FSHN Update

January 2007 Edition - What’s going on around here?

A Campus Walk to Dodge Diabetes was held on November 9, 2006 and was jointly sponsored by the Nutrition and Wellness Research Center and the Nutrition Clinic for Employee Wellness. FSHN students volunteered to pass out flyers to participants as they looped around central campus. Faculty and staff members were eligible for free prizes that included water bottles, pedometers, and jump ropes.

The January 11, 2007 Ames Life and Times section of the Des Moines Register mentioned members of our department. The article, titled Fueling Iowa’s economy, discussed researchers finding uses for renewable products. It featured Dr. Deland Myers, assistant scientist Yilin Bian, and research assistant John Schmitz.

Dr. Murli Dharmadhikari was featured in an interview by Jennifer Wilson in the fall 2006 premiere issue of Make Mine Wine in the "People to Know" section.

In the Fall 2006 edition of Human Sciences Matters, the Food Science college bowl team was pictured and featured in an article. The article announced their 2^nd place ranking in the Institute of Food Technologists Student Association’s Knowledge Bowl in June 2006.

In December, the FSHN Main Office said goodbye to our longtime student office assistant, Kyla Wolfe. After graduation, she moved to Minneapolis. We will miss her! Please help welcome our new student office workers, Wendi Young and Alex Kunkel.

 

	The department celebrated the holiday season two ways: through the Food Science and Nutrition Club potluck and fundraising auction (at the Collegiate United Methodist Church), and with a department potluck in the CCUR hallway. Auction items ranged from spice sets, homemade baked goodies, wine, to items that included a golf putter, and a color printer. Both events were a success and involved sharing a meal with great people!

Our Fall 2006 Graduates

The following undergraduates graduated in December 2006:

• Dietetics (H Sci): Janice Baumler, Laura Hickey, Julie Johnston, Crystal Nord*, Kristina Schulte, and Megan Simon
• Dietetics (Ag): Bridget Besch, Jenna Blum*, Carlie Petersen
• Food Science (H Sci): Allison Burgers*, Jennifer Ledford*, Huay-Fan Lim, Megan Meyer,
• Food Science (Ag): Lacey Laake, Elizabeth Ratashak*, Davina Siswojo
• Nutritional Sci (H Sci): Eric Nonnecke

*Graduated with Honors

Elizabeth Ratashak (escorted by Dr. Lester Wilson) served as the College of Agriculture Student Marshal at the University Ceremony on December 16, 2006. Crystal Nord served at the FSHN Representative at the Human Sciences Convocation.The following graduate students graduated in December 2006: Ingrid Adams, John Schmitz, Jody Gatewood, Jose Gerde, Darcy Johannsen, Manpreet Singh, Toshiba Traynham, Liping Wang, and Natalia Weinsetel.

Achievements, Awards, and Appointments

• Dr. Lawrence Johnson, director of the Center for Crops Utilization Research and a professor in food science and human nutrition, will receive Kansas State University's College of Agriculture Distinguished Service Award for Research and Teaching in a ceremony Jan. 19. Johnson will present a university-wide seminar titled, "Biorefineries - A Revolution in American Agriculture." Johnson received a doctorate in food science from Kansas State. He is immediate past president of the American Oil Chemists' Society and served on the board of directors of the American Association of Cereal Chemists from 2002-2005.
• Dr. Pam White has been appointed to be a member of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), Ad hoc Food Additives Advisory Panel for the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC). Food additives in the US enter the marketplace for use in foods and food manufacturing based on the 1958 Food Additives amendments to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) and implementing regulations and guidance. Food Chemicals Codex is a compendium of quality standards for these legally marketed food additives. The committee began activities January 1, 2007.
• Suwat Saengkerdsub, PhD student in Dr. Byron Brehm-Stecher's laboratory, has been selected as the first recipient of the Graduate Research Award in Microbiology (GRAM) from the Interdepartmental Microbiology Program for his application entitled "Peptide Nucleic Acids for Nanoscale Diagnostics of Foodborne Pathogens". This honor carries an award of $8,000 to be applied to his research assistanceship, beginning in January, 2007.
• Dr. Byron Brehm-Stecher was granted $29,900 from the Midwest Dairy Association for "Rapid Molecular Detection of Listeria in Mexican-Style Soft Cheese.""IPRT Company Assistance awarded Dr. Byron Brehm-Stecher $17,474 for "Testing antimicrobial activities of essential oils."
• Dr. Byron Brehm-Stecher was granted $17,794 for "Rapid Cytometric Detection of Salmonella, Campylobacter, Yersinia and Listeria monocytogenes in Pork Products - Assay Refinement, Extension and Technology Transfer" from the Food Safety Consortium.
• Dr. Byron Brehm-Stecher has been appointed to the Editorial Board of the Journal of Microbiological Methods.
• Suwat Saenakerdsub, Ph.D. student in Dr. Byron Brehm-Stecher's lab, has been awarded $10,295 in support from the Institute for Food Safety and Security for work on "Ultramicroarray-based assays for label-free nucleic acid-based detection of common foodborne pathogens".
• Dr. Lawrence Johnson will be awarded with the title of "Doctor Honoris Causa" from the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering at Ghent University. The ceremony will take place on March 23, 2007.
• Dr. Jay-lin Jane recently was honored by the Japanese Society of Applied Glycoscience with its 2006 Merit of Science Award. The society selects one carbohydrate scientist annually from the world for the award.
• Dr. Ruth MacDonald was awarded $19,620 for High Moisture Extrusion of Fibrous Soy Protein Meat Analog from the University of Missouri.
• Dr. Sam Beattie and Dr. Terri Boylston, along with Kim Bentley (IPRT Company Assistance) were awarded $30,934 from Clear Lake Specialty Products for their research Quality and Product Improvement of Baked Cookies and Cookie Dough.
• It was announced that President Geoffroy will present James L. Oblinger (MS Food Tech ’70, PhD ’72) with the Distinguished Achievement Citation, the university’s highest honor, in April 2007.
• Christine Clarahan (senior, dietetics) has been named to the Board of the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education.In May 2006
• Food Science and Chemical Engineering alum Alyssa L. Randall (’02) received the Early Career Award from the Human Sciences Alumni Association.
• Dr. William S. LaGrange was featured and pictured in the November 2006 edition of Food Protection Trends for his Honorary Life Award from the International Association for Food Protection

Dr. William LaGrange

Dr. Bernard Hennig

• Dr. Bernard Hennig (PhD Nutrition ’82) was awarded the Helen LeBaron Hilton Award in October 2006. His visit included a seminar for the FSHN students, faculty, and staff.
• Congratulations to Dr. Clark Ford who was elected President of the Faculty Senate!

Meetings, Participants, Presentations, and Visits

• Dr. Diane Birt was invited to present "Dietary energy restriction modulates ultraviolet light induced AD-1:DNA binding and AP-1 constituent proteins in SKH-1 mouse epidermis"  at the International Skin Carcinogenesis Conference in Austin TX November 9-12, 2006.On November 21, 2006, Dr. Diane Birt presented "Is cancer Preventable?" for the Davis County High School on in Bloomfield Iowa.
• Dr. Diane Birt attended the National Toxicology Program Board of Scientific Counselors meeting on November 31, 2006 at the NIEHS in Raleigh Durham, NC.In Tucson, Arizona, Dr. Diane Birt was invited to present a seminar entitled "Molecular Mechanisms of Skin Cancer Prevention by Reductions in Dietary Energy" at the Arizona Cancer Center on December 3, 2006.
• Dr. Diane Birt attended the Food and Nutrition Board (IOM/NAS) meeting on December 14, 2006 at the Keck Building of the IOM, Washington D.C.
• Sally Barclay presented "Healthy Shopping and Eating Tips for the New Year" to the Parks Library staff. The presentation touched on shopping, label reading, organic foods, and setting some simple nutrition resolutions and goals for the New Year.
• Dr. Manju Reddy was invited to present "Iron bioavailability studies" at National Institute of Nutrition in Hyderabad, India on Dec. 15th, 2006.   She also traveled to Bangalore, India with Grace Marquis and Gail Nonnecke (Horticulture) to set up the study abroad program scheduled May15-June 15, 2007.

Recent Publications

• Bhuyan, S., Sundararajan, L., Yao, L., Hammond, E.G., and Wang, T. 2006. Boundary lubrication properties of lipid-based compounds evaluated using microtribological methods. Tribology Letters. 22:167-172.
• Duvick, S.A., L.M. Pollak, J.W. Edwards, and P.J. White. 2006. Altering the fatty acid composition of corn belt corn through tripsacum introgression. Maydica. 51:409-416.
• Hanson, L.N., Engelman, H.M., Alekel, D.L., Schalinske, K.L., Kohut, M.L., and Reddy, M.B. Effects of soy isoflavones and phytate on homocysteine, C-reactive protein, and iron status in postmenopausal women. Am J Clin Nutr. 84:774-780.
• Hartz, C.S., Nieman, K.M., Jacobs, R.L., Vance, D.E., and Schalinske, K.L. Hepatic Phosphatidylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase Expression Is Increased in Diabetic Rats. J. Nutr. 136:3005-3009.
• Hartz, C.S., and Schalinske, K.L. Phosphatidylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase and Regulation of Homocysteine. Nutrition Reviews. 64:465-467.
• Li, W., P.J. White, C.J. Bern, C. Wei, and T. Beta. 2006. High-amylose corn exhibits better antioxidant activity than typical and waxy genotypes. J. Agric. Food Chem. On-line Dec. 19, 2006.
• Nieman, K.M., Hartz, C.S., Szegedi, S.S., Garrow, T.A., Sparks, J.D., and Schalinske, K.L. 2006. Folate status modulates the induction of hepatic glycine N-methyltransferase and homocysteine metabolism in diabetic rats. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 291:1235-1242.
• Onal, B., E. G. Hammond, and P.J. White. 2006. Effect of Some Terpenyl Oleates on Soybean Oil Oxidation at 180ºC. Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society. 83:1027-1032.
• Scherder, C.W., Fehr, W.R., Welke, G.A., and Wang, T. 2006. Tocopherol Content and Agronomic Performance of Soybean Lines with Reduced Palmitate. Crop Science. On-line April 25, 2006.
• Wang, Y., Fuchs, E., da Silva, R., McDaniel, A., Seibel, J., and Ford, C. 2006. Improvement of Aspergillus niger Thermostability by Directed Evolution. Starch/Stärke. 58:501-508.
• Ye, Z., Renouf, M., Lee, S.-O., Hauck, C.C., Murphy, P.A., and Hendrich, S. 2006. High Urinary Isoflavone Excretion Phenotype Decreases Plasma Cholesterol in Golden Syrian Hamsters Fed Soy Protein. J. Nutr. 136:2773-2778.

Affiliated Program Activities

From the Center for Designing Foods to Improve Nutrition (CDFIN)

CDFIN Begins Recruiting Students and Faculty Mentors for 2007 Summer Scholars Program:

CDFIN is accepting applications from undergraduate students in the areas of Food Science, Human Nutrition, Animal Science, Plant Sciences, Health and Human Performance, Biochemistry, Social Sciences related to food and nutrition, or Community Nutrition to work with a CDFIN Affiliate Faculty Research Team in the summer of 2007.   Student applications and Faculty Mentor Interest Forms are due March 1^st

.  Click on the following links to learn more:

• Program Information/FAQ
• Program Information and Application Process
• Student Application Form
• Faculty Interest Form (to offer a slot to potential applicants)

More information can be found at http://www.cdfin.iastate.edu/

From the Center for Crops Utilization Research (CCUR)

The Center for Crops Utilization Research hosted visits by BP p.l.c.; Cargill, Inc.; Charoen Pokphand Group; ConocoPhillips Company; Genencor International, Inc.; ICM, Inc.; Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a DuPont subsidiary; the Soyfoods Council; and the Vice Mayor and Deputy Director, Private Enterprises Economic Development Committee, Jining City, Shandong Province, China.

Darren Jarboe attended the Ag Entrepreneurship Institute on October 19-20, Economics Biofuels Conference on November 11, and SBIR/STTR Phase I and II Workshops on November 15-16.

More than 400 leaders from Iowa industry, government and higher education gathered on the Iowa State University campus November 28 for a day-long discussion of Iowa’s leadership role in the bioeconomy. Larry Johnson, director, Center for Crops Utilization Research, served as the expert for the Growing Biorefineries workshop. Darren Jarboe, program coordinator, CCUR, served as the workshop recorder. The Final Report and Recommendations are available at: www.iastate.edu/~biorenew/06/summit/report.doc

From the Nutrition and Wellness Research Center (NWRC)

Renovations of the former Proliant Building in the ISU Research Park began in November and are on track to be completed by the end of February. Plans for the remodeling were done by the Roseland, Mackey, Harris Architecture firm and the work is being done by Story Construction. The renovations include modification of the entryway to provide a waiting area and a receptionist desk, installation of a modern conference room in the lobby area, two new locker rooms and space for exercise testing equipment, new phlebotomy rooms, renovation of the food preparation areas and the dining facilities. Within the food preparation area, stainless steel countertops, a commercial grade stove/oven and dishwasher, a walk-in cooler and freezer, and a pantry are being installed. The dining facilities will be two spacious rooms adequate to accommodate both small and large groups. Areas that are not being remodeled but will be part of the Center include numerous offices and cubicle spaces, and an analytical laboratory. The renovation is a $600,000 project funded by ISU. The search for a Director of the NWRC is also underway. The Baker-Parker firm has been employed by Dean Cheryl Achterberg to provide assistance in finding candidates. The search committee is headed by Dr. Diane Birt and includes faculty from FSHN, HHP, IFSS, Gerontology Program and ISBR. It is anticipated that candidates will be interviewed during March.

Once a Director is named we plan to hold an open house at the NWRC so keep watching our website for news and dates. Numerous pieces of equipment and instruments are needed to make the NWRC functional and we are seeking donations from alums and interested groups. If you are interested in supporting this new and exciting endeavor please let us know! We have opportunities for naming rooms and laboratories! Your help is needed to make this a success!!  

From the ISU Distance Dietetic Internship: From Janet Johnson

The June 2006 class of Dietetic Interns finished their six month internship on November 17, 2006. There were 20 interns and the majority of interns had found employment prior to graduation with jobs ranging from numerous positions as clinical dietitians to  jobs at  Meredith Corporation, Hy-Vee Corporation, Mid Iowa Community Action Agency , Marshalltown; Great River Medical Center, Burlington, and a consulting dietitian to the Rosebud Indian tribe in South Dakota.

  A new class of Dietetic Interns began the six month internship on January 8, 2007 with a week long orientation to the internship on campus. There are 20 interns in the January 2007 class with interns from ISU, University of Nebraska, University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, Arizona State University, Northwest Missouri State University, University of West Virginia, and University of California, San Diego.

  A poster session authored by Janet Johnson, Mary Jane Oakland, Jean Anderson, Laurie Kruzich and Christine Clarahan on Leadership Development in Dietetic Interns: A Reflective Journal Approach was presented at the 2006 American Dietetic Association Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo in Honolulu, Hawaii by Jean Anderson.  Christine Clarahan, a senior in dietetics, participated in this study as the Rosenfeld undergraduate researcher.

  Janet Johnson as Member at Large for the Iowa Dietetic Association coordinated the Annual Meeting, Taking Science Based Nutrition to the Consumer, in Ames at the Hotel Gateway on November 1-2, 2006. This program was supported by the faculty with several faculty members providing conference sessions including: Suzanne Hendrich and Jean Anderson who presented a workshop on Evidence Based Analysis, Using Complementary Therapy; Pamela White who presented a session on Trans Fat and New Oils: What is the Reality for Consumers?; and Ken Prusa who presented a general session on The Science Behind the Meat Case. The Center for Designing Foods was instrumental in providing support for the presentation on There's More to Vitamin D than Sunshine by Connie Weaver, PhD, Department Head, Food and Nutrition at Purdue University. Anne Oldham coordinated student volunteers over the two day event with over 40 ISU dietetic students participating as volunteers for this professional association event. Jean Anderson and Janet Johnson coordinated the silent auction for the American Dietetic Association Foundation in support of student scholarships raising nearly 1800.00 dollars. Numerous faculty members supported the silent auction with the donation of text books and other items.

Electronic portfolio news: From Jean Anderson

1. The Electronic Portfolio faculty work group, Jean Anderson, Anne Oldham, and Cheryll Reitmeier, with FSHN students Amber Appleton, Eric Nonnecke, and Kaitlyn Wiener, and past faculty members Bonnie Glatz and Anna Gardner, received the on-campus eDoc Recognition Award for the FS HN Exemplary Theme. The recognition was based on the number of students and faculty who are using the electronic portfolios as well as the method the team has used to design, test and modify the departmental theme. Throughout the development of the FS HN theme students and faculty have been consulted for ease of use and adaptability.
2. The December 19, 2006, online issue of Campus Technology magazine highlights the use of electronic portfolios in the FSHN department as part of a discussion on the overall University use of this system:

"Iowa State University’s "eDoc" ePortfolio system is helping students take a bigger role in their professional development, as well as helping to mitigate the pressure from outside agencies for departments to demonstrate competence in learning outcomes. One example: The Food Science and Human Nutrition department uses electronic portfolios for all of its students, in order to track student competencies against pre-established learning outcomes from the American Dietetic Association. Dietetic interns are required to note in their portfolios when certain outcomes are accomplished. http://www.campustechnology.com/article.asp?id=19671&p=4 (accessed1/2/07)

The Electronic Portfolio team includes: Jean Anderson, Anne Oldham, and Cheryll Reitmeier, with FSHN students Amber Appleton, Eric Nonnecke, and Kaitlyn Wiener, and past faculty members Bonnie Glatz and Anna Gardner.

Dietetic Internship News:

1. The Dietetic Internship CAHILL Scholarship winners include: Joni Hubbard, a 2006 ISU graduate and Dietetic Intern won the Cahill Scholarship together with Leslie Sutherland, 2006 ISU graduate and Dietetic Intern, Alisa Christoffel, 2006 ISU graduate and Dietetic Intern and Sheena Chihak, ISU graduate and 2006 Dietetic Intern and Alyson Milller, Dietetic Intern. Leslie is working for the Mid Iowa Community Action Agency, Marshalltown and Sheena is working for Meredith Corporation in Des Moines, Joni is working for Great River Medical Center in Burlington. Alyson is pursuing RD employment in the San Francisco CA area.
2. Nicole Kreber, a 2006 Dietetic Intern, was awarded the ADA Foundation Margaret Osborn Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is designated as only for Iowa students.
3. Elva Jean Jones, a distance Dietetic Intern in Chandler Arizona, prepared a mini grant proposal for the enhancement of local wellness. The Arizona Department of Education has made available a 2007 – Superintendent Challenge mini grant in the amount of $5,000 to be used in the enhancement of the Local Wellness Policy in school districts that currently have a Wellness Policy in effect. The Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) located in Chandler, Arizona expressed an interest in applying for the mini-grant to be used in the development of a pilot program to increase basic nutrition awareness in early childhood. This program would specifically target preschoolers, parents of preschoolers and preschool teachers.
4. Pamela Barrow, a distance Dietetic Intern based in western Nebraska, conducted a study of snack food options available for children at the convenience stores and school vending machines located on the reservation for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in southern South Dakota.
5. ISU Dietetic Interns participated in the Iowa Dietetic Association Annual Meeting November 1 and 2^nd 2006 in Ames. The following 2006 interns presented poster sessions for the annual meeting held at the Gateway Center in Ames.
   1. Alisa Christoffel and Jessa Detweiler: Nutrition and Physical Activity Wellness in Sioux City Community Schools. This project was conducted under the guidance of Renee Sweers RD, ISU Extension, to provide innovative nutrition and physical activity materials to supplement the school district wellness policy.
   2. Kristi Hepner: Breastfeeding: Best for Baby Best for Mom. This project was conducted with Christine O’ Brien, WIC coordinator for Southeast Iowa and addressed education materials to encourage breastfeeding in the WIC population served in Louisa, Lee, and Des Moines counties.
   3. Joni Hubbard: Eating Fruits and Vegetables Has Never Been So Easy. This project was conducted under the guidance of Patti Steiner, ISU Extension and Christine O’Brien, WIC coordinator for Southeast Iowa and as part of the Southeast Iowa Regional Coalition for Lifestyle Enhancement. The nutrition intervention included education and information on site at local farmers markets in the summer of 2006.
   4. Nicole Kreber: Culture and Predisposition of American Indian Population for Diabetes and Heart Disease.  This project involved nutrition education for the Ponca Indian tribe in the Omaha area.
   5. Alyson Miller: Vegetables at the Farmers Market: A Guide to Best Choices. This project was to educate WIC recipients regarding fresh produce and the use of their vouchers at the local farmers market in Ottumwa, Iowa.
   6. Beth Danowsky : Cardiac Sack Lunch- An Edible Teaching Tool for Heart Health. This project was conducted under the supervision of Linda Fitz RD, Clinical Nutrition Manager at St Luke’s Cedar Rapids and was a nutrition education program for educating outpatients in the heart clinic at St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids.
6. The interns also assisted as volunteers and helped with the vendor fair, registration and the silent auction activities as well as the professional development portfolio help center during the two day event for the Iowa Dietetic Association Annual Meeting.
7. The June 2006 class of interns volunteered for the Special Olympics held in Ames in July 2006. The interns assisted with various health promotion activities and promoted healthy eating with nutrition education activities designed by Beth Danowsky, dietetic intern, as a part of her community project.

Next Newsletter

The next newsletter will be issued around April 16th. Please have all entries to me by (**deadline**) April 11th.

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The FSHN Update is distributed four times a year by e-mail. The purpose of the update is to highlight FSHN Activities and events and to increase and improve internal communication. Ideas and news contributions are invited and appreciated. Please contact Stephanie Kasper at stephak@iastate.edu.