Ag and Life Sciences Online
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter
Iowa State University
Oct. 8, 2012 No. 721
College News
CALS Week, Oct. 6-12
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council is celebrating CALS week. Schedule is as follows:
- Monday -- Thursday, Barbecue Lunch on central campus 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Monday, 8 p.m. -- CALS Week Kickoff Dance -- Gateway Hotel
- Tuesday, 6 p.m. -- AgEi Entrepreneurs Roundtable -- Campanile Room
- Wednesday, 8 p.m. -- Granger Smith concert -- Zeke's
- Thursday, 7 p.m. -- Financial Planning Workshop -- 142 Curtiss Hall
- Friday, 8-10 a.m. -- Breakfast -- central campus Also, see "Internal Voice" on CALS Week below.
Donate Items for CALS United Way Online Auction, Oct. 9
CALS is collecting items through Oct. 9 for the second annual United Way online auction. Contact Carla Persaud at cpersaud@iastate.edu or 4-1823 with a description of your items. The college-sponsored auction will run Oct. 10-17, with proceeds going to the 2012 ISU United Way Campaign.
Schnable Helps Develop "BIGDATA" Toolbox
The latest DNA sequencing technology is burying researchers in trillions of bytes of data. ISU's Patrick Schnable, agronomy, and Srinivas Aluru, electrical and computer engineering, are developing a toolbox to help life sciences researchers analyze all that data. The work is supported by a $2 million grant from the BIGDATA program of the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. More
Pre-Career Day Sessions, Oct. 15
In conjunction with CALS Career Day, several departments and clubs are hosting pre-career day industry information sessions on Oct. 15. These are open to all students, faculty and staff. Dinner will be served at all events.
- Agronomy Career Mixer -- 6 to 8 p.m., 2050 Agronomy
- Meat Your Feature -- 6 p.m., 2310 Kildee
- Pre CALS Career Day Panel Discussion (Ag Business) -- 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., 101 Carver
- Hort Career Night -- 5 to 8 p.m., Reiman Gardens Garden Room
- Swine Industry Night -- 6:30 to 8 p.m., Kildee Atrium
Leaders of USAID and Peace Corps to Speak at ISU, Oct. 18
The chief administrators of the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Peace Corps will present ISU's World Affairs Series keynote address on Oct. 18, 4:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah and Acting Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet will present "Feed the Future: Food Security and Agriculture in Development." CALS is a co-sponsor of this lecture. More
CALS to Feature Butter Cy at ISU Homecoming
CALS has commissioned the Iowa State Fair's butter cow sculptor to create a life-size butter Cy to celebrate the university's 100th Homecoming "CYtennial," Oct. 22-27. Viewing will take place in Kildee Hall through a window into an ISU Meat Laboratory cooler. Sculpting hours are Oct. 22-26, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The ISU Dairy Science Club and CALS Ambassadors will be present from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day greeting guests, selling homemade ice cream and handing out "I saw Butter Cy" stickers.
USAID Speaker at Feeding the World Seminar, Oct. 10
The second seminar in the "Feeding the World: Are We Making Progress" series will be Oct. 10, 12 to 1 p.m. in the Ensminger Room, 1204 Kildee Hall. Joyce Turk, senior livestock development manager for the United States Agency for International Development, will speak on the importance of livestock in food security of developing countries.
Loy to Present ANR at Noon, Oct. 12
Dan Loy, director of the Iowa Beef Center, will be the featured speaker at the ANR at Noon session on Friday, Oct. 12, at 12 p.m. Loy will discuss the drought response within the livestock industry. Connect
Students Schedule Food Day Events, Oct. 15-24
More than 15 organizations across the ISU campus and surrounding communities have collaborated to plan a week's worth of events to celebrate Food Day, a nationwide celebration and a movement toward more healthy, affordable and sustainable food. Sponsors include the Sustainable Agriculture Student Association, the Culinary Science Club, the Food Science Club, the Student Dietetic Association, the Nutrition Club and the ISU Student Organic Farm. Contact Andrea Basche, Sustainable Agriculture Student Association for more information, abasche@iastate.edu.
World Affairs Lecture Features West African Farmers, Oct. 16
The next lecture in the World Affairs Series will feature a panel discussion on "From Aid to Resilience: West African Farmers Lead the Way," on Oct. 16, 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Cardinal Room. Nigerian Farmer Susan Godwin and Herder Dienaba Diallo, working in cooperation with Oxfam's Strengthening the Livelihoods of Small-Scale Farmers in Nigeria, improved their livelihoods as well as those in their respective communities using an integrated approach. The lecture is co-sponsored in part by the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods, CALS Global Programs and the Graduate Program in Sustainable Agriculture.
Jensen Interviewed on "Talk of Iowa"
Helen Jensen, economics, was interviewed on Iowa Public Radio's "Talk of Iowa" on Oct. 1 about the implementation of new school lunch and breakfast policies. Jensen has long focused her research on food and nutrition policies, which have become a national hot topic as the government looks to offer healthier foods to children at school. More
Food Product Develop Team Wins Third With "Adventure Bites"
The ISU Food Product Development team won third place in the AACCI Product Development Competition in Hollywood, Fla., last week with Adventure Bites. Winners not only receive financial awards and industry recognition, but also have a chance to cooperate with potential food companies to launch their innovative products to food markets.
Block & Bridle Sheep Interest Group Assists at Ak-Sar-Ben
Members of the Block & Bridle Sheep Interest Group assisted with the market lamb show at the 2012 Ak-Sar-Ben Livestock Show and Rodeo held Sept. 28-29 in Omaha, Neb. The show included exhibitors from 10 states with more than 510 head of market lambs. Representing the Block and Bridle Sheep Interest Group were: Daweyn Albertsen, senior in animal science; Alyson Alcala, sophomore in animal science; Lexie Boyens, freshman in animal science; Jamie Haugen, senior in agricultural studies; Cecil Knapp, sophomore in agronomy; Hannah Knapp, senior in animal science; Grace Kuehne, sophomore in genetics; Tyler Leete, sophomore in animal science; McKenzie Hanna-Marken, sophomore in animal science; Margaret Robert, freshman in animal science; Andrew Sauer, senior in agricultural and life sciences education; and Rachel Zuber, freshman in animal science.
Animal Science Student Places Second in Poster Competition
Katrin Hollinger, a graduate student in animal science, placed second in the Graduate Student Poster competition at the Iowa Physiological Meeting held Sept. 29 in Des Moines. Her poster was titled "A quercetin enriched diet slows disease progression in dystrophic skeletal muscle."
Leopold Center October Notes Online
The Leopold Center's e-newsletter for October is available online. More
Deadlines and Reminders
Oct. 15: Daniel Hillel to present Norman Borlaug Lecture, 8 p.m., Memorial Union Great Hall
Oct. 16: CALS Job Fair, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lied Recreation Athletic Center
Funding Opportunities
Cayuse Customer Support Closed Oct. 8
Cayuse offices will be closed on Monday, Oct. 8, in observance of Columbus Day.
NSF Issues New Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide
The new version of the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide has been issued and will be effective for proposals submitted or due on or after Jan. 14, 2013. Significant changes include revisions to Merit Review Principles and Criteria, formerly known as Review Criteria. A webcast will be available in early November to explain all PAPPG revisions. More
CIAG Requests Applications for Research Seed Grants
The ISU Center for Integrated Animal Genomics requests applications for research seed grants for preliminary data collection and research personnel. It is expected that awards will have the potential to enhance newly developed or ongoing research programs and contribute to innovative and significant research. The PI or co-PI must be a CIAG-affiliated faculty member from CALS, LAS or CVM. The maximum award is $20,000 per grant and requires a 50 percent match from non-CIAG sources. Applications are due by Oct. 31.
Presidential "Pursuit" Funding Forums Set for Oct. 18 and 26
Research teams interested in applying for "pursuit" funds from the Presidential Initiative for Interdisciplinary Research are invited to attend one of two informational forums. University officials will provide details and answer questions about the new initiative on Oct. 18, 11 a.m. to noon in 207 Marston, and on Oct. 26, 11 a.m. to noon in the Memorial Union Campanile Room. More
National Pork Board 2013 General Call for Proposals
The National Pork Board has released its general call for proposals for 2013. Broad topic areas include animal science, swine nutrition, air quality, manure management, human nutrition, pork quality, pre-harvest pork safety, public health, and general swine and foreign animal disease. Preference will be given to projects that involve academic and commercial collaboration, except where discovery is needed to establish principles necessary for additional research. Proposals are due Nov. 13.
McKnight Endowment Call for Letters of Intent
The McKnight Endowment Fund supports innovative research designed to bring science closer to the day when diseases of the brain can be accurately diagnosed, prevented and treated. To this end, letters of intent are invited for the 2013 McKnight Technological Innovations in Neuroscience Awards. Letters of intent are due Dec. 3. More
Funding Information, Opportunities and Deadline Reminders
Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu
Additional information is posted at CALS Funding Resources
Oct. 29: NSF SBE Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (SPRF); 15 awards, $3 million total anticipated funding.
Oct. 31 (Step-1 proposals): NASA Research Opportunities in Space Biology.
Dec. 3 (preproposals): USDA Forest Service -- FY 2013 National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost-Share Grant Program; three awards, approximately $900,000 total program funding.
Dec. 5: EPA Greater Research Opportunities Fellowships for Undergraduate Environmental Study; $20,700 per year and $8,600 summer internship support.
Dec. 21: USAID Global Hunger and Food Security Research Strategy: Climate Resilience, Nutrition and Policy.
Jan. 15: EPA Centers for Water Research on National Priorities Related to a Systems View of Nutrient Management Grant.
Jan. 18: USDA NIFA Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program (SPECA). Jan. 23: NSF Interdisciplinary Behavioral and Social Science Research.
Feb. 4: NSF Research Coordination Networks -- Targeted Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability; seven awards, $750,000 over five years.
Sept. 30: DOE FY2013 Continuation of Solicitation for the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program; applications accepted continuously.
Communications Kiosk
Already vs. All Ready
"Already" refers to time (the movie has already started). "All ready" refers to degree of preparation (Are the actors all ready?). The Chicago Manual of Style, 16th ed., 2010
Infograzing
Listening Session for Research, Oct. 12
Another listening session has been scheduled to continue to review services that support the research enterprise. The goal is to understand what our stakeholders need, what shortfalls exist and how we can build an infrastructure that can effectively manage a growing research enterprise. Convened by Sharon Quisenberry, Vice President for Research and Economic Development, and Pam Cain, associate vice president, Office of the Vice president for Business and Finance.
Applications for VEISHEA Committees Due Oct. 12
Applications for 14 VEISHEA 2013 committees are being accepted through Oct. 12. Faculty and staff are encouraged to let students and advisees know about this leadership opportunity. More: Kallen Anderson, recruitment co-chair, kallena@iastate.edu
Mansbach to Speak at Award-Winning Faculty Seminar, Oct. 17
Richard Mansbach, political science and 2011 Louis Thompson Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award Winner, will share the methodologies behind his teaching style at the next Award-Winning Faculty Series, Oct. 17, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in 2030 Morrill Hall. He will guide participants through the transformation of his 120-student large lecture class to an intimate, informal environment students enjoy. To sign up for CELT Events, use AccessPlus>Employee>HRS Training>Courses.
Internal Voices
Wintersteen: Agriculture Encompasses Food, Feed and Fuel
Dean Wendy Wintersteen was a guest on "Emphasis" for Tri-States Public Radio on Oct. 5. She said the imagery of agriculture is changing because it now encompasses anything related to food, feed and fuel. "It goes beyond production to the associated manufacturing, to the processing of food products, to food science to bio-renewables."
CALS Week Co-Hair: Come "See What Agriculture Gives"
A week-long student celebration for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is underway. This year's theme, "See What Agriculture Gives" or SWAG, is filled with various events and activities aimed toward promoting how agriculture and the life sciences affect everyone on a day-to-day basis. "There is more to agriculture than just the cows, plows and sows," said Michael Dolch, a senior in agricultural and life sciences education and co-chair of CALS Week. "We invite everyone to come see what we do." More
External Voices
Fall Farm Harvest Tour Provides Unique Perspective
Connie Pitcher of Sheldahl has always respected the work ethic of Iowa's farm families. But the opportunity to join farmer David Ausberger of Jefferson for harvest activity has only added to her appreciation. "My initial impression of farmers is that they're hardworking folks," said Pitcher, winner of a Fall Farm Harvest Tour sponsored by the Iowa Food & Family Project. "That they are. But after visiting the Ausbergers, I realize how technical everything is and that farmers truly have to be experts in several different areas, from seed and fertilizer technology to international marketing of the gran and so much more."
Marginalia
Carver's One-Man Show Oct. 12 in Denison
Denison residents will get the opportunity to learn more about the life of George Washington Carver. Paxton Williams, a 2000 ISU graduate, will perform his play "Listening to the Still Small Voice: The Story of George Washington Carver," at the Donna Reed Theatre on Oct. 12 as part of the American Icon: Focus on Iowa series. Williams, who portrays the famous ISU alum and faculty member, estimates that he has performed the play nearly 300 times in 24 states as well as England.
Ag and Life Sciences Online
Editor
Julie Stewart jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/
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