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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter
Iowa State University
Nov. 29, 2010 No. 629
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COLLEGE NEWS
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SCHNABLE AND COLLABORATORS FIND MISSING GENES IN CORN
Patrick Schnable, director of the Center for Plant Genomics, and researchers at ISU, China Agricultural University and the Beijing Genomics Institute in China, recently re-sequenced and compared six elite inbred corn lines, including the parents of the most productive commercial hybrids in China. The research uncovered more than 100 genes that are present in some corn lines but missing in others. Schnable's research is the cover article for the current edition of the journal Nature Genetics, and has been highlighted by the association Faculty 1000, which identifies the top 2 percent of important research from peer-reviewed journals worldwide. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2010/nov/schnable
STATISTICS MODIFIES COURSE FOR DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF MICROARRAY EXPERIMENTS
The Department of Statistics will offer a modified course for design and analysis of microarray experiments in the spring 2011. Compared with the previous versions, the course will feature substantial content on next-generation sequencing technology, especially RNAseq experimental design and data analysis. The course is modified in order to keep up with the development of ultra-high-throughput technology and better serve the needs of genomic researchers on campus. However, the course cannot be offered without sufficient student enrollment. Students are encouraged to pre-enroll as soon as possible. More: Peng Liu, pliu@iastate.edu, 4-7806.
NONNECKE RECEIVES INNOVATION AND LEADERSHIP AWARD
Gail Nonnecke, horticulture, was one of eight women selected to receive an innovation award from the Technology Association of Iowa on Nov. 11. Nonnecke is the faculty coordinator of an undergraduate major established in 2008, "Global Resource Systems." The interdisciplinary, interdepartmental major enrolled nearly 40 students its first year. The curriculum infuses global understanding and internships with agricultural and life science skills.
TWO "STARS" IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EEOB
Two doctoral students in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology received a highly competitive and prestigious three-year fellowship for their doctoral research. The EPA STAR Fellowship helps defray the costs associated with advanced studies in the environmental sciences. Rory Telemeco is studying the possible effects of climate change on alligator lizards and their related species. Leanne Martin is researching ecosystem service tradeoffs among native- and exotic-dominated grasslands in the tallgrass prairie region, which includes Iowa.
CALS STUDENTS NAMED TO IOWA CORN STUDENT ADVISORY TEAM
Four CALS students have been named to the inaugural Iowa Corn Student Advisory Team: Carly Cummings, junior in agricultural business; Andrew Lauver, junior in agricultural studies; Traci Tiernan, junior in agricultural and life sciences education; and Charlie White, senior in agricultural business. The SAT, sponsored by the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, will help develop programs that target and enhance Iowa Corn's relationship with individuals who are pursuing careers in Iowa's agriculture industry.
HORTICULTURE CLUB'S ANNUAL POINSETTIA SALE DEC. 1-4
The ISU Horticulture Club's annual poinsettia sale will be held Dec. 1-4. There will be 10 varieties, ranging from classic red, pink and white to burgundy, peach, marbled and speckled selections. This year's plants are being specially grown for the club by Central Iowa Floral in Sheldahl, due to greenhouse reconstruction. The money raised is used to facilitate educational trips and speakers, attend conferences and competitions, participate in practical hands-on learning through crop production. Sale times and locations are:
* Dec. 1 "“ Curtiss Hall, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Dec. 2 "“ Beardshear Hall, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
* Dec. 3 "“ University Book Store, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
* Dec. 4 "“ Reiman Gardens, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
HARL LECTURE TO BE BROADCAST ON IPTV WORLD, DEC 25-26
Neil Harl presented the 2010 William K. Deal Endowed Leadership Lecture on Oct. 27. His presentation, "Building an Enduring Leadership Platform" will be broadcast on Intelligent Talk Television, which airs on IPTV World on digital channel 11.3 or Mediacom 119, on Dec. 25 at 10 p.m. and Dec. 26 at 1 p.m.
NACTA INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP RENEWED
CALS has renewed the institutional membership for North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture for 2011. This allows individual faculty and staff to join NACTA at a reduced rate. For more information on the institutional membership, contact David Acker, dacker@iastate.edu. The NACTA Journal is published electronically at http://www.nactateachers.org/. The 2011 NACTA/SERD Conference will be held June 14-18 at the University of Alberta.
SCENES FROM ISU CAMPUS VISIT POSTED ON AGWEB.COM
Greg Vincent, editor of AgWeb, the Farm Journal website, visited ISU Nov. 4-6 as part of the AgWeb Campus Tour. Vincent, a CALS alumnus in ag journalism, has posted scenes from his ISU visit online.
IOWA SEED DIRECTORY AVAILABLE ONLINE
The 2010 Iowa Seed Directory is available online
CENTER FOR CROPS UTILIZATION RESEARCH BULLETIN AVAILABLE ONLINE
The fall 2010 issue of the Center for Crops Utilization Research Bulletin is available online.
DEADLINES AND REMINDERS
Dec. 1: Borlaug Summer Internship Program applications due
Dec. 3: Orders due for Block and Bridle Club's holiday summer sausage and cheese sale
Dec. 8: "Women Impacting ISU" calendar unveiling and recognition reception, 3:30 to 5 p.m., Memorial Union Sun Room.
Dec. 9: IPIC offers PQA Plus Advisor Recertification session
Dec. 12: Student applications due for Borlaug-Thomson Summer Internship in Cresco, David Acker, dacker@iastate.edu, 4-6614.
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EXTERNAL FUNDING
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NIH REMINDER OF CHANGES IN GRANT SUBMISSION POLICIES
NIH has posted a reminder about the different policies that will affect grant submissions after Jan. 25, 2011. A list of these policies can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-11-021.html.
GRADUATE EDUCATION STUDY CIRCLE: INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN GRADUATE EDUCATION
The SP@ISU (Strengthening the Professoriate) will hold a lunchtime graduate education study circle on Dec. 7 from noon to 2 p.m. in 2030 Morrill Hall. The program will provide information on training needed to augment students' international experience. Register at spisu@iastate.edu. Contacts: Drena Dobbs, ddobbs@iastate.edu and Adin Mann, jamann@iastate.edu.
2010-11 GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
The Office of Biotechnology is offering graduate fellowships to provide resources for attracting high-quality graduate students to ISU. Subject to the availability of funds, the program also will provide a supplement for national training grant programs in the life sciences that do not provide tuition and benefits support. For qualified U.S. citizens or permanent residents, a department or interdisciplinary program can request its standard stipend for a research assistantship for one year, or a fellowship supplement for up to four years that will be added to an assistantship provided by the academic unit. There is no deadline for submitting applications.
2010 OSPA WINTER BREAK HOURS
Dec. 20"“21, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dec. 22, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dec. 23"“31, closed
Jan. 3"“7, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
PREPROPOSALS FOR INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND EDUCATION GRANTS PROGRAM
The Office of the Vice President for Research is soliciting preproposals for the USDA/NIFA International Science and Education Competitive Grants Program. The program supports activities that enhance the capabilities of colleges and universities to conduct international collaborative research, extension and teaching. Each institution may submit no more than two proposals as the lead institution. Preproposals must be submitted to the college of the lead principal investigator by close of business on Dec. 6. CALS PIs should submit preproposals to colletti@iastate.edu. No more than two preproposals from each college will be forwarded to the VPR Office, where a review committee will choose the projects to be forwarded to USDA. The maximum amount for a single award is $150,000. Contact: Dorothy Pimlott dpimlott@iastate.edu.
ENERGY-RELATED STUDENT RESEARCH GRANTS/INTERNSHIPS
The American Public Power Association awards annual research grants/internships to university students as part of its Demonstration of Energy-Efficient Developments Program. Ten $4,000 grants/internships are awarded each year to undergraduate/graduate university students for a research project/internship in conjunction with a DEED member utility or as part of the students' curriculum requirements if approved by a DEED member. DEED also awards one $5,000 Technical Design Project annually to a student or group of students. This grant also includes travel expenses for the student(s) to present their work at APPA's Engineering and Operations Technical Conference.
PROPOSALS FOR 2011-12 ISU DIVERSITY AND WOMEN'S ENRICHMENT GRANTS
The ISU Women's Enrichment Fund is designed to support initiatives that will enrich the experiences of women faculty, staff and students at Iowa State. Funds are available to be awarded in "mini-grants" to support initiatives affecting women on the ISU campus and as seed money to stimulate additional funding from other sources in support of women. The ISU Diversity Grants Program is designed to support diversity in Iowa State's mission areas of education, research and outreach to positively impact and advance faculty, staff and student minorities and under-represented groups at Iowa State. Funds also may be requested for seed money to leverage resources for scholarly projects in support of diversity. Proposals for both programs are due by Feb. 1, 2011.
FUNDING INFORMATION, OPPORTUNITIES AND DEADLINE REMINDERS
Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu
Dec. 18 (letter of intent): Integrating Comparative Effectiveness Research Findings into Care Delivery through Economic Incentives (R21); $275,000 over two years. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-11-001.html
Jan. 4 (letter of intent): Methods and Approaches for Detection of Gene-Environment Interactions in Human Disease (R21); $300,000 over three years. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-11-032.html
Jan. 12 and July 12:
NSF Networks and Regulation http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503611
Biomolecular Dynamics, Structure and Function http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503609
Genetic Mechanisms http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503610
Cellular Processes http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503612
Jan. 14: Center of Excellence for Food Safety Research in Child Nutrition Programs Grant; $1.6 million over two years, webinar on Dec. 3.
Jan. 25: NIDDK Program Project Applications (P01); up to $6.25 million (direct costs) over five years. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-11-043.html
Feb. 4: USDA NIFA Higher Education Challenge Grants; $30,000 for conference/planning proposals, $150,000 for regular projects, $300,000 for joint projects, 25 percent match required.
Feb. 22: Developing the Next Generation of Air Quality Measurement Technology Grant; five regular awards up to $500,000, two early career awards up to $250,000, up to three years. $3 million total anticipated funding.
March 1 and Sept. 1: Catalyzing New International Collaborations Grant; 40 awards per year, $2 million total anticipated funding. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2011/nsf11508/nsf11508.pdf
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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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E-MAIL'S FIVE GOLDEN RULES
Would you like to decrease the time you spend on e-mail and improve the quality? You could, if everyone followed these five golden rules.
1. Write helpful subject lines.
2. Change the subject line if the topic of the e-mail changes.
3. Send e-mail only to "need-to-knows."
4. Use "reply all" cautiously.
5. Forward jokes judiciously, and never sent to work e-mail.
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INFOGRAZING
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NINTH ANNUAL PRE-LAW STUDENT PAPER COMPETITION
The Iowa State Pre-law Committee and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences invite the submission of undergraduate papers for the Annual Student Pre-Law Paper Competition. This competition is designed to encourage students to continue the development of their analytical research and writing skills. The competition is open to any undergraduate student enrolled through the Spring semester of 2011. If you plan to participate, contact Joyce Wray in 503 Ross Hall and email K.M. Waggoner with your chosen topic. Contact Waggoner with questions: kwaggone@iastate.edu. The deadline for papers is 3 p.m., March 25, 2011, to Joyce Wray in 503 Ross Hall. The winning paper will receive a $400 award.
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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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EDITOR
Julie Stewart, jstewart@iastate.edu
Phone: (515) 294-5616 Web site: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/
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