Grad News Forum

On Sunday, June 10, graduating masters and doctoral students from Dartmouth’s Arts and Sciences Graduate Programs took the stage to celebrate Dartmouth’s 2012 Commencement ceremonies. Dartmouth’s Graduate Programs shone under sunny Hanover skies, as 175 students received their advanced degrees. The Grad Forum wishes the best of luck to all those who celebrated this June!

Video by Zach Williams and Dan Durcan 

The Hannah Croasdale Award for academic excellence is awarded annually to the graduating PhD recipient who best exemplifies the qualities of a scholar. This individual possesses personal qualities of intellectual curiosity, dedication, and commitment to the pursuit of new knowledge and to teaching, as well as a sense of social responsibility to the community of scholars. The award recipient is selected by The Dean of Graduate Studies.

Since January, Matt Cain has been conducting postdoctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) under the guidance of Prof. Dick Schrock. A graduating doctoral student in Chemistry, Matt was selected as one of this year’s recipients of the Hannah Croasdale Award because of the excellence of his thesis research at Dartmouth, as well as his involvement in undergraduate teaching.

At MIT, Matt is researching how dinitrogen (N₂) can be reduced to ammonia (NH₃) through the addition of protons and electrons using a Molybdenum-based catalyst. While Matt has only been conducting this research for six months, the practical applications of reducing dinitrogen into ammonia are far-reaching: in its gaseous state, nitrogen is readily available in the Earth’s atmosphere, and ammonia is one of the basic ingredients in the production of fertilizer. Thus, the long-term goals of Matt’s postdoctoral studies are to find a cheap method to produce basic fertilizers for agriculture using nitrogen as a feedstock, which would help a number of third-world countries grow enough food to feed larger portions of their populations.

“The end goal of my postdoctoral research is to alleviate world hunger by finding a cheap, efficient way to manufacture basic fertilizers,” explains Matt. “While I doubt this large-scale problem will be solved in the foreseeable future, this research is addressing the issue head on, and I have confidence that my efforts will positively impact a number of remote, agrarian communities in the coming years.”

A former member of Prof. David Glueck’s lab, Matt’s doctoral research at Dartmouth addressed some fundamental problems in chemistry.  His doctoral dissertation, titled Cu(I)-Catalyzed P-C Bond Formation and the Synthesis of C₃- and C₁-Symmetric P-Stereogenic Triphosphine Ligands, investigated how copper–a cheap, environmentally-friendly metal—could catalyze the synthesis of chiral ligands, which are used by pharmaceutical companies to manufacture more “pure” drugs with fewer side effects.

“The chemical structures of some prescription drugs give them the potential to effect a patient’s body in more than one way. A famous example of this is the drug Thalidomide, which was prescribed to treat morning sickness in the late 50s. However, by the early 60s, Thalidomide was found to cause birth defects, and was withdrawn from the US market in 1961—years later, a connection between the chemical structure of Thalidomide and these birth defects was discovered. Thus, the graduate research I conducted at Dartmouth seeks to make drugs more pure, and helps reduce the number of potential side effects caused by their use.”

During his time at Dartmouth, Matt worked as a teaching assistant for five classes including several of the school’s general chemistry courses—Chemistry 5, Chemistry 6, Chemistry 10 (an Honors course), as well as Chemistry  64 for two terms.  Like all chemistry graduate students, Matt completed each of the training courses required by his department before setting foot in the classroom.

“I really enjoyed working as a Teaching Assistant,” says Matt. “In the classroom I explained a number of scientific concepts to undergraduates, and helped them conduct research experiments. While I finished my teaching obligations early in my doctoral career, working as a Teaching Assistant really defined my time at Dartmouth.”

Originally from Congers, NY, Matt received a B.S. in Chemistry from SUNY Geneseo in 2007, and started his doctoral studies at Dartmouth the summer after he graduated from Geneseo. As an undergraduate, Matt examined the luminescent properties of hetrobimeallic metal complexes, which are used in the production of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

Congratulations, Matt!

by Wesley Whitaker
photo by Tennile Sunday

Michael and his doctoral advisor, David Bucci

The Hannah Croasdale Award for academic excellence is awarded annually to the graduating PhD recipient who best exemplifies the qualities of a scholar. This individual possesses personal qualities of intellectual curiosity, dedication, and commitment to the pursuit of new knowledge and to teaching, as well as a sense of social responsibility to the community of scholars. The award recipient is selected by The Dean of Graduate Studies.

Since September, Michael Hopkins has been working as a fellow at SpecialtyCare, a company that specializes in intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring. The fellowship aims to train qualified doctoral graduates for careers in this type of surgical monitoring.

“In my current position at SpecialtyCare, I monitor the neurological activity of patients while they undergo surgeries that put their brain or other neural elements at risk. By collecting real-time data about neural function during surgery, my colleagues and I are able to inform the surgeon of any changes that could lead to post-operative injury if no intervention is taken,” says Michael. “While, currently, I am not conducting research, one thing that excites me about working at SpecialtyCare is that the company is known for conducting research and publishing their findings in respected scientific journals. Once I’ve completed my training fellowship, I look forward to participating in these ongoing research projects.”

While at Dartmouth, Michael studied the mental health benefits of regular exercise with his doctoral advisor, David Bucci. This research culminated in his doctoral dissertation, Move it or lose out: neural and behavioral effects of physical exercise.

“My graduate research examined the neurobiological mechanisms underlying exercise-induced cognitive effects, from those underlying changes in stress-reactivity and anxiety-like behavior in rats, and to begin translating these findings from rodents directly into experimental work with humans. We found evidence to support the idea that the effects of exercise on cognition do indeed arise through separable neurobiological pathways than those underlying exercise-induced decreases in anxiety. Through our translational study with human participants, we were able to replicate a number of these findings with a low-intensity exercise intervention.”

In this experiment, Michael tested object-recognition memory in a number of undergraduate and graduate students at Dartmouth, who—prior to volunteering as participants in the examination—met the inclusion criteria for leading a “sedentary lifestyle,” and as part of the study adopted regular exercise routines. For the duration of his study, Michael’s volunteers walked at about 4 mph for 30 minutes every other day on treadmills.

“Throughout my doctoral career, I gathered data on the mental health of my subjects through a series of surveys and complied these findings into one of the studies in my dissertation,” explains Michael. “Our data suggest that a relatively mild exercise intervention can lead to cognitive improvement. But I think the most compelling finding was that the likelihood of experiencing these cognitive benefits may be tied to which version of a specific gene one carries, called brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF.”

Since it was disseminated, the research that Michael conducted under the guidance of David Bucci has been featured in a number of national publications, including The New York Times and The Huffington Post.

Michael also served as a teaching assistant in Dartmouth’s Psychological and Brain Sciences department (PBS), and participated in a number of Science Cafés hosted by the Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning (DCAL). After completing his department’s teacher-training program, Michael helped teach four of PBS’s required courses—Psych 6, Psych 10—as well as two terms of Systems Neuroscience, Psych 65, one of the more challenging courses offered by the department.

“Margaret Gullick and I were asked to TA Systems Neuroscience together, which required a lot of commitment. However, our efforts were recognized, and in 2009, the faculty members of PBS selected me and Margaret as the recipients of that year’s departmental teaching award.”

Michael infront of Wentworth

While working as the North Park Graduate Advisor, and  serving as an Executive Board member of the Graduate Student Council (GSC), Michael hosted and planed a number of community-building events.  Also, upon arriving at Dartmouth, Michael volunteered to chair Green Lambda, the graduate community’s only LGBTQA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and Allies) student group. For his community-building efforts, Michael was awarded the Graduate Community Award in 2009.

“I genuinely enjoyed each of the leadership roles that I held at Dartmouth as well as being involved with different facets of the school’s graduate community. While working as the North Park GA, I was impressed by the enthusiasm that graduate students brought to the events—whether it was a wine and cheese mixer in the laundry room, or a shopping trip to White River Junction, the residents that came to my events were excited to meet other graduate students and to enjoy their time outside of the laboratory or library,” explains Michael. “I think the capstone of my GSC involvement was planning the inaugural ‘Amazing North Park Race,’ which I hosted last spring. Those who participated really got competitive, and it was great to watch graduate students from different departments run around campus working together to complete all of the challenges.”

Michael received his bachelors degree in Behavioral Neuroscience from Colgate University in 2002, where he published two peer-reviewed scientific articles with Dr. Spencer Kelly examining the role of nonverbal communication in language. After graduating from Colgate, Michael lived in New York City where he began volunteering at a colon cancer research laboratory housed in The Rockefeller University. After a few months of volunteering, Michael was hired full-time as a research assistant, and while working at the center, found that he really enjoyed working in scientific research.

“The real-world experience I gained at Rockefeller was invaluable: not only did it re-affirm my passion for science and provide the work experience I needed to be accepted into the PhD program of my choice—which was Dartmouth—but I believe that the training I received helped prepare me to succeed as a graduate student,” says Michael.

Congratulations, Michael!

by Wesley Whitaker
photos by Tennile Sunday & Wesley Whitaker

The 2012 Dartmouth Commencement festivities for Arts and Sciences graduate students kick off on Saturday, June 8th, from 5-6:30 pm, with a reception on Baker-Berry Lawn.  All graduating students and their guests are invited, and the Hannah Croasdale Award will be presented to the graduating PhD student(s) “who best exemplifies the qualities of a scholar” as chosen by the Dean of Graduate Studies.  The Graduate Teaching Award winners will also be announced.  In the event of rain, the reception will be held in Occom Commons.

The graduation ceremony takes place on Sunday, June 10th, at 9:30 am.  This year’s commencement speaker is Wendy Kopp, founder and CEO of Teach For America.  Honorary degree recipients include South African musician and cultural activist Johnny Clegg, chemist (and Dartmouth graduate alumna) Marye Anne Fox, human rights leader and politician Aqqaluk Lynge, and Dartmouth alumnus and trustee Steven Roth.

For a full list of campus-wide commencement events, visit Dartmouth’s main commencement website.

 photo: Erin E. O’Flaherty

It’s that time of year! For Dartmouth’s master’s and doctoral students who plan on graduating in June, theses are due this month. If you’re one of the graduate students who has been chipping away at a thesis or dissertation for the past year, the May deadline is the final academic milestone in your graduate studies at Dartmouth!

In celebration of this academic achievement, the Graduate Studies Office is giving all graduating master’s and doctoral students a Dartmouth Arts & Sciences Graduate Programs travel mug while supplies last.

To receive your mug, simply subscribe to The Graduate Forum with your new Dartmouth Arts & Sciences Graduate Programs Alumni Blitz account upon submitting your printed thesis to the Graduate Studies Office. That way, we can stay in touch with you after graduation.

Remember to read the thesis formatting guidelines before printing your document for submission!

On Sunday, June 12, YouTube partner Dartmouth College will broadcast its Commencement ceremony to YouTube viewers, starting at 9:30 a.m. ET.

For more info go to Dartmouth Now.

As the 2011 Dartmouth Commencement approaches, Dartmouth Now highlighted the graduating undergraduate and graduate students who will be serving as Commencement Marshalls at Sunday’s ceremony.

Congratulations to Bradley DeMay, who’ll be receiving a PhD in biological sciences, and Elizabeth Gray, who’ll be receiving a Master of Arts in Comparative Literature, for being selected as the representatives for the Arts and Sciences graduate program.

Photos by Joseph Mehling

Conan O’Brien, who The Washington Post has called “the most intelligent of the late-night comics,” will deliver the main address at Dartmouth College’s 2011 Commencement exercises on Sunday morning, June 12, on the Green.

For the full story go to Dartmouth Now. Click Commencement for the full schedule.