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

这个REU奖给鲍伊州立大学（BSU），位于鲍伊，马里兰州，是一个为期10周的计划，培养8名学生（共24名）在夏季2022 - 2025。这些学生来自研究机会有限和代表性不足的学校。研究在非洲肯尼亚纳库鲁的埃杰顿大学（欧盟）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反应的遗传，生理和生态机制。该计划的评估将使用在线调查进行。课程结束后，我们将对学生进行跟踪，以确定他们的职业道路。科学主题侧重于被遗忘、利用不足和被忽视的粮食作物中隐藏的食物宝藏，这些作物营养丰富，具有丰富的遗传多样性，可以很好地适应现有的农业系统。该方案有助于满足国家培训全球劳动力的需要。该计划由BSU的自然科学系和Egerton大学作物，园艺和土壤系主办。 学生的第一周是在BSU参加密集的靴子营，内容包括肯尼亚的历史和文化、安全、道德/负责任的研究行为、基本科学原则和为研究项目做准备的技能。接下来的8周涉及欧盟的研究，然后是一个闭幕研讨会，学生们展示研究成果。学生项目包括：根瘤菌的特性;扁豆种质;促进和采用干旱和半干旱高粱的气候智能型方法;土著蔬菜项目：以木薯为重点;多环境适应分析及其对小米基因型营养概况的影响（牛筋草L.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团队提供。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。招募和参与者的选择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计划网站上下载电子文件。申请将由遴选委员会进行评估。欲了解更多信息，请访问https：//www.bowiestate.edu/academics-research/colleages/college-art-sciences/departments/natural-sciences/research-experience-for-underg/，或联系PI，Anne Osano博士aosano@bowiestate.edu。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得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来支持。

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.