Dr. Walter J. Sapp

Endowed Scholarship

Significance of Dr. Water Sapp Career at T.U.

Walter J. Sapp was a native of New Orleans Louisiana USA. Following a tour of duty in the US Air Force, he entered Wiley College where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (magna cum laude). He earned a Master of Science and a PhD degree from the University of Wisconsin in cytology and cytogenetics under the direction of Dr. Hans Ris who, at the time, was a pioneer in the structure of chromosomes. Dr. Sapp’s doctoral dissertation research included pioneering work in the microscopy, molecular biology and biochemistry of amphibian lampbrush chromosomes. Sample illustrations from his master’s and doctoral theses demonstrate advanced imaging skills and knowledge of high-resolution electron microscopy. Dr. Sapp obtained images with fine details that, with instruments of the time (low voltage and medium vacuum), told much to experts in the field. Today electron microscopes can operates in the million volts range, have very clean operating vacuum, and efficient decontamination devices.
 

Electron microscopic observations were made with a Siemens Elmiskop IIb at 50 kv with a 20 or 30 micron objective aperture or a Siemens Elmiskop I at 80 kv using a double condenser with a 100 micron condenser aperture and 50 micron objective aperture. To avoid contamination at the higher magnifications an anti-contamination device was used. Micrographs were taken on Kodak medium projector slide plates or on Kodalith LR sheet film at magnifications of 1400, 7000, 14,000 (Siemens IIb) or 2500, 8000, 15,000, 20,000, 40,000 (Siemens I) and developed in Kodak D-19.

Consider that today’s electron microscopes can operate at millions of volts with electronic enhancement to improve focus details. Neither of these was possible with analog technology of the time. Transference of negative to positive images (paper) was not a simple operation either, when fine details at nanometer resolution were desired. High-resolution work on lampbrush chromosomes is not downloadable from NLM electronic searches. Therefore, in addition to giving credit for his contributions to science, the modules here make his work on lampbrush chromosomes, chromatids, centromeres, and other portions of the chromosomes available to the scientific community. To appreciate his skills and wealth of information on the images, readers should transport themselves to the beginning of technologies that made the work possible and realize the innovative thinking of Drs. Sapp and Ris science that allowed them to arrive at these extraordinary images considering the technology available at the time. 

Following is Dr. J. W. Williams’interpretation of Dr. Sapp’s accomplishments: 

 At the time Dr. Walter Sapp carried out his Ph.D. research at the University of Wisconsin under the mentorship of Dr. Hans Ris there was considerable controversy in the genetics community as to the DNA content of eukaryotic chromosomes. Gregor Mendel’s postulates indicated that there were only two copies of a given ”gene“ in ”adult” cells, one maternal and one paternal. However, this was a mathematical model and there were proponents of the idea that there may have been more copies separating together as a chromosomal unit in cell division. Certain genetic tests of mutagenic chemical agents indicated that this was certainly a possibility. Dr. Sapp examined specialized chromosomes, lampbrush, from the developing eggs of salamanders. These chromosomes, although in the early stages of cell division, continue to express their genes in the form of lateral extensions called ”loops”. Walter’s work in visualizing and biochemically demonstrating that the central axis of a ”loop in a lampbrush chromosome” contained a single DNA double helix provided the impetus for further studies that demonstrated that there was indeed only one DNA molecule per chromosomal unit.

Dr. W. J. Sapp delved into the ”science” of things but, because his interest was in a novel area of investigation, he had to design and build much of the equipment involved in the work. Dr. W. J. Sapp came to Tuskegee University (Institute) in 1966 in the Department of Biology and as the Director of the Electron Microscope Facility. Spending his entire career at Tuskegee, he taught a number of courses in the areas of cytology and cell biology and, later, initiated a training course for graduate students in electron microscopy. HIs competence and peer leadership led him to become Department Head in 1968, serving in that position until 1977. In the summers of 1976 and 1977 Dr. Sapp was part of a team of leading scientists who worked with NASA on research space travel and fatigue.

In 1977,  President Luther Foster called on Dr. Sapp to fill the vacant position of Dean of Student Affairs after Bill Harvey left to become Hampton University's President, a position he held until 1987.   Sapp also help various other administrative positions providing leadership in establishing a thriving Sponsored Programs department for the University.  He was  Assistant Dean for Sponsored Programs (1988-93), Associate Provost for Sponsored Programs (1993-96), Associate Vice President for Sponsored Programs and Research (1996-98), Coordinator of Planning for the Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care (1997-98), Associate Director of the Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care (1998-99), and Program Director of the Center for Biomedical Research/RCMI (1998-2008).  In addition Dr. Sapp was called on by two University President's to lead the institutions accreditation processes, which he led successfully for 3 decades.   While serving in many capacities, procuring money and equipment for the university, Walter Sapp was always involved in scientific research and mentoring student throughout the campus 

Doc Sapp, as he was known in the City of Tuskegee,  was a go to person for projects large and small. He received numerous awards including the Wiley College Alumni Award and election to the Wiley College Science Hall of Fame, as well as service awards from Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity and from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Dr. W. J. Sapp also received the 2008 Tuskegee University George Washington Carver Distinguished Service Award. The driving force behind Walter’s many accomplishments has been his dedication to education and scientific research. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Married to Attorney Ernestine S. Sapp for over 47 years the they had 3 children Van (Tuskegee '85), Erik (Tuskegee '86) and Elizabeth (Spelman '86).


EDUCATION/TRAINING 

BS     Biology   WILEY COLLEGE,MARSHALL, TEXAS                                     1961

MS     Zoology  UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, MADISON, WI                          1964 

PHD    Zoology UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, MADISON, WI                          1966

Cert.    HARVARD UNIV, INST. OF EDUC. MGT, CAMBRIDGE, MA                  1979

 
Tuskegee University Positions

1966-1968 Assistant Professor of Biology 

1968-1977 Head, Department of Biology

1966-1999 Director, Electron Microscope Facility 

1977-1987 Dean of Student Affairs 

1988-1993 Assistant Dean for Sponsored Programs & Professor of Biology Associate Provost for Sponsored Programs 

1996-1998 Associate Vice President for Sponsored Programs and Research

1997-1998 Coordinator of Planning, Center for Bioethics in Research & Health Care 

1998-1999 Associate Director, Center for Bioethics in Research & Health Care 

1999-2008 Program Director, Center for Biomedical Research/RCMI 

Honors 

Wisconsin Alumni Research Fellowship 1961-1966

American Men & Women of Science-12th Edition 

Alumni Award-Wiley College 1972 

Service Award-Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity1972 

Service Award-Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity 1981

Wiley College Science Hall of Fame 1982

President & Moderator for Research Presentations, Fifth Annual Symposium on Career Opportunities in Biomedical and Public Health Sciences Session, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 28, 1991.

Professional Affiliations

American Association for the Advancement of Science 

Alabama Academy of Science 

Electron Microscope Society of America

American Society for Cell Biology 

Society of Sigma Xi (Honor Society) 

Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Honor Society

Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society.


Selected Dr. Walter James Sapp, Citations (1-17) with PubMed links 

1. Adams EW, Carter LP, Sapp WJ. Growth and maintenance of the canine veneral tumor in continuous culture. Cancer Res. 1968;28(4):753-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=5689737 

2. Adams EW, Sapp WJ, Carter LP. Cytogenetic observations on the canine venereal tumor in long-term culture. Cornell Vet. 1981;71(3):336-46. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=6942961 

3. Amann RP, Deaver DR, Zirkin BR, Grills GS, Sapp WJ, Veeramachaneni DN, et al. Effects of microgravity or simulated launch on testicular function in rats. J Appl Physiol. 1992;73(2 Suppl):174S-85S. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=1526948

4. Jolly PE, Gangopadhyay A, Chen S, Reddy PG, Weiss HL, Sapp WJ. Changes in the leukocyte phenotype profile of goats infected with the caprine arthritis encephalitis virus. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 1997;56(1-2):97-106. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=9220584

5. Philpott DE, Corbett R, Turnbill C, Harrison G, Leaffer D, Black S, et al. Cosmic ray effects on the eyes of rats flown on Cosmos No. 782, experimental K-007. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1978;49(1 Pt 1):19-28. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=623561 

6. Philpott DE, Popova IA, Kato K, Stevenson J, Miquel J, Sapp W. Morphological and biochemical examination of Cosmos 1887 rat heart tissue: Part I--Ultrastructure. FASEB J. 1990;4(1):73-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=2295379

7. Philpott DE, Sapp W, Miquel J, Kato K, Corbett R, Stevenson J, et al. The effect of high energy (HZE) particle radiation (40Ar) on aging parameters of mouse hippocampus and retina. Scan Electron Microsc. 1985(Pt 3):1177-82. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=4070967

8. Philpott DE, Sapp W, Williams C, Stevenson J, Black S, Corbett R. Reduction of the spermatogonial population in rat testes flown on Space Lab-3. Physiologist. 1985;28(6 Suppl):S211-2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=3834469 

9. Philpott DE, Sapp W, Williams C, Stevenson J, Corbett R, Black S. Response of the seminiferous epithelium of the mouse exposed to low dose high energy (HZE) and electromagnetic radiation. Scan Electron Microsc. 1983(Pt 3):1345-51. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=6648344

10. Reddy PG, Sapp WJ, Heneine W. Detection of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus by polymerase chain reaction. J Clin Microbiol. 1993;31(11):3042-3. PMCID: PMC266206. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=8263195

11. Richardson VB, Sapp WJ, Adams EW. The distribution of C-bands in canine transmissible venereal tumor cells. Cornell Vet. 1987;77(2):161-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=3568686

12. Sapp WJ, Adams EW. C-type viral particles in canine venereal tumor cell cultures. Am J Vet Res. 1970;31(7):1321-3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=5464934

13. Sapp WJ, Philpott DE, Williams CS, Kato K, Stevenson J, Vasquez M, et al. Effects of spaceflight on the spermatogonial population of rat seminiferous epithelium. FASEB J. 1990;4(1):101-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=2295370

14. Sapp WJ, Philpott DE, Williams CS, Williams JW, Kato K, Miquel JM, et al. Comparative study of spermatogonial survival after x-ray exposure, high LET (HZE) irradiation or spaceflight. Adv Space Res. 1992;12(2-3):179-89. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=11537007

15. Sapp WJ, Siddique IH, Williams CS, Graham T. Histopathologic evaluation of livers of pregnant hamsters infected with Leptospira canicola. Am J Vet Res. 1980;41(8):1288-92. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=7447125

16. Siddique IH, McKenzie BE, Sapp WJ, Rich P. Light and electron microscopic study of the livers of pregnant mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes. Am J Vet Res. 1978;39(5):887-92. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=103471 

17. Williams CS, Siddique IH, Sapp WJ. Studies on the kidneys of pregnant hamsters infected with Leptospira canicola. Br J Exp Pathol. 1981;62(2):165-71. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=7236498

HELP