Month: January 2017

University Engagement Recognition Awards – Nominations Sought

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The university is seeking nominations of outstanding engagement partnerships for the 2017 University Engagement Recognition Awards. A total of $16,000 will be distributed to award recipients in support of their engagement programming.

The university is looking for partnerships that demonstrate how colleges and universities have redesigned their learning, discovery and engagement missions to become even more involved with their communities. The partnership may have a long history of engaging the university and community, or it may be a relatively new collaboration that is having a substantial impact on the university and community partners.

Awards will be given for the top partnerships in the international engagement, community engagement and service-learning categories. Nominations are also being sought for Ohio State’s annual staff, student, student group and community partner engagement awards. The university wishes to recognize outstanding community-university achievements in the fields of engagement and service. All Ohio State faculty, staff and students are invited to apply.

More detailed information about how to apply is available at http://go.osu.edu/engagementawards. Those interested in applying for any of these awards must submit an abstract by Feb. 28, 2017.

All recipients will be honored at a Recognition Awards Ceremony prior to the Patterson Lecture at 10:30 a.m. on May 3, 2017, in the Ohio Union.

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact the Office of Outreach and Engagement at engage@osu.edu or (614) 247-7795.

USDA Announces $2.9 Million for Biorefinery Research

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced the availability of $2.9 million in funding for research to improve biorefinery technologies. The Integrated Biorefinery Optimization program is coordinated and co-funded jointly between NIFA and the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office.

Biofuels and bioproducts can be created from a range of renewable energy sources, such as wood waste, short rotation crops and non-food grasses. Currently, there are only a few integrated biorefineries that work with new energy sources and across the entire supply chain from raw material to finished product. NIFA and DOE support technology development and engineering solutions to overcome barriers to their operational success and economic growth. This research helps integrated biorefineries reduce costs and improve performance to enhance U.S. energy security by reducing dependence on foreign oil and fostering economic growth through the latest advances in biotechnology.

Eligible applicants include state agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, and other public and private U.S. research organizations. Research funded through this program will support projects that address the challenges surrounding the successful scale-up and reliable continuous operation of integrated biorefineries. Funding may be used to reduce risk and provide resources to accelerate commercialization of advanced or cellulosic biofuels and bioproducts.

Applications are due by April 3, 2017.

For more details, see the request for applications on the NIFA website.

Spring 2017 Connect and Collaborate Grants Program

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The Connect and Collaborate Grants Program incentivizes faculty, staff, students and their public/private sector community partners to submit pre-proposals which have the potential to catalyze engaged, collaborative teaching and research activities benefiting the community and university.

Grant funds will be made available on a competitive basis using three grant tracks.

Planning Grants (up to $25,000)
Planning grants support development or improvement of a program at any point in its life-cycle. Teams that demonstrate support and excitement for starting or enhancing a program will be invited to develop an action plan designed to move the program to the next logical stage.

Implementation Grants (up to $40,000)
Implementation grants are intended for programs with a clear purpose based on demonstrated need, comprehensive planning, where partnerships are established, and early successes have accrued.

Expansion Grants (up to $70,000)
Expansion grants support scale-up of an established program’s infrastructure and capacity to increase positive impacts. Expansion grants provide funds to existing programs deemed to be of high quality based on documented evidence.

Pre-proposals are due Wednesday, Feb. 1.

An information session will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 11:30 a.m. in the Research Commons and can also be viewed online at https://carmenconnect.osu.edu/jan17ccgrants.

Click here for more information.

Support CFAES Students – Donate to Student Life Career Closet

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Please consider donating your gently used professional clothes, shoes and accessories to the Student Life Career Closet. All donated clothes will be used to provide a closet where students with a need can “shop” for free professional attire.

Donations will be accepted through Friday, Feb. 3 and can be dropped off in the collection bin located in the lobby of Ag Admin by the coffee shop. Donation receipts are available upon request.

For more information, contact Hannah Bonacci, Bonacci.14s@osu.edu, or Aisha Echols, echols.45@osu.edu.

Thank you for supporting students!

Canvas Survey

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Recently the CFAES eTeam developed a short feedback survey for faculty/staff regarding Canvas to find out what is working well for folks and where the challenges remain.  We will share this collective data with ODEE, as well.  Many eTeam reps have already sent this out to department email lists.

The CFAES eTeam is hoping to gather insight about how Canvas is being used to deliver courses.  This information will enable eTeam members and ODEE help desk to offer better support and training for faculty and staff.  Additionally, your comments will help us suggest future improvements to ODEE and Canvas for more efficient course delivery.

We have 46 surveys returned so far and want to keep it open through the first week of classes to make sure everyone’s voice is heard.

Please use the link below to fill out the survey.  Thank you for your participation.

https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_9oAlHSloxcJ7A2x

2017 OARDC Conference – Call for Posters

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A poster competition will be held during the OARDC Annual Research Conference on Thursday, April 20, 2017, at The Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus Campus.

Competition is open to any currently enrolled M.S. or Ph.D. student, or those who received their graduate degrees after Spring Quarter 2016, working on or supported by an OARDC or College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences supported project. Postdocs and research assistants/associates that are not currently working on an advanced degree are also invited (Research Scientists are excluded).  Entrants may present only posters on original research they have conducted while at The Ohio State University. Each entrant may present only one poster.

There are no restrictions regarding number of graduate students participating per faculty member or department. Separate competitions will be held for masters, doctoral students, postdocs and research assistants/associates. First, second, and third place winners in each competition will receive cash awards of $500, $300 and $150, respectively. Winners will be announced at the conference.

This competition has been established to showcase research in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and the OARDC, to encourage participation at the Conference, and to enlighten College and OARDC personnel on the diversity of research projects being conducted at our institution.

Participants must submit his/her name, degree sought, department, advisor’s name and email address, and upload an abstract including title of the poster and authors using the web based registration form at: by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 20.

Click here for guidelines and abstract template. Please encourage your department to participate.

Access Your CFAES Portfolium

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This message serves as a follow-up to the email you received from Dr. Linda Martin announcing the new partnership with Portfolium.com that will provide ALL students and faculty the opportunity to create a professional, online digital portfolio.

At its core, Portfolium functions as a personal website, where students and faculty can document and showcase their academic and individual work developed over time. It gives everyone the ability to capitalize on their professional experience for as long as they desire, by providing a secure space to reference, reflect upon, and showcase work samples and competencies.

In today’s world, employers seek evidence of career-relevant skills and competencies beyond listings on a resume.  Students at all levels can easily create evidence-based credentials by attaching documents, videos, audio files, graphics, coding samples and presentations to demonstrate their knowledge and abilities.

In addition, Portfolium is also a:

  • Professional Network – Connect with peers, colleagues, professors, and potential employers. Become inspired by discovering other people’s work, or, receive feedback on your projects.
  • Jobs Platform – Look for jobs and apply to them directly through Portfolium. Employers are actively browsing Portfolium for talent.

Please be on the lookout for your Portfolium invitation with the subject: “Access your CFAES Portfolium.” The email will contain a link to activate your free verified account within the CFAES network using your Ohio State credentials.  If you missed the initial email, you can also join by using the Portfolium Resource Page at: http://go.osu.edu/portfolium.

Later in January, we will be offering our first CFAES Portfolium Challenge.  This will be open to any student who has activated their Portfolium account.  Prizes and details about what to enter will be announced.

For more information or inquires, contact Dr. Tim Rhodus (Rhodus.1@osu.edu).

New GDSU Team Member and SEEDS Coordinator

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Melissa Burant will be the new SEEDS Coordinator and the primary SEEDS contact as part of the Grant Development Support Unit.

Melissa Burant has served for the past four years as a Program Assistant and Program Coordinator in the OARDC – Columbus Director’s Office.  She has gained experience writing/editing impact statements, preparing the annual NIFA Plan of Work and Report of Accomplishments, and general office management.  She has also coordinated the College’s “First Monday” faculty development program.

Melissa has accepted a position as a Grants Development Specialist for the CFAES Grant Development Support Unit.  In this new role, her primary focus will be the SEEDS program and proposal development, but she will continue to coordinate the “First Monday” series.  Melissa received her B.A. from Ohio University in English Literature and Women’s and Gender Studies.  She is currently involved with the CFAES Staff Advisory Council and the CFAES Gender Initiative.

Melissa will remain in her current Columbus office. Her contact information follows:

Melissa Burant
Grants Development Specialist
Grant Development Support Unit
College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences
106 Ag. Admin. Bldg. | 2120 Fyffe Rd. Columbus, OH 43210
614-292-5748 Office | 614-292-3263 Fax
burant.2@osu.edu
grants.cfaes.ohio-state.edu

Molecular and Cellular Imaging Center Has New Website

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The Molecular and Cellular Imaging Center (MCIC) has a new website: http://mcic.osu.edu/home.

The MCIC is a shared technology laboratory located at the Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) in Wooster (OH). It houses equipment and provide services in microscopy (light, confocal, transmission and scanning electron microscopy), in the area of genomics (low and high throughput sequencing and  genotyping) and bioinformatics. Its mission is to support research at the Ohio State University by providing cost-effective services. The facility is also available to other research and educational institutions and the private sector.

Use this new site to access information regarding equipment, services, and samples/job submission forms and instructions.

Retirement Celebration for CFAES Government Relations Director Gwen Wolford

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You are cordially invited to an open-house honoring Dr. Gwen Wolford – celebrating her 34-year career with CFAES and wishing her well in her retirement!

Please join us in thanking Gwen for her numerous contributions to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and The Ohio State University by joining us for a reception:

Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017
4:00 – 7:00 p.m., brief program at 5:00 p.m.
Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center

In lieu of gifts, please consider donating to two funds selected by Gwen for their particular significance to her career and family. You can support either of these funds at www.giveto.osu.edu/makeagift:

  • Alpha Gamma Rho Study Abroad Scholarship 315751
  • Epsilon Sigma Phi Leadership Fund 602003

Click here to RSVP by Monday, Jan. 9.

Inclusive Excellence Training

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Inclusive Excellence Training is a one-hour session created by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, OSU ADVANCE, and The Women’s Place to aide OSU in enhancing the diversity of faculty hires. As a result, all university units have been asked to provide this training for those who serve on search committees.  Our college has determined that staff in addition to faculty should participate in this training.  CFAES currently has 450 faculty and staff who have completed the training.  Here is a list of the sessions scheduled for 2017.

January 20, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
February 15, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
June 23, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
August 18, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

If you would like to schedule a session in your location (minimum of 10 participants), contact Kathy Lechman (lechman.1@osu.edu).

All sessions will be in Columbus with video link to Wooster Campus.

Click here to register. You also can go to the CFAES Equity and Inclusion page and view Upcoming Events.