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

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Addressing the first goal, the four fellows that are currently working towards their degrees supplied the following information showing their progress and achievements so far: Liana Acevedo-Siaca My research involves examining natural genetic variation in 44 accessions of O. sativa that encompass all 5 subpopulations of rice. The main objectives of this project are (i) to quantify existing diversity in photosynthetic traits in rice through phenotyping and compare different genotype's performance, (ii) compare the individual accessions against the elite commercial cultivar IR64, and (iii) compare and identify patterns between the five subpopulations of rice for photosynthetic traits. This project has successfully identified significant differences for many photosynthetic traits between subpopulations, with a total of 29 traits phenotyped across two separate growing seasons. In addition to patterns between subpopulations, individual accessions of interest have been identified which display unconventional or favorable combinations of traits. This information could be used by breeders to improve preexisting elite germplasm with the aim of improving rice productivity. Currently, I am working on finishing data analyses for the comprehensive data set that was collected last year at IRRI and writing my master's thesis. In addition to wrapping up my work for my master's I have also begun to collect data to continue on a PhD. Next semester I am enrolled to take additional classes to meet the credit requirement for my masters' degree and will defend my master's thesis with the intent to complete the degree in December 2017. I have presented a poster on this body of work at several local, regional, and international venues: The Dupont Pioneer Plant Science Symposium at the University of Illinois, theGordon Research Conference: CO2 Assimilation in Plants from Genome to Biome, and theInternational Rice Research Institute. Kasielis Molina Velez The overall aim of my project is to investigate the possibility of introgression and gene flow among two major weed species in the genus Amaranthus, with an emphasis on herbicide resistance, using controlled crossing experiments in the greenhouse. The first goal of my project is to evaluate introgression of ALS resistant mutation (Trp574) from monoecious A. hybridus to dioecious A. palmeri. As part of the first stage, parental lines of both species were selected from the inventory of Amaranth germplasms available at the Department of Crop Sciences. Two wild populations from A. palmeri inventory where selected from locations of its native area, Texas and Arizona, to ensure an adequate representation of its wild diversity. Duringfall 2016 and spring 2017 DNA extractions from young leaflets of all individuals where realized to perform and Amaranthus species identification assay following a confirmation of the ALS resistant mutation (Trp574) in all A. hybridus individuals. Now, the project is ready for the phase of planting and screening for putative hybrids. The goal for the summer is to screen all germinated seeds from A. palmeri progeny to identify and study possible hybrids. The second goal for the summer is to establish a second set of crosses between A. palmeri and A. Spinous and/or other possible species, and achieve a shorter period of seed maturation, collection, and screening by different methods. Details are to be discussed Dr. Riggins. I have completed most of the course work and seminar credit requirements for the master degree that I plan to complete by December 2017. Danielle Cooney During the fall semester I spent a large amount of time doing an extensive literature review on switchgrass growth and development with the objective of providing information to help integrate for use in the Loess Plateau in China. This work has resulted in a published review article in the Journal of Integrative Agriculture. Additionally, I have been guiding an undergraduate student on a research project looking at the early seed development characteristics of the seeds from the breeding nursery harvested this fall. For the N & P project, the model for analyzing the data was developed and initial analysis was conducted with help from Dr. Villamil; additionally the writing of this manuscript is ongoing. Two sets of plants are being monitored and evaluated for individual crossing purposes. This upcoming summer will include a large amount of field data collection, in addition to some molecular work while taking an Applied Bioinformatics class during summer session 1. Outreach: This past semester I partnered up with Champaign County Extension 4-H workers Jamie Boas and Kathy Mullins. We created and developed a one day discovery event for 4th and 5th graders with 32 participants. I have completed most of the course work and seminar credit requirements for the master degree that I plan to complete by Spring 2018. Hannah Dougherty The objective of my project is to evaluate a new bioreactor design that is intended to maximize nitrogen removal from drainage water while limiting land removed from production. Compared to traditional bioreactors, this design is much shorter in length and includes baffles. The bioreactor evaluation will be done through conducting tracer tests to check the hydraulic performance of the unit being used in our field trials. Additionally, I will be comparing this design's nutrient removal efficiency to those from designs used in previously conducted studies. I am going to complete at least two tracer tests this summer and continue to collect water samples from the inflow and outflow control structures to monitor the bioreactor's removal of nitrate-nitrogen and potential removal of dissolved phosphorus. I'll be taking an Applied Bioinformatics course during the summer and into the fall our lab as a whole will be having several field days and participating in outreach activities (e.g., Farm Progress Show). In the fall, I will be taking an additional statistics course and maybe an agricultural education course on agricultural Extension. This past March I did a poster presentation on my project for the North Central Extension & Research Activity 217 multi-state committee (Drainage Design and Management Practices to Improve Water Quality) annual meeting. In October, I will be competing in one of the oral competitions at the Tri-Societies annual meeting. I have completed most of the course work and seminar credit requirements for the master degree that I plan to complete by Spring 2018. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue supervising the progress and well-being of the Fellows and welcome and support the two fellows whose programs start in the fall of 2017.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Our main achievement during this past academic year has been the recruitment and selection of candidates for all 6 awards provided by the MINDS in AG fellowship program. The names of the awardees, advisor, and program of study are as follows: Name of Fellow Advisor Start Date Program of Study Area of Research Liana Acevedo-Siaca Dr. Stephen Long Spring 2016 MSc. Crop Sciences Rice Genomics Kasielis Molina Velez Dr. Chance Riggins Fall 2016 MSc. Crop Sciences Weed Genomics Danielle Cooney Dr. DK. Lee Fall 2016 MSc. Crop Sciences Bioenergy Crops Hannah Dougherty Dr. L. Christianson Fall 2016 MSc. Crop Sciences Water Quality Lantana Grub Dr. David Miller Fall 2017 MSc. Animal Sciences Animal Genomics Jay Howard Dr. Chance Riggins Fall 2017 MSc. Crop Sciences Evolutionary Genomics The MINDS in AG Program continues to offer high-quality, learning-centered and outcomes-based graduate training that addresses the NNF charge to: 1) Support graduate training to resolve the TESA; 2) Increase graduation in agricultural sciences; and 3) Develop intellectual capital on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to ensure the preeminence of U.S. food and agricultural systems.

Publications

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

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences are other training programs, academic institutions, industry, and federal agencies that desire tohave a diverse population knowledgeable on the application of informatics, statistics, and computer science to enhance animal and plant production. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has three goals: 1) Build and sustain a recognized graduate program that trains and graduates Fellows in data science applications in agriculture to enter into the workforce and meet the needs of the agricultural system; 2) Promote diversity among the trainees; and 3) To be a model for other training programs. The project already has outputs on all three goals that address the urgent need for Crop Sciences and Animal Sciences graduates skilled in data science approaches to integrate information and mine large and complex data sets to secure food-producing animals and plants. Addressing the first goal, the MINDS in AG Program at the University of Illinois started on January 2016 with our first candidate selected working towards her MS in Crop Sciences. The program's website has served as an effective tool to recruit and promote this successful program. Recruitment included advertisement of the program in various venues including undergraduate seminars at the University of Illinois and Northeastern Illinois University and career fairs at both institutions. From the recruitment efforts, 3 students applied and the top two students were selected by the steering committee to receive fellowships, one however later decided to take an offer at a different institution. The selected fellow supported has been a full-time student at the University of Illinois attending courses, conducting research, and participating in seminars. Addressing the second goal, the selected fellow is a female with strong qualifications and from under-represented (URM) groups (as was thefellow that moved away). Addressing the third goal, the PIs are part of a grass roots group of faculty at the college of ACES continuously working on identifying sources of funding to create opportunities for URM education and training at different levels. The MINDS in AG website and resources are a model for other projects with similar goals. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue with our recruitment efforts wich are in general divided in 4 categories: 1) Widespread dissemination via e-mails and brochures to a broad audience at both institutions; 2) Targeted classroom visits with a short introduction of the program and handing out of brochures; 3) In-person meetings for dissemination through project PIs at the University of Illinoisand with PI Geddes and Julio Puentes, Regional Director, USDA Hispanic-Serving Institutions National Program at NEIU (as one of our main collaborators for recruitment, Dr. Puentes has shared the opportunity with theIllinoisLatino Council on Higher Education throughweekly e-mails sent out to Latino administrators from Illinois higher educationinstitutions http://ilache.com/newsletter/3856629; and 4) We will continue engaging withDr. Irma Lawrence and Dr. Norman Pruitt to enhance our national search of potential fellows.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Six outcomesresulted from the activities supporting the three goals of the project. First, a Multicultural Investigators Nurtured in Data Science Program was created. A comprehensive website including a list of requirements, potential faculty and projects, a link for program applications, and additional resources was created (http://cropsci.illinois.edu/graduate/awards/Minds-in-Ag). Second, a brochure with program details and contact information was produced and distributed among our local (Departments of Crop Sciences and Animal Sciences and University of Illinois students in general), regional (Northeastern Illinois University NEIU and HSI USDA Midwest Regional Programs Office), and national networks through our collaborators at the USDA offices at Washington, D.C. (Drs. Norman Pruitt and Irma Lawrence). At NEIU, electronic and printed versions of MINDS in Ag "FAQs sheet" tailored for NEIU students were developed and distributed, withimportant information about the program, links to useful information and FAQs about UIUC Graduate Admissions, the Crop and Animal Sciences Departments, and the MINDS in Ag program, as well as the e-mail address for the NEIU contact person (Dr. Pam Geddes). Fourth, a MINDS in AG fellow was selected during our first round of evaluation of candidates, Ms. Liana Acevedo-Siaca, who is currently working towards a M. Sc. Degree in Crop Sciences under the supervision of Dr. Stephen Long. The fellow is learning and performing research on state-of-the-art applications of data science in agriculture by identifying and mapping rice genotypes with the highest photosynthetic rates in saturating and limiting light, as well as efficiencies of nitrogen and water use. Genotypes identified with desirable traits for resource use efficiency will be searched by the fellow for consistent factors relating to these traits and extended to the full panel by applying GWAS. Fifth, Ms. Acevedo-Siaca, a female applicant with strong qualifications and from an underrepresented background, is receiving training and hands-on research experiences in different approaches to gather and integrate information and mine large complex data in support of a plant production and health. Sixth, the steering committee and our collaborators at other institutions are taking advantage of every opportunity for recruiting new MINDS in AG fellows and the next round of applications will be evaluated in June for those students entering in the Fall term of the current year and in November for those fellows starting in the Spring of 2017; we are expecting 2-3 fellows to be recruited at each time. The MINDS in AG Program continues to offer high-quality, learning-centered and outcome-based graduate training that addresses the NNF charge tosupport graduate training to resolve the TESA, toincrease graduation in agricultural sciences, and todevelop intellectual capital in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to ensure the preeminence of U.S. food and agricultural systems.

Publications