Source: RECINTO UNIVERSITARIO MAYAGUEZ submitted to
UPR-MAYAGUEZ CENTER FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN AGRICULTURAL AND RELATED SCIENCES (CETARS)
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0226655
Grant No.
2011-38422-30835
Cumulative Award Amt.
$3,315,000.00
Proposal No.
2011-02986
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2011
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2016
Grant Year
2014
Program Code
[NJ]- Hispanic Serving Institutions Education Grants Program
Recipient Organization
RECINTO UNIVERSITARIO MAYAGUEZ
259 BLVD ALFONSO VALDES
MAYAGUEZ,PR 00680-6475
Performing Department
Chemistry
Non Technical Summary
CETARS is an interdisciplinary effort between five Hispanic-Serving institutions aiming to provide innovative, high impact research and educational training to students and faculty from underrepresented groups in agriculture and related areas of critical importance to USDA. CETARS will establish and consolidate a pipeline attracting, retaining and graduating talented individuals while supporting their actual placement in USDA 20 Mission Critical Occupations.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
90360993020100%
Knowledge Area
903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
6099 - People and communities, general/other;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;
Goals / Objectives
The Center for Education and Training in Agricultural and Natural Resources, (CETARS), activities are focused on attracting talented and highly motivated high school, undergraduate and graduate students to pursue academic and professional careers in agricultural key areas. Accordingly, CETARS will seek to: (1) strengthen the Food Science, Applied Chemistry and Crops and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Science and Materials curriculum through the involvement of students and faculty in meaningful research projects related to agriculture and by the sharing of educational and research resources; (2) develop outreach activities at participating institutions from K-12 to recruit talented students into agriculture or related sciences careers; (3) increase the participation of minority students in programs related to agricultural sciences and the protection of natural resources; (4) enhance the research skills of undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in food, soils and applied chemistry programs by exposing them to experiential leaning, research experiences and community service; (5) fostering student-centered research projects that integrate specialists from diverse disciplines to solve real-life problems faced by communities, small developing agro-industries and government agencies; (6) develop a technical critical mass capable of supporting multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary collaborations and to provide support to solve technical problems in Puerto Rico; (7) promote faculty development and competitiveness in agriculture and related sciences.
Project Methods
CETARS is a multi-campus interdisciplinary approach to provide educational and research training in agriculture and natural resources protection to Hispanic students in areas of critical interest to USDA. CETARS activities at UPRM include outreach activities as part of the Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment Program to introduce the participating high schools into hydrology and soils analyses. Another outreach component will take advantage of the 4H Youth Program coordinated by the Crops and Agro-Environmental Sciences Department. Students will be transported to the UPRM Laboratory Farm to participate in a Crop Sciences Tour and workshops in seed preparation, seedling transplant, soil and nutrient management, among others. Undergraduate and graduate students will participate in outreach, educational enhancement and experiential learning projects related to food safety, agriculture and the protection of the natural resources. CETARS activities at UPRA include research experiences for 7 undergraduate students in environmental projects. Two undergraduate students will be selected to improve their research skills by getting involved in summer research projects at UPRM. Workshops for undergraduates and visits to high schools to bring seminars on environmental protection-related issues will be coordinated. CETARS activities at UPRH include outreach with K-12 students and science teachers. Students will be recruited from private and public schools in Eastern Puerto Rico to participate in summer workshops related to agriculture and environment with UPRH-STEM faculty and assistance of USDA agencies such as Forest Service and NRCS. Ten undergraduate students will also be recruited to perform research in environmental projects with UPRH faculty. Six undergraduate students from UPRH will be involved in summer research projects at UPRM. Workshops for K-12 school, teachers and undergraduates and visits to high schools to bring seminars on agriculture and the environment will also be organized. IUAPR-SG proposed activities include the recruitment of four undergraduate students and one graduate student per year to do research in environmental projects. Each IAUPR-CETARS student will visit at least two schools per semester to carry on demos, assist with science fairs projects and help in lectures related with opportunities en agriculture and related sciences. CETARS participants will visit different schools around San German area to provide motivational lectures and assistance in Science Fairs Projects. One conference in agricultural or environmental areas, complementary to the large symposium at UPRM, will be organized per year. A guest speaker from USDA, UTEP or other participating institution will be invited to present a research project that will be broadcasted by teleconferencing for the benefit of other students. CETARS activities at UTEP will include a series of short courses to be offered by UTEP faculty members to CETARS participants during the summer activities or via teleconferencing. These courses are aimed at improving the preparation of competitive research proposal and the improvement of scientific writing skills.

Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/16

Outputs
Target Audience: The CETARS project targeted underrepresented Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students, with emphasisin female recruiting, from Hispanic Serving Institutions in Puerto Rico and the mainland (UTEP). Hispanics areseverely underrepresented in the USDA workforce. The project provided 65 underrepresented Hispanicstudents with research assistantships, stipends and internships opportunities to prepare them to compete forcareer opportunities at USDA. It also served the HSI faculties at participating institutions by sponsoring their development by providing training aimed at improving publication outputs and by sponsoring their researchprojects with paid research assistantships, internships,supplies and minor equipment. CETARS also targeted K-12 teachers from public schools located in economically deprived sectors such as schools that serve public housing projects and poor communities around Puerto Rico. The project provided teachers with training and supplies necessary to carryout activities related to agriculture (home gardens at schools) or the protection of natural resources (soil and water quality tests). It also targeted talented K-12 students by providing better-prepared teachers and the necessary supplies to developed experiential learning activities related with agriculture and the protection of the natural resources. CETARS also targeted farmers and food producers in Puerto Rico by providing workshops related to food safety. Efforts were also made to improve or create awareness to farmers and food producers of the importance of providing safe foods from the farm to the table. Also as part of the CETARS effort, the curriculum at the participating institutions was enhanced by the creation of new courses ( Nanotechnology aand Agriculture; How to get published in peer review journals) that were offered on site and online to CETARS students at the different participating institutions (UPRM, UPRA, UPRH, IAUPR and UTEP). Changes/Problems:There were no significant changes to the project. A no-cost extension was requested to use the saving of the project andto further extend the impactfor one more year and support a significant group of students until graduation. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?(4) Enhance the research skills of undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in food, soils and applied chemistry programs by exposing them to experiential leaning, research experiences and community service. Over 90% of the undergraduate and 100% of graduate students were involved in meaningful research experiences at all participating institutions. Their research works were presented at local or national meeting resulting in over 100 presentations during the duration of the project. Thirty five (35) publications in peer review journals were also published during the duration of the project by UPRM or UTEP faculty and students, which are more research intensive universities. Please refer to the publication and presentation section of this report for more details. Approximately 15undergraduate or graduate students participated on a yearly basis of internship experiences in Puerto Rico and mainland US, resulting in near 100% rate of participation in career experiences. The USDA hosted the majority of the internships at locations such as the USDA-ARS-Beltsville, USDA-TARS, USDA-AMS in Washington DC and Gastonia NC, leading to presentations in local and national meeting and publications. I am proud to state that 100% of the CETARS students participated of research or career experiences in Puerto Rico or the mainland. (5) Fostering student-centered research projects that integrate specialists from diverse disciplines to solve real-life problems faced by communities, small developing agro-industries and government agencies. UPRM, UPRH students participated on community related activities on a yearly basis. UPRM students helped farmers form nearby communities in the analysis of the soils and water quality. UPRH students also provided assistance to the fisherman communities by analyzing the fish sample for heavy metals in nearby fishing villages. (6) Develop a technical critical mass capable of supporting multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary collaborations and to provide support to solve technical problems in Puerto Rico. The multidisciplinary collaboration between participating institutions was a frequent event as part of the CETARS project. UPRM, UTEP and IAUPR-SG collaborated in the research training of graduate students. Dr. Jorge Gardea-Torresdey from UTEP hosted the internship of one of Dr. Roman PhD students ( Abigail Padilla), which resulted in two peer review publications from this colaboration. Dr. Oscar Perales and Dr. Roman also hosted Dr. Angela Gonzalez MS students (Angel Vega) from the IAUPR-SG campus at the UPRM Chemistry laboratory facilities, were he performed all the work that resulted in his graduation with MS degree in Environmental Science and a publication that is in the process of preparation. Dr. Jorge Gardea-Torresdey also collaborated in the training of another MS student (Naqueira Gonzalez) from the IAUPR-SG campus, which also resulted in her graduation with MS in Environmental Science. Two undergraduates from the CETARS program at the UPRH are now continuing their graduate work at the UPRM campus in the Applied Chemistry program. (7) Promote faculty development and competitiveness in agriculture and related sciences. As part of CETARS project, Dr. Jorge Gardea-Torresdey from UTEP developed a short course "How to get published in peer review journals". This course was programed every summer as part of the CETARS symposium. Dr. Gardea-Torresdey is the North American Editor of the prestigious "Environmental Science and Technology" journal, which is the number one scientific publication in the field of Environmental Science. This short course was focused on how to prepare and submit a successful research manuscript for publication in a peer review journal. It impacted hundreds of students and a significant number of faculties, because it was also available to non-CETARS members. As a result of this effort CETARS produced 35 publications in peer review journals during the duration of the project of which four were cover pages. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results from the CETARS project have been widely disseminated to the scientific community by publications in peer review journals and by presentation of research results in local and national meetings. The project achievements were also presented in the UPRM periodical "La Gazeta Colegial" and by the UPRM weekly program radio at the Official UPRM station Radio Collegial. For more details regarding the publications and presentations please refer to the publication section of this report. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The CETARS project was the largest and most success funded by the USDA at the University of Puerto Rico system. The project supported up to 70 underrepresented undergraduate (58) and graduate (12) Hispanic students, of which 36% were males and 64% females. There were 12 graduate students of which 7 wereMS and 5 were PhD students. Of the7MS, 2 were males and of the 5 PhD students 4 were females. The participating institutions are the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez (UPRM), which wasthe lead institution (22 females and 12 males), the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao (UPRH), 11 female and 2 males, the University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla (UPRA) 6 females and 7 males and the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico at San German (IAUPR-SG), 3 males and 5 females. UPRM graduated 20or 50% of its participating students during the duration of the project, which included 4 PhDs of which 3 were females. Twelve (12) of the 14 students that received a non-terminal degrees at UPRM continued into MS or PhD graduate programs;7 in Puerto Rico and 5 in the mainland, thus representing an 85% continuation rate into graduate programs. CETARS provided research assistantships, stipends and internships opportunities to prepare students to compete for career opportunities at USDA or into graduate programs. These students were from agriculture (15) and related sciences such as biology (16), biotechnology (2), chemistry (25), and engineering (12). It also served the HSI faculties at participating institutions by sponsoring theirdevelopment by providing training aimed at improving publication outputs and by sponsoring their research projects with paid research assistantships, supplies, travel expenses and minor equipment. CETARS also targeted K-12 teachers from public schools located in economically deprived sectors such as schools that serve public housing projects and poor communities around Puerto Rico. The project provided teachers with training and supplies necessary to carryout activities related to agriculture (school vegetable gardens) or for the protection of natural resources (materials to perform soil and water quality tests). It also targeted talented K-12 students by providing better-prepared teachers and the necessary supplies to developed experiential learning activities related with agriculture including weekly or monthly visits. During summer K-12 teachers participated of workshops in soil and water quality testing and the used of household products to perform hands-on laboratory experiences. On the average approximately 30 K-12 teachers participated of both workshops, thus impacting approximately 150 K-12 teachers during the duration of the project. During the following sectionsI will summarize what was accomplished in each one of the proposed goals during the duration of the CETARS project. (1) Strengthen the Food Science, Applied Chemistry and Crops and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Science and Materials curriculum through the involvement of students and faculty in meaningful research projects related to agriculture and by the sharing of educational and research resources. I proudly state that this goal was exceeded, because students and faculty from Agro-environmental Science, Environmental Sciences, Food Science and Technology, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Engineering Science and Materials, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering worked together in meaningful research projects related agriculture, the environment and the protection of the natural resources. These research projects were published in peer review journals and presented at local and national meeting. The CETARS project generated 35 publications in peer review journals as part of multidisciplinary multi-institutions and multi state collaborations and approximately200 presentations at local and national meeting. The collaborating institutions and faculties shared laboratory facilities in chemistry, Agro-environmental Sciences, Food Science and Technology, and Engineering to support research, teaching and outreach activities. UTEP, UPRM also hosted internships for UPRM students andalso shared their laboratory facilities. Every summer IAUPR-SG sent most of their CETARS participants for internships and research opportunities at UPRM, thus strengthening collaboration and establishing a pipeline. (2) Develop outreach activities at participating institutions from K-12 to recruit talented students into agriculture or related sciences careers. All the five participating institutions were actively involved in K-12 outreach within the public school system in Puerto Rico and El Paso Texas. UPRM students were engaged in visiting ten (10) K-6 on a weekly basis. Another ten (10) K-12 public schools were visited by Arts and Sciences and Engineering students on a monthly basis and combined impacting over 2000 students directly in the classroom during the five year duration of the project. During these visits K-12 students were involved in hand-on activities such as the construction and management of school vegetable gardens, workshops on plant seeds, photosynthesis, plant germination, compost preparation, fertilizers, plant pests, pest control, nutritional value and finally the vegetable harvest. A group of UPRM students also constructed an on-campus vegetable garden at the Alzamora farm. At the end of the year the 10 K-6 participating public schools visited our campus with their teacher and some parents for the annual Agricultural Tour activity. During this eventstudents visited the vegetable garden on the Alzamora Farm andother university agricultural facilities. More that 100 K-6 students participated of this event per year for a total of approximately 400 during the duration of the project. The Arts and Sciences and Engineering students were also actively involved in visiting K-12 schools for hands-on activities related to water and soils quality using the GLOBE program protocols also impacting hundreds of students directly in the classroom. The other participating institutions (UPRA, UPRH, UTEP and IAUPR-SG) were also actively engaged in K-12 outreach. The IAUPR-SG was involved in K-12 visits also impacting hundreds of students directly in the classroom or in campus and off campus exhibitions. It is estimated that overall the may have impacted more than a 1000students during the duration of the project. The also UPRH hosted summer research activities for high school students and K-12 Teachers, impacting over 80 K-12 teachers with summer training and over 160 high school students during the duration of the project. The topics UPRH presented to high school students and teachers were the following: microbiology of tropical soils; quality of drinking water; laboratory practice of soil chemistry, soil microbiology and water quality parameters. The UPRA also worked in outreach activities by involving high school students in summer research and lectures and workshop impacting approximately 25 students per year, for a total of 100 high school students during the duration of the CETARS project. The topics of the summer training at UPRA were the following: the scientific method, research ethics, how to select a research project, Labquest: A platform for scientific measurements, literature searches in data bases, how to present reseach data, basic statistics and time management. UPRH faculty and students also worked in a research project at Surfer Beach area. (3) Increase the participation of minority students in programs related to agricultural sciences and the protection of natural resources. This project exceeded fifty students originally proposed by more than ten. CETARS achieved over 90% retention and a great number of the majority ( 85%) of the program graduates, which was 50% at UPRM, continue into graduate programs related to agriculture or the protection of natural resources at institutions in Puerto Rico and the mainland USA.

Publications


    Progress 09/01/13 to 08/31/14

    Outputs
    Target Audience:The UPR-Mayaguez Center for Education and Training in Agriculture and Related Sciences (CETARS) project targeted underrepresented Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students, with emphasis in female recruiting from Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) in Puerto Rico and the mainland (UTEP). Hispanics are severely underrepresented in the USDA workforce, especially females. The project supported 69 underrepresented undergraduate (58) and graduate (11) Hispanic students of which 36% are males and 64% are females. The 11 are graduate students are 7 MS and 4 PhD of which 3 of the PhDs are females and of the MS only 2 are males. The participating institutions are the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez (UPRM) which is the lead institution (22 females and 12 males), the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao (UPRH), 11 female and 2 males, the University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla (UPRA) 6 females and 7 males and the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico at San German (IAUPRSG), 3 males and 5 females. CETARS provides research assistantships, stipends and internships opportunities to prepare them to compete for career opportunities at USDA. These students are from agriculture (15) and related sciences such as biology ( 16), biotechnology (2), chemistry (25), and engineering (11). It also served the HSI faculties at participating institutions by sponsoring their development by providing training aimed at improving publication outputs and by sponsoring their research projects with paid research assistantships, supplies, travel expenses and minor equipment. CETARS also targeted K-12 teachers from public schools located in economically deprived sectors such as schools that serve public housing projects and poor communities around Puerto Rico. The project provided teachers with training and supplies necessary to carryout activities related to agriculture (school vegetable gardens) or for the protection of natural resources (materials and support to perform soil and water quality tests) using the Globe modules. It also targeted talented K-12 students by providing better prepared teachers and the necessary supplies to developed experiential learning activities related with agriculture including weekly or monthly visits by our CETARS students. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The CETARS project provided workshops for K-12 Students and teacher in water and soil assays impacting hundreds of students around the island ( approximately 100 faculty and over 1,200 students). Dr. Jorge Gardea, the North American editor for the prestigious journal Environmental Science and Technology offered an onsite short course on "How to get published on peer review journals" for faculty and students at the 2015 CETARS symposium held at the UPRM campus on August 4 and 5, 2015, thus impacting the 65 CETATS students and faculty. The high number of publications achieved by CETARS has been achieved as a result of this short course. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The project disseminated its results using several alternatives, which included the following: 1) presentation of research findings at local and international meeting; 2) publication of scientific findings in peer review journal; 3) presentations to k-12 teachers; 4) using the CETARS Webpage What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The next reporting periond will be the final report summarizing all the impact of the CETAS project.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? To achieve the proposed goals the CETARS project involved 100% of its students in meaningful research projects and promoted faculty collaboration. Two research articles were published between collaboration between The University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez (UPRM) and the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP). Also CETARS students were sent for summer internships experiences at USDA or other federal or educational institutions. During this reporting period 7 UPRM students were sent for summer internships to USDA-ARS in Beltsville MD and two to USDA- Gastonia NC. The University of Puerto Rico at Humacao (UPRH) send one student to the for a summer internship at the University of Minnesota. UPRM CETARS students visited 20 K-12 schools; the Agriculture students visited 10 K-6 public schools on a weekly basis impacting over 500 students during the year; students from Arts and Sciences and Engineering visited additional 10 K-12 schools every month to work with students and teachers on hands-on water assays using the GLOBE program protocols also impacting approximately 550 students. The inter-American University of Puerto Rico at San German (IAUPRSG) also conducted outreach activities at nearby k-12 public schools ( Hormigueros, San German and San Sebastian) impacting 134 IAUPRSG also participated of the ACS Chemical Festival in "El Paseo de la Princesa" in Old San Juan impacting over 2,000 visitors with water recycling demonstrations. The University of Puerto Rico at Humaco also hosted 44 high school students and 23 high School teacher and provided workshops related soil chemistry, microbiology and how to install and maintain a aquaponic system. The University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla (UPRA) also conducted a summer research activity for 22 High School students involving them in summer research and workshops in topics such as the scientific method, how to design a research project, literature research, data analysis, presentation skills and laboratory safety. UPRA also worked with a peer mentoring program in which 13 students received mentorship on the average 80 hours per semester.

    Publications

    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Lee, D. G., Roehrdanz, P.R., Feraud, M., Ervin, J., Anumol, T., Jia, A., Tamez, C., Morelius, E.W., Gardea-Torresdey, J.L., Izbicki, J., Means, J., Snyder, S., Holden, P.A. 2015. Wastewater compounds in urban shallow groundwater wells correspond to exfiltration probabilities of nearby sewers. Water Research 85 (2015) 467-475.
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Padilla-Rodr�guez, A., Hern�ndez-Viezcas, J.A., Peralta-Videa, J.R., Gardea-Torresdey, J.L., Perales-P�rez, O.J., Rom�n-Vel�zquez, F.R. 2015 Adsorption of Arsenic(V) Oxyanion from Aqueous Solutions by Using Protonated Chitosan Flakes. Separation Science and Technology 50 (14) 2099-2111
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Victor Fernandez-Alos1, Eton Codling2, Jinyoung Barnabya, Martha Tomeceka, and Lewis H. Ziskaa, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Crop Systems and Global Change 10300 Baltimore Avenue Beltsville, MD 20705. 2United States Department of Agriculture, Research Agronomist, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center CSGC-Laboratory 10300 Baltimore Ave B-007, R-211 Beltsville, MD 20705. 1Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez; Elevated CO2 can influence uptake of arsenic among Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes: Implications for phytoremediation processes; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Fernando Figuero, Catherine Castro, and Ang�lica Tirado, Martha L Lopez-Moreno. Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez; Mimosa pellita as potential lead phytoremediator in for contaminated soils; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Mairel Figueroa1, Ernest Allen2 and Dr. F�lix Rom�n3 .1Department of Crop and Environmental Sciences, University of Puerto Rico at Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, P.R; 2USDA, AMS, LPS Seed Regulatory and Testing Division, 801 Summit Crossing Place, Suite C, Gastonia, NC 28054 USA; 3Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR; INTERNSHIP AT THE SEED REGULATORY AND TESTING DIVISION; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Padilla-Rodr�guez, A., Hern�ndez-Viezcas, J.A.,Peralta-Videa, J.R., Gardea-Torresdey, J.L., Perales-P�rez, O.J., Rom�n-Vel�zquez, F.R., 2015 Synthesis of protonated chitosan flakes for the removal of vanadium(III, IV and V) oxyanions from aqueous solutions. Microchemical Journal 118 1-11
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Alamo-Nole, L., Bailon-Ruiz, S; Cruz-Acuna, R.; Perales-Perez, O.J.; Roman, F. R., 2014. Quantum Dots of ZnSe(S) Doped with Copper as Nanophotocatalyst in the Degradation of Organic Dyes. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 14 (9), 7333-7339
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Catherine Castro-Alvarado1, Deanna Cordero-Da Silva2, Victor Fernandez-Alos2, Oscar Perales-Perez3 and F�lix R. Rom�n-Velazquez2, 1Chemical Engineering Department, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, United States;2Chemistry Department, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Unites States; 3Department of Engineering Science and Materials, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Unites States . Oxidation and C=C Cleavage of Magnetite Powder Coated with Sodium Oleate by Potassium Permanganate; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Elena M. Flores-V�lez1, Marco A. De Jes�s1, Walter Schmidt2, Moon Kim2.1Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, PR 00680.2Environmental Microbiology and Food Safety Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD 20705; RAMAN ASSAYS FOR PATHOGEN DETECTION IN AGRICULTURAL MATRICES; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Jomarys Gonz�lez1, Jos� Pag�n-Mu�oz2, Alex Rivera2, and Martha L. L�pez-Moreno1; 1Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, PR. 2Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, PR; 2Department of Industrial Biotechnology, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, PR; EFFECTS OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE IN GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY OF PROSOPIS JULIFLORA; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Jaymilitte Bosques Lorenzo, Gilysa Garc�a Machado, Cristina Gonzalez Rivera, Deborah Morales Rosa, Mar�a Moya Ledesma, Neysa R�os Cardona, Christian R�os Velez, Josu� Sierra Ortiz, Anais Sotomayor Albino, Wilfred L�pez P�rez, Andres Hern�ndez Gonz�lez, George Arrocho Caban, Dr. Rafael Estremera Andujar, Dr. Jes�s Lee-Borges, Dr. Carlos Ruiz Mart�nez. Department of Natural Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla, P.O. Box 6250, Aguadilla, PR; A SUMMER PEER-MENTORED RESEARCH PROJECT AT THE UPR-AGUADILLA: READINESS FOR COLLEGE; BUILDING EXPECTATION AND CHANGING REALITIES; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Lenitza M. Nieves1, and Patricia D. Millner, Ph.D.2. 1Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR. 2USDA-ARS-BARC Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Lab and Sustainable Agricultural Systems Lab Beltsville, MD 20705; Biochemical Characteristics of Water Soluble Extracts of Composts Relative to Regrowth Potential of E.coli and Salmonella; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Karina M. L�pez2, Frank Cruz2, David Jenkins1; 1Tropical Agricultural Research Station, Mayag�ez, 2200 P. A. Campos Ave., Suite 201 Mayag�ez, PR 00680; 2Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Science, Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, San Germ�n, P.O. Box 5100, San Germ�n, PR 00683; SUMMER EXPERIENCE IN THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH STATION (TARS) IN MAYAG�EZ, PUERTO RICO; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Cristian Maldonado Figueroa1 and F�lix R. Rom�n1. 1.Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR; DETERMINATION OF p-TOLUENESULFONIC ACID IN BIODIESEL SAMPLE BY REVERSE PHASE HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Paola Maldonado Pereira, Victor Fernandez Al�s and Felix R. Rom�n Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR DETERMINATION OF STEROID HORMONES IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION USING HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Natalie Mart�nez, Hector Areizaga, and Marco de Jes�s. University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez; Department of Chemistry; P.O. Box 5000, Mayag�ez PR; ASSESSMENT AND DETECTION OF FLUOROQUINOLONES AND SULFONAMIDES IN WATER BY SURFACE ENHANCED RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Francisco A. Negr�n Avil�s1, Julie Henderson2 and Kenneth Becker2 1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR. 2Country of Origin Labeling Division, Room 2620-S, 1400 Independence Ave., Washington, DC 20250-0216; COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Alejandra M. Pagan1, Jennie Rowland1 and Elizabeth Ogden2. 1Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR. 2Fruit Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S.D.A., Beltsville, MD 20705; Identifying Markers Linked to Genes Controlling Chilling Requirement and Cold Hardiness in Blueberry; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Edgar P�rez1, Yarilyn Cede�o1, F�lix Rom�n2 and Jos� A. Card�3; 1Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Inter-American University  San Germ�n Campus, P.O. Box 5100, San Germ�n, P.R., 2Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico  Mayag�ez Campus, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, P.R. 3Department of Natural Sciences, University of Puerto Rico  Aguadilla Campus, P.O. Box 6150, Aguadilla, P.R., IDENTIFICATION OF EMERGING PHARMACEUTICAL CONTAMINANTS IN SURFACE WATERS; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Myrna Reyes Blas1, Maricely Ram�rez- Hernandez2, Danielle Rentas1, Jitu Patel4, Shivaramu Keelara4, and Oscar Perales-Perez1,3*. 1 Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico (UPRM), Mayaguez, USA. 2 Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico (UPRM), Mayaguez, USA; 3 Department of Engineering Science & Materials, UPRM, Mayaguez, USA. 4U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Beltsville, MD USA; Bactericidal Evaluation of Silver-Based Nanoparticles Functionalized by Glutathione; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Monica Santin Duran1, Luis A. Pizarro Viera2; 1Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Lab, USDA, ARS, NEA, BARC, EMFSL. 2Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez; DETECTION OF ZOONOTIC PARASITS IN DAIRY HEIFER CALVES BY MOLECULAR METHODS; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Wilniady Sep�lveda1, Gabriella Bonilla2, Clarissa Guzm�n3, Elena Flores1, Marco De Jes�s1; 1Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, PR; 2Department of Chemical Engineer, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, PR; 3Department of Industrial Biotechnology, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, PR; DEVELOPMENT OF SILVER/POLYMER MICROSTRUCTURE STAMPING TOOL FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI BY RAMAN MICROSCOPY; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Maldonado Susej M, Winston De La Torre. Department of Agro-environmental Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR; CETARS Program and the Future Farmers of Puerto Rico; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Vega-Labiosa, Am�rico J1; Ragland, Edward2. 1Department of Industrial Biotechnology, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR; 2USDA Agricultural Marketing Services, 1400 Independence Ave, Room 4509-I, Washington,DC 20259; USDAS LOCAL FOOD DIRECTORIES AS A PROMISING TOOL TO RESEARCH LOCAL FOOD MARKET BEHAVIOR AND ECONOMIC IMPACT; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Ana M. Vega Su�rez1 and Rosiel M. Grajales Cort�s2; 1Department of Animal Science, University of Puerto Rico at Mayag�ez; 2Department of Crops and Agro-environmental Sciences, University of Puerto Rico at Mayag�ez; C E T A R S Kids from their Schools to the Agro-Tour, 2015; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Carlos Tamez1,2, Erving W. Morelius1, Jose A. Hernandez-Viezcas3 and Jorge Gardea-Torresdey1,2,3; 1Environmental Science and Engineering PhD Program, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, United States; 2University of California Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (UC CEIN), The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, United States; 3Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, United States; Physiological and Biochemical Effects of Copper Nanoparticles on Sugarcane; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Glory Velazquez1, Clifford Rice2; 1Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, PR; 2Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA; LC SEPARATION AND MASS SPECTROMETER CONFIRMATION OF TWO BENZOXAZINOIDS COMPOUNDS; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Terry Lutz2, Omayra C. Vargas Morales1, Faras Khan2, Carl Schroeder2, Chandramohan Chawan2, Rodney Bowling2, Darin Doerscher3 and Steve Whisenant4; 1Department of Industrial Biotechnology, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR; 2U. S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, 1400 Independence Ave, Washington DC. 3U. S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, 2256 270th Street, Grand Mound IA 52751. 4U. S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, 8304 Victory Drive Amarillo, TX 79119; THE ROLE OF USDA, AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (AMS), FOOD SAFETY AND COMMODITY SPECIFICATION (FSCS) DIVISION IN BEEF PROGRAMS; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Yahaira I. Torres, Department of Animal Science, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR; ENCOURAGING KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS FROM THE WEST OF PUERTO RICO TO LEARN ABOUT AGRICULTURE; Agriculture Symposium: Innovative Research/Training for Emerging Agricultural Problems, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, August 4, 2015


    Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13

    Outputs
    Target Audience: The UPR-Mayaguez Center for Education and Training in Agriculture and Related Sciences (CETARS) project targeted underrepresented Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students, with emphasis in female recruiting, from Hispanic Serving Institutions in Puerto Rico and the mainland (UTEP). Hispanics are severely underrepresented in the USDA workforce. The project supported 65 underrepresented udergraduate and graduate Hispanic students by providing research assistantships, stipends and internships opportunities to prepare them to compete for career opportunities at USDA. It also served the HSI faculties at participating institutions by sponsoring their development by providing training aimed at improving publication outputs and by sponsoring their research projects with paid research assistantships, supplies, travel expenses and minor equipment. CETARS also targeted K-12 teachers from public schools located in economically deprived sectors such as schools that serve public housing projects and poor communities around Puerto Rico. The project provided teachers with training and supplies necessary to carryout activities related to agriculture (school vegetable gardens) or for the protection of natural resources ( materials and support to perform soil and water quality tests) using the Globe modules. It also targeted talented K-12 students by providing better prepared teachers and the necessary supplies to developed experiential learning activities related with agriculture and the protection of the natural resources including weekly and monthly visits by our CETARS students. CETARS also targeted farmers and food producers in Puerto Rico by providing workshops related to food safety. Efforts were also made to improve or create awareness to farmers and food producers of the importance of providing safe foods from the farm to the table. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Students and faculty development was a priority during this year. The short course "How to get published in peer-review journals" was offered as part of the Second CETARS Symposium, aimed at students and facuty to improve its publication output. The attendance was 127 from all CETARS institutions and other students and faculty from UPRM. Several students including student leaders also participated of several courses aimed at increasing their development to prepare them to better compete in the internships and USDA job opportunities. A group of CETARS students registered and participating of Integrated Pest Management "IMP3-Spanish Core Concepts Module" offered by the University of Minnesota. CETARS Faculty met with students to orient them about internships opportunities and how to apply using the USJOBS webpage . Three workshops activities were programed to inform and prepare CETARS students for summer internships applications and interviews. These workshops took place in September 2012 (Wendy Carrasco, USDA Career Opportunities for Students and Recent Graduates), November 2012 (Daisy Lugo, Career Opportunities within USDA and how to apply online using USJOBS), January 2013 (Krystel Navarro, Workshop on the use of USJOBs to submit resume for summer applications). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Besides the publications, presentations at local and national meetind, and the project webpage ( cetars.uprm.edu) these outreach acitivities were also performed to reach members of the K-12 community and promote interest in agriculture and relates sciences . Agricultural Tour 2012 held on May 2013 at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez impacted 120 K-12 and 10 teachers from 10 K-6 schools. Agriculture: the science of the future. A teacher workshop and activity based in the importance of the agriculture, the agricultural crisis in Puerto Rico and other related themes. It was presented in Pinero’s Amphitheater in November 17, 2012. Principles and Techniques of Recycling November 15, 2012 Natural Resources November 30, 2012 Soil Workshop December 6, 2012 Workshops on Bios and Resume writing- Various times (January/February 2013) GLOBE Program workshop of data entry for the program’s software (January 2013) Nanotechnology Workshop and impact on agriculture: 15 January 2013 Informational Webinar Sessions on USDA Careers: September 2012, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, Puerto Rico - HACCP Certification: February 2013, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez Plant Reproduction February 6, 2013 Attendance at orientation webinar for summer internships with USDA: 7 February 2012 Establishment Vegetable Garden (Garden 2) February 20, 2013 Germination and plant structures Garden 1 February 27, 2013 Agro Fair: 28 February 2013. A painting book about agriculture was distributed to children that visited the Fair. This activity in a campus wide supported by CETARS but is not part of the CETARS program. Plant diseases and insects March 13, 2013 Two important processes in plants: Photosynthesis and nutrient uptake March 6, 2013 Workshop on Science Fair for Elementary Students with Agro. Jaime Curbelo- March 7, 2013 Crop Garden Workshop; Krystel Navarro & Fabián Carmona, March 16, 2013. A Science on Wheels Shows that impacted over 500 students at Math competition and in Science Fair held on March 2013 at the Aymat Coliseum in San Sebastian and at the S Antonio S. Pedreira School in Moca, PR What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We will continue with an active CETARS program in which the reported activities will be continued or enhanced. We will increase the efforts in the area of nanotechnologies and its uses or potential applications in Agriculture. We will also develop another coloring book to continue to teach K-3 students about agriculture while coloring. Wi will expand our reseach areas to include treatment of plant deseased pertinent to our agriculture and the production of biofuels.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? The University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, Center for Education and Training in Agriculture and Related Sciences (CETARS) continues to excel during its second year. The number of students participating of the CETARS activities has increased from fifty-five (55) to sixty-five (65), which represents 18% percent of increase with respect to last year, while keeping a retention rate as high as 90%. All sixty–five (65) CETARS students are are from five participating institutions and are enrolled in disciplines related to USDA interests. These are the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez (UPRM), the University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla (APRA) and the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao (UPRH), the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico at San German (IAUPRSG) and the University of EL Paso Texas (UTEP). The UPRM-CETARS population consists of twenty-six (26) undergraduates (BS), 6 MS and 6 PhD students and are distributed as follows: Crops and Agro-Environmental Sciences (6 BS and 1MS), Agricultural Mechanical Technology (2 BS), Animal Sciences (1BS), General Agriculture (1BS), Agricultural Extension (2BS), Food Science and Technology program (2 MS); Chemistry Department (5 BS, 2 MS and 6 PhD); Biotechnology (3 BS); Chemical Engineering (3 BS); Civil Engineering (2 BS), Mechanical Engineering (1BS; 1MS). The Food Science and Technology Program has 2MS students. UPRA-CETARS’ students came from the departments of Biology (5 BS) and Environmental Technology (2 BS). UPRH-CETARS’ students came from Industrial Chemistry (9 BS) and Biology (1BS). IAUPR-SG CETARS participants are from the Department of Chemistry and Biology and are distributed as follows: Biology 6 BS and Environmental Science Program (2 MS). The UTEP Environmental Chemistry Department has one BS and one MS student as part of CETARS. All (100%) CETARS participants are from underrepresented Hispanic groups. CETARS have directly sponsored the research-training activities of 65 students from all the participating institutions, 72% of which were females. Out of the 50 undergraduate students, 91% were involved in research and all are participating of K-12 outreach activities. Undergraduate and graduate students are actively participating of research and outreach activities under faculty mentorship. Regarding the research activities, CETARS students were involved in diverse subjects including: experimental design associated to nanotoxicology studies in plants; development of nanosize bactericidal and fungicidal materials; fabrication and evaluation of plasmonic sensors and nano-sequestering agents for water and soil remediation; use of spectroscopic methods for the early detection of food pathogens; use of heat shock and protein genetic polymorphysim as environmental stress biomarkers; analysis of heavy metal content in food and soil and development of novel remediation technologies for the pre-treatment of food processing and irrigation water. The research efforts have resulted in 13 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 72 presentations (posters and oral) in regional and national conferences. These include the ACS National Meeting (April 8-11, 2013, New Orleans, LA); The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Meeting (October 16-24, 2012, Washington DC) and a presentation to the PR Water and Sewer Authority of a CETARS research initiative to sustainably incorporate composted waste water solids for farming applications (December 20, 2012, Mayagüez, PR) and the Second CETARS Symposium during August 2013 at UPRM. Thirty-five CETARS students (54%) participated of paid and voluntary career experiences at USDA or research laboratories at universities in Puerto Rico and mainland USA. Regarding the outreach component, all five CETARS participating institucions were actively involved in outreach activities. The total number of students impacted by CETARS institutions was 1531 K-12 students. The UPRM K-12 activities were divided into two components. The first is the Crops Gardens program, which was administered by agriculture students. The second is the CETARS Globe program which was administered by the science and engineering students. Each one of these programs visited 10 public schools per semester to involve K-12 students and teachers in outreach activities. K-12 students participated in hands-on activities such as seeds identification and plantation development, as well as receiving instruction on seed development, plant growth and management, and food nutrition. Also agriculture students with the help of a collaborator designed a coloring book aimed at introducing kindergarten and early grades students to agriculture. Students visited the classrooms and as they colored CETARS students explained the role of agriculture including the role of animals. A total of 223 kindergarten students participated in a short workshop using the coloring book and 214 students were impacted with the crops gardens for a total of 437 students. The IAUPR-SG also students visited three rural schools of the area in several occasions. IAUPRSG CETARS students promoted research and its relationship to agriculture and the environment. The total number of impacted students in these K-12 outreach activities was 296 from elementary, intermediate grades and high schoolsimpacted by the CETARS agriculture students.The CETARS Globe program is part of the K-12 outreach activities and also had a great impact in the outreach activities. The Globe components is coordinated Felix R Roman with the help of Lisa Torres and is managed by Science and Engineering students at UPRM. It also served 10 schools around Puerto Rico through the delivery of hydrology and soil workshops impacting 10 teachers and 477 students during the year. The combined K-12 activities of school gardens and Globe impacted 20 different K-12 schools for a total of and 914 students directly in the classroom with lectures, workshops, and coloring books. IAUPR-SG students visited three rural schools of the area in several occasions to promoted research and its relationship to agriculture and the environment. The total number of impacted students in these K-12 outreach activities were 296 from elementary, intermediate grades and high schools. The UPRH, under the leadership of Dr Rolando worked in summer outreach activities with 10 High School teachers (2 maleThese students were from grades 10-12th of which 51 (62% were female) and 31(38%) were male were divided into four groups and participated of workshops about topics in agriculture and environmental sciences. Some were selected to participate of summer research under the mentorship of Dr. Rolando Tremont . Faculty of UPRM offered their services to the Mayaguez community by performing chemical analyses of water, soils and foods samples. The project provided assistance to farmers in Añasco. In addition, students participated in the International Coastal Cleaning in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico on September 2012. Students analyzed water quality to investigate its safety for recreational use. Also CETARS students from UPR-Humacao analyzed fish samples from local fisherman in an effort to access environmental contamination. A group of CETARS students participated in church activities aimed at the collection of clothes and food for low income families. One CETARS student also served as a volunteer for the American Red Cross. In summary, all CETARS goals and objectives were achieved or surpassed.

    Publications

    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, August 2013; SUCCESSFUL DIRECT IMPACT ON STUDENTS AND TEACHERS FROM HIGH SCHOOL: RESEARCH LABORATORY AND WORKSHOPS IN SUMMER-2013. Tremont Rolando J. Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, Call Box 860, Humacao, PR 00792. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: AGRICULTURAL OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AS PART OF THE CETARS PROJECT. Vega Suarez Ana Maria. Crop and Agroenvironmental Science. University of Puerto Rico at Mayag�ez, PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: ADSORPTION OF METHYLENE BLUE AND CONGO RED BY CHITOSAN/CELLULOSE BEADS FOR WASTEWATERS TREATMENT. A. L. Vega1, Vel�zquez G. M. 2, O. Perales2,3, L. Alamo4, F. R. Roman2 and A. Gonzalez1 .1Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-San Germ�n Campus, P.O. Box 5100, San Germ�n P.R. 2Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, P.R. 3Department of Engineering Science and Materials, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, P.R. 4Department of Chemistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Ponce, P.O. Box 9997, Ponce, P.R. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: CETARS: OUTREACH AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES AT PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL 2012-2013. Winston de la Torre and Vicente Nydia. Crops and Agro-environmental Sciences Department, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, PO Box 9000, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: ANALISYS OF HEAVY METALS IN PLANTING SOIL NEAR INDUSTRIAL AREA. Velazquez P�rez Kiara and Tremont Rolando, PhD. Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, Call Box 860 Humacao, PR 00792. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: ADSORPTION OF ARSENIC BY MAGNETITE NANOPARTICLES IN AQUOUS PHASE. Manuel Garcia-Cartagena1, Tatiana Luna-Pineda2, Oscar Perales-P�rez2,3, F�lix Rom�n-Vel�zquez2; 1Department of Biology, Chemistry & Env. Sc. Interamerican University of Puerto Rico San German Campus 2 Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, PR; 3 Department of Engineering Science & Materials, University of Puerto, Mayag�ez, PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: TOXICITY ASSESSMENT OF CERIUM OXIDE NANOPARTICLES IN CILANTRO (CORIANDRUM SATIVUM L.) PLANTS GROWN IN ORGANIC SOIL. Maria Isabel Morales,1,3 Cyren M. Rico,1,4 Jose Angel Hernandez-Viezcas,1,4 Jose E. Nunez,1 Ana Cecilia Barrios, 1,3 Alejandro Tafoya,5 Juan Pedro Flores-Marges,6 Jose R. Peralta-Videa1,3,4, Jorge L. Gardea-Torresdey1,2,3,4 1Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500W. University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968. 2Environmental Science and Engineering PhD Program, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500W. University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968. 3USDA Center for Education and Training in Agricultural and Related Sciences (CETARS). 4UC Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (UC CEIN) the University of Texas at El Paso. 5 Franklin High School, 900 N. Resler, El Paso, Texas 79912. 6Autonomous University of Ciudad Juarez, 32320, Mexico. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: SYNCHROTRON MICRO-XRF AND MICRO-XANES CONFIRMATION OF THE UPTAKE AND TRANSLOCATION OF TIO2 NANOPARTICLES IN CUCUMBER FRUIT (CUCUMIS SATIVUS L.) Authors: Alia D. Servin , !,�, Maria Isabel Morales ,!, Hiram Castillo-Michel�, Berenice Munoz�, Jose Angel Hernandez-Viezcas ,�, Jose R. Peralta-Videa ,!,�, Jorge L. Gardea- Torresdey ,�,!,� Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University. Avenue, El Paso Texas 79968, United States �Environmental Science and Engineering PhD Program, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Avenue, El Paso Texas 79968, United States �Environmental Science program, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University. Avenue, El Paso Texas 79968, United States. !Center for Education and Training in Agriculture and Related Sciences (CETARS), The. University of Texas at El Paso, 79968 United States. �UC Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (UC CEIN), The. University of Texas at El Paso, 79968 United States. �European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, B.P.220 - 38043 Grenoble Cedex, France. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez, PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: THE SALT TOLERANCE ON MUTANT PLANT OF ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA Authors: Darsy K. Smith1, Rongrong Wang2, Qingmei Guan2, Jianhua Zhu2 Undergraduate student1, Department of Crops and Environmental Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez. Professor2, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: IMPACT OF CERIUM OXIDE NANOPARTICLES ON CILANTRO (CORIANDRUM SATIVUM). Morales, M.I., Barrios, A.C., Rico, C.M., Hernandez-Viezcas, J.A., Peralta-Videa, J.R., Gardea-Torresdey, J.L. SETAC North America 33rd Annual Meeting, November 11-15, 2012, Long Beach, CA
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: SYNCHROTRON CONFIRMATION OF THE UPTAKE AND TRANSLOCATION OF TIO2 NPS IN CUCUMBER (CUCUMIS SATIVUS) PLANTS, Servin, A.D., Hernandez, J.A., Castillo-Michel, H., Peralta-Videa, J.R., Gardea-Torresdey, J.L. First Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization (SNO) Conference, November 4-6, 2012, Washington D.C.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: THE IMPACT OF CEO2 NPS ON RICE ROOTS: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN First Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization (SNO) Conference, November 4-6, 2012, Washington D.C.; ENZYME ACTIVITY, MEMBRANE DAMAGE, AND LIPID CONTENT, Rico, C.M., Hong, J., Morales, M.I., Barrios, A.C., Peralta-Videa, J.R., Gardea-Torresdey, J.L. 2012.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: CEO2 NANOPARTICLES ENHANCE LIPID PEROXIDATION IN THE SHOOT OF GERMINATING RICE SEEDS Rico, C.M., Morales, M.I., Hong, J., Barrios, A.C., Peralta-Videa, J.R., Gardea-Torresdey, J.L. SETAC North America 33rd Annual Meeting, November 11-16, 2012, Long Beach, CA.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: THE IMPACT OF CEO2 NPS ON RICE ROOTS: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENZYME ACTIVITY, MEMBRANE DAMAGE, AND MACROMOLECULE CONTENTS. Rico, C.M., Hong, J., Morales, M.I., Barrios, A.C., McCreary, R., Lee, W.Y., Varela-Ramirez, A., Peralta-Videa, J.R., Gardea-Torresdey, J.L. 2012. UTEP Graduate Research Expo, November 9, 2012, UTEP
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: CERIUM OXIDE NANOPARTICLES AND THEIR IMPACT ON TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICON). Barrios, A.C., Morales, M.I., Rico, C.M., Peralta-Videa, J.R., Gardea-Torresdey, J.L. 2013. Third annual UTEP Campus Office Undergraduate Research Initiative Symposium, April 20, 2013. El Paso, Texas.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: THE IMPACT OF CEO2 NANOPARTICLES IN RICE.Rico, C.M., Morales, M.I., Barrios, A.C., Hong, J., McCreary, R., Lee, W.Y., Varela-Ramirez, A., Peralta-Videa, J.R., Gardea-Torresdey, J.L. 2013. UTEP Chemistry Research Day, May 3-4, El Paso, TX.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: TOXICITY ASSESSMENT OF CEO2 NANOPARTICLES ON CILANTRO (CORIANDRUM SATIVUM) GROWTH IN ORGANIC SOIL Morales, M.I., Rico, C.M., Hernandez-Viezcas, J.A., Nunez, J.E., Barrios, A.C., Peralta-Videa, J.R., Gardea-Torresdey, J.L. Chemistry Research Day at the University of Texas at El Paso. May 3-4, 2013
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: PHYSIOLOGICAL IMPACTS OF CERIUM OXIDE NANOPARTICLES IN RICE PLANTS.Rico, C.M., Morales, M.I., Barrios, A.C., McCreary, R., Hong, J., Peralta-Videa, J.R., Gardea-Torresdey, J.L. UC-CEIN EH&S Forum, May 8-9, 2013, Los Angeles, CA.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: UPRM CENTER FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN AGRICULTURE AND RELATED SCIENCES (CETARS): AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH FROM K-12 TO PHD TO WORK IN PROBLEM FACING AGRICULTURE. Felix R. Rom�n, Marco de Jesus and Martha L. Lopez, Chemistry Department, Oscar Perales Department of Engineering Science and Materials, Winston Dela Torre, Department of Crops and Agro-environmental Sciences, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. NACTA 2013 Conference during June 25-29 at Virginia Tech, VA
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Sorption of triclosan onto tyre crumb rubber By L�pez-Morales, J.; Perales-Perez, O.; Rom�n-Vel�zquez, F.; Adsorption Science & Technology (2012), 30(10), 831-845.
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Use of recycled tires crumb rubber to remove organic contaminants from aqueous and gaseous phases; Alamo-Nole, Luis; Perales-Perez, Oscar; Rom�n, Felix R.; Desalination and Water Treatment (2012), 49(1-3), 296-306.
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Diana Sanchez-Rivera, Oscar Perales-Perez and F�lix R. Rom�n. LC-ICPMS speciation of arsenite and arsenate oxyanion mixtures during their adsorption with dried sludge Analytical Methods Anal. Methods, 2013,5, 1583-1589
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Morales MI, Rico CM, Hernandez-Viezcas JA, Nunez JE, Barrios AC, Tafoya A, Flores-Marges JP, Peralta-Videa JR, Gardea-Torresdey JL. Toxicity assessment of cerium oxide nanoparticles in cilantro (Coriandrum sativum L.) plants grown in organic soil. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2013 Jul 3;61(26):6224-30
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Effect of high-energy ball milling time on structural and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline cobalt ferrite powders. By Cedeno-Mattei, Yarilyn; Perales-Perez, Oscar; Uwakweh, Oswald N. C.; Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials (2013), 341, 17-24.
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: One-step synthesis of water-dispersible ZnSe(S)-alloy quantum dots in the presence of thiol species. Bailon-Ruiz, Sonia; Perales-Perez, Oscar; Su, Yi-feng; Xin, Yan; Current Nanoscience (2013), 9(1), 117-121.
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Removal of inorganic arsenic oxyanions using Ca-Fe(III) alginate beads. Sanchez-Rivera, Diana; Perales-Perez, Oscar; Roman, Felix R.; Desalination and Water Treatment (2013), 51(10-12), 2162-2169.
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Preparative size-exclusion chromatography for separation and purification of water-stable Cd-based quantum dots. Alamo-Nole, Luis; Bailon-Ruiz, Sonia; Perales-Perez, Oscar; Roman, Felix R.; Analytical Methods (2012), 4(10), 3127-3132.
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2013 Citation: Rico, C.M., Morales, M.I., McCreary, R., Castillo-Michel, H., Barrios, A.C., Hong, J., Tafoya, A., Lee, W.-Y., Varela-Ramirez, A., Peralta-Videa, J.R., Gardea-Torresdey, J.L. 2013. Cerium oxide nanoparticles modify the antioxidative stress enzyme activities and macromolecule composition in rice seedlings. Environmental Science and Technology (submitted and in review).
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Size-controlled synthesis of MgO nanoparticles and the assessment of their bactericidal capacity. Cedeno-Mattei, Yarilyn; Reyes, Myrna; Perales-Perez, Oscar; Roman, Felix R.; MRS Online Proceedings Library (2013), 1547 (Solution Synthesis of Inorganic Functional Materials), opl.2013.638, 6 pp.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Metal/polymer nanocomposites as vibrational probes for the sensitive identification of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus spp; Authors: Elena M. Flores-Velez, Francisco Negr�n, Edna P. Vargas, Rafael Hiciano, Marco A. De Jesus ; Division: AGFD: Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry; Posters presentations at the 245th ACS National Meeting; April 7-11, 2013, New Orleans; LA
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Rico, C. M., Hong, J., Morales, M.I., Zhao, L., Barrios, A.C., Zhang, J., Peralta-Videa, J.R., Gardea-Torresdey, J.L. Effect of cerium oxide nanoparticles on rice: A study involving the antioxidant defense system and in vivo fluorescence imaging. Environmental Science and Technology (2013), 47(11), 56355642
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Servin, A.D., Morales, M.I., Castillo-Michel, H., Hernandez-Viezcas, J.A., Munoz, B., Zhao, L., Nunez, J.E., Peralta-Videa, J.R., Gardea-Torresdey, J.L. 2013. Synchrotron verification of TiO2 accumulation in cucumber fruit: A possible pathway of TiO2 nanoparticle transfer from soil into the food chain. Environ. Sci. Technol., 2013, 47 (20), pp 115921159
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Removal of arsenic and chromium in groundwater using a magnetite based nanocomposite; Authors: Manuel Garc�a, Tatiana Luna-Pineda, Oscar Perales-P�rez, F�lix Rom�n-Vel�zquez; Posters presentations at the 245th ACS National Meeting; April 7-11, 2013, New Orleans; CHED: Division of Chemical Education
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: CETARS research training initiative in agriculture and related sciences; Authors: Marco A. De Jesus, F�lix R. Rom�n, Oscar J. Perales-Perez, Edna Negr�n, Winston de la Torre, Jes�s L. Borges, Rolando Tremont, Angela Gonz�lez, Jorge Gardea-Torresdey; Posters presentations at the 245th ACS National Meeting; April 7-11, 2013, New Orleans; Division: AGFD: Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hybrid morphology nanoarrays as plasmonic Raman probes for the detection of arsenic antimicrobials; Authors: Jenifier Olavarria-Fullerton, Sabrina Wells, Michael J. Sepaniak, Marco A. De Jes�s; Posters presentations at the 245th ACS National Meeting; April 7-11, 2013, New Orleans; Division: AGFD: Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Simultaneous sorption of cationic and anionic dyes by chitosan/cellulose beads for water purification; Authors: Angel L. Vega-Negr�n, Luis A. Alamo-Nole, Oscar Perales-P�rez, F�lix R. Rom�n, Angela Gonzalez; Posters presentations at the 245th ACS National Meeting; April 7-11, 2013, New Orleans; Division: ENVR: Division of Environmental Chemistry.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Arsenic sequestration from surface water via ZVI and copper nanoparticle filters; Authors: Angelica A Campos, Edgardo O Ortiz, Jenifier Olavarria, Marco A De Jes�s;Posters presentations at the 245th ACS National Meeting; April 7-11, 2013, New Orleans; Division: CHED: Division of Chemical Education
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Effect of phytohormones in nutrient uptake by coriander plants in soil-compost system; Authors: Taina Rodr�guez-Curet, Martha L�pez-Moreno; Posters presentations at the 245th ACS National Meeting; April 7-11, 2013, New Orleans; Division: CHED: Division of Chemical Education
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Ocimum basilicum (basil) growth and nutrient uptake in soil-compost systems amended with phytohormones monitored by ICP-MS; Authors: Laura V. Ram�rez, Martha L. L�pez-Moreno ; Posters presentations at the 245th ACS National Meeting; April 7-11, 2013, New Orleans; Division: AGFD: Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: COMPOST AND SLUDGE CHARACTERIZATION, COMPOST-SOILS SYSTEMS INTERACTION AND EFFECT ON BASIL (Ocimum basillicum). �lamo Irizarry, Bianca1, Guzm�n P�rez, Nitza, M. 2, L�pez-Moreno Martha Laura, PhD3. 1Department of Industrial Biotechnology, 2Department of Chemical Engineering, 3Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: EFFECT OF TiO2 NANOPARTICLES IN SINTERED RECYCLED GLASS FILTERS DESIGNED FOR POLLUTED SOILS REMEDIATION. Arroyo Anel1, Wesley Cuadrado2, Liliana M. Hern�ndez3, Gerardo Nazario3, O.M Suarez4. 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2Department of Mechanical Engineering, 3Department of Mechanical Engineering, 4Department of General Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: ALGINIC ACID SODIUM SALT BEADS INFUSE WITH METAL IONS AS Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, August 2013; BABCTERICIDAL AGENT. Borges Gabriel, Diego Samot, Jomarys Gonz�lez, Felix R. Roman and Carlos Ru�z; University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez; Department of Chemistry; P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez PR, 00681-9000. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: COMPARATIVE SURVIVAL OF ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7AND SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM ON SPINACH PLANTS. Cancel Villamil Nathalia C. 1, Cheryl L. Roberts2, Eric Handy2, Manan Sharma2.1Department of Crop Science, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, PR.2United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, 10300 Baltimore Ave, Beltsville MD 20705. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: SUMMER INTERNSHIP WITH NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE AT MANDAN, NORTH DAKOTA. PATHWAYS PROGRAM. Carmona Fabian. Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: CETARS AGRICULTURAL TOUR 2013. Carmona Fabian1, Darsy K. Smith2, Nathalia C. Cancel3Joshua Otero4, Jorge De Jesus Silva5.1Department of Agricultural Engineering,2Department of Agronomy,3Department of Agri-Ambiental and Crop Sciences,4Deparment of General Agriculture, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: DETERMINATION OF HEAVY METALS IN FRESH MILK. Carrasquillo Lizbeth. Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Humacao, PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: SYNTHESIS OF ZnxMg1-xO SOLID SOLUTION AND THE ASSESSMENT OF ITS ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AGAINST ESCHERICHIA COLI. Concepci�n-Abreu Rosa1, Yarilyn Cede�o-Mattei2,3, Oscar Perales-P�rez2,3, and F�lix R. Rom�n2.1Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences, Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, San Germ�n, P.O. Box 5100, San Germ�n, PR. 2Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR. 3Department of Engineering Science and Materials, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: EVALUATION OF THE 17?-ETHYNYLESTRADIOL (ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE) HORMONE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS: REMOVED BY THE NANOPARTICLES MAGNETITE-SODIUM OLEATE; Casiano-Santiago Marcos A1., Victor Fernandez-Alos1, Tatiana Luna-Pineda1, Oscar Perales-Perez1,2, and Felix Roman1.1Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico Mayag�ez, PR 00680. 2Department of Engineering Science and Materials, University of Puerto Rico Mayag�ez, PR 00680. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM at UPR-Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: SIZE-CONTROLLED SYNTESIS OF MgO NANOPARTICLES AND THE ASSESSMENT OF ITS ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AGAINST ESCHERICHIA COLI. Cede�o-MatteiYarilyn1,2, Oscar Perales-P�rez1,2, and F�lix R. Rom�n1.1Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR. 2Department of Engineering Science and Materials, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: ZINC REMOVAL FROM WASTE TIRE CRUMB RUBBER IN AQUEOUS PHASE. Cede�o-Mattei Yarilyn1,2, Oscar Perales-P�rez1,2, and F�lix R. Rom�n1. 1Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR. 2Department of Engineering Science and Materials, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR; Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013;
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: PHYTOPLANKTON SURVEY IN SIX RESERVOIRS OF PUERTO RICO: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ALGAE ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY; Cruz V�lez Frank O1. Karina M. L�pez Mercado1, Carlos Santos Flores2, and B�rbara S�nchez Santana1.1Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Inter American University of Puerto Rico, San Germ�n, P. O. Box 5100 San Germ�n, PR 00683.2Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: FARMERS MARKET COMMUNITY KITCHEN: HEAT AND VENTILATION LOADS. Cuadrado Wesley1, Fidel Delgado2. 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR. 2Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., Room 4531 South Building, Washington, DC. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: ASSESSING THE EFFECTS OF COMPOST AND PHYTOHORMONE ADDITIVES ON THE CA, FE AND K UPTAKE OF ROQUETTE ARUGULA IN COLOSO AND VOLADORA SOIL; De Jesus Kiara Z.; Queziel Rivera, Jomaris Gonz�lez; Martha L. L�pez; University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez; Department of Chemistry; P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez PR, 00681-9000. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: CHEMICAL COMPARISON AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SIX RIPE MANGO (MANGIFERA INDICA L.) CULTIVARS IN PUERTO RICO. Eduardo J. Diaz, Mar�a L. Plaza, Edna Negron, Javier Huertas. Food Science and Technology Program, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, College of Agricultural Science, Call Box 9000, Mayaguez, PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: METAL/POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES AS VIBRATIONAL PROBES FOR THE SENSITIVE IDENTIFICATION OF E. COLI AND LACTOBACILLUS SPP. Flores-V�lez Elena M1, Francisco A. Negr�n2, Wilniadys Sep�lveda1, Marco A. De Jes�s1.1Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, PR. 2Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, PR, Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: OUTREACH PROJECT IN BO. CASTILLO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Garcia Mario A. Crops and Agro-environmental Sciences Department, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR.Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: OUTREACH AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. Gomez Zamot Jonathan. Department of Agronomy and Soils. University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR.Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: VEGETABLE GARDENING AT THE FEDERICO ASENJO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Gonz�lez M. Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: CETARS AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN THE RIO CANAS ABAJO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grajales Rosiel M. Agronomy & Soils, University of Puerto Rico Mayag�ez. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: INTERNSHIP WITH THE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE AGENCY (NRCS); Grajales Rosiel M. Agronomy & Soils Undergraduate Student, University of Puerto Rico at Mayag�ez. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM,UPR-Mayaguez, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: EDUCATING THE FUTURE GENERATIONS IN AGRICULTURE. Maldonado Susej M. Department of Agricultural Education, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: METAL NANOCOMPOSITES AS RAMAN PROBES FOR FOODBORNE BACTERIAL IDENTIFICATION; Gratac�s Grecia V1., Jeysika Zayas2, Omayra C.Vargas3 and Marco A. De Jesus1; 1Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, PR2Department of Industrial Microbiology, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, PR 3Department of Industrial Biotechnology, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez, August 2013;
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: METAL POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES AS RAMAN PROBES FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF PROBIOTIC AGENTS IN DAIRY PRODUCTS. Guzm�n, Clarissa M. Sep�lveda, Wilniady; Viera, Ashley; Areizaga, H�ctor; De Jes�s, Marco A. University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez; Department of Chemistry; P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez PR, 00681-9000.Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: COMPRESSION AND THERMOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF SINTERED RECYCLED GLASS DESIGNED FOR THE REMEDIATION OF POLLUTED SOILS. Hern�ndez Liliana M. 1, Wesley Cuadrado2, Gerardo Nazario1, Anel Arroyo3, O. Marcelo Su�rez4. 1Department of Civil Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayaguez, PR. 2Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayaguez, PR. 3Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayaguez, PR. 4Department of Materials Science, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayaguez, PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, UPR-Mayaguez, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: UPTAKE OF ZnSO4, Zn(COOCH3)2, ZnNO3 AND ZnG IN ALFALFA PLANT (Medicago sativa) Lugo-Avil�s Leany1, Mill�n-Barea Mayrim2, Rivera-Pe�a Meilyn3, Cede�o Yarilin PhD4, Perales-P�rez Oscar PhD4, Rom�n F�lix PhD5, L�pez-Moreno Martha Laura PhD5.1Department of Industrial Biotechnology, 2Department of Biology, 3Department of Chemical Engineering, 4Department of General Engineering-Materials Science and Engineering, 5Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, UPR-Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: ADSORPTION OF ARSENIC BY MAGNETITE NANOPARTICLES IN AQUEOUS PHASE. Luna-Pineda Tatiana1, Oscar Perales-P�rez1,2, F�lix Rom�n-Vel�zquez1. 1Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, PR. 2Department of Engineering Science & Materials, University of Puerto, Mayag�ez, PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: SIMULTANEOUS ADSORPTION OF CATIONIC AND ANIONIC DYES BY CHITOSAN/CELLULOSE AND CHITOSAN/CELLULOSE-GLA BEADS FOR WASTEWATERS TREATMENT. Jusino C1., Vega A. L.2, O. Perales1,3, L. Alamo4, F. R. Roman1 and A. Gonzalez2.; 1Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, P.R. 2Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-San Germ�n Campus, P.O. Box 5100, San Germ�n P.R. 3Department of Engineering Science and Materials, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, P.R. 4Department of Chemistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Ponce, P.O. Box 9997, Ponce, PR.Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: CETARS OUTREACH: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MARIANO RIERA PALMER, MAYAGUEZ, PR; Morales Rivera Ruben J. College of Agricultural Science, Department of Agricultural Engineering University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: COMPOSITE PLANT SYSTEM TO INVESTIGATE THE INTERACTION BETWEEN SWEET POTATO (Ipomea batatas) ROOTS AND PLANT PARASITIC ROOT-KNOT NEMATODES (Meloidogyne incognita). Navarro Acevedo Krystel1, Christopher Taylor, PhD2.1 University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR.2 Ohio State University- OARDC. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: POROSITY AND PERCOLATION IN SINTERED RECYCLED GLASS FOR POLLUTED SOIL FILTERING. Nazario Gerardo1, Wesley Cuadrado2, Liliana M. Hern�ndez1, Anel Arroyo 2, O.M Suarez3. 1Department of Civil Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR.2Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR. 3Department of General Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR; Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: SUMMER INTERNSHIP USDA-AMS, NATIONAL SCIENCE LABORATORY IN GASTONIA, NC. Olavarr�a-Fullerton Jenifier and Elena M. Flores-V�lez. Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, PR 00681. USDA-AMS S&T NSL, 801 Summit Crossing Place, Suite B, Gastonia, NC 28054. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: DETERMINATION OF LEAD AND COPPER IN DIFFERENT CIGARETTE BRANDS. Oliveras Cabrera Adriana, Lizbeth Carrasquillo, Rolando Tremont. Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico-Humacao Call Box 860 Humacao, PR 00792. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: ANALYSIS OF HEAVY METALS IN THE LUTJANUS VIVANUS. Olmeda Natalia and Rolando Tremont. Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico At Humacao, Call Box 860, Humacao, PR 00792. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: ATRAZINE REMOVAL FROM WATER BY CHITOSAN-CELLULOSE AND CHITOSAN-CELLULOSE -GLA BEADS. Ortiz Mattei Maria. Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, PR 00681. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: ENVIRONMENTAL REMOTION OF HEAVY METALS: USE OF MIMOSA PELLITA AS A POTENTIAL LEAD HYPERACCUMULATOR. Pacheco Angel1, Rivera-Nieves Queziel2, Rom�n F�lix PhD2, L�pez-Moreno Martha Laura PhD2. 1Department of Industrial Biotechnology, 2Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CHITOSAN/CELLULOSE/ZnO NANOPARTICLES BLEND FILMS FOR BACTERICIDES APPLICATIONS. P�rez-Altamar Melina1, Oscar Perales-P�rez2. 1Food Science and Technology, 2Department of General Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF SHORT SPAN BRIDGES FOR SECONDARY ROADWAYS: COMPARING WOOD AND STEEL SUPERSTRUCTURES. Ramirez Hernandez Maricely1, Negron Aviles Francisco1, Richard D. Bergman1, PhD 2 , James Wacker2 .1Chemical Engineering Department, University of Puerto Rico- Mayaguez, 2USDA Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: ANALYSIS OF LEAD AND CADMIUM IN WASHINGTON RED APPLES. Rolando Tremont, Ram�rez Ver�nica. Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, Call box 860, Humacao, PR 00792ANALYSIS OF LEAD AND CADMIUM IN WASHINGTON RED APPLES. Rolando Tremont, Ram�rez Ver�nica. Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, Call box 860, Humacao, PR 00792. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: ESSENTIAL OILS OF CANANGA ODORATA EXHIBITED INSECTICIDE ACTIVITY AGAINST THE COFFEE BERRY BORER HYPOTHENEMUS HAMPEI (CURCULIONIDAE). Ramos-Camacho Elisa1, Diana T. Medina-Laabes1, Ileana I. Rodriguez-Velez2. 1Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, Call Box 860, Humacao, P.R. 2Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, Call Box 860, Humacao, P.R. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: MICROWAVE ASSISTED SYNTHESIS OF METAL-BASED NANOPARTICLES USING GLUTATHIONE. Reyes Blas Myrna1, Maricely Ram�rez Hernandez2, Wilfredo Ortiz Ortiz2, Oscar Perales3, Felix R. Rom�n1. 1Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico (UPRM), Mayaguez, USA, 2Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez, 3Department of Engineering Science & Materials, UPRM. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: HYDROPHYLLIC STABILITY AND DISPERSION FROM LIGAND EXCHANGE Reyna Maritza1, Ryan Knutson2, Lee Penn2, Rolando Tremont1.1University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, 2University of Minnesota. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: PHYTOAVAILABILITY OF NUTRIENTS IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE-SOIL MATRIXES; Rivera, Q1.; Alamo, B2.; Parsons, J3., Lopez, M.L1. 1Chemistry Department; University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez Campus, P.R. 2Biotechnology Department; University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez Campus, P.R. 3Chemistry Department; The University of Texas Pan-American, Edinburg, TX. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: SPECTROSCOPY FOR THE ANALYSIS OF THE LEAD LEVELS ON LIPSTICKS. Rivera Linoshka, Jorge M. Marcano, Rolando J. Tremont. Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, Call Box 860, Humacao, PR 00792. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: UPTAKE AND TRANSPORT OF Fe3O4 and Fe3O4/DMSA NANOPARTICLES IN Prosopis juliflora (MESQUITE) PLANTS. Rivera Pe�a Meilyn E.1, Leany Lugo Aviles2, Reinaldo J. Agostini2, Martha L. L�pez- Moreno, PhD3. 1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, PR.2Department of Industrial Biotechnology, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, PR. 3Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: MICROBIAL PRESENCE, CHEMICAL STABILITY, AND NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY IN SOIL-COMPOST SYSTEMS. Rodr�guez Curet Taina A. 1, Martha L. L�pez Moreno PhD2.1Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, San German. 2University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: OUTREACH ACTIVITIES IN FRANCISCO VICENTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Rodriguez-Declet Arleen, Department of Crops and Agro-environmental Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: AGRICULTURAL OUTREACH FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS. Gudianne M. Romero, Winston De La Torre,Department of Crops and Agro-environmental Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez, PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: VALIDATION OF OPTIMUM CULTURE CONDITIONS OF PRO-BIOTIC AGENTS FOR ITS RAPID IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION VIA SURFACE-ENHANCED RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY (SERS); Sepulveda, Wilniady; Guzm�n, Clarissa; Viera, Ashley; Areizaga, Hector; De Jesus, Marco A.; University of Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez; Department of Chemistry; P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez PR, 00681-9000. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.
    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: THE APPLICATION OF PCR TECHNIQUES FOR THE DETECTION OF PHYTOPLASMA IN THE ROYAL PALM (ROYSTONEA SPP.) Otero Pichardo Joshua, Jorge D. Caicedo, Lydia I. Rivera Vargas y Alejandro Segarra, Departamento de Cultivos y Ciencias Agroambientales, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Mayag�ez, P.O. Box 9000, Mayag�ez, PR. Poster presented at 2nd CETARS SYMPOSIUM, Mayaguez PR, August 2013.


    Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12

    Outputs
    OUTPUTS: The Center for Education and Training in Agriculture and Related Sciences (CETARS) was very active pursuing the achievement of the goals and objectives of the project. ACTIVITIES: Constructions of home gardens by UPRM students at 10 participating public schools and weekly follow-up visits to provide educative lectures (150 total). Globe Program; twelve UPRM students and twenty k-12 teachers were trained to measure soil and water quality; Student mentoring; faculty and graduate students mentored 42 undergraduates. Undergraduate and graduate research; 40 students participated of research projects. Paid summer internships; fifteen CETARS students participated of paid internships at USDA and related agencies. EVENTS: Resume writing workshops; over 40 students participated of this activity. Moodle workshop; CETARS faculty received training in an open source web base platform to offer online courses. Food Safety workshops to farmers and agribusiness. Agricultural tour; 5 students from UPRM constructed a home garden on the Alzamora Farm on Campus and organized a field trip for over 100 K-6 students from ten participating schools. EPA wastewater workshop; fifty five CETARS students and faculty were trained in the analysis of wastewater for microorganisms and heavy metals. CETARS lecture series at UPRM and IAUPR; 10 invited scientists presented their research projects to over 300 students and faculty. Science on Wheels shows; over 500 students were impacted by visits to K-12 schools. SERVICES: Tutoring of twelve freshman CETARS students in math courses. PRODUCTS: Improvement of curriculum by the development of new courses (How to publish in peer review scientific journals and Food and Agricultural Applications of Nanotechnology). Four CETARS students graduated, three with B.S. in Chemistry and one with BS in Agriculture. One was hired by CDC in Atlanta and the others went to graduate school. The IAUPR was also actively involved in outreach visits to ten K-12 public schools and two open house events impacting more than 1,000 K-12 students by providing chemistry demonstrations. All IAUPR CETARS students participated of summer internships, either in Puerto Rico or USA. UPRA also programmed workshops on Time Management and Peer Mentoring impacting 53 undergraduate students. UPRH and UTEP students have also been active in research and outreach activities. UPRH visited 3 schools impacting 152 students and 19 K-12 teachers. Dr Jorge Gardea at UTEP lectured to over 300 public K-12 school students at El Paso TX. DISSEMINATION: First CETARS symposium 2012 was held at UPRM with the participation of all CETARS students and faculty and invited speakers. All project participants from the different institutions presented their research projects and outreach activities. As part of the dissemination there were 60 oral or poster presentations and 12 publications (5 from UPRM and 7 from UTEP) in peer review journals. CETARS reached the media by radio and TV reports (Borinqueando), including two reports on the UPRM campus webpage. PARTICIPANTS: UPRM:Felix R. Roman is the PD and is responsible for the overall project management. Winston Dela Torre (Co-PD) is the K-9 Outreach Coordinator for agriculture students. He manages students that are participating of outreach activities, including their training. He also supervises student's visits to 10 participating K-9 public schools. Oscar Perales (Co-PD) is the Education and Research Training coordinator and was involved in the development and administration of the graduate course Food and Agricultural Applications of Nanotechnology and in mentoring students. Martha. L. Lopez is the Internship Opportunities Coordinator and worked in the preparation and placement of students in summer paid internships. Marco De Jesus (Co-PD) worked in the mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students. Mairim Romero is the Program's Secretary and manages the purchase of materials and supplies for research and outreach activities. Geneida Gonzales is the Accounts Administrator and manages the payments of subawards, student's assistantships and stipends. Samirah Mercado and Juan Lopez (Co-PD) are the Globe Program Outreach Coordinators and are responsible for K-12 teachers and CETARS students training in soils and water quality tests. They also programed and supervised CETARS student's visits to K-12 schools with the aid of Edgardo Quinones and Lisa Torres. Edna Negron (Co-PD) is the Foods Safety Workshops Coordinator and worked with farmers and food producers providing food safety training. IAUPR: Angela Gonzalez (Co-PD) and Felix Torres managed the CETAR project at this institution. Felix Torres worked with the outreach activities and the student's research projects. UPRA: Carlos Ruiz (Co-PD) managed CETARS at UPRA. Jesus Lee-Borges is the Peer Mentoring Coordinator serving 8 student mentors and 23 mentees; all are freshman and 21 are females and 2 males. Rafael Estremetra (Co-PD) is the Summer Outreach Coordinator and Jose M Planas-Rivera is the Undergraduate Research Coordinator. UPRH: Dr. Rolando Tremont (Co-PD) coordinates research, outreach activities and workshops for high school and undergraduate students at UPRH. Jorge Gardea (Co-PD) managed the program at UTEP and was also actively involved in the teaching of the graduate courses How to Publish is Peer Review Journals and Chem-6007 Food and Agricultural Applications of Nanotechnology. CETARS is currently serving 55 students in the five participating institutions (42 undergraduate, 7 MS and 6 PhD ). All 55 participants are of Hispanic origin and 38 (69%) are females and 17 (31%) males. UPRM host 37 students of which 26 are undergraduates, 5 MS and 6 PhD's (62% females), UPRA serves a population of 8 undergraduates (88% females), UPRH serves 3 undergraduates (100% females), the IAUSG hosts 5 students (4 undergraduate and 1 MS) of which 60% are females. UTEP serves two students (one undergraduate and one MS) both females. Fifteen CETARS students (27%) participated of summer paid internships at USDA and other agencies. The internships sponsoring agencies/Institutions were USDA-ARS-NCAUR, USDA-NRCS, EPA, USDA-ARS, USDA-FSIS, USDA-USFS, HACU and NSF-funded programs university programs. TARGET AUDIENCES: The CETARS project targeted underrepresented Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students, with emphasis in female recruiting, from Hispanic Serving Institutions in Puerto Rico and the mainland (UTEP). Hispanics are severely underrepresented in the USDA workforce. The project provided 55 underrepresented Hispanic students with research assistantships, stipends and internships opportunities to prepare them to compete for career opportunities at USDA. It also served the HSI faculties at participating institutions by sponsoring their development by providing training aimed at improving publication outputs and by sponsoring their research projects with paid research assistantships, supplies and minor equipment. CETARS also targeted K-12 teachers from public schools located in economically deprived sectors such as schools that serve public housing projects and poor communities around Puerto Rico. The project provided teachers with training and supplies necessary to carryout activities related to agriculture (home gardens at schools) or the protection of natural resources (soil and water quality tests). It also targeted talented K-12 students by providing better prepared teachers and the necessary supplies to developed experiential learning activities related with agriculture and the protection of the natural resources. CETARS also targeted farmers and food producers in Puerto Rico by providing workshops related to food safety. Efforts were also made to improve or create awareness to farmers and food producers of the importance of providing safe foods from the farm to the table. Also as part of the CETARS effort, the curriculum at the participating institutions was enhanced by the creation of new courses that were offered on site and online to CETARS students at the different participating institutions (UPRM, UPRA, UPRH, IAUPR and UTEP). PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The following activities were not originally proposed but were incorporated to guarantee the success of the CETAR project: Resume writing workshops; this activity aimed to improve CETARS students' resumes in order for them to become more competitive in the internships applications. Internships webinars/workshops; this activity was planned in order to introduce CETARS students to internships opportunities at USDA and to teach them how to apply. CETARS lecture series: scientific lectures were offered to CETARS faculty and students at UPRM and IAUPR to promote research collaborations between faculty and students form these institutions; over 300 students participated of these CETARS lectures series improving collaborations. Several IAUPR students are now actively involved in research projects at UPRM. Moodle workshop; was offered to provide training in an open source platform in order to offer online courses with a platform available to all participating institutions. Science on wheels chemistry shows; aimed at promoting interest in science at K-12 participating schools; over 500 students were impacted in the visits to schools and to a ACS sponsored meeting. Agricultural tour; five CETARS students from the Crops and Agro-environmental Department constructed a home garden on the Alzamora Farm located on the UPRM Campus and organized a field trip to the 10 participating K-9 schools to introduce students to the process of developing and caring for a home garden. Around 100 students participated of the activity which was the precursor of the gardens prepared at participating schools.

    Impacts
    CETARS activities during the first year resulted in several outcomes/impacts worth pointing out. The participation of students in internships at USDA and other agencies have prepared them to better meet the challenges for employment opportunities at this agency. Surveys among students indicated that they were very satisfied with the internships experiences and are looking forward to new opportunities during the summer. The offering of a new courses, How to publish in peer review journals, aimed at students and faculty development is paying off. Twelve articles published articles in peer review journals and others are preparing their manuscripts for submission. They have expressed that the course has been a great. This course was taught by Dr. Jorge Gardea from UTEP, the North American Editor of Environmental Science and Technology. The Moodle workshop prepared CETARS faculty to offer online courses. Two other courses offered on line have played a significant role, Chem 6007 Food and Agricultural Applications of Nanotechnology, a graduate course team taught by Oscar Perales, Marco de Jesus and Martha L. Lopez, all CETARS Co-PDs. This course was offered on site at UPRM and online for other students at IAUPR and UTEP. It aimed at better preparing them to apply new knowledge to solve problems in Foods and Agriculture. Students from the UPRM and IAU are already applying this new knowledge in their research projects. Several students from UPRM are applying nanotechnology to solve problems related to foods, agriculture and the environment. This course also opened doors to a student from the IAUPR, with very limited research infrastructure, to come to UPRM and work in his thesis research project using nanotechnology for water remediation under the mentorship of Perales and Roman. Another course offered on site and online was Agro 4035, Introduction to Conservation of Natural Resources with the participation of 16 students form UPRA, UPRH and UPRM; the course created awareness of how important is to agriculture the protection of the natural resources. The EPA wastewater workshop aimed at technology transfer to better prepare students to protect the environment has also played a key role. The methodology learned is being implemented in CHEM 4015, Instrumental Analysis laboratory, for pathogens detection in waters and soils. Also a microbiology research laboratory is also being developed to apply nanotechnology for the protection of foods from pathogens and to developed new methods for the fast and accurate detection of pathogens in foods. Surveys among K-12 students and teachers from participating schools expressed that the outreach activities increased awareness and interest in careers related to agriculture and the protection of the natural resources. It also increased CETARS student's awareness of how important is to serve as role models to underprivileged students from public schools most lacking role models. Many of the participating K-12 schools serve public housing project or poor communities where their habitants have lived there for generations lacking role models.

    Publications

    • Majumdar, S., Rico, C.M. Hong, J., Castillo-Michel, H., Peralta-Videa, J.R. and Gardea-Torresdey, J.L. (2012). Applications of Synchrotron micro-XRF to Study the Distribution of Biologically Important Elements in Different Environmental Matrices: A review. Analytica Chimica Acta, 755: 1-16 (cover page of journal issue).
    • Zhao, L., Peralta-Videa, J.R., Varela-Ramirez, A., Li, C., Zhang, J., Aguilera, R.J. and Gardea-Torresdey, J.L. (2012). Effect of Surface Coating and Organic Matter on the Uptake of CeO2 NPs by Corn Plants Grown in Soil: Insight into the Uptake Mechanism. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 225-226, 131-138.
    • Zhao, L., Peralta-Videa, J.R., Ren, M., Varela-Ramirez, A., Li, C., Hernandez-Viezcas, J. A., Aguilera, R.J. and Gardea-Torresdey, J.L. (2012). Transport of Zn in a Sandy Loam Soil Treated with ZnO NPs and Uptake by Corn Plants: Electron Microprobe and Confocal Microscopy Studies. Chemical Engineering Journal, 184: 1-8. This article made the cover page of this journal issue.
    • Bandyopadhyay, S. Peralta-Videa, J.R., Hernandez-Vieazcas, J.A., Montes, M., Keller, A.A. and Gardea-Torresdey, J.L. (2012). Microscopic and Spectroscopic Methods Applied to the Measurements of Nanoparticles in the Environment. Applied Spectroscopy Reviews, 47: 180-206.
    • Zhao, L., Peralta-Videa, J.R., Hernandez-Viezcas, J.A., Hong, J. and Gardea-Torresdey, J.L. (2012). Transport and Retention Behavior of ZnO Nanoparticles in Two Natural Soils: Effect of Surface Coating and Soil Composition. Journal of Nano Research 17: 229-242.
    • Zhao, L., Peng, B., Hernandez-Viezcas, J.A., Rico, C., Sun, Y., Peralta-Videa, J.R., Tang, X., Niu, G., Jin, X., Varela-Ramirez, A., Zhang, J.-Y. and Gardea-Torresdey, J.L. (2012). Stress Response and Tolerance of Zea mays to CeO2 Nanoparticles: Cross Talk among H2O2, Heat Shock Protein and Lipid Peroxidation. ACS Nano 6 (11): 9615-9622.
    • Servin, A. Castillo-Michel, H., Hernandez-Viezcas, J.A., Peralta-Videa, J.R. and Gardea-Torresdey, J.L. (2012). Synchrotron Micro-XRF and Micro-XANES Confirmation of the Uptake and Translocation of TiO2 Nanoparticles in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) Plants. Environmental Science and Technology 46(14): 7637-7643.
    • Alamo-Nole, L., Bailon-Ruiz, S., Perales-Perez, O., Roman, F.R.(2012)Preparative size-exclusion chromatography for separation and purification of water-stable Cd-based quantum dots Analytical Methods 4 (10), pp. 3127. This article made the cover page of this journal issue.
    • Luis A. Alamo-Nole, Oscar Perales-Perez and Felix R. Roman-Velazquez (2012) Use of recycled tires crumb rubber to remove organic contaminants from aqueous and gaseous phases. Desalin. Water Treat. (In Press 06/2012).
    • Luis Alamo-Nole, Sonia Bailon-Ruiz, Tatiana Luna-Pineda Oscar Perales-Perez and Felix R. Roman (2012) Photocatalytic activity of quantum dots-magnetite nanocomposite to degrade organic dyes in aqueous phase. Journal of Material Chemistry A (Submitted)
    • Diana Sanchez-Rivera, Oscar Perales-Perez and Felix R. Roman (2012). Removal of inorganic arsenic oxyanions using Ca-Fe(III) alginate beads; Desalination and Water Treatment (in press).
    • J. Lopez-Morales, O. Perales-Perez, F. Roman-Velazquez (2012) Sorption of Triclosan onto Tire Crumb Rubber, Adsorption Science and Technology (in press).