CALS Online and Dean’s Message
April 6, 2026
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS and Happy Monday – I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Plenty of big rain and then beautiful sunshine on Sunday… This week, as we rush toward graduation, includes the annual Iowa Youth Institute of the World Food Prize Foundation on Wednesday, April 8, that our college is central to, and the annual BBMB Stupka Undergraduate Research Symposium on Thursday, April 9, and Friday, April 10…
Top Stories
Monarch Overwintering Numbers Encouraging
The recent announcement of monarch overwintering numbers for the 2025-26 season shows a population increase for the second year in a row. Katherine Kral-O’Brien, a member of the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium leadership team, said the continued population increase is encouraging news for monarchs. However, the current population still falls well below the level scientists estimate will be sustainable.
Research
Iowa Nutrient Research Center Releases 2025 Annual Review
The Iowa Nutrient Research Center has released its 2025 Annual Review. The four-page report highlights activities and funded projects over the last year, with $1.57 million awarded to 12 new research projects.
Teaching and Students
Stupka Symposium Creates Lasting Impact
The 20th Annual Stupka Symposium, organized and run by undergraduate students in biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, is April 9-10 at the Molecular Biology Building. Planning for the first event started in 2005 by a small biochemistry student group led by Rob Stupka. Before the first symposium took place in spring 2006, Stupka unexpectedly passed away from a pedestrian-vehicle accident on campus. In Stupka’s honor, the inaugural symposium, which was initially conceived as a one-time event, was named the Stupka Symposium.
Register for Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Symposium
The fourth annual Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Symposium is April 16 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room, South Ballroom and Durham Great Hall. The event highlights innovative biological sciences research by undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral scholars across campus. Participants are asked to register by Tuesday, April 7.
Lawn Mower Service Days Set for April 10-11
The Agricultural Systems Technology Club will hold its annual lawn mower service days Friday, April 10, (1 to 5 p.m.) and Saturday, April 11, (8 a.m. to noon) on the west side of Sukup Hall. Use the online sign-up to schedule service. Payment can be made by check or cash.
Student Club Spotlight: Wildlife Society Chapter
The Wildlife Society student chapter at Iowa State provides members with hands-on experiences with wildlife and conservation. At the 2025 Iowa TWS winter meeting, Iowa State members received an award for being affiliated with The Wildlife Society for 50 years.
Extension and Outreach
Roth Engaged in Answering Farmers’ Questions
As the state’s new nitrogen science specialist for ISU Extension and Outreach, Richard Roth provides leadership to help answer farmers’ questions about growing crops profitably and responsibly. With funding from the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, he is leading efforts to develop a Crop Nitrogen Vigor Index to fine-tune knowledge of when and where fertilizer applications are needed throughout the growing season to improve corn yields.
ISU Extension and Outreach Week is April 6-11
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Week is April 6-11. With county extension offices, specialists and staff located in all 99 counties, ISU Extension and Outreach connects Iowans throughout the state with education and resources. This celebration thanks Iowans for their support.
Digital Ag Innovation Team Offering Drone Workshop
The Digital Ag Innovation Lab, in partnership with autonomous tool maker Terraplex Ag, will host a two-day drone workshop on May 27-28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The workshop is designed to prepare participants for the Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification exam. Early registration is $449 through May 1. Registration closes May 22. The workshop is limited to 30 participants.
New Statewide Initiative Advances Value-Added Fruit and Vegetable Processing
ISU Extension and Outreach is leading a statewide initiative that brings innovative, mobile processing equipment and hands-on education to communities across Iowa. The newly developed Crop Cart is designed to support farmers’ and small businesses’ efforts to create new value-added products, offer opportunities for event and educational taste-testing, and strengthen Iowa’s food system.
Toolkit Highlights Libraries' Role in Supporting Community Food Access
ISU Extension and Outreach has released “Nourishing Communities: Strategies for Food and Nutrition Access in Iowa Public Libraries." The toolkit presents 10 adaptable strategies that illustrate the many ways libraries can improve access to food and nutrition through community-based initiatives.
Around the College
Beirman Named Inaugural Degner Teaching Professor in Culinary Food Science
Erica Beirman, food science and human nutrition, has been named the inaugural Nancy and Rich Degner Teaching Professor in Culinary Food Science. She joined the department to lead the creation of the new culinary food science major, which began offering classes to students in the fall of 2008. “Since that day, Erica has been the face, the heart, the soul of that program. And she has taken what was an unknown major and built it into something that today is a nationally recognized program,” said Ruth MacDonald, interim chair of FSHN.
School Feeding Program Boosts Pupil Enrollment in Kamuli
Schools in the Kamuli District participating in the Iowa State University Uganda Program school feeding initiative are reporting significant improvements in pupil enrollment, retention and academic performance. Kamuli District education officer Joseph Waibi said the program provides meals to more than 5,000 learners across five primary schools and one secondary school.
Calendar
April 7: Paul Dahm Lecture in Entomology
The Paul A. Dahm Memorial Lecture in Entomology is Tuesday, April 7, at 3:10 p.m. in 1330 Advanced Teaching and Research Building. Kelsey Fisher, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, will present “Putting Science to Work for Society: Balancing Research Goals with State Needs.”
April 8: INRC Water Quality Research Seminar
The Iowa Nutrient Research Center’s next spring seminar is Wednesday, April 8, from 3:10-4 p.m. online. Trevor Sample, agency coordinator for the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, will present.
April 8: From Fish to Humans
Neil Shubin, a paleontologist and evolutionary biologist, will present "From Fish to Humans: The Evolution of Vertebrates" on Wednesday, April 8, at 6 p.m. in 2630 Memorial Union. Co-sponsors include the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology.
April 13: Food Insecurity in Iowa
The Department of Economics is hosting a seminar on April 13 from 3:40-5 p.m. in 368A Heady Hall. Craig Gundersen, Baylor University, will present "Addressing Food Insecurity in Iowa."
May 5: CALS Faculty and Staff Picnic
CALS faculty and staff are invited to celebrate the end of the year at a picnic on May 5 from 4-6 p.m. at the Harl Commons Patio, Curtiss Hall. Dinner, ISU wine and beer, ISU Creamery ice cream and live music by The Crunch Brothers will be provided. Plus ones are welcome to attend. RSVP by April 28.
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
Bayer Opens Innovation Center at Research Park
The Crop Science division of Bayer has opened the Seed Production Innovation Center at the ISU Research Park to maximize seed quality, support farmers and provide opportunities for students preparing for careers in agricultural technology. The center’s proximity to the Digital Ag Innovation Lab is expected to accelerate collaboration in precision agriculture, automation and data analytics.
Student Food Pantry Needs Summer Shift Volunteers
SHOP, the food pantry in Beyer Hall serving Iowa State students, seeks volunteers for open-hours shifts, deliveries and pick-ups during the summer session, May 18-Aug. 21. Sign up for volunteer shifts in one- or two-hour increments using the SHOP SignUpGenius site. Service hours during breaks are 1-5 p.m. Tuesdays, 2-5 p.m. Wednesdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays, with delivery and pick-up shifts available on other days. Volunteers for open-hour shifts who haven't completed the online training are asked to do so before their first shift. A SHOP team member will be available to answer questions as they arise.
Marginalia
Livestock Conservancy Releases Annual Priority List
The Livestock Conservancy has released its 2026 Conservation Priority List. The roster of more than 180 breeds across 11 species ranks the extinction threat for America’s farm animals. In 2026, two formerly endangered breeds graduated from the list – Belgian horses and Silver Fox rabbits.
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.