BATTLING PESTS WHILE PROTECTING BENEFICIAL BUGS

By Ed Adcock

Entomologist Bryony Bonning has devoted her life’s work to developing alternative methods for pest control, like developing pest resistant transgenic plants or infecting pests with viruses.

Entomologist Bryony Bonning finds the range of insects stunning. “They span the complete range. You’ve got the repulsive ones and the beautiful ones, the useful ones and the pests,” she says.

Classical chemical insecticides are widely used for insect pest management, but a downside to this, Bonning says, is that they kill both the pests and the beneficial insects. That’s why she has devoted her work to developing alternative methods for pest control, like developing transgenic plants that are pest resistant, or infecting pests with viruses. She discovered her passion for biology at her family’s farm in the English countryside. She spent summer holidays fishing, catching insects and bird-watching at the farm in Derbyshire and credits her grandfather for influencing her interest and knowledge in nature. She earned her undergraduate degree in zoology at Durham University and was inspired by John H. Anstee to specialize in entomology.

It didn’t hurt that entomology is one sub-discipline of zoology that offers plenty of employment opportunities. “There is an ongoing need for entomologists. It’s good to know that as we train students,” Bonning says.

She was drawn to Iowa State in 1994, shortly after completing her doctoral degree from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine at the University of London. Much of her work is basic research, which she says “brings discoveries that make science exciting.” But her ultimate goal is applying the findings. The combined economic losses associated with insect pest damage and human health consequences associated with insect-vectored disease are astronomical.

She is currently working on two approaches to develop transgenic plants that resist aphid attack. One involves plants that produce toxins derived from the bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, also known as Bt, that have been modi- fied to bind better to the aphid gut. In collaboration with W. Allen Miller (see page 7), plant pathology and microbiology, Bonning is working on another approach to deliver a neurotoxin by fusing it to a protein from the coating of a plant virus the aphids carry.

“If I’m able to retire and have some- thing that we developed actually used in the field, that would be the icing on the cake,” she says.

To that end, she is involved in a proposed collaboration with the world’s largest agricultural and insect pest control companies to discuss new research for managing pests, and to better align research conducted within academe with the needs of industry for practical solutions.

Bonning is working on a proposal with colleagues at the University of Kentucky that would create a center with industry members to streamline the development of insect pest management tools. Depending on the interest of companies to partici- pate and the  outcome of the proposal, the Center for Arthropod Management Technologies could start in the fall of 2013.

“The motivation behind this center is to collaborate with industry, so we can work together toward more effective pest management solutions for agricultural, structural and public health pests,” she says.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE ONE CORNER OF THE WORLD AT A TIME

Nancy Brannaman conducts an impromptu photo shoot with local villagers in Azerbaijan. Intrigued by her camera, family after family approached her asking for portraits from her Polaroid. She and her husband John didn’t leave until each person had a copy of their own. This photo is among their favorite memories of their service abroad.

By Melea Reicks Licht

As a foreign service officer for the U.S. Department of State, Nancy (Barickman) Brannaman has experienced several moments during her career that have driven home the importance of her work.

One such moment came in September when the U.S. Consulate in Libya was attacked.

“I was anguished for all of the families of Americans and Libyan staff who worked in the Consulate. What a tragic loss of innocent lives,” she says. “This event illuminates the dangers that can exist for diplomats overseas. ”

Another was 9/11. Brannaman was conducting visa interviews in Ukraine ensuring those requesting to enter the United States were who they claimed to be.

“That historic event drove home the importance of keeping the U.S. safe through qualified access like visas, and striking a balance so that business people, students and visitors may travel to the U.S.,” she says.

Brannaman (’83 agricultural business and farm operations, MS ’85 agricultural economics), has been stationed in Islamic countries for the majority of her 12-year service. She says she felt welcomed and appreciated at each of her posts.

Motivated by a desire to help others, Brannaman and her husband John (’78 animal science, MS ’82), an officer with the U.S. Agency for International Development, find their work gratifying.

“When we visit places we worked 10 years ago and see the improvements made in the area thanks to our effort—that is what it is all about,” says John. “And you can’t deny the sense of adventure.”

John works in Food for Peace providing food aid to refugees in developing nations.

Nancy manages operations, finance and human resources in embassies and finances in the State Department in Washington, D.C.

“In management we want to make sure the rest of the diplomats at our embassy aren’t distracted by the little details and can focus on their jobs,” she says. “I help them find ways to stretch tight budgets, or accomplish special projects. For me, finance is all about helping people meet their goals.”

The two have been fortunate to be placed together since she signed up with the State Department. Their first post was Ukraine in 2000. Following Ukraine, they landed in Baku, Azerbaijan; then Tashkent, Uzbekistan; then Tirana, Albania.

State Department postings last, at most, three years before requiring personnel to move to another assignment, including jobs stateside. Currently, Nancy is a financial management officer for the International Cooperative Administrative Support Service in Washington, D.C.

Thanks to rigorous language training at the Foreign Service Institute in Arlington, Va., Nancy speaks Russian and Albanian proficiently. She says her ability to communicate with local embassy employees is essential to making connections and developing an esprit de corps.

Traveling and experiencing the culture and countryside of their host nations has been the biggest perk of working abroad, Brannaman says.

“Azerbaijan was especially enjoyable. I loved the culture, the friendly, hospitable people and the food,” she says. “I traveled freely throughout the country exploring Christian ruins, monasteries and mosques.”

Prior to working with the State Department Nancy worked with John on agricultural development projects for the State of Iowa and Land O’ Lakes Inc. in rural Ukraine and Russia for three years following the break-up of the Soviet Union. She first  gained experience living abroad as an exchange student in her teens. In total, Nancy has worked in or visited more than 25 countries.

While traveling the globe Nancy, a third-generation Iowa Stater, has kept her alma mater close to heart.

She has fond memories of her time on campus, including meeting her husband while both were enrolled in macroeconomics.

After graduation, Nancy worked for Iowa State University Extension as an area management specialist. She and economics professor William Edwards traveled the

state with 40-pound “portable” computers to perform financial analysis and scenario planning with farmers in the 1980s.

“We would set up our machines on their kitchen tables,” she recalls. “For many we were trying to find ways to save the family farm.”

Nancy is a recipient of Iowa State University’s Outstanding Young Alumna Award, Outstanding Agribusiness Alumna Award and an ISU Extension New Professional Award. She is a member of Cardinal Key and received the William G. Murray Award for outstanding Senior in Agricultural Business.

Ron Dieter, economics professor, uses her as an example when talking to prospective students.

“Nancy went from farm management to Amana Appliances to a career in foreign service,” he says. “She shows students a degree in agricultural business provides skills that are transferable. With an education like hers you can work anywhere.”

Nancy was a guest lecturer in one of Dieter’s classes this fall. She and John returned to campus to share their experiences with several classes and encourage students to consider a “richly rewarding” career in foreign service.

“Working with citizens of the host country and speaking their language we learn their history, traditions and perspectives while we progress U.S. foreign policy,” she says. “We also put a human face on American values and ideals.”

FOR BUCHELE, CREATIVITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION

Wes Buchele (left) is well known for developing and patenting the first large round baler in 1966 with graduate student Virgil Haverdink.

By Barbara McBreen

At 92 Wesley Buchele continues to creatively solve problems. Along with his 23 patents, he has a website, a YouTube video, a radio blog and in 2008 co-authored a book about his childhood with his twin brother.

The book, Just Call Us Lucky, describes how a widowed mother with seven boys survived droughts, grasshopper infestations, dust storms and the Great Depression on a Kansas farm.

To survive, the seven brothers worked on and off the farm to feed the family and pay the mortgage. That’s how Buchele (PhD ’54 ag engineering and soil physics), got the idea for the large round baler.

“I was on a baling crew when I was 16 and it was 115 degrees in the shade, but there was no shade,” Buchele says. “I made an oath to myself that I would eliminate those small square balers.”

He did that and more. Buchele, Iowa State University professor emeritus in agricultural engineering, is well known for developing and patenting the first large round baler in 1966 with graduate student Virgil Haverdink (’64 agricultural engineering, MS ’67).

Buchele says seeing and solving problems is what he does.

“I can no longer keep myself from inventing, than I can keep myself from breathing,” Buchele says. “I’m not sure where I heard that, but it applies to my life.”

Buchele’s other inventions include
a rotary-flow threshing cylinder used
in American combines and rollover protective devices for tractors. He also started the first agricultural safety class in the United States in 1972 at Iowa State.

He built a tandem tractor in 1954, that had two tractor fronts and two steering wheels, but one driver. The combination of two tractors each able to pull a two-bottom plow, allowed Buchele to pull a six-bottom plow and get 50 percent more power.

In 2010, Buchele was one of five engineers nominated to the Product Design and Development Design Engineer Class of 2010 Hall of Fame. He is one of 13 engineers in the Hall of Fame that include Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Leonardo da Vinci.

Buchele earned his bachelor’s at Kansas State University and master’s at the University of Arkansas before beginning his doctorate at Iowa State. He taught briefly at Michigan State University before joining the faculty at Iowa State in 1963 where he worked until 1989.

Mark Hanna (’73 agricultural engi- neering, MS ’75, PhD ’91), an Iowa State agricultural engineer, remembers Buchele’s entertaining lectures, which resulted in questions, rebuttals and discussion.

“His lectures and exercises on brain- storming to creatively solve machinery and other problems were legendary,” Hanna says. “I don’t recall what tuition cost at the time, but I got more than my money’s worth.”

Buchele’s innovativeness, he says, comes more from being creative than academic. He says lots of people can get great grades, but not many are creative.

SERVING COMMUNITY IN A UNITED WAY

Carla Persaud, an administrative assistant in the college’s dean’s suite, organizes book sales, auctions and volunteer activities to raise funds and awareness for the Story County United Way.

By Barbara McBreen

If you want something done Carla Persaud is the person to ask. That may be why she was asked to join the Iowa State University United Way Campaign.

Last year Persaud won the Story County United Way Wall of Fame Award. The award recognizes a volunteer who has gone beyond the call of duty.

Jean Kresse, president and CEO of United Way of Story County, says Persaud served on the Day of Caring committee to kickoff off the campaign for United Way. It’s a big job. One that requires the coordination of 700 volunteers who helped clean, landscape areas and do odd jobs for nonprofit group homes and social service agencies in Story County.

“Carla’s willingness to get involved and stay active is truly appreciated. We were honored to recognize and thank her for all of her efforts,” Kresse says.

Persaud, an administrative assistant in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences dean’s suite, has served on the ISU United Way Campaign Cabinet for the past five years, but has been involved with United Way for more than 15 years.

“United Way has so many programs in this community that help people,” Persaud says. “It’s a very giving community and I’m proud to be part of it.”

In addition to personal pledges,
she’s helped raise funds through online auctions and book sales, which brought in almost $3,000 last year. She welcomes contributions of new or unique items for the annual online auction for the United Way Campaign.

“Everything we do helps, not only to raise funds, but raise awareness about United Way,” Persaud says.

Joe Colletti, senior associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, says Persaud defines volunteer.

“She offers her time, energy, goodwill and passion to help those in need. She is a professional who gives back and is the ultimate volunteer,” Colletti says.

Everyone who knows Persaud, knows she doesn’t walk, she practically runs everywhere—whether it’s racing to a meeting or running errands.

“I like to get things done as soon as possible,” Persaud says. “That allows me to address those unexpected items that come up.”

You can pretty much guarantee that Persaud will be racing to surpass this year’s goal of $62,500 for the college’s contribution to the Story County United Way Campaign. Just ask the volunteers who help her every year—the ones, she credits, for helping United Way succeed.