Career Awareness and Opportunities in Agricultural Biotechnology

CAREER AWARENESS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

Sponsoring Institution

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Project Status

NEW

Funding Source

OTHER GRANTS

Reporting Frequency

Annual

Accession No.

1004528

Grant No.

2014-38821-22440

Project No.

GEOX-2014-03214

Proposal No.

2014-03214

Multistate No.

(N/A)

Program Code

Project Start Date

Sep 1, 2014

Project End Date

Aug 31, 2016

Grant Year

2014

Project Director
Dhir, S. K.

Recipient Organization
FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
1005 STATE UNIVERSITY DRIVE
FORT VALLEY,GA 31030

Performing Department
Agricultural Sciences

Non Technical Summary
Agricultural biotechnology-associated programs provide U.S. college graduates with career opportunities in the nation's food industry, agricultural, and natural resources occupations. Recent data indicate that fewer qualified graduates will be available yearly for professional positions, particularly in agricultural biotechnology. This is due partly to the low number of students choosing STEM fields, enrolling and remaining in baccalaureate programs. This project aims to enroll and graduate at least 15 students in agricultural biotechnology at FVSU through systematic and proven outreach to local high schools focusing on underrepresented students. This project's four objectives support critical NIFA program need areas of recruitment, retention and outreach to K-12 to positively impact college preparation and career awareness: 1) Strengthen STEM competencies, develop career awareness/interests of high school students and teachers in agricultural biotechnology, 2) Offer biotech workshops to high school teachers and students entering agricultural biotechnology career tracks, 3) Provide Biotech Summer Academy for High School Students interested in CAFST majors, and 4) Strengthen the Comprehensive Academic Support Program by incorporating specific transition and retention enrichment activities. Enrolled students will be engaged in academic enrichment activities coupled with a summer internship to enhance their career preparation. A logic model comprehensively describes the project's inputs, outputs, and outcomes form the basis for project evaluation. The project will advance the institutions & NIFA's missions to recruit, retain and graduate higher numbers of professionals in plant biotechnology. The PI conducting this effort has graduated over 150 students in related spheres in the past decade with approaches applied here.

Animal Health Component

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
201	1630	3020	100%

Knowledge Area
201 - Plant Genome, Genetics, and Genetic Mechanisms;

Subject Of Investigation
1630 - Summer annual grasses;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;

Keywords

Goals / Objectives
This project aims to enroll and graduate at least 15 students in agricultural biotechnology at FVSU through systematic and proven outreach to local high schools focusing on underrepresented students. This project's four objectives support critical NIFA program need areas of recruitment, retention and outreach to K-12 to positively impact college preparation and career awareness:1) Strengthen STEM competencies, develop career awareness/interests of high school students and teachers in agricultural biotechnology,2) Offer biotech workshops to high school teachers and students entering agricultural biotechnology career tracks,3) Provide Biotech Summer Academy for High School Students interested in CAFST majors, and4) Strengthen the Comprehensive Academic Support Program by incorporating specific transition and retention enrichment activities.

Project Methods
Objective (1): Strengthen STEAM competencies and develop the agriculture biotechnology intensive Planned Activities: Our recruitment efforts will focus on increasing the number of students from underrepresented, low income or educationally disadvantaged communities by targeting 12th grade students from the high schools where FVSU has already established a working relationship.Liaisons between our program and high schools in surrounding counties in mid Georgia such as Northside High School, Warner Robins High School, Houston County High School, Perry High School, Bibb County High School, and Peach County High School is well established.We will conduct two pre-college workshops in October and February at the schools for students on STEAM (biotechnology) programs including the college application, financial aid and scholarship application processes.Following the visits, open house day and school visitations to FVSU will be organized with the aim of introducing students to the program. Maximum of 30 students will be joined by their teachers in a one-day visit. Upon arrival at FVSU, we will present a seminar on the department' programs and career opportunities in biotechnology and plant science; the teachers and students will also walk through campus, visit the department's facilities; and meet with faculty and students over refreshments.We will have a student or two from their county who has been in our program talk to them. They may do a hands-on exercise in the biotech lab. Faculty will place follow-up phone calls and emails to potential candidates for the Summer Biotech Academy for Students and Teachers program (see description in methodology).Objective (2): Offer Biotech Workshops for high school students and teachers to enter career track in agricultural biotechnology Planned Activities: We will target school groups in consultation with high school officials, science teachers and counselors. Our goal will be to reach schools with strong STEAM and Ag science programs within 100 miles radius of FVSU.During the academic year, teachers and students (15 each in pair) attending will actively participate in four days of hands-on labs and computer activities related to agricultural biotechnology aspects of the production of food crops.Participants will also have the opportunity to interact with peers from outside of their respective schools. Participants will spend each day performing a mix of activities to increase their understanding of crop, biological and environmental processes.Activities will include lab exercises such as the loading and running of agarose gels to learn the usefulness of DNA markers to screen large populations of plants and other technologies such as bioinformatics for large-scale DNA sequencing.We will revamp our previously conducted teacher workshops in agriculture biotechnology with strong hands-on modules utilizable by teacher attendees. The group will be composed of self-identified teachers and counselors who are committed to promoting agricultural sciences.These teachers will be trained to advise and support the underserved student population that shows interest in the discipline. Financial support will be given to meet their travel expenses during the workshops.Objective (3): Provide Biotech Summer Academy for High School Students interested in CAFST majorsPlanned Activities: Students who show an interest in the programs will be considered for participation in a four week Biotech Summer Academy. Selection priority will be given to those participants showing potential for achievement in plant science biotechnology.Learning activities will be presented in multimedia fashion including conventional lecture style, with heavy emphasis on laboratory demonstrations and hands-on conduct of experiments, and small group discussions, interactive tutorials using electronic based platforms (Blackboard or Desire2Learn and IT videoconference), presentations and computer simulations on Crop Biotechnology, Livestock (Animal) Biotechnology, Fisheries (Marine) Biotechnology, Impact of Biotechnology on Hunger and Food Security, Biotechnology and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Technology Transfer and Regulatory Policy. This will also include on-site visits of biotech research facilities, biotech industry and farm operations (GMO crop fields or processing facilities) and hands-on training.The proposed funding will provide summer stipends to 15 students in the program per year. That will include scholarships and a variety of support services.The University will contribute faculty and staff support, research facilities, and instructional materials. The program will start in first week of June for four weeks. Beside classroom presentations and laboratory training, students will be taken twice a week for hands-on activities on biotechnology agriculture field trips to University of Georgia Research Station and other facilities including those in Tuskegee University.Objective (4): Strengthen the Comprehensive... retention enrichment activities Planned Activities: The project will develop a student retention program via mentoring and experiential learning with the aim of retaining 90% of enrolled students by 2015 for students who are successfully selected in the program and those that will be receiving financial support from agricultural biotechnology program requested here.Establishment of a committee to be charged with providing mentoring and advice to freshmen: during the first year, with the help from Career Resource Center, and the Financial Aid Office, we will organize an Biotechnology Recruitment and Retention Committee comprised of staff from the University's Office of Admissions and faculty members from various Colleges.Funds will be awarded to undergraduates in the form of scholarships and biweekly employment for up to 10 hours per week to attract and retain students to the programs. Student selection will be based on financial need, and interest in plant science and biotechnology. Each student will be assigned to work under the supervision of a faculty member.All 15 scholarship recipients will be encouraged to participate in several enrichment activities on campus during the academic year such as 1) monthly group meetings to foster cooperative learning and to encourage group problem solving and communication, 2) presentation and sharing of their research experiences and ideas in STEM disciplines through student club/honor society meetings, 3) attending research seminars by invited speakers to broaden their knowledge and interaction, 4) field trips to research institutions and industries to expose participants to a range of research venues, 5) attending workshops in ethics, scientific writing, and the graduate school application and financial aid processes. All of these activities will improve student's skills in communication, interaction, critical thinking, research philosophy and methodology.

Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/15

Outputs
Target Audience:K-12, High School Science Teacher, Undergraduates, and Middle School Science students. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The program aims to provide the necessary tools/resources to increase the competitive preparation of students entering STEM graduate programs. With this goal, the program supports several educational/enrichment activities to encourage and strengthen students' readiness for graduate studies at the master or doctoral level and or professional school or STEM workforce. Many of these activities include monthly guest scientific seminars, research methodology, research project development and presentation, scientific writing/speaking, GRE prep courses, personal statement writing, resume writing, professional skill development, networking workshop, scientific conference presentation/participation, graduate school application process, summer internship application completion and graduate school visits. Scientific seminars have broadened students' knowledge and interests in emerging research technologies and graduate school awareness. The program continues to host a number of visiting guest scientist from various research intensive institutions across the US. Through this initiative, STEM students make initial contact with guest scientists regarding summer research opportunities and graduate school recruitment opportunities. This initiative also enhanced faculty development through establishing research collaborative links with visiting scientists. Dr. Linda Adkison, Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs and Professor of Genetics at Kansas City University of Medicine, presented a seminar on "Graduate and Medical School Research Opportunities and Application Process" on October 16, 2014. Currently, four Fort Valley State University graduates are enrolled in MS/PhD or Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine program at Kansas City University of Medicine. Twelve students and PI participated in Energy Efficient/Renewable Energy Training Workshops on October 29, 2014, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA. In summer 2015, eight STEM scholars participated in collaborative projects at major institutions. These students spent 9-12 weeks during the summer conducting independent research projects. Among the 8 students that participated, 6 plant science students participated in summer internships. Students Presentations: Brandon C. Beaty, Denise Tieman, and Harry J. Klee (2014). Breeding for Quality Fruit Flavor: The Identification of Volatiles and Their Interactions with Sugar Content Correlated to Optimal Flavor. Oral Presentation at the 9th Annual Undergraduate Student Research Competition/Fifteenth National Role Models Conference 2014, Washington D.C. October 3-5, 2014. Kimberly Justice and Jolvan Morris. Public Health and Fisheries: Applications of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Fishing Communities. Oral Presentation at the 9th Annual Undergraduate Student Research Competition/Fifteenth National Role Models Conference 2014, Washington D.C. October 3-5, 2014. Andrea Mathis, Scot Hulbert, Sowmya Ramachandran, and Amit Dhingra (2014). Screening for Puccinia graminis Suppressors of Hypersensitive Response in Tobacco. Oral Presentation at the 9th Annual Undergraduate Student Research Competition/Fifteenth National Role Models Conference 2014, Washington D.C. October 3-5, 2014. Kelli Russell, Andrew G. McCubbin, and Benjamin A. Burrows (2014). Heteromorphic Self-incompability in Primula: Molecular Analysis of Pin. Oral Presentation at the 9th Annual Undergraduate Student Research Competition/Fifteenth National Role Models Conference 2014, Washington D.C. October 3-5, 2014. Honored as Student National Role Model. Brandon C. Beaty, Denise Tieman, and Harry J. Klee (2015). Breeding for Quality Fruit Flavor: The Identification of Volatiles and Their Interactions with Sugar Content Correlated to Optimal Flavor. Oral Presentation at the Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in STEM, Washington, D.C. Feb. 19-21. Won 1st Place Oral Award in Ecology, Environmental & Earth Sciences. Andrea Mathis, Scot Hulbert, Sowmya Ramachandran, and Amit Dhingra (2015). Screening for Puccinia graminis Suppressors of Hypersensitive Response in Tobacco. Poster Presentation at the Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in STEM, Washington, D.C. Feb. 19-21. Beaty, Brandon and Harry J. Klee (2015). Breeding for Quality Fruit Flavor: The Identification of Volatiles and Their Interactions with Sugar Content Correlated to Optimal Flavor. Poster Presentation at the Fifth Annual Research Day, FVSU, April 16, 2015. Won 1st Place Oral Award. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The information on the program was disseminated through http://www2.fvsu.edu website. The website presents faculty and student's research, STEM undergraduates highlight, training opportunities, presentations and scientific journals publications and the goals, objectives and activities of the program. In addition, faculty and students publish their research and present at scientific meeting. FVSU student researchers win big at ERN Conference - March 13, 2015. http://www2.fvsu.edu/fvsu-student-researchers-win-big-at-ern-conference/. FVSU researchers perform DNA extraction demonstration for young students - March 13, 2015. http://www2.fvsu.edu/fvsu-researchers-perform-dna-extraction-demonstration-for-young-students/. Dreaming and Doing Spotlight: Brandon Beaty - March 17, 2015. http://www2.fvsu.edu/dreaming-and-doing-spotlight-brandon-beaty/. Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Noel Matthews-Gardner - December 21, 2014. http://www2.fvsu.edu/alumni-spotlight-dr-noel-matthews-gardner/. Alumni Spotlight: Safira Sutton - November 7, 2014. http://www2.fvsu.edu/alumni-spotlight-safira-sutton/. Middle School Students Get Hands-On Experience in Biotechnology at Fort Valley State University - November 7, 2014. http://review.fvsu.edu/content/middle-school-students-get-hands-experience-biotechnology-fort-valley-state-university. Administrator and student dubbed "role models" at national conference" - October 19, 2014. http://review.fvsu.edu/content/administrator-and-student-dubbed-role-models-national-conference. Outstanding students share scholarly achievements at FVSULeadership Council - October 17, 2014. http://review.fvsu.edu/content/outstanding-students-share-scholarly-achievements-fvsu-leadership-council. FVSU student and administrator present at Council for Opportunity in Education Conference - September 26, 2014. http://review.fvsu.edu/content/fvsu-student-and-administrator-present-council-opportunity-education-conference. FVSU Alum Spotlight: Thelma Madzima - September 5, 2014. http://www2.fvsu.edu/fvsu-alum-spotlight-thelma-madzima/. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to continue to train undergraduate students and provide educational research activities to students. We will continue to provide faculty development activities as in the past. In addition, the following proposed activities will continue in year 2 to accomplish the goals and for successful implementation of the program. The invited guest speakers will conduct faculty and student enrichment seminars and workshops. The STEM scholars will participate as judges at the Houston County Science Fair, including outreach for middle school students at FVSU and participation at the Macon County Elementary School Career Fair Day.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? During the 2014-2015 academic year, students who have taken basic biological science courses across STEM disciplines participated to worked in the labs for 10 hours per week. Ten students participated in the undergraduate academic year research component where they engaged in "hands-on" research and technology training under guidance of a STEM faculty mentor. The students who participated are: Brandon Beaty (Plant Science Biotechnology), Clarence Hicks (Plant Science Biotechnology), Gre'Nisha Jones (Plant Science Biotechnology), Caleb Jones (Plant Science Biotechnology), Jeremy Wimes (Plant Science Biotechnology), Kenyea Hill (Plant Science Biotechnology), Qualateai Giles (Plant Science Biotechnology), Dominique Lacey (Biology), Kelli Russell (Plant Science Biotechnology), and Gabrielle van Genderen (Plant Science Biotechnology). Brandon C. Beaty (Plant Science Biotechnology) was awarded 1st Place for the undergraduate oral presentations in Ecology, Environmental & Earth Sciences undergraduate during the Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in STEM, Washington, D.C. Feb. 19-21, 2015. Ms. Kelli Russell (Plant Science Biotechnology) was honored as 2014 National Student Role Model at the 9th Annual Undergraduate Student Research Competition/Fifteenth National Role Models Conference 2014, Washington D.C. October 3-5, 2014. Twelve STEM scholars participated in the Houston County Regional Science Fair as judges. The students had the opportunity of judging middle and high school students on various science projects in January 7-8, 2015. Under the mentorship program, eight middle and high school students were recognized for their outstanding STEM projects. To enhance students applying to graduate school and to improve student skills needed to perform well on the GRE, a two day on-site and eight-week on-line GRE preparation workshop was conducted in fall/ spring of 2015 (April 11-12). Financial support was also provided for the eligible participants to pay GRE test fees. Ten Plant Science Biotechnology major students joined Graduate/Professional School. Mr. Jamil Baskett (USDA APHIS as Health Inspector) and Miles DeWitt (USDA/NRCS) entered into the workforce. Jasmine Scott and Derrick Smith joined the Master of Science Program in Biotechnology at the Fort Valley State University. Ashley Norris and Jeremy Wimes joined the Master of Public Health Program at the Fort Valley State University. Mr. Benjamin Pickard enrolled for Doctor of Medicine at Ross University, Ulises McGhee joined high school science teacher and Maurice Smith joined Procter & Gamble Co. As a part of our effort to train the next generation of STEM professionals, the collaborative summer internship program provide exciting summer research and training opportunities for STEM undergraduates to further enhance their research experience, knowledge and comprehension. The program largely focuses on providing students opportunity to conduct research outside the campus at major research institutions. In summer 2015, six STEM scholars and plant science biotechnology major participated in collaborative projects at major institutions. These students spent 9-12 weeks during the summer conducting independent research projects. Seventeen Plant Science-Biotechnology majors students were honored for their academic achievement at the Agri-Demic Forum Banquet on April 30th. 2015. Forty-three Thompson Middle School seventh grade students enrolled in gifted classes visited the biotechnology labs at FVSU to advance their skills and knowledge through hands-on activities. The university is partnering with local middle and high schools to increase minority representation in STEM programs.

Publications