News & Featured Stories Archive

Valent joins Iowa Soybean Research Center at Iowa State University

AMES, Iowa — The Iowa Soybean Research Center at Iowa State University welcomes Valent as its newest industry partner. 

CALS faculty Huff-Lonergan named AAAS Fellow

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) recently named Elisabeth Huff-Lonergan, University Professor of Animal Science, as a AAAS Fellow for her “distinguished contributions to the field of meat science, particularly in early postmortem muscle biochemistry." 

Iowa State’s ag, forestry programs again ranked among top worldwide

AMES, Iowa – Continuing a proud tradition, Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences agricultural and forestry programs are once again ranked among the top.

Johnson emphasizes importance of balancing academics, life experiences

When Lydia Johnson was in high school, she spent part of her summers on Iowa State University's campus for the state 4-H conferences. During that time, she got to learn in lecture halls, sleep in dorms and build a network of friends on the campus she will graduate from this semester.

CALS student marshal cooks up culinary creativity

From growing up cooking dinners for her family to leading unique culinary workshops for the Iowa State community, Jenn Behnke has shown innovation and growth during her time on campus. A graduating senior in culinary food science, Behnke will represent the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as student marshal during the Iowa State University Commencement on May 11.

Bell recognized as outstanding ambassador

Riley Bell, senior in agricultural and life sciences education, came to campus ready to meet new people and try new things. In her first semester, she joined various clubs to help decide where she wanted to take her college experience.  

Law school on the horizon for graduating senior interested in climate change

Ashley Hipnar, a graduating senior in environmental science and global resource systems, is one of two recipients of the CALS Student Council Academic Achievement Award. The award recognizes Hipnar’s outstanding academic record at Iowa State based on her grades, scholarships and honors received.

CALS Academic Achievement Awardee Sean Prell encourages peers to keep learning, build relationships

Sean Prell planned to become a vet, but soon after entering college, he realized he was too soft-hearted to euthanize dogs as part of his occupation. So he decided to pursue microbiology, later adding chemistry and genetics to his roster of majors. Prell was selected as the 2024 Academic Achievement Award recipient from the CALS Student Council.

Mathers creates community at Iowa State

Brenna Mathers has always been interested in genetics. She knew from her first day in AP biology that she wanted to have a career helping people. After learning that Iowa State University was not only her mom’s alma mater but also offered a degree in genetics, Mathers knew it was the place for her.   

Henderson honored as 2024 Outstanding Senior

Agriculture runs in the family for Kelsey Henderson, senior in agricultural business. Growing up on a farm showing livestock in Union Grove, Wisconsin and being involved in FFA and 4-H encouraged her to continue the tradition and attend Iowa State. In her four years on campus, Henderson has immersed herself in all the opportunities Iowa State offers while uplifting the students around her.  

Kosovo agriculture firms are willing to collaborate with professors, students for exploring scientific solutions to industry challenges

USAID’s Private Sector Partnerships to Strengthen Higher Education Activity is laying the groundwork for supporting university-business collaborations in applied research.

Graduating senior dedicated to research, serving country

Resilient, dedicated, persistent and friendly are all words that can be used to describe Sokhna “Khadija” Mbacke. A graduating senior in agronomy and horticulture, Mbacke was selected as the spring 2024 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council Distinguished Service Award recipient. The award recognizes her service and dedication on and off campus.

Leadership and Innovation awardee offers insight into being a great leader

“Be the change you wish to see.” That is the motto Ian Johnson lives by as a leader. A graduating senior in animal science, Johnson was recognized for his leadership skills by being selected for the spring 2024 semester’s CALS Student Council Leadership and Innovation Award.

Researchers identify role of genes that boost disease resiliency in rice

Researchers at Iowa State University have identified two genes that can help rice defend itself against diseases, including the devastating fungal blast pathogen. The research team is led by Reuben Peters, Distinguished Professor in the Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, and his laboratory advisees, Yiling Feng, PhD student in the Interdepartmental Plant Biology Program, and Tristan Weers, sophomore in biochemistry. 

Culinary Science Club wins pork competition for the second year in a row

The CYentists, a team of Iowa State University Culinary Science Club students, took home first place at the Taste-Student Competition hosted by the Iowa Pork Producers Association.

CALS student’s path shows ‘unwavering dedication’ to prepare for medical career

As she prepares to graduate, Kaija Dahlberg celebrates her college achievements as stepping stones on the path to a career in medicine. The soft-spoken honors student from Mounds View, Minnesota, has long had a strong sense of where she was headed. As she considered college, she knew she wanted the options a larger research university could offer.

Opportunity to ‘positively impact youth’ is inspiration for future ag teacher

With memories of going to see her dad at the school where he taught agriculture classes, Olivia Lulich will soon be making memories in her role as an agriculture teacher. A graduating senior in agricultural and life sciences education, Lulich is wrapping up student teaching at Williamsburg High School, sharing with the next generation what she has been learning in her Iowa State classes.

‘Snowball effect’ of internships leads graduating senior to industry position

Prescott Jeckel is a fan of “going and doing” – trying new things, learning new skills – which has led to a wealth of experience and a full-time position following graduation this semester.

A study abroad trip like no other

In the first of what is hoped to be regular trips to the country, a group of 10 Iowa State University students got to experience agriculture in Nepal and how it is being impacted by climate change. Led by Assistant Teaching Professor Ramesh Balayar and Professor David Peters, both rural sociologists in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, the Exploring Ecosystem Services and Subsistence Farming Activities in Rural Nepal study abroad trip took place over spring break last month.

Gamma Sigma Delta presents 2024 awards, announces new initiates

The Iowa Beta Chapter of the Honor Society of Agriculture, Gamma Sigma Delta held its annual award ceremony on April 16, 2024, in Curtiss Hall’s Dolezal Auditorium. In addition to installing 39 new members, Iowa State students, faculty, staff and alumni were presented awards and scholarships.