College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
March 15, 2021
Top Stories
Videos Aim to Educate Students about Microbiology Topics
Graham Redweik, a Ph.D. student in food science and human nutrition and interdepartmental microbiology, is serving as the American Society of Microbiology’s Young Ambassador to Iowa for 2020-2021, and is working to increase public understanding of basic microbiology concepts. Alongside Iowa State’s Microbiology Graduate Student Organization and University of Iowa’s Office of Community Engagement, he helped create two videos to educate students about microbiology topics. The first video explains what makes up a microbe, specifically bacteria and viruses. In the second video, Graham teaches his “alter-ego” about vaccination and important concepts associated with vaccines like herd immunity.
Research
College Hosts Digital/Precision Agriculture Research Webinar Series
The college is hosting a six-week webinar series on digital/precision agriculture research on Fridays from 2 to 3:15 p.m. The purpose is to build community for research success, foster science-based discussions and seek collaborators among CALS faculty related to specific digital/precision agriculture projects, and build better teams to seek competitive research funding on topics related to specific digital/precision agriculture projects. Speakers for the March 19 webinar are Maria Salas-Fernandez and Fernando Miguez, agronomy; Mark Gleason, plant pathology and microbiology; and Chris Currey, horticulture.
Research Project Adds Flavor to Students’ Diet
Donna Winham, food science and human nutrition, developed a Virtual Cooking Class research project after two university-wide surveys she conducted in 2018 and 2020 indicated many Iowa State students are food insecure and desire more convenient and sustainable food sources. The cooking class had students learning about pulses and expanding their culinary skills with dorm-friendly recipes. More
Teaching and Students
CALS Student Selected for World Food Prize Internship
Julie Anderson, senior in agriculture and society, has been selected by the World Food Prize Foundation for its George Washington Carver Internship program. The internship focuses on developing the student’s professional and educational experience while making an impact on the World Food Prize’s missions. More
Nominations for Senior Awards Due March 31
The CALS Student Council is seeking nominations for spring 2021 senior awards. Every fall and spring semester, CALS Council recognizes graduating seniors through six different awards: outstanding senior, leadership excellence, academic achievement, distinguished service, outstanding ambassador of agriculture and life sciences, and commitment to diversity. Nominations are due March 31.
Domestic Travel Opportunities Available for Students
CALS faculty are developing courses that provide students with domestic travel opportunities in the Learning Across America program. Undergraduate students will have the opportunity to learn about diverse cultures, food and agriculture systems, natural resources and life sciences within the United States. Faculty interested in leading a domestic program should contact Carmen Bain, associate dean of academic innovation (cbain@iastate.edu).
Dobbels Continues to Successfully Advise Students during Pandemic
Helping students get involved and seek opportunities has been challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, Nate Dobbels, academic advisor for agricultural education and studies, has made it a priority to continue advising in ways that make students feel comfortable. Dobbels, along with Ben Chamberlain, agricultural education and studies student services specialist, received the COVID-19 Exceptional Effort – Exemplary Team or Unit Award from the university. The award was given in recognition of their exceptional face-to-face instruction and supervision to new Iowa State students during the pandemic. In addition, Dobbels received the P&S Early Advisor Award, acknowledging his supportive and encouraging personality, and his commitment to his advisees’ success. More
Extension and Outreach
Updated Herbicide Guide Released
ISU Extension and Outreach has released the 2021 Herbicide Guide for Iowa Corn and Soybean Production. The guide is updated annually, but this year’s version gives special attention to the issue of volunteer corn, which could be more severe in 2021 following the germination of storm-damaged corn from last year’s derecho. More
Conservation Station Trailer Fleet Available for Summer 2021
The Conservation Station’s online request system for spring and summer 2021 is now open. The fleet of Conservation Station trailers are available free of charge to use for county fairs, farmers markets, festivals and other community events within Iowa. Submit requests by March 22 for priority consideration.
Master Gardener Training to be Offered Online
The 2021 Master Gardener training will be offered online using 17 educational modules by ISU Extension and Outreach on topics including houseplants, pollinators, vegetables and perennial flowers. Each module includes a book chapter, lecture video, online discussion board and a quiz. Applicants have until July 1 to apply. More
Around the College
CSRL Releases Annual Donor Impact Report
The Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods has released its annual donor impact report. The 2020 report focuses on the special COVID relief and rehabilitation efforts that are making it possible for marginalized, rural Ugandans to make it through the pandemic and emerge ready to rebuild themselves and their communities. More
Schalinske Elected to Presidential Line for ASN
Kevin Schalinske, food science and human nutrition, has been elected to the presidential line for the American Society for Nutrition for a four-year term. This includes consecutive one-year terms as vice president-elect, vice president, president and past president. Schalinske is only the second faculty member from Iowa State to serve in this role.
Nominations for Gamma Sigma Delta due Thursday
The Iowa chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta, the honor society of agriculture, is accepting nominations for membership and awards. Nomination forms for faculty, staff and alumni membership and awards are available online and are due Thursday, March 19. More
CALS P&T Virtual Workshop Scheduled for Assistant Professors
A promotion and tenure workshop for assistant professors will be held April 5 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. via Zoom (taped for future viewing). RSVP to Carla Persaud (cpersaud@iastate.edu) by March 31 to register. The workshop will include expectations, definition of scholarship, portfolio preparation and development, and time for questions.
CALS P&T Virtual Workshop Scheduled for Associate Professors
A promotion and tenure workshop for associate professors will be held April 8 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. via Zoom (taped for future viewing). RSVP to Carla Persaud (cpersaud@iastate.edu) by April 2 to register. The workshop will discuss the transition from associate to professor, portfolio preparation and development, and time for questions.
CALS Term Faculty Advancement Virtual Workshop
A workshop for term faculty seeking advancement will be held April 29 from 10:30 a.m. to noon via Zoom (taped for future viewing). RSVP to Carla Persaud (cpersaud@iastate.edu) by April 26 to register. The workshop will discuss criteria for advancement, document preparation and development, and time for questions.
CALS P&T/Faculty Advancement Virtual Mirroring Session
CALS assistant professors, associate professors and term faculty seeking advancement are invited to attend this open discussion meeting held April 30 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. via Webex (NOT taped). RSVP to Carla Persaud (cpersaud@iastate.edu) by April 28 to register.
Calendar
March 24: INRC Water Research Seminar
Watershed modeling to inform agricultural management in western Lake Erie will be the focus of the March 2021 Water Research Seminar, scheduled for March 24 at 3 p.m. More
April 6-8: Iowa Water Conference
The Iowa Water Conference, Building Resilience for Water and People, will be held virtually April 6-8 and center on ways to adapt and refocus the vision of inclusive, resilient water resource management in Iowa.
Oct. 27-28: International Conference on Pig Survivability
The International Conference on Pig Survivability is planned for Oct. 27-28 in Omaha, Nebraska. Topics and speakers are confirmed and registration is now open. More
Infograzing
Registration Open for Inaugural NIAMRRE Conference
The National Institute of Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Education is holding a virtual conference on April 20-21. The conference is open to both members and non-members who want to build action-oriented relationships that move toward a One Health vision. More
Marginalia
Swander on Poetry, Farming and More
An event featuring Mary Swander, former Poet Laureate of Iowa and emerita Distinguished Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will be held virtually on March 28 from 2 to 3 p.m. Swander leads conversations about farming and the wider rural environment in Iowa through creative practices of theater and writing. There will also be a limited capacity in person screening of the virtual event in the Brunnier Art Museum. 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.