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From the College of Natural Sciences

Two Natural Sciences Students Named Goldwater Scholars

AUSTIN, Texas — Lynne Chantranupong and Sean Simmons, undergraduates in the College of Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin, are among the 278 students nationally who have been named Goldwater Scholars for the 2009-2010 academic year. The scholarships are awarded annually to outstanding second- and third-year college students enro...

Resistance Fighter

Biology major Grace Eckhoff in the Naval Academy Medical Research Unit lab in Kabul. When Grace Eckhoff went to Afghanistan last summer to study multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) infection rates, it was a kind of return to her childhood. Eckhoff, a Dean's Scholars Honors Biology major and Plan II Honors major, grew up in Haiti, where ...Biology major Grace Eckhoff in the Naval Academy Medical Research Unit lab in Kabul.

UTeach Named Top 50 Innovation in American Government

UTeach Natural Sciences was named one of the Top 50 Innovations in American Government today by Harvard’s Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation.

Blast from the Past: John Mallet

When The University of Texas at Austin first opened in September 1883, the faculty was only eight people, each one a professor in a different department. One of these men was John William Mallet, a professor of physics and chemistry, who was collectively elected as Chairman of the Faculty. (The office of university president was not created until ...first faculty UT

Life on the Outside: Brent Iverson

Although Brent Iverson runs and goes scuba diving to keep in shape and relax, he can’t help but make them part of his organic chemistry class. Students can get out of being tested on the systematic nomenclature of molecules (which is as fun as it sounds) on two late-semester tests if 15 percent of the class participates in a 5-kilometer run. Ivers...brent iverson

Rising from the Rubble

The new Norman Hackerman Building is beginning to rise from the rubble of the old Experimental Sciences Building (ESB) this year. Named in honor and memory of Dr. Norm Hackerman, chemist, professor and president emeritus of The University of Texas at Austin, the 6-story building will hold modern classrooms and teaching labs for organic chemistry; ...hackerman building

Growing the New School of Human Ecology

Cathy Surra, director of the new School of Human Ecology, in front of Gearing Hall. Photo: Christina Murrey The new School of Human Ecology has been established at The University of Texas at Austin, a change in status for the long-standing department within the College of Natural Sciences. The conversion to school status brings human ecology to a...Cathy Surra, director of the new School of Human Ecology, in front of Gearing Hall. Photo: Christina Murrey

Student Profile: Madeline Waggoner

Photo: Brett Buchanan Madeline Waggoner’s fascination with the biological basis of behavior began during her freshman year at Highland Park High School in Dallas in the classroom of an inspiring teacher. “My teacher, Mrs. Leediker, was just brilliant,” says Waggoner. “By the second semester, when we studied DNA and genetics, I was hooked. I tho...madeline waggoner

Bolnick, Wallingford Become HHMI Early Career Scientists

Two University of Texas at Austin biologists join 50 of the nation's best early career science faculty to focus on their boldest and potentially transformative research ideas with support from a new initiative from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI).

Texas Cosmology Center Established at The University of Texas at Austin

Dr. Eiichiro Komatsu is the Director of the new Texas Center for Cosmology AUSTIN, Texas — A new interdisciplinary center for the study of the frontiers of the universe, from the tiniest subatomic particle to largest chain of galaxies, has been formed at The University of Texas at Austin. The Texas Cosmology Center will be a way for the university...Dr. Eiichiro Komatsu is the Director of the new Texas Center for Cosmology

What the iPhone Hath Wrought

Stuart Montgomery's Fortune Ball When Apple launched its iPhone application store in July of 2008, it was like a shot heard around the world of software developers. Since then, more than 25,000 applications have been accepted by Apple for sale or free download in their applications store. Every one of the other major smart phone manufacturers ...Stuart Montgomery's Fortune Ball

Museum Celebrates Darwin Day

Flanked by jars of animal specimens, Texas Natural Science Center's Jess Rosales shows visitors specimens of eels and other fish. Charles Darwin, and his book On the Origin of Species, revolutionized the biological and medical sciences and our understanding of evolution, diversity, and ultimately, humanity. To commemorate Darwin and his accomp...Flanked by jars of animal specimens, Texas Natural Science Center's Jess Rosales shows visitors specimens of eels and other fish.

Next-Generation Gene Sequencing Technology Enables Advanced Genomic Research

AUSTIN, Texas — A newly installed next-generation genome analysis technology will help scientists at The University of Texas at Austin rapidly catalog large genomes and further push the boundaries of genomic research. The technology will give researchers the ability to unravel the genetic causes of disease, develop better medical diagnostics, unde...

New Science Building Named for Norman Hackerman

Rendering of the new Norman Hackerman Building, which will replace the Experimental Sciences Building on the corner of 24th and Speedway Streets. The building is under construction. AUSTIN, Texas--The newest science building now being built on The University of Texas at Austin campus will be named in honor and memory of Dr. Norman Hackerman, chemi...Rendering of the new Norman Hackerman Building, which will replace the Experimental Sciences Building on the corner of 24th and Speedway Streets. The building is under construction.
Sibling Rivalry

Sibling Rivalry

Here’s what happens when you put some of the world’s smartest and most creative physicists in the same mental space with some of the world’s greatest bacteriologists: Border maintenance among warring colonies of bacteria is explained by applying a little math. That, my friends, is science at work. Physicists Harry Swinney and Avraham Be’er, coll...