Temple University - Templar Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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' X-radiatfoH . CJtetnfoU fa RALPH WICHTERMAN, Professor of Biology B.S. in Ed., 1930, Temple University; A.M., 1932; Ph.D., 1936, University of Pennsylvania. Solid solutions of metals in metal oxides, with their unusual properties, are of great interest to Dr. Lawrence E. Conroy, instructor in chemistry. With the aid of four day and three evening students, most of whom are working on their Master ' s degree, he is doing basic research on these compounds. To determine methods of preparation, chemical and physical prop- erties, and reasons for behavior of these compounds are all part of Dr. Conroy ' s research. If one were to look at the crystals of these compounds, they would appear metallic due to their luster. However Dr. Conroy explained that these crystals do not possess all the properties of metals. The electronic prop- erties are those of metals, but they are unlike metals in that they are not malleable. Dr. Conroy added that temperatures of 800 to 1200 degrees centigrade are necessary to prepare these compounds. Some of these solid solutions of metals in metal oxides may be useful as semiconductors, the basic units in transistors, which can replace electron tubes for many pur- poses and have the advantages over electron tubes of smaller size and lower consumption. Dr. Ralph Wichterman, winner of the 1955 Darbaker Prize in Microscopical Biology, presented by the Pennsylvania Acad- emy of Science, is working on the effects of high dosage X-radiation on one-celled animals. For the past twenty years, one could find Dr. Wichterman at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts from. June to mid September experimenting on these protozoa. During the re- mainder of the year the data obtained in Massach usetts are analyzed and studied at Temple. Dr. Wichterman has received grant from both the Temple University Committee on Research and the Office of Naval Research. Why use protozoa? Dr. Wichterman explained that these animals are invaluable because of their prevalence and the ease to which they lend themselves effects of radiation may be discovered with speed and precision. Protozoa can even survive exceedingly high dosages of radiation. Their radiation resistance is 850 times greater than that of man. In addition to this research work, Dr. Wichterman is writing a histology text. Reprints of his articles written for various journals are also sent to scientists throughout the world. No national boundaries exist to the scientist. Dr. Edgar Howard is presently engaged in fundamental studies in the field of organophosphorus compounds. This important re- search work includes the investigation of the methods of preparations of various types of organophosphorus compounds, their behavior, and their properties. An attempt is also being made to study the mechanism of organic reaction and to deter- mine the way molecules react with each other. Dr. Howard said that these compounds may have great potential in the preparations of synthetic polymers. Such polymers may be un- usually resistant and stable to extremely high temperature. Other possible applications of these compounds could be in the preparation of insecticides and therapeutic agents. Dr. Howard has developed various techniques in using the infrared-spectrophotometer which have aided in the .analysis and study of organophosphorus compounds. A brilliant chemist once said by each chemical reaction Nature is trying to tell us some of its secrets, and it is up to the chemist to find out what is being said. Dr. Howard is indeed playing an important role in unraveling some of these secrets. LAWRENCE E. CONROY, Instructor in Chemistry B.S., 1949, University of Rhode Island; M.S., 1952; 1955, Cornell University. Ph.D., 29 EDGAR HOWARD, JR., Associate Professor of Chemistry Sc.B., 1943, Brown University; Ph.D., 1946, University of Illinois.

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tu jif fat genie Variation, JAMES A. HARRISON, Professor of Biology A.B., 1926, Trinity University; Ph.D., 1935, University of Chicago. Dr. James A. Harrison, professor of biology, has been working on the antigenic variation in the Salmonelli, a specific species of bacteria. Dr. Harrison explained that the most invariable thing about living organisms is their continual variation. This variation can be found in any measurable characteristic. In humans this is hard to see but not in bacteria that multiply so rapidly one today, several trillion tomorrow. Amonq these trillion, some are unlike the original parent in certain measur- able characteristics. Here lies Dr. Harrison ' s interest. Dr. Harrison has also written many articles for Science and the Annual Review of Microbiology. The Antigenic Varia- tion in Protozoa and Bacteria appeared in 1947. Before his arrival at Temple in 1935, Dr. Harrison was a high school instructor in Texas, a lab assistant in Chicago, and an associate professor in the University of Texas Medical School. Dr. Harrison likes to play the piano for his own amusement and to work in the shop. In his spare time, he has been able to make a plugging machine for test tubes and also automatic machine for both filling and plugging test tubes. Why do students find Dr. Harry N. Stoudt ' s botany classes so interesting and enjoyable? Dr. Stoudt ' s informality in the class- room may be the answer. He admits, Even though I resolve each semester to be more reserved, I find that before the first lab period is over, I ' m as informal as before. Dr. Stoudt has been working out the sporogenesis of the Magnolia which is of a primitive group in the phylogeny of plants. Although the in- vestigation of the Magnolia will aid the study of other groups, very little had yet been done on it. In order to complete his research on the Magnolia, Dr. Stoudt said that buds were collected for four years, over 1 ,000 slides prepared, photomicrographs taken, a thorough study made, and a proper sequence of events established. The results of Dr. Stoudt ' s research will be sent to either the International Society of Plant Morphologists or the Botonic Society of America for publication. Dr. Stoudt is a member of both societies. In his office, above the slides and photomicrographs of his research work, hangs his favorite Ben Franklin quotation, Knowledge is the discovery of ignorance. HARRY N. STOUDT, Assistant Professor of Biology B.S. in Ed., 1931; Ed.M., 1933, Temple University; Ph.D., 1939, The Johns Hopkins University. 28 A highly respected man for his knowledge in the field of bio- chemistry is Dr. John M. Ward, assistant profesor of biology. At the fourth International Congress for Biochemistry in Vienna to be held in the fall of 1958, Dr. Ward will speak on Bio- chemical System Governing Differentiation of Fungi. Since 1954 Dr. Ward has been doing research on the fungi. He is particularly interested in the cellular division mechanism and the physiological pathways of these chlorophyll-free plants. In 1955, a research publication, Enzymatic Oxidation of Ascor- bic Acid in the Slime Mold, Physarum Polycephalon, appeared. To carry on his research work, Dr. Ward has received grants from the Lalor Foundation, Temple University Committee on Research, and the Curtiss Wright Corporation. In 1953 Dr. Ward was a United States Public Health pre-doctoral fellow and later a post-doctoral fellow at the Institute of Microbiology at Rutgers. Since his arrival at Temple in 1954, Dr. Ward has been appointed research associate at the Academy of Natural Science in Philadelphia. When asked what hobbies he had, Dr. Ward ad mitted, I ' m not very good at any, but I do like to play golf. IT ' - T JOHN M. WARD, Assistant Professor of Biology B.S., 1949, Rutgers University; Ph.D., 1954, University of Pennsylvania.

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, and ltetwic an WILLIAM ROGERS, JR., Professor of Chemistry and Chairman of the Department B.S.. 1921; M.A., 1922; Ph.D., 1924, Princeton University. FLOYD T. TYSON, Professor of Chemistry B.S., 1920, The Pennsylvania State University; Ph.D., 1923, Yale University. For sixteen years the chemistry depart- ment has been headed by Dr. William Rogers, Jr., Professor of Chemistry. Only seven years after his arrival at Temple in 1934, as an instructor, he was ap- pointed to this position. Dr. Rogers ' present research study is on the kinetics of hydrolysis of substituted amides. He is also busy with a study of formation constants and the kinetics of isomerism of coordination compounds. Di-substi- tuted Phosphene Oxides was contrib- uted by Dr. Rogers in 1957. The pro- fessor finds time to be a member of the Metropolitan Board of the YMCA and the Education Committee of Health and Welfare Council. He also likes gar- dening. Professor of Chemistry at Temple and apiarist (bee keeper) and gardener in his spare time is Dr. Floyd T. Tyson. Before arriving at Temple in 1924. Dr. Tyson was an assistant chemist at Yale and a chemist in the Naval Aircraft Factory in Philadelphia. In the past, Dr. Tyson has worked on the improvements in methods of the productions of indole and certain of its derivatives. At present, he is in- terested in the separation of certain stereo-isomers which are formed in the course of catalytic hydrogenation, and also the methods for the preparation of indantrione and related compounds. JOHN J. FISHER, Assistant Professor of Philosophy A.B., 1947, Wheaton College; M.A., 1950, North- western University; Ph.D., 1952, University of Pennsylvania. Dr. John L. Fisher, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, has completed what he considers his very small part in a large program. This was a three year Ford Foundation experimental program with the purpose of giving those public school teacher who have never had liberal arts subjects, a chance to study the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences. This program was initiated in various American colleges. Dr. Fisher ' s contribution was in the biology department and Dr. Jacob Wil- liam Gruber of the sociology depart- ment also participated in this program. Dr. Fisher says that he likes to dabble in music and to paint a little. GORDON F. HOSTETTLER, Associate Professor of Speech and Chairman of the Department of Speech and Dramatic Arts. A.B., and B.S., 1940, Kent State University; M.A., 1942; Ph.D., 1947, State University of Iowa. Dr. Gordon F. Hostettler, Associate Pro- fessor of Speech and Chairman of the Department of Speech and Dramatic Arts, still finds time to do some research and writing. Dr. Hostettler is presently working on Analysis and Criticism of the Public Speaking of Robert La Fol- lette, Sr. This article will appear in a volume, Twentieth Century American Speakers. Also for publication this year is an article, Analysis of the Brownlow- Pryne Debate on Slavery, Philadelphia 1858, for a volume, Case Studies in American Public Address. 30