Agricultural Education and Collaboration: Addressing Emerging Needs of the Genomics EraRevolution

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Agricultural Education and Collaboration
Addressing Emerging Needs of the Genomics
Era/Revolution NC AT State
University Mulumebet Worku,
Benjamin Gray, Donald McDowell School of
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, North
Carolina AT State University Greensboro NC
27411  
Abstract
Multidisciplinary Training Program
Program Requirements
Efforts to address the emerging educational
and technological needs of the genomics
era/revolution have resulted in faculty embracing
the need for collaboration across disciplines at
North Carolina AT State University. Through a
collaborative endeavor of four departments in the
School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
a concerted effort was undertaken to meet the
demands for a diverse well trained workforce. The
approach used consisted of several interrelated
activities an identification of areas of
interest, the submission of grants for capacity
building, increasing the instrumentation and
infrastructure, establishment of a
bioinformatics learning facility, course
development, faculty and staff development,
graduate fellowship support and development of a
graduate level certificate program in
agricultural biotechnology and genomics. These
approaches, each in line with School and
University wide initiatives in biotechnology,
reflect state wide recognition for workforce
training in biotechnology. A multidisciplinary
collaboration between animal, plant microbial and
social scientists, infused with IT training and
an awareness of the land grant mission is being
undertaken. Research experiences and
supplemental training in collaboration with
genomics and bioinformatics centers supplement on
campus activities. These efforts will help
advance the integration of new sciences, develop
highly skilled personnel, provide support for
biotech research, embellish undergraduate and
graduate training, and expedite outreach efforts.
The many advantages and positive impact of this
unique collaborative efforts in agricultural
biotechnology and genomics will be shared.
The School of Agriculture and Environmental
Sciences at North Carolina AT State University
places a special emphasis on preparing students
for careers in biotechnology. The National Needs
Graduate Fellowship in Agricultural Biotechnology
and Genomics is one opportunity available to
underrepresented groups to enter this exciting
and growing field. Recipients of this fellowship
receive financial assistance as they work toward
a certificate in biotechnology and a masters
degree from the School of Agriculture and
Environmental Sciences. Thanks to this
fellowship program, four masters students are
now preparing for careers in biotechnology and
genomics at N.C. AT. They are
Fellowships are provided for up to four
students in the USDA National Needs Fellowship in
Agricultural Biotechnology and Genomics. The
program includes the following requirements Enrol
lment in one of the five masters degree programs
in the School of Agriculture and Environmental
Sciences 15 credit hours in biotechnology and
genomics Completion of 25 hours of outreach
activities in collaboration with the Cooperative
Extension Program at N.C. AT. Completion of a
thesis or project with a topic that is relevant
to agricultural biotechnology or
genomics. Successful candidates will be awarded a
graduate certificate in biotechnology
Derrick Coble of Greensboro, shown here analyzing
RNA data on a computer, is using cutting-edge
technology to make discoveries about the immune
system of dairy cattle, as well as the DNA of a
disease-causing organism in dairy cattle. Coble
is pursuing a masters degree in Animal Sciences.
Recipients of the National Needs Graduate
Fellowship in Agricultural Biotechnology and
Genomics receive a broad, extensive education
about key developments in biotechnology and
genomics. Thesis Title Effect of host immune
factors in whey on global gene expression in
E.coli genes use of microarray analysis.
Advisor Dr Mulumebet Worku Current PhD Student
Professional Development
Outside the classroom, students prepare for
science careers by engaging in research, teaching
and outreach. They attend and make presentations
at professional meetings. They write abstracts
and prepare and present posters at scientific
conferences they attend. In addition, they visit
biotechnology firms in North Carolina, and
conduct outreach in schools. They are also active
in many of the professional organizations that
have active chapters at N.C. AT.
Rosette Dibanza of Raleigh NC  is pursuing a
masters degree in food and nutrition. She is
researching better ways to monitor for
disease-causing organisms, such as E.coli and
other pathogens in spinach and other foods.
Dibanza is pursuing a masters degree in Food and
Nutritional Sciences. .Advancing the teaching
and understanding of agricultural biotechnology
and genomics is a key objective of the National
Needs Graduate Fellowship in Agricultural
Biotechnology and Genomics Thesis Title
Determining the microbiological quality and
safety of fresh spinach using the Soleris
instrument. Advisor Dr Salam Ibrahim Current
Working in the Food sector
Project Summary
North Carolina AT State University has received
funds to prepare M.S. level students from
underrepresented groups for competitive positions
in agricultural biotechnology and genomics and to
provide the United States with a diverse
well-trained agricultural workforce. The
specific project objectives are 1. Recruit
capable students from a range of disciplines into
a M.S. program designed to prepare them for
careers in agricultural biotechnology and
genomics 2. Provide students in this program
with a broad but extensive level of education
about key areas and development in biotechnology
and genomics 3. Ensure that the program
graduates have experience with cutting edge
technology in order that they can be competitive
in the market place 4. Advance the teaching and
understanding of knowledge in agricultural
biotechnology and genomics 5. Provide
integrated training in research, extension and
teaching with an awareness of social, global and
ethical issues Implementation can be expected to
(a) increase the diversity and quality of
students interested in pursuing professional
careers in agricultural biotechnology and
genomics (b) increase the number, quality, and
diversity of students who could be accepted into
graduate programs in agricultural biotechnology
and genomics (c) promote interdisciplinary
learning for careers in agriculture. (d)
Increase the quality and numbers of students in
the pipeline needed to meet the demand for a
diverse well trained workforce in these
disciplines. faeis.ahnrit.vt.edu/documents/grants
/graduate/fellow05.pdf Funded by the USDA/CSREES
Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs
Graduate and Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants
Program

At the Project directors meeting Washington DC
Charles Hatcher of Normal Alabama, shown here
gathering data from one of his experiments, is
researching alternative rearing practices for
poultry, with the aim of making poultry products
safer for consumers. His M.S. degree will be in
Animal Sciences One of the aims of the National
Needs Graduate Fellowship in Agricultural
Biotechnology and Genomics is to ensure that
students gain experience with cutting edge
technology in order to be competitive in the
marketplace. Thesis Title Health well being and
product safety of broiler chickens in alternative
systems Animal Sciences Dr Advisor Dr Willie
Willis Current Thesis Defended
Taddashi C. Totten of Blanche NC is getting his
masters degree in agricultural education. Here,
he is shown working with 4-H students at the
University Farm. One of the requirements of the
fellowship program is to teach and conduct 25
hours of outreach, in collaboration with the
Cooperative Extension Program at N.C. AT. Totten
is pursuing a masters degree in Agricultural
Education Thesis Title Agricultural Education
administrators perceptions about biotechnology
education Advisor Dr Antoine Alston Current
Virginia tech Cooperative Extension  
Approach
Additional information obtained by
contacting Dr. Millie Worku Graduate
Coordinator Department of Animal Sciences B. C.
Webb Hall School of Agriculture and Environmental
Sciences NC AT State University 1601 East Market
St Greensboro, NC 27455 Worku_at_ncat.edu (336)
334-7615