OU Microbiology and Botany Graduate Blog

2010-09-11T11:46:00.003-05:00

Howdy Micro Grad Students!

It is that time again to choose potential speakers for the 2010-11 Cox Seminar Speaker! Click on the link below to choose from this years pool of nominees!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JGJ8MQQ

Sincerely,

Cox Seminar Committee

New Semester!

2010-08-30T21:06:00.002-05:00

Howdy Everyone!

This semester looks to be great! Hopefully I will try and update this a little more regularly so check back occasionally. We are looking at a couple of dates for possible tailgates so get pumped up for some OU football.

BOOMER!!!!!!

micrOU Fall 2010 CRAP/Graduate Seminar Schedule

2010-08-30T20:51:00.004-05:00

Aug. 27: JM Suflita- Organizational Meeting

Sept. 3: Various Speakers -Reports from the 2010 International Symposium on Microbial Ecology

Sept. 10 : Jizhong Zhou- Rapid Succession and Adaptation of Microbial Community Functional Structure in Response to deepwater Oil Plume

Sept. 17: TBA

Sept. 24: Jan Sunner- Microbiological Mass Spectrometry – Novel approaches toward solving microbiological problems

Oct. 1: OU Texas Game Weekend

Oct. 8: Anne Spain- Comparative Metatranscriptomic Analysis of a Sulfur Spring in Southwest Oklahoma

Oct. 15: Nathaniel Losey- Preliminary Investigations of the Microbial Ecology of Biofilms occurring in the Hale House Spring, Hot Springs National Park

Oct. 22: Lindsey O’Neal- Human Intestinal Microbial Ecology of Indigenous Communities in Peru

Oct. 29: Tyler Mitchell- Community Analysis of Arsenic Contaminated Soil From Pakistan

Nov. 5: Blake Boling- Assimilatory Nitrate Utilization by Bacteria on the West
Florida Shelf

Nov. 12: Jessica Turner- Mutational Analysis of Key Amino Acid Residues in a Transcriptional Regulator of an Oxidative Stress Response Operon in Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus

Nov. 19: Yue Huang- Comparative genomics of cellulosome genes

Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Vacation

Dec. 3: TBA

Dec. 10: Chrystal Moore- Methanogenic Biofilms: Who, When, and Why

Halloween Happiness

2009-11-02T08:32:00.002-06:00

Paul and I had a tremendous amount of fun with the party and we loved having you all over! We finally got round to counting the votes today and so the top costume awards go to....insert drum here...

Most original: Victoria Parisi (Makeup Counter Doll)
Scariest: The Mad Hatter (so scary no one knows their name)
The Cutest: Melissa Allen (Garden Gnome)
The Funniest: Cat and Travis Isom (The Ambiguously Gay Duo)
Best Overall: Chris and Laura Lyles (Cochise & captured inmate)

Congratulations to all!

Update web sites...

2009-09-03T21:21:00.002-05:00

Graduate students: please take the time to create or update web pages.

Second Hello!

2009-08-25T11:25:00.002-05:00

Looking forward to another great semester! As Kenny Bloggins says: Keep checking periodically for Departmental events. Group outdoor activities have been of interest to many and we will see if we can get something going!

Cycling

Rock climbing

Kayaking

Camping etc....

Get outside and get healthy!

Happy Fall ---

Tori

Long Time No See

2009-08-19T08:38:00.002-05:00

Howdy Everyone!
It has been a long time since the last post however, school is about to start and with that comes Football season! Check back periodically for some updates on what's happening!

BOOMER SOONER

Chemists Create Powdered Methane -Nature News

2008-09-03T14:40:00.005-05:00

Published online 3 September 2008 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2008.1077

News
Chemists create 'powdered methane'

Gas can be stored in dry water

Click this link for article from Nature News Online

Summary:

Scientists have created powdered methane through a reaction with silica and water. The structure of the powdered methane is like that of a hydrate. Cold temperatures are required for hydrate stability but researchers are working on stability at room temperature with salts dissolved in water. It is possible that powdered methane could be used as an alternative to compressed natural gas (CNG) when production of powdered methane is economically feasible.

My comments:
Where can I get some of this stuff for my research! This is an interesting prospect, especially as we transition from fossil fuels to alternative forms of energy.

Tailgatin' For Cincinnati... BearCat Style (whatever that means)

2008-09-02T13:47:00.004-05:00

Hi Everybody we are embarking on a Journey to bring tailgating to the masses of botany and microbiology graduate students!!! So lay down the pipettes, plant samples, save then shut down the excel sheets, and come out to celebrate OU football!!!!!! You don't necessarily have know anything about football it is all about the relaxing for a few hours not thinking about work. So come out and help us by eating some brats or burgers, playing some games, and finally cheering on OU.
Things to bring:
Chair
Beverage
Side dish (If motivated)
Yourself (with OU apparel)
Sunscreen

We will get started around noon and the game starts at 2:30 on ABC. Hopefully we will have the game on TV.

Hope to see you there

Cody

International Socitey of Microbial Ecology (ISME) Meeting 12, Cairns Australia

2008-08-30T12:00:00.010-05:00

Hello!

ISME 12 in Cairns, Australia was a terrific meeting. The theme of the conference was "Microbial Diversity - Sustaining the Blue Planet --Where the Great Barrier Reef meets the Rainforest."

This year's winner of the Jim Tiedje award was Norman Pace. Plenary speakers included Bo Barker Jorgensen, Mitch Sogin, Roberto Kolter and Steve Lindow to name a few.

The main focus of the meeting of course was microbial ecology. There were several important talks and a variety of new techniques to apply to ecology on display. If you are interested in specifics, the abstracts are available online for viewing.

ISME 12 Cairns

ISME 13 will be in 2010 in Seattle, Washington USA. Consider this meeting. It gives you a great opportunity to network and meet the leading researchers in the field.

The society has its own journal The ISME Journal, part of the nature publishing group. Check it out.

Tori

Daily Show Segment on Barak

2008-08-30T10:16:00.000-05:00

Tappin the Rockies at the Dem Convention

2008-08-28T08:35:00.001-05:00

The Seasons Changing

2008-08-12T14:58:00.006-05:00

Hey Gang,

The school year is starting once again and you all know what that means.... FOOTBALL!!!!! Yes the fever is taking hold and it looks like it won't break until next January. Look forward for another great semester of tailgating and game watching. Keep checking back for more on the goings on in the department.

Great Man Gift for Valentines Day

2008-02-13T19:56:00.001-06:00

2007-12-16T14:17:00.000-06:00

Great Ice Storm of '07

2007-12-12T09:11:00.000-06:00

Here are some pictures from in and around campus!

Carl tells it like it is!

2007-12-04T15:16:00.000-06:00

Turkey Bowl '07

2007-11-19T16:45:00.000-06:00

Turkey Day is on the Way

2007-11-14T21:11:00.000-06:00

Helllllo Everyone,

My it has been a loooong since I have updated anything on this ol' blog. So you may be asking your self, hmmmm what is going on in the department? Well I am glad you asked yourself that question (yes we do have the technology to tap your thoughts). If you haven't realized TURKEY DAY has come back to bless us with cranberry sauces, yams, pumpkin pies, and most importantly lazy fat turkey! mmmmm turkey
Also the games of all games are going to be played this holiday. First I would like to inform you of the all important turkey bowl on the oval next Thursday. This is a holiday tradition and if you are in town not doing anything feel free to show up for a good sporting game of American Style football. The second major game is BEDLAM!!!! OSU will mosey down to Norman on that Saturday and try to unseat us from our thrown of awesomeness. So if you are going to the game kudos to you. Cheer your lungs out for all of us. If you are like most of us we will be watching the game from our favorite lazyboy/couch yelling frantically at the TV.
Hopefully everyone has a good safe holiday and a fun time with all of the relatives they avoid until the holidays!

CODY

Garrrrrrrrrrrrrr It's Halloween Time

2007-10-23T08:07:00.001-05:00

It is that time of year when the seasons change and the ghouls come out to have a beer. That is right it is time for the annual Departmental Halloween Party. Can you think of anything more scary than a whole room full of scientists? (shiver, shiver)
Ann and Lauren have graciously sacrificed there house for the annual festival. Things will start this Saturday (Oct. 27) around 7:30 and end at ??? So bring the family, come in your most ghoulish attire and prepare to have a good time! For Directions to the party click here.

Hope to see you there!!!

Top Five Cox Seminar Candidates

2007-10-21T17:27:00.000-05:00

We have now narrowed the search down to our top five!!! Drum roll please.............

Jim Tiedje
Ed Delong
Alexis Templeton
Greg Velicer
Diana Northup

So the next step is to rank the top five using a hard vote before this weeks CRAP seminar. Thank to for all of those who participated!

CODY

Cox Seminar Candidate

2007-10-16T20:33:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone,
Here is the moment you have all been waiting for............ Choosing a Cox Seminar Speaker (crowd cheers and someone faints from excitement)!!! So in order to get this done efficiently and democratically you can vote for your top 5 candidates. From the top five we will then choose the top candidate next week before CRAP seminar. So please look at all of the candidates web sites (located Below on their name) and C.V. and then vote in the side bar! As always for this to work we need your help so please take five minutes to vote. Thank you for you help.

CODY

The list in no particular order:
Cox Seminar List
Dr George Bennett
Mario R. Capecchi
Dr Thomas Chrzanowski
Ed DeLong
Sydney Finegold
Diana Northup
T.C. Onstott
John R. Spear
Alexis Templeton
Jim Tiedje
Gregory Velicer
Garret Voordouw
Juergen Wiegel

Awesome Tailgate!!!

2007-10-14T16:49:00.001-05:00

Hello Everyone,
Wanted to thank everyone for coming out and making it a great day. More to come check back soon.

CODY

Tailgatin'

2007-10-11T08:59:00.000-05:00

Hello Y'all,

I would like to remind everyone that we will be tailgating this Saturday and are hoping that everyone comes out. We will start setting up early in the afternoon ~2:00 and things will get going around 4:00. Game time is scheduled for 5:30. We will have food, games, and of course the OU game playing. If you decide to come out you may want to bring a beverage and lawn chair. If you are highly motivated you can bring a side dish!

Remember 4:00 and we hope to see you all there.

CODY

I'm a Man I'm 40

2007-10-09T19:58:00.000-05:00

This is pretty darn funny.

CODY

Sooners take a bite out of Bevo

2007-10-07T13:16:00.000-05:00

So once again we have taken back the annual bragging rights in another impressive win by OU. For those of you who couldn't make it Saturday for the game, you missed a helluva good time. Despite some afternoon sprinkles and blazing heat, a good time was had by all.
You may be asking yourself what is going on this week in the department? Besides the normal class and experiments you should be gearing up for the homecoming game tailgate. OU will be kicking off at 5:30 on Saturday and we will be there in full force cooking, playing games, and having a great time. I will post more as the week moves on. So check back soon.
Hopefully everyone has chosen their Halloween costume and are working diligently on it. For those of you who haven't been paying attention and taking notes in seminar, Anne and Lauren are hosting the annual Partay of massive proportions. Set aside Saturday Oct. 27 for a good time.

Hope everyone has a good week

CODY

Red River Shootout of the beaten wet dogs

2007-10-01T21:51:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone! As of Tori's request I am posting a few specifics about the upcoming football game. You will need to bring the following:
1. Yourself
2. Your favorite beverage
3. Your favorite Side dish
4. Lawn Chair
5. A set of pipes to cheer for the Sooners and to bash bevo

Burgers and Brats will be had for all! If you need help finding the den of Watchdom follow the map and Please RSVP Tori (vparisi@ou.edu) to help us get an idea of the number of brats and burgers.
Leave a comment (below the post) of what you plan on bringing so we don't end up with 20 bags of chips.

See you around

Cody

*UPDATE a keg of shiner bock will be there for all to enjoy!

Dr. Teske Talk

2007-10-01T21:43:00.000-05:00

If you are wanting to know more about our upcoming speaker check out his C.V. and his website! Let me know if you are wanting to come to the Student luncheon.

Cody

Somethings in the Air

2007-09-24T19:59:00.000-05:00

How is it going this week? This seems to be a favorite question asked by many these days. For most of us the answer is overwhelmed and I wish I had a coffee IV. To help fight the almost mid-semester doldrums we have a few get togethers planned. This weekend OU is facing the mighty buffalos at the University of Colorado. This should be another game that helps us keep up our points scored to points allowed average (No. 1 in the Nation by the way). A tailgate from the home may be in the works at our beloved Saint Chris Lyles. More to come on this as it develops (check back at the end of the week).

If you haven't been paying attention to football here lately I suggest that you should. Cause you would be pumped to know that we will be facing a highly ranked Texas team! This should be one of the better meetings between the two teams since 2004! ABC has decided to pick up this game and kick off will begin promptly at 2:30. Tori and Brandon have decided to graciously allow us to come to there house and in the immortal words of CL "Get the Worst". It will be a great time and you shouldn't leave bored.
As with all of the tailgates or housegates or watch parties whatever you want to call it we suggest bringing your beverage of choice and if you are motivated enough bring a side dish it will be greatly appreciated. And as always if you do "Get the Worst" bring a cot or a sleeping bag or a DD if you don't, severe consequences will ensue (enter in music dun dun duuuuuun).

Now for the Grand Daddy of all good times you could think of. For homecoming we are going to throw the bestest, most awesomest, funtabulous, side splitting crazy time, etc.. etc... We are planning the sweetest tailgate we can think of for the homecoming game against Missouri. We Sooners get to show them what a powerhouse team looks and hits like and we want everyone there to help us get pumped and excited while we watch the game. Game time hasn't been assigned yet but no matter what time it is we will be there and we want you there too. So plan on coming out, circle you calender, set an alarm, start sleeping outside the department in anticipation. What ever it takes, you need to be there along side your fellow micro-nerd and botany geek chanting BOOMER SOONER and WHO WE GOING TO SKIN? THE TIGERS!!!!!

So That is all for now thank you for reading all of my crazy posts. Always remember that a small collection of people are at Brothers on Fridays after seminar. If you want to talk science or how awesome Mickey's are come on by there will be a seat waiting.

See you around the Department

Cody

Friday Night Watch Party at Dr. Suflita's House

2007-09-19T15:58:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone,
I hope this week has been going well for everyone. Dr. Suflita is wanting to have a get together on Friday to watch your #4 Sooners take on the mighty Golden Hurricanes of Tulsa. This should be an ok match up with the Hurricanes bringing their potentially explosive offense against a stifling OU defense. However if it does turn out to be a blow out there is plenty of volleyball, pool, and ping pong to keep everyone happy. As always bring your favorite beverage to enjoy and if you feel motivated enough possible a snack. Game time is at 7:00 P.M. on ESPN 2. Come early and get a good seat for the game.

Hope to see you there!
Check Back regularly.

Cody

Directions can be found here

Tailgating Through a Class One Hurricane

2007-09-14T21:23:00.000-05:00

If you weren't there you should have been but here are a few pics to get you pumped for Homecoming as we try to house train the Missouri Tigers. Keep checking in for more info on the tailgate and ideas about OU vs Texas blow out!

Welcome To the Blog of All Blogs

2007-09-14T21:11:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone,
This is the beginning of what will become a weekly and possibly more update as to what is going on in the Department. I will be posting info about graduate student life outside the lab and fun upcoming events. We hope to create a better way of getting the word out and sharing pics from the events.

Check back regularly

Cody