Performing Department
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Non Technical Summary
We will establish one of the first graduate training program at the intersection of microbiome sciences and reproductive biology in agriculturally important animals. Fellows will receive broad training in animal science, physiology, microbiology, immunology, genome science, and bioinformatics. Three 3 PhD fellows will be trained through this program who will participate in research, extension and outreach activities and interact with trainees in multiple participating centers and departments.Fellows will receive a unique and integrated graduate training experience across reproductive biology and microbiomes science with the potential to impact animal agriculture and human health. Graduates will also develop skills and abilities to disseminate research and communicate with the public.
Animal Health Component
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Research Effort Categories
Basic
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Applied
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Developmental
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Goals / Objectives
Goals and Objectives: We will take advantage of extensive expertise of faculty in reproductive biology and microbiome research at Penn State University to forge and authenticate a new graduate training program in the College of Agricultural Sciences focused on the emerging area of the reproductive microbiome. Work in this field examines how the microbiome interacts with and regulates reproductive processes in production livestock and in insect vectors of disease. A better understanding of these relationships is important for improving animal productivity and health. Faculty in the Center for Reproductive Biology and Health and the Microbiome Center will co-mentor fellows who will be enrolled in the Animal Science, Entomology, or Integrative Physiology graduate programs. Fellows will concurrently be enrolled and complete requirements for the newly established dual title degree in Microbiome Science. In addition to training in the reproductive microbiome, fellows will develop and participate in educational, extension and outreach programming offered through the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State to hone their communication skills and interact with outside stakeholders to enhance their future careers.
Project Methods
The project will recruit highly qualified graduate students to complete a PhD degree and training in both reproduction and microbiome science.The trainees will complete a Dual-Title major in their home department (Animal Science or Entomology) and the Dual-Title degree in Microbiome Science. Efforts will be made to recruit a divers cohort and provide them with opportinuties to develop skills and abilities to communicate their work to other professionals na dthe public. A robust evaluation process will track each student and avaluate overall programm success.