PLANT BIOLOGY NEWSLETTER University of Minnesota

Volume XII Number 6 Department of Plant Biology, 250 Biological Sciences Center

1445 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108-1095 612-625-1234 April 4, 2007

***************************************************** 1. Message from Interim Department Head 2. Phytograd and Plant Biological Sciences Graduate Program 3. Calendar of Events 4. Faculty Meetings/Messages 5. Seminars and Symposia 6. Miscellaneous 7. Want Ads

***************************************************** 1. Message from Interim Department Head

Imke & Steffen Schmitt welcomed their daughter, Emily into the world on March 24. She and Imke are recovering well and healthy.

2. Phytograd & Plant Biological Sciences Graduate Program

Dear PBS Faculty, PBS Graduate Students and Postdocs of PBS faculty labs,

Invitation to Attend the PBS Second Annual Retreat

This year the retreat will again be held at the Como Conservatory on Thursday, May 17th from 8:30-4:30.

PBS faculty, PBS students, post docs, lab technicians are invited. For those faculty that are not from Plant Biology, please pass this information on to your post docs and lab techs. I would like each faculty to let me know the names of those people that will be attending from their lab.

We are still working on the days events. We will have a poster session where post docs and PBS students will be presenting their research.

There will be time over lunch and after the retreat for everyone to spend time visiting some of the exhibits.

Please send an email to Gail Kalli at desha001@umn.edu if you wish to attend. Indicate the lab you work in, and if you would like a meat or vegetarian sandwich.

Hope to see you all there!!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* PBS Annual Evaluations – Due Date March 28, 2007

Continuing appointment as a Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant, or Graduate Fellow etc. for summer and fall semester (beginning May 28, 2007) requires that the evaluation form be completed in a timely manner. The evaluation form should be filled out, signed and a copy returned to the PBS office by March 28, 2007.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Gail Kalli at 612-625-4222 or desha001@umn.edu.

3. Calendar of Events

CBS Year-End Picnic Fun, Food, Prizes, Music, and More Fun!!

Friday, May 4, 11:30 to 1:30 p.m., on the lawn in front of

Snyder Hall and Gortner Labs

• Free food, served by deans, department heads, and faculty • Gifts for graduating seniors • Music and door prizes • Students, faculty, and staff are invited

In order to participate in the day’s events you MUST register by April 28 at the following link:

http://bass.cbs.umn.edu/hawk/form309

We are hoping that you can find time to volunteer for this event. If so, there is a sign-up

sheet in the Plant Biology main office listing the volunteer assignments. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Plant Sale!!!

Presented by

CBS Greenhouse & Plant Biology Phytograds on

Wednesday & Thursday April 4th & 5th

9:00 – 4:00 at the

St. Paul Student Center

What you will find: Herbs, Orchids, Easter plants, Carnivorous plants, Succulents

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March Benefits Calendar Faculty Retirement Workshop April 10 & 26 – 2:30 – 3:30 PM 210 Donhowe Health Benefits Workshop April 19 & 25 – 9-10:30 AM 215 Donhowe

4. Faculty Meetings/Messages

The Faculty Expertise Database is now available on the college web page. http://www.cfans.umn.edu/Research1.html Click the link on the right-hand side of the page labeled: "Faculty Expertise Search" The database has multiple search capabilities: 1. Faculty name 2. Department 3. Topic area 4. Keyword 5. Combination of the above If you have trouble using the database, have suggestions for improvement or need updates made to faculty profiles, please use the link at the bottom of the search page to fill out the on-line form.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Below are the remaining times for the Plant Biology Faculty Meetings for Spring 2007: Thursday, 1-3PM Rm 257 BioSci

April 26 May 24

5. Seminars & Symposia PLANT BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES COLLOQUIUM SERIES Spring 2007 Tuesdays, 3:30 PM 335 Borlaug - SPC Apr 10 Dr. Andreas Weber – MPGI Speaker, Associate Professor, Michigan State University, Department

of Plant Biology “Making the Connections – Intracellular Transport in Plant Cells” Host: Dr. John Ward Apr 17 Dr. Stephen Wright, Assistant Professor, York University – Toronto, Department of Biology

“Signatures of demographic history and selection in plant genomes” Host: Dr. Peter Tiffin

Apr 24 Dr. Michael Udvardi – MPGI Speaker, Noble Foundation, Plant Biology Division “Legume functional and translational genomics” Host: Dr. John Ward May 1 Dr. Mary Lou Guerinot – MPGI Speaker, Professor, Dartmouth College, Department of Biological

Sciences “Metals, Mutants and Mayhem” Host: Dr. John Ward NOTE: SEMINAR WILL BE HELD IN 105 CARGILL BLG ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

On Tuesday, April 17th, 2007 The Food Industry Center will host: The James P. Houck Lecture on Food and Consumer Policy "A Houckian's Perspective on Several Contemporary Issues" Dr. Michael V. Martin President, New Mexico State University 3:00 p.m. Cargill Building for Microbial and Plant Genomics http://www.onestop.umn.edu/Maps/CargillB/ James P. Houck was known for applying wit and wisdom to his teaching of economics and to his writing. He believed that "everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler." He was fond of quoting Shakespeare, Frost, and Tennyson and interjecting their thoughts into the lessons of economics trade theory. Houck was adamant about clear communication often using metaphors such as the University being like a Feudal Society. President Michael Martin, a former student of Dr. Houck's, will be honoring James P. Houck by injecting some "Houckian" wit into his lecture on current affairs. To register for this free lecture sponsored by The Food Industry Center and the Department of Applied Economics, please visit the Applied

Economics web site at: http://www.apec.umn.edu/houck_lecture07_registration.html

6. Miscellaneous

State of the University Address by President Robert H. Bruininks Rescheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday, April 5, 2007 Coffman Memorial Union Theater 300 Washington Avenue S.E. Minneapolis Campus Question-and-answer period will follow the speech. Interactive broadcast sites: 100 Dowell Hall, Crookston 410 Library, Duluth Science Auditorium, Morris ST108, Rochester 155 Peters Hall, St. Paul Live video link: www.umn.edu/pres/stateoftheu.html (Check compatibility at least one day in advance.) To request disability accommodations, call University Relations at 612-624-6868

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Workshops at Magrath Library – Spring 2007 Attend a hands-on session to enhance your information-gathering skills. Register at http://www.lib.umn.edu/registration Featured classes: * How do I know I found everything? - 4/18 Regular offerings: * RefWorks Basics –4/24, 5/3, 5/16 * Keeping Current In the Sciences – 4/11 * Searching:14 Habits of Highly Effective Searchers – 4/10 * Create your Poster in PowerPoint – 4/17 * Grant resources: Locating Grants in your Field – 4/10, 5/15 * SciFinder: Web Access to Chemical Abstracts – 4/18 * Unique Indexes Every Researcher Should Know – For times and registration see http://www.lib.umn.edu/registration Busy when the class meets? Choose another option: * Arrange for a special session for your group * Make an appointment with a librarian * Check out the Web site for the session, or get a copy of the handouts

Contact the Magrath Reference Desk at magrath@umn.edu or 612-624-1212

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* FM Notice Dear FM Customers: As we move into the warmer seasons of spring and summer, we would like to take a moment to explain Facilities Management’s role in the transition from building heating to building cooling systems. In most homes, the process of switching from heat to cooling is often as simple as flipping a switch. On campus the process is more complex and requires much more time. The process, which includes filling cooling towers with water, varies slightly in each of the 250 campus buildings we serve. Because freezing temperatures would cause complications to the switching process, the water must be added only when temperatures are consistently above freezing. While Facilities Management typically completes the switch by the end of April, some areas on campus need to be handled differently and can experience changes in temperature both earlier and later than this projected time. Please be aware that until this transition takes place, we have limited options for bringing cold air to many of our buildings. As the outside temperatures reach over 60 degrees, we anticipate that some areas may experience uncomfortable temperatures. Please be patient with us if your building or space becomes too warm because of outside temperatures. If you feel that the temperatures are unexplainably high or low, please call Michelle Murray @ 612-62407293 who will answer your questions. As always, if you have any further questions about this or any other Facilities Management service, please contact the FM Call Center at 4-2900. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

7. Want Ads

Department of Organismal and Evolutionary Biology

Harvard University

GREENHOUSE MANAGER Working with faculty Greenhouse Committee the Greenhouse Manager (GM) will manage technically complex research facilities consisting of approximately 9,000 net square feet of greenhouses, growth chambers, and experimental garden. The GM will ensure high quality plant facilities to support a full range of research and teaching activities; hire, train, and supervise staff in plant care, greenhouse protocols, and environmental health and safety procedures; establish protocols for plant care based on experiment and teaching needs; ensure proper planting, watering, fertilization, insect and disease control, and establishment and monitoring of plant environments; develop and oversee integrated pest management systems; serve as horticulture resource to researchers and staff on watering, fertilization, and pesticide schedules, culturing requirements of

diverse plants species, and purchase of plant care supplies and equipment. Advise and assist in experimental design and set-up; monitor projects to ensure research specs are being met. Recommend and manage updates to facilities and equipment. Maintain & repair mechanical, environment, and computer systems and equipment. Develop long-term facility and financial plans, and manage annual budget. Ensure compliance with safety and legal requirements. Requirements: 5 yrs. research greenhouse management experience. Proven expertise in growing quality plants, optimizing greenhouse systems, integrated pest management, plant nutrition, and development and enforcement of protocols and procedures. Knowledge of pest management principles and practices, plant propagation/culture methods, soil and growth media preparation required. Knowledge of pesticide & fertilizer safety and relevant legal requirements, as well as the correct use of relevant equipment required. Must possess and maintain a valid Mass. driver's license and pesticide license; be able to perform strenuous manual labor, including climbing ladders and frequent lifting/carrying heavy loads up to 50lbs with or without accommodation; experience with hand and power tools. Experience with computer applications related to management of greenhouse environments and facilities. Advanced degree in horticulture, plant biology, or related field preferred. Excellent organizational, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills required. Ability to prioritize tasks, work under pressure, and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Demonstrated ability to anticipate, perceive, diagnose, prioritize, and remedy problems, and adapt, combine or make improvements to systems, services, and/or processes. Ability to work well with multiple constituents: including faculty, students, researchers, vendors, and administrative and facilities staff. Work may be required during weekends, holidays, periods of adverse weather and emergencies when necessary. Harvard University offers generous benefits including medical and dental coverage, up to 4 weeks of vacation time per year, 11.5 University recognized holidays, University sponsored pension plan, tuition assistance program, training and development programs and a variety of discounts and purchasing offers. To Apply: Submit resume and cover letter to: Harvard University Employment website: http://jobs.harvard.edu, Requisition #29506.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* SUMMER SEASONAL

BIOLOGICAL TECHNICIAN (WILDLIFE) GS-404-5

LOCATION: Chippewa National Forest, Deer River, Minnesota SALARY: estimated: $13.83/hour HOUSING: Government housing within 25 miles may be available at modest cost. TOUR OF DUTY: Seasonal, full-time. Expected Term: May 13, 2007 through September 1, 2007 ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: ADS04-WOFSJOBS-005DT APPLICATION PERIOD: Currently open. Evaluation of applicant lists may begin after April 8, 2007. QUALIFICATIONS: GS-0404-5: Completed 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree with courses related to the position, OR 1 year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-04 grade level.

DUTIES: Verify identification and locations of rare species; inspect contractor completion of field surveys for rare species; complete field surveys for rare species, such as goshawks, red-shouldered hawks, songbirds, and some rare plants; complete tasks associated with habitat inventories and reconnaissance, and other duties as assigned. HOW TO APPLY: Login and follow application procedures as described through the centralized temporary jobs option at the following website: http://www.avuedigitalservices.com/usfs/applicant.html Click the logo Login Click centralized temporary jobs click on the announcement number (ADS04-WOFSJOBS-005DT) Click on Apply Now (left side of screen) Follow menus for entering information At the mandatory Applicant Information screen you must select Deer River, Minnesota as a

preferred location to insure your application is referred for this job. ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS: If you have any questions about the position you may contact Jeremy Cable at (218)246-3459; jcable@fs.fed.us. CANDIDATES WILL BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY NONMERIT REASON SUCH AS RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, RELIGION, AGE, DISABILITY, POLITICAL BELIEFS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, MARITAL STATUS OR FAMILY STATUS, RECEIPT OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, OR PROTECTED GENETIC INFORMATION.

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SUMMER SEASONAL BIOLOGICAL TECHNICIAN (PLANTS) GS-404-5

LOCATION: Chippewa National Forest, Deer River, Minnesota SALARY: estimated: $13.83/hour HOUSING: Government housing within 25 miles may be available at modest cost. TOUR OF DUTY: Seasonal, full-time. Expected Term: May 13, 2007 through September 1, 2007 ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: ADS04-WOFSJOBS-009DT APPLICATION PERIOD: Currently open. Evaluation of applicant lists may begin after April 8, 2007. QUALIFICATIONS: GS-0404-5: Completed 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree with courses related to the position, OR 1 year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-04 grade level. Excellent plant identification skills are extremely valuable.

DUTIES: Verify identification and locations of rare plants; inspect contractor completion of field surveys for rare plants; complete field surveys for rare plants; complete field surveys for other rare species, such as goshawks, red-shouldered hawks, and songbirds; possibly inventory noxious weed sites, and other duties as assigned. HOW TO APPLY: Login and follow application procedures as described through the centralized temporary jobs option at the following website:

http://www.avuedigitalservices.com/usfs/applicant.html Click the logo Login Click centralized temporary jobs click on the announcement number (ADS04-WOFSJOBS-009DT) Click on Apply Now (left side of screen) Follow menus for entering information

At the mandatory Applicant Information screen you must select Deer River, Minnesota as a preferred location to insure your application is referred for this job.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS: If you have any questions about the position you may contact Jeremy Cable at (218)246-3459; jcable@fs.fed.us. CANDIDATES WILL BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY NONMERIT REASON SUCH AS RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, RELIGION, AGE, DISABILITY, POLITICAL BELIEFS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, MARITAL STATUS OR FAMILY STATUS, RECEIPT OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, OR PROTECTED GENETIC INFORMATION.

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Biology: Lab Instructor/Coordinator Gustavus Adolphus College invites nominations and applications for two nine month, renewable special appointment (non tenure-track) positions of Lab Instructor/Coordinator for the Department of Biology to begin September 1, 2007. We seek candidates who have an earned master’s degree in appropriate biological discipline or Life Science Education with relevant experience. Previous teaching experience is desirable. The successful candidate should also possess computer skills including word processing, spreadsheet, graphing and statistics (the department currently uses Microsoft Office, SigmaPlot, SigmaStat or SPSS). First year Biology Instructor RESPONSIBILITIES are: Coordinate and teach multiple sections in Principles of Biology (Bio 101); January Term Internship/Career Exploration supervision alternating years with a personally-designed course; coordinate and teach laboratories in Organismal Biology (Bio 102). ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS: Basic knowledge or background in botany and zoology is expected. Cell Biology Instructor RESPONSIBILITIES are: Coordinate and teach multiple laboratory sections of a sophomore-level cell and molecular biology course plus two laboratory lectures weekly; January Term Internship/Career Exploration supervision alternating years with a personally-designed course; coordinate and teach multiple sections of a non-majors microbiology laboratory and teach lab sections for Organismal Biology. ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS: Basic knowledge or background in cell biology, botany and zoology is expected. Committee work, additional advising or research is not expected for these position. Dr. Pamela Kittelson, Chair

Department of Biology Gustavus Adolphus College 800 West College Avenue Saint Peter, MN 56082-1498 www.gustavus.edu/humanresources For more details, visit the department web site at: www.gustavus.edu/oncampus/academics/bio or contact Dr. Kittelson at 507-933- 7331 or pkittels@gustavus.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled. Gustavus Adolphus College is a coeducational, private, Lutheran (ELCA), residential, national liberal arts college of 2500 students. It is the practice of the College to provide equal educational and employment opportunities for all. We specifically encourage applications from women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Metropolitan State University in St. Paul seeks an instructor to teach Nath201 Plants and Human Affairs this summer semester, 2007. The course meets Monday & Wednesday evenings, 6:00-8:10pm, May 5-August 15, on the St. Paul campus. It is a 4 credit course (3 lecture+1 lab credits). Pay is $4400. Enrollment is 24 students. Instructor teaches both lecture and lab. This is a general education course that meets the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities Transfer Curriculum General Education Natural Sciences (goal III) and People and the Environment (goal X) requirements. To apply, please send a current CV including contact information for 2-3 references who can comment on your teaching experience and competence to teach this course. For more information, or to apply, please contact Dr. Virginia Card, chair of the Natural Sciences Department (virginia.card@metrostate.edu)

Editors: Pete Snustad, Interim Dept. Head; Anne Caton, Admin. Director; Patrice Myers, Executive Assistant This publication is available in hard copy or email by request. Please contact Patrice Myers via email (pmyers@umn.edu) or call 625-1234 if you would like to receive a copy. The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status or sexual orientation.