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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter
Iowa State University
Nov. 17, 2014 No. 825
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COLLEGE NEWS
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NEW COLLABORATION HELPS WITH COMPUTING-INTENSIVE RESEARCH
Biology IT is a collaboration between CALS and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to provide advanced information technology support to researchers in the biological sciences. One of its first projects, a high-performance server initiative, is saving researchers’ time, said Michael Hofmockel, director of Research IT for LAS. The server, administered by entomology department systems analyst John VanDyk, is being used to construct genomes for plants and animals. More: http://www.biology-it.iastate.edu
ENSMINGER SCHOOL IN LIMA, PERU, A SUCCESS
“Advancing Modern Animal Production” was the topic of the 2014 Ensminger School, held Nov. 5-7 in Lima, Peru. More than 230 attendees and 11 faculty spoke on genetic improvement, reproduction, animal welfare, nutrition and issues related to policy and technology transfer. Seven faculty were from ISU’s animal science department: Lance Baumgard, Nicholas Gabler, Dorian Garrick, Anna Johnson, Aileen Keating, Max Rothschild (international coordinator of the program) and Curtis Youngs. The Ensminger Program is an effort to improve and expand activities in international animal agriculture in the department of animal science and CALS at ISU.
MASINDE HONORED ON WOMEN IMPACTING ISU CALENDAR
The 2015 Women Impacting ISU calendar will be unveiled Jan. 14, at 3:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room. Dorothy Masinde, associate director and internship coordinator for nutrition education in the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods and lecturer in global resource systems, is one of 12 women honored on this year’s calendar. More: http://cattcenter.las.iastate.edu/voices-newsletter/center-announces-20…
STUDENTS HELP FIGHT HUNGER ON CAMPUS AND IN COMMUNITY
ISU students helped fight hunger on campus and in the Ames community during the first ISU Hunger Dialogue on Nov. 13. The event was part of the Outreach Inc., Hunger-Free Iowa Initiative. The purpose was to raise awareness about food insecurity in Iowa. The Food Science Club, Student Dietetics Association and SHOP partnered with Outreach to organize the event. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2014/11/12/hungerdialogue
RETHINKING POST-HARVEST TILLAGE
Mahdi Al-Kaisi, agronomy, is urging Iowa farmers to reconsider tilling their fields after harvest as part of a long-term approach to preserving soil health. Many of the perceived benefits of conventional tillage, like loosening up soil compaction, never materialize or aren’t worth the increased cost and effort, he said. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2014/11/13/notill2014
ART INSPIRES STUDENT NARRATIVES ABOUT ANIMAL SCIENCE
The Animal Science 207X class has created an art exhibit in the main hallway of Kildee Hall, running through Feb. 2015. Students researched an assigned piece of poultry art and created a narrative for their piece. Jodi Sterle, animal science, has taught the class at ISU for three years. In an article for the Nov. 13 issue of the Iowa State Daily, she said this is the first year for an exhibit. More
HORTICULTURE CLUB SELLING POINSETTIAS
The Horticulture Club will be selling poinsettias grown in the Horticulture Hall greenhouses on Dec. 3 at the Gerdin Business Building, Dec. 4 at the Memorial Union, Dec. 5 at Beardshear Hall and Dec. 6 at Reiman Gardens. Poinsettias may be preordered via email or fax. Funds raised will be used for club travel to competitions, conference and other events. More: http://www.horticultureclub.stuorg.iastate.edu/?page_id=12
HORTICULTURE STUDENTS PLANTING SPRING BULBS
Horticulture students, staff and faculty planted 1,400 bulbs on Nov. 13 on the west side of Curtiss Hall. The group planted 500 daffodils, 850 tulips and 50 red border lilies. More: https://www.cals.iastate.edu/features/2014/planting-spring-bulbs
SAVE THE DATE: 10TH ANNUAL STUPKA SYMPOSIUM
The 10th annual Stupka Symposium has been scheduled for April 10-11, 2015. The event is organized and run by undergraduate students in biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, and designed to encourage the interaction between students and faculty over research topics in biological and chemical sciences. The event was the inspiration of Rob Stupka, an undergraduate student majoring in biochemistry at ISU. Stupka lost his life in the fall of 2005, before he was able to see the result of his work. The symposium was dedicated to Rob and the annual event now bears his name in tribute. Registration opens Feb. 1.
RETIREMENT RECEPTION FOR DIANE BIRT, DEC. 11
After many years of service to the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Distinguished Professor Diane Birt is retiring. A reception will be held Dec. 11, 2-4 p.m. in the Memorial Union Campanile Room. A brief program will be held at 3 p.m.
PRODUCE WEBSITE BRINGS NEW DIMENSION TO HORT CLASS
A produce sales website connected to a horticulture course has attracted more than 50 campus buyers in its first four months. Maintained and updated weekly by students in the Horticulture Enterprise Management class, it is accessible to those with an ISU net ID. More: http://www.inside.iastate.edu/article/2014/11/13/produce
CALS SUPPORTS COMMUNITY SUPPER TO HONOR VETERANS
On Nov. 12, the Iowa State and Ames communities came together for the Second Annual Community Supper to honor veterans, military personnel and their families. The event was sponsored by the Veterans Center, ISUSVA and We Cypoort our Troops. CALS was a co-sponsor as well.
DEADLINES AND REMINDERS
Dec. 1: Deadline for orders of gourmet popcorn through the National Agri-Marketing Association student club.
Dec. 10: Science With Practice poster presentation and reception, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Kildee Atrium.
Dec. 12: Deadline for orders of Block and Bridle Club’s summer sausage and cheese, https://www.stuorg.iastate.edu/blockandbridleclub.
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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USAID REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON NEW PUBLIC-PRIVATE CLIMATE DATA PARTNERSHIP
The U.S. Agency for International Development is soliciting information from communities interested in developing and launching a new public-private partnership focused on connecting actionable climate science, data, tools, and training to decision-makers in developing countries. The new Partnership on Climate Data and Information on Resilient Development will seek to advance a global community of practice, address coverage gaps, develop actionable tools and services, build capacity by leveraging existing expertise and efforts in-country, and apply the knowledge and capabilities of partner organizations. Responses are due by Dec. 1. More: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=269577
2015 NIH – AMGEN SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The Amgen Foundation and NIH have announced the 2015 NIH-Amgen Scholars Program for undergraduate students. NIH-Amgen Scholars will spend the summer working with leading scientists devoted to biomedical research. Undergraduate students interested in PhD and combined degree programs in the sciences are eligible to apply. Applications are due Feb. 2. More: https://www.training.nih.gov/amgenscholars
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/
Dec. 10: NSF Smart and Connected Health Integrative Proposal; $170,000 to $370,000. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13543/nsf13543.pdf
Dec. 31 (pre-proposal): Dairy Research Institute Product or Nutrition - Supplemental Support.
Jan. 9: Dept. of Commerce - Accelerating Industry-Led Regional Partnerships for Talent Development; $500,000 to launch learning exchange. More: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=269568
Jan. 13: NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE: EHR); two tracks, $250,000 to $3 million. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsf14588/nsf14588.pdf
Jan. 15: Smithsonian - James Smithson Fellowship Program; no more than five years beyond receipt of doctorate degree, $4,000 plus housing for one month, grand challenges include understanding and sustaining a biodiverse planet. More: http://www.smithsonianofi.com/fellowship-opportunities/james-smithson-f…
Jan. 15: American Educational Research Association NSF NCES Research Grants; education policy and practice, $20,000 one year, $35,000 two years. More: http://www.aera.net/Default.aspx?TabID=10242
Jan. 15 (pre-proposal): Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative; $1 million to $7.5 million for research consortia. More: http://gulfresearchinitiative.org/gulf-mexico-research-initiative-annou…
Jan. 23 (letter of intent): NIH Non-Traditional Therapeutics that Limit Antibacterial Resistance (R21/R33). More: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=269575
Feb. 1: American Association for Laboratory Animal Science Grants for Laboratory Animal Science; must be AALAS member to apply, $7,500 small grant, $50,000 standard grant. More: https://www.aalas.org/glas#
Feb. 12: USAID Broad Agency Announcement - Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development Second Global Innovation Call; 10 to 20 awards, $500,000 to $2 million each, cost share required. More: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=269552
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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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IN DEFENSE OF PUBLIC WRITING
In an article for the Nov. 12 issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education, David Leonard, associate professor in the department of critical culture, gender and race studies at Washington State University at Pullman, argues that public writing is another form of teaching. “Essays written for a general audience often help to place scholarly research and break down boundaries between the two,” Leonard said. “Public writing is also a means to engage other scholars, especially those outside the academy.” More: https://chroniclevitae.com/news/797-in-defense-of-public-writing?cid=at…;
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INFOGRAZING
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NEW RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH TRAINING BEGINS NOV. 25
On Nov. 25, the current discipline-specific online Responsible Conduct of Research training courses will be replaced with a single course called the “RCR Basic Course.” This change applies to RCR training for research supported by the National Science Foundation or USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Anyone who has started completing the currently-offered RCR courses must finish by Nov. 24. If not, individuals will need to start over with the new RCR Basic Course. Contact Connie Regenold in the Office for Responsible Research with questions, cregenol@iastate.edu, 4-1516.
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE IN PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE FOCUS OF NEW TASK FORCE
The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges announced the creation of a Task Force on Antibiotic Resistance in Production Agriculture. The goal of the task force is to help advise the federal government on a research agenda and also help publicly disseminate information on the use of antibiotics in production agriculture. More: https://www.aplu.org/public-voice/2014-stories/11-november/antibiotic-r…
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INTERNAL VOICES
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SCHULTE MOORE: CONSERVATION PRACTICES AND PRODUCTION GOALS WORKING TOGETHER
ISU has released a documentary video that shows how conservation practices and production goals can work together. The Leopold Center has supported the project since it began in 2007—strategically integrating small sections of prairie into corn and soybean fields. In the Nov. 8 issue of The Des Moines Register, Lisa Schulte Moore, natural resource ecology and management, said, “We don’t need to put all of Iowa back into prairie, but if we can be really strategic and put a little bit of prairie on the right spots in the landscape, we can actually harness most of the benefits you would get associated with large patches of prairie.” More: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/agriculture/green-fields/2…
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MARGINALIA
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RESEARCH FARMS UPDATE: DOOR TO GROWING SEASON SLAMS SHUT
“The door to the 2014 growing season has certainly slammed shut this past week,” said Bernie Havlovic, superintendent of the Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm in southwest Iowa in a report to Mark Honeyman, coordinator of ISU Research Farms. “I went from wondering when we would get our first fall frost two weeks ago to 2.5 inches of snow, frozen ground and morning temperatures in the single digits today.” Most ISU farms reported completion of harvest and fall work late last week. Fieldwork that was not finished will have to wait for warmer weather. Ken Pecinovsky, superintendent at the Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm near Nashua, provided some perspective on the scope of harvesting research plots and why harvest takes so long. “We run the combine through more than 5,200 individual plots on 80-plus different studies,” he said.
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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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EDITOR
Julie Stewart
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/agonline
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