Performing Department
Forest Biomaterials
Non Technical Summary
The objective of this proposal is to develop an education program for a new generation of researchers who understand both the areas of Forest Resources and Animal Production, and can analyze this coupled system using a life cycle analysis approach. Faculty members from three departments (Forest Biomaterials in College of Natural Resources, Animal Science in College of Agricultural Life Science, and STEM Education in College of Education) are proposing a joint doctoral education program to address Targeted Expertise Shortage Area of Forest Resources with Relevant Disciplines of (A) Animal Science, (B) Biotechnology, and (C) Renewable NaturalResources. Due to the elimination of current antimicrobial growth promoters in animal feeds starting in 2017, it is critically important to find alternative livestock dietary interventions that can replace the current promoters. Non-starch polysaccharide (e.g. xylose oligosaccharide from forest resources) has a potential as an antimicrobial growth promoter. Fellows in this project will have hands-on research experience in oligosaccharide production from biomass, quality evaluation for animal feed, and system evaluation and analysis from a life cycle perspective. This program incorporates recruiting underrepresented students (seminars at HBCUs and 2-day NNF Recruiting Workshop at NCSU campus), cross-disciplinary teamwork/advising, coursework in multiple disciplines, Preparing Future Leaders program in the campus, internship at an industry site and commercial farm, and exposure to biotechnology experts in the industry. The three Ph.D. Fellows from this program will be uniquely prepared to lead research in forest resources utilization with a strong interdisciplinary approach to animal feed production.
Animal Health Component
25%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
75%
Applied
25%
Developmental
0%
Goals / Objectives
The objective of this proposal is to develop an education program for a new generation of researchers who understand both the areas of Forest Resources and Animal Production, and can analyze this coupled system using a life cycle analysis approach.This program incorporates the recruitment of underrepresented students (seminars at HBCUs and 2-day NNF Recruiting Workshop), cross-disciplinary teamwork/advising, coursework in multiple disciplines, the Preparing Future Leaders program, internship at an industry and commercial farm, and exposure to biotechnology experts in industry.
Project Methods
Table 9. Graduate study activities and performance measures (year by year). Year Graduate study activity Performance measure 1 • Coursework • Topic Statement and Review Manuscript • Bi-weekly Progress Meeting • Research Methods Course • Graduate Committee • Qualifying exam (written and oral) • GPA > 3.5 • Review of manuscript by PDs. Student should have a good understanding on the topic area • Research progress meeting for all three students together with PDs • Grade of A in the course • Chose all committee members during 1st semester • 100% pass from committee members, standardized outcomes rubric filled out with >90% of outcomes satisfactory 2 • Coursework • Research • Bi-weekly Progress Meeting • 1st Internship Experience (e.g. Smithfield Foods) • Teaching Assistant Experience • 1st Proposition (written and oral) • Cumulative GPA > 3.5 • Submit peer-reviewed article #1 and accepted • Research progress meeting for all three students together with PDs • Excellent performance evaluation from internship supervisor • Excellent performance evaluation from course instructor • 100% pass from committee members 3 • Coursework • Research • Bi-weekly Progress Meeting • Professional Development Leadership Program • Preliminary exam (written and oral) • Cumulative GPA > 3.5 • Submit peer-reviewed article #2 and accepted • Research progress meeting for all three students together with PDs • Complete Professional Development Program with satisfactory evaluation from program director • 100% pass from committee members 4 • Research • Bi-weekly Progress Meeting • 2nd Internship Experience (e.g. RTI, Novozymes, Cotton Inc.) • Final defense • Submit peer-reviewed article #3 and accepted • Research progress meeting for all three students together with PDs • Excellent performance evaluation from internship supervisor • 100% pass from committee members