Issue: 732

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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter
Iowa State University
Jan. 14, 2013 No. 732

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COLLEGE NEWS
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SPRING CONVOCATION SET FOR JAN. 17
The CALS Spring Convocation will be held Thursday, Jan. 17, at 4 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room. Refreshments will follow the ceremony. The program includes brief comments from Dean Wintersteen and college award presentations. Find out:
* Who'll be honored for what one student calls "teaching with her whole heart"?
* Who'll be recognized for service to students that made one student say, "I want to shake his hand when I cross the stage at graduation"?
* Who's been called "visionary" in commitment to international programs?
* Who'll receive an award for accomplishments in a position cited as first-in-the-nation in agriculture?
* What new professional lives by the motto "See the need, meet the need"?
* What team has racked up 72 publications and abstracts, a book, 21 students completing graduate degrees and $8 million in external grants?
* Who will be deemed "extraordinary" by the Dean for their contributions on behalf of the College?

DEKKERS AWARDED GRANT TO STUDY COSTLY DISEASE IN PIGS
A team of researchers at ISU, led by Jack Dekkers, animal science, received a $3 million grant to study genetic resistance to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, a viral disease that costs U.S. pork producers about $664 million a year. The translational genomics grant comes from USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2013/01/11/prrsgrant

TURF MANAGEMENT STUDENT TO INTERN AT SUPER BOWL
Kevin Hansen, senior in horticulture, was selected for Toro's Super Bowl Sports Turf Training Program. He will spend seven days in New Orleans helping prepare the game and practice fields for the Super Bowl XLVII on Feb. 3. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2013/01/10/superbowl

SEDIMENT DEPOSITS INCREASING AT IOWA'S LAKES
A new study conducted by researchers at ISU shows that the growth of sediment deposits at the bottom of Iowa's natural lakes is accelerating despite widespread soil conservation efforts. The findings raised concern among the study's authors, including John Downing, ecology, evolution and organismal biology and agricultural and biosystems engineering, that the increased buildup could damage wildlife habitat and contribute to other environmental problems. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2013/01/09/sedimentlakes

EXTENSION LIVESTOCK SPECIALIST FORESEES DECREASING BEEF PRODUCTION
Lee Schulz, economics, foresees the recent trend of decreasing beef production to continue in 2013 and 2014. Two years of liquidation, brought about by dry weather conditions in key cattle producing states, have put the industry in an even tighter supply situation. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2013/01/14/2013beef

IOWA FARM AND RURAL LIFE POLL SUMMARY RELEASED
The 2012 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll, led by J. Gordon Arbuckle, sociology, summary report is now available online. The 2012 Farm Poll survey topics include farmer perspectives on increases in land values, assessments of rural quality of life and other rural issues, use of different sources of information for agricultural decision making, and preferences for delivery of information and educational programming.

CAREER SERVICES RELEASES SUMMER INTERNSHIP SURVEY
CALS Career Services has released results of its 2012 summer internship survey, with more than 550 student responses. Individual departments can receive major-specific data by contacting Mike Gaul (mikegaul@iastate.edu) or Lois Benning (lbenning@iastate.edu).

ART EXHIBIT IN KILDEE HALL OPENS JAN. 14
Sixty pieces from Ingrid Lilligren's "Small Pleasures" project will be exhibited in the display cases of the Kildee Hall main atrium from Jan. 14 to May 10. A circular image composed of natural eggshells forms the center of each seven inch square piece. The public is invited to the artist's talk and reception on Wednesday, January 30, from 4:10 to 5 p.m. in the Ensminger Room, 1240 Kildee Hall, adjacent to the display. Lilligren is chair of the Department of Integrated Studio Arts in the ISU College of Design.

IOWA LEARNING FARMS WEBINAR SERIES CONTINUES, JAN. 16
Iowa Learning Farms continues its monthly educational webinar series with a session on Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 11:30 a.m. Jacqueline Comito, sociology, and Jon Wolseth, a graduate student in community and regional planning, will present "The State's Role in Water Quality: Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners and the Agricultural Status Quo."

CALS FACULTY AND STAFF ON WOMEN IMPACTING ISU CALENDAR
The 2013 Women Impacting ISU calendar will be unveiled Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 3:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room. Faculty and staff in CALS departments or units featured on the calendar include: Sue Lamont, C.F. Curtiss distinguished professor of animal science and equity advisor for the college, and Denise Bjelland, director of global programs. The event is hosted by the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics. More: http://www.event.iastate.edu/event/29562

TAKLE TO SPEAK AT ANR AT NOON WEBINAR, JAN. 18
Gene Takle, agronomy, will speak at the ANR at Noon session on Friday, Jan. 18. He will present "Adapting to Climate Change in Iowa: Past and Future." To connect: https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/anr

PUBLIC MEETING ON STATE NUTRIENT REDUCTION STRATEGY, JAN. 18
An additional informational meeting regarding the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy will be held on Friday, Jan. 18, at 1 p.m. at the ISU Extension and Outreach office in Monticello. The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy is a science and technology-based approach to assess and reduce nutrients delivered to Iowa waterways and the Gulf of Mexico. More: http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/press/2013press/press01092013b.asp

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FOR SCIENCE WITH PRACTICE THROUGH JAN. 18
The Science With Practice team is accepting applications for students for the spring semester through Jan. 18. Science With Practice is a CALS experiential learning and work program for undergraduate students in agriculture and life sciences. Students work closely with faculty and staff on specific projects and/or work assignments, earn money and earn academic credit while fulfilling work responsibilities. Applications are available at 206 Curtiss Hall. More: swpteam@iastate.edu

PHIL SPIKE RETIREMENT RECEPTION, JAN. 22
A retirement reception for Phil Spike, animal science, will be held Jan. 22, 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the Kildee Hall Atrium. There will be a program at 10 a.m.

CALS SCHEDULES TRAINING: REEport TO REPLACE CRIS REPORTING SYSTEM, FEB. 13 AND 26
USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture will be providing online REEport training for project investigators and administrative staff on Feb. 13 and 26, 1 to 3 p.m. The CCUR theater (1951 Food Sciences Building) has been reserved by the college for a group viewing, with time after for questions and discussion. REEport is NIFA's singular competitive grant (non-formula) and formula grant project reporting system, building on and replacing the existing Current Research Information System (CRIS) web forms system. The changeover is scheduled for April 2. Contact Cathy Good, cgood@iastate.edu, 4-4544, with questions.

LATEST ISSUE OF GLOBAL UPDATE AVAILABLE ONLINE
The January/February 2013 issue of Global Update, a newsletter from Global Programs, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, ISU, is now available online

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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NSF, GATES FOUNDATION HOST BREAD IDEAS CHALLENGE
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and NSF have announced a new competition for their joint program, Basic Research to Enable Agricultural Development. Graduate students, postdoctoral associates and faculty are eligible to submit ideas to the Ideas Challenge, the first stage of the BREAD competition. The Ideas Challenge will offer up to 25 prizes of $10,000 each for the best ideas for innovative, potentially transformative research foci that could benefit smallholder farmers in developing countries. Entries can be submitted between April 1 and April 30. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13035/nsf13035.jsp?WT

IPRT FUNDS RESEARCH COST-SHARING PROGRAM
The Institute for Physical Research and Technology Research Cost-Sharing program is available to Iowa companies for pursuing research conducted at ISU. The program, offered through IPRT Company Assistance and funded by the state, provides an inexpensive way to access ISU facilities, expertise and knowledge. The program is open to investigators campus-wide and provides up to a 1:1 cash match of company contributions. The maximum IPRT contribution is $25,000. Eligible companies must have operations in Iowa.

RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH COURSE FOR GRAD STUDENTS
Spaces are available in the spring term one-credit course, GR ST 565, for graduate students who want to meet NSF and NIH requirements for Responsible Conduct of Research training. Spaces are available in sections 3 and 4 (engineering focus) and 5 (life sciences focus).

RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH TRAINING FOR POST-DOCS
A free Responsible Conduct of Research postdoct course meets 1:10 to 2 p.m. on Thursdays during spring term 2013. Enrollment is limited. For more information or to sign up for the course, contact Charlotte Bronson, cbronson@iastate.edu.

CAYUSE 424 JANUARY WEBINARS
Evisions will host three 30-minute webinars offering support and information about Cayuse 424 in January. Topics include Getting Started in Cayuse 424 on Jan. 14; Developing, Importing, Exporting and Managing Subcontracts in Cayuse 424 on Jan. 16; and an Overview of NIH applications in Cayuse 424 on Jan. 18. All three webinars will be held 12 to 2:30 p.m.

FUNDING INFORMATION, OPPORTUNITIES AND DEADLINE REMINDERS
Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu
Additional information is posted at CALS Funding Resources, http://www.ag.iastate.edu/research/fundingResources/

Jan. 18: DOI Cooperative Agreement for Great Rivers CESU; one award, $90,000.

Feb. 5: DOE SBIR/STTR FY 2013 Phase I Release 2; $150,000 to $450,000 over nine months, proposal must be submitted by small business.

Feb. 5 (letter of intent): NOAA Climate Program Office; $75,000 to $700,000 per year for five years.

Feb. 25: NIST FY2013 Phase I SBIR solicitation; six awards, $90,000 for six-months, proposal must be submitted by small business. More: http://www.nist.gov/tpo/sbir/

March 4: NIH International Research Scientist Development Award (K01). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-13-072.html

March 8: USAID Feed the Future Food Security Innovation Lab: Collaborative Research on Sorghum and Millet; one Leader Award $13.7 million over five years, possible $10 million additional funding.

March 17 (letter of intent): NIH Chronic, Non-Communicable Diseases and Disorders Across the Lifespan: Fogarty International Research Training Award (D43); $250,000 per year up to five years. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-10-257.html 

April 3: NSF Campus Cyberinfrastructure "“ Network Infrastructure and Engineering Program; $500,000 to $1 million total over two years. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504748

April 5: NIH Advanced Technology SBIR (NIAID-AT-SBIR [R43/R44]); Phase I $300,000 per year for two years, Phase II $1 million per year for three years, proposal must be submitted by small business.

April 5: NIH SHIFT Award: Small Businesses Helping Investigators to Fuel the Translation of Scientific Discoveries [SBIR: R43/R44]; Phase I up to $200,000 per year for two years, Phase II up to $750,000 per year up to three years, proposal must be submitted by small business.

April 21 and August 12 (letter of intent): NIH Global Infectious Disease Research Training Program (D43); $200,000 to $250,000 per year up to five years. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-10-260.html

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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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ASSUMPTION vs. PRESUMPTION
An "assumption" is not drawn from evidence; typically it is a hypothesis (your assumption can be tested by looking at the public records). A "presumption" implies a basis in evidence; if uncontradicted, a presumption may support a decision (the legal presumption of innocence).
The Chicago Manual of Style, 16th ed., 2010

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INFOGRAZING
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RETIREMENT RECEPTION FOR JOHN BONNER, JAN. 23
John Bonner (BS '68 dairy science, MS '71 animal science, PhD '74 animal science) is retiring as executive vice president and CEO of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology. A retirement reception will be held Jan. 23, 4 to 6 p.m. in the Ensminger Room, 1204 Kildee Hall. There will be a short program at 5 p.m.

IOWA HALL OF PRIDE OPENS AGRICULTURE EXHIBIT
The Iowa Hall of Pride recently opened a new agriculture exhibit to help tell the story of Iowa agriculture's past, present and future. Located at 330 Park St. in Des Moines, the Iowa Hall of Pride is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. More: http://www.iowahallofpride.com/index.html

AGRICULTURE DEGREES HOT TICKET FOR JOB GROWTH
FOX News ran a special report on Jan. 7 about the increasing number of students pursuing agricultural degrees and agriculture-related careers. More: http://video.foxnews.com/v/2079770761001/

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INTERNAL VOICES
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SCHNABLE: NEED COLLABORATION OF ENGINEERS
Patrick Schnable, Baker Professor of Agronomy and director of the centers for Plant Genomics and Carbon Capturing Crops, remembers when biologists had no interest in working with computer specialists. That was before they tried to work with billions of data points to, say, accurately predict harvests based on plant genotype, soil type and weather conditions. "Now we're getting huge, absolutely huge, data sets," Schnable said. "There is no way to analyze these data sets without extraordinary computer resources. There's no way we could do this without the collaboration of engineers." More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2013/01/07/computationalbiology

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EXTERNAL VOICES
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WAREHOUSE ROOFTOP IN BROOKLYN SERVES AS URBAN FARM
As the planet's population swells, particularly in major cities, scientists and public officials believe urban farms will play an important role in supplementing our food supply. Nevin Cohen, assistant professor of environmental studies at New York's New School of Social Research, said in the Jan. 10 issue of Bloomberg Businessweek, New York City has the right ingredients to support urban farming "“ acres of usable rooftop space, eager entrepreneurs, sympathetic public officials and an expansive food market that demands fresh local produce. More: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-01-10/urban-farm-gotham-greens...

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MARGINALIA
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EXHIBIT LOOKS AT AGRICULTURE IN WAR EFFORTS
Stories surrounding World War I and World War II often involve tales of heroism on the front lines. Closer to home are stories of patriotism that are often overlooked. Among the home front efforts during both world wars were victory gardens, plantings that helped sustain domestic rationing and the food supply to troops overseas. A new exhibit at the Santa Paula museum in California looks at agriculture in war efforts.

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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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EDITOR
Julie Stewart
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/

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