BRONFMAN SCIENCE CENTER PROGRAMS

Serving as the home of the Computer Science, Mathematics, and Psychology departments, as well as providing offices and research laboratories for faculty representing all the other science departments, Bronfman Science Center fosters interdisciplinary interaction among all members of the Science Division. This interaction is facilitated through the sharing of core research equipment and services; through interdepartmental programs; and, to a great extent, by the spatial juxtaposition of faculty with common interests regardless of their departmental affiliation. Several Science Center activities promote this further by specifically encouraging discourse among scientists at Williams. This is carried out in many ways, including informal faculty presentations at Tuesday lunches (both during the summer and academic year), the maintenance of a weekly science calendar, the publication of the Report of Science at Williams, and the faculty lectures sponsored each semester by the local Sigma Xi chapter.
The programs based in the Bronfman Science Center lie at the heart of the Science Division. It is here that we carry out such vital functions as the coordination of grant proposals to federal agencies and private foundations, the distribution of more than $200,000 of research funds annually, and the allocation of space within the science division. In 1998-99, individual Williams College science faculty received over $1,000,000 from active federal grants for the purchase of equipment and support of student-faculty research projects. The faculty and student research projects and summer research opportunities supported by internal divisional funds, as well as those supported by external grants, are detailed below and in the various departmental reports.

Student Summer Research Participation

Summer Research Fellowships were awarded to 140 students at Williams in 1999. Many of the summer research students were entering their senior year and beginning work that will lead to senior honors research. A large number of research fellowships were awarded to rising sophomores and juniors who were getting their first taste of independent research. The summer research program also included some students from outside Williams. Ten students from a variety of other institutions were sponsored by NSF-REU site grants to the math and physics departments and worked with Williams College math and physics faculty members. As participants in a chemistry department exchange program, two students from the University of Leiden worked with chemistry professors at Williams while two Williams chemistry majors worked with professors at the University of Leiden.
The summer is a relaxed, yet concentrated time for research, without the competition of course work to interrupt collaborative efforts between students and faculty. In addition to the actual research experience, Bronfman Science Center sponsors a weekly Tuesday luncheon featuring a member of the faculty lecturing on current research, an annual science division picnic, and a poster session at the end of the summer where summer research students present their results.
Support for summer research--a $3000 stipend for 10 weeks plus housing--came from a variety of sources including College funds, external grants to individual faculty, foundation grants, and endowed fellowships provided by generous donations from alumni and friends of the sciences. The Wege-Markgraf endowment, gifts from Peter Wege and the class of 1952 in honor of Hodge Markgraf (class of ’52), Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, supports summer research fellowships in chemistry. The Betty and Lewis Somers (class of ’48) Student Summer Internships Fund supports summer research fellowships in physics. The Williams Bicentennial Psychology Scholarship Fund supports summer research fellowships in psychology. The Whitehead Scholarship Fund, a gift from John Whitehead (class of ’67) to provide an opportunity for Williams students and faculty to interact with scientists at the prestigious Whitehead Institute, supports summer research fellowships for Williams biology students to spend the summer doing research at the Whitehead Institute. The Arnold Bernhard Foundation Endowed Summer Science Fellows Program, made possible by the generosity of Jean Buttner, Williams Trustee from 1982 to 1997, supports summer research fellowships across the division. Full or partial federal, foundation and alumni support for summer student stipends was provided by the following sources:

Source of Funding # Students
College funds 34
NSF and NIH research grants to individual faculty 24
Howard Hughes Medical Institute 21
NSF/REU 20
Arnold Bernhard Foundation 10
Essel Foundation 10
Wege-Markgraf Fellowships 5
Merck 4
Keck Foundation (Geology) 2
Keck Foundation (Astronomy) 2
Whitehead Fellowships 2
Beckman 2
Petroleum Research Fund 1
Somers Fellowship 1
Crown Fellowship 1
Research Corp. 1

1999 Summer Science Students and Their Faculty Advisors

Astronomy
Misa Cowee S. Martin
Hugh Crowl K. Kwitter
Alexandru Ene K. Kwitter
Joel Iams K. Kwitter
Mark Kirby J. M. Pasachoff
Sara Kate May J. M. Pasachoff
Kevin Russell J. M. Pasachoff
Leila Zelnick K. Kwitter
Biology
David Adams S. Swoap
Stephanie Aeroldi R. Savagae
Feyisara Akanki S. Zottoli
Laura Almsted D. Lynch
Verena Arnabal S. Swoap
Verena Alvarez S. Swoap
Alana Belfield D. Lynch
Patrick Burton S.Swoap/D.Smith
Sheraz, Choudhary H. Williams
Daniel Clayburgh L.Park/D.Lynch
Erin Davies N.Roseman
Emily Earle H. Art
Joshua Goldstein J. McKenna
Sara Grote E. Adler
Nicholas Hiza S. Zottoli
Dwight A. Ho-Sung S. Zottoli
Janet Iwasa R. Savage
Randall Lindquist S. Swoap
Melissa Motta S. Zottoli
Maywa Montenegro Lovett/Roseman
Charles Munyon H. Williams
Anh Nguyen M. Aaltschuler
Jillian Pepsin D. Lynch
Kerice Pinckney R. Savage
Jennifer Pogoriler N. Roseman
Ethan Plunkett D. Smith
Jessica Purcell J. Edwards
Aya Reiss H. Art
Jeffrey Roizen N. Roseman
Katy Schorling Richardson/Art
Boudhayan, Sen R. Savage
David Seward S. Swoap
Emily Simpson H. Art
Lauren Singer N. Roseman
Carolin Spiegel D. Lynch
Kevin Stephans E. Adler
Daniel Suver R. Savage
Xiao Tan S. Zottoli
Zuzana Tothova D. Lynch
Kisha Watta S. Zottoli
Elizabeth Wells J. Carlton
Andrew Werbrock R. Savage
Deborah Van Allen S. Swoap/D. Smith
Andrew Werbrock H. Art
CES
Eleanor Shoreman H. Art
Abigail Griffith H. Art
David Cooperman H. Art
Chemistry
Carolyn Adams B.Koehler
Karelle Aiken D. Richardson
James Apgar D. Weiss
Katherine Belecki Markgraf/Smith
Vincent Blum E.Peacock Lopez
Heather Blumer Birgit Koehler
David Chung L. Park
Mabel Djang T. Smith
Daniel Fox B. Koehler
Binian Gebre C. Lovett
Alexei Greig D.Schofield
Shula Grivell D. Weiss
William Green C. Lovett
Michael Hurwitz D. Weiss
Tracey Jackson C. Lovett
Bevan Londergran B. Koehler
Valerie Lotheran A. Skinner
Veena Mandava C. Lovett
Michelle Mourad T. Smith
Katy Miyamoto Lynch/Richardson
Daniel Nelson L. J. Kaplan
Tory Nims D. Schofield
Meg Onishi M. Schofield
Rachel Piatczyc G. Demant
Matthew Sandoval B. Koehler
Amish Shah C. Lovett
Scott Snyder T. Smith
Tanisha Salmon L. Kaplan
Judith vander Zwan M. Schofield
Alan Velander A. Skinner
Willie Wu L. Park
Computer Science
A. Gonzalez del Riego A. Danyluk
John Kallay T. Murtagh
Carlett Malcolm M. Bailey
Miles Munson A. Danyluk
Christopher Fairbanks D. Bailey
Estaban Roman A. Danyluk
C. Joseph Vanderwaart K. Bruce
Geology
Carla Chokel R. Cox
Ann Hereford R. A. Wobus
Patricia Hines R. Cox
Cordellia Ranson M. Johnson
Taylor Schildgen D. Dethiers
Mathematics
Tegan Cheslak-Postava T. Garrity
Alexander Diesl T. Garrity
Thomas Fleming C. Adams
Corey Heilman F. Morgan
Yvonne Lai F. Morgan
Daniel Lee S. Loepp
Leanne Leer S. Loepp
Matthew Lepinski T. Garrity
Michael Levin C. Adams
Shara Pilch S. Loepp
Benjamin Reichardt F. Morgan
Kamille Richards O. Beaver
Adam Schuyler T. Garrity
Anita Spielman F. Morgan
Ari Turner C. Adams
Yu Yusafaku S. Loepp
Physics
Mark Acton S. Bolton
Camille Burnett S. Bolton
Benjamin Cooper D. Aalberts
Ian Eisenman D. Aalberts
Brian Gerke D. Aalberts
Pavel Grinberg P. Majumder
Adam Halverson J. Strait
Ginel Hill K. Jones
Ricky Joshi S. Bolton
Andrew Speck P. Majumder
Clayton Stein J. Strait
Psychology
Gail Anderson B. Zimmerberg
Sally-Thomas Daigneault G. Goethals
Deborah Frisone B. Zimmerberg
Steven Gray L. Heatherington
Dahra Jackson L. Heatherington
Katherine Kavanaugh S. Engel
Rebecca Kummer P. Solomon
Stephanie Liquori S. Fein
Meghan Moscati B. Zimmerberg
Jennifer Page K. Kirby
Gabriela Pereira K. Savitsky
Amy Sprengelmeyer R. Kavanaugh
Wayne Wight K. Savitsky

Summer Research Colloquia 1999

A luncheon is provided every Tuesday for participants in the summer science program. Faculty members from the science departments give talks on their research at these lunches, with opportunity for discussion afterwards. The speakers this summer were:

Anne Skinner
Department of Chemistry
“What Is This Thing Called Safety?”
Prof. Heather Williams
Department of Biology
"Mapping Changes in the Brain"
Prof. Thomas Garrity
Department of Mathematics
“On Writing Numbers”
Prof. Sarah Bolton
Department of Physics
“The How and Why of Ultrafast Lasers”
Prof. Colin Adams
Department of Mathematics
“The Number Hall of Fame Awards Banquet”
Prof. Deborah Weiss
Department of Chemistry
“Cytokine Gene Regulation”
Prof. Kenneth Savitsky
Dept. of Psychology
“Anticipating How We Are Seen by Others: It's Not as Bad (or as Good) as We Think”
Prof. Karen Kwitter
Dept. of Astronomy
“Planetary Nebula Contributions to Galactic Chemical Evolution”

Academic Year “Bag Lunch” Colloquia

During the academic year, the science faculty meets on Tuesdays in the Science Common Room for lunch, to discuss matters of interest to the sciences as a whole, and to hear informal reports on faculty research and other science developments. The following talks or discussions were held during l998-99.

Prof. Steve Wang
Department of Mathematics
“Statistical Models for Computer Handwriting Recognition”
Prof. Steve Fein
Department of Psychology
“How Is Stereotyping Like Driving a Car”
Prof. Richard DeVeaux
Department of Mathematics
“Combining Science and Data Analysis Using Hybrid Neural Networks”
Prof. Carl Djerassi
Department of Chemistry, Stanford University
“Similarities/Differences in Creative Expression in Scientific Research/Writing/Art”
Prof. David DeSimone
Department of Geosciences
“U-Pick Glaciers...Report on the Alaska Workshop”
Prof. Bonnie Blackwell
Department of Chemistry
“ESR Dating: Early Humans from South Africa”
Prof. Mark Schofield
Department of Chemistry
“Transition Metals in Biology: How Bacteria Can Do So Much Without Even Going to Graduate School”
Prof. Jorge Calvo
Department of Mathematics
“Getting To Know Your Hexagons or Geometric Knot Isotopy”
Prof. Charles M. Lovett
Department of Chemistry
“NSF Grant Opportunities and Strategies for Writing Proposals”
Prof. Duane Bailey
Department of Computer Science
“Building Empires”
Jo Proctor
Director, Public Affairs Office
“Doing Science at Williams: How Can We Help”
Jamie Martin
Director of Analytical Services and Research
Williamstown Art Conservation Center
“Applications of Fourier Transform Infrared Microscopy in the Characterization and Identification of Artists’ Materials, Polymers and Minerals”
Prof. Wendy Raymond
Department of Biology
“Building and Bashing Molecular Genetic Models”
Profs. Susan Loepp & Williams Wootters
Department of Mathematics and Department of Physics
“How Two Technologically Challenged Professors Used Technology in Their Winter Study Course”
Jeremy Wilmer, Research Assistant
Department of Psychology
“Visual Style and Attention Deficits in Williams College Students”
Prof. Protik Majumder
Department of Physics
“Musical Acoustics: Sound Production and Perception”
Prof. Eric Kramer
Department of Physics
“Why Is Wood Grain Like A Digital Watch?”

Pre-First Year Summer Science Program

In its thirteenth summer in 1999, the Summer Science Program (SSP) provides an enriching and intensive five-week immersion in science, mathematics, and English for a talented group of science-oriented Williams pre-first year minority students. The goal of the Program is to promote and encourage continuing participation in science and science related studies by members of minorities that have historically been underrepresented in the sciences.
Eighteen students took classes in chemistry (including a major laboratory component), biology, mathematics and English (literature and expository writing). Although not replicas of Williams’ academic year offerings, the Summer Science Program classes are taught at a college level, thus introducing participants to the rigors and demands of college academics. In addition to regular classes, the students participated in geology laboratory and field experiments. They also engaged in a variety of extracurricular activities, including the Williamstown Theatre Festival and a weekend trip to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Enthusiasm for the Program has been high. Participants have taken full advantage of the opportunity to study at Williams in the summer. Their academic year experiences have, as a result of the Program, been successful and many of the students have continued their studies in science or mathematics. A significant number of former participants have returned to campus in the summertime as summer research students in science and mathematics, have become tutors for the Summer Science Program or have secured positions elsewhere in science research institutes.
Professor Charles M. Lovett, Director of the Summer Science Program, taught the chemistry lectures. Professor David P. Richardson conducted the laboratory sessions. Professors Olga R. Beaver and Cesar Silva taught the mathematics component. Professor Nancy Roseman taught the biology lectures. Professors Grant Farrad and David L. Smith taught the English sessions. Professor David Dethier conducted the geology-in-the-field laboratory, and Dr. Michael Payne led the students in discussions of goals, data management, and approaches to college life. The tutors for the Program in 1999 were Vanessa Alvarez ’00, William Green ’02, and Tracey Jackson ’02.
The Summer Science Program has been funded primarily by Williams College as part of the institution’s commitment to encourage the participation of women and minorities in the sciences. Since 1991, SSP has received additional funding from a biological sciences award from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. This grant contributed support for several SSP components, and has provided summer research stipends for SSP students after their first year at Williams. Special thanks go to the many science faculty and students of Williams College who, during the summer as well as during the academic year, have contributed to the success of the Program and of its participants.
Pre-First Year Program Participants
Students (‘03)
Henry Abaatu
Christina Adams
Benjamin Angarita
Cesar Aranguri
Peta-Gaye Burnett
Jason Edelin
Shakierah Fuller
Leah King
Gerald Lindo
Ouida Liang
K. LaShawn Mays
Nosirudeen Quadri
Danielle Rosario-Mullen
P. Montserrat Silva
Angel Simmons
Natalie Stephens
Kamille Williams
Joseph WilsonTutors
Vanessa Alvarez ‘00
William Green ‘02
Tracey Jackson ‘02Faculty
Charles Lovett, Director
Olga Beaver
David Dethier
Grant Farred
David Richardson
Nancy Roseman
Cesar Silva
David L. Smith

Williams College Sigma Xi Chapter

The Williams College Sigma Xi Chapter, has played an active role on the Williams campus since it was founded as the Sigma Xi Club in 1969. Sigma Xi is a national society honoring and encouraging research in science. At Williams it also sponsors outreach programs designed to stimulate interest in science among grade, junior high, and high school students. Officers for 1998-99 were President, Professor Jay M. Pasachoff of the Astronomy Department, and Secretary-Treasurers, Assistant Professor Antonia Foias of the Anthropology Department and Assistant Professor Protik Majumder, Department of Physics.
During the 1998-99 academic year, our chapter sponsored two events. In the fall, Professor Protik Majumder, Dept. of Physics, Williams College gave two lectures entitled, “Tests of Fundamental Symmetries and Searches for New Physics,” and “Current Atomic Experiments.” Professor Majumder explained how experimental techniques can be applied to sensitive searches for new forces not yet observed in nature, emphasizing the measurement techniques and recent results of laser spectroscopy experiments in his research. In the spring, Professor Andrea Danyluk presented a two-part lecture on artificial intelligence entitled “Machine Learning: Background and Recent History,” and “Data Mining and Other Applications of Machine Learning: Current Research.” Her lectures presented and overview of machine learning methods, including decision tree learners, rule learners, and neural networks. She also discussed current issues in research regarding efforts to move artificial intelligence systems from laboratory environments to real applications.
The Sigma Xi Club sponsored a High School Science Award for a student at Mount Greylock Regional High School, Williamstown, MA, in recognition of a her high level of motivation and accomplishment in science courses. This year, the award was given to Louise Briguglio.
One of the primary purposes of Sigma Xi is to recognize graduating science students who have demonstrated exceptional ability and promise for further contributions to the advancement of scientific research. These students are elected as Associate Members of Sigma Xi and are then inducted into the Society at a ceremony during Class Day on Commencement Weekend. On Saturday morning, June 5, the Chapter honored twenty nine newly elected Associate Members from the class of '99 in a ceremony in the Bronfman Auditorium. A detailed description of the research projects of these students is presented later in this Report.
Associate Sigma Xi Members from the Class of 1999
Biology:
Denise M. Connor H. Williams
Kate A. Dreher M. Laskowski
Deborah A. Hirschmann H. Williams
Sylvia R. Englund W. Raymond
David M. Finkelstein C. M. Lovett
Inna Hughes M. Altschuler
Janet H. Iwasa R. Savage
Kian Peng Koh M. Altschuler
Jennifer Pogoriler N. Roseman
Tiffany C. Talley J. Edwards
Chemistry:
Elissa A. Hallem D. Weiss
Geoffrey R. Hutchison L. Park
Annabel H. Muenter B. Koehler
Scott Alan Snyder T. Smith
Matthew K. Whalin D. Weiss
Computer Science:
Mark S. Blackstein W. Lenhart
C. Joseph Vanderwaart K. Bruce
Geosciences:
Ethan D. Gutman R. Cox
Martin Wong P. Karabinos
Mathematics:
Davina Kunvipusilkul W. Lenhart
Sang Pahk C. Adams
Scott B. Reynolds C. Adams
Aaron D. Weinberg S. Loepp
Craig C. Westerland M. Chkenkeli
Alexandre Wolfe M. Chkenkeli
Neuroscience:
Alexander C. Wong B. Zimmerberg
Physics:
Brian Francis Gerke D. Aalberts
Robert Lyman P. Majumder
Psychology:
Melissa A. Brilliant P. Cramer