Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:The project targeted Hispanics completing a Master or Doctoral Degree in Global Food Safety, Climate Change Agriculture, Nutrition, Plants, Sustainable Energy, Child Obesity and Nutrition.This particular group was targeted for this project because USDA has targeted underrepresented groups at USDA agencies and the academy. Faculty, past Fellows, and land grant institutions were contacted in several states and Puerto Rico with these majors. The Caminos Project also collaborated with the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE), Texas State University and the USDA ARS Research Lab at the University of California Riverside to organize a career institute. The students were recruited from Puerto Rico, California, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, North Dakota and Texas and were told they were to 1) apply for a USDA internship, and 2) solicit opportunity to apply for doctorate program in their respective fields. Changes/Problems:In Years 1, 2 and 3, there was nothing to report; however, Year 4 presented a major challenge for the CAMINOS program with the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of students attending conferences was limited and opportunities for students to carry out presentation of papers at professional meetings was reduced in the spring semester, but with continued enthusiasm and determination, the students continued to work with faculty, mentors, the PI and agency experts using resourceful measures for communicating, and each student successfully completed the CAMINOS program. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Yr 1, CAMINOS program served 13 graduate students from schools in Florida, Kansas, New Mexico, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Yr 2, CAMINOS program served 13 graduate students from in California, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Texas. Yr 3, CAMINOS program served 15 graduate students from schools in California, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Texas. Yr 4, CAMINOS program served 20 graduate students from schools in California, Florida, Illinois, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, and Texas. Years 1, 2 and 3 Fellows applied for USDA internship or were already participating in USDA programs Fellows presented their thesis and research, three thesis winners were recognized at the National Conference Fellows attended CPI and visited USDA ARS Lab to examine the ongoing research Fellows participated in USDA ARS site visit, received training in communicating science, policy and professional development Professional and career development was presented by a faculty panel (from UC Irvine in Year 2) concerning applying to Ph.D. programs and Fellowships and detailing the application process 2018 CPI Mentors Dana M. Garcia, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Texas State University Refugio I. Rochin, Ph.D., Professor and Director Emeritus, UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz Ramona Salcedo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Nutrition Department, Texas State University Juan E. Zalapa, Ph.D., Research Geneticist, USDA ARS, Vegetable Crops Research Unit, Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison 2019 CPI Mentors Dana M. Garcia, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Texas State University Ramona Salcedo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Human Nutrition, Texas State University Juan E. Zalapa, Ph.D., Research Geneticist, USDA ARS, Vegetable Crops Research Unit, Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin, Madison Kristy Daniel, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, Texas State University Year 4 Fellows applied to USDA internships Fellows presented their research interests, interacted with faculty, mentors and Fellows, who gave them constructive feedback Fellows engaged with other graduate Fellows at the conference to exchange research ideas and learn about academic opportunities Fellows were invited to participate in a thesis competition and interacted with faculty presenters and mentors at CPI. Fellows participated in USDA ARS site visit, listened to research topics including climate, soil, plants, and water resource issues How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Yrs 1, 2 and 3-Fellows were introduced to faculty researchers from different institutions. Information concerning graduate education opportunities has been shared to promote Ph.D. programs and USDA employment. Yr 4 A program was developed that posted research credentials and experience of Fellows and disseminated at the conference. Fellows received career information and guidance about academic programs. Fellows were introduced at the national conference with their specific research interests. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
CAMINOS Project included an expectation of 46 master level students; CAMINOS exceeded that expectation by 32.6% with a total of 61 students who benefitted from the program. 50% of CAMINOS Project students were expected to apply for doctoral programs. 33.8 % have applied thus far, but the pandemic in Yr 4 limited the number of students attending conferences and reduced their opportunities which impacted decisions to apply at this time. It is expected CAMINOS Project will reach 50%. Students, faculty, mentors, PI, agency experts remain connected through the Database and social media. Objective #1 CAMINOS project developed a partnership and sponsor for Career Preparation Institute (CPI) at National AAHHE Conference in March 2017 (Yr 1) in Irvine, California. In Yrs 1-4, three winners of thesis competitions and all participants were recognized at the conference. Winning thesis topics were: Yr 1: Genetic Diversity: incidence and occurrence of Papaya ringspot virus in Puerto Rico: influencing diverse management and control strategies Pathogenic threats of ten endangered plant species of the Karst region of Puerto Rico A comparison between automated thinners with manual thinning of lettuce in the Salinas Valley: Weed control and efficacy Yr 2: Genetic Variation in Two Economically Important Arthropod Vectors of Citrus Diseases Evaluation of Conventional and Organic Fungicides to Manage Foliar Disease in Yam (Dioscorea alata L) Detecting Presence or Absence of Alternative Splicing at The Superkdr Locus in Horn Flies, Haematobia irritans Yr 3: Multi-state multi-objective reliability analysis of renewable energy systems Effect of Triclosan-Tolerant plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on triclosan degradation in soils Questioning activity of cattle fever tick larvae rhipicephalus (Boophlus) microplus (Acaris Ixdidae) environmental influences and implications for control in South Texas Yr 4: Exploring the Potential of Endophytes and Medicinal Plants as Sources of Antimicrobials to Control Citrus Greening Quinoa and Amaranth: Multi-purpose Agro-industrial crops Inoculating rhizobium and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on snap bean under salinity stress to study plan growth and glomalin Objective #2 A CAMINOS Database (the Database) developed in Yr 1 was to introduce students to employment, internships, doctoral Fellowships and career opportunities. All Fellows where invited to LinkedIn to introduce their credentials and skills Yr 1-The Database was developed with the initial 13 Fellows. Seven are enrolled in Doctoral programs in the US and Puerto Rico. Institutions included are University of Wisconsin-Madison North Dakota State University University of Wyoming Turabo University-Puerto Rico Kansas State University University of Vermont Florida International University Yr 2-The Database continued to grow with the addition of 13 Fellows. Two enrolled in Doctoral programs in the US. Institutions included are California State University, Fresno New Mexico State University Texas State University University of California-Merced University of Florida University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley Yr 3-The Database continued to grow with the addition of 15 participants. Institutions included are University of Texas-EI Paso Texas A & M International University Texas State University Florida International University University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley University California Merced New Mexico State University University of Puerto Rico-Mayaquez University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Yr 4-The Database continued to grow with the addition of 20 participants. Four are enrolled in doctoral programs and three are applying to graduate school Objective #3 Yr 1-CPI was implemented in conjunction with the national conference. Yrs 1, 2, 3 and 4-Activities of CPI included: USDA ARS Lab at Riverside site visit communicating science Career Professional development Policy issues and navigating the Ph.D. program Networking with ARS, APHIS, FS, FSA, FSIS and NRCS representatives providing guidance and advice Objective #4 Yr 1-All Fellows applied for a USDA internship. Two participated in USDA ARS water management research in Parlier California and USDA-APHIS Biological Control Lab. One is employed with USDA Tick Research Laboratory in Moore Airbase in Edinburg, Texas. Yr 2-All Fellows either applied for a USDA internship or were participating or active in USDA programs as follows: a USDA-HSI Fellow and has presented her research at various conferences, among them Graduate Research and Arts Symposium conference at NMSU and 2017 Principal Investigators Meeting in Albuquerque, NM participated in research internship at USDA-APHIS Mission Laboratory in Edinburg, Texas as an undergraduate, was a participant of USDA FATE program participated in two USDA internship programs: internship at a USDA ARS Lab in Edinburg, Texas and the following year, an internship at the prestigious USDA national laboratory in Maryland graduate research was a collaboration with University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and USDA, focused on genetic diversity of two agriculturally important anthropod vectors developing her thesis in collaboration with researchers at USDA ARS Lab where she previously interned worked in the Plant Pathology lab at the Research Experimental Station at Isabela, Puerto Rico under USDA NIF HSI program currently has a position at USDA-APHIS laboratory as a Biological Science Laboratory Technician Yr 3-All Fellows applied for a USDA internship. USDA-HSI Fellows have presented their research at various conferences, among them 2018 Global Climate Action Summit, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Global Food Security, National Geographic Night Stories from the World, American Institute of Cancer Research Annual Conference Society for Nutrition, Education and Behavior Received USDA-AFRI graduate research assistantship Researched NASA space grant in a Nanotechnology research lab Recipient of USDA-NIFA HSI Broadening Agricultural Science Education USDA Agriculture Cooperative Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Internship USDA National Institute of Food Agriculture Research Arcgounve National Lavatory USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Services Yr 4-All Fellows applied for a USDA internship. Some had already completed previous summer internships with USDA. Objective #5 Yrs 1 and 2-Fellows received information concerning opportunities with USDA Agencies. Students participated in National Research Poster competition sponsored by USDA. In Yr 1, one Student Candice Rodriguez was awarded second place. Fellows visited USDA ARS Lab at Riverside, listened to presentations from researchers. Yr 3-Fellows interacted with USDA ARS employees at USDA ARS Lab, listened to research presentations from scientists. Yr 4-Speakers working at USDA ARS Lab from agencies such as APHIS, FSIS and NRCS talked to the students about different career opportunities and research at their agencies. Objective #6 Yrs 1, 2, 3 and 4-All Fellows are connected through the Database and social media, and have access to faculty, mentors, PI, agency experts to continue to provide advice and guidance. Objective #7 Yr 1-Identified research topics to implement mini research grants in Fellows' respective campuses. Yr 2-Identified research topics to implement mini research grants in Fellows' respective campuses. A nutrition student presented her research at a National meeting in Houston, Texas. Yr 3-Sponsored students to present their research at professional meetings in their respective discipline. Yr 4-Fellows visited USDA ARS Research Lab. Twenty Fellows were selected and sponsored to AAHHE National Conference where they were invited to a thesis competition, three winners presented at a national conference. Fellows participated in CPI where they presented their research and learned about presenting their research results.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/16 to 06/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:The project targeted Hispanics completing a Master or Doctoral Degree in Global Food Safety, Climate Change Agriculture, Nutrition, Plants, Sustainable Energy, Child Obesity and Nutrition.This particular group was targeted for this project because USDA has targeted underrepresented groups at USDA agencies and the academy. Faculty, past Fellows, and land grant institutions were contacted in several states and Puerto Rico with these majors. The Caminos Project also collaborated with the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE), Texas State University and the USDA ARS Research Lab at the University of California Riverside to organize a career institute. The students were recruited from Puerto Rico, California, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, North Dakota and Texas and were told they were to 1) apply for a USDA internship, and 2) solicit opportunity to apply for doctorate program in their respective fields. Changes/Problems:In Years 1, 2 and 3, there was nothing to report; however, Year 4 presented a major challenge for the CAMINOS program with the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of students attending conferences was limited and opportunities for students to carry out presentation of papers at professional meetings was reduced in the spring semester, but with continued enthusiasm and determination, the students continued to work with faculty, mentors, the PI and agency experts using resourceful measures for communicating, and each student successfully completed the CAMINOS program. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Yr 1, CAMINOS program served 13 graduate students from schools in Florida, Kansas, New Mexico, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Yr 2, CAMINOS program served 13 graduate students from in California, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Texas. Yr 3, CAMINOS program served 15 graduate students from schools in California, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Texas. Yr 4, CAMINOS program served 20 graduate students from schools in California, Florida, Illinois, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, and Texas. Years 1, 2 and 3 Fellows applied for USDA internship or were already participating in USDA programs Fellows presented their thesis and research, three thesis winners were recognized at the National Conference Fellows attended CPI and visited USDA ARS Lab to examine the ongoing research Fellows participated in USDA ARS site visit, received training in communicating science, policy and professional development Professional and career development was presented by a faculty panel (from UC Irvine in Year 2) concerning applying to Ph.D. programs and Fellowships and detailing the application process 2018 CPI Mentors Dana M. Garcia, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Texas State University Refugio I. Rochin, Ph.D., Professor and Director Emeritus, UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz Ramona Salcedo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Nutrition Department, Texas State University Juan E. Zalapa, Ph.D., Research Geneticist, USDA ARS, Vegetable Crops Research Unit, Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison 2019 CPI Mentors Dana M. Garcia, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Texas State University Ramona Salcedo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Human Nutrition, Texas State University Juan E. Zalapa, Ph.D., Research Geneticist, USDA ARS, Vegetable Crops Research Unit, Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin, Madison Kristy Daniel, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, Texas State University Year 4 Fellows applied to USDA internships Fellows presented their research interests, interacted with faculty, mentors and Fellows, who gave them constructive feedback Fellows engaged with other graduate Fellows at the conference to exchange research ideas and learn about academic opportunities Fellows were invited to participate in a thesis competition and interacted with faculty presenters and mentors at CPI. Fellows participated in USDA ARS site visit, listened to research topics including climate, soil, plants, and water resource issues How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Yrs 1, 2 and 3-Fellows were introduced to faculty researchers from different institutions. Information concerning graduate education opportunities has been shared to promote Ph.D. programs and USDA employment. Yr 4 A program was developed that posted research credentials and experience of Fellows and disseminated at the conference. Fellows received career information and guidance about academic programs. Fellows were introduced at the national conference with their specific research interests. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
CAMINOS Project included an expectation of 46 master level students; CAMINOS exceeded that expectation by 32.6% with a total of 61 students who benefitted from the program. 50% of CAMINOS Project students were expected to apply for doctoral programs. 33.8 % have applied thus far, but the pandemic in Yr 4 limited the number of students attending conferences and reduced their opportunities which impacted decisions to apply at this time. It is expected CAMINOS Project will reach 50%. Students, faculty, mentors, PI, agency experts remain connected through the Database and social media. Objective #1 CAMINOS project developed a partnership and sponsor for Career Preparation Institute (CPI) at National AAHHE Conference in March 2017 (Yr 1) in Irvine, California. In Yrs 1-4, three winners of thesis competitions and all participants were recognized at the conference. Winning thesis topics were: Yr 1: Genetic Diversity: incidence and occurrence of Papaya ringspot virus in Puerto Rico: influencing diverse management and control strategies Pathogenic threats of ten endangered plant species of the Karst region of Puerto Rico A comparison between automated thinners with manual thinning of lettuce in the Salinas Valley: Weed control and efficacy Yr 2: Genetic Variation in Two Economically Important Arthropod Vectors of Citrus Diseases Evaluation of Conventional and Organic Fungicides to Manage Foliar Disease in Yam (Dioscorea alata L) Detecting Presence or Absence of Alternative Splicing at The Superkdr Locus in Horn Flies, Haematobia irritans Yr 3: Multi-state multi-objective reliability analysis of renewable energy systems Effect of Triclosan-Tolerant plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on triclosan degradation in soils Questioning activity of cattle fever tick larvae rhipicephalus (Boophlus) microplus (Acaris Ixdidae) environmental influences and implications for control in South Texas Yr 4: Exploring the Potential of Endophytes and Medicinal Plants as Sources of Antimicrobials to Control Citrus Greening Quinoa and Amaranth: Multi-purpose Agro-industrial crops Inoculating rhizobium and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on snap bean under salinity stress to study plan growth and glomalin Objective #2 A CAMINOS Database (the Database) developed in Yr 1 was to introduce students to employment, internships, doctoral Fellowships and career opportunities. All Fellows where invited to LinkedIn to introduce their credentials and skills Yr 1-The Database was developed with the initial 13 Fellows. Seven are enrolled in Doctoral programs in the US and Puerto Rico. Institutions included are University of Wisconsin-Madison North Dakota State University University of Wyoming Turabo University-Puerto Rico Kansas State University University of Vermont Florida International University Yr 2-The Database continued to grow with the addition of 13 Fellows. Two enrolled in Doctoral programs in the US. Institutions included are California State University, Fresno New Mexico State University Texas State University University of California-Merced University of Florida University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley Yr 3-The Database continued to grow with the addition of 15 participants. Institutions included are University of Texas-EI Paso Texas A & M International University Texas State University Florida International University University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley University California Merced New Mexico State University University of Puerto Rico-Mayaquez University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Yr 4-The Database continued to grow with the addition of 20 participants. Four are enrolled in doctoral programs and three are applying to graduate school Objective #3 Yr 1-CPI was implemented in conjunction with the national conference. Yrs 1, 2, 3 and 4-Activities of CPI included: USDA ARS Lab at Riverside site visit communicating science Career Professional development Policy issues and navigating the Ph.D. program Networking with ARS, APHIS, FS, FSA, FSIS and NRCS representatives providing guidance and advice Objective #4 Yr 1-All Fellows applied for a USDA internship. Two participated in USDA ARS water management research in Parlier California and USDA-APHIS Biological Control Lab. One is employed with USDA Tick Research Laboratory in Moore Airbase in Edinburg, Texas. Yr 2-All Fellows either applied for a USDA internship or were participating or active in USDA programs as follows: a USDA-HSI Fellow and has presented her research at various conferences, among them Graduate Research and Arts Symposium conference at NMSU and 2017 Principal Investigators Meeting in Albuquerque, NM participated in research internship at USDA-APHIS Mission Laboratory in Edinburg, Texas as an undergraduate, was a participant of USDA FATE program participated in two USDA internship programs: internship at a USDA ARS Lab in Edinburg, Texas and the following year, an internship at the prestigious USDA national laboratory in Maryland graduate research was a collaboration with University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and USDA, focused on genetic diversity of two agriculturally important anthropod vectors developing her thesis in collaboration with researchers at USDA ARS Lab where she previously interned worked in the Plant Pathology lab at the Research Experimental Station at Isabela, Puerto Rico under USDA NIF HSI program currently has a position at USDA-APHIS laboratory as a Biological Science Laboratory Technician Yr 3-All Fellows applied for a USDA internship. USDA-HSI Fellows have presented their research at various conferences, among them 2018 Global Climate Action Summit, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Global Food Security, National Geographic Night Stories from the World, American Institute of Cancer Research Annual Conference Society for Nutrition, Education and Behavior Received USDA-AFRI graduate research assistantship Researched NASA space grant in a Nanotechnology research lab Recipient of USDA-NIFA HSI Broadening Agricultural Science Education USDA Agriculture Cooperative Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Internship USDA National Institute of Food Agriculture Research Arcgounve National Lavatory USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Services Yr 4-All Fellows applied for a USDA internship. Some had already completed previous summer internships with USDA. Objective #5 Yrs 1 and 2-Fellows received information concerning opportunities with USDA Agencies. Students participated in National Research Poster competition sponsored by USDA. In Yr 1, one Student Candice Rodriguez was awarded second place. Fellows visited USDA ARS Lab at Riverside, listened to presentations from researchers. Yr 3-Fellows interacted with USDA ARS employees at USDA ARS Lab, listened to research presentations from scientists. Yr 4-Speakers working at USDA ARS Lab from agencies such as APHIS, FSIS and NRCS talked to the students about different career opportunities and research at their agencies. Objective #6 Yrs 1, 2, 3 and 4-All Fellows are connected through the Database and social media, and have access to faculty, mentors, PI, agency experts to continue to provide advice and guidance. Objective #7 Yr 1-Identified research topics to implement mini research grants in Fellows' respective campuses. Yr 2-Identified research topics to implement mini research grants in Fellows' respective campuses. A nutrition student presented her research at a National meeting in Houston, Texas. Yr 3-Sponsored students to present their research at professional meetings in their respective discipline. Yr 4-Fellows visited USDA ARS Research Lab. Twenty Fellows were selected and sponsored to AAHHE National Conference where they were invited to a thesis competition, three winners presented at a national conference. Fellows participated in CPI where they presented their research and learned about presenting their research results.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:The project targeted Hispanics completing a Master or Doctoral Degree in Global Food Safety, Climate Change Agriculture, Nutrition, Plants, Sustainable Energy, Child Obesity and Nutrition. Students were invited from all over the country. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? • The CAMINOS program has served 15 graduate students in Year 3. The students are attending schools in California, New Mexico, Texas, Illinois, Florida and Puerto Rico. • The students attended the Career Preparation Institute and visited the USDA-ARS laboratory at Riverside to examine the ongoing research. • All students have applied for USDA internship or are already participating in USDA programs. • All students participated in the USDA-ARS site visit in Riverside and received training in communicating science, policy and professional development. • The students presented their thesis and research. The three thesis winners were recognized at the National Conference. • Professional and career development was presented by faculty concerning navigation of the Ph.D. programs and fellowships. • 2019 CPI Mentors: Dana M. Garcia, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Texas State University Ramona Salcedo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Human Nutrition, Texas State University Juan E. Zalapa, Ph.D., Research Geneticist, USDA-ARS, Vegetable Crops Research Unit, Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin, Madison Kristy Daniel, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, Texas State University How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The fellows have been introduced to faculty researchers from different institutions. Additionally, information concerning graduate education and USDA employment has been shared with participants. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the final reporting period, we plan to serve 15 to 18 students, have a Career Preparation Institute, solicit USDA internships and opportunities, sponsor thesis competition and sponsor research presentation of students.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1: The USDA CAMINOS project was able to develop a partnership and sponsor the Career Preparation Institute at the National AAHHE Conference, February 27 to March 2, 2019, in Irvine California. The three winning thesis topics: Multi-state multi-objective reliability analysis of renewable energy systems. Effect of Triclosan - Tolerant plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on triclosan degradation in soils. Questioning activity of cattle fever tick larvae rhipicephalus (Boophlus) microplus (Acaris Ixdidae) environmental influences and implications for control in South Texas. Objective 2: The CAMINOS Database continues to grow with the addition of the 2019 15 participants. The Institutions Included are: University of Texas - EI Paso Texas A & M International University Texas State University Florida International University University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley University California Merced New Mexico State University University of Puerto Rico - Mayaquez University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign Objective 3: 2019 was year 3 of the Career Preparation Institute which was implemented in 2017 in conjunction with the national conference and included: A visit to the USDA - ARS site in Riverside California communicating science Career professional development Navigating the Ph.D. program Networking with ARS, APHIS, FS, FSA, FSIS and NRCS representatives Objective 4:All of the 15 fellows have applied for a USDA internship. Currently USDA - HSI fellows have presented their research at various conferences, among them the 2018 Global Climate Action Summit, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Global Food Security, National Geographic Night Stories from the World, American Institute of Cancer Research Annual Conference Society for Nutrition, Education and Behavior. Received a USDA - AFRI graduate research assistantship Researched NASA space grant in a Nanotechnology research lab Recipient of USDA - NIFA HSI Broadening Agricultural Science Education USDA Agriculture Cooperative Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Internship USDA National Institute of Food Agriculture Research Arcgounve National Lavatory USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Services Objective 5: The fellows interacted with USDA - ARS employees at the USDA - ARS lab at Riverside California and listened to current research presentations from the different scientists at the labratory. Objective 6: The 15 participants are connected through a data base and social media, and have access to faculty, mentors and the principal investigator as they seek advice concerning employment or graduate school opportunities. Objective 7: We sponsored students to present their research at professional meetings in their respective discipline.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:The project targeted Hispanics completing a Master or Doctoral Degree in Global Food Safety, Clilmate Change Agriculture, Nutrition, Plants, Sustainable Energy, Child Obesity and Nutrition. We invited students from all over the country. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The Caminos program has served 13 graduate students in Year 2. The students are attending schools inTexas, New Mexico, California, Florida, Illinois and Puerto Rico. The students attended the Career Preparation Institute and visited the USDA-ARS laboratory at Riverside to examine the ongoing research. All students have applied for a USDA internship or are already participating in USDA programs. All students participated in the USDA-ARS site visit in Riverside and received training in communicating science, policy and professionaldevelopment. The students presented their thesis. The thesis winners were recognized at the National Conference. Professional and career development was presented by a faculty panel from UC Irvine concerning applying to the Ph.D. programs and fellowships. The panel from UC Irvine also detailed the application process for the students. 2018 CPI Mentors are: Dana M. Garcia, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Texas State University Refugio I. Rochin, Ph.D., Professor and Director Emeritus, UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz Ramona Salcedo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Nutrition Department, Texas State University Juan E. Zalapa, Ph.D., Research Geneticist, USDA-ARS, Vegetable Crops Research Unit, Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The fellows have been introduced to faculty from different institutions. Secondly, information concerning graduate education opportunities has been shared to promote continuing into the Ph.D. programs and USDA employment on the AAHHE and Texas State University websites. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period we plan to serve 12 students, have a Career Preparation Institute, a thesis competition and solicitation for USDA internships and opportunities. We also plan to identify mini research topics for the participants for presentations at professional meetings.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective #1: The USDA Caminos project was able to develop a partnership and sponsor the Career Preparation Institute at the National AAHHE Conference, March 7-10, 2018, in Irvine California. The three winners of the thesis competition were recognized in addition to the other 10 participants. The three winning topics were: Genetic Variation in Two Economically Important Arthropod Vectors of Citrus Diseases Evaluation of Conventional and Organic Fungicides to Manage Foliar Disease in Yam (Dioscorea alata L) Detecting Presence or Absence of Alternative Splicing at The Superkdr Locus in Horn Flies, Haematobia irritans Objective #2: The Caminos Database continues to grow with the addition of the 2018 12 participants. Two are enrolled in Doctoral programs in the US. The Institutions Included are: California State University, Fresno New Mexico State University Texas State University University of California-Merced University of Florida University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley Objective #3: 2018 was year 2 of the Career Preparation Institute which was implemented in 2017 in conjunction with the national conference and included: A visit to the USDA - ARS site in Riverside California communicating science Career Professional development Policy issues and navigating the Ph.D. program Objective #4: All of the 13 fellows have either applied for a USDA internship or are currently participating or have been active in USDA programs as follows: currently a USDA-HSI fellow and has presented her research at various conferences, among them the Graduate Research and Arts Symposium conference at NMSU and the 2017 Principal Investigators Meeting in Albuquerque, NM, participated in a research internship at USDA-APHIS Mission Laboratory in Edinburg, Texas, as an undergraduate, was a participant of the USDA FATE program, participated in two USDA internship programs: internship at a USDA-ARS lab in Edinburg, Texas and the following year, an internship at the prestigious USDA national laboratory in Maryland, graduate research was a collaboration with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the USDA which focused on the genetic diversity of two agriculturally important anthropod vectors, developing her thesis in collaboration with researchers at the USDA-ARS laboratory where she previously interned, worked in the Plant Pathology lab at the Research Experimental Station at Isabela, Puerto Rico under the USDA NIF HSI program, currently has a position at USDA-APHIS laboratory as a Biological Science Laboratory Technician. Objective #5: The fellows received information concerning opportunities with USDA Agencies. Students participated in the National Research Poster competition sponsored by USDA. They also visited the USDA-ARS lab in Riverside and listened to presentations from the different researchers at the USDA lab in California. Objective #6: The 13 participants are connected through social media and have access to faculty mentors as they seek advice and guidance for employment or to further their education. Objective #7: We will identify research topics to implement mini research grants in their respective campuses. A nutrition student presented her research at a National meeting in Houston, Texas.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17
Outputs
Target Audience:The project targeted Hispanics completing a Master or Doctoral Degree in Global Food Safety, Clilmate Change Agriculture, Nutrition, Plants, Sustainable Energy, Child Obesity and Nutrition. We invited students from all over the country. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? We were able to serve 13 graduate students instead of 12. The students were attending schools in Wisconsin, North Dakota, Wyoming, New Mexico, Texas, Florida, Kansas and Puerto Rico. The students attended the Career Preparation Institute. All students applied for a USDA internship. All students attended the USDA - ARS site visit in Riverside. The thesis winners presented papers and were recognized at the National Conference. Two students completed internships. Professional development. Students participated in the USDA - ARS site visit, received training in communicating science, policy and professional development. The students presented their thesis. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The fellows have been introduced to faculty from different institutions. Secondly information concerning graduate education opportunities has been shared to promote continuing into the Ph.D. and USDA employment. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period we plan to serve 12 students, have a Career Preparation Institute, a thesis competition and solicitation for USDA internships. We also plan to identify mini research topics for the participants.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective # 1The USDA Caminos project was able to develop a partnership and sponsor the Career Preparation Institute at the National AAHHE Conference March 8 - 11 2017 in Irvine California. The three winners of the Thesis competition were recognized in addition to other 10 participants. The three winning topics were: Genetic Diversity:incidence and occurrence of Papaya ringspot virus in Puerto Rico: influencing diverse management and control strategies Pathogenic threats of ten endangered plant species of the Karst region of Puerto Rico A comparison between automated thinners with manual thinning of lettuce in the Salinas Valley: Weed control and efficacy Objective #2We have developed a Caminos Data base with the initial 13 participants. Seven are enrolled in Doctoral programs in the US and Puerto Rico. The Institutions Included are: University of Wisconsin - Madison North Dakota State University University of Wyoming Turabo University - Puerto Rico Kansas State University University of Vermont Florida International University Objective # 3We implemented a Career Preparation Institute in conjunction with the national conference which included: A visit to the USDA - ARS site in Riverside California communicating science Career Professional development Policy issues and navigating the Ph.D. Objective # 4 All the 13 fellows applied for a USDA internship. Two participated in a USDA - ARS water management research in Parlier California and USDA - APHIS Biological Control Lab. One is currently employed with the USDA Tick Research Laboratory in Moore Airbase in Edinburg Texas. Objective # 5The fellows received information concerning opportunities with USDA Agencies. Students participated in the National Research Poster competition sponsored by USDA and one Student Candice Rodriguez was awarded second place. The students visited the USDA -ARS lab in Riverside and listened to presentations from the different researchers at the USDA lab in California. Objective # 6 The 13 participants are connected through social media and have access to faculty mentors as they seek advice and guidance for employment or to further their education. Objective # 7 This year we will identify research topics to implement mini research grants in their respective campuses.
Publications
|
|