U.S. National Committee for Soil Sciences (USNC/SS)

Type

Announcement
Based on Science
Feature Story
Impact Story
Media Advisory
Media Tipsheet
News Release
Perspectives
Program News
Staff Feature
Statement

Topic

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Subtopics
1. Agricultural Chemicals
2. Animal Health and Welfare
3. Conservation
4. Crop Management
5. Decarbonization
6. Energy Demand and Use
7. Energy Sources and Renewables
8. Environmental Monitoring
9. Fisheries Management
10. Food Production
11. Food Safety
12. Forest Management
13. Fuel
14. Land Management
15. Minerals
16. Ocean Management
17. Plant Diseases and Pests
18. Soil Management
Data and Statistics

Subtopics
1. Data Analytics
2. Data Collection
3. Data Infrastructure
4. Data Privacy
5. Demographics
6. National Statistics
7. Statistical Analysis
Economy and Workforce

Subtopics
1. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
2. Business Partnerships
3. Commercialization
4. Economic Development
5. Economic Policy
6. Labor Economics
7. Organizational Leadership
8. Professional Development
9. Workforce Development
Education

Subtopics
1. Academic Standards and Testing
2. Athletics and Physical Activity
3. Educational Administration
4. English Language Learning
5. Higher Education
6. Pre-K to Grade 12 Education
7. School Safety
8. Teacher Development
9. Technical Education
Engineering

Subtopics
1. Automation
2. Biotechnology
3. Manufacturing Technologies
4. Mining and Energy Extraction
5. Nanotechnology
6. Plastics
7. Safety Critical Systems
Environment and Biology

Subtopics
1. Aquatic Ecosystems
2. Climate Change
3. Environmental DNA
4. Evolution and Geologic History
5. Genetics
6. Glaciers, Ice Sheets, and Sea Levels
7. Hazards, Disasters, and Extreme Events
8. Microorganisms and Microbiomes
9. Pollinators and Insects
10. Pollution
11. Terrestrial Ecosystems
12. Weather
13. Wildlife
Health and Medicine

Subtopics
1. Dietary Guidelines and Nutrition
2. Diseases and Conditions
3. Health Care
4. Medical Technology
5. Pharmaceuticals
6. Public Health
Information Technology

Subtopics
1. Artificial Intelligence
2. Communications Infrastructure
3. Cyber-Physical Systems and Internet of Things
4. Cybersecurity
5. Digital Apps and Services
6. Digital Models
7. Digital Transformation
8. Hardware Development
9. High-Performance Computing
10. Human–Computer Interaction
11. Quantum Computing
12. Software Development
Infrastructure and the Built Environment

Subtopics
1. Accessible Infrastructure
2. Bridges, Roads, and Highways
3. Buildings
4. Design and Construction
5. Energy Generation, Transmission, and Distribution
6. Environmental Health and Safety
7. Infrastructure Asset Maintenance
8. Maritime Infrastructure
9. Pipelines and Tank Farms
10. Property and Real Estate
11. Rural Development
12. Urban Planning
13. Waste Management and Recycling
14. Water and Wastewater Utilities
Law, Society, and Justice

Subtopics
1. Abuse and Harassment
2. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
3. Children and Youth in Care
4. Community Engagement
5. Community Resilience and Sustainability
6. Crime and Policing
7. Criminal Justice System
8. Displaced Persons
9. Elections and Voting
10. Ethics
11. Food Security
12. Gender and Identity
13. Globalization
14. Housing and Homelessness
15. Human and Civil Rights
16. Humanitarian Aid
17. Immigration
18. Law and Justice
19. Military and Veterans
20. Misinformation
21. Poverty and Economic Mobility
22. Racism and Discrimination
23. Rural Communities
Legislation and Policy

Subtopics
1. Executive Order Analysis
2. Legal Research
3. Legislation Analysis
4. Policy Analysis
5. Provision Analysis
Research and Standards

Subtopics
1. Community-Based Research
2. Emerging Technologies
3. Innovation
4. Intellectual Property
5. Open Science
6. Research
7. Science Communication
8. Science Funding
9. Scientific Integrity
Space, Security, and Conflicts

Subtopics
1. Military and Defense
2. Security
3. Space
Transportation

Subtopics
1. Air Transportation
2. Freight and Supply Chain
3. Maritime Transportation
4. Public Transportation
5. Rail Transport
6. Road Transportation
7. Sustainable Transportation
8. Traffic Management and Road Safety
9. Transportation Planning
10. Vehicles
11. Vulnerable Road Users
12. Winter Maintenance

USNC/Soil Sciences Member Becomes NAE Member*

Past Chair Asmeret Asefaw Berhe has been elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering. Berhe was elected along with 105 other American members and 18 international members, bringing the total U.S. membership to 2,420 and the number of international members to 319. Berhe is a soil biogeochemist at UC Merced. She is currently on leave to serve as federal director of the Office of Science for the Department of Energy. Read more about her reaction

SSSA - USNC/SS World Congress of Soil Science Travel Award Winners

The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and U.S. Committee for Soil Science (USNC/SS), a committee of the National Academy of Sciences which represents all U.S. soil scientists to the International Union of Soil Sciences, announces the winners of the SSSA-USNC/SS World Congress of Soil Science Fellowships. The awardees are: Suleiman K. Bello (King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia), Nancy L. Bohl Bormann (University of Minnesota-Twin Cities), Carlos A. Bonini Pires (Kansas State University), Fatemeh Izaditame (University of Delaware), Franklin Linam (University of Delaware), Katherine McCool (Oregon State University), Manuel J. Sabbagh (University of Minnesota-Twin Cities), Leandro O. Vieira-Filho (University of Florida Range Cattle Research & Education Center), Jaclyn Fiola (Virginia Tech), and Minerva Dorantes (University of Arkansas). This program provides fellowships to SSSA members who are soil science graduate students or post-doctoral researchers presenting papers (oral or poster) at the 22nd quadrennial World Congress of Soil Science of the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), July 31-August 5, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland. Thanks go to the Agronomic Science Foundation for their generous sponsorship of this travel award.

Learn More

Celebrate Earth Day on April 22 and Join the Soil Health Conversation

The State of the Soil event celebrates the science of soil health and soil health management during a wide-ranging discussion with panelists who will talk about soil health aspects in their respective regions. This celebration of Earth Day 2022 will be moderated by Dr. Abbey Wick (North Dakota State University) and Tim Hammerich (Soil Sense podcast), with Dr. Wayne Honeycutt as the head guest. This event is hosted by the National Academy of Sciences' U.S. National Committee for Soil Science, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, and North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. Please join us for this virtual, interactive conversation on April 22, 2022 from 11-12:45 EDT. Learn more about the event.

SSSA and USNC/SS World Congress of Soil Science Travel Award Deadline - May 5

The Soil Science Society of America and U.S. Committee for Soil Science (USNC/SS), a committee of the National Academy of Sciences which represents all U.S. soil scientists to the International Union of Soil Sciences, announces the World Congress of Soil Science Fellowship. This program will provide fellowships to SSSA members who are soil science graduate students or post-doctoral researchers presenting papers (oral or poster) at the 22nd quadrennial World Congress of Soil Science of the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), July 31-August 5, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland. Award recipients must be SSSA members as of March 15, 2022. Thank you to the Agronomic Science Foundation for their sponsorship of this travel award. Nominations Opened: Mar 17, 2022 - 8:00 AM CDT Nominations Initiated by: Apr 20, 2022 - 9:59 PM CDT 1 Reference Letters and Final Nomination Submission by: May 5, 2022 - 9:59 PM CDT Learn more about the application and other information.

NDSU Soil Scientist Elected to Global Soil Science Organization

Abbey Wick, North Dakota State University (NDSU) associate professor and soil health specialist, has been elected as chair of the Soil Use and Management division of the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), a scientific organization comprised of soil scientists from around the world. She will serve a four-year term beginning in August at the World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS) held in Glasgow, United Kingdom. The WCSS brings soil scientists from around the world together to discuss soil issues, exchange knowledge and find solutions for current problems. As chair of the Soil Use and Management division, Wick will lead a team of 12 internationally-known soil scientists from 10 different countries serving as chairs or vice-chairs of the division’s six commissions. The division’s focus is applying soil science to solve high-priority social, economic and environmental challenges. The team will determine relevant topics globally and coordinate sessions related to soil use and management at the next WCSS. Topics will address agricultural production, forestry, grazing lands and the broader environmental context. Wick’s top priority is to connect global efforts related to soil management. “Whether it is finding similarities or differences, there is always something to be learned and also shared,” says Wick. The other scientists in Wick’s division are from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Germany, India, Japan, Norway, Poland and Spain. Wick is the sole representative from the U.S. in this division. She also looks forward to supporting the scientific community on a global scale. “Being in an Extension and outreach role at NDSU, I want to take some of those programming skills to the scientific community and work with others in the division to better facilitate the sharing of outstanding research within the scientific community and with the public,” says Wick. “Dr. Wick’s appointment as chair of the Soil Use and Management division highlights the success she has achieved as a globally-known expert in soil health and providing outstanding educational programs for agricultural producers and land managers,” says Greg Lardy, vice president for Agricultural Affairs at NDSU. Read this article on the NDSU webpage

U.S. Scientists Elected to IUSS Leadership*

Two U.S. soil scientists have been elected to the International Union of Soil Sciences. Abbey Wick, member of the U.S. National Committee for Soil Sciences, has been elected Chair of Division 3: Soil Use and Management. Additionally, Gary Feng of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has been elected Chair of Commission 4.3: Soils and Land Use Change. The full list of those elected for the 2022-2026 term may be found on the IUSS website.

Two IUGS U.S. Geoscientists Featured for UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science*

IUGS is proud to support the UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science, 11th February 2022, with a line-up of amazing women in geoscience. As part of the IUGS@60 calendar of events, they are delighted to showcase IUGS activities alongside the works and experiences of inspiring female geoscientists from around the world. IUGS hope this material will inspire members and geoscientists and citizens world-wide to celebrate geosciences’ contributions to addressing global challenges. Among the women scientists highlighted are two U.S. scientists: Asmeret Berhe, current nominee to serve as the Director of the Office of Science at the US Department of Energy and professor at the University of California, Merced and Tanya Harrison of Planet Labs! For more details, please consult the IUGS website at https://iugs60.org/iugs-women-in-geoscience-event.

Publication - BESR/BISO Issue Report on the Development of a Dynamic Soil Information System

The Board on Earth Sciences and Resources, along with The Board on International Scientific Organizations has issued a proceedings of a workshop held this past March on the development of a Dynamic Soil Information System. For more information on the workshop, along with meeting materials, videos, please visit the project page. For the proceedings, please visit the National Academies Press page.

Asmeret Asefaw Berhe nominated to be Director of the Office of Science at DOE

On April 22, President Biden announced his nominees for key positions in the administration that will lead the U.S. towards a modern and sustainable infrastructure and clean energy future. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, Professor of Soil Biogeochemistry at the University of California, Merced, has been nominated to be Director of the Office of Science at the Department of Energy. Dr. Berhe is past Chair of the U.S. National Committee of Soil Sciences at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and a member of the inaugural cohort of the National Academies New Voices in Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (SEM). The New Voices program engages outstanding early-career SEM leaders to provide new perspectives on issues and public communication modes, and to help identify activities designed to expand the diversity of expertise in the convening and advisory functions of the National Academies.

Election - Alfred Hartemink, USNC/Soils chair, elected Honorary Member of the International Union of Soil Sciences

Professor Alfred Hartemink, USNC/Soils chair, was just awarded Honorary Membership of the International Union of Soil Sciences. The award appropriately reflects his distinctive contributions to soil science in general and the IUSS in particular, having served as its (Deputy) Secretary General from 2002 to 2014, and now as chair of its Statutes and Structure Committee. Dr. Hartemink will be recognized at the 2022 World Congress of Soil Science in Glasgow, Scotland. Learn More (https://www.iuss.org/index.php?article_id=770)

Event - A Diverse Soil Science Future

The U.S. National Committee for Soil Sciences, in collaboration with the Soil Science Society of America, will hold a virtual event entitled A DIVERSE SOIL SCIENCE FUTURE on December 4, 2020 from 2-5 pm EST to celebrate World Soil Day 2020. This online meeting will focus on two deeply interrelated topics: the future of soil science and diversity and inclusion in the soil science community. It will include presentations and ample time for discussions. Learn More (https://www.nationalacademies.org/event/12-04-2020/a-diverse-soil-science-future)

USNC/Soils Article Featured in CSA News

We are pleased to announce that the U.S. National Committee for Soils was recently featured in an issue of CSA News, the official magazine for members of ASA, CSSA, and SSSA. "The U.S. National Committee for Soil Science: Activities, Opportunities for Service" was written by Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, Ester Sztein, Rodrigo Vargas, and Alfred Hartemink. The U.S. National Committee for Soil Science: Activities, Opportunities for Service

IUBS Webinar Series*

To commemorate the completion of 100 years of promoting excellence in biological sciences, the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS) has launched a webinar series. We begin this journey with a lecture by Prof. Rattan Lal, this year’s World Food Prize Awardee, titled "Forgetting How to Tend the Soil” on 2nd October at 1:00 PM GMT. Register to receive more details and to get a link for the Webinar in near future at the links below. Register (Google) (https://rb.gy/g37wzx) Register (Zoho) (https://rb.gy/ndzivk) Lecture Details IUBS (http://www.iubs.org/) Lecture Details Publicity Partner (http://www.indiabioscience.org/)

Remembering Don Nielsen

The U.S. National Committee for Soil Sciences remembers Don Nielsen, who passed away on Friday, July 24, 2020. Dr. Nielsen was chair of the USNC/SS from 2002-2004 and served on multiple U.S. delegations to the IUSS. He will be dearly missed. Read the full in-memoriam for Don Nielsen.

BISO Board Member Elected to the 2020 GSA Class of Fellows*

Congratulations to Asmeret Asefaw Berhe (University of California -Merced) for her election to the 2020 Class of Fellows of the Geological Society of America, the second recognition stemming from the 2019 GSA Bromery Award. Dr. Berhe is the past chair of the U.S. National Committee for Soil Sciences and a current member of the Board on International Scientific Organizations. Learn More About 2020 GSA Fellows (https://www.geosociety.org/GSA/About/awards/Fellows-New/GSA/Awards/Fellows-New.aspx)

Event - Ecological Society of America Meeting Goes Virtual*

The Ecological Society of America's annual meeting-- ESA 2020 -- will move completely online from August 3--6, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Attendees are encouraged to discuss their meeting experience on social media using #ESA2020. Learn More and View Agenda (https://www.esa.org/saltlake/)

IUSS - The World is One Family

The IUSS past-president recommends that the general education curricula, at all levels must be revisited to enhance focus on the “One Health” concept: the health of soil, plants, animal, people and environment. Learn More (https://www.iuss.org/media/2020_april_quarterly_viewpoint_iuss.pdf)

IUSS President Rattan Lal Receives Prestigious Japan Prize*

The U.S. National Committee for Soil Sciences congratulates Dr. Rattan Lal, a longtime member of the USNC/Soils and current president of the International Union of Soil Sciences, for receiving one of two Japan Prize awards in 2019. The Japan Prize is awarded annually in two scientific fields by the Japan Foundation, which fosters international research in various scientific and engineering fields. Dr. Lal is being honored for his contributions and research in soils, sustainability, and global food security. Learn More About Dr. Lal (http://www.japanprize.jp/en/index.html)

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