DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

ISSUE 1 NEWSLETTER OF ACHIEVEMENT AUGUST 2006 From the Student Department Head Poster As I peruse the information in this Exhibition newsletter it is a The second Biological Systems reminder of the many Ron Yoder Engineering E-Day, the annual activities and fall poster exhibition, was held accomplishments of on December 6, 2005, in the our students, faculty, Winning team in the Incredible Edible Vehicle Great Plains room of the East and staff. The past year has been a competition left to right: Jason Schmit, Brett Freese, Aaron Baumann, and Eric Horn. Campus Union. Included in E- very good one for the Biological Day for the first time were 13 Systems Engineering Department, teams from Dr. Schulte's 118 with strong undergraduate freshman design class for the new Incredible Edible Vehicle competition. In enrollment, and recognition for the this lively event, the vehicles had to survive rolling down an incline twice achievements of our students and our before being consumed by team members. Four posters representing faculty. Last fall our two AGEN/BSEN 424, Machine Design in Agricultural Engineering, nine undergraduate engineering programs posters from AGEN/BSEN 460, Instrumentation and Controls, and one underwent the typical six-year review Senior Design Capstone 480 course, rounded out the exhibit. This is the 14th by the Accreditation Board for year that students have shown their work in a fall exhibition. This event also Engineering and Technology (ABET), supports departmental recruiting. Dr. David Jones worked with Kaylea and we are pleased to receive another Dunn in the College of Engineering to make E-Day the culmination of a half- day visit by interested high school students to the College and to the six years of accreditation for both Department. programs. This spring our other academic programs, our research The event is also an opportunity for alumni to return and represent their programs, and our Extension companies. Eleven alumni, representing nine companies, attended and programs were reviewed by an shared career information with students. Students have the opportunity to external team led by USDA CSREES; see a broad range of careers and may get a lead on an internship! See recent we received strong affirmation for senior design projects on our web site: bse.unl.edu/undergrad/posters.htm. our programs from this team, with some excellent suggestions on actions If you are interested in representing your company for E-Day in 2006, please we can take to ensure we sustain a contact Dr. Jones at (402) 472-6716 or [email protected]. high level of excellence. As you read of the happenings in the Biological Systems Engineering Department, Contact the please give us your feedback, and Department of consider visiting the Department Biological Systems Engineering when you are in Lincoln. 223 L. W. Chase Hall Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0726 402-472-1413 Ron Yoder Web: bse.unl.edu Department Head

Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska PagePage 1 1 Quarter-scale Distinguished Fellowship Tractor Team Awards

Hosted by the Agricultural Research Division (ARD), the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR), and the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR), four of our graduate students were honored for the fellowships they received during a September luncheon.

jay Kumar, John and Louise Skala Award, ARD Ajay just completed his master's degree and is continuing for a Ph.D. His research project is extrusion process Governor Dave Heineman enjoyed talking A with Quarter-scale Tractor Team members at modeling for starch-based products. Ajay is also the recipient of the Nebraska State Fair. They are, left to right, a Milton E. Mohr Fellowship from the College of Engineering, Garrett Pommeranz, Adam Huttenmaier, Scott Albrecht, Chris Junck, and Kevin Tacke. and the Raymond J. Tarleton Endowment Graduate Fellowship from the American Society of Cereal Chemists. Dr. Hanna is Ajay's advisor. fter months of hard work and many late ovindarajan Konda Naganathan (K.N.), John and nights, the UNL A Louise Skala Award, ARD K.N. is working on his Quarter-scale Tractor Team master's degree. His research areas are pulsed electric headed east on June 3, 2005, for G field processing and hyperspectral images, with the core the annual ASAE International objective of predicting beef tenderness. Hyperspectral imaging Competition held at Quad City couples the techniques of video-image analysis with near- Downs, East Moline, Illinois. The infrared spectroscopy. Dr. Subbiah is his advisor. team was awarded the Serviceability Award, the orey Searle, Milton E. Mohr Fellowship, CASNR Campbell Scientific Award (and Corey is a Graduate Assistant for Dr. Jack Schinstock. a Campbell Scientific CR 5000 His research is centered on uniform seed spacing for data logger too!), and first place C corn. He is conducting his research in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, at in the written Design Report. the Panhandle Research and Extension Center with assistance Overall, the team placed tenth, from Professor John Smith. the fifth consecutive year of finishing in the top ten. The team ryan Smith, Milton E. Mohr Fellowship, CASNR A will celebrate eight years of master's student in Mechanized Systems Management, competition when it travels to Bryan is performing an ergonomic analysis of tractor the new competition site in B cabs, investigating both the physical and cognitive aspects of Peoria, Illinois, in June 2006. current cab design and operation. Help support the team and learn more by visiting the web site. bse.unl.edu/qrtrscale/

Page 2 Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska Front row, left to right: Brian Twombly, Jake Riggle, Mike Hauger, Violetta Malayan, Melissa Eman, Amy Dimick, Nick Anderson, Tate Augustin, and Josh Dodson. Back row, left to right: Ross Miller, Grant Janousek, Jessica Graul, Zach Alger, Matt Beckman, Jon Hazen, Garrett Pommeranz, Crystal Bryan, Whitney Brown, Tanner Augustin, Nick McCready, Clay Bramble, and Nick Tomsen. Scoops and Scholars The fifth annual Ice Cream Social and Scholarship Recognition was held September 20, 2005. The weather cooperated for the event which was held in front of Chase Hall. Thanks to the social committee and faculty super scoopers for making the event a success. Forty-three scholarships, totaling $35,270, were awarded for the 2005-2006 academic year to students in the department's three majors. We are pleased to acknowledge the following scholarship recipients:

Warren P. Person Memorial William E. and Eleanor L. Splinter John J. Sulek Memorial Zachary Alger AGEN Ravenna, OH Violetta Balayan BSEN Sioux Falls, SD Colby Gardine MSYM Bertrand, NE Crystal Bryan BSEN Falls City, NE Lloyd W. and Margaret V. Hurlbut Case New Holland Fred R. Nohavec Memorial Jonathan Hazen MSYM Sterling, NE Nicholas Anderson BSEN Papillion, NE Whitney Brown BSEN Denton, NE Grant Janousek AGEN Clarkson, NE Amy Dimick BSEN Sioux Falls, SD Elenore Gakemeier Swarts Ivan D. Wood Memorial Distinguished Scholarship Paul E. and Mary Beth Fischbach Ross Havlat MSYM Crete, NE Tanner Augustin BSEN Juniata, NE and Family Ross Miller MSYM Davenport, NE Sarah Hanson BSEN Omaha, NE Joshua Dodson BSEN Norfolk, NE Kathryn Milius BSEN Lincoln, NE Jonathan Niebuhr MSYM Dunbar, NE Edgar Rogers Memorial Ryan Windhorst MSYM Syracuse, NE Todd Kavan MSYM Wahoo, NE Wayne E. and Virginia R. Thurman Tyler Smith MSYM York, NE Tate Augustin BSEN Juniata, NE George Milo Petersen Memorial Leonard G. Schoenleber Issac Mortensen AGEN Curtis, NE Melissa Eman BSEN Peoria, IL Nicholas Tomsen BSEN Minden, NE Garrett Pommeranz AGEN Waterville, MN Agricultural Engineering Jakeb Riggle BSEN Elkhorn, NE Leroy W. and Jean E. Thom Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Hoppe, Sr. Matthew Beckman MSYM Elgin, NE Memorial Ken Von Bargen Clayton Bramble AGEN Hastings, NE Adam Flaugh MSYM Madison, NE Allan Steinkraus MSYM Plainview, NE Jessica Graul BSEN Hildreth, NE Aaron Herz MSYM Lawrence, NE Tom Thompson Memorial John Deere Mentor Nathan Jacobitz MSYM Holstein, NE Nicholas Wiese MSYM Rosalie, NE Timothy Mattson MSYM Chapman, NE Steven Fleer MSYM Hoskins, NE Nicholaus McCready BSEN Hastings, NE Michael Hauger MSYM Canby, MN Austin Story AGEN Gallatin, MO Weston Rathje MSYM Roseland, NE Kevin Tacke AGEN Greencreek, ID Kurt Petersen MSYM Burwell, NE Brian Twombly BSEN Troy, KS

Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska Page 3 More Student News

As a graduate The Mortar Board Society recognized Ross student in Miller, a Mechanized Systems Management Agricultural and student from Davenport, for superior Biological Systems scholarship. He is president of Alpha Gamma Engineering, Rho Fraternity. Mortar Board is a national honor Melissa Halverson society that recognizes college seniors for received a distinguished ability and achievement in scholarship from scholarship, leadership, and service. the Nebraska Water Environment Amy Dimick was recognized as the Outstanding Association at its Senior from the department for the College of annual fall conference in Kearney, Nebraska, on Engineering. She also served as the Chair for E- November 9, 2005. The award was presented by Week, 2006, a college-wide celebration of Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman. Nebraska Engineering.

Environmental Engineering graduate student Megan Krause received the O. J. Ferguson Nick Sutko was awarded the Colonel Theodore Award for the College of Engineering A. Leisen Memorial Scholarship by the Nebraska Outstanding Sophomore. Section of the American Water Works Association. The ceremony was held November Erica Levorson received the O. J. Ferguson 11, 2005; the award was presented by Governor Award for the College of Engineering Dave Heineman. Outstanding Junior.

Mechanized System Management graduate Ajay Kumar, from Patna, studentCorey Searle received an award for India, was selected as the Bill Teaching Assistant Teaching Excellence. The A. and Rita L. Stout award was presented during the Holling Family Outstanding International Awards Program at the East Campus Union. Graduate Student for 2006 at This program is designed to recognize the department Spring outstanding contributions by faculty and Banquet. Ajay has begun his teaching assistants in the College of Agricultural Ph.D. in the department after Sciences and Natural Resources, University of receiving his Masters in May. Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, and the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

Brent Hanson, a freshman from Kearney, received recognition as an Honors Scholar at the Distinguished Scholars Day and Omaha World- Herald Recognition Dinner in Lincoln.

Page 4 Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska Educational Objectives

ur undergraduate engineering programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET). All ABET-accredited programs must publish their OProgram Objectives for access by employers, parents, students and others interested in what graduates of the program are expected to be capable of doing once they enter the workforce.

Program Objectives for Agricultural Engineering: Program Objectives for Biological Systems Engineering: Upon entering the workforce, AGEN graduates (whether After graduation, BSEN alumni will share the attribute of they are involved in machine design, sensors and controls, improving the organization for which they work, and the soil and water resources, or other professional endeavors community and country in which they live. They will do such as business or law) will be: this whether they are involved in biomedical engineering, 1. applying their unique educational backgrounds in water resources or environmental engineering, food or agricultural engineering by providing appropriate bioprocess engineering, or other professional endeavors solutions to problems and adding value to the research, such as business, law or medicine. In doing so, they will: development, and design processes encountered in a 1. provide innovative and effective solutions to problems in variety of work environments; a variety of work environments through the use of their unique background in biological systems engineering and 2. considering systems as a whole when solving problems, the biological sciences; looking beyond components and subsystems individually; 2. look beyond components in isolation thereby providing 3. confidently using the necessary elements of holistic solutions to complex issues involving, for example, mathematics, statistics, physical science, engineering, interactions at the ecosystem, organism, organ, cellular or computer based measurement and analysis tools and subcellar level; current literature in solving problems and providing design solutions; 3. think logically using appropriate elements of mathematics, science and engineering to develop, manage 4. successfully integrating their technical knowledge with and interpret data, to correctly interpret new research skills in communication and persuasion, leading and findings and, to design new systems for the benefit of working effectively in teams, and understanding cultural society; diversity and social and political forces that impact engineering decisions, as well as having the capability of 4. successfully integrate technical knowledge with competing in an international atmosphere; communication and interpersonal skills to lead and work effectively in teams, and to articulate the role of 5. responsibly addressing issues of health and safety, engineering decisions in the workplace, community and ethics, and environmental impacts of engineering world; decisions. 5. responsibly address issues such as health and safety, 6. continuing their personal growth, education and personal and professional ethics, cultural diversity, as well professional development through various opportunities as the social, environmental and global impacts of their provided by institutions, professional societies and other work; venues; and 6. continue their personal growth, education, and professional development through various opportunities 7. valuing their educational experience by remaining provided by institutions, professional societies and other involved in the department as alumni and continually venues; and promoting the agricultural engineering program and profession. 7. remain involved in the department as active alumni who promote the biological systems engineering program and discipline, and mentor future generations of engineers.

Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska Page 5 ASABE Honors Department Faculty and Staff Members

At the 2005 Annual International ASABE (formerly In theEducational Aids Competition , Darrell Watts, ASAE, now the American Society of Agricultural William Kranz,and C. Dean Yonts received a blue and Biological Engineers) July meeting held in ribbon for their project Assuring Efficient Center Pivot Tampa, Florida, several Department faculty and Irrigation in the Films, Satellite Conferences, staff members as well as Department alumni were Videotapes, and Electronic Presentations category. honored for their research and service. Under Publications: Fact Sheets, two blue ribbons were won by authorsAmanda Fox (Ph.D. candidate), G. B. Gunlogson Countryside Engineering Award Tom Franti, Scott Josiah (NFS), and Mike Kucera Extension engineerRick Koelsch received this (NRCS) for Planning Your Riparian Buffer: Design and prestigious award that is presented annually Plant Selection(NebGuide 1557) and Installing Your honoring outstanding engineering contributions to Riparian Buffer: Tree and Grass Planting, Postplanting the development and improvement of the Care and Maintenance (NebGuide 1558). As part of a countryside. He was nominated for his educational team of 22 authors from Nebraska, Colorado, and impact on the agricultural community through his Wyoming,C. Dean Yonts and John Smith share a environmental programs and is an acknowledged blue ribbon award for the second edition of Dry Bean leader in best management practices for livestock Production and Pest Management in the Manuals and production. Workbooks section of Publication awards. In Publications: Bulletins, Mark Risse, Tommy Bass, Superior Paper Award Casey Rita,Jill Heemstra , and Rick Koelsch won a Co-authorsTami M. Brown-Brandl and John A. blue ribbon for their Poultry EMS project. Nienaber (both adjunct faculty), along with Hongwei Xin (Iowa State University) and Richard Elected asASAE Fellows in the 2005 class were two S. Gates (University of Kentucky), were recognized department alumni:Adel Shirmohammadi and for a paper award for their publication A Literature Terry J. Siebenmorgen. Shirmohammadi (M.S. 1977) Review of Swine Heat Production, published in the is a professor in the Biological Resources Engineering Transactions of the ASAE, Vol. 47, No. 1. The Department at the University of Maryland in College committee selects fewer than 2.5 percent of ASAE- Park. Siebenmorgen (Ph.D. 1984) is a professor in the published papers from the previous year for Department of Food Science and the Director of the superior recognition. Rice Processing Program at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Presidential Distinguished Service Award Chris Henry, an Extension engineer and educator, Dale Heermann(B.S. 1959) received the Hancor Soil was recognized "for his outstanding efforts and and Water Engineering Award. He recently retired successful execution related to the Study Guide for as Supervisory Agricultural Engineer and Research the Agricultural Engineering PE Exam, which Leader with the USDA-ARS in Fort Collins, resulted in moving the project from an incomplete Colorado. draft version to a complete, polished publication." Carroll Goering(B.S. 1959) received the Cyrus Hall McCormack Jerome Increase Case Gold Medal Award. Also currently an ASABE Fellow, he is Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois.

Page 6 Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska Computer Tool Helps Crop Production under Limited Irrigation Sandi Alswager Karstens, IANR News

he tool evaluates single fields for several crop options. new University of Nebraska computer program, Irrigated crops include: corn, soybeans, sorghum, “The Water Optimizer,” developed by Derrel T A wheat, alfalfa, edible beans and sunflowers. Dryland Martin, professor BSE, and Raymond Supalla, professor crops include: corn, soybeans, sorghum, sunflowers, Ag Econ, will help farmers make cropping decisions under limited water supplies. alfalfa and wheat in continuous, summer fallow and eco- fallow rotations. The tool allows users to input he computer tool will help farmers decide if they information into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, including Tshould grow different crops, irrigate fewer acres or soil type and irrigation system options. Irrigation options apply less water to existing crops," said Ray Supalla, include center pivot or gravity irrigation systems, well or agricultural economist. The tool was developed in canal delivery, and systems powered by electricity, diesel response to several years of drought across the state and or natural gas. After entering this basic information, to farmers facing water restrictions in the Central producers enter their production costs, irrigation costs, Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District, and in the crop prices, crop type and available water. After these Republican River Basin. parameters have been set, the program calculates what crops will be most profitable with the given costs and epublican River Basin water restrictions stem from available water. Rthe 2002 settlement involving Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado over the 1943 Republican River Compact. This t gives you specific costs for your operation, and allows settlement found groundwater pumping was covered by Iyou to try a lot of 'what if' scenarios," research associate the compact, which will limit future groundwater Scott Nedved said. "By running the model a couple times, irrigation development in the basin. a producer can find out if it would be better to produce one type of crop with so many acres than producing t's really an aid that will help the irrigators make another type of crop." Idecisions on how to use the limited water supplies they will have," said DeLynn Hay, Nebraska Extension ther potential uses of the program include program leader and former BSE faculty member. The Ocomparing management strategies such as profit Upper Republican Natural Resources District has had maximizing deficit irrigation, fixed crop rotations, single- specific water allocations for a number of years, but this is year and multi-year full irrigation strategies, or the first time that they will be applied in a broader area Environmental Quality Incentives Program or that also includes Middle and Lower Republican NRDs. Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program leasing. "This tool will help these farmers make cropping Reprinted with permission IANR News Service decisions that will use the limited water supply in a way to maximize profits for the given situation," Hay said.

Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska Page 7 Comings and Goings

Erkan Istanbulluoghlu is Valdeen Nelsen a new Assistant Professor brings a wealth of with a joint appointment experience to the Milestones in the Biological Systems department and is Engineering and the newest addition Geosciences Departments. to staff in the For years of service to the Partners in Pollution Erkan received his Ph.D. University of Nebraska, faculty from Utah State University in Civil Prevention (P3) Engineering. Prior to coming to program. She and staff were recognized in Nebraska, Erkan filled a post-doctoral assumed her position as part-time September at the Lied Center for position at MIT. Program Technician beginning Performing Arts prior to spring semester 2006. Valdeen assists Chancellor Harvey Perlman's with recruiting students and busi- Monte Shomaker is the State of the University address. new secretary in the west ness partners, teaching and bay, and though she mentoring interns during their field enjoys the view to the work, and planning for continued 30 years west, she can't see growth and development for P3. She Dean Eisenhauer Colorado from here. has worked on behalf of the public's Milford Hanna Monte transferred to our health for many years, most recently as Program Coordinator for the department from the Dean's Office in 25 years the College of Fine and Performing Master of Public Health program at Arts, and replaced Daphne Nebel. the University of Nebraska. She Leonard Bashford holds a bachelor's degree in David Morgan Education, a master's degree in Although Melissa Public Administration, and serves as Mathews had been a 15 years faculty for the Great Plains Public part-time employee in Debbie Burns Health Leadership Institute. the past, she is now a Michael Kocher full-time Secretary III, Nancy Swarts, dividing her support former secretary in 10 years between the Director the Soil and Water and staff for the Richard Koelsch Resources bay, is Industrial Agricultural Products Center now a full-time and three department faculty members. 5 years reporter/ Her outside interests include tennis, the photographer for the Viacheslav Adamchuk outdoors, and time with her family. Milford Times news- paper. She recently won three After Sarah Sedlacek Nebraska Press Association awards returned to Alabama for her work: personal column, last August, Diann feature series, and lifestyle coverage. Young was welcomed as the new departmen- tal receptionist. She immediately jumped into the swirling activities around her--learning proce- dures and student names, creating and maintaining departmental databases, and helping with several special major projects, most notably the CSREES report.

Page 8 Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska Dr. Weller, far left, joins in stirring a big bowl of Bi- Bim-Bop, a favorite Korean dish.

r. Curtis Weller recently Dtraveled to South Korea at the invitation of the Center for Healthcare Technology Development at Chonbuk National University in Jeonju. Dr. Keum Taek Hwang, Director of External Cooperation for the Center and Dean of the College of Human Ecology at Chonbuk National University, is an Adjunct Associate Professor in BSE and has been a visiting scholar in our department. Dr. Weller was one of the invited speakers at the 2006 International Symposium on Healthcare Technology Development, January 19- 21. His presentation was entitled “Lipid Nutraceuticals from Cereal Grains and Oilseeds.” He also participated as a judge during graduate student oral presentations and as a panelist during an open discussion of all symposium attendees.

While in South Korea, Curt also visited Mokpo National University in Mokpo and Seoul National University in Seoul. At Mokpo National University, he gave a presentation entitled “Biodiesel Production in Nebraska and the Rest of the United States” during a symposium on January 23 in the Food Industrial Technology Research Center. The Center has had connections with our department and the Industrial Agricultural Products Center for several years. At Seoul National

Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska Page 9 Alumni Update

1980 Andy Nickel (2003, B.S., BSEN) is employed as a Mark Lamb (1980, B.S., AGEN; 1982, M.S., AGEN) is High Throughput Geneticist for GeneSeek in an Engineering Manager for Kubota Tractor Lincoln, Nebraska. Corporation in Georgia. 1990 Philip Christenson (2003, M.S., AGEN) is working Stacia Palser (Norder) (1999, B.S., BSEN) is an for John Deere Agricultural Management Solutions attorney with Koley Jessesn, P.C., in Honey Creek, as a Product Test Engineer in Iowa. Iowa. 2000 Derek Robinson (2004, B.S., Ryan Shea (2001, B.S., AGEN) has worked at BSEN) is a new medical student. Caterpillar, Inc., since he graduated and is in Kansas He and Beth Erickson (2004, working as a Senior Engineer. He recently B.S., Interdisciplinary transferred from PowertrainR&DinPeoria, Engineering) started medical Illinois, to Global Work Tools and Services in school at the University of Iowa Wamego, where he works on developing tools for in the fall of 2005 with the forestry applications. traditional “white coat ceremony.” This ceremony is a James Schlaman (2001, B.S., BSEN) is a Water tradition at the University of Iowa where first-year Resources Engineer for Black & Veatch in Kansas medical students receive a white coat in front of City. He and coworker Pam Kenel are receiving the parents, faculty, and administration from the Water Resources Division Best Paper Award from medical school. the American Water Works Association (AWWA) at the June 2006 conference and exposition. The article Jonathan Morse (2003, B.S., BSEN; 2005, M.S., BSEN) Preserving Sustainable Water Supplies for Future is enjoying life and the challenges of being a Ph.D. Generations was published in the June 2005 issue of student in electrical engineering at the Journal AWWA. In May of 2006, Jim received an M.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, in Civil Engineering from KU. He says he will MA. His dissertation topic is on ultrafast optical always be a Husker, even though he's working and technology. living elsewhere. Junjie Guan (2005, Ph.D.) was awarded the Lakshmi Koppolu (2002, Ph.D.) is the new Manager, Outstanding Poster in Cereal Chemistry by the Cell Culture Process Development, for Phyton American Association of Cereal Chemists. He is a Biotech, Inc., in East Windsor, New Jersey. Her Marvin Byer Scholar of U.S. Military Food and husband,Ajoy (2002, Ph.D.), is a Senior Process Packaging, working in Connecticut as a Lead Engineer with Merial, Ltd., a Merck and sanofi- Product and Process Development Scientist with aventis pharmaceutical company for animals in Watson, Inc.. Junjie continues his affiliation with the North Brunswick, New Jersey. They welcomed their department as an adjunct faculty member. second child, Aneesh, this past July. Jennifer Melander (2003 B.S., BSEN; 2005, M.S., Brad Schmidt (2002, M.S., MSYM) is the BSEN) started in the Ph.D. program at the University Maintenance Manager with Bunge North America, of Missouri in Kansas City in May 2006. She will be Oilseed Processing Division, Council Bluffs, Iowa. attending an interdisciplinary program in Oral Biology and Engineering. Adam Pont (2003, B.S., BSEN) is an M.D./Ph.D. Fellow at the NYU School of Medicine. He is finishing his second year and will soon be starting the Ph.D. portion of the program.

Page 10 Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska Alumni Update

Hajira Ahmad (2005, B.S., BSEN) is currently College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology studying tissue engineering for her Ph.D. at at California State University at Fresno, California. Georgia Institute of Technology/Emory Medical School. Melissa Eman (2006, B.S., BSEN), another new graduate, married Joseph Collins in May. Melissa Michael Hofmeister (2005, B.S., MSYM) is a will begin the Ph.D. program in biomedical Service Supervisor and territory manager for Altec engineering at Texas A&M this fall and her National Service. Based in St. Joseph, Missouri, husband will study management information Mike supports six mobile technicians in their day- systems. to-day activities and resolves customer issues in Oklahoma and New Mexico. The work keeps him Krishan Ginige (2006, M.S., Environmental on his toes and continues his education of Engineering), is now working as a Project hydraulic and DC electrical systems. Engineer for Southwest Environmental Consultants, Inc., in Sedona, Arizona. Krishan Kevin Tacke (2006, B.S., AGEN), a new graduate, works with water modeling, environmental will be working for AGCO Corporation in Kansas designs for sub-divisions, and ensures that there is as a Field Test Engineer. smooth coordination between all the agencies involved in the projects. Balaji Sethuramasamyraja, ( 2006, Ph.D.), began as Let your former classmates know where you are and what an Assistant ProfessorI n July 2006, in the you're doing; update your information on the web now. Department of Industrial Technology in the bse.unl.edu/Contact/Alumni%20contact.htm

Alumni Profile efore graduation I accepted a position with by Eric A. Scott, Agricultural Engineering Caterpillar, Inc., located in Peoria, Illinois, as a Machine Development Engineer. During the past n May of 2004, I reached a milestone in B two years I have been privileged to travel all around North my life by graduating from the America for Caterpillar, going places I have never gone University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a I before. I find the work to be very challenging and I am in an bachelor of science degree in industry I am passionate about. Agricultural Engineering, with emphasis in Machine Design and Control. During my here is something to be said about learning how to undergraduate studies, I was privileged to test and analyze data for tractor performance from work at the Nebraska Tractor Testing the tractor-testing cornerstone of the world. As I Laboratory. While testing tractors I worked T begin to make my way in Caterpillar, I continually hand-in-hand with engineers from all makes rediscover how lucky I am to have received a formal of the tractor world. I did not know it at the time, but this is education from UNL, along with the hands-on education where the interview process began for me as well as them. I and training I received from the Nebraska Tractor Test found it very interesting to be studying theory on paper in Laboratory. the classroom during the morning and to be working on tractors in the lab, physically seeing and experiencing the effects of that theory, in the afternoon. This experience grew If you would like to share a perspective of how your career has as classes were completed one by one. During each step been shaped by your educational experiences in the Department, along the way, all the staff, in addition to the faculty, were send an article to Gail Ogden at [email protected] there to coach and encourage. I received the impression that I or Department of Biological Systems Engineering, was more than a student, which made me feel right at home. 219 LWC, Lincoln, NE 68583-0726.

Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska Page 11 Graduation Chancellor's Scholars May 2006 Graduating with Highest Distinction, Chancellor's Scholars earned A's in all graded work. Nick and Agricultural Engineering: Tanner were part of a three-way tie for first-place Chris Junck (Carroll, NE) ranking in the College of Engineering. Jason Stark (Plainview, NE)*** Nick Anderson Kevin Tacke (Greencreek, ID) Tanner Augustin Fall 2005 graduates, College of Engineering Tate Augustin Back row, left to right: Joel Stenberg, Dr. Ron Biological Systems Engineering: Graduated with Highest Distinction, ranked 4th in the Yoder, Austin Lammers, Neil Eckstein, and Dan College of Engineering. Nick Anderson (Papillion, NE)* Sova. Front row, left to right: Jason Podany, Adam Chris Artz (Hastings, NE) Huttenmaier, Scott Albrecht, and Garrett Jason Stark Pommeranz. Graduated with Distinction, ranked 14th in the Tanner Augustin (Juniata, NE)* College of Engineering. Tate Augustin (Juniata, NE)* Kurtis Mann Jonathan Camp (Lincoln, NE) First-string center for the Husker football team, one of four Academic All-Americans from UNL, Amy Dimick (Sioux Falls, SD) graduated with High Distinction in Mechanized Melissa Eman (Peoria, IL) Systems Management, CASNR. Jessica Graul (Hildreth, NE) Sarah Hanson (Omaha, NE) Superior Scholars Nick McCready (Hastings, NE) Academic year 2005-2006 Kathryn Milius (Lincoln, NE) The Superior Scholar designation is for students Corri Synak (Lincoln, NE) having attained a standing in the upper 3 percent Spring 2006 graduates, College of Engineering of their college or having been on the Honors Mechanized Systems Management: From left to right: Melissa Halverson, Sara Convocation list since matriculation as freshmen. Matt Beckman (Elgin, NE) Hanson, Travis Yonts, Katie Milius, Jason Stark, Scott Albrecht Sarah Hanson Nick Anderson, Tate Augustin, Dr. Ron Yoder, Nick Matt Echtenkamp (Cairo, NE) Nick Anderson Kurtis Mann McCready, Tanner Augustin, Corri Synak, Amy Ross Havlat (Crete, NE) Dimick, and Melissa Eman. Tanner Augustin Nick McCready Tate Augustin Kathryn Milius Aaron Herz (Lawrence, NE) Amy Dimick Dan Sova Nathan Jacobitz (Holstein, NE) Todd Kavan (Wahoo, NE) UCare Spring 2006 December 2005 Kurt Mann (Grand Island, NE)** Garth Ostergard (Callaway, NE) Undergraduate Agricultural Engineering: Allan Steinkraus (Plainview, NE) Scott Albrecht (Emerson, NE)*** Ryan Windhorst (Syracuse, NE) Research Ranked 2nd in his class Adam Wollenburg (DeWitt, NE) Adam Huttenmaier (Beatrice, NE) Josh Dodson Austin Lammers (Hartington, NE) Graduate Students: completed a Jason Podany (Clarkson, NE) UCare Research Garrett Pommeranz (Waterville, MN) Krishan Ginige, M.S., Project with a Environmental Engineering Biological Systems Engineering: "Portable Probe Melissa Halverson, M.S., for On-the-spot Neil Eckstein (Lincoln, NE) Ann Nadurata (Omaha, NE) Agricultural and Biological Systems Measurement of Dan Sova (Sioux Fall, SD) Engineering Soil pH." His faculty advisor was Dr. Joel Stenberg (Lexington, NE) Viacheslav Adamchuk. Qualified Ajay Kumar, M.S., students may apply for the Mechanized Systems Management: Agricultural and Biological Systems Undergraduate Creative Activities Quentin Cooksley (Grand Island, NE) Engineering and Research (UCARE) program. Andrew Ferris (Archer, NE) Travis Yonts, M.S., Funded by the Pepsi Endowment Jody Imus (Belgrade, NE) Agricultural and Biological Systems and Program of Excellence Funds, Mitch Ramsey (Wymore, NE) Engineering UCARE is a university-wide Joey Robison (Bertrand, NE) program that allows students to Nate Wiese (Lyons, NE) Balaji Sethuramasamyraja, Ph.D., work directly with faculty members Nick Wiese (Lyons, NE) Agricultural and Biological Systems in conducting research, serving as Engineering. research assistants, or undertaking * Graduated with Highest Distinction independent research projects. ** Graduated with High Distinction *** Graduated with Distinction

Page 12 Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska MSYM Student on Winning Team

ike Hauger, from Canby, Minnesota, a Mechanized MSystems Management student in the John Deere Dealership Management program was a member of the UNL National Agri- Marketing Association (NAMA) team that won the outstanding chapter award in national competition for the second year in a row. The team award for their marketing plan for a non-cross pollinating corn was presented at the 2006 NAMA conference in Kansas City, Missouri, in April. The award is based on all chapter functions including its mentoring program, chapter communications, ive Mechanized Systems Management students attended a John membership recruitment, and Deere Dealership Management conference. Seen outside John workshops. FDeere's Waterloo Tractor factory are, from left to right, Michael Hauger, Dane Mosel, Steven Fleer, Kurt Petersen, and Weston Rathje. Photo by Bill Campbell.

arly in the spring of 2006, students in Unit Operations of Biological EProcessing (BSEN 446/846) and Food Engineering Unit Operations (FDST/MSYM 465/865), both taught by Dr. Curt Weller, toured Nebraska's largest brewery, Empyrean Ales, in the Haymarket area of downtown Lincoln. For the past several years, both classes have been visiting this business to see actual processing equipment typical of food and beverage industries in operation. Not all students are familiar with equipment (unit operations) used in industry. The tour helps in their understanding of the basic physical-chemical phenomenon that occurs in each piece of equipment. Later in the semester, the students also visited Nebraska's largest winery, James Arthur Vineyard, to see its unit operations.

Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska Page 13 G'Day Mate: A Nebraskan Goes Way South

Chris Henry, Extension livestock waste they flew to Brisbane, in the state of separation distance guidelines. specialist, received a prestigious Queensland, and then drove to Ausplume 4.0 is the modeling program Fulbright Scholarship for nine months Toowoomba, their new home for the used to determine the absolute of study in Australia focusing on the next nine months. Once settled and minimumdistance s from designated issue of how odors from livestock after learning to drive on the left side receptors such as water courses, waste affect the environment. The of the road, Chris met with his new neighbors, and large towns. The owner University of Southern Queensland, colleagues to begin work. Chris was must calculate the variable separation National Centre for Engineering in the first Fulbright recipient to be distance and apply this to neighboring Agriculture, was the host institution. stationed in Toowoomba and the residents and towns, with the greater Though Australian cattle are raised in only Fulbright scholar working in of the two being used. The variable a manner similar to those in the United the agricultural industry. separation distance is a function of the States, Australian regulating agencies number of animals, effluent removal have been working on odor procedures, receptor type, and environmental impact topography features, and issues longer and have a highly vegetation near the facility. developed regulation system The second tier involves that affects the planning and modeling the proposed site, permitting process. There is no resulting in a more detailed U.S. federal standard for approach than what is livestock odor, although there practiced in the United States. are regulations relating to certain components that Chris met with personnel in comprise livestock odor. Each the Department of Primary state or territory in Australia Industries and Fisheries can adopt guidelines if it (DPI&F), which is the wishes; there is no federal Australian version of our mandate to do so. Though university research effort, research on American livestock university extension, and feedlot and confinement regulatory agency (Nebraska operations focuses mostly on Department of Environmental runoff, researchers in our Quality) all rolled into one. department have been working The agency is responsible for on odor footprint models for research, enforcement, and several years. extension education. This is a One of the agencies that Chris stark contrast to the U.S., where Chris and his wife Heather found the worked with, The National Centre research, extension, and regulators are trip to Australia an arduous one. for Engineering in Agriculture, is a often separated. He met Geordie Flying from Lincoln to Los Angeles joint venture between the University Galvin, the leader of the air/odor took about eight hours, then eleven of Southern Queensland and the group, and learned that they are more from L.A. to Fiji, where a three- State of Southern Queensland currently using TAPM, Ausplume, and day layover awaited them. Chris through its departments of Primary WinTracks as primary models. He also discovered a swine confinement Industries and Natural Resources collaborated on a project to evaluate operation housing about 5,000 head on (PINR). Chris established the back-calculation technique for odor Fiji. The owner was planning on connections within FSA Consulting, emission estimation using dispersion doubling his operation, though there is a firm that handles most of the models, a process Galvin pioneered. only one processing plant. Pork may livestock facility permits from its two Within two months, Chris presented soon join sugar cane and tourism as a offices in Australia. He learned that a his first seminar to a group of third major business there. From Fiji, two-tier approach is used for ce is a colleagues about the U.S. regulatory function of the number of animals, system, the extension program he

Page 14 Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska system, the extension program he see. One of the highlights was an works on, and the status and progress invitation from the U.S. Counsel of odor research at UNL. Chris General, Mr. Stephen T. Smith, and the learned that with a less aggressive Seventh Fleet to attend a reception approach in presenting his own work, aboard the USSBlue Ridge . Amid all these scientists were more receptive the pomp, Chris learned that the U.S. and comfortable presenting the depth Counsel General spent the early years of their research. By acknowledging of his life in Nebraska, on the family that there are many experts working cattle ranch near Paxton in the worldwide on this topic, the Sandhills. Chris also met William A. opportunity for more communication Stanton, the Charge d'Affaires ad and cooperation was opened up. leaves a feedlot; it is all collected by interim, and received a certificate and a series of ring tanks and pumping a Fulbright pin from him. Chris and Chris attended the Clean Air Society stations. The feedlot was being Heather became accomplished scuba of Australia and New Zealand expanded to accommodate an divers, took in natural scenic wonders (CASANZ) conference where he ethanol plant, a very rare pairing. (Cedar Creek Falls, Ayers Rock, salt presented twice: once for the odor Ethanol is just gaining visibility as lakes, the coast), food-processing workshop, and again for a joint an alternative fuel in Australia, and plants (sugar cane, ginger, beer, session between the odor and the producer wanted to make use of chocolate, exotic fruit) and saw lots of modeling workshops. His the plant-generated by-products as wildlife (kangaroos, koala, presentation essentially contradicted a feed source for the livestock. kookaburra, snakes, camels, whales, what the previous modeling expert Organic manure is a valued and dolphins). They also came home (also American ) had presented, who commodity to non-livestock with an undelivered souvenir, who has was unaware of the work that has farmers, so there is little waste in since arrived: their first child, son been going on in Nebraska. This the entire process. The addition of Conner. illustrated some of the poor manure to the soil helps soil communication between scientific moisture retention, a very At the conclusion of his trip, Chris groups around the world and in our important aspect of farming in a published two reports and has three own country. As with many scientific country faced with drought much journal articles on hold due to the research projects, there is controversy of the year. Twenty thousand sensitive nature of some scientific and among Australian experts about metric tons of manure are applied proprietary information. His work was whether a flux chamber with an to 4,000 acres at the approximate used to set new odor policy for the isolation hood or a wind tunnel rate of five metric tons per acre. Australian feedlot industry. Chris says should be used to measure emissions. Sometimes the rate is 15 tons per that one of his main accomplishments This ten-year debate further illustrates acre on a three-year rotation. Chris was establishing connections between the complex problem of how humans said that many towns are on the colleagues in Australia and Nebraska. and livestock can co-exist in a rural brink of having no water; only two- The Fulbright Scholarship provided landscape. minute showers are allowed. Many the opportunity to grow professionally farmers have zero yield from crops. and the perspective to see how One of the consulting trips Chris took research in America and Australia can included assisting with a feedlot Lest you think the nine months fit together for continued progress in survey and touring a new feedlot were all work and no play, Chris livestock issues for both countries. He under construction. The design of and Heather took in plenty of will continue to use the knowledge he feedlot drains (which move a lot of sights. From Tasmania to the Great gained as he continues work on his runoff to sediment basins), side and Barrier Reef, to trips with family Ph.D. cross slopes, top and bottom widths, members who came to visit, and and vegetation are all specified in the gatherings with fellow Fulbright permit process. No surface water ris scholars, there was plenty to do and

Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska Page 15  Visitors to BSE

We appreciate all who have established endowments, or made contributions to funds that support BSE programs. For information about establishing new endowed funds, or contributing to existing funds, contact Ann Bruntz, NU Foundation, 402-458-1176 or From Mayo Clinic Presidential Visit [email protected] Dr. Mike Kocher explains the Otto Loewer, ASABE President and features of the therapy walker (he Fellow, visited our department in is one of its patent holders) to October 2005. After speaking he joined James W. Youdas, a visiting us for our annual Feed Our Graduate The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is an equal opportunity educator and employer physical therapist from the Mayo Students lunch. with a comprehensive plan for diversity. Clinic.