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Friday, October 9 2009

News

Budget update from ISU President Geoffroy to faculty, staff

In an Oct. 9 e-mail to faculty and staff, President Geoffroy updated the university community on Iowa State's budget situation as a result of the Revenue Estimating Conference and Governor Culver's announcement of a 10 percent across-the-board cut to all state budgets. Iowa State's share of that reduction is estimated to be $24.5 million.

President's letter.

Director of Columbia University's Urban Landscape Lab to speak Oct. 21

Columbia University's Kate Orff will present the P.H. Elwood Lecture in Landscape Architecture on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Iowa State University. Her presentation, "Design for the Anthropocene Era," will be at 6 p.m. in Kocimski Auditorium, College of Design. Orff is an assistant professor of architecture and urban design, and founder and director of the Urban Landscape Lab at the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation. The Lab is an interdisciplinary applied research group dedicated to affecting social equity and positive change in urban ecosystems. A reception in conjunction with an exhibition of work by landscape architecture students will follow the lecture.

News release.

Regents president responds to governor's announced cuts in state spending

State Board of Regents President David Miles issued a statement Oct. 8 in response to Gov. Chet Culver's announcement of a 10 percent across- the-board cut to state government spending.

Miles' statement (PDF) | Governor's announcement

Deputy Secretary of Agriculture at ISU; will discuss what’s ahead for farmers

A top leader of the USDA will visit Iowa State to talk about her vision for the nation's farming and food sectors. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan will speak on "The Future of American Agriculture" at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, in the Memorial Union Sun Room. A longtime advocate of sustainable and organic agriculture, Merrigan was chosen by former Iowa governor and current U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to serve with him.

News release.

Former campus minister John Donaghy to speak about Hondurans in crisis Oct. 19

In June 2007, John Donaghy, a former campus minister in Ames, began a ministry in southwestern Honduras and became associate director of the local diocesan social development agency. In a lecture at Iowa State on Monday, Oct. 19, John Donaghy will report on the condition of the Honduran poor during the ongoing political crisis following President Zelaya's forced departure.

Ambassador of Spain Jorge Dezcallar to give Manatt-Phelps Lecture Oct. 26

Jorge Dezcallar, ambassador of Spain to the United States, will present the eighth annual Manatt-Phelps Lecture in Political Science at Iowa State on Monday, Oct. 26. Dezcallar will present a free, public lecture titled, "U.S.-Spanish Relations in the 21st Century," beginning at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Durham Great Hall.

Iowa State studies assess factors affecting osteoporosis, children's obesity

Researchers from Iowa State University's College of Human Sciences have completed recent studies analyzing factors that may affect the onset of two serious health conditions -- osteoporosis and children's obesity.
News release.

Iowa State researchers looking for catalyst that allows plants to produce hydrocarbons

Iowa State University researchers are working to understand how a catalyst allows certain plants and algae to create simple hydrocarbons that could be a new source of liquid fuels. The project is supported by a four-year, $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation's Office of Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation.

News release.

Reuben Peters

Reuben Peters

Iowa State University researcher uncovers potential key to curing tuberculosis

Researchers at Iowa State University have identified an enzyme that helps make tuberculosis resistant to a human's natural defense system. Researchers have also found a method to possibly neutralize that enzyme, which may someday lead to a cure for tuberculosis, a contagious disease that kills 1.5 to 2 million people worldwide annually.

News release.

Ambassador leading U.S. efforts to combat human trafficking will speak Oct. 15

Ambassador Luis CdeBaca, President Obama's appointee to direct the State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, will speak on "U.S. Leadership in the Global Fight Against Slavery" at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. A Huxley native and ISU alumnus, CdeBaca has worked under three presidential administrations to combat human trafficking and modern forms of slavery. His talk will be in the Memorial Union Sun Room and is free and open to the public.

News release.

The 2009 World Food Prize winner to present Borlaug Lecture Oct. 12

Gebisa Ejeta, the 2009 World Food Prize recipient, will present the eighth annual Norman Borlaug Lecture at Iowa State on Monday, Oct. 12. Ejeta's presentation, "Revitalizing Agricultural Research for Global Food Security," will be at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room. A reception and student poster competition on world food issues will be at 7 p.m. in the South Ballroom. Ejeta will receive the World Food Prize in Des Moines on Thursday, Oct. 15. He is being honored for his development of sorghum hybrids that are resistant to drought and the devastating Striga weed. The hybrids have dramatically increased the production and availability of one of the world's five principal grains and enhanced the food supply of hundreds of millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa.