NEW SPACE PROMOTES
COLLABORATION AT ISU
BY JOSEPH L. MURPHY
B
rick and mortar structures aren't often thought of as collaborative tools, but faculty, students and researchers working in the new Advanced Teaching and Research Building (ATRB) at Iowa State University (ISU) would say otherwise. The new building, which opened last year, was part of $88 million in bioscience facility improvements approved by the state Board of Regents in 2015. Recently, Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) directors and staff celebrated the ongoing partnership between ISA and the ISU College of Agriculture and Life
Sciences at the new ATRB. "The facilities offer many open spaces that encourage collaboration and communication," says Ed Anderson, ISA's senior director of research. "That helps drive all areas of science forward." In a partnership lasting more than 50 years, ISA has invested about $55 million in checkoff funds to champion research at ISU. "ISA’s partnership with ISU really has provided both organizations a way to better serve Iowa soybean producers and Iowa agriculture," ISU President Wendy Wintersteen says.
"Together we are able to identify the critical issues facing producers and see what opportunities are on the horizon. We are also investing funds from the soybean checkoff combined with the time, talent and intellectual ability of our faculty to make an impact. That's enabled by this partnership." The building houses plant pathology, microbiology, entomology and genetics development, and cell biology departments. "I think the reach is way beyond just this building," Anderson says. "I think it reflects well for ISU, and encourages collaboration across the campus." MARCH 2019 | IASOYBEANS.COM | 11
