CALS Online and Dean’s Message
May 5, 2025
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS – Hope you all enjoyed this beautiful weekend! Last week was busy at every level, from classes nearing the finish line, to students gaining on their anticipated summer plans, to the ISU Foundation meetings and associated activities. Here in the college, we managed the Iowa Youth Institute with our colleagues from the World Food Prize Foundation, had several meetings with supporters and participants in our Uganda Program/Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods, now directed by new associate dean Francis Owusu, met with the president of the American Farm School in Greece with whom we collaborate on study abroad and more…
Top Stories
Chung Building a Simulated Environment Agriculture Lab
Hanwook Chung, agricultural and biosystems engineering, is working to develop a Simulated Environment Agriculture Lab, or SEAL, a concept that provides information on how growing environments affect food production systems. There have been tremendous advancements in simulation tools and methodologies that can be applied to various aspects of agricultural processes. However, significant improvements are still needed to better predict the interactions between the environment and food production. Part of Chung’s work is developing technologies specifically designed for this purpose. To stay on the cutting edge of technology advancement in the industry, simulation technology has been implemented in ABE courses, in addition to research. Chung teaches students in his ABE 4720: Controlled Environments for Animals and Plants course how to use software to show ventilation in food production environments.
Research
Researchers Study Conservation Practice Effectiveness
Research continues to increase the effectiveness of best management practices for improving water quality, while seeking to make practices cheaper and easier for landowners to install, say Iowa State scientists Tom Isenhart, natural resource ecology and management, and Michelle Soupir, agricultural and biosystems engineering.
Study Shows Packaging Impact on Bacon Color, Consumer Appeal
A recent study by Stephanie Major, senior, in animal science and meat science, helped lead research, working with Terry Houser, animal science, showing how packaging can affect consumer choices for bacon, America’s favorite pork product. Iowa State researchers wanted to see if natural antioxidant treatments would prevent or minimize color changes in packaged bacon. While the treatments had little effect, the packaging had a significant influence.
Teaching and Students
Advisors Invited to Pathways Lunch and Learn
Advisors are invited to learn more about the CALS Pathways to Innovation and Leadership program at a luncheon on May 12 from noon to 1 p.m. The deadline to RSVP is today, May 5. In addition to learning more about the Pathways program, participants will learn about opportunities for advisors to complete the Leading with Strengths and Creative Confidence for Innovation workshops over the summer and discuss how micro-credentials can be integrated into their learning community, career ready and other courses.
A Newfound Interest in Horses
Wanting to expand her animal knowledge and skills, Chayse Burgess, a senior in animal science, has taken advantage of learning opportunities at Iowa State’s farms, leading to a newfound interest in horses. She spent two summers interning at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota, as a detention barn technician and job shadowed at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Arkansas, this past winter break.
A Passion for the Life Sciences Side of CALS
Brooklyn Elwood, a senior in microbiology, has focused on making a difference within the agriculture industry, both inside and outside of the classroom. Coming to Iowa State as a biology student, Elwood quickly discovered a new pathway in the microbiology program that aligned with her passion and career goals.
Science with Practice Poster Session Set for May 7
This semester’s Science with Practice poster session open house is Wednesday, May 7, from 2-4 p.m. in the Kildee Hall atrium. Science with Practice, a CALS experiential learning and work program for undergraduate students, is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
CALS Ignite Innovation Showcase Open House May 7
The CALS IGNITE Open House is Wednesday, May 7, from 1-4 p.m. in rooms 4227 and 4229 of the Student Innovation Center. Learn about the Pathways to Innovation and Leadership program, the Culinary Bootcamp, the Stupka Symposium and CALS Connections: Cross Pollinating Art and Science.
Horticulture Club Holding Spring Flower Basket Sale
The Horticulture Club is holding its annual spring flower basket sale on May 9-11. There will be more than 200 flower baskets (eight varieties) available for $30 each.
Extension and Outreach
Webinar Series to Highlight Business Management Topics in Seed Industry
The Graduate Program in Seed Technology and Business is holding a webinar series on business management topics in the seed industry. The webinars will take place every Wednesday in May (7, 14, 21, 28) at noon. Register online to receive the links to each webinar.
Registration Open for Iowa Swine Day
The Iowa Pork Industry Center has opened registration for Iowa Swine Day on June 26 at Fisher Theater and the Scheman Building. A pre-conference networking social will be June 25 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center.
Tackle Thistles Before They Bolt
Time’s running out to treat biennial thistles with herbicide this spring. Meaghan Anderson, extension field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach, said if you want to effectively use herbicide, you need to do so before the plants bolt.
Around the College
CALS Undergoes Reorganization of Information Technology Staff
CALS, in collaboration with the leadership in Information Technology Services, has undergone a reorganization of the information technology staff. Effective April 28, IT staff who serve departments and units in the college will report to staff who are aligned with the ITS supervisory organization. Most of the CALS department support staff will report to David Wallace, and the CALS/LAS Web Team will report to John VanDyk. Wallace will report to Ann Bugler and VanDyk to Erich Dietenbeck. These supervisory changes will not impact the IT staff's current work location or assignments at this time. The intent of this restructuring will be to enhance the effectiveness of IT support across the college and align IT operations with central policies and procedures to ensure security of the systems. All faculty and staff are asked to use the ServiceNow process when requesting IT support, as this ticketing system directs requests efficiently and allows tracking of services.
Nominations Open for 2025 Cohort of CALS Staff Champions
Nominations are open for the 2025 cohort of CALS Staff Champions program. Staff (P&S or merit) will be selected to participate in a professional development program focusing on the college’s operations. Sessions will take place the second Friday of each month from June to December from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with lunch provided. Applications are due May 16.
Town Hall Recording Available Online
Dean Robison held a Town Hall meeting on April 10. A recording of the meeting is now available online.
Calendar
May 7: Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Webinar
“Debunking Wasp Pollination” is the topic of an Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar on Wednesday, May 7, at noon. Kater Borchardt, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, will present.
May 8: Retirement Reception for Huaiqing Wu
Huaiqing Wu, an associate professor of statistics, is retiring from the university on May 16. A reception is Thursday, May 8, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. (with a brief program at 4:45 p.m.) in 3105 Snedecor Hall.
More Events Listed on CALS Website
Find more events on the CALS Events webpage. Submit events for inclusion on this list to madelyno@iastate.edu or jstewart@iastate.edu.
Infograzing
Innovation at Work: 2025 By the Numbers
Iowa State has a proven track record of working with business and industry to create economic value and developing talent to meet workforce demands. The numbers tell the story in the latest installment of the 2025 Innovation at Work series.
Barks at Parks Available During Prep Week
Students are invited to drop by the University Library's Upper Rotunda each afternoon during Prep Week between noon and 3 p.m. to destress by petting certified therapy dogs. The dogs are here today, May 5, through Friday, May 9.
Clear Bag Policy to be Enforced at Commencement
To ensure the safety of all guests, graduates, faculty and staff in attendance at the spring commencement ceremonies, a Clear Bag Policy with be enforced. The following bag types are allowed:
- Plastic, vinyl or PVC clear totes that do not exceed 12x6x12 inches and do not have a logo larger than 4.5x3.5 inches.
- One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (i.e. Ziploc or similar).
- Small clutch bags no larger than 6x9 inches.
- Exceptions will be made for bags containing items required for medical, family or child care.
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.