Source: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA submitted to
TRAINING BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERS IN FOOD SECURITY
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
NEW
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1006428
Grant No.
2015-38420-23701
Project No.
FLAW-2014-10398
Proposal No.
2014-10398
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
KK
Project Start Date
Jul 15, 2015
Project End Date
Jul 14, 2020
Grant Year
2015
Project Director
Correll, M. J.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
G022 MCCARTY HALL
GAINESVILLE,FL 32611
Performing Department
AG-AGRICUL / BIOLOGICAL ENG
Non Technical Summary
Engineers need training that will guide them in designing the tools to help farmers maintain crop yields as climates changes. These tools are critical in securing the US food supply and protecting our natural resources. This program is to support three, USDA-National Need Fellows (Ph.Ds) in the Targeted Expertise Shortage Area (TESA) of Plant Production who are trained in the core discipline (E) of Biological Engineering. These fellows will be trained in the computational methods that deal with big data and will integrate these methods into new tools for plant breeders, farmers, or resource managers. Our recruitment of fellows will target under-represented groups in engineering through many approaches, such as linking with an area minority institution and through the selection of students from a database that includes information on engineering undergraduate students at almost 50 US institutions. The fellows will be trained through academic coursework, professional development opportunities, and experiential learning activities to address four foundational areas (1) Big Data, (2) Biological Systems Modeling, (3) Plant-Water-Soil and Atmosphere Interactions, and (4) Entrepreneurship-Teaching-Leadership Skills. The experiential learning activities will range from integrating climate change scenarios or genetic information with crop simulation models to designing water management tools for agricultural production. These students will use creative techniques to build learning modules for K-12 students and will design art work on topics related to Plant-Water-Soil and Atmosphere integration. With this training, these fellows will be the future leaders in securing the global food supply.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2032499202034%
1112499202033%
1322499202033%
Knowledge Area
132 - Weather and Climate; 203 - Plant Biological Efficiency and Abiotic Stresses Affecting Plants; 111 - Conservation and Efficient Use of Water;

Subject Of Investigation
2499 - Plant research, general;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering;
Goals / Objectives
The major goal of this project is to train 3 Ph.D. USDA National Needs Fellowsin Food Security. These three fellows will be trained in four foundations: analyzing BIG DATA (Foundation 1), building biological systems models (Foundation 2) that targets the Plant-Water-Soil and Atmosphere continuum (Foundation 3) and training inteaching, leadership, and entrepreneurial activities so that they will become the future leaders in Plant Production (Foundation 4).This goal will be obtained by:1. Recruiting high quality students interested in the topic of Food Security with focus on underrepresented groups2.Providing thestudents with several levels of mentorship towards retention of students in the program andafter their completion of the program.3. Providing leadership/teaching and entrepreneurial training through workshops and supervised teaching opportunities4. Assisting the fellows in design of their research project to work with agri-businesses, producers or other stakeholders for solving real world problems related to food security
Project Methods
Efforts:Recruitment will be completed through the following:1. Visits to our ABE undergraduate classes by the Graduate Program coordinator to discuss opportunities for this fellowship2. Advertise the USDA Fellows program through our website and informational brochure3. Send out recruitment packets to potential students selected through minority student and GRE test results databases4. Participate in half-day contact session at the Annual International Meeting of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. Attendance and participation by graduate students and faculty in various national and international meetings to increase our program visibility and opportunity to recruit.5. Recruit students from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University a minority institution6. Identify and contact students who meet search criteria from the UF College of Engineering, Institutional Name Exchange Database7. Provide information on the fellowships to the UF student chapter (Gator Chapter) of National Society of Black Engineers (10K members in US) encouraging them to apply8. University of Florida Office of Graduate Minority Programs offers assistance in recruiting minority students; we will contact them with this fellowship opportunity.Mentoring of students will be completed through the following:MentorRole(1)PD or co-PD of this USDA-NNFProvides information on this program, recruits students, reviews applications, assists with selection of student's first lab rotation (of up to three), reviews completion of Table 1 activities, and provides professional mentoring.(2)Graduate coordinator/ staff member(co-PD Kiker) Assists in application process, ensures students are meeting departmental requirements and university deadlines. Details of the program are provided in the Graduate Student Manual available on our departmental website (www.abe.ufl.edu). A list of milestones and requirements by the department and university is reviewed during their orientation. The graduate coordinator works with students to resolve issues related to course substitutions and conflicts.(3)Senior Graduate StudentHelps the new student learn about the ABE program from a student's perspective and provides guidance on UF infrastructure, coursework, and social life. The department supports graduate student seminars that the students select topics and speakers. This year (Fall 2014) students have selected topics ranging from "working for a nonprofit" to "using social media to further your career". provide guidance on UF infrastructure, coursework, and social life(4)Graduate Committee MembersReview plan of study, review proposal for dissertation work, review progress of research, administer qualifying exam, perform final defense, assist student with post-graduate placement.(5)Chair of the ABE DepartmentResolves any issues that go above those that the other mentors cannot address such as issues associated with their existing members on their research committees.(6)Office of Graduate Minority ProgramsProvides additional areas of mentorship for graduate students, particularly dealing with issues that minority students might face. Professional development workshops are offered throughout the year.(7)UMMP -mentorThe University Minority Mentor Program (UMMP), provided through UF Multicultural & Diversity Affairs links students with faculty/staff to mentor through the program (graduate students are allowed, the PD, Correll has been a mentor in this program twice, once to a graduate student).Evaluation: Assessing the Outcomes The PD will assess the progress of the fellows by reporting (1) Student appointment, (2) Annual student progress in training program (Annual update), (3) Annual exit or Termination Forms, and (4) an exit interview. The success of the program will be marked with the following outcomes: 1. Three students are recruited into the program for Plant Production (with two of these students being minority students) by Fall 2016. 2. All students complete activities in Table 1 with at least a 90% completion rate. 3. All fellows publish in peer-reviewed journals related to their research. 4. All fellows present research results at a professional meeting. 5. All fellows receive additional support from outside sources (for travel, stipends, tuition, or other professional training) 6. All fellows complete the program (Ph.D. in Plant Production topic) 7. All fellows are placed in an area related to Plant Production post-graduation. 8. All students are tracked 5 years, post-graduation with their accomplishments reported since graduation. Should we not meet the targeted success, we will adaptively guide the programs and design new components to address deficiencies. Example changes could include: tailoring the program with other courses that tie better address these foundations (suggested by fellows), or including additional mentoring or social/professional training activities

Progress 07/15/17 to 07/14/18

Outputs
Target Audience:In the 2017/2018 reporting year the following were some of the targeted audiences that the fellows presented their work: 28 Undergraduate Students in Biological Engineering were targeted as part of the work of NNF Christopher Hwang who was a teaching assistant for labs in Applications in Biological Engineering (ABE 3000c) at the University of Florida. Students' learned through Chris' guidance in hands-on wet labs that food security may depend on creative ways to biologically engineer organisms, better methodology of bioprocessing, and better use of water resources. Presentation to Industry (Climate Corp.St. Louis, MO 63141 ) that presented research on Incorporating Genetic Information into Crop Models (by NNF. C. Hwang, 2018) Presentation to 33 Ph.D. students in Wageningen (University of Florida/Wageningen) on using R programming to model crop phenology incorporating crop modeling and genetics (Presentation by NNF C. Hwang June 3-8, 2018). Approximately 20 K-12 students were introduced to the topic of bio-based products from crop waste residue during a 4H workshop run in part by NNF, K. Moses, during July 2017. V. Valerio, June 2018, Virtual meeting to: USAID officials. Topic: Discuss Feed the Future's Livestock Systems Innovation Lab (LSIL) Future Systems Area if Inquiry's effort in Sub-Saharan Africa V. Valerio, April 2018, Virtual meeting with Dr. Karl Rich (ILRI) to present and discuss a System Dynamics model of the Swazi goat value chain and potential collaboration opportunities V. Valerio, April 2018, Virtual meeting with Dr. Marjatta Eilitta (LSIL at UF), Dr. Abdrahmane Wane (CIRAD), Mr. Brahima Cisse (CILSS), Dr. Karl Rich (ILRI), Dr. Olivier Walther (Center for African Studies at UF), Dr. Greg Kiker (ABE at UF) Topic: Current research/development efforts concerning Trade in West Africa and synergizing opportunities Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?All students have been informed of training opportunities for workshops on teaching with one student attending the workshop provided by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Teaching Enhancement Symposium on August 15, 2017 in Gainesville, FL. Students have presented their research at conferences and these include the following: C. Hwang presentation at course Fundementals of Crop Physiology in a Changing World June 3-8,2018 poster presentation on "Genetics Based Phenology Model of the common bean with non-linear environmental responses" Wageningen, Ede, Netherlands C. Hwang presentation "Gene-based modeling of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) with non-linear response to temperature and day length". 2017. The ASA, CSSA, SSSA annual meeting in Tampa, FL. K. Moses presentation "pH-responsive Barrier bio-based flims for indicative food packaging". January 2017. The SPARC Conference in Panama City Beach, Fl. (poster) K. Moses presenation"pH-responsive Barrier bio-based flims for indicative food packaging" April 2018. Agricultural and Biological Engineering Graduate Student Poster Competition. Gainesville, FL. (poster) K. Moses presentation"pH-responsive Barrier bio-based flims for indicative food packaging" March 2018. Florida Center for Renewable Chemicals and Furels Seminary, Gainesville, FL. K. Moses presenation "Barrier Food Packaging Biofilms from Glycerol-based Dendritic Precursors for Pending pH Sensor". Gorden Research Conference-Nano-Enabled Technologies to Improve Efficiency, Quality and Health in Food and Agriculture. June 3-8, 2018. Mount Holyoke College, MA. (poster) K. Moses presentation "Preparation of pH-responsive latex films from glycerol-based dendritic precursors for food packaging". October 28-November 2, 2018. AICHE meeting in Pittsburg, PA. (oral) V. Valerio, March 2018. System Dynamics for Value Chain Modeling: Swaziland case study. At the UF's Social Change and Development in Africa Group (SCAD). University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. (oral) V. Valerio, April 2018. Quantifying growth and development of the West African Livestock Trade Network. Livestock Systems Innovation Lab (UF). University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. (oral) Additional Training for professional develoment include: V. Valerio organization of the University of Florida's First Afro-LatinX Panel "I am enough" as the historian for the Latino-Hispanic Organization of Graduate Students Mentoring opportunities for K. Moses (incoming Ph.D. students), V. Valerio (Wummer Undergraduate Research at UF; SURF and incoming Ph.D. student) and C. Hwang (undergraduate students and/or incoming Ph.D. students) V. Valerio reviewer for the UF Journal of Undergraduate Research (UF JUR), reviewed articles for undergraduate students How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? C. Hwang presentation at course Fundementals of Crop Physiology in a Changing World June 3-8,2018 poster presentation on "Genetics Based Phenology Model of the common bean with non-linear environmental responses" Wageningen, Ede, Netherlands C. Hwang presentation "Gene-based modeling of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) with non-linear response to temperature and day length". 2017. The ASA, CSSA, SSSA annual meeting in Tampa, FL. K. Moses presentation "pH-responsive Barrier bio-based flims for indicative food packaging". January 2017. The SPARC Conference in Panama City Beach, Fl. (poster) K. Moses presenation"pH-responsive Barrier bio-based flims for indicative food packaging" April 2018. Agricultural and Biological Engineering Graduate Student Poster Competition. Gainesville, FL. (poster) K. Moses presentation"pH-responsive Barrier bio-based flims for indicative food packaging" March 2018. Florida Center for Renewable Chemicals and Furels Seminary, Gainesville, FL. K. Moses presenation "Barrier Food Packaging Biofilms from Glycerol-based Dendritic Precursors for Pending pH Sensor". Gorden Research Conference-Nano-Enabled Technologies to Improve Efficiency, Quality and Health in Food and Agriculture. June 3-8, 2018. Mount Holyoke College, MA. (poster) K. Moses presentation "Preparation of pH-responsive latex films from glycerol-based dendritic precursors for food packaging". October 28-November 2, 2018. AICHE meeting in Pittsburg, PA. (oral) V. Valerio, March 2018. System Dynamics for Value Chain Modeling: Swaziland case study. At the UF's Social Change and Development in Africa Group (SCAD). University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. (oral) V. Valerio, April 2018. Quantifying growth and development of the West African Livestock Trade Network. Livestock Systems Innovation Lab (UF). University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. (oral) What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The next phase of reporting, two USDA National Needs Fellows (V. Valerio and K. Moses) will need to have passed their Ph.D. qualifiers. The students all should have drafts or accepted peer-reviewed articles based on their research efforts. All students will work to ensure they are meeting the requirements of their Ph.D.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Students have completed their second year of coursework in areas related or relevant to Food Security. One student has passed their Ph.D. qualifying exam (C. Hwang) and two others are in the process of scheduling theirs. All students have been working on their research projects for at least one year on topics of 1. Crop models (C.Hwang), 2. Food Supply Chain/Bioproducts (K. Moses) and 3. Global Food Security (V. Valerio). Two students (C. Hwang and V. Valerio) have drafts of manuscripts that have or are to be submitted for peer review for publication. The third student (K. Moses) is working out experimental details on using waste residues from crops to make films to detect food spoilage, she has submitted a patent on her research efforts.

Publications


    Progress 07/15/16 to 07/14/17

    Outputs
    Target Audience:Target audiences: Minorities, High School, Undergraduate/Graduate Students, professional societies, farmers, plant breeders, policy makers. Efforts: Students in this USDA NNF have participated in a number of activities that have been important for recruiting and mentoring students in the STEM disciplines. For example, Valerie Valerio has been a leader and mentor for other students (including minorities) as she has completed the following activities: Joined the E-board of the Latino Hispanic Organization of Graduate Students (LOGRAS) Community Service Chair (2016) Historian (2017) Received outstanding cultural organization award (2016) Participated in the 2017 LSIL Annual General Meeting with attendants from other FTF labs and countries - March 27th-29th 2017 Participated in the 2017 Global Nutrition Symposium - March 30th 2017 Volunteered asmentor for incoming Fall 2017 doctoral students In addition, Karyn Moses has been a leader in scientific fields and is joining professional organizations to educate the public on food security in the following way: Accepted into Golden Key International Honor Society for the UF chapter Elected Social Committee Chair of Agricultural & Biological Engineering Graduate Student Organization (ABEGSO) Now amember of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society. Finally, Christopher Hwang has worked in the following way to reach highschool students, Host of two high school students in a STUDENT SCIENCE TRAINING PROGRAM (SSTP) at the University of Florida on research projects in food security for seven weeks (summer 2017). Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Students have completed two semesters of course work (12 hours each semester). The are being enrolled in training for teaching How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?These students are mentors to minorities and are in leadership roles with the Latino Hispanic Organization of Graduate Students (LOGRAS), other graduate student leadership (social committees), volunteer mentors for incoming (2017) students among other outreach efforts and are working to train high school students in STEM diciplines. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Next reporting period, weplan to have students attend the annual teaching retreat offered by the Institute of Food and Agriculture here at UF, the students will also continueto presenting atnational/international professional conferences, their mentoring will continue and they will complete their second year of coursework toward the Ph.D. program in the Ag. and Biolgical Engineering Dept. In addition, we will work to identify opportunities for outreach to students through artwork, 4H, among others.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? Three Ph.D. candidates were recruited two woman and minorities and one under-represented in Biological Engineering. These students are currently mentored by the PD of this project, their Ph.D. dissertation committee, the Graduate student advisor (co-PD, Kiker), another more senior graduate student, and the Office of Graduate Minority Programs here at UF. The students have completed their researchlab rotations (2 to 3) and have selected their projects andtheir committeesfor their dissertations (Spring 2017). These students will be working in areas related to food security from modeling nutrition in plant/animal production, gene-based crop models, and stochastic modeling of the food chain with emphasis on value added products in plant production.

    Publications

    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Hwang, C., Correll, M. J., Gezan, S. A., Vallejos, C. E., Boote, K. J., Zhang, L., ... & Jones, J. W. (2017). Incorporating Genetic Information into the Next Generation of Crop Models. Agric. Syst.(2017).https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2016.10.010


    Progress 07/15/15 to 07/14/16

    Outputs
    Target Audience:Wetargeted two types of students for these three fellowships for a Ph.D. in Training Biological Engineers inFood Security, first students with Masters Degreesand top rated undergraduates from engineering programs. We also looked at non-engineers that have an interest in getting adegree in applied science. We targeted minority and underrepresented groups for these fellowships (two out of three). Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We are working with the future fellows on topics that cover food security for their research. Two of the fellows visited campus through the College of Engineering Recruitment week. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?*Adverstisements of the fellowships sent to professional groups and contacts *Use of UF College of Engineering Institutional Name Exchange Database (note: this was how two of the fellows were selected and recruited). *The Gator Chapter of National Society of Black Engineers was contacted and provided information on the Fellowships What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The goal 1 of the project has been completed (unless students do not attend in the Fall 2016). We are working on goal 2 as the PD is in contact with the students for them to select lab rotations in the fall (first Mentoring).

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? We have recruited three students for these fellowshipswho have all accepted this offer to persue a Ph.D. in the topic of Food Security. All of the students are US citizens. Two of these students are women and also minorities. We are working with them to select labs for their rotation in the Fall 2016. They are expected to begin August 15th 2016. Karen Moses (woman, minority, engineering (Chem Eng) from Tuskeegee University) interested in agroclimatology and environmental biotechnology towards Food Security. Valerie Valerio (woman, minority Engineering student with an B.S in Industrial Engineering from the Instituto Tecnologico De Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo) interested in computational tools for sustainability. Christopher Hwang (B.S. Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois) interested in computational tools for food security.

    Publications