College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Oct. 9, 2017
Top Stories
Cargill Continues to Invest in Global Resource Systems Program
Cargill announced a $600,000 donation to the CALS global resource systems program on Oct. 2, following a showcase of GRS summer internship posters. The global resource systems major was established in 2009 and has a unique focus on addressing world challenges through intense study and hands-on internship experiences. This contribution brings Cargill’s cumulative amount of donations to the GRS program to more than $1 million. More
Research
Prairie Strips Yield Big Environmental Benefits
The Prairie STRIPS project has found the strategic use of native prairie plants among agricultural fields yields a wide range of environmental benefits, including erosion and runoff reduction and increased wildlife habitat. The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, draw on 10 years of data and cover dozens of environmental metrics. Lisa Schulte Moore, natural resource ecology and management, is lead author of the paper. More
Fats and Oils May Help Unlock Nutritional Benefits of Vegetables
Some dressing with your greens may help you absorb more nutrients, according to a study by Wendy White, food science and human nutrition. The research found enhanced absorption of multiple fat-soluble vitamins in addition to beta-carotene and three other carotenoids. More
ISU Provides Live Video Stream for Midwest Big Data Hub Held Oct. 2-3
As part of the Midwest Big Data Innovation Hub’s 2017 All-Hands Meeting, ISU and CALS provided the technical support to stream live coverage of five meetings related to the event. The focus of the All-Hands Meeting, held in Omaha on Oct. 2-3, was “Data-Enabled Midwest Resilience.” The meeting brought together representatives from government, industry, academia and other organizations to share information on data science-related projects, collaborations, tools, practices, discoveries and applications. Sarah Nusser, ISU vice president for research, Joe Colletti, CALS senior associate dean, and Erin Mullinex, ISU director of data driven science, attended the meeting. The video stream from the events is available for day 1 and day 2. More
Center Stays Focused on Soybean Research
The Iowa Soybean Research Center in CALS is entering its fourth year and continues its work to bring farmers, industry representatives and university researchers together to improve the Iowa soybean industry. An overview of their research and activities to date was posted on Oct. 3 on the Iowa Soybean Association website.
ISU Scientists’ Perspectives on Antimicrobial Resistance
With an increasing number of news reports and publications on antimicrobial resistance, ISU faculty have developed a set of points to consider from the perspective of scientists, veterinarians and extension specialists, along with details on a new Iowa State-led initiative. Iowa State’s Antimicrobial Resistance Initiative was formed in 2015 to coordinate university-wide efforts to address the challenge of AMR. ISU is looking to develop a Midwest Consortium on Antimicrobial Resistance to promote the research, extension and outreach necessary to assure the public that food and health are protected.
Engineering Technology Used for Drug Testing on Roundworms
Jo Anne Powell-Coffman, chair of genetics, development and cell biology, provided insights about working with nematodes to a project where researchers demonstrate how an engineering technology used in cell studies can also be used for drug testing on parasitic roundworms used as a model whole organism. In this case, the technology quickly developed four drugs that were effective in paralyzing the roundworms. The discovery is reported in the journal Science Advances. One of the article’s lead authors is ISU’s Santosh Pandey, electrical and computer engineering. More
Teaching and Students
BBMB Scientist Named Director of Science Bound
Alexis Campbell, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, has been named the first full-time director of Science Bound, ISU’s premier pre-college program meant to empower Iowa students of color to pursue degrees and careers in STEM fields.
Women’s Leadership Workshop for CALS Graduate Students
The next session in the Women’s Leadership Workshop series for graduate students and post-docs across CALS is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 5:30 p.m. in 1306 Elings Hall. Carol Wozniak Rebhuhn will present “Professional Sustainability: Identifying your Character Strengths and Applying them in Novel Ways for Resiliency.” Please register and indicate if you would be interested in childcare. The workshop series is organized by faculty and graduate students in the department of agronomy, with funding from the department, the CALS Advance program and the vice president of diversity and inclusion.
Departmental Recruitment Events Scheduled for Evening Before Career Day
The college’s Agriculture and Life Sciences Career Day is scheduled for Oct 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lied Recreation Athletic Center. At least eight career-related preparation events on Oct. 16 will precede the career day. Mike Gaul, CALS career services director, said the events have grown in number in recent years. Meat your Future, Petfood Industry Night, Swine Night, Ag Business Pre-career Day Mixer, Food Science Club, AST Club, Horticulture Club and Agronomy Club have been scheduled. More
ISU Timbersports Team competes in Michigan
The Woodchuck Games were held at Michigan Technological University in Alberta Village outside Houghton on Sept. 30. The Iowa State team included 12 members who won the underhand chop contest, men and women’s log roll and the women’s double buck sawing event. A larger timber sports competition is held every spring and will be held at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in April. View a video of this fall’s event online.
Extension and Outreach
CCUR to Offer Better Process Control School
The Center for Crops Utilization Research will offer a Better Process Control School Nov. 13-16. The school certifies supervisors of thermal processing systems, acidification and container closer evaluation programs for low-acid and acidified foods in closed containers. The registration deadline is Oct. 15.
Manual Provides Instruction for Growing Produce in a High Tunnel
ISU Extension and Outreach has released a manual to help producers understand how to use a high tunnel. “Iowa High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production Manual” contains 17 chapters and discusses in-depth which crops should be grown in a high tunnel and what levels of production are needed for the crop to be profitable. Authors include Joe Hannan, commercial horticulture specialist; Linda Naeve, value added ag specialist; Lina Rodriguez-Salamanca and Laura Iles, Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic; Ajay Nair, commercial horticulture specialist; Craig Chase, local foods program manager; and Patrick O’Malley, horticulture specialist. More
Around the College
Rothschild Receives Award of Distinction from UC-Davis
Max Rothschild, animal science, received the Award of Distinction from the University of California Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at its annual college celebration on Oct. 6. Rothschild earned his bachelor’s degree in animal Science from UC Davis in 1974. More
Bessey Hall Addition Expands Student and Research Lab Space
New lab space in Bessey Hall is a benefit to students, faculty and staff in the departments of ecology, evolution and organismal biology, and genetics, development and cell biology. As Iowa State’s enrollment has grown more than 40 percent over the last 10 years, so has the need for biology and genetics lab space. More
Departments Plan Bake Sale to Support United Way Campaign
The departments of ecology, evolution and organismal biology and plant pathology and microbiology are holding a bake sale on Oct. 16, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the new atrium of the Bessey Hall addition, to support the United Way of Story County.
Calendar
Oct. 9, 12, 13: Ag Law Webinar Series
The Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation, in partnership with the Ag Law Section of the Iowa Bar, is offering three webinars this week. Today, Oct. 9, from 12 to 1 p.m., is Probate Meets the Farm – Preventing Problematic Proceedings. Thursday, Oct. 12, from 12 to 2 p.m., is Iowa Farm Leases – Legal and Tax Considerations. Friday, Oct. 13, from 12 to 2 p.m., is Iowa Rural Property Disputes – Legal Conflicts on the Plains. Registration is available online.
Oct. 12: Feeding the World Seminar Series
The Feeding the World seminar series will continue on Thursday, Oct. 12, 3:40 to 5 p.m. in 1204 Kildee Hall, Ensminger Room. Fabrice DeClerck, senior scientist with Agricultural Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services of Bioversity International (France), will present “Food System Transformations for Sustainability and Health.”
Oct. 12: Photojournalist to Speak at ISU
A Pulitzer-Prize winning photojournalist who has covered every major conflict and humanitarian crisis of the past 15 years will speak at ISU on Thursday, Oct. 12, at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Lynsey Addario will present “It’s What I Do.” CALS and the global resource systems program are co-sponsors of the event. More
Oct. 18: Cultural Competency Lunch and Learn Series
Breaking Bias is the topic of October’s Cultural Competency Lunch and Learn Series, scheduled for Oct. 18, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in 1951 Food Sciences, CCUR Theater. The focus of this workshop is to provide a safe space for students, faculty and staff to explore the concept of unconscious bias. Please RSVP to Theressa Cooper (tncooper@iastate.edu) by Oct. 16. Lunch will be provided.
Oct. 23-24: Critical Sensory Evaluation of Wines
The Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute is offering a two-evening workshop aimed at wine consumers who want to take their wine tasting skills to the next level. Registration is $50. Registration deadline is Oct. 17.
Oct. 24: Workshop on Diversity and Inclusion
CALS ADVANCE is co-sponsoring a workshop on diversity and inclusion by the Cornell Interactive Theatre Ensemble on Oct. 24 in the Memorial Union South Ballroom. Two sessions will be offered: 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. CITE scenarios are multidimensional, revealing the dynamics of diversity issues and the dynamics of human interaction around those issues. Registration deadline is Thursday, Oct. 12, or when program capacity is reached; there is no registration fee. Log in to Learn@ISU to register.
Research Development Announcements and Funding Opportunities
Workshop: Writing Winning Grant Proposals Scheduled for Nov. 8
The Office of the Vice President for Research will host the workshop, “Writing Winning Grant Proposals,” on Nov. 8 in the Memorial Union Sun Room from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Faculty, staff, post-docs and graduate students are welcome to attend. The $80 registration fee includes the workbook. The OVPR requires attendees to have the permission of their department chairs or other authorizing personnel before registering. CALS will reimburse departments for the registration fee for each new tenure-eligible and adjunct faculty whose tenure home/primary appointment is in CALS and who joined the college between fall semester 2015 and fall semester 2017. The OVPR requests that participants register by Oct. 20.
NSF Request for Information on Mid-Scale Research Infrastructure
The National Science Foundation has issued a Dear Colleague Letter Request for Information regarding existing and future needs for mid-scale research infrastructure projects from the U.S.-based NSF science and engineering community. This RFI focuses on projects with an anticipated NSF contribution of between $20 million and $100 million toward construction and/or acquisition. This range is of interest to help NSF anticipate the potential impact of lowering the Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction threshold and identifying promising projects that remain difficult to address within program budgets due to the large investment needed in a relatively short period of time. Responses are due by Dec. 8. 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.
Nov. 1: The Lawrence Foundation; $25,000, environmental, human services, other. More
Nov. 8: Gates Foundation Innovations for Integrated Diagnostics Systems (Round 20); $100,000, contact ISU Foundation (cfr@foundation.iastate.edu) to express interest. More
Dec. 1: Spencer Foundation Conference Grants for Advancing Education Research - Creating and Sustaining Equitable Educational Spaces; $50,000, contact ISU Foundation (cfr@foundation.iastate.edu) to express interest.
Dec. 8: NOAA Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program; supports M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in oceanography, marine biology, maritime archaeology and all other science, engineering, social science and resource management disciplines involving ocean and coastal areas, particularly for women and members of minority groups. More
Jan. 5: NIH Interactive Digital Media STEM Resources for Pre-College and Informal Science Education Audiences (SBIR and STTR); primary employment of the PD/PI must be with small business concern.
Jan. 12: AGA-Elsevier Gut Microbiome Pilot Research Award; $25,000, must be AGA member. More
Communications Kiosk
Subject-Verb Disagreement One of Five Common Grammatical Errors
Subject-verb disagreement is one of five common grammatical errors discussed in a recent MacMillan Dictionary blog post. For example, “Implementation of organizational checks and balances have improved.” Because of the plural nouns checks and balances, and their proximity to the verb, the writer didn’t notice that the grammatical subject is the singular noun implementation. So have should be has. More
Infograzing
ISU Finalist for APLU Award
ISU is one of five public research institutions that the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities named as finalists for its fifth annual Innovation and Economic Prosperity University Awards. The finalists are competing for four different awards that recognize different components of university economic engagement: talent, innovation, place and, the top prize in the competition, the economic engagement connections award. The winners will be announced on Nov. 12 at the association’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C. More
Global Research Team Fills Language Gap in Plant Science
To keep pace with the fast-evolving study of cellular plant science, an international team of researchers has created terminology and definitions likely to become everyday language in laboratories and university classrooms worldwide. In a current article published in the journal “Trends in Cell Biology,” the authors put forth a lexicon that identifies certain structures and processes associated with the last phase of cell division in plants, called cytokinesis. More
Call for Speakers for TEDxISU Event
The Student Activities Center at ISU will be hosting TEDxIowaStateUniversity on April 3, 2018. It is intended to help spread the ideas of students, educators, researchers and Ames community members. A call for speakers has been released. The deadline is Oct. 20. More
Marginalia
Artist Reception for Faces of Iowa State Exhibit Oct. 10 at Brunnier Museum
A reception celebrating Iowa artist Rose Frantzen and the 39 portraits included in the Faces of Iowa State exhibition will be held Tuesday, Oct. 10, 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Brunnier Art Museum, 295 Scheman Building. Portraits sponsored by CALS are: Grace Obata Amemiya, Marcia Borel, Joe Lyon, Paxton Williams and JaneAnn Stout. The Vice President for Research also sponsored a portrait of Stephanie Hansen in animal science. 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.
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