PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

...Congratulations to Emerson Nafziger, who received the W. L. Nelson Award for Diagnosis of Yield-Limiting Factors at the ASA Annual Meetings. The award recognizes outstanding performance in the development, acceptance, and/or implementation of diagnostic techniques and approaches in the field. Identification and correction of yield-limiting factors in crop production are emphasized. The principal criteria used in the selection process are the creativity and innovation of the nominee.

...Congratulations to Rick Weinzierl, who was the North Central Branch level winner of the ESA’s Distinguished Achievement Award in Extension Entomology.

...At the annual meeting of the North Central Weed Science Society 59^th Annual Meetings, held December 13-16 in Columbus, OH, Patrick Tranel received the Young Scientist Distinguished Service Award from the Society. Two graduate students won for their respective paper and poster presentations: Dawn Refsell received second place for her paper presentation (co-authored with Marty Williams) in the Weed Ecology and Biology section, and William Patzoldt received first place for his poster presentation (co-authored with Aaron Hager and Patrick Tranel) in the Herbicide Physiology section. Congratulations to all!

...The American Distance Education Consortium’s 2004 Bill Murphy Barrier Buster Award to recognize a team for reducing barriers to distance education at the multi-state level was awarded to a multi-state team that included Kevin Steffey and Dave Feltes. Their Soybean Aphid Management Workshop was the Outstanding Educational Program for 2004. Congratulations!

...Congratulations to Gustavo Caetano-Anolles, who was elected to represent Crop Sciences on the U-C Senate. His term will commence in August 2005 and expire in August 2007.

...The Illinois Soybean Program Operating Board awarded grants to Brian Diers ($20,000), Darin Eastburn ($17,500), Susan Li ($17,500), Vera Lozovaya ($25,000), and Wayne Pedersen ($30,000) for the project “SDS Managed Research Area”; and $60,000 to, Lila Vodkin for “Proposal for ISPOB Program Area in Soybean Improvement through Biotechnology and Functional Genomics”. Brian Diers also received $8,600 from North Central Soybean Research Program for the project “Integrated Control of White Mold in Soybeans in the North-Central States” and $21,200 from United Soybean Board/Smith, Bucklin & Associates for “Development of Cultivars with Increased Protein Control”. Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research awarded Glen Hartman $32,871 and Monsanto awarded Vera Lozovaya $50,000 for the project “Enhancing Soybean Root Resistance to Soilborne Pathogens”. Matt Hudson received $25,000 from the Research Board for “Identification, Mechanism and Role of Pathways Discovered by Computational Identification Arabidopsis Light Responsive Promoter Elements”. Kris Lambert’s project “Single Molecular Detection of Soybean Cyst Nematode DNA Using Nanoparticles and Microfluidics” received $30,700 from the Soybean Disease Biotechnology Center. BASF granted Stephen Moose $165,817 for the “Genetic Analysis of Nitrogen Use Efficiency Traits in Maize”. Michael Plewa received $150,000 from the AWWA Research Foundation for “Quantitative Comparative Mammalian Cell Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of Selected Classes of Drinking Water Disinfection By- Products”. Lila Vodkin and Jack Widholm each received $45,600 from the USB for use in the “Soybean Tissue Culture and Genetic Engineering Center”. The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded $452,255 to Stephen Long, Archie Portis, and Stephen Moose for the project “Adaptation of C4 Photosynthesis to Cold within the Miscanthus Genus". Congratulations to all!

...Congratulations to Tatsiana Akraiko and Catalina Ferro, who completed their masters degrees. Tatsiana was advised by Kris Lambert and is now working at the Beckman Center. Catalina worked with Glen Hartman and is now employed by Syngenta Seeds in Naples, IL.

...Congratulations to Matias Ruffo, who completed his Ph.D. degree advised by Germán Bollero and is now working for Fred Below.

FROM OUR OFFICE TO YOURS

...The Graduate College is soliciting nominees for its 2005 Outstanding Mentor Award. This award recognizes the exemplary efforts of members of the graduate faculty in advising and serving graduate students. Graduate students, faculty, administrators, and alumni may nominate faculty, and an overview of the award and nomination procedures are on the Web at www.grad.uiuc.edu/general/MentorAward.html. The nomination deadline is Tuesday, March 1, 2005.

UPCOMING CONFERENCES, SYMPOSIA & WORKSHOPS

...The Livestock Manure Management Conference Series will present three sessions of “New Federal Environmental Rules for Livestock Producers”. February 15, 2005 will be at the Holiday Inn, Mt. Vernon, IL; February 17, Metro Center, Princeton, IL and March 8, 2005 at the Sangamon/Menard County Extension, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL.

...The Illinois Wheat Forum will be held February 21^st at the Mt. Vernon Holiday Inn.

...The Central Illinois Crop Management Conference “Managing Uncertainties ‘05" will be held February 22 & 23, 2005 at the Hamilton’s Catering and Banquet Center in Jacksonville, IL and on March 1 & 2, 2005 at Kishwaukee College Convention Center in Malta, IL.

...The Third Conference on Watershed Management to Meet Water Quality Standards and Emerging TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) will be held March 5-9, 2005 in the Sheraton Atlanta, Atlanta, GA.

...March 31-April 2, 2005 are the dates selected for the 20 Annual Career th Fair & Training Conference sponsored by MANRRS. It will be held in the Hilton Pittsburgh & the David L. Lawrence Convention Center with a theme of “Encouraging Innovation, Promoting Diversity, Achieving Excellence”.

...THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF THE ILLINOIS NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY. A Symposium Celebrating the 30^th Anniversary of the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory, In Conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the Illinois State Academy of Science will be held Friday and Saturday, April 8-9, 2005 at Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois

...The Canadian Grain Commission presents a conference on “A New Era in Grain Quality Assurance” in Winnipeg, Canada on June 27-30, 2006.

...CALL FOR PAPERS. The International Conference on Hydrology and Management of Forested Wetlands” will be held April 8-12, 2006 in New Bern, NC. The deadline for submitting an abstract proposal for presentation is February 18.

...CALL FOR PAPERS. The American Phytopathological Society (APS), is now accepting applications for poster and oral presentations for the 2005 APS Annual Meeting, July 30 - August 3, 2005, at the Austin Convention Center, Austin, Texas. The deadline for submitting proposals is April 1. Submission forms, rules, and additional information is available at http://meeting.apsnet.org/.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Feb 11, ACES FACULTY MEETING, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., LIAC Monsanto Multi-Media Executive Studio (lower level). Donald L. Uchtmann, Parliamentarian

Mar. 2-3, State Advisory Committee meetings

Mar. 11-12, ExplorACES http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/ExplorACES/

Apr. 13, Gamma Sigma Delta Banquet, 6:00 p.m.; Levis Faculty Center Second Floor

Apr. 22, ACES Faculty Meeting, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.; LIAC Heritage Room

Apr. 24, ACES Student Awards Banquet, 11:00 a.m.; Hawthorne Suites

Apr. 26, ACES and Paul A. Funk Recognition Awards Program; Illini Union

May 4, ACES Retiree Reception, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.; LIAC Heritage Room

May 15, ACES Undergraduate Convocation, 9:30 a.m. ACES Graduate Convocation, 10:00 a.m. UI Commencement, 2:00 p.m.

Aug. 18, Agronomy Day

Sept. 19 & 20, Department of Crop Sciences Retreat at Allerton Conference Center

GRANTS/FELLOWSHIPS

...The Graduate College has developed a comprehensive, searchable web-based listing of Fellowship Opportunities to replace the Fellowship Bulletin. The Fellowship Opportunities listing can be accessed from the Graduate College website. The direct link to the listing is https://www.grad.uiuc.edu/fellowship/index.cfm. Please contact the Fellowship Office at 333-0036 or at GradExchangeFellowships@ad.uiuc.edu if you have any questions.

GRAD STUDENT BULLETIN BOARD

...Symposium on Graduate Education: Defining Academic Success is free to graduate students, faculty, staff and alumni. Presented by Mary Ann Mason, Dean of Graduate Division of the University of California, Berkeley. It will be held February 21. The topic is “The Feminization of Graduate Education: a Life-course View”. To register call 333-0035 or go to www.grad.uiuc.edu.

...The Thesis Office will hold two workshops for graduate students this spring. Each workshop covers procedures and deadlines relating to deposit, required deposit materials, and basic rules of thesis format. No registration is necessary. The dates are Wednesday, February 16, 2005, 5:00-7:00 p.m., and Tuesday, March 15, 2005, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Both workshops will be held in 210 General Lounge, Illini Union.

...The Graduate College will provide awards, not to exceed $300, for students to travel to professional conferences. These conference travel awards are intended to support students who will be presenting papers, posters, or creative work at the conferences they attend. The department in which the student is enrolled must endorse and approve the student’s participation in the conference and provide some financial support for the student’s travel to the conference. Departmental support must be indicated on the student’s application for travel funds. The application may be downloaded from: www.grad.uiuc.edu/Policies/travelgrant/app.pdf or www.grad.uiuc.edu/Policies/travelgrant/app.rtf. Students may not submit applications directly to the Graduate College. All applications must first be submitted to department offices, which will forward the applications to the Graduate College, 204 Coble Hall, MC-322. Applications should be submitted to graduate departments no later than February 21, 2005, and departments should forward approved applications to the Graduate College no later than February 28, 2005.

PERSONALS

...Hyoun Sub Lim and Eun-Sun Son are the proud parents of a baby boy, Eric Lim. Hyoun was especially glad he was born on December 29 making him a tax deduction.

...Thanks for the lovely planter from the Department and the kind words and cards of sympathy at the passing of my stepfather. Bob and Nancy Hoeft

...Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Candice Brokoski, who died at home on Saturday evening (February 5). She had a long brave battle with her illness, and was an inspiration to those who were fortunate enough to spend time with her.

PUBLICATIONS

...Tracy, B.F., I. J. Renne, J. Gerrish and M. A. Sanderson. 2004. Effects of plant diversity on invasion of weed species in experimental pasture communities. Basic and Applied Ecology 5:543- 550.

SEMINARS

Feb. 11, noon, William Sullivan, Professor/Director, UIUC Environmental Council, “Global and Environmental Sustainability”, Latzer Hall, YMCA.

Feb. 15, noon, Professor Sir David Hopwood, Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, “Using streptomyces genes to make new antibiotics”, B102 CLSL.

Feb. 15, noon, Charles Stewart, “The LAS global studies initiative”, Latzer Hall, YMCA.

Feb. 18, noon, Dale Brashers, Professor, Dept. Of Speech Communication, UIUC, “Combatting AIDS: Local and Global Challenges”, Latzer Hall, YMCA.

Feb. 22, noon, Dorothy Espelage, “Bullying among American schoolchildren: lessons from research”, Latzer Hall, YMCA.

Feb. 25, noon, Suzanne Trupin, M.D., Womens Healthcare Practice, “Improving Maternal Health”, Latzer Hall, YMCA.

Mar. 1, noon, Sunny Jeong, Korean Student Association panel, Latzer Hall, YMCA.

Mar. 4, noon, Stephen Parente, Professor, Dept. of Economics, UIUC, “What A Country Must Do To Catch-Up to the Industrial Leaders”, Latzer Hall, YMCA.

Mar. 8, noon, Dan Nelson and Jennie Kwon, Alternative Spring Break Student Panel, Latzer Hall, YMCA.

Mar. 11, noon, Walt McMahon, Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Economics, UIUC, “The Impact of Education on Growth and Development”, Latzer Hall, YMCA.

Mar. 15, noon, Kathleen Harleman, “Rethinking the Krannert Art Museum”, Latzer Hall, YMCA.

Mar. 29, noon, Philippine Student Association, Latzer Hall, YMCA.

Apr. 1, noon, Ann Varghese, Organizing Fellow, Bread for the World, “Eliminating Extreme Proverty and Hunger”, Latzer Hall, YMCA.

Apr. 5, noon, John Setterlund, Joel Schwitzer and students, “Interfaith Work at UIUC”, Latzer Hall, YMCA.

Apr. 8, noon, Lori Heninger, Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children, “Gender Equality and Empowering Women”, Latzer Hall, YMCA.