“AN ACT Donating Public Lands
to the several States and Territories
which may provide Colleges
for the Benefit of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts.”
– First Morrill Act, 1862

It’s not a usual day when one gets to hear Bill Gates plus two Cabinet Secretaries, yet I was so privileged at the convocation of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) in Washington, DC in late June. The event was a celebration of the Morrill Act of 1862, the enabling legislation for the concept of Land Grant institutions.

I listened carefully throughout the day for hints at the speakers’ perspectives on - what else? – research.

Mr. Gates was quite enthusiastic in his advocacy of extending higher education to broader audiences via – no surprise – technology. He loves that universities already are putting courses on line for hundreds of thousands of students – a first wave of future capabilities. He intimated that such use of technology begs the need for more advances in managing educational content, delivery and assessment. I sat proudly thinking about how OSU is right where we should be on this wave, reaching out to the far corners of the state and the world, and developing better ways to do so.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack made an impassioned plea: when you think of agriculture, think beyond food. Think, for instance, textiles. Think biofuels. I appreciated his broadened perspective, which got Dean Arp (sitting next to me at the session) and me thinking about emerging OSU leadership in the intersection of ag sciences and material sciences. In both fields, OSU researchers already hold positions of preeminence.

The presence of Secretary of Education Arne Duncan helped remind me that our researchers are superlative not only in their fields of study, but also in inspiring and training the next generations of researchers – and how that also is integral to our land-grant commitment.

One of my favorite presentations emphasized the role of Land Grant universities in building and sustaining our national strengths in physical sciences and engineering. Dr. Chuck Vest, President of the National Academy of Engineering, and past President of MIT, really inspired me to think about our strengths in these areas here at OSU.

The APLU convocation was a great confirmation of what so many of us here know: Land Grant Universities are a linchpin in the technological progress and leadership of our nation. And they have been for a century and a half. Our challenge is to continue to build on that legacy. I imagine our descendants celebrating the Morrill Act with the same enthusiasm at the tercentennial in the year 2162!

Rick Spinrad, Vice President for Research

Steve Durkee, Oregon State University’s administrator of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of the Office of Research Integrity, says, “Lives are saved because of research animals. Caring people make sure the animals are taken care of.”

See his recent article in Speaking of Research, a publication by an advocacy group that provides accurate information about the importance of animal testing in medical and veterinary science.

See the post on the Terra blog about the international nature of research today – and why Oregonians benefit from our faculty’s far-and-wide involvement.

Illustration of a PhD as superhero, by Theresa Hall, Terra Magazine — from Terra Magazine, by Theresa Hall

What is the difference between a researcher and a superhero?

Discuss the riddle with Rick Spinrad on the Terra blog

Looking up at windows, plants — Looking up in the atrium of the National Science Foundation photo by Carol Ormand

A few years ago I was invited to deliver a talk at a science pub in Washington, DC (of course, since it was Washington, they called it a “science café,” as I suspect that’s more politically correct. ) It was held in the gorgeous, airy atrium of the National Science Foundation headquarters – what a treat!

I talked about climate change and its implications for a range of societal issues. The venue was conducive to a healthy discussion and debate afterward. I was an instant aficionado of the concept of casual public gatherings in which experts converse with lay people on subjects of topical import.

Coming back to Corvallis, I was delighted to learn that science pubs are now an active part of OSU’s relationship with the community, at the Old World Deli* – a familiar local venue with its own unique charm.

So, I am especially excited about the opportunity to be host for the March 12 Corvallis Science Pub.

As always at this monthly event, we will begin with the fun of a trivia competition, complete with prizes – yet the topic of the evening, biofuels, is not trivial.

Of course, raising crops such as corn and soybeans specifically in order to produce fuel poses difficult questions for policymakers in areas ranging from managing greenhouse gases to security issues associated with energy independence.

We’ll hear from two scientists whose work points us toward a more efficient and sustainable way to produce biofuels.

Vince Remcho is a professor in the analytical chemistry at Oregon State University and an affiliate scientist for the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. He has authored numerous scientific publications on microfluidics, biosensors and nanoscale separations. His primary responsibilities are at OSU. As part of that capacity, he will be the principal investigator for Trillium FiberFuel’s work with the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI) on advanced isomerization systems.

Chris Beatty has an MS in Materials Science with an emphasis in Microfabrication. He worked at Hewlett-Packard for 22 years, including 15+ years in product/process development and 5 years in business development. He has 18 issued and numerous pending patents in MEMS, inkjet, and fuel cells. He founded and managed Ecopress (book publishing), which was later acquired by a larger press. Chris is president of Trillium FiberFuels and a member of its board of directors.

I am eager to hear what Vince and Chris will say – and I know that the topic will elicit pointed questions from the audience and a lively discussion. I hope you can join us.

- Rick Spinrad
VP for Research

Corvallis Science Pubs are generally the second Monday of the Month,
6:00pm – 8:00pm at The Old World Deli, 341 SW 2nd St., Corvallis.
No RSVP or tickets are required. Come early for food, drink, and a seat. Quench your thirst and feed your head. Learn about cutting-edge topics in science and technology from leading experts, in an interactive, informal atmosphere where there’s no such thing as a dumb question. Everyone has fun at Science Pub, from those completely unfamiliar with science to self-identified “science geeks.”

Corvallis Science Pubs are for ages 21+, or minor with adult, but please read the disclaimer if you’re thinking of bringing kids.

General Inquiries Terra Magazine

541.737.0783

Downtown Corvallis Association

541.754.6624

For information or to sign up for the mailing list

Email: sciencepub@omsi.edu

note: I made one of my first public appearances on that very Old World Deli stage in 1976 – not as a scientific administrator, but playing my banjo and passing the hat - the start of a prematurely (but appropriately) aborted career as a professional musician! – RS

Like so many ‘Boomers’, my siblings and I grew up being told to eat our vegetables, taking for granted that we’d have three nutritious meals a day, and enjoying abundant opportunities to stay physically active (even in the middle of New York City!). I didn’t realize as a child that not everyone was so privileged.

Now each year through a special program, more than 70,000 Oregonians of all ages - in all 36 counties and in 3 tribal lands – are educated to make nutritious food choices, engage in physical activity, handle food safely, and manage their resources so they have food at the end of the month.

Please join me in thanks and hearty congratulations to Sally Bowman, Core Director of the Parenting and Family Life Core of the Hallie E. Ford Center, who oversees the Oregon Nutrition Education Program, and the 130 OSU Extension Service faculty and staff who provide nutrition education around the state.

With a recent grant of almost $7Million from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service and a contract with Oregon Department of Human Services, they are reaching those who are receiving benefits or who are eligible for The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Education program

Sally is the Program Leader for Extension 4-H Youth Development and Family and Community Health. She has made many significant contributions over the years to address the needs of rural and vulnerable populations, on issues ranging from hunger to parenting. She received the L.L. Stewart Faculty Scholar award in 2009, and the Extended Education Faculty Achievement Award in 2004.

SNAP was formally known as Food Stamps. According to Sally, this program is now regulated by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which will transform the SNAP-Ed program into a nutrition education and obesity prevention grant program.”

In 2011, the Oregon program had about 698,000 direct educational contacts with adults, families and youth, in series or single events. In addition, it reached 250,000 participants through demonstrations, displays, or newsletters.

Again, please join me in celebrating Sally’s past and ongoing accomplishments.

-Rick Spinrad
VP for Research

Oregon State University has established a new Center for Latino/Latina Studies and Engagement, and named a prominent faculty member as interim director.

Susana Rivera-Mills, a professor of Spanish and diversity advancement, will direct the new center, known as CL@SE (pronounced claw-SAY), which is designed to meet the research and outreach needs relating to Oregon’s growing Latino population. Rivera-Mills also is the associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts, and has been an active leader on the OSU campus in advancing diversity.

“Research and outreach on issues surrounding the Latino population
affect every discipline at OSU,
and are integral with our university’s strategic areas and our research agenda.”

- Sabah Randhawa, Provost and Executive Vice President

The new center will integrate studies of Latino communities in the United States with analyses of their histories, politics, cultures and societies, officials say. Among the research themes that will be explored are colonialism, race, gender, nationalism, globalism, immigration, economic development, language and identity.

“The center will promote engaged research and outreach
devoted to advancing knowledge and understanding of Latino contributions
and the issues surrounding this population in our state, region and beyond.
I am enthusiastic about the opportunities.
Our action-based agenda will promote
economic, political, physical and educational well-being and development.”

- Susana Rivera-Mills

Rivera-Mills has been on the OSU faculty since 2007, and has mentored Latino students and been involved with the university’s internationalization and transnational efforts, as well as been a leader in student engagement and global learning initiatives. She specializes in Spanish language maintenance and loss, sociolinguistics, and Spanish as a first and second language.

CL@SE will be affiliated with both the OSU Provost’s Office and the Research Office, officials say.

“Our recently developed research agenda emphasizes
relevance, integration, collaboration and leadership.
Its principles support team-based research, student involvement,
partnership with communities, and transdisciplinary research.
CL@SE has at its core all of these principles
and reflects the values of the OSU research community.”

- Richard Spinrad, Vice President for Research

“The advancement of social justice
is among the important things that will be fostered
with Susana’s able leadership.”

- Scott Reed, Vice Provost for University Outreach and Engagement

CL@SE will collaborate with several units on campus, especially the colleges of liberal arts, science and education, and Outreach and Engagement.

In my ongoing thrust to build our relations with federal agencies, this September I again had productive meetings in D.C. with representatives. I offer here summaries – the “Bumper Stickers” are my take-home messages for us at OSU.

Department of Defense - Stu Wolf (Assistant Director (Physics) in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering)

DOD 6.1 (basic research) funding is holding its own, and has enjoyed good support from Secretary Gates as well as the House and Senate. There is some question, of course, on how much research Secretary Panetta will support, but clearly his history in the White House, Congress and the CIA suggest he will want to maintain strong research budgets in DoD.

Dr. Wolf shared that the Defense Sciences Board is preparing a strategic plan on Defense Basic Sciences. This is something we should watch for, and be prepared to respond. He also emphasized that we focus on several information sources and opportunities:

*

• Annual solicitations for Multidisciplinary University Research Initiatives (MURI)

• Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) – incidentally, OSU has just submitted three proposals to DURIP

• Industry briefings from DARPA – check the DARPA website

US Geological Survey

Marcia McNutt (Director) – Marcia was the Director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, so it was nice to have a chance to talk briefly about some of the key issues in the oceanographic community (e.g. ship construction and operations).

We spent a long time talking about the Landsat Data Continuity Mission, and the prognosis for sustained capabilities past the Landsat 8 launch scheduled for late 2012. USGS is facing difficulties finding the resources (from somewhere other than out of hide), but apparently has good support from Congress to do this without penalty to the agency. They are looking at a range of options, and may want some help from the academic community in assessing capabilities. Stay tuned.

Doug Beard, Chief of the USGS National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center (NCCWSC) and Robin O’Malley, USGS NCCWSC Partnership and Policy Coordinator

I had a chance to catch up with Beard and O’Malley in their offices in Northern Virginia. The last time we talked at any length was in the summer of 2010, when Phil Mote had organized their visit to Corvallis, while we were competing for the USGS Climate Science Center leadership (which Phil and Co. won!). Getting USGS personnel on campus as part of the Center is a high priority for Doug Beard, and he indicated we can expect to hear an announcement of who will be the USGS Center lead “very soon” (before 1 Jan). That will set in motion further activity to bring into the center at least two more USGS employees.

We also had a good discussion regarding coordination of various agency climate activities. Doug and Robin made clear that their USGS priority for climate science is attending to immediate regional issues (rather than completing assessments, for example).

National Science Foundation – Farnam Jahanian, Assistant Director for Computer & Information Science & Engineering Directorate

Dr. Jahanian shared his view that everything that CISE supports (and consequently their position in coordinating with the NSF “domain” sciences) should advance the frontiers in computer sciences and communications. He emphasized a focus on exploiting advances in technologies in areas such as data access, broadband, and sensor development. He added that, as with all of the Directorates at NSF, they are aiming at issues of sustainability, lifelong learning, health and security. He indicated that while 70% of the CISE funding will go to core computer science and information science research, the remainder will be cross-cutting. He cited as examples of the cross-cutting effort initiatives and programs: SEES, focusing on sustainability and energy security; and Smart Health and Well-Being, focusing on chronic health issues and aging populations. Going beyond NSF, Jahanian also discussed the emerging collaborations with NASA, NIST and NIH in the National Robotics Initiative.

U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rich Guldin, Director of Quantitative Science Research and Development, U.S. Forest Service

We were scheduled to meet with the head of R&D for the Forest Service, Jim Reaves, but he was called away at the last minute; Guldin is one of Reaves’ Deputies, working mostly on USFS remote sensing issues. So I used this opportunity to hear more about the USFS needs for Landsat data continuity (see above, for discussion with Marcia McNutt). Their concerns with any changes in satellite sensor technology is that they would lose the bands that are critical to their applications. In connection with that discussion, I asked Guldin what his toughest challenges are in remote sensing. In short, he said he needs work in site- and ecosystem-specific algorithm development, as well as improved capabilities for polygon definition to support evaluating categories of environments of interest. We also had a good discussion of the potential utility of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for USFS applications. He stated that UAS are potentially valuable for forest inventories, especially where there is 10% tree cover or less. For any readers who want to pursue this UAS discussion further, Guldin’s staff point of contact is Ken Brewer.

Chavonda Jacobs-Young (Acting Director, National Institute of Food and Agriculture {NIFA})

When I last visited this office in the winter, I met with Dr. Roger Beachy, who was full of expectations about what he’d be able to do at NIFA. Three months later, he left NIFA!

Chavonda stated that work needs to be done to get Office of Management & Budget to see NIFA as a “real player in the science arena.” She pointed out that NIFA’s leadership in some important technical areas (e.g. bioenergy, food safety and nutrition, environmental prediction) is not recognized. She sees several opportunities for the community to address these misperceptions: getting ag people on President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, National Research Council NRC panels, etc. It’s clear that she feels a strategic imperative is needed for NIFA, so much of what they do will be implemented with that in mind. “CAP grants will be awarded strategically,” she said. In closing, she asked, somewhat rhetorically “What is USDA’s ‘Man on the Moon’?”

Environmental Protection Agency- Lek Kadeli (Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Research and Development {OED}), Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta (Acting Division Director, Environmental Public Health Division), Rick Linthurst (National Program Director for Ecology), Thomas D. Fontaine (Director, Western Ecology Division), Tony Olsen (Western Ecology Division) Seema Schappelle (Special Assistant/Immediate Office of the Assistant Administrator, Office of Research and Development)

When my meeting with ORD Assistant Administrator Paul Anastas was cancelled last-minute, we had the wonderful opportunity to do a video telecon with Anastas’ deputy, Lek Kadeli and his staff from Research Triangle Park (RTP) and Corvallis. It turned into a great discussion on a range of issues. Tom and Tony talked about the vibrant relationship with OSU faculty (e.g. Robert Tanguay, Phil Mote, John Bolte and Jeff McDonnell), and expressed interest in pursuing other relationships, including perhaps renewing some of the old relationships with our Environmental and Molecular Toxicology folks.

I asked about what programs we should watch for and got some good intel. Lek recommended we watch for an RFA on molecular design, aimed at risk mitigation (based on recommendations from an NRC report on sustainability, chaired by Bernie Goldstein, released last week). Jennifer indicated they’d be redesigning a number of their programs around sustainability and that the EPA Science Advisory Board web site is a good reference for us to infer the direction they’re getting. Tom talked about their emphasis on Pacific NW water features.

Since I haven’t yet visited our Corvallis EPA neighbors, I wangled an invitation from Tom and Tony to come by for a tour soon.

Department of Energy (DOE), Jose Zayas, Program Manager for the Wind and Water Program

This was a great opportunity to meet the new program director in charge of our wave energy program, the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center, run by Belinda Batten. Jose’s been on the job just a few weeks, coming from Sandia National Lab. He’s clearly a strong advocate for the program, and we had a good discussion about how we can help him sell the marine hydrokinetics program, and what he expects of us. He made two good points:

We should become known well and uniquely for certain broad competencies (he used the example of U Maine’s recognized expertise in deepwater wind energy research). He pointed out that this will require an even stronger within-campus coordination of what’s going on in engineering, oceanography and Sea Grant.
Working together with the national labs is critical. NREL, PNNL, Sandia, etc. must be seen as meaningful partners in our work.

I returned to campus encouraged and inspired.

- Rick Spinrad, Vice President for Research

*
“5 x 5″ – Radio terminology used to signify that the signal has excellent strength and perfect clarity – therefore, that something is fine.

4 baby birds on reed, used with permission, copyright Bruce Marbin. — Tree Swallows ("Gape" coloration around beaks helps parent guide food into open mouths). photo BAM, info MG.

The creek’s world let us in, early one morning. A yellow-eyed heron, engrossed in its walking meditation/fishing, tolerated our binoculared stares. Four fluffed round tree swallows, cuddled on a curving reed, were oblivious to everything but the treats swooped to their mouths by their parents. On thick leaf pads, husky yellow blossoms, a local version of lotus?, ignored our bumping as we glided in to peer at their delicacies.

We relished the benign neglect that the wildlife offered us. Paddling our kayaks silently upstream, we could blissfully feel we were one with nature, and all was right with the environment. Is that sound still the automobiles? No – it’s the swash of the ocean waves.

After disembarking and reloading the kayaks on top of our cars, we became one with that traffic to Newport’s featured human event: the open house for the new Marine Operations Center-Pacific of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). We had figured that waiting until the weekend’s final hours would mean “the public” would be gone. Ha. We waited in lines to get in through the doors and out onto the vast pier of our federal government come-to-town. Over three thousand curious people, the gatekeepers figured, had already come through.

Artist's rendering of facilities, bay, bridge, ships. — courtesy Port of Newport and gLAs Architects, LLC.

Because I work for Rick Spinrad, who not long ago was the assistant administrator for research of NOAA, and having for years known Jane Lubchenco, who is now NOAA’s head, I was pretty aware of this Department of Commerce bureau. Yet I had so much to learn. In the warehouse, we shuffled past table-top displays about the science, created especially for this celebration, and in the administrative building we saw permanent exhibits. Scientists and other guides remained intensely enthusiastic after hours of explanations.

We got to look up-close at antique and new artifacts, including: A lead line mold. Intricate model ships. A chronometer. Drift bottles. Sextants. China from the Captain’s table. A huge wooden ship’s wheel. A precise level. Tools for hand-drawn maps, including India ink.

There were illustrations of a salmon’s life cycle, and what it needs from its environment at each stage. Hands-on demonstrations of salinity-testing tools. Instructions on how to escape a flood and survive a tsunami.

The information shared made it clear that our species does much more than peep at and enjoy nature, and is trying to figure out how to stop bumping it.

I found that the active verbs of NOAA include “protect, research, collect, understand, support, monitor, maintain, steward, manage, educate, explore, alert, oversee, deploy, provide . . .”

Did you know? : the US Coast and Geodetic Survey began releasing “messages in bottles” in 1959 to learn about ocean currents. NOAA is home to “the seventh uniformed service” of the United States. Four of the nine ships in the MOC-P fleet are homeported in Newport. Rachel Carson worked early-on for NOAA. NOAA Fisheries has had a presence in Newport for 35 years. A “NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards,” portable and battery-powered, can automatically alert you to severe conditions, including lightening. A salmon finds its way home to its breeding ground through its sense of smell. Susan Solomon, formerly of NOAA, is known as the Ozone Hole Sleuth. NOAA does not own the Newport property - it has a 20-year lease.

Kayaking that day kept me in touch with the brilliance of nature. NOAA’s official vision of the future: “Healthy ecosystems, communities, and economies that are resilient in the face of change” helps assure me that it (and OSU) are helping create a better symbiosis of the natural and human-made environments, for a vital world.

- Jana Zvibleman

Note

If you weren’t among the hordes in Newport that weekend, you can still view some of the scientific displays at the Hatfield Marine Science Center for a little while. And, if your group arranges a tour, you may be able to get into NOAA’s administrative building to see the mini-museum of photos and artifacts.

From http://www.moc.noaa.gov/mop_faqs.html

We plan to offer the public opportunities to visit the facility and ships as we are able. Visit opportunities will be posted to this website

To view the current location of any NOAA ship: NOAA Ship Tracker

____________

I recently was honored to be invited to speak at an organization of eminent figures in government, industry and academia, specifically dedicated to the advancement of scientific research and development, the Sea-Space Symposium (S3 ). S3 provides a vehicle by which leaders from research and development organizations come together to share their visions and mold their plans for the furthering of the exploration and utilization of sea and space.

S3 was established in 1970 by twelve members meeting on Grand Bahamas Island and - appropriately – signing the charter on the bottom of the sea with salt-water-proof ink! The founding members, associated with NASA’s APOLLO program, wished to share and promulgate the inspiration and achievements of humankind’s first voyage to the moon.

I used this opportunity to talk about a number of issues that are of significance to our OSU research activities: for example, support for risk-tolerance in management of basic research, the need for balance of basic and applied research, the segregation of research management and research performance. The result was a vibrant discussion and an opportunity to hear different perspectives from industry and government.

While S3 is not positioned to effect change directly in publicly funded research, clearly the group provides advice and opinion in a variety of influential circles. I found it encouraging that many of the ideas that we are currently incorporating in our OSU Research Agenda are strongly supported by these individuals.

-Rick Spinrad, Vice President for Research
Comments are welcome
Please subscribe for timely updates about a variety of topics

The Spin on Research

Updates from the VP & the Research Office

Category Archives: Outreach

Well-Grounded as a Land-Grant U

Research Animals are Lifesavers Also

Science Without Borders

Saving Lives

Science Pub

Nutrition Education Statewide

Latino/Latina Studies – New Center

“Research and outreach on issues surrounding the Latino population
affect every discipline at OSU,
and are integral with our university’s strategic areas and our research agenda.”

“The advancement of social justice
is among the important things that will be fostered
with Susana’s able leadership.”

Federal Agencies

*

NOAA and the Creek (one kayaker’s views)

Reaching the Influencers

Contact Info

“Research and outreach on issues surrounding the Latino population affect every discipline at OSU, and are integral with our university’s strategic areas and our research agenda.”

“The advancement of social justice is among the important things that will be fostered with Susana’s able leadership.”

*

Contact Info

“Research and outreach on issues surrounding the Latino population
affect every discipline at OSU,
and are integral with our university’s strategic areas and our research agenda.”

“The advancement of social justice
is among the important things that will be fostered
with Susana’s able leadership.”