BRIEFS: Oct. 14, 2011
Professor awarded Fullbright grant
A professor in USU’s department of plants, soils and climate was awarded a Fulbright grant to teach and research in Cambodia beginning February 2012.
David Hole is one of seven faculty members at Utah State University who received the grant this year. He hopes the award and subsequent research will contribute to ending food shortages around the world.
“This is an opportunity to make a difference in agricultural education in an area of the world that suffers from high levels of poverty and where food security is not some buzzword but is a very real concern,” Hole said.
A goal of Hole’s research is to create food security around the world, including the state of Utah. His current project focuses on creating wheat and barley that is resistant to disease and insects. By traveling around the world and searching out the best genetic traits of a species of plant, Hole is able to create new breeding systems. This leads to better quality and a higher yield of crops which, in turn, feeds more people higher quality food.
He said the Fulbright grant is a big step in helping him fine-tune his research and enhance his teaching experience.
Satellites ready for Oct. 27 launch
Two USU-completed Dynamic Ionosphere Cubesat Experiment (DICE) satellites have been delivered to the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, for final launch readiness. Cal Poly will place the two National Science Foundation funded miniature spacecraft in an ejection canister and verify that the assembly is ready for launch.
Following final stowing, the DICE satellites will be integrated onto a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., for a launch scheduled for Oct. 27.
During a 90-day mission the DICE satellites will map geomagnetic Storm Enhanced Density (SED) plasma bulge and plume formations in Earth’s ionosphere. Two identical spinning spacecraft will measure plasma density and electric fields to determine the how and why of variations in ionospheric plasma density that affects the performance of communications, surveillance and navigation systems on Earth and in space. Data from the DICE satellites will enable scientists to understand the larger question of how the Sun induces magnetic storms which can tear away parts of Earth’s ionosphere to be lost to space.
UPR earns top broadcast awards
Journalists of Utah Public Radio, a service of USU, were among top honorees at the Utah Broadcasters Association’s 2011UBEE Awards dinner held Sept. 29 in Salt Lake City.
Storee Powell ’11 received a Gold award for “Best Single Event News Coverage.” Mary-Ann Muffoletto MA’95 and Kathryn Hopkins Peterson MS’11 were honored with a Gold award for “Best Feature Story or Program.”
Utah Public Radio is Utah’s oldest non-commercial, educational radio service and is heard by listeners across Utah and southern Idaho via a network of five full-power HD-enhanced stations and 30 translators.