Source: FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to
DEVELOPING UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM AND EXPERIMENTAL LEARNING IN PLANT GENOMICS AT FVSU
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0211626
Grant No.
2007-38820-18526
Project No.
GEOX-2007-03352
Proposal No.
2007-03352
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
EP
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2007
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2009
Grant Year
2007
Project Director
DHIR, S. K.
Recipient Organization
FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
1005 STATE UNIVERSITY DRIVE
FORT VALLEY,GA 31030
Performing Department
PLANT SCIENCE
Non Technical Summary
Genomics is a rapidly advancing interdisciplinary science. Since the Plant Science department at Fort Valley State University (FVSU, an 1890 Land Grant institution with 94% African American student population), is continually upgrading their curricula to meet the needs of their students, the incorporation of genomics is imperative. The commitment of FVSU is reflected in the supporting letter from the institution's administration, and the allocation of physical facilities and resources. The project will advance the mission of the university and USDA through its provision to recruit quality students into higher education.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
90360993020100%
Knowledge Area
903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
6099 - People and communities, general/other;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;
Goals / Objectives
This project objective is the integration of genomics into the undergraduate curriculum via implementing new inquiry-based investigations to allow students to further understand scientific method. This will be accomplished: 1) infusing the existing curricula with hypothesis-driven modules focused on understanding the latest trends in plant genomics and 2) providing active learning experiences for undergraduates in FVSU research laboratories, as well as those at research institutions during the summer.
Project Methods
The initial offerings of the course will feature the formative assessment of instruction using a teacher observation protocol and timely student feedback. The teaching materials will be disseminated through a course website, conference presentations, and four-day academic and summer workshops (for juniors and faculty members). The developments resulting from this project will provide new educational tools for universities and colleges nationwide in order to accommodate the recent trends dictating the need for individuals knowledgeable in these areas.

Progress 09/01/07 to 08/31/11

Outputs
Target Audience: Undergraduate students, K-12th grade students,and high school science teachersparticipated in this research project. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Undergraduates Academic Year Research Program: This program is designed for undergraduates to provide research experience through hands-on experiments. At the junior level, students who have taken basic biological science courses have the opportunity to work in the labs for 10 hours per week. Three students conducted independent research, and we also provided students information to learn about professional opportunities in the biotechnology and genomics. They were also required to attend lab meetings, lectures and participate in campus-wide seminars, participate in professional scientific meetings to present research findings and involve submitting a one page quarterly report. As an incentive, the students received a stipend of $300 per month. We also assisted them in selecting, designing, and making oral presentations at the several scientific meetings. Summer Internships at Major Institutions: During the summer, several Plant Science - Biotech students who were enrolled in advanced biotechnology classes were encouraged to participate in the collaborative summer internship programs at major institutions. These students spent 9-12 weeks during the summer conducting independent research projects in the area of Plant biotechnology and Genomics. Since 2008 summer, PIs placed 28 junior and or seniors Plant Science - Biotech undergraduate minority students in internships or research experiences at major campuses and industry. Of the 28 undergraduate students, 14 were male and 14 were female. In 2008, four students were placed in internships (2 male and 2 female): Sakinah Miller (University of Georgia), Lillian Oglesby (Michigan state University) Charles Okonkwo (University of Florida) Lamin Touray (University of Florida. In 2009, fourteen students were placed (8 male and 6 female, all minority students: Brian Bell (University of Florida), India Brown (Alabama A&M University), Porscha Bumpus (University of Tennessee), Brandon Crumsey (Michigan State University), Keeona Lawrence (Fordham University), Kiara Little (University of Minnesota), Daniel Ogbefho (University of Florida), Lillian Oglesby (Monsanto Agricultural Company), Charles Okonkwo (University of Florida), Ulysses Pickard (University of Nevada, Las Vegas), Naml Shabazz (University of Georgia), Mario Turner (University of Florida), Saundra Wheeler (Fordham University) and Arturo White (University of Nevada, Las Vegas. And in 2010, ten students were placed in internships (4 male and 6 male): Brian Bell, India Brown and Jamelia Frink (Fordham University), Amber Colbert and Daniel Ogbefho (University of Florida), Brandon Crumsey (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Kiara Little and Portia Nottingham (University of Tennessee), Ulyssess Pickard (Medical College of Georgia), Shandrea Stallworth (Western Kentucky University). Graduate Students in Professional School/Career: During spring and fall Semester 2008-10, GRE-Study Skill Workshops were offered every Monday from 5:00 to 6:00 PM in the Advanced Computer Technology Laboratory (funded by HBCU-UP). In addition, three two days workshops were held September 20-21, 2008 (attended by 41 students), February 21-22, 2009 (attended by 47 students), and October 17-18, 2009 (attended by 42 students). These workshops were designed to help students interested in preparing for standardized tests for the graduate level schools. Several students joined graduate program in the area of biotechnology and genomics such as: Safira Sutton at MS/PhD program in Cell and Molecular Biology at Florida A & M University. Saundra Wheeler at MS/PhD program in Cell and Molecular Biology at Florida A & M University. Angel Hundley: joined MS/PhD program at Center for Nano-biotechnology, Alabama State University. Ashlee McGhee, School of Pharmacy at Florida A & M University. Quentin Vinson, Graduate program in Law at Wake Forest University. Steven Samuels joined MS/PhD program in Plant Molecular Biology at Tuskegee University. Tiffany Baskerville: joined MD/PhD program in Cell and Molecular Biology at Florida A & M University. Jennifer Jones: Completed MS program at Virginia State University working for federal agency. James Morgan joined Department of Homeland Security, Atlanta. Arrisa Sims joined Department of Homeland Security, Atlanta Allison Harden joined Department of Homeland Security, Atlanta William Harden joined Department of Homeland Security, Atlanta Alexander K. Little joined Center for Disease Control- working on Team P.A.C. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The dissemination of the project activities was conducted on campus via distribution of fact sheets and brochures. This led to full enrollment of the students in the course, such as Introduction to Biotechnology (PSCI-2803), Genetic Engineering (PSCI-3883K), Techniques in Molecular Biology (PSCI-4843K), Plant Biotechnology (PSCI 4863), Principal of Plant Breeding (PSCI 4833), currently +50 students enrolled, 27 graduated. The project directors made presentations of the outcomes of the project activities as invited speakers at the PD Research Conference/Workshop on “Expanding Plant Biotechnology Training and Research Opportunities for Undergraduates” on August 4-6, 2008; and the XIX Undergraduate Research Symposium, San Juan, Puerto Rico on “Impact of Biotechnology in Society and Career Research Opportunities for Undergraduates” on September 12-13, 2008. In addition, the recognition of role model students from FVSU at national forums such as Minority Access, Inc. Conference in Washington, D.C. (2007) showed the dissemination of project activities. The upper-level presentations made by undergraduates at professional meetings at the University of Maryland at Eastern Shore, Beta Kappa Chi/National Institute of Science Conference in Greensboro, N.C., and NSF HBCU-UP Conference at VSU, served for publicity of the USDA project. Project activities were recognized by the academia and federal agency representatives through the students' presentation at the events/meetings: An article highlighting the “FVSU Students Honored at National Role Models Conference” was published in 2009 at Fort Valley State University by Marketing and Communications,http://www.fvsu.edu/news/fort-valley-state-student-honored-conference and http://www.fvsu.edu/news/fvsu-students-honored-national-role-models-conference. An article highlighting the “Students Bring Home Awards” was published in October 2008 at Fort Valley State University by Marketing and Communications, http://www.fvsu.edu/news/students-bring-home-awards. An article highlighting “FVSU Students Make Presentations in Puerto Rico” was published on September 23, 2008 at Fort Valley State University by Marketing and Communications, http://sungrant.tennessee.edu/NR/rdonlyres/3F3025F8-55AD-46F1-B152-36F03265DC60/1484/FVSU08.pdf. An article highlighting the “FVSU VP Receives National Role Model Award” was published in September, 2008 at Fort Valley State University by Marketing and Communications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Plant Genomics Course: In the fall of 2008, students and PI assessed the data collected during the spring in the pilot course offering in biotechnology to incorporate the genomics contents. This data was used to revise the course to be more multidisciplinary as well as interdisciplinary. Teaching methods and assessments were also fine tuned based on student feedback. In the fall of 2009, the revised course was taught again with + 20 students enrolled in the 3 hour class. Data regarding students' perceptions of the genomics industry, biotechnology and their satisfaction with their education at FVSU were collected at the beginning and the end of the semester. An extension was requested in the fall of 2009 so that we could offer the course a second time to collect additional data. This fall final version of the course will be submitted at the institution level for the implementation in beginning spring semester. Students Achievement: Mr. Charles Okonkwo, Plant Science-Biotechnology major received honors at the Tenth Annual National Role Models Conference by Minority Access, Inc. in Washington, D.C. on September 11-13, 2009. Five students along with Dr. Sarwan Dhir, made presentation at the “Tenth Annual National Role Models Conference by Minority Access, Inc. in Washington, D.C. on September 11-13, 2009. Megan Wilkerson won 2nd. Place oral presentation ($500) and Jasmine Freeman won third place ($250) awards. Brandon Crumsey will be honored at the 11th Minority Access Annual National Role Models Conference, in Las Vegas, Sept. 10-12, 2010. Seven Plant Science Biotechnology students made poster presentations at the International Plant and Animal Genome XVIII Conference in San Diego, California on January 9-13, 2010. Twenty-one students from Plant Science Biotechnology and Biology made poster and oral presentations at the 2009 NSF HNCU-UP National Research Conference in Washington, D.C. on October 29-November 1, 2009. Safira Sutton, and Mark Running (2008). Functional Analysis of Protein Prenyltransferase of Protein α-Subunit-Like (ppal) Gene, poster presentation at Minority Access, Inc. Received National Role Model Award at the Ninth Annual National Role Models Conference, Arlington, VA. September 26-29, 2009. Tameka Howard, and Sarwan K. Dhir (2008). Won 2nd Place Award in the Biological Sciences for Poster Presentation at 2008 HBCU-UP National Research Conference, Atlanta, GA. October 23-26, 2008. Lillian Oglesby Won 2nd Place Award in Environmental Science for poster Presentation at NSF HBCU-UP National Research Conference, Atlanta, GA. October 23-26, 2008. Megan Wilkerson, won 1st Place Award for making the Best Oral Presentation at XIX Undergraduate Research Symposium, San Juan, Puerto Rico. September 12-13, 2009.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2008 Citation: Tameka Howard, Hari Singh, and Sarwan K. Dhir. High Frequency Plant Regeneration in Valeriana officinalis via Somatic Embryogenesis. Poster Presentation at 2008 HBCU-UP National Research Conference, Atlanta, GA. October 23-26, 2008. Won 2nd Place Award in the Biological Sciences.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2008 Citation: Dhir Sarwan Invited keynote speaker at Albany State University's Biotechnology Day, Albany, Georgia made an oral presentation on "The Biotechnology Revolution: Impact and Opportunity for Undergraduates" on November 18, 2008.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2008 Citation: Dhir Seema, Singh Hari, Dhir Sarwan. Expanding Plant Genomics Training and Research Opportunities for Undergraduates. Poster Presentation at American Society of Plant Biologist, June 26-July 1, 2008, Merida, Mexico. P01012.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2008 Citation: Singh Hari, Dhir Seema, Dhir Sarwan. Genetic Transformation in Arundo donax Using Particle Bombardment: A Biofuel nPlant. Poster Presentation at Pan Congress on Plants and Bio-Energy Meeting, June 23-June 26, 2008, Merida, Mexico. BIO3012.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2009 Citation: Brandon Crumsey, Kyaw Aung, and Jianping Hu (2009). Identification of Putative Peroxisomal Division Proteins in Arabidopsis. Oral presentation at the 2009 NSF HBCU-UP National Research Conference in Washington, D.C. October 29 - November 1.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2009 Citation: Daniel Ogbefho, Valeriano Dal Cin, and Harry J. Klee (2009). Identification of Solanum habrochaites Introgression Lines that Quantitatively Influence Tomato Ripening. Poster presentation at the 2009 NSF HBCU-UP National Research Conference in Washington, D.C. October 29 - November 1. Won 2nd place award for making the BEst Poster Presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2009 Citation: Charles Okonkwo, Bala Rathinasabapathi, and Harry J. Klee (2009). Identification of Pteris vittata (Chinese brake fern) cDNAs for Genes with a Potential Role in Phosphate Ttransport. Oral presentation at Minority Access, Inc. /received Honors at the Tenth Annual National Role Models Conference, Washington, D.C. September 11-13, 2009.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2009 Citation: Megan Wilkerson, K. Melmaiee, A. Todd, and V. Kalavacharla (2009). Molecular Markers anf their Application to Rust Resistance in Common BEan (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Oral presenation at Minority Access, Inc., Washington, D.C. September 11-13, 2009. Won 2nd place for making the Best Oral Presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2008 Citation: SAfira Sutton, Mark Running, and Qin Zeng (2008). Functional Analysis of Protein Prenyltransferase of Protein a-Subunit-like (ppal) Gene. Poster presentation at Minority Access, Inc. Received Honors at the Ninth Annual NAtional Role Models Conference, Arlington, VA. September 26-29, 2008.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2008 Citation: Lillian Oglesby, Robin Buell, Mike Geoffrey, and Steven Lundback (2008). Sequencing the Sixth Chromosome of the Potato Genome. Poster Presentation at 2008 HBCU-UP National Research Conference, Atlanta, GA. October 23-26, 2008. Won 2nd place award in Environmental Science.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2008 Citation: Lillian Oglesby, Robin Buell, Mike Geoffrey, and Steven Lundback (2008). Sequencing the Sixth Chromosome of the Potato Genome. Poster Presentation at 3rd Annual Fall Symposium & Research Conference, Savannah, GA. November 13-15, 2008. Won 1st place award.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2008 Citation: Dhir SK, Singh HP, Dhir S (2008). Sweet Potato: In the Transgenic and Molecular Tailoring in Plants, Transgenic Series, Pulses, Sugar and Tuber Crops, Vol. 3, Blackwell Publishing, (eds.) Chitta R. Kole, Ralph Scorza and Timothy C. Hall. 157-175.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2008 Citation: Singh HP, Dhir S, Dhir SK (2008). Stevia: In the Transgenic and Molecular Tailoring in Plants, Transgenic Series, Pulses, Sugar and Tuber Crops, Vol. 3, Blackwell Publishing, (eds.) Chitta R. Kole, Ralph Scorza and Timothy C. Hall. 97-116.


Progress 09/01/07 to 08/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: In the fall of 2007, students and PI assessed the data collected during the spring in the pilot course offering in biotechnology to incorporate the genomics contents. This data was used to revise the course to be more multidisciplinary as well as interdisciplinary. Teaching methods and assessments were also fine tuned based on student feedback. During the 2008 Spring Semester (2007-2008 academic year), the revised course was taught again with 20+ students enrolled in the 3 hour class. Data regarding students' perceptions of the genomics industry, biotechnology and their satisfaction with their education at FVSU were collected at the beginning and the end of the semester. A two-year schedule of course offerings was developed. Arrangements were made for additional training of faculty members with regards to utilization of the DNA Sequencer system required for classes' new contents. A poster presentation regarding activities and course results was presented at the HBCU-UP National Conference at Baltimore. Undergraduates Research Experience program during the Academic Year: This program is designed for undergraduates to provide research experience through hands-on experiments. At the junior level, students who have taken basic biological science courses have the opportunity to work in the labs for 10 hours per week. Three students conducted independent research, and we also provided students information to learn about professional opportunities in the biotechnology and genomics. They were also required to attend lab meetings, lectures and participate in campus-wide seminars, participate in professional scientific meetings to present research findings and involve submitting a one page quarterly report. As an incentive, the students received a stipend of $300 per month. We also assisted them in selecting, designing, and making oral presentations at the several scientific meetings. Summer Internships at Major Institutions: During the summer several Plant Science - Biotech students who were enrolled in advanced biotechnology classes were encouraged to participate in the collaborative summer internship programs at major institutions. These students spent 9-12 weeks during the summer conducting independent research projects in the area of Plant biotechnology and Genomics. Since 2008 summer, junior and or seniors Plant Science - Biotech undergraduate minority students participated in internships or research experiences at major campuses and industry. In 2008, four students (2 male and 2 female): Sakinah Miller (University of Georgia), Lillian Oglesby (Michigan state University), Charles Okonkwo (University of Florida), and Lamin Touray (University of Florida. PARTICIPANTS: Name: Dhir, Sarwan. Worked for more than 160 Hours: Yes. Contribution to Project: Day-to-day activities, coordinating, and execution of the project and directing the summer research apprenticeship program, placing summer interns at major institutions, visiting and developing the collaborative project, conducting research with undergraduate and preparing abstracts and manuscripts for publication and for student presentations at scientific meetings. Undergraduates: Sakinah Miller, Lillian Oglesby, Charles Okonkwo and Lamin Touray: Involved in conducting independent research, collecting data, completing abstract, and making oral/poster presentations at scientific meetings. TARGET AUDIENCES: Include minority undergraduates. In summer 2008, PIs' conducted the Biotechnology workshop for Houston County Board of Education - 30 science teachers from various middle and senior high schools in Middle Georgia in June, 2008, at Fort Valley State University. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
As a result of this project, students in the department of biological sciences are receiving courses to which they would otherwise not have had access. The outcome of this project include quality graduate students some of whom have been retained in our biotechnology graduate research program, and others who have accepted employment with the government. Capacity for hands-on experience has been enhanced and this is expected to lead to an increase in enrollment. The offering of the plant biotechnology related courses resulted in enrollment of approximately 75 students per semester during the academic year 2008. In total, approximately 200 students received instruction in general plant biotechnology related courses. Dissemination Activities: The dissemination of the project activities was conducted on campus via distribution of fact sheets and brochures. This led to full enrollment of the students in courses, such as Introduction to Biotechnology (PSCI-2803), Genetic Engineering (PSCI-3883K), Techniques in Molecular Biology (PSCI-4843K), Plant Biotechnology (PSCI 4863), and Principal of Plant Breeding (PSCI 4833). In fall of 2008, +50 students enrolled in the plant science-biotechnology major. The course was advertised to students during preregistration. Announcements regarding the project were sent to peer institutions. Submissions to present posters at regional and national conferences were submitted. The acceptance of these poster presentations are pending. The project directors made presentations of the outcomes of the project activities as a invited speakers at the PD Research Conference/Workshop on "Expanding Plant Biotechnology Training and Research Opportunities for Undergraduates" on August 4-6, 2008; at the XIX Undergraduate Research Symposium, San Juan, Puerto Rico on "Impact of Biotechnology in Society and Career Research Opportunities for Undergraduates" on September 12-13, 2008. The project activities were recognized by the academia and federal agency representatives through the students' presentation at the events/meetings: An article highlighting the "FVSU Students Make Presentations in Puerto Rico" was published on September 23, 2008 at Fort Valley State University by Marketing and Communications, http://sungrant.tennessee.edu; An article highlighting the "FVSU VP Receives National Role Model Award" was published in September 2008 at Fort Valley State University by Marketing and Communications.

Publications

  • Tameka Howard, Hari Singh, and Sarwan K. Dhir. High Frequency Plant Regeneration in Valeriana officinalis via Somatic Embryogenesis. Poster Presentation at 2008 HBCU-UP National Research Conference, Atlanta, GA. October 23-26, 2008, Won 2nd Place Award in the Biological Sciences.
  • Dhir Sarwan Invited keynote speaker at Albany State University's Biotechnology Day, Albany, Georgia made an oral presentation on "The Biotechnology Revolution: Impact and Opportunity for Undergraduates" on November 18, 2008.
  • Dhir Seema, Singh Hari, Dhir Sarwan. Expanding Plant Genomics Training and Research Opportunities for Undergraduates. Poster Presentation at American Society of Plant Biologist, June 26-July 1, 2008, Merida, Mexico. P01012.
  • Singh Hari, Dhir Seema, Dhir Sarwan. Genetic Transformation in Arundo donax Using Particle Bombardment: A Biofuel Plant. Poster Presentation at Pan Congress on Plants and Bio-Energy Meeting, June 23-June 26, 2008, Merida, Mexico. BIO3012.