Summer 2005

Chad Zarse Named to All-USA Academic Team

by Dale Long

Chad Zarse’s groundbreaking research, a commitment to his community and outstanding academic credentials were recognized by the 2005 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduate being selected one of the nation’s top college students –- a second-team choice on the 2005 All-USA College Academic Team, published in USA TODAY.

Zarse, an applied biology and biochemistry graduate, was among the 85 students named to the first (20), second (20), third (20) or honorable mention (25) All-USA teams. There were 602 nominees nationwide this year.

All-USA Academic Team Coordinator Tracey Wong Briggs states: “The field was particularly strong this year. The students are always impressive, but this year even more so.”

This marks the second time in three years that a Rose-Hulman student has received this recognition. Rachel Lukens, a 2003 electrical engineering graduate, was also a second choice during her senior year.

The All-USA College Academic Team program honors students for outstanding academic achievement, leadership and community service.

“This recognition was a good reflection on what I did during my undergraduate college career, a testament to the quality education that I have received at Rose-Hulman, and the fine mentors that I have had along the way,” Zarse said.

The centerpiece of Zarse’s nomination was a student essay about his scientific research at the Indiana University School of Medicine that developed a novel method by which helical CT “CAT” scans (HCT) can used to measure the mineral composition for four clinically-relevant kidney stone types. This was the first study that accurately differentiated common stone types on HCT, and could pave the way for safer, more effective medical treatment of kidney stones, which affect between five and 15 percent of all persons.James C. Williams Jr., associate professor, and James A. McAteer, professor, of the IU School of Medicine’s Department of Anatonomy and Cell Biology stated in a letter of recommendation that “Chad helped us discover that CT beam attenuation values can actually be used to determine the mineral composition of stones. This is an important advance because knowledge of stone structure and composition helps the urologist decide how to treat the patient.”

Zarse was the lead or co-author on nine major research papers or abstracts published in prestigious peer-review journals and national medical journals. He also received the Student Paper Contest Committee’s Award at the 2004 Rocky Mountain Bioengineering Symposium, the nation’s oldest bioengineering conference.

“Chad’s most remarkable attribute is his passion for research,” states Rose-Hulman Assistant Professor of Applied Biology William Weiner. “The topics that Chad is investigating are significant, and equally important, Chad has taken a lead role in each of them . . . Chad’s scholarly credentials would make the most talented of graduate students envious.”

Not surprisingly, Zarse will continue his studies in Indiana University’s medical school.

Out of the laboratory, Zarse served as a Homework Hotline tutor, was an officer in the Habitat for Humanity student chapter and was a Big Brother Big Sister volunteer. He received such honors as the Ralph and Dorothy Baumgardt Memorial Applied Biology Scholarship; the Barry Goldwater Scholarship; the Joseph and Rebecca Weaver Undergraduate Research Award; and the Boys & Girls Club’s Muriel and Ralph Stahl Scholarship.

“I know firsthand the importance of helping others,” Zarse states. “I’ve always heard about the unfortunate things that happened to my mother (single parent Karen Zarse), and how other people were always there to extend a helping hand. I’m just trying to pay back that generosity and serve as a good role model for others.”