College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
April 9, 2018
Top Stories
Keating Featured as ISU Change Agent
Aileen Keating, animal science, studies human and animal reproduction. Her research takes on questions regarding how factors such as environmental stress, obesity and chemical exposure affect female fertility, and her work has important implications for both animals and people. News Service has featured Keating as an ISU change agent. More
Research
INRC Leads the Charge on Water Quality Improvement and Innovation
The Iowa Nutrient Research Center is looking for new and innovative projects to fund that address the state’s water quality and nutrient runoff from agricultural fields. Since 2013, the center has funded 60 projects, many of which address issues such as farm management practices and soil health, with a total of more than $7 million. More
Plant Sciences Institute Names CALS Faculty to Second Cohort
The Plant Sciences Institute has named nine faculty members to the second cohort of PSI Faculty Scholars. The PSI Scholars program identifies, supports and empowers ISU researchers who have the potential to significantly contribute to the complex and rapidly emerging discipline of predictive phenomics. The 2018 PSI Faculty Scholars in CALS departments are:
- Sotirios Archontoulis, agronomy
- Michael Castellano, agronomy
- Peng Liu, statistics
- Fernando Miguez, agronomy
- Asheesh (Danny) Singh, agronomy
- Justin Walley, plant pathology and microbiology
- Bing Yang, genetics, development and cell biology
ABE Seminar Features Bühler Group Leader
Ian Roberts, chief technology officer of Bühler Group, headquartered in Uzwil, Switzerland, will present “Innovative Partnerships in Research and Education” on Wednesday, April 11, 9 to 9:50 a.m. in 3306 Elings Hall. The department of agricultural and biosystems engineering is hosting a delegation from Bühler’s Swiss and U.S. headquarters to discuss collaborative partnership opportunities in research and education across a broad range of technologies.
Teaching and Students
Graduating Senior Headed to Cambridge to Continue Work on Food Insecurity
Using science to address food insecurity is Catherine Leafstedt’s passion. It’s a passion that’s driven her for the past four years and it’s one reason she’s been accepted to the University of Cambridge in England to pursue graduate school. Leafstedt will be the CALS student marshall at the May 5 commencement. More
Brenton Center to Address Effectively Using Video in the Classroom
Full-length videos and video clips can be very useful in teaching, but it is important to plan ahead of time what students will learn from the videos. The Brenton Center is offering a Lunch and Learn session for CALS faculty on “Effectively Using Video in Your Class,” scheduled for April 19, noon to 1 p.m. in 8 Curtiss Hall. Daniel Ossian and Eric Krueger, video specialists with the Brenton Center, will highlight videos produced for ISU faculty and help brainstorm new ideas. RSVP to Tina Carter (ccarter1@iastate.edu) by April 17. Participation is limited to 20.
Nine CALS Students Spend Spring Break in Uganda
Nine CALS students spent their spring break volunteering in the Kamuli District in Uganda. The CALS service learning programs are usually held over the summer. Going over spring break allowed the small group to witness the opening of a new training facility. “It tells the community in the Kamuli District that Iowa State University is there to stay,” said Kody Olson, senior in global resource systems. “It cemented our long-standing commitment to the program.”
CALS Junior Featured on Iowa State Homepage for Genetics Research
Aimee Schulz, a junior in genetics, is featured on the Iowa State web page for her work on identifying ways to protect the genetic lines of indigenous maize. Schulz works in the genetics lab of Matthew Hufford, ecology, evolution and organismal biology. Schulz presented her findings during a poster session at the 2018 International Maize Genetics Conference in France. Schulz also was featured in the STORIES alumni magazine in 2016.
EEOB Student Receives NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Ellen Albright, graduate student in ecology, evolution and organismal biology, has received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. The program recruits high-potential, early-career scientists and engineers and supports their graduate research training in STEM fields. The 2018 class was selected from more than 12,000 applicants. More
Xi Sigma Pi to Host Maple Syrup Day on April 14
ISU’s Alpha Gamma chapter of Xi Sigma Pi, the National Forestry Honor Society, is hosting its annual Maple Syrup Day on Saturday, April 14, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Iowa Arboretum. Activities include a timber sports demonstration, a nature walk with foresters and all you can eat pancakes for $8.
Lambert Will Serve as Adviser for CALS Student Council; Second Faculty Adviser Sought
Misty Lambert, agricultural education and studies and director of the Science With Practice program will serve as faculty adviser for the CALS Student Council. The council is seeking a second faculty adviser as well. Contact Alex Brand, senior in agricultural business and current council president, for more information (ajbrand@iastate.edu).
Extension and Outreach
CARD Policy Brief Looks at China’s Response to U.S. Tariffs
The Center for Agricultural and Rural Development has released a new policy brief looking at the trade issues that have recently emerged between the U.S. and China, as well as a detailed look at previous Chinese responses to U.S. tariffs. Authors of “What Can We Learn about U.S.-China Trade Disputes from China’s Past Trade Retaliations?” are Wendong Zhang, Chad Hart and Minghao Li, economics. More
Online Registration for Egg Industry Issues Forum Ends Today
Online registration for the 10th annual Egg Industry Issues Forum ends today, April 9, at midnight. On-site registration will be accepted for the forum, scheduled for April 17-18 in Scottsdale, Ariz. The forum is an annual education and outreach event organized and facilitated by the Egg Industry Center. The goal is to update or increase producer and allied-industry awareness on the latest developments and priority issues concerning the U.S. egg industry. More
Iowa Swine Day Showcases National Industry Speakers
The seventh annual Iowa Swine Day, scheduled for June 28 in Ames, will feature speakers addressing important issues facing pork producers. The event is hosted by CALS, the Iowa Pork Industry Center and the Iowa Pork Producers Association. Co-organizer John Patience, animal science, said planners continue to reply to producer input in developing the program. More
Around the College
Dean’s Search Committee Tours CALS Facilities
The search committee for the dean of CALS participated in a tour of CALS facilities Friday, April 6, prior to its meeting. The tour included the Hansen Agricultural Learning Center, ISU Compost Facility, ISU Dairy Farm, Elings/Sukup Halls, Kildee Hall/Meat Lab, Horticulture greenhouses, and Curtiss Hall (Harl Commons, Dean’s Gallery, Dean’s office and Dean’s conference room). The tour was led by Mark Honeyman, CALS associate dean for operations.
Senator Ernst Tours Southeast Research Farm
Senator Joni Ernst visited the ISU Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm on April 3 to learn more about ISU water quality, regulations and CRP usage on erodible land. Speakers included Sotirios Archontoulis and Kendall Lamkey, agronomy. More
Calendar
April 11: Hilton Chair Lecture Series
Internet of Food is the topic of the next installment of the Hilton Chair Lecture Series, scheduled for Wednesday, April 11, 4 to 5 p.m. in 2432 Food Sciences Building. Matthew Lange, professional food and health informatician and research scientist at the University of California Davis, will present. His research program is helping to define and shape a new scientific discipline known as Food Informatics.
April 13: Clark Ford Retirement Reception
A retirement reception for Clark Ford, food science and human nutrition, will be held Friday, April 13, 3 to 5 p.m. in the Memorial Union Campanile Room. A program is scheduled for 4 p.m.
April 13: Gamma Sigma Delta Initiation and Awards Ceremony
The Iowa Beta Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta, the honor society of agriculture, will hold its annual initiation and awards ceremony on Friday, April 13, 5 p.m. in the Dolezal Auditorium, 127 Curtiss Hall. A reception will immediately follow in Harl Commons. More
April 16: Rossmann Manatt Lecture
The Rossmann Manatt Lecture is scheduled for April 16, 11 to 11:50 a.m. in 2019 Morrill Hall. Kevin Schalinske, food science and human nutrition, will present “Impact of Egg Consumption on Hyperhomocysteinemia, an Independent Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease.” Schalinske received the 2017 Rossmann Manatt Faculty Development Award for exceptional creativity and productivity in scholarship, teaching and service.
April 16: “Blindspot” Book Discussion
The next event in the CALS Cultural Competency Lunch and Learn Series is April 16, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in 13 Curtiss Hall. It will be a book discussion on “Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People.” A limited number of books are available in 138 Curtiss Hall. Contact Carla Persaud, cpersaud@iastate.edu. RSVP by noon on April 12.
Research Development Announcements and Funding Opportunities
Limited Submission: USAID FtF Innovation Lab for Legume Systems Research
USAID is seeking applications to launch a new Feed the Future Innovation Lab focused on legume systems research and capacity development at the smallholder and food systems levels. The FtF Innovation Lab for Legume Systems Research will be a five-year Leader With Associates cooperative agreement, awarded to a U.S. university to develop a global portfolio of legume systems research-for-development activities. The Leader Award will be $13.6 million with $21.4 million in potential additional funding. Submissions are limited to one per institution. Individuals who are interested in this opportunity should email fundingopps@iastate.edu no later than April 12. More
NCRAC Research and Outreach Project Proposals Due May 18
The North Central Regional Aquaculture Center is accepting pre-proposals for research and outreach projects. Proposals will be considered within the themes of aquaculture production, industry development, extension/education, and emerging issues and opportunities. Proposed projects must involve at least two institutions and activities within two states. Approximately $1.1 million total is available for the selected projects, which will be funded for up to two years. Pre-proposals are due by May 18. Early submission is encouraged.
North Central Soybean Research Program Applications Due May 25
The North Central Soybean Research Program is seeking collaborative multistate soybean research project renewal requests and new proposals for 2017/2018 funding. The NCSRP will fund research projects that address their goals of increasing soybean grower productivity and profitability while improving environmental stewardship. The NCSRP will fund both applied and basic research and the communication of research results to provide short- and long-term practical benefit to Midwestern soybean producers. Proposals are due by May 22. Application materials are available from Jill Cornelis (cornelis@iastate.edu, 294-7318), Iowa Soybean Research Center.
Iowa Soybean Association Research Proposals Due May 25
The Iowa Soybean Association will fund research projects that help increase soybean farmer competitiveness, especially through improved productivity and profitability while improving environmental stewardship. The ISA will fund both applied and basic research. Areas of interest include germplasm, breeding, disease and pests, weed management, nutrient management, and production practices for productivity and environmental stewardship, including digital agriculture. Proposals are due May 25. Application materials are available from Jill Cornelis (cornelis@iastate.edu, 294-7318), Iowa Soybean Research Center.
Funding Information, Opportunities and Deadline Reminders
Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu. Additional information is posted at CALS Pre-Award Resources.
April 16 (white paper): CDC Advanced and Innovative Solutions to Improve Public Health BAA, includes call for innovative proposals on AMR. More
April 18 (Stage 1 Application): Aetna Foundation – 2018 Cultivating Healthy Communities Grant Program; up to $100,000, contact ISU Foundation (cfr@foundation.iastate.edu).
May 5 (letter of intent): NIH Age-related Microbiota Changes and their Implications in Chronic Disease Prevention, Treatment and Progression (R01). More
May 17: USDA NIFA Special Research Grants Program - Aquaculture Research. More
May 23: NSF Dear Colleague Letter: Advancing Long-term Reuse of Scientific Data; EAGER and conference proposals. More
June 14: Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition Foundation - Young Earth Solutions Research Grant; €20,000, applicants must be pursuing or have completed Ph.D. degree, and are/have enrolled in Ph.D. program on or after Jan. 1, 2012 are eligible.
July 2: NSF: Accelerating Discovery: Educating the Future STEM Workforce. More
July 2: STEM + Computing K-12 Education. More
Communications Kiosk
Use a Dash to Set Off Series within a Phrase
When a phrase that otherwise would be set off by commas contains a series of words that must be separated by commas, use dashes to set off the full phrase: He listed the qualities — intelligence, humor, conservatism, independence — that he liked in an executive. (Associated Press Stylebook, 2017 edition, pg. 431)
Infograzing
Cyclone Carnival Scheduled for This Weekend
The ISU Student Activities Center is hosting Cyclone Carnival this Saturday, April 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in conjunction with the ISU Spring Football Game in the commuter lot north of Jack Trice Stadium. The carnival will provide opportunities to showcase ISU and the Ames community through student organization sales and performances, food, family activities and more. CALS clubs represented include the following. More
- Culinary Science Club
- Global Resource Systems Ambassador
- Good Earth Student Farm
- Horticulture Club
- Insect Zoo
- Microbiology Graduate Student Organization
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/agonline
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online, the newsletter for faculty and staff in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is published by email every Monday. The deadline for submitting content is 12 p.m. on Friday.
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