Marc Knecht, associate professor of chemistry at the University of Miami, will present his research talk "Exploiting the Bio/Inorganic Interface to Control the Activity of Nanomaterials" at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, October 10, in Science Building 272. An abstract of his talk appears below.

Before his presentation, from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m., Knecht will converse with undergraduate and graduate students at Buffalo State regarding his experiences of scientist as a career. This private conversation will be held in Science and Math Complex 201. This seminar is sponsored by the Auxiliary Services Grant Allocation Committee, the Vice President for Student Affairs Office, and the Faculty-Student Association.

Abstract
Bio-inspired approaches represent emerging methods to fabricate inorganic materials with vast applications ranging from energy storage to catalysis. For many of these materials, phage display-isolated peptides are used to nucleate and grow the structures where peptides bind and passivate the nanomaterial surface. Based on these highly specific interactions, a unique biotic/abiotic interface is generated, which contributes to the activity of the final structure. Unfortunately, minimal information is currently available about this structural detail due to the lack of analytical methods that can accurately probe this level. To overcome this, we have begun to apply chemical approaches to observe changes in the activity of biomimetic nanostructures through modifications of the amino acid sequence of materials directing peptides. Using the Pd-specific Pd4 peptide, highly reactive Pd nanoparticles are prepared that catalyze the Stille coupling reaction under atypical conditions; employing these materials, C-C bonds can be generated in water at room temperature with ultra-low catalyst loadings for a process that is energy efficient and eco-friendly. To elucidate surface peptide effects, rationally designed sequences were prepared to site selectively alter the binding capabilities of the peptide, which was used to chemically demonstrate the effects of the biotic/abiotic interface on the reactivity of the materials. Additional studies have focused on the use of Au-binding peptides, as well as unique biomimetic templates that drive the production of linear structures. Together, such results represent the initial steps toward the generation of criteria for the rational design of peptides that could be used to control the size, shape, composition, and activity of nanomaterials.

The Art Conservation Department is partnering with the Darwin Martin House, the Buffalo Museum of Science, the Buffalo History Museum, the Forest Avenue Resource Center, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the Richardson Olmsted Complex, and the Burchfield Penney Art Center for Museums by Moonlight this year. For one night only, you can gain admission to all these fabulous sites for just $25. Buffalo State students and faculty members with valid ID will be admitted to the Art Conservation Department open house only for free. To gain admission to the other sites, and for more information and tickets to the event, visit the Preservation Buffalo Niagara website. This will be the Art Conservation Department's only open house this year, so make sure not to miss this opportunity!

The American Cancer Society (ACS) will hold its 2013 Making Strides against Beast Cancer walk on Saturday, October 19. This is the second year we have formed a team, the Buffalo State Striders (UUP). We are looking for a minimum of 10 new walkers to join our team. The walk is 2.3 miles, and our fundraising goal is $1,500.

There are three ways you can get involved:

1. PARTICIPATE in the walk:

? Sign up today.
? Watch the how-to video.
? Specifics:

• ?2.3-mile walk.
• Saturday, October 19, 10:00 a.m., ?65 Niagara Square, downtown Buffalo.
• Anyone can join the team, so sign up with your friends.

2. DONATE to the team or a specific walker:

• Donate today.
• Watch the how-to video.
• Your pledge money stays local. See "How Donations Save Lives."

3. PROMOTE: Can’t participate in the walk, but want to stay involved? Get your department to host dress-down days to promote the event. I have the “swag” to help you get started.

Just get involved! Contact Ramona Santa Maria, assistant professor of computer information systems and UUP academic delegate and part-time contingents officer, for more information.

The Technology Building’s northwest entrance will be out of service from Friday, October 4, through Monday, October 7, as flooring in the interior vestibule undergoes repair. The campus community is asked to make use of alternative building entrances during this time.

Questions about this work may be e-mailed to vpfm@buffalostate.edu. For more information about Buffalo State capital projects, please visit the campus construction website. Thank you for your understanding.

The Professional Staff Caucus Scholarship Fundraiser scheduled for Friday, October 18, has been canceled. See you in the spring. Thank you.

Baritone Matthew Hoch, associate professor of voice at Auburn University, will perform with pianist Ben Harris in a recital featuring works by Schumann and Ravel on Wednesday, October 9, at 7:30 p.m. in Ciminelli Recital Hall.

Tickets are $10. Admission is free for all students, although a ticket is required for admission. Tickets are on sale at the Rockwell Hall Box Office: charge by phone at ext. 3005 or online. Free admission tickets are available only in person at the Rockwell Hall Box Office with valid student ID. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and one hour before the concert.

Please join us for a discussion of professional science master’s programs and undergraduate research on Wednesday, October 9, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. during the webinar "Undergraduate Research as a Pipeline to Professional Science Master's Programs: Applying Undergraduate Researchers' Skills to Degrees that Connect Academia to Industry."

In parallel with the rapid expansion of undergraduate research and its incorporation into many undergraduate majors and curricula, a new type of graduate degree, the professional science master’s (PSM), has come into prominence in the last decade. Combining coursework in science and business, internship in a business or public-sector enterprise, and a final project incorporating research elements, the PSM is an excellent graduate option for many undergraduate researchers.

In this webinar, the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) partners with the leading organizational voice for the PSM, the National Professional Science Master’s Association, to share early developments and reveal current and exciting trends in the PSM community, and how undergraduate research experiences can be an excellent springboard.

Webinar facilitators will be Elizabeth Ambos, executive officer of CUR; Joaquin Carbonara, professor of mathematics, Buffalo State; Marilyn Wells, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at Minnesota State University at Mankato; Larry Wimmers, chair of the CUR Biology Division; and Michael Dorff, chair of the CUR Mathematics and Computer Sciences Division.

Register online by October 9.

Lecture-discussion: My Appreciation of Watercolor: A Personal View – Watercolors with Jody Ziehm and Kathleen Giles, will be held Friday, October 4, from 12:30–1:00 p.m. in the Burchfield Penney Art Center.

Kathleen Giles and Jody Ziehm are watercolor artists who cohost a local cable show, Watercolors with Jody and Kathy. The show's premise is that there is no one right way to do anything. The two artists each have a different approach and theory about the subjects they feature. Giles and Ziehm will discuss the show and its challenges, such as painting together in front of a camera.

Further information contact Kathy Gaye Shiroki, ext. 3549.

Please join the Blackboard Users Open Forum in Blackboard to interact with other faculty members using Blackboard, ask questions, and browse resources. It is a self-enrolling organization. Follow the steps in this video to self-enroll.

There is money out there to fund your study-abroad experience. Learn what it takes to write a scholarship-winning essay. Let us help you get started at our Scholarship Writing Workshop on Thursday, October 10, from 10:30 a.m. to noon in E. H. Butler Library 318.

Sponsored by the International Education Office and the Writing Center.