ISU AND CAST: PROMOTING SCIENCE-BASED AG INFORMATION FOR 40 YEARS

Intern Sally Gorenz is the driving force behind the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology’s social media presence. CEO John Bonner says their intern program is one of many ways CAST partners with Iowa State University.

By Dan Gogerty

Charles A. Black, an Iowa State University agronomy professor, was instrumental in founding the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) in Ames in 1972 to meet the need for access to sciencebased agricultural information.

Since then the partnership between CAST and Iowa State University continues to run deep. When CAST offered an education program, ISU was first to take advantage, so educators and students could access current news, resource material and career opportunities. Other universities and education groups followed ISU’s lead to receive CAST benefits. Many Iowa State professors support CAST by contributing to research papers and serving on CAST committees.

CAST shares science-based information through its publications, weekly online newsletter, videos and social media. For four decades, the independent organization has informed educators, students, the public and policymakers about issues important in the world of agriculture and food production.

Currently, the most dynamic collaboration between CAST and Iowa State University is the intern program.

“The program is wonderful for both the students and our organization,” says CAST’s John Bonner. “Our organization gets help from hardworking young people with innovative ideas, while the students gain experience and make connections that often lead to successful jobs.”

Bonner (’68 dairy science, MS ’71 animal science, PhD ’74) is executive vice president and chief executive officer of CAST.

Many interns have been part of this productive partnership. Two with strong  agriculture backgrounds demonstrate why the program flourishes.

“Elizabeth Burns-Thompson came to CAST brimming with enthusiasm and insights about tech and communication. She took every opportunity to make connections and develop new programs,” says Linda Chimenti, CAST’s chief operating officer.

Burns-Thompson points out, “I worked on a number of projects, but the most significant was introducing CAST into the world of social media.”

During her internship, Burns-Thompson (’11 agricultural business and international

agriculture) kick-started CAST’s involvement with the AgChat Foundation and Twitter. At the same time, she was able to “agvocate” for agriculture—including a trip to Washington, D.C., for National Ag Day. Burns-Thompson now studies agricultural law at Drake University Law School and works with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

A current intern, Sally Gorenz, has kept the tweets rolling with a growing tally of 2,300 Twitter followers. Among her many jobs, the senior in agricultural and life sciences education, communications option, has expanded the role social media plays at CAST. Gorenz developed a CAST Facebook page and started the popular “Catch of the Day”—a regular Facebook link featuring high interest stories.

“Staying on top of social media helps you put a name to your organization, expand your network with the click of a mouse and keep you on your toes for the next social media outlet coming your way,” Gorenz says.

The ISU-CAST connection continues to be a two-way street that benefits students, educators and those interested in credible information about science and agriculture.

Follow CAST on twitter and find them on Facebook.

CREATING GREENER CHEMICALS WITH BIOMASS

By Ed Adcock

Biochemist Basil Nikolau looks for ways to improve foods and animal feed with better nutrition and development of biorenewable sources of industrial chemicals.

The national focus on using biomass to substitute for some petroleum based products has given biochemist Basil Nikolau’s work new focus.

Since 2008 the Frances M. Craig Professor in the Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology has served as deputy director of the Center for Biorenewable Chemicals (CBiRC) based at Iowa State University.

Nikolau works with director Brent Shanks in engineering to lead the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center of 10 academic and 30 industrial partners.

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The center concentrates on biologically producing chemicals similar to those currently produced from petroleum. Nikolau says that’s where the potential for growth lies. He uses the petroleum industry as an example.

“If you take a barrel of oil, about 75 percent of the barrel is burned for fuel and worldwide that’s worth about $400 billion. The 5 to 10 percent that ends up in chemicals is worth the same amount,” Nikolau says. Biofuels are a commodity product, worth the going rate at the pump.

The chemicals are produced at a premium price. “For fuels you need such a large amount of carbon, whereas chemicals you don’t need that much and yet it’s worth a lot more,” he says.

Being worth more provides more incentive for research. Developing new ways of producing chemicals from biomass also opens up more opportunities for obtaining intellectual property rights.

CBiRC’s researchers seek to find catalysts that promote the reactions to efficiently produce biorenewable chemicals. Another goal is to educate students to be creative engineers by exposing them to multidisciplinary research.

The spice of biology

Nikolau and his wife, Eve Wurtele, a professor in genetics, development and cell biology, joined Iowa State in 1988 during a period when many young faculty were hired to respond to the promise of biotechnology. He took a multi-disciplinary appointment in biochemistry and the food science and human nutrition departments.

“I’ve stayed more on the wet lab aspect of things and she’s taken on more computational aspects of research, but these are complementary approaches. The biological research with genomics has become more data generating, and managing that data and deducing valuable information out of that has become more important,” he says.

This is exemplified in the emerging science of metabolomics. The W.M. Keck

Metabolomics Research Laboratory uses analytical instruments to measure the biochemicals, or metabolites, that make up an organism. “It’s really geared to give biologists the analytical tools needed to measure metabolism. It could be any biological system, but we’ve focused more on plants. All our spices, fragrances and flavors come from plant sources. And these are pharmacologically active metabolites,” he says, giving examples such as aspirin and lovastatin drugs whose design principle originated from plant metabolites.

Metabolomics research should lead to improvement in foods and animal feeds with better nutrition and also aid in the development of biorenewable sources of industrial chemicals, Nikolau says. He calls it “the spice of biology.” Multitasking in multiple labs Nikolau’s many projects—he maintains three labs on campus—reflect his varied interests and the multidisciplinary nature of his work.

“Iowa State has a long history in plant genetics and I’ve dove-tailed into that by moving more into biochemistry,” he says.

The Frances M. Craig Professor of Biochemistry says research was a challenge when he first started out, relating his specialty in lipid metabolism to nutritional concerns. First, fat isn’t considered good for people.

“Another difficulty to consider is that, you’re trying to alter peoples’ well-being by modifying what they are eating. So we were trying to alter one biological system—the plants that we eat—which is difficult enough to do, so when you eat them you become better. Altering one biological system—plants—in order to make a

second biological system—humans— better is difficult,” he says. His research is much more straightforward since becoming involved in biorenewable materials.

“CBiRC enabled me to put this larger umbrella over the research, a justification relative to a real nice application. Before it was a little bit eclectic in the form of

a justification or a rationale. Now CBiRC provides a rationale that is all encompassing,”Nikolau says.

CBiRC is in its fourth year of funding and has been renewed out to eight years, with an expectation to be funded to 10 years. By then the intent is to be self-supporting. The center is starting to make chemicals that several companies are interested in. Some of the industrial partners are sponsoring research.

Nuturing future scientists Nikolau’s teaching in biochemistry focuses on research-based education and training. Graduate students conduct the bulk of the research with opportunities for inclusion of undergraduate students, high school students and teachers.

In addition, Nikolau leads a grade school through high school program,

Symbi, funded by the National Science Foundation, which allows graduate

students to participate in classroom activities in Des Moines middle schools.

The graduate students become resident scientists in the classroom, providing them an opportunity to expose forefront research to young Iowans at an early stage of their education.

FROM THE DEAN – Fall 2012

Over the summer, I spent an enjoyable evening at the Iowa Turkey Federation’s summer meeting, which had a baseball theme. To fit the theme, I spoke to the audience about recent success stories, or “home runs,” in the college.

Then I listed areas I thought would be “game-changers” that were in the batter’s circle for Iowa agriculture.

One was agriculture’s centrality to the continuing vision for the biosciences and bioeconomy in Iowa. I shared that, to me, these areas mean research and development unlocking new economic potential in plants and animals, stimulating new kinds of value-added products and processes in agriculture. As we look to capitalize on Iowa’s great competitive advantage in agriculture and in science and technology, biosciences are key to driving economic growth and job creation to new heights.

Another game changer is the rising numbers of students studying agriculture and life sciences. A grand-slam was the impending enrollment record, which was confirmed early in the fall semester— 3,900 undergraduates, topping the 1977 record. More young people realize agriculture and life sciences offer exciting and life-changing opportunities for those willing to work hard to accomplish something positive. They realize agriculture is where they need to be to play a role in addressing local, national and global needs.

Finally, I told my audience the ultimate game-changer is the strong partnerships we forge together to build our future. We need to work as a team, to communicate, to know where each of us is on the field, to have everyone play their position well and to keep our eyes on the ball. That’s what great teams do. The players connect the dots and great things happen.

As a team, we are partners in crossing the plate to “home” base—whether “home” is a safe, plentiful food supply; high-quality natural resources; expanding economic development; and promising futures for our children and grandchildren. Our team must include scientists, extension specialists, teachers, farmers, business people, well-prepared college graduates and many more.

For those who know me well, you know I always root, root, root for the home team—Iowa agriculture. Because when agriculture scores, society wins.

Wendy Wintersteen

Endowed Dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences

FOREWORD – Fall 2012

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is all about life. Agriculture is biology in action. Biology is a precursor for agricultural science and practical application.

Whether plant or animal, soil, air or water—it’s all about life.

Here in CALS we break down the stuff of life more than half a dozen ways with faculty expertise in everything from biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology and organismal biology, to microbiology, genetics, development and cell biology. For those of you who haven’t seen the inside of a lab since organic chemistry, I hope you’ll stick around and keep reading. There’s exciting science happening here every day, chipping away at huge issues facing agriculture and society.

The following pages offer a few examples of life sciences research. Faculty like Jeff Essner and Allen Miller who are searching for deeper understanding of animal and plant diseases with hopes of using their findings to improve human health. Many faculty mentor graduate and undergraduates in their labs, providing unique opportunities for students to be involved in cutting-edge research. Brandi Malchow is a perfect example of a student making the most of every day of her student experience.

Enthusiasm, passion and a drive to help others are common themes I think you’ll pick up on throughout this issue.

Nancy Brannaman has traversed the globe working in embassies for the U.S. State Department and Dr. Anthony Davis treats patients in Ames as a chiropractor. Be sure to check out Carla Persaud, our “In the Margins” profile, who is featured for her work with United Way. Her efforts are anything but marginal. Alum Chet Boruff’s story spotlights his career in agricultural regulatory affairs protecting farmers and consumers. His story also offers a glimpse as to what to expect in our next issue, which will focus on farming and farm programs.

As always, your thoughts on this issue and others are welcome. Please feel free to contact me at stories@iastate.edu. I enjoy hearing from you and sharing your news here and in STORIES Online, our monthly e-newsletter. If you’re not already on our e-mail list please sign up at www.cals.iastate.edu/alumni.

Kind regards,

Melea Reicks Licht

Director of Alumni Relations

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences