Issue: 678

................................................... AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE ................................................... The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter Iowa State University Nov. 28, 2011 No. 678 ................................................... COLLEGE NEWS ................................................... CALS ACCEPTING PROPOSALS FOR SCIENCE AND SOCIETY COURSES CALS, in collaboration with the College Curriculum Committee, encourages faculty to prepare and submit 2-page proposals describing a course that integrates science and societal issues and is targeted for first- and second-year students. Five courses will receive development grants of $7,500 per three credit hours. Proposals for one and two credit hour courses will be considered for smaller grants. CALS faculty already teaching courses that address science and society issues in an integrated manner may apply for $3,000 grants to upgrade their course and/or to develop the course for online delivery. Funds need to be expended and course proposals prepared by Aug. 15, 2012. Email proposals to David Acker, dacker@iastate.edu, by Jan. 31. BURRAS RECEIVES USDA EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD Lee Burras, agronomy, received the annual USDA Food and Agricultural Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award on Nov. 13 in San Francisco. The award is based on teaching quality, philosophy and methodology; service to the profession and students; and professional growth and development.  CANDIDATES FOR LEOPOLD CENTER DIRECTOR VISIT CAMPUS The first of three candidates for the director's position of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture held a seminar this morning that was open to the public. Candidates will address their vision for the future of the Leopold Center and how their experiences contribute to the vision. Seminars are scheduled for: * A link to an archived version of the seminar by Abdullah Jaradat, USDA's North Central Soil Conservation Research Lab, will be available on the Leopold Center website * Thursday, Dec. 1, 2 p.m. -- Thanos Papanicolaou, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa. * Dec. 5, 2 p.m. -- Mark Rasmussen, U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine. RESEARCH: ALGAE BIOMASS INCREASED BY MORE THAN 50 PERCENT Martin Spalding, genetics, development and cell biology, is leading a team that has discovered a genetic method that can increase biomass in algae by 50 to 80 percent. The breakthrough comes from turning on certain genes in algae that increase the amount of photosynthesis in the plant, which leads to more biomass. This patent-pending technology is available for licensing from the ISU Research Foundation. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2011/nov/spaldingdario HORTICULTURE APP GIVES MOBILE FLOWER POWER A smart phone application that Cindy Haynes, horticulture, started as a classroom tool has now blossomed into a resource for master gardeners and home garden enthusiasts. The app, called "Mobile Educator: Flowers 101," helps gardeners identify more than 250 garden plants. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2011/nov/haynes MONSANTO ESTABLISHES SOYBEAN BREEDING FACULTY POSITION The Monsanto Company has pledged $500,000 over the next five years to establish the Monsanto Chair in Soybean Breeding in the CALS agronomy department. More: http://www.foundation.iastate.edu/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=12532&…; NEW WEB BANNER: HORTICULTURE STUDENT SHARES HIS GREEN VISION Winston Beck's horticulture obsession began as he paged through a seed catalog on a long road trip. Now the senior hopes to continue his journey into greener ventures. Go to http://www.ag.iastate.edu to read his profile and those of other students. If you know of students who have an interesting story to share, please email Barb McBreen at barbmc@iastate.edu or give her a call at 4-0707. NEW WELDING EQUIPMENT BENEFITS AG ED STUDENT TEACHERS New welding equipment, including a computer-assisted virtual welder, is allowing the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies to offer classes that haven't been available since 1992. The new welders are being used to teach students who are preparing for student teaching assignments in high school vocational agriculture programs. A video of Ryan Anderson, agricultural education and studies, and a student demonstrating the virtual welder is on the web. HORTICULTURE CLUB SELLING POINSETTIAS, NOV. 29-DEC. 3 The Horticulture Club will be selling poinsettias grown in the new Horticulture Hall greenhouses on Nov. 29, 4 to 6 p.m. in the greenhouse. The club will also sell in Curtiss Hall first floor on Nov. 30, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; in Beardshear Hall ground floor on Dec. 1, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; in the Memorial Union on Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and at Reiman Gardens on Dec. 3, 9 a.m. to noon. More: Trisha Nielsen, tnielsen@iastate.edu or Kellie Walters, kelliew@iastate.edu. SUMMER SAUSAGE AND CHEESE ORDERS DUE DEC. 2 The Block and Bridle Club is holding its annual holiday summer sausage and cheese sale. Orders are due Friday, Dec. 2. FORESTRY CLUB SELLS CHRISTMAS TREES, DEC. 2-DEC. 11 The Forestry Club will be selling Christmas trees in the Reiman Gardens parking area on Dec. 2-4 and Dec. 9-11. Hours are Fridays 3 to 8 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays 12 to 6 p.m. Balsam firs are $40 for a 6 to 7 foot tree or $45 for a 7 to 8 foot tree. Scotch and white pines are $25. Balsam fir wreaths will be sold for $15 (24" undecorated), $20 (24" decorated), $20 (30" undecorated) and $25 (30" decorated). More: Angela Stone, alstone@iastate.edu. CALS DIVERSITY COMMITTEE MEETING, DEC. 14 The next CALS Diversity Committee meeting will be held Dec. 14, noon to 1 p.m. in 142 Curtiss Hall. John Taylor from the Provost Office will speak on new initiatives to increase the diversity of faculty at ISU and the best faculty recruitment practices. He will also share the Diverse Faculty Search Flowchart developed by the search committee at the Provost Office. Lunch will be provided so RSVP by Dec. 9 to Carla Persaud, cpersaud@iastate.edu, 4-1823. SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARDS COORDINATOR MOVES TO SECOND FLOOR In preparation for renovation in the Deans' suite, Maureen Stohlmeyer, CALS Scholarship and Awards Coordinator, has moved to 223C Curtiss Hall. Her phone number and email address remain the same: 4-6614, mstohlme@iastate.edu. ISU/UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN UPDATE As of Nov. 18, CALS had raised $59,448, or 96 percent of its goal. Overall, ISU pledges and gifts total $314,334 or 98.23 percent of the university's goal. For gifts to count toward the campaign's production, they should be received no later than Dec. 1. For pledge forms you can go to www.uw.iastate.edu/. Questions, contact Carla Persaud at 4-1823 or cpersaud@iastate.edu. CALS FUNDRAISING EVENTS GARNER $3,154 FOR UNITED WAY College fundraising events for United Way raised $2,125 from the CALS Online Auction, $966 from three book sales and $62.80 from EEOB department's lunch/bake sale. Thank you to all who donated and purchased items, helped and promoted each event for this year's campaign. DEADLINES AND REMINDERS Nov. 30-Dec. 1: Integrated Crop Management Conference Dec. 9: Food Safety Modernization Act webinar, 1 p.m. ................................................... FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES ................................................... IMPACT OF NEW PATENT LAWS ON UNIVERSITIES, NOV. 29 ISURF will host a presentation on the impact of the new patent laws on universities on Tuesday, Nov. 29, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Memorial Union Gallery Room. Presenters are patent attorneys Mike Goldman and Tate Tischner, both with the law firm of LeClairRyan, Rochester, New York. Pizza and beverage will be provided. More: http://www.techtransfer.iastate.edu/   INTERNAL COMPETITION: NSF PARTNERSHIPS FOR INNOVATION PREPROPOSALS DUE DEC. 5 The National Science Foundation's Partnerships for Innovation program is an umbrella for two subprograms: Building Innovation Capacity and Accelerating Innovation Research. Lead academic institutions are limited to participation in only one BIC proposal. Interested PIs should submit a preproposal to Dorothy Pimlott (dpimlott@iastate.edu) by Dec. 5. DOE-USDA PLANT FEEDSTOCK GENOMICS FOR BIOENERGY JOINT RESEARCH FUNDING The U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Agriculture are soliciting preproposals for genomics-based research that will lead to the improved use of biomass and plant feedstocks for the production of fuels such as ethanol or renewable chemical feedstocks. Projects will involve fundamental research on plants to improve biomass characteristics, biomass yield or sustainability. Systems biology approaches to identify genetic indicators enabling plants to be efficiently bred or manipulated, or research to predict phenotype from underlying genotype that could lead to improved feedstock characterization and sustainability are also encouraged. Annual budgets are expected to range from $200,000 to $500,000 for up to three years. Pre-applications are due Dec. 16, 2011. 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/ Accepted anytime: NSF Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry. More: http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504699 Dec. 1 (letter of intent): USDA Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grants Program. Dec. 5: Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Rivers CESU, with the parthenogenetic mayfly Centroptilum triangulifer; one award, $64,203. Dec. 14: NSF Software Infrastructure for Sustained Innovation (SI2). More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503489&WT.mc_ev=click Dec. 15: NSF Cyberlearning: Transforming Education (Exploration Projects). More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503581&WT.mc_ev=click Dec. 16 (pre-application): DOE-USDA Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy: Joint Research Funding Opportunity. Dec. 23 (letter of intent): NIH Application of Genomic Advances to Wound Repair. More: (R01) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NR-12-002.html and (R21) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NR-12-003.html Dec. 31 (letter of intent): Technology Development to Enable Large Scale Metabolomics Analyses (R01). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-11-019.html Jan 2 (letter of intent): Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers Program. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12516/nsf12516.htm Jan. 23: Urban Waters Small Grants. Jan. 31, April 30: DOE Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Short- and Long-Term Fellowships, Wiley Visiting Scientist Program (biological, chemical and environmental sciences). Feb. 5 and 16: Validation of Molecular Diagnostics to Predict Patient Outcomes Using Specimens from Multi-Site Cancer Trials (R01). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-12-013.html Feb. 5: Practical Interventions to Improve Medication Adherence in Primary Care. More: (R01) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-12-022.html and (R21) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-12-023.html Feb. 12: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01). More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-12-020.html ................................................... COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK ................................................... ACCORD vs. ACCORDANCE "Accord" means agreement (we are in accord on the treaty's meaning). "Accordance" means conformity (the book was printed in accordance with modern industry standards). The Chicago Manual of Style, 16th ed., 2010 ................................................... INFOGRAZING ................................................... PROPOSALS FOR GRADUATE COLLEGE RECRUIT GRANTS DUE DEC. 1 The Graduate College is starting a new grant program to increase efforts at the departmental, unit or interdisciplinary program level to recruit underrepresented graduate students (African American, Hispanic or Native American in most fields, or men or women in some disciplines.) Proposals are due by Dec. 1. More: http://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/diversity/faculty/recruit_grants.php EXTENSION NOW OFFERS E-BOOKS AND DIGITAL DOWNLOADS The ISU Extension and Outreach Online Store is now offering publications in electronic versions. "Corn Growth and Development," a recently released update to the well-known "How a Corn Plant Develops" publication, is the first to be offered in an e-book format. The publication is available in ePub (for iPhone and iPad devices) and Kindle (for Amazon devices) formats. More: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/online-store-now-offers-e-book… ................................................... INTERNAL VOICES ................................................... EDELMAN ON THE FUTURE OF RURAL IOWA "We're going to have to have people managing and creating enterprises in rural America regardless of how the population goes at some point. That's where we get all our food; that's where we're increasingly receiving our energy." Mark Edelman, economics, and director of the ISU Community Vitality Center, on the future of rural Iowa amidst rural-to-urban migration. ................................................... MARGINALIA ................................................... WENDEL COMPLETES 50 STATES MARATHON CLUB Jonathan Wendel, ecology, evolution and organismal biology, and his wife, Kathleen Foster-Wendel, a pediatrician at McFarland Clinic, completed the 50 States Marathon Club after competing in the White River Marathon in Cotter, Ark., on Nov. 19. They started their quest in 1997. ........................................................ 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." Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IowaStateU.AgLifeSciences Twitter: http://twitter.com/iastate_cals Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity and Compliance, 3280 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.