REU: Training Globally Engaged Undergraduates in Food Security Research in Kenya: A Focus on Tropical Food Crops, as the Key to Feeding the World

该REU奖授予位于马里兰州鲍伊的鲍伊州立大学（BSU），是一个为期10周的项目，在2022 - 2025年夏季培训8名学生（共24名）。这些学生来自研究机会有限的学校和代表性不足的群体。研究在非洲肯尼亚纳库鲁的埃格顿大学（EU）进行。学生学习如何进行研究，并在科学会议上展示他们的成果。研究重点是在不断变化的环境中寻求粮食安全的作物响应的遗传、生理和生态机制。该计划的评估将通过在线调查进行。课程结束后，将对学生进行跟踪，以确定他们的职业道路。科学主题侧重于被遗忘、未充分利用和被忽视的粮食作物中隐藏的粮食宝藏，这些粮食作物营养丰富，具有丰富的遗传多样性，可以很好地融入现有的农业系统。该计划有助于满足国家对培训全球劳动力的需求。该项目由北京州立大学自然科学系和埃格顿大学作物、园艺和土壤系共同主办。学生在BSU的第一周将参加一个密集的训练营，内容包括肯尼亚的历史和文化、安全、伦理/负责任的研究行为、基本的科学原理和技能，为研究项目做准备。接下来的8周包括在EU的研究，随后是学生们展示研究成果的闭幕研讨会。学生项目包括：根瘤菌的表征；Dolichos实验室资料；促进和采用干旱和半干旱高粱的气候智能型方法；本土蔬菜项目：以木薯为重点；多环境适应对小谷子基因型营养特征的影响肯尼亚被遗忘的粮食作物内生菌的多样性。虚拟代谢组学研讨会由美国队提供。学生学习文献综述，实验技术和设计，数据收集和分析以及专业发展。招募和参与者选择的重点是来自代表性不足群体的具有杰出研究潜力的学生。申请表格可在BSU REU计划网站上下载为可下载的电子文件。申请将由遴选委员会评估。更多信息可访问https://www.bowiestate.edu/academics-research/colleges/college-arts-sciences/departments/natural-sciences/research-experience-for-underg/，或联系PI， Anne Osano博士aosano@bowiestate.edu.This奖反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，认为值得支持。

This REU award to Bowie State University (BSU), located in Bowie, MD, is a 10-week program to train 8 students (24 total) in summers 2022 – 2025. The students are from schools with limited research opportunities and under-represented groups. Research is conducted at Egerton University (EU) in Nakuru, Kenya, Africa. Students learn how research is conducted, and present their results at scientific conferences. Research focuses on genetic, physiological, and ecological mechanisms underlying crop responses in a changing environment seeking food security. Assessment of the program will be performed using online surveys. Students will be tracked after the program in order to determine their career paths.The scientific theme focuses on hidden food treasures of the forgotten, underutilized and ignored food crops, which are highly nutritious with rich reservoirs of genetic diversity that can fit well into existing agricultural systems. This Program contributes to the national need of training a global workforce. The program is hosted by BSU’s Department of Natural Sciences and Egerton University, Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils. Students’ first week is at BSU for an intensive boot camp on the history and culture of Kenya, safety, ethics/responsible conduct of research, basic scientific principles and skills to prepare for the research project. The next 8 weeks involve research at EU, followed by a closing symposium where students present research results. Student projects include: characterization of Rhizobia; Dolichos lablab accessions; Climate Smart approaches for promotion and adoption of Arid and semi-Arid Sorghum; Indigenous Vegetable Project: A focus on Cassava; Analysis of multi-environment adaptation and its effect on nutrient profiles of finger millet genotypes (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn); Diversity of endophytes in Kenyan forgotten food crops. Virtual Metabolomic workshops are offered by the USA team. Students learn literature review, experimental techniques and design, data collection and analysis as well as professional development. Recruitment and participant selection focus on students with outstanding research potential from underrepresented groups. Application forms are available on the BSU REU Program website as downloadable electronic files. Applications will be evaluated by a Selection Committee. More information is available by visiting https://www.bowiestate.edu/academics-research/colleges/college-arts-sciences/departments/natural-sciences/research-experience-for-underg/, or by contacting the PI, Dr. Anne Osano at aosano@bowiestate.edu.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.