Progress 11/01/24 to 10/31/25

Outputs
Target Audience:The ISISS-PR project primarily impacted students from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez during the 2024-2025 academic year. A total of eight (8) students [six undergraduate, two graduate students], and three (3) faculty directly benefited from the equipment acquired through the project. Additionally, the project had an indirect impact on six (6) students who participated in training workshops, as well as thirty-one (31) students who attended the conferences and seminars. Changes/Problems:1. Laboratory Space for the Flow Hood: · The equipment was procured. The installation expected to be completed in the next reporting period. 2. 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. Water purification system was procured to support the research supported by the ISSIS-PR Project. The QUBIT Fluorometer was acquired to support the research supported by the ISSIS-PR Project to quantify the double stranded DNA from bacteria to prepare it for sequencing. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A total of eight (8) students [six undergraduate, two graduate students] directly benefited from the equipment acquired through the project. These students were trained to design and conduct research projects focused on analyzing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in retail meats and milk from dairy cattle. Through this experience, they gained a comprehensive understanding of the scientific method, improved their ability to critically analyze scientific literature, and strengthened their critical thinking skills. In addition, students developed competencies in scientific writing, oral presentations, and the preparation and delivery of research posters. They also received hands-on training in microbial isolation techniques using the newly acquired laboratory equipment. A training workshop titled "Strategies for the Prevention of Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistance in Dairy Cattle" was held at the Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. The event was attended by six (6) undergraduate and graduate students, three (3) faculty members, six (6) community county agents, and three (3) laboratory personnel. During the workshop, participants learned about antimicrobial resistance and were trained on the use of the VITEK2 system for bacterial identification and AMR profiling. Additionally, students and staff received hands-on instruction on the operation of the Qubit fluorometer and centrifuge, further expanding their technical skillset in microbiological research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results from the ISSIS-PR Project have been disseminated by the Project Director and participating students through oral and poster presentations at both local and national scientific meetings. These include the American Society for Microbiology Microbe (ASM Microbe), Biology Research Symposium, Professionals in Biology Symposium, Research Academy Symposium--Graduate Force: The Hidden Engine Behind Academic Research, and the Second Convention of the Project Leading Hispanics to Federal Careers. 1. Malavez, Yadira*. Vega Quiñones, Esther M., Quiñones Justiniano, Gustavo, Dudley, Edward, Mikanatha, Nkuchia.. Antimicrobial Resistance in E. coli, Campylobacter, and Salmonella Isolated from Retail Meats in Puerto Rico: Impact of Country of Origin and Antibiotic Use Claims. (June 2025). American Society for Microbiology Microbe (ASM Microbe). Los Angeles, CA. 2. Malavez, Yadira*. Retail Label Claims and Their Association with Antimicrobial Resistance in E. coli from Meat Products in Puerto Rico. Department of Biology. UPR Mayagüez, Mayagüez, PR. 3. Santiago-Garay, Stacy* and Malavez, Yadira. (May 2025). Oral Presentation. Antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella spp. isolated from snake meat. Biology Research Symposium. Biology Building, UPR Mayagüez. Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. 4. Lorenzo-Feliciano, Christian J.*, Dudley Edward, Malavez, Yadira. (April 2025). Poster Publication. Seasonal Variations in Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence of Staphylococcus aureus in Subclinical Mastitis Among Dairy Cattle in Puerto Rico. Research Academy Symposium-Graduate Force: Graduate Force: The Hidden Engine Behind Academic Research. Monzon Building, UPR Mayagüez. Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. 5. Soto-Vélez, Esmeralda M.*, Dudley, Edward, Malavez, Yadira. (April 2025). Poster Presentation. Comparison of Antimicrobial Resistance of Escherichia coli Isolates across different seasons from Food Samples in Puerto Rico. Research Academy Symposium-Graduate Force: Graduate Force: The Hidden Engine Behind Academic Research. Monzon Building, UPR Mayagüez. Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. 6. Malavez, Yadira*. (March 2025) Research in antimicrobial resistance in the Malavez Research Laboratory. Professionals in Biology Symposium. Oral Presentation. Department of Biology. UPR Mayagüez, Mayagüez, PR. 7. Soto-Vélez, Esmeralda M.*, Dudley, Edward, Malavez, Yadira. (November 2024). Poster Presentation. Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance of Escherichia coli Isolated from Food Samples in Puerto Rico. Second Convention of the Project Leading Hispanics to Federal Careers. UPR Mayagüez. Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. * Indicates Presenter What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The project funds are designated for the acquisition of additional equipment to support its objectives. During the next reporting period, at least five students will be recruited, and a training workshop will be offered for both students and faculty. Additionally, at least one seminar will be delivered to the target audience. A minimum of two students will present their findings at a national scientific meeting, and at least one scientific article will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Major Goals of the Project 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. 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 laminal flow hood, autoclave, stomacher, centrifuge, analytical balance, and VITEK 2 for antimicrobial resistance analysis. Objective 1. By the end of the project, ISSIS-PR Project will expose 24 undergraduate students of the Department of Biology and Industrial Biotechnology and related programs to research in the areas of food and agricultural sciences. - Performance 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 Winter 2024 to Summer 2025, 8 students participated, including 6 undergraduate and 2 graduate students, benefiting directly from the project equipment. A total of 26 students were directly impacted by the ISSIS-PR Project [26 participants: 18 previously reported, 8 current period]. - Performance 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 conference and workshop were offered to students and faculty. The activity was entitled Strategies for the Prevention of Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistance in Dairy Cattle. Department of Biology. UPR Mayagüez, Mayagüez, PR. The following conferences were offered on the activity. On February 21, 2025 the following conferences were offered by the Project Director, participants, and personnel. Attendance: 18 [six (6) undergraduate and graduate students, three (3) faculty members, six (6) community county agents, and three (3) laboratory personnel]. List of the conferences: 1. Mechanisms of Antibiotic Resistance and Preliminary Findings from Studies Conducted in Puerto Rico. Yadira Malavez, Ph.D. 2. Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Factors of Staphylococcus aureus in Subclinical Mastitis among Cattle on a Dairy Farm in Puerto Rico. Christian J. Lorenzo, B.S. 3. Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Escherichia coli Isolates from Raw Milk and Retail Beef in Puerto Rico. Esmeralda M. Soto, B.S. 4. Integrating genomics and farmer training to prevent antibiotic resistance in dairy farms in Puerto Rico. Anna M. Acosta, B.S. Objective 2. By the end of the project the ISISS-PR project, at least 90% of the participants of the research in the areas of food and agricultural sciences will be retain in the second-to-third year critical transition. - Performance outcome: Each PY, the enrollment of students will be monitored after their participation in the program. · Progress: All participating students (100%) are currently enrolled at UPRM, and their enrollment continues to be monitored. Objective 3. By the end of the project the ISISS-PR project, at least 3 faculty will participate in training workshops and seminars related to food and agricultural sciences. - Performance Outcome 1: PY3, one training workshop will be offered to capacitate to use the specialized equipment acquired by the ISSIS-PR. · Progress: The training workshop was offered in the laboratory to show participants the equipment acquired by the ISSIS-PR Project and provide training on the usage of the VITEK2 equipment to identify bacteria and characterize their antimicrobial resistance. Title of the event: "Demonstrative workshop on the use of available equipment and resources for research provided by the USDA ISISS-PR project". Three (3) faculty participated in the event, meeting the proposed target. - Performance Outcome 2: By PY3, one seminar per year will be offered to faculty and staff of Biology and related fields about results obtained by using the equipment acquired by this proposal to create awareness about antibiotic resistance and its impact on food supply and the health of the population. · Progress: One seminar was offered in the Department of Biology at UPR Mayaguez for students and faculty to show the research done in the laboratory using the equipment acquired by the ISSIS-PR Project. Event: Professionals in Biology Symposium. Department of Biology. Title: Research in antimicrobial resistance in the Malavez Research Laboratory. Venue: UPR Mayagüez, Mayagüez, PR. Speaker: Malavez, Yadira (March 2025) Attendance: 25 students, 4 faculty.

Publications

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.