The Dean's Office for Academic Innovation and Start Something College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) developed the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows (IEFF) program to foster and expand a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in CALS faculty across each of our departments. To advance this goal, the Dean's office provides funds to support faculty seeking to incorporate innovation within teaching, research or extension activities.
Faculty fellows are organized as a cohort and provided with funding, training and professional development in innovation and entrepreneurship. Fellows serve for two years with an expectation that each fellow will continue to be engaged in building a network and culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within their departments and across the college.
To learn more about the program, contact Carmen Bain (cbain@iastate.edu) or Kevin Kimle (kimle@iastate.edu).
Being an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellow has allowed me to think beyond my immediate research program, leading to novel ways to incorporate undergraduate teaching. Meeting with the other fellows has been interesting, and, at times, comforting hearing how they overcome challenges in changing their research, teaching, and extension to meet the growing needs of our students, stakeholders, and citizens. - Dr. Matthew O'Neal
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows. Celebration Reception, Launch Pad, Student Innovation Center. May 5, 2023
2022 Cohort
-
Professor
Department of Food Science and Human NutritionDr. Clark developed a new course allowing students to explore innovations in beer, wine and cheese called Science and Practice of Cheesemaking.
-
Associate Professor
Department of Sociology and Criminal JusticeDr. Dorius designed a new course to empower the next generation of social scientists to address the grand challenges of the future.
-
Teaching Professor
Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell BiologyDr. Haen Whitmer mentored students as they developed an adaptable electronics kit to increase the utility and dexterity of 3D printed prosthetics hands.
-
Assistant Professor
Department of Animal ScienceDr. Kerns is integrating entrepreneurship into activities and curriculum within the Department of Animal Science, from an introductory course to special projects for students to get hands-on experience in animal science-related entrepreneurship opportunities.
-
Associate Teaching Professor
Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology, and MicrobiologyCyclone Science Innovators (CySI) and the Innovation Grand Challenges were developed by Dr. Lemper-Manahl to challenge teams of students in scientific discovery, problem solving, entrepreneurial thinking, and more.
-
Assistant Teaching Professor
Department of Agricultural Education and StudiesDr. Masambuka-Kanchewa created Communicating Contemporary Issues in Agriculture, a course teaching students about agricultural issues and how to communicate with various stakeholders and experts about them.
-
Professor
Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology, and MicrobiologyLeveraging grant funding, current research efforts, and the ISU apiary, Dr. O'Neal is developing a new course to help students learn about commercial beekeeping and how to produce honey sustainably through efforts like prairie strips.
-
Adjunct Associate Professor
Department of AgronomyDr. Suza is creating open educational resources (OER) for use in AGRON 320 to customize and curate the necessary genetics and biotechnology texts, lectures, and learning activities to achieve the desired outcomes relevant to agriculture systems.
-
Professor
Department of Ecology, Evolutional, and Organismal BiologyThrough the Bee and Wasp Squad, Dr. Toth developed a program for undergraduate students to participate in meaningful, hands-on research experiences centered around the bees and wasps' behavior, health, and conservation.
Press Links
-
August 10, 2023CALS Entrepreneurship Fellow innovates to deliver engaging course material and save students money
Walter Suza is making plant genetics educational materials more engaging and accessible for students on campus and far away.
-
August 4, 2023Cyclone Science Innovators make their mark on campus
The Cyclone Science Innovators, otherwise known as CySI for short, is a group of multi-disciplinary students working to hone their innovation skills and make life on campus a little brighter.
-
September 22, 2022Innovation and Entrepreneurship: The Bee & Wasp Squad
Students may join the Iowa State University Bee & Wasp Squad with little background knowledge about the pollinator insects, but chances are, after spending a summer conducting field and lab work, they’ll walk away not only knowing more about bees and wasps, but more about themselves, as well.
-
May 17, 2022Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Students 'nerd out' as they build bionic hand
What do you get when you combine students from life sciences and engineering majors at Iowa State University? A collection of great minds eager to tackle innovative projects in class.