Faculty and Staff News

Exploring grape pomace’s potential as sausage preservative: Volunteers needed for sensory analysis

Scientists at Iowa State University are studying grape pomace as an alternative preservative for pork breakfast sausage. An important step is to gauge consumers perceived differences between pork sausages, with and without GP added, and the acceptability of the different products. Researchers want to recruit 100 people who eat pork sausages at least twice a month for a sensory analysis on campus, Dec. 4. 

Board of Regents approves new Iowa State Beef Teaching and Innovation Farm

At its September meeting, the Iowa Board of Regents approved fundraising to begin for a new Iowa State Beef Teaching and Innovation Farm. The facility will be located south of the existing Beef Teaching Farm along 520th Avenue (State Avenue) south of Ames.

Expanding Iowa State students' poultry knowledge

Dawn Koltes wants to increase Iowa State students’ awareness of the many opportunities available within the poultry industry in Iowa and beyond.

Researching baboon ‘soap operas’

When Corinna Most first traveled to an olive baboon research site in Kenya, she wasn't immediately convinced she had found her future. The hiking was difficult. The heat was intense. And the dozens of baboons she was learning to study all looked the same.

Why the conversation about livestock and hunger needs to change

Iowa State University, the International Livestock Research Institute and the University of California, Davis will host two sessions at this year's World Food Prize Foundation's Borlaug Dialogue.

Students encouraged to submit abstracts for 2026 Borlaug poster competition

Poster abstracts are now being accepted through Oct. 5 for the 23rd annual Norman Borlaug Lecture Poster Competition for Graduate and Undergraduate Students.

Teaching beyond the bouquet: How Dan Brabec prepares students for reality

Dan Brabec brings many real-world lessons into his classroom, where students quickly learn that floral design is about far more than simply arranging flowers.

Iowa State names Lonergan inaugural Topel Endowed Chair in Meat Science

Steven Lonergan, a Morrill Professor of animal science, was named the inaugural holder of the endowed chair during the Topel Medallion Ceremony on Monday, Aug. 31, on the Iowa State campus.

Empowering leaders through CALS Staff Champions Program

The CALS Staff Champions Program is a cohort-based professional development initiative designed to cultivate informed, engaged and forward-thinking staff leaders within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

CALS Career Services team ready to help students prepare for what's next

Students will find two new faces in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Career Services office this semester.

Peace Corps and Iowa State announce renewed Peace Corps Prep Program

Students in the Peace Corps Prep program combine targeted coursework with hands-on experience, building the competencies needed to be effective Peace Corps volunteers and make a lasting impact.

Diving into reproductive microbiology

Lucille Jonas did not set out to become a microbiologist. In fact, she arrived at Iowa State University with a very different goal in mind: to become a veterinarian. A general microbiology course in her first year shifted that trajectory and set her on a path toward graduate research examining a little-understood aspect of animal biology.

Iowa State University Digital Ag Innovation Lab Launches Inaugural Combine University

The Iowa State University Digital Ag Innovation Lab, in collaboration with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will host the inaugural Combine University, a new hands-on educational program designed to help operators, producers and agricultural professionals maximize harvest performance through practical education and technology-focused learning.

Building a network to bring authentic research experience into the classroom

What do you get when you bring together tropical biology researchers, educators and software developers? Interactive and immersive learning modules for students!

New slate of economics professors hired at Iowa State University

Four new faculty members will join the Department of Economics at Iowa State University later this month, with a fifth arriving in January 2027.

Smelser selected as next executive director of Iowa Crop Improvement Association

Andrew Smelser has spent more than 20 years working in crop genetics, germplasm licensing, field research and seed-industry partnerships. Now, he has been named the next executive director of the Iowa Crop Improvement Association.