Markus Seeliger, PhD, the recipient of this award, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacological Sciences at Stony Brook University School of Medicine.

His project that received this grant is titled, “New Tools To Hit Moving Targets in Cancer Therapy.” It focuses on developing unconventional approaches to cancer therapies that would help create more effective cancer drugs.

The Feldstein Medical Foundation was created to promote and advance previously neglected areas of medical research, and funds projects that focus on research in previously underfunded areas, new or innovative research and other various medical researches including basic science, translation and implementation studies, early clinical research and education.

“Dr. Seeliger’s laboratory focuses on understanding the molecular mechanism of signaling proteins and how small molecule ligands and drugs can modulate their activity,” according to Stony Brook University.

And to expand their understanding and conduct experiment, Dr. Seeliger and his colleagues created a new method, using sophisticated, specialized computer hardware, to identify drug-binding sites on Src (sarcoma) kinase, which is a protein that causes cancer by promoting signals.  He said they were able to stimulate the entire drug-binding process to the Src kinase.

According to Dr. Seeliger, specificity is crucial for a drug to develop properly even in the late stages. He said this lack of specificity was the reason to why they failed, especially in the late developmental process.

But, his team’s new research has found potential new binding sites that would act as specific inhibitors of Src kinase. He said, this combination of computer-based findings and experimental protocol, might aide the acceleration of the new creation of potent cancer drugs.

The Feldstein Medical Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2007, and is based in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area. 

University Police and Campus Operations responded to an alarm at 3:45 pm that was caused by a malfunctioning elevator in the Fine Arts portion of the building, according to university officials.

“They discovered that about 14 inches of water had accumulated after a chilled water line fitting let go, flooding the Fine Arts mechanical room,” they said, affecting the electrical panels.

The flooding’s most noticeable effect to the campus community was “a strategic 30 minute power outage” that affected 11 buildings: Pritchard, the Sports Complex, the Recreation Center, the Student Union, Student Health Services, the Wang Center, all of H Quad, all of Mendelsohn Quad and the LaValle Stadium.  This initiative was taken by Campus operations late that night to switch electrical feeders in an attempt to assess and repair damages, while protecting still functional equipment, according to university officials.

After the scheduled 30 minute power outage, the electrical power was restored to all buildings but the Staller Center, which remained unpowered until mid-day Monday, March 6, according to university officials.  The Staller Center’s “ventilation/air handling systems, light and elevators” were effected for the duration of the power outage, but all systems, such as fire alarms, were running on a generator.

Staller was reopened at 1 pm on Monday, March 6, although classes to be held in the building that day were cancelled.  Classes resumed the following day, Tuesday, March 7.

 At a University Senate meeting during the evening of Monday, March 6, President Stanely mentioned the incident, stating that these types of concequences are what happens when there isn’t a “critical maintenance” budget for incidents at SBU.

There is still significant damage from the incident that is currently being repaired, according to university officials.  The total costs are estimated to be between $70,000 and $100,000.

Updated at 5:29 pm on March 10, 2013.

This new step in the program included putting four bike racks across campus and releasing 25 bikes that can be rented out by students at no cost for the initial hour, and then at a cost of two dollars for every hour until the bike has been checked-out for more than four hours, according to the Office of Sustainability website.  Renting a bike for 5 hours costs 16 dollars, 24 hours for 32 dollars, and up to 3 days for 64 dollars.  Staff and faculty must pay a subscription fee for access to the bikes because the transportation fee, which is only paid by students, funds the program.

“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from the community,” said James O’Connor, director of sustainability and transportation operations.

The original bike share program began back in April of 2011, where it remained in place until this phase of the program launched on April 19 this semester. The first phase of the program involved students paying a 30 dollars registration fee and receiving a bike for their use for the entirety of the semester, according to O’Connor.

The master plan for the bike share program was developed by the Transportation and Parking Advisory Group, which is comprised of faculty, staff and students at SBU.

“In our transportation fee budget we have a 5-year program to implement bike share across campus,” said O’Connor. The group meets once a month to discuss campus transit, commuter parking, biking, and student feedback they’ve received.

“We really haven’t had any problems with students returning the bikes, it’s all gone very smooth,” said Greg Monaco, sustainability coordinator in the Office of Sustainability.

While the program has gone well so far, there are a few common issues that users keep stumbling upon.

“[We've received] a lot of questions about how to unlock a bike,” said O’Connor.  To unlock a bike students are required to enter their 8-digit pin code, which is their birthdate listed as the month, day and four-digit year (mm/dd/yyyy). The Office of Sustainability plans on placing additional signage at the bike racks with more detailed instructions for users, according to O’Connor and Monaco.

They have also set up a phone line for students to call if they’re having an issue with their bike or the rental system.

“Ultimately there’s a mechanism for them to call us at that moment,” said O’Connor.  Users can reach the Office of Sustainability and Transportation at 631-632-6219 with questions during normal business hours, or they can email the office at sustainability@stonybrook.edu.  Users even have the ability now to tweet with questions or comments at sbu_sustainabilities, according to O’Connor.

Currently there are only four bike racks on campus, two outside of the SAC, one near West I Apartments, and one at South-P. However, during the next fiscal year there are plans to establish three more racks across campus. Over the summer the program plans on releasing the remaining bikes they have, which will make a total of 48 bikes available.

The bikes currently in use have their own individual bike consoles that have the capability to collect data about their use.  However, this data won’t be available for another week because this phase is currently in week three and it is only to be collected one a month. The system is set up to be able to measure how many metric tons of carbon dioxide are saved by the use of the bikes, according to O’Connor, so they can be compared to other transportation systems on campus, such as the busses.

O’Connor and Monaco both stated that the overall goal is to provide a point to point service on campus that’s environmentally healthier than current option available.

“So far it’s been a huge success.  In the future we’d like to continue to grow it,” they said.

Anyone interested in the Transportation and Parking Advisory Group can find contact information, past meeting minutes and future meeting times at stonybrook.edu/transportation under the Transportation Fee Feedback and Advisory Group tab.

Comic by Evan Goldaper

Batman Incorporated #10
Grant Morrison
Chris Burnham
Things begin to pick up again in Morrison’s grandiose fashion that reminds readers what happens when you elicit the ire of the Dark Knight. Just like how an animal is at its most dangerous when it’s cornered and wounded, it’s obvious the same can be said about Batman. The issue expands on the recurring visual motifs that have been prevalent throughout Morrison’s several year long run with the character. It offers some surprises in the resurgence of certain characters and also Batman’s shocking, yet pragmatic approach to being forced into a high-noon style showdown. The major flaw of the book is the fill-in artist whose generic style creates a sort of dissonance between his pages and Burnham’s. With this said, it becomes obvious that the best is yet to come in that there are still questions yet to be answered and massive battles yet to be fought.

Mind MGMT #10
Matt Kindt
Much like Revolver, Mind MGMT is a work that operates on various planes of existence that aren’t exactly easy to pin down at times. Also like Kindt’s previous work, it makes use of a washed out color palette with simplified pencil-work that speaks to the ambiguity of the plot. There’s also a vague resonance of post-modernism in that Kindt brings the reader’s attention to the artifice of the book, by constantly breaking the fourth wall. He does this by using borders with fine blue text that are reminiscent of Bristol board paper as well as various lines of text on the side of the page that appears on torn paper. I’d like to note that on paper it’s somewhat difficult to pay attention to these fine details, however a digital download makes seeing this much easier. Despite this break from immersion, the characters in this artificial world are still sophisticated enough that the interactions between them are still gripping, much like the entirety of this book.

By Sean Fischer

Q:Explain Olympic lifting like I have no idea what the sport is?
A: Olympic weightlifting is a speed and strength-related sport that tests the maximum amount an athlete can lift overhead in two different manners: The Clean and Jerk, and The Snatch. Each lifter is divided into separate weight classes, and is given three attempts in each discipline (Clean and Jerk; and Snatch) to perform their maximal weight.
The Clean and Jerk is a two part lift. The athlete starts with a barbell on the ground, and must pull it up to their clavicle/shoulders in a very powerful, swift motion. Usually a lifter will also squat down low to receive the barbell on their clavicle. After standing up with the weight in the “rack” position, the athlete composes him/herself. Then, in a very sudden dip and drive, the athlete launches the barbell over their head into a lock-out position. Once the barbell is controlled in this lock out, the lift is completed.
In the Snatch, the athlete starts with the barbell on the ground. However, this time, their initial pull must be greater than to just their clavicle; they must sweep it up into a fully locked out overhead position in one continuous motion. Again, the technique of squatting down is employed, however the bar must be locked out overhead.

Q: How’d you get started?
A: I always liked training, and bettering myself. In High School, I naturally progressed through the sports I did, I found myself in the weight room often. I was in love with the concept of putting in hard work, and then reaping the benefits. It was exhilarating to walk into the weight room and lift a weight I previously could not. As my experience developed, I really wanted to pursue Olympic weightlifting. While I would perform the movements by myself, to really get into it, one needs proper equipment and a coach. I continued with my lifting as a hobby; although I did enter two powerlifting competitions. Eventually, by luck, I found a nearby facility(Garden City) that teaches Olympic weightlifting. Since finding that facility and coaches, I have been hooked. I dropped all extraneous training, and devoted myself fully to Olympic weightlifting, and have never looked back.

Q: Is it hard to balance schoolwork and training/competition? How do you manage to do it?
A: Weightlifting Competitions are not extremely frequent, so they do not disrupt Academics. A few weeks ago, I went to Tennessee for the University Nationals, but that event, at its large scale, only required missing one day of class.
My actual training and school work is usually not a problem. With well managed time, I can fit all things in together neatly. I’m taking 21 credits this semester, but can still train six times a week. I think it all just comes to time management, and not wasting time in things that won’t have a long-term benefit.
However, training and the rest of my life are not mutually exclusive. I invest a great deal of effort to perform at a high level, and it requires that I have a certain diet, I get proper rest, and I make sure I employ necessary recovery techniques. Training affects my social life more than my academic. I have to watch what I eat, get to bed early, etc. This isn’t a complaint, but just a fact.

Q: What are your long term goals? Would you like to compete professionally?
A:My long term goals are to procure additional medals at national meets, obtain the national Record for the University Level, and, most importantly, to make myself the best I can be. The medals and records are nice, but they are honestly a bonus to the pure joy I get out of lifting heavier and heavier weights. Unfortunately, weightlifting is a niche sport, and competing professionally (being paid to train) is lackluster. I can manage training without getting paid a meager sum for it. That does not mean I will give any less effort though.

Q: Can you give any tips on how to get started for someone who is interested in weightlifting?
A: If someone is interested in learning weightlifting…they should contact me! I have no problems helping people out with the lifts when I’m free, and have even begun holding seminars at CrossFits and Campus Rec. But if someone is interested in getting started on their own, they should look up (google is fine) beginner programs for weightlifting, and monitor their form and technique very meticulously. Make no mistake, this is first and foremost a strength-sport, but neglected technique is also a grievous error. If they can find a coach, they would be superb. Otherwise, they should just dive right in!

Q: Where do you train? And how often do you train?
A: I train in a variety of places. My coaches are at the Professional Performance Center in Garden City, Nassau. However, I have also obtained my own equipment, and sometimes train out of my Dad’s shop, in Holbrook. Lastly, I will also stop by the Campus Recreation Center to do some training.
I train approximately five to six times a week, usually for two hours a day.

Q:What’s your opinion of Crossfit? Do you like the attention it has brought the Olympic lifts?
A: CrossFit is a great conditioning and basic strength building workout. There is nothing inherently wrong with performing many barbell related movements in quick succession.  However, CrossFit does tend to neglect proper form and technique, and this produces injuries. Nonetheless, I think the attention is has brought to the Olympic Lifts is very positive. It surely brings a smile to my face when people actually know what I’m doing instead of asking: “What’s that weird shoulder thing you’re doing?”