INTRODUCTION The purpose of this Newsletter is to inform the members of the UNCP Biotechnology Advisory Board and interested members of the University Community about the status of the biotechnology effort at The University of Noth Carolina at Pembroke.
OUR VISION All the people involved in the UNC Pembroke Biotechnology Project share a vision of how science education can play a major role in technology development in the next century. At the heart of this initiative is an academic and industrial PARTNERSHIP comprising faculty, scientists from industry and administrators. It is important that science graduates have a broad understanding of scientific and engineering concepts, proficiency in advanced technology and an awareness of biotechnology's social context to succeed in science careers. Partnership members can work together to implement strategies to realize this vision.
GOALS
The integrated biotechnology goals of UNCP the Department of Chemistry and Physics are in direct agreement with the UNCP Comprehensive Biotechnology Five-Year Plan:
In order to achieve these goals, UNCP is making efforts in five areas: (1) Industrial and academic partnerships (2) Curriculm design (3) Student recruitment/enrollment (4) Faculty development
(5) Physical resources. The effort to build a comprehensive biotechnology program at UNCP has been ongoing for the past five years. The Departments of Chemistry & Physics and Biology have worked together to improve the biotechnology resources and opportunities available to our students. UNCP is extremely grateful to The North Carolina Biotechnology Center for the considerable funding required to follow this aim.
MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM
The Department of Chemistry and Physics has adopted a curriculum in Molecular Biotechnology
General Chemistry Biochemistry I, II Bioseparations
Organic Chemistry Bioanalytical Chemistry Microbiology
Inorganic Chemistry Cell Biology Analytical Chemistry I, II
Calculus Biotechnology I, II Bioprocessing
Physics Biophysics Statistics
Physical Chemistry I, II Research
THE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
The Department of Chemistry and Physics offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, with several concentrations, including Molecular Biotechnology. The ten faculty all hold the Ph.D. dgree in fields of their specialty. The Department owns an impressive collection of modern equipment and instrumentation housed in seven laboratories, occupying over 5,000 square feet. These facilities include: (1) Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory (2) Molecular Visualization Facility (3) Spectroscopy Lab- NMR AFM. Each week, the Departments of Biology and Chemistry & Physics hosts the UNCP Science Seminar. Scientists from academia and industry are invited to present their work to faculty and science students.
FACULTY PROFILE Each issue will highlight a faculty involved in the biotechnology endeavor.
Professor Jose D'Arruda,
Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics
Director, UNCP Center for Molecular Biotechnology
B.S. Lowell Technological Institute, Physics & Mathematics 1965
M.S. University of Delaware, Physics 1968
Ph.D. University of Delaware, Physics 1971
Professor D'Arruda has been a member of the Department of Chemistry and Physics at UNCP since 1974, where he has served as the Chair since 1981. His background interests are in high energy physics, and he has also served appointments as a visiting scientist at national laboratories. Today, Professor D'Arruda continues to maintain professional contact with national laboratories by directing several NASA-funded programs at UNCP. Under Professor D'Arruda's leadership, the Department has increased in faculty size, depth of curriculum and physical resources. His leadership style is one that promotes faculty development, interdisciplinary collaborations and excellence in teaching. In addition to his academic work at the University, Professor D'Arruda serves as the President of the Faculty Senate and sits on the UNCP Foundation Board. He is also CEO of Connecting Point Computers.
THE UNCP BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVISORY BOARD
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke wishes to thank the following individuals and companies for their willingness to assist in the development of biotechnology at UNCP through their guidance and suggestions. Members of the board include:
1. Dr. H.S. Alludeen, Protein Delivery, Inc.
2. Dr. J.C. Bhandari, Novel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
3. Mr. Nicholas P. D'Amato, ISIS Pharmaceuticals
4. Professor Peter K. Kilpatrick, Department of Chemical Engineering, NCSU
5. Dr. Lisa L. Schaeffer, Director of Career Services, UNCP
6. Ms. Kimberly Spores, Biochemistry Recruitment, Glaxo Wellcome Co.
7. Mr. Jack Strum, Abbott Laboratories
* The UNCP Biotechnology Newsletter is published each semester, editor: Len Holmes
** The logo represents the interaction of matter and energy and the study of molecular structure and processes. Insights from such studies suggest new structures and processes, and are of material benefit to humanity and our imagination.
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Getting to Know UNCP-
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke was established in 1887 as a school for Native Ameicans offering curriculum in elementary and secondary levels. Until 1953 it was the only state-supported four-year college for Native Americans in the nation. In 1969, Pembroke State College gained university status and in 1996 the name was changed to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
UNC Pembroke is one of sixteen universities in North Carolina that comprise the University of North Carolina. The University occupies 126 acres adjacent to the town of Pembroke in Robeson County. It is ten miles from Interstate 95 and two miles form U.S. 74. Fayetteville Municipal Airport is approximately 40 mile from the campus.
The Students and Faculty-
UNC Pembroke has a student body of approximately 3,000 students. The University prides itself on its diverse academic programs. Students can choose form 50 majors of study, 39 minors and nine academic programs. A low student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1 enables faculty, staff and administrators to provide individualized attention and high quality instruction. Forty percent of UNCP students are members of ethnic minorities (25 % Native American and 13 % African-American, and 2% Asian-American and Hispanic-American). Ninety seven percent of UNCP students are North Carolina Residents. XXXX