CALS Online and Dean’s Message
July 18, 2022
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS and Happy Monday – We are now just a short five weeks out from the start of classes, and for some even more importantly, there are only three-and-a-half weeks until the start of the Iowa State Fair. It is deep summer now, with corn and beans rising up and lots of folks taking their summer vacations… I hope you are each enjoying this time of year. I have some statewide travel coming up… More
Top Stories
Researchers Look at Breeding Mung Bean for Plant-based Protein Market
Iowa State plant breeders and researchers are working to develop a new crop suited for the plant-based protein market. The “unsung mung” is a drought tolerant, nitrogen fixing legume that can be used for a plant-based protein source and is currently used in numerous edible food products around the world. The interdisciplinary team of researchers led by Arti Singh (above), agronomy, has received a grant from USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Additional Iowa State researchers on the project include Mark Licht, agronomy; Daren Mueller, plant pathology and microbiology; Matthew O’Neal, entomology; and Buddhi Lamsal, food science and human nutrition. More
Research
Iowa State Hits Record $601.7 Million in External Funding
Iowa State University attracted a record $601.7 million in total external funding for the 2022 fiscal year that ended June 30. The total includes a record amount of external support – $284.2 million – for sponsored research funding. Examples of externally supported research projects include the following. More
- Studying new approaches to cover crops, such as growing turf grass between rows of corn, to improve soil health, resource conservation and nutrient management. The project is led by D. Raj Raman, agricultural and biosystems engineering, and supported by a grant of nearly $10 million from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
- Using genome sequencing data to understand disease mutations and develop software that can make predictions and help doctors treat patients. The project is led by Robert Jernigan, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, and supported by a $2.3 million grant from the National Institute of Health’s National Human Genome Research Institute.
Teaching and Students
New National Suicide Hotline Number Now Available
As of July 16, the National Suicide Hotline can be reached by dialing 9-8-8 across the United States. When people call, text or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. “The National Suicide Hotline is an easily accessible tool to support students, faculty and staff when they are facing a challenging moment in their life or trying to help someone else through a challenging situation,” said Howard Tyler, CALS assistant dean for undergraduate and graduate student services and success. ”Changing this resource to a 3-digit number is expected to greatly increase the number of people that access and benefit from this 24-hour emergency service.”
Students of Color Network Provides Sense of Belonging
Julián Canabal, senior in agricultural engineering, said the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Students of Color Network has been a key to connecting with the faculty and staff of the ABE department, as well as with his peers of color. Elaine Phompheng, ABE student services specialist, along with colleagues, led the development of ABESCN in 2018 based on student feedback to improve the department’s cultural environment. More
CALS Student Explains Internship with Chicago Cubs
Mira Emma, senior in horticulture and Iowa State soccer player, has been busy getting the playing surface at Wrigley Field ready for Chicago Cubs games this summer. She explains what it’s like to serve as a grounds crew intern at the MLB stadium on the July 5 Cubs Weekly Podcast (starts at 8:10 mark). More
Volleyball Player’s True Passion is Cattle
Abby Greiman, senior in animal science and member of the Iowa State volleyball team, is featured in the July 13 issue of Volleyballmag.com. She shares with readers about participating in a study abroad trip this spring where they toured farms and regions of the United Kingdom to learn about purebred livestock and breed development and to see where many animal breeds originated. More
Extension and Outreach
Report Describes Inflation as a Bigger Problem for Rural Households
Inflation is a bigger problem for rural households than for those living in cities, according to a new report from the Iowa Small Towns Project at Iowa State. The estimates are based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, said report author David Peters, sociology and criminal justice and extension rural sociologist. More
Iowa State’s Research and Extension Mission on Full Display at Farm Progress Show
The 2022 Farm Progress Show is Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 in Boone. Iowa State’s exhibit will span nearly 6,000 square feet, showcasing the latest in agricultural research and technology. Iowa State will have staff and displays pertaining to nine key content areas: water quality, weeds, plant health, digital agriculture, farmland ownership trends, weather and climate, monarchs, carbon and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. More
Attract Butterflies and Other Pollinators to Your Garden
In a recent publication called “Gardening for Butterflies and Pollinators,” horticulture specialists with ISU Extension and Outreach explain the life and role of common pollinators, and actions Iowans can take to increase their numbers in the home garden or landscape. More
Around the College
Animal Scientists Honored with National Awards
The Poultry Science Association presented the following awards during its annual meeting on July 11-14 in San Antonio, Texas. More
- Elizabeth Bobeck – Early Achievement Award for Research
- Dawn Koltes – Early Achievement Award for Teaching
- Michael Kaiser – Tyson Foods Inc. Support Personnel Award
Produce for Sale at the Horticulture Research Station
The Horticulture Research Station community produce sale continues. New to the mix is whole frozen chickens. Please note that chickens are sold by the pound and the full price will be given at the time of pickup. Like last year, curbside pickup is in the Meat Lab parking lot located in the northwest corner of lot 39 just off North University Boulevard. Pickup is every Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. More
Communications Kiosk
Already vs. All Ready
Already refers to time. The movie has already started. The second refers to degree of preparation. Are the actors all ready? (Chicago Manual of Style, 16th edition, pg. 265)
Infograzing
After 75 Years, DOE adds ‘National’ to Ames Laboratory Name
The Ames Laboratory is now named Ames National Laboratory to more accurately reflect the institution’s past, present and future role as a Department of Energy National Laboratory. The name change comes as the laboratory is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Director Adam Schwartz said, “This clarifies and reinforces our identity as a DOE National Laboratory and the science we do in service of helping our nation meet its clean energy goals and objectives.” More
NIAMRRE Summer Symposium Scheduled for July 27
On July 27 from 1 to 4 p.m., the National Institute of Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Education, housed at Iowa State, will hold their summer symposium on antimicrobial resistance career pathways. The virtual event is geared toward graduate students and early career scientists with the goal of expanding knowledge of AMR-related career opportunities. More
DMACC, Iowa State Launch New Program for Transfer Students
Thousands of students begin their quest for a bachelor’s degree at one of Iowa’s community colleges before transferring to a four-year institution. Iowa State University and Des Moines Area Community College have launched a new program to make the transfer process even smoother for their shared students. More
UN Report Shows World is Moving Backwards in Efforts to Eliminate Hunger and Malnutrition
The number of people affected by hunger globally rose to as many as 828 million in 2021, according to a United Nations report that provides fresh evidence the world is moving further away from its goal of ending hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in all its forms by 2030. The 2022 edition of “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World” was published July 7 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the United Nations Children's Fund, the UN World Food Programme and the World Health Organization. More
Marginalia
Emmy Award-Winning TV Series Tells Ag’s Story in Unique Way
An episode in season two of the PBS series “American Grown: My Job Depends on Ag,” won an Emmy Award due to production style. The show centers around California’s farm culture, but creator and executive producer Jeff Aiello hopes to one day scale the show to encompass all U.S. states and all types of agriculture. 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 Thursday.