Source: UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO AT MAYAGUEZ submitted to NRP
PROMOTING LOCAL RESEARCH AND INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCES IN THE US FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF TWO CAMPUSES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1010430
Grant No.
2016-70004-25658
Cumulative Award Amt.
$140,000.00
Proposal No.
2016-06012
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2016
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2020
Grant Year
2016
Program Code
[AA-Q]- Resident Instruction Grants for Insular Areas
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO AT MAYAGUEZ
P. O. BOX 9000
MAYAGUEZ,PR 00681
Performing Department
Agricultural Economics
Non Technical Summary
This project will address the need to provide new learning paradigms and research skills through anundergraduate research program (URP), and a summer internship what will continue increasing thenumber of applications, enrollments and the retention rates on two campuses of the University ofPuerto Rico (UPR). UPR-Mayaguez has the capacity (faculty, laboratory space and equipment) toadmit additional students and increase enrollments in the graduate programs, especially in food,agriculture, renewable natural resources and environment fields. Students from UPR-Ag majoringin STEM disciplines will be exposed to the opportunities of applying their basic knowledge toresearch problems related to FARNRE. Two mid-career young faculty members will be given theopportunity to renew their theoretical and applied knowledge and skills in the areas of assistedreproductive techniques, one, and food science microbiology, the other. They will be able toincorporate the obtained knowledge in their courses and research as well as in their activities asmentors of the URP funded by the project as well as enhance professional relations with the hostinginstitution. This project is aligned with UPR-M long range goals as they are contained in its missionstatement. The present tight fiscal situation at UPR, which is expected to continue, poses achallenge for the funding needed to accomplish the institutional goals established. This project willfacilitate the development of inter-institutional partnerships and collaborations between at leastthree institutions.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
90360101060100%
Knowledge Area
903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
6010 - Individuals;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems);
Goals / Objectives
(1) To develop research skills in undergraduate and graduate students to facilitate admission and success in graduate programs in agriculture, food, renewable resources and environment related sciences;(2) To develop awareness of agricultural sciences graduate programs among natural science students;(3) To develop inter institutional and interdisciplinary partnerships and collaborations.
Project Methods
Techniques to be employed in the projectThe undergraduate and graduate research program as well as the summer internship program will rely on applied research to be conducted in a laboratory and the field, depending on the specific topic and methodology. A one-on-one mentor student relation will be established. The student's creativity will be allowed and encouraged in the determination of the research topic. Each mentor will guide the student through the whole year, assuring laboratory or farm plot space and necessary materials and supplies are available on time and coordinating all necessary travel arrangements. Jimenez, as Co-PD will coordinate the summer internships with the hosting institution and arranging for travel and other administrative considerations at UPR-M while Co-PD Malavez will coordinate the participation of students from UPR-Ag.For the faculty training in advanced techniques, each Co-PD will be responsible for partnering with a U.S. institution.Evaluation of educational activitiesThe evaluation of this project will be conducted under the paradigm of diagnostic, formative, and summative evaluation. In the diagnostic phase, initial (baseline) conditions are determined to plan the activities and strategies to follow.During the formative evaluation phase, reports are generated for each component, and areas for improvement are suggested as feedback to the project director and co-project director. In the summative evaluation phase, summaries of the main achievements are obtained and the conclusions are discussed. The effectiveness of the project in achieving its goals is assessed at this time.The evaluation process requires a rigorous plan for collecting information based on primary sources (original data collected by the evaluation/assessment resource), and secondary sources (existing data and documentation related to the project objectives). This process of collecting information involves the development, use and application of different research and assessment tools and instruments, both qualitative and quantitative. The data collected will assess whether the project objectives have been met, and if not, how the project can improve in order to satisfy its objectives. The main tools and instruments to be used are:Institutional statistics indicating number of students enrolled in agricultural and food science programs.Records of applicants and participants of the different activities and distribution by ethnic group and gender.Record of inter-campus faculty initiatives stemming from the project.Questionnaires to assess the perception of participants about the differentactivities.Rubrics to measure skills and competencies proposed.Rubrics to assess satisfaction among participants with the inter-campusrelations.Interviews with the project directors and participants.Evaluation questions:1. Was there an appropriate logistics for the coordination of the project?;2. Did the project complete the proposed activities?3. How many students have been impacted by the by the activities?4. How many faculty members have been impacted by the activities?5. What are the final project outcomes/ impacts?

Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/20

Outputs
Target Audience:Undergraduate students from UPR-M College of Agricultural Sciences. Undergraduate students from UPR-Ag Department of Natural Science. Changes/Problems:The events after Hurricane Maria (e.g. lack of electricity for months, great reduction of communication services) delayed some of the activities as the communication between PI, Co-PIs and students was reduced, and the purchase of materials was slower than normal. The same happened with the earthquakes that affected the island during the month of January 2020. The educational activities were delayed and when we resumed the activities the island went in a lock down. Since then (March 2020) we have been working Online. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?2017 Professional development was provided for two faculty members (one from UPRAguadilla and another from UPRM). They received training in Food Sciences (at Penn State U) and Invitro Embryo fertilization (at U of Florida), respectively during Summer 2017. 2018 As part of the project the faculty member visited PSU in 2018 and was invited to spend one month in the Edward Dudley's lab where she gained a better understanding about bioinformatics and was able to participate in the analysis of the virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes of "E.coli" strains. She is currently working in a module for undergraduate students to run the analysis locally in UPR-Aguadilla. 2019 Professional development was provided for two faculty members (one from UPR-Ag ang another from UPR-M.) They received training in Food Sciences (at Penn State U) and Invitro Embryo fertilization (at U of Florida), respectively during Summer 2017. As part of the project the faculty member visited PSU in 2018 and was invited to spend one month in the Edward Dudley's lab where she gained a better understanding about bioinformatics and was able to participate in the analysis of the virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes of "E.coli" strains. She is currently working in a module for undergraduate students to run the analysis locally in UPR-Aguadilla. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Due to the extenuating circumstances during the past three years (Hurricane Maria, earthquakes and COVID-19 pandemic) We have been unable to present our results in a national or local meeting . What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 2017 1. One undergraduate student from UPR-Aguadilla received training in Food Sciences at Penn State U during Summer 2017. 2. One undergraduate student from UPRM received training in Animal Reproduction at U of Florida during Summer 2017. 2018 UPR-Ag One (1) student participated in the 2018 summer internship program at PSU, Department of Food Science. As part of the internship she visited USDA-ARS Eastern Regional Center in Wyndmoor, PA and US Department of Health and Human Services, FDA located in College Park, MD Three (3) students attended the American Society for Microbiology (ASM)- Microbe Conference in Atlanta, GA, June 2018 One (1) faculty member visited the Edward Dudley's Laboratory Department of Food Science, PSU 2019 (1) To develop research skills in undergraduate students to facilitate admission and success in graduate programs in agriculture, food and related sciences. (2) To develop awareness of agricultural sciences graduate programs among natural science students (3)To develop inter institutional and interdisciplinary partnership and collaborations Ines Hernandez, graduated on June, 2019. Accepted at Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, School of Medicine. Lourdes Quintana, graduated on June, 2019. Pending to apply to the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, School of Medicine. Sharon Nieves, graduated on June, 2019. PhD in Food Science and Technology at Penn State. UPR-Mayaguez Noeliamar Melendez Soler (Graduate student) Titulo de investigacion (no poster) Effect of Sansevieria trifasciata on the performance and carcass quality of pigs supplemented orally at weaning María Rivera Santana (Undergraduate student) Título de la investigación (no poster) Identification of mRNA in the blood of slick hair cows UPR-Aguadilla (all undergraduate students).

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Gonzalez-Munoz, E., Vargas-Maldonado, N.P., Babilonia Acevedo, S.N., Jimenez-Caban, E. Gonzalez-Martinez, G.M., and Malavez, Y. (July, 2019). Antibiotic resistance and virulence factor profile of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from cattle with subclinical mastitis. 55 th Annual Meeting Caribbean Food Crops Society. Convention Center of Barcelo, Bavaro Beach Hotel, Punta Cana.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Quintana-Acevedo, L. and Malavez, Y. (May, 2019). Characterization of virulence genes of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from retail meat from Puerto Rico. 66th Biology Honor Society District Convention. University of Puerto Rico. Candelero Beach Resort, Humacao, PR. (Awarded Second Place).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Quintana-Acevedo, L.and Malavez, Y. 2019. Characterization of virulence genes of Methicillin- Resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from retail meat from Puerto Rico. XIX Undergraduate Research Symposium. University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla, Aguadilla, PR.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Hernandez-Arbelo, I.M. and Malavez, Y. (May, 2019). Identification and characterization of MRSA isolated on a university campus in Puerto Rico. 66th Biology Honor Society ??? District Convention. University of Puerto Rico. Candelero Beach Resort, Humacao, PR.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Nieves-Miranda, S.M., Padin-Lopez, A., Loperena-Gonzalez, P., and Malavez, Y. April, 2019. Evaluation of antimicrobial resistance in E. coli strains isolated from cattle and calves from different management systems. 38th Puerto Rico Interdisciplinary Scientific Meeting and 53rd ACS Junior Technical Meeting. University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. Mayaguez, PR.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Babilonia Acevedo, S.N., Rodriguez Lassalle, A.N., Vargas-Maldonado, N.P., and Gonzalez- Munoz, E. (May, 2019). Detection of Staphylococcus aureus associated to subclinical mastitis in bovine milk from Puerto Rico, its resistance to antibiotics and biofilm formation. 38th Puerto Rico Interdisciplinary Scientific Meeting and 53rd ACS Junior Technical Meeting. University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. Mayaguez, PR.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Hernandez-Arbelo, I.M. and Malavez, Y. (May, 2019). Virulence and resistance profile of MRSA isolated on a university campus in Puerto Rico. XIX Undergraduate Research Symposium. University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla, Aguadilla, PR.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Nieves-Miranda, S.M., Padin-Lopez, A., Loperena-Gonzalez, P., and Malavez, Y. April, 2019. Whole Genome Sequencing and Bioinformatics Analysis in highly Resistant E. coli isolates. (Oral). XIX Undergraduate Research Symposium. University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla, Aguadilla, PR.


Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19

Outputs
Target Audience:Undergraduate students from UPR-M College of Agricultural Sciences. Undergraduate students from UPR-Ag Department of Natural Science. Changes/Problems:As expected, the events after Hurricane Maria (e.g. lack of electricity for months, great reduction of communication services) delayed some of the activities as the communication between PI, Co-PIs and students was reduced, and the purchase of materials was slower than normal. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Professional development was provided for two faculty members (one from UPR-Ag ang another from UPR-M.) They received training in Food Sciences (at Penn State U) and Invitro Embryo fertilization (at U of Florida), respectively during Summer 2017. As part of the project the faculty member visited PSU in 2018 and was invited to spend one month in the Edward Dudley's lab where she gained a better understanding about bioinformatics and was able to participate in the analysis of the virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes of "E.coli" strains. She is currently working in a module for undergraduate students to run the analysis locally in UPR-Aguadilla. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Students will complete research internships in Summer 2020. Two undergraduate students will complete research project. A graduate students funded in 18-19 will make progress towards MS research project.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objectives (1) To develop research skills in undergraduate students to facilitate admission and success in graduate programs in agriculture, food and related sciences. (2) To develop awareness of agricultural sciences graduate programs among natural science students (3)To develop inter institutional and interdisciplinary partnership and collaborations Ines Hernandez, graduated on June, 2019. Accepted at Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, School of Medicine. Lourdes Quintana, graduated on June, 2019. Pending the apply to the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, School of Medicine. Sharon Nieves, graduated on June, 2019. PhD in Food Science and Technology at Penn State. UPR-Mayaguez Noeliamar Melendez Soler (Graduate student),Research title:Effect of Sansevieria trifasciata on the performance and carcass quality of pigssupplemented orally at weaning María Rivera Santana (Undergraduate student), Research title:Identification of mRNA in the blood of slick hair cows UPR-Aguadilla (all undergraduate)

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Gonzalez-Munoz*, E., Vargas-Maldonado, N.P., Babilonia Acevedo, S.N., Jimenez-Caban, E. Gonzalez-Martinez, G.M., and Malavez, Y. (July, 2019). Antibiotic resistance and virulence factor profile of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from cattle with subclinical mastitis. 55th Annual Meeting Caribbean Food Crops Society. Convention Center of Barcelo, Bavaro Beach Hotel, Punta Cana, DR.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Quintana-Acevedo, L.* and Malavez, Y. (May, 2019). Characterization of virulence genes of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from retail meat from Puerto Rico. (Poster presentation). 66th Biology Honor Society ??? District Convention. University of Puerto Rico. Candelero Beach Resort, Humacao, PR. Awarded Second Place.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Quintana-Acevedo, L.* and Malavez, Y. Characterization of virulence genes of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from retail meat from Puerto Rico. (Poster presentation). XIX Undergraduate Research Symposium. University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla, Aguadilla, PR.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Nieves-Miranda, S.M.*, Padin-Lopez, A., Loperena-Gonzalez, P., and Malavez, Y. April, 2019. Evaluation of antimicrobial resistance in E. coli strains isolated from cattle and calves from different management systems. (Oral). 38th Puerto Rico Interdisciplinary Scientific Meeting and 53rd ACS Junior Technical Meeting. University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. Mayaguez, PR.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Babilonia Acevedo, S.N., Rodriguez Lassalle, A.N.*, Vargas-Maldonado, N.P., and Gonzalez-Munoz, E*. (May, 2019). Detection of Staphylococcus aureus associated to subclinical mastitis in bovine milk from Puerto Rico, its resistance to antibiotics and biofilm formation. (Oral). 38th Puerto Rico Interdisciplinary Scientific Meeting and 53rd ACS Junior Technical Meeting. University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. Mayaguez, PR.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Hernandez-Arbelo, I.M.* and Malavez, Y. (May, 2019). Virulence and resistance profile of MRSA isolated on a university campus in Puerto Rico. (Oral). XIX Undergraduate Research Symposium. University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla, Aguadilla, PR.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Nieves-Miranda, S.M.*, Padin-Lopez, A., Loperena-Gonzalez, P., and Malavez, Y. April, 2019. Whole Genome Sequencing and Bioinformatics Analysis in highly Resistant E. coli isolates. (Oral). XIX Undergraduate Research Symposium. University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla, Aguadilla, PR.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Hernandez-Arbelo, I.M.* and Malavez, Y. (May, 2019). Identification and characterization of MRSA isolated on a university campus in Puerto Rico. (Oral). 66th Biology Honor Society District Convention. University of Puerto Rico. Candelero Beach Resort, Humacao, PR.


Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/18

Outputs
Target Audience:Undergraduate Students form UPR-M College of Agricultural Sciences Undergraduate Students from UPR-Ag Department of Natural Sciences Changes/Problems:As expected, the events after Hurricane Maria (e.g. lack of electricity for months, great reduction of communication services) delayed some of the activities as the communication between PI, Co-PIs and students was reduced, and the purchase of materials was slower than normal. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?As part of the project the faculty member visited PSU in 2018 and was invited to spend one month in the Edward Dudley's lab where she gained a better understanding about bioinformatics and was able to participate in the analysis of the virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes of "E.coli" strains. She is currently working in a module for undergraduate students to run the analysis locally in UPR-Aguadilla. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Publication of work conducted by an undergraduate participant of the 2018 summer Research Internship Program at PSU is expected at the Journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? UPR-Ag One (1) student participated in the 2018 summer internship program at PSU, Department of Food Science. As part of the internship she visited USDA-ARS Eastern Regional Center in Wyndmoor, PA and US Department of Health and Human Services, FDA located in College Park, MD. Three (3) students attended the American Society for Microbiology (ASM)- Microbe Conference in Atlanta, GA, June 2018. One (1) faculty member visited the Edward Dudley's Laboratory Department of Food Science, PSU.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Quintana Acevedo, L.M, H. Figler, Y. M Acevedo and E. Dudley. 2018. Creating and Screening a fosmid library to identify E. coli colicin genes. Undergraduate Research Symposium. UPR- Aguadilla, Aguadilla, PR.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Goyco, J.F., S.M. Nieves-Miranda, C.J. Quiles-Perez, K.A. Velez-Morales, Y. Malavez-Acevedo, L. Xiaoli, H. Springer and E.G. Dudley. 2018. Genome sequencing for rapid detection of virulent and resistant E. coli in Pennsylvania farms. Allegheny Branch of the American Society of Microbiology Annual Meeting, Gettysburg College. November 9-10, 2018.


Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17

Outputs
Target Audience:1. Undergraduate students from UPRM College of Agricultural Sciences. 2. Undergraduate students from UPR-Aguadilla Deparment of Natural Sciences. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?1. Professional development was provided for two faculty members (one from UPR-Aguadilla and another from UPRM). They received training in Food Sciences (at Penn State U) and Invitro Embryo fertilization (at U of Florida), respectively during Summer 2017. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1. Additional undergraduate students will participate in summer research internships. 2. Undergraduate students will participate in undergraduate research projects during the academic semesters.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1. One undergraduate student from UPR-Aguadilla received training in Food Sciences at Penn State U during Summer 2017. 2. One undergraduate student from UPRM received training in Animal Reproduction at U of Florida during Summer 2017.

Publications