Source: AUBURN UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
INTEGRATED GRADUATE PROGRAM IN AQUATIC QUANTITATIVE AND MOLECULAR GENETICS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1012751
Grant No.
2017-38420-26756
Cumulative Award Amt.
$238,500.00
Proposal No.
2016-11404
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jun 1, 2017
Project End Date
May 31, 2022
Grant Year
2017
Program Code
[KK]- National Needs Graduate Fellowships Program
Recipient Organization
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
108 M. WHITE SMITH HALL
AUBURN,AL 36849
Performing Department
School of Fisheries Aquacultur
Non Technical Summary
Three PhD Fellows will be supported by NFF and AU.The goal/objective is to enhance aquaculture genetics and production in the US by overcoming the shortage of scientists cross-trained in quantitative and molecular genetics and related genetic biotechnologies. During the past 25 years, aquaculture genomics experienced tremendous advancement. However, this research had minimal impact on the US aquaculture industry. With the advent of genome wide associated selection, first approval of transgenic fish for human consumption and emergence of powerful gene editing technology, it is timely to translate genomics, molecular genetics and biotechnological approaches into more rapid genetic improvement to increase aquaculture production to ensure safe, high quality food for consumers. This requires scientists having a combination of skills in both quantitative genetics and molecular genetics/genomics. The past 3 decades, most students chose molecular genetics and very few quantitative genetics. The US now has a shortage of young scientists trained in aquatic quantitative genetics and especially those competent in a combination of quantitative and molecular genetics and molecular biotechnology. We propose a graduate program for Fellows uniquely trained in quantitative, field and molecular genetics to address this problem, having initial impact in 4 years. The Fellows will be trained in an integrated, holistic graduate program in quantitative genetics, molecular genetics, genomics, gene editing, genetic biotechnology, stem cell technology, bioinformatics, genetic data analysis and reproduction (genetic improvement is useless without production of adequate seed stock). This project is relevant as it addresses a void in US expertise in a relatively new integrated field with little aquaculture expertise.
Animal Health Component
34%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
33%
Applied
34%
Developmental
33%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
30302101080100%
Knowledge Area
303 - Genetic Improvement of Animals;

Subject Of Investigation
0210 - Water resources;

Field Of Science
1080 - Genetics;
Goals / Objectives
Our major goal is to cross train Doctor of Philosophy studentsin a combination of aquaculture quantitative genetics, molecular genetics and molecular biotechnology. To meet the current and futureneeds for such scientistsat both research institutions and in private industry. Agraduate program and funding for Doctor of Philosophy fellowships uniquely trained in aquaculture quantitative, field and molecular genetics will be established to address this problem.
Project Methods
A multi-faceted recruitment effort will be made to identify top students. Students in the proposed NNF program will be required to take a core curriculum of fish genetic enhancement, fish molecular genetic enhancement, aquaculture molecular genetics and biotechnology, molecular genetics, quantitative genetics, bioinformatics, cell biology, reproductive physiology and genetic data analysis. This will also expose them to several different departments and colleges and give them diverse mentoring at Auburn University as these courses are found in the School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences (SFAAS); College of Life Sciences, Department of Crop Systems, and College of Veterinary Medicine. Students willconductresearch in selection, hybridization, GWAS, transgenics, gene editing, xenogenics (stem cell technology and polyploidy) and reproduction.Mentoring will be provided by the PD as well as professors and collaboratorsatAU, nationally and internationally. Graduates will be assistedwith job placement.

Progress 06/01/17 to 05/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:scientists, breeding and biotechnology companies, state and federal agencies Changes/Problems:James North (white male) did not complete the program. However, he used this fellowship successfully as a springboard to enter the Auburn University Veterinary Medicine program, thus, is only partially trained in genetics but is still involved and contributing to our national needs in Animal Production and Biosecurity. Kaleigh Kozak (white female) replaced Mr. North and was making great progress towards her degree when a series of severe illnesses caused her to leave the program and return home to have greater family support. Follow-up has not been successful yet to determine her current professional status. Upon Ms. Kozak's departure, there was not sufficient time for a third student to complete a doctoral program. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Thestudents received academic training, conducted research, interacted with numerous mentors, built professional relationships, gave seminars, published in journals and attended and presented at scientific meetings as outlined in the proposal. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Yes, the students are widely published and have attended and published at several scientific conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Three and eventually four good candidates were located and enrolled in the program.These students received academic training, conducted research, interacted with numerous mentors, built professional relationships, gave seminars, published in journals and attended and presented at scientific meetings as outlined in the proposal. Two of the three doctoral slots were completed or are very near to completion. Michael Coogan (white male) completed his Doctoral Program supported by the USDA-NIFA Higher Education National Needs Fellowships Program. Mr. Coogan won 3 student awards, including the 2021 Auburn University Graduate School Distinguished Dissertation Award inHumanities/Fine Arts and Biological/Life Sciences and 1st place presentation, School of Fisheries,Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences Student Research Symposium. He has 10published papers, twoof which arefirst authored, several with the mentoring team set up for this fellowship program, 2 first authored paper under review and numerous abstracts and presentations. Mr. Coogan is now a post-doctoral fellow at the University of New Hampshire working on Aquaculture and Aquaculture Genetics. He also formed his own consulting business in Aquaculture Genetic Enhancement and Biotechnology (Blue Evolution Aquaculture LLC). While at Auburn University, he exhibited leadership skills and took major leadership within our laboratory and in student organizations. Veronica Alston (African American female) is on schedule to receive her Doctoral Degree in August 2022. She has also been slowed by some medical problems but is overcoming these. Ms. Alston has co-authored 7journal articles but no first authored papers yet. These papers also involve the mentoring team formed for this project. This summer and fall, we anticipate that she will be submitting 3-4 first author papers that are in preparation. Ms. Alston has initiated seeking post-doctoral employment. During this program, Ms. Alston has become very adept at laboratory skills and is a good teacher. She demonstrates a different set of leadership skills than those described above that may increase her contribution to US aquaculture research in the future. She is very social and is also especially adept at tracking down different sets of expertise across campus to develop multidisciplinary teams. She is highly skilled at networking. Other outputs include improvement of the two graduate level Fish Genetics courses taught by Rex Dunham.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Ma, X., M. Shang, M. Bangs, V. Alston, W. Wang, S. Li, D. Xing, R. M. Simora, B. Su, X. Wang, A. Moss, Y. Duong and Rex Dunham.2020. Comparative transcriptome analysis during the seven development stages of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and tra catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) reveals novel insights for the terrestrial adaption. https://wasblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/meeting-abstracts/AA2020AbstractBook.pdf. p406
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Simora, R.M., S. Li, M. Coogan, N. El Husseini, W. Wang, J. Terhune, M. Liles and R. Dunham. 2020.Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide enhances protection of channel and channel-blue hybrid catfish against Aeromonas hydrophila and Edwardsiella ictaluri infections. Book of Abstracts. Aquaculture America 2020. Honolulu, Hawaii Feb. 9-12, 2020. World Aquaculture Society.https://wasblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/meeting-abstracts/AA2020AbstractBook.pdf. p620
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Xing, D., M. Bangs, R. M. Simora, W. Wang, N. El Husseini, X. Ma, B. Su, S. Li, M. Coogan, C. W. Chen, Y. Wang, Z. Qin and R. Dunham. 2020. Generation of knock-in transgenic channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus carrying elongase gene from masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou and desaturase genes from rabbitfish Siganus canaliculatus using CRISPR/Cas9, TOL2 transposon system and double electroporation approaches. Book of Abstracts. Aquaculture America 2020. Honolulu, Hawaii Feb. 9-12, 2020. World Aquaculture Society.https://wasblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/meeting-abstracts/AA2020AbstractBook.pdf. p706
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Coogan, M., B. Su, K. Khalil, A. Elaswad, M. Golam, Q. Khan and R. Dunham. 2019. Growth and survival of myostatin gene-edited channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). New Orleans, LA. World Aquaculture Society Abstract Book. https://wasblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/meeting-abstracts/AQ2019AbstractBook.pdf
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Hettiarachchi, D., Alston, V., Gurbatow, J., Vo, K. M., Zadmajid, V., Coogan, M. P., Xing, D., El Husseini, N., Johnson, A., Wang, J., Li, S., Dunham, R. A., & Butts, I. A. E. 2020. Donor body size and sex steroid hormones impact germ cell production for creation of xenogenic catfish. AFS-USAS Virtual Student symposium 2020.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Hettiarachchi, D., Alston, V., Gurbatow, J., Vo, K. M., Zadmajid, V., Coogan, M. P., Xing, D., El Husseini, N., Johnson, A., Wang, J., Li, S., Dunham, R. A., & Butts, I. A. E. 2020. Effects of seasonality and sex steroid hormones for optimization of stem cell extraction from mature blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) to produce alloxenogenic catfish. Poster for Auburn University student research symposium (2020).
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Under Review Year Published: 2022 Citation: Alston, V. 2022. Genetic Biotechnology to Improve Reproduction of North American Catfish for Aquaculture, Genetic Enhancement band Genetic Conservation. Doctoral Dissertation. Auburn University, AL.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Coogan, M., V. Alston, B. Su, K. Khalil, A. Elaswad, M. Khan, R. M.C. Simora, A. Johnson, D. Xing, S. Li, J. Wang, C. Lu, W. Wang, D. Hettiarachchi, T. Hasin, J. Terhune, I.A.E. Butts and R. A. Dunham. 2022. CRISPR/Cas-9 induced knockout of myostatin gene improves growth and disease resistance in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Aquaculture. In press.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Xing, D., B. Su, S. Li, M. Bangs, Z. Qin, D. Creamer, M. Coogan, J. Wang, R. Simora, X. Ma, D. Hettiarachchi, V. Alston, W. Wang, A. Johnson, C. Lu, T. Hasin, Y. Wang and R. Dunham. 2022. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated transgenesis of the masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) elovl2 gene improves n-3 fatty acid content in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Marine Biotechnology. 10.1007/s10126-022-10110-6
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Abualreesh, M., J. N. Myers, J. Gurbatow, A. Johnson, D. Xing, J. Wang, S. Li, M. Coogan, K. Vo, N. El Husseini, D. Creamer, R. A. Dunham, I. A.E. Butts. 2021. Development of an effective cryopreservation protocol for blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus oogonia Journal: North American Journal of Aquaculture. DOI: 10.1002/naaq.10203
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: 1. Hettiarachchi, D. U., V. N. Alston, M. Shang, J. Wang, D. Xing, S. Li, L. Bern, B. Su, M. Coogan, A. Johnson, T. Hasin, W. Wang, C. Lu, R. A. Dunham and I.A.E. Butts. 2022. Producing xenogenic channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus with cryopreserved testes and ovarian tissues of blue catfish, I. furcatus. Aquaculture. in press
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: 3. Abass, N.Y., R. M. C. Simora, J. Wang, S. Li, D. Xing, M. Coogan, A. Johnson, D. Creamer, X. Wang and R. A. Dunham. 2022. Response of cecropin transgenesis to challenge with Edwardsiella ictaluri in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Fish and Shellfish Immunology. 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.05.050
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: 6. Coogan, M., V. Alston, B. Su, K. Khalil, A. Elaswad, M. Khan, A. Johnson, D. Xing, S. Li, J. Wang, C. Lu, P. Page-McCaw, W. Chen, M. Michel, W. Wang, D. Hettiarachchi, T. Hasin, I. A.E. Butts, R. D. Cone and R. A. Dunham. 2022. Improved growth and high inheritance of melanocortin-4 receptor (mc4r) mutation in CRISPR/Cas-9 gene edited channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. Marine Biotechnology. In Press
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Simora, R.M. C., W. Wang, M. Coogan, N. El Husseini, J. S. Terhune and R. A. Dunham. 2021. Effectiveness of cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide against ictalurid catfish bacterial pathogens. Journal Aquatic Animal Health. 33:178-189. https://doi.org/10.1002/aah.10131
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Simora, R. M. C., D. Xing, M. R. Bangs , W. Wang, X. Ma, B. Su, M. G. Q. Khan, Z. Qin, C. Lu, V. Alston, D. Hettiarachchi, A. Johnson, S. Li, M. Coogan, J. Gurbatow, J. S. Terhune, X. Wang and R. A. Dunham. 2020. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in of alligator cathelicidin gene in a non-coding region of channel catfish genome. Nature Scientific Reports. (2020) 10:22271 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-79409-5.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Ma, X., B. Su, M. Bangs, V. Alston, N. J.C. Backenstose, R. M. Simora, W. Wang, D. Xing, S. Li, Z. Ye, A. G. Moss, T.-Y. Duong, X. Wang and R. A. Dunham. 2020. Comparative genomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed twenty-six candidate genes involved in the air-breathing development and function of the bighead catfish Clarias macrocephalus. Marine Biotechnology. doi: 10.1007/s10126-020-10005-4
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Ma, X., M. Shang, B. Su, A. Wiley, M. Bangs, V. Alston, R. M. Simora, T. M. Nguyen, N. J. C. Backenstose, A. G. Moss, T.-Y. Duong, X. Wang, R. A. Dunham. 2021. Comparative transcriptome analysis during the seven developmental stages of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and tra catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) provides novel insights for the terrestrial adaptation. Frontiers in Genetics 11:608325.doi: 10.3389/fgene.2020.608325
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Abualreesh, M., J. Myers, J. Gurbatow, A. Johnson, D. Xing, J. Wang, S. Li, M. Coogan, K. Vo, N. El Husseini, R. Dunham and I. A.E. Butts. 2020. Development of a spermatogonia cryopreservation protocol for blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus. Cryobilogy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2020.10.010
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Abualreesh, M., J. N. Myers, J. Gurbatow, A. Johnson, D. Xing, J. Wang, S. Li, M. Coogan, K. Vo, N. El Husseini, R. A. Dunham, and I. A.E. Butts. 2020. Effects of antioxidants and antifreeze proteins on cryopreservation of blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) spermatogonia. Aquaculture. 531: 735966. doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735966
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Coogan, M. 2021. Genetic technologies for growth enhancement in catfish. 2021 Auburn University School of Fisheries Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences Student Research Symposium. 1st Place presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Dunham, R., M. Coogan, V. Alston, L. Bern and B. Su. 2021. Direct and pleiotropic effects of gene editing myostatin and mc4r genes in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. Book of Abstracts. Aquaculture America 2021. San Antonio, Texas Aug. 11-14, 2021. World Aquaculture Society. https://wasblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/meeting-abstracts/AA2021AbstractBook. pdf. p98
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2021 Citation: Dunham, R., D. Hettiarachchi, V. Alston, L. Bern, S. Mei, B. Su and I. A. E. Butts. 2021. Progress in catfish xenogenesis. Book of Abstracts. Aquaculture America 2021. San Antonio, Texas Aug. 11-14, 2021. World Aquaculture Society. https://wasblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/meeting-abstracts/AA2021AbstractBook. pdf. p96
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Hettiarachchi, D. U., V. Alston., J. Gurbatow, V. Zadmajid., A. Johnson, J. Wang., M. P. Coogan., D. Xing, S. Li., I. A.E. Butts and R. A. Dunham. 2021. Effect of seasonality for optimization of stem cell extraction from mature blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) to produce alloxenogenic catfish. Book of Abstracts. Aquaculture America 2021. San Antonio, Texas Aug. 11-14, 2021. World Aquaculture Society. https://wasblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/meeting-abstracts/AA2021AbstractBook. pdf. p134
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Abualreesh M. H., J. Gurbatow, D. Hettiarachchi, V. Alston, V. S. Hallas, M. P. Coogan, N. El Husseini, Rex A. Dunham, and I. A.E. Butts. 2020. Effects of cryoprotectants and freezing rates for preserving spermatogonial stem cells of blue catfish. Book of Abstracts. Aquaculture America 2020. Honolulu, Hawaii Feb. 9-12, 2020. World Aquaculture Society.https://wasblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/meeting-abstracts/AA2020AbstractBook.pdf.p9


Progress 06/01/20 to 05/31/21

Outputs
Target Audience:students and faculty Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Students were restricted from travel because of COVID. However, they did interact with committee members. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A dissertation has been published. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Research, exams and course work will continue for the remaining 2 students,

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We had our first graduate from the program. Two other students made good progress on their class work and research. One student began her preliminary exams.

Publications

  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Coogan, M.P. 2021. Genetic technologies for growth enhancement in catfish. Doctoral Dissertation. Auburn University, AL.


Progress 06/01/19 to 05/31/20

Outputs
Target Audience:graduate students Changes/Problems:Our third doctoral student has dropped out of school due to health issues. We are hoping to find a replacement, but will need to primarily support that student through other funding sources. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The participating students have attended conferences, presented findings and have been taking challenging course work. Research training has been intense. 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?We plan to continue on the current successful pathway

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Two doctoral students have been trained. Both are improving greatly. Both are nearing the end of their program.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: 6. Hettiarachchi, D.U., V. Alston, J. Gurbatow, K. Vo, V. Zadmajid., M. P Coogan., D. Xing, N. El Husseini, A. Johnson, J. Wang., S. Li., R. A. Dunham and I. A.E. Butts. 2020. Donor body size and sex steroid hormones impact germ cell production for creation of xenogenic catfish. Aquaculture.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: 10. Myers, J.N., Z. Nichols, M. H. Abualreesh, N. Husseini, Z.G. Taylor, M. Coogan, J. Gurbatow, K Vo, V. Zadmajid, N. G. Chatakondi, R.A. Dunham and I. A. E. Butts. 2020. Impact of sperm density on hatching success for channel catfish (Ictalurus ?punctatus) ? � blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) ? hybrid production. Aquaculture. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735024
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: 2. Xing, D., M. Bangs, R. M. Simora, W. Wang, N. El Husseini, X. Ma, B. Su, S. Li, M. Coogan, C.C. W. Chen, Y. Wang, Z. Qin and R. Dunham. 2020. Generation of knock-in transgenic channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus.New Orleans, LA. World Aquaculture Society Abstract Book.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: 9. Simora, R. M. C., M. Bangs, T. Qin, C. Lu, V. Alston, Y. Huang, Z. Taylor, M. Coogan, J. North and R. Dunham. 2019. Generation of knock-in transgenic channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus carrying cathelicidin gene by CRISPR/CAS 9 system. Aquaculture America 2019. New Orleans, LA. World Aquaculture Society Abstract Book. https://wasblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/meeting-abstracts/AQ2019AbstractBook.pdf p. 1015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: 11. Dunham, R. A., Z. Taylor, D. Robinson, M. Coogan, J. North, J. Gurbatow, N. El Husseini, A. Salah, R. Odin, D. Olesen, N. Chatakondi, B. Bosworth and P. Allen. 2019. Repeatability of incidence and time of ovulation, fecundity and fertility in channel catfish females induced to ovulate for production of hybrid catfish fry. Aquaculture America 2019. New Orleans, LA. World Aquaculture Society Abstract Book.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: 6. Gurbatow, J., M. Abualreesh, V. Alston, D. Hettiarachchi, K. Vo, M. Bangs, C. C. W. Chen, R. A. Dunham and I. A. E. Butts. 2019. Xenogenic and stem cell transplantation success in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Aquaculture America 2019. New Orleans, LA. World Aquaculture Society Abstract Book. https://wasblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/meeting-abstracts/AQ2019AbstractBook.pdf p. 434
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: 10. Dunham, R. A., V. Alston, D. Hettiarachchi, K. Vo, M. Abualreesh, J. Gurbatow, M. Bangs, C. C. W. Chen and I. A.E. Butts. 2019. Effects of donor-recipient developmental stage and stem cell preparation on transplantation and xenogenesis success in catfish. Aquaculture America 2019. New Orleans, LA. World Aquaculture Society Abstract Book. https://wasblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/meeting-abstracts/AQ2019AbstractBook.pdf


Progress 06/01/18 to 05/31/19

Outputs
Target Audience:Our efforts reached graduate students and faculty. Changes/Problems:One student changed fields, but an excellent replacement has come on board What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Four students have received training. They are interacting with other faculty members as planned. 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?The course work, research and mentoring will be expanded.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The three students made signficant progress in their course work and research. There skill has greatly increased. One student decided to change fields and has transferred into veterinary sciences. We have identified a replacement who appears to be very talented.

Publications


    Progress 06/01/17 to 05/31/18

    Outputs
    Target Audience:Our efforts reached graduate students and faculty. Changes/Problems:No major problems to report. However, we found it challenging to attract the very best students into this field. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The students have already begun to interact with multiple faculty members 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?The course work, research and mentoring will be expanded.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? We were able to locate 3 top flight students representing diversity and they have initiated both their doctoral studies and research.

    Publications