August 2014

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From the Dean

Jay AkridgeFor many of you, it is ‘welcome back’ to campus as we kick off a new semester. For others, it may be ‘welcome back’ to your counties after working the Indiana State Fair. I hope you all had an enjoyable, productive summer – I know we had a terrific State Fair!

First, my thanks to the more than 300 Purdue Agriculture and Purdue Extension staff, faculty, and students who worked at the Indiana State Fair. I was at the fair multiple times during its 17-day run, and Purdue Agriculture/Purdue Extension were everywhere – from supporting the more than 24,000 4-H project exhibits, livestock, and competitive events; to Purdue Day; to the Purdue Ag Alumni Association Pioneer Village (with a terrific new app to educate visitors on the history of agriculture); to the exhibits in the DuPont Food Pavilion; to staffing the Indiana Wine Grape Team and Master Gardener booths; to volunteering at the Habitat for Humanity Ag Build; to conducting cooking demonstrations at several venues around the fairgrounds; and more. A big, big thanks to Extension Director Jason Henderson, 4-H/Youth Development Program Leader Renée McKee, Engagement Program Manager Danica Kirkpatrick, and the army of Purdue Agriculture/Purdue Extension staff, faculty, and students who made our presence in front of the more than 950,000 people who attended the Indiana State Fair happen!

Of course, the West Lafayette campus has shifted into high gear this week with more than 6,000 new students arriving to attend Boiler Gold Rush. The BGR Induction Ceremony, which is a preview/model of graduation for the new students that sends a very strong message about why they are at Purdue, was held in nearly full Mackey Arena Sunday night. The heat did not diminish the excitement of the new students and their families as they began their Purdue experience by reciting the We Are Purdue Statement of Values, developed by Purdue students last year. I believe this induction ceremony sends so many of the right messages to these students as they join Purdue.

Our College will host a Welcome-to-Purdue carnival on Friday, August 22 for our new undergraduate students – thanks to Associate Dean Marcos Fernandez and everyone who will be helping to welcome our new students to the College. How they got me to agree to take a turn in the ‘dunk tank’ at the event is another story….

I am really looking forward to this academic year. We have new leadership in Hovde Hall as Dr. Deba Dutta became our new Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost and Bill Sullivan joined us as our new Treasurer and Chief Financial Office. Dr. Suresh Garimella is now Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships and will focus on the University’s research portfolio and global industry and university linkages. We will be working to introduce/re-introduce the College to these leaders over the course of the year.

I am also looking forward to working with you on our next college strategic plan. We are currently pulling together a task force to help develop the plan. The task force will be broadly representative of the College because we need a diverse collection of talent, positions, backgrounds, individuals helping us draft the plan. If you are interested in being considered for this task force, please let me know. 

We have a terrific group of new faculty joining us this fall (you will meet them soon in InFocus). We announced a new Purdue Soybean Center during the State Fair that will be getting traction in the coming months (read about it in this issue of InFocus). Many of you have been involved in the exciting progress of the Plant Sciences Research and Education Pipeline. You will hear a lot more about CATE (College of Agriculture Transformational Experiences) and distance education this fall. The State Legislature will be developing its biennium budget next spring, so we are working to make sure the great work you do every day is on display for those making budget decisions. There is of course so much more…  And, I know many of your units have been developing your plans for the coming year as well….

I wish each of you a terrific fall—thanks for all you do in support of our students, the people of this state, and to address some of our world’s most pressing challenges.

All the best,

Jay


Purdue Agriculture People

 

Graduate Research Spotlight: Kelly Sullivan

Kelly SullivanThe Graduate Research Spotlight highlights graduate students and their work. This month’s spotlight is on Kelly Sullivan, Biochemistry; advisor Joe Kappock.

Full story: https://ag.purdue.edu/arp/Pages/Graduate-Student-Spotlight.aspx#.U_Om9vldV8E

 

 

Abbott becomes Purdue Extension associate director

 

Angela AbbottAngela Abbott, leader of Purdue Extension's health and human sciences program, has been appointed associate director of Purdue Extension. The appointment, effective immediately, was announced Aug. 7 by Purdue Extension Director Jason Henderson. Abbott will be responsible for enhancing the integration and cohesion of Extension staff support and communication throughout the organization. She will also maintain leadership of the health and human sciences Extension program. In addition, Abbott will lead the newly formed Director's Office, created to coordinate and manage projects that cross the entire Extension organization. She joins three other program leaders: Lionel "Bo" J. Beaulieu, who oversees the economic and community development program, Renee McKee, 4-H and youth development; and Michael Schutz, agriculture and natural resources.

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2014/Q3/abbott-becomes-purdue-extension-associate-director.html

 

Women honored with Extension awards for dedication to agriculture

Women in Ag AwardsPurdue Extension honored two women for their dedication and service to agriculture with the Women in Agriculture Achievement and Leadership awards Aug. 13 at the Indiana State Fair. The Achievement Award, which recognizes women who are directly involved in a home farming operation, was presented to Kerry Dull of Boone County. The Leadership Award, given to a woman in an agribusiness or policy-making position, was awarded to Elisha Modisett Kemp of Marion County. "The Purdue Extension Women in Ag team is committed to providing educational opportunities, resources, and a network of support for all women in the agriculture industry," said Danica Kirkpatrick, engagement program manager for Purdue Agriculture and Women in Agriculture awards co-chair. "These awards allow us to recognize the women who lead by example and continue to help Indiana agriculture grow."

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2014/Q3/women-honored-with-extension-awards-for-dedication-to-agriculture.html

 

Ugandan scientist to visit College of Agriculture departments

Noble BanaddaDr. Noble Banadda, Professor & Chair of the Department of Agricultural & Bio-Systems Engineering at Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, will visit Purdue Agriculture on August 26 and 27, hosted by the departments of Food Science and Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Dr. Banadda will present a seminar on "The Ugandan Story: Water, Food and Biowaste Research" at 9 a.m. on Aug. 26 in room 2187 of Nelson Hall of Food Science.

Seminar abstract: http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/in_focus/2014/August/NobleBanaddaSeminar.pdf

 

Kladivko stars in NCRS video "Night crawlers: A thirsty soil’s BFF"

Eileen KladivkoEileen Kladivko, Agronomy, is featured in a video produced by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NCRS) on the effect night crawlers have on aiding water flow into and through soils. The NRCS' mission is to provide farmers and ranchers with financial and technical assistance to voluntarily put conservation on the ground, not only helping the environment, but agricultural operations, too. Dr. Kladivko is part of the Purdue team working with the NRCS to address conservation, nutrient, water and soil health issues. Other members of the Purdue team are Jane Frankenberger, ABE; Brad Joern, Agronomy; and Corey Gerber, Agronomy.

See the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcpXeSRGdXA

 

SIPAC to host 2nd Annual Family & Ag Field Day

Field DaysThe Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center invites local families and farmers to visit the research farm on Saturday, September 6, 2014 for a day of fun on the farm. Events will kick off at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time with a 4 mile run/walk around scenic areas of the farm. Geo-caching will also be available at your pace from 8:30-11:30 a.m., and will enable you to explore different parts of the farm. Other activities are scheduled for the morning, including tours of the Heeke animal diagnostic lab. Advanced agricultural programming will start at 1:30 and will include programs on reducing wastage with round bale feeding and pond management. An optional pasture tour will follow the formal programing.

More information: http://agriculture.purdue.edu/in_focus/2014/August/SIPAC Field Day.pdf

 

Winning Designs: Landscape Architecture Students Capture Top Awards

Agricultures featurePurdue University has the third-ranked undergraduate landscape architecture program in the U.S., so faculty have high expectations of students in the program. But last fall, four majors surpassed even these high standards by achieving awards at the state and national levels in competitions sponsored by the American Society of Landscape Architecture. A jury of professional landscape architects and university faculty judged submissions. The Summer 2014 issue of Agricultures tells the story of the students' accomplishments.

Full story: https://ag.purdue.edu/agricultures/Pages/Summer2014/02-WinningDesigns.aspx#.U_OiLPldV8G


Purdue Student Soybean Product Innovation Competition Call-Outs

soybean innovationStudents are invited to learn about the Student Soybean Produce Innovation Competition at call-out events on September 15 and 23. This competition is open to all Purdue undergraduate and graduate students, and top prize to the first-place team is $20 thousand. The purpose of this competition is to encourage students to exercise their knowledge and skills in creating new industrial products from soybeans.  Student teams will enter this competition to create novel products or materials using soybeans, or their components. 

More information: http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/in_focus/2014/August/SoybeanInnovationCompetition.pdf

 

Boilermaker Butcher Block taking orders for tailgaters

Butcher Block crewFootball fans are invited to order the meat for their tailgates early through the Boilermaker Butcher Block. Orders placed by 5 pm on the Wednesday before a home football game can be picked up at Ross Ade Stadium or Purdue West shopping center up to four hours before game kickoff. Football fans will also find a Boilermaker Butcher Block products at several of the Ross Ade concessions this year. Pictured here are some members of the Butcher Block crew: L to R: David Gasper, Technology; Jessica Buening, Animal Sciences; Alan Mathew, Animal Sciences; Jacob Mattox, Ag Education; and Mike Booth, a member of the Meat Lab staff.

Full details here: http://tinyurl.com/phou8s6

 

Plant Sciences faculty realignment complete

A message from Dean Jay Akridge: Over the past two years, we have been working with the Departments of Agronomy, Botany and Plant Pathology, and Horticulture and Landscape Architecture to frame visions for their departments that represent the specific areas of research, teaching, and extension they will focus on in the future. As part of that process, faculty were allowed to identify which of the three departments were best aligned with their long-term interests and to consider moving departments if they believed they were a better fit in another department. The realignment process is now complete and five faculty members have new departmental affiliations/tenure homes (as well as new office locations in some cases). They are: 

  • Cale Bigelow – Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, (HORT 318, phone 4-4692)
  • Steve Hallett – Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, (HORT 324, phone 4-7649)
  • Aaron Patton – Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, (HORT 307, phone 4-9737)
  • Dan Szymanski – 75% Botany and Plant Pathology, 25% Agronomy (WLSR 226)
  • Mike Mickelbart – 80% Botany and Plant Pathology, 20% Horticulture and Landscape Architecture (WSLR B024)

My thanks to all three departments for working through this realignment process and for now working to build momentum around their respective visions.

 

Call for 2014 AgSEED Proposals

The first AgSEED callout in 2013 was a great success. We received 95 proposals and were able to fund 19 projects, 4 of which received 2 years of funding.Now it’s time for the 2014 callout. AgSEED is an internal competitive grant program focused on applied research/extension and basic research that fit the strategic themes of the college with a focus on plant or animal agriculture and rural development. AgSEED is open to faculty and staff in the Colleges of Agriculture, Health and Human Sciences and Veterinary Medicine.  The current funding period is one year and up to $50,000.  A few 2 year grants may be awarded up to $75,000.  Proposals must be submitted by your Pre-Award office by October 1, 2014 at 4pm.  Please contact your Pre-Award office as soon as you know you will be submitting a proposal. The sooner you contact them the better they can serve you!    FAQs and the required cover page are available here. Please direct questions to Meredith Cobb, mcobb2@purdue.edu or 494-3951.

Call for Proposals: http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/in_focus/2014/August/AgSEEDGuidelines2014.pdf

 

Nominees sought for Purdue's Hovde Award

Nominations are now being accepted for this year's Frederick L. Hovde Award of Excellence, given annually to a member of Purdue University's faculty or staff who has displayed outstanding educational service to rural Indiana. Any active member of the faculty or staff is eligible. A person's contributions may have been in the classroom, in counseling, in research or through Purdue Extension. "It is important that Purdue honors one of its own for his or her commitment to rural communities through excellence in work and service," saidJason Henderson, director of Purdue Extension. "We look forward to recognizing yet another faculty or staff member who fits the criteria for the Hovde Award and has demonstrated outstanding support for the people of Indiana." More details about the award and how to nominate are available by contacting Becky Rice at rdr@purdue.edu. The nomination deadline is Sept. 22 at 8 a.m. EDT.

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2014/Q3/nominees-sought-for-purdues-hovde-award.html

 

Nominations sought for Purdue Agriculture's top awards

Purdue AgricultureNominations are being accepted for the top two annual awards of the Purdue College of Agriculture and the Ag Alumni Association recognizing achievement and service to the agricultural profession. The Distinguished Agriculture Alumni Award recognizes mid-career alumni of the College of Agriculture who have a record of outstanding accomplishments, have made significant contributions to their profession or society in general and exhibit high potential for professional growth. The alumni association's Certificate of Distinction recognizes those who have contributed to agriculture through professional accomplishments, activity in organizations, community service and other activities that make the nominees a credit to their profession. Nomination deadlines are September 15 for the Distinguished Agriculture Alumni Award and October 1 for the Certificate of Distinction.

More information: http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/in_focus/2014/August/2015AgAlumniAwards.pdf



Awards and Recognitions

 

Bo BeaulieuLionel "Bo" Beaulieu, director of the Purdue Center for Regional Development, ECD program leader and assistant director of Purdue Extension, has received the 2014 Distinguished Rural Sociologist Award from the Rural Sociological Society. He was cited for his contribution to the field of rural sociology research and service. He was presented with the award at the Rural Sociological Society's annual meeting in early August.

 

Indrajeet ChaubeyIndrajeet Chaubey, professor of agricultural and biological engineering and head of the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, has received the 2014 ADS/Hancor Soil and Water Engineering Award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. The award is given for "outstanding accomplishments and contributions in the development of knowledge to improve watershed management and in educating and mentoring young professionals." Chaubey was given the award during ASABE's recent annual international meeting in Montreal.

 

Bernie EngelBernard Engel, head of the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, has been selected as a fellow of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. He was among 12 inductees during ASABE's Annual International Meeting in Montreal in July. Dr. Engel was selected for his research contributions to and academic leadership of the Purdue ABE program, one of the premier agricultural and biological engineering programs in the world. To be considered as an ASABE fellow, an individual must demonstrate unusual professional distinction, with outstanding qualifications and experience in the field of agricultural engineering. Twenty years of membership in the organization is also required. Only about 2 percent of the active members of ASABE have achieved the grade of fellow.

 

Joan FultonJoan Fulton, Agricultural Economics, won the 2014 Distinguished Extension/Outreach Program Award - individual with 10 or more years' experience from the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. The Distinguished Extension/Outreach Program Awards recognize achievement of excellence in extension economics teaching programs.

 

 

Mike LadischMichael Ladisch, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, has been appointed by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to the board of directors of the newly formed Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR). The new foundation will leverage public and private resources to increase the scientific and technological research, innovation, and partnerships critical to boosting America's agricultural economy. Authorized by Congress as part of the 2014 Farm Bill, the foundation will operate as a non-profit corporation seeking and accepting private donations in order to fund research activities that address issues including the plant and animal health; food safety, nutrition and health; renewable energy, natural resources, and environment; agricultural and food security; and agriculture systems and technology.

 

Scott BrandScott Brand, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, received a "Thumbs Up" recognition from Carol Weaver, Alumni Relations/Communications Coordinator in ABE: "We have one of the older buildings on campus (ABE) and the list of things that need to be fixed is constantly growing. Scott has plenty of other responsibilities, but he comes in early and works around other things to take care of the 'little' things that make our work environment so much more pleasant. We are fortunate to have him as our building deputy."

 

AGEC teamThe Purdue Agricultural Economics student team won the Academic Quiz Bowl at the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association's 2014 annual meeting in July. Winning team members were Andrew Johnson, Sam Ebenkamp, and Josh Miller. AGEC faculty member Michael Gunderson served as the team's advisor. Other team members were Elizabeth Blinn, Kaitlyn Winters, Austin Gantzert, and Daniel Gongwer.

 

 

 

 

Purdue Agriculture in the News

 

Purdue animal welfare center to write standards for commercial care, breeding of dogs

Candace CroneyThe director of Purdue's Center for Animal Welfare Science will lead a two-year research project to develop and test science-based, nationwide animal care standards for the commercial breeding and raising of dogs. The goal is to provide breeders with uniform standards for dog care and well-being in all states, said Candace Croney, associate professor of comparative pathobiology and animal science whose research focuses on the behavior and welfare of animals. "Although many states have standards in place, they are highly variable from state to state," she said. "In addition, several factors that significantly impact dog welfare, such as their housing, have not been well studied, raising questions about the basis and adequacy of current standards. This project will help fill the gaps in regard to better meeting dogs' needs." It is estimated that there are more than 78 million pet dogs in the U.S.

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2014/Q3/purdue-animal-welfare-center-to-write-standards-for-commercial-care,-breeding-of-dogs.html

 

Cell signaling pathway linked to obesity, Type 2 diabetes

Shihuan KuangA Purdue study shows that Notch signaling, a key biological pathway tied to development and cell communication, also plays an important role in the onset of obesity and Type 2 diabetes, a discovery that offers new targets for treatment. A research team led by Shihuan Kuang, associate professor of animal sciences, found that blocking Notch signaling in the fat tissue of mice caused white fat cells to transform into a "leaner" type of fat known as beige fat. The finding suggests that suppressing Notch signaling in fat cells could reduce the risk of obesity and related health problems, Kuang said. "This finding opens up a whole new avenue to understanding how fat is controlled at the molecular level," he said. "Now that we know Notch signaling and obesity are linked in this way, we can work on developing new therapeutics."

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2014/Q3/cell-signaling-pathway-linked-to-obesity,-type-2-diabetes-.html

 

Abundant corn, soybean crops expected again in Indiana, nation

corn and soybeansThe federal government expects Indiana and the nation to grow bumper crops of corn and soybeans for the second consecutive year, adding to already adequate supplies but further holding down prices farmers will get for their productivity. Both total production and average yields per acre nationally for corn and soybeans could set records, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Aug. 12. "The markets were expecting huge crops, and the report certainly supports that assessment," said Jay Akridge, Glenn W. Sample Dean of the Purdue University College of Agriculture. He moderated a Purdue Extension panel discussion of agriculture experts who analyzed the USDA's August Crop Production Report. Panelists were Ted McKinney, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture; Chris Hurt, Extension agricultural economist; Bob Nielsen, Extension corn specialist; Shaun Casteel, Extension soybean specialist; and Greg Matli, the NASS's Indiana statistician, who gave a report on the projections.

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2014/Q3/abundant-corn,-soybean-crops-expected-again-in-indiana,-nation.html

 

Growing the Evidence Base behind Nutritious, Leafy Vegetables

Feed the FutureThe Purdue led Horticulture Innovation Laboratory Project on African Indigenous Vegetables in Eastern Africa was featured in the recently released USAID Feed the Future newsletter. An international team of researchers is working to strengthen the value chain for African indigenous vegetables. Led by Stephen Weller, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, the team includes partners from Rutgers University, Agribusiness in Sustainable Natural African Plant Products, the World Vegetable Center, Eldoret University, Sokoine University, the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute and Horti Tengeru. To measure available nutrients in African indigenous vegetables, the team developed protocols for sampling these traditional crops at different stages of maturity, testing their nutritional profiles at Sokoine University in Tanzania.

Full story: http://feedthefuture.gov/article/growing-evidence-base-behind-nutritious-leafy-vegetables

 


Purdue creating center to support soybean 'value chain'

Marshall MartinPurdue University is establishing a center that will combine the broad-based expertise of dozens of faculty and staff members coordinating research, Extension and education to advance the production and use of soybeans. Plans for the Purdue University Soybean Center were announced Aug. 8. The Soybean Center will formally begin operations in the fall. Marshall Martin, senior associate director of agricultural research, assistant dean of agriculture, and a professor of agricultural economics, was appointed as the center's founding director for two years. Purdue's work with the soybean industry is important because soybeans are a major crop in Indiana, where farmers last year produced 264.7 million bushels, fourth highest in the nation, on 5.2 million acres. This year, Indiana farmers planted 5.5 million acres in soybean.

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2014/Q3/purdue-creating-center-to-support-soybean-value-chain.html

 

Purdue Extension assisting with feasibility study for regional food hubs

local producePurdue Extension will host meetings throughout Indiana for specialty-crop producers, wholesalers and community leaders to help the Indiana State Department of Agriculture assess the potential for a statewide network of regional food hubs. The nine sessions will be held from Aug. 26 to Sept. 9 as part of a study to determine whether there is a need for increased marketing of locally grown specialty crops and to make them more readily available to consumers through the additional distribution system of food hubs. "This is an important opportunity for anyone interested in enhancing the connection between Indiana farmers and shoppers for fresh local food to have input and learn more about food hubs," said Roy Ballard, Purdue Extension agriculture and natural resources educator in Hancock County and a member of the feasibility study's advisory team. Sixty-two percent of food hubs in operation today started less than five years ago, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture lists more than 300 on its website at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/foodhubs.

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2014/Q3/purdue-extension-assisting-with-feasibility-study-for-regional-food-hubs.html

 

Purdue research: Cover crops make stover more sustainable, profitable

Wally TynerFarmers using cover crops as a soil conservation method can remove much more corn stover per acre for biofuels or other uses and at the same time potentially increase their income, Purdue University research shows. The research points to the age-old conservation method as a way to protect the soil and add value. Using cover crops, farmers can sustainably remove 1.8 tons more stover per acre than they otherwise would remove, the researchers say. "The most important finding is that the added revenue from stover removal likely would be enough to pay the costs of a cover crop, in most cases," said Wally Tyner, one of the researchers. "Thus, with a cover crop, more stover removal is environmentally sustainable." The research is detailed in the Purdue Extension publication Synergies Between Cover Crops and Corn Stover Removal, by Tyner and Michelle Pratt of the agricultural economics department; David J. Muth Jr. of Praxik Inc. of Ames, Iowa; and Eileen J. Kladivko of agronomy. It also was published online by the journal Science Direct

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2014/Q3/purdue-research-cover-crops-make-stover-more-sustainable,-profitable.html

 

Fresh City Market offers campus-grown meats, produce

student farmWith health quickly becoming the dominant factor in young people's food choices, it's no surprise that West Lafayette's new campus grocery is called Fresh City Market. The store, which opened August 11 in the new building at 720 Northwestern Avenue, across from Mackey Arena, features produce from the Purdue Student Farm and meat from the Boilermaker Butcher Block, along with the salads, sandwiches and snacks common in a student-friendly market.

Full story: http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/in_focus/2014/August/FreshCityMarket.html

 

Top wine award goes to California winery

A California wine won the top award in the Indy International Wine Competition. Klinker Brick Winery of Lodi, California, won Wine of Year for its 2012 Old Ghost Zinfandel in the three-day judging that ended Aug. 1 at Purdue. The competition attracted 2,200 entries from 11 countries and 40 states. The competition, the nation's largest scientifically organized and independent wine competition, is organized by the Purdue Wine Grape Team. “The more than two thousand wines entered in the 23rd Indy are a true reflection of the amazingly diverse offerings that the global wine market provides to American wine lovers, who now consume more wine than any other nation in the world,” said Purdue wine professor Christian Butzke, the competition's chairman and chief judge. “Our 45 professional wine judges represent the general public’s taste in wine, and their recommendations provide great guidance among the dizzying array of choices in the grocery store, online wine shop or restaurant.”

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2014/Q3/headline-for-agriculture-news-release.html

 

iPhone app guides pregnant, nursing women on eating fish safely

Fish4HealthAn iPhone app from Purdue can help women who are pregnant or nursing safely eat seafood, a good source of nutrients for babies but also the subject of concern about ingesting mercury and other contaminants. The updated, free app - Fish4Health - helps women track their intake of seafood, fish oil supplements, healthy fats and mercury. Based on the latest research, the app also contains information on fish species from across the country. The app is available in English, Spanish and traditional or simplified Chinese. "Pregnant or nursing women should consume eight to 12 ounces of fish per week," said Charles Santerre, professor of food toxicology and Purdue Extension specialist in the Department of Nutrition Science. Santerre created the app, which is available at iTunes and Purdue Extension's The Education Store (search for "Fish4Health").

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2014/Q3/iphone-app-guides-pregnant,-nursing-women-on-eating-fish-safely.html


University News

Benefits sessions offered for new eligible faculty

Benefit sessions will be offered for incoming benefits-eligible faculty members on the following dates and times: August 27, 1:30-4:00 pm; August 28, 9:30-12:00; September 5, 1:30-4:00 pm. All sessions will be held in Stewart Center room 320. New faculty are asked to register at https://purdue.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_77Dgxgu6qXMuDPf to ensure they have a reservation to attend. New benefits-eligible faculty should expect to receive an email from EBenefits one to two weeks after their hire date asking them to enroll online for benefits. Any new faculty who have not received an email by that time should contact their departmental business office. New benefits-eligible faculty member are given 30 days to make your benefit selections. Benefits information can be found at www.purdue.edu/benefits. HR customer service staff are available by phone at (765) 494-2222 and by email at hr@purdue.edu to answer questions, assist with enrollment, and schedule individual appointments.

 

Research computing coffees offer benefits for would-be, new and experienced users

Weekly “Coffee Break Consultations” with ITaP Research Computing (RCAC) staff are informal meetups on Tuesday afternoons with benefits for new and experienced users or faculty, staff and students just thinking about adding high-performance computing, high-capacity storage and other computational tools to their research toolbox. The gatherings, where participants also chat about topics such as Linux tips and scientific computing applications, take place from 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays at multiple meeting places around campus, including Starbucks in the Purdue Memorial Union and the Venture Cafe at the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship in Discovery Park. The meeting places are listed in advance at: http://www.rcac.purdue.edu/coffee/.

For more information, email rcac-help@purdue.edu.

 

Purdue Peace Project works from afar with fleet of Liberian taxi drivers to educate citizens about Ebola

 

A group of Liberian motorcycle taxi drivers and citizens will educate more than 1,500 motorcycle taxi drivers and their customers in Monrovia, Liberia, about safety concerns related to the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The locally driven campaign for these drivers, known as pen-pen drivers, began Aug. 13. Members of this group, the Pen-Pen Peace Network, are organizing with local groups and are assisted by the Purdue Peace Project, a peacebuilding and research program that works with local citizens in West Africa to help prevent political violence in their communities. No Purdue representatives from the Purdue Peace Project are currently in Liberia.

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2014/Q3/purdue-peace-project-works-from-afar-with-fleet-of-liberian-taxi-drivers-to-educate-citizens-about-ebola.html

 

Purdue named Innovation and Economic Prosperity University

 

Purdue University has been designated an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. In naming Purdue an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University, APLU recognizes that the university works with public- and private-sector partners in Indiana and the region to support economic development through a variety of activities, including innovation and entrepreneurship, technology transfer, talent and workforce development, and community development. Purdue received the designation after conducting a thorough self-review and subsequently submitting an application that went through a rigorous independent review process.

Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2014/Q3/purdue-named-innovation-and-economic-prosperity-university.html