CALS Online and Dean’s Message
December 1, 2025
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS – I hope you each had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and enjoyed some quiet downtime and/or some exciting uptime! Winter has sure arrived with its own version of excitement. Be safe out there. The week before the holiday, I was in Washington, D.C. for several meetings with USDA, APLU and AAAS, as well as to convene the annual AAAS-CV Riley Memorial Foundation events…
Top Stories
Confocal image of a male mosquito antenna, used to validate a unique chemoreceptor co-expression pattern identified in the mosquito atlas. (Credit: Alexandra DeFoe)
Iowa State Researcher Helps Map the Mosquito to Fight Disease
Mosquitoes may be tiny, but they carry some of the deadliest diseases on the planet. Now, a groundbreaking global research effort, including contributions from Ryan Smith, plant pathology, entomology and microbiology, and Hyeogsun Kwon, a research scientist in Smith’s lab, has produced the world’s first full cellular “atlas” of the mosquito Aedes aegypti. This is the species responsible for spreading dengue, Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya. Published in Cell on Oct. 30, the study maps more than 367,000 individual mosquito cells across 19 different tissues, creating a detailed blueprint of how the insect and several of its tissues function at a biological level. Scientists believe this new framework will accelerate the development of genetic tools and disease-prevention strategies.
Research
Soil Carbon Decomposition Varies Vastly, Holding Implications for Climate Models
A new study led by Iowa State ecologists found the base rate of organic carbon decomposition in soil across the United States can vary by as much as tenfold, in part due to geochemical and microbial factors often underrepresented in current Earth system models. Team members include Chaoqun Lu and Wenjuan Huang, ecology, evolution and organismal biology, and Adina Howe, agricultural and biosystems engineering.
Research on Packaging in the Beef Industry Published in Meat Science
Iowa State research on the environmental impact and sustainability of beef packaging has been published in Meat Science. The research was supported by Iowa State’s Polymer and Food Protection Consortium and coordinated by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Team members consist of Keith Vorst, Greg Curtzwiler, Katie Updegraff and Mark Early, food science and human nutrition, and Shahnaz Mukta, chemistry.
Why Elephants Breath Air
Inspired by explaining science to a four-year-old, Dan Andersen, agricultural and biosystems engineering, uses elephants, campfires and kid-friendly fermentation to frame a core concept in anaerobic digestion: microbes grow slowly because they operate on lower-energy chemistry than animals do. Andersen uses this analogy to highlight both sides of the story: why retaining biomass boosts methane yield and stability, and why slow microbial growth also means fewer solids to manage downstream.
Teaching and Students
Bloom Shares Successes, Life Lessons with Future Ag Teachers
Melanie Bloom ('01 animal science, agricultural and life sciences education, '08 MS agricultural and life sciences education) spoke to several classes of future agricultural education teachers while on Iowa State's campus in November. Her visit was made possible by the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies' Teacher in Residence program.
Destructive Maize Weevil Inspires Student’s Research Journey
Keith Urmie, graduate student in agricultural and biosystems engineering, was tasked with quantifying how much maize weevils could eat per day under ideal growth conditions. Under the supervision of Carl Bern, ABE emeritus professor, Urmie completed the research for his Honors program capstone project.
CALS Student Wins 3 Minute Thesis Competition
Haimantika Dey, biochemistry, earned first place in the 3 Minute Thesis competition held Nov. 11. She presented ”From Bench to Biosensor: Development of DNA Aptamer for Early Detection of Stress-Induced Protease in Maize.”
CALS Student Represents U.S. at World Food Forum in Rome
Alaina Gebel, junior in global resource systems and agricultural and life sciences education, attended the World Food Forum Oct. 10-17 in Rome, hosted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Gebel is president of the Iowa State chapter of the International Association of Students in Agriculture and Related Sciences and represented the U.S. in an IAAS delegation at the Forum.
Student Club Spotlight: Swine Production Advocates
The Swine Production Advocates club is focused on growing the next generation of swine producers through education and advocacy at Iowa State. It is open to all students, especially those with an interest or previous experience in the swine industry.
Forestry Club’s Christmas Tree Sale Continues
The Forestry Club is holding its annual Christmas tree fundraiser at the Reiman Gardens parking lot. Trees will be for sale Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 12-14. Hours are Fridays, 3-6 p.m., Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The club will have Korean fir, balsam fir, Canaan fir and white pine, as well as wreaths. Proceeds go toward club activities and student development. Alongside the tree and wreath sales, The Wildlife Society is selling bird houses.
Horticulture Club Selling Poinsettias this Week
The Horticulture Club is holding its annual poinsettia sale. Plants may be purchased at these campus locations on a first-come, first-served basis:
- Dec. 2 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Curtiss Hall
- Dec. 3 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Beardshear Hall
- Dec. 4 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Maple Willow Larch Commons
- Dec. 5 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Union Drive Community Center
- Dec. 6 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Reiman Gardens
Sizes are 4, 6.5 and 10 inches; prices range from $12 to $40. The poinsettias are grown by club members in the Horticulture Hall greenhouses. Funds raised are used for club activities, travel expenses and student enrichment.
Agronomy Club Accepting Popcorn Orders
The Agronomy Club is holding its annual popcorn fundraiser. The packages weigh approximately 2 lbs. and sell for $10. The popcorn is grown at the Agronomy Research Farm just outside of Ames and is a combination of red and yellow kernels.
Extension and Outreach
Land Value Survey News Conference to be Held Dec. 9
Results of the 2025 Iowa Land Value Survey conducted by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development and ISU Extension and Outreach will be announced at a news conference on Dec. 9, at 10 a.m. in 301 Curtiss Hall. The event will also be livestreamed on YouTube. Rabail Chandio, economics, will announce the findings.
Urban Agriculture Webinar to Share Basics of Hydroponics
ISU Extension and Outreach’s Urban Agriculture Program is holding a webinar on Dec. 11 from 1-2 p.m. on the basics of hydroponics and controlled environments. Christopher Currey, horticulture, will present “Controlled Environments for Urban Ag: A Primer.”
Local Food Leader Certification Returns to Empower Food Systems Practitioners
ISU Extension and Outreach’s Farm, Food and Enterprise Development Program is holding Local Food Leader 101, a two-day certification workshop, on Dec. 11–12 in Ames. The program is for anyone working or volunteering in local food initiatives.
Around the College
Interviews Set for Agricultural Education and Studies Department Chair
Four candidates have been identified for the position of chair of the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies. Each candidate will present a public seminar on “Vision for the Future of the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies at ISU as a Land Grant University.” Candidates’ names will be released one day before their interview. Seminars will be recorded and posted after all candidates have presented. All seminars will take place in the CCUR Auditorium, 1951 Food Sciences Building, from 9-9:50 a.m., followed by a faculty forum from 10-10:50 a.m. in the same room.
- Monday, Dec. 8
- Thursday, Dec. 11
- Monday, Dec. 15
- Wednesday, Dec. 17
Archontoulis Named CSSA Fellow
Sotirios Archontoulis, agronomy, has been named a 2025 Fellow by the Crop Science Society of America. He was honored at its annual meeting Nov. 9-12 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Video: Fixing Up Violins and Donating to Elementary Schools
By breathing new life into old fiddles, Paul Lasley, a retired sociology professor, is making musical instruction more accessible for area elementary school students. In the last year, he has fixed up and donated 18 used violins to an instrument drive run by staff at Stephens Auditorium.
Calendar
Dec. 2: Steve Mickelson Retirement Reception
A retirement reception for Steve Mickelson, professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering and special advisor to the provost, is Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 2-4 p.m. (remarks at 2:15 p.m.) in the Sukup Hall atrium. Post well wishes to his Kudoboard.
Dec. 3: Art Walk – Biorenewables Complex
Discover public art that tells the story of Iowa’s rich agricultural history and innovation at the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 3:10-4 p.m. Meet in the main lobby of the Biorenewables Complex.
Dec. 3: Deal Leadership Lecture
The 2025 William K. Deal Leadership Lecture is Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 4:30 p.m. in Dolezal Auditorium, 0127 Curtiss Hall. Gretta Irwin, executive director and home economist with the Iowa Turkey Federation, will present “It Takes One: Leadership, Legacy and the Power of Belief.” The event is free and open to the public.
Dec. 3: Research Showcase Series Features Dentzman
Katherine Dentzman, sociology and criminal justice, will speak on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. in 2630 Memorial Union as part of the Research Showcase series. She will present “Save the Bees: Is Pesticide Regulation Actually Driven by Consumer Concern?”
Dec. 4: Schulte Moore Part of Insights to Innovation Panel
Lisa Schulte Moore, natural resource ecology and management and co-director of the Bioeconomy Institute, is part of a panel for a webinar on “Ethanol to Sustainable Aviation Fuels: Advances in Renewable Fuels Innovation” on Thursday, Dec. 4, from 2-3 p.m.
Dec. 11: CALS Holiday Party
Dean Robison and the CALS leadership team are hosting a holiday party on Dec. 11 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Sukup Atrium, Elings Hall. Enjoy food, drinks and live music. RSVP by Thursday, Dec. 4.
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
Reception for Wintersteen is Dec. 4
The university community will hold a farewell reception for President Wendy Wintersteen and her husband, Robert Waggoner, on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. A 30-minute program will begin at 3:30 p.m., followed by a reception. Wintersteen will retire from the university on Jan. 2, 2026.
Campus Partners to Host “Styled for Success” Event for Students
Styled for Success is an event for students on Friday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Room 140, Parks Library. It features free haircuts, headshots, business attire, resume reviews and help in preparing for career fairs and finding jobs.
Celebrate Student Entrepreneurship at Holiday Market
The Pappajohn Center, in collaboration with Iowa State University Winterfest, will be hosting the third annual Jingle and Mingle Holiday Market on Friday, Dec. 5, from 3:30-7:30 p.m. in Beardshear Hall. Support local student and alumni entrepreneurs as they sell handcrafted gifts, food, art and more.
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.