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Microbiologist Kelly Benderwon the 2004 SIUC Outstanding Dissertation Award for work that will aid in the cleanup of a widespread environmental contaminant. Perchlorate, used by various industries and by the military in solid rocket fuel, poses long-term health risks. Cleanup of sites contaminated with this chemical is difficult for a variety of reasons. As part of an SIUC team that isolated bacteria capable of breaking down perchlorate even in oxygen-deprived environments such as subsoil, Bender did pioneering work by showing how these bacteria function at the genetic level. She identified and sequenced the genes that trigger production of the enzyme that breaks down perchlorate, as well as several other genes that seem to play supporting roles in the process. She also developed a molecular technique to rapidly detect whether any species of perchlorate-degrading bacteria are present at a given site. That information will help determine site suitability for bioremediation. A patent application has been filed on the technology, and a license was recently granted to BioInsite Inc. for its commercialization. Hilla Medalia, a documentary filmmaker whose work was showcased in the Spring 2004 issue of Perspectives, won the SIU Alumni Association's 2004 Outstanding Thesis Award for her film "Daughters of Abraham." Shot on location in Jerusalem and the West Bank, the documentary explores the lives of two teenage girls: a Palestinian who became a suicide bomber and one of her Israeli victims. "Daughters of Abraham" won a 2004 Angelus Award and was shown at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. David Rush was one of only 10 playwrights nationwide to have a staged reading of one of his works at the 2005 Orlando Shakespeare UCF Festival of New Works. And the work of both costume designer Kathryn Wagner and scenic designer Ronald Naversen was featured at World Stage Design 2005, showcasing theater sets, costumes, lighting, and sound design. Four SIUC faculty and staff have won coveted 2005 Illinois Artists Fellowships from the Illinois Arts Council. The $7,000 awards went to poet David Bond, music composers Eric Mandat and Frank Stemper, and performance artist Christopher Wildrick. [home] [spring 05] [topics] [back issues] [contact us] [locate researchers] [SIUC home] Comments: Perspectives Webmaster
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