Progress 11/15/24 to 11/14/25

Outputs
Target Audience:Three students were enrolled in our PhD program during the reporting period. Changes/Problems:One of the students changed her major advisor over the summer. She had multiple meetings with the PI of this grant, a committee member, her new advisor, and the Graduate Program Director. We had hoped her new lab would better align with her interests. Unfortunately, today, September 5, 2025, the student sent an email saying she was leaving the program due to health reasons. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?All students attended departmental research seminars. All students completed training in research ethics. All students received training on how to select a journal for publishing their work. All students were provided with resources to encourage participation in professional development activities on campus. All students mentored undergraduate research students. Two students explored the possibility of earning a Registered Dietitan Nutritionist (RDN) credential as part of their doctoral studies. One student is considering pursuing training after completing the doctoral program. One student completed an 18-hour mothur workshop to learn how to design and analyze 16S rRNA gene sequence data. One student completed training in qualitative coding. One student attended the university's Data Summer Camp. One student completed training in mind mapping software for qualitative data collection. One student presented at a national(American Society of Nutrition) as well as local scientific meetings. 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?In addition to their coursework, research, and training opportunities, the major task for the next reporting period is to havestudents complete the "Write Winning Grants" course in January 2026. This will assist them in preparing for their qualifying exams in order to advance to candidacy.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? All three students successfully completed their first year of PhD studies. One student switched their PhD advisor to better align with their research interests and career goals. At this time, we don't believe this will delay the student's graduation date. Feedback regarding the appropriateness of the program's required courses and administration was obtained from the students. Students expressed satisfaction with the annual orientations and research ethics offerings. Two of the three students took the Research Methods course during their first year and recommended that the course be taken in the second year of the program. They felt that the course would be more useful when they had more clearly developed projects in mind. This feedback will be shared with the Graduate Program Director. At the faculty advisor meeting, discussions about student progress and concerns were held. All faculty agreed that sufficient progress was being made. The USDA data sharing policy and funding acknowledgement statement were reviewed.

Publications

Progress 11/15/23 to 11/14/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for our recruitment efforts included African American, Hispanic, and Native American PhD-elligible students. Changes/Problems:The original PD, Nancy Turner, separated from the university. Robin Tucker, previously co-PD, took over as PD. All three fellows were identified and began the program this year. Our initial plan stated we would recruit one fellow in year one and two in year two. We were fortunate to find three outstanding candidates. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?As discussed above, the fellows completed our departmental orientation and an orientation for the NNF cohort in August.The NNF orientation outlined the opportunities and responisbilities of the fellowship. Several topics were covered in the NNF orientation worth noting. Fellows were provided with resources to create an Individual Development Plan and instructed to share those efforts with the PD and their primary advisor. As of today, one fellow has completed an IDP. A discussion of how to develop their course plan for their PhD program was had. As of today, one fellow has completed their course plan. Fellows were also reminded of the academic and professional development opportunties that are available to them. Fellows updated their LinkedIn profiles to facilitate future employment tracking. Fellows were provided with information on the clubs and activity groups on campus and encouraged to join the department's Graduate Student Association. Fellows are in the process of being paired with a graduate student mentor. This mentor is a student who has advanced to candidacy and can serve as a resource to answer questions and provide perspectives outside of the fellow's lab. Meetings are encouraged to occur monthly. Fellows also completed 6 hours of Responsible Conduct of Research training, which will allow them to begin to conduct research. 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?In the next year we will continue to support the fellows' success while also offering support to faculty mentors. Fellows will be encouraged to contact the PD as needed. This open door policy will be continually communicated to fellows. Fellows will finalize membership for theirdissertation committee, and at least one committee meeting will be held to discuss their progress. Fellows will complete an annual report detailing their academic and professionalprogress. This will allow the fellow to reflect on their progress made and identify any areas that need further development. Feedback from their primary advisor and dissertation committee will be provided. Fellows will attend weekly lab meetings with their respective lab groups. Fellowship cohort meetings will occur at the end of each semester to gather feedback about the utility of the courses taken in light of the fellow's personal goals and to inform program effectiveness. Fellows will be reminded of the professional development opportunites offered by the university and encouraged to become involved in professional organizations. Goal setting for the next semester will also occur. Meetings with peer mentors and participation in the Graduate Student Association will be encouraged. Fellows will have the opportunity to network with departmental speakers from a variety of backgrounds. Fellows will create Research Gate profiles. Continuing education in responsible conduct of research will occur. This can be accomplished either through departmental or university offerings. In conjunction with each fellow's primary advisor, a discussion of approrpiate conference opportunities will be discussed, if warranted. Faculty mentor support will include an annual meetingfor all mentors involved in the training program to discuss approaches used or implemented in the previous year, so that all of those involved can benefit from the information. A review of all aspects of the program will occur and a discussion of proposals for coursesor training activities will be held. If mentorship training is available from the university, this will be shared with mentors.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In our first year of this project, we successfully recruited and on-boarded the three fellows our proposal indicated. Our first task was to conduct outreach to universities and organizations that serve our target population to share the National Needs Fellowship opportunity at Michigan State. We contactedthe following HBCUs: Alabama A&M Fort Valley State University Howard University Langston University Morgan State University North Carolina A&T North Carolina Central University Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College South Carolina State University Tuskegee University University of Arkansas Pine Bluff University of Maryland Eastern Shore University of the District Columbia We contactedthe following HSIs: University of Puerto Rico We also shared information about the Natiional Needs Fellowship through the Nutrition Chairs and Directors list-serv, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Latinos and Hispanics in Dietetics and Nutrition member interest group (LAHIDAN) contacts as well as PD and co-PD LinkedIn profiles and the department's website. We held individual information sessions over Zoom with 9 students who identified as: Black (3), Hispanic (4), Native American (1), and Middle Eastern (1). Four students either did not qualify due to citizenship, did not want to move to complete a degree, or did not wish to start in 2024. Several did not reach out for further contact. A total of 3 students accepted our offer of admission. Once enrolled, the fellows completed our departmental orientation and an orientation for the NNF cohort in August. This training is discussed below.

Publications