Issue: 630

................................................... AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE ................................................... The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter Iowa State University Dec. 6, 2010 No. 630 ................................................... COLLEGE NEWS ................................................... NEW ISSUE OF STORIES MAGAZINE FEATURES GLOBAL CONNECTIONS The latest issue of the college's alumni magazine, STORIES in Agriculture and Life Sciences, is available and focuses on global connections of the college, its people and programs. For a print copy e-mail stories@iastate.edu. NEW DISCOVERY PREVENTS SYMPTOMS OF RARE GENETIC DISORDER A new study offers hope for children born with a rare genetic disease, according to a paper published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Matthew Ellinwood, animal science, led the research. SCIENCE WITH PRACTICE POSTER PRESENTATION DEC. 8 Science with Practice students will hold their annual poster presentation on Wednesday, Dec. 8, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Kildee Hall Atrium. Science with Practice provides CALS students the opportunity to learn and work experientially with faculty and staff in laboratories, farms, greenhouses and other units. PORK QUALITY ASSURANCE TRAINING, DEC. 14 The Iowa Pork Industry Center will offer training for Pork Quality Assurance Plus Advisors certification on Dec. 14, at 2215 Veterinary Medicine. The application deadline is Dec. 13 with $75 due from approved applicants. HILLSON RETIREMENT RECEPTION, DEC. 16 A retirement reception will be held for Tom Hillson on Dec. 16 at 2 to 4 p.m. in 142 Curtiss Hall. Hillson joined the college in 1993. HANNAN NAMED ISU EXTENSION COMMERCIAL HORTICULTURE SPECIALIST Joe Hannan has been named the ISU Extension commercial horticulture specialist for central and western Iowa. Hannan, who is housed in the Dallas County Extension office, is responsible for providing commercial growers with educational resources and will conduct associated research at the Iowa State Horticulture Farm near Gilbert and the Armstrong Research Farm near Lewis. INCREASING BIOMASS THROUGH DOUBLE-CROPPING SYSTEM Trying to increase the amount of biomass available for ethanol production has led ISU researchers to explore a double-cropping system that netted mixed results. Ben Goff, who received his master's degree from ISU, conducted the research under the guidance of Ken Moore, agronomy. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2010/dec/goff COMMUNITY VITALITY CENTER HONORED WITH VENTURE AWARD The Iowa Area Development Group, on behalf of Iowa's rural electric cooperatives and member municipal electric systems, presented the 2010 "Distinguished Leadership Venture Award" to the Community Vitality Center, ISU Extension, in recognition of leadership in the development of the Iowa Microloan Program and in assisting Iowa communities and foundations with entrepreneurship, development issues and philanthropic opportunities. GORBACH RECEIVES OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT AWARD Danielle Gorbach, animal science, received the outstanding graduate student award from the National Swine Improvement Federation. Gorbach, a student of Max Rothschild, is studying genetics. NEW CALS STUDENT PROFILE: SCOTT HENRY TALKS ABOUT HIS TRAVELS Scott Henry, a senior in agricultural business, has traveled to 12 countries through Iowa State, FFA and church programs. Henry talks about how valuable the study abroad experience is for students. The profiles offer an opportunity for the College to highlight its students and let prospective students view what current students are doing. To view the student profiles go to http://www.ag.iastate.edu and refresh the page to view different stories. If you know of students who would be candidates for our web banner contact Barb McBreen, barbmc@iastate.edu or 4-0707. DEADLINES AND REMINDERS 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. ................................................... EXTERNAL FUNDING ................................................... REMINDER: 2010 OSPA DUE DATES FOR GOLDSHEETS DURING WINTER BREAK * Dec. 20"“21, open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. * Dec. 22, open 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. * Dec. 23"“31, closed * Jan. 3"“7, regular schedule: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. During Dec. 27- 30, the OSPA main phone line (4-5225) will be monitored and researchers can email grants@iastate.edu regarding awards and ospa-proposals@iastate.edu regarding proposals. Contact OSPA if GoldSheet routing has not been initiated for proposals with budgets over $2 million and deadlines from Dec. 22 through Jan. 4. Routing of GoldSheets for proposals with budgets under $2 million and deadlines from Dec. 22 through Jan. 4 should be initiated in time to ensure receipt at OSPA by Dec. 15. Typically, routing should begin three to four days before Dec. 15. However, GoldSheets may not route in a timely manner due to the closing of various university divisions and PIs are advised to monitor their GoldSheets in the Liquid Office system to ensure they route to OSPA by the dates noted. NSF FAQs ON AWARD PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND AWARD ADMINISTRATION See the Nov. 2010 list of FAQs for award proposal preparation and award administration for the National Science Foundation at http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/pappguide/faqs11_1.pdf?WT.mc_id=USNS…. GRADUATE EDUCATION STUDY CIRCLE: COMMUNICATION SKILL DEVELOPMENT The SP@ISU program will hold a graduate education study circle on Dec. 14 from noon to 2 p.m. in 2030 Morrill Hall. The discussion will focus on enhancing a graduate training experience by improved communication with a broad community. Register at spisu@iastate.edu. Contacts: Drena Dobbs at ddobbs@iastate.edu and Adin Mann at jamann@iastate.edu. PSI SUPPORT FOR SPRING/SUMMER 2011 SYMPOSIA AND LECTURES The Plant Sciences Institute is accepting proposals for financial support for lectures, seminars and symposia for spring and summer 2011. The purpose of the funding is to enable communication among ISU faculty and students about research involving plant science. Priority will be given to applications that describe a plan to augment funding with extramural funding and show the greatest probability of successfully engaging faculty and students from a range of disciplines to learn about emerging scientific discoveries or technical developments. Proposals are due by noon on Dec. 10. Contact: Deanne Brill, 294-5255. CALL FOR JAMES S. MCDONNELL FOUNDATION CONCEPT PAPERS The Vice President for Research & Economic Development and the ISU Foundation's Corporate and Foundation Relations office are requesting concept papers for the James S. McDonnell Foundation's 21st Century Science Initiative 2010 Research Awards in the area of Studying Complex Systems. The program supports scholarship and research directed toward the development of theoretical and mathematical tools that can be applied to the study of complex, adaptive, nonlinear systems. Concept papers should be submitted to Dorothy Pimlott, dpimlott@iastate.edu, by Jan. 24, 2011. Concept papers will be reviewed for academic merit, fit with university priorities, and adherence to donor guidelines, and selected candidates will work with ISU Foundation to create proposals. See www.jsmf.org for program information and www.jsmf.org/grants/index.php to review funded grants. Contacts: Kent Studer, kstuder@foundation.iastate.edu, and Donna Van Pelt, Dvanpelt@foundation.iastate.edu. CALL FOR KECK FOUNDATION CONCEPT PAPERS The Vice President for Research and Economic Development and the ISU Foundation are requesting concept papers for the W.M. Keck Foundation's Science & Engineering and Medical Research programs. Concept papers should be submitted to Dorothy Pimlott, dpimlott@iastate.edu, no later than Jan. 18, 2011, for committee review of academic merit and adherence to donor guidelines. Three to five concepts will then be discussed with a W.M. Keck Foundation program officer and one concept could be developed into a formal Phase 1 Application. Cost-sharing is expected at the time of Phase I application, and concepts must indicate tentative plans for institutional or other support. Contacts: Donna Van Pelt, DVanpelt@foundation.iastate.edu, and Kent Studer, kstuder@foundation.iastate.edu. FUNDING INFORMATION, OPPORTUNITIES AND DEADLINE REMINDERS Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu Dec. 13 (preproposal): Global Gateway Foundation Competitive Grants Initiative (new modalities in health and healing); five to 10 grants, $2,500 to $10,000, one year with possible renewal. Dec. 15: Dannon Institute Nutrition Leadership Institute Training Opportunity. More: http://dannon-institute.org/Document.aspx?sectionid=104&documentid=102&… Dec. 28 (preproposal): USDA-NRCS 2011 Conservation Innovation Grant Funding Opportunity; up to $1 million per award, $25 million total anticipated funding. Jan. 2 and June 26 (letter of intent for planning grant): Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers Program (I/UCRC); four to 12 planning grants. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5501&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&… Jan. 5 (abstract): DARPA Controlling Cellular Machinery "“ Vaccines; one award, cost sharing may be required. More: http://www.darpa.mil/dso/solicitations/solicit.htm Jan. 19 (abstract): DARPA Controlling Cellular Machinery "“ Diagnostics and Therapeutics; multiple awards. http://www.darpa.mil/dso/solicitations/solicit.htm Feb. 1: NIH Summer Research Experience Programs (R25); $100,000 direct costs per year. Feb. 10: Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative; awards up to $3 million; $19 million total anticipated funding. March 3 and Sept. 15: Environmental Health and Safety of Nanotechnology; 53 awards, $300,000 per award, $4.9 million total anticipated funding. March 3 and Sept. 15: Energy for Sustainability; 42 awards, $300,000 per award. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=501026 March 5: NSF and USDA/NIFA Disaster Resilience for Rural Communities; four to six awards for up to three years, $400,000 per project. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2011/nsf11510/nsf11510.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT… ................................................... COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK ................................................... NEW OED NOW ONLINE The new online version of the Oxford English Dictionary is now available. New features include search results that move from simple lists to visualizations and timelines, pages on the OED's most-cited authors and texts, plus links to other online resources such as the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. The entire text of "Historical Thesaurus to the OED" is now integrated with the OED Online as well. More. Subscription information ................................................... INFOGRAZING ................................................... REIMAN GARDENS' HOLIDAY DISPLAY CELEBRATES THE GAZING BALL As a closing tribute to the 2010 theme, A Celebration to Garden Ornamentation, Reiman Gardens' holiday display is highlighting the history and use of gazing balls. Created in 13th century Italy, the garden globe regained popularity in the 19th century Victorian garden. Reiman Gardens has transformed these shiny, bright orbs into celestial bodies and astronomical objects as a new reflection on the holidays. Reiman Gardens is open every day except Christmas and New Year's Day from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. More: http://www.reimangardens.com/ ................................................... INTERNAL VOICES ................................................... AG STUDIES STUDENT ON TALKING ABOUT IOWA AGRICULTURE "I love it when I have a change to talk to someone who may want to know more about Iowa's farming practices. My hope is that after our conversation, they will walk away feeling good about Iowa's future in agriculture." Andrew Lauver, 20, from Lake City, is majoring in agricultural studies with minors in general business and agronomy at ISU. Lauver is one of 13 Iowa college students named to the inaugural Iowa Corn Student Advisory Team sponsored by the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. ........................................................ AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE ........................................................ EDITOR Julie Stewart, jstewart@iastate.edu Phone: (515) 294-5616 Web site: 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 jstewart@iastate.edu. To unsubscribe, send "Ag and Life Sciences Online unsubscribe." Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, 3210 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.