Thursday, September 8, 2016 | Volume 212 | Number 13 | 40 cents | iowastatedaily.com | An independent student newspaper serving Iowa State since 1890.
NO BUGGING AROUND Entomologist knew his career calling as a kindergartner
By Katlyn.Campbell @iowastatedaily.com
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dmund Norris was in kindergarten when he was asked which career he would like to pursue when he grew up. He recalls other students saying astronaut or fireman, or a few other stereotypical responses, but he said entomologist. Norris, a graduate student in entomology, thought an entomologist was a bug doctor, but he later discovered entomologists work to understand the biology of insects in the wild. Norris grew up digging for bugs in his backyard and around the neighboring woods, immersing himself in the environment where he could find insects. His fascination with insects never dwindled as he went on to study molecular and cellular biology at the University of Illinois before entering Iowa State’s graduate program in entomology. Norris came to Iowa State in January 2014 after applying to work in Joel Coats’ laboratory, which emphasizes studying insect toxicology, environmental toxicology and environmental chemistry of agrochemicals. Norris emphasized that having the ability to do applied research has been fundamental for his studying at Iowa State. Donald Lewis, professor and extension entomologist, said many professors and graduate students within the entomology department are working on applied research. Applied research is a form of systematic inquiry involving the
practical application of science. “We are doing basic and applied research on crop pests of interest to Iowans,” Lewis said. “We are also doing research on novel control mechanisms, whether that’s the discovery of new insecticides, a development of pathogens that kills insects without harming the rest of the ecosystem, or whether it’s understanding the molecu-
dation to the public on what to do. Lewis also teaches the Entomology 511 class, which offers students the opportunity to study tropical crops in Costa Rica during Spring Break. “The opportunity to work with students studying abroad and the opportunity to be in Costa Rica over Spring Break makes that one hands down my fa-
lar function of chemicals inside the insect body.” Lewis is a specialist in the Iowa State plant and insect diagnostic clinic, which seeks to help farmers, producers, gardeners and homeowners understand their pest problems and “how to most efficiently, effectively and sustainably manage their pest problems.” The integrated clinic answers public questions about insects, plant diseases and weeds. Samples of those things can be sent to Iowa State, where a variety of experts will examine the samples, make a diagnosis and offer a recommen-
vorite course,” Lewis said. The trip includes visits to local farms, mostly ones that produce the majors crops of Costa Rica: pineapple, coffee, sugar cane, mangos and bananas. Students observe how the crops are harvested and processed for export before returning to Iowa, where they will examine the crops when they arrive at local grocery stores. Iowa State’s entomology department allows undergraduate and graduate students to study on a large scale. Norris will travel to Orlando,
Florida, at the end of September for the International Congress of Entomology (ICE) meeting, where he will present his current research at the graduate student practice presentation seminar Sept. 19 as a part of the entomology seminar series. Gregory Courtney, professor and co-coordinator of the entomology seminar series, has scheduled several people in the industry to attend the seminar series. In regard to the graduate student practice presentation, he is most looking forward to hearing about the diverse research projects that faculty and students at Iowa State are participating in. The graduate student practice presentation seminar will serve as a rehearsal for the graduate students who will present their research at the ICE. “It’s really important for students to go through their talk in front of an audience, especially because I think they’re limited to 12 minutes, and often times, if you haven’t presented a lot, that’s a real challenge,” Norris said. “It’s much more challenging to present a 12-minute talk than a one-hour seminar.” Norris will present his research on spatial repellents, which he views as “an excit-
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Regents focus on reconstruction, renovation at ISU By Jake.Dalbey @iowastatedaily.com Focusing on reconstruction and renovation on Iowa State’s campus, the Iowa Board of Regents met Wednesday to recommend actions for approval, which will take place on the second day of the session. Among the most expensive projects proposed during the meeting was a project that involves a full renovation/remodel of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory as well as adding on 50,000 square feet of new space. Being one of only two diagnostic laboratories in the nation, the space is important not only to Iowa State but also to the nation, said Kate Gregory, senior vice president for university services. “The agriculture industry in the state of Iowa is a $17 billion business, and the laboratory is the only fully certified diagnostic lab in the state of Iowa, while the only other lab is run by the FDA in New York,” Gregory said. ”This capability we have is not just about our state but also about food security in our nation.” Because of the age of the building, the laboratory is not able to meet university standards for teaching and provide a safe environment for all who interact in the area. “This was built in 1976, and 85 percent of it is underground, so it doesn’t offer much opportunity for expansion as other buildings would,” Gregory said. ”Other than one renovation in 2004, it has had no major renovation, and yet the necessity and use of this facility has exploded.” Gregory cites the massive rise in faculty numbers, stemming from an original 10 faculty and 20 staff members to 25 faculty and 125 staff, as a primary reason for the necessity of a renovation. “The building is jammed full of people trying to do what they need in order to run diagnostics to not only support the agriculture business but also teach students, as well as be able to do the research that is needed to keep Iowa on the top tier in terms of animal diagnostics,” Gregory said. The laboratory will run more than 1.2 million tests yearly, as well as 70,000 diagnostic cases. Gregory said the goal of the project is ultimately to develop a stand-alone, 150,000-square-foot facility that would stand near the old facility. In total, the project will cost $124 million, with $100 million in state appropriations and $24 million provided by donors, and will be recommended to the board for approval during Thursday’s meeting. Along with the lab, the Vet Med college will receive new additions to the existing Vet Med Café. More on the cafe remodel and ISU’s plan for upgrades to the chilled water system are available in a full story at iowastatedaily.com.
Student Government President Cole Staudt speaks during the first Student Government meeting of the semester Aug. 24.
Emily Blobaum/Iowa State Daily
StuGov debates BYU addition By Alex.Connor @iowastatedaily.com Student Government met Wednesday night in the Memorial Union, where they passed a bill that would streamline the monthly allocation funding process and debated a resolution regarding Brigham Young University possibly joining the Big 12 Conference. Sen. Abhijit Patwa introduced the resolution regarding BYU, arguing that Student Government should not support BYU’s membership bid to the Big 12 Conference at this time. The reason behind the resolution is that Patwa, and later Student Government, has determined that “BYU’s discriminatory policies and practices are inconsistent with the values of the Big 12.” BYU has fallen under fire recently in regard to its Honor Code, which according to the resolution, the Honor Code “explicitly prohibits its students, staff and faculty from ‘not only sexual relations between members of the same sex, but all forms of physical intimacy that give expression to homosexual feelings.’” BYU is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-day Saints (LDS) and has been near the top of the list of potential Big 12 expansion candidates. Patwa introduced the resolution to the Senate by citing an anecdote to Jack Trice,
the first African-American athlete at Iowa State College. Trice died following a football game against the University of Minnesota in 1923, after sustaining injuries during the game. “[It is] widely accepted that the attack on Jack Trice was racially motivated,” Patwa said, further referencing that by passing this resolution that it’s time Student Government “take a stance to what we believe in.” Vice Speaker Conner Tillo furthered the debate, arguing that it’s their [Student Government’s] responsibility to advocate for their fellow Big 12 Universities. Student Government President Cole Staudt offered comments on the resolution, arguing against Patwa that he feels the Senate should not pass the BYU resolution. “I have been speaking with other presidents of Big 12 institutions,” Staudt said. “A number of them said that they don’t believe we should be taking a position at all.” Sen. Zoey Shipley also countered the resolution and backed Staudt’s argument, saying that the conduct of BYU is based on its beliefs, and when students go to that school, they go there because of their beliefs. “It takes one student to say, ‘Wow, you don’t agree with them, you don’t agree with me,’” Shipley said. Other senators felt that in passing the resolution, it gets in the way of free speech and the First Amendment. “I’m against this resolution ...,” said Sen. Eric Schultz. “[I] believe it’s a free speech
issue, BYU has right to believe in what they want, and if you don’t like it, don’t go to their school.” After nearly an hour of debating over the specifics of the resolution, many senators found themselves heated over the topic. Leading into a recess, Staudt, who had been objected to speaking a second time during the meeting, began yelling at the Senate regarding the resolution. “I’m disappointed, I don’t have to be here. It’s [disrespectful] to say that you don’t have the time to listen to us,” Staudt said, as about half of the senators left the room for a short break. “You make change by embracing people,” Staudt said. “...This resolution is not the way you make change. We don’t make change by excluding people. “You don’t say to a student, to me, that you can’t sit here for five more minutes.” Following the recess, Sen. Woodruff helped conclude arguments, saying, “BYU is inclusive, but discriminatory.” The Senate voted on the resolution, passing it 21-6-0. For more coverage of the meeting , go to iowastatedaily.com. The Daily’s Linda Brown contributed to this story.