CALS Online and Dean’s Message
Jan. 24, 2022
Dean’s Message
Greetings CALS Colleagues – Last week, while most of you were enduring the beautiful cold, a group of us made our way to the Florida sun on an annual trip to meet alumni and donors. We had the opportunity to learn about their happy and meaningful memories of Iowa State, to explore their legacy interests and commitments, to benefit from their wisdom gained over the years, and to share the excellent news of your collective work…
Top Stories
Graduate Student Awarded National Fellowship to Support Scientific Career
Logan Ott, graduate student in the interdepartmental microbiology program, was awarded a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Predoctoral Fellowship. The funding will allow him to continue his work on microbial-host interactions. Ott works in the laboratory of Melha Mellata, food science and human nutrition. “Iowa State has done a great job in preparing me for graduate school through the rigorous coursework I did during my undergraduate studies,” Ott said. “Dr. Mellata’s leadership and strong research background has also helped me find success.”
Research
Grant Money Awarded to Study DAPL Impact
Agronomy graduate student Luis Bentancor, along with Bradley Miller, has been awarded an NCR-SARE grant to study soil health indicators in areas impacted by the Dakota Access pipeline installation. The project came about because of concerns raised by farmers who have observed lower crop yields on the right of way since the installation of the DAPL in 2016.
Teaching and Students
Applications Being Accepted for AgDiscovery Program
Applications are being accepted for the AgDiscovery 2022 program at Iowa State, designed for Iowa high school students interested in careers in veterinary medicine, animal science, laboratory technology and wildlife ecology. AgDiscovery will take place July 10-23 on Iowa State’s campus and is open to students ages 15-17.
Around the College
Feed the World Challenge Offers $15,000 Award
Kent Corporation, in partnership with the CALS Science with Practice program, will award $15,000 in a new competition seeking to address global food security challenges. Project proposals by teams of faculty and students will address global problems and innovation for producing and distributing healthy food, improving food technologies and securing food sources. Registration is open for those interested in submitting a proposal.
Deiter Receives Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award
Ron Deiter, emeritus professor of economics, is the recipient of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers Iowa Chapter 2022 Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award.
Calendar
Jan. 25: Women Impacting ISU Calendar Reception
The 2022 Women Impacting ISU calendar will be unveiled during a reception recognizing the 12 honorees on Tuesday, Jan. 25, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. (program at 4 p.m.) in the Memorial Union Sun Room. Heike Hofmann, statistics, and Ann Marie VanDerZanden, horticulture and associate provost for academic programs, are two of six faculty selected for this year’s calendar, which is published by the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics.
Jan 26: Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
Adam Janke, extension wildlife specialist, and Kaycie Waters, natural resources program specialist, will discuss the Iowa Master Conservationist Program during the Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 26, at noon.
Jan 26: INRC Water Quality Research Seminar
Lake Erie cyanobacterial blooms are the topic of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center’s Water Quality Research Seminar on Wednesday, Jan. 26, at 3:10 p.m. Justin Chaffin, research coordinator of Stone Laboratory and Ohio Sea Grant of The Ohio State University, will present.
Jan. 28: Max Rothschild Retirement Celebration
A retirement celebration for Max Rothschild, professor emeritus of animal science, is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 28, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. (program at 4 p.m.) in the Kildee Hall Atrium. Rothschild joined the animal science faculty at Iowa State in 1980. His research, identifying genes that control traits of economic importance in pigs, has impacted more than 90% of the U.S. pork industry. Rothschild has been an invited speaker in more than 60 countries and his work includes 12 U.S. patents.
Communications Kiosk
Survey Results from The Conversation Authors
The Conversation recently released survey data from faculty members who write for the news source. Faculty write short pieces for The Conversation on topics in their area of expertise, working with a professional news editor. Articles written by Iowa State faculty are available online.
Infograzing
Cellular Response Protects Pigs from COVID-19
Studies since the start of the pandemic have noted that pigs exposed to the coronavirus do not show clinical signs of disease, nor do they transmit the virus to other animals. Scientists in veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine at Iowa State have uncovered important clues that shed light on why pigs don’t get sick, and the discovery could lead to better treatments for COVID-19 in humans.
Donate Business Attire for Student Use at Career Fairs
The business attire free pop-up shop for all Iowa State students is in need of gently used ties, big and tall menswear, suit jackets, dress shirts and shoes. Drop off donated items on Tuesday, Jan. 25, from 1:30 to 5 p.m. in 1009 LeBaron Hall. The spring pop-up shop will be held Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 26-27, from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. daily in 1009 LeBaron Hall. Every semester, 400 to 700 students use the shop. Questions may be directed to Carmen Flagge (cflagge@iastate.edu), College of Human Sciences (include “pop-up shop” in the subject line).
Marginalia
Art Walk to Showcase Metalwork in Biorenewables Complex Atrium
“An Exploration of Materials in Public Art” is the theme for this semester’s Art Walks hosted by University Museums’ staff and docents. The series begins with Floating World in the Biorenewables Complex atrium on Wednesday, Jan. 26, from noon to 1 p.m. Registration is encouraged but not required.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
http://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 Thursday.