AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter
Iowa State University
May 16, 2011 No. 651
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COLLEGE NEWS
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ALUMNI RECEPTION INCLUDES TOUR OF CURTISS HALL PLANNED RENOVATIONS
Alumni Days drew 57 College alumni to a reception May 13 in the Curtiss Hall auditorium. The alums learned about the building's planned renovation, heard from Dean Wintersteen and student service personnel, and shared memories of life on campus 50 or more years ago. More, including a link to the program with departmental highlights: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/features/2011/Alumni_Days/
SPALDING APPOINTED LAS INTERIM ASSOCIATE DEAN
Martin Spalding, professor and chair of the Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, has been appointed interim associate dean for research and graduate studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, effective July 1. Spalding replaces associate dean David Oliver, who will serve as the interim dean for the college.
ISU, JAPANESE STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT FOODS, CULTURES
Wendy White, food science and human nutrition, led a course that used Skype to interact with a classroom in Japan, helping students in both locations gain cultural insights while learning skills vital to their future professions. More: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/features/2011/Japan_Class/
HERBOLD AND CHARBONNEAUX ELECTED TO P&S COUNCIL
Nine new members were elected to the P&S Council and seven incumbents returned for a second term in elections conducted online in April and May. From CALS, representing academic and research are Erin Herbold, Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation, and Chris Charbonneaux, natural resource ecology and management. More: http://www.pscouncil.iastate.edu/committees/representation/elections/
NEW ON THE HOMEPAGE: STUDENT EXPLORES WORLD THROUGH SCIENCE
Sagar Chawla, a senior in biology and global resource systems, is featured on the College's web page. He is a National Merit and George Washington scholar and has studied abroad and is learning how a strong science background will benefit his plans to pursue a career in medicine and health policy. Go to http://www.ag.iastate.edu to view his and other students' profiles. If you know of a student to highlight on the web page contact Barb McBreen at 4-0707 or barbmc@iastate.edu.
TRONCHETTI OFFERS CONVOCATION SPEECH
When CALS convocation speaker Lisa Tronchetti walked across the stage to receive her bachelor's degree in agricultural business, she was following in her parents' footsteps. Daniel and Susan Tronchetti each received the same degree more than 30 years ago. Tronchetti is one of about 500 who received bachelor's degrees in agriculture and life sciences from ISU this spring. Tronchetti's speech is available online: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/features/2011/Convocation_Speech/
NEW STUDY EXAMINES LOCAL IMPACT OF SMALL MEAT PROCESSORS
Investing in Iowa's small meat processing plants could have positive local impacts in rural communities, according to a new report by Dave Swenson, economics. More: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/newsreleases/2011/051311_swenson.html
UPDATED SOYBEAN FIELD GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE
ISU and the Iowa Soybean Association have released a collaborative publication, the "Soybean Field Guide," which is a revision and update of the popular "Soybean Disease and Pest Management Field Guide." Daren Mueller, plant pathology and one of the guide's authors, says the guidebook now features five sections on production, integrated pest management, diseases, insects and disorders. More: http://www.iasoybeans.com/whatnew/release/99
UPDATED PRAIRIE RESTORATION HANDBOOK NOW AVAILABLE
An updated version of a handbook for establishing and managing prairies on farmland is now available from the ISU Extension Online Store. Authors Meghann Jarchow and Matt Liebman, agronomy, conduct research on multi-year cropping systems. More: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/newsreleases/2011/051211_reprint.html
UNITED WAY FOOD DRIVE STARTS TODAY
The third annual United Way LIVE UNITED Food Drive starts today. United Way of Story County hopes to raise 10,000 pounds of food. In addition, Monsanto will donate $1 for every pound of food donated, up to $10,000. CALS will be collecting non-perishable items May 16-25 at the following collection points:
* 30 Curtiss Hall
* Curtiss Hall Rotunda, first floor
* 101 East Hall
* 2312 Food Sciences Building
* 260 Heady Hall
* 220 MacKay Hall
* 124 Science II
WEBINAR FOCUSES ON BIOREACTORS, MAY 18
The Iowa Learning Farms May webinar will feature Laura Christianson, a Ph.D. candidate in agricultural and biosystems engineering, who will talk about the benefits and challenges of bioreactors. The webinar is this Wednesday, May 18, at noon through Adobe Connect. More: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/news/webinarMay2011.htm
WEN RECEIVES BAILEY RESEARCH AWARD
Zhiyou Wen, food science and human nutrition, received the 2011 Bailey Research Career Development Award at the level of $150,000 over a three-year period. The goal of this award is to foster research that is innovative and, not only increases knowledge, but has practical applications.
UNDERGRADUATE IN DIETETICS RECEIVES ISA SCHOLARSHIP
Kelly Wagner, a junior in dietetics at ISU, has been awarded the Culinary Arts, Food and Nutrition or Foodservice Scholarship for $1,000 from the Iowa Soybean Association. More: http://www.iasoybeans.com/whatnew/release/98
UPDATES FROM THE RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION FARMS
* Agricultural Engineering and Agronomy Research Farm (Boone) "“ Forty-seventh consecutive year of research plot work has begun.
* Borlaug Learning Center (Nashua) "“ Since Jan. 1, 2011, there have been 1,165 visitors at the center.
* McNay Research and Demonstration Farm (Chariton) "“ Calving is almost complete. There have been 220 calves born from the purebred Angus cowherd.
DEADLINES AND REMINDERS
May 26: Patricia Murphy retirement reception, 3 to 6 p.m., Food Sciences Building Courtyard.
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EXTERNAL FUNDING
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NEW PROPOSAL SUBMISSION PROCEDURES FOR NSF
The National Science Foundation's Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences has revised procedures for submission and review of research proposals. The division is implementing an eight-month cycle for proposal submission to give the PIs of declined proposals additional time for revision. Deadlines for full proposals will be Sept. 6, 2011; May 21, 2012; and Jan. 28, 2013. The number of full proposals submitted per cycle by an investigator will be restricted to one proposal as a PI or co-PI. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2011/nsf11056/nsf11056.jsp
NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPOSALS TO NATONAL PORK BOARD
Proposals to the National Pork Board, including submissions for the 2011 Spring Call for Proposals, must include new information on the cover page. More: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/research/fundingResources/
FUNDING INFORMATION, OPPORTUNITIES AND DEADLINE REMINDERS
Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu
Additional information is posted at CALS Funding Resources, http://www.ag.iastate.edu/research/fundingResources/
June 7 (letter of intent): Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DOE EPSCoR) Implementation Grants; limited submission, $1 million to $2.5 million per year for three years. More: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=pn8GNRzJ3jhyxQcdMWTnhl...
June 10: APHIS National Clean Plant Network Request for Applications Grant; 10 awards, $15,000 to $1.25 million. More: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=91133
June 10: Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase I Solicitation FY-2011 (Release 2); universities as collaborators, $150,000. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503361&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39...
June 13: USAID Sustainable Landscapes Program (Brazil); one award, $5.5 million. More: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=93813
June 14 (preapplications): Dept. of Energy Terrestrial Ecosystem Science; 15 awards, $150,000 to $350,000. More: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=93053
June 15 and 30: USDA REAP Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grant, 30 awards, limit of $750,000 per entity. More: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=92633
June 22: USAID Improving Nutrition in Tanzania; one award, $35 million. More: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=93453
June 22: USDA-NIFA Methyl Bromide Transitions Grant; $500,000 for three years. More: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/methylbromideicgp.cfm
Aug. 1: Water Resources Competitive Grants Program; proposals must be submitted through an NIWR designated Water Resources Research Institute or Center. Contact James Newman, jknewman@iastate.edu, at the Iowa Water Center to discuss potential collaborative projects. More: http://water.usgs.gov/wrri/news.html
Aug. 12 (preproposals): NSF Informal Science Education; $150,000 to $3 million. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2011/nsf11546/nsf11546.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT....
Sept. 6: NSF Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences: Investigator-initiated research projects (MCB); 100 awards, one proposal per PI. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2011/nsf11545/nsf11545.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT....
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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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CONTENT VS. CONTENTS
* "Content" applies to the topic of a written or oral presentation (the lecture's content was offensive to some who were present).
* "Contents" usually denotes physical ingredients (the package's contents were easy to guess).
* If the usage suggests many items, material or nonmaterial, "contents" is correct (table of contents) (the investigative report's contents).
The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed., 2003.
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INFOGRAZING
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WEBINAR ON SUSTAINABILITY AND THE BIOMASS INDUSTRY, MAY 24
The American Council on Renewable Energy will present the online event, "Sustainability and the Biomass Industry: Integrating Renewable Energy, Land Use, Production and Management," on May 24, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is $30. Participants can join via telephone or webinar. More: http://info2.acore.org/index.php/email/emailWebview?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9w...
RACE CAR TO PROMOTE ISU BIOFUELS RESEARCH
ISU will sponsor a NASCAR K&N Pro Series racecar at the Iowa Speedway later this month to spread the word about the university's long history of developing biofuels. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2011/may/cyracecar
PLAN AHEAD TO REDUCE IMPACT OF NATURAL DISASTERS
Before natural disasters strike, families should develop emergency plans and create emergency supply kits, according to ISU Extension. More: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/plan-ahead-reduce-impact-natura...
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INTERNAL VOICES
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GRADUATE STUDENT ON THE ROLE OF BISON IN PRAIRIE RECONSTRUCTION
"Bison were important ecological players when it comes to seed dispersal, and we want to understand what role they can play in a functional prairie reconstruction. Can we heal the prairie without the bison, or do they play a key role?" Pete Eyheralde, graduate student in natural resource ecology and management, is part of an ISU study on how bison spread native plant seeds in their hair and manure. More: http://www.farm-news.com/page/content.detail/id/502138/Where-the-bison-r...
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MARGINALIA
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WHAT'S IN A $69 HOT DOG?
A New York City restaurant holds the Guinness record for the most expensive hot dog. The $69 frank starts with a pretzel roll bun toasted in white truffle butter then topped with an all-beef sausage grilled in white truffle oil and finished with duck foie gras, caramelized Vidalia onions, heirloom tomato ketchup and Dijon mustard. More: http://www.fb.org/blog2/blog1.php/2011/05/09/the-hot-dog-gets-a-makeover
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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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