Appendix D Department Review Report to ISU

Transcription

1 IV. Appendix D Department Review Report to ISU The following 20 pages comprise the Board of Regents Summary Report of Academic Program Review from the review of the Department of Entomology undertaken in 2002.

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11 Vision Document for the Department of Entomology Providing Iowa State University with a dynamic, discovery-based intellectual foundation for delivering novel insect-related technologies and knowledge. Fact 1 Insects are the largest and most diverse group of living organisms in the world with an estimated 5 million species, dwarfing the next largest group, all higher plants, Insects Plants which have only an estimated 350,000 species. Of this astonishing insect diversity, only about 20% of species are named and only a small fraction of these are known in any detail. Fact 2 Insect-borne diseases annually cause more than 2 million human deaths, infect more than 700 million people, and dramatically impact plant productivity and animal health. A particularly relevant example is the recent threat of West Nile virus. Mission The mission of the Department of Entomology is to improve the quality of human life and our environment through an aggressive pursuit and transfer of knowledge in insect integrative biology and management, and to actively engage the public in an awareness and appreciation of insects and their impact on our lives. Goals The overall goal is to foster a scholarly focus in Insect Science that extends beyond the Department of Entomology, the College of Agriculture, and Iowa State University by building on our current strengths. The scholarly focus will be driven by an overarching applied mission of delivering new technologies and knowledge to the public and to students. By broadening its intellectual base for discovery, engagement, and learning, Iowa State University s Department of Entomology will serve as an incubator for the ultimate establishment of a Center for Applied Insect Science, which will be the only one of its kind in the world. The Department of Entomology at Iowa State University will provide the core intellect for new discoveries that will impact human and animal health, food safety, crop profitability, homeland defense, quality of life, and environmental quality. The Department of Entomology will have a diverse faculty. Each scientist will have a broad-based, vertically integrated approach to discovery and will be primarily focused on knowledge and technology transfer. The Department of Entomology will have faculty who are individually and collectively agile, able to adapt to a broad range of new opportunities and challenges as they arise. The Department will be ambitious in developing an extramural funding base of federal grants, as well as promoting the formation of endowed chairs and scholarship funds. Robust and aggressive technology transfer, as well as information technology and information transfer activities will help the College of Agriculture and Iowa State University in meeting the land grant university mission. Outcome The expected ultimate outcome is the formation of a regional Center for Applied Insect Science for which the reorganized Department of Entomology will provide the core intellectual base. The Center for Applied Insect Science will welcome participating Insect Science-based faculty not only from colleges, universities, and state agencies from within Iowa but also from throughout the Midwest. The Center for Applied Insect Science will derive support from training grants from NSF and NIH, and complement the activities of the highly successful Center for Insect Science housed at the University of Arizona. Whereas the Arizona Center is focused on evolutionary biology, theoretical ecology, and other curiosity-driven basic research efforts in insect biochemistry and physiology, the Iowa State University Center for Applied Insect Science will 1

12 Fact 3 Approximately 40% of the world s food production is lost to insect pests each year at a global cost of greater than $90 billion. Human, societal, and environmental concerns over the use of traditional insect management technologies continue to grow along with demand for safe, effective alternatives to conventional insecticides such as transgenic crops. Fact 4 In anti-terrorist research and development efforts, insects have recently emerged as the major group of organisms to be used in inspiring the design and construction of novel tissuebased bio-sensors, to be used successfully as trained locators of agents of harm, and as design models for the development of novel terrestrial and micro-flying robots. Fact 5 Insects contribute positively to the human experience, providing benefits such as honey, silk, pollination, and beauty. Their natural history is a source of wonder for people of all ages. be driven by applicability and technology transfer to stakeholders. As such, bioengineering, biomimetics, sustainable agriculture, and human, animal, and plant health issues will distinguish the Iowa State University Center from the Arizona Center and will enhance its prospects for federally sponsored training grants as well as other support such as Industry support. The Center for Applied Insect Science will also put a punctuation mark on Iowa State University s commitment to excellence in the Plant Sciences with a complementary commitment to excellence in Insect Science with all the benefits that can accrue from intense knowledge prospecting in this rich area. The Center for Applied Insect Science will become a flagship for those who seek to understand insect biology, ecology, and management with an intent to deliver technologies, knowledge and implementation strategies to the public, industry, and other end-users. Justification (External Factors) Insect science is a dynamic discipline of the future. The importance of entomology is highlighted by the compelling facts concerning the impact of insects on society (see Facts 1-7 in sidebar). Each of these facts provides a new opportunity platform for learning, engagement and discovery, for delivery of new knowledge and technologies to the benefit of humankind. Each opportunity will provide new resources in terms of new intellect and scholarly activities, new intellectual property development activities, and new funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Defense (DoD), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Center for Disease Control (CDC), and new funding related to Homeland Security such as the Iowa Department of Public Health. These opportunity platforms for discovery, learning, and engagement and the greater inclusivity embraced by the Department of Entomology will enhance Iowa State University s visibility nationally and internationally by: Improving food safety and crop profitability through the development of novel bio-rational insect management technologies and strategies Improving environmental quality through new knowledge about insect biodiversity, species conservation, and beneficial insect husbandry Discovering, developing and delivering innovative technologies and strategies to mitigate the occurrence, transmission and spread of insect-borne pathogens Intensifying discovery and development efforts in biomimetics and biosensing related to homeland defense, bio-terrorism, and precision agriculture 2

13 Fact 6 Insects serve as sensitive bio-indicators of environmental and water quality. Fact 7 Invasive insects, including vectors of introduced and emerging pathogens have a significant impact on agriculture and the environment, and potentially on human health. In Iowa, the Japanese beetle and gypsy moth are particular threats, and the soybean aphid has already arrived. Embarking on new biotechnological development and production efforts for novel insect-based materials such as silks, cuticle, honey, and other therapeutic agents Discovering, developing, and delivering new technologies and information to predict the spread of invasive species, to detect environmental insults using insect bio-indicator species, and to manage invasive insect populations All of these initiatives will be bolstered by the department s nationally and internationally recognized strength in innovative Information Technology development that has been effectively brought to bear in integrating information delivery for both on-campus learning and public engagement activities. The department envisions engaging the public more completely in future efforts by enlisting citizens as formal reporters in an internet-based network that will monitor environmental quality using the abundance of sensitive insect species as bio-indicators, as well as by engaging growers more formally as reporters in a grid for monitoring occurrence and abundance of pest species. Justification (Internal Factors) The proposed emphasis on further developing a new core Discoverybased intellect in the Department of Entomology will equally elevate the department s ability to deliver Learning (Information Transfer) and Engagement (Technology Transfer and Information Transfer) programs; Iowa State University s credo, Science With Practice is exemplified by Entomology s focus on Discovery With Learning and Engagement. The Department of Entomology, as a core for the Center for Applied Insect Science, will complement the newly formed Plant Sciences Institute. The new inclusiveness and broader overarching mission of the Department of Entomology will provide opportunities for the creation of novel and inspired joint faculty appointments across departmental and college boundaries, which will promote the development of new creative intellect that is synergized by these cross-departmental missions. The Department of Entomology s emphasis on information technology and technology transfer meshes well with the College of Agriculture s mission in extending knowledge as well as Iowa State University s mission as a land grant university while developing novel intellect and intellectual property. 3

14 Major areas of discovery, learning and engagement: I. Bio-rational technologies II. Insect biodiversity III. Arthropod-borne diseases IV. Food safety and crop profitability Timeline for Meeting Objectives of Strategic Plan: Phase I Arthropod Vectors of Animal/ Human disease Arthropod Vectors of Plant Pathogens Insect Genetics Urban Horticultural Systems Phase II Insect Evolutionary Biology Insect Immune Response Insect-Induced Plant Response Insect Neurobiology Phase III Insect Biochemistry Insect Conservation Biology Insect Sociality Strategic Plan for the Department of Entomology The Strategic Plan for the Department of Entomology is very simple: to provide a new and dynamic, synergistic intellectual base for discovery, learning, and engagement that has never before been available to the College of Agriculture, the Iowa State University campus, or the public. New technologies and knowledge will arise as a result of building on the existing strengths in entomology comprising four major discovery, learning, and engagement areas: I. Biorational Technologies; II. Insect Biodiversity; III. Arthropod-Borne Diseases; and IV. Food Safety and Crop Profitability. Discoveries and new knowledge will be brought to applicability through aggressive technology transfer activities, and new knowledge and information will be transferred to students and the public through our internationally recognized, progressive programs in information technology development, as well as through our strong and integrated programs in learning and engagement. These new technologies and information will benefit the urban and rural public, who will continue to be increasingly concerned about human and animal health, quality of life and environmental quality, food safety and crop profitability, and homeland defense and security. The plan will be enacted by synergizing the existing faculty expertise with an infusion of new faculty intellect that will meet the goals of the Department of Entomology s mission. The new faculty positions will focus on discovering knowledge at previously unexploited points of vulnerability in the biology of insects. Each new faculty person will work in a horizontally integrated mode comprising discovery, learning, and engagement. They will be expected to discover new technologies and knowledge-based strategies for implementation, and then work directly with the end-users to ensure that the new tools are used optimally. Each new faculty person will work in a vertically integrated mode, using tools and approaches for discovery and learning that are available from the molecular level up through the biochemical, cellular, organismal, and populational levels. The new positions in our four major discovery, learning, and engagement areas fit into our existing strengths and are justified as follows. Among these positions we will pursue a sound basis of activity in discovery, learning and engagement. 4

15 I. BIO-RATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES (Insect Physiology/Toxicology/Behavior) Current Faculty: Insect Behavior Baker (insect orientation, chemical communication) Insect Physiology Jurenka (peptide hormones, biochemical pathways) Insect Toxicology Coats (novel biorational toxicants, mechanisms of action) Proposed New Faculty Positions: Insect Biochemistry New position (hormonal regulation; developmental biology) Justification: Increased understanding of the regulation of insect development will provide new targets for development of novel pest control measures. Innovative bio-rational technologies for insect pest management will facilitate management of insect vectors of plant and animal disease, agricultural insect pests, and invasive species. Genome projects will provide a plethora of potential targets and pathways for analyses. Potential areas of research will be on the hormonal regulation of gene transcription, signal transduction, and functional proteomics in response to a variety of parameters. This research will impact current concerns by human society about human death and suffering, crop profitability and food safety, and bioterrorism/invasive species. Insect Neurobiology New position (central nervous system integration; motor programs) Justification: Integration by the central nervous system provides pathways for insects to perform sensory discrimination as well as coordinated movement resulting in execution of complex motor programs. A faculty member trained in neuroscientific inquiry into synaptic transmission, interneuronal connectivity, or neuromuscular signalling will be able to develop a fruitful program aimed at discovering mechanisms of cell-cell signaling and pattern recognition that will provide novel technologies of importance to homeland security (biosensing, biomimetics), food safety, and crop profitability. Funding opportunities will be available from the DoD, NIH, NSF, and USDA for research that impacts the fields of robotics, biomimetics, biosensors, human neurological disorders, precision agriculture, and novel biorational insecticides. Complementary collaborative research will be developed with faculty in the Iowa State University Neuroscience Program and the new Department of Genetics, Developmental and Cellular Biology. 5

16 II. INSECT BIODIVERSITY (Genetics/Evolution/Systematics) Current Faculty: Insect Systematics Courtney (aquatic insects, phylogeny of Diptera families) Proposed New Faculty Positions: Insect Evolutionary Biology New Position Justification: Insects are the most diverse group of living organisms, with an estimated >5 million species. Of these, fewer than 20% are described and named. A new position in insect evolutionary biology would address key issues in insect biodiversity and molecular phylogenetics, including revisionary systematics, identification of areas of local endemism, the testing of phylogenetic hypotheses, and the use of molecular characters to improve interpretation of morphological, ecological, and developmental attributes of insects. A new position in insect evolutionary biology could investigate a wide range of projects in traditional and molecular systematics, and insect-plant, insect-insect, and insect-vertebrate coevolutionary biology. Research also could examine evolutionary origins of major feeding shifts, the effects of such shifts on diversification, and the factor that govern diet breadth, feeding adaptation, and resource use. These data will be important in elucidating evolutionary mechanisms for increasing diet breadth, insecticide resistance, and invasions of natural and agricultural systems. Collaborative research, teaching, and engagement opportunities with faculty in the new Department of Ecological, Evolutionary, and Organismal Biology, and the existing graduate program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology will strengthen Iowa State University s offerings in these areas. Insect Genetics New Position Justification: In terms of animal genetics, insects (e.g., Drosophila) arguably are the most studied taxon. The current genome projects on mosquito species and on lepidopterous (butterflies and moths) insects are providing new opportunities for discovery that build on this rich foundation of genetic data. The important implications for their application make the field of Insect Genetics crucial to the new Department of Insect Science. Potential areas of research for a new position in Insect Genetics span all the major areas of theoretical and experimental genetics, including investigations on gene mapping, gene regulation, developmental genetics, reproductive dynamics, genetic structuring, quantitative and mathematical genetics, evolutionary genetics, phylogeography, and conservation genetics. Research in these areas will provide valuable insights into the ability of insect vectors to spread disease (plant, animal, 6

17 human), the spread of transgenes within populations (vectors of agricultural, medical and veterinary disease), reproductive and genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation, and genetic methods of population suppression. Increased tractability of insects to genetic manipulation will dramatically increase the power of insect research. This focus in the new Department of Insect Science would create new opportunities for collaborative projects with various interdepartmental graduate programs (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Genetics), and with other departments (veterinary medicine, animal sciences, and all new departments in the biological sciences). This focus would also facilitate new learning opportunities for ISU graduate and undergraduate students. Insect Conservation Biology (Conservation, Husbandry) New Position Justification: Insects are fundamental to not only biodiversity conservation, but to sustainable agriculture and a sustainable biosphere. Due to their extreme diversity in species, individuals, habitats, and life styles, insects are crucial to ecological processes. Unfortunately, we currently know little about these processes and, furthermore, are losing thousands of insect species per year, mostly because of habitat loss, environmental degradation, and the introduction of exotic species. The consequences of these extinctions include loss of potentially valuable genetic material, pharmaceuticals, bioindicators, and biocontrol agents. A new position in insect conservation biology would help curb this loss by investigating the diversity and function of insects in natural communities, and by linking discoveries to landscape ecology, global change, and biodiversity conservation. Collaborative research, teaching and engagement will be developed with faculty in the new Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, and the existing graduate program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. III. ARTHROPOD-BORNE DISEASES (Vector Biology) Current Faculty: Vectors of Plant Disease Bonning (development of aphid-resistant transgenic plants.) Vectors of Human Disease Rowley (mosquito-borne encephalitis and tick-transmitted diseases; epidemiology, bionomics of vector species, vector competence.) Vectors of Human and Animal Disease Beetham (protozoan parasites of mammals; Leishmaniasis; vector parasite and mammal parasite interactions.) 7

18 Proposed New Faculty Positions: Arthropod Vectors of Plant Pathogens New Position Justification: Research on arthropod-vectored plant pathogens will be essential to address increasingly important issues relating to crop profitability, potential ag-bioterrorism, and environmental quality for Iowa. A faculty member recruited in this area would address fundamental mechanisms that lead to novel approaches of the management of arthropod-vectored plant pathogens. This position will address a wide range of mission-oriented projects that address problems concerning the public, including insect-vectored pathogens of field, vegetable, and fruit crops, arthropod-vectored pathogens between natural and agricultural systems, epidemiology of arthropod-vectored pathogens, or arthropod vectors of pathogens for suppression of weedy and invasive species. This focus in the Department of Entomology would create new opportunities for collaborative projects involving the Department of Plant Pathology and the Plant Sciences Institute and will impact current concerns by the public about food safety and crop profitability, and bioterrorism using invasive arthropod vectors. Insect Immune Response New Position Justification: Understanding the insect immune response can provide new leads for (1) prevention of transmission of arthropod-borne disease to man and animals by enabling immune inactivation of disease agents in the insect vector, (2) development of novel insect pest control agents that target the insect immune system, and (3) enhancement of the efficacy of microbial control agents by overcoming immune recognition. Potential areas of research will include immune recognition, cellmediated immune response, humoral immunity, encapsulation, and parasite-derived immune inhibition factors. The new knowledge will impact current concerns by the public relating to human and animal loss of life and suffering, crop and livestock profitability, food safety, bioterrorism, and invasive species. Arthropod Vectors of Human/Animal Diseases New Position Justification: Research in arthropod vectors of human and animal diseases has become an increasingly important component of efforts aimed at ensuring human and animal safety locally and globally. There are many topical and important examples of arthropod-borne diseases. West Nile Virus, in the span of just three years, has traveled from New York to Iowa and the Midwest. La Crosse Encephalitis and Lyme Disease are present in the Midwest and elsewhere in the nation. Arthro- 8

19 pod-vectored animal diseases such as blue tongue disease virus and heartworm are of local and international interest. Internationally, malaria, sleeping sickness, nagana, and leishmaniasis are some of the leading causes of disease in humans and animals. Insect-borne diseases annually cause more than 2 million human deaths, and result in the loss of >50 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (the number of healthy life years lost due to premature death and disability). Management of insect vectors provides a crucial opportunity to reduce the incidence of such diseases, thereby impacting both human and animal health, and agricultural profitability. Potential areas of research for this faculty position include integrated vector management, vector modeling, vector biology, vector-disease agent interactions, vector ecology, vector genetics, and development of vector control tools. These research areas would provide new opportunities for collaborative interactions with Iowa State University faculty in animal sciences, in the new department of Ecological, Evolutionary, and Organismal Biology, and in veterinary medicine, and would have important implications in providing new learning experiences for Iowa State University students and, through engagement activities, for farmers and other stakeholders throughout the state. IV. FOOD SAFETY AND CROP PROFITABILITY (Insect Ecology/IPM) Current Faculty: Insect-Plant Interactions Rice (IPM, Field Crops) Tollefson (Plant Stress) Insect-Animal Interactions Holscher (Animal Stress) Insect-Insect and Insect-Plant Interactions Obrycki (Biological Control, Non-Target Effects of Pesticides) Insect-Human Interactions D. Lewis (Urban Systems) Wintersteen (IPM, Worker Safety) DeWitt (sustainable agriculture, urban horticulture) Proposed New Faculty Positions: Insect-Plant Interactions; Mechanisms of Insect-Induced Defense Responses in Plants New Position Justification: Understanding the mechanisms of inducible changes in plant defenses will provide a basis for novel strategies for pest management. These changes may be brought about by a wide range of stimuli, including insect attack, application of plant hormones or 9

20 semiochemicals. The focus of this position would be on insect induction and response to plant defenses. These plant defenses may be manipulated to alter the responses of multiple trophic levels. This area may be addressed at the molecular, biochemical, and organismal levels. This position opens an entirely new area of plant-insect interaction research at Iowa State University, complementing areas being investigated within the Plant Sciences Institute and providing a key link between insect and plant sciences. This type of research position builds upon historical strengths in plant breeding for resistance at Iowa State University, but in a new direction. Technology-transferred discoveries and new knowledge will actively address current concerns by the public about food safety and crop profitability, as well as bioterrorism using invasive arthropod vectors. Insect-Plant Interactions; Urban Horticultural Systems New Position (urban forestry-horticultural) Justification: Insect pests of commercial and consumer horticultural commodities such as fruits and vegetables, turfgrass, trees and shrubs and flowers present a bewildering array of pest management challenges to Iowans. Commercial production of horticultural crops in Iowa is an important and growing segment of Iowa s economy, with a current economic value of $57 million. This area has shown steady growth over the past several years with strong potential for further growth as agricultural diversification continues. In addition, consumer horticulture (in particular, home gardening) is the number one leisure time activity in America. Consumers and growers seek relief from insect pests that reduce yield, quality, or aesthetic enjoyment of horticultural enterprise while using pest management techniques that are non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and/or sustainable and/or organic. Excellence in IPM research and extension has long been a major strength in the Department, and the demand for information and services associated with the management of horticultural insect pests is increasing rapidly. This position would develop and transfer information that would reduce insecticide applications in urban systems by addressing the major pest issues of horticultural crops. This position will be collaborative with others in Plant Pathology, Horticulture, Natural Resource Ecology and Management, and Agronomy. Insect Sociality New Position Plant-Insect (bees, pollination) or Insect-Human Interactions (ants) Justification: The social insects, including ants, bees, wasps and termites, are ecologically important organisms that contribute to soil tilth (ants), essential food and feed crop pollination (bees), and recycling of nutrients within the ecosystem (termites, yellowjacket wasps). Social insects are among the most economically important, beneficial insects. At the same time, the social insects include important pests that destroy property (termites, ants) and endanger life and health or reduce enjoyment of outdoor activities (bees, wasps). Research on insect social behavior and ecology provides exciting and useful insights into the 10

21 nature of societies and practical applications for improving the benefits these insects provide or reducing losses caused by their feeding and stinging activities. Research on the toxicity of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals to social insects, especially honey bees, will provide information to minimize losses. The study of social insects involves diverse areas of expertise including behavior, ecology, genetics, toxicology, and physiology. Note: The Collaborator Faculty in the USDA/ARS Corn Insects Research Unit, with four Ph.D. entomology positions, will provide complementary discovery/engagement expertise in food safety/crop profitability/ environmental quality regarding insects associated with corn. Space needs Space needs will need to be addressed for the Department of Entomology faculty to allow for the development of this new intellectual core and their creative programs. Benchmarks Our overall goal is to develop an outstanding insect science effort in Iowa that extends beyond departmental boundaries, thereby creating a top-ranking Department of Entomology. Benchmarks toward this goal include a balance between applied and fundamental research an extramural funding base of federal grants high publication impact patent disclosures, new patented products high levels of engagement with the public knowledge transfer through extension programs knowledge transfer to university students creation of a Center for Insect Science with the Department of Entomology at its core Summary The reorganized Department of Entomology, by building on current strengths and focusing new efforts in areas of grave importance to humankind, will strengthen the College of Agriculture and Iowa State University. 11