North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station, Ames, Iowa Site Logo
Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture
 

Support Teams
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Support Staff Responsibilities


NCRPIS Support Staff Responsibilites logo NCRPIS Support Categories logo

AdministrativeEntomolgyFacility Management & MaintenanceGermplasm Information & DistributionPlant PathologySeed StorageSeed Viability & ResearchInformation Technology.  No link to additional information.

Administrative

 

Seed Storage Logo

The Administrative team's responsibilities:
  • Assists the Station's Research Leader.
     
  • Assists with Annual Resource Management Plan System (ARMPS) budget.
     
  • Assists with tracking budget by using CRIS Allocation Tracking System (CATS) and other resources.
  • Assists with ordering supplies and reconciles all purchase card transactions in Purchase Card Management System (PCMS).
     
  • Enters and manages Time and Attendance records.
     
  • Assists with all personnel related items including Annual Performance Review documentation.
     
  • Arranges travel accommodations for all personnel at the station.
     
  • Enters publications, annual reports, research agreements, and other required information into the Agricultural Research Information System (ARIS).
     
  • Formats Station's NC7 annual reports.
     
  • For more information contact Marci Bushman.
 

 


Entomology

 

Entomology Team logo

The Entomology Team conducts the following activities:

Services

  • Providing suitable insect pollinators in proper quantity and good health for caged plant increases in field plots and greenhouses as requested by curatorial staff.
     
  • Building domiciles and other equipment needed for insect pollinators. 
     

Research

  • Researching alternate insect pollinators or handling techniques in cooperation with curators and other cooperators. 
     
  • Identifying insect pests found in stored seed or field/greenhouse and recommending treatment options.
     
  • For more information contact Steve Hanlin.

    Quick Link to Pollinators at PI.
     

 
 


Facility Management

 

Facilities Team logo

The Facilities Management & Maintenance Team is responsible for:

Services

  • Field Preparation and Maintenance.
     
  • Construction and Renovation Projects. 
     
  • HVAC Repair and Maintenance.
     
  • Field Farm Equipment and Vehicle Service and Maintenance.
     
  • Field Facilities Maintenance.
  • Field and Greenhouse and Work Space Coordination and Allocation. 
     
  • Student Employee Hiring.
     
  • Purchasing Supplies. 
     
  • Safety.
     
  • For more information contact Larry Lockhart.

 

Germplasm Information & Distribution

 

Germplasm Information Logo

The Germplasm Information and Distribution team is responsible for:

Germplasm Activities

  • Order processing and shipping.
     
  • Research projects for curators.
     
  • Input accession/passport data.


Administrative Activities

  • Support student hiring.
     
  • Purchasing.
     
  • Maintain safety records. 
     
  • For more information contact Robert Stebbins.
 

 


Plant Pathology

 

Plant Pathology Team logo

The Plant Pathology Team conducts the following activities:

Services

  • Plant disease diagnosis across many crops. 
     
  • Work with curators to develop disease management plans
     
  • Laboratory seed health tests and field inspections
     
  • Phytosanitary and quarantine issues.

Research

  • Disease resistance evaluations
     
  • Study biology of diseases affecting plant germplasm, with emphasis on seed-borne diseases
     
  • Develop laboratory methods to detect seed-borne plant pathogens
     
  • For more information contact Charlie Block.
     

 

 


Seed Storage

 

Seed Storage Logo

The Seed Storage team is responsible for:
  • Filling seed orders.
     
  • Storing regeneration sample.
     
  • Storing newly received original samples.
     
  • Imaging original samples.
     
  • Updating inventory counts.
     
  • Completing taxonomic re-identifications, PI number assignments and updating seed storage labeling.
     
  • Serving as resources persons to the curatorial teams.
     
  • Working with the GRIN database to insure accession inventory information accuracy.
     
  • Preparing backup orders to be sent to NCGRP. 
     
  • For more information contact Lisa Burke.
 

 


Seed Viability & Research

 

Seed Viability Team logo

The Seed Viability Team conducts the following activities: 

Services

  • Germination testing of seed increased at the station. 
     
  • Viability monitoring of distribution lots every 5 to 10 years. 
     
  • Tetrazolium testing of hard to germinate seeds. 
     
  • Notifying curators of the viability status of their collections.
     
  • Work with curators on special needs projects. 
     

Research

  • Research published papers for proven methods to break seed dormancy. 
     
  • Plan and conduct experiments to discover methods to break seed dormancy. 
     
  • Investigate methods of drying seeds to prolong seed life; this may include genera that are suspected of being recalcitrant. 
     
  • Investigate methods of eliminating insect infestations in seed lots. 
     

 

 

 


     
Last Modified: 12/18/2012