Newsletter July 2025
July 23, 2025
ISRC Announces Leadership Transition
On July 1, 2025, Iowa State University Associate Professor of Agronomy Mark Licht and Professor of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology Steve Whitham joined the Iowa Soybean Research Center (ISRC) as co-directors. After 11 years of leadership, founding ISRC Director and Morrill Professor of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology Greg Tylka will step away from the center at the end of 2025 allowing him more time to focus on his research responsibilities in the area of soybean cyst nematode (SCN).
ISRC to Host SoyFest 2025 and Additional Activities in August for Soybean Month in Iowa
In celebration of Soybean Month in Iowa (August), the ISRC will host its third biennial SoyFest from 10am to 2pm, August 27, 2025, on Iowa State University’s central campus near Parks Library and Marston Hall. This free, outdoor celebration of all things soy is held during the first week of fall classes at ISU and features numerous soy-related exhibitors, ISU research labs and student clubs highlighting the importance of soy.
ISA Approves Soybean Research Funding at Iowa State
ISRC staff attended the Iowa Soybean Association’s summer Productivity Committee meeting on July 1, 2025. Director Greg Tylka gave an update on the center, introduced new co-directors Mark Licht and Steve Whitham and mentioned the center’s upcoming activities for August, which is Soybean Month in Iowa.
ISRC Welcomes Tidal Grow AgriScience
Tidal Grow AgriScience has joined the ISRC as its newest industry partner. Yuan Cheng will serve as the company’s representative on the ISRC’s industry advisory council, which provides guidance on research needs and funding priorities for the center.
ISRC-funded Project on Iron Deficiency and Fusarium graminearum in Soybean Reaches Completion
ISRC research affiliate Silvina Arias, plant pathology, entomology and microbiology in collaboration with Jamie O’Rourke, USDA-ARS, recently provided a final report on their ISRC-funded research project titled, “Characterization of Iron Deficiency and Fusarium graminearum Interactive Responses in Soybean.”
ISRC Affiliate’s Research Focuses on Targeting Newly Discovered Vulnerability in SCN
Targeting a newly discovered vulnerability in the signals that cyst nematodes use to infect plant roots could be a powerful method for reducing the damage the parasitic worms cause in crops such as soybeans, according to a study co-authored by Iowa State University Distinguished Professor of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology Thomas Baum.
ISRC Focuses on Upcoming Activities at Staff Retreat
The ISRC held its annual staff retreat in June at the Iowa Arboretum near Madrid, IA. ISRC staff brought newly added co-directors Mark Licht and Steve Whitham and new Industry Advisory Council Chair, Joe McClure, “up to speed” on the center’s upcoming activities. Particular attention was given to planning the ISRC’s Research Day and annual Industry Advisory Council Meeting, scheduled for September 8 and 9, respectively. The group reviewed 16 research ideas submitted by faculty affiliates that will be considered for ISRC funding at the IAC meeting with input from the ISRC’s industry partners and farmer representatives.
ISRC Research Affiliate Attracts Interest with Usage of Sensors in Agriculture
The ISRC recently hosted visits with researchers from Nutrien Ag Solutions and Corteva Agriscience, connecting them with ISRC faculty research affiliate Liang Dong, electrical and computer engineering. The visiting researchers were interested in Dong’s project, initially funded by the ISRC, in which he developed and used sensors in row crops to detect the early onset of diseases. Completed in fall 2024, the project went on to receive federal funding through USDA-NIFA.
Weed Science Field Day Held at ISU Curtiss Farm
The ISU Extension and Outreach Weed Science program held a Weed Science Field Day on July 2, 2025 at Curtiss Farm in Ames. The day provided approximately 90 farmers and crop industry consultants in attendance with the latest information on integrated weed management practices, herbicide efficacy and application timing and new technologies.
ISRC Participates in Life Sciences Day
ISRC staff participated in the second annual CALS Life Sciences Day luncheon celebration in the Advanced Teaching and Research Building (ATRB) in April.
ISU President Wintersteen to Retire in January 2026
ISU President Wendy Wintersteen recently announced plans to retire in January 2026, concluding an Iowa State career that has spanned 46 years.
Ritchie Selected as ISU Agronomy Chair
Three ISRC research affiliates were honored at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Spring Awards Program on March 11. Congratulations!
Heuchelin Selected as ISU Seed Science Center Director
Scott Heuchelin began his new role as director of ISU’s Seed Science Center and professor in the Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology on July 15, 2025.
Plant Breeding PhD Students Selected for Awards
Congratulations to plant breeding PhD students Liza Van der Laan and Joscif Raigne, advised by Agronomy Professor Danny Singh. Van der Laan, who earned her PhD this spring, was selected for the 2025 Karas Award for Outstanding Dissertation at Iowa State University, one of the most prestigious graduate student awards. The award was established to recognize excellence in doctoral research at Iowa State.
2025 University Award Recipients
Several ISRC faculty research affiliates will be among the more than 75 ISU faculty and staff selected to receive university awards; the highest recognitions available to Iowa State employees. The following awardees will be honored at a celebration later this fall.
Upcoming Events
August 1: ISRC Meals from the Heartland Packaging Event at Hansen Ag Student Learning Center, Ames, IA
August 5: ISRC Farm/Industry Tour to Wyffels Hybrids Ames Production and Demonstration Facility & Alliant Energy Solar Farm at ISU
August 27: SoyFest 2025, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
September 8: ISRC Research Day, Reiman Gardens, Ames, IA
September 9: IAC Meeting, ISU Alumni Center, Ames, IA
Each Wednesday at Noon - Iowa Learning Farms Webinars
Keep up with what’s new at the ISRC on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).
