Issue: 601

................................................... AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE ................................................... The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter Iowa State University May 10, 2010 No. 601 ................................................... COLLEGE NEWS ................................................... MAY 8 COMMENCEMENT HONORS NEW GRADUATES Close to 500 College students graduated Saturday after being recognized at the CALS convocation. Lee Christensen, animal science, delivered remarks at the convocation as senior class representative. The Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council presented awards to: Joel Ahrendsen, agricultural business, for academic achievement; Nicole Cortum, public service and administration in agriculture, was named outstanding senior; Jodi Calvert, agricultural business, was recognized for distinguished service; Paul Hrubes, agricultural business, received the outstanding ambassador of agriculture award; and Justine Hosch, animal science, received the leadership excellence award. Christine Weber, who graduated summa cum laude in microbiology, represented the College as student marshal at commencement. RESEARCHER, LOCAL COMPANY COLLABORATE FOR NEW, FASTER SALMONELLA DETECTION Using technology available through a local company, Byron Brehm-Stecher, food science and human nutrition, is working on a faster method to detect and genetically identify salmonella from contaminated foods. The new approach can provide DNA sequencing-like results in hours rather than days. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2010/may/StecherAATI ISU RECEIVES GRANT TO DEVELOP BIOMASS CROPS ISU has been awarded a $200,000 grant to develop perennial cash crops for southern Iowa. Perennial warm-season grasses may be a more appropriate crop for farmers in the southern part of the state, according to Emily Heaton, agronomy. Since the soils are more erodible and less productive for corn, perennials have the potential to be an economical alternative. AGRONOMIST BUILDS RELATIONSHIPS TO BOOST IOWA AGRICULTURE For Mark Licht, Extension field agronomist, building relationships with growers, agribusinesses and colleagues helps cultivate outside funds for initiatives he otherwise could not afford during tight budget times. HENDRICH NAMED RODERUCK FACULTY FELLOW IN FOOD SCIENCE AND HUMAN NUTRITION Suzanne Hendrich, University Professor, was named the Charlotte E. Roderuck Faculty Fellow in Food Science and Human Nutrition for 2010-2012. The fellowship was created in 2007 to recognize excellence in nutrition research associated with the Nutrition and Wellness Research Center. During her 40 years at Iowa State, Roderuck was instrumental in establishing the foundation for human nutrition research. Hendrich exemplifies the Roderuck legacy through her participation in national and international nutrition programs. BRAIN'S MASTER SWITCH IS VERIFIED BY IOWA STATE RESEARCHER The protein that has long been suspected by scientists of being the master switch allowing brains to function has now been verified by an Iowa State University researcher. Yeon-Kyun Shin, professor of biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, has shown that the protein called synaptotagmin1 (Syt1) is the sole trigger for the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2010/may/ShinSnare CALS AMBASSADORS RECEIVE RECOGNITION Four graduating seniors were recognized at Friday's CALS Cabinet meeting for their service to the CALS Ambassadors, a group of students that help with recruitment. The four students received certificates from Dean Wintersteen. The ambassadors included: Michael Brown, agricultural studies, who plans to work after graduation in the ag industry; Jodi Calvert, agricultural business, who will work as a financial analyst with Farmers Cooperative Co. in Ames; Molly Mayer, food science, who will enroll in graduate school to study food safety; and Amanda Dowell, agricultural and life sciences education, who plans to teach high school agriculture. STUDENTS STUDY ABROAD THROUGH CALS SUMMER PROGRAMS Ten study abroad programs are being offered through the college this summer, providing an opportunity for 127 students to study in nine countries. The programs include: 1) agricultural technology and automation adoption in Brazil; 2) exploring the road less traveled in China; 3) European perspectives on farm animal welfare in England and Scotland; 4) agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship in Greece; 5) service learning opportunities in nutrition, entrepreneurship and development in India; 6) the Dean's Global Food and Agricultural Leadership program in Rome; 7) horticulture in southern Italy; 8) multidisciplinary experiential study of international nutrition in Peru; 9) service learning in Uganda; and 10) internships in China and Peru. CROP TEAM FINISHES SECOND AT NACTA The agronomy Crops Team finished second out of more than 35 teams at the National North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Conference held April 15-16 in El Reno, Okla. Ryan Oltmans placed third overall, with third place finishes in the Agronomic Quiz and Math Practical contests. Grace Lockard placed sixth overall with a second place finish in the Lab Practical and fourth place in the Plant and Seed ID contest. Aaron Folkman tied for third place in the Math Practical Contest. The team is coached by Russ Mullen and Gina McAndrews. DAIRY SCIENCE CLUB RECEIVES STORY COUNTY YOUTH AWARD Congratulations to members of the Dairy Science Club who received a Story County Youth Volunteer Award for their work with Food at First. Club members served a meal and made a financial contributions each month. "This is a true example of ISU students doing positive things with and for the community," wrote their nominator. HOME PAGE FEATURES JUSTIN SAENZ Justin Saenz, a junior in public service and administration in agriculture, is featured on the CALS web page. Saenz is a CALS ambassador who encourages other students to get involved and join campus clubs and organizations. Saenz is a member of the Block and Bridle Club and has served on the Veishea executive board. To view student profiles, go to http://www.ag.iastate.edu and refresh the page to see different stories. If you know students you think should be featured, contact Barb McBreen at barbmc@istate.edu, 4-0707. RETIREMENT RECEPTION FOR TED BAILEY, MAY 12 A retirement reception will be held for Ted Bailey, statistics, on Wed., May 12, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in 2113 Snedecor Hall. WORKSHOP FOR NIH CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARDS A workshop for researchers interested in the National Institute of Health (NIH) Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (Parent K01), Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02), and Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00) will be held on May 14, 9 "“ 10 a.m., in Curtiss Hall, room 9. The two-part workshop will feature Katrin Eichelberg, the scientific/research contact for programs in the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Guidelines differ among institutes and Eichelberg's discussion will focus on the awards from NIAID (see https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-AI-19-061.html). The second part of the workshop will feature a Q&A session with award recipients Albert Jergens (K01) and Aileen Keating (K99/R00). Researchers from all colleges are welcome. More: http://grants.nih.gov/training/careerdevelopmentawards.htm. WORKSHOP FOR NSF CAREER AWARDS A workshop for researchers interested in the National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) program will be held May 14, 10 "“ 11 a.m., in Curtiss Hall, room 9. The two-part workshop will include discussions with Mary Chamberlin, CAREER Awards co-coordinator for the NSF Biological Sciences Division and Edward Jaselskis, CMMI/NSF Information Technology and Infrastructure Systems. Researchers from all colleges are welcome. For more: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503214. COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH WORKSHOP TO BE HELD MAY 19 The College is inviting research groups from the university to participate in a Collaborative Research Workshop. The event is in response to the need for effective research collaborations in many current grant proposals. The May 19 workshop includes an Invitational Seminar from 9:30 a.m. until noon and an interactive roundtable session from 1 "“ 4 p.m. Individuals and research groups are welcome to attend one or both sessions. Please contact Roxanne Clemens (rclemens@iastate.edu) by May 14 to register. DEADLINES AND REMINDERS May 11: Midwest Biopolymers and Biocomposites Workshop May 13-14: Plant Breeding Lecture Series, Scheman Building, http://www.plantbreeding.iastate.edu/pblssched2010.html May 13-15: Alumni Days, http://www.isualum.org/en/events/alumni_days/alumni_days_2010/ ................................................... EXTERNAL FUNDING ................................................... FUNDING INFORMATION, OPPORTUNITIES AND DEADLINE REMINDERS Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu May 21: Natural Resource Condition Assessment (open to partners in Great River Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit); one award, $250,000. June 1: North American Wetlands Conservation Act "“ Mexican Standard Grants; $10,000 to $1 million, activities must be carried out in Mexico, $3 million total anticipated funding. June 5: Occupational Safety and Health Research (R01); $400,000 per year for four years. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-10-188.html June 5: Aging Studies in the Pulmonary System (R01); size and duration will vary. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-10-179.html June 8 (letter of intent): Partnerships for Development of New Therapeutic Classes for Select Viral and Bacterial Pathogens (R01); six to 10 awards, $500,000 direct costs for five years, $6 million total anticipated funding. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AI-10-010.html June 9 (letter of intent): Microbicide Innovation Program (MIP VI) (R21/R33); seven to 10 awards, R21 awards of $275,000 direct costs over two years, R33 awards of $300,000 per year in direct costs for three years, $2.5 million total anticipated funding in FY 2011. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AI-10-011.html June 15: Farm Business Management and Benchmarking Competitive Grants Program; one award, $1.4 million, new applications only. June 16: U.S. Agency for International Development Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services Program; one award, $9 million. June 21: Critical Issues: Emerging and New Plant and Animal Pests and Diseases; one-time seed funding, National Institute of Food and Agriculture intends to solicit proposals several times during FY 2010 and FY 2011 to address specific new or emerging issues, $30,000 to $90,000 for up to two years, $370,000 total anticipated funding in FY 2010, 80 percent of applications funded last fiscal year. June 29 and October 29: Assay Development for High Throughput Molecular Screening (R21); 30 awards, $100,000 direct costs for one year, $6 million total anticipated funding for FY 2011. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-10-182.html July 7: Rangeland Research Program; three awards, $350,000 to $500,000 per award, $919,000 total anticipated funding. July 13: Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Agriculture Biomass Research and Development Initiative; two awards in FY 2011, seven awards in FY 2011, $3 million to $7 million per award, $33 million total anticipated funding. July 15: Feed Safety and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)/Ruminant Feed Ban Support Project (U18); twelve grants, $250,000 total costs, $3 million total anticipated funding. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-FD-10-002.html August 27: Instrument Development for Biological Research (IDBR); 10 to 12 Type A awards, two to five Type B awards, $3 million total anticipated funding. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10563/nsf10563.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT… ................................................... COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK ................................................... STANDARDIZED TERMINOLOGY FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS Increasing demand for pasture-raised meat and dairy products for niche markets requires renewed efforts to communicate the best management and production information effectively. Two researchers from the Agricultural Research Service emphasize the need for consistent and unified terminology to improve dialogue on pastureland grazing management among livestock farmers and the Extension, advisory and research communities. ................................................. INFOGRAZING ................................................... AGRONOMY GRADUATE RECEIVES OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR ROTC AWARD First Lady Mari Culver presented the Reserve Officer Training Corps Governor's Cup Award for outstanding achievement at a ceremony on May 5. Congratulations to Midshipman 1st Class Andrew Preston, graduating senior in agronomy. The awards honor the men and women for leadership, academics and military achievement. ................................................... INTERNAL VOICES ................................................... GRADUATES SHARE THOUGHTS ABOUT COLLEGE EXPERIENCE At the CALS convocation on May 8, several students used the opportunity to thank family and friends, or to share a memory. Here are selected examples of their comments: · I am the first one to graduate college from my family! · My favorite microbe is "vibrio cholerae." · I never missed a class in college. · I drove 100 miles a day to attend ISU and every mile has been worth it. · My most memorable experience at ISU is throwing out my back with my shoulder deep inside a heifer. · I am the third generation in my family to graduate from Iowa State. · I finally made it after seven years and two deployments. · I had the opportunity to visit three other continents through various travel courses. · Thanks Mom and Dad for all your love and support. But I'm anxious about being in the "real world." You get me for just a bit longer. · Despite my efforts to make college a profession, it has sadly come to an end. ................................................... EXTERNAL VOICES .................................................. GETTING BEYOND THE "˜ENEMY' MINDSET OF DIFFERENT FARMING SYSTEMS "Instead of automatically thinking conventional ag is the enemy, and instead of conventional ag always thinking that organic and local food is the enemy, we need to sit down and figure out where we can work together." California dairy farmer Ray Prock, Jr., in a May 2 San Francisco Chronicle story on a "culture war" between farming focused on local foods and organic products and farming that makes up the great bulk of production and sells into a global food chain. More: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/05/02/MNQK1D7FND… ................................................... MARGINALIA ................................................... CARBON FOOTPRINT OF PORK PRODUCTION The term "carbon footprint" is a description of the environmental impact of an entity. This impact is measured by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with the most recent numbers available from 2007. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, just 2.8 percent of GHG emission in the country came from animal agriculture, with pork production accounting for one-third of one percent of the total. NEWS NOW from the Iowa Pork Industry Center, May 3. More: http://www.pork.org/documents/porkscience/carbonfootprint.pdf ........................................................ AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE ........................................................ EDITOR Julie Stewart, jstewart@iastate.edu Phone: (515) 294-5616 Web site: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/ SUBSCRIBE Ag and Life Sciences Online, the newsletter for faculty and staff in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is e-mailed every Monday. To subscribe, send your name, e-mail address and the message "Ag and Life Sciences Online subscribe" to jstewart@iastate.edu. To unsubscribe, send "Ag and Life Sciences Online unsubscribe." 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