College News
Save the Date: College Convocation Feb. 16
The College's Spring convocation will begin at 4 p.m., Feb. 16, in 127 Curtiss Hall (Curtiss auditorium). The College will present its annual awards to faculty and staff. Last year's retirees and those who have received awards during 2008 also will be recognized. Refreshments will be served at 3:30 p.m. outside the auditorium.
Save the Date: Agriculture and Life Sciences Distinguished Lecture Feb. 19
Alumnus Michael Boehlje, who is a distinguished professor at Purdue University, will speak at the 2009 Agriculture and Life Sciences Distinguished Lecture. His presentation is titled, "The Landscape of Agriculture Today and Tomorrow." It will be held Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sun Room, Memorial Union. Admission is free. Boehlje has devoted his career to helping farm and agribusiness managers as well as policy-makers understand the pragmatic, economic and financial consequences of their decisions. He earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural business in 1965.
Anex to Serve on EPA Scientific Committee
Robert Anex, agricultural and biosystems engineering, has been named to the Science and Technology for Sustainability Subcommittee of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Board of Scientific Counselors. He will serve a one-year term through 2009.
Former Entomology Professor Named Vice President for Research
Sharron Quisenberry, professor of entomology and dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, was named Iowa State's new vice president for research and economic development. She was an assistant professor of entomology at Iowa State from 1980 to 1982.
ISU's Next Ensminger School Set for Costa Rica
The next Ensminger International Animal Industry Conference will take place Feb. 11-13 in Costa Rica. The event is being organized by Iowa State and the University of Costa Rica.
Iowa State Researchers Develop Fluorescent Corn Components
Researchers at Iowa State used a Nobel Prize-winning genetic technology to expand the understanding of corn milling. The scientists developed tissue markers for transgenic corn lines using green fluorescent protein (GFP). The GFP technology was presented the Nobel Prize in chemistry Dec. 10.
Directory Lists Seed for Native Species
The Native Species Directory was recently published by the Iowa Crop Improvement Association. The directory lists seed production information for more than 150 species of plants certified by the association.
Aphid Research Symposium Jan. 16
Aphid researchers, including those working on soybean aphid, will refine their defense strategies against aphids at a research symposium on Jan. 16. The second ISU Aphid Research Symposium is one of the faculty-organized events sponsored by the Office of Biotechnology as part of its 25th anniversary celebration in 2009.
Deadlines and Reminders
Feb. 2: "A Dream Fulfilled: The Saga of George Washington Carver," 8 p.m., Great Hall, Memorial Union
Communications Kiosk
Equitably and Equally Not Interchangeable
"Equitably" is the adverb of equity that means to deal fairly with all concerned; as in, an equitable settlement of the dispute. "Equally" also is an adverb, but means to share in an equal or uniform manner; as in, sharing the money equally. (Meriam-Webster's Dictionary OnLine, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/)
Infograzing
ISU ADVANCE Session Set on Collaborative Transformation
"ISU ADVANCE Collaborative Transformation: Enhancing the Academic Work Environment" is the title of a presentation and panel discussion scheduled for 3 to 4:30 p.m., Jan. 28, in 1204 Kildee (Ensminger Conference Center). The ISU Collaborative Transformation Project is a central component of the ISU ADVANCE Program. The CT Project helps faculty within Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) departments to identify potential barriers to faculty success and to develop departmental strategies to support excellence and diversity. A central objective of the project is to ensure that department work environments support the recruitment, retention, and promotion of outstanding faculty. This presentation and panel discussion will begin with a brief overview of departmental transformation efforts and accomplishments in three STEM departments.
BBMB Researcher Leads Work on Ebola Virus
Research led by Iowa State scientists provides a step closer to finding a way to counter the Ebola virus. A team led by Gaya Amarasinghe, assistant professor in biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, recently solved the structure from a key part of the Ebola protein.
External Voices
Walter Gives "Blink" Predictions for Agriculture in 2009
In his Jan. 6 column, John Walter, editor of Agriculture Online website, provided a top 10 list of "blink of an eye" predictions for agriculture in 2009. His top three: "1. The economy will get better. And it will happen faster than people now believe. Why? People are tiring of gloom and doom. Our institutions are designed to work, not to shut down, just like farmers plant crops every year no matter what. 2. The weather will be better this spring than last. How could it be any worse? 3. The commodity markets will pull off some pleasant surprises. It's all part of this new era of volatility. But if anyone really knew when the rallies would occur, they'd be at a beach now." For the full list, go to: http://insideag.blogspot.com/
Marginalia
Bulbs an Alternative Food Source for Early Humans
Archaeologist Alston Thoms of Texas A&M University contends that long before early humans in North America grew corn and beans, they were harvesting and cooking the bulbs of lilies, wild onions and other plants, roasting them for days over hot rocks to make them edible. An article in the Los Angeles Times cites two reports published online in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology and the Journal of Archaeological Science, in which Thoms suggests that humans turned to plants because mammoths were becoming extinct and other animals were harder to find. More: http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-sci-earlyfoods27-2008dec27,0,22… (Los Angeles Times, Dec. 27)
Ag and Life Sciences Online
Editor
Ed Adcock, edadcock@iastate.edu
Phone: (515) 294-5616
Website: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/
Subscribe
Ag and Life Sciences Online, the newsletter for faculty and staff in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is e-mailed every Monday. To subscribe, send your name, e-mail address and the message "Ag and Life Sciences Online subscribe" to edadcock@iastate.edu. To unsubscribe, send "Ag and Life Sciences Online unsubscribe."