Source: UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO AT MAYAGUEZ submitted to
IMPROVING SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTATION FOR STUDENT SUCCESS IN PUERTO RICO (ISISS-PR)
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1031821
Grant No.
2022-70008-41925
Cumulative Award Amt.
$200,000.00
Proposal No.
2024-02229
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Nov 1, 2023
Project End Date
Jun 30, 2025
Grant Year
2024
Program Code
[AA-Q]- Resident Instruction Grants for Insular Areas
Project Director
Malavez, Y.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO AT MAYAGUEZ
P. O. BOX 9000
MAYAGUEZ,PR 00681
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Worldwide, food-borne pathogens pose significant hazards to the food supply. At the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez (UPRM), we are conscious of preparing a robust mass of Hispanic scientists well-trained to detect food-borne and environmental microorganisms and characterize their pathogenic potential and antimicrobial resistance. By acquiring crucial equipment, we will increase the capacity of research performed in UPRM, providing essential and state-of-the-art instrumentation for underrepresented minorities to work on the current challenges of the food and agricultural sciences. Maximizing efforts of external sources of funding that support research and target retention, the ISISS-PR provides the instrumentation that maximizes the capacity for research at UPRM to increase the number of publications by faculty and students. By providing instrumentation and training, we expect to increase the faculty preparation for teaching, maximizing the exposure to food and agricultural sciences. The project's expected benefits include24 students participating in research projects, three faculty will participating in workshops, 90 students using the equipment, and 150 undergraduates participating in seminars. Our goal is to increase the critical mass of Hispanic scientists pursuing careers in NIFA HSI priority areas of food, agricultural sciences, and related disciplines.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
0%
Applied
100%
Developmental
0%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
71234401100100%
Knowledge Area
712 - Protect Food from Contamination by Pathogenic Microorganisms, Parasites, and Naturally Occurring Toxins;

Subject Of Investigation
3440 - Meat, dairy cattle;

Field Of Science
1100 - Bacteriology;
Goals / Objectives
PROJECT GOALS: Strengthen institutional educational capacities by providing scientific instrumentation and training to increase the number of students that enter careers in food and agriculture science fields by providing specialized equipment available for undergraduate research.1) Scientific Instrumentation for Teaching.Currently, projects were funded by external resources however, new state of the art equipment is needed to expand research capabilities. Ongoing projects face difficulties in terms of scope due to lack of equipment.2) Student Experiential Learning.These projects will provide our students with desired skills in food, agriculture, and applied microbiology, scientific research, and with the ability to work towards the solution of a problem relevant to agricultural sciences.3) Faculty Preparation and Enhancement for TeachingWe will provide seminars and training that contributes to advance faculty development as it provides resources for food and agriculture research that can improve teaching.
Project Methods
The methods will include:Purchasing equipment. Evaluated by the invoices.Seminars & Workshops. Evaluated by promotion, surveys, and attendance to activities.Research: Number of reports and publications produced related to procured equipment.

Progress 11/01/23 to 10/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The ISISS-PR project primarily impacted students from UPR Mayagüez during 2023-2024. The audience was 100% Hispanic. Sixteen (16) undergraduate students and three (3) graduate students directly benefited from the equipment acquired through the project. Additionally, an indirect impact was provided to twenty-one (21) undergraduate students through a seminar. Changes/Problems:VITEK Equipment Delays: • The purchase was delayed due to the university requiring an auction process for equipment exceeding $50,000. Consequently, the training workshop and student research involving the VITEK will occur in 2025. Laboratory Space for the Flow Hood: • The installation was postponed due to space constraints but is expected to be resolved in the next reporting period. Equipment Adjustments: • Some planned equipment (refrigerator, microcentrifuge, and microscope) was acquired through another funded project. Remaining funds will support research-related equipment aligned with the ISISS-PR project's goals. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Sixteen (16) undergraduate students and three (3) graduate students directly benefited from the equipment acquired through the project. Students have been trained to develop and execute research projects focused on analyzing antimicrobial resistance in retail meats and milk isolated from dairy cattle. Through this process, they gained a comprehensive understanding of the scientific method, honed their skills in analyzing scientific literature, and enhanced their critical thinking abilities. Additionally, they acquired expertise in scientific reporting, delivering oral presentations, and creating and presenting research in poster format. They also learned about how to use the equipment for the isolation of microorganisms. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?One seminar titled Applied Biotechnology: Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance was presented to 21 freshmen in the Industrial Biotechnology Program. Additionally, forty-nine (n=49) homeschool students (ages 4-17) participated in an event titled Blessed Generation Homeschool, where they visited the laboratory and learned about antimicrobial resistance research and the project equipment. Participant students presented their research at the 2024 PRSM Semiannual Meeting, themed Challenges and Opportunities: Interplay Between Emerging Infectious Diseases and New Technologies for Detection and Protection. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?At least 6 students will be recruited and the training workshop on VITEK 2 usage will occur in the next reporting period. One seminar for faculty and staff will also be delivered.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The main goals of the ISISS-PR project are to strengthen institutional educational capacities by providing scientific instrumentation and training, increasing the number of students pursuing careers in food and agricultural sciences through access to specialized equipment for undergraduate research. 1) Scientific Instrumentation for Teaching. Currently, projects were funded by external resources however, new state of the art equipment is needed to expand research capabilities. Ongoing projects face difficulties in terms of scope due to lack of equipment. 2) Student Experiential Learning. These projects will provide our students with desired skills in food, agriculture, and applied microbiology, scientific research, and with the ability to work towards the solution of a problem relevant to agricultural sciences. 3) Faculty Preparation and Enhancement for Teaching. We will provide seminars and training that contributes to advance faculty development as it provides resources for food and agriculture research that can improve teaching. Accomplishments under these goals Goal: Strengthen institutional educational capacities by providing scientific instrumentation and training to increase the number of students that enter careers in Food and agriculture science fields by providing specialized equipment available for undergraduate research. The main equipment proposed by the project were purchased including: the autoclave, stomacher, centrifuge, analytical balance, and VITEK 2 for antimicrobial resistance analysis. Objective 1. - Expected Outcome 1: Fall of each PY, 12 students will be recruited to participate in the research projects studying antimicrobial resistance in retail meat, beef cattle or parasite research. By the end of PY3, the program would have exposed 24 students food and agricultural sciences research. Progress: From 2023 to 2024, 18 students participated, including 16 undergraduate and 2 graduate students, benefiting from the project equipment. Six additional students will be recruited during the next reporting period to meet the target of 24 students by the end of the project. - Expected Outcome 2: PY2, one seminar will be offered about the acquisition of the equipment. PY3: one training workshop will be delivered to students and faculty interested in research in food and agricultural sciences research. Progress: One seminar titled Applied Biotechnology: Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance was presented to 21 freshmen in the Industrial Biotechnology Program. Additionally, forty nine (n=49) homeschool students (ages 4-17) participated in an event titled Blessed Generation Homeschool, where they visited the laboratory and learned about antimicrobial resistance research and the project equipment.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Lorenzo-Feliciano, Christian J., Dudley Edward, Malavez-Acevedo, Yadira. Antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors of Staphylococcus aureus in subclinical mastitis among cattle on a dairy farm in Puerto Rico.� Poster Presentation. 2024 PRSM Semiannual Meeting Challenges and Opportunities: Interplay Between Emerging Infectious Diseases and New Technologies for Detection and Protection. October 26, 2024. Puerto Rico Society for Microbiologist. Bayam�n, Puerto Rico.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Lugo-Collado, Lyan E., Figueroa-Texidor, Isabelle A., Vega-Qui�ones, Esther, Qui�ones-Justiniano, Gustavo, Malavez-Acevedo, Yadira. Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Profile on Salmonella enterica Isolated from Retail Meat.� Poster Presentation. 2024 PRSM Semiannual Meeting Challenges and Opportunities: Interplay Between Emerging Infectious Diseases and New Technologies for Detection and Protection. October 26, 2024. Puerto Rico Society for Microbiologist. Bayam�n, Puerto Rico.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Qui�ones-Justiniano, Gustavo, Vega-Qui�ones, Esther M., Dudley, Edward, Mikanatha, Nkuchia, Malavez-Acevedo, Yadira. Antibiotic Resistance Profile in Campylobacter spp. in Retail Meat Purchased in Local Supermarkets in Puerto Rico.� Poster Presentation. 2024 PRSM Semiannual Meeting Challenges and Opportunities: Interplay Between Emerging Infectious Diseases and New Technologies for Detection and Protection. October 26, 2024. Puerto Rico Society for Microbiologist. Bayam�n, Puerto Rico.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Soto-V�lez, Esmeralda M., Dudley, Edward, Malavez-Acevedo, Yadira. Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Escherichia coli Isolates from Raw Milk and Retail Beef in Puerto Rico.� Poster Presentation. 2024 PRSM Semiannual Meeting Challenges and Opportunities: Interplay Between Emerging Infectious Diseases and New Technologies for Detection and Protection. October 26, 2024. Puerto Rico Society for Microbiologist. Bayam�n, Puerto Rico.� Award Third Place in the Poster Presentation Category.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Vega-Quinones, Esther M., Qui�ones-Justiniano, Gustavo, Dudley, Edward, Mikanatha, Nkuchia, Malavez-Acevedo, Yadira. Identification and Characterization of Salmonella from Retail Meat Products in Puerto Rico, 2022-2023.� Poster Presentation. 2024 PRSM Semiannual Meeting Challenges and Opportunities: Interplay Between Emerging Infectious Diseases and New Technologies for Detection and Protection. October 26, 2024. Puerto Rico Society for Microbiologist. Bayam�n, Puerto Rico.