Nebraska-led Project to Empower Youth on Agricultural and Scientific Innovations

The Crop-to-Food Innovation Program led by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will give undergraduate students from across the United States the opportunity to be mentored in the fields of biological sciences, chemistry, food science, engineering, and other related majors to enhance their capabilities for cross-disciplinary, cutting-edge research which can help them start their careers after graduation.

The program is supported by the United States Department of Agriculture and will run for five years. The students will undergo a 10-week summer research training on research, science communication, and leadership. During the program, they will have the chance to work with scientists and assist in the development of new crop traits using the latest technologies on bioprocessing and formulation technologies to evaluate and develop new food and feed applications. The program will also include underrepresented students in science- and agriculture-related careers by recruiting students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Aside from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, three other Nebraska-based institutions will be involved in training the students with the help of at least 16 faculty mentors. The program will also include laboratory activities that will let the students experience field-to-market product development and deliver new foods and feeds to consumers and farmers, as well as formal training in scientific leadership and communication and biotechnology lab skills. Teamwork will be encouraged among the students to help them understand that it is the basis for creating innovations that will have an impact in the real world.

To learn more about the program, read the news released by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.