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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter
Iowa State University
Oct. 1, 2012 No. 720
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COLLEGE NEWS
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GDCB RESEARCHERS ADVANCE GENE-TARGETING TECHNIQUES
Jeffrey Essner and Ying Wang, genetics, development and cell biology, are helping advance new techniques that allow scientists to site-specifically mutate and edit the genes of living organisms. The two researchers, co-authors of a study published this week in the journal Nature, are making custom changes to the genome of live zebrafish. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2012/09/28/zebrafishnature
NSF ADDS THREE YEARS, $12 MILLION TO ISU-BASED CBiRC
The National Science Foundation has added $12 million and another three years of support to the NSF Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals based at Iowa State University. The continuing support brings federal investment in the center up to $30.5 million over eight years. The center's vision is to transform the industrial chemical industry from one based on petroleum to one based on biorenewable resources. Basil Nikolau, Frances M. Craig Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, is the center's deputy director. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2012/09/27/cbircrenewal
CALS LEFTOVER BOOK SALE ENDS OCT. 2
CALS Leftover Book Sale for United Way ends Oct. 2. There are books left from last week's sales, which raised more than $600. Leftover items are located in 111 Curtiss Hall and are being sold for a free will donation. Â Â
RETALLICK TO SPEAK IN AWARD-WINNING FACULTY SERIES, OCT. 3
Mike Retallick, agricultural education and studies, will be one of three speakers at the CELT Award-Winning Faculty Series event on Wednesday, Oct. 3 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in 2030 Morrill Hall. The 2011 ISU award winners for early achievement in teaching will lead a discussion of innovations, practices and tips that work in their classrooms. Sign up through AccessPlus>Employee>HRS Training>Courses. More: http://www.celt.iastate.edu/
CALS WEEK, OCT. 6-12
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council will celebrate CALS week beginning on Saturday. Schedule is as follows:
Saturday, 10 a.m. "“ ISU Block and Bridle Club Dog Show "“ Kildee Hall Pavilion
Saturday, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. "“ ISU Rodeo Club Cyclone Stampede "“ ISU Teaching Farms
Sunday, 1 p.m. "“ ISU Rodeo Club Cyclone Stampede "“ ISU Teaching Farms
Monday "“ Thursday, Barbecue Lunch on central campus 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Monday, 8 p.m. "“ CALS Week Kickoff Dance "“ Gateway Hotel
Tuesday, 6 p.m. "“ AgEi Entrepreneurs Roundtable "“ Campanile Room
Wednesday, 8 p.m. "“ Granger Smith concert "“ Zeke's
Thursday, 7 p.m. "“ Financial Planning Workshop "“ 142 Curtiss Hall
Friday, 8-10 a.m. "“ Breakfast "“ central campus
DONATE ITEMS FOR CALS UNITED WAY ONLINE AUCTION, OCT. 9
CALS is collecting items through Oct. 9 for the second annual United Way online auction. Contact Carla Persaud at cpersaud@iastate.edu or 4-1823 with a description of your items. The college-sponsored auction will run Oct. 10-17, with proceeds going to the 2012 ISU United Way Campaign.
FEEDING THE WORLD SEMINAR SERIES CONTINUES, OCT. 10
The second seminar in the "Feeding the World: Are We Making Progress" series will be Oct. 10, 12 to 1 p.m. in the Ensminger Room, 1204 Kildee Hall. Joyce Turk, senior livestock development manager for the United States Agency for International Development, will speak on the importance of livestock in food security of developing countries.
HILLEL TO PRESENT NORMAN BORLAUG LECTURE, OCT. 15
Daniel Hillel, the 2012 World Food Prize Laureate, will present the Norman Borlaug Lecture on Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Hillel, a research scientist at Columbia University's Earth Institute, was named the World Food Prize Laureate for developing and implementing micro-irrigation systems to deliver water more efficiently to crops in dry lands. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2012/09/27/borlauglecture
CALS JOB FAIR SET TO BREAK RECRUITER RECORD
CALS expects to hold its largest job fair Oct. 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lied Recreation Athletic Center. Mike Gaul, director of Career Services for the college, says close to 200 organizations will be in attendance, compared to 175 last year. Known as Ag Career Day, it is the largest agricultural job recruitment event in the country.
ROBERTSON FEATURED IN OCTOBER ISSUE OF FACETS
Alison Robertson, plant pathology and microbiology, is featured in the October issue of Facets, as one of four Ames women who love their "˜dirty' work. "Sometimes (working with farmers) means getting out into the fields, even if it is 105 degrees with 95 percent humidity. But I love that aspect of my job. I'd rather be walking a corn field than be sitting in my office."
ISU/UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN UPDATE
As of Sept 27, the college has raised $28,969, which is 46 percent of the goal of $62,500. Overall, ISU pledges and gifts total $166,719, which is 51 percent of the goal. Go to http://www.uw.iastate.edu/ for details. Reminder that envelopes should be turned in by Oct. 15.
ISU LIVESTOCK JUDGING TEAM TAKES OVERALL HONORS AT AKSARBEN
The ISU Livestock Judging Team captured High Team Overall honors at the Aksarben Stock Show and Rodeo, Sept. 27-30 in Omaha. The victory was highlighted by winning all four divisions of the contest (reasons, cattle, hogs and sheep) and placing five individuals in the top 10 overall (Tyler Stutsman, third; Troy Sloan, fourth; Harrison Frey, seventh; Hunter Shoemaker, eighth; and Colby Taber, ninth).Â
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR WORKSHOP FOR FACULTY AND PROFESSIONALS
Andy Riess, assistant director of outreach at the Council for International Exchange of Scholars, will offer a Core Fulbright Scholar Program Workshop for Faculty and Professionals on Oct. 19. Topics include an overview of teaching and research opportunities in more than 125 countries, advice on selecting countries and making contacts abroad, and tips on preparing an application. Time also has been allotted for individual discussions with Riess. There is no charge for the workshop, but space is limited. To reserve a seat, contact Ruth Caccia-Birch (rbirch@iastate.edu) by Oct. 17.
PRESIDENTIAL INITIATIVE FOR RESEARCH PURSUIT FUNDING
The Office of the President is soliciting white papers for competitive multi-year "pursuit funding" that will lead directly to the formation of new interdisciplinary research programs that have a transformational impact at the university and across the state and nation. Teams of researchers will be supported to prepare and submit proposals and bring to campus multiple large-scale and flagship research programs in strategic areas of scholarship and expertise. Teams will be granted pursuit funding over a three-year period. White papers must be submitted electronically as a PDF document by close of business Dec. 1. Invited proposals will be due Feb. 1, 2013. Contact: Tahira Hira, tkhira@iastate.edu, 4-7239.
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/
Oct. 4 (letter of intent): NSF Discovery Research K-12. More: http://goo.gl/kCmva
Dec. 6: National Endowment for the Humanities Collaborative Research Grants; $25,000 to $100,000 per year for up to three years. More: http://www.neh.gov/grants/research/collaborative-research-grants
Dec. 10: NSF Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP) "“ Type 2 proposals. More: http://goo.gl/r0BDu
Dec. 18: NSF Math and Science Partnership; 15 to 22 awards. More: http://goo.gl/8mpEc
Jan. 9 (preliminary proposal): NSF Division of Environmental Biology (core programs). More: http://goo.gl/uifer
Jan. 12 (preliminary proposal): NSF Division of Integrative Organismal Systems Core Programs. More: http://goo.gl/jK0lM
Jan. 23: NSF Interdisciplinary Behavioral and Social Science Research; 10 to 15 awards, $10 million total anticipated funding. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504832
Jan. 28: NSF Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences: Investigator-initiated research projects; 100 awards, $65 million total anticipated funding. http://goo.gl/39Wvd
Feb. 8: USDA NIFA Higher Education Challenge Grants Program; $30,000 to $750,000.
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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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ISU UPDATES NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
The Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance has revised the nondiscrimination statement that is required on university publications. Inclusion of the nondiscrimination statement is required by federal regulation and is designed to make clear to prospective applicants or participants the University's commitment to equal opportunity in employment and equal access to its programs and activities.
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INFOGRAZING
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2013 HEALTHY & HOMEMADE CALENDAR AVAILABLE
With its 2013 Healthy & Homemade calendar, ISU Extension and Outreach is working alongside Gov. Branstad's new Healthiest State Initiative to help Iowans live healthier. The calendar supports MyPlate messages from USDA about balancing calories and avoiding oversized portions and also includes preparation and storage tips. Each month, an illustration shows a complete menu and gives the MyPlate breakdown of proportions.
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INTERNAL VOICES
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WENDY WINTERSTEEN: AG INCLUDES BROAD RANGE OF DISCIPLINES
Women students comprise nearly 48 percent of ISU agriculture enrollment, a rising trends since the 1970s. Part of the appeal stems from the broad range of disciplines that agriculture offers, said CALS Dean Wendy Wintersteen, "from farm to table, from environment to entrepreneurship, from science to communication."
DAN OTTO: OUTDOORS IS BIG BUSINESS
The state's recreational offerings support 31,000 jobs and $717 million in personal income, according to Dan Otto, economics. The Nature Conservancy hired ISU to look into how the state benefits from the types of projects that would be financed by the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, should the Iowa Legislature approve a sales-tax increase to fill the account. "Budgets are fairly tight, so they haven't been able to expand the capacity," Otto said. "There are needs and opportunities to address."
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EXTERNAL VOICES
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AFTER COLLEGE GRADUATION, IT'S TIME TO PLOW, PLANT AND HARVEST
As the number of farms in the country increases, some college graduates are joining in the return to the land. Calvin Kyrkostas, 25, with a history degree from Oberlin College in Ohio, got into agriculture after working on a Missouri farm one summer in college. He said he became addicted to the feeling of accomplishment that came with seeing "“ and eating "“ the fruits of his labor after 15-hour workdays. "You don't get into farming for the money. You do it for the love of the game," said Kyrkostas. More: http://nyti.ms/SggYc0
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MARGINALIA
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FRANK MEYER, PLANT EXPLORER
Between 1905 and 1918, USDA plant explorer Frank Meyer made four expeditions to China and Central Asia in search of economically important plants for American agriculture and industry. He traveled some 10,000 miles, mostly on foot, and collected 2,500 specimens of fruits, nuts, vegetables and grains. A bibliography by Isabel Shipley Cunningham titled "Frank N. Meyer, plant hunter in Asia," was published by Iowa State University Press in 1984. More: http://specialcollections.nal.usda.gov/Meyer-Exhibit
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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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EDITOR
Julie Stewart
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/
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