College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Nov. 28, 2016 – No. 928
Top Stories
NAMA Student Chapter Selling Popcorn
The ISU National Agri-Marketing Association student chapter is accepting orders for its annual gourmet popcorn fundraiser. Six ounce bags are available in six different flavors for $4 a bag, or $11 for a three-bag combo pack. One quart sized tins are also available in the six different flavors. Orders are due today, Nov. 28. Funds raised will support travel to the national NAMA competition and the student chapter’s annual activities. Garrett Ley, agricultural business alum, makes and sells the popcorn through his new business venture, Farmer Jon’s Popcorn. More
Horticulture Club Selling Poinsettias
The Horticulture Club’s annual poinsettia sale will take place Wednesday, Nov. 30, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Curtiss Hall ground floor rotunda; Thursday, Dec. 1, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Beardshear Hall ground floor north counters; Friday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Memorial Union South Atrium; and Saturday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Reiman Gardens. The 2016 Poinsettia Catalog is available online. The poinsettias are grown by club members in the Horticulture Greenhouses. Funds raised will be used for covering club activities, contest expenses and student enrichment.
Forestry Club Selling Christmas Trees
The Forestry Club is holding its annual Christmas tree fundraiser at the Reiman Gardens parking lot. Trees will be for sale this weekend, Dec. 2-4, and Dec. 9-11. Hours are Fridays, 3 to 6 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sundays, 12 to 5 p.m. The club will have Fraser fir, balsam fir, and white and Scotch pine, as well as balsam fir wreaths. Proceeds go towards club activities and student development. More
Block and Bridle Club Selling Summer Sausage and Cheese
An online form is available for the Block and Bridle Club’s annual holiday summer sausage and cheese sale. The summer sausage is made on campus in the Meats Laboratory and the cheese (cheddar, Colby and pepper jack) is from a creamery in Minnesota. Place orders by Dec. 6 to reserve products for Christmas. Money raised will be used for club trips, and shows and scholarships hosted by the club. Contact isussandc@gmail.com with questions.
Research
Gene Mutation Linked to Early Onset of Parkinson’s Disease in Caucasians
A defect in a gene that produces dopamine in the brain appears to accelerate the onset of Parkinson’s disease, according to new research from Auriel Willette, assistant professor, and Joseph Webb, graduate research assistant, food science and human nutrition. The effect is particularly dramatic for young-to-middle-age adults. More
GDCB Scientist Receives Grant to Study Orphan Genes in Crop Species
Eve Syrkin Wurtele, genetics, development and cell biology, is leading an effort to study orphan genes in crop species. The research, supported by a National Science Foundation grant, could lead to breeding and engineering crop varieties that better meet the nutritional needs of humans and are more resistant to stress. More
CALS Scientists Explore Advantages of Horticultural Bioplastics
New bioplastic materials may offer gardeners a more sustainable alternative to petroleum-based pots and flats, according to research conducted by a team including William Graves and James Schrader, horticulture. Bioplastics come from renewable biological sources and large-scale adoption in the marketplace could ease dependence on fossil fuels, said Graves. More
Performance Livestock Analytics Relocates to ISU Research Park
Performance Livestock Analytics has established itself in the ISU Research Park as part of the Ag Startup Engine and ISU Startup Factory. Dustin Balsley, a graduate from Luther College, and Dane Kuper, a graduate in agricultural studies from ISU, relocated their corporate headquarters from Osage to Ames and will be using their relationship with the CALS Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative to find interns to contribute to their team. More
Teaching and Students
Online Giving Program Launched to Support Ag Communications Option
CALS students pursuing the agricultural communications option in the agricultural and life sciences education major have more than doubled in the past four years. To support university efforts, an online giving program has been launched through the ISU Foundation. The program seeks to raise $10,000 to contribute to scholarships, internships, professional development and student club activities. More
CALS Student Honored with Women of Innovation Award
Jennifer Chang, a doctorate student in genetics, development and cell biology, received the Collegian Innovation and Leadership award and a $2,500 scholarship at the Technology Association of Iowa’s 2016 Women of Innovation Awards. Chang developed a graph analysis and visualization software program that can be used to more easily understand complex data networks. More
CALS Student Receives All-American Livestock Judging Award
Shayne Wiese, senior in animal science, received an All-American Livestock Judging Award at the North American International Livestock Exposition on Nov. 15 in Louisville, Kentucky. The award recognizes students who have made a personal commitment to livestock judging and excelled in academic performance, university and industry activities and community service. Wiese was one of 11 honorees. Michael Cropp, one of the honorees from Kansas State University, will graduate in December and plans to attend graduate school in meat science at ISU. More
CALS Graduate Student Places Second in Three-Minute Thesis Competition
Taylor Wolfer, a graduate student in meat science, won second place in a three-minute thesis competition held Nov. 15. Wolfer presented her thesis on how to make healthier hot dogs using vegetable oils instead of animal fat. The competition was the first at Iowa State and was founded in 2008 at the University of Queensland. Up to 30 master's and doctoral students presented their research to non-experts. Each was limited to one slide and three minutes time. The first place winner, Sweta Roy-Carson, will represent Iowa State at the regional competition on April 7 in Indianapolis.
Landus Cooperative Names 15 Scholarship Winners
Landus Cooperative, in collaboration with ISU’s Department of Economics, recently awarded $1,000 scholarships to 15 freshmen majoring in agricultural business. The scholarships support students’ academic endeavors create an environment to build relationships with the company’s employees. Recipients are Madison Howard, Samuel McLaughlin, Blaine Gretter, Ryley Heffron, Jill Kessenich, Rachel Alexander, David Reis, Morrigan Miller, Emily Meierotto, Brant McKibben, Peyton Boyle, Garret Hemesath, Attylissa Bailey, Jackson Matthews and Holly Cook. More
New CALS Judging Coach Has His Dream Job
New livestock judging coach Chris Cassady said it’s a dream come true to be working in the animal science department at ISU. He began his new coaching position this fall, but his personal judging experience has been years in the making. More
Extension and Outreach
Program Evaluation Tool Developed for Local Foods Practitioners
A new tool developed by the ISU Extension and Outreach Local Foods Program can help local foods organizations know whether their projects and programs are accomplishing their goals. The Question Keeper survey database is available free for one year. More
New Reference Materials Show Staging, Growth and Development of Crops
Mark Licht, extension cropping systems agronomist, has produced new reference materials in response to farmer requests for quick information on the developmental stages of corn and soybeans. The publications are available through the Extension Store. More
Around the College
AAAS Honors ISU Researchers for Distinguished Work in Advancing Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is honoring six ISU researchers for their distinguished work in advancing science or its applications. Five of the new AAAS fellows have ties to CALS: Alicia Carriquiry, statistics; Xun Gu, genetics, development and cell biology; Stephen Howell, genetics, development and cell biology; Guru Rao, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology; and Steven Whitham, plant pathology and microbiology. More
Hogberg Honored for Leadership in Animal Agriculture
Maynard Hogberg, emeritus professor and former animal science department chair, was honored for his contributions to the nation’s livestock industry Nov. 13 when his portrait was added to the Saddle and Sirloin Gallery. The Saddle and Sirloin Club Portrait Collection is a 113-year-old tradition honoring leaders who have demonstrated lifetime achievements and provided outstanding service to animal agriculture. More
Shaw Featured as Change Agent
Angela Shaw, food science and human nutrition, is featured on the ISU News Service website as a change agent for her work in making U.S. fruit and vegetable production safer. Shaw leads the North Central Regional Center for Food Safety Training, a federally funded initiative launched earlier this year at Iowa State to provide guidance to fruit and vegetable growers on how to comply with new food safety regulations. More
Calendar
Nov. 28: AgEI @ Five
The Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative is hosting a faculty and staff open house today, Nov. 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Curtiss Hall’s Harl Commons. AgEI @ Five will showcase work being done through the initiative and provide an opportunity to network with AgEI staff and students. Brief comments will be made at 6:15 p.m.
Funding Opportunities
Egg Industry Center Pre-proposals Due Dec. 2
The Egg Industry Center has issued a request for pre-proposals for research that can add to the current body of knowledge on cage-free systems and management. Research areas of interest include behavior and welfare of hens, means to improve ventilation and indoor air quality, disease and parasite prevention, and environmental impact, among others. Pre-proposals related to other EIC research priorities also will be accepted. Pre-proposals are due by close of business on Dec. 2. Contact Lesa Vold (lvold@iastate.edu). More
Applications for Two ISU Internal Funding Opportunities Due Jan. 9
The ISU Office of the Vice President for Research has launched two new internal competitive funding programs. The Presidential Interdisciplinary Seed Grant Program will support new directions in early-stage research for up to $50,000 per year for two years. The Presidential Cost-sharing Research Instrumentation Fund will support up to $10,000 in cost share to help purchase new research instruments, expand existing equipment or develop new instrumentation. Tenure-eligible faculty, senior lecturers and senior clinicians are eligible to apply. Applications are due Jan. 9. More
ISU Brown Graduate Fellowship Applications Due Jan. 17
The Brown Graduate Fellowship Program provides assistance for current graduate students or for recruitment of new graduate students to strategically advance ISU research in science, agriculture and space science. Ph.D. students will be given preference, although exceptional master’s students will be considered. The award is limited to one application per graduate program. Awards up to $10,000 are available. Applications must be submitted by Jan. 17 to Sue Shipitalo (sueship@iastate.edu). More
2016-2017 Dannon Gut Microbiome, Yogurt and Probiotics Due Feb.15
The Dannon Company, Inc. will award grants of $25,000 each to current, full-time undergraduate, graduate or postdoctoral students. The successful candidate should have an interest in the field of the gut microbiome’s effect on human health and well-being, or in the nutritional and functional benefits of yogurt, fermented dairy products and probiotics on the body. Applications are due Feb. 15. Contact Lara Flanagan (lflanagan@pollock-pr.com). More
NIH Requests Information on Strategies for Data Management, Sharing, Citation
The National Institutes of Health seek public comments on data management and sharing strategies and priorities on what, when and how data should be managed and shared, and on setting standards for citing shared data and software. Responses are due Dec. 29. 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.
Dec. 12 (letter of intent): NOAA FY 2017 Joint Technology Transfer; convective scale modeling and water prediction, $300,000 per year for two years. More
Jan. 6 (requires prior letter of intent): Weeden Foundation; biodiversity focus, $20,000 average grant. More
Jan. 24: EPA Environmental Research Apprenticeship Program for College and University Students; $800,000 for three years, cooperative agreement with EPA for training opportunities for undergrad and graduate students on-site at Ground Water and Ecosystems Research Division facilities. More
Feb. 3: Department of State ISN-CTR Biosecurity Engagement Program FY17 NOFO; biosecurity, $500,000 preferred maximum budget. More
Feb. 10: EPA Anticipating the Environmental Impacts and Behavioral Drivers of Deep Decarbonization. More
Feb. 14 (pre-proposals): NSF Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science Design and Development Launch Pilots; $300,000 for two years. More
Feb. 15 (letter of intent): NIH Systems Biology: The Next Generation for Infectious Diseases (U19); $2 million per year for up to 5 years. More
Feb. 17: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenges Africa - Innovation Seed Grants; maternal and neonatal health and Africa R&D. More
Feb. 21: NSF Dimensions of Biodiversity; $2 million for five years, includes partnership opportunities with institutions in China and Brazil. More
Feb. 24: DOE Small-scale Microbial/Metagenome Program (white papers); awards of no-cost services. More
Apr. 17 (letter of intent): NIH Partnerships for the Development of Tools to Advance Therapeutic Discovery for Select Antimicrobial-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria (R01); $750,000 direct costs per year over five years, additional $300,000 first year for major equipment. More
Communications Kiosk
When to Use a Hyphen with Wise
Do not use a hyphen with wise when it means in the direction of or with regard to. For example: clockwise, lengthwise or otherwise. Avoid contrived combinations such as moneywise. The word penny-wise is spelled with a hyphen because it is a compound adjective in which wise means smart, not an application of the suffix -wise. (Associated Press Stylebook, 2015 edition, pg. 292)
Infograzing
Navigating Congress and Federal Agencies Workshops to be Held Nov. 30
The Office of the Vice President for Research is hosting two workshops on Nov. 30 on navigating Congress and federal agencies. How to Talk Science with the Federal Government will be held 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. in the Memorial Union Gallery Room. Speakers include a former NSF program director and a senior Congressional staffer and will focus on how to prepare different communication strategies for congressional and agency interactions. This will be followed up by Proposal Development Best Practices at 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Project LEA/RN Workshop Scheduled for Jan. 3-4
Project LEA/RN is hosting a workshop on Introduction to Learning-Centered Classes and Meetings on Jan. 3-4 in 2622 Lagomarcino Hall. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss learning and teaching theories and brain research. Enrollment is limited to the first 20 educators who register. Contact Jan Wiersema, janw@iastate.edu.
USDA Report Highlights Scientific Research, Development Breakthroughs
USDA released results of investments in scientific research including 222 new inventions, 94 patents awarded and 125 new patent applications filed in 2015. The USDA Annual Report on Technology Transfer includes new agriculture-related discoveries, inventions and processes made by USDA researchers, universities and small business with the potential for commercial application. 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.