Progress 05/01/22 to 04/30/23
Outputs
Target Audience:Undergraduate students from the South Plains Community College and Texas Tech University, primarily females and underrepresented minorities and groups in foods, nutrition, human sciences and agriculture Changes/Problems:Challengeswith applicants were related to many applicants being pre-med or pre-dental or other medically oriented professions and less inyterested in agriculture, foods, nutrition or human sciences. It is worth noting that as a result of exposure to the REEU program, other non-REEU students became informed and interested in nutrition and agriculture, and at least one student shifted her major to nutrition and dietetics, and applied for the 20023-24 REEU cohort. We had some challenges related to recruitment efforts throughthe community college, in part due to above stated problems. There were some conflicts of class schedule and/or students' schedules in general. We made some accommodations such as Zoom recordings, follow up meetings, and/or makeup assignments and providing other alternative opportunities when possible. The PD, program manager, and mentors followed up with students when they missed any session. The team will be meeting in summer 2023 to discuss this year's evaluation outcomes and improvements needed. We also provided more information about expectations for upcoming cohorts. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?As described above, the program trained seven undergraduate BEST Scholars in FY23. Students generally learned basic and community research techniques and approaches, study design, data analyses, and imaging tools, literature research tools and professional writing and presentation. This was accomplished through weekly meetings to communicate with students and receive feedback from them. Students received training in RCR, leadership, and professionalism both in fall and spring 2023 including 1) how to conduct responsible research ethically, 2) participatory critical thinking within their fields, 3) learning different communication styles, 4) team work and collaborations, and 5) professionalism and leadership skills. Training and exposure to life skills and experiences through community and research guest speakers including 1) Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, family & community health educators, 2) Food/policy advocate and community gardening expert, 3) Experienced young farmer presentation on farming operations, growing crops, plant and soil health, farm funding, benefits to the community, and sustainable agriculture; this was accompanied by a visit of his farm that produces micro greens, mushrooms, and other produce. Most students and some mentors and program manager participated in the field trip to the Farm. Students presented their research at the fall 2022 TrUE Impact Symposium via a three-minutes oral presentation. One of our REEU student received an award as Symposium Outstanding Presenter from her AgriLife Extension summer internship presentation. In Spring 2023, in addition to continuing RCR training, the program focused on introduction/transitioning students into to the graduate school, and preparing for their poster presentations at the 2023 TTU Undergraduate Research Conference (URC). Student training incorporated study design, purpose, experimentation, data analyses, impact statement, and a required abstract writing and poster presentation. For summer 2023 Three students will be completing Extension internships at various TX counties mentored by a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agents and Educators (200 hrs.) in various areas related to youth or adult education and primarily working with BLT- Better Living for Texas (SNAP Ed program) agents in Lubbock, and Fort Bend counties. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? All student research findings were disseminated through student presentations of their research and internship experiences at the TTU Impact symposium and the TTU undergraduate conference. This year, one of the BEST scholars published a peer reviewed paper, and will be presenting her REEU research at a national conference. This will allow the student to network with other national experts in her field, outside TTU. Student research was also shared with youth and adults in the community they interacted with through the Extension internships. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Now that we have completed our second-year of the grant with one full cohort, our leadership team and mentors will be meeting in summer 2023, to review/assess program and go over student/mentor recommendations, data collected from surveys and external evaluator. During the next reporting period, we anticipate training a new cohort of 5-7 strong female/underrepresented students from nutrition, and other agricultural sciences. We will continue to expand our recruitment strategies within our TTU and the Community College.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Lack of trained workforce in the agricultural, food, nutrition, and human sciences sectors in the U.S. motivated us to develop the Nutrition Bench-to-Community Engaged Scholars in Texas (Nutrition BEST) program. The goal of this program is addressing these workforce challenges, by training undergraduate students who are females and/or from diverse backgrounds in Human Sciences, Biology, Nutritional Sciences, Dietetics, Animal and Food Sciences, and Plant and Soil Science and other science majors, to produce the next generation of researchers, scholars and leaders capable of using research tools to enhance learning in nutrition, agriculture, health and obesity prevention. During the first year (FY22) of our REEU program, we primarily focused on training program planning and development, as well as recruitment of students; and working with two students to pilot our research, leadership and Extension internship training. In year, FY 23 (second year of the grant), we recruited and mentored seven undergraduate students. Nutrition BEST flyers were used to recruit target students from Texas Tech University (TTU) and the South Plains Community College (SPC). The mentors that we identified in our application, and various colleges and university student success unit assisted with the recruitment. Interested students contacted the PD and/or the program manager assigned to our training program directly. Those who were not eligible were advised and connected to other research mentors at TTU; those who were eligible, completed an online application and were interviewed by the PD, program manager and program evaluator. FY23 cohort was comprised of five females (71%); and five out of the seven students were from underrepresented minority groups (71%), which included 3 Hispanic (43%), 1 African American and 1 Native American student. Student majors varied from nutrition/dietetics and food science to environmental engineering; cell and molecular biology; biology/plants. During the Nutrition BEST training, our BEST scholars were exposed to diverse career opportunities and real-life skills and opportunities through attendance and interactions with community and guest speakers, as well as a field trip to a local farm. Prior to and during their one-year research experience, students received training in research compliances and safety, Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), leadership, preparation/ tutoring for graduate school; and performed research on an assigned project with an approved faculty mentor. Both students and mentors received training at the start of the program (fall 2022) that discussed expectations from both sides. One student presented her Extension internship experience during the TTU Transformative Undergraduate Experiences (TrUE) Impact Symposium (Fall 2022 oral presentations), where the student won 8th Place as Symposium Outstanding Presenter. All seven students presented their research findings as posters at the TTU Undergraduate Research Conference in Lubbock, in spring 2023. We have provided students networking opportunities not only through our community and research guest speakers, but also with their peers, lab members, some of whom were peer mentors, as well as professionals within our community, including farmers, Extension educators and experienced faculty mentors. The program evaluator completed various pre and post surveys with the students, as well as research and Extension mentors, which showed overall advancement and gained experiences in professional development, research and career advancement in foods, nutrition and agriculture while equipping students with practical skills to enter the workforce and/or graduate school. A student from our pilot cohort entered last year the doctoral nutrition program at UNC Chapel Hill. Others are current students, and have not completed their degrees yet.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Estrada, Bryan, et al. Effects of Fish Oil on Brown Adipose Tissue in an Amyloidogenic Alzheimers Mouse Model, Abstract T19. Undergraduate Research conference Abstract Proceedings. https://www.depts.ttu.edu/true/urc/2023/directory/index.php. April 2023.
Gadalla, Tasnim, et al., Effects of Tart Cherry on Lifespan of Alzheimers Disease Nematode Models. Abstract P205. Undergraduate Research conference Abstract Proceedings. https://www.depts.ttu.edu/true/urc/2023/directory/index.php. April 2023.
Gould, Brawnson et al., Designing aeroponic systems for optimal plant growth. Abstract P24. Undergraduate Research conference Abstract Proceedings. https://www.depts.ttu.edu/true/urc/2023/directory/index.php. April 2023.
Hunnicutt, Savannah A. et al., Freshman 15: Myth or Fact- How vegetable, fruit, and snack consumption affect college students BMI. Abstract P361. Undergraduate Research conference Abstract Proceedings. https://www.depts.ttu.edu/true/urc/2023/directory/index.php. April 2023.
Maki, Krithika, et al., Acceptance and Intention to Consume Sorghum?Menus among College Students. Abstract P32. Undergraduate Research conference Abstract Proceedings. https://www.depts.ttu.edu/true/urc/2023/directory/index.php. April 2023.
Plocek, Gretchen et al., Evaluating Trichoderma sp. and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens as biofertilizers for Black Summer Pac Choi (Brassica rapa var. Chinensis) produced in Deep-Water and NFT Hydroponic Systems. Abstract P31. Undergraduate Research conference Abstract Proceedings. https://www.depts.ttu.edu/true/urc/2023/directory/index.php. April 2023.
Washington, Jorja et al., The Anti-Cancer Effects Of Various Plant Bioactive Compounds In Breast Cancer Cells; Abstract A236. Undergraduate Research conference Abstract Proceedings. https://www.depts.ttu.edu/true/urc/2023/directory/index.php. April 2023.
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Progress 05/01/21 to 04/30/22
Outputs
Target Audience:* Undergraduate students interested in nutrition, food and agriculture * faculty mentors * program evaluator * supporting staff * populations served by Extension durign student internship experiences Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Enrolled students were provided Responsible Conduct in Research Series training this semester. These series focused on general research methods training, ethics, leadership and time management skills and cover a wide variety of research-ethics and leadership topics. One of the 2 current students completed the Extension internship program, including programs focusing on healthy eating in teenagers at the South Plains Food Bank, and programs for seniors, focusing on gardening cooking skills and healthy eating. These experiences significantly enhanced their professional development in problem solving, collaboration, and critical thinking. Students also presented their research at the TTU Undergraduate Research Conference in March 2022 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?This year was primarily focused on planning and development of the program, while also allowing 2 qualified students to participate and gather pilot data for program improvement. The two students have presented their results at the TTU Undergraduate Conference in March 2022 and participated in RCR trainings. Results from the pilot students are being used to determine strategies and planning for future participant and program enhancements. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Now that we have developed the necessary curriculum, training, and recruitment strategies, we we are currently interviewing a full cohort of candidates for summer and fall 2022 enrollment. We anticipate recruiting 6-8 students. Our next focus will be on mentor training as we get ready for the summer/fall cohorts. We will also finalize the speakers schedule for the professional development and seminar activities. Leadership team will continue meeting regularly as originally planned, and the evaluator will conduct interviews with students and assess the program.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During this firstyear of our REEU training grant, which started last summer, we focused on setting up the program and creating advertisement flyers andtraining materials. The leadership team also met to review this information and provide feedback. We also conducted apilot training to test our educational and research training program with two students, one of whom completedboth research at Texas Tech University,and a TAMU AgriLife Extension internship experience this past year. The other student is currently completing her research experience and will join fall cohort and conduct Extension internship next summer 2023. With institutional support, part of a program manager time was assigned to assist with the REEU program. The program evaluator, program manager, PD/Co-PDs, research, and Extension mentorsall met and provided feedback on the process and materials and training developed, student applications and interviews. The RCR and leadership training plans have already been developed and the 2 students in the program have completed those trainings. Overall, the "pilot"student reported that this program has supported her decision to continue with post-baccalaureate studies in nutrition, entering a Ph.D. program out of state in coming fall semester. The experience has improved the student's knowledge in research methods, problem solving, collaborating, and critical thinking in nutritional research. The student also stated that having the mentorship of not only the faculty mentor, but graduate and postdoctoral co-mentors gave insight to experiences and expectations. In addition, we have received numerous applications for next cohort, some of which did not qualify for the program (medical/Premedical emphasis) with 10 qualifying for further interviews that are now being conducted.
Publications
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