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Show Campus News Thursday, Nov. I, 2012 Page 3 Briefs Campus & Community Two professors named fellows KAMAL RASHID SHOWS foreign researchers how to combat the flu virus by including DNA in their new methods. Photo courtesy of Dr. Kamal Rashid Researchers train in China ADDISON HALL staff writer Four researchers from Utah State University received a grant from BARDA, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, to train scientists on how to make more and better vaccines to help control the influenza virus. Kamal Rashid, Bart Tarbet, Shaun Barnett and James Dorward gave two week-long training sessions in Indonesia and Vietnam this September. The sessions allowed scientists from these countries to get a hands-on learning experience. "The aim of the program, or the fund, is to help developing countries improve their vaccine production capabilities," said Rashid. "They all have vaccine facilities. What we are trying to do is make them better at what they are doing, especially using cell-based vaccine production." Rashid said the vaccine production facilities in both countries, as well as in most of the world, use egg-based production. He said using this method has led and could lead to problems for the community. "Cell-based is faster and more reliable, and then some people might be allergic to the eggs anyway," Rashid said. "So if a vaccine is developed from egg, it may not be suitable for every person in the population." However, cell-based production could also prove difficult. James Dorward, the project's evaluator, said the equipment needed would be expensive and the cells used would have to be separated and sorted beforehand. "That whole process takes a while," Dorward said. "That's all stuff that needs to be done before you can start producing anything." Dorward said there were other challenges that appeared when they were giving instruction. "There was a language barrier," he said. "All the materials needed to be translated over into their native languages." According to Tarbet, there were other problems that hindered the work. Tarbet said much of the equipment they needed to give the presentations, such as the virus and the vaccine, were hard to ship. He said many of the scientists they worked with had less training in virology, the study of viruses, than they were used to. Even with the difficulties, Rashid said the training was a resounding success. "This was a great experience for us," Rashid said. "But also, it makes us feel really good about being able to put Utah State's name forward." According to Rashid, two universities are given the opportunity to work with BARDA: Utah State University and North Carolina State University. This year, USU alone was given permission to work on-site with foreign scientists. Tarbet said the BARDA grant was given to the university two years ago and normally, scientists from 13 participating countries come to USU to receive training. "It is a three-week training program for employees from these developing country vaccine manufacturers," Tarbet said. "We more or less have classes eight to five." Dorward said the trainings at the university were less effec- tive than the trainings on-site. "They trained on our equipment," Dorward said. "Then they went back to their countries and they maybe didn't have the same equipment or maybe the four that they sent were not in key positions to work in production. So by going to these countries, we were able to train a lot more of the people at these sites." Tarbet said the on-site training helped them focus in on what each country needed. "When we have people from seven countries here, our instruction is much more general," Tarbet said. Tarbet said when he and the others were in the vaccine facilities it allowed them to "tailormake" their training to each country's individual needs. "I think it was a valuable experience, not only for those scientists but for our scientists as well because we got to see what their challenges are and experience that first hand," Dorward said. "And that makes a difference." — addison.m.t.hall@gmail.com STARS: New system ranks sustainability OFrom page 1 became available, allowing USU to submit their application to STARS. Lamm explained what sustainability initiatives Utah State University is taking now through aggie blue bikes and recycling. "Aggie Blue Bikes is making biking available to the whole community," Lamm said. "By putting people on bikes, it is making them healthier and reducing greenhouse gasses and recycling has been going on for 20 years on campus. She explained USU's recycling program is impacting the community along with the university. "Reusable goods go to the Surplus Store, which is open to the public," she said. USU will report in three overall areas: planning, administration and engagement and education and research and operations. The university will receive points in each area, which will be calculated into an overall point score and will determine a gold, a silver or a bronze status. "We are really trying not to chase points," USU WILL BEGIN A NEW SUSTAINABILITY rating system in 2013. Several things will be measured throughout the year, including recycling. DELAYNE LOCKE photo Lamm said. "We are not shooting for certain levels yet. If our rating indicates that we have room to improve, then we will use that rating to try to get the campus to improve its sustainability." Lamm said she will not be disappointed if the university gets bronze simply because it's an accomplishment for a university to go through the STARS program. If USU gets a gold, she said they will look at areas where they did not get as high of points as they potentially could and they will work on bringing those points up. "It's an ongoing process," she said. "There is always more room for improvement. Whatever score we get, we will use for a planning tool in the future." STARS publicly reports a comprehensive reading of a college or university's sustainability performance. These reports are available online along with the submission date and a letter from the university president. Lamm said while STARS will help sustainability work more effectively, it is going to show USU more than just what needs to be improved. "It's a good way to look at the good things that are going on," Lamm said. "STARS is a powerful tool for us to look at what is going on on campus." According to official AASHE website, "AASHE is helping to create a brighter future of opportunity for all by advancing sustainability in higher education." One of the ways they are doing this is through the STARS program. Lamm said it is imperative for the faculty, staff and student body to work together through the sustainability process. "I think it's very important for everyone to coordinate on this because sustainability is something that affects everyone," Lamm said. "So by working together, we can make a bigger impact." Chad Bingham, lecturer in Communication Disorders and Deaf Education, and Heath Mitton, assistant professor of History, have been named Teaching Fellows for the 2012-2013 academic year. Both teachers were honored for demonstrating excellence according to USU's online quality standards. Bingham teaches two fully online courses of roughly 250 students each. He is an innovative instructor who regularly incorporates new tools and techniques into his teaching methods. Bingham is thrilled for the recognition. "It's exciting to be involved in distance education and online learning at USU," said Bingham. "USU is at the forefront of delivering quality courses to our students regardless of where they may be participating." Mitton, recently selected by USU as "Researcher of the Year," focuses his research on nineteenth-century United States History. He teaches online and broadcast courses that are especially rich in multimedia and online discussion. Mitton, too, is honored for the recognition of his use of best practices as well as his mentorship role to other online instructors. "This is a terrific program." said Mitton. "I'm delighted and honored to be a part of it. Performing artist will visit campus Nick Cave, fabric sculptor, dancer and performance artist, is coming to Utah State University Nov. 8 and while on campus he will be interviewed by David Wall. Everyone is invited to the 6 p.m. interview session in the Eccles Conference Center, Room 216. Best known for his "Soundsuits," wearable bright whimsical sculptures, Cave lives in Chicago, Ill., and is a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Cave teaches fashion at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago and is the chairman of the fashion department. He creates each Soundsuit by hand, using knickknacks from the thrift store, including buttons, beads, sweaters, knitted potholders and fake flowers. He created the first suit in 1992 in response to the Los Angeles Rodney King beating, creating a suit out of twigs. Cave discovered that when he moved in the twig suit, it made a sound, and thus the idea was born for more Soundsuits. The interview is free and open to the public. For more information, call the art department office, 435-7973460. Council calls for student research The Council on Undergraduate Research is calling for students to submit an abstract of their research that represents any of CUR's disciplinary divisions (Arts and Humanities, Biology, Chemistry, Geosciences, Health Sciences, Mathematics/ Computer Science, Physics/ Astronomy, Psychology, and Social Sciences). In order to ensure proper review of applications, the above are the only disciplines that may apply. Should your research be interdisciplinary, or in a subject not listed above, please select the division that most closely describes your research, if applicable. Abstract submissions will only be accepted by using our on-line submission form. Prior to submitting the form, students should gather the contact information for all co-authors, advisors and sponsors (if applicable), prepare a short vitae/resume, and poster abstract. A document listing the information required for submission can be found by visiting www. CUR.org. ClarifyCorrect The policy of The Utah Statesman is to correct any error made as soon as possible. If you find something you would like clarified or find in error, please contact the editor at 797-1742, statesman@aggiemail. usu.edu or come in to TSC 105. — jerawood@aggiemaiLusu.edu ► Compiled from staff and media reports |