Purdue News Service

The two institutions have jointly created the Indiana Consortium for Research in Energy Systems and Policy to advance interdisciplinary research related to energy systems and environmental and energy policy issues. Members of the consortium include IU Bloomington, Purdue University in West Lafayette, and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

Purdue, state libraries to celebrate Our Heroes' Tree program

The Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University will host an event Nov. 7 at the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis to commemorate the partnership between Purdue and libraries across the state to launch Our Heroes' Tree, a program designed to honor veterans and their families.

The institute has partnered with 124 libraries in communities around the state, which are hosting trees in their library. Community members create ornaments to hang on the tree to honor and recognize the contributions of current and former service members. The trees will be on display in participating libraries through early November.

Purdue to share $1.19 million FDA pharmacy research contract

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has awarded a $1.19 million contract to the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology and Education, a consortium of 11 leading pharmaceutical engineering universities including Purdue, to develop guidance on design specifications for drug manufacturers, officials announced Wednesday (Oct. 29).

Purdue, with its strengths in pharmacy, engineering and biological sciences, will receive more than $300,000 through the FDA research contract. Purdue has been a member of the consortium since it was launched in 2005.

Purdue Cancer Center establishes breast cancer research group

Purdue University is marking breast cancer awareness month in October with the creation of a collaborative research group to focus on ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease.

The Purdue Cancer Center brought together 10 of the top cancer researchers from the fields of biological science, medicinal chemistry, basic medical sciences and biomedical engineering to establish the group, said Timothy Ratliff, director of the Purdue Cancer Center.

Purdue astronaut on campus in November

Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, a Purdue University graduate, will speak on campus Friday, Nov. 7, in an event that is free and open to the public.

Polansky will talk about his experiences as an astronaut during the 8 p.m. talk in Wetherill Hall, Room 104. He will be on campus to participate in Purdue's annual Space Day on Saturday, Nov. 8.

**Tiger salamander**

Although research has linked inbreeding with elevated rates of deformity in a wide variety of animals, a new study finds it plays no part in the high incidence of malformation among salamanders.

Purdue University researchers recently examined 2,000 adult and juvenile salamanders and found that 8 percent had visible deformities, mainly consisting of missing, extra or dwarfed digits (equivalent to fingers and toes). That is double the rate of malformation found in newts, a related amphibian, but on par and with frequencies seen in many frog species, said assistant professor of forestry and natural resources Rod Williams.

Purdue highlights speaker during Native American Heritage Month

Author Jeff Corntassel will present "Rich Indian Racism: Indigenous Peoples Confront New Stereotypes in the Forced Federalism Era" at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 4) in Stewart Center, Room 310.

The talk, which is sponsored by Purdue University's Department of History and the Tecumseh Speaker Series, is in celebration of Native American Heritage Month. The event is free and open to the public.

Study reveals obstacles that keep pharmacists from aiding patients

Pharmacists, who are federally required to provide educational services to some Medicare patients, are facing a number of obstacles that keep them from helping chronically ill patients, according to a new Purdue University study.

"Our team identified nine barriers that affect how key educational services are administered to patients, many of whom are chronically ill," says Melanie Morgan, an associate professor of communication and one of the two faculty members who oversaw the study. "Lack of time, education and privacy, as well as insufficient reimbursement and problems communicating with prescribing physicians, were all obstacles in themselves. But, the lack of management support was the most prevalent problem reported by pharmacists in this study."

College of Science to honor 9 outstanding alumni with awards

The Purdue University College of Science will honor nine alumni during a Friday (Oct. 31) event.

The Outstanding Alumni Awards ceremony will recognize graduates from the biological sciences, chemistry and physics. A Sept. 5 ceremony honored alumni in actuarial science, computer science, earth and atmospheric sciences, mathematics, and statistics.

College of Technology at Indianapolis holding open house Nov. 11

The Purdue University College of Technology at Indianapolis is inviting prospective students to learn more about the facility and the degree programs offered there at an open house on Nov. 11.

The event will be held from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Aviation Technology Center at the Indianapolis International Airport at 2175 S. Hoffman Road. Students and parents will have the opportunity to tour the facility and talk with faculty, student services staff and financial aid officials about the programs offered at the Indianapolis location.

**Checking plots**

Earthworms can change the chemical nature of the carbon in North American forest litter and soils, potentially affecting the amount of carbon stored in forests, according to Purdue University researchers.

The Purdue scientists, along with collaborators from the Smithsonian Institution and Johns Hopkins University, study the habits of earthworms originally brought to North America from Europe. They want to determine the earthworms' effect on forest chemistry by comparing carbon composition in forests that vary in earthworm activity.

Economist: Farm credit available, more strings attached

A global economic slowdown isn't likely to hit agriculture as hard as other industry sectors, but that doesn't mean farmers and their lenders won't see changes ahead, said Michael Boehlje, a Purdue University agricultural economist.

While Boehlje said he believes credit will be available for crop and livestock producers, farmers and ranchers might have to jump through more hoops to borrow money. Banks, on the other hand, could require more information and documentation from borrowers.

CEO Owens to speak at Purdue as part of corporate ethics series

James W. Owens, chairman and CEO of Caterpillar Inc., in Peoria, Ill., will speak at Purdue on Oct. 29 as part of the Series on Corporate Citizenship and Ethics.

The 7 p.m. talk in the Class of 1950 lecture hall is free and open to the public. Owens' talk is presented by the Krannert School of Management and the College of Education's James F. Ackerman Center for Democratic Citizenship and is sponsored by the Purdue Employees Federal Credit Union and Karl and Kathy Krapek.

**Malaquias Montoya, Untitled**

Purdue University Galleries is presenting a comprehensive exhibition of contemporary Latino art that examines issues of immigration.

"Humanigration: The Cárdenas Latino Collection," will be presented Oct. 27 to Dec. 7, in the Robert L. Ringel Gallery in Purdue Memorial Union and Stewart Center Gallery, and Oct. 27 to Nov. 25 in the Patti and Rusty Rueff Galleries in the Yue-Kong Pao Hall of Visual and Performing Arts.

**Unfinished Block P unveiled**

The Block P, a Purdue icon that has been part of the university tradition for more than 100 years, became a permanent campus fixture as a sculpture designed to symbolize the importance of lifelong learning and self-improvement.

The dedication on Saturday (Oct. 25) in Academy Park, north of Stewart Center, is one of several events that took place during Homecoming week on Oct. 20-25.

Expert to discuss energy issues

Philip J. Smith, director of The Institute for Clean & Secure Energy at the University of Utah, will discuss the future of coal, oil shale and oil sands in a lecture Thursday, Oct. 30.

The center is a $7 million-a-year research program focused on technical, environmental and policy issues related to the three hydrocarbon resources. Smith will talk about the institute's multidisciplinary research aimed at quantified forecasting and associated policy decisions.

Purdue to offer cars, vans for sale

The public is invited to purchase used vehicles from Purdue University’s Transportation Service.

Transportation Service has scheduled a sealed-bid sale to dispose of cars and vans that have been replaced by newer vehicles. The vehicles will be available for viewing from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 6 and Nov. 7, and from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Nov. 8. Vehicles will be parked at the Transportation Maintenance Building, 1175 Harrison St., West Lafayette.

IQ+ Beef merges good business and best management practices

As costs continue to increase, producers need to manage their animals for efficient growth and a higher-quality beef, a Purdue University specialist said.

The Indiana Quality Plus Beef certification program, an online tool developed by Purdue beef specialists, brings professionalism to raising cattle, said Matt Claeys, Purdue Extension beef specialist.

Expert offers tips on coping with workplace change in a bad economy

With many feeling the pain of an economic slowdown, a Purdue University expert in change management says it's important for employees to be aware and proactive about possible changes in their workplace.

Alexander Crispo, an associate professor of organizational leadership and supervision, says that too often, workers don't see the early signs of looming layoffs, downsizing or shutdowns and are caught by surprise when they find themselves without a job.

Purdue Ag students to debate the quality of food choices

The Townsend Outstanding Communicator in Agriculture Debate will take place Nov. 6 at Purdue University in Pfendler Hall.

Participants this year will debate whether U.S. consumers have more quality food choices than ever before. A committee of Purdue faculty and staff determined the topic, which focuses on a prominent agricultural issue.

Purdue to welcome Old Masters to campus Nov. 2-4

Ten leaders in a variety of fields will visit Purdue Nov. 2-4 for the Old Masters program, where they'll have the opportunity to interact with students and talk about their professional experiences.

The Old Masters program, which is sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Students, got its start in 1950. Since then, more than 500 Old Masters have visited campus and shared their ideas and experiences with the student body.

**Gateway to the Future arch**

Alumni from two Purdue classes helped dedicate a new campus landmark and announced a gift for scholarships Saturday (Oct. 25).

The "Gateway to the Future" arch, located near Stadium Avenue between the Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering and the Civil Engineering Building, is a gift to the university from the classes of 1958 and 1959. The classes raised $550,000 to create the arch, as well as more than $150,000 for student scholarships, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of each class's graduation from Purdue.

**Stephen Byrn**

Prescription drugs have improved in quality and high-paying jobs have been created, thanks in part to a Purdue University professor who is the 2008 recipient of the university's Outstanding Commercialization Award.

The award, sponsored by the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, is being presented to Stephen Byrn, the Charles B. Jordan Professor of Medicinal Chemistry. Byrn also is head of the Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and co-founder and consultant for SSCI (Solid State Chemical Information) Inc., an Aptuit Company.

Purdue receives federal grant for emergency preparedness

Students, faculty and staff at Purdue University have received a boost in campus security and emergency preparedness thanks to a federal grant.

The $436,325 Emergency Management in Higher Education grant is from the U.S. Department of Education and is one of 17 the agency provided to institutions around the nation. Some 259 applied for grants.