1/2); 3) Improve sustainability-related education by updating curriculum materials; 4) Disseminate project information thru website/listservs, symposiums and research conferences, and 5) Enhance students' enthusiasm for earning a STEM/FANH degree and pursuing graduate study. The project will ultimately enhance agricultural sustainability, improve knowledge/skills/experience of future agricultural workforce, and build a tight connection between students and employers.' />
Source: CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
SUPERSTAR: SUSTAINABILITY UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM FOR EXTENSION AND RESEARCH OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN AGRICULTURAL REGION
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1028152
Grant No.
2022-68018-36609
Cumulative Award Amt.
$599,999.00
Proposal No.
2021-10364
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jan 1, 2022
Project End Date
Dec 31, 2025
Grant Year
2022
Program Code
[A7401]- Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates
Recipient Organization
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
9001 STOCKDALE HIGHWAY
BAKERSFIELD,CA 93311
Performing Department
Physics and Engineering
Non Technical Summary
This SUPERSTAR project is proposed to the REEU program by engineering and science faculties at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB). This 4-year project (40 weeks per year) will achieve the AFRI EWD program goal of "Developing Pathways" and cover 4 AFRI Program Priority Areas (plant health and production, food nutrition and health, bioenergy/natural resources/environment, and agriculture economics). The long-term goal is to enrich experiential learning and develop workforce to address challenges for the sustainability of agricultural system (crop health, grape quality, alternative irrigation water, wildfire, valley fever, cow manure management, renewable energy demand, water-energy nexus) in the nation's leading agriculture region, California's Central Valley. The project aligns with USDA AFRI goals, USDA Science Blueprint themes, and USDA Agriculture Innovation Agenda. CSUB (host institution) will collaborate with community colleges to train STEM/FANH program undergraduate students, women, underrepresented minorities, veterans and first-generation college students to guarantee diversity/equality (50% outside students). The project has 5 objectives: 1) Enrich students' knowledge/skills of agricultural sustainability via experiential learning with 7 faculty mentors at CSUB (12 student researchers annually, mentor/researcher ratio=1/4); 2) Develop service-learning internships at government agencies and business/community partners with at least 6 industry/government mentors (12 interns annually, mentor/intern ratio>1/2); 3) Improve sustainability-related education by updating curriculum materials; 4) Disseminate project information thru website/listservs, symposiums and research conferences, and 5) Enhance students' enthusiasm for earning a STEM/FANH degree and pursuing graduate study. The project will ultimately enhance agricultural sustainability, improve knowledge/skills/experience of future agricultural workforce, and build a tight connection between students and employers.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
40%
Applied
50%
Developmental
10%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1250199106010%
2011452116010%
1330110106013%
6080199301015%
1230650202010%
4033410202010%
2057210303010%
1110210202012%
4027410202010%
Knowledge Area
403 - Waste Disposal, Recycling, and Reuse; 133 - Pollution Prevention and Mitigation; 111 - Conservation and Efficient Use of Water; 205 - Plant Management Systems; 125 - Agroforestry; 608 - Community Resource Planning and Development; 201 - Plant Genome, Genetics, and Genetic Mechanisms; 123 - Management and Sustainability of Forest Resources; 402 - Engineering Systems and Equipment;

Subject Of Investigation
0110 - Soil; 0650 - Wood and wood products; 0210 - Water resources; 0199 - Soil and land, general; 3410 - Dairy cattle, live animal; 7410 - General technology; 7210 - Remote sensing equipment and technology; 1452 - Carrot;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering; 1060 - Biology (whole systems); 1160 - Pathology; 3010 - Economics; 3030 - Information and communication;
Goals / Objectives
The SUPERSTAR project has 5 supporting objectives: 1) Enrich students' knowledge and hands-on skills related to agricultural sustainability via experiential learning in multiple AFRI-program-priority-area-focused research projects at CSUB; 2) Develop sustainability-related service-learning internships at government agencies (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA-partnered University of California Cooperative Extension, Bureau of Land Management) and Valley business/community partners (e.g. California Bioenergy, Sun World International); 3) Improve sustainability-related education by updating curriculum materials for lectures and teaching laboratories; 4) Disseminate project information via website and community listservs and Present research achievements at symposia and student research conferences, and 5) Enhance students' enthusiasm for earning a STEM/FANH degree and pursuing a graduate study.
Project Methods
Student Recruitment, Selection, and Retention: The SUPERSTAR mentors and participant representatives will give an annual recruitment presentation to introduce research projects and intern positions for the following year. After the advertisement of the recruitment event, administrative staff will help mentors collect applications using the Qualtrics online survey tool. Applicants need to provide their GPA, major, statement of interest in specific research or internship positions, and demographic information (optional). The enrolled units during the recruitment semesters will also be verified to guarantee the student retention. Selection will be based on a combination of academic background/performance and demonstration of determined interest and goals. The preference will be given to qualified STEM and FANH program undergraduate students (e.g. students in the programs of Agricultural Engineering, Biology, Environmental Horticulture, Forestry & Natural Resources, Plant Science), women, underrepresented/economically disadvantaged minorities, veterans, and first-generation college students. Following standard hiring and recruitment processes, at least 24 undergraduate participants will be hired and allocated to suitable positions.

Progress 01/01/24 to 12/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:STEM and FANH program undergraduate students, women, underrepresented/economically disadvantaged minorities, veterans, and first-generation college students from minority-serving institutions: CSU-Bakersfield, Bakersfield College, and Taft College. Government agencies (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA-partnered University of California Cooperative Extension, Bureau of Land Management) and the Central Valley business/community partners (e.g. California Bioenergy, Sun World International) Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Sixteen student researcher positions were created and sixteen intern positions were created. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?--The program website (https://zliu006.wixsite.com/csub-usda-superstar) was updated to disseminate major outcomes from Year 3. --Dr. Liu's team presented their poster titled "Synergistic Treatment of Cow Manure Processing Products" at the 2024 Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research. --Dr. Lauer's team presented their poster titled "Resistance of Environmental Fungi to Azole Drugs That Are Being Used to Treat Coccidioidomycosis" at the 2024 Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research. --Dr. Reihani's team presented their poster titled "Machine Learning-Based Disease Detection in Apple Leaves for Early Intervention" at the 2024 Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research. --Dr. Michieka' team will present their outcomes in 2025. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The program PI and Co-PIs will create 12 student research positions in 3 Ag-related research projects, create at least 12 intern positions, and further improve Ag sustainability related curriculum materials.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1.Four CSU-Bakersfield professors led four research projects (one economics project is moved from Year 2 to Year 3) related to agricultural sustainability in Year 3. Sixteen undergraduate students were trained on engineering, biology, and economics skills. 2.Sixteen undergraduate students completed different service-learning internships at government agencies (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA-partnered University of California Cooperative Extension, Bureau of Land Management) and Valley business/community partners (California Bioenergy, Sun World International). 3.Related education materials were developed. For example, Dr. Lauer included topics such as probiotics as natural antifungal agents in sustainable agriculture, as well as antifungal resistance mechanisms among fungi and detection methods for Coccidioides in soil and dust to the lecture and lab component of BIOL 4350 (Environmental Microbiology). Dr. Francis introduced antimicrobial compound discovery and the use of biocontrol agents to the lab exercise with corresponding lecture materials of BIOL 3410 (General Microbiology). 4.The SUPERSTAR website (https://zliu006.wixsite.com/csubusda-superstar) was updated to reflect the program progress in Year 3 and disseminate major outcomes. Ten student researchers gave three conference poster presentations at the 2024 Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research in San Bernardino, CA. 5.Faculty advisors estalished long-term mentorship with student researchers on their career development. One student researcher decided to pursue his master degree in engineering. At least two community colleague students will continue their study in a 4-year university to get their bachelor's degree.

Publications


    Progress 01/01/23 to 12/31/23

    Outputs
    Target Audience:STEM and FANH program undergraduate students, women, underrepresented/economically disadvantaged minorities, veterans, and first-generation college students from minority-serving institutions: CSU-Bakersfield, Bakersfield College, and Taft College. Government agencies (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA-partnered University of California Cooperative Extension, Bureau of Land Management) and the Central Valley business/community partners (e.g. California Bioenergy, Sun World International) Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Seven student researcher positions were created and fifteen intern positions were created. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?--The program website (https://zliu006.wixsite.com/csub-usda-superstar) was updated to disseminate major outcomes. --Dr. Forester's team presented their poster titled "Effect of Organic Farming on Table Grape Quality" at the 2023 Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research in Fullerton, CA. --Dr. Cabrales' team presented their poster titled "Study of Electrochemical Oxidation to Treat Produced Water" at the 2023 Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research in Fullerton, CA. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The program PI and Co-PIs will create 16 student research positions in 4 Ag-related research projects, create at least 12 intern positions, and improve other Ag sustainability related curriculum materials.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? 1.Two CSU-Bakersfield professors led two research projects related to agricultural sustainability in Year 2. Seven undergraduate students were trained on engineering and chemistry skills. Another CSU-Bakersfield professor's research project was postponed to Year 3 due to his unexpected unavailability. 2.Fifteen undergraduate students completed different service-learning internships at government agencies (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA-partnered University of California Cooperative Extension, Bureau of Land Management) and Valley business/community partners (California Bioenergy, Sun World International, V-Grid Energy Systems, JimmyAsh). 3.Related education materials were developed. For example, Dr. Cabrales developed new lecture materials regarding the treatment of oilfield produced water and Dr. Forester developed lecture materials regarding sustainable practices in food production. 4.The SUPERSTAR website (https://zliu006.wixsite.com/csubusda-superstar) was updated to reflect the program progress and disseminate major outcomes. Five student researchers gave two conference poster presentations at the 2023 Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research in Fullerton, CA. 5.Faculty advisors estalished long-term mentorship with student researchers on their career development. Some students have their plan to pursue their master degrees.

    Publications


      Progress 01/01/22 to 12/31/22

      Outputs
      Target Audience:STEM and FANH program undergraduate students, women, underrepresented/economically disadvantaged minorities, veterans, and first-generation college students from minority-serving institutions: CSU-Bakersfield, Bakersfield College, and Taft College. Government agencies (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA-partnered University of California Cooperative Extension, Bureau of Land Management) and the Central Valley business/community partners (e.g. California Bioenergy, Sun World International) Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Fifteen student researcher positions were created and nine intern positions were created. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?--A website was created to disseminate major outcomes (https://zliu006.wixsite.com/csub-usda-superstar). --Dr. Zhongzhe Liu's team presented their poster titled "Energy and Resource Recovery from Hazardous Woody Fuels to Enhance the Forestry-Agriculture Nexus" at the 2022 Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research in Malibu, CA. The results were derived from the research project regarding sustainable forest management proposed in the first year of the SUPERSTAR program. --Dr. Ehsan Reihani's team presented their poster titled "Agricultural Demand Response in California" at the 2022 Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research in Malibu, CA. The results were derived from the research project regarding optimization of renewable energy system for agricultural farms proposed in the first year of the SUPERSTAR program. --Dr. Isolde Francis' team presented their poster titled "Streptomyces isolates as potential biocontrol agents for Carrot Cavity Spot caused by Pythium violae" at the 2022 Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research in Malibu, CA. The results were derived from the research project regarding biocontrol of important local agricultural diseases proposed in the first year of the SUPERSTAR program. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The program PI and Co-PIs will create 12 student research positions in 3 Ag-related research projects, create at least 13 intern positions, and improve other Ag sustainability related curriculum materials.

      Impacts
      What was accomplished under these goals? 1.Four CSU-Bakersfield professors led four research projects related to agricultural sustainability in Year 1. Fifteen undergraduate students were trained on engineering, biological, and computational skills. 2.Nine undergraduate students completed different service-learning internships at government agencies (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA-partnered University of California Cooperative Extension, Bureau of Land Management) and Valley business/community partners (e.g. California Bioenergy, Sun World International). 3.Related education materials were developed. For example, Dr. Liu developed new lecture materials regarding sustainable treatment of wastes from agriculture and forest, which covered thermochemical technologies for energy and resource recovery such as pyrolysis and gasification. 4.A website was created to update program progress and disseminate major outcomes (https://zliu006.wixsite.com/csub-usda-superstar). Eleven student researchers gave three conference poster presentations at the 2022 Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research in Malibu, CA. 5.Faculty advisors estalished long-term mentorship with student researchers on their career development. Some students were encouraged to pursue their master degrees.

      Publications