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NEWS RELEASE

02-08-01

Contacts:
Stephen Howell, Plant Sciences Institute, (515) 294-5267
Teddi Barron, News Service, (515) 294-4778

PLANT SCIENCES INSTITUTE COLLOQUIUM SET FOR FEB. 17

AMES, Iowa – "Plant Sciences Research and Its Impact on Society," is the theme for the Plant Sciences Institute Colloquium-2001, Saturday, Feb. 17. The colloquium is from 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the auditorium and atrium of the Molecular Biology Building on the Iowa State University campus.

The annual colloquium provides an opportunity for faculty and students in the plant sciences to present current research, learn about opportunities for collaboration and discuss the interactions between plant science research and society. This year's colloquium honors Colin Scanes, outgoing interim director of the Plant Sciences Institute.

Student research will be featured during the first hour. Interim president Richard Seagrave will welcome participants at 9:15 a.m.

During the first session (9:20-10:30 a.m.), Stephen Howell, Plant Sciences Institute director, will discuss the institute's first year and present his vision for the future; David Hoisington, The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, (CIMMYT), Mexico City, will discuss the strategic partnership between CIMMYT and the institute; and Stanley Johnson, Iowa State vice provost for Extension, will speak about a biobased economy for Iowa. Provost Rollin Richmond will moderate the first session.

During the second session (11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.), Jim Miller, vice president, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, will give an overview of industry research and development in plant sciences; Doug Lewis, associate professor of food science and human nutrition and a researcher in the Center for Designing Foods to Improve Nutrition, will present his research on plant sterols to lower cholesterol; and Gary Comstock, professor of philosophy and religious studies and coordinator of the Bioethics Program, will discuss bioethics in plant science research. Howell will moderate the session, which will include time for questions and answers. A complimentary lunch will follow at 12:15 p.m.

The colloquium is free and open to the public. Lunch reservations are requested by Feb. 14. Contact Flora Tyler, Plant Sciences Institute, 294-5252, ftyler@iastate.edu.

The Plant Sciences Institute at Iowa State University, which consists of nine research centers, is supported through public and private funding. Its goal is to become one of the world's leading institutes for plant science research, education and unbiased research-based information. Researchers are developing ways to help feed the growing world population, strengthen human health and nutrition, improve crop quality and yield, foster environmental sustainability and expand the uses of plants for biobased products and bioenergy.

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