Department of Biochemistry Newsletter
Message from Department Head
Welcome to the Department of Biochemistry Newsletter. This is just one of many new initiatives in the
Department of Biochemistry. Some will be revealed in these pages, but others are less obvious. For
example, thanks to investments by the central administration, the Biochemistry Building is receiving
significant attention. The hallways have fresh paint, new room signs and new nameplates. A first floor
classroom is being completely rebuilt and modernized, and a newly renovated laboratory on the third
floor waits for our next faculty hire.
A major effort is directed toward faculty recruiting. We have assembled two search committees to
identify candidates for three vacant faculty positions. One search is in collaboration with the Purdue
Cancer Center and the Walther Cancer Institute, with the goal of strengthening our biomedical
research programs. The other two positions will focus on the biochemistry of eukaryotic model
systems. The complete genome sequences available in these organisms has ushered in a new era of
biochemistry, shifting the focus from the analysis of single proteins to entire pathways and regulatory
networks. Faculty recruiting is certainly one of the most important and rewarding jobs facing us, and I
look forward to this opportunity.
On a personal note, I am both honored and excited to serve the department as Head. A tremendous
tradition of teaching and research excellence has been handed down from Mark Hermodson, Don
Carlson, Barney Axelrod and those who served previously. I pledge to do my best to guide the
department, but ultimately the collective wisdom and effort of the faculty will determine the future.
Thus far, the assistance and encouragement has been overwhelming. A partial list of those I must
thank includes Mark Hermodson, who responds to my daily questions; Clint Chappie and Penny Pava,
who created this report; Harry Charbonneau and Sandra Rossie, who have worked extensively on our
new web page (www.biochem.purdue.edu); the Assistant Professors, who are distinguished by their
strong research start and good natured personalities; and the senior faculty, who have taken on many
of the less glamorous tasks required to run an academic department.
Ultimately, our goal is to serve our students and promote their careers. Although state assistance and
research grants provide important resources, we also rely on your help. I want to thank all of you who
have supported us with gifts in the past. As our nation faces many challenges today, it is difficult to
ask for financial assistance. Nevertheless, we believe that the education of our students is an
important contribution to the scientific infrastructure of this country and represents our best
opportunity to contribute to the nation's health.
This year we are targeting two areas for giving. One is the department discretionary account, which
supports a variety of programs, including some that expose our students to distinguished scientists
from around the world. We are also encouraging gifts to the Edwin T. Mertz Memorial Scholarship
fund. This endowed account supporting undergraduate scholarships was initiated by Dr. Ronald Chance
in memory of his research advisor, the late Dr. Edwin Mertz.
I genuinely enjoy meeting our alumni and friends, and I am thrilled by the interest they continue to
share in our programs. Please contact me if I can be of assistance, or stop by and visit the
department. Over the next year we will continue to set goals, evaluate our research and teaching
programs, and develop a common vision for the department.
WINTER   2001/2002
1AJO&
CXfr
l^i<)cAe#vvi$£i*<L
'&#y,
ovovwovu
Best wishes,
Jim Forney