Century of Science - Faculty Research
• Century of Science Video Presentation •
An Icon of Education
Physics professor Dr. Doug Brothers, who has taught at Benedictine College since 1968, is in a position to know a good deal about the history of science at Benedictine. He has been honored with the Distinguished Educator of Year Award, has received numerous National Science Foundation grants, served as department chair for 45 years and even served as Interim Dean of the College for 18 months. In all that time, he has never taken a sabbatical, saying that he wants to be here for the students. That means he has been at Benedictine College teaching for 95 straight semesters! Last month, as the college announced the Century of Science, he was appropriately named an “Icon of Education” by Ingram’s Magazine.
The Impact of Benedictine College Research
Students are the focus of Benedictine College faculty — but in their personal projects, our faculty are exposing students to groundbreaking research.
Ravens vs. Superbugs
The World Health Organization has declared antibiotic resistance one of the top three greatest threats to human health. Dr. Larry Sutton, Benedictine College associate professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry is the scientific founder at Gladius Pharmaceuticals. Using his original research, which Benedictine students had the opportunity to participate in directly, he is exploring an answer to drug-resistant superbugs. The project has received major financing, led by Lumira Capital Investment Management via its Merck Lumira Biosciences Funds.
Patented Engineering
Darrin Muggli, the Chair of Engineering, was recently awarded his third patent in collaboration with engineers at the University of North Dakota in a process related to the production of military-grade aviation fuel from crop oils like soybean oil or canola oil. The project identified several waste streams in an existing process and turned those waste streams into profitable products, making the overall process economically feasible. The research showed how engineers can help the private sector while serving the public good.
Raven Research
Other significant research from Benedictine College science faculty includes:
- Dr. Travis Almquist, biology, is doing important work in the management and ecology of the non-native Japanese hop vine.
- Dr. Gail S. Blaustein, chemistry, is helping break new ground in our understanding of the release, fate, and toxicity of nanomaterials.
- Dr. Martha Carletti, chemistry, is doing important research into esophageal cancer.
- Dr. Ryan Maderak, physics and astronomy, is tracing the history of the galaxy through the oxygen in stars.
- Dr. Terrence Malloy and biology students are assessing the impacts of flooding on plant communities along the Missouri River for the Corps of Engineers.
- Dr. Patrick O’Malley, engineering, participated in research developing an acoustic imaging system for detection of roadside explosives
- Dr. Mark Schramp, biology, is studying morphological changes in epithelial cells during organogenesis and disease.
- Dr. Georgiy Shcherbatyuk, physics and astronomy, is investigating high-level solar energy harvesting techniques.
- Dr. Paul Steinbach, chemistry, is researching environmental testing and luminescence spectroscopy.
- Dr. Virginia Winder, biology, addresses anthropogenic change on the ecology of wildlife populations, especially wind energy facilities, rangeland management techniques, and conservation efforts.
