January 18, 2013
AMES, Iowa - The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University presented annual awards to faculty and staff at its spring semester convocation on Feb. 17. Award winners include:
Steven Lonergan, animal science professor, received the Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Award. Since 1998, he has taught more than 2,000 students. His leadership has resulted in the first curriculum in meat science that offers industry experience and opportunities for students to understand and impact global food policies.
Cathy Mabry McMullen, an adjunct assistant professor in natural resource ecology and management, received the Teaching by Lecturer and Adjunct Faculty Award. Since 2003, she's taught dendrology and developed new courses on prairies and forests. She emphasizes collaborative learning methods, which helps with skill building and student success.
Gary Munkvold, Seed Science Endowed Chair and a professor of plant pathology and microbiology, received the Distance Education Teaching Award. Since 2008, his leadership of the Seed Technology and Business graduate program and his teaching methods have earned him praise. One student described him as innovative, motivated and patient.
Josh Selsby, an assistant professor of animal science, received the Early Adviser Award. Since 2008, his leadership has helped students improve their performance and understand how their courses will serve them in the professional world.
Douglas Stokke, a senior lecturer in natural resource ecology and management, received the Outstanding Adviser Award. He has advised freshmen, sophomore and transfer students in forestry since 1999. He is a resource and advocate for students who appreciate his advice.
Aubrey Mendonca, an associate professor of food science and human nutrition, received the Faculty Award for Diversity Enhancement. For the past 10 years he has provided experiential learning opportunities to ethnically diverse pre-college students and encouraged them to pursue college degrees in science.
Michelle Soupir, an assistant professor in agricultural and biosystems engineering, received the Early Achievement in Research Award. Soupir's research is focused on improving water quality by investigating the occurrence of pathogens, nutrients and other contaminants in water systems. Since 2008, she has attracted more than $1.6 million in competitive grant funding.
Brian Steward, a professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, received the Mid-Career Achievement in Research Award. Steward is recognized as a pioneer in the dynamics of modeling, simulation and controls for agricultural vehicles. He is a researcher who uses science to solve real world problems. His collaborations and leadership have garnered close to $5 million in grant funding.
John Downing, a professor of ecology, evolution and organismal biology, received the Outstanding Achievement in Research Award. He is internationally recognized for his research on limnology and the global carbon cycle. As director of the ISU Limnology Laboratory, he has brought in more than $10 million to Iowa State. He is known throughout Iowa and the world for his expertise and outreach in support of water quality.
Mark Gleason, a professor in plant pathology and microbiology, received the Outstanding Achievement in International Agriculture Award. His commitment to international agriculture is evident in the number of students, farmers and researchers he has impacted. He regularly hosts international collaborators and has co-led a Costa Rica travel group for the past 13 years. He is a visionary who is committed to international programs.
Amani Elobeid, a scientist with the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, received the Professional and Scientific Research Award. She's recognized as a leading authority in world sugar and biofuel markets and has contributed significantly to the center's international trade policy reputation. She's also made significant contributions in generating research funds.
Emily Heaton, an assistant agronomy professor, received the Early Achievement in Extension and Outreach Award and the Raymond and Mary Baker Agronomic Excellence Award. Her work focuses on using perennial energy crops to address global climate change. She is the first agronomy faculty member hired specifically to work on biomass energy crops, such as giant miscanthus. The program, which is one of the first in the world, is increasing awareness of biomass crops in Iowa and beyond.
Kathleen Delate, an extension organic specialist and professor in horticulture and agronomy, received the Outstanding Achievement in Extension and Outreach Award. Delate was the first land-grant faculty member in organic agriculture in the nation and her program is internationally recognized. Her leadership and collaborations have helped Iowa become one of the leading organic producers.
Marshall Ruble, ISU Beef Teaching Farm manager and herdsmen, received the Professional and Scientific Excellence Award. For the past 33 years he has excelled in managing the beef-teaching herd and impacting the lives of students. His input has developed teaching farms that serve as tools faculty can use to help students excel.
Amanda Chipman, a research associate in animal science, received the Professional and Scientific Outstanding New Professional Award. She is considered a "rock" of dependability by staff and students at the Swine Nutrition Farm. She conducts experiments, oversees student projects and monitors swine nutrition research.
Janice Berhow, a secretary for the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management and Entomology, received the Merit Award for Achievement and Service. For 30 years Janice's hard work and attention to detail have supported the College's mission. Recently her work has helped combine the business functions of two departments.
The Residual Feed Intake group received the Team Award. This trans-disciplinary team has analyzed lines of pigs selected for high versus low feed efficiency for the past 13 years -- with the goal of increasing feed efficiency and reducing costs. During that time the team has completed 72 publications and abstracts, a book, attracted $8 million in external funds and helped 21 students complete graduate degrees.
Residual Feed Intake Team:
- Jack Dekkers, team leader and professor of animal breeding and genetics
- Lloyd Anderson, Emeritus Distinguished Professor in animal physiology
- Anna Butters-Johnson, associate professor in animal physiology
- Nick Gabler, assistant professor in animal nutrition
- Elisabeth Huff-Lonergan, professor in meat science
- Steven Lonergan, professor in meat science
- Dan Nettleton, Laurence H. Baker Endowed Chair in Biological Statistics and statistics professor
- John Patience, animal nutrition professor
- Max Rothschild, Distinguished Professor of animal breeding and genetics
- Chris Tuggle, professor of animal breeding and genetics
- Lauren Christian Swine Breeding farm staff
The Dean's Citation for Extraordinary Contributions was presented to the Science Assessment Team for the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. This team was brought together to assess and reduce nutrients flowing into Iowa waters and the Gulf of Mexico. It is a collaborative effort of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University. This work provides a research-based foundation to quantify the effectiveness of current practices for reducing nutrient losses from the landscape. The team demonstrated the need for continued research and innovation to address water quality needs of Iowa and the nation.
Team members include:
- Matt Helmers, associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering
- Tom Isenhart, associate professor of natural resource ecology and management
- Mike Castellano, assistant professor of agronomy
- Bill Crumpton, associate professor of ecology, evolution and organismal biology
- Rick Cruse, agronomy professor
- Mike Duffy, professor of economics
- Phil Gassman, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development scientist
- Antonio Mallarino, agronomy professor
- John Sawyer, agronomy professor
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On the Web: This and all other Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences news releases and related photos are available at http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/.
Steven Lonergan, animal science professor, received the Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Award. Since 1998, he has taught more than 2,000 students. His leadership has resulted in the first curriculum in meat science that offers industry experience and opportunities for students to understand and impact global food policies.
Cathy Mabry McMullen, an adjunct assistant professor in natural resource ecology and management, received the Teaching by Lecturer and Adjunct Faculty Award. Since 2003, she's taught dendrology and developed new courses on prairies and forests. She emphasizes collaborative learning methods, which helps with skill building and student success.
Gary Munkvold, Seed Science Endowed Chair and a professor of plant pathology and microbiology, received the Distance Education Teaching Award. Since 2008, his leadership of the Seed Technology and Business graduate program and his teaching methods have earned him praise. One student described him as innovative, motivated and patient.
Josh Selsby, an assistant professor of animal science, received the Early Adviser Award. Since 2008, his leadership has helped students improve their performance and understand how their courses will serve them in the professional world.
Douglas Stokke, a senior lecturer in natural resource ecology and management, received the Outstanding Adviser Award. He has advised freshmen, sophomore and transfer students in forestry since 1999. He is a resource and advocate for students who appreciate his advice.
Aubrey Mendonca, an associate professor of food science and human nutrition, received the Faculty Award for Diversity Enhancement. For the past 10 years he has provided experiential learning opportunities to ethnically diverse pre-college students and encouraged them to pursue college degrees in science.
Michelle Soupir, an assistant professor in agricultural and biosystems engineering, received the Early Achievement in Research Award. Soupir's research is focused on improving water quality by investigating the occurrence of pathogens, nutrients and other contaminants in water systems. Since 2008, she has attracted more than $1.6 million in competitive grant funding.
Brian Steward, a professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, received the Mid-Career Achievement in Research Award. Steward is recognized as a pioneer in the dynamics of modeling, simulation and controls for agricultural vehicles. He is a researcher who uses science to solve real world problems. His collaborations and leadership have garnered close to $5 million in grant funding.
John Downing, a professor of ecology, evolution and organismal biology, received the Outstanding Achievement in Research Award. He is internationally recognized for his research on limnology and the global carbon cycle. As director of the ISU Limnology Laboratory, he has brought in more than $10 million to Iowa State. He is known throughout Iowa and the world for his expertise and outreach in support of water quality.
Mark Gleason, a professor in plant pathology and microbiology, received the Outstanding Achievement in International Agriculture Award. His commitment to international agriculture is evident in the number of students, farmers and researchers he has impacted. He regularly hosts international collaborators and has co-led a Costa Rica travel group for the past 13 years. He is a visionary who is committed to international programs.
Amani Elobeid, a scientist with the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, received the Professional and Scientific Research Award. She's recognized as a leading authority in world sugar and biofuel markets and has contributed significantly to the center's international trade policy reputation. She's also made significant contributions in generating research funds.
Emily Heaton, an assistant agronomy professor, received the Early Achievement in Extension and Outreach Award and the Raymond and Mary Baker Agronomic Excellence Award. Her work focuses on using perennial energy crops to address global climate change. She is the first agronomy faculty member hired specifically to work on biomass energy crops, such as giant miscanthus. The program, which is one of the first in the world, is increasing awareness of biomass crops in Iowa and beyond.
Kathleen Delate, an extension organic specialist and professor in horticulture and agronomy, received the Outstanding Achievement in Extension and Outreach Award. Delate was the first land-grant faculty member in organic agriculture in the nation and her program is internationally recognized. Her leadership and collaborations have helped Iowa become one of the leading organic producers.
Marshall Ruble, ISU Beef Teaching Farm manager and herdsmen, received the Professional and Scientific Excellence Award. For the past 33 years he has excelled in managing the beef-teaching herd and impacting the lives of students. His input has developed teaching farms that serve as tools faculty can use to help students excel.
Amanda Chipman, a research associate in animal science, received the Professional and Scientific Outstanding New Professional Award. She is considered a "rock" of dependability by staff and students at the Swine Nutrition Farm. She conducts experiments, oversees student projects and monitors swine nutrition research.
Janice Berhow, a secretary for the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management and Entomology, received the Merit Award for Achievement and Service. For 30 years Janice's hard work and attention to detail have supported the College's mission. Recently her work has helped combine the business functions of two departments.
The Residual Feed Intake group received the Team Award. This trans-disciplinary team has analyzed lines of pigs selected for high versus low feed efficiency for the past 13 years -- with the goal of increasing feed efficiency and reducing costs. During that time the team has completed 72 publications and abstracts, a book, attracted $8 million in external funds and helped 21 students complete graduate degrees.
Residual Feed Intake Team:
- Jack Dekkers, team leader and professor of animal breeding and genetics
- Lloyd Anderson, Emeritus Distinguished Professor in animal physiology
- Anna Butters-Johnson, associate professor in animal physiology
- Nick Gabler, assistant professor in animal nutrition
- Elisabeth Huff-Lonergan, professor in meat science
- Steven Lonergan, professor in meat science
- Dan Nettleton, Laurence H. Baker Endowed Chair in Biological Statistics and statistics professor
- John Patience, animal nutrition professor
- Max Rothschild, Distinguished Professor of animal breeding and genetics
- Chris Tuggle, professor of animal breeding and genetics
- Lauren Christian Swine Breeding farm staff
The Dean's Citation for Extraordinary Contributions was presented to the Science Assessment Team for the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. This team was brought together to assess and reduce nutrients flowing into Iowa waters and the Gulf of Mexico. It is a collaborative effort of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University. This work provides a research-based foundation to quantify the effectiveness of current practices for reducing nutrient losses from the landscape. The team demonstrated the need for continued research and innovation to address water quality needs of Iowa and the nation.
Team members include:
- Matt Helmers, associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering
- Tom Isenhart, associate professor of natural resource ecology and management
- Mike Castellano, assistant professor of agronomy
- Bill Crumpton, associate professor of ecology, evolution and organismal biology
- Rick Cruse, agronomy professor
- Mike Duffy, professor of economics
- Phil Gassman, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development scientist
- Antonio Mallarino, agronomy professor
- John Sawyer, agronomy professor
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On the Web: This and all other Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences news releases and related photos are available at http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/.