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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter
Iowa State University
Aug. 11, 2014 No. 811
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COLLEGE NEWS
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SAVE THE DATE: CALS CONVOCATION AUG. 28
The CALS Fall Convocation is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 28, at 4:10 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room. The program will include comments from Dean Wintersteen and recognition for the College’s new faculty and staff since last fall. A reception will follow.
BIG DATA WORKSHOP AT ISU, AUG. 25
ISU Extension and Outreach is co-hosting a workshop on “Big Data: Managing Your Most Elusive Farm Asset,” on Aug. 25, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Scheman Center. The program is developed in collaboration with Matt Darr, agricultural and biosystems engineering, John Fulton, Auburn University, and Scott Shearer, The Ohio State University. More: http://www.cvent.com/events/precision-ag-data-workshops-big-data/event-…
REGIONAL RESEARCH STUDIES PYRAMIDING GENES TO FIGHT SOYBEAN APHIDS
ISU entomologists led a regional study that looked at the effectiveness of combining genes from multiple parent plants, or “pyramiding,” for improved resistance to the soybean aphid. The findings indicate that when soybean is bred using two different resistance genes, farmers did not need to use an insecticide to prevent yield loss from soybean aphids. The results demonstrate that pyramiding resistance genes can provide sufficient, consistent yield protection from this destructive pest. The research was led by entomology graduate student Mike McCarville and associate professor Matt O’Neal, and included scientists from University of Minnesota, South Dakota State University, University of Wisconsin, Kansas State University, Pennsylvania State University and North Dakota State University. The research was published in June in the Journal of Economic Entomology. A PDF of the paper can be downloaded on ISU-based computers online. The project was funded by the Soybean Checkoff through grants provided by the North Central Soybean Research Program, Iowa Soybean Association and South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council.
RESEARCHERS STUDY IOWA BALD EAGLES
A first-of-its-kind study of Iowa bald eagles found that only a small fraction of the birds appear to suffer from high levels of lead exposure, according to researchers Julie Blanchong and Stephen Dinsmore, natural resource and ecology management. The ISU study is the first to investigate the prevalence of lead exposure among the general population of bald eagles in the state rather than just sick birds that are admitted to wildlife rehabilitation facilities. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2014/08/08/leadexposureeagles
GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER INTERNS FEATURED ON CALS WEB BANNER
A fascination with science attracted 25 students from throughout the United States to this summer’s George Washington Carver internship program. The program goal is to enhance research through increased diversity, with a focus on graduate education. During the summer, interns participate in weekly seminars, programs, cultural activities and agricultural tours. This summer's program included 13 undergraduate students, three graduate students and nine high school students from 13 states and one student from Kenya. To view go to https://www.cals.iastate.edu/
ABE RECOGNIZED AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Faculty, staff and students in the department of agricultural and biosystems engineering were recognized at the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers annual international meeting, July 13-16 in Montreal.
- Mark Hanna – 2014 ASABE Fellow
- Michelle Soupir – New Holland Young Researcher
- Steven Hoff – Henry Giese Structures and Environment Award
- Matt Helmers – G.B. Gunlogson Countryside Engineering Award
- Midwest Plan Service – Blue Ribbon Award for Publications, Comprehensive
The ISU student branch of ASABE was also well represented and recognized. More: http://news.engineering.iastate.edu/2014/07/29/abe-recognized-for-achie…
ANIMAL SCIENCE GRADUATE STUDENTS RECEIVE AWARDS
Melissa Herrmann, graduate student in animal science, received a Houghton Trust Travel Award to present her research at the Avian Immunology Research Group meeting in Guelph, Ontario. Damarius Fleming and Hongyan Sun, graduate students in animal science, received awards for their posters at the International Society of Animal Genetics meeting in Xi’an, China.
DEADLINES AND REMINDERS
Sept. 18: New graduate student and post-doc welcome, 5-7:30 p.m., RSVP to Ruth MacDonald (ruthmacd@iastate.edu) by Sept. 15.
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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NC-SARE 2015 RESEARCH AND EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM CALL FOR PRE-PROPOSALS
The North Central Region SARE is accepting pre-proposals for their 2015 Research and Education Grant Program. Researchers and educators can request up to $200,000 over three years for projects that explore and promote environmentally sound, profitable and socially responsible food and/or fiber systems. Pre-proposals must be submitted by Oct. 23. More: http://www.northcentralsare.org/Grants/Our-Grant-Programs/Research-and-…
NC-SARE 2015 PARTNERSHIP GRANT PROGRAM CALL FOR PROPOSALS
The North Central Region SARE is accepting proposals for their 2015 Partnership Grant Program. Agriculture/natural resource professionals can request up to $30,000 for up to two years for on-farm research, demonstration and/or educational projects. Proposals must be submitted by Oct. 30. More: http://www.northcentralsare.org/Grants/Our-Grant-Programs/Partnership-G…
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR VPR FALL GRANT WRITING WORKSHOP
The Office of the Vice President for Research will host an all-day grant writing workshop on Oct. 7 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sunroom. The workshop will be presented by John Robertson. All participants must purchase a workbook. Due to limited space, preference will be given to faculty and staff (including postdocs) before the workshop is opened to graduate students.
NSF GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM – INVITATION FOR REVIEWERS
The National Science Foundation invites professionals with STEM expertise to serve as reviewers for the Graduate Research Fellowship Program. Service as a reviewer is an excellent opportunity to apply research and career expertise to identify future leaders in the fields of science and engineering, as well as to gain experience in mentoring students on preparing GRFP applications and writing effective letters of recommendation. If you would like to be considered as a panelist, register by Aug. 15. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsf14107/nsf14107.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT…
CAYUSE 424 TRAINING SEMINARS IN AUGUST
The Cayuse 424 product support team has scheduled seminars for August. The webinars are sent to everyone who registers, which allows access at a later date for individuals who cannot participate at the stated times.
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/
Sept. 15 (letter of intent): USDA School Wellness Policy Cooperative Agreement; $1.7 million over 3 years. More: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=260630
Sept. 22 (letter of intent): NIH Hubs of Interdisciplinary Research and Training in Global Environmental and Occupational Health – Research Training (U2R); $300,000, one application per institution. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-TW-14-002.html
Oct. 1: USFWS Wildlife Without Borders – Mexico; $50,000 or less, matching required.
Oct. 2: USDA Small Business Innovation Research Program – Phase I FY2015; $100,000.
Oct. 2 (letter of intent): NIH Collaborative Interdisciplinary Team Science in NIDDK Research Areas (R24). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-13-305.html
Oct. 5: NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-13-302.html
Oct. 16: NIH Small Research Grant Program (Parent R03); $100,000 over 2 years. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-13-304.html
Oct. 16: NSF Discovery Research K-1; $100,000 to $3 million. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=500047
Nov. 5: NIH Obesity and Asthma: Awareness and Self-Management (R01). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-14-316.html
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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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NEW EDITION OF WEBSTER’S NEW WORLD COLLEGE DICTIONARY
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is launching Webster’s New World College Dictionary, Fifth Edition, on Aug. 26 – the first new edition in 15 years. Thoroughly reviewed and revised, the fifth edition includes nearly 5,000 new words and senses, including deleverage, hashtag and selfie.
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INFOGRAZING
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HELP WELCOME STUDENTS TO ISU
On behalf of Senior Vice President and Provost Jonathan Wickert, faculty and staff are invited to help welcome students to campus during primary class hours on the first two days of school, Aug. 25 and 26. Five welcome and information centers will be located on campus at the Library, Curtiss Hall, Memorial Union, Lagomarcino Hall and the bus shelter in the commuter lot. Representatives from the President’s Office, Provost’s Office, Business and Finance, Student Affairs and a student leader will be assigned at each location for each shift. Fruit and water will be available for distribution to students. Four shifts are available between 9:45 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Please contact Mel Lee at mklee@iastate.edu by 4 p.m. on Aug. 14.
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INTERNAL VOICES
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DARR: BIG DATA CAN HELP WITH FARMING DECISIONS
On the Aug. 4 Agribusiness Report on WHO TV, Matt Darr, agricultural and biosystems engineering, said about two-thirds of every dollar spent on agriculture is focused on decisions of seed selection, fertility and land access. Mass amounts of data could have an influence on those decisions. “Because we’re trying to bring all this information together to make the right plan every year, what I would tell an Iowa producer is harvest the value and opportunity of Big Data,” said Darr. More: http://whotv.com/2014/08/04/big-data-can-help-with-farming-decisions/&n…;
ANIMAL SCIENCE STUDENT SERVES AS IOWA PORK PRINCESS
Katlyn Kahler, sophomore in animal science and the Iowa Pork Princess, is representing ISU and the Iowa Pork Producers Association at the Iowa State Fair, Aug. 7-17. In addition to riding in the parade, handing out ribbons and serving in the pork tent, Kahler is spending a lot of time in the Animal Learning Center teaching people about the swine industry. “In the pork industry we try to follow good practices. We want to keep the environment clean, be involved in the community, keep the pork safe and keep our animals and workers safe,” said Kahler in an article for the Aug. 6 issue of the Iowa State Daily. More
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MARGINALIA
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HISTORY OF COOK RANCH AND CORN TROPHY ON YOUTUBE
A presentation on the history of Iowa’s largest farm made at the Odebolt Creek Days celebration on June 21 is now available on YouTube. The presentation highlights the Cook Ranch and the Cook Corn Trophy, a 110-year-old corn-judging trophy from ISU that was on loan to Odebolt for the town’s annual celebration. The A.E. Cook Corn Trophy is back on display in the Dean’s Gallery in Agriculture and Life Sciences in Curtiss Hall. More: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dszYecT3zQk&app=desktop
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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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EDITOR
Julie Stewart
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/agonline
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