Forrest Nutter, Plant Pathology, (515) 294-8737, fwn@iastate.edu Ed Adcock, Communications Service, (515) 294-2314, edadcock@iastate.eduThe College of Agriculture at Iowa State University presented annual awards to faculty and staff at its spring semester convocation on Wednesday. Award winners were: Diane Birt, distinguished professor of food science and human nutrition and director of the Center for Research on Dietary Supplements, received the Faculty Award for Diversity Enhancement. Birt served as department chair of food science and human nutrition from 1997 to 2004 and as the director for the Center for Designing Foods to Improve Nutrition from 1997 to 2002. She has increased diversity at all levels in the department by promoting diversity in recruitment, training, retention and outreach activities. The Iowa State Acetyl-CoA Team received the College of Agriculture's Team Award. The team includes Basil Nikolau, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology; Eve Wurtele, genetics, development and cell biology; David Oliver, genetics, development and cell biology; and Patrick Schnable, agronomy. The team's research during the past six years has focused on the molecular genetic mechanisms by which plants generate distinct acetyl-CoA pools, a process that controls and regulates the breakdown of fats and oils. The research has the potential to improve seed oil crops. Carol Elliott, economics, received the Merit Staff Award for Achievement and Service. Elliott was recognized as being a valued employee and resource for students, staff and faculty in the economics department for 22 years. Chris Feeley, forestry extension associate, received the Award for Early Achievement in Extension. Since joining Iowa State in 2000, he has coordinated forestry extension efforts in youth education and community forestry projects. He also produced and published an interactive CD-Rom titled "The Forest Where Ashley Lives." More than 26,000 copies of the CD have been distributed nationwide. Xun Gu, associate professor of genetics, development and cell biology, received the Early Achievement in Research Award. Gu's research interests include molecular evolution, gene network evolution and genomics. He has published numerous articles and is described as a leader in genetic research. Regina Hendrickson, communications specialist with the NASA Food Technology Commercial Space Center, received the Professional and Scientific Staff Award for Achievement and Service. Hendrickson designed an interactive website that helps educators teach children about the food used on space missions. The information is included on the NASA website. Thomas Loynachan, professor of agronomy, received the Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Award. For the past 23 years he has taught agronomy classes using the latest presentation methods to increase interest and teach students professional presentation skills. John Mabry, professor of animal science, received the Excellence in International Agriculture Award. Mabry has developed and implemented technologies for improving pig production systems and increasing profitability in more than 30 countries. Barbara Osborn, program coordinator in horticulture, received the Outstanding Advisor Award. For the past seven years Osborn has advised an average of 125 students per semester. Osborn's advising techniques help students learn professional skills and encourage them to pursue career opportunities. She has served as the primary Hort Club advisor since 1998 and served as the Ag Student Council advisor from 2001 to 2003. Jim Pease, extension wildlife specialist and assistant professor of natural resource ecology and management, received the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Extension. Pease is the only extension wildlife specialist in Iowa and is known throughout Iowa as "Mr. Wildlife." Pease began working at Iowa State 24 years ago and has been an advocate for the conservation and stewardship of Iowa's natural resources. Paul Scott, professor of agronomy and U.S. Department of Agriculture collaborator, received the Raymond and Mary Baker Agronomic Excellence Award for contributions in agronomy. During the past eight years he has been internationally recognized for research that combines, biochemistry, genetics and plant breeding. The Dean's Citation for Extraordinary Contributions to the College of Agriculture was presented to Joyce Shiers and Greg Tylka. Shiers began her career at Iowa State in 1961. She is an administrative specialist in the College of Agriculture and has been in that position since 1981. Tylka, a plant pathology professor, is currently the director of the Iowa Corn and Soybean Initiative and a leader on the Iowa Soybean Rust Team. Tylka began researching soybean diseases at Iowa State in 1995. For the past two years Tylka's leadership on the Soybean Rust Team has helped prepare Iowa for Asian soybean rust, a disease that was first found in the United States in November. Dan Voytas, genetics, development and cell biology, received the Outstanding Achievement in Research Award. Since receiving his Ph.D. in 1990, Voytas has made two significant discoveries in the field of mobile genetic elements or retrotransposon biology. Retrotransposon research has the potential for revolutionizing treatment for genetic diseases. He also founded Phytodyne Inc., a successful biotech company based in Iowa. Editor's note: Photos of award winners and Dean Catherine Woteki's remarks from the College of Agriculture convocation are available online. Contact Ed Adcock for copies of photos at edadcock@iastate.edu or (515) 294-2314.
ISU College of Agriculture Presents Awards to Faculty, Staff
January 18, 2005