AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter
Iowa State University
May 29, 2012 No. 702
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COLLEGE NEWS
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CALS CONNECTIONS TO AFRICA
In the first of a series on "CALS Across the Continents," learn more about students, faculty and programs focused on Africa, including the work of the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods. More: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/africa/
NANOPARTICLE OPENS WINDOW ON GENE-EDITING TECHNOLOGIES
ISU researchers, led by Kan Wang, agronomy, are using nanoparticles originally developed by the late Victor Lin to simultaneously deliver proteins and DNA into plant cells. The technology could allow more sophisticated and targeted editing of plant genomes, and that could help researchers develop crops that adapt to changing climates and resist pests. The discovery has been published online by the journal, Advanced Functional Materials. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2012/may/nanoparticles
MAGAZINE FEATURES PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN AGRONOMY
The cover story of the latest issue of Crops and Soils magazine features an alum who is working with the agronomy department on a program to give students experience to prepare them for careers. More: https://www.agronomy.org/files/publications/crops-and-soils/public-priva...
CELEBRATE BIG CREEK LAKE ON JUNE 2
Big Creek Lake, located near Polk city, was created in 1972 and this year celebrates its 40th birthday. A celebration of the lake, Big Creek State Park and the wildlife management area will be held Saturday, June 2, beginning at 10 a.m. near the beach. The celebration is open to the public and includes learning stations, the Conservation Station and a complimentary lunch provided by the Iowa Pork Producers Association and Iowa Learning Farms. More: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/celebrate-big-creek-lake-june-2
MICROBIOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY WEBINAR BEGINS JUNE 4
Sustainable agriculture professionals are invited to participate in an interactive micro-course that will look into specific details about each of the most common foodborne pathogens, the details behind some of the most publicized outbreaks, and a research-based explanation on why certain key hazards need to be the focus of good farm managers. This opportunity will be offered as a week-long food microorganism webinar series beginning June 4, along with an in-person follow-up session. More: Angela Shaw, food science and human nutrition, angelaml@iastate.edu, 4-0868; Andy Larson, agronomy, allarso1@iastate.edu, 4-5875.
ISU DAIRY FARM CELEBRATES DAIRY MONTH, JUNE 8
The ISU Dairy Farm will celebrate Dairy Month on June 8 from 6 to 11 a.m. The event is open to the public and will include tours of the barns from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. The discovery center for children will open at 7 a.m. Free samples of milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream will be available courtesy of Iowa's dairy processors. More: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/1018/
SCHULZ JOINS ISU AS LIVESTOCK ECONOMIST
Lee Schulz is ISU Extension and Outreach's new livestock economist. His appointment is 65 percent extension, 20 percent research and 15 percent teaching. More: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/new-agricultural-extension-econ...
KENEALY RETIREMENT RECEPTION, JUNE 26
A retirement reception for Doug Kenealy, animal science, will be held June 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Kildee Hall Atrium, with a program beginning at 2:30 p.m.
DEADLINES AND REMINDERS
June 28: Iowa Swine Day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., http://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/iowa-swine-day-returns-iowa-sta...
July 10: Deadline to register for the 2012 Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/registration-now-open-2012-laur...
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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NIH TO PILOT PROCEDURES FOR REVIEW OF PIS WITH MORE THAN $1.5 MILLION ANNUAL SUPPORT
National Institutes of Health Institute and Center Advisory Councils will discuss and pilot-test procedures for the additional review of grant and cooperative agreement applications from Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) who receive in excess of $1.5 million per year in total costs. The purpose of this review is to determine if additional funds should be provided to already well-supported investigators. Feedback from this pilot will help NIH refine policies for managing limited grant resources. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-12-110.html
FULLBRIGHT OPPORTUNITY IN AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION - MOSCOW
Applications are being accepted from U.S. faculty to serve as a Distinguished Chair in Agricultural and Technology Education in Moscow. Grant activity includes leading a one-semester seminar; teaching a one-month course in agricultural technology that rotates through three professors; and giving a series of lectures for the wider student body. The language for all activities is English. The U.S. faculty member will teach in his/her area of specialization, which could be any area of agricultural technology and education. More: http://catalog.cies.org/viewAward.aspx?n=3320
FAS SEEKS HOST UNIVERSITIES FOR BORLAUG FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The Foreign Agricultural Service is soliciting expressions of interest from U.S. universities willing to host English-speaking agricultural scientists from lower and middle-income countries in the area of agricultural science under the Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Program. Institutions interested in hosting a Borlaug Fellow should submit a 3-4 page proposal which includes institutional capabilities as well as proven research expertise and international experience of the mentor in the Fellow's field of interest, as supported by peer reviewed publications. Interested faculty should contact Denise Bjelland (bjelland@iastate.edu). More: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/research/fundingResources/node/125
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 1: Dendroecology and Age Structure Analysis of Whitebark and Limber Pines. More: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=171614
June 21 (notice of intent): NASA ROSES 2012: Remote Sensing of Water Quality. More: http://goo.gl/I5uU6
June 21 (concept paper): DOE Innovative Biosynthetic Pathways to Advanced Biofuels. More: https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/#FoaIde0c4ae28-f0fd-4478-977d-2c1130511fe3
July 9: USAID Climate, Nature and Communities in Guatemala; one award, $30 million. More: http://goo.gl/01q6P
July 30: U.S. Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan - Connecting Women and Markets; $10,000 to $1 million. More: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=172556
Aug 14 (preproposal): Advancing Informal STEM Learning. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12560/nsf12560.htm?WT.mc_ev=click
Sept. 12: Joint DMS/NIGMS Initiative to Support Research at the Interface of the Biological and Mathematical Sciences. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5300
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INFOGRAZING
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CARILLON CONCERT SERIES OPENS TODAY, MAY 29
The music department's summer carillon concert series returns to campus this year in its biennial rotation. Guest carillonneurs will visit campus, once a month, from May through August. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. on a Tuesday evening and are free. Tonight's carillonneur is Elizabeth Graves-Vitu, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Perpignan, southeast France. More: http://www.inside.iastate.edu/article/2012/05/24/concert
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MARGINALIA
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FOR CONSUMERS, TASTE COUNTS MORE THAN HEALTHFULNESS
Half of Americans say it's easier to do their taxes than it is to figure out how to eat healthfully, according to an annual survey conducted by an industry-supported nonprofit group and released on May 23. Taste trumps all, with 87 percent of people calling that the number one factor in their decisions about buying food and beverages. Price (73%), healthfulness (61%) and convenience (53%) followed. More: http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-he-food-survey-20120523,0,...
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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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