2018 News Briefs
PublicationsAwards and
Honors Speaking
Invitations Book
Chapters
General News
- Dr. Joseph Heckman was interviewed for an article entitled “Raw Milk for Real Health, Wealth” in Acres U.S.A magazine.
- The Center for Turfgrass Science held the 27th Annual Turfgrass Research Symposium on Friday, January 12, 2018 in Foran Hall on the Cook Campus. There were about 65 people in attendance from the turf industry, golf course industry, and academic institutions. Dean Robert Goodman welcomed everyone with opening remarks. Oral presentations focused on turfgrass microbiomes, weed science, turfgrass management and stress physiology, and pest biology and management. Dr. Jeff Steiner, Division Director for Plant Production at the USDA-NIFA Institute of Food Production and Sustainability, discussed federal funding for turfgrass science in his keynote presentation "Resourcing the Next Generations of Turfgrass Science." His PowerPoint presentation is available on the Turf Center website (https://turf.rutgers.edu). The Symposium also displayed posters featuring current turfgrass research being conducted here at Rutgers.
- Dr. Lena Struwe launched a new website called Botany Depot: www.botanydepot.com. Blurb:Botany Depot global botanical education resource.
Publications
- Joshi NC, Meyer, AJ, Bangash SAK, Zheng Z-L, Leustek T (2018) Arabidopsis γ-glutamylcyclotransferase affects glutathione level and root system architecture during sulfur starvation. New Phytologist https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.15466
- Meers PR, Liu C, Chen R, Bartos W, Davis J, Dziedzic N, Orciuolo J, Kutyla S, Pozo MJ, Mithrananda D, Panzera D, Wang S. 2018. Vesicular delivery of the antifungal antibiotics of Lysobacter enzymogenes C3. Appl EnvironMicrobiol 84:e01353-18. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.01353-18.
- Blake-Mahmud, J. & L. Struwe. 2018. Down to the wire: Late season changes in sex expression in a sexually labile tree species, Acer pensylvanicum (Sapindaceae). Trees: Structure and Function. Read Article: springer.com/article/10.1007/s00468-018-1655-6
- Struwe, L. 2018. The Naming of Plants – explanations and examples. Botanical Accuracy LLC, Skillman, NJ. Read Article: botanydepot.com/2018/08/21/manual-the-naming-of-plants-explanations-and-examples-by-lena-struwe/
- Di, R., H. Zhang and M. A. Lawton. 2018. Transcriptome Analysis of C. elegans Reveals Novel Targets for DON Cytotoxicity. Toxins 10:262; doi:10.3390/toxins10070262.
Awards and Honors
- Graduate student Trent Tate placed 1st in the oral competition at the ASA CSSA 2018 conference in Baltimore, MD (Golf Turf Management Session). His presentation was entitled “Anthracnose Disease in Fine Fescues”
- Graduate student Phillip Vines placed 1st in the oral competition at the ASA CSSA 2018 conference in Baltimore, MD (Turfgrass Science Session). His presentation was entitled “A high-density genetic linkage map and quantitative trait locus in perennial ryegrass.”
- Graduate student William Errickson placed 2nd in the oral competition at the ASA CSSA 2018 conference in Baltimore, MD (Turfgrass Science Session). His presentation was entitled “Physiological Effects of Endophytic Rhizobacteria on Creeping Bentgrass Tolerance to Heat and Drought Stress.”
- Graduate student Cathryn Chapman placed 3rd in the oral competition at the ASA CSSA 2018 conference in Baltimore, MD (Golf Turf Management Session). Her presentation was entitled “Physiological and Metabolic Effects of γ-Aminobutyric Acid and Proline for Promoting Drought Tolerance and Post-Drought Recovery in Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera)”.
- Graduate student Phillip Vines placed 2nd in the poster presentation at the ASA CSSA 2018 conference in Baltimore, MD (Turf Physiology Session). His poster was entitled “Quantitative trait locus mapping for dollar spot resistance in perennial ryegrass.”
- Graduate student Stephanie Rossi placed 2nd in the poster presentation at the ASA CSSA 2018 conference in Baltimore, MD (Golf Turf Management Session). His poster was entitled “Physiological Effects of Seaweed Extracts for Controlling Summer Bentgrass Decline.”
- Bagavathiannan, M., Grubbs, B., McCurdy, J., Brosnan, J., McElroy J., McCarty L., McCullough, P., Gannon, T., Unruh, B., Askew, S., Elmore, M., Kaminski, J., Kowalewski, A., Ervin, D., Frisvold, G. “Research and Extension to Address Herbicide Resistance Epidemic in Annual Bluegrass in Managed Turf Systems”. 2018-2022. USDA-SCRI. $5,650,000.
- Rong Di (PI), M. A. Lawton (Co-PI) and James E. Simon (Co-PI) received a two year, $300,000 NSF/USDA grant entitled, “CRISPR-editing of sweet basil susceptibility genes to improve downy mildew resistance”.
- Rong Di (PI) received a one year, $48,095 USDA (USWBSI) grant entitled, “Genetic engineering barley for Fusarium head blight resistance”.
- NSF - Digitization TCN: Collaborative Research: The Pteridological Collections Consortium: An integrative approach to pteridophyte diversity over the last 420 million years. Lena Struwe is PI at Rutgers for this multi-institutional grant, Rutgers is subawardee through The New York Botanical Gardens. The grant is in the amount of $354,805.00 with Rutgers receiving approximately $20,000.
- Lena Struwe received the 2018 Charles Edwin Bessey Teaching Award, Botanical Society of America. [This award is for outstanding contributions made to botanical instruction and celebrates individuals whose work has improved the quality of botanical education at a regional, national, or international level. The Bessey Award is the highest honor for Teaching and Educational Outreach given by the Botanical Society of America]
- Graduate student Lara Brindisi (a “Rutgers Global SGS Fellow”) received a $2,000 Dissertation Development Award. This award initiative is designed to highlight the international research taking place across the SGS.
- Dr. Patrick Burgess was chosen to be the recipient of the 2018 Musser International Turfgrass Foundation Award of Excellence. The annual award of $35,000 is presented to an outstanding doctorate student of turfgrass science who has made significant and innovative contributions to turfgrass science research. His dissertation was focused on "Physiological and biochemical factors associated with drought tolerance of creeping bentgrass," under the advisement of Dr. Bingru Huang.
- Graduate students James Hempfling and Yuanshuo (Henry) Qu were awarded with Dr. James Watson Fellowship in January. The award consists of a $5,000 post graduate grant and is awarded by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA)
Speaking Invitations and Conferences
- Joseph Heckman was invited to speak about Raw Milk at the Wise Traditions Conference in Baltimore, MD, November 15, 2018.
- Soil Scientist Joseph Heckman was invited to share his expertise at the inaugural Regenerative Health Institute Design Charrette in partnership with Rodale Institute and Plantrician Project on Friday, November 2, 2018. The purpose of our meeting is to identify and highlight the current challenges that we face nationally and globally at the intersections of soil health and human health, and to work toward solutions as a group that will drive the future work of the Regenerative Health Institute. This meeting is perhaps the first of its kind in recent history, where leading medical doctors, soil scientists, food service providers, and farmers will convene under one roof to illuminate how and why we need to be working together in order to restore human and planetary health.
- Lena Struwe presented a talk entitled “The Love and Hate of Dandelions – how weedy biology influences symbolic values”. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (April 9, 2018)
- Lena Struwe presented a talk entitled “How many plants fit in a parking lot? and other stories from the asphalt jungles”. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (April 10, 2018)
- Abstract: Blake-Mahmud, J. & L. Struwe. 2018. Time for a change: patterns of sex expression, health, and mortality in striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum). Botany 2018 conference, Rochester, MN, July 21-25, 2018
- Abstract: King, M., M. Aronson, S. Irelan, & L. Struwe. 2018. The MAM project at Rutgers University - Digitization of the Mid-Atlantic Flora to investigate urban floristic changes. Botany 2018 conference, Rochester, MN, July 21-25, 2018.
- Abstract: Struwe, L. 2018. The love and hate of dandelions: The botanical background for symbolism of dandelions in contemporary society. Botany 2018 conference, Rochester, MN, July 21-25, 2018.
- Abstract: Huber, D., Frazee, L., & L. Struwe. 2018. Green space and lawn management: a snapshot of grounds operations in the NYC–PHL–NJ metropolitan area. ESA Mid-Atlantic Chapter conference, Newark, NJ, April 7, 2018.
- Abstract: Wiebalk, C., L. Frazee, & L. Struwe. 2018. Early seedling growth rates of Plantago rugelii (Plantaginaceae) from urban and rural populations. ESA Mid-Atlantic Chapter conference, Newark, NJ, April 7, 2018.
- Dr. Joseph Heckman gave a presentation entitled “A Chronological History of Organic Agriculture” at Instructors of Organic Agriculture Workshop. The workshop was held on June 11 at Iowa State University, Ames Iowa.
- Bradley Park advisor for the Rutgers Turf Club accompanied 6 Rutgers SEBS Undergraduate students to the Golf Industry Show (GIS) in San Antonio, TX from February 6-8, 2018 where they participated in the annual Turf Bowl sponsored by Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). They received an award of $300 for placing 10th in the competition. The Turf Bowl consists of multiple-choice questions, turfgrass, weed, insect and disease identification, and a written essay. Participants: Raquel Schwartz (President, Rutgers Turf Club); Shidi (Daniel) Wu; James Surico (Treasurer, Rutgers Turf Club); and Zongqi (Mercer) Xu
Books and Book Chapters
- Heckman, J.R. 2018. Wilhelm Reich Biologist. Soil Science. Vol. 182.