CALS Online and Dean’s Message
Nov. 4, 2024
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS – Finally, some good soaking rains! We’ll get those into the “win” column for next year's growing season… This week, please be sure to participate in the interviews for our next associate dean for research and discovery. Next week, I’ll write this note from Kamuli, Uganda, where I’ll be participating in a strategic planning activity for that signature program of ours. And for those of you who were unable to attend, the recording of the Oct. 23 CALS Town Hall is now available for viewing…
Top Stories
Study Shows Zinc’s Potential to Fight Antimicrobial Resistance
A research team in the lab of Melha Mellata (right), food science and human nutrition, has found that zinc supplements may be an inexpensive, effective antidote to the growing health threat of antimicrobial resistance, potentially extending the effectiveness of today’s antibiotic arsenal against disease. Their findings, published this month in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, are spurring widespread interest. The lead author of the article, Logan Ott (center), completed his doctoral degree in microbiology this summer. Chloe Smith (left), a senior honors student in biochemistry, is the one who proposed evaluating zinc. (Photo by Whitney Baxter, Iowa State University)
Teaching and Students
CALS Co-Hosts Annual Food Insecurity Challenge
In a challenge hosted by the Ivy College of Business, CALS and the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, students from across disciplines are invited to participate in a team-based challenge to generate new and innovative solutions to food insecurity. Event kickoff, including a hunger banquet, is Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 5-8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room. Pitch competition is Nov. 19 from 5-8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall.
Snow Blower Service Days Scheduled for Nov. 8-9
The Agricultural Systems Technology Club will hold its annual snow blower service days Friday, Nov. 8 (1-6 p.m.), and Saturday, Nov. 9 (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.), at Sukup Hall. The $30 cost includes an oil change, a new spark plug and a power wash. Pickup and delivery (Ames zip code only) is available for an additional $25; send an email request to astservicedays@gmail.com.
Submissions Due Nov. 22 for Crosspollinating Art and Science Competition
CALS is hosting an exhibition featuring original artwork created by CALS students that reflects a concept of crosspollination between art and science. Students may submit artwork of any media for display in a juried exhibit on Dec. 12 in the Student Innovation Center. The deadline for submission is Nov. 22.
Extension and Outreach
Seed Science and Technology Webinar Series Starts Tomorrow
The Graduate Program in Seed Technology and Business is hosting its annual webinar series beginning Tuesday, Nov. 5, at noon and continuing Nov. 12 and Nov. 19. This year’s topics include biotech adaption, spermosphere microbiome and high-throughput sequencing. Registration is free.
Registration Open for 2024 ICM Conference
The 35th Annual Integrated Crop Management Conference is Dec. 11-12 at the Meadows Events and Conference Center at Prairie Meadows in Altoona. Hosted by ISU Extension and Outreach and CALS, the event will provide crop production professionals with the latest information, cutting-edge research updates and tools to prepare for 2025.
ISU Extension and Outreach Holds Precision Agriculture and Animal Science Days
In a collaborative effort to showcase agricultural practices and technology, ISU Extension and Outreach hosted several Precision Agriculture and Animal Science Days across the state in September and October. These events aimed to bring together farmers, agronomists, researchers and industry experts to explore the latest precision agriculture innovations while engaging high school students in hands-on education. More than 580 youth participants engaged in sessions across Iowa.
Around the College
Interviews Underway for Associate Dean for Research and Discovery
The first interview for the position of CALS Associate Dean for Research and Discovery was held this morning with Aileen Keating, animal science. As part of the interview process, each of the three candidates will present a public seminar on the “Vision for the CALS Research and Discovery Enterprise: Short- and Long-term Goals and Strategies in a Land Grant Context,” followed by an open forum. Candidates’ names will be released online one day before their interview. Seminars will be recorded and posted after all candidates have presented. Seminars will not be live-streamed. A feedback survey will also be available. The remaining two interviews are scheduled as follows.
- Wednesday, Nov. 6 – 9 a.m. public seminar, 10-10:45 a.m. open forum – CCUR Auditorium, 1951 Food Sciences Building
- Thursday, Nov. 7 – 9 a.m. public seminar, 10-10:45 a.m. open forum – 0008 Curtiss Hall
2024 Awards Presented to College Alums, Friends
CALS and the ISU Alumni Association presented awards to several college alumni and friends at the 93rd annual Honors & Awards Ceremony on Nov. 1.
- Floyd Andre Award – Jim Knuth (’84 English), Farm Credit Services of America
- George Washington Carver Distinguished Service Award – Robert and Patricia (’64 food and nutrition) Jester, Jester Insurance Services and Creative Food Ltd
- Henry A. Wallace Award – Scott Hutchins (’87 PhD entomology), in dependent consultant, former deputy under secretary for USDA’s Research, Education and Economics mission area
- Outstanding Young Professional Award – Brad Kinsinger (’05 agricultural and life sciences education), dean of agricultural sciences and hospitality arts, Kirkwood Community College
- ISUAA Outstanding Young Alumni Award – Kevin Roepke (’06 public service and administration in agriculture), U.S. Soybean Export Council’s regional director of South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa
Town Hall Recording Available Online
Dean Robison held a Town Hall meeting on Oct. 23. A recording of the meeting is now available online.
Student Attendance Up at Fall Career Day
Approximately 1,825 students representing 59 Iowa State majors and 10 visiting schools attended the fall 2024 CALS Career Day on Oct. 8, up 1.5% from last year. The top five majors in attendance were animal science (494), agricultural business (261), agricultural studies (207), agronomy (139) and animal ecology (87). For post-career day interviews, 43 companies held 489 interviews, nearly identical to last year’s activity. CALS Career Services will not be holding a spring Career Day, but director Mike Gaul said they will be reaching out in early January to help promote open positions and spring semester on-campus interview activity.
Calendar
Nov. 4: Beal Lecture in Rural Sociology
The George M. Beal Distinguished Lectureship in Rural Sociology is today, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room. Ryanne Pilgerim, regenerative economies manager for The Wilderness Society, will present “Extractive Industry, Historic Disinvestment and the Future of Rural Communities.”
Nov. 6: Bayer – From Germany to the USA
A German Bayer representative who works in the U.S., Anita Kuepper, and an American Bayer representative who works in Germany, Lucas McKinnon, will present “Bridging Borders: Career Journeys at Bayer, From Germany to the USA,” on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 3:30 p.m. in 1226 Howe Hall. They will provide information about international opportunities in crop sciences and German-American industry partnerships.
Nov. 6: Sustainable Agriculture Colloquium
Mark Rasmussen, professor emeritus of animal science, will present the Sustainable Agriculture Colloquium on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 3:30 p.m. in 0013 Curtiss Hall. The session will address the “History of the Leopold Center and the Center’s Investigation of Agribusiness Consolidation.”
Nov. 13: INRC Water Research Seminar
The Iowa Nutrient Research Center’s next seminar will focus on “Nutrient and Sediment Loads Measured from the Chesapeake Bay River Input Monitoring Network.” Jimmy Webber, hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, will present. The hybrid session will be held online and in-person Nov. 13 at 3:10 p.m. in 1306 Elings Hall.
Nov. 14: Jim Knuth Lecture
Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, will present the Jim Knuth Lessons in Leadership and Life Lecture on Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. in 2155 Marston Hall (refreshments at 6 p.m.). The event, sponsored by the Deiter Endowed Chair and the Agricultural Business Club, is open to the public.
Communications Kiosk
Anywhere vs. Any Place
Anywhere is preferred for an indefinite location (my keys could be anywhere). But any place (two words) is narrower when you mean “any location” (they couldn’t find any place to sit down and rest). Avoid the informal one-word anyplace. (The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition, pg. 311)
Infograzing
Applications Open for Science Communication Training
Reiman Gardens is seeking scientists, engineers, grad students, faculty, researchers and other science-based professionals to participate in their 2025 Science Communication Training Program to gain hands-on training and experience sharing their research with public audiences. Applications are due Nov. 30, and the program is limited to 12 participants.
Lecture to Address Under the Influence of Stress
Corey Ciocchetti, Bill Daniels Professor of Business Ethics and Legal Studies at the University of Denver, will present “Under the Influence…of Stress” on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall.
Marginalia
Daylight Saving Time – History of Now
For 10 months in the mid-1970s, America’s clocks sprang forward and never fell back. An article in the Smithsonian Magazine reports that year-round daylight saving time, signed into law by President Richard Nixon in January 1974, sought to maximize evening sunlight and, in doing so, help mitigate an ongoing national gas crisis. But while the experiment initially proved popular, with 79% of Americans expressing support for the change in December 1973, approval quickly plummeted, dropping to 42% by February 1974. The main drawback to pushing the clock forward permanently was the prolonged early-morning darkness in the winter, which left children heading to school when it was “jet black” outside. Writing for Washingtonian, Andrew Beaujon noted that eight students in Florida died in traffic accidents in the weeks following the change; in the nation’s capital and its surrounding suburbs, similar incidents led some schools to delay classes until the sun came up. In October 1974, President Gerald Ford signed legislation reversing permanent daylight saving time.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
https://www.cals.iastate.edu/cals-online
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.