College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Feb. 29, 2016 – No. 890
Top Stories
New Research Tool Provides Water Quality Education
ISU Extension and Outreach has launched “Managing the N Factor,” a web-based tool that highlights practices to improve the quality of water throughout the state. “The new online tool provides access to the science-based research that is being conducted both on campus and in the field, helping to educate all Iowans on what can be done to protect our natural resources,” said John Lawrence, associate dean for extension and outreach in CALS and director of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “Managing the N Factor,” which was first featured in the fall 2015 issue of CALS STORIES magazine, also highlights new research being done by university scientists, discusses nutrient management, and provides videos and publications to further inform stakeholders about practices that minimize nitrate loss.
Research
CALS Research Minute: Jim Adelman on Bird Feeders and Disease Transmission
To understand disease transmission among birds, Jim Adelman, natural resource ecology and management, studies the role of bird feeders in spreading an eye infection similar to pink eye in humans. His discoveries will help reduce the spread of the disease and provide insights into how pathogens are shared across species, even in our own backyards. Watch the CALS Research Minute video.
Teaching and Students
CALS Student to Serve on the Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Mikayla Sullivan, a senior in global resource systems, is one of 14 students from land-grant and research universities selected to serve on the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. The students are seniors or graduate students who plan to pursue a career in agriculture, development or the food sector. Sullivan is a CEO and cofounder of KinoSol, an ag-tech startup, specializing in solar food dehydrators for subsistence farmers in developing countries. Megan Schnell, a senior in biological systems engineering, was also selected from ISU. Sullivan also was featured in the summer issue of STORIES magazine.
Summer Jobs for Students at ISU Research and Demonstration Farms
Student summer jobs are available at ISU Research and Demonstration Farms across Iowa. Students are guaranteed 40 hours per week. Send a resume to Sally Medford, smedford@iastate.edu.
Polito on Student Recruitment and Placement
An article in the Feb. 25 issue of Iowa Farmer Today features a senior at Sidney High School that will be attending ISU in the fall, majoring in animal science. Tom Polito, director of CALS Student Services, told Iowa Farmer Today that the college has increased its recruitment efforts. “What we do here is really in sync with what young people are interested in, and we’re getting that message out to them.” He adds that despite record enrollment, placement figures have held steady at just under 97 percent in ISU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “The ag industry wants our graduates,” he said.
Extension and Outreach
Helping Organizations Measure Local Food Coalition Development
ISU Extension and Outreach Local Foods team has created a series of four publications to help organizations measure their coalition development efforts. Each publication focuses on a different stage of coalition development from initiation to maturity.
New Software Developed to Monitor Sheep Feedlots
ISU’s Iowa Beef Center has developed software to help sheep feedlot managers with detailed monitoring of animal performance and business transactions. The ISU Sheep Feedlot Monitor Software was developed by Garland Dahlke, assistant scientist with the Iowa Beef Center.
Around the College
Faculty Focus: Keven Schalinske
Kevin Schalinske, a University Professor in food science and human nutrition, is researching ways to prevent birth defects and cancer. The College of Human Sciences produced a video highlighting Schalinske’s work. More
Calendar
March 4: Registration Deadline for Spring FSHN Day
High school students interested in a career in food science and human nutrition are invited to Spring FSHN Day on March 11. The program will help prospective students and their family members explore majors and career opportunities in culinary science, diet and exercise, dietetics, food science and nutritional science. There is no fee, but space is limited. Registration will be open through March 4 or until the event fills.
March 9: Artwalk of The Dean’s Gallery
An ArtWalk of The Dean’s Gallery in Agriculture and Life Sciences is scheduled for March 9 at 12 p.m. The tour will showcase the striking pastels of the four seasons by Ellen Wagener as well as the newly commissioned painting of George Washington Carver and Henry A. Wallace by Rose Frantzen. Meet at the north entry to the Dean’s Gallery of the first floor of Curtiss Hall.
Funding Opportunities
Internal Competition: Data-Driven Science Seed Funding, Due Mar. 21
The Presidential Initiative for Interdisciplinary Research in Data Driven Science is launching a new round of internal funding to develop cross-college research teams that pursue external research grants in Big Data. Three awards of up to $300,000 each are anticipated. White papers are due Mar. 21.
NCR-SARE Professional Development Program, Due April 6
The USDA’s North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program invites proposals for the Professional Development Program. The program is designed for educators who are knowledgeable in the concepts of sustainable agriculture and who partner with farmers, ranchers and others on developing programs and activities that enhance the sustainability of communities and the food and agricultural system. Awards range from $30,000 to $75,000. Proposals are due Apr. 6.
NASA Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences
NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System has released the research announcement for Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2016. The ROSES program contains more than 50 different proposal opportunities with individual deadlines. More
Funding Information, Opportunities and Deadline Reminders
Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu. Additional information is posted at CALS Pre-Award Resources.
Rolling basis beginning April 20: NIH Rapid Assessment of Zika Virus Complications (R21); $275,000. More
Mar. 1 (expression of interest): NSF Inclusion Across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science; $300,000, one proposal per organization, contact fundingopps@iastate.edu with interest. More
Mar. 3 (expression of interest): National Library of Medicine Institutional Training Grants for Research Training in Biomedical Informatics and Data Science (T15); one application per institution, contact fundingopps@iastate.edu with interest. More
Apr. 1 (notice of intent): NASA NSPIRES ROSES Carbon Cycle Science. More
Apr. 1 (expression of interest): Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation Beckman Scholars Program; $156,000, one application per institution, contact fundingopps@iastate.edu with interest.
Apr. 21: EPA Integrating Human Health and Well-Being with Ecosystem Services; $400,000 to $600,000. More
Apr. 22: USDA Higher Educational Challenge Grants; $30,000 to $750,000, 25 percent match. More
Apr. 28: National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowships for Advanced Social Science Research on Japan. More
May 20: Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Division of Soil Conservation and Water Quality Research and Demonstration Grant; $50,000. More
June 1 (pre-proposal): Environmental Research & Education Foundation - Research in Sustainable Solid Waste Management; $15,000 to $500,000.
June 5: NIH Modeling of Infectious Disease Agent Study Research Projects (R01). More
Communications Kiosk
Spell Out “Versus” in Ordinary Writing
In ordinary speech and writing, spell out “versus.” For example: “The proposal to revamp Medicare versus proposals to reform Medicare and Medicaid at the same time…” In short expressions, however, the abbreviation “vs.” is permitted. “The issue of guns vs. butter has long been with us.” For court cases, use “v.” “Marbury v. Madison.” (Associated Press Stylebook, 2015 edition, pg. 279)
Infograzing
Early Career Foundation Research Awards
The Office of the Vice President for Research and the Iowa State University Foundation are sponsoring a seminar on early career foundation research awards on March 7, 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union South Ballroom. The seminar will feature current and previous recipients of foundation awards as well as a representative from the ISU Foundation. Attendees will get tips and information on how to apply for and manage foundation awards, and will hear about others’ experiences during and after the application process. Registration is available online. Contact Amy Harris-Tehan with questions (ajotehan@iastate.edu, 4-7540).
Fulbright Award Competition Now Open
The Core Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program is now accepting award applications for the 2017-2018 academic year. The program offers teaching, research and combination awards in more than 125 countries. Higher education faculty and administrators are encouraged to apply. The deadline for most awards in Aug. 1. More
Marginalia
IMAX Documentary on America’s National Parks Released this Month
In 2016, America marks the 100th birthday of the National Park Service. The story of how the parks were born, why the world flocks to them and their never-ending power and mystery is explored in “National Parks Adventure,” a MacGillivray Freeman Film narrated by Robert Redford. More
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/agonline
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online, the newsletter for faculty and staff in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is published by email every Monday. The deadline for submitting content is 12 p.m. on Friday.