Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Water, energy, and food demands are expected to rise with an increasing global population in the near future. At the same time, these resources are continuously being depleted due to excessive usage or pollution and need protection to support sustainable production. There is a growing interest in relevant scientific disciplines, with U.S. alone expected to create more than 50,000 annual job openings for a highly skilled workforce with bachelors or higher degrees in related disciplines. The highly complex nexus of water, energy, environment, food and nutrition calls for the emerging workforce to be trained with multidisciplinary skills to address the intertwined challenges. This can only be achieved by providing current undergraduate students with more hands-on research, education, and extension/outreach experiences through scientifically sound and socially relevant projects. Our REEU mentoring team will provide multidisciplinary experiences to a select group of participants who will be chosen based on both merit and other critical considerations to ensure an inclusive environment. The overarching goal of this project is to prepare a team of professionals with superior skills that form a diverse workforce equivalent to changing demographics.
Animal Health Component
10%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
20%
Applied
80%
Developmental
0%
Goals / Objectives
Specific objectives of this REEU program are as follow:To provide interdisciplinary research, education, and extension/outreach experiences in the critical areas of water, energy, process development, and supply chain sustainability;To train 10 REEU Fellowship students per year for graduate studies or industry-ready jobs and to increase the student awareness of sustainable agriculture through experiential learning; and increase the number of well-prepared minority citizens in this area.To broaden the background, perspective, and opportunities for exposure to agriculture and extension experiences for minority students and develop a network of institutions.
Project Methods
The REEU program will support 10 research students per year for 9 weeks. The program includes research, extension and professional development activities. Each student participant will be assigned to a research group and project before arriving, based on preferences expressed during the application cycle. However, opportunities will be available to switch projects during the first week. As the students arrive at PNW's campus and get acquainted with housing and other arrangements, the program will begin with a welcoming ceremony and party on the first day, followed by an introduction of the participants to their research groups on the next day. From Day 2 onwards, the REEU participants will work with their respective research and/or extension mentor. One week of orientation will be provided for the students to understand the research scope and make a final selection of their research project. Students will be given a project binder and the student's workspace will also be assigned during this first week. The orientation and any necessary training will be tailored to the student's project. For example, if the student is working in a lab, they will be required to complete the appropriate training class(es) such as Introduction to Lab Safety, which is offered on campus through PNW's Environmental Health and Safety Department.