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COLLEGE NEWS
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ATTEND CALS OPEN FORUM WITH PRESIDENT, PROVOST NOV. 6
President Geoffroy and Provost Hoffman will visit the college on Friday, Nov. 6. Part of that visit will include a faculty/staff open forum from 2 to 3 p.m. in the CCUR Theatre, 1951 Food Science Bldg.
APPLICATIONS DUE NOV. 9 FOR ASSOCIATE DEAN/ANR PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Internal applications are invited for the CALS associate dean for Extension Programs and Outreach and the ISU Extension program director for Agriculture and Natural Resources. Applications are due Nov. 9.
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE FORUM NOV. 3
Gene Takle, agronomy, will lead a discussion with other members of the Climate Science Initiative team at a faculty forum, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 8 p.m. in the Great Hall, Memorial Union. The team was established in response to public concern over global climate change. Participants include John Miranowski (economics), William Gutowski (geological and atmospheric sciences) and Ray Arritt (agronomy).
CALS TO SPONSOR NOV. 8 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL GAME AND HONOR JOYCE SHIERS
The College will be a sponsor of the Nov. 8 women's basketball game against Minnesota Crookston. During the game, CALS will recognize Joyce Shiers for her 48 years of service. The game is at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8. For tickets go to:
http://www.cyclones.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&KEY=&SPID=4253…
LECTURE RECORDING TOOLS FOCUS OF WORKSHOP NOV. 11
The Brenton Center is hosting a workshop to help faculty decide which lecture recording tool will best serve their needs. Target audience is faculty who already have or will have a course with an online section, those who would like to record classroom lectures so students can review them later, or those looking for a fast, simple way to record information that is immediately available to students. The workshop will be held Nov. 11, 1 to 2 p.m. in 13 Curtiss Hall. For more information: Todd Vens, trvens@iastate.edu, 4-5948.
KEENEY LECTURE ON HYPOXIA NOV. 12
R. Eugene Turner of Louisiana State University will speak on "Mississippi River Water Quality: Policy, Farm Landscapes and Hypoxia," in the 2009 Dennis Keeney Distinguished Lecture Series, Nov. 12 at 8 p.m. in the Sun Room, Memorial Union. More: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/newsreleases/2009/102809_Keeney.html
MICROBIOLOGY WORKSHOP FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS NOV. 13
The Undergraduate Microbiology Club will hold its annual microbiology workshop on Nov. 13. The workshop is an opportunity for high school students with an interest in biology to participate in laboratories, tours and activities to introduce them to the exciting world of microbiology. For more information: Ann Hetland, ahetland@iastate.edu, 4-1630.
AG CHEMICAL DEALER UPDATE SERIES BEGINS THIS MONTH
The Ag Chemical Dealer Update Series delivers the latest crop production recommendations, news and information from ISU Extension. The series features updates on weed, insect, crop disease and soil nutrient management. The meetings will be held in eight locations between Nov. 24 and Dec. 16.
FARM PARTNERS SOUGHT FOR ISU ON-FARM RESEARCH
Ideas and proposals are sought for a program pairing farmers with ISU researchers to work on topics related to conservation and sustainability. Proposals are due Dec. 16 for the 2010 ISU On-Farm Research and Demonstration Grant Program. All ISU faculty, staff and students are eligible to apply. The program is a partnership of CALS and Practical Farmers of Iowa. More: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/newsreleases/2009/103009_onfarm.html
PLANT CELL HIGHLIGHTS RESEARCH PAPER BY PLANT PATHOLOGY LAB
A research team led by Roger Wise in the Department of Plant Pathology had a research paper published in an October edition of The Plant Cell, the journal of the American Society of Plant Biologists. The paper, "Transcript-Based Cloning of RRP46, a Regulator of rRNA Processing and R Gene-Independent Cell Death in Barley-Powdery Mildew Interactions," describes work on cell death in barley. Cell death is a key component in plant development and disease resistance. Because cell death can be a defensive mechanism for the host plant by restricting pathogen invasion, the research could provide clues for future disease control. The paper was highlighted in a brief written by the journal's science editor, who states that the paper's insights "into a very interesting cellular process yields many intriguing possibilities for future research." The lead author, Liu Xi, earned her M.S. in plant pathology at ISU and is now a research assistant at the Human Genome Sequencing Center in the Baylor College of Medicine. Xi was highlighted by Plant Cell in an author profile.
CALS AND UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN UPDATE
ISU's United Way campaign is at 80.05 percent of its goal as of Oct. 30. The College has collected $45,667, which is 78 percent of its goal. United Way is still accepting donations. As a fundraising event in connection with this year's campaign, the College collected more than 15 boxes of nonperishable items for the Mid-Iowa Action Council food pantry of Ames and 50 children's books for the Raising Readers in Story County. The College also collected $175 for MICA and $100 for United Way. Those who donated items or cash were eligible for five incentive items. The drawing results are:
-- Reiman Gardens passes; Joe Cordray, animal science
-- Roy Reiman new publication; Yingjun Wang, genetics development and cell biology
-- 2 men's basketball tickets; Janice Berhow, natural resource ecology and management
-- 2 men's basketball tickets; Sue Jones, entomology
--Autographed football; Mark Shour, entomology
JENSEN PARTICIPATES IN INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE PRESS BRIEFING
Helen Jensen, economics, is a member of the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Nutrition Standards for National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. She took part in the institute's press briefing at the Washington Press Club on the release of its report on new nutritional standards and requirements for school meal programs. Jensen was interviewed by USA Today, ABC OnLine News, LA Times, the Des Moines Register, KCCI-TV and U.S. News & World Report.
LIVESTOCK JUDGING TEAM FINISHES FIFTH
The ISU Livestock Judging Team participated in the American Royal Livestock Judging Contest on Oct. 31. The team finished fifth overall in the contest with 25 universities competing. ISU was second in the swine division. Individually, Melissa Reed was 5th in cattle and 11th overall. Charlie Hild and Josh Zuck also finished in the top 25 overall. Other team members included Cody Schminke and Kenny Benson. In mid-October the team traveled to Indiana for the Premier Stockman Contest. Seven of the 10 team members received awards on the day, finishing in the top 10 in a division. Schminke and Zuck were in the top 10 overall. The team will now prepare for the North American International Livestock Exposition contest in Louisville, KY, on Nov. 16.
DEADLINES AND REMINDERS
Nov. 2: Microscopy and NanoImaging Facility open house, 1-3 p.m.
Nov. 2: Iowa Seed Association scholarship applications due. For more information, Richard Gladon, gladon@iastate.edu, 4-1957
Nov. 8: CALS sponsoring women's basketball game and recognizing Joyce Shiers for her 48 years of service, 2 p.m. For tickets go to: http://www.cyclones.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&KEY=&SPID=4253…
Nov. 17: CALS award nominations due
Nov. 19: Iowa Learning Farm strip-till field day at Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg
Nov. 23-24: Iowa Forage and Grasslands Council Conference
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EXTERNAL FUNDING
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DEFENSE FUNDING FOCUS OF VPR/ED WORKSHOP NOV. 9
Research funding from the Department of Defense is the topic of a workshop Nov. 9, from noon to 2 p.m., Gold Room, Memorial Union. The workshop is part of the faculty orientation and development series sponsored by the Office of the VPR/ED. All interested faculty and staff are welcome to attend. To register contact Laurie Engleen, lengleen@iastate.edu.
SIGN UP FOR MORRISON GRANT WRITING WORKSHOPS
The office of the VPR/ED is offering the following grant writing workshops, conducted by grant writing consultant David Morrison, to all ISU faculty, staff, post-docs and senior graduate students.
Workshop #1 "“ Writing Winning Grants, March 8, 2010
Workshop #2 "“ Proposal Writing Workshop (30-week, one-on-one mentoring program beginning, limit of 30 participants), March 9 "“ Oct. 7, 2010
Workshop #3 "“ Write Winning Revisions, March 10, 2010
Workshop #4 "“ Survival Techniques for Scientists in Training (for postdoctoral fellows and senior graduate students), to be scheduled
Contact Roxanne Clemens (rclemens@iastate.edu) for cost and enrollment information.
FUNDING INFORMATION, OPPORTUNITIES AND DEADLINE REMINDERS
Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu
Dec. 15: EPA Environmental Education Grants; 95 awards, $15,000 to $200,000, 25% match required, $3 million total anticipated funding.
Jan 7: Development and Characterization of Animal Models for Aging Research (R01); amounts not specified. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-10-014.html
Jan 7: Development and Characterization of Animal Models for Aging Research (R21); up to $275,000 (direct costs) for a two-year period. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-10-015.html
Jan. 12: 2010 Arabidopsis Project (NSF BIO): 25 awards, up to $5 million for up to four years, $13 million total anticipated funding. More: http://nsf.gov/pubs/2009/nsf09514/nsf09514.htm
Jan. 23 (letter of intent): Validation and Advanced Development of Emerging Technologies in Biospecimen Science (R33); seven awards, up to three years, not to exceed $300,000 in any year, $2.25 million total anticipated funding. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-10-002.html
Jan. 23 (letter of intent): Innovative and Early-Stage Development of Emerging Technologies in Biospecimen Science (R21); seven awards, $275,000 (direct costs) over a two-year period, $1.5 million total anticipated funding. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-10-001.html
Jan. 23 (letter of intent): Application and Early Stage Development of Emerging Technologies in Cancer Research (R21); seven awards, $275,000 over two-year period, $2.25 total anticipated funding. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-10-003.html
Jan. 23 (letter of intent): Innovative Technology Development for Cancer Research (R21); 15 awards, $500,000 (direct costs) over a three-year period, $5 million total anticipated funding. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-10-005.html
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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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SURVEY SEEKS YOUR INPUT ON AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
We will be sending out a survey Tuesday, Nov. 3, asking for your input on the weekly Ag and Life Sciences Online newsletter. The survey should take less than two minutes to fill out and the answers are anonymous. Please let us know how we can serve you better.
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INFOGRAZING
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ISU BIOECONOMY CONFERENCE: THE SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGE, ON DEC. 1
The 2009 Bio eConference, "Growing the Bioeconomy: Solutions for Sustainability," is a 12-state alliance of simultaneous state conferences on Dec. 1. The co-host sites, including the College, will be sharing content through high-speed communication systems to promote agriculturally-based sustainable solutions to global climate change and energy supply. More
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INTERNAL VOICES
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HORNBUCKLE ON EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY SATELLITE LAUNCH
"So look up at the clear night sky sometime this week. Although you won't be able to see SMOS, find the nearest star and think about how SMOS represents one step toward a brighter future for Iowans and all of Earth's people." Brian Hornbuckle, agronomy, in a guest column titled "Taking stock of the soil from the skies," Des Moines Register, Nov. 1. The European Space Agency launched the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity satellite from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in Russia last night. Its mission is to generate global maps of soil moisture and ocean salinity as it orbits Earth.
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MARGINALIA
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MOSQUITO RESEARCHER BUGGY ABOUT ACTING
Brendan Dunphy, 2007 alumnus with degrees in zoology, entomology and animal ecology, is making his run at show business while working as a research associate in ISU's medical entomology lab. Dunphy's research will be published in the upcoming issue of The Journal of Medical Entomology for his findings on an exotic mosquito species in Iowa. He also is part of a surveillance program studying insect-borne viruses across the state. Yet acting is his first love. More: http://www.iastate.edu/Inside/2009/1029/dunphy.php
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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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EDITOR
Julie Stewart, jstewart@iastate.edu
Phone: (515) 294-5616 Web site: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/
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