College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
July 6, 2020
Top Stories
ACE Awards Gold to Seed Science Center Documentary
Seeds! Diversity of Wonder received the Gold Award for informational or educational video production for external audiences or the general public by the Association for Communication Excellence at its annual conference, held virtually June 24-25. The documentary also received the Outstanding Professional Skill Award, or the best of the best in all video categories. Award recipients are Cynthia Hicks and Manjit Misra, Seed Science Center, and Walker Lambert, Pierce Mill Studio. The Seed Science Center developed the six-part series film to engage and inspire youth, the public and the policy makers on the beauty and value of seeds to society. More
Research
COVID-19 Seed Grants Awarded to Seven ISU Research Projects
The Office of the Vice President for Research has selected seven high-impact projects to receive institutional funding through a new seed program dedicated to addressing the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. CALS faculty whose projects will receive funding are below.
- Walter Moss, biophysics, biochemistry and molecular biology, and Allen Miller, plant pathology and microbiology (with Cathy Miller, veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine), for their proposal “Analysis and Therapeutic Targeting of the SARS-CoV-2 Frameshift Element.”
- Marit Nilsen-Hamilton, biophysics, biochemistry and molecular biology (with Pranav Shrotriya, mechanical engineering), for their proposal “Point-of-Care Sensors for Rapid and Low-Cost Detection of COVID-19 Infections.”
Statistical Model Helps CDC Track and Forecast COVID-19 Deaths
Lily Wang, statistics, is leading a research team whose statistical models are helping the Center for Disease Control and Prevention track and predict COVID-19 deaths in the United States. Using the team’s model and forecasts, the CDC is able to more accurately assess how COVID-19 will impact the nation. More
Teaching and Students
Resources for Instructors to Prepare for Fall Classes
The Brenton Center will be leading a series of workshops on Canvas, Gradebook and SpeedGrader to help instructors prepare for fall semester. The workshops are being offered July 20-31 and registration is required. Also, the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching has a number of resources and workshops including the Online Course Essentials guide – a straightforward process to aid instructors in creating online courses or combining face-to-face lectures with online instructional materials, activities and assessments.
CALS Study Abroad Office Awards Scholarships
During the 2019-2020 academic year, the CALS Study Abroad office processed and awarded $58,780 to 114 students from 17 study abroad scholarships. More (Scroll approximately halfway down in the Global Update newsletter.)
Extension and Outreach
INRS Annual Report Shows Record Conservation Engagement by Iowans
The 2018-2019 Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy annual report was released today by Iowa State, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The findings reveal increased farmer, landowner and community engagement, use of conservation practices and funding invested in soil health and water quality projects. More
Around the College
AgFunder Network Showcases CALS Entrepreneurship and Innovation
CALS programs and alumni were recently featured in two articles by AgFunder Network, showcasing entrepreneurship and innovation fueled by the college’s partnership with the Cultivation Corridor. One article points out that innovation and entrepreneurship are part of the land-grant legacy. In the second article, three agtech startup founders say proximity to customers, funders and agricultural leaders make Iowa a perfect home.
Global Update Provides Travel and Visitor Information
The latest issue of the Global Update newsletter from the college’s Global Programs office offers helpful reminders about travel restrictions and hosting international visitors. More
CALS Communicators Receive National Awards from ACE
CALS communication efforts and initiatives were honored with top awards during the Association for Communication Excellence annual conference, held virtually June 24-25. CALS staff were presented with the following awards:
- Whitney Baxter, CALS Communications, Gold Award - graphic design.
- Melea Reicks Licht, CALS Communications, Silver and Bronze Award – editing.
- Melea Reicks Licht, Brian Meyer, Whitney Baxter, Haley Cook, Barb McBreen, Ann Robinson, Ed Adcock, Julie Stewart, PUSH Branding and Design, Silver Award – publishing for magazines and periodicals.
Calendar
International Conference on Pig Survivability Postponed
The International Conference on Pig Survivability, originally set for Oct. 28-29, 2020, has been postponed a year due to ongoing concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic. The new dates for the conference are Oct. 27-28, 2021. The location will remain at the Hilton Omaha, in Omaha, Neb. More
Infograzing
Borlaug International Symposium to Take Place Virtually
The World Food Prize Foundation announced that the annual Norman E. Borlaug International Symposium will be offered in a week of half-day sessions in a virtual setting on Oct. 12-16. The Laureate Award Ceremony will be made available via Iowa PBS and webcast on Oct. 15. The Iowa Hunger Summit and Global Youth Institute will also be held virtually. New this year is a student web series, Borlaug 101. More
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
http://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.