PAMS Focus - September 12, 2005

PAMS Focus is a periodic e-mail newsletter about activities, achievements and other news from the NC State College of Physical & Mathematical Sciences (PAMS). If you have any suggestions or comments, please share them with us by e-mailing pamsalumni@lists.ncsu.edu.

Space limited for Alumni & Friends Luncheon -- Register now!

We're excited about the response to the PAMS Alumni & Friends Weekend, scheduled for Sept. 23-24. Space is limited for the Friday kick-off luncheon, featuring a keynote presentation by Dr. Jack Horner, world-famous paleontologist and advisor to the Jurassic Park films. If you'd like to attend the luncheon, please register now at www.pams.ncsu.edu/weekend

The luncheon is followed by a series of short classes on stimulating topics you select, and a Friday evening reunion social with live entertainment. Then on Saturday, participants will gather at Jillian's in downtown Raleigh to watch the State/Carolina football game. We have plenty of space for these events.

For more information and to register, visit www.pams.ncsu.edu/weekend .

College names two new department heads

Morteza Khaledi was recently named chair of the Chemistry Department. He succeeds Bruce Novak, who returned to the faculty ranks after serving as head for six years. For more, visit http://www.ncsu.edu/news/press_releases/05_07/155.htm

Michael Paesler succeeds Chris Gould as head of the Physics Department. For more, see http://www.ncsu.edu/news/press_releases/05_08/156.htm

Gould, who served as department head for 10 years, has been named Associate Dean for Administration.

Physicist collaborates on skin cancer research

Bob Nemanich of the Physics Department collaborated with John Simon, a Duke University chemist, on a research project involving the mystery of why red-headed people are at higher risk for skin cancer than people with dark hair. Scientists have known that the skin pigment, or melanin, in these two groups differed chemically. Using a special laser and Nemanich's photoelectron emission microscope, Simon was able to determine that red-headed people's melanin was more likely to produce free radicals, which may increase one's cancer risk.

NC State Geologist revises important reference map

Geologist Jim Hibbard of the Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences led efforts to revise an important reference map detailing major geologic features of the Appalachians from the state of Alabama to Newfoundland, Canada. Benefiting from a dramatic increase in data over the last 25 years, the map will be an important reference for geologists, mining companies, environmental scientists, university faculty and students, paleontologists - virtually anyone who has an interest in the geology of the mountain chain.