Issue: 1001

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
April 30, 2018

Top Stories

CALS Graduating Senior Finds Calling in Research Abroad
Adam Willman, a graduating senior in agronomy and global resource systems, has had a whirlwind four years at ISU. Every summer, he’s taken off for a different location around the world for research or to study Arabic. Prior to his freshman year, he was chosen to be a World Food Prize Borlaug-Ruan international intern and spent the summer at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center in Turkey. The next summer he was an intern for DuPont Pioneer in California. Then he studied Arabic in Morocco as part of a language scholarship through the U.S. Department of State. Last summer he worked at Cargill’s animal protein center in Shanghai. More

CALS Convocation to Honor Graduates Friday, May 4
Faculty and staff are invited to recognize graduating seniors at the College convocation Friday, May 4, 10 a.m. at Hilton Coliseum. Edan Lambert, animal science, is the convocation speaker. Catherine Leafstedt, agronomy and global resource systems, is the college’s student marshal. The Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council will present awards to the following graduates: Izak Christensen, agricultural business and agronomy, for academic achievement; Alexis Delaney, animal science, for distinguished service; Marcus Jansen, horticulture, for ambassador of agriculture; Cody West, biology, for leadership excellence; LaKeisha Perkins, agriculture and society, for diversity and inclusion; and Lambert for outstanding senior. More

CALS Undergraduate Commencement Saturday, May 5
The CALS undergraduate commencement ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 5, at 10 a.m. in Hilton Coliseum. ISU’s undergraduate commencement ceremony is being split into two ceremonies on the same day this spring, with graduates from three colleges recognized at each. More  

Graduating Senior: Delaney Helps Youth Get Involved in the Swine Industry
Lexi Delaney, a senior in animal science and agriculture communications, has been involved in the swine industry her whole life. During her college career she has been president of Block and Bridle club and vice president of the National Junior Swine Association – Junior Board of Directors. Following graduation this weekend, she will be working at Swine Genetics International. More

Graduating Senior: Huntley Begins Her Dream Job as Zoo Animal Nutritionist
Nichole Huntley, a graduate student in swine nutrition, used to play veterinarian with her stuffed animals when she was young. Now she’s pursuing her dream as an animal nutritionist working with zoo animals. Following graduation this weekend, Huntley will begin working with Mazuri, one of the nation’s largest food suppliers for zoo animals. More

Graduating Senior: NASA Internship Propels Ott’s Scientific Career
Logan Ott attended Iowa Central Community College before entering the Admissions Partnership Program with ISU. He will be graduating this weekend with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology. In 2017, he was offered an internship as an undergraduate research assistant at NASA. After graduation, Ott will pursue a doctorate degree in microbiology at ISU. He will be working with Melha Mellata, food science and human nutrition, assisting with research on Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli. More 

Videos: 11 CALS Graduating Seniors Share their ISU Experiences
From ag ambassadors to award winners, a few graduating seniors took time from their busy schedules to share their ISU experiences. Students talked about learning communities, the small community feel in CALS and the great faculty and staff who have supported them. Congratulations graduates!

Graduating CALS Ambassadors Recognized by Cabinet
Graduating seniors who served as CALS Ambassadors were recognized for their efforts in recruitment and other support for the college at a recent college cabinet meeting. They were: Elizabeth Widder, agronomy and animal science; Brooke Thelen, animal science; Daniel Feucht, agronomy; Joshua DeGroot, agronomy; Jennifer Neuamyer, agricultural business; Lillie Beringer, animal science; Lucas Ruppelt, agricultural business; Jordan Schneider, agricultural studies; Sara Schafer, agricultural business; Thomas Wilgenbusch, animal science; Mary Heiller, animal science; Wes Reever, animal science; Maddie Herring, animal science; Brian Davis, agricultural systems technology; Catherine Isley, agricultural business; and Marcus Jansen, horticulture.

CALS Graduates Share Plans for the Future
At the CALS convocation on Friday, May 4, approximately 500 students will walk across the stage. Many use the opportunity to share their plans for the future or some final thoughts. Examples include:

  • Returning to the family farm as a fifth generation farmer.
  • Studying agricultural law at Drake University Law School.
  • United States Army transportation officer.
  • Director of education and outreach with National Swine Registry.
  • National Hunger Fellow with the Congressional Hunger Center.
  • Agricultural education instructor.
  • Successful Farming Magazine.
  • Research associate with Beck’s Hybrids.
  • Genetic nucleus crossbred specialist with PIC Genetics.
  • Pharmacy school at the Nebraska Medical Center.
  • Manufacturing engineer with Vermeer Corporation.
  • Environmental educator with Blank Park Zoo.
  • Bureau of Land Management in Wyoming.
  • Graduate school at Newcastle University in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
  • Great Basin Institute in Wyoming.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
  • Colorado State Forest Service.
  • Agricultural extension volunteer with the Peace Corps in Cameroon.
  • Mayo Clinic’s Medical Laboratory Scientist Program.

Research

New Agronomy Technology Uses Smartphone to Diagnose Soybean Stress
A new approach developed by ISU agronomists could allow plant breeders and farmers to diagnose soybean stresses – such as iron deficiency, disease or herbicide injury – by using a smartphone. The interdisciplinary team of scientists included Arti Singh, Asheesh Singh and doctoral student David Blystone, agronomy. More

Five ISU Projects Funded by Iowa Beef Industry Council
In response to its first call for proposals on beef research projects, the Iowa Beef Industry Council announced funding for eight projects last week, five of which are from campus and field-based faculty and staff associated with ISU and the Iowa Beef Center.

Teaching and Students

New Sociology Class Meets Undergraduate U.S. Diversity Requirement
Students now have the opportunity to take a CALS class that meets the undergraduate U.S. diversity requirement. Beginning fall 2018, Carmen Bain, sociology, will be teaching a three-credit course, “Women in Agriculture and the Food System (SOC 350X).” The course will use a sociological perspective to critically examine women’s identities, roles and gender relation in the U.S. agriculture and food system.

Extension and Outreach

Warren County Extension Council Receives Excellence in Programming Award
Warren County Extension Council is the 2018 recipient of the Honorable Mention for County Council Excellence in ANR programming. The award recognizes the Council’s support and commitment to agricultural planning. Jay Harmon, interim associate dean for ANR programming, also presented Cortney Garrington, executive director of Warren County Extension, the County Professional Excellence in ANR Programming award in recognition of her innovation and initiative in collaborating with other agricultural specialists when responding to client’s needs.

Around the College

Nominations Open for 2018 Spencer Award
Mark Rasmussen, director of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, last week opened nominations for the 2018 Spencer Award for Sustainable Agriculture. The award has been presented for 17 years to people who have demonstrated a desire to improve Iowa’s landscape. Nominations are due June 16. More

Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic is Moving
The Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic is moving tomorrow, May 1, to the new Advanced Research and Teaching Building on campus. Once the move is complete, new forms will be available from the extension store. Out-of-state samples cannot be received until the new facility is properly permitted. A notice will be distributed when out-of-state samples can be accepted.

Calendar

May 4: Retirement Reception for Gene Takle
A retirement reception for Gene Takle, agronomy, will be held May 4 at 3 to 5 p.m. in the Memorial Union Campanile Room. There will be a program at 3:30 p.m. Takle has been at ISU for 47 years. He contributed to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.

May 7: Retirement Reception for Forrest Nutter
A retirement reception for Forrest Nutter, plant pathology and microbiology, will be held May 7 at 2 to 4 p.m. in 248 Bessey Hall. There will be a program at approximately 2:10 p.m. A card signing will be available throughout the reception.

Research Development Announcements and Funding Opportunities

Digital Agriculture Mini-Grant Deadline Extended to May 31
The National Science Foundation’s Midwest “Big Data Spoke” project award is designed to advance Big Data management and analysis essential to sustainable global food security. One of the project objectives is to harmonize and automate big data lifecycles in plant sciences, phenomics and genomics. To that end, a mini-grant funding opportunity addresses data challenges associated with digital agriculture. Four awards are anticipated, with grants of up to $5,000 each. More

USDA AFRI Sustainable Agricultural Systems LOIs Due June 27
USDA NIFA seeks creative and visionary applications for Agriculture and Food Research Initiative projects that take a systems approach, and that will significantly improve the supply of abundant, affordable, safe, nutritious and accessible food, while providing sustainable opportunities for expansion of the bioeconomy through novel animal, crop and forest products and supporting technologies. These approaches must demonstrate current and future social, behavioral, economic, health and environmental impacts. Awards will be made for Coordinated Agricultural Projects of up to $1 million each. Only Integrated Projects (research, education and extension components within a project) will be funded. Letters of Intent are due June 27. More

OECD International Research Fellowship Grant Applications Due Sept. 10
The Co-operative Research Programme of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is accepting applications for research fellowship grants from research scientists working in agriculture, forestry or fisheries. The fellowships are intended to strengthen the international exchange of ideas and increase international mobility and cooperation among scientists working in these areas. Projects should fit one of three research themes: managing natural capital for the future, managing risks in a connected world, or transformational technologies and innovation. Applications are due Sept. 10. More

Funding Information, Opportunities and Deadline Reminders
Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu. Additional information is posted at CALS Pre-Award Resources.

May 7 (letter of intent): NIH Enhancing Innovations in Emerging Technologies for Advanced Manufacturing of Complex Biologic Products (R01). More

May 25: U.S. Department of Interior Natural Resource Stewardship Communication; applicants must be part of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units Network. More

June 12 (pre-application): DOD Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program - Investigator-Initiated Research Award. More

June 14 (pre-application): DOD Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program - Discovery Award. More

June 19 (pre-application): DOD Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program - Focused Program Award. More

June 25: Department of State Protecting Forests, Sourcing Responsibly, $740,740. More

June 25: USDA Rural Community Development Initiative; 1:1 matching funds required. More

June 28: USDA NIFA Food and Agriculture Education Information System.

Communications Kiosk

Make Presentation Magic with these Tips
When giving a presentation, “Your one and only goal is the transfer of ideas, concepts, information or action from your head to theirs. Anything that support this: great. Anything that gets in the way: not so great,” writes Stephen Welch for Presentation Guru. In a recent issue of Advancement Weekly, published by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, Welch offers four principles to make presentation magic.

  • Focus. Decide in advance if you want your audience to be looking at you or your slides. Then structure your presentation accordingly.
  • Go in order. The best way to capture and hold your audience’s attention is to present in a linear and logical manner.
  • Make connections. If you are able to make your concept or presentation relevant or relatable to your audience, you have a better chance at keeping their attention.
  • Finish strong. Give them a key message or call to action at the end.

Infograzing

10th Annual Campus Food Drive Ends Friday, May 4
The 10th annual Live United Food Drive is underway and ends this Friday, May 4. Donations will go to Story County food pantries and ensure children and families have food during the summer months. Nonperishable items and cash donations will be accepted at more than 20 campus locations. Visit the Live United Food Drive website for more information on preferred donation items and how to give money in person or online. Questions may be directed to food drive co-chairs Tara Fisher or Haley Cook.

ISU Creating Biographical Dictionary Featuring Influential Cyclones
University Museums is nearing the end of an effort to collect biographies of the Cyclones who have left a mark on the world. ISU is only the third university in the world to create its own biographical dictionary. The project was born several years ago after University Museums created a publication about the Morrill Act, including short biographies of influential alumni, faculty and staff. More

CAST Announces Communication Award Recipient
The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology has announced the recipient of the 2018 Borlaug CAST Communication Award – Marty Matlock, executive director of the University of Arkansas Resiliency Center and professor of ecological engineering in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. More

John Deere Invests in New Test Lab at ISU
Deer & Company plans to construct a new 33,000-square-foot facility at the ISU Research Park as a design and test lab for agricultural spraying and applications technology. The new test center will allow increased collaboration with ISU faculty and students, said Aaron Wetzel, vice president of the global crop care platform at John Deere. More

Marginalia

ISU Club Honors Employee Longevity
For more than 100 years, the 25 Year Club has recognized faculty and staff who have worked at Iowa State a quarter century or more. The tradition began informally in 1915 with a convocation whose honorees included several significant figures in university history. A 25 Year Club banquet has been held annually ever since, though the club wasn’t formally founded until 1934. Don Beitz, distinguished professor of animal science, was a 50-year honoree this spring. More

ABE Leaders Celebrate 35 Years of Service at ISU
Steve Mickelson, chair of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, and Sylvia Anderson, ABE program assistant, were recognized for their 35 years of service to Iowa State at the annual ISU 25 Year Club Banquet. More

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online

Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/agonline

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 Friday.

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