconsin, he taught at the UniversityofWisconsih before joining Eli Lilly Co. where he

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helped develop a new laboratory for discoveringagricultural chemicals. Curt eventually went toOhio State as Professor and, at one time, AssociateChair ofPlant Pathology. He reports that he is“retired and enjoying life!” and that “As I near year80, I think back on the labs and lecture rooms in theAgricultural Science Building and think back to mycourses with fondness, and especially ofMr.Vermillion.”

SHU-XJA LI (PhD, 1996) is continuing her post-doctoral work at the Yale University School ofMedicine.

JIM MICKLE (PhD, 1983), Associate ProfessorofBotany at North Carolina State University, hasjust finished serving as President ofthe NorthCarolina Academy of Science. He continues hisyearly involvement in the museum design project atthe University ofNaples begun in 1986. He and hiswife, Karen, have a 5 year-old son, Robert.

NOEL STUDER (BS, 1995) reports on numerousinterests in Senegal, Afrique de 1’Ouest, includingcollaborating with the Canadian funded forestryproject and the Senegalese agriculture bureau to puttogether a soil degradation/composting seminar, aswell as erosion intervention projects such as windbreaks and contour vegetation strips. She also istraining women to instruct others in building energyefficient mud stoves consisting of a simple collararound cooking fires that reduces fuel woodconsumption by 50-66%. She is introducing anumber of new vegetables and the concept ofcooking with herbs. They are enjoying basil, garlic,sun-dried tomato bread from their newly-constructed bread oven. Additionally, Noel isembarking on her first solar cooking adventure andhopes to be cooking everything from beans and riceto chicken with the oh-so-plentiful sunshine. Sheexhorts us to “Keep up the good work, thank Godyou were born where you were, and give yourstudents a pop quiz just to remind them how luckythey are to be at a university.”

JACK SUTHERLAND (MS, 1960) was awardedthe Memorial Medal by the Forestry and GameManagement Research Institute (FGMRI), CzechRepublic. Dr. Sutherland, a forest pathologist atApplied Forest Science, Victoria, B.C., Canada,was cited for his long-term involvement andcollaboration with researchers at FGMRI.

MILESTONES

Ann Todd, Dundee, Scotland, and JAMESP. BRASELTON, were married on May 16, 1997.

JOHN STRYKER (MS. 1995) and his wife Jamieannounce the birth oftheir daughter Chloe Celeste(7 lbs., 2/4 ozs.) on May 23, 1997.

DANffL P. DYLEWSKI (MS. 1976; PhD,1981).We recently received word ofDan’s death severalyears ago following an extended illness. He hadheld post-doctoral positions at Purdue Universityand Virginia Tech. and research positions at KsaftFoods and Auburn University.

CHARLES H. DUNN (BS, Agriculture, 1950).We just received word ofMr. Dunn’s passing in1995. Mrs. Dunn reports that in addition toteaching in the Morgan County schools for severalyears, he also held various auditor positions, both atthe county and state level, as well as other electedoffices. She recalls that he “often would speak ofDr. Blickle and the influence that Professor Bucklehad on his life.”

MILTON E. ROUSH (BS, Agriculture, 1946) diedin 1994. He had been area supervisor of theFarmers Home Administration for 16 counties inOhio prior to his retirement. Mrs. Roush relatesthat she and Mr. Roush were long-time friends ofDr. and Mrs. Blickle.

ATWELL WALLACE, Professor ofBotany(1946-1978), passed away last September after abriefillness. Following his chairmanship of thedepartment from 1957-1962, he was chair of theDepartment of Science at Olunloyo University ofIbadan, Nigeria (1962-1964). He was a fellow ofthe Ohio Academy of Science and a member ofSigma Xi. He is survived by his wife, Geraldine, twodaughters, two sons and 10 grandchildren.

STIJDENT OUTCOMEASSESSMENT

Beginning in 1995/96, Ohio University has requireddepartments to file annual student outcomeassessment reports with their respective Deans. Forthe first phase of departmental assessment, weinitiated entrance and exit examinations to see howour courses affect the knowledge base of our

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students. It will be several years before we haveenough data to report thefindings of theexaminations. In addition to the examinations, thispast year we implemented exit interviews of allgraduating seniors. The students were very candidabout their experiences at Ohio University—it wasrefreshing to get their viewpoints about how thedepartment organizes it courses, sets variousrequirements, and advises students about careers.Most ofthe new graduates recognized that astrength ofthe department is the opportunity forundergraduates to experience first-handfundamental research into plant biology. Of all thecourses in the baccalaureate programs,undergraduate research (PBIO 404) continues to bethe course that most significantly influences howstudents in the department view plant biology as adiscipline.

The graduating seniors also emphasized that we, asa department, could do more to informundergraduates of careers available to plant biologygraduates. We will attempt to bring speakers tocampus who may help students select careers, and,when appropriate, to introduce career options intoour courses.

As part ofthe annual assessment procedure, thedepartment would like to include feedback fromalumni. We particularly are interested in how yourexperience in plant biology at Ohio Universityinfluenced you in your career. Ifyou have advice topasson to our students about selecting careers aftermajoring in environmental and plant biology, by allmeans, let us know. We will read all of yourcomments, and ifpossible, use them to improve ourprograms.

DYSART WOODS AND COALMININGDysart Woods in Belmont County has received

attention in the news this past year. (The latestarticle that appeared prior to this newsletter was inThe Columbus Dispatch, Page 1, Sunday, August10.) The 455 acre forest contains virgin timberwith some trees estimated to be over 300 years old.Ohio University, by agreement with The NatureConservancy, has undertaken the responsibility ofpreserving this outstanding remnant of themagnificent forests that once covered much of Ohioand eastern United States. The recognition of

Dysart Woods as a National Natural Landmark bythe U.S. Department ofthe Interior underscores theimportance ofpreserving the woods in its naturalstate. No cutting oftrees is permitted and fallenlogs remain to decompose and thus continue thenever-ending cycling of minerals through successivegenerations of plants.

The director for Dysart Woods for a number ofyears wasWARREN WISTENDAHL (Professorof Botany, Emeritus), and more recently has beenIRWIN UNGAR. Both Dr. Ungar and BRIAN C.McCARTHY continue to use Dysart Woods forecology courses and research.

Mining interests, however, potentially threatenDysart Woods. Ohio Valley Coal Company hasapplied for permits that would allow for longwallmines to be as close as four-tenths of a mile fromDysart Woods. Gary North, Vice-President forAdministration for Ohio University, has set up asteering committee of interested members of theAthens community, residents ofBelmont County,and faculty and staff of Ohio University includingIrwin Ungar. Major concerns are that longwallingmay alter the water table which could significantlyaffect the woods.

To emphasize the importance ofDysart Woods toOhio University and the rest of Ohio, OhioUniversity has hired Chad Kister, an Ohio Universitygraduate student, to monitor the Dysart Woodsconcerns, and David Northrup, a Columbusattorney, to represent Ohio University as it works tosecure a buffer zone around Dysart Woods.

Lisa Morris, ChiefDivision ofMines and Reclamation1855 Fountain Square Court, Bldg. H-3Columbus, OH 45266

The first public hearing on one of Ohio Valley CoalCompany’s permits is scheduled for August 4, whichis about the time this newsletter goes to press. Ifyou are concerned about mining near DysartWoods, feel free to express your concerns to:

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Name Lab/Office

DIRECTORY: FACULTY & STAFF

Telephone Internet Address

H.E. BallardH.W. BlazierJ.P. BraseltonPD. CantmoJ.c. CavenderN.S. CohnJ.E. DowlerJ.H. GraffiusB.S. IngrahamG.K. Mapes

[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@oak.cats.ohiou.edudowlerjoak.cats.ohiou.edugraffluhoak.cats.ohiou.eduingrahamoak.cats.ohiou.edumapesgoak.cats.ohiou.edu

BC. McCarthyJ.P. MitchellED. MooreG.W. Rothwell

Porter 510BotResFac 204Porter 406Porter 411Porter 309Porter 307DPorter 317Porter 307CPorter 315A03 PresStCtrRidges Bid 7Porter 416Porter 508Porter 302A/303BPorter 401Ridges Bid 7Porter 405Porter 504Porter 512Porter 500Porter 315BPorter 419Porter 400Porter 317

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mccarthyoak.cats.ohiou.edumitche1joak.cats.ohiou.edumooreel@[email protected]

J. SalickA.M. ShowaiterI.K. SmithA.T. TreseM.L. Trivettl.A. UngarM. Vis-ChiassonDept. OfficeDept. FAX

[email protected]@[email protected]@oak.cats.ohiou.edutrivett@oak.cats.ohiou.eduungaroak.cats.ohiou.eduvis-chia@[email protected]. edu

* Chair ** Graduate Chair

World Wide Web: http://www.piantbio.ohiou.edu/index.htm

Betty Moore, Cookie Trivett, Jim Braselton, Harold Blazier and Judy Dowler